The Eleusinia Podcast

Join us as we share Johnny’s incredible story, a genuine and uproariously funny Boston native. Johnny opens up about his life-altering decision to embark on a transformative journey at Eleusinia. Before Johnny's journey to Eleusinia, life had dealt him a challenging hand. He battled through vestibular migraines, often referred to as "suicide migraines," and underwent a major shoulder surgery that unexpectedly led to a heart attack, unleashing a series of medical complications that haunted him with pain for months. Amidst this physical turmoil, Johnny grappled with the loss of loved ones, the breakdown of his marriage, and inner childhood trauma. Drawing inspiration from both expertise at the Mayo Clinic and the wisdom of a beloved Boston comic who inspired him to "go find out what he was sitting on" Johnny set out on his quest for healing. Little did he know, his journey would take unexpected turns, defying the very agenda he had in mind.

In this episode, Shannen takes us through the events that defined the year 2016, leaving an indelible mark on her life's path. At 47, she was unexpectedly thrust into a health crises, despite having enjoyed good health up to that point. The year kicked off with a heart-wrenching traumatic incident involving her son, followed by a botched surgical procedure that led to severe hemorrhaging, pushing her to the brink of mortality. In the aftermath of these traumas, Shannen found herself grappling with chronic vertigo, a relentless condition that persisted for the next six years. Fueled by determination to regain her health, she embarked on a tireless quest for answers, attending an astonishing 80 doctor appointments and seeking guidance from numerous specialists in her pursuit of relief. Amidst her search, Shannen discovered Eleusinia through diligent research and was drawn to it after conversing with Jessica, the founder. She recounts her transformative experience at the retreat, which ultimately became the catalyst for profound change in her life.

This episode delves into Eva's profound journey at Eleusinia. Eva openly shares about the challenges she faced at home. As a parent grappling with PTSD, Eva was not only navigated the complexities of her own mental health but also feeling the daunting responsibility of ensuring her son's success. Despite actively incorporating therapeutic, exercise, and meditative practices into her routine, Eva found herself ensnared in a depression more formidable than any she had experienced before. In her unfiltered and sincere narrative, Eva provides a detailed account of her insightful process in choosing Eleusinia. She offers an authentic comparison of her alternatives, considering clinical settings in Oregon and retreats in Jamaica or Mexico. Throughout the episode, Eva sheds light on the intricate decision-making process, culminating in her profound experience of rediscovering self-trust and gaining the clarity she needed.

In this episode, we delve into Andrew's transformative experience at Eleusinia, a psychedelic retreat. Andrew candidly shares his battle with alcoholism and the subsequent period of sobriety that followed. The unexpected twist occurred when, just 30 days into his newfound sobriety, Andrew faced the sudden and tragic loss of his wife—the mother of his young children.Join us as Andrew opens up about the challenges he faced, from the depths of grief to the process of rediscovering his emotions. In the face of adversity, he expresses a profound desire to explore creative solutions for reclaiming his life and finding a path to healing.Tune in to this powerful episode as we explore Andrew's journey, reflecting on resilience, emotional rediscovery, and the pursuit of innovative approaches to rebuilding one's life after profound loss.

In our latest podcast episode, we are joined by Andrés Gómez Emilsson, the Director of Research at Qualia Research Institute, who recently paid a visit to Eleusinia. Dive into an insightful conversation about consciousness and psychedelics with Andres, a special figure for us at Eleusinia, whose work has significantly influenced our approaches and terminology. Explore the unique concepts and specific terminology from QRI, including exotic qualia, valence, and neural annealing, which have inspired many aspects of the Eleusinia Retreat experience. The discussion wraps up with speculation on the future possibilities of objectively measuring these conscious qualities to potentially prevent and treat suffering. Eleusinia Retreat: https://www.eleusiniaretreat.com/ Qualia Research Institute: https://qri.org/ Andres's blog: https://qualiacomputing.com/

Join Juan as he unfolds the profound narrative of his life-altering journey at Eleusinia retreat. Delving into the quest for inner strength, Juan shares his profound connection to the indigenous elements offered by Eleusinia, guided by our Curendera Josephina. Having navigated an abusive upbringing, Juan had employed adaptive techniques for survival. He candidly recounts his macrodose experience, shedding light on the moment his emotional armor dissipated, leading to a profound expansion of empathy and compassion towards others as well as himself. He also details each encounter with the staff at Eleusinia and how it impacted him. Tune in to witness Juan's transformative odyssey and the impactful lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, Carlos recounts his quest to discover Eleusinia. In a determined effort to alleviate his long standing depression as well as add to his ability to enrich himself professionally. Despite numerous attempts with various therapeutic approaches to restore his well-being, Carlos found no lasting change. In this episode, he candidly discusses the profound impact of his mental health struggles on his career as a performance mentor. Tune in to hear how his experience at the retreat unveiled a fresh perspective, providing him with a new frame of mind and a renewed sense of capacity as a mentor for others. Allowing him to be more available for the world and himself.

Peter, a psychiatrist, embarks on a transformative journey at Eleusinia retreat. In this episode, he recounts his profound encounters, navigating unforeseen challenges. Processing grief, negative self talk, and exquisite moments during this introspective expedition. Join us as Peter delves into the depths of his psychedelic experience and the profound impact it had on his perspective of the world in crisis. Peter also reflects as a professional psychiatrist and addresses his opinion of the future and benefits to the mental health practice of psychiatry.

