In this episode, my guest is Gina Vensel. Dedicated to maintaining lasting relationships with a focus on building community, Gina is a hard-working entrepreneur, events producer, creative marketing executive, and activist.
Gina talks about being an event producer for 20 years, her work with the Global Psychedelic Society, and starting her own psychedelic society, the Three Rivers Psychedelic Society (TRiPS), in her hometown of Pittsburgh. She is also on the national board of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, the largest youth-led network in the United States dedicated to ending the War on Drugs and shares about the importance of that work.
Gina discusses how community building in the psychedelic space is setting standards for creating successful community-based organizations and shares some notes on where to get started. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration over competition and finding sustainable ways to support each other. She shares how she supports as many online and in-person events as possible and strives to be a community partner, using the network she helps build to promote her work and that of her partners and clients.
And of course, we dive into what visitors can look forward to at the upcoming Earthstar Festival, which is happening October 25-27 in Joshua Tree, California. Lastly, Gina shares tips on staying sane and grounded while juggling multiple roles.
Her multifaceted approach exemplifies the collaborative spirit driving the psychedelic renaissance forward!
Gina is the co-founder of Plant Media Project, a women-owned boutique agency specialising in plant medicine education and advocacy; and she is also the owner of the events company Easy Street Promotions. Most recently co-founded the Three Rivers Psychedelic Society (TRiPS). She is on the national board of directors for the Students for Sensible Drug Policy and serves on the Global Psychedelic Society team. And above all that she magically found time to bring the Earthstar festival into life, a mix of music festivals with workshops and talks, coming to Joshua Tree, California this October.
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Plant Media Project
Gina Vensel and Elizabeth Sheldon are the co-founders of Plant Media Project (PMP), a boutique media company focused on plant medicine marketing, education, and advocacy. They met while publishing pro-cannabis lifestyle publications in Pennsylvania and Maryland. With over 18 years of marketing experience each, they specialize in navigating the complex regulatory landscape for cannabis and plant medicine companies. PMP's mission is to provide compliant marketing expertise for cannabis and psychedelic brands and organizations.
https://plantmediaproject.com/
Easy Street Promotions
Easy Street is an innovative marketing and events company dedicated to producing memorable experiences for companies and organizations. Easy Street Promotions specializes in advertising, marketing, business consultation, and event planning.
Earthstar Festival
Experience a one-of-a-kind event where music, wellness, and community unite under the stars. The psychedelic unconference meets music fest takes place Oct 25-27 in Joshua Tree, California. Embark on a journey for the mind, body, and soul!
https://earthstarfestival.com/
Global Psychedelic Society
As a global team of passionate change-makers, the Global Psychedelic Society (GPS) supports psychedelic societies across the world helping advocate for the responsible use of psychedelic substances for personal and collective growth, healing, and spiritual exploration.
https://globalpsychedelic.org/
Three Rivers Psychedelic Society (TRiPS)
Three Rivers Psychedelic Society is a community in Pittsburgh, PA. TRiPS aims to destigmatize these substances through dedicated education, research, and advocacy, ensuring accessible, safe, and regulated use. They envision a future where the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and cannabis is fully recognized and integrated.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is the largest youth-led network in the United States dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. Founded in 1998, SSDP is a grassroots organization that brings together young people from diverse political and ideological backgrounds to engage in honest discussions about drugs and drug policy. The organization aims to create change by providing a platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and peer coaching to generate policy reform, deliver honest drug education, and promote harm reduction.
For more information and additional resources, please visit www.psychedelics.design
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Listen to the episode on Substack and Spotify.
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Hosted by Alexandra Plesner
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