1 00:00:02,490 --> 00:00:02,987 And so. 2 00:00:02,988 --> 00:00:03,052 Do you ming turning around for me? 3 00:00:03,053 --> 00:00:03,053 Yeah. 4 00:00:03,054 --> 00:00:04,849 We're just going to make sure 5 00:00:04,850 --> 00:00:05,850 there's no weapons. No weapons. 6 00:00:07,450 --> 00:00:09,109 A mouse and a wallet in the pocket. 7 00:00:09,110 --> 00:00:09,909 A mouse? 8 00:00:09,910 --> 00:00:11,049 A light? A light. 9 00:00:11,050 --> 00:00:12,429 Oh, I get it. Oh, yeah. 10 00:00:12,430 --> 00:00:15,189 On November 11, 2024, 11 00:00:15,190 --> 00:00:16,749 Bridger Lee Jensen was leaving his 12 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:18,749 job in Provo, Utah, when 13 00:00:18,750 --> 00:00:20,649 four Provo City police officers 14 00:00:20,650 --> 00:00:22,289 swarmed him on all sides. 15 00:00:22,290 --> 00:00:23,429 So you do have the right to remain 16 00:00:23,430 --> 00:00:24,429 silent. 17 00:00:24,430 --> 00:00:25,349 Anything you say can and will be 18 00:00:25,350 --> 00:00:26,369 used against in a court of law. 19 00:00:26,370 --> 00:00:28,209 The reason for this arrest? 20 00:00:28,210 --> 00:00:29,749 The magic mushrooms that Bridger 21 00:00:29,750 --> 00:00:31,569 kept locked in a safe in 22 00:00:31,570 --> 00:00:33,169 the building he just walked out of. 23 00:00:33,170 --> 00:00:34,049 Yes. Okay. 24 00:00:34,050 --> 00:00:35,769 So is this in regard to psilocybin 25 00:00:35,770 --> 00:00:37,509 or is there other allegations of it? 26 00:00:37,510 --> 00:00:38,749 So this is in regard psilocybin. 27 00:00:38,750 --> 00:00:39,309 All right. 28 00:00:39,310 --> 00:00:39,569 Okay. 29 00:00:39,570 --> 00:00:41,289 But this was not your typical drug 30 00:00:41,290 --> 00:00:42,290 bust. 31 00:00:42,850 --> 00:00:44,909 According to Bridger, the psilocybin 32 00:00:44,910 --> 00:00:47,189 in question was sacramental and 33 00:00:47,190 --> 00:00:49,029 belonged to a new religion he had 34 00:00:49,030 --> 00:00:51,329 founded called Singularism. 35 00:00:51,330 --> 00:00:53,109 What the police didn't know was that 36 00:00:53,110 --> 00:00:54,729 this raid would kick off one of the 37 00:00:54,730 --> 00:00:56,489 most closely watched legal battles 38 00:00:56,490 --> 00:00:58,109 related to psychedelics and 39 00:00:58,110 --> 00:00:59,110 religious practice. 40 00:01:01,420 --> 00:01:02,859 If there's anything the United 41 00:01:02,860 --> 00:01:04,738 States is willing to defend, 42 00:01:04,739 --> 00:01:06,179 it's religious freedom. 43 00:01:06,180 --> 00:01:07,739 It's our first amendment. 44 00:01:07,740 --> 00:01:09,319 It's their number one. 45 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:10,519 And for religious leaders like 46 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:12,419 Bridger Jensen, psilocybin 47 00:01:12,420 --> 00:01:14,439 isn't a recreational drug or 48 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:16,319 a pharmaceutical medicine, 49 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:18,859 but a sacred spiritual tool. 50 00:01:18,860 --> 00:01:19,999 He's not the first to make that 51 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,959 claim, but he is among the 52 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:23,479 newest to argue it in a court of 53 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:24,339 law. 54 00:01:24,340 --> 00:01:26,779 And unlike in decades past, 55 00:01:26,780 --> 00:01:28,839 the court appears to be listening. 56 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,859 In part because of Utah's brand 57 00:01:30,860 --> 00:01:32,299 new religious freedom law. 58 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:35,419 This week on Altered States, 59 00:01:35,420 --> 00:01:37,119 reporter Cassady Rosenblum takes us 60 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:38,859 there to see how the state is 61 00:01:38,860 --> 00:01:40,659 applying its new law to psychedelic 62 00:01:40,660 --> 00:01:42,559 churches and how what 63 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,839 happens in Utah might reverberate 64 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:46,060 through the rest of the country. 65 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,839 I'm Ariel Duhaime-Ross, and this is 66 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:49,840 Altered States. 67 00:01:51,020 --> 00:01:52,079 Cassady takes it from here. 68 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:56,999 Bridger Jensen had been worried 69 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:58,579 about a police raid since opening 70 00:01:58,580 --> 00:02:00,459 his psychedelic church, and 71 00:02:00,460 --> 00:02:02,399 now it was here. 72 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:04,399 Surrounded by officers, his heart 73 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:05,559 was pounding. 74 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,160 I don't think you need to make sure 75 00:02:07,161 --> 00:02:07,179 of that. 76 00:02:07,180 --> 00:02:08,638 In fact, I claim religious 77 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:09,749 exemption. 78 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:11,429 The officers let Bridger make his 79 00:02:11,430 --> 00:02:12,929 case on the spot. 80 00:02:12,930 --> 00:02:15,389 They questioned him for hours, 81 00:02:15,390 --> 00:02:17,189 but ultimately they decided not to 82 00:02:17,190 --> 00:02:18,459 take him to jail. 83 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:20,279 I'd rather have my day 84 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:21,899 in court, to be honest. 85 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:23,539 And that's what it seems like to me, 86 00:02:23,540 --> 00:02:25,079 this is an opportunity for you to 87 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:26,689 have your case presented in court. 88 00:02:26,690 --> 00:02:27,989 To hear that from you, do you know 89 00:02:27,990 --> 00:02:29,249 how much that means to me? 90 00:02:29,250 --> 00:02:31,089 Yeah. It makes me feel like this is 91 00:02:31,090 --> 00:02:32,609 what the system is for. 92 00:02:32,610 --> 00:02:34,349 Bridger got to go home to his kids 93 00:02:34,350 --> 00:02:35,369 that night. 94 00:02:35,370 --> 00:02:37,249 Then, just a week later, he 95 00:02:37,250 --> 00:02:39,169 went on the offensive. 96 00:02:39,170 --> 00:02:41,189 He sued Utah for violating his 97 00:02:41,190 --> 00:02:42,529 religious freedom. 98 00:02:42,530 --> 00:02:44,129 His lawsuit referenced all of the 99 00:02:44,130 --> 00:02:45,989 usual suspects, the 100 00:02:45,990 --> 00:02:47,189 First Amendment, which protects 101 00:02:47,190 --> 00:02:49,189 religion, the Fourth Amendment, 102 00:02:49,190 --> 00:02:50,509 which protects unreasonable searches 103 00:02:50,510 --> 00:02:52,509 and seizures, and Utah's 104 00:02:52,510 --> 00:02:54,049 state constitution. 105 00:02:54,050 --> 00:02:55,689 But Bridger also targeted something 106 00:02:55,690 --> 00:02:57,069 called the Religious Freedom 107 00:02:57,070 --> 00:02:59,130 Restoration Act, or RFRA. 108 00:03:00,220 --> 00:03:02,259 RFRA is a federal law that protects 109 00:03:02,260 --> 00:03:03,859 Americans' right to practice their 110 00:03:03,860 --> 00:03:05,099 religion. 111 00:03:05,100 --> 00:03:06,859 It's actually more robust on 112 00:03:06,860 --> 00:03:08,519 religious protections than the First 113 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:09,879 Amendment. 114 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,399 But it only prevents federal 115 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:12,439 overreach. 116 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,159 It can't do anything about state 117 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:15,799 authorities. 118 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:17,619 To cover this gap, some states 119 00:03:17,620 --> 00:03:19,039 have started passing their own 120 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:20,299 RFRAs. 121 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:22,179 Today, over half of states have 122 00:03:22,180 --> 00:03:23,439 one. 123 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,339 And last year, Utah joined 124 00:03:25,340 --> 00:03:26,459 the club. 125 00:03:26,460 --> 00:03:28,279 Unanimously passing what some 126 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:29,599 experts have called the most 127 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,519 expansive RFRA in the country. 128 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:33,959 Here is Republican State Senator 129 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:35,779 Todd Wyler talking about the bill. 130 00:03:37,410 --> 00:03:39,369 This RFRA is not just for Catholics 131 00:03:39,370 --> 00:03:41,229 or evangelicals or for 132 00:03:41,230 --> 00:03:43,389 Mormons, if you will, it's 133 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:45,108 for all religious beliefs. 134 00:03:45,109 --> 00:03:46,949 Singularism would argue that 135 00:03:46,950 --> 00:03:48,829 includes religious beliefs involving 136 00:03:48,830 --> 00:03:49,849 psychedelics. 137 00:03:51,350 --> 00:03:52,749 To learn more about Singularisms 138 00:03:52,750 --> 00:03:55,429 case, I took a trip to Provo, 139 00:03:55,430 --> 00:03:58,049 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City. 140 00:03:58,050 --> 00:03:59,269 It's a part of the country I spent a 141 00:03:59,270 --> 00:04:01,249 lot of time in because Utah is 142 00:04:01,250 --> 00:04:03,089 home to a lot of psychedelic 143 00:04:03,090 --> 00:04:04,090 activity. 144 00:04:04,570 --> 00:04:06,849 Utah? Some of you are thinking, 145 00:04:06,850 --> 00:04:07,989 really? 146 00:04:07,990 --> 00:04:09,550 That conservative Mormon state? 147 00:04:10,730 --> 00:04:12,329 Yes, that one. 148 00:04:12,330 --> 00:04:13,889 Somewhere around half of the state's 149 00:04:13,890 --> 00:04:15,569 population is Mormon or Latter-day 150 00:04:15,570 --> 00:04:16,549 Saint. 151 00:04:16,550 --> 00:04:17,849 And the church that Joseph Smith 152 00:04:17,850 --> 00:04:19,729 founded nearly 200 years ago 153 00:04:19,730 --> 00:04:20,989 still looms large. 154 00:04:22,770 --> 00:04:24,789 In 1890, Mormons gave up 155 00:04:24,790 --> 00:04:26,969 the practice of polygamy in exchange 156 00:04:26,970 --> 00:04:29,789 for Utah's admittance to the union. 157 00:04:29,790 --> 00:04:31,689 And this cultural memory of 158 00:04:31,690 --> 00:04:34,129 being an outcast religion plays 159 00:04:34,130 --> 00:04:36,369 a poetic role in Utah's psychedelic 160 00:04:36,370 --> 00:04:37,370 story today. 