Kevin Cranford – Behind the Curtain at MAPS: Culture, Communication & Controversy

This week, we sit down with Kevin Cranford, Communications Officer at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), to talk about the upcoming Psychedelic Science 2025 conference — what’s new, what’s different, and why it’s shaping up to be more than just another gathering. From navigating hype vs. science to MAPS’ comms strategy, Kevin shares how the org is threading the needle between community storytelling, rigorous research, and avoiding another "Wellness Industrial Complex" meltdown.We dig into questions around affordability, integration, cross-aisle politics, harm reduction, and even Oprah's looming presence. It's a candid, funny, and thoughtful look at where the movement is headed — and how not to lose the soul of psychedelics in the process.Also in this episode: Rainbow Gatherings, EDM afterparties, psychedelic pickup lines, and how to make ketamine uncool.Key TakeawaysMAPS is prioritizing integration over size for PS25, aiming for intentional connections rather than sheer numbers.The future of psychedelics lies in dialogue, not dogma — MAPS welcomes skeptics, clinicians, artists, and policy-makers under the same roof.Storytelling beats data alone — personal narratives help bring complex psychedelic science to wider audiences.MAPS consciously avoids hype by deferring to the science and resisting exaggerated claims.Access and affordability are still big questions — MAPS is actively seeking insurance and donation pathways to reduce sticker shock for marginalized communities.There’s tension in the movement between spiritual influencers and clinical research — and MAPS isn’t shying away from those debates.The goal is to make psychedelics boring. That’s how you mainstream a revolution. Chapter Markers00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview03:14 Psychedelic Science 2025: A Cultural Gathering06:05 Target Audience and Conference Experience09:01 Balancing Science and Experience11:56 Community Dynamics and Open Dialogue14:56 Storytelling in Psychedelic Advocacy18:04 Addressing Criticism and Ensuring Access20:55 Future of Psychedelic Research and Regulation27:25 Curating Online Communities for Quality Engagement29:03 Learning from Past Mistakes in Psychedelic Movements30:40 Bridging Political Divides in Psychedelic Advocacy31:52 The Importance of Personal Stories in Psychedelic Healing33:44 Exploring the Deep Space Experience at PS2535:07 Innovative Ideas for Future Psychedelic Conferences36:53 The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Psychedelic Culture39:52 Making Psychedelics Boring for Future Generations40:29 Reflections on theSend us a textDIVERGENTS10Zendo ProjectOur listeners get 10% off the Zendo Project SIT Program with the code DIVERGENTS10 Follow and subscribe! FiresideProject.orgDownload the app or text/call 62-FIRESIDEZendo ProjectOur listeners get 10% off the Zendo Project SIT Program with the code DIVERGENTS10Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showSpecial Thanks to our Macrodosers, Super D and Mycocosm, and our Heroic Doser Lucy on Patreon! Use our code to get 10% off of Zendo Sit Training DIVERGENTS10 https://linktr.ee/3L1T3Mod

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