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Inesa Ponomariovaite began working at age 10 years old. When her mother was forced to take work in another city, Inesa was left to care for her siblings alone – at an age when most children are still learning how to take care of themselves. As a young adult, Inesa made a visit to the United States and decided to stay, settling in the Chicago area. After 4 years Inesa’s health had completely deteriorated. A victim of domestic violence, she was ravaged by disease, infection and constant pain. Eventually she landed in the emergency room. She was so ill that she remembers nothing until waking up days later in a hospital bed. . She recovered and returned to her Chicago home. But soon afterwards she found herself out on the street, alone and homeless... left with nothing but the clothes on her back. Even worse, she received a call from her mother that she is dying from Cancer. Inesa's journey to heal her mother took her to a personal connection with cannabis that healed her mother and eventually herself. Nesa's Hemp is developed with that principle in mind. Organic and live hemp that is meant to heal. Check out this episode and our Lithuanian connection.

I love the idea of self-healing. Tapping into your own power and interrupting patterns that might be on autopilot. Dr. Dave Rabin MD, PhD is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and inventor who has studied resilience and the impact of chronic stress on our lives for over 15 years. Dr. Rabin and his team collaborate with clients at the Apollo Clinic, empowering clients to take control of their mental and physical health by tapping into our abilities to adapt and heal ourselves. In addition to focusing on integration therapy, plant and natural medicines, couples therapy, and medicine-assisted psychotherapy, Dr. Rabin specializes in treatment-resistant mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosomatic disorders, personality disorders, chronic pain disorders, insomnia, and substance use disorders using minimal and non-invasive treatment strategies. MORE ABOUT DR. RABIN Dr. Rabin invented the Apollo wearable, the first scientifically validated performance and recovery enhancing device that improves the body’s resilience to stress. By training the body to relax and recover, Apollo can help you sleep, focus, and tap into a healthier and more productive version of yourself. Stress triggers our “fight-or-flight” response and makes us feel like we’re in danger. The Apollo technology signals safety to the brain to interrupt the “fight or flight” response when it is undesirable by sending soothing vibration patterns to the skin reminding us that we are safe and not actually under threat. It’s like a wearable hug for your nervous system that uses silent, soothing vibrations to rebalance your body and mind.

Listen to Chris's story and see if he convinces me to get hair restoration ;-) A CEO had his best hair day in 7th grade and then proceeded to lose it - in more ways than one. With the support of his wife and escorted by his brother and barber, the author flies to Istanbul, Turkey to undergo hair transplant surgery, moving 5,000 follicles from the side of his head to his previously barren top - at age 62. This humorous personal memoir takes you on one man's journey from bold to bald - and back again. It begins with his first haircut and meanders through two marriages, several states and various jobs, ending with his revealing his new youthful look. The reactions were not what he expected, leading the author to several unintended discoveries.

Meital Manzuri, is a real OG since 2005. We discuss what is legal, the industry consolidation, raising funds through M&A and many funny stories. She's one of the top cannabis attorneys nationwide, has dedicated her entire career to cannabis law. Meital was one of the first cannabis attorneys in Los Angeles and has earned a prominent reputation for her dedication to excellence. As the managing partner, Meital’s practice areas include deal structuring and strategy in light of cannabis licensing issues, obtaining new licenses, advice and counsel for regulatory compliance, corporate formation and governance, early-stage growth financing, sales and acquisitions, IP licensing, commercial transactions, best business practices and defense. Meital prides herself as not only running a firm that has become a pillar for legal resources and education for the cannabis industry. She is an educator and activist.

Larry Smith is the founder and editor of the personal storytelling community SMITH Magazine and the creator of the Six-Word Memoir project. He is a journalist and storytelling evangelist touted by O: The Oprah Magazine as "on a quest to spark the creativity in everyone." He is the founder of The Six-Word Memoir Project and book series, editor of the book, The Moment: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers and Artists Famous and Obscure, and speaks on storytelling in schools and at companies and conferences.Larry lives in Berkeley with his wife, writer Piper Kerman, and their son. His new book, co-written with Melanie Abrams, is The Joy of Cannabis. Melanie Abrams is the author of The Joy of Cannabis: 75 Ways to Amplify Your Life with the Science and Magic of Cannabis (Sourcebooks), the novel Meadowlark (Little A), and the novel Playing (Grove Atlantic). She teaches writing at UC Berkeley. MELANIE ABRAMS is the author of the novels Playing and Meadowlark. She is a developmental editor and photographer and teaches writing at the University of California, Berkeley.

