Episodes

  • Build Repeatable Systems: The Concrete Steps to Sustainable Growth
    Feb 3 2026
    On this episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, host Tommy Truong talks with Wally Daniel of Green Garden Consulting, an Oregon-based firm focused on plants, processes, and people. They dive into the biggest pitfalls cannabis growers encounter—often thinking they’re optimizing when they’re not hitting industry benchmarks—and outline a practical path to sustainable scale: rigorous vetting of vendors and leadership, building repeatable systems, and planning from desired outcomes to actual capability. Wally shares how AI fits into a living plant business, the art and science of cultivation, and why the most successful operators treat knowledge as a collaborative craft rather than a solo pursuit. The conversation covers down-to-earth improvements—upgrading legacy tech, optimizing fertigation, and maximizing vendor support to extract real value without chasing shiny objects. They discuss hard-won lessons on hiring a head grower, avoiding nepotistic decisions, and reverse-engineering capital projects from production needs. Through real-world projects—such as a major pest remediation and a climate-control redesign—Wally demonstrates how diligence, data, and leadership drive ROI and consistent quality. If you’re an operator or founder aiming for consistency and growth in cannabis, this episode offers concrete playbooks and a grounded perspective.

    Reach out to Wally here!
    wdaniel@greengardenconsulting.org

    Find out more about Green Garden Consulting, LLC at:
    https://greengardenconsulting.org/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/wally-daniel-ggc/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-garden-consulting-llc/

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:15 Common Issues in Cannabis Growing
    04:17 The Role of AI in Agriculture
    08:28 Personal Growth and Business Maturation
    09:43 Starting a Cannabis Business: Key Considerations
    14:25 Vetting and Building a Strong Team
    17:00 Improving Existing Operations
    22:09 Fun and Challenging Projects
    30:42 Rapid Fire Questions
    35:58 Conclusion and Contact Information

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    37 mins
  • Future-Proofing Your Cultivation: A Flexible Multi-Format Strategy
    Jan 27 2026

    On this episode of the Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Darrin Potter, co-owner of Cultivation Structures & Equipment for a practical, no-nonsense look at building scalable cannabis production. Darrin shares his 20-year journey—from indoor grows to full-service greenhouse builds and retrofit projects—pulling back the curtain on the real costs, tradeoffs, and operational realities of growing indoor, in greenhouses, or outdoors. The conversation digs into how to design and operate environments that actually work, including airflow, humidity, lighting, and energy use, plus why a flexible, multi-format strategy can future-proof a cultivation business as markets shift. Darrin also talks about his Florida license and growth plans with Grow Healthy, and how CSE Grow builds and retrofits facilities to serve emerging dispensaries. If you’re looking for actionable insights on cost, margins, troubleshooting, and sustainable scale, this episode is for you. Learn more at https://csegrow.com/ and connect with Darrin to explore practical partnerships for your grow.

    Find out more about Cultivation Structures & Equipment at:
    https://csegrow.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-potter-57baa97/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/cultivation-structures-equipment/

    00:00 Introduction to Kaya Cast
    00:39 Guest's Background in the Cannabis Industry
    01:11 Challenges in Large Cannabis Companies
    01:51 Venturing into Terra Vera
    02:18 Helping Growers with Pathogen and Pest Control
    05:06 Starting a Cannabis Company in Florida
    06:38 Greenhouse vs. Indoor Growing
    14:42 Cost and Revenue Comparison: Indoor vs. Greenhouse
    22:34 Terra Vera's Origin and Mission
    25:31 Skepticism and Initial Trials
    26:42 Successful Implementation and Expansion
    27:30 Helping Growers Nationwide
    28:58 Innovative Applications in Agriculture
    32:37 Bee Population Crisis and Solutions
    36:44 Challenges and Future Prospects
    44:06 Contact Information and Future Plans

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast


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    47 mins
  • Quick Loyalty Wins You Can Implement Today
    Jan 20 2026

