In this deeply eye-opening episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Heather Lee, licensed therapist and psychedelic healing practitioner with 30+ years of clinical experience, to explore the transformative potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy for trauma, emotional healing, and inner reconnection.

Heather, one of the first certified therapists trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (linked to leading research institutions including Johns Hopkins), shares how plant-based medicine works on the brain’s default mode network, why it’s often described as a “reboot” for the mind, and how guided psychedelic journeys can help people process long-buried memories, grief, and unresolved emotional wounds in a safe, structured, and therapeutic setting.

From trauma release and inner child healing to intuition, integration, and the importance of proper therapeutic containers, this conversation demystifies psychedelic healing and separates clinical, intentional work from recreational use.

This is not about escapism. It’s about reconnection, rewiring, and reclaiming your inner wisdom.

Episode Highlights:

• 03:20 – What psilocybin actually is (fungi, not a plant) and its safety profile

• 10:15 – Natural healing vs. chemical dependency mindset

• 18:20 – The ripple effect: relationships, habits, and emotional regulation shifts

• 23:40 – Fear, anxiety, and constricted vs. expansive emotional states

• 25:40 – Red flags in the psychedelic space (pop-up centers & untrained guides)

• 33:10 – One journey vs. multiple sessions: what’s actually necessary

• 42:40 – Common outcomes: feeling lighter, calmer, and less emotionally triggered

• 43:30 – Do journeys go to one memory or multiple chapters of healing?

Key Takeaways:

• Psilocybin acts like a mental reboot. It loosens rigid brain patterns and allows outdated narratives, trauma, and emotional residue to be revisited and processed.

• The medicine is the catalyst, not the therapist. A trained practitioner creates safety and integration, but the healing insights come from within.

• Trauma is stored until it’s processed. Psychedelic journeys often bring forward unresolved memories, inner child wounds, and emotional imprints for healing.

• Healing is not one-size-fits-all. Some people need one session, others benefit from periodic “psycho-spiritual tune-ups.”

• Ethical guidance matters. Proper training, credentials, preparation sessions, and integration support are critical for safe therapeutic work.

• The ripple effect is powerful. Many report reduced anxiety, healthier habits, improved relationships, and deeper intuition after guided journeys.

• Fear constricts, healing expands. Psilocybin experiences often shift people from fear-based thinking into trust, clarity, and emotional spaciousness.

About the Guest:

Heather Lee is a licensed therapist with over 30 years of experience and one of the first certified psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioners trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. She specializes in psilocybin-assisted healing, trauma release, and helping individuals reconnect with their intuition and inner wisdom through safe, structured therapeutic journeys.

Heather is known for her integrative approach that combines preparation, guided journey work, and long-term integration to support deep psycho-spiritual healing.

Connect with Heather Lee:

• Website: https://heatheralee.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherleewellness/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.lee.79

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-a-lee-lcsw-2a713567/

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

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In this practical, no-nonsense episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Andrew Colsky, licensed mental health clinician, sleep science expert, and founder of the National Sleep Center, to break down what’s really behind modern insomnia and why most “quick fixes” make it worse.

Andrew (aka the Sleep Science Guy) explains why insomnia is often a learned behavioral pattern, how modern life (hello, electricity, inconsistent schedules, stimulants, and sleep trackers) trains the brain to stay alert at the exact moment it needs to power down, and what to do instead.

From “trying to sleep” anxiety, to 3 a.m. wake-ups, to the myth of needing exactly 8 hours, this episode is a straightforward reset on what sleep actually needs: consistency, conditioning, and a calmer relationship with bedtime.

Episode Highlights:

• 06:24 Why insomnia is often “behavioral” (and why modern schedules confuse the brain)

• 11:30 Caffeine, energy drinks, and the hidden sleep debt spiral

• 13:40 Orthosomnia: when sleep trackers create sleep problems

• 14:25 Melatonin explained (what it actually does, and why big doses backfire)

• 23:00 The bed rule: sleep + intimacy only (no scrolling, eating, working)

• 26:17 Why people wake up around 3 a.m. (sleep cycles + lighter stages)

• 30:25 How sleep changes as we age, and why less sleep isn’t always “bad”

• 35:25 The simplest sleep upgrades that actually move the needle

Key Takeaways:

• Insomnia is often behavioral, not mysterious. Your brain learns sleep patterns, good or bad, based on routine.

• “Trying to sleep” is the trap. Worrying, clock-watching, and calculating hours create anxiety that blocks sleep.