CEO and co-founder Milan Patel of PathogenDx is responsible for managing our overall strategy and operations. This includes ensuring that the leadership team and organization is executing the company’s strategic vision, delegating and directing agendas, driving profitability, managing the company's organizational structure, and communicating with the board. He has over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and working in Fortune 50 companies. Amazing insight into overcoming obstacles needed to succeed including ending an immigrant. He discusses keeping cannabis clean, DNA testing, and the future of Pharma among other things. Trained as an electrical engineer and then completing a biomedical/medical engineering master’s, Patel then acknowledged the need for a better understanding of business to achieve his dreams. “Even after completing two technical degrees, I knew that obtaining knowledge and understanding the ins and outs of business would provide a strong foundation for my path going forward, so that was my primary reason for pursuing an additional master’s in business,” he says.

YOGI AARON is the creator of the revolutionary approach to yoga — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™ (AYAMA), host of the yoga podcast ‘Stop Stretching’, author of ‘Autobiography of a Naked Yogi’ and the forth-coming book ‘Stop Stretching: Eliminate Pain. Transform Your Life. Fulfill Your Purpose, and Co-Owner of Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica — I’m here to help you tap into your greatest Self! He spent 30+ years studying the ancient teachings of yoga as well as modern and scientific practices that promote pain-free living on all levels of self — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. His passion is in guiding people back home to their truest self, helping them tap into their limitless potential, eliminate their pain, and live their life’s purpose.

Josh Stanley and his family consider themselves blessed to have been called upon by the Charlotte Figge family. Charlotte was 6 years old severely epileptic child barely surviving until cannabis came along and saved her life. This inspired Josh, the oldest of 7 Stanley brothers and 11 kids altogether, to start Charlotte's Web which revolutionized the CBD and cannabis industries. Now he is focused on revolutionizing the personalized retreat space. Super fun and informative episode.

Eric Mayron is a Multifaceted musician, Emmy award-winning composer, producer, and media technologist. He worked with Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock and Guns n Roses, just to name a few. He also performed and recorded with members of Nine Inch Nails, Quenn, Fishbone, Garbage, Parliment-Funkadelic, Blondie, Madonna and Ministry, just to name a few. He is also a dear friend and a hiking buddy. Check out this fun episode.

Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, Executive Director of Real of Caring, shares her journey from being a math teacher to going to Africa to help with her passion, Human Rights and eventually helping thousands of people through the non-profit, Realm of Caring. Through revolutionary research, innovative education, and empowering global community connections, RoC seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of transformative, plant-powered therapies to benefit individuals and families and serve healthcare providers and the hemp and cannabis industries. Together with Johns Hopkins, they are conducting one of the most extensive observational studies proving Cannabis use was associated with improved health and quality of life.

Montel Williams joins me to discuss his experience in the military, a botched Cancer diagnosis and surgery, motivational speaking to kids that led to an incredible 17-season run with the Emmy-winning Montel Williams Show, movies, TV, an activist for CBD and cannabis to help his Multiple Sclerosis and a fantastic advocate for the plant. He had many obstacles, like having a stroke but recovering to thrive again. A truly intimate and inspirational conversation you don't want to miss.

ABOUT GINA DUBBÉ   Gina Dubbé is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Currently, she serves as the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Greenhouse Wellness, an award-winning dispensary in Maryland, and is also Co-Founder of Blissiva, a female-focused cannabis line. Dubbé was also the Co-Founder of TheraPearl, a revolutionary hot and cold compress. Her work with TheraPearl led the company to rank on the Inc. 5000 list and she received accolades, including Forbes Magazine’s Women Who Built Outstanding Companies.   ABOUT DR. LESLIE APGAR   Dr. Leslie Apgar is a board-certified OB GYN with 17 years of experience in direct patient care. She is also the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Greenhouse Wellness, a medical cannabis dispensary, as well as Co-Founder of Blissiva, a female-focused cannabis line. Dr. Apgar is also the Founder of PuraVida, a Maryland-based cosmetic spa and laser center, which continues to thrive well into its tenth year of operation.

