In this thought-provoking episode of Exploring Reality Maybe, we sit down with Ethan Nadelmann, often called the “godfather of drug policy reform.” From his early academic years at Princeton to leading global movements that challenged the U.S. war on drugs, Ethan has spent decades reshaping how society views cannabis, psychedelics, and addiction. His work is as much about justice and human rights as it is about science and health.

Ethan shares his journey of questioning prohibitionist policies, the intellectual spark that came from John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, and how a call from George Soros set him on the path to founding the Lindesmith Center and later the Drug Policy Alliance. He explains the human and systemic costs of mass incarceration and explores the rise of harm reduction as an alternative to criminalization.

We also dive into the global perspective—what the U.S. can learn from Europe, the United Nations, and Latin America about regulating drugs and supporting communities. Ethan unpacks the growing role of psychedelics in mental health, the lessons from tobacco harm reduction, and the political challenges facing reform today.

Finally, we reflect on ego, consciousness, and the delicate balance between personal transformation and collective responsibility. This conversation is a rare look into the mind of someone who has been at the center of one of the most important public health and human rights debates of our time.

In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode of Exploring Reality Maybe, we sit down with Natalia Greene—environmentalist, legal activist, and co-founder of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN). From the courtrooms of Ecuador to the international climate stage, Natalia has been a passionate voice for ecosystems, advocating for the legal recognition of nature as a living, rights-bearing entity.

Natalia shares her personal journey growing up in Ecuador, a country that made history in 2008 by becoming the first in the world to enshrine the Rights of Nature into its Constitution. She takes us behind the scenes of powerful courtroom battles, including a landmark case where a frog became the legal face of resistance against a mining company. Her stories are equal parts poetic and political, showcasing a global movement fighting to flip the script—from exploitation to interconnection.

Together, we explore the philosophical and legal frameworks that underpin the Rights of Nature movement. Natalia explains how indigenous worldviews and ecocentric legal systems offer a lifeline for humanity and biodiversity alike. With over 70 cases in Ecuador alone and growing recognition in more than 40 countries, the Rights of Nature is no longer a fringe idea—it's a global shift gaining legal, ethical, and spiritual momentum.

If you've ever wondered what it means to live in true harmony with the Earth—or how legal systems can be reimagined to protect what cannot speak for itself—this episode is a must-listen. Prepare to rethink your relationship with the planet, and maybe even adopt a river or a frog along the way.

In this episode of Exploring Reality Maybe, we dive deep into the extraordinary spiritual journey of Rabbi Zac, a path shaped by mystical awakening, profound personal loss, and transformative psychedelic experiences. From an unexpected encounter with the divine as a teenager in Israel to the soul-crushing grief of infertility, Rabbi Zac’s story weaves together vulnerability, resilience, and a renewed connection to faith.

Through the lens of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, Rabbi Zac shares how his participation in groundbreaking psilocybin research at Johns Hopkins reshaped his understanding of spirituality, consciousness, and the relationship between light and shadow in the human experience. We explore the rich symbolic language of Hesed and Gevurah, the interplay of unity and uniqueness, and the profound insights revealed in altered states of consciousness.

We also discuss the bridges he is building between ancient Jewish spiritual practices and modern psychedelic therapies, creating spaces for preparation, integration, and communal healing. Rabbi Zac offers a candid view of the pushback from traditional communities, the importance of harm reduction, and his vision for a pluralistic Jewish psychedelic movement.

This conversation is an invitation to rethink our relationship with spirituality, consciousness, and the ego and to explore how ancient traditions and modern neuroscience can meet to support deeper connection, meaning, and service to others.