Step into a powerful and deeply personal conversation in this episode of In the Blink Podcast,, where healing, transformation, and the untapped wisdom of the mind take center stage. Explore how guided plant medicine journeys can catalyze emotional recovery, unlock forgotten memories, and rewire trauma at the neurological level. With insights on psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT—plus reflections on music, memory, and the body’s own intelligence—this episode offers a rare and profound look at the intersection of neuroscience, therapy, and spirituality. Whether you're new to the topic or already curious, this is a must-listen for anyone exploring healing beyond the surface.

“When you go through a psychedelic experience, it's more lucid. It tends to be as if you opened into the dream world, but with a clearer set of diving goggles on.” - Ben

Hear more about:

• Plant Medicine as a Catalyst for Healing: Guided psychedelic journeys using plant medicines like psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT can act as catalysts for emotional breakthroughs, particularly when trauma is recent and hasn't deeply taken root neurologically.

• Neuroplasticity and the "Critical Period": Psychedelics can reopen the brain’s critical period of neuroplasticity, allowing individuals to rewire maladaptive patterns and address trauma more effectively, even years after it occurred.

• Different Plant Medicines Serve Different Purposes: Each plant medicine has a unique effect—psilocybin often evokes psychological material and, at higher doses, spiritual experiences; mescaline heightens body intelligence; and DMT tends to facilitate transpersonal or spiritual insights.

• Music Deepens and Extends Healing: Music plays a potent role in psychedelic sessions. It evokes memories, deepens emotional processing, and can be used intentionally during and after sessions to reinforce positive changes.

• Unconscious Patterns Surface for Integration: Psychedelic experiences can bring up forgotten or repressed childhood memories and emotional patterns, even those not consciously targeted, allowing for holistic healing.

• Stereoscopic Vision and Memory Activation: Plant medicine can access deep neurological imprints, such as the experience of stereoscopic vision in individuals who have lost an eye, illustrating the brain’s capacity to retrieve and re-experience stored sensations.

• Sub-Brain Intelligence: The heart, gut, and nervous system hold their own forms of intelligence—often referred to as “sub-brains”—which psychedelics can help bring back into conscious awareness, enhancing decision-making and self-awareness.

• Risks of Overuse and the Importance of Integration: While psychedelics can be healing, excessive use or poor integration during the post-journey critical period can destabilize mental frameworks. Information hygiene and intentional integration are essential for lasting benefits.

About Benjamin Phelan:

After a first career in television and media, Benjamin found his calling in helping people from all walks of life to navigate major life passages, overcome significant personal challenges, and discover deeper purpose and meaning. He is based in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado.

For those interested in learning more, Neurons to Nirvana: Understanding Psychedelic Medicines is a highly recommended documentary—available on Amazon Prime, Apple, Google Play, or YouTube.

Another Movie Recommendation: Fantastic Fungi

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=fantastic%20fungi&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#fpstate=vclbx

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/

If you’ve ever navigated life after trauma, faced the invisible challenges of illness, or simply felt like your inner world is at odds with your outer reality, this podcast episode is for you. Join a deeply honest and insightful conversation between a host and her therapist of three years as they explore transformative healing through Internal Family Systems (IFS), psilocybin therapy, and the power of being truly witnessed. From coping with life-altering diagnoses to unlocking the subconscious mind, this episode offers wisdom, compassion, and tangible practices for anyone on a journey of grief, resilience, or self-discovery. Tune in—you might just find a piece of yourself in their story.

“So eventually I related to the illness as it really just my body seizing an opportunity to tell me that you're walking so far down the wrong path that we have to stop you from walking, yeah, and like you need to just slow down and sit in your being and see if what you're doing is actually in resonance with who you are.” - Abby

Key Points:

• Healing Isn't Always About Fixing—It's About Integration: Healing from trauma or life-changing illness doesn't necessarily mean returning to who you were before. Instead, it's about integrating what happened, accepting your current reality, and learning to live fully with it.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Offers a Path to Rewire the Brain: IFS therapy works by allowing individuals to access subconscious parts of themselves—often inner children or protector parts—and rewire long-held beliefs through imagination and compassionate attention, even without the use of psychedelics.