    On this episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, host Tommy Truong chats with Sandra Bergman, founder of ESBE Marketing, to unpack how cannabis retailers can launch, grow, and sustain loyalty that actually moves the needle. Sandra shares her journey from traditional marketing into cannabis, why retention beats pure acquisition, and how to translate sophisticated loyalty tech into real world results for dispensaries across 18 states. You'll hear practical guidance on building a true CRM foundation, integrating with your POS, and aligning analytics with action so every campaign feels personal, timely, and value driven rather than promotional noise. From how to design a balanced rewards plan that values both hard benefits (points) and soft benefits (emotional recognition), to the best KPIs, cadences, and 60-90 day experimentation cycles, Sandra reveals common missteps and the secret sauce tactics like thoughtful in store outreach, anniversary gestures, and exclusive events that create a tribe around your brand. She covers how to audit segmentation quarterly, how to trigger timely rewards spend, the importance of lifecycle campaigns, and even non promotional content ideas—education, product drops, community events—to deepen connection. Plus a rapid fire segment where Sandra shares favorite cannabis formats, first experiences, and her dream loyalty perks. If you are a dispensary owner or marketer looking to make loyalty pay off, this episode will give you frameworks you can implement next week.

    Sandra's strong business acumen and dedication to responsible cannabis consumption have made her a trusted and respected figure in the industry. Her drive to educate and empower consumers, combined with her extensive experience in marketing and business development, make her a valuable guest for any cannabis business podcast.
    Find out more about ESBE Marketing at:
    https://esbemarketing.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrabergman/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/esbe-llc/

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
    00:22 Sandra's Background and Entry into Cannabis
    01:41 Identifying Industry Gaps and Founding ESBE
    05:09 Essentials Before Starting a Loyalty Program
    07:51 Choosing the Right Loyalty Platform
    14:15 Key Metrics for Loyalty Program Success
    22:11 Balancing Transactional and Emotional Loyalty Benefits
    29:04 Real-World Examples of Effective Loyalty Programs
    30:49 Personalized Customer Experience
    32:07 Holiday Sales Strategies
    33:07 Non-Promotional Customer Engagement
    36:04 Community Building Events
    39:35 Effective Loyalty Program Tips
    51:50 Rapid Fire Questions: Rolling Loud
    54:30 Conclusion and Contact Information

    US cannabis dispensaries, multi-state cannabis retailers, cannabis retailers across 18 states, regulated cannabis markets, state-compliant cannabis marketing, cannabis marketing by state, multi-location dispensary marketing, enterprise cannabis retail

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    56 mins
  • From Regulation to Revenue: The Big Shifts in 2026
    Jan 13 2026

    Tommy Truong of KayaPush joins the Kaya Cast for a forward‑looking conversation about 2026 for cannabis operators. We explore Schedule III uncertainty and what it could mean for banking, cross‑state commerce, and whether big players from pharma or beverage will enter the space. Beyond regulatory shifts, Tommy shares his take on building resilient dispensary operations in a world of debt and currency volatility, AI‑driven productivity, crypto repositioning, and asset bubbles. The episode also highlights KayaPush’s evolving approach to growth and mentorship, plus how the show will broaden to cover the macro forces shaping business today. Expect practical insights on leveraging AI, staying informed, and positioning your business to thrive — even in a crisis — in 2026 and beyond.

    Find out more about KayaPush at:
    https://www.kayapush.com/podcast
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-truong/overlay/photo/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/kayapush/posts/?feedView=all

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:11 Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead
    00:33 Schedule Three and Industry Uncertainty
    02:07 Economic Concerns in 2026
    03:42 Expanding Podcast Topics for 2026
    06:31 Gratitude and Final Thoughts
    08:28 Conclusion and Farewell

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    9 mins
  • Highlights from 2025 and What's Next in 2026
    Dec 23 2025
    Join Kaya Cast as we sit down with Tommy Truong of KayaPush to unpack the entrepreneurial journey in cannabis commerce. Tommy offers a candid look at the early survival phase every founder faces, how overcoming those hurdles sets the stage for scale and product–market fit, and why he relentlessly seeks clever, practical solutions to tough problems. He also shares how discovering DynaVap changed his personal approach to consumption—clearly not a sponsorship, just a story about a tool he loves. The conversation dives into building a supportive founder community, the loneliness of the road, and why these stories matter for listeners navigating similar challenges. We also discuss technology and scaling—AI-driven, agentic workflows and other innovations Tommy foresees for cannabis operations in 2026—and what to expect from KayaCast next year, including more solo episodes. If you’re growing a dispensary and want concrete takeaways on resilience, partnerships, and leveraging technology to scale, this episode has you covered.

