The Women in CannaBusiness Podcast

Women in CannaBusiness
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The Women in CannaBusiness podcast is a platform dedicated to highlighting the stories of women who are breaking barriers and making significant contributions in the cannabis industry. Hosted by Olivia, a seasoned marketing professional and advocate for women in cannabis, the podcast delves into the journeys of female entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators who are shaping the future of cannabis. Each episode offers listeners a deep dive into the personal and professional experiences of our guests, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, overcoming industry stigma, and the unique challenges faced by women in a male-dominated space. Our mission is to inspire and empower women by showcasing that the cannabis industry is a viable and welcoming space, where skills from other industries are transferable, and the path to success is attainable. The Women in Cannabusiness podcast is more than just conversations—it’s a community that supports and uplifts women striving to make their mark in cannabis. With a growing audience eager to learn and engage, our platform provides a unique opportunity for sponsors to connect with a targeted and passionate demographic. New episodes are released every Tuesday, featuring insightful discussions and stories from some of the most influential women in the industry. Whether you’re already a part of the cannabis community or just curious about the evolving landscape, Women in Cannabusiness offers valuable insights and inspiration for everyone.

  1. 6h ago

    #60 - S7:E2 - Lauren Miele: From FIT & Luxury Fashion to Building KushKards, the First Cannabis Greeting Card

    From the Fashion Institute of Technology to building one of the most recognizable greeting card brands in the cannabis space, Lauren Miele has turned creativity, risk-taking, and a willingness to follow the opportunity into more than a decade of entrepreneurship. In Season 7, Episode 2 of The Women in CannaBusiness Podcast, Olivia sits down with Lauren Miele, Founder and CEO of KushKards, the original cannabis greeting card brand known for putting a new spin on gifting and “giving the gift with a lift.” Lauren shares how her background at FIT in visual merchandising, packaging design, and product development helped lay the foundation for KushKards, even before she realized there was an entire industry waiting for the idea. She opens up about leaving New York for Denver to grow the business, taking risks, learning through mistakes, and eventually finding herself called back to the East Coast as both the industry and KushKards evolved. We also talk about Lauren’s biggest collaboration to date with Spencer’s, where KushKards expanded beyond its original product concept into vibrating greeting cards, along with the creative process behind continuing to evolve a product for new audiences. Lauren also dives into the newest side of the brand, from her Gifted, Lifted & Thrifted junk journaling subscription to Puff & Paste events in New York, and how finding a niche community can create entirely new opportunities for connection, creativity, and growth. Most importantly, Lauren shares the lessons she has learned after years of building a business from the ground up: move at your own pace, stay true to yourself, stop comparing your journey to everyone else’s, and actually take action on the ideas you believe in. In this episode, we talk about: Lauren’s journey from FIT into entrepreneurship Building KushKards from an idea into a nationally recognized brand Leaving New York for Denver and eventually finding her way back home Growing a business through relationships, trade shows, risks, and persistence The KushKards x Spencer’s collaboration Expanding into vibrating greeting cards and new product categories The rise of junk journaling and Lauren’s Gifted, Lifted & Thrifted subscription Creating community through Puff & Paste events Why entrepreneurs sometimes need to say no Taking action instead of waiting for the perfect moment Lauren’s advice for women looking to build a career or business in the industry Find Lauren + KushKards: Instagram: @giftwithalift Website: KushKards.com --- The Women in CannaBusiness Podcast is a media partner of MJ Unpacked Kansas City, happening October 14–15. Use code CANNABUSINESS20 for 20% off your registration.

  2. Sep 29

    #59 - S7:E1 - Daryn SantaMaria: From Creative Arts to Cannabis Marketing for Brooklyn Dispensary

