On Preparing for SXSW

Join me in the creative process of preparing for my first trip and speaking opportunity at SXSW '23

I’m in the final stages of packing for my trip to Austin tomorrow with Nell. It’ll be my first time attending and speaking at SXSW. Back in March of 2020 the Dazzle Doulas were all set to travel to Texas and then, looking at the signs, we made the call to back out and instead hosted a conversation online. At the time, Andrew and I were on a retreat at Respite in the Round (the land’s rematriation story is worth a read if you’re interested in land justice) at the Upper Tar Pamlico River Basin in Berea, North Carolina. Part of our stay involved caring for this giant rabbit, Jasper, as news of the pandemic spread.

On March 12, I’ll be speaking on a panel about the unlikely topic of “Psychedelics & the Next Economy” with Liana Sananda Gillooy (North Star/MAPS/Chacruna), Jenny Stefanotti (Deninzen) and Anna Martirosyan (Journey Colab). In a future post, I’ll share the longer story of how I came to speak on this topic (my own psychedelic experiences as a teenager in the New Mexico desert, a profound moment of insight mid-meditation in the dead of winter on a pig farm during COVID, and my friends now involved in the space who walked me through what is at stake in the coming decades). For now, I wanted to share some resources that I’ve been calling on to reground in the messages I hope to share.

1. We Will Call it Pala: If there’s one piece of writing that I wish every person interested in the next economy would read, it’s this magnificent work of speculative fiction by my friend David Alder. It was first recommended to me by

   Jonathan Jennings Harris
   . The slides alone tell you everything you need to know about the brutal, heartbreaking, double bind tradeoffs that socially conscious founders are forced to confront when raising misaligned capital. This story is nothing short of a miracle, and we need more like it in the world. I can’t wait to share more about what David has in store next. For now, you can learn more and support his work here.

2. Terence McKenna on the Purpose of Psychedelics: This short clip sums up much of my recent thinking, and a point I hope to emphasize: our need for medium-sized problems that can be wrestled in this lifetime. Over the past decade I’ve seen people fall into a trap of moonshot, abstract, metropolis-sized, over-designed efforts that land as unattainable in this or many future lifetimes. This formulation helped me gain clarity about what I wish to contribute to and pursue: meaty, medium fish efforts. I’m not looking to solve the whale of a wicked problem that swallows us whole. I’m casting my net for the sizable fish that fits in the boat I can bring back to shore, that will nourish a few neighborhoods of friends, and may be a beacon for others who wish to try the same elsewhere.

3. Ram Dass & Terence McKenna in Conversation in Prague: I would love to hear the story of who had the hysterical idea to stage this conversation in a Prague teahouse with a riotously funny waiter/actor who interrupts with sublime slapstick interludes. I watched the beginning with Andrew who turned to me and said, “All I can concentrate on is how slowly Terence is eating the cake.” The casual coffee chat speaks to ideas about what external changes might arise as the result of internal, consciousness raising through psychedelics. As a follow up to this conversation, I recommend this talk by Ram Dass, “From Psychedelics to Service.” It’s an important reminder that Ram Dass’ psychedelic journey led him to grounded, Matthew 25:35-40 style service with hospice patients and people in the prison system. Sign me up if that’s the future we might get out of all of this!

On Monday, March 13 you’ll find me speaking at The Light House with The Tech We Want crew which is open to all. Join me there! Will you be at SXSW? Is there someone there I should meet? Comment below!