In this episode, Shadow Mike engages Kayla Felten on the intersections of psychedelics, spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. Kayla shares her personal journey from a fundamentalist upbringing to exploring psychedelics as a means of healing and self-discovery. She also discusses the societal stigma surrounding psychedelics, the impact of the war on drugs, and the importance of consent and agency in healing practices. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in navigating these complex topics, as well as the potential for psychedelics to facilitate profound personal growth and connection to the divine.

Kayla Felten, MSW, LICSW (she/her) is a psychedelic therapist and co-founder of the Reclamation Collective, where she supports survivors of religious trauma and spiritual abuse. Her work bridges clinical care and advocacy, helping people reclaim inner peace, autonomy, and authentic spirituality. With over five years of experience leading support groups, integration circles, and retreats, Kayla brings a trauma-informed lens to power dynamics in both religious and psychedelic spaces, championing healing that centers personal agency and radical self-trust.

Reclamation Collective // Religious Trauma & Spiritual Advocacy organization offering support groups, workshops, and retreats for survivors around the globe https://www.reclamationcollective.com

Intero Psychedelic Therapy // A collaborative clinic of therapists and medical providers offering Psychedelic Therapy located in St. Paul, MN. Currently offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and Integration support for Minnesota residents.

https://www.intero-psychedelic.com

Psychedelic Harm Reporting & Resource Initiative is a collaborative of individuals and community organizations focused on anonymous voluntary reporting and community resources for survivors, moving at the speed of trust.

https://www.mushwomb.love/maat

Takeaways

Healing and wholeness involve living in multiple streams.

Deconstruction is a continuous process of understanding one's beliefs.

Psychedelics can help connect to a greater force within oneself.

Experiences with psychedelics can lead to insights about love and guilt.

The war on drugs has created a binary view of substances.

Psychedelics can be used as tools for both healing and manipulation.

Spiritual abuse can occur in psychedelic and ceremonial spaces.

Integration of experiences is crucial for personal growth.

Access to psychedelic support is limited in many areas.

Trusting one's intuition is essential in the healing journey.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Psychedelics and Religious Trauma

01:15 Introduction to Psychedelics and Spiritual Trauma

04:00 Kayla's Journey: From Fundamentalism to Psychedelic Therapy

07:04 The Impact of Religious Trauma on Personal Identity

09:57 The Role of Psychedelics in Spiritual Exploration

12:58 Navigating the Pendulum of Belief

15:20 Understanding the War on Drugs and Psychedelics

18:16 Consent and Agency in Healing Practices

25:22 Breaking the Binary of Psychedelic Experiences

28:12 Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse in Psychedelic Journeys

31:51 The Role of Integration in Healing

37:40 Psychedelic Narcissism and the Dangers of Evangelism

42:57 Accessing Psychedelic Support and Resources

44:44 The Reclamation Collective and Community Accountability