    In the Season 7 premiere of Women in CannaBusiness, Olivia sits down with Daryn SantaMaria, Head of Marketing at Kaya Bliss Dispensary in Brooklyn, New York, to talk about turning a creative background into a career in cannabis marketing, events, and community building. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a background spanning visual arts, photography, animation, web design, and early childhood education, Daryn never necessarily planned on building a career in cannabis. A visit to Kaya Bliss ultimately opened an unexpected door, leading her from creative work into a leadership role overseeing marketing operations across the dispensary’s growing Brooklyn footprint. Today, Daryn manages digital storefronts, advertising campaigns, promotional strategy, events, and partnerships with more than 200 cannabis brands. A major part of her role is creating community-driven activations designed not only for consumers, but also for the teams working inside Kaya Bliss. In this episode, Daryn shares what it takes to create a dispensary experience that goes beyond retail, from cannabis education and wellness programming to yoga, watch parties, creative gatherings, and other community events. Olivia and Daryn also talk about cannabis and anxiety, finding products that work for individual needs, protecting your personal time in an always-on marketing role, and navigating a male-dominated industry with confidence. Daryn’s story is also a reminder that the skills you already have can translate into opportunities you may never have expected. Sometimes getting into the room starts with simply showing up, asking questions, and being willing to put yourself forward. In this episode: Daryn’s Brooklyn roots and background in fine arts How a visit to Kaya Bliss turned into an unexpected career opportunity Translating art, photography, animation, and design skills into cannabis marketing Growing into the Head of Marketing role at Kaya Bliss Managing marketing across multiple dispensary locations Working with 200+ cannabis brands on partnerships and activations Building community through education, yoga, watch parties, wellness events, and creative programming Using creativity to differentiate the dispensary experience Cannabis, anxiety, and finding products that support individual needs Managing work-life balance in an always-on industry Navigating assumptions as a woman working in cannabis Why showing up and trusting your skills can open unexpected doors About Daryn SantaMaria Daryn SantaMaria is the Head of Marketing for Kaya Bliss Dispensary in Brooklyn, NY. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Daryn translates her background in arts and early childhood education into a unique blend of visual design expertise, strategic brand recognition, and cross-functional leadership. In her current role, Daryn oversees marketing operations across all Kaya Bliss locations, directing digital storefront menus, advertising campaigns, and promotional strategies. A core pillar of her work includes managing partnerships with more than 200 cannabis brands to curate community-driven activations for both consumers and staff. Outside of work, Daryn reconnects with her creative roots through animation, painting, and crafting. Connect with Daryn & Kaya Bliss Daryn SantaMaria: Head of Marketing, Kaya Bliss Dispensary -- ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Kaya Bliss: KayaBlissNYC.com LinkedIn: Kaya Bliss Dispensary Kaya Bliss currently operates locations in Bay Ridge and Brooklyn Heights, with additional Brooklyn locations planned for Kensington and Brighton Beach. This episode of Women in CannaBusiness is brought to you by Kaya Bliss. Follow Women in CannaBusiness and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations with the women building, leading, and shaping the cannabis industry.

  3. Sep 1

    #58 - S6:E14 - Sophia Carrion: From Studying PR and Legalization at SDSU to Building a Career in Cannabis

    Season 6 Finale: Owning Your Power in Cannabis with Sophia Carrion of E10 Labs Recorded live on Day Two of Hall of Flowers Ventura 2026, we’re closing out Season 6 of Women in CannaBusiness with Sophia from E10 Labs. Sophia’s path into cnnbis started in an unexpected place: a LinkedIn post. With a background in public relations and an academic interest in legalization dating back to her senior project, she found an opportunity to turn that interest into a career in the industry. In this conversation, Sophia shares how she got her start, what has kept her passionate about the plant and the people behind it, and what she’s learned while building her career in cnnbis. We talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to trust that you belong in the room, and the balance between showing up with confidence while staying humble, curious, and willing to learn. Sophia also shares the advice she would give women looking to break into the industry, what she would tell her 21-year-old self, and why owning your power can make all the difference when stepping into new opportunities. And, of course, we get into the plant itself, including Sophia’s favorite ways to consume, from flower and edibles to cnnbis beverages. Her reminder for women navigating this industry is simple: “Just own your power and truly believe that you belong there because you do.” It’s a fitting message to close out Season 6 and another reminder of what Women in CannaBusiness is all about: sharing the stories, lessons, and perspectives of the women helping shape this industry. Connect with E10 Labs: Website: https://www.e10-labs.com/  Instagram: @e10.labs Thank you for joining us throughout Season 6 of Women in CannaBusiness and for continuing to support the women building, leading, and pushing the cnnbis industry forward.

  4. Aug 25

    #57 - S6:E13 - Aubrey Amatelli | From JPMorgan to Building PayRio: Solving Cannabis' Payments Problem

