How to Do the Pot

After six years and more than 300 episodes, host Ellen Scanlon is pausing How to Do the Pot. In this special episode, she shares why — and what’s ahead. Ellen breaks down what’s shifting in cannabis and podcasting, from the ban on intoxicating hemp to the podcast industry’s move toward video and bigger-budget shows. She also revisits the episodes that defined the show, including: The Sleep Series...

After years of unexplained illness, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon finally found answers. In this episode, she shares what helped her recover from mold illness, and what testing and treatment really look like — with Ariana Thacker, founder and CEO of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). In this episode, you’ll hea...

In one of her most personal episodes yet, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon opens up about her years-long experience with mold toxicity — a hidden condition that affects millions but is often overlooked by traditional medicine. Ellen was inspired to create this episode after meeting Ariana Thacker, the founder of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness and chronic infla...

Curious about trying a cannabis drink instead of reaching for alcohol? This episode of How to Do the Pot is your quick, no-stress guide. Host Ellen Scanlon shares what she’s learned from being soberish and counts down the top 3 questions women ask about low-dose cannabis drinks as an alcohol alternative. You’ll learn: 1. How to start slow with THC drinks — including the best first dose and timing...

Are you or someone you love looking for safer ways to ease pain—especially the kind that keeps you from moving or exercising? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Anna Symonds, a former elite rugby player who first discovered the pain-relief benefits of cannabis after years of sports injuries, and Dr. Deondra Asike, an anesthesiologist and pain-management specialist. You’ll hear Anna’s f...

Tired of feeling sluggish, anxious, or short-tempered after drinking? In Part 2 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Katie Nessel, better known as Soberish Mom on Instagram, you’ll hear realistic ways to cut back without strict rules or guilt. Katie shares the mindset shift that reframed everything for her: “what did you gain last night by drinking, and what did you lose?” She explains why co...

More and more women are rethinking their relationship with drinking — not by going completely sober, but by finding their own middle ground. In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Katie Nessel, the woman behind Soberish Mom, the hugely popular blog and Instagram account that’s reshaping how women think about alcohol, motherhood, and everyday rituals. Katie shares how the nightly glass of w...

What if cannabis could really help you enjoy working out? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with women who know cannabis inside and out — and use that expertise to improve their workouts, recover faster, and make movement something they look forward to. From running and yoga to hiking and Pilates, you’ll hear practical tips and real stories about how low-dose cannabis can ease stress, redu...

What if the next drink you cracked open didn’t come with a hangover? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Anita Loomba, Senior Marketing Director at Cycling Frog, about the fast-growing world of THC seltzers. We get into what first-time drinkers should know, how these bubbly cannabis beverages compare to alcohol, and why so many women are swapping wine or cocktails for something lighter,...

Can cannabis actually make exercise easier? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by journalist Hilary Achauer, who explored that very question in The New York Times. What she found challenges stereotypes and reveals how cannabis can lower barriers to movement — especially for women. Hilary shares stories of women who discovered that cannabis helped them ease chronic pain, quiet anxiety, a...

What makes the ultimate scary or action-packed movie night? In Part 3 of How to Do the Pot’s Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious, to share how to create a night full of suspense, excitement, and fun. Sophia reveals her favorite scary, horror, and action films — plus her tricks for recreating a movie-theater...

What makes the perfect comfort movie night? In Part 2 of our Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon sits down with Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious and an inspired host, to share how to create a warm, relaxing night that feels like a treat for you and your guests. Sophia offers ideas for setting the scene — from pajama-friendly seating to mood lighting — p...

What makes the perfect summer movie night? In part 1 of How to Do the Pot's Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon sits down with Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious and an enthusiastic host, to talk about how to throw a relaxed, fun movie night that brings people together over great comedy. Sophia shares her tips for setting the scene, from creating a cozy,...

