Episode Description – BTB S01E10: Brokers, Bees, and Bears: Who Really Guards the Hive?

In this episode of Beyond the Baja, we dig into a curious contradiction: why do we fear the grizzly bear but not the bee, even though the bee poses the greater danger? And more importantly — how does this instinctive misjudgment show up in the hemp industry? Using this lens, we explore the symbolic and actual threats within the emerging hemp fiber market and ask: are we pointing fingers at the wrong villain?

Big corporations — the “grizzly bears” of industry — are easy to demonize. They’re loud, visible, and often blamed for everything from market manipulation to broken promises. But as we peel back the layers, this episode challenges that narrative. In reality, the most dangerous threats in hemp may not roar. They buzz. They promise deals, vanish with deposits, and operate in a regulatory gray zone — unlicensed, unaccountable, and unchecked. These “brokers” may be small, but their sting can collapse markets before they even mature.

We also step back and trace the role of brokers throughout history — from the structured trade floors of Alexandria to the modern-day compliance demands of futures trading. What separates a professional commodity broker from a fast-talking middleman? Licensing, ethics, accountability — and a track record rooted in trust. As hemp eyes a future in global commodities, we ask what it would take to bring order to the swarm.

This episode also features our first spotlight on nonprofit work — a new segment highlighting mission-driven organizations like the Rhino Momma Project and the Industrial Hemp Research Foundation. It’s a reminder that not all change comes from headlines. Sometimes it’s the quiet, committed work that makes the biggest difference.

And finally, keep an eye out for the launch of our upcoming paid Substack page. We’ll be offering a deeper dive into the world of global commodity brokers — what credentials they need, what standards they’re held to, and why hemp needs a version of this professionalism if it’s going to survive and scale. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to be a broker — and what it should mean in hemp — you won’t want to miss it.

Get full access to Aaron Furman's Beyond the Baja Hemp Podcast at aaronfurman1.substack.com/subscribe