Sacred Medicine: How Hunt Priest is Bridging Christianity and Psychedelics

📧 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly insights on better living in Atlanta and discover more ways of mindful living, delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.maconatlanta.com/📖 Read more about this episode on: https://www.maconatlanta.com/ [LINK]🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify: [LINK]🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5wPCQfYdyzY[ABOUT THE EPISODE]In this thought-provoking episode, Brent explores the intersection of Christianity and psychedelic healing with Hunt Priest. They discuss Hunt's transformative experiences during a Johns Hopkins psilocybin study, how these encounters deepened his spiritual practice, and why he believes psychedelics can be integrated into Christian traditions as healing tools. Hunt shares insights on making psychedelic healing more accessible and equitable, while addressing common misconceptions Christians might have about these substances.⭐ Featured Guest: Hunt Priest, Executive Director and Founder of Ligare - A Christian Psychedelic Society. Hunt is a former Episcopal priest who, after a profound mystical experience during a psilocybin research study at Johns Hopkins, founded Ligare to help Christians explore psychedelic healing within a religious context.Connect with Hunt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunt-priest-9a40242b/🎙️ Host: Brent MaconBrent Macon is an Atlanta-based entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host. As a dad and spiritual seeker, he's passionate about exploring how technology can help us live better, more connected lives. Through his podcast Macon Atlanta, Brent talks with interesting people about big ideas, personal growth, and building a thriving community. He believes in balancing ambition with wellbeing, and using business as a force for good.Connect With Brent:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maconatlanta/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyBo_7H2OpMjJ2m3mRBDng/Twitter/X: ⁠https://x.com/MaconAtlanta/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Macon-Atlanta-61560549557983/?_rdr/📺 About the Show:Macon Atlanta is a podcast exploring big questions, bold ideas, and better living with inspiring Atlantans. Host Brent Macon sits down with innovators and thought leaders from diverse fields to delve into their stories, insights, and visions for creating a better world with more thriving.If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a 5-star review / like & comment to help others discover the show. You can also tweet @MaconAtlanta with your feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the episodes, and we'll personally thank you for tuning in 🙏.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Hunt Priest and Ligare02:35 - Hunt's ideal church model incorporating psychedelics06:06 - Hunt's background and journey to ministry07:12 - Participation in Johns Hopkins psilocybin study10:34 - Hunt's mystical experiences during the study15:29 - How the experience transformed his priesthood18:31 - Founding Ligare to bridge psychedelics and Christianity21:20 - Defining traditional psychedelic use23:14 - Overlap between mystical Christianity and psychedelic healing26:38 - The church's current relationship with psychedelics29:01 - Christian scholarship on psychedelics30:32 - Common misconceptions Christians have about psychedelics34:34 - Who might benefit from psychedelic experiences39:23 - Making thoughtful decisions after psychedelic experiences44:32 - Different types of psychedelics explained50:58 - Access and equity issues in psychedelic healing55:30 - AI, technology, and spirituality as tools for human flourishing01:02:07 - What church leaders should understand about psychedelics01:05:34 - Lightning round: What happens when we die01:06:26 - Recommended resources for Christians interested in psychedelics01:07:00 - More about Ligare and how to get involved01:08:44 - Closing thoughts on technology for human flourishing