In this episode, join Andy as he recounts his transformative journey at Eleusinia. Delving into the profound impact of the experience, Andy sheds light on the positive outcomes he and his partner, Lexi, gained from attending together. Andy candidly opens up about his personal struggles, navigating a cycle of anxiety and depression that eventually led to a harmful pattern of binge drinking every six weeks. Recognizing the detrimental effects on his relationship, Andy takes us through his journey of self-discovery and the realization that prompted him to break free from this cycle. Listen as Andy shares the joyous and distinctive moments he encountered during the retreat and how his profound experience has brought about significant changes in his life.

Andrea, a cancer survivor, recognized the need for a fresh start, particularly in the wake of her divorce. Feeling stuck in depression her grief from the past as well as anxiety, her fear of the future. In this episode, she opens up about her transformative journey at Eleusinia retreat, which she attended with her best friend. Through this experience, Andrea not only embraced her process but found relief. Andrea shares how satisfying it felt to start the work and find peace, joy, and a new found comfort. Tune in as she shares about her journey of self-discovery, redefining her identity with newfound joy and unwavering courage.

In this compelling episode, Matty opens up about his journey, recounting the profound decision to embark on a psychedelic retreat at Eleusinia as a person in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Delve into the intense emotions and preparation that preceded this courageous choice, exploring the fear that initially gripped him. Join Matty as he candidly unfolds his experience, revealing the transformative shift from fear to a comforting sense of warmth and safety. The narrative takes you through the dynamic spectrum of emotions he encountered during the retreat, shedding light on the challenges faced and the subsequent process of introspective reflection.

This is a unique break from our normal podcasts to hear from our founders Jessica and Jay as they break down the dynamics of having a roommate at a psychedelic retreat. Delving into the pros and cons of sharing a room in this unique setting, the hosts reveal nuanced considerations often overlooked. Unravel unique challenges associated with shared spaces, emphasizing the impact on personal journeys within a psychedelic retreat environment. Discover why Eleusinia Retreat opts for exclusively private rooms, delving into the philosophy behind this decision. Whether a seasoned participant or a curious newcomer, this episode provides valuable insights into the hospitality side of psychedelic retreats. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey with Jay and Jessica!

Debbie's lifelong battle with profound depression is a story of courage and transformation. Join us in this episode as she takes us through her remarkable journey at Eleusinia, where she embarked on a journey of self-discovery. In this candid conversation, Debbie shares how she released the shackles of perfectionism, experienced profound love, and found the path to forgiveness and self-love. Tune in to hear her powerful tale of healing and finally feeling comfortable in her own skin.

In this episode, Johanna recounts her personal journey as a mother embarking on the path of becoming a psychedelic guide. She decides on a transformative experience at Eleusinia retreat. Not only to deepen her own understanding, but also in hopes of finding healing for her son, who has been struggling with treatment-resistant depression. During her time at Eleusinia, Johanna undergoes a profound journey, she experiences powerful somatic releases that connect her to long-buried childhood traumas. These experiences offer herself as well as a new perspective on her son's struggles and the path to mutual healing.

Join us as Monica, a resilient African American single mother. Opens up about her heartfelt decision to embark on a life-changing journey at Eleusinia. Struggling with the overwhelming burden of postpartum anxiety and depression, Monica knew she needed a profound intervention to reclaim her life. Monica's story unfolds as she takes us through a voyage of self-discovery where she courageously dissects different facets of her personality. Ultimately, her journey leads her to a place of authentic, empowered self-love.

In this episode, Eliza shares her transformative journey as she embarks on a meaningful experience at Eleusinia retreat. Struggling with chronic pain, weekly migraines, and PTSD, Eliza recounts her courageous decision to seek healing through this unique experience. She describes her experience, one that ultimately led her to rediscover self-love and deepen her connection with her loved ones. Through Eliza's heartfelt narrative, you'll witness the profound impact of her psychedelic journey, including the remarkable resolution of her debilitating migraines and her newfound ability to navigate life's challenges with resilience and strength.

In this episode, we delve into Jack's journey as he shares his deliberate choice to attend Eleusinia retreat as someone venturing into the realm of consciousness exploration. Jack's curiosity led him to the retreat with a compelling desire to perceive himself through the lens of a non-ordinary state of consciousness. He takes us on a captivating journey as he vividly recounts his intense and extraordinary experience. What makes this episode particularly intriguing is Jack's enthusiasm to articulate his journey with the precision of a scientific lens.

In this episode, Kevin takes us on a deeply personal journey as he recounts his decision to embark on a transformative experience at Eleusinia retreat. Kevin's motivation for this journey is twofold: to confront the intense pain associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and to address the unprocessed emotions stemming from a life forever altered by a devastating car accident.

In this episode, discover the extraordinary tale of Emilio, Eleusinia's mindfulness and breathwork coach, as he melds his background as a Physicist with his spirituality into a transformative journey. From exploring the synergy of yoga and physics to mastering emotional intelligence through Buddhism, Emilio embodies the power of blending disparate disciplines. Learn how psychedelics became a transformative force in his life, making him a cornerstone of our team. Don't miss this captivating episode where science, spirituality, and personal growth converge

In this episode as we reconnect with Terri, who has returned to Eleusinia retreat for the second time. Terri candidly opens up about her decision to embark on this journey without her spouse. This time, bringing along a different family member. With seven months of integration and self-care under her belt since her previous retreat, Terri shares the fascinating evolution of how she developed her personal practice, including how she fine-tuned her dosing and self-care routines. She describes the unfolding of her journey and the profound impacts of her second macro-dose experience, marked by a newfound fearlessness in embracing the psychedelic voyage.