161 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,179 On a rainy morning in May, my 162 00:04:43,180 --> 00:04:44,579 producer and I pulled up to a 163 00:04:44,580 --> 00:04:45,699 tasteful brick building. 164 00:04:46,820 --> 00:04:47,820 All right, here we go. 165 00:04:49,770 --> 00:04:51,629 The door says, know 166 00:04:51,630 --> 00:04:54,329 your inner universe by 167 00:04:54,330 --> 00:04:55,529 appointment only. 168 00:04:57,170 --> 00:04:58,009 Well, I think we have an 169 00:04:58,010 --> 00:04:59,010 appointment. 170 00:05:02,900 --> 00:05:03,429 Hello? 171 00:05:03,430 --> 00:05:04,739 Hello. 172 00:05:04,740 --> 00:05:05,009 Come on in. 173 00:05:05,010 --> 00:05:06,009 How are you? 174 00:05:06,010 --> 00:05:06,649 I'm Bridger. 175 00:05:06,650 --> 00:05:08,069 Cassidy 176 00:05:08,070 --> 00:05:09,809 Is it okay if we record? 177 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:11,729 Yeah, it's okay if you record. 178 00:05:11,730 --> 00:05:12,969 I think that's what we're here for, 179 00:05:12,970 --> 00:05:13,529 right? 180 00:05:13,530 --> 00:05:15,689 For decades, permitted religious 181 00:05:15,690 --> 00:05:17,649 use of psychedelics was extremely 182 00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:18,749 limited. 183 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:19,849 The government allowed Native 184 00:05:19,850 --> 00:05:21,609 Americans to use peyote in religious 185 00:05:21,610 --> 00:05:22,610 practices. 186 00:05:23,330 --> 00:05:25,289 Then, two churches got the right 187 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:27,629 to use ayahuasca, the UDV, 188 00:05:27,630 --> 00:05:29,649 which you heard about in episode 5, 189 00:05:29,650 --> 00:05:31,649 and a church in Ashland, Oregon, 190 00:05:31,650 --> 00:05:33,829 in the Santo Daime tradition. 191 00:05:33,830 --> 00:05:35,409 But recently the pace seems to be 192 00:05:35,410 --> 00:05:36,709 picking up. 193 00:05:36,710 --> 00:05:38,389 Last year, the Church of the Eagle 194 00:05:38,390 --> 00:05:40,639 and Condor in Phoenix, Arizona 195 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,479 became the fourth group permitted to 196 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,079 use psychedelic substances in their 197 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:45,080 religious ceremonies. 198 00:05:46,140 --> 00:05:48,439 This year, in Spokane, Washington, 199 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,839 the Church of Gaia became the fifth, 200 00:05:50,840 --> 00:05:52,399 and the California-based Church of 201 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:53,939 the Celestial Heart became the 202 00:05:53,940 --> 00:05:55,119 sixth. 203 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,319 Now, in Provo, Utah, 204 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,059 Bridger is hoping Singularism will 205 00:05:59,060 --> 00:06:00,679 become the seventh. 206 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:02,519 I'm going to change the music. 207 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:04,399 Alexa, turn on 208 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:05,400 sound bath. 209 00:06:07,250 --> 00:06:09,389 And just in case you're imagining a 210 00:06:09,390 --> 00:06:11,249 classic church with pews and 211 00:06:11,250 --> 00:06:13,069 some sort of lectern, 212 00:06:13,070 --> 00:06:15,569 wipe that idea from your mind. 213 00:06:15,570 --> 00:06:17,469 Singularism looks like a cross 214 00:06:17,470 --> 00:06:19,389 between a nail salon and 215 00:06:19,390 --> 00:06:21,229 a therapy office. 216 00:06:21,230 --> 00:06:23,069 Picture plastic orchids and 217 00:06:23,070 --> 00:06:26,169 gold imitation marble floors. 218 00:06:26,170 --> 00:06:28,169 Here, for $1,600 a 219 00:06:28,170 --> 00:06:30,289 session, clients trip with 220 00:06:30,290 --> 00:06:32,290 Bridger or another facilitator. 221 00:06:33,370 --> 00:06:34,969 Singularisim calls these clients 222 00:06:34,970 --> 00:06:36,539 voyagers. 223 00:06:36,540 --> 00:06:38,199 Since officially opening in 224 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:40,299 September 2023, 225 00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:42,119 Bridger estimates Singularism has 226 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,319 served about 100 of them. 227 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:46,299 He says the goal, with the help of 228 00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:48,299 psilocybin tea, is to 229 00:06:48,300 --> 00:06:49,300 touch the divine. 230 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:51,410 Psilocybin 231 00:06:53,450 --> 00:06:55,649 for a few hours helps 232 00:06:55,650 --> 00:06:58,089 people see consciousness without 233 00:06:58,090 --> 00:07:00,009 the constructs, helps people 234 00:07:00,010 --> 00:07:02,069 to see their life without the 235 00:07:02,070 --> 00:07:04,269 incessant suffering and 236 00:07:04,270 --> 00:07:05,969 pain and anxiety that our bodies 237 00:07:05,970 --> 00:07:07,849 have become so accustomed 238 00:07:07,850 --> 00:07:10,349 to, we no longer even see it. 239 00:07:10,350 --> 00:07:12,349 The truth is, I have never wanted 240 00:07:12,350 --> 00:07:14,489 to teach Bridger's 241 00:07:14,490 --> 00:07:16,309 religion. I want people to find 242 00:07:16,310 --> 00:07:18,109 their own within our walls. 243 00:07:18,110 --> 00:07:19,559 The whole concept is. 244 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,619 That every individual is 245 00:07:21,620 --> 00:07:23,419 their own prophet and can have their 246 00:07:23,420 --> 00:07:25,679 own revelations and visions, and 247 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,719 that that is true 248 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,799 for them so long as 249 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,759 they use that to make the 250 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,379 world a better place, beginning with 251 00:07:33,380 --> 00:07:34,380 themselves. 252 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,119 If this sort of therapy-religion 253 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,579 hybrid sounds confusing to you, 254 00:07:39,580 --> 00:07:41,439 it did to me too. 255 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:43,639 I don't know why everybody wants 256 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,159 me to choose between them, 257 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,139 but if it reminds you of a therapist 258 00:07:48,140 --> 00:07:50,199 or a coach-like model, that's 259 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:52,059 simply to make it sustainable. 260 00:07:52,060 --> 00:07:53,879 But Singularism's model also 261 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:55,339 reflects the fact that Bridger 262 00:07:55,340 --> 00:07:57,379 himself is a trained and 263 00:07:57,380 --> 00:07:59,219 certified therapist, 264 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:01,419 or at least he used to be one. 265 00:08:01,420 --> 00:08:03,439 In 2019, he let his license 266 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:04,619 lapse. 267 00:08:04,620 --> 00:08:06,399 He says it was intentional. 268 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,679 I really think that a huge 269 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,959 portion of mental 270 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,239 health therapy is not 271 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:15,299 being done the way 272 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:17,539 it was most effective, 273 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:19,719 which is with a strong relationship 274 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,719 between a 275 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,379 client and a 276 00:08:24,380 --> 00:08:26,199 therapist. And I feel like there 277 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:28,179 are a number of practices 278 00:08:28,180 --> 00:08:30,299 and maybe mostly related 279 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,149 to insurance companies. 280 00:08:32,150 --> 00:08:34,329 That have polluted the whole 281 00:08:34,330 --> 00:08:36,469 field of psychotherapy and 282 00:08:36,470 --> 00:08:37,749 made it almost impossible to 283 00:08:37,750 --> 00:08:39,229 practice in the old traditional ways 284 00:08:39,230 --> 00:08:40,869 because of how we have to document 285 00:08:40,870 --> 00:08:42,889 things and afraid of clients for 286 00:08:42,890 --> 00:08:44,809 litigation purposes. 287 00:08:44,810 --> 00:08:46,629 And this is something I'd come to 288 00:08:46,630 --> 00:08:48,389 understand about Bridger. 289 00:08:48,390 --> 00:08:50,329 He sees himself as operating 290 00:08:50,330 --> 00:08:52,149 above the rules. 291 00:08:52,150 --> 00:08:54,109 Growing up in Provo, there were 292 00:08:54,110 --> 00:08:55,169 a lot of them. 293 00:08:55,170 --> 00:08:57,189 I am certainly a product 294 00:08:57,190 --> 00:09:00,089 of Utah's, 295 00:09:00,090 --> 00:09:02,049 you know, predominant religion. 296 00:09:02,050 --> 00:09:03,949 Everybody's involved with 297 00:09:03,950 --> 00:09:05,829 the, what you'd say, the 298 00:09:05,830 --> 00:09:07,169 church here, the Church of Jesus 299 00:09:07,170 --> 00:09:08,499 Christ of Latter-day Saints. 300 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:10,379 Bridger says that God was 301 00:09:10,380 --> 00:09:12,199 emphasized in his family as much 302 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,059 as school, and in school 303 00:09:14,060 --> 00:09:16,249 he chafed against authority. 304 00:09:16,250 --> 00:09:18,329 I was the – I mean, imagine 305 00:09:18,330 --> 00:09:20,309 Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes, very 306 00:09:20,310 --> 00:09:22,149 much like them. I read Calvin and 307 00:09:22,150 --> 00:09:24,089 Hobbes like I read 308 00:09:24,090 --> 00:09:25,429 scripture. They're trying to make 309 00:09:25,430 --> 00:09:27,309 them conform and do 310 00:09:27,310 --> 00:09:29,429 all these things, but he's 311 00:09:29,430 --> 00:09:30,839 a free spirit. 312 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:32,739 Bridger is now 44, but 313 00:09:32,740 --> 00:09:34,579 he still acts boyish. 314 00:09:34,580 --> 00:09:36,199 On the day we met him, he was 315 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,419 wearing a navy vest and button down, 316 00:09:38,420 --> 00:09:39,420 but no shoes. 317 00:09:41,970 --> 00:09:43,809 His own introduction to psychedelics 318 00:09:43,810 --> 00:09:45,849 happened quite by accident on 319 00:09:45,850 --> 00:09:48,409 a trip to Peru when he was 24. 