The Conversation, Cannabis & Christianity podcast

The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

Jeff Rawson, Ph. D. founded the non-profit, Institute of Cannabis Science while he was a postdoctoral researcher in chemistry at Harvard. He does scientific research, investigative reporting, regulatory reviews, and subject matter expertise on cannabis testing. Jeff serves on the American Society of Testing and Materials D37 committees on cannabis and the American Counsel of Independent Labs, whic...

Whether we realize and accept it or not, forgiveness is available to everyone. It is not a coincidence that too many of us become bitter as we live longer. Self condemnation is a symptom of the Torah's covenant from Mount Sinai, a covenant that humans are incapable of fulfilling. Grace super-abounds

At the end of a day, how do we understand the stories and themes we hear in this loud 21st Century?

For the past eight years Chris Olson has produced educational programming for the cannabis and psychedelic industries, most recently for MJBizCon. Previously he developed conference programming and webinars for the National Cannabis Industry Association where he helped the Community College of Denver develop a cannabis business associate degree. Additionally, Chris produced programming for Jage Me...

There are moments in our lives when we are required to truthfully say out loud what we believe to be true about the life we have lived, and live, and the direction it now points. Many of us do not have an answer for what we believe about the purpose and value of our own life; yet, we claim to understand offense.

The funny thing about breath is that it can only be taken one breath at a time. Attempting to work against the body's mechanics will only result in damage and disease in the mortal frame. Appreciation and gratitude are hand-in-hand, and both require slowing down the imagination so the mind can recognize that it has been hijacked by profiteers.

When I invited Cynthia Saarie to be a guest, it was based upon her work in the cannabis industry (www.bestcopynow.com) where she helps cannabis companies, and all companies, improve their customer interface. What I learned after she accepted the invitation was that most of her life she has been a student of scripture. Cynthia's life is far from over, but the life she has lived is a life of vic...

In the midst of daily living, it is good to recognize the need for a soft heart and a steadfast spirit in your mortal frame (your body which houses the heart and mind).

Brendan Delaney is a 15-year cannabis industry executive, consultant, and founder of Water Leaf Consulting. His career began in Northern California’slegacy market, where he operated multiple cultivation sites across Trinity and Mendocino Counties — experience that shaped his deep understanding of genetics, plant health, and real-world cultivation environments. As the industry evolved, Brendan tran...

The human body is a temple and within it a soft heart grows alongside a renewed steadfast spirit.

We are all sons and daughters, and thank you to Season Five guests! Tim Barnhart Jack Gorsline Jose Pereira Lena Franklin Dr. Ruth Fisher, PhD Dr. Xanqunnes Singh Tressa Silvey Dr. Lissa Skitolsky & Aaron Weil Dick Wilkinson Kevin Edmundson Adam Peters Matthew Kopelman Jack Cross Daniel Locke George Monty Dr. Anthony Ferrari, PhD Brittney Cornwell Lance Cutsforth Alex Eckman Odilia Hernandez-U...

Robert Davis is a creative strategist, systems thinker, and founder of the marketing incubator Official Agency in 1999, where he works at the intersection ofintelligence, design, narrative, and institutional alignment. With a background spanning cryptologic operations, early infrastructure technologies, brandarchitecture, and large-scale IP development, his work focuses on pattern recognition, gov...

Boxing Day pie uses leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce together to make a delicious pie for post holiday festivities. Pastry requires practice for most people, it is not east to make, nor is it easy to make look good. But worth the process of care and work to produce the savory result, just like our lives.

Very superstitious writings on the wall Very superstitious, ladders about to fall 13-month old baby, broke the looking glass Seven years of bad luck, the good thing is in your past When you believe in things that you don't understand Then you suffer Superstition ain't the way. -Stevie Wonder

Justin Smith grew up poor in the 1980s in a wealthy, status-driven East Coast suburb. Shortly before he was born, his father entered a manic-depressive cycle from which he would find no escape in this life. As early as he can remember, Justin has been interested in finding better ways to help people get less defeated by unhelpful negative emotion. After earning a law degree and working in law and...

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

Alex Eckman is a cannabis chemist and entrepreneur with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in Michigan’s cannabis industry. He recently earned hisdegree in Cannabis Chemistry from Lake Superior State University, where he led original research on product safety in vape hardware. Alex is the co-founder of Higher State Brands, a startup developing cannabis tech tools and consumer wellness product...

Michele and Mark Medal are lifelong searchers who have been down healthy and unhealthy paths in their 50+ years of learning how to live. Finding plant medicine was a turning point for both of them. Michele had over a decade of sobriety and spiritual work behind her, but could not escape a lingering feeling that there was more to understand, more to herself. Mark tried to find happiness in the bott...

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs

Jaesen Kanter is a USAF veteran whose life was forever changed when he served as a first responder to the crash of a C-5 Galaxy at Ramstein Air Base, a tragedy that claimed 13 lives. This pivotal experience set him on a profound healing journey that spans over three decades. While struggling with severe PTSD and experiencing the limitations of conventional treatments, Jaesen became an advocate for...

JP Donahue started his professional life with a law degree from St. John's University and a big job at a big firm in New York City. He quit one year in to write movies and television scripts. People thought he was nuts, but that choice began a 15-year run as a screenwriter in Los Angeles. He's authored over 25 original, for-hire, and uncredited rewrites for film and television at companies...

Assurance: 1) a positive declaration intended to give confidence. 2) promise or pledge; guaranty; surety. 3) full confidence; certainty; freedom from doubt.

Daniel Locke, M.S., is a dedicated healthcare professional and entrepreneur based in Jacksonville, Florida. He earned his Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland's School of Pharmacy in May 2024. This advanced education has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of cannabis pharmacology, chemistry, and clinical applications. In 20...

James’s story is not a simple narrative about cannabis—it’s the chronicle of a man who spent decades enduring physical damage, failed medical treatments, and a profound emotional collapse before discovering a tool that allowed him to rebuild. His journey stretches across childhood illnesses, industrial work injuries, chronic digestive disease, nerve damage, and even a near-death car accident. Over...