Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages

How do you build a premium non‑alcoholic spirits brand that resonates with real consumers, competes on bar shelves, and earns repeat loyalty, not just novelty trial? In this episode of Free Spirits, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Emily Onkey, Co‑Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Aplós, a modern functional beverage brand redefining the adult drinking experience. Emily shares the...

What does it take to launch and scale a functional beverage brand in today’s market? In this episode of Free Spirits , Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Pete Olander, the founder and CEO of Happie, a modern functional beverage brand focused on plant-powered energy, clarity, and balance. Pete’s journey blends personal health discovery with deep operational knowledge. Drawing from a backg...

In our first-ever emergency episode of Free Spirits , hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Chris Lackner, founder and president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, to unpack the breaking news around proposed federal restrictions that could reshape the future of the functional beverage business. Chris has been on the front lines of the policy debate, leading national efforts to protect the...

What happens when a craft beer veteran brings creative collaboration into the functional beverage space? In this episode of Free Spirits , Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Spencer Ploessl, an independent creative consultant and advisor at CannaConnect, to talk about the origin and future of Coco Flow—a coconut water-based functional beverage born from a unique collaboration between Can...

What happens when beverage innovation meets real-world data? In this episode of Free Spirits , hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Kevin Provost, CEO of Greenhouse Ventures and Co-Founder of More Better, to explore how real-world data is shaping the future of functional beverages, adult beverages, and consumer trust. Kevin shares how his background in sales, accelerators, and startu...

What does it take to build a multi-brand functional beverage platform in an industry where most startups struggle to launch just one? In this episode of Free Spirits , hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez talk with Evan Eneman, CEO of Iconic Tonics—a premium adult beverage portfolio launched in partnership with Snoop Dogg and powered by Harmony Craft Beverages. With a background in investment, bra...

What happens when one of America’s most iconic beverage companies bets big on cannabis? In this episode of Free Spirits , Lars and David sit down with Paul Weaver , Head of Cannabis at Boston Beer Company , to explore how the makers of Sam Adams, Twisted Tea, and Truly are building their cannabis beverage division from the ground up in Canada. Paul shares how his early work in beverage innovation...

After nearly a decade in the NFL, Micah Hyde didn’t plan on entering the beverage industry. But a real estate investment in his Ohio hometown turned into something unexpected, a pivot from dispensary dreams to launching Hyde’s Hail Mary, a new functional beverage designed for recovery, presence, and better nights. On this episode of The Free Spirits Podcast , Micah joins hosts Lars Miller and Davi...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast , Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Julie Rhodes, founder of Kick Fizz and longtime beverage industry consultant, to explore what it takes to launch a differentiated brand in today’s crowded adult beverage space. Julie shares why Kick Fizz focuses on low-dose, sessionable beverages that give consumers more control over their experience, and ho...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast , hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Peter Barsoom, founder of 1906 and one of the most forward-thinking minds in the functional product space. Known for pioneering fast-acting, low-dose edibles that deliver consistent effects, Peter is now turning his attention to the beverage category with Off Duty —a hemp-derived, zero-calorie shot des...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast , we’re joined by Ben Kennedy, CEO and co-founder of Fable Libations, one of the most distinct and disciplined brands in the modern beverage industry. Known for its award-winning botanical THC cocktails, Fable has carved out a space in the crowded world of functional beverages by refusing to follow trends—and instead setting its own. Ben shares the behin...

In this episode of The Free Spirits Podcast, hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Joanne Caceres, a partner at Dentons and one of the most trusted legal voices in the cannabis industry, to unpack the legal, cultural, and commercial forces shaping the future of functional beverages and hemp legislation. Joanne has spent years crafting and advising on cannabis policy, from federal prop...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast, we dive into the evolving cannabis beverage industry with Ben Larson, CEO of Vertosa. Discover how Vertosa leads the way in emulsion technology for infused beverages, impacting popular brands like Collective Project, Wunder, and Pabst High Seltzer. Ben shares his incredible journey from startup accelerator founder to navigating the complexities of the f...