320 00:09:48,410 --> 00:09:50,829 I was hiking into Machu Picchu 321 00:09:50,830 --> 00:09:52,769 and I made friends with 322 00:09:52,770 --> 00:09:54,939 like these Sherpa porters. 323 00:09:54,940 --> 00:09:56,779 One night, they beckoned Bridger 324 00:09:56,780 --> 00:09:59,379 over, but he didn't speak Quechua, 325 00:09:59,380 --> 00:10:01,169 and they didn't English. 326 00:10:01,170 --> 00:10:02,549 We were both trying to communicate 327 00:10:02,550 --> 00:10:03,929 with a little Spanish and they said 328 00:10:03,930 --> 00:10:05,569 we have a drink for you. 329 00:10:05,570 --> 00:10:07,729 And I was like, oh 330 00:10:07,730 --> 00:10:09,129 They placed the drink in front of 331 00:10:09,130 --> 00:10:11,069 Bridger and tried to warn him 332 00:10:11,070 --> 00:10:12,899 about what was inside. 333 00:10:12,900 --> 00:10:15,119 They're like, "muy fuerte". 334 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:16,859 And I was like, oh, I know I'm a 335 00:10:16,860 --> 00:10:18,999 big, strong guy, thanks. 336 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,539 And then they laughed, and I was 337 00:10:20,540 --> 00:10:21,459 about to drink it. 338 00:10:21,460 --> 00:10:23,359 But my religion of the time said 339 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:24,239 no drinking. 340 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:26,379 And I said, oh is there no alcohol 341 00:10:26,380 --> 00:10:27,439 in here, right? 342 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:28,439 And they were like, yeah, no 343 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,319 alcohol. And I'm like, okay, 344 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:31,619 I guess I can do this. 345 00:10:31,620 --> 00:10:33,719 And I drank a cup 346 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:35,460 of what I now know to be ayahuasca. 347 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:40,179 What happened next, says Bridger, 348 00:10:40,180 --> 00:10:41,639 was one of the most incredible 349 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,379 nights of his life. 350 00:10:43,380 --> 00:10:45,139 He saw spirits. 351 00:10:45,140 --> 00:10:47,079 He had visions. 352 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,499 And this really surprised him, 353 00:10:49,500 --> 00:10:50,959 because at the time, he was still 354 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:53,159 Mormon, but also 355 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:54,849 deeply skeptical. 356 00:10:54,850 --> 00:10:56,729 I was actually kind of coming out 357 00:10:56,730 --> 00:10:58,349 of the religion of my upbringing and 358 00:10:58,350 --> 00:11:00,529 into more of an atheist or agnostic 359 00:11:00,530 --> 00:11:01,529 time of my life. 360 00:11:01,530 --> 00:11:03,149 It was psychedelics that led me back 361 00:11:03,150 --> 00:11:05,169 to believing in God and recognizing 362 00:11:05,170 --> 00:11:07,109 a different kind of God than 363 00:11:07,110 --> 00:11:08,389 the one I had ever been taught 364 00:11:08,390 --> 00:11:09,389 about. 365 00:11:09,390 --> 00:11:11,269 This is a theme I hear a lot in 366 00:11:11,270 --> 00:11:12,749 my reporting. 367 00:11:12,750 --> 00:11:14,429 Psychedelics can make a non-believer 368 00:11:14,430 --> 00:11:16,589 believe again or believe 369 00:11:16,590 --> 00:11:18,689 for the first time. 370 00:11:18,690 --> 00:11:20,469 Bridger is a part of a small yet 371 00:11:20,470 --> 00:11:22,309 growing group who believes these 372 00:11:22,310 --> 00:11:25,009 substances could even reanimate 373 00:11:25,010 --> 00:11:26,010 religion. 374 00:11:27,430 --> 00:11:29,269 I think we're in a golden age 375 00:11:29,270 --> 00:11:30,369 right now for this. 376 00:11:30,370 --> 00:11:31,429 It might be easy to look at it and 377 00:11:31,430 --> 00:11:32,789 be like, no, we're, we are in the 378 00:11:32,790 --> 00:11:35,509 age of overthrowing religion. 379 00:11:35,510 --> 00:11:37,469 And I'm like, oh, humans will never 380 00:11:37,470 --> 00:11:38,669 overthrow religion. 381 00:11:38,670 --> 00:11:40,629 We are not made to live without 382 00:11:40,630 --> 00:11:42,629 it. I think religion is 383 00:11:42,630 --> 00:11:44,609 what we make it and 384 00:11:44,610 --> 00:11:46,089 we broke it. 385 00:11:46,090 --> 00:11:48,009 So we have the opportunity to 386 00:11:48,010 --> 00:11:49,649 remake it. But to think that we're 387 00:11:49,650 --> 00:11:52,369 just going to abandon religion 388 00:11:52,370 --> 00:11:54,129 is an absurd idea. 389 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:56,659 Still, there's a pretty big 390 00:11:56,660 --> 00:11:57,999 difference between having a 391 00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,859 profoundly spiritual trip 392 00:11:59,860 --> 00:12:02,259 and founding a new religion. 393 00:12:02,260 --> 00:12:04,219 I literally felt called 394 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:06,059 upon in a 395 00:12:06,060 --> 00:12:08,119 humble way like many others 396 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:09,999 to facilitate. 397 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,319 And I felt that 398 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,599 I could contribute 399 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:16,439 to a lot 400 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:18,279 of good thoughts and ideas on 401 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:20,099 how to do this right. 402 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:21,939 Singularism, I found it in 403 00:12:21,940 --> 00:12:24,319 part because I wanted to 404 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:26,399 be able to bring this helpful 405 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,699 and sacred medicine 406 00:12:28,700 --> 00:12:30,719 to more people. 407 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,299 Singularism is only two years old, 408 00:12:33,300 --> 00:12:35,279 but Bridger says the idea for it 409 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,979 started percolating in 2016. 410 00:12:37,980 --> 00:12:39,739 He was hosting psychedelic sessions 411 00:12:39,740 --> 00:12:41,719 out of his home then, but over 412 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:43,859 the years, he became something 413 00:12:43,860 --> 00:12:45,729 of a man obsessed. 414 00:12:45,730 --> 00:12:48,049 There's this amazing subplot 415 00:12:48,050 --> 00:12:49,649 in Close Encounters of the Third 416 00:12:49,650 --> 00:12:51,889 Kind where this guy sees 417 00:12:51,890 --> 00:12:53,869 a ship, an alien ship, 418 00:12:53,870 --> 00:12:55,949 and then he can't stop 419 00:12:55,950 --> 00:12:57,929 sculpting a mountain. 420 00:12:57,930 --> 00:12:59,109 And he doesn't even know what it is, 421 00:12:59,110 --> 00:13:00,389 but he's sculpting it in his mashed 422 00:13:00,390 --> 00:13:02,029 potatoes. And then he starts 423 00:13:02,030 --> 00:13:03,909 sculpting with clay, and then start 424 00:13:03,910 --> 00:13:05,469 sculpting in his front room, and he 425 00:13:05,470 --> 00:13:07,089 becomes obsessed. 426 00:13:07,090 --> 00:13:08,929 And he tries to focus on 427 00:13:08,930 --> 00:13:10,509 work and his family and everything 428 00:13:10,510 --> 00:13:11,859 going on in his life. 429 00:13:11,860 --> 00:13:13,839 But he's becoming dysfunctionally 430 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:15,739 crazy sculpting this and 431 00:13:15,740 --> 00:13:17,819 it was a bit like that for me 432 00:13:17,820 --> 00:13:19,719 when I realized 433 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,539 I just need to do this and 434 00:13:21,540 --> 00:13:23,639 so I haven't ever 435 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:25,819 questioned it even among great 436 00:13:25,820 --> 00:13:26,820 amounts of pressure. 437 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:29,719 That pressure arrived in the form 438 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,039 of criminal charges. 439 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:33,659 About a month after Bridger filed 440 00:13:33,660 --> 00:13:35,679 his RFRA suit against Utah County 441 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:37,619 in November, the county 442 00:13:37,620 --> 00:13:39,319 opened a second case against 443 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,239 Bridger, accusing him of 444 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:42,919 having intent to distribute illegal 445 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:44,159 drugs. 446 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:45,959 But this summer, the judge 447 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:47,439 overseeing the case found the 448 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:48,859 county's prosecution to be 449 00:13:48,860 --> 00:13:50,879 retaliatory and described 450 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,919 it as brought, quote, in bad 451 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:54,149 faith. 452 00:13:54,150 --> 00:13:56,429 It's been hard, and 453 00:13:56,430 --> 00:13:58,269 I'm a family man 454 00:13:58,270 --> 00:13:59,849 to the core. 455 00:13:59,850 --> 00:14:02,489 I am a person that 456 00:14:02,490 --> 00:14:04,309 loves my government and my 457 00:14:04,310 --> 00:14:05,469 community. 458 00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:07,289 I've never wanted to be in 459 00:14:07,290 --> 00:14:09,409 the limelight or in controversy, 460 00:14:09,410 --> 00:14:11,929 and I just like 461 00:14:11,930 --> 00:14:12,930 what we do. 462 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,739 In the weeks after the raid, 463 00:14:15,740 --> 00:14:18,199 Singularism lost a lot of business, 464 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,339 or attendance, as Bridger would say. 465 00:14:21,340 --> 00:14:23,239 Singularisms office manager, 466 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,139 Brandi Lee, testified in court 467 00:14:25,140 --> 00:14:26,779 that they were unable to pay their 468 00:14:26,780 --> 00:14:28,619 staff for a month. 