Set the Setting: September 2024
Meme Drop, The MDMA Defeat, Set The Setting Playlist: Miata Jams, Catch me IRL at Responsive Conference & Portola Festival, Photo Drop
Meme Drop
My blog post last month was a sad one — and I feel like I say this every month but I am so grateful for my family, friends, and acquaintances that read this. Thank you for the texts, emails, calls; for acknowledging me, seeing me, and appreciating me. Thanks for sharing your own stories, thanks for lending an ear or a shoulder to cry on, thanks for expressing your love and support. I can’t thank you all enough. Y’all are my world. Through the depth of these challenging times, I found this deep well of love from my community - I’m just so damn grateful for you. I hope I can do something in return.
I ran into Olga at Outside Lands and even though we were in the middle of a Chris Lake set, she just hugged me and told me she was thinking about me. I ran into Gaby and Luke at Nico and Shilpika’s wedding - and even though they live in Mallorca, we were able to pick up where we left off since they know what was going on in my life!
Well friends, this month’s Set the Setting is… also sad, unfortunately. Lest I forget: difficult emotions are part of our contract with life. These difficult moments, if I pay close attention, are designed to serve me.
The MDMA Defeat
On Friday, August 9th, the hopes of millions of people seeking MDMA-assisted therapy were dashed. Maybe you saw the headlines — it was covered by most major outlets. It was a really tough day, made worse by reading the hot takes and uninformed opinions from various armchair experts and conspiracy theorists.
Of all the emotions I’ve been feeling the last few weeks, I’m mostly heartbroken thinking about the millions of people with PTSD that could be helped by this treatment - and their loved ones - who have not seen any new treatment option in decades. Just… heartbreaking.
This doesn’t mean MDMA won’t be approved, but rather the FDA has requested an additional Phase 3 study; which will take several years and lots of money. Between you and me… I’m wondering if we can even pull off this additional study, what’s to stop them from moving the goals posts on us again? It’s so frustrating. That’s really all I can say at the moment… we are appealing the decision (“a formal dispute resolution request”) and I will wait until that process is complete. If you want my analysis of the situation, give me a call.
Only a few days later, on Monday, August 12th, the layoffs began at MAPS and Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS PBC). We had staffed up over the years in preparation for a “yes” decision from the FDA. The additional phase 3 study request is, to put it bluntly, the worst possible outcome we could have expected. About ~65% staff between MAPS and Lykos were laid off to preserve cash. These were my coworkers, friends and confidantes. Some of them have dedicated their careers to get us to this point. Incredibly talented, fiercely passionate, creative, hardworking individuals.
Now I’m the Interim Director of HR/Recruiting, Finance, Legal, and IT at MAPS. Obviously “Interim” is the key word - no one person could handle all of that. It’s going to take months to stabilize the business, re-calibrate our goals, sharpen our focus, and strategize our next move(s).
MAPS has existed for 38 years - we’re certainly not giving up now. Our “why” hasn’t changed, but our “how” will pivot. We believed that the FDA pathway was the first “domino” to target for safe, legal and equitable psychedelic-assisted therapy. That doesn’t appear to be necessarily true anymore, so our theory of change is evolving.
I’ve heard hundreds of stories from people that have benefitted from psychedelic healing; there are thousands upon thousands of people with a story to share. Those stories of deep and profound healing are true. The truth will prevail.
I sit on the new MAPS leadership team with Izzy, Betty, and Lindsay - three drug policy legends with probably 50 years of drug policy experience between them (compared to my 3). So, I’m deep in it, learning a lot, stepping up to the plate, scared as fuck, but staying positive and accepting the challenge (for now, day by day). I can’t deny that life and work are extremely tough right now, but I would remiss to not acknowledge - even celebrate - the opportunity to continue fighting for what I believe in at MAPS. It’s an honor to continue legacy of so many of my colleagues.
Set The Setting Playlist: Miata Jams
Throughout all of the curveballs, at least one part of my life is consistently joyful… my car! It’s a Mazda Miata and it’s so much more than just a way to get from point A to point B… it’s my mid-life crisis!
When Facebook flew me out to SF for in-person interviews in 2011, they gave me a $400 rental car credit and I was only there for 2 days sooo… I rented a convertible! After the interview, I remember driving up I-280 to SF to visit Jeff (who had already moved to SF a year prior) with the top down feeling hopeful that my life was going to change for the better. And maybe one day, I’ll live in SF and have a convertible!
A few months into my COVID era, I asked my dad to keep an eye out for a used Miata since he was social distancing in Cerritos, CA (Cerritos Auto Square!). He found one, I flew down to LA, gave mom and dad a quick hug in the parking lot - masks on! - and drove back up.
It is SO much fun to drive. It’s a stick shift, it’s low to the ground, it hugs the road — and it’s so small it fits in tight spaces. Who needs trunk space, anyway?
This summer, I’ve had the top down and the music blasting. My Miata Jams playlist has some lesser-known but VIBEY tracks that make people’s heads turn when I drive by. It’s sort of cheesy to say this but… I feel so damn cool when I drive around. And this is important because I never felt cool in my younger days. I definitely wasn’t a “cool kid” - unless you thought chess club, jazz choir, mathletes and wearing Old Navy were cool.
No convertible needed, just roll your windows down and enjoy my Miata Jams!
Catch me IRL at Responsive (18-19th) & Portola (28th)
No traveling for me in September - this is a month where I’ll be putting in a lot of hours and hunkering down at my desk. But, I’ll be out in the wild at two events:
Responsive Conference in Oakland on the 18-19th. This is an immersive, future-of-work conference. I’m excited to spend time with all my HR, People and Culture homies! Hit me up if you want to come. I have discount codes.
Portola Music Festival in SF on the 28th. The last time I saw Gesaffelstein (aka the dark prince of techno) was at CRSSD right before Covid “officially” arrived (it was definitely already spreading…). I’m stoked to see him again! I’m only going to Saturday of Portola so if you’re going, catch me in VIP!
Photo Drop
Every month carries big life changing news. Enjoy the ride.