The Art of Influence: Zoe Wilder on Wellness, Culture, and Vision
Leading conversations and building movements, not just telling stories.
Welcome to Psychedelics Design – where design meets psychedelics!
Named “Cannabis Empressaria” by Forbes and listed among Entrepreneur Magazine’s “35 Most Influential Women in Cannabis,” Zoe Wilder has spent over 20 years redefining public relations in lifestyle, culture, and wellness. Recipient of the 2024 Green Market Report Public Relations Award, she creates campaigns that catch eyes and spark ideas, partnering with a mix of A-list talent, New York Times bestselling authors, innovative brands, and creators.
With a BA in English Literature from the College of William & Mary and an MSW from Fordham University, Zoe heads a team with over 50 years of PR experience—covering film, television, music, podcasts, new media and leading medical journals. A founding member of DoubleBlind Magazine, a media company covering the expansion of psychedelics around the globe, she also launched Liquid Culture, a record label and artist collective blending music, art, and cultural exploration. Beyond that, she’s an ambassador for the Last Prisoner Project and Success Centers, advocating for justice and community empowerment.
Zoe builds stories that shape culture and expand minds.
INTRODUCING
Imagine sitting in a cell for years, decades, or even for life, convicted of an activity that is no longer a crime, while thousands of other people build intergenerational wealth doing exactly the same thing. That is the situation that tens of thousands of drug war prisoners face today in the United States alone, while countless others languish in jails and prisons worldwide.
The Last Prisoner Project has one singular mission: to set them free.
The Art of Influence: Zoe Wilder on Wellness, Culture, and Vision
What pivotal moments in your life inspired you to pursue a career in cannabis and psychedelics?
My awareness of cannabis and passion for advocacy began in my early years growing up in Atlanta. My mother openly enjoyed cannabis, normalizing the plant for me at a young age. This was during the late ‘70s and ‘80s—the height of the War on Drugs—when public perception was heavily influenced by stigma and misinformation. By the mid-‘90s, I was attending 420 rallies in Piedmont Park with friends, showing my support for the legalization movement. Since then, I’ve been researching, writing about, and promoting visionary substances.
Although I’ve been an advocate since my youth, my mission crystallized when I witnessed firsthand how cannabis and psychedelics can improve the quality of life for those suffering from health challenges. While working with the American Thoracic Society—a nonprofit that published some of the first favorable, peer-reviewed studies on cannabis and lung health—I pursued a master’s degree in social work. I studied harm reduction approaches to substance use and quickly grew disillusioned with Western medicine’s tendency to pathologize and overprescribe. Too often, personality traits, life phases, and natural cycles are labeled as disorders rather than understood holistically.
Seeing patients stuck in repetitive cycles of suffering within the allopathic system inspired me to seek alternative ways for us to heal, thrive, and reach our fullest potential. This passion ultimately led me to dedicate my life to advocating for cannabis, psychedelics, and forward-thinking wellness solutions—both in personal transformation and business success.
Your work spans lifestyle, culture, and wellness. How do you approach shaping public narratives around cannabis and psychedelics, especially as the conversation continues to shift toward mainstream acceptance? What challenges do you see regarding public perception, and how can we overcome them?
It’s essential we communicate transparently and authentically with the public. The legacy of prohibition serves as a reminder of the pitfalls of misguided policies, and as we work to rectify these past mistakes, we must avoid repeating the same approaches that led to them. At the heart of this issue is a fundamental respect for nature and the inherent rights of individuals to engage with the natural world. By fostering deeper connections between people and nature, we can enhance not only individual well-being but also contribute to the overall health of our planet. Together, we have the opportunity to create a sustainable future that honors both our environment and the communities we serve.
How do you see cannabis and psychedelics working together in terms of wellness, and what role do you envision for these industries as they both continue to evolve in the public eye?
It’s essential to view these entities as communities rather than mere industries. From a community perspective, the distinctions are minimal. By fostering integration rather than perpetuating separation through top-down, ideologically driven approaches, we can enhance our relationship with nature's resources. This holistic perspective allows these entheogens to thrive, independent of industrial influence. Ultimately, this approach aligns with the fundamental principles of nature and the universe, which are at the heart of our shared experience.