469 00:14:28,620 --> 00:14:30,799 But this spring when I visited him, 470 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,619 Bridger had more pressing matters on 471 00:14:32,620 --> 00:14:34,039 his mind. 472 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,139 I just want to move on, the 473 00:14:36,140 --> 00:14:38,059 thought of jail time 474 00:14:38,060 --> 00:14:40,139 and arrests, losing my 475 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:42,079 children, losing my wonderful 476 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:43,979 life over all of 477 00:14:43,980 --> 00:14:44,980 this. 478 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:49,359 Losing my center and 479 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,339 doing so because I'm 480 00:14:51,340 --> 00:14:53,219 just practicing what I 481 00:14:53,220 --> 00:14:55,039 feel compelled to do 482 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:56,440 spiritually and religiously. 483 00:14:58,729 --> 00:14:59,729 Uh, I 484 00:15:02,700 --> 00:15:04,379 just don't want that to be something 485 00:15:04,380 --> 00:15:06,359 I have to endure for this. 486 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:07,399 I would. 487 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:08,440 And I will. 488 00:15:11,620 --> 00:15:12,620 I don't want that. 489 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:15,819 To fight for him in court, Bridger 490 00:15:15,820 --> 00:15:17,679 hired a young, ambitious 491 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:19,079 Mormon lawyer. 492 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,419 Honestly, I was skeptical and 493 00:15:21,420 --> 00:15:23,399 one day I asked, 494 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,279 would you defend my 495 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,179 religion as 496 00:15:27,180 --> 00:15:29,379 ferociously as you would your own? 497 00:15:29,380 --> 00:15:31,359 And I remember he put his pen down 498 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,199 and he looked at me 499 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,599 and he said, Bridger, 500 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:37,819 defending your religion 501 00:15:37,820 --> 00:15:39,659 is defending my religion. 502 00:15:40,810 --> 00:15:43,349 The lawyer's name is Tanner Bean. 503 00:15:43,350 --> 00:15:45,369 I met Tanner at his law office, 504 00:15:45,370 --> 00:15:47,269 Fabian Vancott, located in 505 00:15:47,270 --> 00:15:49,209 a sleek skyscraper in downtown 506 00:15:49,210 --> 00:15:50,729 Salt Lake. 507 00:15:50,730 --> 00:15:52,369 The elevator ride alone was a 508 00:15:52,370 --> 00:15:53,969 cultural experience. 509 00:15:53,970 --> 00:15:55,889 So this building is kind of a marker 510 00:15:55,890 --> 00:15:57,889 for the interaction of religion 511 00:15:57,890 --> 00:16:00,609 and society itself. 512 00:16:00,610 --> 00:16:02,329 It was constructed by the Church of 513 00:16:02,330 --> 00:16:04,629 Jesus Christ at Latter-day Saints. 514 00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:06,449 But the unique thing about it 515 00:16:06,450 --> 00:16:08,429 is that there is 516 00:16:08,430 --> 00:16:10,649 a church in the bottom. 517 00:16:10,650 --> 00:16:12,049 So in a sense, it's an interesting 518 00:16:12,050 --> 00:16:13,949 locale to be our 519 00:16:13,950 --> 00:16:15,809 religious freedom attorney 520 00:16:15,810 --> 00:16:18,289 and see the navigation of 521 00:16:18,290 --> 00:16:19,290 religion in society, every day. 522 00:16:21,130 --> 00:16:22,289 You mentioned that you're a 523 00:16:22,290 --> 00:16:23,509 Latter-day Saint. 524 00:16:23,510 --> 00:16:25,409 As I understand, the use 525 00:16:25,410 --> 00:16:27,789 of substances is 526 00:16:27,790 --> 00:16:29,129 forbidden. 527 00:16:29,130 --> 00:16:31,029 Did it give you pause that 528 00:16:31,030 --> 00:16:32,889 Singularism uses psilocybin 529 00:16:32,890 --> 00:16:33,890 as its sacrament? 530 00:16:34,830 --> 00:16:36,509 Perhaps it gave me pause, you know, 531 00:16:36,510 --> 00:16:39,029 my own religious convictions are 532 00:16:39,030 --> 00:16:40,009 strong. 533 00:16:40,010 --> 00:16:42,029 But as a Mormon, he says he 534 00:16:42,030 --> 00:16:43,909 gets what it's like to be, quote, 535 00:16:43,910 --> 00:16:45,529 a minority religion. 536 00:16:45,530 --> 00:16:47,529 We often are the recipient of that 537 00:16:47,530 --> 00:16:48,929 sort of skepticism. 538 00:16:48,930 --> 00:16:50,989 And so there's often a lot of in the 539 00:16:50,990 --> 00:16:52,949 understanding of how 540 00:16:52,950 --> 00:16:55,129 we protect those that 541 00:16:55,130 --> 00:16:56,649 some perceive to be on the margins 542 00:16:56,650 --> 00:16:57,749 of what is mainstream. 543 00:16:58,930 --> 00:17:00,603 Representing Bridgerton in 544 00:17:00,604 --> 00:17:02,249 Singularism, Tanner decided to make 545 00:17:02,250 --> 00:17:04,469 Utah's shiny new RFRA the 546 00:17:04,470 --> 00:17:05,510 heart of his case. 547 00:17:06,670 --> 00:17:07,889 You're going to keep hearing me say 548 00:17:07,890 --> 00:17:09,789 RFRA a lot in this episode, 549 00:17:09,790 --> 00:17:11,809 so it's worth pausing to unpack its 550 00:17:11,810 --> 00:17:13,049 history. 551 00:17:13,050 --> 00:17:14,629 We mentioned that some states have 552 00:17:14,630 --> 00:17:16,629 RFRAs, modeled off of 553 00:17:16,630 --> 00:17:18,108 the federal RFRA. 554 00:17:18,109 --> 00:17:20,049 The federal RFRA is the one people 555 00:17:20,050 --> 00:17:21,689 have usually heard of. 556 00:17:21,690 --> 00:17:23,409 You might remember it as a law that 557 00:17:23,410 --> 00:17:25,088 allowed Hobby Lobby, the arts and 558 00:17:25,089 --> 00:17:26,529 crafts retailer owned by an 559 00:17:26,530 --> 00:17:28,589 evangelical family, to deny 560 00:17:28,590 --> 00:17:30,269 its employees birth control coverage 561 00:17:30,270 --> 00:17:32,129 back in 2014. 562 00:17:32,130 --> 00:17:33,589 But RFRA is not just for 563 00:17:33,590 --> 00:17:35,449 conservative Christians. 564 00:17:35,450 --> 00:17:37,449 In fact, the law was actually 565 00:17:37,450 --> 00:17:39,450 born of psychedelic origins. 566 00:17:42,500 --> 00:17:44,159 It was a case called Employment 567 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,059 Division versus Smith. 568 00:17:46,060 --> 00:17:48,019 In the mid-1980s, 569 00:17:48,020 --> 00:17:50,299 Alfred Smith and Galen Black were 570 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:52,159 fired from their jobs and denied 571 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:53,979 unemployment benefits in Oregon 572 00:17:53,980 --> 00:17:55,300 for using peyote. 573 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,879 The men had consumed it ceremonially 574 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:00,680 with the Native American church. 575 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:03,239 Smith and Black sued the government 576 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:04,819 claiming that their denial of 577 00:18:04,820 --> 00:18:06,279 benefits violated their First 578 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:07,979 Amendment right to the free exercise 579 00:18:07,980 --> 00:18:08,980 of religion. 580 00:18:09,660 --> 00:18:11,679 The case dragged on for years, but 581 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:13,439 eventually the Supreme Court 582 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:14,540 rejected their claim. 583 00:18:15,590 --> 00:18:17,169 Now that's sent a lot of people into 584 00:18:17,170 --> 00:18:18,170 an uproar. 585 00:18:21,550 --> 00:18:23,689 And so in 1993, Congress 586 00:18:23,690 --> 00:18:25,589 passed RFRA to bring back 587 00:18:25,590 --> 00:18:28,089 what is known as strict scrutiny, 588 00:18:28,090 --> 00:18:29,309 the highest standard of 589 00:18:29,310 --> 00:18:31,309 constitutional review for religious 590 00:18:31,310 --> 00:18:32,310 freedom claims. 591 00:18:33,190 --> 00:18:34,689 In other words, Congress told the 592 00:18:34,690 --> 00:18:36,689 government, hey, you need to 593 00:18:36,690 --> 00:18:38,889 tread lightly on people's religion. 594 00:18:38,890 --> 00:18:40,289 If you're going to limit someone's 595 00:18:40,290 --> 00:18:42,689 worship, you better have a, quote, 596 00:18:42,690 --> 00:18:44,749 compelling reason to do so. 597 00:18:44,750 --> 00:18:46,749 And if you do have one, you need 598 00:18:46,750 --> 00:18:48,869 be as non-intrusive as possible 599 00:18:48,870 --> 00:18:50,449 and use a standard called, quote, 600 00:18:50,450 --> 00:18:52,319 the least 601 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:53,320 restrictive means. 602 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,299 And this least restrictive-means 603 00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:58,239 part became a really 604 00:18:58,240 --> 00:18:59,799 key element of Singularism's 605 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:00,859 argument. 606 00:19:00,860 --> 00:19:02,079 Because when they opened their doors 607 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,039 in 2023, they actually 608 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:05,439 sent a letter to the Provo city 609 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:07,399 police chief, mayor, 610 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,979 district attorney, and city council, 611 00:19:09,980 --> 00:19:11,399 telling them exactly what they were 612 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:12,400 doing. 613 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:14,139 Bridger invited them to come stop 614 00:19:14,140 --> 00:19:15,419 by. 615 00:19:15,420 --> 00:19:17,559 No one ever responded. 616 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,439 Until that is the day of 617 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,099 the police raid. 618 00:19:21,100 --> 00:19:23,039 Which, Tanner argued, was 619 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,179 not exactly the least restrictive 620 00:19:25,180 --> 00:19:26,180 means. 621 00:19:27,620 --> 00:19:28,620 We'll be right back. 622 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:40,179 When it comes to psychedelic 623 00:19:40,180 --> 00:19:41,999 churches populated by former 624 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:43,819 Mormons, Singularism 625 00:19:43,820 --> 00:19:46,439 is not the only game in town. 626 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,179 It shares a space with the much 627 00:19:48,180 --> 00:19:50,499 bigger and slightly older Divine 628 00:19:50,500 --> 00:19:51,519 Assembly. 629 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:53,459 The Divine Assembly is 630 00:19:53,460 --> 00:19:55,699 a mystic religion. 631 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:57,599 It has one tenet, which is 632 00:19:57,600 --> 00:19:59,539 each individual can commune with the 633 00:19:59,540 --> 00:20:01,819 Divine and receive guidance. 634 00:20:01,820 --> 00:20:03,499 That's Steve Urquhart, The Divine 635 00:20:03,500 --> 00:20:05,239 Assembly's co-founder. 