High Functioning Podcast

Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski is a craft pioneer whose influence spans decades. In this episode, Greg shares how a 1991 Grateful Dead show, a handful of mystery seeds, and his underground passion led to one of the most influential brands in modern craft history. But the journey hasn’t been smooth, from a 2011 federal raid to rebuilding under Massachusetts’ adult-use framework, Greg’s story is one of l...

John Nathan, founder of Bay State Extracts, turned a 3,400 ft² hemp lab into Massachusetts’s top minor-cannabinoid facility on a shoestring budget. Learn how he built ISO-7 clean rooms for 70% less, pioneered CBN production, and scaled smart, without blowing through capital. You’ll Learn: • DIY clean-room construction for massive savings• Smart scale strategies for regulated lab ops• The rise of m...

Todd Dahn built Massachusetts’s smallest licensed craft farm on 800 ft², bootstrapping with no-equity loans, surviving a 4½-year licensing marathon, and turning each harvest into community grants. Todd digs into his music-industry and banking roots, and his advocacy for LGBTQ wellness as a man living with HIV. 💡 What You’ll Discover: • Debt structures that protect equity• Lean-launch tactics in r...

Avery Leveston built Cowboy Kush: a cooperative distribution model that pays farmers premiums, cuts out middlemen and ensures on-time payouts. Learn how a “farmers first” approach is changing the game in Massachusetts.

On this episode of the High Functioning Podcast , we’re joined by Marcus Johnson-Smith , co-founder of Kush Groove , who shares the real story of building a purpose-driven brand with staying power. From a college hustle to a multi-location business, Marcus breaks down the journey step by step, highlighting what too many founders skip: operational clarity, consistency, and customer-first thinking....

Charlotte Cathro has been in the trenches with cannabis operators since the beginning, and she’s here to tell you what most accountants won’t. From botched license deals to last-minute audit scrambles, Charlotte has helped companies fix the messes no one warned them about. This episode is a deep dive into the finance, compliance, and accounting realities of running a cannabis business. If you're s...

Megan Dobro left her tenured professor role and never looked back. Today, she runs SafeTiva Labs, one of the most respected cannabis testing labs in Massachusetts. In this episode, Megan and Jason talk about her transition from science professor to startup founder, the chaos behind inflated THC results, and the cannabis bills being worked on by state lawmakers. It’s a deep dive into what’s broken,...

What Legacy Operators Know That You Don’t In this episode, we sit down with Derek D’Ambrosio , Social Equity Licensee to talk real cannabis business no filters. Derek shares his journey from Boston’s underground market to running licensed operations, navigating corruption, and scaling with purpose. From his mother’s cannabis use during cancer to the politics of zoning, this is the wisdom most foun...

Brendan McKee didn’t start in a boardroom, he started in a warehouse, moving furniture and learning the value of hard work. Today, he’s the COO of Silver Therapeutics, a multi-state retail brand known for keeping people at the center. In this episode, Brendan shares how that early hustle turned into a leadership style built on empathy, clarity, and long-term retention. From offering therapy to bui...

In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, Vincent DiMento of The Agriculturalist shares his story of transitioning from finance into the fast-paced world of dispensary leadership—opening four stores and building standout team culture along the way. 🎧 You’ll learn: How strong internal culture drives long-term success Why service models like “deli-style” matter in retail What he’s learned fr...

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:🔗 https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcastWhat’s really holding back local businesses? According to Ryan Arias Dominguez, it’s outdated policies, broken regulations, and systems that just haven’t kept up with the times. In this episode, Ryan, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, breaks down how license caps, advertising restri...

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 jo...

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 ✔️ Launchin...

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...

🎧 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&...

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 gon...

🎧 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...

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More: 🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpod What 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 defe...

🎧 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 marke...

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & More:🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpod Join 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 journe...

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 parent...

What does it take to build one of the most influential conventions in the industry, manage large-scale events, and help businesses make the most of their opportunities? In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Marc Shepard, Co-Founder & President of NECANN, to dive into the world of event planning, business strategy, and the do’s and don’ts of exhibiting. 🎙️ Episode Hi...

What does it take to navigate a complex industry, leverage data effectively, and build a company that thrives in the age of automation? In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Rick Bashkoff, CEO of Lit Alerts, to explore the intersection of business strategy, technology, and the power of data.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when pitching...

What does it take to build a business from the ground up, navigate industry challenges, and create a brand that stands the test of time? In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Angela Brown, Co-Founder & CEO of Coast, to discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the power of family in business, and the evolving landscape of the industry. 🎙️ Topics Covered: ✅ Th...

How do you transition into a new career while overcoming industry stigma? In this episode of High Functioning Podcast, we sit down with Michael Lamy to talk about navigating professional challenges, breaking through career barriers, and what professionals get wrong about industry transitions. 🔹 What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Overcoming workplace stigma and career shifts ✔️ The strategy of "pennying out" i...