Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ
Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ
The #1 resource for Ayahuasca, Psychedelics, and Mental Health.
Explore the transformative world of plant medicine and psychedelic therapy with Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat. This podcast dives deep into the healing power of Ayahuasca, offering expert clinical insights, indigenous wisdom, and raw success stories of trauma recovery and spiritual awakening.
What you’ll learn:
-
Expert Interviews: Conversations with world-renowned scientists, doctors, and shamans.
-
Healing Stories: Real-life accounts of overcoming PTSD, depression, and addiction through Ayahuasca.
-
Integration & Safety: Practical advice on Ayahuasca integration, preparation, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
-
The Frontiers of Science: Latest research on Ayahuasca, Ketamine, Psilocybin, and the intersection of science and spirituality.
Whether you are a curious beginner or an experienced practitioner, join us as we bridge Western medicine with ancient Amazonian traditions to help you heal and transform your life.
Visit our home: www.ayahuascapodcast.com Retreat with us: www.lawayra.com
Top Featured Guests
International Public Figures
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Gabor Maté (World-renowned expert on trauma and addiction)
-
Dennis McKenna (Legendary ethnobotanist and psychedelic pioneer)
-
Wade Davis (National Geographic Explorer, world-famous anthropologist)
-
Paul Austin (Founder of The Third Wave, major figure in microdosing)
-
Ian McCall (Former UFC fighter and psychedelic advocate)
-
Bill Richards (Psilocybin research pioneer at Johns Hopkins)
-
Troy Casey (The "Certified Health Nut," major social media presence)
-
Hamilton Souther (Well-known shaman and founder of Blue Morpho)
Influential Thought Leaders & Authors
-
Dave Rabin (Neuroscientist/Psychiatrist, Apollo Neuro founder)
-
Lauren Taus (Leading psychedelic-assisted therapist)
-
Bia Labate (Executive Director of Chacruna Institute)
-
Norman Ohler (Author of the NYT bestseller Blitzed)
-
Spring Washam (Prominent meditation teacher and author)
-
Joe Tafur (Author of The Fellowship of the River)
-
Alex Beiner (Author and executive director of Rebel Wisdom)
-
Jesse Harless (Expert on recovery and heart-centered leadership)
-
Tracey Tee (Founder of Moms on Mushrooms)
-
Kyle Buller (Co-founder of Psychedelics Today)
Industry Experts & Specialized Practitioners
-
Marc Aixala
-
Rick Barnett
-
Steve Thayer
-
Rotem Petranker
-
Salimeh Tabrizi
-
Ayla Schafer
-
Lex Pelger
-
Daniel Shankin
-
Natasia Pelgrom
-
Nick Courtright
-
Matt Zemon
-
Shawn Wells
Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ
The #1 resource for Ayahuasca, Psychedelics, and Mental Health.
Explore the transformative world of plant medicine and psychedelic therapy with Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat. This podcast dives deep into the healing power of Ayahuasca, offering expert clinical insights, indigenous wisdom, and raw success stories of trauma recovery and spiritual awakening.
What you’ll learn:
-
Expert Interviews: Conversations with world-renowned scientists, doctors, and shamans.
-
Healing Stories: Real-life accounts of overcoming PTSD, depression, and addiction through Ayahuasca.
-
Integration & Safety: Practical advice on Ayahuasca integration, preparation, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
-
The Frontiers of Science: Latest research on Ayahuasca, Ketamine, Psilocybin, and the intersection of science and spirituality.
Whether you are a curious beginner or an experienced practitioner, join us as we bridge Western medicine with ancient Amazonian traditions to help you heal and transform your life.