636 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:07,199 I used to say that we 637 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:08,739 had members on every continent 638 00:20:08,740 --> 00:20:10,619 except for Antarctica, 639 00:20:10,620 --> 00:20:12,019 and a researcher down there sent me 640 00:20:12,020 --> 00:20:13,199 a picture with a card saying, you 641 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:14,909 need to stop saying that. 642 00:20:14,910 --> 00:20:16,869 Steve is the OG when it comes 643 00:20:16,870 --> 00:20:18,309 to psychedelics and religion in 644 00:20:18,310 --> 00:20:19,529 Utah. 645 00:20:19,530 --> 00:20:21,229 He was once a maverick Republican in 646 00:20:21,230 --> 00:20:23,209 Utah's legislature. 647 00:20:23,210 --> 00:20:25,249 And this very unique career 648 00:20:25,250 --> 00:20:27,129 arc helped him understand 649 00:20:27,130 --> 00:20:28,969 how exactly religion rules 650 00:20:28,970 --> 00:20:31,069 in the U.S., especially 651 00:20:31,070 --> 00:20:32,229 in Utah 652 00:20:32,230 --> 00:20:34,169 I was in the Utah Senate 653 00:20:34,170 --> 00:20:36,149 and there fought 654 00:20:36,150 --> 00:20:38,489 for LGBTQ rights and 655 00:20:38,490 --> 00:20:40,369 fought against the Mormon Church, 656 00:20:40,370 --> 00:20:42,289 which largely runs the state of 657 00:20:42,290 --> 00:20:44,949 Utah and runs the Utah legislature. 658 00:20:44,950 --> 00:20:46,769 And I saw in 659 00:20:46,770 --> 00:20:48,709 that battle, trying to get 660 00:20:48,710 --> 00:20:50,709 employment housing protections and 661 00:20:50,710 --> 00:20:52,929 ultimately succeeding at that, 662 00:20:52,930 --> 00:20:54,929 just the enormous power 663 00:20:54,930 --> 00:20:57,649 and protection that religion has. 664 00:20:57,650 --> 00:20:59,809 After I left the Senate, 665 00:20:59,810 --> 00:21:02,269 I discovered psychedelics 666 00:21:02,270 --> 00:21:04,269 and started to really heal and just 667 00:21:04,270 --> 00:21:06,249 came alive spiritually and 668 00:21:08,110 --> 00:21:10,249 found just tremendous value 669 00:21:10,250 --> 00:21:12,329 in that and then I was thinking 670 00:21:12,330 --> 00:21:14,229 well, wait a second I happen to 671 00:21:14,230 --> 00:21:16,009 know a thing or two about religious 672 00:21:16,010 --> 00:21:18,209 freedom being a lawyer and 673 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:19,597 having fought for three years 674 00:21:19,598 --> 00:21:22,029 against the Mormon Church's 675 00:21:22,030 --> 00:21:23,449 so-called religious liberties. 676 00:21:23,450 --> 00:21:25,389 And so I thought man if anything 677 00:21:25,390 --> 00:21:27,369 is religious This is it 678 00:21:27,370 --> 00:21:29,289 and I want a lot of people to 679 00:21:29,290 --> 00:21:31,289 have this. And so 680 00:21:31,290 --> 00:21:33,389 I worked with some really 681 00:21:33,390 --> 00:21:35,289 genius lawyers to 682 00:21:35,290 --> 00:21:37,289 come up with something where people 683 00:21:37,290 --> 00:21:39,189 could have added protection 684 00:21:39,190 --> 00:21:40,190 to worship. 685 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,139 That added protection is basically 686 00:21:43,140 --> 00:21:45,059 a membership card that members 687 00:21:45,060 --> 00:21:46,879 receive in the mail in exchange for 688 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:48,879 $100, declaring that 689 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:50,259 psilocybin is their religious 690 00:21:50,260 --> 00:21:51,239 sacrament. 691 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,959 And so just like early Christians 692 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,199 were hiding from Romans, 693 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,079 not all religions are equal in 694 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:59,139 the United States despite what the 695 00:21:59,140 --> 00:22:00,899 Constitution says. 696 00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:02,759 And so we have to take 697 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:04,159 precautions. 698 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:05,939 So far, these precautions have 699 00:22:05,940 --> 00:22:07,439 seemed to work. 700 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:08,839 Over the last three years, the 701 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:10,499 Divine Assembly has had surprisingly 702 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:12,109 little legal trouble. 703 00:22:12,110 --> 00:22:13,929 The Divine Assembly is set up, 704 00:22:13,930 --> 00:22:15,669 so really there's nothing to shut 705 00:22:15,670 --> 00:22:16,139 down. 706 00:22:16,140 --> 00:22:17,519 They've never been raided by the 707 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:19,219 police, for example. 708 00:22:19,220 --> 00:22:20,539 It helps that they don't have a 709 00:22:20,540 --> 00:22:21,599 brick and mortar to raid. 710 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:24,679 Instead, members guide sessions for 711 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:26,619 each other in their homes. 712 00:22:26,620 --> 00:22:28,039 The Divine Assembly, the 713 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:30,139 organization of it, it's patterned 714 00:22:30,140 --> 00:22:32,079 after mushroom mycelium, 715 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:33,719 and I probably should add that that 716 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:35,259 came to me in a mushroom vision. 717 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:39,459 That decentralized philosophy 718 00:22:39,460 --> 00:22:41,539 is more than just a way to evade 719 00:22:41,540 --> 00:22:42,419 police. 720 00:22:42,420 --> 00:22:44,199 It also reflects a fear about 721 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:46,039 hierarchy that I've heard a 722 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:47,040 lot in Utah. 723 00:22:48,620 --> 00:22:49,739 After people leave the Mormon 724 00:22:49,740 --> 00:22:51,799 church, they're often scared to 725 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:53,719 replicate its power dynamics, even 726 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:55,219 accidentally. 727 00:22:55,220 --> 00:22:56,859 Sometimes they get replicated 728 00:22:56,860 --> 00:22:58,029 anyway. 729 00:22:58,030 --> 00:23:00,049 Some of my friends, we 730 00:23:00,050 --> 00:23:02,109 left Mormonism around the same 731 00:23:02,110 --> 00:23:03,929 time, we helped each 732 00:23:03,930 --> 00:23:05,729 other discover psychedelics at the 733 00:23:05,730 --> 00:23:07,649 same, and 734 00:23:07,650 --> 00:23:09,789 a few of them, it 735 00:23:09,790 --> 00:23:11,929 seemed to me, and they now 736 00:23:11,930 --> 00:23:13,889 tend to agree with that, 737 00:23:13,890 --> 00:23:15,869 that they were wanting to replace 738 00:23:15,870 --> 00:23:17,909 their Mormon bishop with some 739 00:23:17,910 --> 00:23:19,949 guru, some shaman who could 740 00:23:19,950 --> 00:23:21,209 swing a pendulum a certain 741 00:23:21,210 --> 00:23:23,109 direction, and that would tell them 742 00:23:23,110 --> 00:23:24,989 how much ayahuasca to drink, what 743 00:23:24,990 --> 00:23:26,949 they should do with their kids. 744 00:23:26,950 --> 00:23:28,789 Steve says that out of his many 745 00:23:28,790 --> 00:23:30,649 psychedelic experiences, 746 00:23:30,650 --> 00:23:32,409 he's had two guides that reminded 747 00:23:32,410 --> 00:23:34,529 him of what he didn't like about 748 00:23:34,530 --> 00:23:35,670 Mormon church hierarchy. 749 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:38,939 Any kind of Abrahamic church where 750 00:23:38,940 --> 00:23:40,999 you're told exactly what to do 751 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,039 and you're probably doing it 752 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:45,019 wrong, where they're big and you 753 00:23:45,020 --> 00:23:46,239 are small. 754 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:48,039 And so, you know, now I realize that 755 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:49,079 was shamanic abuse. 756 00:23:50,220 --> 00:23:52,039 Still, Steve says 757 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:53,879 he's grateful he experienced 758 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:54,729 it. 759 00:23:54,730 --> 00:23:56,829 I'm really glad it happened because 760 00:23:56,830 --> 00:23:59,329 that teaches me that 761 00:23:59,330 --> 00:24:01,349 there's abuse in 762 00:24:01,350 --> 00:24:03,029 psychedelic worship just like there 763 00:24:03,030 --> 00:24:04,909 is in Abrahamic 764 00:24:04,910 --> 00:24:07,389 religions. It turned me off, 765 00:24:07,390 --> 00:24:09,289 but fortunately some people grabbed 766 00:24:09,290 --> 00:24:10,749 me and said, all right, how about 767 00:24:10,750 --> 00:24:12,729 let's get together and just 768 00:24:12,730 --> 00:24:14,729 experience these things as friends 769 00:24:14,730 --> 00:24:16,949 and we won't have any top-down 770 00:24:16,950 --> 00:24:18,989 guide and that's 771 00:24:18,990 --> 00:24:20,779 where we came up with the tenet. 772 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:22,979 That no one is in charge, 773 00:24:22,980 --> 00:24:25,439 no one leads any other individual. 774 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:27,339 Each individual is a mystic 775 00:24:27,340 --> 00:24:29,539 seeking, and that way we 776 00:24:29,540 --> 00:24:31,819 avoid those power dynamics 777 00:24:31,820 --> 00:24:33,719 where we have sheep and 778 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:36,019 shepherd, because often the 779 00:24:36,020 --> 00:24:37,699 sheep get preyed on in that 780 00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:38,700 modality. 781 00:24:44,150 --> 00:24:45,829 It's important to understand that 782 00:24:45,830 --> 00:24:47,809 there is a lot of trial and error 783 00:24:47,810 --> 00:24:49,849 happening in the US when it comes to 784 00:24:49,850 --> 00:24:51,050 psychedelics and religion. 785 00:24:52,250 --> 00:24:54,229 Most Americans have not inherited 786 00:24:54,230 --> 00:24:56,809 these practices over millennia. 787 00:24:56,810 --> 00:24:59,409 It's not like Judaism or Catholicism 788 00:24:59,410 --> 00:25:01,669 for better or worse. 789 00:25:01,670 --> 00:25:03,189 And so people are really building 790 00:25:03,190 --> 00:25:04,870 this plane as they're flying it. 791 00:25:06,230 --> 00:25:08,109 Singularism represents a distinct 792 00:25:08,110 --> 00:25:10,229 model of psychedelic worship. 