High Minded with McCarter

Edibles made with flower? YUP. In episode 95, McCarter chats with brand owner and founder Jon Spadafora of Flower Union, a bold new cannabis gummy brand making its debut in Colorado and New Jersey. From navigating complex state regulations to crafting a unique product identity, Jon shares what it really takes to launch in two of the most dynamic cannabis markets in the U.S. We dive into the brand’s origin story, Jon's unassuming ba...

Sit down with McCarter as she chats with Oli (@oli.seventen) and Katie (@710katie), the visionaries behind "Safe Sesh" (@safes3shnight), a unique series of pop-up events creating safe consumption spaces for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities in the Colorado cannabis scene. Hosted at rotating venues across the Denver area and powered by partnerships with local cannabis brands, these gatherings are all about connection, visibi...

In episode 93, McCarter chats with Adrian Garcia, founder of Shisha Leafa, a bold new brand that's redefining the hookah experience using cannabis fan leaves. Instead of tobacco and nicotine, Shisha Leafa offers a natural, hemp-based alternative designed for a smoother, cleaner smoke. Adrian shares his journey as a cannabis and hemp entrepreneur, the inspiration behind his innovation, and what it means to create a socially-consciou...

In Episode 92, McCarter chats with Travis Michalowski, founder of Grateful Grove, a Boulder-based cannabis cultivation company powered entirely by the sun. Travis shares how his team combines sustainable energy, organic practices, and a deep respect for the plant to produce high-quality cannabis with a lighter environmental footprint. We discuss their recent win of first place at the 2025 Rooster Magazine THC Classic in the Sativa ...

Geoff Livingston, founder of Stone Street Canna, joins us to talk about his path from growing up in San Diego, California to running a quality, small-scale cannabis grow in Colorado. Known for their hands-on pheno hunting and careful genetic selection, Stone Street Canna recently took home honors at the Rooster THC Classic for their standout flower. Geoff shares what it really takes to stay independent in an industry leaning toward...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with James Granger — an Ohio native who grew cannabis in California’s legendary Humboldt County cannabis scene. From growing in the rugged hills to surviving a near-death experience that reshaped his life and meeting patients first-hand that benefit from cannabis medicine, James shares his incredible journey from legacy cultivator to cannabis industry advocate. Now working with The Clear, one o...

A boutique hotel with a cannabis lounge in the basement and a bar on the patio? Chris Chiari is bringing this dream to life in Denver, Colorado and tells us all about it in episode 89. The Patterson Inn, located at 420 E 11th Ave, Denver, CO has had several owners but the current one is here to stay and execute a vision of cannabis destigmatization and normalization that he's been working on his entire life. Join us for this hilari...

Episode 88 feels like catching up with a friend over dinner! Celebrating 10 years of creating beautiful cannabis events, Kendal Norris of Mason Jar Event Group comes on the podcast to get elevated and reflect on lessons learned over the past decade of bringing people together over the plant. You can still get tickets to Mason Jar Event Group's next event on May 3, 2025 in Longmont, Colorado at masonjareventgroup.com!

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Trigger Warning: In episode 87, we discuss drug addiction, drug overdose and suicide. If these subjects are difficult for you, please take care while listening or skip this episode. Resources: HarmReduction.org & SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Alexa from The Trust Cannabis Co. dives head-first into her story of overcoming opioid addiction, and how she continues to use cannabis as harm reduction.

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In this special episode, we honor Nicholas Barreto, known as @cannabis.connoisseur.007 on Instagram and founder of Stoner Cinema Club. During his time on Earth, he passionately explored cannabis and later, its role in treating cancer and managing pain. Before his passing, he shared invaluable insights on his use of cannabis before and after his diagnosis, the challenges he faced, and his love for creating cannabis content and bring...

Farmers using AI for better harvests? Sounds too good to be true. In Episode 85, Tim McCormick is back on the podcast for a fourth time to deliver more mind-blowing information, and not just about cannabis. Tim explains how farmers are turning to AI to boost yields, cut costs, and work smarter—not harder. We explore how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture, from nutrients to precision planting to predictive analytics...

Burning Man is one of those things that almost everyone has heard of, but unless you’ve been, it’s hard to fully understand. In this episode, McCarter chats with friends, siblings and podcasting duo Nicodemus and Francesca Piazza aka Saucy Sibz to ask every question about Burning Man—no filter. What do you eat while you're there? How do you survive the conditions? What’s the deal with all the art installations, rules, and unwritten...

Darwin Millard, the "Spock of Cannabis," joins McCarter for episode 83 to dive deep into the science and standards behind cannabis safety and quality. With over 14 years of experience, he is a leading expert in cannabis extraction, product manufacturing, and industry standards. Darwin specializes in mechanical and solvent-based extraction and plays a key role in the ATSM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International’s ...

Shannon Kaygi, entrepreneur and founder of the Cannabis Golf League, joins McCarter for episode 82 to discuss her innovative approach to blending cannabis culture with the world of golf. As the owner of the Denver-based league, and hemp skincare brand Eossi, she's reshaping how people experience both sports and wellness. Shannon opens up about the process of launching and growing her business in a space that’s still evolving and on...

Episode 81! Joe Palec is a Denver-based artist who turns ordinary walls—and even bathrooms—into full-blown masterpieces. Whether he’s painting vibrant murals for Native Roots Dispensary or transforming a simple bathroom into a work of art, Joe’s creativity knows no limits. We dive into how cannabis culture has influenced his process, the challenges of working on large-scale pieces, and the stories behind some of his most memorable ...

In Episode 80, McCarter sits down with Zack York, the knowledgeable inventory manager behind Colorado’s Lightshade Dispensary chain. With four locations under his watch, Zack provides a behind-the-scenes look at managing cannabis inventory, navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance, and ensuring dispensary shelves are stocked with top-quality products. The conversation dives into industry trends, operational strategies, ...

Shannon Donnelly, an adjunct professor at MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality, is a trailblazer in cannabis education and social equity. Recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Weed, she combines 14 years of industry experience with a passion for creating inclusive and sustainable business models. In episode 79, we discuss her work advancing social equity in Colorado cannabis, designing education programs to diversify the...

On-camera rosin pressing? Yes, please. Episode 78 with Mikey Morris might me the best episode yet! Mikey (@mikeydabsit / @mikeywashesit on Instagram) aka the Hard Lord graces us with his third time on the podcast (second time solo), bringing with him his pressing equipment all so that I can press my own homegrown flower! We discuss his stainless steel pressing philosophy, his move over to the Good Trees brand full time, and the inc...

We all want to get "points" when we shop somewhere consistently, right? Because loyalty matters! Sandra Bergman of ESBE Marketing joins McCarter for episode 77 to discuss all things dispensary loyalty programs, including text and email marketing. You wouldn't believe the data you can track about people, their demographics and their purchases when you have a loyal customer coming back time and time again. Sandra shares her interesti...