Joint Forces Podcast

On Episode 18 of Joint Forces, Luke Scarmazzo sits down with one of the best-connected guys in the game, Shea Ryan. From his early days as a legacy cultivator and entrepreneur to helping build brands like Affliction, Platinum Vapes, and Good Fellas Distribution, Shea has spent decades behind the scenes helping shape the industry. Today, he's also the co-founder of The Network Show, an invite-o...

We back with another one. On Episode 17 of Joint Forces, Luke Scarmazzo sits down with Rico 2 Smoove — artist, author, entrepreneur, and a straight multi-lane hustler. Rico’s been putting in work in the music scene while also building his brand Octane Exotics, showing what it really looks like to move with intention across different industries. Rico breaks down his journey from music to business,...

Majix is back. On Episode 16 of Joint Forces, Luke Scarmazzo sits down once again with Money Makin Majix — entrepreneur, recording artist, and reality TV personality who first helped launch the Joint Forces Podcast back in Episode 1. Majix, also known as Michael “Majix” Yuen, built his name in both the music and business worlds and became widely recognized as a main cast member on the VH1 hit seri...

This one’s special. On the second episode of season 2 of Joint Forces, Luke Scarmazzo sits down with a true legend — Steve DeAngelo. If you know the history, you know the name. Steve has been on the front lines of cannabis activism for decades. He co-founded Harborside (one of the first major dispensaries in the country), helped shape modern reform efforts, and became a familiar face to millions t...

Season 2 is here and we’re kicking it off right. Luke Scarmazzo sits down with Halle Pennington of Humboldt Seed Co. — second-generation legacy farmer, pheno hunter, and one of the young voices carrying the culture forward. Raised deep in the Emerald Triangle, Halle grew up literally in the hills learning the craft from her father Nat Pennington, founder of Humboldt Seed Company — one of the most...

This week on The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo’s out in New York City for the very first East‑Coast edition of Hall of Flowers NYC 2025 — and we caught all the action. This isn’t just another trade show—it’s the moment where legacy meets license, culture meets commerce, and brands from the West Coast link up with the Big Apple scene. Luke’s rolling deep with the Prophet Brand crew, sid...

This episode of Joint Forces hits different. Luke Scarmazzo sits down with Sean Ryan, founder of Murphy’s Ridge, to share one of the most raw and inspiring stories in the game. Years ago, Sean was shot by intruders during a robbery attempt — a tragic moment that left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. But instead of letting that define him, Sean turned that pain into purpose. Out of the ashes, Sea...

In this episode of Joint Forces, Luke Scarmazzo sits down with the legendary Ngaio Bealum — an OG in the cannabis game and a master of the mic. If you know cannabis culture, then you know Ngaio. He’s a stand-up comic, activist, writer, and former co-host of Netflix’s Cooking on High. He’s toured the country doing comedy, hosted Cannabis Planet, written columns like Ask 420, and stayed true to the...

This one hits different. On Episode 10 of The Joint Forces Podcast, Luke Scarmazzo chops it up with Quawntay “Bosco” Adams—real talk from a man who lived it all. Bosco grew up in Compton, got slapped with a 35-year federal sentence for marijuana possession, and did the unthinkable: escaped—and then fought his way out of the system to freedom. But that's only half the story. From behind bars, B...

This week on The Joint Forces Podcast, Luke Scarmazzo gets real with Cody Bass—the “Outlaw Mayor of Tahoe.” Born into a cannabis family, Cody took his first steps into cultivation at 18 in Mendocino, then built Tahoe Wellness Cooperative in 2009, licensing his own land and fostering some of California’s most sustainable grow practices. By 2018, the people of South Lake Tahoe elected him to city co...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with singer and songwriter Nika Cocos—a true force in the rising R&B scene. Originally from Belarus, Nika shares the deeply personal story of how she was forced to flee from the war in Ukraine and start a new chapter in the Bay Area, using music as both a healing outlet and a launchpad for her dre...

In this episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with Caleb Counts, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Connected Cannabis Co. With a journey that began in his early teens, Caleb has transformed his passion for cannabis into a leading brand known for its premium genetics and top-shelf flower. Caleb's story is one of resilience and innovation. After stepping away from...

In this episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with Patti O'Brien, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Lemonnade Antioch and KANNA Oakland. Patti's been instrumental in shaping the cannabis scene in the Bay Area, bringing her strategic leadership and regulatory expertise to the forefront. Patti's journey is all about passion and perseverance. At Lemonnade Ant...

In this special episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo takes you straight to the heart of the 2025 Hall of Flowers in Ventura, California. Representing Prophet Brand, Luke was on the scene, chopping it up with some of the most influential figures in the cannabis game.​First up, Luke sits down with Kevin Jodrey, a true OG in the cannabis cultivation world. With over 35 years in th...

Luke Scarmazzo’s journey from Modesto, California, to becoming a trailblazer in the cannabis industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in a community where cannabis cultivation was commonplace, Luke didn’t think much of it—until the world started seeing it as a problem. As a teenager, he experienced firsthand the stigma attached to cannabis, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing what...

In this dope episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, your host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with the Bay Area's own Berner—rapper, entrepreneur, and the genius behind the iconic Cookies brand. They dive deep into Berner's journey from hustling in San Francisco's streets to building a billion-dollar cannabis empire that's recognized worldwide. Berner, born Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr., starte...

In this special reunion episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with the original crew from California Healthcare Collective (CHC)—the groundbreaking dispensary that he co-founded with Ricardo Montes. Joining the table are CHC’s daily operations manager Miguel Buenrostro and head of security Russell “Lunatik” Green, both pivotal figures in CHC’s rise and legacy. This epi...

In this episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, your host Luke Scarmazzo sits down with James Loud—a heavyweight in the cannabis game. James is the mastermind breeder, author of "Cannabis Breeding: The Art and Science of Crafting Distinctive Cultivars", and the voice behind the award-winning James Loud Podcast. With over 25 years in the field, he's been setting the bar high in cannabis...

In the premiere episode of The Joint Forces Podcast, host Luke Scarmazzo links up with Money Makin Majix—rapper, actor, and entrepreneur best known from VH1’s Cartel Crew. This conversation dives deep into Majix’s journey from the streets to becoming the co-founder of the high-end lifestyle brand Pure Blanco and Magic City Records. The two chop it up about the hustle, cannabis culture, and how Maj...