793 00:25:10,230 --> 00:25:12,169 Unlike the divine assembly, They do 794 00:25:12,170 --> 00:25:13,809 have formal guides, primarily 795 00:25:13,810 --> 00:25:14,989 Bridger. 796 00:25:14,990 --> 00:25:16,769 He also now works with roughly 10 797 00:25:16,770 --> 00:25:18,149 other facilitators he trained 798 00:25:18,150 --> 00:25:20,049 himself, including his 799 00:25:20,050 --> 00:25:21,829 girlfriend Brandi Lee. 800 00:25:21,830 --> 00:25:23,389 Brandi wears a lot of different hats 801 00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:24,829 at Singularism. 802 00:25:24,830 --> 00:25:26,629 You heard her name before as her 803 00:25:26,630 --> 00:25:27,630 office manager. 804 00:25:28,550 --> 00:25:30,489 Today, she's playing tour guide 805 00:25:30,490 --> 00:25:32,170 at the Singularisim offices. 806 00:25:33,530 --> 00:25:35,389 Dressed in a tweed miniskirt and 807 00:25:35,390 --> 00:25:37,269 pink kitten heels, she leads 808 00:25:37,270 --> 00:25:39,029 us from room to room. 809 00:25:39,030 --> 00:25:41,309 You know, we wanted it to feel 810 00:25:41,310 --> 00:25:43,129 kind of like a cross between 811 00:25:43,130 --> 00:25:46,009 a spa and homey. 812 00:25:46,010 --> 00:25:47,829 Do people ever ask you why is 813 00:25:47,830 --> 00:25:49,569 it called Singularism? 814 00:25:49,570 --> 00:25:50,009 Uh-huh. 815 00:25:50,010 --> 00:25:50,749 What do you say? 816 00:25:50,750 --> 00:25:52,769 I say because while you're 817 00:25:52,770 --> 00:25:54,649 on the medicine, you come to the 818 00:25:54,650 --> 00:25:56,549 realization that we are all one. 819 00:25:56,550 --> 00:25:57,630 Everything is connected. 820 00:25:58,750 --> 00:26:00,969 Plants, the trees, earth, 821 00:26:00,970 --> 00:26:01,970 stars, we're all one. 822 00:26:03,770 --> 00:26:05,529 This idea that everything is 823 00:26:05,530 --> 00:26:07,569 connected is a big change 824 00:26:07,570 --> 00:26:09,929 from what Brandi believed before. 825 00:26:09,930 --> 00:26:11,789 So before Singularism, 826 00:26:11,790 --> 00:26:13,949 I'm a mom of four. 827 00:26:13,950 --> 00:26:15,789 I was married for 828 00:26:15,790 --> 00:26:17,169 24 years. 829 00:26:17,170 --> 00:26:19,049 I was a member of the Church of 830 00:26:19,050 --> 00:26:20,369 Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 831 00:26:20,370 --> 00:26:22,509 and was born into it 832 00:26:22,510 --> 00:26:24,529 and was part of 833 00:26:24,530 --> 00:26:26,549 it until I was 44 years 834 00:26:26,550 --> 00:26:28,629 old. I devoted pretty much 835 00:26:28,630 --> 00:26:29,689 my life to it. 836 00:26:29,690 --> 00:26:31,949 God before was a man 837 00:26:31,950 --> 00:26:34,029 that was just sitting up in 838 00:26:34,030 --> 00:26:35,849 heaven and 839 00:26:35,850 --> 00:26:37,789 ruling the earth. 840 00:26:37,790 --> 00:26:40,829 And to me, he was always loving, 841 00:26:40,830 --> 00:26:43,489 but also there 842 00:26:43,490 --> 00:26:45,389 had to be a checklist to get to 843 00:26:45,390 --> 00:26:46,390 him. 844 00:26:46,810 --> 00:26:48,789 Now I don't believe that there's 845 00:26:48,790 --> 00:26:50,869 a single God. 846 00:26:50,870 --> 00:26:52,230 It's so much bigger. 847 00:26:53,310 --> 00:26:55,189 I believe that it's mainly 848 00:26:55,190 --> 00:26:56,549 our highest selves that we are 849 00:26:56,550 --> 00:26:57,550 getting answers from and connecting to. 850 00:26:59,950 --> 00:27:01,909 Like a lot of people, Brandi's 851 00:27:01,910 --> 00:27:03,529 journey to psychedelics and 852 00:27:03,530 --> 00:27:05,469 singularism began with 853 00:27:05,470 --> 00:27:08,289 a period of profound pain. 854 00:27:08,290 --> 00:27:10,189 In 2020, her world shattered 855 00:27:10,190 --> 00:27:13,269 when her dad died unexpectedly. 856 00:27:13,270 --> 00:27:15,009 And then about six months after 857 00:27:15,010 --> 00:27:16,010 that. 858 00:27:19,060 --> 00:27:22,099 Um, my little brother takes 859 00:27:22,100 --> 00:27:23,100 his own life. 860 00:27:26,410 --> 00:27:28,329 And literally six months after 861 00:27:28,330 --> 00:27:29,330 that. 862 00:27:31,170 --> 00:27:32,670 My husband, who was my best friend. 863 00:27:35,010 --> 00:27:35,909 He tells me he doesn't want to be 864 00:27:35,910 --> 00:27:36,910 married anymore. 865 00:27:39,060 --> 00:27:40,919 I would explain it to people because 866 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:42,199 they would say, how are you? 867 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,079 And I would say I am literally 868 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:45,719 below hell. 869 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:47,559 Like I can't even crawl up. 870 00:27:51,380 --> 00:27:53,239 During this time, 871 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:54,639 Brandi says she would sit in her 872 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:56,939 closet and cry all day. 873 00:27:56,940 --> 00:27:58,599 She was also still turning to the 874 00:27:58,600 --> 00:27:59,899 Mormon church for answers. 875 00:28:01,050 --> 00:28:03,169 I was like going to the temple every 876 00:28:03,170 --> 00:28:05,109 week. I would fast every 877 00:28:05,110 --> 00:28:07,069 Sunday, no matter what. 878 00:28:07,070 --> 00:28:08,329 Like even at lacrosse tournaments 879 00:28:08,330 --> 00:28:10,369 that it was like blazing hot, 880 00:28:10,370 --> 00:28:13,089 I still wouldn't drink water because 881 00:28:13,090 --> 00:28:14,729 I was trying to save my marriage. 882 00:28:14,730 --> 00:28:17,549 I was try to hear God, 883 00:28:17,550 --> 00:28:19,809 trying to get answers from him, 884 00:28:19,810 --> 00:28:21,709 begging him, you 885 00:28:21,710 --> 00:28:23,028 know, to like help me. 886 00:28:23,029 --> 00:28:24,029 And I couldn't find him, no matter what. 887 00:28:30,620 --> 00:28:32,939 After about a year of this grieving, 888 00:28:32,940 --> 00:28:34,819 Brandi's friends suggested she try 889 00:28:34,820 --> 00:28:36,759 psilocybin with Bridger. 890 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:38,379 And I was like, I have never, I 891 00:28:38,380 --> 00:28:40,239 never had a drink of alcohol. 892 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:41,559 I had never done anything. 893 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:42,560 And I was like, no. No way. 894 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:45,699 But after talking to a family member 895 00:28:45,700 --> 00:28:48,019 who had been helped by mushrooms, 896 00:28:48,020 --> 00:28:49,140 she changed her mind. 897 00:28:50,610 --> 00:28:52,669 I met Bridger and I 898 00:28:52,670 --> 00:28:54,809 decided I wanted to do four sessions 899 00:28:54,810 --> 00:28:55,810 with him. 900 00:28:56,890 --> 00:28:58,170 And yeah, that's how it all started. 901 00:28:59,740 --> 00:29:01,779 Now, this was before Singularism 902 00:29:01,780 --> 00:29:03,399 had a building. 903 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:05,279 At the time, Bridger was offering 904 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:08,039 sessions out of his home office. 905 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:09,399 So that's where Brandi drank her 906 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:11,239 first cup of psilocybin tea and 907 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:13,039 waited for the effects to kick in. 908 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,179 My dad came to me, 909 00:29:17,180 --> 00:29:18,999 and my brother came, 910 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:21,159 and they told me they were happy, 911 00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:23,279 they were good, and 912 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:25,259 it just healed 913 00:29:25,260 --> 00:29:27,159 that grief part of 914 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:29,019 me, knowing that they're in a 915 00:29:29,020 --> 00:29:30,299 good place, especially 916 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:33,539 with suicide, right? 917 00:29:33,540 --> 00:29:35,639 You're always worried and wonder 918 00:29:35,640 --> 00:29:37,539 and taught in religion 919 00:29:37,540 --> 00:29:39,499 that they go to hell, and he's 920 00:29:39,500 --> 00:29:41,339 like, no, I'm not in hell, Brandi, I 921 00:29:41,340 --> 00:29:42,340 am happy. 922 00:29:45,740 --> 00:29:47,959 That was session number one. 923 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:49,699 Another time, Brandi says she saw 924 00:29:49,700 --> 00:29:50,899 Jesus. 925 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:53,139 He was crying in her vision and 926 00:29:53,140 --> 00:29:55,439 told her that organized religion has 927 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:56,709 him wrong. 928 00:29:56,710 --> 00:29:59,009 I got the sense that 929 00:29:59,010 --> 00:30:02,269 it was not about him, 930 00:30:02,270 --> 00:30:04,529 that he taught 931 00:30:04,530 --> 00:30:06,569 that God was within 932 00:30:06,570 --> 00:30:08,409 us, that 933 00:30:08,410 --> 00:30:10,489 he didn't want to be worshiped, 934 00:30:10,490 --> 00:30:12,949 and that we don't need a middleman 935 00:30:12,950 --> 00:30:14,349 from us to source. 936 00:30:15,530 --> 00:30:17,290 And I was like, wait, what? 937 00:30:19,389 --> 00:30:21,509 That was earth-shattering 938 00:30:21,510 --> 00:30:23,469 for me because I was still going 939 00:30:23,470 --> 00:30:25,249 to the temple, still going to church 940 00:30:25,250 --> 00:30:26,449 still like. 941 00:30:26,450 --> 00:30:28,449 Still trying to 942 00:30:28,450 --> 00:30:30,569 be this religious, spiritual 943 00:30:30,570 --> 00:30:32,629 person to like, 944 00:30:32,630 --> 00:30:33,630 heal me. 945 00:30:34,390 --> 00:30:36,969 And after that session, 946 00:30:36,970 --> 00:30:38,969 I went to the spot that my 947 00:30:38,970 --> 00:30:39,970 brother 948 00:30:41,449 --> 00:30:43,069 died and I sat there and I cried for 949 00:30:43,070 --> 00:30:45,109 about five hours and 950 00:30:45,110 --> 00:30:46,569 then I just let it go. 951 00:30:46,570 --> 00:30:47,570 I was like, okay, I'm done. 952 00:30:50,899 --> 00:30:52,839 And I don't hold 953 00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:54,879 any ill will towards the church. 954 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:56,839 It was beautiful and it served 955 00:30:56,840 --> 00:30:57,839 its purpose. 956 00:30:57,840 --> 00:30:59,559 But I always tell people, because 957 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:00,479 they're like, well, you're in a faith 958 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:02,299 crisis. I'm like, no, I'm in 959 00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:03,300 a faith expansion. 