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Storytelling as a Force for Change: How Narratives Shape Our Culture, Psychedelic Journeys, and Our Future

with Mareesa Stertz, Erica Siegal, Joseph McCowan & Melissa Barker

Stories shape our world, influencing everything from our beliefs to our actions. This panel dives into the transformative power of narrative, exploring how psychedelics can act as both a lens for understanding our personal stories and a catalyst for crafting new ones. Unpack how dominant narratives influence us, and how the insights gained from psychedelic experiences can empower us to challenge these norms and consciously craft stories that fuel cultural change and build a more equitable world.

  • How dominant narratives shape our understanding of reality
  • How psychedelics can act as a lens to reveal hidden narratives and challenge the status quo
  • The role of storytelling in social justice movements, cultural shifts, and personal transformation, especially within the context of psychedelic experiences
  • How we can use our own stories, amplified by the insights gained from psychedelic journeys, to challenge harmful narratives and create a more equitable and inclusive world

You'll hear from:

Mareesa Stertz Moderator

Professional Storyteller, Co-Founder at Lucid News, Lead of Strategy/Comms at Global Psychedelic Society

Mareesa Stertz is a professional storyteller, Steward and  Lead Strategy/Communication at the Global Psychedelic Society, Co-founder at Lucid News, and a filmmaker who's created the documentary series, “The Healing Powers of Psychedelics", currently streaming on Gaia TV. She is on a mission to shift dominant narratives and celebrate the healing journey; and her work has taken her around the world, filming documentaries with the curanderos of Peru to the holy men of India.

Where to find Mareesa Stertz

Erica Siegal

LCSW, Founder at Shine Collective & NEST Harm Reduction & Consulting
Erica Siegal, LCSW is a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, community organizer and harm reduction advocate.  She has spent the past 20 years exploring diverse ways to create impactful, connective experiences while increasing community safety and wellness. Given her years of experience and unique lens on Psychedelia, Erica provides commentary and insight into the risks and potential harms in the mainstreaming of psychedelics into society and culture.

Where to find Erica Siegal

Joseph McCowan

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychedelic Therapist

Dr. Joseph McCowan, PsyD (he, him) is a licensed clinical psychologist, psychedelic therapist, and researcher practicing in Los Angeles. Joseph is deeply passionate about furthering education, awareness, and access to the healing benefits of psychedelics for communities of color and in working to improve mental health outcomes for historically underserved communities.

Where to find Joseph McCowan

Melissa Barker

Founder, The Phoenix Project

Dr. Melissa Barker, EdD is an entrepreneur, activist, and emerging voice in the growing psychedelics movement. Dr. Barker is the founder of The Phoenix Project, a community-led mental health tech platform that’s now in the process of developing AI-assisted support for trauma survivors who are utilizing psychedelic therapy.

Where to find Melissa Barker

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