Everything I’ve Been Working On
Updates, offers, and entreaties
As the dust settles on a glorious social media hiatus, I’ve been reflecting how and where I should direct my online efforts. Sometimes, I feel like a hammer looking for a nail—the hammer being my “addiction expertise,” and the nail, obviously, being our addictive attention economy. Or maybe I’m not a hammer, and I’m just dramatic, because no one is going to give up social media because it is undeniably useful, not to mention that, according to AI evangelists and doomers alike, it’s inevitable that our consciousness will merge with the machines. Sigh.
But I also believe in the work that I’m doing, and I can’t help but think I went through what I went through for a reason, so here I am again, compelled to share.
The short answer, then, to the question of where I want to spend my online time is—here. On Substack, dropping literary microdoses that make you think and feel, and engaging directly with you all. Recently, I’ve also been inspired by a few writers who confidently share a recurring message, help others, and at the same time, proudly promote their work and their offerings—like
.Here’s an update on what I’ve been working on, some ways to get involved, ways I can help you, and, whaddya know, a few ways you could help me too.
Natura Care Programs
I am the co-director of Natura Care, a non-profit addiction program harnessing psychedelics. When I set out to leave Silicon Valley and forge my own path, I didn’t imagine I’d spend a majority of my time co-running an interdisciplinary grassroots organization such as this. It all came together quite naturally. In just two years of operation, we have already positively impacted the lives of many, and of all the things I’m working on, I believe this has the most promise to make a profound collective impact.
Earlier this month, our second cohort graduated with some truly heartwarming tales of transformation. As we prepare for our next cohort, which begins in January of 2024, we are in the process of fundraising, refining, and expanding our offering.
If you or someone you love (or even vaguely give a shit about) is interested in a novel approach to addiction—whether to break through a seemingly unbreakable cycle or to help ignite a “second stage” of recovery after years of sobriety—please learn more here:
Also: if you are facing addiction and the thought of waiting until January sounds maddening, even dangerous: we have domestic ceremonies and ways to get plugged into the NCP community in the coming months. Please reply to this email if this is the case. Addiction doesn’t take seasonal breaks, and neither do we.
Lastly, an ask as we begin our fundraising push:
Do you know any donors/investors/crypto-billionaires who might be interested in supporting non-profit work at the forefront of psychedelics and holistic recovery? If so, I’d love to hear from you!
“Sons of Now” Men’s Group
Did you know I founded a men’s group called Sons of Now? It’s been epic thus far. Because it’s just impossible to beat getting direct, powerful, and caring feedback from men who are deeply committed to your evolution.
We meet weekly on Tuesdays at 4 PT for two hours. If this sounds like something you want to get involved with and commit yourself to, please apply here, as we are looking to add two new members in the coming weeks.
Honestly, think about it. How many men in your life can call you on your bullshit without being a dick about it? And hope you’ll do the same for them, in an environment of chill-ass gratitude that helps you get closer to purpose, truth, and love.
Deep Fix (is almost a bestseller on Substack!)
After hosting bi-weekly community dialogues for nearly three years, and since the beginning of the pandemic, we took an extended break earlier this year. Now that I am back in California and feeling refreshed after our Natura Care immersion, and after battling a gnarly sickness that was worse than Covid, I’d like to get these going again.
Our next Recovery Dialogue is Thursday, July 13th (register here). I’m also interested in hosting an Oakland meetup (holler if you’re local). The community events are for paid subscribers of this newsletter, but if cost is an issue and you want to participate, just shoot me a note.
And speaking of paid newsletter subscribers, we are very close to being considered a “bestseller” on Substack, which will help my work get even more visibility. It also earns one of those verified badges you can now pay for on Twitter. If you regularly read Deep Fix, find value it, and want to help get me there, here’s an offer for 30% off for a lifetime subscription (offer expires in two weeks):
Topics and essays I’m working on:
A deep dive into predictive processing, the leading brain theory that has profound implications for how we think about, talk about, and treat addiction. There’s a reason psychedelic researchers and hardcore meditation geeks are going nuts for this, and I’m hoping to break it down for you all in a way that demystifies the science.
A massive co-written essay on sincerity—how it appears in popular culture, how the postmodern era has confused and distorted it, and how we might earnestly venture into a new epoch of metamodern/integral thinking … and being.
An update on my meditation and spiritual practice, which is in a really sweet, beautiful place.
Hakomi Somatic Psychology and coaching
As many readers know, I graduated from the Hakomi Institute’s two-year program last year. I was on the fence about pursuing certification, given that Hakomi’s process is quite lengthy and rigorous, and seems to take a couple of years. But I’ve decided to go for it, as I continue to be blown away by how elegant the method is, how powerful its impact has been for those I’ve worked on, and because I believe in its mission as a body-based psychotherapeutic modality blending Western and Eastern philosophies.
Switching modalities: If you’re still reading this newsletter of mine, you might believe me when I tell you that I’m rather good at providing spiritual and practical guidance. Naturally, I have a tough time taking my own (“The mind orders the body and the body obeys; the mind orders the mind and is met with resistance. -St. Augustine).
But I really do believe—and my clients would attest—that I’m good at helping you see truths for yourself and to act in the world accordingly. I don’t talk about it often enough, but I run a small, private coaching practice, working mostly with founders, artists, executives, people overcoming addiction, and those interested in psychedelic therapy. Imagine all the heady wisdom and whimsical worldliness of my newsletters on demand and applied real-time to the pressing wants and needs of your daily life? Well, that sounds fun to me. Learn more here.
Thank you
Writing this newsletter and connecting with you all has changed my life for the better in so many ways. Thank you so much for reading and being here for it.
Please treat this like an open thread. Any other topics you’d like me to write about? Interesting ideas/essays you’ve stumbled upon? Work of your own you want to share? Gangster cat videos?
What makes a Substack a “bestseller”?
Great to hear what’s been going on Alex. Looking forward to all three topics/essays you’re working on. One of Sasha Chapin’s recent pieces piqued my interest in predictive processing and I want to know more. Always enjoy the way you break these things down.