April Pride, CEO and Founder of psychedelic education platform SetSet, has long been at the forefront of conversations about cannabis, women’s health, and now, psychedelics. With the launch of season two of her Psychedelic Salon series, she’s creating a space for nuanced, community-centered conversations that highlight diverse voices and real-world experiences. We spoke with April about what inspired the Salon, how she chooses her speakers, and what she hopes audiences will take away.
What is your background in psychedelics?
Four years ago, my choice to begin creating education within the psychedelic space was driven by consumer protection. Prior to that, my work for the past decade has been focused on cannabis and women’s health — and I saw the impact cannabis education had on more positive outcomes. Through my podcast, SetSet, I’ve had the chance to speak with clinicians, researchers, and everyday people about how these substances are reshaping our understanding of mental health and personal growth. I’ve also designed products and experiences to help people — especially women — engage with psychoactive substances in safer, more intentional ways.
What prompted you to create the Psychedelic Salon series?
When I looked around at the public conversation on psychedelics, I noticed three gaps. First, most of what we hear is either highly clinical — focused on FDA trials — or highly sensationalized. I wanted something in between: accessible, nuanced conversations that reflect the real-world ways people are exploring psychedelics. Second, women’s voices were largely absent from the stage. So I created the Salon as a space to highlight diverse perspectives, foster dialogue, and make these conversations approachable for anyone who’s curious. Lastly, outside of the psychedelic experience itself, the most profound impact of these medicines is the community of like minds that they foster. The Salon allows us to gather IRL!
Do you have a piece of advice for anyone interested in attending a Salon?
Come with curiosity, and maybe even a little skepticism. You don’t need to have personal experience with psychedelics to get something out of these conversations. Many attendees don’t, but they’re hearing about the experiences of their friends or reading headlines. The Salon isn’t about convincing anyone — it’s about widening the lens, hearing stories, and walking away with more thoughtful questions than you came with.
Is there a piece of film or other media that gets the psychedelic experience right?
I don’t think any piece of media can fully replicate the depth of a psychedelic experience — because so much of it is internal, ineffable, and shaped by our psyche. Unless you’re choosing to experience psychedelics while in nature, including an audio track of music or spoken word is critical to optimizing an altered state of consciousness. A few years ago, I collaborated with Seattle electronic music makers to create audio to listen to while under the influence of psychedelics. Music for mushroom journeys is here, and soundtracks for LSD and MDMA are here.
How do you choose the speakers for each Salon?
I start with science-driven topics that are trending among my Substack readers and in my 1:1 conversations. When a specific theme is repeatedly circulating in my newsfeeds and conversations, I note it as likely of interest to a broad group of people within the psychedelic-curious community.
Finding speakers is the tricky part because an expert may not be based in Seattle, so sometimes a Salon theme is reworked to align with the expertise of local talent. To forge a true Seattle psychedelic community, keeping the Salon hyperlocal is essential, and this will carry through into new markets as the Salon tours the US in 2026.
What do you hope audience members will take away from these conversations?
I hope that people leave feeling both more informed and more connected. Psychedelics are ultimately about relationship — with ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. If someone leaves a Salon with a more profound sense of connection, or even just a curiosity to keep exploring, then I feel like we’ve done our job.
April will be curating Psychedelic Salons throughout our 2025-26 season. Each event highlights unique themes — including grief, seniors, menopause, and more — emphasizing the role of psychedelics in mental health, spiritual growth, and personal optimization. Designed to be inclusive and insightful, this series invites attendees of all backgrounds to discover how psychedelics can foster profound connections, healing, and well-being.
Click the button below to learn more and get tickets!
