Psychedelics and the Underground

Alana Varel:

Alana is a devoted guide and sacred space holder in the world of psychedelic healing, blending ancient practices with an intuitive approach. Her journey into psychedelics began in 2015, leading her through profound inner landscapes that redefined her life’s purpose. Following the sale of her successful marketing and public relations business to Vice Media in 2016, Alana dedicated herself to guiding others on their paths of healing and self-discovery.

In 2020, she co-founded a community that has since welcomed nearly 1,000 individuals into monthly gatherings and private sessions, fostering a compassionate, intentional approach to psychedelics. Alana leads sacred women’s circles, guiding women to reconnect with their divine feminine energy and inner wisdom. As a practitioner of sacred sexuality, she honors the integration of body and spirit, working to create spaces for women to reclaim their sacred magic.

A mother of three daughters and a Vipassana practitioner, Alana brings a grounded, meditative presence to her work, centered on cultivating self-esteem and inner peace. You can connect with her on Instagram at @underground.mama, where she shares insights on safe psychedelic practices and sacred women’s work.

DANIEL PINCHBECK

Daniel Pinchbeck is the author of,, and (with Sophia Rokhlin). In his 2017 book,, he explored the systemic changes needed to avert ecological collapse and extinction. His work was featured in the 2010 documentary, 2012: Time for Change, which promoted the value of indigenous knowledge systems.  He has written for The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Wired, and elsewhere.  He speaks at festivals and conferences around the world. His newsletter is a Substack bestseller, covering topics ranging from psychedelics to mysticism to politics and culture. He is the director of The Liminal Institute, an online course platform.

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Follow me on Twitter: @danielpinchbeck

My online seminars - www.liminal.news

Archive of past works -

Latest releases: 

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl audiobook

Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally-recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford- and Yale-educated Psychiatrist & Executive Coach with a Private Practice in New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Colorado and Florida. With clients including Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses, and the Chairs of academic departments at top universities, Dr. Anna Yusim helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work. Dr. Yusim is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is working to create the Yale Mental Health & Spirituality Center, which will be a bridge between the Yale Medical School and Yale Divinity School.

Dr. Yusim has published over 400 academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, book reviews, and articles for the lay public on various topics in psychiatry. A frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News, ABC, and NBC, she has been a guest on hundreds of national and international TV shows, radio programs, and podcasts.

Dr. Yusim also is the Chief Medical Officer of Conscious Health, a holistic mental health treatment center based in California that bridges ancient psychospiritual wisdom with state-of-the-art, evidence-based mental health interventions like ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation and other treatment modalities. She is the Medical Lead for SuperMind, a mental health start-up based in Miami that utilizes personal coaching, binaural beat meditation technology and an EEG-based biofeedback systems to create targeted, precision mental health therapy for depression, anxiety and PTSD. She is also on the Board of numerous other enterprises in the mental health space, including Being Health, Plaey and Pause + Purpose.

As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Yusim gives keynotes for physicians and professionals all over the country and the world on topics related to mental health and spirituality, preventing burnout, physicians as meaning-makers, and resilience. For healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and community members, she also conducts workshops to empower individuals to sharpen their intuition, cultivate authenticity, awaken self-compassion, enhance their capacity for empathy, and improve their ability to connect with others.

After working as a neurobiology researcher with Dr. Robert Sapolsky Ph.D. and completing her studies at Stanford University, Yale Medical School, and the NYU Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Dr. Yusim felt that something was missing from her life. In her quest to find it, she traveled, lived, and worked in over 70 countries, while studying Kabbalah, learning Buddhist meditation, and working with South American shamans and Indian gurus.

Website: www.annayusim.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annayusim/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annayusimmd/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DrAnnaYusim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annayusim/yes

Ian Pai is a Grammy Award-nominated composer, producer, musician, and artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Renowned for his innovative approach to music, Ian has contributed to a wide array of projects, blending genres and pushing creative boundaries. His work has garnered critical acclaim and showcases his deep passion for artistic expression. In addition to his musical endeavors, Ian is a dedicated psychedelic medicine integration specialist, bringing 15 years of experience to this transformative field. He is committed to helping individuals navigate their personal journeys with psychedelics, offering guidance and support that promotes healing and self-discovery. Ian believes in the power of spirituality, art and psychedelics to inspire growth and connection, and he combines these elements to enrich the lives of those he works with.

Konrad Ryushin Marchaj is an independent Zen teacher in the Sōtō School of Zen Buddhism. From October 2009 to January 2015 he was the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, the main house of the Mountains and Rivers Order (MRO) of Zen Buddhism, founded by John Daido Loori, Roshi, from whom Ryushin received shiho - dharma transmission and authorization to teach - in June 2009. Ryushin entered into full-time residence at the Monastery in 1992 and became abbot there following Daido Roshi's death in 2009. In addition to his roles as the Monastery’s abbot and director of operations, he explored contemplative practices in higher education, collaborating with several liberal arts educators and administrators in the Northeast to look at ways for college students to engage religious practice as part of their education

Underground Mama:

https://www.instagram.com/underground.mama

is a channel dedicated to raising awareness about safe psychedelic practices, recognizing that many people explore without guidance. It’s a space to share harm reduction tips, support mindful journeys, and weave in insights from my own spiritual practice. Grounded in intuition and care, this account is here to hold space for transformation, healing, and connection.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

222 E 46th St, 222 East 46th Street, New York, United States