Ali McGhee, PhD, is a writer, storyteller, researcher, and teacher. She completed her PhD in English Literature from the University of Rochester in 2015. She is the co-founder of Appalachian Psychedelic Society, the People Operations Manager for 6AM City, and Co-Director of the Enneagram School of Awakening, as well as an International Enneagram Association (IEA) Accredited Professional. Her work has been published in Lucid News, the MAPS Bulletin, Dark Mountain, Slippery Elm Literary Journal, Holler, Scallywag, WNC Magazine, and others. She is a member of Asheville-based storytelling venue Story Parlor’s “Story Board.” She is part of the Chacruna Chronicles editorial team. For more information, see: alimcgheewrites.com.

Justin Moore is a seasoned mental health professional with a deep curiosity for cultural nuances and spiritual exploration. As an adjunctive therapist in inpatient crisis stabilization, he integrates years of experience as a wilderness youth mentor, yoga teacher, and cross-cultural practitioner. Justin has completed extensive training in Andean spiritual traditions, including the Pachakuti Mesa Cross-Cultural Shamanic Apprenticeship and a Universal Paqo Training in Peru. In 2024, Justin co-founded the Appalachian Psychedelic Society, promoting education, advocacy, and dialogue around drug policy and psychedelic integration in an underserved region. In 2024, he co-hosted “Psychedelic Frontiers in Appalachia: Policy, Public Safety, Opportunity” and first spoke on psychedelic advocacy in 2012 at East Tennessee State University. A father, grad student (Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2025), and creator of the LOVE MAP for men, Justin is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to navigate transformative experiences with balance, safety, and cultural respect.

Dr. Raymond Turpin is the Clinical Director for The Pearl Psychedelic Institute and President of the Board of Directors. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator of The Pearl MDMA Project. He has been studying the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and the relevant literature since the mid-1980s hoping to eventually legally use these medicines in his psychology practice. Specializing in the treatment of trauma, Dr. Turpin has extensive experience with children, adolescents, and families in a multitude of settings but has focused his practice on older adolescents and adults in recent years. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Georgia in 1988, his master’s degree in Psychology from the Humanistic Psychology program at West Georgia College in 1990 and his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco (CIIS) in 1999. In 2017 he earned a Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy and Research from CIIS. In addition to his private psychotherapy practice in Waynesville, NC, Dr. Turpin provides psychedelic integration services that are currently listed at maps.org.