Meet Stephanie Karzon Abrams

We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Karzon Abrams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My career needed to feel like more than just a job; it had to be a vocation. I’ve always been drawn to work that sparks my passion, unable to settle for anything that didn’t resonate deeply or pique my curiosity. My quest for purpose has been guided by a blend of innovation, creativity, a drive to serve, and a knack for strategy. I craved a challenge that would engage both the analytical and imaginative sides of my brain.

There came a point when the routine started to feel too constricting, and I found myself itching for a change, eager to lead rather than follow the well-trodden path. I was on the lookout for that brilliant idea, but it seemed just out of reach until a series of life-altering events switched on the proverbial light bulb.

The first spark came from launching a community group to support Kawasaki disease research after my husband’s (literal) heart-stopping moment at the LA marathon in 2020. He was motivated to turn this hardship into an opportunity, not only for himself, but for others. Rallying people around this cause, I discovered an untapped well of resourcefulness within me. I thrived on the logistics, the meaninful cause, and bringing to life creative ideas that I hadn’t even realized I was capable of.

Then, visiting my life long friend, Max Mignot, in Mexico exposed me to Public Secret, the musical movement he had created, with huge global potential. Diving into this project with him, I helped root it in California, and later in our home town of Montreal. Together, we began crafting one-of-a-kind experiences that lifted people off the usual dance floors and into unique locations…say a mountain top in Topanga Canyon. Watching our artist collective grow, I found joy in being a beacon for talented souls, supporting them with management and strategic development, all under the banner of Public Secret Records, the music label arm we launched almost two years ago already.

The final nudge came in 2022, when I stepped away from corporate healthcare and ventured into the world of psychedelic medicine. It might seem like a leap, but with my background in neuropharmacology, it felt like coming home. I embarked on a consultancy journey to establish Beyond the Bench, marrying my scientific expertise with the strategic skills honed in my previous life. Now, I’m serving others in a profoundly personal way, stretching my own limits and blending the seemingly disparate worlds of music and medicine. I believe in open access education, and step on stages from conferences to festivals to share about what I know and what I hope to learn.

This journey has taught me that my purpose lies not just in service to others but in continually challenging myself, finding that sweet spot where my passions converge and allowing myself to be the bridge between music and medicine, science and spirit.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My career as a neuropharmacologist transcends traditional boundaries. Just as the laboratory bench symbolizes my educational roots, my journey has extended further, blending clinical excellence with strategic mindset, and entrepreneurship with artistry. Beyond healthcare, I’ve ventured into creating communities centered around music, philanthropy, and the fantastic world of fungi.

My days are a dynamic blend of roles and passions. With Beyond the Bench, my consultancy, I offer my expertise to psychedelic clinics, delve into the science of plant medicine, and support natural product innovators with research and pharmacology. I’m deeply engaged in research, exploring special populations such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal chord injury, and women’s health, as well as sharing insights through public speaking and workshops.

Music is another vibrant thread in my life. Alongside Max Mignot, I co-pilot Public Secret, a music label and artist collective where we’re dedicated to nurturing talent and amplifying their music to the world.

In another chord of my life, Joey Spanjers and I cultivate the ‘Mt Mushmore Higher Elevations’ community, where we blend education with the culinary art of mushrooms, creating experiences that are as enlightening as they are delicious.

And with my husband, Matt, we champion the cause of Kawasaki Disease, through The Last 6 running events that raise both funds and awareness, driven by a shared commitment to making a difference.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Find what you love! You will be great doing what you love. And do not fake your enthusiasm!

I think I can chalk it up to two things:

1) Integrity. I’m very honest with myself and true to who I am. I know my skills, but I also know my limitations.

2) Realizing that humans are dynamic, evolving beings. Our interests can change, and it’s OK to pivot.
There’s a saying ” When you see a fork in a road, take it”. I think we can live many lives, and live them greatly.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Tell me “No”. Because it led me (often to their exasperation) to ask “Why?”, and it subsequently motivated me to then figure out “How?”.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Reinhardt Kenneth, Matt Abrams, Max Nantais, Matteo Nantais, Steven Celi

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