This is the 300th episode of How to Do the Pot — thank you for listening, sharing, and helping us grow into an award-winning show trusted by women everywhere. If you’re new here, this is the perfect place to jump in. In part two of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with cultural futurist Jasmine Bina, founder of Concept Bureau, we explore the quiet but powerful shifts shaping modern life. Jasmine...

How do stigmatized industries like cannabis become part of the cultural mainstream? In part 1 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Jasmine Bina, a cultural futurist and founder of the brand strategy agency Concept Bureau, we explore how culture shifts and who gets to shape those changes. Jasmine shares why outdated narratives still linger around cannabis, what Gen Z’s shift away from alcohol...

Ready to take your hosting skills to the next level? In part 2 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Jamie Evans, we dive deeper into the art of cannabis hospitality—think infused weddings, low-dose cocktails, and events where everyone feels welcome. Jamie shares her best advice for mixing cannabis and alcohol responsibly, tips for labeling and dosing, and the small details that make a cannabi...

Curious about how cannabis drinks are reshaping the way women host parties? In part 1 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Jamie Evans—founder of The Herb Somm and a certified sommelier—we explore why low-dose THC beverages are becoming the new happy hour staple. Jamie shares how her background in wine inspired her to bring an elevated approach to cannabis, and why so many women are rethinkin...

Looking for a cannabis strain to energize your summer? In this episode of our Essential Strains series, host Ellen Scanlon is spotlighting two legendary picks: Sour Diesel and Super Silver Haze. Both of these classics are known for delivering uplifting effects, helping with focus, and easing pain—so how do you choose? You’ll hear from women who’ve tried both and share how each one made them feel....

Looking for the perfect cannabis strain to sweeten your summer? We’ve added Gelato to our Essential Strains series—a curated list designed to help women skip the overwhelm and discover strains you’ll really love. Host Ellen Scanlon talks with Mario Guzman, founder of Sherbinskis and creator of Gelato, about the lucky accident that led to this now-legendary strain. Plus, we share why Gelato is our...

In the final episode of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed: The Untold Story of AIDS & Cannabis, host Ellen Scanlon explores why so many women—especially Black women—are still left out of conversations about HIV risk, testing, and care. You’ll hear from public health expert Natalie Wilson and pioneering AIDS doctor Donald Abrams about: How HIV became a manageable condition—and why many w...

Dr. Donald Abrams was a young gay doctor on the front lines of San Francisco’s AIDS crisis in the 1980s. He watched as his partner and many of his close friends died from a disease no one understood. Yet instead of giving up, he fought to bring relief to patients through medical cannabis. In part two of our Webby Award nominated three-part series, host Ellen Scanlon introduces you to Dr. Abrams, w...

Before weed was legal in any U.S. state, it was medicine passed hand-to-hand—often in the form of a brownie. In part one of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed, host Ellen Scanlon brings you the untold story of how San Francisco’s gay community turned to cannabis during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis—and how a woman-run cannabis operation called Sticky Fingers Brownies quietly became...

Before any U.S. state legalized cannabis—before it was even officially called medicine—people in San Francisco were baking it into brownies and delivering it in secret to those dying of AIDS. This Pride Month, host Ellen Scanlon shares Before Legal Weed: The Untold Story of AIDS & Cannabis, a powerful, Webby-nominated, three-part series about the people who risked everything to help their communit...

For the first time ever, data shows that more women are choosing cannabis than men—and they’re doing it for reasons that go way beyond getting high. In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with innovation expert Nicole Brown about what’s really driving this shift: from the rise of low-dose products to the evolution of legal markets like New York. We dig into how Gen Z and Millennial women are sw...

Memorial Day is almost here, and we’re ready for summer. Are you? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by innovation expert Nicole Brown to dish on their favorite low-dose THC drinks, CBD + CBG gummies, and calming cannabis picks to help you unwind, sleep better, and feel your best. Whether you're swapping wine for weed or just want a little mood lift without going overboard, we cover all...