Brendan McKee didn’t start in a boardroom, he started in a warehouse, moving furniture and learning the value of hard work. Today, he’s the COO of Silver Therapeutics, a multi-state retail brand known for keeping people at the center.

In this episode, Brendan shares how that early hustle turned into a leadership style built on empathy, clarity, and long-term retention. From offering therapy to building culture in every store, this is what people-first business really looks like.

🎧 You’ll Learn:

• How Silver Therapeutics maintains 90%+ retention

• Why benefits and listening drive loyalty

• What MSOs can learn from staying human

🔗 Listen now: https://tr.ee/highpodlinks
Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

In this episode of the High Functioning Podcast, Vincent DiMento of The Agriculturalist shares his story of transitioning from finance into the fast-paced world of dispensary leadership—opening four stores and building standout team culture along the way.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• How strong internal culture drives long-term success

• Why service models like “deli-style” matter in retail

• What he’s learned from launching in places like Fall River and Quincy

• How to treat employees like people—not numbers

⏱ Note: A fire alarm briefly interrupted the recording at 01:20:29, but the conversation picks right back up after a short intermission.

Whether you're building your first store or managing a growing operation, this episode is your playbook for people-first retail leadership.

🔗 Subscribe and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:🔗 https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcastWhat’s really holding back local businesses? According to Ryan Arias Dominguez, it’s outdated policies, broken regulations, and systems that just haven’t kept up with the times.In this episode, Ryan, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, breaks down how license caps, advertising restrictions, and lack of access to capital are making it nearly impossible for small, minority-owned, and equity-focused businesses to survive.🎙️ Episode Highlights:✅ Why many local businesses can’t grow, exit, or scale✅ How advertising rules are stifling brand communication✅ What the legislative process actually looks like✅ Why common-sense reform is finally gaining momentum✅ What operators and advocates need to do next🚨 Disclaimer: This episode discusses adult-use business regulations and public policy. Intended for adult audiences and professionals. Please engage responsibly and follow local laws.🔔 Subscribe for more: https://tr.ee/highfunctioningsubscribe🎧 Spotify: https://tr.ee/highfunctioningspotify🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/highfunctioningapple📹 YouTube Channel: https://tr.ee/highfunctioningpod

Angela Bradway, founder of House of Ambassadors, shares how authentic energy, thoughtful marketing, and small details like swag and stickers can build serious brand loyalty.

We also dive into Angela’s personal healing journey with plant medicine, her work empowering budtenders, and her passion for building genuine connections between brands and communities.

🎙️ Chapters Include:

• Angela’s healing journey and professional path

• Founding House of Ambassadors

• Why budtender education is everything

• How pop-ups and swag can drive long-term brand love

• Smart strategies for cannabis growth

🎧 Full episode available now: https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast

Cassandra Purdy, co-founder of Sweetgrass Botanicals, shares her journey from international learning and herbalist training to building an award-winning wellness brand in the Berkshires. In this episode, we explore her philosophy on small-batch production, solventless techniques, and why honoring tradition is key to innovation.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

✔️ Personal and professional background

✔️ Launching Sweetgrass Botanicals

✔️ Solventless extraction and its benefits

✔️ Culinary roots and infused wellness

✔️ Collaborations, community, and education

🎧 Full episode available now: https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast

What does leadership in legal cannabis really look like? Travis Ahern, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, shares his approach to navigating one of the most complex regulatory landscapes in the country.

In this episode, we talk through the CCC’s current structure and where it’s headed—from HCA pricing and testing lab enforcement to staffing turnover, architectural reviews, and the long road toward social consumption reform. Travis offers a clear-eyed perspective on what’s working, what isn’t, and what big changes may be coming next.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:
✅ What the CCC does—and how it’s evolving
✅ HCA pricing and enforcement clarity
✅ Testing standards, ITLs, and safety
✅ Challenges with social consumption rollout
✅ Internal reform and operational leadership

💡 If you want to understand how cannabis regulation is built—and rebuilt—this one’s for you.

🚨 Disclaimer: This episode discusses adult-use cannabis policy. Content intended for audiences 21+. Please consume responsibly and follow your local laws.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:
🔗 https://bit.ly/highfunctioningpod

What does it take to make wellness products that actually work? Matt Besonen of United Cultivation joins us to talk about his journey from restaurant management to overseeing a licensed manufacturing facility in Massachusetts.

In this episode, we break down the nuts and bolts of creating wellness products—from R&D to scaling production. Matt explains how ethanol extraction, C1D1 safety, and tools like Vape Jet are reshaping how products are made. We also dive into working with out-of-state brands, the meaning behind "touchpoints," and how to help consumers understand what they’re using—without all the buzzwords.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:
✅ Behind the launch of United Cultivation’s manufacturing license
✅ What RSO, Vape Jet, and ethanol extraction mean for product quality
✅ Why education and trust matter more than marketing
✅ How to collaborate with established national brands
✅ The power of precision in fast-acting formats

💡 If you’re in the wellness space—or thinking about launching a product—this episode is your blueprint.

🚨 Disclaimer:This episode includes promotions for adult-use wellness products. All products are intended for audiences 21 and over. Please consume responsibly and follow your local laws.

Emmy-winning broadcaster Jimmy Young spent decades in traditional media—calling iconic sports moments and hosting TV talk shows. But when he turned his lens toward cannabis news, he found himself navigating shadowbans, content takedowns, and an industry still being silenced.

In this episode, Jimmy shares the highs and lows of running Pro Cannabis Media, why he believes the old media rules are gone, and what every creator needs to know about trust, censorship, and staying true to your voice.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• The power of listening in great interviews

• How media gatekeeping still affects cannabis creators

• What went wrong with platforms and public trust

• Jimmy’s advice for young broadcasters and content builders

🎧 New episodes drop Fridays at 11 AM EST
📍 Watch now: https://linktr.ee/highfunctioningpodcast