Topic: Richard Alpert

The conversation turns to the history of Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) and his work with Timothy Leary involving high doses of LSD. Alpert sought a way to maintain the unified state of consciousness reached through psychedelics without the need for substances. This led him to India, carrying powerful LSD manufactured by Owsley Stanley, to test the reactions of spiritual practitioners.

Ken Thomas recounts the 1988 origin of Steam Shovel Press following an interview with Ram Dass, formerly known as Richard Alpert. After a local newspaper declined to publish the transcript because the event had passed, Thomas created his own magazine to share the content. This publication eventually became a hub for various suppressed or niche research topics.