A scientist and a journalist sit down for an informal chat about psychedelics, science, modern medicine and everything in between. Martin Williams has been immersed in the world of pharmacological research for decades, working most recently on several psychedelic clinical trials in Australia. Rich Haridy has been reporting on the world of psychedelic science for nearly ten years.
Martin Williams, PhD is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University. Martin’s research background is in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, and he is Executive Director of Psychedelic Research in Science & Medicine (PRISM) and Vice-President of Entheogenesis Australis (EGA). Martin has been a co-investigator on a number of Australian clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne study of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in palliative care; the Monash PsiConnect neuroimaging study of psilocybin with mindfulness meditation; the Swinburne PsiloDep pilot study; and several other studies of psilocybin, MDMA and other psychedelics for the treatment of a range of mental health conditions.
Rich is a freelance writer and journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. His work focuses on science, technology and the new world of psychedelic medicine. Rich recently worked with the Science Journalists Association of Australia for a couple of years and had work selected for both 2024 and 2025 Best Australian Science Writing anthologies.
Entheogenesis Australis (EGA) is a charity using education to help grow the Australian ethnobotanical community and their gardens. We encourage knowledge-sharing on botanical research, conservation, medicinal plants, arts, and culture.
