Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk About

Description:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.

Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.

Key Topics:

Why pop culture has become our default sex educator

How algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shame

The myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universal

Media representation of masturbation and female sexuality suppression

Pornography consumption patterns revealing hidden curiosities

The feedback loop between audience clicks and content creation

Violence in entertainment vs. the death of musicals and romance

Sexual assault statistics and what they reveal about society

Capitalism as the root cause of inequality and social problems

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Intro: Why We Live in Isolation Instead of Tribes

[02:25] Does Media Lead Us or Do We Lead Them?

[07:20] The Algorithm Knows What You Click On[11:49] Why Musicals Died and Violence Took Over

[15:10] The Problem with Calling Things "Perversion"

[22:35] Why We're All Perverted (And That's Normal)

[26:21] Masturbation Gets a Bad Rap in Pop Culture

[33:57] The Orgasm Gap Mirrors the Economic Gap

[37:45] Are 43 Men in California Programming America's Sexual Taste?

[44:13] The Novelty Factor in Human Curiosity

[46:30] One in Four Women Will Be Raped: What This Says About Us

[51:30] Why Capitalism Is the Root of Most Problems

[56:52] 20% of Americans Can't Read But They Can Vote [01:02:35] What Lauren Learned Writing "Cheating on the Sisterhood"

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:

The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healing

TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approach to underground therapy [12:51] The economics don't add up - $5,000 minimum per session [15:02] Why FDA requires two therapists in the room [21:43] The hidden history of LGBTQ oppression with psychedelics [22:14] "Tim Leary said LSD is a specific cure for homosexuality" [23:44] Teenage conversion therapy - 800μg doses [25:15] "The transcripts are terrifying" [26:07] Living male-female dyad requirements [27:29] "There's a war on trans folks in the United States" [28:59] All LGBTQ research being shut down [31:54] Intersectional violence in NYC [35:50] The masculinity crisis and violence [37:17] Post-traumatic sexual stress disorder theory [41:41] Embrace Pleasure book - reclaiming psychedelic sexuality [43:29] Unwanted complications vs. adverse effects [45:29] Sexual boundary violations in psychedelic therapy [48:15] Why silence enables abuse [50:15] The small percentage of predators [54:43] Empowerment model for participants [57:44] Mandatory disclosure laws proposal [59:59] Who should avoid psychedelics [01:04:59] Should therapists have psychedelic experience? [01:12:13] Final thoughts: "The future is unwritten" Resources:

EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy Queering Psychedelics NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine Dance Safe (harm reduction) The Fireside Project (peer support)

Connect with Dr. Belser: Email: alex.belser@gmail.com Subscribe for weekly interviews: mindbodyhealthpolitics.org

Discover how scientific self-experimentation went from heroic standard practice to career-ending stigma—and what we lost about consciousness research in the process.

Why 19th-century scientists routinely self-experimented with psychoactive substances

How the 1962 FDA amendments changed scientific culture forever

The underground networks continuing psychedelic research outside institutions

What the MDMA therapy rejection reveals about modern scientific politics

Links & Resources:

"Psychonauts" by Mike Jay

"Free Radicals: How a Group of Romantic Experimenters Gave Birth to Psychedelic Science"

Full interview available on Mind Body Health & Politics podcast

Imperial College London psychedelic research

Native American Church peyote ceremonies

Timestamped Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction: The Scholar's Privilege (02:00) - When Self-Experimentation Was Standard Practice(05:00) - Humphrey Davy and the Birth of Psychedelic Science (11:00) - Freud, Cocaine, and Neurasthenia (15:00) - William James and the Stream of Consciousness (20:00) - Barry Marshall: The Last Nobel Prize Self-Experimenter (25:00) - How the FDA Changed Everything in 1962 (30:00) - UK Government vs. Psychedelic Research (35:00) - MDMA Therapy and Medical Double Standards (40:00) - The Underground Networks Filling the Gap

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Richard Miller speaks with Satya, a Portuguese healer and former professional surfer, about the vital importance of self-care for those in helping professions. From the healing power of small communities to the ongoing work of trauma integration, this discussion offers practical wisdom for sustaining oneself while serving others.

About Our Guest

Satya is a 47-year-old healer based in Portugal who transitioned from professional surfing to founding the Awareness Facilitator School, which combines psychotherapy, meditation, quantum physics, ancient philosophies, and bodywork. Her approach emphasizes helping clients "rise in consciousness" rather than treating them as patients.

Key Topics & Timestamps

02:10 - Life in a small Portuguese surfer village and the healing power of community

10:23 - Satya's journey from professional surfer to healer

13:42 - The profound impact of ayahuasca on healing deep trauma

17:33 - Dr. Miller's parallel journey creating Wilbur Hot Springs as a nature sanctuary

22:26 - The importance of self-care for healers and caregivers

26:56 - Practical approaches to maintaining well-being: silence, rest, and food

30:15 - Satya's personal healing journey with childhood sexual abuse

35:12 - Dr. Miller shares his own experience with childhood sexual trauma

39:46 - The Awareness Facilitator School and its approach to healing

43:04 - Nutrition practices for optimal health and healing

48:06 - Important health information about breast cancer detection

51:26 - The importance of strength training as we age

55:41 - Final message: "Don't abandon yourself"

Renowned psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams reveals how racial trauma affects people of color daily, and offers three practical actions anyone can take to create positive change.

