I'm with RJ

Alan Paul didn't expect the ride he was in for when dropping his senior writer post at Guitar World and Slam Magazine to support his family move to China. A circumstantial encounter with guitarist Woodie Wu led to the two forging a band, touring across the country, even playing one of the biggest rock clubs in Beijing. Nearly ten years later, the author of New York Time best-sellers Texas Flood and One Way Out retells the story. He joins the podcast for a conversation on traveling and how the power of rock music can't be broken by borders.   

Connect with Alan: 

• alanpaul.net
• Facebook

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Matt Bayliss' search for the name of his flower brand — now a mainstay line in Maine's legal market — started with wandering around his base of South Portland.  After a few scrapped references from across the city, Matt turned towards his roots, taking on the Lithuanian word for flower 'Gėlė'. He joins the podcast for a conversation on the company, navigating the rich heritage of Maine's cannabis scene, The Grateful Dead, working in cultivation for the last 10 years. 

Connect with Gėlė:

• gardenofgele.com
• Instagram

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

Nestled in the unassuming Massachusetts town Holybrook, cannabis cultivation group Grand Cru is shaking things up. The company is pioneering a new approach to bringing cannabis to the state, which connects a quality-focused west coast mentality to the east's rich cultural roots. Mattheus Kurnick joins RJ for a conversation on cultivation, testing, and creating town relationships.

Connect with Grand Cru:

• www.grandcrusolutions.biz

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

A trip back east turns into an exploration of new markets. RJ Falcioni touches down on the frontlines of the recreational cannabis scene in Maine. Locally-owned dispensary Seaweed Co. is staking its claim on the market in South Portland. RJ catches up with store manager Margaret D'Amour, discussing everything about the business and how owner Scott Howard is one of Maine's entrepreneurial polyglots.

Connect with Seaweed Co:

• seaweedmaine.com

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
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What are the words that keep you grounded? What's in your mantra? RJ breaks off from the podcast's regular format to present a short-form series called 'Deep Cuts', exploring personal growth, empowerment, leadership, and more. This episode focuses on mantras, spirituality, and life sayings that keep us in the moment. Looking for guiding thoughts to keep your day steady? Perhaps this is the place to start.

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

The cannabis industry never fails to keep Gavin Kogan on his feet. Reeling in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse, Kogan decided to turn a new leaf into cannabis law, developing essential legal documentation for operators navigating California's precarious Prop 215-era legislature. Fast forward to today; he's co-founded two prolific cannabis enterprises in California– Indus Holdings and Grupo Flor– and is still shaking things up. Gavin joins RJ for an extended discussion on his journey, industry changes, and a few thoughts on what's coming up next. 

Connect with Gavin: 

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Grupo Flor LinkedIn
• Grupo Flor Facebook

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

As Virtual Pitch day Q4 comes to a close, Brent Johnson of the Hoban Law Group dives into the make-it-or-break-it rules when pitching in the cannabis industry. The pitching style between the three participating companies­— Alysida Health, AMNESIA, and GreenGo— varied significantly, and we’re sure you have plenty of unanswered questions. Brent recaps the Q4 series, offering critical insights into the gray areas during the series. Looking to prepare your next pitch? You don’t want to miss this!

Connect with Brent Johnson: 

• LinkedIn
• Hoban Law Group

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

AMNESIA is a dual-sided marketplace platform designed to empower cannabis and CBD brands to market at scale through data-matched mainstream influencers, all while remaining compliant. Co-founder Courtney Wu joins Virtual Pitch Day to present the company, discussing her start in the online gambling industry, stigma against cannabis in San Francisco’s Asian communities, and how AMNESIA turns influencer marketing into a data-driven practice.

Connect with AMNESIA: 

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• AMNESIA Media

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 

Alysida Health is a supply chain management platform that uses advanced data analytics and product customization to empower smart agriculturalist and CPG brands. Arian Roman joins the podcast to present the company, discussing his jump from the academy into the cannabis industry, the importance of facilitating non-traditional medicines, and more.  

Connect with Alysida Health: 

• Alysida Health

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• imwithrj.com
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GreenGo is a cannabis delivery service and product manufacturer that offers wellness-oriented cannabis-derived products for consumers in the Southern United States. Co-founders Paul Trowe and Michael Rose join Virtual Pitch Day to present the company, discussing the ambiguities around cannabis in the South and why cannabis delivery doesn’t have to be like Uber. 

Connect with GreenGo: 

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• GreenGo Delivered

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• imwithrj.com
• Instagram
• Twitter