The Civic Courage Lab™ Podcast

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Guest:
Melissa Stangl is the Founding Partner and COO of Soltara, Shipibo-based Ayahuasca healing centers in Costa Rica and Peru, where indigenous wisdom meets western medical support to foster life-changing transformations. Melissa holds a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed a strong foundation in science and engineering that would later inform her work in the plant medicine space. Before co-founding Soltara, Melissa served as Operations Manager and Director of Business Development at a top-rated healing center in Peru, gaining years of on-the-ground experience and a deep understanding of plant medicine’s benefits. Her work also includes coordinating scientific studies, expanding public awareness, thought projects like helping to produce a documentary about war veterans with PTSD, and raising funds to support sustainable projects, like installing solar panels in the Amazon village of Libertad. Additionally, Melissa is a forthcoming author, with her book, Roots of Consciousness: A Modern Skeptic's Journey into Plant Medicine & Psychedelic Science, which is available for pre-order now! Melissa is a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between Western medicine and the transformative power of traditional indigenous healing traditions and practices, and an Elected Leaders Collective board member.


About the Episode: 
If psychedelics are a new topic for you, this is the episode for you, designed to be an entry point for public servants. In this episode, we dive into foundational fluencies: What are plant medicines? What’s happening in current research around treatment-resistant PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction? How do we begin to decode statements like "the plants called me to this work" in concrete, understandable terms? We explore the structure these medicines require, including the integration of ancient and modern traditions, the contrast between reductionist and holistic models of health, and the cultural awareness and responsibilities involved in this space. We talk about how to face uncomfortable conversations, how to stay resourced while under stress, and why this kind of work, even if you never come near a psychedelic in your life, offers deeply transferable knowledge for leaders, change-makers, and humans navigating this complex world. This isn't a how-to guide or a policy debate. It’s an invitation to demystify, to explore, and to reflect. I hope you enjoy this curious, thought-provoking, and heartfelt conversation with Melissa Stangl. 

Key Topics Discussed:

· [00:02:40] Episode/Guest Intro
· [00:07:20] Part of the Kaleidoscope of Care 
· [00:08:12] Winding Path to Peru 
· [00:09:50] The Basics: What is a Psychedelic?
· [00:12:17] Disrupting Default Perspectives: Making New Connections 
· [00:13:10] Conscious Access to Your Inner Landscape
· [00:14:20] Drugs: Tylenol, Caffeine, Banana, etc. 
· [00:15:05] Chemicals in the Brain 
· [00:17:10] Brain Says: “Dog = Dangerous” 
· [00:18:39] Why Care About Plant/Psychedelic Medicine? 
· [00:20:00] The Reductionist Western Medical Model
· [00:22:33] Parallel Perspective: Integration is Essential 
· [00:25:30] “Self vs. Self”  
· [00:26:57] Reductionist vs. Holistic 
· [00:27:42] A Detour Through the Forest 
· [00:32:45] Modalities of Healing that Must be Explored 
· [00:35:20] What is Oni/Ayahuasca? 
· [00:38:23] The Importance/Science of the Brew 
· [00:39:32] An Entourage of Alkaloids 
· [00:40:27] A Master Plant Teacher 
· [00:41:14] A Pause to Address the Skeptics 
· [00:43:00] Kené & Icaro
· [00:48:05] Is it “Woo Woo” or Simply AS Magical as ALL Science!?! 
· [00:52:25] It's not just about the Ayahuasca
· [00:54:51] An Open Mind Can’t Hurt
· [00:56:07] Suspending Disbelief & Welcoming Curiosity 
· [00:58:23] Soltara Experience Play-by-Play
· [00:59:05] Intake Process 
· [00:59:55] Preparation 
· [01:01:29] Retreats
· [01:02:15] Ceremonies 
· [01:02:25] About Vomitivo
· [01:06:20] Individual Consultation 
· [01:06:30] Group Shares, or “Sharimonies”
· [01:06:50] Integration Workshops 
· [01:07:20] The Pillars of Soltara: A Bridge to Back Home
· [01:07:55] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals
· [01:08:50] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com) 
· [01:11:33] TEASER ALERT! : Roots of Consciousness by Melissa Stangl
· [01:13:19] Healing Emotional Wounds & Physical Manifestations 
· [01:16:19] Starting from a Scientific Understanding
· [01:19:08] Melissa Meets Mushrooms 
· [01:20:43] The Larger Theme 
· [01:22:35] “From the Bowels of the Internet My Life Sprang Forth!”
· [01:24:45] Risk is in Relation
· [01:27:50] Following Intuition: Planting The Seed 
· [01:29:08] Daniel Cleland 
· [01:31:43] From the Brink of Something Dark to Leaping in Faith 
· [01:35:26] Shifting Gears to Yester-Year
· [01:37:32] Remembering the Dread
· [01:40:00] Growing Into Soltara: Honoring Traditions & Furthering Integration
· [01:42:55] The Spiral Process of Healing 
· [01:49:09] Preparedness Paired w/ Trusting Support 
· [01:53:03] Collaborating Instead of Competing 
· [01:57:10] Applying Learnings to Service 
· [01:59:35] The Ritual & Practicality of Setting Intention 
· [02:07:18] A Productive Environment for Collective Action
· [02:12:00] Set the Table!: Invest in the Soil 
· [02:13:30] Techniques for Grounding 
· [02:16:45] Finding a Working Dose & Tuning In 
· [02:19:45] The Grounding Touch 
· [02:21:22] Orientation for Our Mammalian Brains 
· [02:26:04] Self Contact for Somatic Relief 
· [02:29:04] Honoring Traditional Practices: Cultural Bridgework 
· [02:34:58] The Bullet Points on a Respectful Approach 
· [02:38:44] Being Prepared for Public Scrutiny 
· [02:46:10] You Can’t Timestamp Tradition and Authenticity 
· [02:47:32] Final Question: A Sharing of Deep Gratitude 
· [02:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter
· [02:03:30] SPONSOR: ELC 
· [02:03:30] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals

