OUR MISSION
EDUCATION EXPANDS
WHAT’S POSSIBLE.
North Node™ is a nonprofit educational organization working to strengthen psychedelic literacy.
Our mission is to make credible, practical education more accessible to individuals, professionals and communities, creating space for informed conversation, thoughtful exploration and collaboration.
We believe understanding requires more than information. It requires context: the science, risks and history, alongside lived experience, preparation, set and setting, and integration.
THAT IS THE WORK OF NORTH NODE.
WHAT GUIDES US
WHAT GUIDES US
HOW WE APPROACH
THE WORK MATTERS.
EDUCATION OVER ASSUMPTION.
Psychedelic science is evolving. We believe credible education should reflect what is known, what is emerging and what remains unanswered.
THE WHOLE PICTURE MATTERS.
Brain health, mental health, medications, mindset, environment, intention and support can all shape an experience. Set and setting are part of a much larger context.
PREPARATION + INTEGRATION.
The experience itself is only part of the conversation. What happens before and what follows deserve equal attention.
CARE IS COLLABORATIVE.
Education should complement, not compete with, the professionals and systems already supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
THE ORGANIZATION
THE ORGANIZATION
BUILT FOR THE CONVERSATION ALREADY HAPPENING.
North Node was founded in Minnesota as a nonprofit educational organization to create resources, programs and conversations that support greater psychedelic literacy.
Our work includes public education, professional education, community programming and collaboration with healthcare and community organizations.
We do not provide medical care or replace an individual's healthcare team.
THE PEOPLE
BEHIND THE WORK.
MAGGIE KIRKWOOD
Founder & Creator
Maggie is a Certified Psychedelic Practitioner, entrepreneur, and creative visionary with more than two decades of experience in creative direction, storytelling, and building meaningful connections. She is also the creator and host of Minds on Mushrooms, a podcast exploring the intersection of psychedelic science, consciousness, and personal transformation.
Her work is informed by her own transformative experiences and brings together psychedelic education, emerging science, contemplative practice, and lived experience. She is passionate about making conversations around psychedelics and expanded states more informed, accessible, and grounded in intention, integrity, and care.
As Founder & Creator of North Node, Maggie is focused on advancing psychedelic literacy, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and building bridges between individuals, communities, and the professionals who support them. Her vision is to help create a more informed, connected, and compassionate future for the exploration of human consciousness and well-being.
ANGIE FOX DAHLOF
Founding Partner & Executive Director
Angie is a facilitator, health integration coach, entrepreneur, and former advertising executive who brings decades of experience in leadership, collaboration, and turning meaningful ideas into action. Her work is deeply informed by her own healing journey and rooted in compassion, somatic awareness, and the belief that lasting change happens when insight is thoughtfully integrated into everyday life.
As Founding Partner and Executive Director of North Node, Angie helps bring the organization’s mission to life through education, programming, strategic partnerships, and community outreach. She is passionate about creating honest, informed conversations around psychedelics and expanded states, helping people better understand both their potential and the importance of approaching this work with care, intention, and respect.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GUIDED BY
THE MISSION.
North Node™ is governed by a Board of Directors committed to the integrity, stewardship, and long-term vision of the organization.
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MAGGIE KIRKWOOD
Founder · Board Member
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✦
ANGIE FOX DAHLOF
Founding Partner · Executive Director ·
Board Member
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WILLIAM HARDCASTLE
Board Member
ADVISORY BOARD
JENNIFER LAKE, M.D.
Medical Advisor
Jennifer Lake, MD is a board-certified family physician with additional training in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She is passionate about whole-person care, combining conventional medicine with evidence-informed integrative approaches to support lasting health and wellbeing. Dr. Lake has a special interest in emerging psychedelic therapies and their potential role in addressing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other treatment-resistant mental health conditions through responsible, research-informed care.
BYRON EMMONS
Mycology Advisor
Byron Emmons is a Minnesota-raised mycologist and founder of Elevated Mycology. Passionate about making mushroom cultivation more accessible, he is dedicated to advancing education around functional mushrooms and their potential to support mental health and overall wellbeing. Byron believes the future of the mushroom industry is built on sound science, honest education, and strong community. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors through camping and hiking.
DR. MEGAN ELLERSON , DNP, WHNP-BC, MSCP
Women's Health & Integrative Medicine Advisor
Dr. Megan Ellerson is a board-certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and educator with more than 20 years of healthcare experience spanning critical
care, clinical education, women's health, and integrative healing. With a particular passion for menopause and midlife transformation, she explores the intersection of hormonal health, emotional wellbeing, identity, and whole-person care. Megan is especially interested in emerging psychedelic research and its potential implications for women's mental health and healing, advocating for greater inclusion of women's unique experiences in this evolving field. As a clinician, educator, and community builder, she brings to North Node a perspective grounded in science, driven by curiosity, and rooted in the belief that meaningful healing requires looking beyond conventional approaches.
WILLIAM HARDCASTLE
Human Connection Advisor
William is an entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of WannaHug, a movement dedicated to fostering human connection, belonging, and intentional growth. Following a life-changing injury, he embarked on a journey of healing that reshaped his understanding of resilience, consciousness, and human potential. Through lived experience, thoughtful inquiry, and a passion for education, William brings a grounded perspective to North Node, helping advance compassionate, evidence-informed conversations about healing, connection, and personal transformation.