• Caffeine has a long tail. That 3–4 p.m. pick-me-up can still be active in your system at bedtime.

• Sleep trackers can backfire. Chasing perfect sleep metrics can create anxiety and worsen sleep (orthosomnia).

• Melatonin isn’t a knockout pill. It’s a “wind-down signal,” and high doses can cause next-day fog and disrupted sleep.

• CBT-I works because it retrains the system. Consistent wake times, stimulus control, and sleep conditioning are the foundation.

• Your bed must mean sleep. If you’re awake and alert, get out of bed. Don’t train your brain that the bed is for stress.

• The “8-hour rule” is a myth. Sleep needs vary by person and change with age. Quality and consistency matter most.

About the Guest:

Andrew Colsky, a distinguished attorney and licensed mental health clinician, is a pioneering force in the field of sleep science, behavioral therapy, and mental health advocacy. Known widely as "The Sleep Science Guy," Andrew brings a unique blend of scientific rigor, therapeutic insight, and compassionate advocacy to his work, making him one of the leading voices in sleep health and wellness. As the host of the “Sleep Science Today” radio show and founder of the National Sleep Center, Andrew’s mission is clear: to democratize access to high-quality sleep science and promote sleep as an essential pillar of well-being.

Andrew's expertise spans multiple dimensions of sleep health, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N), and treatment of various sleep disorders. His commitment to advancing sleep science has led him to complete his behavioral sleep medicine training, including a prestigious mini-fellowship in sleep science from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, further solidifying his credentials.

Connect with Andrew Colsky:

• Website: https://www.thesleepscienceguy.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepsciencetoday/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SleepScienceToday

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Dr. Kevin Smith, functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Chronic Conditions Center in Pennsylvania, to unpack what “root-cause healthcare” really looks like, and why so many people stay stuck in fatigue, brain fog, and chronic symptoms even when their labs look “normal.”

Dr. Smith breaks down the key differences between allopathic medicine (symptom suppression) and functional medicine (identifying and correcting root causes), explaining why fatigue is often a cellular energy problem, not simply a sleep problem, and why gut health is central to everything from immune function to cognition and mood.

They also dive into the supplement industry, the hidden quality gaps between what’s sold at big box stores vs. professional-grade products, and why “cheap” supplements can be the most expensive choice if they don’t absorb or work.

If you’re tired of feeling tired, overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, or curious about how a more personalized approach could change your life, this conversation will give you clarity, and a better framework for making decisions about your health.

Episode Highlights:

• 05:35 What functional medicine is, and how it differs from conventional care

• 09:25 Why fatigue is often a cellular/mitochondrial issue (not just sleep)

• 12:40 The 3PM crash, caffeine dependence, and what it can really signal

• 16:45 Why the gut is considered the body’s “second brain”

• 19:40 Supplements: the 4 levels of quality (and why most don’t work)

• 22:05 What “GMP tested” really matters for (purity, heavy metals, accuracy)

• 34:00 Polypharmacy: why mixing multiple drugs creates unknown risks

• 37:55 How long real metabolic change takes (and why it’s not “2-week results”)

Key Takeaways:

• Functional medicine focuses on root cause, not symptom suppression.

• Fatigue is often a cellular energy issue (nutrients, mitochondria, ATP), not simply “lack of sleep.”

• Gut health impacts brain function, mood, sleep, and immunity, it’s not “just digestion.”

• Most supplements fail because they’re low-quality, poorly absorbed, or untested.

• Professional-grade supplements are independently verified for purity and label accuracy.

• Taking multiple medications together creates unknown interactions, and can compound side effects.

• Personalized testing beats guesswork when deciding what your body actually needs.

About the Guest:

Dr. Kevin Smith, DC, is a functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Chronic Conditions Center in Pittsburgh, PA. He specializes in helping people understand and fix the root causes of chronic health problems, including gut issues, autoimmunity, chronic pain, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, insulin resistance, and inflammation, using natural, non-invasive methods.

After years of seeing patients struggle with symptoms that conventional medicine only managed rather than resolved, Dr. Smith dedicated his career to a deeper approach: restoring balance to the gut, nervous system, and metabolic pathways so the body can actually heal.

He blends functional lab testing, nutrition, nervous system regulation, detoxification strategies, structural correction, and lifestyle upgrades to help people get their lives back, especially those who feel like they've “tried everything” without results.

Connect with Dr. Kevin:

• Website: https://www.chronicpa.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cccpa1

• Twitter: https://x.com/kevinsmithdc

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinsmithdc/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsmithdc/

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com