You’ve worked with various influencers, celebrities, and tastemakers. What lessons have you brought from your work in other fields that have been particularly effective in shaping cannabis and psychedelics-related campaigns and public relations strategies?
Meet people where they’re at.
Practice harm reduction.
The only truth is nature.
Given your commitment to empowering and supporting marginalized communities through your involvement with Success Centers and Last Prisoner Project, how do you see cannabis and psychedelic spaces playing a role in driving social change?
Human beings naturally gravitate towards forming communities and prioritizing well-being within them. This is a significant conversation with global implications and societal impacts, but at its core, our focus should be on fostering community building and enhancing the strength and well-being of these communities. The principles of ceremonial and responsible cannabis use play a vital role in this process, reflecting the essence of nature itself. The progress we aspire to achieve can only be realized through genuine listening and a commitment to grassroots approaches that empower individuals and communities alike.
How did you become involved with DoubleBlind Magazine?
Madison Margolin and Shelby Hartman invited me and my partner to be part of DoubleBlind’s founding team to assist with business development, marketing strategy, media and public relations management—a vision that has since become one of the most widely read psychedelic media platforms in the world. Our print magazine is stocked internationally, from Berlin to Canada and beyond, featuring contributors whose work also appears in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, and more. We’ve co-reported with Rolling Stone, Playboy, and Quartz, and hosted dozens of workshops with leading voices in the field, including Paul Stamets, Michael Pollan, and Rick Strassman. Then, Summer Solstice 2022, we took things a step further—launching Mycologia, our first music festival, under the glow of the Milky Way in the Cuyama High Desert. The New York Times called it Keeping the Hippie Dream Alive, highlighting our ambition “to revive the psychedelic spirit for a new generation.”
Share a project you’re especially excited about…
I’m incredibly proud of Madison Margolin’s book, Exile & Ecstasy: Growing Up with Ram Dass and Coming of Age in the Jewish Psychedelic Underground. Working with Madison on this project has been a deeply rewarding experience, and her book is truly one of the best I’ve ever read. Imagine if Hunter S. Thompson were a Jewish girl navigating life between California and New York—this gonzo journalistic memoir takes readers on a wild, deeply personal journey of seeking and escape, rebellion and return, medicine and magic. From growing up among the "HinJews" of the Ram Dass community to immersing herself in the psychedelic fringes of Hasidic Judaism, Madison's story is ultimately one of coming home—to self, family, nature, and the body.
What’s new at Liquid Culture?
We just signed Dylan Meek to Liquid Culture Records! He blends classic soul with neo-soul and rock, all while pouring so much heart into every note. His upcoming album, Love Languages, is something special, a celebration of authenticity and connection that’s dropping soon with the single “Be Your Man” on April 11th. Dylan’s the real deal. Not only does he craft magic in the studio, but he’s also a phenomenal live performer. Psychonauts who experienced his phenomenal improvisation set at Mycologia—along with Brian McKnight Jr., Spencer Geer, and James Yoshizawa—can attest to that. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it all.
Jim Belushi once said, “Zoe is highly attuned to the subtle complexities of the cannabis PR world.” How has your perspective on public relations changed over your career?
Authenticity and education are key in a community that’s been misunderstood for so long. PR today is about leading conversations and building movements, not just telling stories. My goal is to turn the heart of this plant into narratives that resonate, inspire, and drive change.
Are there any trends in communication especially within psychedelics and what are you making of them?
Personal storytelling is a powerful tool in the psychedelics space. People are more willing to engage with authentic narratives that reflect real experiences of healing, transformation, and growth. It’s about moving beyond clinical data to connect emotionally and personally with audiences. These stories humanize visionary substances, making them more approachable, relatable, and less intimidating.