960 00:31:05,260 --> 00:31:07,579 Brandi was all in. 961 00:31:07,580 --> 00:31:09,199 She started doing more and more at 962 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:10,200 Singularism. 963 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:12,679 Then, at a pace that raised some 964 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:14,739 eyebrows in the community, 965 00:31:14,740 --> 00:31:16,619 Bridger asked Brandi out. 966 00:31:16,620 --> 00:31:18,159 They shifted from guide and voyager 967 00:31:18,160 --> 00:31:19,480 to boyfriend and girlfriend. 968 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:22,259 Before long, she was shadowing 969 00:31:22,260 --> 00:31:24,199 Bridger during sessions. 970 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:25,200 So I would go sit ith him. And 971 00:31:26,540 --> 00:31:29,019 then I just would watch the 972 00:31:29,020 --> 00:31:30,099 beautiful sessions. 973 00:31:30,100 --> 00:31:32,599 And then, I was like, I love this. 974 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:34,079 And so, he's like, do you wanna be a 975 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:35,359 facilitator? 976 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:36,519 And I was, like, I don't know if I 977 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:37,939 can do that. I'd only been a 978 00:31:37,940 --> 00:31:39,499 stay-at-home mom. 979 00:31:39,500 --> 00:31:40,879 And he's, like Brandi, you can do 980 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:42,779 this. You have been through so 981 00:31:42,780 --> 00:31:43,775 much and you have so much compassion 982 00:31:43,776 --> 00:31:44,776 and empathy. 983 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:47,939 And Brandi did understand a lot of 984 00:31:47,940 --> 00:31:49,819 Singularism's clientele. 985 00:31:49,820 --> 00:31:51,639 Many were former Mormon women like 986 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:52,799 her. 987 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:54,439 It's because there's so much 988 00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:56,719 pressure from the 989 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:58,859 LDS Church to 990 00:31:58,860 --> 00:32:00,459 be perfect. 991 00:32:00,460 --> 00:32:02,279 Some psychiatrists in Utah even have 992 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:04,259 a name for this phenomenon. 993 00:32:04,260 --> 00:32:05,699 They call it Mother of Zion 994 00:32:05,700 --> 00:32:06,700 Syndrome. 995 00:32:07,450 --> 00:32:09,829 You want to be this perfect mother 996 00:32:09,830 --> 00:32:11,869 and you want your kids to be 997 00:32:11,870 --> 00:32:13,709 perfect and to do all 998 00:32:13,710 --> 00:32:15,929 the right things and get baptized, 999 00:32:15,930 --> 00:32:17,869 go on a mission, go to college, 1000 00:32:17,870 --> 00:32:19,729 get married in the temple, have kids 1001 00:32:19,730 --> 00:32:21,269 and then their kids have to be 1002 00:32:21,270 --> 00:32:22,969 perfect too, right? 1003 00:32:22,970 --> 00:32:24,909 And then when they're not, then 1004 00:32:24,910 --> 00:32:25,930 you're like, well then I failed. 1005 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:28,699 Bridger trained Brandi with 1006 00:32:28,700 --> 00:32:30,779 curriculum he wrote himself, 1007 00:32:30,780 --> 00:32:32,279 and Brandi started watching 1008 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:34,459 psilocybin work, what to her 1009 00:32:34,460 --> 00:32:36,819 looked like miracles. 1010 00:32:36,820 --> 00:32:38,259 Like in the case of a woman with a 1011 00:32:38,260 --> 00:32:39,609 nervous system disorder. 1012 00:32:39,610 --> 00:32:41,309 She couldn't get out of bed, she 1013 00:32:41,310 --> 00:32:42,769 couldn't drive. 1014 00:32:42,770 --> 00:32:45,049 She was very physically limited 1015 00:32:45,050 --> 00:32:46,829 because of her POTS. 1016 00:32:46,830 --> 00:32:48,889 Well, during her first session, 1017 00:32:48,890 --> 00:32:51,109 she danced around the 1018 00:32:51,110 --> 00:32:52,929 whole time and she 1019 00:32:52,930 --> 00:32:54,449 would like have her hands. 1020 00:32:54,450 --> 00:32:55,389 It's almost like she was playing 1021 00:32:55,390 --> 00:32:57,389 with like taffy or spider webs or 1022 00:32:57,390 --> 00:32:59,229 something. And she's just happy and 1023 00:32:59,230 --> 00:33:00,629 she's twirling and she dancing 1024 00:33:00,630 --> 00:33:01,529 around. 1025 00:33:01,530 --> 00:33:03,429 And then when her session was over 1026 00:33:03,430 --> 00:33:05,149 and she came down from it, she was 1027 00:33:05,150 --> 00:33:07,009 like, I have not moved like 1028 00:33:07,010 --> 00:33:09,109 that since I was little. 1029 00:33:11,030 --> 00:33:13,469 And it was these kinds of stories of 1030 00:33:13,470 --> 00:33:15,169 real people experiencing real 1031 00:33:15,170 --> 00:33:17,709 healing that Singularism emphasized 1032 00:33:17,710 --> 00:33:18,710 in court. 1033 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:24,259 On December 13th, Bridger 1034 00:33:24,260 --> 00:33:26,059 and Brandi both testified for 1035 00:33:26,060 --> 00:33:27,959 Singularism via Zoom. 1036 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:29,279 They were there to ask for a 1037 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:31,219 temporary restraining order and a 1038 00:33:31,220 --> 00:33:33,139 preliminary injunction, which would 1039 00:33:33,140 --> 00:33:35,059 let Singularism stay open while 1040 00:33:35,060 --> 00:33:36,219 the case is ongoing. 1041 00:33:37,720 --> 00:33:39,999 Presiding that day was Jill Parish, 1042 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:41,739 a federal judge for the United 1043 00:33:41,740 --> 00:33:43,379 States District Court for the 1044 00:33:43,380 --> 00:33:45,159 District of Utah. 1045 00:33:45,160 --> 00:33:47,139 And right off the bat, it was clear 1046 00:33:47,140 --> 00:33:48,979 that this was not going to be a 1047 00:33:48,980 --> 00:33:50,299 snoozer of a hearing. 1048 00:33:50,300 --> 00:33:52,319 They cross-examined me against the 1049 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:53,689 Meyers criteria. 1050 00:33:53,690 --> 00:33:55,369 The Meyers criteria is a standard 1051 00:33:55,370 --> 00:33:57,389 developed in 1995 to 1052 00:33:57,390 --> 00:33:59,049 determine whether a marijuana church 1053 00:33:59,050 --> 00:34:01,449 in Wyoming was a religion. 1054 00:34:01,450 --> 00:34:04,069 Spoiler alert, the courts ruled no. 1055 00:34:04,070 --> 00:34:05,209 And they said, do you have the 1056 00:34:05,210 --> 00:34:06,549 answers to life's universal 1057 00:34:06,550 --> 00:34:07,909 questions? 1058 00:34:07,910 --> 00:34:08,769 Yes or no. 1059 00:34:08,770 --> 00:34:10,689 And I was like, 1060 00:34:10,690 --> 00:34:12,789 no. And anybody that says they 1061 00:34:12,790 --> 00:34:14,829 do, that's the scam 1062 00:34:14,830 --> 00:34:17,109 artist you're looking for. 1063 00:34:17,110 --> 00:34:19,769 They asked me, do believe 1064 00:34:19,770 --> 00:34:20,849 in God? 1065 00:34:20,850 --> 00:34:22,509 And I like, it's complicated. 1066 00:34:22,510 --> 00:34:24,849 They asked then, are you a prophet? 1067 00:34:24,850 --> 00:34:26,988 And I'm like, no more or 1068 00:34:26,989 --> 00:34:29,209 less than every other voyager 1069 00:34:29,210 --> 00:34:31,089 that comes through our 1070 00:34:31,090 --> 00:34:32,229 doors. 1071 00:34:32,230 --> 00:34:34,149 These answers did not fit 1072 00:34:34,150 --> 00:34:35,988 the Meyers criteria. 1073 00:34:35,989 --> 00:34:37,709 They were too wishy-washy and 1074 00:34:37,710 --> 00:34:39,589 non-dogmatic. 1075 00:34:39,590 --> 00:34:41,329 But Judge Parish ruled. 1076 00:34:41,330 --> 00:34:42,789 She was not going to hold it against 1077 00:34:42,790 --> 00:34:44,789 Singularism that they had, 1078 00:34:44,790 --> 00:34:46,729 quote, existential humility. 1079 00:34:48,350 --> 00:34:50,689 And that is maybe the most 1080 00:34:50,690 --> 00:34:52,448 poignant and important part of this 1081 00:34:52,449 --> 00:34:54,309 case because it does 1082 00:34:54,310 --> 00:34:56,669 expand the definition of religion. 1083 00:34:56,670 --> 00:34:58,789 In February, Judge Parish 1084 00:34:58,790 --> 00:35:00,609 delivered a scathing opinion 1085 00:35:00,610 --> 00:35:03,429 in favor of Singularism. 1086 00:35:03,430 --> 00:35:05,249 She wrote, and I quote, 1087 00:35:05,250 --> 00:35:06,949 "'The court has no difficulty 1088 00:35:06,950 --> 00:35:08,409 concluding that plaintiffs are 1089 00:35:08,410 --> 00:35:10,209 sincere in their beliefs and that 1090 00:35:10,210 --> 00:35:11,789 those beliefs are religious in 1091 00:35:11,790 --> 00:35:13,729 nature.'" She went on to scold 1092 00:35:13,730 --> 00:35:15,189 the county for characterizing 1093 00:35:15,190 --> 00:35:17,049 Bridger as a criminal. 1094 00:35:17,050 --> 00:35:18,969 She said, quote, "'The Court 1095 00:35:18,970 --> 00:35:20,989 is hard pressed to find as 1096 00:35:20,990 --> 00:35:23,129 defendants urge that Singularism 1097 00:35:23,130 --> 00:35:24,749 is essentially a drug-dealing 1098 00:35:24,750 --> 00:35:27,009 business cloaked in a minister's 1099 00:35:27,010 --> 00:35:28,010 robe. 1100 00:35:28,950 --> 00:35:30,449 She granted them the preliminary 1101 00:35:30,450 --> 00:35:31,669 injunction. 1102 00:35:31,670 --> 00:35:33,449 She ordered the police to return the 1103 00:35:33,450 --> 00:35:34,809 mushrooms. 1104 00:35:34,810 --> 00:35:37,149 And a few months later, she also 1105 00:35:37,150 --> 00:35:38,669 ordered that the criminal charges 1106 00:35:38,670 --> 00:35:40,909 against Bridger be dismissed. 1107 00:35:43,030 --> 00:35:45,249 Singularism's case is far from over, 1108 00:35:45,250 --> 00:35:47,549 but as it winds through the courts, 1109 00:35:47,550 --> 00:35:49,889 all eyes are on Utah. 1110 00:35:49,890 --> 00:35:51,709 A lot of us are just excited to 1111 00:35:51,710 --> 00:35:52,710 see this lack of discrimination.. 1112 00:35:55,110 --> 00:35:56,929 That's Allison Hoots, an attorney 1113 00:35:56,930 --> 00:35:58,409 who has been practicing at the 1114 00:35:58,410 --> 00:36:00,149 intersection of psychedelics and 1115 00:36:00,150 --> 00:36:01,570 religion since 2017. 1116 00:36:02,590 --> 00:36:04,529 She's also the executive director 1117 00:36:04,530 --> 00:36:06,669 of Sacred Plant Alliance, 1118 00:36:06,670 --> 00:36:08,729 a non-profit association of churches 1119 00:36:08,730 --> 00:36:10,549 that use a controlled substance 1120 00:36:10,550 --> 00:36:12,249 for sacramental purposes. 1121 00:36:13,310 --> 00:36:14,989 Allison says there are many things 1122 00:36:14,990 --> 00:36:16,349 that stand out to her about 1123 00:36:16,350 --> 00:36:18,449 Singularism's case. 1124 00:36:18,450 --> 00:36:20,939 One of them is the psilocybin. 