Kreatures Of Habit Podcast Summary
Episode: Healing The “Untreatable” with Angela Skudin | Part 2
Host: Michael Chernow
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of the Kreatures Of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow engages in a deep and transformative conversation with Angela Skudin. This is the second part of their discussion, delving into Angela’s profound grief journey, her battle with addiction, and her exploration of alternative healing methods such as ibogaine and combo therapy.
Angela’s Grief Journey and Healing Process
Angela begins by sharing her heart-wrenching story of losing her husband three years prior. This loss catapulted her into a powerful grief journey, forcing her to confront her coping mechanisms and rebuild her life without the unconditional love and support that her husband provided.
Angela (00:00):
“I lost my husband three years ago and I've just been in this grief journey and it's, it's, it's, it's been the most powerful experience of my life to go through this grief journey and take everything that I had learned while my husband was still here on earth supporting me purely with unconditional love through my healing…”
Angela emphasizes the return of old patterns when her primary support system was no longer present. She discusses how she chose to avoid substances like alcohol, Xanax, Valium, and antidepressants, opting instead for a new set of tools to aid her healing, including breathwork, meditation, infrared sauna sessions, and self-love practices.
Exploring Ibogaine and Combo Therapy
The conversation shifts to combo therapy, a method Angela advocates for treating conditions such as Lyme disease and cancer. She passionately explains the benefits and potential risks associated with this treatment.
Angela (02:46):
“People have a story in their head and they're like, this isn't going to work or this is going to work or whatever. And whatever you say is well...”
Angela details her personal experiences with combo, describing the intense physical and emotional reactions it can induce, such as flushing, racing heart, anxiety, sweating, crying, vomiting, and even long-lasting body rashes.
Angela (04:00):
“You can die detoxing antidepressants, though, too, you know, like, you can die from anything. So what. Who. Who if. Why wouldn't I use Combo?”
She candidly acknowledges the dangers, noting that combo should be approached with caution, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions like kidney or heart issues.
Personal Experiences with Ibogaine
Angela recounts her personal journey with ibogaine, mentioning both her experiences with the raw root bark and the isolated compound in pill form. She describes the challenging process of undergoing ibogaine treatment, including prolonged vomiting and the absence of vivid psychedelic visuals for some users.
Angela (05:53):
“I was one of the 20 percenters. The first time I sat with it and I saw nothing, I vomited all night long… And I fell asleep that night for the first time in my life, unassisted…”
Despite the initial hardships, Angela highlights the long-term benefits she experienced, including improved sleep and overall health.
Addiction, Recovery, and Self-Love
The dialogue delves into the complexities of addiction and recovery. Angela and Michael discuss the importance of self-love in overcoming addiction, as well as the role of community and support systems like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).
Angela (25:02):
“The number one thing that iboga does, regardless of if you see a psychedelic visual or not, is it connects you to self love. It allows you to begin to love yourself, which is the number one thing that an addict needs.”
Angela also shares testimonials from first responders who have benefited from ibogaine treatments, emphasizing the transformative power of this therapy in achieving sobriety and healing from trauma.
The 343 Fund and Community Support
Angela introduces the 343 Fund, a non-profit organization she founded to support first responders dealing with addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. She shares a touching story of an active-duty firefighter who found hope and sobriety through the fund's support.
Angela (30:21):
“What you want your reality to be, this is the way.”
The testimonial underscores the effectiveness of combining ibogaine therapy with community support, breathwork, and coaching programs.
Expanding Ventures: Space Cowboy Coffee Company and Nornir Apothecary
Beyond her advocacy for ibogaine, Angela discusses her entrepreneurial ventures, including the Space Cowboy Coffee Company and Nornir Apothecary in Long Beach, New York. These businesses focus on providing clean, healthy, and plant-based products to support overall well-being.
Angela (38:36):
“I have a coffee shop actually opening tomorrow in Long Beach, New York, called Space Cowboy Coffee company...”
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
As the episode draws to a close, Michael expresses his gratitude towards Angela for sharing her transformative journey and the impactful work she is doing through the 343 Fund and her businesses. Both speakers emphasize the necessity of having open, non-judgmental conversations about addiction and alternative healing methods to foster understanding and support within the community.
Michael Chernow (42:00):
“All right. You're fucking awesome. Really. I. Angela, I'm so grateful for you and for you being able to come on here and just be like, dude, this is it…”
Conclusion
This episode of Kreatures Of Habit Podcast offers a raw and honest exploration of grief, addiction, and the quest for healing through unconventional methods like ibogaine and combo therapy. Angela Skudin’s powerful narrative serves as an inspiration for listeners seeking alternative paths to recovery and self-love. Michael Chernow facilitates a meaningful dialogue that challenges societal perceptions of addiction and encourages a more compassionate and open-minded approach to healing.
Notable Quotes:
-
Angela (00:00):
“I lost my husband three years ago and I've just been in this grief journey and it's, it's, it's, it's been the most powerful experience of my life…” -
Angela (04:00):
“You can die detoxing antidepressants, though, too, you know, like, you can die from anything. So what. Who. Who if. Why wouldn't I use Combo?” -
Angela (25:02):
“The number one thing that iboga does, regardless of if you see a psychedelic visual or not, is it connects you to self love.” -
Angela (30:21):
“What you want your reality to be, this is the way.” -
Michael Chernow (42:00):
“All right. You're fucking awesome. Really. Angela, I'm so grateful for you and for you being able to come on here…”
Resources Mentioned:
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343 Fund: 343Fund.org
A non-profit organization supporting first responders through grants for ibogaine therapy and other healing programs. -
Space Cowboy Coffee Company:
A new, clean ingredient-focused coffee shop in Long Beach, New York. -
Nornir Apothecary:
A retail apothecary in Long Beach, New York, offering a variety of plant-based and wellness products.
Note: This summary excludes the advertisement segment and focuses solely on the content-rich portions of the podcast, ensuring a coherent and comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode.