The Cosmic Connection: How JourneyŌM Vets Psychedelic Guides

The District House

Jan 24

When embarking on a psychedelic journey, the guide can make all the difference. A great guide isn’t just skilled—they’re aligned with the seeker in ways that foster trust, understanding, and safety. Nico and Susan Simon, the husband-and-wife team behind JourneyŌM, understand this deeply. Their Psychedelic Concierge Service has spent the past 18 months on the road, personally vetting over 90 guides to create a network that prioritizes harm reduction and meaningful connections.

But what does the vetting process look like, and how do they ensure these cosmic matches between seekers and guides? Nico and Susan sat down with District216 to share insights from their journey, including a heartwarming example of how their efforts led to an extraordinary alignment between a seeker and guide.

The Art of Vetting a Psychedelic Guide

As former lifestyle concierges with years of experience in high-touch service (including helping launch the American Express Platinum Concierge program), Nico and Susan bring a unique approach to vetting psychedelic guides. Their process involves:

1. In-Person Meetings: By traveling the country in their RV, they’ve been able to meet guides face-to-face, gaining a sense of their energy, experience, and philosophy.

2. Holistic Evaluation: They look beyond credentials to assess each guide’s ability to create a safe and compassionate space for seekers.

3. Safety Standards: Harm reduction is a top priority. Guides must demonstrate their commitment to ethical practices and their ability to handle challenging situations with care and expertise.

4. Alignment: Nico and Susan work to understand the seeker’s unique needs—cultural background, personality, and goals—and match them with guides who resonate on a deeper level.

A Cosmic Match: Seeker and Guide

One of the most beautiful examples of their work is a match Nico shared during the interview. A seeker was paired with a guide who, by pure chance, grew up in the same community, spoke the same language, and shared a cultural heritage. These similarities created an instant connection that allowed the seeker to feel fully understood and supported throughout their journey.

“It’s those moments,” Nico explained, “when you realize the synchronicity in this work. It’s as if the universe conspires to bring the right people together.”

Healing Through Connection

For Nico and Susan, creating these connections is more than just a service—it’s a calling. After overcoming personal struggles with PTSD, depression, and panic attacks, Nico discovered the life-changing potential of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) in 2019. Susan, a movement-based artist and healer, saw firsthand how this work transformed Nico’s life, inspiring them to dedicate themselves fully to the field.

Their passion and commitment have led them to craft a service that doesn’t just connect seekers with guides but fosters a community of mutual respect, safety, and understanding.

Trust the Process

Whether it’s ensuring a guide is prepared to handle complex emotional landscapes or facilitating matches that feel like destiny, JourneyŌM is setting a gold standard for psychedelic facilitation. Their work reminds us that healing isn’t just about the substances we take or the techniques we use—it’s about the relationships we build and the connections we nurture.

Ready to learn more about how JourneyŌM is revolutionizing the PAT field? Explore their interview on District216.com and see how their vetting process creates not just safe journeys but transformative, cosmic connections.