How to Do the Pot

How to Do the Pot

An award-winning cannabis podcast for women, by women. Hear joyful stories and useful advice about cannabis for health, well-being, and fun—especially for needs specific to women like stress, sleep, and sex. We cover everything from: What’s the best weed for sex? Can I use CBD for menstrual cramps? What are the effects of the Harlequin strain or Gelato strain? And, why do we prefer to call it “cannabis” instead of “marijuana”? We also hear from you: your first time buying legal weed, and how to talk about cannabis with your family. How to Do the Pot is hosted by Ellen Scanlon. Ellen’s mission is to inspire women to make more informed choices about their health and well-being. Join Ellen as she talks to medical professionals for practical tips, experts for cannabis recommendations, and listeners for funny and intimate stories. www.dothepot.com

Episodes

June 24, 2025 29 mins
In the final episode of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed: The Untold Story of AIDS & Cannabis, host Ellen Scanlon explores why so many women—especially Black women—are still left out of conversations about HIV risk, testing, and care. You’ll hear from public health expert Natalie Wilson and pioneering AIDS doctor Donald Abrams about: How HIV became a manageable condition—and why many women are still being overlook...
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Dr. Donald Abrams was a young gay doctor on the front lines of San Francisco’s AIDS crisis in the 1980s. He watched as his partner and many of his close friends died from a disease no one understood. Yet instead of giving up, he fought to bring relief to patients through medical cannabis. In part two of our Webby Award nominated three-part series, host Ellen Scanlon introduces you to Dr. Abrams, who shares his experience with loss...
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Before weed was legal in any U.S. state, it was medicine passed hand-to-hand—often in the form of a brownie. In part one of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed, host Ellen Scanlon brings you the untold story of how San Francisco’s gay community turned to cannabis during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis—and how a woman-run cannabis operation called Sticky Fingers Brownies quietly became a lifeline. You’ll meet Meridy V...
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Before any U.S. state legalized cannabis—before it was even officially called medicine—people in San Francisco were baking it into brownies and delivering it in secret to those dying of AIDS. This Pride Month, host Ellen Scanlon shares Before Legal Weed: The Untold Story of AIDS & Cannabis, a powerful, Webby-nominated, three-part series about the people who risked everything to help their community survive—and changed history in th...
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For the first time ever, data shows that more women are choosing cannabis than men—and they’re doing it for reasons that go way beyond getting high. In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with innovation expert Nicole Brown about what’s really driving this shift: from the rise of low-dose products to the evolution of legal markets like New York. We dig into how Gen Z and Millennial women are swapping drinks for edibles, why sle...
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Memorial Day is almost here, and we’re ready for summer. Are you? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by innovation expert Nicole Brown to dish on their favorite low-dose THC drinks, CBD + CBG gummies, and calming cannabis picks to help you unwind, sleep better, and feel your best. Whether you're swapping wine for weed or just want a little mood lift without going overboard, we cover all the best products to try this su...
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This Mother’s Day week, we’re spotlighting a woman who’s not just building a company—she’s building a better way to live with technology. Ellen Scanlon talks with her friend and business school classmate Hagan Kappler, the founder and CEO of Daisy, a smart home tech company that helps families simplify the chaos of connected living. Hagan is also a mom of four and a seasoned leader with experience at companies like Goldman Sachs, ...
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What do sea turtles, science, and cannabis have in common? In this episode, Ellen Scanlon talks with Caitlyn Krebs, the CEO and co-founder of Nalu Bio, a San Francisco-based biotech company unlocking the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. With Mother’s Day around the corner, this conversation offers a timely look at what it takes to lead a high-growth startup, raise a family, and build the future of women’s health, all at the ...
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The endocannabinoid system could be the next frontier in women’s health, and the future is closer than you think. In this episode, I talk with Caitlyn Krebs, CEO and co-founder of Nalu Bio, a biotech company using cutting-edge science to develop cannabinoid-based therapies that target stress, sleep, pain, and inflammation. If you're tired of trial-and-error solutions, this conversation offers a smarter, safer path forward. We break...