Key References and Resources Mentioned:

· [00:11:05]/[00:15:05] The Serotonergic System  
· [00:11:35] The Default Mode Network 
· [00:13:10] The Amygdala 
· [00:18:00] The War on Drugs
· [00:20:28] SSRI & SNRI Medications
· [00:34:55] MAPS
· [00:35:20] Oni/Ayahuasca
· [00:36:14] The Shipibo 
· [00:37:32] Chacruna Leaf 
· [00:37:40] DMT 
· [00:39:00] MAO Inhibitor 
· [00:39:24] Blood Brain Barrier
· [00:39:45] Harmines & Harmalines
· [00:43:00] Kené
· [00:44:33] Icaro
· [00:49:36] The Mycelial Network 
· [00:49:41] ‘Plant Sapiens’
· [00:59:55] Preparation 
· [01:01:04] Soltara Community Platform (Formerly ‘The Maloca’) 
· [01:01:29] Retreats
· [01:02:25] Vomitivo 
· [01:11:33] Pre-Order: Roots of Consciousness by Melissa Stangl
· [01:23:44] DMT: The Spirit Molecule 
· [01:29:08] Daniel Cleland 
· [02:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter
· [02:03:30] SPONSOR: ELC 
· [02:03:30] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals

Where to Find Melissa Stangl:
** Since recording this episode, Soltara’s support and integration online community has been updated! The resources linked here are current and active. 


Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:
 
 
Episode Sponsor:
Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)
Helping You Heal Our Politics
The Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.

Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.com

 
Contact the HOP Team:
Do you have an episode idea?
Want to suggest a guest?
Can you provide critical feedback?
 
We'd love to hear from you!
Contact our team at jesse@healingourpolitics.com
 
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Creators and Guests

Host
Skippy Mesirow
Skippy Mesirow is a prominent leader, certified Master Coach, and founder of the Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) and ELC Foundation. ELC leads the US in mental health and well-being training for public servants, recognized in The Apolitical Foundation's Mere Mortals report, and named as one of 26 worldwide political well-being "Trailblazer Organizations." A transformational leader in political innovation and wellness, Skippy serves on Gov. Polis’s Natural Medicine Advisory. Skippy’s work has been featured in numerous podcasts and publications, as well as main-stage speaking engagements for organizations NLC, YEO, CML, MT2030, Bridging Divides, and Fulcrum, highlighting his significant contributions to mental health, community, and policy reform. Alongside his professional achievements, Skippy lives in Aspen, CO. with his partner Jamie where he enjoys running ultra-marathons, road biking, motorcycling, international travel, culinary arts, Burning Man, and lifelong learning.
Producer
Aaron Calafato
Aaron’s stories are currently heard by millions around the globe on his award-winning Podcast 7 Minute Stories and on YouTube. Aaron is a co-host of Glassdoor's new podcast (The Lonely Office) and serves as a podcast consultant for some of the fastest-growing companies in the world.
Editor
Jesse Link
Jesse is a strategy, research and partnership consultant and podcast enthusiast. A 2x founder, former Goldman Sachs Vice President and advisor to 25+ businesses, Jesse brings a unique and diverse background to HoP, helping to elevate the range, depth and perspective of HoP's conversations and strategy.

What is The Civic Courage Lab™ Podcast?

This is your training ground for courage.

To survive and thrive in the gladiator sport of public service, you need all six pillars of empowered leadership — mental, emotional, physical, social, financial, and spiritual health.

The Civic Courage Lab™ Podcast brings the world’s leading experts in human development together for the people doing society’s hardest work — public servants, civic innovators, changemakers, and bridge builders. Each conversation explores how to apply these insights directly to your role, helping you strengthen all six pillars of empowered leadership through real stories, practical tools, and wisdom from high-impact leaders who’ve turned their greatest challenges into personal growth and collective success.

Success in the ultra-endurance sport of impact demands courage, curiosity, integrity, and love. Here, you’ll cultivate them all — in community.
From the creators of The COURAGE METHOD™ — the framework that’s helped councils move from combat to collaboration, nonprofits from floundering to funded, policies from ideas to impact, and activists from unknown to unstoppable.

Welcome to COURAGE.