In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Jason Grechanik — a curandero, tabacero, and the host of The Universe Within podcast. Jason spent over a decade living in the Peruvian Amazon training in the Shipibo tradition. His work bridges plant medicine, traditional cosmologies, and deep healing practices through tobacco and Ayahuasca.
We touch upon topics of:
- Jason’s path to becoming a curandero and his early interest in spirituality and martial arts (00:27–03:39)
- The concept of Ayahuasca "calling" and plant consciousness (04:02–06:36)
- Tobacco as a master plant and its traditional uses (07:06–11:57)
- The role and practice of a tabacero (12:09–14:34)
- Tobacco initiation and altered perception (15:01–20:28)
- Intention and the neutrality of plant medicines (21:02–25:44)
- Sam’s personal relationship with tobacco and the loss of tradition (26:29–29:20)
- Risks of Ayahuasca being misused or misunderstood (29:20–36:40)
- Cosmovision and how worldview shapes experience (39:45–47:25)
- Definitions of spirit across traditions (47:30–54:35)
- Understanding spiritual disease (55:02–60:06)
- The emergence of plant medicines into the modern world (62:09–67:32)
- Advanced civilizations, pyramids, and Ayahuasca as ancient technology (68:02–82:50)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Jason Grechanik at nicotianarustica.org or on Instagram @jasongrechanik. You can also listen to his podcast The Universe Within on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