1125 00:36:20,940 --> 00:36:22,839 All past RFRA cases 1126 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:24,999 where there were decisions 1127 00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:26,919 that were quite positive, 1128 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:28,699 meaning protective of the religious 1129 00:36:28,700 --> 00:36:30,799 practice where it did involve a 1130 00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:32,739 controlled substance, it was 1131 00:36:32,740 --> 00:36:33,939 always ayahuasca. 1132 00:36:35,050 --> 00:36:36,989 Ayahuasca is an unusual substance 1133 00:36:36,990 --> 00:36:39,049 because it often involves intense 1134 00:36:39,050 --> 00:36:40,369 vomiting. 1135 00:36:40,370 --> 00:36:42,109 It's not exactly what you might call 1136 00:36:42,110 --> 00:36:43,110 fun. 1137 00:36:43,530 --> 00:36:45,649 Therefore, some have reasoned, 1138 00:36:45,650 --> 00:36:47,729 it's less likely to be abused and 1139 00:36:47,730 --> 00:36:50,749 less likely be used recreationally. 1140 00:36:50,750 --> 00:36:52,809 Psilocybin, by contrast, is often 1141 00:36:52,810 --> 00:36:54,669 used recreationly. 1142 00:36:54,670 --> 00:36:56,769 But, Allison says, just because 1143 00:36:56,770 --> 00:36:58,669 some use it that way doesn't mean 1144 00:36:58,670 --> 00:37:01,439 others can't use it spiritually. 1145 00:37:01,440 --> 00:37:03,919 For psilocybin-containing mushrooms 1146 00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:05,939 to now be 1147 00:37:05,940 --> 00:37:07,819 moving its way into the, 1148 00:37:07,820 --> 00:37:09,359 okay, the U.S. 1149 00:37:09,360 --> 00:37:10,679 Courts are seeing it as something 1150 00:37:10,680 --> 00:37:13,149 religious. That was really exciting. 1151 00:37:13,150 --> 00:37:14,989 Another striking part was that the 1152 00:37:14,990 --> 00:37:16,669 court didn't seem to mind that 1153 00:37:16,670 --> 00:37:18,189 singularism charges for their 1154 00:37:18,190 --> 00:37:19,329 services. 1155 00:37:19,330 --> 00:37:20,889 In the past, the government has 1156 00:37:20,890 --> 00:37:22,609 tended to look skeptically at 1157 00:37:22,610 --> 00:37:24,509 psychedelic churches that have a 1158 00:37:24,510 --> 00:37:25,869 commercial component. 1159 00:37:25,870 --> 00:37:27,629 Which I always thought was very 1160 00:37:27,630 --> 00:37:29,609 strange because so 1161 00:37:29,610 --> 00:37:32,269 many people go to 1162 00:37:32,270 --> 00:37:34,169 religious spaces to deal with 1163 00:37:34,170 --> 00:37:35,369 their mental health. 1164 00:37:35,370 --> 00:37:37,469 But the thing I love to point to is 1165 00:37:37,470 --> 00:37:38,969 the fact that the Internal Revenue 1166 00:37:38,970 --> 00:37:40,809 Code actually has 1167 00:37:40,810 --> 00:37:43,469 a certain way to characterize 1168 00:37:43,470 --> 00:37:45,869 donations made to a church 1169 00:37:45,870 --> 00:37:47,969 specifically in exchange for, 1170 00:37:47,970 --> 00:37:50,169 quote, admission to ceremonies, 1171 00:37:50,170 --> 00:37:50,969 end quote. 1172 00:37:50,970 --> 00:37:52,869 And those are called intangible 1173 00:37:52,870 --> 00:37:55,029 religious benefits that you receive. 1174 00:37:55,030 --> 00:37:57,109 Sort of as a quid pro quo, 1175 00:37:57,110 --> 00:37:59,009 but is not detracting 1176 00:37:59,010 --> 00:38:00,989 from the religiosity of a church in 1177 00:38:00,990 --> 00:38:01,990 any way. 1178 00:38:03,650 --> 00:38:04,689 Despte Singularism's early successes, 1179 00:38:04,690 --> 00:38:06,209 Allison doesn't think we will see a 1180 00:38:06,210 --> 00:38:07,589 wave of psychedelic churches 1181 00:38:07,590 --> 00:38:10,009 suddenly suing under state RFRAs. 1182 00:38:10,010 --> 00:38:11,949 So it actually isn't a great 1183 00:38:11,950 --> 00:38:13,169 legal strategy. 1184 00:38:13,170 --> 00:38:14,869 That's because while a state RFR 1185 00:38:14,870 --> 00:38:16,689 will protect you from the state, 1186 00:38:16,690 --> 00:38:18,949 it won't protect you from the feds. 1187 00:38:18,950 --> 00:38:21,689 Even if Singularism wins its case, 1188 00:38:21,690 --> 00:38:23,289 it most likely won't get a federal 1189 00:38:23,290 --> 00:38:25,349 exemption from Controlled Substances 1190 00:38:25,350 --> 00:38:26,149 Act. 1191 00:38:26,150 --> 00:38:28,529 While it might be persuasive that 1192 00:38:28,530 --> 00:38:30,349 one state decided one 1193 00:38:30,350 --> 00:38:32,329 thing to another state, 1194 00:38:32,330 --> 00:38:33,769 it is not required. 1195 00:38:33,770 --> 00:38:36,189 So somebody now in California 1196 00:38:36,190 --> 00:38:38,169 might say, 1197 00:38:38,170 --> 00:38:40,169 oh, but look at singularism, 1198 00:38:40,170 --> 00:38:41,989 look at this great case law. 1199 00:38:41,990 --> 00:38:44,089 And unless that court regularly 1200 00:38:44,090 --> 00:38:46,709 uses Utah law as 1201 00:38:46,710 --> 00:38:48,589 persuasive, it's not 1202 00:38:48,590 --> 00:38:50,489 helpful at all. 1203 00:38:50,490 --> 00:38:52,349 And only Utah is 1204 00:38:52,350 --> 00:38:54,389 required to use this kind of 1205 00:38:54,390 --> 00:38:56,289 case law to decide its future 1206 00:38:56,290 --> 00:38:57,290 cases. 1207 00:38:59,499 --> 00:39:00,299 Allison also says there are some things that trouble 1208 00:39:00,300 --> 00:39:01,979 her about singularism. 1209 00:39:01,980 --> 00:39:03,899 I was shocked to see 1210 00:39:03,900 --> 00:39:05,859 how little there really was that 1211 00:39:05,860 --> 00:39:07,739 existed with the religious 1212 00:39:07,740 --> 00:39:09,279 practices and beliefs of this 1213 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,519 community, and 1214 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:14,379 was grateful but also concerned, 1215 00:39:14,380 --> 00:39:15,779 you know, they are such a young 1216 00:39:15,780 --> 00:39:16,919 church. 1217 00:39:16,920 --> 00:39:18,999 So there is, as 1218 00:39:19,000 --> 00:39:20,959 things expand, this need for 1219 00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:23,059 a lot of organization. 1220 00:39:23,060 --> 00:39:25,139 How do you deal with 1221 00:39:25,140 --> 00:39:26,839 internal disputes? 1222 00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:28,699 What is part of a church 1223 00:39:28,700 --> 00:39:29,920 activity and what is not? 1224 00:39:32,480 --> 00:39:34,559 Rules, rules, rules. 1225 00:39:34,560 --> 00:39:36,179 They're a buzzkill to someone like 1226 00:39:36,180 --> 00:39:38,019 Bridger, who fancies himself a 1227 00:39:38,020 --> 00:39:39,579 sort of Calvin from Calvin and 1228 00:39:39,580 --> 00:39:40,659 Hobbes. 1229 00:39:40,660 --> 00:39:42,619 But Alison has seen firsthand what 1230 00:39:42,620 --> 00:39:44,759 can happen when rules are missing. 1231 00:39:44,760 --> 00:39:46,599 It's something I've seen too, 1232 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:48,839 especially in places like Utah. 1233 00:39:48,840 --> 00:39:50,659 People can be so excited to leave 1234 00:39:50,660 --> 00:39:51,979 the Mormon church. 1235 00:39:51,980 --> 00:39:53,679 They sometimes start doing all the 1236 00:39:53,680 --> 00:39:55,379 things that were once forbidden all 1237 00:39:55,380 --> 00:39:57,079 at once. 1238 00:39:57,080 --> 00:39:58,879 Psychedelics, sex, alcohol. 1239 00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:00,759 After a lifetime of 1240 00:40:00,760 --> 00:40:02,799 so much restriction the freedom can 1241 00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:03,800 be overwhelming. 1242 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:06,399 Yet if the psychedelic church 1243 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:08,119 movement is going to continue to 1244 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:10,119 grow, developing some safeguards 1245 00:40:10,120 --> 00:40:12,099 and rules is essential for 1246 00:40:12,100 --> 00:40:13,919 the safety and sanctity 1247 00:40:13,920 --> 00:40:15,119 of these spaces. 1248 00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:18,859 Next time on Altered States, 1249 00:40:18,860 --> 00:40:20,599 what does consent culture look like 1250 00:40:20,600 --> 00:40:22,219 within Utah's psychedelic churches 1251 00:40:22,220 --> 00:40:24,099 and what can the rest of the country 1252 00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:25,800 learn from their growing pains? 1253 00:40:29,730 --> 00:40:31,489 Altered States is a production of 1254 00:40:31,490 --> 00:40:32,889 the UC Berkeley Center for the 1255 00:40:32,890 --> 00:40:35,109 Science of Psychedelics and PRX. 1256 00:40:35,110 --> 00:40:36,289 This episode was reported and 1257 00:40:36,290 --> 00:40:38,009 produced by Cassady Rosenblum. 1258 00:40:38,010 --> 00:40:39,269 Field production by Jonathan 1259 00:40:39,270 --> 00:40:40,269 Nellarmore. 1260 00:40:40,270 --> 00:40:42,189 Adizah Eghan is our senior editor. 1261 00:40:42,190 --> 00:40:43,849 Our executive editor is Malia 1262 00:40:43,850 --> 00:40:44,809 Wollan. 1263 00:40:44,810 --> 00:40:45,969 Jennie Cataldo is our Senior 1264 00:40:45,970 --> 00:40:47,929 Producer and our researcher is 1265 00:40:47,930 --> 00:40:49,909 Cassasy Rosenblum Our associate 1266 00:40:49,910 --> 00:40:52,089 producer is Jade Abdul Malik and 1267 00:40:52,090 --> 00:40:53,629 our audio engineers are Terence 1268 00:40:53,630 --> 00:40:55,729 Bernardo and Jennie Cataldo. 1269 00:40:55,730 --> 00:40:56,730 Fact Checking by Graham Hacia. 1270 00:40:57,750 --> 00:40:59,529 Special thanks to Bob Jesse. 1271 00:40:59,530 --> 00:41:01,189 Our executive producers are Malia 1272 00:41:01,190 --> 00:41:03,769 Wollan and Jocelyn Gonzales, 1273 00:41:03,770 --> 00:41:05,249 and our project manager is Edwin 1274 00:41:05,250 --> 00:41:06,309 Ochoa. 1275 00:41:06,310 --> 00:41:08,029 Our theme music is by Thao Nguyen 1276 00:41:08,030 --> 00:41:09,449 and Nate Brenner. 1277 00:41:09,450 --> 00:41:10,869 And I'm your host, Ariel 1278 00:41:10,870 --> 00:41:11,870 Duhaime-Ross. 1279 00:41:12,110 --> 00:41:13,929 Be sure to subscribe, rate, and 1280 00:41:13,930 --> 00:41:15,569 review Altered States wherever you 1281 00:41:15,570 --> 00:41:17,289 get your podcasts. 1282 00:41:17,290 --> 00:41:18,729 Most well-known psychedelics remain 1283 00:41:18,730 --> 00:41:20,429 illegal around the world, including 1284 00:41:20,430 --> 00:41:22,389 in the United States, where it is 1285 00:41:22,390 --> 00:41:24,189 a criminal offense to manufacture, 1286 00:41:24,190 --> 00:41:26,149 possess, dispense, or supply most 1287 00:41:26,150 --> 00:41:28,129 psychedelics with few exceptions. 1288 00:41:28,130 --> 00:41:29,929 Altered states does not recommend or 1289 00:41:29,930 --> 00:41:31,989 encourage the use of psychedelics or 1290 00:41:31,990 --> 00:41:33,750 offer instructions in their use.