High Functioning Podcast

Stickers, Swag, & Strategy with Angela Bradway

Angela Bradway, founder of House of Ambassadors, shares how authentic energy, thoughtful marketing, and small details like swag and stickers can build serious brand loyalty.
We also dive into Angela’s personal healing journey with plant medicine, her work empowering budtenders, and her passion for building genuine connections between brands and communities.
🎙️ Chapters Include:
Angela’s healing journey and professional path
Founding House of Ambassadors
Why budtender education is everything
How pop-ups and swag can drive long-term brand love
Smart strategies for cannabis growth
🎧 Full episode available now: ⁠https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast

Craft Cannabis, Global Roots with Cassandra Purdy

Cassandra Purdy, co-founder of Sweetgrass Botanicals, shares her journey from international learning and herbalist training to building an award-winning wellness brand in the Berkshires. In this episode, we explore her philosophy on small-batch production, solventless techniques, and why honoring tradition is key to innovation.
🎙️ Topics Covered:✔️ Personal and professional background✔️ Launching Sweetgrass Botanicals✔️ Solventless extraction and its benefits✔️ Culinary roots and infused wellness✔️ Collaborations, community, and education
🎧 Full episode available now: https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast

Leadership in Legal Cannabis with Travis Ahern

What does leadership in legal cannabis really look like? Travis Ahern, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, shares his approach to navigating one of the most complex regulatory landscapes in the country.
In this episode, we talk through the CCC’s current structure and where it’s headed—from HCA pricing and testing lab enforcement to staffing turnover, architectural reviews, and the long road toward social consumption reform. Travis offers a clear-eyed perspective on what’s working, what isn’t, and what big changes may be coming next.
🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ What the CCC does—and how it’s evolving✅ HCA pricing and enforcement clarity✅ Testing standards, ITLs, and safety✅ Challenges with social consumption rollout✅ Internal reform and operational leadership
💡 If you want to understand how cannabis regulation is built—and rebuilt—this one’s for you.
🚨 Disclaimer: This episode discusses adult-use cannabis policy. Content intended for audiences 21+. Please consume responsibly and follow your local laws.

Wellness Made with Precision with Matt Besonen

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpod
What does it take to make wellness products that actually work? Matt Besonen of United Cultivation joins us to talk about his journey from restaurant management to overseeing a licensed manufacturing facility in Massachusetts.
In this episode, we break down the nuts and bolts of creating wellness products—from R&D to scaling production. Matt explains how ethanol extraction, C1D1 safety, and tools like Vape Jet are reshaping how products are made. We also dive into working with out-of-state brands, the meaning behind "touchpoints," and how to help consumers understand what they’re using—without all the buzzwords.
🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ Behind the launch of United Cultivation’s manufacturing license✅ What RSO, Vape Jet, and ethanol extraction mean for product quality✅ Why education and trust matter more than marketing✅ How to collaborate with established national brands✅ The power of precision in fast-acting formats
💡 If you’re in the wellness space—or thinking about launching a product—this episode is your blueprint.
🚨 Disclaimer:This episode includes promotions for adult-use wellness products. All products are intended for audiences 21 and over. Please consume responsibly and follow your local laws.
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Media. Censorship. C****bis.

Emmy-winning broadcaster Jimmy Young spent decades in traditional media—calling iconic sports moments and hosting TV talk shows. But when he turned his lens toward cannabis news, he found himself navigating shadowbans, content takedowns, and an industry still being silenced.
In this episode, Jimmy shares the highs and lows of running Pro Cannabis Media, why he believes the old media rules are gone, and what every creator needs to know about trust, censorship, and staying true to your voice.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
The power of listening in great interviews
How media gatekeeping still affects cannabis creators
What went wrong with platforms and public trust
Jimmy’s advice for young broadcasters and content builders
🎧 New episodes drop Fridays at 11 AM EST📍 Watch now: https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast

Behind the Beverage Boom with Adam Terry

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpodWhat does it really take to build a successful c****bis beverage brand from scratch?In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, Adam Terry, CEO and Co-Founder of Cantrip, takes us behind the scenes of his bootstrapped journey — from hand-canning ice cream in Framingham to running one of the most talked-about infused beverage brands in the U.S.Adam talks about what makes drinkable THC so complex, how Delta-9 legalization created new pathways, and why the illusion of a free market is holding back real progress in the space.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ Starting with just $375k and hand-canning operations✅ What it takes to make THC drinks — explained simply✅ The double-edged sword of state regulation✅ Moving from dispensaries to liquor stores✅ Why federal reform is key to real fairness💡 Whether you're a builder, investor, or just curious how THC seltzers landed on liquor shelves, this one is a must-listen.

Building a Business Against All Odds with Caroline Pineau

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpodWhat does it take to build a business against all odds?In Episode 16 of the High Functioning Podcast, Caroline Pineau, CEO & Owner of Stem, shares her remarkable journey of fighting legal battles, navigating tax burdens, and standing up for independent business owners.From fighting city regulations to defeating a five-year lawsuit, Caroline reveals what it really takes to open and operate a business in this space. She also dives into social consumption lounges, industry innovation, and how she balances entrepreneurship with parenting.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ The 5-year legal fight to open her business✅ The hidden taxes & fees impacting operators✅ Why attorneys are crucial in this industry✅ How she integrates parenting & entrepreneurship✅ The future of social consumption spaces in Massachusetts💡 Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in what it really takes to thrive in this industry, this episode is a must-listen!🔥 Subscribe for more expert interviews & business insights!

The Medical Approach to Business with David Cunic

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpodWhat does it take to raise capital, build a business, and avoid costly mistakes? In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Dr. David Cunic, a serial entrepreneur, investor relations expert, and business strategist who takes a medical approach to business success. From navigating tough markets to helping companies secure funding, David shares real-world insights on growth, networking, and strategic decision-making.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ How one conversation saved an entrepreneur $1.8M✅ The biggest mistakes people make when raising capital✅ Why networking is more than just collecting business cards✅ The evolution of conferences—are they still worth it?✅ How preparation and strategy separate winners from the rest💡 Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone looking to understand the real mechanics of growth, this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and expert advice.🔥 Subscribe for more expert interviews & business insights!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpod

From Legacy to Legal with Ryan Cohen

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpodJoin us on the High Functioning Podcast as we explore what it takes to build a thriving business in today's challenging landscape. Our guest Ryan Cohen—co-founder of Top Shelf Cannaseurs and KindRun Delivery, and current Director of Business and Community Development at Glorious Cannabis Company—shares his journey from early markets to regulated business, discussing pricing strategies and his vision for the future.Episode Highlights:• Industry evolution and enduring practices• Navigating the shift to regulated markets• Inside look at pricing dynamics and market trends• How time in jail influenced hiring practices• Five-year industry forecast💡 From seasoned entrepreneurs to industry newcomers, this episode delivers valuable insights on growth, leadership, and resilience in the face of challenges.🔥 Subscribe for more industry insights & expert interviews!

Balancing Cannabis, Career, and Parenthood with Jackie Crocco

What does it take to build a successful career in cannabis wholesale, navigate industry challenges, and foster meaningful partnerships? In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Jackie Crocco, Biz Dev Manager at Garden Remedies, to break down the wholesale market, the importance of relationship-building, and how the cannabis industry is evolving for professionals and parents alike.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ The biggest mistakes wholesalers make and how to avoid them✅ Why "community over competition" is the key to long-term success✅ How to build strong partnerships in cannabis without being pushy✅ The reality of parenting & cannabis—navigating conversations with kids✅ Dabs 101—Jackie’s intro to concentrates and how they fit into the market🎙️ "I've helped people for years and never asked for their business. It all comes down to trust and relationships."💡 Whether you’re a wholesaler, retailer, or just curious about the cannabis industry, this episode is packed with insights on business growth, work-life balance, and breaking industry stigmas.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast🔥 Subscribe for more industry insights & expert interviews!