CannaBiz Conversations

CannaBiz Conversations, Hosted by Sean Welsh, Produced by Jeff Hill

Explore groundbreaking insights and executive thought leadership in the cannabis industry with our exclusive podcast series. Stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve with CannaBiz Conversations - the first podcast for executive thought leadership in the cannabiz. 

  1. 2D AGO

    #506 - Jessica Riley-Chevalier's Journey with Fat Nugs Magazine

    Welcome to another exciting episode of the Cannabiz Conversations podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Jessica Riley-Chevalier, the Editor-in-Chief of Fat Nugs Magazine. Jessica shares her unique cannabis origin story, detailing her late introduction to the plant and how her background in cigar smoking shaped her early experiences with cannabis. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of cannabis tourism, exploring the best destinations for cannabis enthusiasts and the importance of understanding the plant's various compounds. Jessica also discusses the challenges faced by the cannabis industry, including the need for better consumer education and the impact of prohibition on access to quality products. We also touch on the significance of budtenders in enhancing the consumer experience and the importance of supporting cannabis media. With insights into the future of Fat Nugs Magazine and the cannabis industry as a whole, this episode is packed with valuable information for both seasoned cannabis users and newcomers alike. Don't forget to check out Fat Nugs Magazine for beautiful print editions and engaging digital content. If you enjoy the episode, please like, share, and subscribe for more cannabis conversations! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - Sponsor shoutout: Hephaestus House of Automation 01:15 - Guest introduction: Jessica Riley-Chevalier 01:38 - Jessica's cannabis origin story 05:57 - Transition to cannabis use in college 10:09 - The van life experience 12:15 - Insights on cannabis markets 20:18 - The role of budtenders 24:13 - The importance of consumer education 30:03 - The future of cannabis and Fat Nugs Magazine 40:18 - Closing thoughts Subscribe and share this episode with someone who loves the CannaBiz!

    42 min
  2. FEB 25

    #504 - Angela Pih on Cannabis Marketing and Brand Building

    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!

    49 min
  3. FEB 18

    503 - Seibo Shan: Vaping, Meditation, and the Future of Cannabis

    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!

    44 min
  4. FEB 11

    502 - Cassie Tomaselli's Journey in the Cannabis Industry

    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!

    34 min
  5. FEB 4

    501 - Tomer Oliel on Cannabis Culture and Education

    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!

    35 min
  6. 10/01/2025

    410 - Scott Vasterling of Humboldt Family Farms

    Join us for the Season 4 finale of the Cannabiz Conversations Podcast, where host John sits down with Scott Vasterling from Humboldt 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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt 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!

    39 min
  7. 09/24/2025

    409 - Will Read - Founder & CEO, CannaPlanners

    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!

    41 min

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Explore groundbreaking insights and executive thought leadership in the cannabis industry with our exclusive podcast series. Stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve with CannaBiz Conversations - the first podcast for executive thought leadership in the cannabiz. 

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