An artist you admire…
Hands down, my Liquid Culture co-founder, Nutritious. Whether he’s spinning irresistibly danceable sets, creating an album like Divinity which explores the transformative power of entheogens and their role in reconnecting us to our divine, cosmic nature, dropping a glittering E.P. like Blurs that blends wonky, mutant disco-house with warped synths, distorted acid, and fuzzy disco stylings, or collaborating with visionary entrepreneurs, leaders and creatives across diverse industries, his work inspires.
Follow Zoe Wilder & Liquid Culture on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/zoewilder
https://www.instagram.com/weareliquidculture
Catch Zoe in Ibiza at IMS IBIZA
Catch Zoe at International Music Summit Ibiza where she’ll be moderating the panel, PSYCHEDELICS, RAVE CULTURE & MICRO-DOSING, with Researcher Chris Timmermann, Dr Anne Schlag & Neuropharmacologist Stephanie Karzon Abrams.
RECENT PODCASTS FROM US
David Good - Uncover The Power Of Authentic Design
Floris Wolswijk - Research, Coaching and Personal Growth
Dr Bruce Damer and Matt Gillespie - Psychedelics, Science, and the Future of Innovation
Chris Koehn - The Importance Of Setting For Psychedelics & Creation
Devon Phillips - Creative Strategy For Cultural Perception, Education and Advocacy
RECENT NEWS
New Research Links Psychedelics to Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving
A recent study published in PLOS One (April 2025) found that individuals who use psychedelic drugs report higher creative potential and engage in more creative activities compared to non-users. The survey of 326 participants revealed that psychedelics users generated more original ideas and participated more frequently in open-ended scientific and engineering problem-solving tasks.
MINDS Launches Landmark Study on Psychedelics and Cognitive Flexibility
The MINDS research initiative has launched a major study in 2025 to rigorously investigate how psychedelics might enhance cognitive and creative abilities. The project includes webinars and panel discussions with leading experts, focusing on the “Mind FLUX Hypothesis,” which posits that psychedelics can increase cognitive flexibility and processing fluency—both crucial for creative problem solving.
Surge in Psychedelic Legal Reforms Across the U.S. in 2025
The 2025 legislative session has seen over three dozen psychedelic-related bills introduced in more than a dozen U.S. states. Key areas of focus include medical access to psychedelic-assisted therapy, decriminalization of personal use, and expanded research funding. States such as Massachusetts, Washington, Rhode Island, California, and Oregon are leading the way, with new bills targeting substances like psilocybin, ibogaine, LSD, and MDMA. These reforms are driven by growing scientific evidence of therapeutic benefits and increased public support for drug policy change.
We just discovered that Reunion, a psychedelic mental health centre based in Edmonton, Canada, launched a new brand identity in early 2025. The rebranding, developed by creative agency Full Punch, features a visual system that blends science and spirituality, using organic typography and abstract imagery. The new design aims to evoke trust and calm, with soft, meditative colors and soothing visuals, reflecting the transformative nature of psychedelic experiences. T
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Book Recommendation – Exile & Ecstasy
Exile and Ecstasy sets out to explore the psychedelic path that occupies the crossroads between the Ram Dass movement and Judaism. It’s a path of seeking and escape, rebellion and return, medicine and magic.
BELUSHI’S FARM – Created as a gateway to healing.
“Every time I cultivate the land, I get pulled more and more into the medicine and the joy of this work. We sun-grow all natural and rigorously tested cannabis. Everyone on this farm has a beautiful way about them because of their intimate work with this plant. It has changed me as a man.” – Jim Belushi
Learn more about Belushi’s Farm on belushisfarm.com
Wavepaths – Healing Music for Therapy
Wavepaths creates bespoke, exclusive and adaptive music to support deep therapeutic work and we are big fans since we first experienced it back in 2021! Therefore, we are honoured to have Mendel Kaelen, founder of Wavepaths, speaking at our upcoming event on Music & Psychedelics.
“We collaborate with world-renowned musicians who offered their unique creative gifts and deepest human empathy into each of their exclusive musical contributions. Every Wavepaths session represent a unique interplay and collaboration between our technology, science and artists.”
Learn more about Wavepaths and try it for free https://wavepaths.com/
Thank you for shining a light on me!