Dr. Gerald Smith has led workshops at the storied Esalen Institute for over 50 years. He is friends with one of its originals co-founders, Michael Murphy, whom he interviewed on an earlier podcast. Jerry attended the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University, earning an M.B.A and Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. Jerry is still a practicing clinical psychologist at the age of 92. And he is as sharp and quick-witted as ever. He has written two books, hosted a T.V. show, and loves leading workshops for couples. Jerry participated in some of the pioneering psychedelic research experiments (in the 1950’s) when it was legal and quite provocative. He reported positive results using psychedelics and discusses some of his own experiences, along with the tremendous benefits and pitfalls of plant and lab-based medicine. Jerry believes psychedelics can expand our perceptual field. He stresses that psychedelics can potentially benefit people suffering from depression, anxiety, and trauma, but that caution is warranted.
Jerry was also trained by such luminaries as Virginia Satir and Fritz Pearls. He knows he was privileged to know each of them personally and professionally … and pulls back the curtains on what they were really like. In this podcast, Jerry discusses how Psychedelics, Virginia Satir, and Fritz Pearls impacted his perceptual field …. and what matters most at this stage in his life.
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