About

Stuart Preston

“I set out on a psychedelic journey to find my late son. I didn't. But I found myself — and I reconnected with love and acceptance.”

I'm a comedian, speaker, and father. After losing my son, Ian, I went looking for a way to live with that loss — and found it, in part, through psychedelic medicine. The Grief Trip is what came out of that journey: a book, and a one-man show.

I've been doing stand-up since 2014 and public speaking since 2004. The Grief Trip: Healing WITH Grief and Psychedelics — the current version of The Stoned Ape Show — blends comedy with straight talk to help people see these "drugs" as medicine, and to relate to a story of grief, depression, and transformation. I've performed it in theaters, festivals, Burning Man, PsyCon, and a college classroom.

Today I also guide Still Rhythm, a rhythmic sound meditation for grief and healing in Gilbert, Arizona, and help organizations use AI without losing their humanity through Cingularis. You can find all of it at beingstu.art.

In Ian's honor, I support the Ian Preston Memorial Fund, which supports mental health and suicide prevention.

I do not advocate using illegal drugs. If you choose to explore, find a safe, legal setting.

From the audience

“A unique, touching, inspiring and funny show! We laughed, we cried and we learned a thing or two.”

Greg

“A deeply personal and moving presentation. It simply is time to speak openly about these difficult subjects that we have systematically buried for too long.”

Tim

“You took me on a roller coaster ride of laughter, tears, and learning more about your very personal journey.”

Carol