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One in ten women have endometriosis, yet most aren’t diagnosed until they’re struggling to get pregnant or can no longer live with the pain. In this episode, Ellen Scanlon shares her personal story of navigating pain, infertility, and finally a diagnosis of endometriosis with biotech entrepreneur Caitlyn Krebs, CEO of Nalu Bio. They talk about this chronic and often invisible disease and what the future of treatment could look like...
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420 isn’t just a party, it’s a chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate cannabis legalization and its evolution in our culture. In this episode, Ellen Scanlon talks with women who share what 420 means to them today. Whether it’s honoring the plant, remembering the people who paved the way, or creating new traditions with friends (and sometimes pets!) these stories show the many sides of cannabis and the common ground it creates. Y...
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Pain relief without the harsh side effects? In this episode, Ellen and innovation & strategy expert Nicole Brown explore how cannabis is helping people manage everything from menstrual cramps to hangovers to post-surgery recovery. They share personal stories, clarify misconceptions, and explain how cannabis can be a safer alternative to traditional painkillers, without taking you out of your day. If you’re wondering how cannabis he...
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In this bonus episode, we’re sharing Ellen’s guest appearance on Recovery Rocks, a podcast hosted by recovery advocates Lisa Smith and Tawny Lara. Tawny reached out after How to Do the Pot helped her explore cannabis as part of her recovery journey, and Ellen was honored to join them for this thoughtful conversation.  In this episode, we talk about: How cannabis can support recovery, including Tawny’s story of integrating low-dose ...
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Have you ever wondered what being high actually feels like, especially with low-dose cannabis? In this episode, Ellen and innovation & strategy expert Nicole Brown break down the future of socializing with cannabis, alcohol, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you’ve ever wished for a more predictable, enjoyable, and easy-to-access cannabis experience, this episode will get you excited about what’s next. Nicole shares:  Why she believes w...
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Struggling with low libido, painful sex, or feeling disconnected from your body? You’re not alone, and menopause can bring big changes to your sex life. In part 4 of our series, we talk about ways to bring back pleasure and intimacy. Dr. Lauren Streicher and other experts break down how menopause affects libido, arousal, and pain—and how cannabis can help. From lubricants to low-dose edibles, we’re talking about real solutions that...
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Struggling with sleep in perimenopause or menopause? Hot flashes, joint pain, and stress can make falling—and staying—asleep feel impossible. Did you know cannabis may help? In part 3 of our series, menopause expert Dr. Lauren Streicher explains how THC and CBD can reduce night sweats, ease inflammation, and improve sleep quality—without next-day grogginess. Join thousands of women learning how to feel better through science-backed...
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Did you know your sense of smell is the most connected to memory, but the least understood sense? Or that a great fragrance can actually boost your mood? In today’s episode, writer Christina Loff, creator of The Dry Down Diaries on Substack, joins us to talk about how to find a perfume you actually love, why teenage boys are leading a fragrance renaissance, and why cannabis is showing up in high-end perfumes.  We’ll get into: Why s...
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Why don’t more women talk about menopause—especially with their doctors? In part 2 of our 4-part series, journalist Megan Margulies shares insights from a Harvard study on cannabis and menopause, revealing why many women are turning to THC for relief. We also hear from menopause expert Dr. Lauren Streicher about why doctors are still undertrained in treating menopause and how this knowledge gap impacts women’s health. Listen now an...
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What if menopause wasn’t something to dread—but a time of possibility? In part one of our 4-part series, we’re breaking the silence around menopause, tackling the 30+ symptoms that can start as early as your 30s, and sharing how cannabis is helping women manage sleep, sex, mood, and more. You’ll hear from menopause expert Dr. Lauren Streicher and real women sharing what they wish they knew sooner. Plus, tips for how to find a docto...
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If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and noticing changes in sleep, mood, or sex drive, you’re not alone. Perimenopause can start earlier than you think, with over 30 possible symptoms. In our 4-part special series, we’ll dig into menopause and perimenopause to uncover what’s happening in your body, what helps—from hormone therapy to natural remedies—and learn why 1 in 4 women turn to cannabis for relief. With expert insights and real...
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