Psychedelics, Presence, and the Ache for Meaning — with Alex Myers

Episode Description: 

What do we do when the frameworks we’ve used to make sense of life… stop working? When the stories we’ve told ourselves about success, identity, and healing begin to crack? In this powerful and raw episode of Mission Driven You, Will sits down with Alex Myers for an unflinching exploration of consciousness, healing, and what it means to be truly awake. 

Alex shares his journey navigating the intersections of psychedelic experiences, trauma integration, AI, culture, and spirituality—and how so many of us are actually responding to the same quiet ache: the longing to come home to ourselves. 

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of psychedelic use. 

This is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making decisions about your mental or physical health. 

And as someone in long-term recovery, Will is not promoting anything that might endanger sobriety. This is a conversation—not a recommendation. 

🧠 Key Topics Covered: 

• Why the hunger for psychedelics is really a hunger for presence 
• How trauma, ego, and the nervous system shape our stories 
• Why peak experiences aren’t the answer—but they can open a doorway 
• The danger of using spiritual tools to bypass emotional healing 
• What to do when the "map" of your life no longer fits the terrain 
• Why slowing down isn’t just an act of resistance—it’s an act of remembering 
• The risks of optimization culture, and how psychedelics are being misused in it 
• Navigating grief, masculinity, and emotional depth in a culture addicted to performance 

🌀 Memorable Quotes: 

“Psychedelics don’t fix anything. But they can show you where the work is.” 

“So many people are chasing transcendence, but what they really need is integration.” 

“The system we’re living in is sick. And healing often looks like stepping outside of it.” 

“The ache you feel isn’t a flaw—it’s feedback. Pay attention.” 

 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 

• The 500-Year Delta and The Fourth Turning (on cultural shifts) 
• The concept of the “Hero’s Journey” as a framework for personal evolution 
• Somatic experiencing and nervous system regulation 
• Works of Charles Eisenstein, Gabor Maté, and other thinkers on healing and culture 

✨ Reflection Questions: 

• Where in your life are you chasing peak experiences instead of healing old stories? 
• Are you using achievement or identity as a shield against discomfort? 
• What if the “ache” you’re feeling is trying to guide you home? 

📬 Stay Connected: 

• Subscribe to Will’s Substack: drwillsamson.substack.com 
• Connect with Will on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/willsamson 
• Learn more about Alex Myers: [
• Share this episode with someone who’s been questioning everything—and needs to know they’re not alone 

💡 Final Takeaway: 

“You don’t have to destroy who you are to grow. But you might have to let go of the story you’ve been telling.” 

Mentioned in this episode:

Recovery Coaching with Dr. Will Samson

Struggling with addicting behaviors? I have designed a discrete coaching program for highly performing individuals. If you're ready to take a step towards to your own slow change journey visit willsamson.com to schedule a confidential consultation.