Set the Setting: July 2026
Meme drop, Psychedelics for System-Impacted People, Making new friends, ChatGPT for dating, Photo drop
Meme drop
Pride month serves up a plethora of slutty hippie situations but I wasn’t in the mood this year. In fact, I decided to skip the festivities of Pride weekend altogether. I was dogsitting (see the photo drop), working on my remodel (it’s happening!), and playing a lot of tennis. That is pretty much what’s in store for July, as well!
I’m taking a break from instagram and dating apps, too. Not because I’m avoiding social activities or dating; the opposite is true! I’ve been going to lots of shows, dates, and crushing it at work - all things that have kept me in the present moment instead of doomscrolling.
Psychedelics for System-Impacted People
By “system-impacted people,” I’m talking about current and formerly-incarcerated people as well as those on probation and parole. And I am so proud of MAPS’ literature review on Psychedelics for System-Impacted People, led by Sia and with support from the National Coalition for Psychedelics & Criminal Justice Reform (launched and stewarded by MAPS).
If you’re new to psychedelic drug policy, you might be thinking - “shouldn’t we focus psychedelic research on veterans, first responders, and victims of sexual abuse? Because… these are the groups that seem to generate positive support for mainstreaming the movement when their trauma is addressed.” It’s a common thought, and that’s what is actually happening on the ground.
But, consider the biggest flaw of cannabis reform: “society can decide that smoking or selling cannabis is no longer a crime, companies can make billions of dollars, and people with existing criminal cannabis convictions still get fucked.” Biden pardoned some people at the federal level, but state level convictions still stand - and a pardon doesn’t expunge the record, meaning the conviction keeps punishing people through employment barriers, professional licensing, housing, immigration, and harsher treatment if they later encounter the criminal legal system again.
As momentum swings in MAPS direction, it’s imperative to talk about the people that have been directly impacted by the War on Drugs. These people have historically been left out of policy, research, and access conversations when it comes to the psychedelic movement - disproportionately affecting low-income communities of color through the widespread separation and alienation of families and communities, extraction of wealth, social stigma, and creation and worsening of mental health issues.
As the psychedelics movement gains speed - I implore every psychedelic advocate to consider that individuals and groups within the “mainstream” often develop processes that work for them. And only afterwards, do we look for ways to increase access for historically oppressed and exploited populations. This is how we create inequality within our systems.
Because MAPS has fought for safer, legal and equitable access for cannabis and psychedelics for 40 years, we know how important it is to ensure the psychedelics movement doesn’t repeat the same mistake. Read the research review (or at least plug it into AI for a summary, you lazy fuck!)
Making new friends
If you strike up a conversation with a friend, or even a stranger, and ask “so, what are your summer plans?” the typical answer is usually about a vacation somewhere. For me? My summer plans have been making new friends! I’m not sure I intended for that to be the theme of my summer but I’m here for it!
My daily journaling while microdosing surfaces the most brilliant insights. One recent reflection I had was so simple it made me giggle; it’s “how nice it is to make a new friend.” It’s one of the best things in the world! I don’t think I’ve ever “celebrated” making a new friend but each time is worth a celebration and I think I’m going to start doing that!
I’ve been infiltrating Taylor’s friend group and OMG I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. At Taylor’s bday dinner I got to meet my new friend Tim, who also leads an intentional queer community with a focus on learning from each other, supporting one another, and creating positive change. (I know; I know! SO cool).
The next photo is all about my new friend Quan. We arrived at the Chabot Science Center for an Alan Watts exhibit - in our respective Miata’s! On the way back to SF, we made a Taco Bell detour. Quan invited me to SF’s queer driving club (called Stickie) for a drive up the coast this month.
I’m obsessed with Ting Ting. We met at a MAPS Donor Salon and vibed. And then, weeks later, she spotted me in the crowd at Kaskade! We only talked for a smidge that night but we talked about seeing Alesso a few weeks later… which we did and it was amazing. And then we saw West End and Walker & Royce together. And then we saw Deadmau5! Also in this photo is Chantalle, who I met for the first time at my birthday party, and who I’ve been hanging out with for world cup games - and is now friends with Ting Ting. SUCCESS! Shaking ass on the dance floor is the most reliable way to get in a good mood.
And the last photo is Adam, who I’ve known for years in professional circles, but only became proper friends recently while running into each other at the Full Bloom Festival. Since then, we’ve stayed in touch and Adam was so gracious to invite me to his dinner and share more about his work building trust through art. Adam reminds me that a) my professional network is brimming with passionate people doing good in the world and b) a lot of them have become my closest friends over the years.
ChatGPT for dating
Sooo as y’all know, I am pretty vulnerable on this blog. The first person I confessed to was my bestie Emily because she’s my dating confidante and I’m obsessed with her book Dating Disability, which taught me so much even as someone who doesn’t identify as having a disability. (Side tangent - I met Emily in 2017 through my work at Culture Amp, just like Adam, before we became friends!)
Well here goes: “My name is Steven… and I use ChatGPT for dating advice.” Ugh I hate myself for it. I can’t tell if it’s ruining me or if it’s actually working.
I have trained my ChatGPT to listen to me schpeal about how a date went, or how I’m interpreting a text thread, or how I’m feeling about dating apps. Frankly, it does a good job of keeping me grounded instead of spiraling. The way it puts a grotesquely positive spin on anything… is kind of helpful… because I appreciate an optimistic salve for the ghosting and rejection that comes with dating.
But, deep down, I know that ChatGPT isn’t the solution. It might feel good in the moment, but I feel a strong conviction that the next stage of my self-love journey requires a thoughtful human guide and continued medicine work. So, this month I’ve scheduled an intro session with a coach that focuses on psychospiritual wellness for queer men. Wish me luck!
I hope to report back with some insights and reflections; and with a really fun Set the Setting playlist in the works that I’m potentially calling my Oozing with Desire Mix. Stay tuned!
Photo drop