• Psychedelics Can Trigger Profound Shifts—but They're Not the Only Way: Psilocybin and other psychedelics can unlock hidden brain pathways and offer healing insights, but similar brain states and outcomes can be reached through visualization, meditation, and IFS.

• Invisible Disabilities Carry Unique Emotional Weight: Living with a disability no one can see can be isolating and frustrating. The episode brings attention to the emotional burden of being misunderstood or overlooked and the strength it takes to keep going.

• Being Truly Heard and Witnessed Is Inherently Healing: The simple yet powerful act of being seen, believed, and validated—without judgment—can be transformative for those processing trauma or grief.

• Slowing Down Changes Brain States and Promotes Healing: Most adults operate in beta brainwave states (analytical, overthinking mode), but healing often requires shifting into alpha or theta states through mindfulness, visualization, or guided meditation—where deeper emotional processing can occur.

About Abby White:

Abby provides individual adult psychotherapy sessions both virtually & in-person via her private practice "Butterfly Affect Psychotherapy & Counseling LLC", located in Boulder, CO. She specializes in working with those coping with life-changing illness & trauma, college/post college anxiety & identity development, & music industry professionals. Her approach to treatment is heavily rooted in the IFS (Internal Family Systems) tradition of therapeutic intervention in which client & clinician explore together the parts of self holding onto subconscious beliefs so that they may be released, integrated, & updated to support current client goals in life & in therapy. She also uses mindfulness-based interventions, training in non-violent communucation, & transpersonal approaches to support individual client recovery & aid in the development of life purpose & personal passions.

Connect with Abby:

Website: butterflyaffectpsychotherapy.com

Phone (text preferred): 203.536.0813

Email: abby@butterflyaffectpsychotherapy.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/butterflyaffect/

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to connect with a loved one who’s passed—or how that experience could transform your healing journey? In Episode 7 of In the Blink Podcast, Meagan sits down with Nicole Carson and Audra Brem to explore their deeply personal and emotional experiences with a medium. From grief and trauma to unexpected peace and growth, their stories offer powerful insights into life, loss, and the messages that can come through when you open your heart. Tune in to hear how one phone call changed everything.

“Have an open mind to other people who have done that and not be so harsh or judgmental towards that decision. Because everybody in life is on their own journey, and their own healing journey, and trauma is wild. So if you can find a sliver of hope in the darkest time of your life to get through that, and that comes in the form of a medium, so be it.” - Nicole

Key Takeaways:

• Mediums Can Provide Deep Emotional Healing: Nicole and Audra found significant healing through their sessions with Monica, a medium who helped them process grief, understand past traumas, and find peace with the loss of their parents.

• Letting Go Can Lead to Freedom: Nicole’s journey emphasized the importance of releasing the need to understand everything—particularly her father's suicide—which allowed her to finally feel a sense of peace and freedom.

• Skepticism Is Normal, Openness Is Transformational: Both Nicole and Audra began their journeys skeptical of mediums but experienced life-changing moments once they opened their minds and hearts to the process.

• Mediums Can Offer Ongoing Support and Guidance: Monica not only connected loved ones with those who had passed, but also continued to provide emotional and spiritual support, acting as a life coach and parenting guide.

• Shared Experiences Foster Empathy and Growth: Meagan, Audra, and Nicole found that discussing their experiences with mediums helped them process their pain, grow emotionally, and become more supportive and empathetic toward others navigating similar paths.

All About the Guest:

Nicole Carson is a passionate entrepreneur and franchise sales expert who owns Star Glow Spray Tan, a successful spray tan studio known for its high-quality service and client care. In addition to running her business, she works in franchise development, helping others pursue business ownership. With a background in marketing and a degree in Public Relations and Marketing, Nicole has built a career on strong relationships and strategic brand development. Her early experiences in dance and professional cheerleading shaped her confidence and leadership. Outside of work, she's a dedicated wife, mother of two active kids, school volunteer, and proud dog mom. Nicole enjoys spending time with loved ones, cheering for the Denver Broncos, and embracing her love of music and dance.

Connect with Nicole:

Instagram: @starglowspraytan

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/