Check Out Stephanie Karzon Abrams’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Karzon Abrams.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My parents are Greek and Egyptian, though I hail from the vibrant city of Montreal, I am deeply connected to my ethnic culture. Montrealers are lovers of life and possess an innate knack for indulging and relishing in the finer things. I have always been a bit of a dichotomy, possessing a curious blend of left-brain and right-brain traits. Maybe that’s the product of my ethnic roots and growing up in a city like Montreal, where great food and entertainment serve as its pulsing heart. I am a scientist and an artist, a lover of luxury yet equally practical and low-maintenance, a rational thinker and very emotional being. Studious by nature, but also an ardent devotee of the dance floor.

In my twenties, I made the decision to pursue a career in the health sciences while relegating my love for the arts to hobby status. I worked as a clinical pharmacologist, a researcher and eventually became a clinical and sales advisor in the Medtech industry. In 2017, my industry job took me to Los Angeles, and I’m so grateful because it was then that my world truly opened up. The city’s vibrant culture of turning passions intro careers and pioneering multiple initiatives in different fields proved to be a wellspring of inspiration for me. Everyone was moving and shaking, creating and inventing…working out in the middle of the day – loved that. It was here that I discovered that I didn’t have to choose between my love for music and medicine; I could carve out a niche right there in between, where I could thrive.

During a trip to Sayulita, Mexico, where my childhood friend Max Mignot was living, I was struck by the community he had built around a music event series called Public Secret, which had also evolved into an artist’s collective from the island of St Maarten. This community was infused with an incredible sense of fun, love, and support, and I knew that it was something that needed to be shared with LA, particularly Venice where most of my own community resided. And so, Public Secret grew some extra long vines and planted new roots in LA. We evolved into a music label in 2022, a feat that I still find surreal! Through it all, I have been able to tap into all aspects of myself – the practical, the creative, the dreamer, and the rational thinker – in order to build this community and grow this project alongside with Max, spanning a large part of the Pacific coast, from Sayulita to LA, to bring people together, sharing in the love for music.

In addition to my work with Public Secret, I have also ventured into the realm of neurology and psychedelic therapy, utilizing my clinical expertise and commercial mindset through research, advising startups, designing studies, advocating for ethical access, promoting educational strategies, and raising awareness. This is a passion of mine, and I am committed to supporting and serving this growing field.

For me, community is everything. It is the foundation upon which we build and share our beliefs, makes important things happen, and ultimately find growth, love and support. Whether through my work with Public Secret or my endeavors in the fields of science and medicine, I am always prioritizing community building as a means of achieving unity and driving positive change.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is rarely a smooth road! However, I am someone who is persistent and tenacious, who can face obstacles head-on and grinds to pushes through tough challenges. The day we decided to expand Public Secret to California was a total “F YES!” moment, but learning to navigate an industry I had no prior experience with is still to this day a huge learning experience. Let’s just say the music industry doesn’t do business like corporate medical devices.

While I find great satisfaction in accomplishing the goals I’ve set for myself, there are times when I yearn for a more effortless path forward. Departing from my established career in Medtech to pursue an entirely new field was a daunting decision, one that has engendered a range of emotions within me. On certain days, I feel emboldened and optimistic and take pride in my courage and willingness to take risks. But on other days, I’m weighed down by the immense pressure to excel and the weariness that comes with blazing a new trail. It is truly rewarding to create something from nothing and to be the master of one’s own fate, but it is also a weighty responsibility to bear.
I’ve never been more certain, however, that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the midst of the uncertainty and weirdness that was 2020, a pivotal moment arose for me. The collective pause in our fast-paced lives prompted me to deeply reflect and confront the fragility of life. My partner had a health scare a week before lockdown. It was a time of reevaluation, of realization, of reprioritization, and it compelled me to establish a community organization that raises funds for the Kawasaki Disease Foundation. This endeavor, called the Last 6, holds a special place in my heart and it also represents my first foray into building a community around a cause that is incredibly meaningful to me. The outpouring of support from our loved ones and beyond was an incredibly moving experience that ignited a fire within me. As someone who embraces life and lives it to the fullest, this was a catalyst that spurred me to advocate for important causes and leave a positive impact on the world. Additionally, it revealed a desire and ability to bring people together and create unique environments that foster deep connections.

Currently, my time is divided between managing Public Secret, a dynamic music label and collective, and serving the psychedelic therapy field through research and advisory. At Public Secret, we support our artists in their careers through effective management, strategic planning, and marketing, freeing them to focus on the creative process. We are committed to fostering partnerships with like-minded artists, organizations, and brands that align with our culture and ethos. Additionally, we recognize the importance of protecting our planet and have partnered with Bye Bye Plastic to create a series of plastic-free music events and encourage our artists to implement eco-friendly riders that prioritize sustainable hospitality while on tour.

I advocate for education and enlightenment in the field of psychedelics. In pursuit of this goal, I have dedicated myself to designing education strategies that promote awareness among health and wellness providers, as well as clients and patients. This drives growth and ensures that both providers and consumers are adequately informed and educated. In this space, misinformation and misinterpretation abound, and it is incumbent upon all of us to play our part in advancing education. My work spans a variety of settings, including startups, grassroots initiatives, clinics, and companies.

Working in tandem with my friend Joey Spanjers, we have created an innovative education and social meetup named “Mt Mushmore, Higher Elevations.” Our aim is to provide an inclusive space for the rapidly growing conversation surrounding mushrooms, including culinary, functional and researched psychedelic varieties. Our meetups are open to all, from the curious to those who have devoted their professional lives to fungi, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table. Furthermore, we have begun to offer the Mt Mushmore experience as both a private and team-building experience, providing tailored programming. Our meetups feature subject matter experts, speakers, and presenters on a wider variety of topics, from foraging fungi to health and wellness, to the regulation and legislation of psilocybin, in addition to a creative and nutritious meal that highlights the diverse range of culinary mushrooms available. The Mt Mushmore experience is truly an opportunity to expand your horizons and explore the many wonders of the world of mushrooms. You can find us: @mtmushmore or www.mountmushmore.com.

I take pride in blending passions with community-driven initiatives as well as careers. I feel very fortunate that in my day to day, I get to meet inspiring people with captivating stories.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Learning a new song on the piano, singing in a jam sess with friends, swimming in the ocean… all these things make me feeling connected to this world and to this life. Maybe a passed life too, as a soul music artist? Feeling connected to my loved ones, spending time with my family, sharing stories, laughing at nothing and also at everything until my face hurts, and knowing we all have each other’s back no matter what. There is nothing quite like the joy I feel when experiencing something new or exploring the world with those I care about. When we immerse ourselves in these moments together, it’s more than just the sights, sounds, and flavors that we share – it’s a deep sense of connection that resonates within us. These moments ignite a fire within my heart and remind me just how beautiful life is and the immense opportunity we’ve been given to do something meaningful and spread love every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.publicsecretmusic.com
• Instagram: @public.secret
• Facebook: @mtmushmore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-karzon-abrams-27027763/
• Twitter: www.mountmushmore.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHvOSHdARWMMJPTUNV-eJyg?app=desktop
• Other: www.thelast6miles.com

Image Credits
Matt Abrams
Public Secret
The Last 6
Jamais Vu