From Ivy League to the jungle of Costa Rica: Melissa Stangl shares the epic tale of how she came to co-found Soltara Healing Center--an Ayahuasca retreat center. After spending years working in scientific labs and corporate offices, Melissa realized the healing and transformative potential of working responsibly with psychedelics and plant medicine. In 2015, she consciously chose to leave corporate America and moved to live and work in the Amazon jungle. A few years later she and co-founder Daniel Cleland would found Soltara Healing Center. I had the pleasure of living down at Soltara for 3 months and recording 13 episodes; this is the final episode of the Ayahuasca Soltara Series.  For more information about Ayahuasca retreats at Soltara, visit http://soltara.co/thoughtroom. Use code THOUGHTROOM for $200 off your retreat package.   If You Enjoy The Thought Room Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Consider Leaving a Review on Apple Podcasts.   Special Offers: $200 off Ayahuasca retreats at Soltara Healing Center with code THOUGHTROOM. Use link: http://soltara.co/thoughtroom   Topics Explored:  > 9:00 Fear of showing up and the journey home to self-love > 16:00 Healthy boundaries, the empowered ego and giving your gift to the world > 17:30 "You're going to do drugs in the jungle with a guy you met on Reddit?" > 33:00 Melissa’s physical healing and her journey with self worth > 46:00 Why is psychedelic integration so important? Why we need integration support more than ever in the West. What is the Hero's Journal? > 51:00 How do you know what to share with others, and what to hold sacred? > 60:00 The global psychedelic movement and the future of psychedelic research  > 63:30 Veterans and Ayahuasca for healing > 70:00 Maintaining the integrity of the Shipibo Tradition Resources: You are the Placebo - Joe Dispenza  MAPS.org   Subscribe to The Thought Room:  Apple | https://tinyurl.com/qp3mqnp Spotify | https://tinyurl.com/wxyzmdw Stitcher | https://tinyurl.com/wrxv39g Connect with Melissa Stangl: Soltara Melissa's Instagram Soltara's Instagram   Connect with Hallie Rose: Thought Room IG | https://www.instagram.com/thoughtroompodcast/  Hallie Rose IG | https://www.instagram.com/hallie_rosebud/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/ThoughtRoomPod YouTube |http://bit.ly/ThoughtRoomYouTube  Website | www.thoughtroompodcast.com  Email | [email protected]    Sign up for the TRP Newsletter | www.thoughtroompodcast.com    HELP SUPPORT THIS SHOW!    → SUBSCRIBE:  Apple Podcasts +  Spotify + Stitcher +  Google Podcasts     → LEAVE A SHORT APPLE PODCASTS REVIEW:  Would you please consider leaving a typed review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? Even a one or two words! It takes less than 60 seconds and really makes a difference in helping to land prominent guests! (https://tinyurl.com/qp3mqnp)    →  SHARE: Spread the word! Share an episode, or tag @thoughtroompodcast on social media--tell us what you liked about this episode!   DONATE:  Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/thoughtroom Paypal: paypal.me/thoughtroompodcast  Venmo | Send a send a one-time gift via Venmo @hallierose   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to Emmy-Award winning composer Kodomo (Chris Child) for allowing us to use his brilliant track Concept 1 as our theme song.