{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Cartag Story: Safe Enough to Stay","description":"What does it look like to go from agoraphobia\u2026 panic attacks\u2026 and years inside the mental health system\u2026 \u2026to finding a place where you feel safe enough to stay? In this conversation, Oracle Richard sits down with community member Cartag, whose journey into the Colorado Psychedelic Church began not with curiosity\u2026 \u2026but necessity. After years of struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and what he later recognized as autistic burnout, Cartag reached a point where something had to change. Traditional approaches weren\u2019t working. Progress had stalled. So he searched. What he found was a community \u2014 not built on dogma or pressure \u2014 but on acceptance, accessibility, and shared healing. Cartag shares what it was like to walk through the doors for the first time\u2026 physically shaking from anxiety\u2026 unsure of what he had just stepped into. And what happened next changed everything. From a powerful first DMT experience where he connected with his younger self\u2026 to slowly learning he didn\u2019t need to stay in a constant state of defense\u2026 \u2026to something as simple \u2014 and profound \u2014 as realizing: he didn\u2019t need to keep his shoes by the door anymore. This conversation isn\u2019t just about psychedelics. It\u2019s about: feeling safe in your own body finding people who meet you where you are and rediscovering what \u201ccommunity\u201d actually means Even for someone who never thought they\u2019d be part of a \u201cchurch.\u201d   \u23f1 Timeline of Topics 00:01 \u2013 Introduction Richard introduces Cartag and sets the stage 00:30 \u2013 Leaving Kansas & Starting Over Loss, job changes, and moving to Colorado 01:30 \u2013 Career & Mental Health Journey Call center problem-solving \u2192 peer support specialist Autistic burnout and repeated breakdowns 02:30 \u2013 Being Replaced by AI Career disruption and transition into new paths 03:30 \u2013 Childhood & Neurodivergence Small-town upbringing Pressure, masking, and early struggles 04:40 \u2013 Agoraphobia & Isolation Difficulty leaving home and engaging socially 05:30 \u2013 Discovering the Church Interest in psychedelics for depression Finding the church through Google 07:00 \u2013 First Visit (Pre-Ceremony) Severe anxiety\u2026 but immediate sense of safety 08:00 \u2013 First DMT Experience Conversation with \u201cChild Self\u201d Letting go of lifelong defense mechanisms 09:00 \u2013 Breaking Assumptions From \u201cthis might be a cult\u201d \u2192 genuine community 10:20 \u2013 Accessibility & Inclusion Neurodivergent-friendly spiritual text Small details\u2026 big impact 11:50 \u2013 Beginning a Relationship with Psychedelics Scientific curiosity + reverence Microdosing vs traditional medications 13:30 \u2013 Rapid Growth (In 9 Months) From panic and stimming\u2026 to confidence and presence 15:20 \u2013 What Makes This Community Different Intentional acceptance Community for its own sake \u2014 not utility 17:00 \u2013 Redefining \u201cChurch\u201d Atheism + spirituality Finding meaning without dogma 18:40 \u2013 Defining \u201cDivinity\u201d Personally Star Trek\/Data analogy Personhood as sacredness 19:50 \u2013 Practical Integration Prayer as action Directing energy into meaningful change 21:40 \u2013 A Defining Moment Feeling safe enough to have a panic attack\u2026 and stay 23:30 \u2013 Growth Indicators No fidget toys\u2026 shoes away from the door Less need for escape strategies 24:00 \u2013 Open Reflections Geek identity, belonging, and shared curiosity 25:00 \u2013 Message to Listeners \u201cIf you\u2019re on the fence\u2026 just come.\u201d 26:00 \u2013 Finding Your Place Not every event is for everyone \u2014 and that\u2019s okay 27:00 \u2013 Closing Reflections Growth, future potential, and gratitude \u26ea About the Church The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community focused on healing, growth, and connection through: Psychedelic-assisted self-exploration Open, judgment-free discussion Peer support and shared experience What stands out: Deep emphasis on accessibility (including neurodivergent-friendly materials) No pressure to participate in sacrament Pluralistic environment \u2014 atheists, spiritual seekers, and everyone in between Real-world integration \u2014 applying insights to everyday life   At its core, this is a place where people don\u2019t just come to experience something\u2026 They come to change\u2026 and be supported while doing it.   \ud83d\udcec Contact & Community Info Interested in checking it out for yourself?   \ud83c\udf10 Website: coloradopsychedelicchurch.com \ud83d\udccd Location: Colorado Springs, CO (shared after connecting) \ud83d\udcc5 Weekly Gathering: Tuesday evenings \ud83c\udf9f Additional Events: 20+ monthly gatherings (classes, socials, discussions) If you\u2019re unsure\u2026 you don\u2019t have to jump in.   Come sit. Come observe. Come meet people.   That\u2019s where most people start. ","author_name":"Colorado Psychedelic Church Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/608735","html":"