****A ONE OF A KIND EVENT****

District216 is excited to extend a special invitation to an exclusive evening event that combines education, entertainment & entrepreneurial leaders. This unique gathering will delve into the intersection of healing, resilience, and transformation as we explore the crucial connection between veterans, PTSD, and the promising realm of psychedelic therapies.

This illuminating event will feature a blend of insightful panel discussions led by industry experts, captivating music performances, and many vendor and sponsor activations that foster an authentic and engaging environment for attendees to connect and learn.

Through insightful conversations, real-life stories, and scientific insights our distinguished speakers will address the latest research, innovative therapies, and firsthand experiences that showcase the potential for profound transformation.

****ALL INCLUSIVE TICKETS****

EDUCATIONAL PANEL & FIRESIDE CHAT - "Veterans, PTSD & Psychedelics"

LIVE MUSIC - The Great Divide

FREE DINNER - Blue Owl of Santa Barbara

FREE ELIXIRS - Functional, Non-Alcoholic Elixirs & Enlightening Beverages

TERPENE LOUNGE - Enjoy Top Shelf products in our Rooftop Terpene Lounge

SPONSORS - Experience Brand Activations & Meet Innovative Organizations

****OUR PANELISTS & SPEAKERS****

PANELISTS: Diego Ugalde (The Trident Approach), Chad McLean (Mental Joe Apparel), Martin Polanco (The Mission Within), Terry Blevins (Law Enforcement Action Partnership), and moderator Kat Walsh (Trip on This Podcast)

FIRESIDE CHAT SPEAKERS: Susannah Rose Stokes (House of Embodied Metamorphosis), and Michael "Punky" Higgs (The Honor Foundation)

****COST, WHERE & WHEN****

MEMBERS ARE FREE: Become a Member Today

GUESTS WELCOME: We are welcoming guests to purchase tickets via Eventbrite

TIME: 5:00pm to 10:00pm (Speakers begin at 6:15pm; Live Music at 8:00pm)

PLACE: LoDo Studios - 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(Parking across the street is only available on the OfficeMax side of the lot).

SPEAKER BIOS - Discussion Panel

Diego Ugalde (The Trident Approach) - Diego Ugalde is a retired Navy SEAL turned CEO, Author, Speaker, and Psychedelic Integration Coach. With The Trident Approach, he coaches and trains executives, athletes, mental health practitioners, and veterans on elite-level personal and team development utilizing the best of what he learned in the SEAL Teams along with his deepest insights from psychedelic use.

Chad McLean (Mental Joe Apparel) - Chad used to describe himself as “a walking-shit show.” Traditional mental health meds and talk therapy failed him and after a suicide attempt in 2020, he found his way to Ketamine- a form of psychedelic mental health treatment. The results were so profound and life changing that he left corporate America and launched Mental Joe, a non-profit apparel company to raise awareness about the use of psychedelics as alternative treatment options.

Martin Polanco (The Mission Within) - Martin Polanco, M.D. is a medical professional and founder of The Mission Within (TMW), a clinical program providing specialized treatment for Veterans facing treatment-resistant conditions such as mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Post-traumatic Stress, Depression, and Addiction related to military service. TMW’s approach is unique in its use of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, both of which have shown significant potential in treating these complex conditions.

Dr. Polanco's interest in psychedelic medicine was sparked by a personal experience, witnessing a family member’s recovery from addiction through ibogaine treatment. This experience led him to divert from his initial medical residency in ophthalmology at APEC hospital in Mexico City and dedicate his career to making ibogaine more accessible.

Over the past 7 years, TMW has served over 1000 Veterans, demonstrating Dr. Polanco’s commitment to this community and the effectiveness of this treatment method.

Dr. Polanco received his medical training at La Salle University in Mexico City, where he built the foundation of his medical knowledge before choosing to specialize in the innovative field of psychedelic medicine. Today, his work continues to impact the lives of many, providing new avenues of treatment and hope for Veterans facing challenging post-service conditions.

Terry Blevins (Law Enforcement Action Partnership) - Terry Blevins, M.A., is a former Police Officer and now CEO of a Cannabis Security Company in Los Angeles, California. He is also a Policing Reform Expert and serves on the Executive Board for LEAP (Law Enforcement Action Partnership). As a speaker and advocate for drug policy reform and criminal justice reform, he is passionate about reducing harm through drug policy reform.

Moderator Kat Walsh (Trip on This Podcast) - Kat Walsh is the Creator & Host of Trip On This podcast, an entrepreneur, seeker, and spiritual mentor. Featured in prominent publications like Forbes Magazine, Kat's voice has continued to expand and create an accessible bridge for those new to their psychedelic and spiritual journeys.

Prior to launching Trip On This in December 2020, Walsh worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry working with talent at Creative Artist Agency (CAA), developing series as Director of Development at Edyson Entertainment, and overseeing major marketing campaigns for BMW, HBO, and Freeform.

While life looked glamorous on the outside, it often felt like a monotony of routine, endless stress, and a distant love that felt out of reach. It wasn't until psychedelics entered the picture did life transform from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Kat has now dedicated her life to helping others uncover their own power and potential. She left the safety of her corporate life to follow a dream and now guides others in taking their own leap of faith.

SPEAKER BIOS - Fireside Chat

Michael “Punky” Higgs - Michael aka "Punky" is a former 30-year Naval Special Operations (SEAL) veteran with multiple deployments worldwide throughout the Mediterranean, South America, Pacific, and the Middle East; with multiple combat deployments during OEF/OIF/OIR. Michael began his own healing journey in 2020 when years of mTBI, PTS, survivors’ guilt, and other compounded traumas finally caught up with him, leading to attempted suicide.

Michael found his way into the Psychedelic space through Veterans Seeking Treatment Solutions and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy with Ibogaine and 5MeO DMT with the Mission Within. He has since become a certified Psychedelic Integration Coach, a veteran mentor, facilitator for ceremonies and until recently was the Director of Operations for The Mission Within. Michael is also a public policy advocate and speaker for the legalization and safe administration of Psychedelics and Psychedelic Therapy with the Veterans Mental Health Leadership Coalition.

Michael holds a BS in Education and Curriculum Development from SIU Carbondale and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He is currently the Director of Programs for The Honor Foundation, a transition program for the men and women in the Special Operations community. He lives with his wife Katie who is a Trauma Therapist and Psychedelic Integration coach in San Diego, CA.

Susannah Rose Stokes - After serving in two combat tours in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps Officer, Susannah experienced a spiritual awakening that changed her life forever.

She’s now dedicated her life as an Energy Priestess and Embodied Consciousness Guide. She’s served hundreds in 1:1 and group ceremonies, guiding them in their own spiritual awakening process. She co-founded Metamorphosis Ventures and House of Embodied Metamorphosis, a 508c1a Faith-Based Organization that utilizes The Metamorphosis Method and their community-cultivated strain of psilocybin to facilitate powerful personal transformations through retreats and integration coaching programs. She authored Entheogenerated, a comprehensive research study on psychedelics and their capacity to create individual and collective change. She holds a Master's in Transformative Social Change, is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and speaks Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, all in service to creating more peace and connection.

As a changemaker, Susannah weaves ancient and modern techniques, paving a path for fellow leaders to create transformation toward a world full of co-creative trust and abundance for all.

ARTISTS

TBD

SPONSORS

TBD