soul unique podcast EPISODEs 6-10 and their resources for your path

with Kevin Dodson, shaman, ceremonial minister, spiritual practitioner, and co-founder of an Ayahuasca church

In this episode, Kevin opens up about his journey from a dogmatic religious upbringing to a career trajectory that included an impressive beginning at West Point Military Academy followed by many years as a Silicon Valley executive, all of which ultimately gave way to the uncovering of his true calling brought about by a profound, ongoing spiritual awakening that continues to unfold through his years of dedicated work with Ayahuasca.   

Together, Anu and Kevin explore:  

🔹 The importance of set and setting in sacramental plant medicine ceremonies  

🔹 The profound gifts, healings, and spiritual-multidimensional experiences that are possible with Ayahuasca  

🔹 How to integrate Ayahuasca experiences into everyday life  

🔹 The broader role of spiritual practice in today’s tumultuous and yet evolving world  

🔹 What it means to walk your own unique path of self-remembering  

This dialogue goes beyond the surface to explore the depths of a path dedicated to finding one’s true, inner calling. Kevin’s moving story shines light on the depths of human consciousness, healing, and transformation.  If you’re curious about Ayahuasca, plant medicine, exploring your own spiritual path, perhaps even getting your own glimpse of what life might be all about for you, this episode will inspire, challenge, and guide you.

METHODOLOGIES, CONCEPTS, & PEOPLE MENTIONED

• Ayahuasca - Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew from South America, traditionally used by Indigenous cultures for spiritual and healing purposes in shamanic rituals. The practice involves ceremonies often led by a shaman, curandero/curandera, or facilitator, where participants consume the brew to experience altered states of consciousness. Experiences of Ayahuasca vary greatly, but most participants agree it opens the door to profound personal healing and transformation, and/or spiritual connection and understanding that they have never known before.

• Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual (Retreat center in Peru where Kevin first experienced Ayahuasca)  https://nihuerao.com/

• SOULS (Sanctuary of Universal Love & Service) - the Ayahuasca church in Seattle, Washington that Kevin co-founded. https://www.souls.church/

• Shipibo - The Shipibo-Conibo are an indigenous people primarily originating and living in the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Formerly two groups, they eventually became one tribe through intermarriage and communal rituals and are currently known as the Shipibo-Conibo people. The Shipibo-Conibo have lived in the Amazonian rainforest for millennia. Many of their traditions are still practiced, such as Ayahuasca spiritual-medicine work. Ayahuasca medicine songs ("icaros") have inspired artistic tradition and decorative designs found in their clothing, pottery, tools, and textiles. Some of the urbanized people live around Pucallpa in the Ucayali region, an extensive indigenous zone. Most others live in scattered villages over a large area of jungle forest extending from Brazil to Ecuador. 

• Terence McKenna - Terence Kemp McKenna (November 16, 1946 – April 3, 2000) was an American philosopher, ethnobotanist, lecturer, and author who advocated for the responsible use of naturally occurring psychedelic plants and mushrooms. He spoke and wrote about a variety of subjects, including psychedelic substances, plant-based entheogens, shamanism, alchemy, language, philosophy, culture, technology, ethnomycology, environmentalism, and the theoretical origins of human consciousness.

BOOKS MENTIONED

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself (2007) by Michael Singer

The Surrender Experiement: My Journey Into Life's Perfection (2015) by Michael Singer

DISCLAIMER

The resources listed above, as well as the views and opinions expressed in the Soul Unique Podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Soul Unique or Anu Peter Brandt. Follow your inner compass and use your own discretion in choosing to explore these techniques, methodologies, books, teachers, and other resources at your own risk. Listing them here does not necessarily imply endorsement by Soul Unique or by Anu Peter Brandt. Thank you.

Marsha is a conscious channel, energy healer, teacher, author, and creator of the healing modality, Heart Lotus Evolution. For more about Marsha, visit her website.