The Trip Report
A podcast for people who are curious, compassionate, fascinated, excited, concerned, and hopeful about legal psychedelics in healthcare, spirituality, and society.
Scope
Show Development, Strategy, Vocal Repair and Enhancement, Editing, Mixing
The landscape of psychedelic science, business, and policy is shifting rapidly. We're seeing a wave of academic validation with prestigious institutions launching dedicated research centers, alongside significant policy changes by governments and policy makers worldwide.
The potential of psychedelics to facilitate profound self-exploration and address mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction is increasingly recognized, with growing clinical evidence and real-world applications demonstrating their impact. The Trip Report delves into these dynamic developments, exploring the complexities, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of psychedelics.
Each week, we alternate between our podcast, which brings in the voices of industry leaders, and our newsletter, which provides in-depth analysis and breaking news.
Importantly, The Trip Report is backed by Beckley Waves, a psychedelic venture studio dedicated to building the operational infrastructure of a global psychedelic ecosystem. Beckley Waves invests in, supports, and mentors emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and partnerships driving this transformation.
Zach Haigney is a writer, researcher, and host of The Trip Report, a podcast and Substack newsletter exploring the intersections of psychedelics, neuroscience, and human flourishing.
With a background in pharmaceutical research and integrative health, Zach was drawn to the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic science, recognizing its potential to bridge conventional drug development with holistic healing practices. His work has provided a thoughtful and deeply informed perspective on the shifting paradigms of mental health, consciousness, and well-being.
What began as a personal curiosity led Zach to launch The Trip Report on Substack in 2019, delivering in-depth analysis and reporting on the emerging psychedelic landscape. Under his stewardship, the project expanded from a newsletter into a podcast, where he engaged in thought-provoking discussions with neuroscientists, policy experts, and practitioners shaping the future of psychedelic medicine. More recently, Zach has transitioned his focus toward hands-on, community-based healing. Now based in Portland, Maine, he runs a wellness studio integrating acupuncture, breathwork, and community health practices, blending his years of research with direct clinical care.
The Trip Report/Kula story is a fun one. It began with Erin’s husband, Matt, who went on the very first retreat offered by Beckley Retreats at the end of 2021.
As it was Beckley’s first, several folks from the Beckley team were in attendance, and, having experienced this life-changing event together, Matt became fast friends with several of them. While we all grew as friends, the Beckley team was plotting the expansion of The Trip Report, a newsletter written by Zach Haigney which they had recently acquired. Erin knew a podcast was the perfect way to supplement Zach’s writing and incorporate voices from the field into his reporting.
And so, Erin and Kula were brought on board to develop the podcast. They collaborated to develop the concept, carefully distinguishing its role from the newsletter: while Zach’s writing focused on analysis and news, the podcast would center on building community through conversations with leaders in the psychedelic space. To enhance this approach, they would supplement standard remote interviews with in-person conversations recorded at major conferences, such as Psychedelic Science in Denver. Since its launch in 2023, Kula has managed all technical aspects of The Trip Report’s production including editing, vocal repairs and enhancements, mixing, and distribution.
You can read the longer story here, where Zach and I discuss the origins of The Trip Report and what’s next.