    ⁠ Recorded on-site at Hall of Flowers Ventura 2026, this episode of Women in CannaBusiness features Aubrey Amatelli, Founder and CEO of PayRio, a payments company built for the cannabis industry. Aubrey’s career has taken her from the fast-paced Silicon Valley startup world to JPMorgan and ultimately back to entrepreneurship, where she combined her experience in payments with her passion for cannabis and alternative medicine to build PayRio. In this conversation, Aubrey shares what it was like experiencing a $70 million startup acquisition, transitioning into corporate life while raising three kids and serving as the breadwinner for her family, and eventually realizing she missed the speed, ownership, and impact that came with building something smaller. We also talk about the experiences that pushed Aubrey to build a company of her own, including working within male-dominated startup environments and recognizing an opportunity to solve one of the cannabis industry's most persistent challenges: payments. But this conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship. Aubrey opens up about waiting months before publicly sharing her involvement in cannabis on LinkedIn and what happened when she finally did. Former colleagues began privately reaching out to tell her that they consumed too, used the plant medicinally, or wanted her advice, but couldn't talk about it openly in their own professional lives. It's a reminder that the cannabis consumer isn't always who we picture. Many are parents, executives, professionals, and people working within traditional corporate environments who still don't feel comfortable being open about their consumption. We talk about why normalization matters, the realities of building an ancillary business in an industry that remains federally illegal, and why solving one of the hardest problems in cannabis has also given Aubrey what she calls the best job she's ever had. About Aubrey Amatelli Aubrey Amatelli is the co-founder and CEO of PayRio, a payments company focused on creating compliant payment solutions for the cannabis industry. Her background spans Silicon Valley startups, financial services, payments, and entrepreneurship, including experience at JPMorgan that helped build the foundation for the work she does today at PayRio. Connect with Aubrey + PayRio LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreyamatelli/⁠ PayRio: ⁠https://payrio.co/⁠ Instagram: ⁠@payrio_hq⁠

  5. Aug 18

    #56 - S6:E12 - Sabrina Noah | The Lobbyist Lady: Building a Career in Cannabis Policy

    Recorded live from the pre-show Hall of Flowers Ventura mixer hosted by Beard Bros, this episode of Women in CannaBusiness features Sabrina Noah of Poppy Public Affairs, better known as The Lobbyist Lady. Sabrina has spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of politics, healthcare, government affairs, and cnnbis. She shares how her career began in politics and healthcare, and how a deeply personal experience with medical cnnbis ultimately changed the way she viewed the plant and led her to become an advocate. We talk about Sabrina's transition into cnnbis government affairs, helping secure the first commercial cnnbis license in California for Moxie, and eventually moving into senior government affairs leadership at Cresco Labs. Along the way, she learned that some of the simplest things can set you apart: do your homework, read the regulations, understand your audience, follow up, and always show up prepared. Sabrina also gets candid about frequently being the only woman, and sometimes the only female executive, in the room. We talk about learning to hold your own in male-dominated spaces, balancing authenticity with professionalism, reading the room, and having the courage to say what everyone else may already be thinking. Her advice to women walking into those rooms? Be your own ally. And for anyone looking to enter or build a lasting career in this industry, Sabrina leaves us with one lesson that has guided her own journey: know your why. Connect with Sabrina Noah / The Lobbyist Lady Instagram: @lobbyistlady LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinanoah/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LobbyistLady Website: https://www.lobbyistlady.com/home

  6. Aug 11

    #55 – S6:E11 - Christina Wong | Fruit + Flower: Fostering Cannabis Community Through Food & Connection

    Recorded on-site at Hall of Flowers Ventura 2026, this episode of Women in CannaBusiness features Christina Wong, founder of Fruit + Flower Co., food and gardening expert, storyteller, and longtime advocate for more thoughtful, intentional cnnbis culture. Christina shares how she moved from more than a decade in food, hospitality, PR, and branding into the cnnbis industry, and how her early experience working with craft farms and plant medicine completely shifted the way she thought about the plant. We talk about the origins of Fruit + Flower, from infused baking and food blogging to community events designed around connection, creativity, and making cnnbis spaces feel safer and more welcoming—especially for women. Christina also opens up about growing up with stigma around the plant, helping her family understand her career, and why education and safe access can completely change the way people experience cnnbis. The conversation moves into the importance of creating your own spaces instead of waiting for permission, whether that looks like a dinner party, cookbook club, crafting night, or something completely new. Christina also shares the work behind her Weed Underground meetups, where old plant material is repurposed into topical products and redistributed to community members and compassion recipients. It’s a conversation about food, culture, accessibility, compassionate care, and the role community can play in changing the way we think about cnnbis. About Christina Wong Christina Wong is a Los Angeles-based food, cnnbis, and gardening expert and the founder of Fruit + Flower Co. She is a CLIO Award-winning storyteller and seasoned PR and communications professional with more than a decade of experience across the food, restaurant, hospitality, and cnnbis industries. She is also the co-host of Mogu Magu, an AAPI food, culture, and cnnbis collective; a Budist edibles critic and judge; a longtime competition judge; and a Healer-certified medical cnnbis consultant at Cornerstone Wellness.   Find Christina and follow Fruit + Flower: @fruitandflower fruitandflower.co Fruit + Flower Unfurled Substack

  7. Aug 4

    #54 - S6:E10 - Kate Miller: From Entertainment Executive to Creating Miss Grass, the “Goop of Cannabis”