Join hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez on Free Spirits as they sit down with Gordon Whelpley, founder of Float House—a Connecticut-based beverage company pushing the boundaries of adult beverages. Gordon, an award-winning brewer with deep roots in the craft beer world, shares his journey from beer to THC beverages and cannabis drinks, blending beer culture and beverage innovation in a refreshin...

What happens when a successful cidery owner enters the THC beverage game? In this episode of The Free Spirits Podcast , we talk with Adam Ruhland—founder of both Wild State Cider and Birdie —about what it really takes to build a cannabis beverage brand from the ground up. From operational advantages to branding decisions, R&D challenges to distribution strategy, Adam walks us through his no-BS...

Doug Fulton discusses strategies for scaling THC and functional beverage brands to navigate the complex beverage landscape. Doug Fulton , Co-CEO of Emergent Beverages and founder of the Brand Accelerator, joins us to break down how cannabis and functional beverage brands can scale with strategic growth, smart distribution, and vertical integration . From his early days in international media to bu...

Wynk leads the way in hemp-derived THC beverages, navigating challenges in the beverage industry . In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast, we sit down with Angus Rittenburg, CEO of Wherehouse Beverage and the visionary behind Wynk, to talk about how his team is scaling one of the most innovative hemp-derived THC beverage brands in the country. Angus shares his journey from Tesla battery engin...

In this episode of the Free Spirits podcast, we sit down with Jake Bullock, co-founder of Cann - the leading microdose cannabis beverage brand revolutionizing social drinking. Jake shares how his personal journey with alcohol led him to create Cann, offering a 2mg THC alternative that provides a gentle, controlled experience similar to having a beer or glass of wine. From securing their first disp...

Summary In this episode of the Free Spirits podcast, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez interview Kim Gamez, founder and CEO of Soberish, a marketplace for non-alcoholic and hemp-derived beverages. Kim shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days in the restaurant industry to her current venture, highlighting the importance of community engagement and organic growth. She discusses the chall...

Summary In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast, host Lars Miller and co-host David Gonzalez engage with Kerry Hinkle, Director of Membership and Public Affairs at the US Hemp Roundtable. They discuss the evolution of the hemp industry since the 2018 Farm Bill, the challenges of regulation, and the importance of advocacy in shaping policy. Hinkle shares insights on the complexities of state-le...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez engage with Chris Fontes, CEO and founder of High Spirits Beverages, who shares his journey in the THC beverage industry. Chris discusses the inception of his company, the challenges faced with Delta 8, and the innovative launch of Trojan Horse Cannabis. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal landscape, th...

In this episode of the Free Spirits Podcast, host Lars Miller and co-host David Gonzalez welcome Lisa Hurwitz, president and co-founder of Happi, a low-dose THC beverage brand.  They discuss Lisa's unique experience of running a cannabis beverage company while living in Nicaragua, the challenges and opportunities for women in the male-dominated cannabis industry, and the future of hemp beverages i...

Summary In this episode of the Free Spirits podcast, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez interview Brandon Harshberger, the president of Cheech & Chong's Global Holdings. They discuss the expansive operations of the company, which includes various cannabis products and beverages. Brandon shares his journey into the cannabis industry, the importance of building a strong team, and the challenges face...

In this episode of the Free Spirits podcast, host Lars Miller and co-host David Gonzalez engage with Art Massolo, VP of Business Development at Cycling Frog, a leading THC beverage brand. They explore Art's journey into the cannabis beverage industry, the lessons learned from the wine industry, and the evolution of THC beverages. The conversation delves into the brand story of Cycling Frog, market...

Summary In this episode of the Free Spirits podcast, host Lars Miller and co-host David Gonzalez interview Jason Dayton, co-founder of Trail Magic, a rapidly growing THC beverage brand in Minnesota. Jason shares his journey from cider making to launching Trail Magic, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the cannabis beverage industry. The conversation delves into the risks and rewards...