EPISODE 144 | Ayahuasca and the Nature of Reality: Healing Trauma, Finding Forgiveness

In this transformative conversation, Dr. Richard Grossman reveals how “trust and forgive” can turn trauma into growth, and shares practical guidance for safely exploring plant medicine as part of a lifelong healing journey.

Watch Dr. Richard Grossman’s interview on Human Amplified with Brandi Fleck on YouTube.



Listen to Dr. Richard Grossman Explain Plant Medicine and Unity Consciousness

About Episode 144

What if your greatest traumas were the doorway to your deepest healing?

Dr. Richard Grossman — author of Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life, acupuncturist, and plant medicine practitioner with over 40 years of experience, offers profound insight into what it means to be human and how we can release pain across generations.

We explore how trauma fragments us — and how healing requires presence, integration, and courage. Dr. Grossman shares raw, transformative stories, including one harrowing ayahuasca vision that placed him in a Nazi death camp line — and how “trust and forgive” became his mantra of release.

We also discuss the sacred responsibility of using plant medicine, red flags in ceremony leaders, and why purification and discernment matter more than ever in today’s spiritual landscape.

We talk about

07:20 – Dr. Richard Grossman and his life's work

16:50 – The role of trauma and generational wounding in healing

24:00 – Richard’s life-altering ayahuasca death camp vision

31:05 – Why forgiveness is an ongoing practice

38:40 – What it means to purify the heart and access Love with a capital “L”

43:10 – Responsible use of plant medicine and vetting ceremony leaders

52:10 – Controversial takes on THC and psilocybin

59:25 – Why integration is the real medicine

Episode 144 is for You If...

You find yourself asking questions such as:

  • How can trauma be a gateway to deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth?

  • What does “trust and forgive” truly mean in the context of healing?

  • How can ayahuasca and other plant medicines aid in trauma release?

  • What are the dangers of using psychedelics irresponsibly or recreationally?

  • What are red flags when choosing a plant medicine guide or ceremony leader?

  • What role does integration play in long-term healing?

  • When should someone rely on mindfulness or therapy instead of plant medicine?

You Might Also Want to Listen to: You’re Not Just Human: Sifu Boggie on Energy, Consciousness, and Healing Within

Read the Interview Transcript - Episode 144

Read the full episode transcript here.

 

Sponsors and Affiliates - Episode 144

Support for this podcast comes from Bed of Nails.

You’ve probably seen acupressure products before, maybe in your FB feed or something like that. It could be for any number of brands, but it’s a fact that the Bed of Nails is the Swedish original. I’ve been using the Bed of Nails mat and pillow since 2012, before they were popular, no joke. I personally remember when no other products were widely available and when I was scared to even try it.

When you lay on it at first, it can get a little uncomfortable, but that’s short-lived. After a few minutes, your back gets warm, starts pulsing, and then starts to relax. You quickly get used to distributing your weight on the bed of nails and it’s nothing but a welcomed reprieve from a stressful day. 

Over the years it’s helped me increase circulation, relax, and reduce pain in my back and neck - something you can probably relate to needing help with, yeah? I also use my bed of nails every single time I meditate. I love it.


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EPISODE CREDITS: Original intro and outro music by Ryan Sauls. Episode creation and graphics by Brandi Fleck. Editing by Natasha Rivera. Sound effects from zapslat.com. Bio and photos provided by Dr. Richard Grossman.


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Hi, I’m your podcast host, Brandi Fleck. I’m a recognized communications and interviewing expert, a writer, an artist, and a private practice, certified trauma-informed life coach and Reiki healer. No matter how you interact with me, I help you tell and change your story so you can feel more like yourself. So welcome!


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