    Recorded on-site at Hall of Flowers, Olivia Castaldy sits down with Kate Miller, co-founder and CEO of Miss Grass, for a short conversation about her journey from working as a budtender to building one of the most recognizable women-led brands in cannabis. Kate shares how her early experiences with the plant, followed by a decade-long career in entertainment, ultimately led her to leave the industry and launch Miss Grass. Today, Miss Grass products are available in dispensaries across the country, while the brand continues to make cannabis education and culture more approachable for modern consumers. Kate discusses why women remain underserved and underrepresented in cannabis, the importance of building brands rooted in authenticity and community, and how collaboration and empathy can create stronger leadership within the industry. She also shares advice for women interested in entering cannabis or starting a company of their own, including the importance of having a clear mission and the courage to build differently in a traditionally male-dominated space. In this mini interview, we discuss Kate’s journey from budtender to founder, why she left entertainment to build Miss Grass, the need for more women-led cannabis companies, and the future of women’s leadership and representation in the industry. Plus, Kate shares her favorite ways to consume cannabis. Learn more about Miss Grass and find products near you: https://missgrass.com/ Connect with Kate Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-miller-1352a418

  8. Jul 28

    #53 - S6:E9 - Jackie Bryant: From Cannabitch to Writing Cannabis Culture Into the Mainstream

    Journalist, editor, educator, and Cannabitch creator Jackie Bryant joins Women in CannaBusiness to share how she went from selling w**d in college to becoming a leading voice in c*nnabis journalism. Jackie traces her path from personal involvement with the plant to reporting on the business, policy, history, and culture surrounding it. She shares some of the most memorable stories she has investigated, including the social and marketing history behind “Danksgiving,” unusual research involving lobsters and THC, and the cultural moments that reveal much bigger stories about the industry. We also explore how Jackie finds and pitches story ideas, the responsibility journalists carry when shaping public perception and policy, and why curiosity, ethics, and clear boundaries are essential for meaningful reporting. Now a content director and editor for Leaf Magazines, a journalism lecturer at San Diego State University, and the writer behind the award-winning Cannabitch newsletter, Jackie offers honest advice for aspiring journalists and anyone hoping to enter the evolving c*nnabis industry. Her reminder: understand your values, stay curious, and know that even when the industry feels uncertain, the world is not collapsing. You’re going to be okay. Key Topics Jackie’s journey from selling w**d in college to becoming a c*nnabis journalist The social and historical origins of c*nnabis terminology Memorable investigative stories about c*nnabis, culture, and unusual research How journalists find stories and successfully pitch their ideas Journalism’s role in shaping policy, culture, and public perception The importance of curiosity, ethics, values, and professional boundaries Advice for aspiring journalists and people entering the industry The challenges and opportunities within today’s evolving c*nnabis market Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Jackie Bryant 00:19 – Jackie’s early involvement with cnnabis 01:06 – Transitioning from personal use to professional journalism 02:06 – Jackie’s most memorable stories and investigative work 04:32 – The social history of “Danksgiving” and cnnabis culture 07:42 – The lobster THC experiment and animal cnnabis research 10:07 – How Jackie finds stories and pitches new ideas 12:28 – Curiosity, ethics, and responsibility in journalism 13:23 – Teaching the next generation of journalists 14:16 – Cnnabis as a cultural and political issue 16:21 – Advice for aspiring c*nnabis journalists 18:41 – The realities and challenges of the industry 19:43 – Jackie’s message to young industry professionals 21:27 – Where to connect with Jackie Connect With Jackie Cannabitch on Substack: https://cannabitch.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelineannebryant/ Website: https://www.jackiebryantwriting.com/ Jackie’s official website lists her current work, Cannabitch, and the @jacqbry social handle.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

About

The Women in CannaBusiness podcast is a platform dedicated to highlighting the stories of women who are breaking barriers and making significant contributions in the cannabis industry. Hosted by Olivia, a seasoned marketing professional and advocate for women in cannabis, the podcast delves into the journeys of female entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators who are shaping the future of cannabis. Each episode offers listeners a deep dive into the personal and professional experiences of our guests, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, overcoming industry stigma, and the unique challenges faced by women in a male-dominated space. Our mission is to inspire and empower women by showcasing that the cannabis industry is a viable and welcoming space, where skills from other industries are transferable, and the path to success is attainable. The Women in Cannabusiness podcast is more than just conversations—it’s a community that supports and uplifts women striving to make their mark in cannabis. With a growing audience eager to learn and engage, our platform provides a unique opportunity for sponsors to connect with a targeted and passionate demographic. New episodes are released every Tuesday, featuring insightful discussions and stories from some of the most influential women in the industry. Whether you’re already a part of the cannabis community or just curious about the evolving landscape, Women in Cannabusiness offers valuable insights and inspiration for everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Women in CannaBusiness
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Women in CannaBusiness Podcast