    Find out more about KayaPush at:
    https://www.kayapush.com/podcast
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-truong/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/kayapush/posts/?feedView=all

    00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
    00:41 Highlighting DynaVap
    01:02 Entrepreneurial Journey Insights
    03:34 Reflections on 2025
    04:06 Plans for 2026
    05:20 Listener Engagement and Feedback
    05:44 Season Finale and Thank You

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
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    6 mins
  • Master Your Mind, Grow Your Brand: A Conscious Leadership Guide
    Dec 16 2025
    On this episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Matt Ritchey, founder of Inner Circle Community, to explore how neuroscience, NLP, and conscious leadership intersect with the evolving plant medicine and cannabis spaces. Learn what NLP really is, how the unconscious mind influences decisions, and practical ways to show up with presence, connection, and integrity while scaling a business. Matt shares his personal journey—from motocross athlete to trauma healing with cannabis and ayahuasca to building Elevated Executive, a bridge for conscious leaders across industries who want to leverage plant medicine safely and effectively.

    The conversation dives into nervous system regulation, meditation, breath work, binaural beats, and visualization as tools to reduce overwhelm and overcome imposter syndrome. You’ll hear how stillness competes with productivity, why tapering substances and mindful routines matter, and how to cultivate a resilient mindset for long-term success. We also cover opportunities in emerging plant industries, the two main paths in this space (business support versus healing work), and how to build communities that elevate leadership. If you’re building a cannabis or plant-medicine focused business or curious about integrating these practices to lead more effectively, this episode is for you. Reach Matt at Inner Circle Biz or on LinkedIn to explore collaboration and growth in this evolving field.

    Find out more about Inner Circle Community at:
    https://innercircle.biz/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewritchey/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/inner-circle-community/

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
    00:11 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
    01:36 Understanding NLP and Its Benefits
    02:20 The Power of Perception and Unconscious Mind
    06:19 Nervous System Regulation and Presence
    09:03 Meditation and Its Impact
    14:23 Productivity and Focus
    20:22 Elevated Executive: Tools for Success
    23:10 Personal Wellness Journey
    23:50 Entrepreneurship and Wellness
    26:12 The Role of Alternative Medicines
    27:43 The Impact of COVID on Perception
    29:03 Introduction to the Elevated Executive Program
    29:54 Building a Community of Conscious Leaders
    32:50 Personal Journey with Plant Medicine
    36:09 Healing and Transformation through Ayahuasca
    41:56 Opportunities in the Emerging Plant Medicine Industry
    47:11 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
    48:25 Visualization Techniques for Success
    55:02 Connecting with the Inner Circle Community
    57:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    57 mins
  • Brand, Operations, and Scale: The Core Trio for Cannabis Brands
    Dec 9 2025
    On this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with John Shute, founder of Puff Creative, a cannabis marketing agency committed to changing lives through thoughtful branding and community impact. John shares his unlikely journey from the service industry to cannabis marketing, shaped by personal loss from the opiate crisis and a strong belief in social justice. He explains how Puff Creative helps dispensaries and brands grow by aligning branding with operations, building a solid foundation, and using data to drive every decision.

    Together they dive into practical playbooks: defining your tribe and brand story before spending on marketing; why a strong foundation—brand narrative, conversion-friendly websites, SEO, CRM systems, and clean data tracking—maximizes every dollar spent; the debate between native ecommerce versus all-in-one tech stacks and how to choose for your business; the essential focus on retention and lifetime value; how to track ROI with tools like GA4, Alpine IQ, SpringBig, and Klaviyo; the realities of PR, launches, and local strategy; red flags to watch for when vetting agencies; and what dispensaries should have in place before engaging external partners.

    John also shares Puff Creative Cares, their philanthropic work, and what’s ahead with MJ Biz Con events and a bigger mission to support communities. If you’re a retailer or brand in cannabis looking to scale with integrity and results, this episode is for you.

    Find Puff Creative at puffcreative.com and connect with John Shute on LinkedIn.

    John Shute is a leading expert in the cannabis industry, with over 10 years of experience in marketing and branding. He is the founder and CEO of PufCreativ, a full-service creative agency that specializes in the cannabis space.

    With a background in advertising and design, John has a keen eye for creating visually stunning and impactful campaigns for his clients. His passion for the cannabis industry stems from his belief in the healing properties of the plant and the potential for growth in the emerging market.

    Through his work at PufCreativ, John has helped numerous cannabis businesses elevate their brands and stand out in a crowded market. His expertise in branding, packaging, and digital marketing has led to successful campaigns for both established companies and startups.

    John is also a sought-after speaker and consultant, sharing his knowledge and insights on the intersection of cannabis and marketing. He has been featured on various podcasts and industry events, discussing the latest trends and strategies in cannabis branding and advertising.

