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Psychedelic Changemakers Gather in NYC

On October 16, join Lucid News for a panel discussion at NeueHouse Madison Square in New York City about the future of psychedelics in society featuring leaders in policy reform, investment, media, and community services. Public interest in the benefits of psychedelics continues to expand, even as the industry absorbs the setback represented by the FDA’s recent rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. The discussion, entitled “Psychedelics: Agents of Change” will look at what comes next. 

Lucid News Editorial Director Ann Harrison will moderate the discussion, featuring panelists Sutton King, co-founder of Urban Indigenous Collective; Drug Policy Alliance founder Ethan Nadelmann; Sarah Rose Siskind, founder of Hello SciCom; and Simeon Schnapper, managing partner of JLS Fund and treasurer of Lucid News Community Media, the non-profit organization that supports Lucid News.  

Creating Connection

Psychedelics: Agents of Change” is organized by Liz Friedland, a brand strategist who coordinates psychedelic programming for NeueHouse. The membership-supported work and social space caters to a creative, executive, and professional community. The club has locations in New York and Los Angeles which have hosted influential figures including Spike Lee, Jane Goodall, Stella McCartney, Deepak Chopra, Quentin Tarantino and Malcolm Gladwell. Friedland seeks to place psychedelic culture on the same footing. 

“In a nascent industry like psychedelics, all the players are relatively new to anyone outside the inner circles of this movement,” says Friedland. By introducing thought leaders from the psychedelic industry to NeueHouse’s community of cultural innovators, Friedland says she seeks to nurture impactful connections. “Relationships – and reciprocity – are not just the foundation for success, but one of the laws of nature. My approach blends strategy with serendipity to create fun and meaningful connections that build community, thought leadership, and cultural relevance,” says Friedland. 

Friedland’s past psychedelic programs at NeueHouse have featured Lucy Walker, director and executive producer of Netflix’s How to Change Your Mind, Dr. Julie Holland, Rick Doblin, Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D., and Fantastic Fungi director Louie Schwartzberg.

Seeing The Big Picture

“Investing, research, education, entertainment, Indigenous rights, policy, and media are core levers in paving the way, creating opportunities, and ensuring sound structure as the psychedelic movement accelerates at warp speed,” says Friedland. She identifies the participants in “Psychedelics: Agents of Change” as “key players in fostering shifts in perception, innovation, and adoption of new ideas – and who share a genuine commitment to a bigger mission in service to the greater good.”

Panelist Sutton King, MPH, is a leading advocate for Indigenous rights and health equity. An Afro-Indigenous descendant of the Menominee and Oneida Nations of Wisconsin, she is the co-founder of the Urban Indigenous Collective, which offers culturally tailored health and wellness services to self-identified Indigenous peoples in the greater New York City area. King’s advocacy centers on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and Indigenous traditions, with a specific focus on mental health and Indigenous sovereignty. During the panel, King will address the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous communities in the psychedelic movement. 

With over three decades of experience in psychedelics, JLS Fund Managing Partner Simeon Schnapper has been instrumental in funding startups that prioritize mental health and wellness solutions through psychedelic therapies. Under his leadership, JLS Fund has focused on ethical investment in companies at the forefront of psychedelic science, including those developing treatments for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and addiction. At the panel, he will explore the complexities of investing in the psychedelic space, including how to balance capital with conscience and ensure sustainable growth without compromising on ethical considerations. 

Ethan Nadelmann founded the Drug Policy Alliance and has spent decades shaping the conversation on how drugs, including psychedelics, should be regulated. Nadelmann’s efforts have been pivotal in fostering a broader acceptance of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, with his advocacy reaching government officials and the public alike. At the panel, he will discuss where the psychedelic movement fits within the larger landscape of drug policy, how veterans’ advocacy has influenced Congress, and what the future holds for legislative efforts to decriminalize and regulate psychedelics.

Sarah Rose Siskind is the founder of Hello SciCom, a company focused on making science engaging and accessible. With a background in both comedy and science communication, Siskind employs humor and creativity to educate the public about the risks and benefits of psychedelics. As a science writer and former head writer for StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Siskind has experience distilling complex topics into digestible content for a broad audience. At the panel, Siskind will explore the importance of public education in the psychedelic space, emphasizing how clear, accurate communication can shape public perception and inform safe practices. 

Ann Harrison, the co-founder and editorial director of Lucid News will moderate the discussion. Harrison is a science journalist with a long history of reporting on technology and gray market economies. As an editor, she brings readers accurate, balanced information about psychedelics and in-depth analysis of the latest developments. Her work in the psychedelic space as the co-founder of the Women’s Visionary Council (WVC), the first nonprofit to amplify the contributions of women who work with psychedelics, has been instrumental in shaping informed public discourse. Psychedelic harm reduction and safety systems Harrison designed as the founder of the Full Circle Tea House, co-founder of Take 3 Presents, and lead editor of The Manual of Psychedelic Support have been widely adapted to provide safer containers for people to experience psychedelics. Harrison will help guide the panel discussion to support a lively exploration of this rapidly evolving field. 

Deep Knowledge From Trusted Sources

This panel comes at a time when the psychedelic movement is at a crossroads. With increasing attention from investors, policymakers, and the public, the industry faces both enormous opportunities and significant challenges. Panelists will offer the audience a deeper understanding of critical issues and fresh perspectives. 

“When it comes to psychedelics, my mission is very focused,” says Friedland. “To facilitate the responsible dissemination of information to educate, empower and inspire curious individuals, and point them in the direction of vetted resources to trust as their go-to. These are the ones to pay attention to as you explore and stoke your curiosity.”

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