Visit our home: www.ayahuascapodcast.com Retreat with us: www.lawayra.com
Top Featured Guests
International Public Figures
-
Gabor Maté (World-renowned expert on trauma and addiction)
-
Dennis McKenna (Legendary ethnobotanist and psychedelic pioneer)
-
Wade Davis (National Geographic Explorer, world-famous anthropologist)
-
Paul Austin (Founder of The Third Wave, major figure in microdosing)
-
Ian McCall (Former UFC fighter and psychedelic advocate)
-
Bill Richards (Psilocybin research pioneer at Johns Hopkins)
-
Troy Casey (The "Certified Health Nut," major social media presence)
-
Hamilton Souther (Well-known shaman and founder of Blue Morpho)
Influential Thought Leaders & Authors
-
Dave Rabin (Neuroscientist/Psychiatrist, Apollo Neuro founder)
-
Lauren Taus (Leading psychedelic-assisted therapist)
-
Bia Labate (Executive Director of Chacruna Institute)
-
Norman Ohler (Author of the NYT bestseller Blitzed)
-
Spring Washam (Prominent meditation teacher and author)
-
Joe Tafur (Author of The Fellowship of the River)
-
Alex Beiner (Author and executive director of Rebel Wisdom)
-
Jesse Harless (Expert on recovery and heart-centered leadership)
-
Tracey Tee (Founder of Moms on Mushrooms)
-
Kyle Buller (Co-founder of Psychedelics Today)
Industry Experts & Specialized Practitioners
-
Marc Aixala
-
Rick Barnett
-
Steve Thayer
-
Rotem Petranker
-
Salimeh Tabrizi
-
Ayla Schafer
-
Lex Pelger
-
Daniel Shankin
-
Natasia Pelgrom
-
Nick Courtright
-
Matt Zemon
-
Shawn Wells
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mark John Brown, an integral performance and purpose coach with over 15 years of experience blending indigenous wisdom with modern business practices.
We touch upon:
Mark’s journey into plant medicine and indigenous culture (01:02)
Indigenous re-indigenization and its impact on self-development (04:20)
The role of ayahuasca in re-indigenizing the self (06:11)
Healing childhood trauma through psychedelics (09:29)
Indigenous concepts of reciprocity and sacred reciprocity (21:47)
Balancing spirituality with business in modern society (33:26)
Coaching strategies rooted in ancestral wisdom (40:17)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Mark John Brown at his website nativewisdomhub.com or on Instagram @marcjohnbrown.
Special offer from Marc
https://www.nativewisdomhub.com/trauma-to-triumph

Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Psychedelics and leadership. Ayahuasca podcast with Natasja Pelgrom
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Natasja Pelgrom, a thought leader in personal growth and psychedelic transformation, founder of Awaken the Medicine Within, and host of the Awaken Podcast.
We touch upon topics including:
Natasja's journey with psychedelics (1:51-10:29)
Entrepreneurship in the psychedelic space (10:58-15:50)
Leadership and psychedelics (17:18-24:13)
Authenticity as a core value (24:48-29:17)
Space-holding techniques (30:13-36:50)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Natasja at natasjapelgrom.com or through Awaken the Medicine Within.
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Writing a book about Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca Podcast with Nick Courtright
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Book questionnaire
https://ayahuascaincolombia.com/book-form/
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Nick Courtright. Sam interviews Nick about how his Ayahuasca experience changed his life and Nick interviews Sam about a book Sam is going to write.
Nick Courtright is an American poet, educator, and essayist whose work fuses philosophical inquiry with lyrical expression. He is the founder and CEO of Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publisher dedicated to authors' rights. As an author, Nick has written several acclaimed books, including Let it Be Light and The Forgotten World.
Topics discussed:
Introduction to Nick’s journey with Ayahuasca and initial motivations (01:26)
Personal transformation through Ayahuasca at LaWayra (03:54)
The unexpected side effects: quitting alcohol and running a marathon (04:48)
Atmosphere Press: ethics and the publishing process (07:04)
Integrating Ayahuasca experiences into daily life (18:14)
The inspiration behind Sam’s upcoming book (22:38)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Nick Courtright at www.atmospherepress.com.
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bob Otis, the founding pastor of Sacred Garden Community Church and a leading advocate for the decriminalization of sacred plant medicines. Bob is deeply involved in psychedelic spirituality and serves on councils dedicated to the protection of sacred plants.
We touch upon topics such as:
Bob’s journey with psychedelics and founding Sacred Garden (01:16)
Mystical experiences and spiritual connection through plant medicines (04:14)
The relationship between psychedelics and Western religion (06:32)
Bob’s perspective on starting a church for plant medicine (15:19)
Ethical considerations and challenges of leading a psychedelic church (47:20)
The Decriminalize Nature movement (59:34)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Bob Otis at sacredgarden.life.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Psychedelic advocacy, psychedelics in UK. Ayahuasca Podcast with Joe Vaughan
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Joe Vaughan, a UK-based comedian, writer, and advocate for psychedelic medicine legalization. Joe shares his journey into psychedelics, driven by witnessing the transformative power of psilocybin on a close friend. Together, they discuss the potential of psychedelics for mental health, addiction recovery, and the challenges of pushing for legalization in the UK.