    With his extensive experience and passion for the industry, John Shute is a valuable guest for any cannabis business podcast, offering valuable insights and practical tips for success in the ever-evolving cannabis landscape.
    Find out more about PufCreativ at:
    https://pufcreativ.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-shute-pufcreativ/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/pufcreativ/

    00:00 Introduction to Kaya Cast
    00:11 Journey into the Cannabis Industry
    03:22 Marketing and Operations Alignment
    05:22 Technological Impact on Cannabis Marketing
    07:45 Building a Strong Brand Foundation
    10:28 Effective Customer Retention Strategies
    15:55 The Role of PR in Cannabis Marketing
    18:08 Maximizing Marketing Spend
    22:25 Choosing the Right Tech Stack
    23:02 The Importance of Understanding Your Tech Stack
    23:45 All-in-One Solutions vs. Custom Tech Stacks
    24:21 Innovative Technologies for Cannabis Brands
    25:06 The Role of Mobile Apps in Brand Marketing
    26:22 Maximizing E-commerce and CRM Capabilities
    27:51 The Power of Email Marketing
    29:22 Key Metrics for E-commerce Success
    30:21 Benchmarking and Competitive Analysis
    33:00 Internal Resources and Effective Communication
    36:17 Red Flags When Choosing an Agency
    39:11 Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement
    42:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    43 mins
  • Why Cannabis Media Matters: Educate, Build Trust, Scale Your Brand
    Dec 2 2025
    Join Kaya Cast host Tommy Truong for a candid conversation with Jimmy Young, founder of Pro Cannabis Media and WPCM TV. Jimmy shares his journey from traditional broadcasting to building a nationwide cannabis media network, and why media matters for dispensaries looking to educate customers, build trust, and scale their brands. We dive into the current legal maze—24 states with adult-use, 16 with medical-only, the hemp vs. cannabis distinction, and the push (and frustrations) around rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III—plus the tax realities of 280E and the ongoing challenges with regulation and censorship. The episode also explores actionable media strategies for cannabis businesses, including Jimmy’s plan to reorganize Cannabis Coast to Coast News into modular, 10-minute segments and AI-driven reporting, all designed to expand reach without compromising compliance. Hear behind-the-scenes lessons from decades in the newsroom, how to tell credible cannabis stories, and what to expect in 2025 as policy debates, state races, and industry economics evolve. If you’re running a dispensary or cannabis brand, you’ll come away with practical ways to leverage media to educate, reduce stigma, attract partners, and grow your operation. Find more at wpcmtv.com and YouTube, and connect with Jimmy at jimmy@procannabismedia.com.

    Jimmy Young is a seasoned entrepreneur and cannabis industry expert. With over 20 years of experience in media and broadcasting, Jimmy has become a leading figure in the cannabis space, hosting his own podcast called "In The Weeds with Jimmy Young".

    As the founder of Pro Cannabis Media, a multimedia platform dedicated to showcasing the latest news, trends, and insights in the cannabis industry, Jimmy is passionate about educating and informing the public about the benefits of cannabis. His mission is to break the stigma surrounding cannabis and promote its medicinal and recreational potential.

    With his extensive background in broadcasting, Jimmy brings a unique perspective to the cannabis industry, providing a platform for industry leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs to share their stories and expertise. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences, sharing his knowledge and insights on the rapidly growing cannabis market.

    Jimmy's passion for cannabis is evident in his work, as he continues to advocate for legalization and responsible consumption. His experience and expertise make him a highly sought-after guest on cannabis business podcasts, where he shares his wealth of knowledge and experience with listeners.
    Find out more about Pro Cannabis Media at:
    https://wpcmtv.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-young/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/procannabismedia/

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
    00:45 Personal Anecdotes and Teaching Experience
    04:04 Pro Cannabis Media: The Beginning
    06:17 Challenges and Growth in the Cannabis Industry
    09:17 Federal vs. State Cannabis Laws
    11:38 The Push for Rescheduling Cannabis
    16:56 Historical Context and Current Frustrations
    26:12 Debunking Cannabis Myths
    27:03 Cannabis vs. Alcohol: A Comparison
    28:53 Cannabis Industry Insights
    30:14 2025 Cannabis Predictions
    33:19 State-Level Cannabis Legalization
    37:13 Challenges in Cannabis Regulation
    42:21 The Future of Cannabis Consumption
    44:01 Conclusion and Contact Information

    #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

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    47 mins