In the first half, researcher and lecturer Jason Martell shared his deep fascination with Mars and the possibility that ancient civilizations once existed there. The evidence indicates that Mars may have harbored human-like life and had a "very similar atmosphere" to Earth in its past, perhaps going back around 500,000 years, he said. The heart of the conversation centered around structures on Mars, particularly in the Cydonia region, which he described as "an ancient city occupied right on the edge of a shoreline" (view related images). If you look at the images, he remarked, the 'Face on Mars' is sitting out in the water like a large monument, akin to the "Statue of Liberty," aside a land mass that looks like an articulated shoreline.

Martell expressed optimism about humanity's quest for answers, mentioning ongoing missions to Mars, such as SpaceX, and the possibility of significant discoveries in the coming years. Pondering our origins, a potential Mars-Earth connection, and extraterrestrial influences, he asked, "Are we looking at gods that come from watery planets?, or is there non-human intelligence here on Earth that possibly comes out of the ocean?" He presented his theory about a lost race of long slender beings, who are depicted in ancient cultures at places like Eastern Island and Sumeria, suggesting they may have been teachers who helped kickstart civilization after cataclysmic events. He further associated these beings with the legendary Atlantis, proposing they could have influenced civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans.

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In the latter half, author and shamanic explorer Matthew J. Pallamary discussed the universal appeal and foundational significance of shamanism across cultures, including the use of ayahuasca. He pointed out similarities between South American indigenous beliefs and those found in various global religions, including the legend of the Great Flood. Calling shamanism "the world's oldest spiritual belief system," he said its roots are deeply embedded in prehistoric spirituality. Shamanism, he continued, encompasses the roles of healers, teachers, and therapists. They serve as guides, "going to the other worlds or the other realms... to find the knowledge," with the pursuit sometimes involving working with psychoactive plants like ayahuasca, which help shamans explore consciousness through visionary experiences, and spiritual animal totems.

Drawing from his extensive experiences with ayahuasca ceremonies over the past 25 years in Central and South America, Pallamary offered personal insights into the plant medicine and related rituals. He explained how these practices are steeped in centuries of trial and error, and that knowledge has been passed down through generations. "In the jungle, there are no medical facilities close by. And these cures and these plants go back literally to prehistoric times." Pallamary emphasized that ayahuasca is not for everyone and requires careful screening and respect, especially considering its potential interactions with medications like SSRIs.

News segment guests: Lauren Weinstein, Steve Kates