Sunday Fellows Milana Traun INTERVIEW BY LEA CASINI |
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For this Sunday Fellows interview, it’s very much a fungi affair. Meet Milana Traun, the Austrian-born, London-based founder of Funga – a platform exploring psychedelics for mental health, wellbeing practices and the culture woven around them. I sat down for an afternoon chat on her couch in London and talked about her love of mushrooms (in all their forms), her ‘morning pages’ ritual and most importantly, the happy abundance found somewhere between discipline, chaos and curiosity. |
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1. I’d love to know about where your love of mushrooms came from. What’s your earliest memory of fungi? My earliest memory of mushrooms definitely comes from home. Austria has a lot of mushrooms, especially where I grew up in the countryside, so you’d always find mushrooms every time you went on a walk. For me, culinary mushrooms were always a big part of what I ate growing up. During mushroom season, we have these delicious Eierschwammerl (chanterelles in English), which are one of my favourite things to eat. 2. From childhood memories to a public project, what made you start Funga?
I started Funga when I moved to Mexico City right after the pandemic, when many people were struggling with anxiety and depression I felt there was a real gap in the market for education that’s more accessible, more considered, easy to understand and not overly esoteric. Something people across generations can genuinely connect with and learn from.
3. What is Funga? Funga is a platform centred around psychedelics for mental health, wellbeing and culture. This has since developed into podcasts, events, artist collaborations and most recently, Funga Chocos. |
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4. I heard that Funga Chocos bring magic back to the mundane. Tell me more! Kanna, the star ingredient in the chocolates, is an empathogen and, in my opinion, one of nature’s most incredible plants. What it really does is open the heart and help you feel more present and connected to yourself. It’s not psychedelic, but it does create a noticeable shift in state and feeling. It gives your day a kind of lightness, a happy and uplifting energy. And I think it can take already special moments and gently elevate them into something even more beautiful. 5. What’s a fact about fungi that people would find hard to believe? One of the most astonishing things about fungi (specifically psychedelic ones) is that they have the power to reveal God or a higher power. I should say what I mean by that, because it can sound abstract or doctrinal and it really isn't either. When people describe psilocybin journeys, the most consistent thread isn't a vision of any particular deity. It's a felt experience of oneness, a temporary dissolution of the boundary between you and everything else and an overwhelming sense that existence is connected, intelligent and deeply loving. Whatever name you give that - God, the divine, the universe, nature - the mushroom seems to open a door to it. |
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6. Mexico has somehow always ended up on D&D moodboards. Is there something about the city or its spirit that you carry with you everywhere? The three years I lived in Mexico were the most transformational period of my life. What I carry with me most is the generosity of spirit. There's also this incredible creative energy and sense that everything is possible. If you have an idea, people will find a way to help you bring it to life. It really feels like a country of dreams. And maybe most of all, people in Mexico know how to LIVE LIFE WELL. There's a real sense of joy, celebration and presence in everyday life that I've found hard to come by anywhere else. 7. What are your Sunday rituals? For me, Sunday is a slow day. I try not to do anything rushed. I love having a really good meal, either a big late breakfast or a long lunch, but the point is just to take my time with it. One of my greatest joys is going to the cinema, so Sunday evening is a perfect time for that. And if I’m not at the cinema, I’ll definitely be watching a film (or two) at home. |
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8. What’s your go-to book recommendation for readers who want to learn more about fungi and medical plants?
I’ve got quite a long list, so it’s worth browsing fungaonline.com for all my suggestions, but here are a few favourites to start with: Entangled Life – Merlin Sheldrake The single best book on fungi available today. Beautifully written, scientifically rich and genuinely life-changing in how it makes you see the natural world. How to Change Your Mind – Michael Pollan The perfect starting point for anyone new to the topic. Pollan blends history, science and personal experience into an accessible and beautifully written synthesis that covers psychedelics from multiple angles. A must! 9. Can you list your top four fungi and their superpowers? Cordyceps is my go-to for a natural lift in energy! It’s traditionally used to support stamina and vitality, and some research suggests it may help with oxygen utilisation during exercise, making it a great addition before a workout or whenever you need a gentle boost. I have also included them in my Funga Chocos For Grooving. Lion’s Mane is one of the most exciting functional mushrooms for brain health. There’s growing research exploring its role in cognitive function, with some early studies suggesting benefits for memory and mental clarity. It’s a great addition when you’re looking to support focus and overall cognitive performance. I also really like reishi, often called the queen of mushrooms. It’s traditionally used to support relaxation and a sense of balance, which is why I think of it as more of an evening ritual. In my experience, it’s something that works best when you take it consistently. And then psilocybin-containing mushrooms… they’re in a category of their own. If I had to give one example, I’d mention a really significant experience I had with a strain called Albino Tidal Wave; it was genuinely otherworldly. When it’s approached with the right intention, set and setting, and proper integration, I think it has the potential to be unbelievably meaningful and facilitate a real shift in perspective. |
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