High Functioning Podcast

Jason Reposa

High Functioning Podcast is hosted by Jason Reposa, founder and CEO of Good Feels, a Massachusetts-based cannabis-infused beverage company. Join Jason as he dives into candid conversations with industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders from the cannabis world. Each episode explores the stories behind the people shaping the future of cannabis, from business practices to wellness trends. Whether you’re curious about the cannabis industry, looking to learn from the best, or simply want to stay informed, this podcast offers high-level insights with a dose of positivity.

  1. He Built a 350-Person Company Without Investors. Then He Gave It to His Employees.

    MAR 17

    He Built a 350-Person Company Without Investors. Then He Gave It to His Employees.

    Brandon Pollack is the co-founder and CEO of Theory Wellness a cannabis company he built from a single medical dispensary in Bridgewater, MA in 2015 to 15 locations across five states, with 350 employees and zero outside equity investors. Two years ago, he sold the company to its own workers through an ESOP a move that eliminated federal taxes entirely and locked in value for every person on his team. In this episode, Jason and Brandon get into the mechanics of how Theory actually works: why they stayed bootstrapped when everyone else was raising, how they watched overleveraged operators collapse in real time, why indoor cultivation is a dangerous bet right now, and what the hemp ban in November actually means for licensed operators. Brandon also breaks down the ESOP structure in plain language how employees earn equity, why cannabis companies specifically should consider it, and what it costs to maintain. Plus: the Massachusetts ballot question that could repeal adult use entirely, and why the industry needs to show up for the "No" campaign with real money. To help fight the state hemp ban, join the Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation and RSVP for the upcoming Framingham Summit here: http://www.bit.ly/framinghamsummit21+ where legal. Nothing for sale.🎧 Full Episodes: highfunctioning.show🔔 Subscribe: tr.ee/highfunctioningsubscribe🎙️ Spotify: tr.ee/highfunctioningspotify🍎 Apple: tr.ee/highfunctioningapple

    48 min
  2. How We Survived a DEA Bust to Build a 50,000 Sq Ft Cannabis Farm

    MAR 11

    How We Survived a DEA Bust to Build a 50,000 Sq Ft Cannabis Farm

    What does it really take to survive as an independent cannabis farm in Massachusetts? In this episode of High Functioning, host Jason Reposa sits down with Lisa Mauriello and Boey Bertold, the husband-and-wife team behind Paper Crane Cannabis. They run an organic, sun-grown Tier 6 farm in Hubbardston, assachusetts. Lisa and Boey share the unvarnished truth about building their business. Boey details his time in the legacy market and surviving a 2006 DEA bust, while Lisa explains the ongoing hurdles of dealing with hostile host town agreements. They break down the mechanics of outdoor cultivation, how they breed genetics specifically for the sun, and how they navigated the 2025 industry crash that forced dozens of companies to close. Finally, they outline their vision for the future, including on-site farm stands and eco-tourism.🕒 Chapters:00:00 - Episode Intro & Meeting Paper Crane Cannabis01:25 - Running a Business as a Married Couple04:22 - Dealing with Host Town Agreements06:53 - Breeding Genetics for Outdoor Farms12:25 - The Reality of Weather and Sun-Grown Cultivation16:12 - Expanding into Greenhouse Production18:35 - The Legacy Era: Surviving a 2006 DEA Bust24:19 - Beating the Case and Naming Paper Crane31:12 - Joining the First Social Equity Cohort38:41 - Building the Farm and Facing Local Opposition52:00 - Grassroots Marketing and Educating Consumers01:03:05 - Creating Farm Stands and Eco-Tourism01:07:04 - Surviving the 2025 Cannabis Industry Crash21+ where legal. Nothing for sale.🎧 Full Episodes: highfunctioning.show🔔 Subscribe: tr.ee/highfunctioningsubscribe🎙️ Spotify: tr.ee/highfunctioningspotify🍎 Apple: tr.ee/highfunctioningapple

    1h 13m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

High Functioning Podcast is hosted by Jason Reposa, founder and CEO of Good Feels, a Massachusetts-based cannabis-infused beverage company. Join Jason as he dives into candid conversations with industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders from the cannabis world. Each episode explores the stories behind the people shaping the future of cannabis, from business practices to wellness trends. Whether you’re curious about the cannabis industry, looking to learn from the best, or simply want to stay informed, this podcast offers high-level insights with a dose of positivity.