How subtle, everyday racism leads to lasting psychological injury through "microaggressions"

Why many of us are conditioned not to see racism, even when it's happening right in front of us

The shocking study showing it took 80 phone calls for a Black man to find a therapist who would see him

Three practical steps everyone can take to combat racism and promote healing

Links & Resources

Healing the Wounds of Racial Trauma by Dr. Monnica Williams

Mind Body Health Politics Archives - Listen to our full 20-year archive free

The Kenneth Clark Doll Study - The landmark research mentioned in our conversation

American Psychological Association's Apology for Role in Promoting Racism

Timestamped Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Monnica Williams: Social Justice Royalty (01:00) - Growing Up with Civil Rights Activist Parents (03:00) - Understanding Racial Trauma: When Racism Becomes Injury (05:00) - The Shocking Truth About Finding Therapists for People of Color (08:00) - What Is a Microaggression? Small Acts with Major Impact (12:00) - The Academic Battle to Recognize Racial Trauma (15:00) - 2024 Election: Why Some People Vote Against Their Interests (17:00) - Personal Stories: Witnessing Racism Over Six Decades (26:00) - Police Encounters: From Traffic Stops to Trauma (31:00) - Self-Examination: Questions to Uncover Your Own Biases (34:00) - The Shortage of Therapists of Color: A Systemic Problem (39:00) - Study Reveals Most White People Never Stand Up Against Racism (43:00) - Three Things Anyone Can Do to Create Positive Change (47:00) - Closing Thoughts: The Ongoing Work of Building Justice

Suggested YouTube Title Options:

The Hidden Impact of Racial Trauma (And 3 Ways to Make a Difference)

"I Don't Want to See That Look" - How Racism Creates Lasting Trauma

Stop Ignoring These Microaggressions - They're Harming People Every Day

MDMA-assisted therapy could be key to healing Ukraine's war trauma—and might even help mend our own divided society's psychological wounds.

Key Insights:

MAPS' Phase 3 clinical trials showed 72.6% of severe PTSD patients no longer qualified for diagnosis after MDMA therapy

Group therapy combined with MDMA shows enormous promise for healing communities facing widespread trauma

Epigenetic research suggests processing trauma with psychedelics could prevent passing trauma to future generations

America's social division is creating its own psychological "war zone" that might benefit from psychedelic-assisted healing

Links & Resources:

MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Psychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, June 16-20, 2025

Mind Body Health & Politics

Superhumans Center Ukraine

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Introduction: Four Decades of Psychedelic Medicine Advocacy

(00:03:00) - The Dark History Behind Drug Prohibition and Criminalization

(00:05:42) - Inside Ukraine: Air Raid Sirens and Everyday Resilience

(00:09:00) - Why MDMA Works: Revolutionary Results from PTSD Clinical Trials

(00:16:00) - "I Don't Think I'll Have to Go to Nepal Now": Patient Transformation Stories

(00:24:00) - From Underground to Mainstream: Political Science of Psychedelic Medicine

(00:32:00) - Visiting the Cemetery of Flags: Confronting Ukraine's Massive Trauma

(00:38:00) - Beyond Individual Therapy: Scaling MDMA Treatment for an Entire Nation

(00:45:00) - Group Therapy's Multiplier Effect: Learning Through Others' Healing

(00:50:00) - Transforming Relationships: MDMA's Potential for Couples and Families

(00:54:00) - America's Own War Zone: How Social Division Creates Collective Trauma

(00:59:00) - From Self-Actualization to Self-Transcendence: Maslow's Psychedelic Evolution

(01:02:00) - The Astronaut Perspective: Seeing One Planet of People, Not Countries

​Dr. Nicholas Powers reveals how psychedelics could help heal generational trauma in communities of color while reinvigorating social movements at a critical political moment.

In This Episode:

- Why the "Black psychedelic revolution" is currently a celebrity trend but needs to become accessible to working-class communities

- How the constant psychological burden of "the white superego" creates trauma in communities of color

- Why writing is a powerful tool for liberation and reclaiming your mind from today's attention economy

Links & Resources:

- [The Black Psychedelic Revolution by Nicholas Powers](https://www.blackpsychedelicrevolution.com/)

- [Mind Body Health & Politics Archive](https://mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/)

Chapters:

(00:00) - Intro: Understanding the Black Experience in America

(08:00) - The Weight of History: Carrying Ancestral Trauma

(15:00) - The Current State of Psychedelics in Communities of Color

(21:00) - Backlash Politics: Post-Election Mourning and Resistance

(30:00) - Resilience Stories: Finding Strength After Defeat

(38:00) - Addiction, Environment, and the "Rat Park" Experiment

(45:00) - Writing as Liberation: Reclaiming Your Mind from Digital Harvesting

​Mind Body Health & Politics is in its 21st year. All episodes are archived and available at mindbodyhealthpolitics.org. New episodes go live Tuesday Mornings.