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Joe Vaughan at Twitter: @joevaughancomedy.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Trauma and psychedelics. Ayahuasca Podcast with Steve Thayer
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Steve Thayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly with ketamine. Steve is the clinical director for psychotherapy and training at Numinus and co-hosts the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast.
We touch upon topics like:
Steve’s journey into mental health and psychedelics (00:57)
Ketamine-assisted therapy and its benefits (03:18)
Spirituality and intuition in personal growth (05:56)
Challenges faced by first responders and veterans (13:19)
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy vs. traditional therapy (16:52)
Accelerating the therapeutic process with psychedelics (18:25)
Psychological flexibility and the impact of psychedelics (19:24)
The role of facilitators in ensuring safe psychedelic experiences (50:42)
The importance of training and self-awareness for facilitators (51:12)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.Find more about Steve Thayer at www.drstevethayer.com or on Instagram @drstevethayer.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
From addiction to empowerment. Ayahuasca Podcasts with Jesse Harless
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of LaWayra) has a conversation with Jesse Harless, a thought leader in addiction recovery and mental health.
Jesse shares his inspiring journey of overcoming addiction and how he now empowers others as a coach, facilitator, and author of Smash Your Comfort Zone with Cold Showers.
We touch upon topics such as:
Jesse’s personal journey with addiction and recovery (01:25)
Overcoming trauma through self-awareness (06:10)
Role of psychedelics in addiction recovery (08:28)
Jesse’s experience with Ayahuasca (12:45)
Cold therapy and its benefits for mental health (32:04)
Addiction as a coping mechanism (38:58)
The F.E.A.R.S. model for recovery (44:04)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to LaWayra.
Find more about Jesse Harless at jessieharless.com.
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Death, Rebirth, and Spiritual Awakening. Ayahuasca Podcast with Maria Dimakos
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ has a conversation with Maria Sophia Dimakos, a death doula, conscious dying coach, and therapist. Together, they explore topics including:
Maria’s early spiritual experiences and family background (00:48)
Navigating the thin line between spiritual gifts and mental health (04:20)
Exploring the Greek spiritual mysteries (07:48)
The spiritual symbolism of the Minotaur and Sam's personal experience (14:57)
The concept of a good death and her initiation as a death doula (18:46)
Grieving practices and the art of embracing death (29:18)
Experiences with ayahuasca and the intersection of death and plant medicine (32:45)
Confronting and integrating death during an ayahuasca ceremony (33:26)
Heaven, hell, and life after death through Maria's lens (36:37)
The importance of dietas in spiritual practice and plant medicine work (50:35)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Maria at TheMariaSofia on Instagram or her podcast Suddenly Spiritual.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Mindfulness and Microdosing. Ayahuasca Podcast with Dr. Lauren Alderfer
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ has a conversation with Dr. Lauren Alderfer, an award-winning author, educator, and microdosing coach. Lauren has over 20 years of experience living in the Indian subcontinent, decades of meditation practice, and a unique perspective on mindfulness and microdosing.
We touch upon topics of:
Lauren’s introduction to plant medicine in Ecuador (01:02)
The benefits of microdosing versus macrodosing (03:58)
The importance of mindfulness in microdosing (05:19)
How mindfulness enhances psychedelic experiences (07:12)
Cultural misconceptions about microdosing (07:58)
Using mindfulness to enhance macrodosing journeys (08:43)
The analogy of microdosing as a ‘dirt bike’ on the journey to mindfulness (13:26)
Differences between microdosing various substances (14:22)
Matching intention with the right plant medicine (15:21)
The importance of discernment in microdosing practices (16:17)
Lauren’s journey as a mindfulness-based microdosing coach (47:23)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Lauren at www.laurenalderfer.com and on Instagram @laurenalderfer.

Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Ayahuasca and biohacking with Lauren Leiva - Ayahuasca Podcast
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ has a conversation with Dr. Lauren Leiva, founder of The ExerScience Center and a multidimensional Doctor of Physical Therapy. Lauren shares how her early spiritual practices helped her survive a life-threatening event and discusses the mind-body connection, biohacking, and healing.
We touch upon topics of:- Spiritual practices and survival (00:30:00)- Mind-body connection (00:10:00)- Intuition and healing (00:18:00)- Ayahuasca and biohacking (00:30:00)- Running a clinic with a holistic approach (00:42:00)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Dr. Lauren Leiva at theexersciencecenter.com.







