• #505 - Matt Schifrin of Pioneer Interest
    Mar 4 2026

    Welcome to Season 5 of the Cannabiz Conversations podcast! In this episode, host Sean sits down with Matt Schifrin, CEO of Pioneer Interest, to discuss his journey into the cannabis industry, the challenges of vertical integration, and the importance of balancing personal and professional life.

    Matt shares his early experiences with cannabis, the impact of losing a sibling to addiction, and how these experiences shaped his approach to business and wellness. He dives into the competitive landscape of the Colorado cannabis market, the significance of customer experience, and the strategies that have led to his company's success.

    Join us as we explore topics such as:

    The intersection of healthcare and recreational cannabis

    The challenges and rewards of vertical integration

    The importance of hiring the right team and fostering a strong company culture

    Insights on navigating the evolving cannabis market

    Whether you're a cannabis enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions.

    Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes of Cannabiz Conversations!

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    46 mins
  • #504 - Angela Pih on Cannabis Marketing and Brand Building
    Feb 25 2026

    Welcome to another exciting episode of the Cannabis Conversations podcast! In Season 5, Episode 04, host Sean dives deep into the world of cannabis marketing with the incredible Angela Pih, a brand-building marketing extraordinaire.

    In this episode, Angela shares her unique cannabis origin story, starting from her high school days in Asia to becoming the Chief Marketing Officer at Papa & Barkley. She discusses the importance of understanding data, business operations, and the challenges faced by marketers in the cannabis industry.

    Join us as we explore topics such as:

    The significance of customer feedback and data in retail

    The challenges of vertical integration in cannabis

    The common pitfalls startups face in marketing

    The evolving landscape of cannabis consumption and product offerings

    Angela also shares her insights on the importance of being authentic in both personal and professional life, and how her upbringing shaped her approach to plant medicine and marketing.

    Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with valuable insights for anyone interested in the cannabis industry or marketing in general!

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:06 - Angela's cannabis origin story
    00:20 - The importance of data in cannabis marketing
    00:40 - Challenges in vertical integration
    01:00 - Common mistakes startups make
    01:20 - Favorite ways to consume cannabis
    Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:
    Hefestus House of Automation - If you're in the business of pre-rolls, check out how you can produce 2,000 pre-rolls an hour at Hefestus Tech.

    Tune in now and join the conversation!

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    49 mins
  • 503 - Seibo Shan: Vaping, Meditation, and the Future of Cannabis
    Feb 18 2026

    Welcome to Season 5 of the Cannabiz Conversation Podcast! In this special episode, host Sean sits down with the inspiring Seibo Shan, a pioneer in the cannabis industry. Seibo shares his unique journey, from discovering cannabis in college to creating innovative vaporizer technology and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

    In this episode, we dive deep into:

    Seibo's origin story and how he first encountered the beautiful cannabis plant.

    The evolution of vaporizer technology and the challenges of creating a better user experience.

    Insights on the current state of the cannabis industry, including the edible and beverage markets.

    The importance of transparency in business and the balance between passion and profitability.

    Seibo's transformative journey into meditation and how it has shaped his approach to life and business.

    Join us for an engaging conversation filled with valuable insights, personal anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on the cannabis industry. Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or just curious about the plant, this episode is packed with information you won't want to miss!

    Don't forget to check out our sponsor, Hephaestus House of Automation, for cutting-edge pre-roll systems that can help you produce 2,000 joints an hour! Visit them at Hefestus Tech.

    Subscribe to the Cannabiz Conversation Podcast for more enlightening discussions and remember to share your thoughts in the comments below!

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    44 mins
  • 502 - Cassie Tomaselli's Journey in the Cannabis Industry
    Feb 11 2026

    Welcome to the second episode of Season 5 of the Cannabiz Conversations podcast! In this episode, host Sean sits down with Cassie Tomaselli, the founder of Tomaselli Media and a PR extraordinaire in the cannabis industry.

    Cassie shares her incredible journey into the cannabis space, starting from her early days in trade journalism to becoming a marketing director for one of Ohio's first level one operators. She discusses the evolution of the cannabis industry, the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets, and the importance of thought leadership and public relations.

    As an entrepreneur, Cassie also introduces us to her innovative project, The Green Room, a membership program designed to help cannabis professionals enhance their visibility and media presence.

    Join us as we explore the complexities of the cannabis industry, the significance of community support, and the future of cannabis as Cassie prepares for motherhood.

    Don't forget to check out our sponsor, Hephaestus, the house of automation, for all your pre-roll production needs!

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction

    00:55 - Cassie's Origin Story

    02:43 - The Evolution of the Cannabis Industry

    06:45 - Marketing in an Emerging Market

    10:17 - The Green Room

    26:32 - Hot Hits Segment

    30:24 - Cassie's Thoughts on Parenting and Cannabis

    Links:

    Hefestus: Hefestus-Tech.com

    If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe for more insightful conversations in the cannabis space!

