The Psychedelic Dance of Healing & Wisdom
APRIL 30TH, 2025
EPISODE 90: The Psychedelic Dance of Healing & Wisdom with Manuela Mischke-Reeds
What if the key to deep healing and self-discovery isn’t just in the substances we take, but in how we prepare for and integrate them? In this illuminating and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with somatic therapist, teacher, and author Manuela Mischke-Reeds to explore the evolving landscape of psychedelics, trauma healing, and embodiment practices.
Together, they unpack the importance of preparation, integration, and the often-overlooked nuances of psychedelic experiences. Manuela shares her personal journey growing up between cultures, the role of somatics in healing trauma, and why true transformation requires more than just taking a substance—it demands a relationship with it.
From understanding "set and setting" to the dangers of chasing peak experiences, this episode dives deep into how we can navigate the psychedelic space responsibly. Scott and Manuela also discuss how practices like Continuum Movement, somatic awareness, and radical self-inquiry provide alternative pathways to healing and wholeness.
Topics We Break Down:
The difference between recreational drug use and psychedelic-assisted therapy
How psychedelics can dismantle trauma patterns—and why integration is key
The power of "set and setting" and how cultural context influences healing
Why chasing "peak experiences" can become another form of bypassing
How somatic practices like Continuum Movement can support psychedelic integration
The dangers of mistaking activation for truth in trauma healing
The importance of staying in inquiry and dismantling expert mindsets
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the deeper layers of psychedelics, somatics, and the journey of self-discovery.
Show Notes
Episode Links:
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Special Guest
MANUELA MISCHKE-REEDS, MA, LMFT
Manuela Mischke-Reeds is an internationally recognized teacher of somatic psychology and the founder of the Hakomi Institute of California. She is also the founder of Embodywise, a non-profit learning community dedicated to training professionals in embodied wisdom and trauma-informed practices.
With over 25 years of clinical experience, Manuela specializes in somatic trauma therapy, working with a diverse range of clients, including trauma survivors, first responders, executives, and teams. She is the creator of the Innate Somatic Intelligence Trauma Therapy Approach (ISITTA), an in-depth training program designed for therapists and practitioners. This approach integrates her passions for Continuum, trauma healing, and Buddhist principles to support deep transformation.
Manuela lectures and leads workshops worldwide on mindfulness-based somatic psychology, trauma healing, well-being, and compassionate leadership. Her latest books, Trauma Sensitive Movement: 96 Somatic Techniques to Support Nervous System Regulation and Embodied Transformation in Therapy (PESI, 2025) and Embodied Psychedelic Therapy: A Somatic Guide (Norton, 2025), offer practical resources for professionals working in trauma and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
She is also the author of 125 Somatic Psychotherapy Tools for Trauma and Stress (PESI, 2018) and 8 Keys to Practicing Mindfulness: Practical Strategies for Emotional Health and Well-Being (W.W. Norton, 2015).
To learn more about her work, visit Embodywise.com and ManuelaMischkeReeds.com.
CONNECT WITH MANUELA:
Website | Embodywise | Linkedin
Your Host
DR. SCOTT LYONS
Dr. Scott Lyons is a licensed holistic psychologist, educator and author of the book Addicted to Drama: Healing Dependency on Crisis and Chaos in Yourself and Others, with Hachette publishing. Scott is also the host of The Gently Used Human Podcast, a delightfully depthful and often hilarious exploration of what it is to be human, to have lived life, and come out gently used.
As a renowned body-based trauma expert, Doctor of Osteopathy (Spain) and Mind-Body Medicine specialist, Scott helps people to break free from cycles of pain, limited beliefs, and trauma. Scott is an innovator in transformative wellness and trauma therapy, teaching over half a million people internationally over the past twenty years how to relieve stress and restore vitality. Scott has worked with many of the country’s top leaders and CEOs as an executive coach and wellness consultant.
Scott is the creator of The Embody Lab—the largest online learning platform for body-based trauma therapies—and developer of Somatic Stress Release™, a holistic process of restoring biological resilience, taught in over 20 countries. Scott is also the founder and progressive designer of Omala, a wellness brand dedicated to creating sustainably sourced tools for transformation.
About the Podcast
THE GENTLY USED HUMAN
Dr. Scott Lyons and his world renowned guests take us into the delightfully depthful and often hilarious exploration of what it is to be human, to have lived life, and come out gently used. From passion to pain, glory to defeat, comedy to drama to tragedy, we’ve all been through it. This show unpacks the psychology and humor needed to keep you thriving on the roller coaster of being human.
