On this episode of Scouting For Growth, Sabine VdL speaks with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave and one of the most influential voices in the modern psychedelic movement—particularly where personal growth, leadership development, and innovation intersect. This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation—not about counterculture for counterculture’s sake, but about how emerging science, intentional practice, and responsible frameworks are reshaping how leaders think, decide, and show up in an increasingly complex world. From stigma to intentional exploration Paul grew up in an environment where psychedelics and cannabis were heavily frowned upon. His early experimentation—first with cannabis, later with psilocybin during university—wasn’t rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It became a profound personal inflection point, opening new ways of thinking about creativity, purpose, and how to design life intentionally. That journey ultimately led him to become a digital nomad, experiment with microdosing, and deeply study how altered states—when approached responsibly—can support clarity, creativity, and behaviour change. Why Third Wave was born In 2015, Paul launched Third Wave after noticing a major gap: lots of curiosity about psychedelics, but very little credible, balanced education. At the time, the space was still highly stigmatised. Paul chose a first-mover path—publishing free educational content, starting conversations, and focusing on: the history of psychedelics emerging scientific research risks and safety considerations practical, intentional use (especially microdosing) The goal wasn’t evangelism. It was informed choice. Microdosing as an entry point—not a shortcut A key theme in the episode is microdosing as a starting point, not a silver bullet. Paul likens it to “the shallow end of the pool”—a way for people to explore subtle cognitive and emotional shifts without overwhelming experiences. For him personally, microdosing helped reduce alcohol consumption, increase creative flow, and improve day-to-day presence. But he’s careful to stress: outcomes depend entirely on intention, context, and responsibility. Leadership, connection, and the environment One of the most compelling parts of the conversation moves beyond productivity into values and systems thinking. Paul argues that many modern leaders are deeply disconnected—from themselves, from others, and from the natural environment. Psychedelic experiences, he explains, often increase a sense of interconnectedness, which can fundamentally shift how leaders relate to: decision-making long-term impact environmental responsibility His broader mission asks a bigger question: If how we treat the environment mirrors how we treat ourselves, what kind of leaders do we need for a regenerative future? Implications for insurers and pharma Sabine and Paul also explore the emerging implications for insurance and pharmaceutical companies—from risk frameworks and clinical applications to regulation, ethics, and access. As research accelerates and therapeutic use cases expand, these industries will play a critical role in shaping how psychedelics are integrated responsibly into healthcare and wellbeing systems. Why this episode matters For founders, executives, and innovators, this episode offers a nuanced perspective on a topic often reduced to extremes: psychedelics are tools, not shortcuts intention and safety are non-negotiable leadership growth isn’t just cognitive—it’s relational and systemic future-ready leaders must navigate complexity with self-awareness As Paul puts it, life isn’t a fixed script—we’re all co-creating it as we go. The question is whether we do so unconsciously… or with intention. This episode invites leaders to explore that question—carefully, responsibly, and with curiosity.