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    34 mins
  • 501 - Tomer Oliel on Cannabis Culture and Education
    Feb 4 2026

    Welcome to Season 5 of the Cannabiz Conversation Podcast! In this episode, host Sean sits down with Tomer Oliel, the leader of business development at Hefestus, a cutting-edge company specializing in automated pre-roll production.

    Join us as Tomer shares his fascinating origin story, detailing his early experiences with cannabis in Israel and how it shaped his career path. We dive into the evolving relationship between cannabis and society, the importance of education, and the potential of AI in the cannabis industry.

    Tomer also discusses the innovative technology behind Hefestus, including their Aura X machine, which automates the production of pre-rolls while maintaining freshness.

    Whether you're a cannabis enthusiast or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with insights and engaging conversation.

    Topics Covered:

    Tomer's journey with cannabis from a young age

    The cultural differences surrounding cannabis in Israel vs. the U.S.

    The importance of education in cannabis consumption

    Innovations in cannabis technology and automation

    The future of cannabis research and development

    Don't forget to check out Hefestus at hefestus-tech.com for more information on their products and services!

    Subscribe to the Cannabiz Conversation Podcast for more episodes and insights into the world of cannabis!

    Follow us on social media:

    Instagram: @hefestus_one

    Tomer's personal Instagram: @respect_your_hunger

    Thank you for tuning in, and let's continue to elevate the conversation around cannabis!

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    35 mins
  • 410 - Scott Verstaling of Humble Family Farms
    Oct 1 2025

    Join us for the Season 4 finale of the Cannabiz Conversations Podcast, where host John sits down with Scott Verstaling from Humble Family Farms. In this episode, Scott shares his incredible journey from a casual cannabis consumer in San Diego to a passionate advocate for sun-grown cannabis in Humboldt County.

    Discover how Scott's love for surfing and the vibrant cannabis culture of Northern California shaped his path, leading to the creation of Humble Family Farms—a collaborative platform that celebrates local farmers and their craft.

    We dive deep into the differences between sun-grown and indoor cannabis, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the ever-evolving cannabis industry, and the significance of energy in both business and life. Scott also shares insights on the current state of cannabis regulations, the challenges faced by small farms, and the exciting future of Humble Family Farms as they gear up for harvest season.

    Whether you're a cannabis enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more engaging conversations!

    Topics Covered:

    Scott's origin story and journey into cannabis

    The impact of surfing on Scott's life and business

    The sun-grown lifestyle and its benefits

    Balancing founder life with personal well-being

    Insights on cannabis regulations and industry challenges

    Exciting future plans for Humble Family Farms

    Special Thanks:
    A big shoutout to GreenLane Communication for sponsoring this season! If you're looking for top-notch PR in the cannabis industry, check them out at GreenLaneCommunication.com.

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    39 mins
  • 409 - Will Read - Founder & CEO, CannaPlanners
    Sep 24 2025

    Welcome to Season 4 of the Cannabiz Conversation! In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of the cannabis and automotive industries with our special guest, Will Read, CEO of Canna Planners.

    Join us as we explore Will's origin story, his first encounters with cannabis, and how his experiences shaped the mission of Canna Planners. We discuss the challenges of marketing in the cannabis space, the importance of breaking stigma, and the unique hurdles that cannabis businesses face in advertising.

    Will shares insights on the evolving landscape of digital marketing, the significance of data tracking, and how to create authentic connections with customers. We also touch on the recent news about Google ads for cannabis in Canada and the implications for the industry.

    Whether you're a cannabis entrepreneur, a marketing professional, or just curious about the cannabis industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and engaging conversation.

    Don't forget to check out our sponsor, GreenLane Communications, for all your PR needs!

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction

    00:39 - Will Reed's origin story

    02:03 - The impact of DARE on perceptions of cannabis

    05:41 - The mission of Canna Planners

    09:12 - Marketing strategies in the cannabis industry

    12:14 - The importance of data tracking

    20:11 - Social media strategies for cannabis businesses

    30:56 - Google ads for cannabis in Canada

    40:01 - Closing thoughts

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    41 mins
  • 408 - Brendon McKee - COO of Silver Therapeutics
    Sep 17 2025

    Welcome to Season 4 of the Cannabiz Conversation! In this episode, host Sean sits down with Brendan McKee, COO of Silver Therapeutics, to discuss his journey in the cannabis industry, starting from his early experiences with the plant at just 12 years old to running a multi-state operation.

    Brendan shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the cannabis landscape, including the importance of quality control, employee ownership, and the evolving regulatory environment. He emphasizes the significance of treating customers like patients and fostering a positive workplace culture.

    Join us as we explore the future of Silver Therapeutics, the impact of market saturation, and the lessons learned from years in the cannabis business. Whether you're a cannabis enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

    Topics Discussed:

    Brennan's early relationship with cannabis

    The journey of building Silver Therapeutics

    Navigating regulatory challenges

    The importance of quality control in cannabis retail

    Employee ownership and company culture

    Future plans for expansion into Minnesota

    Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes!

    Sponsored by: GreenLane Communication - Your go-to PR firm in the cannabis space. Check them out at GreenLaneCommunication.com.

    Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

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    37 mins