Kyle Sherman is one of the first pioneering cannatech companies that's been around since 2015 who is backed by Headline, Poseidon, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Evolv Ventures (The Kraft Heinz Company venture arm), the founders of Venmo, and more, on your radar. CEO, Kyle Sherman, talks about his personal journey with medicinal cannabis and Hollywood to launching Flowhub in Colorado to change the way cannabis retail is streamlined.

Mina Mishrikey came a long way from living above his dad's veterinary clinic in NE Philly, to Penn basketball, and now Mina helps to determine where the Merida resources should be invested. We discuss his journey, capital markets, and music. He had some interesting notes on my music recommendations in my book "Everything is Personal." Mina joined Merida in 2018 and heads the Investment Team, where he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio analysis.

Rob is the President of Pelorus Equity Group and Co-Manager of the Pelorus Fund (a cannabis-use CRE mortgage REIT) with more than twenty years of experience in the real estate finance industry. Since the formation of Pelorus in 2010, he has raised more than $500,000,000 in secured real estate transactions. Rob’s primary role at Pelorus Equity Group is developing strategic alliances with private and institutional investors, forming equity partnerships, and coordinating the company’s growth into new markets. Today Pelorus funds millions a month primarily using the Pelorus Fund or syndications with family offices and other various debt and equity partnerships. Rob earned a BA from San Diego State University. Licenses include California Real Estate Broker’s License, NMLS License, and designated expert witness as an asset-based lender. He is also the CEO of JRS Capital USA, Inc., a real estate and technology investment firm based out of Newport Beach, California. Currently a member of Gen Next and a donor to the Gen Next Foundation. Rob is married and has a son.

Daniele Bolelli was featured in I Am Bruce Lee which broke Spike TV’s rating record for documentaries. He has appeared as a guest on popular podcasts such as Duncan Trussell’s, Adam Carolla’s and Joe Rogan’s. Bolelli published his first book when he was 22. He also teaches American Indian history In October 2012, Bolelli began his own podcast named The Drunken Taoist Podcast. A little over a month after its debut, The Drunken Taoist Podcast was ranked number 1 in the world in the Philosophy section of iTunes. In 2015, Bolelli joined his friend, pro-skateboarder and musician Mike Vallely as co-host of Vallely’s podcast, The Mike V Show. In 2015, Bolelli also released the first episodes of a new historical podcast called “History on Fire.”

Can this be interesting? I feel that it is. I was fascinated to find out the ins and outs of disability benefits, and we also discussed how cannabis can play a role. Spencer Bishins new book, Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it’s so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it, explores the obstacles that disability claimants face as they try to access benefits.

Brenden Kumarasamy joining EIP to discuss how to give an effective presentation and overcome your fear of public speaking. Despite all the presentations I’ve given over my life, I still remember how scared I was to post my first YouTube video. I didn’t look like anything in my workshops or presentations, but I went ahead with this project for one reason. Impact. A wise friend once told me that I couldn’t possibly coach every human being on Earth with the limited time I had in my life, so I needed to go on video to share my message with the world. I got over my fear, practiced 100’s of times on camera until I was finally able to say that I was “YouTube Ready”. All’s to say that when you care about others and only want to add value, you’ll be able to overcome any fear/obstacle in the service of others. - Brenden Kumarasamy, Founder of MasterTalk

Jeff Finnerty is a CPG and Restaurant Industry Senior Executive with over 20 years of success in Marketing, Brand Building, Innovation, and Customer & Commercial Leadership. As Head of Marketing at Ayr, Jeff is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of all marketing and advertising strategies. Prior to Ayr, he served as the Head of Marketing & Sales for Grow Healthy, a Florida based cannabis operator. There he leveraged a commitment to a consumer-centric, data-driven approach to brand building, launching a variety of new products while overseeing a digital transformation that drove exponential revenue and profit growth. Before Cannabis, Jeff was instrumental in repositioning the Firehouse Subs brand, and developing a first time national, multi-channel marketing and advertising strategy as a Franchise Group President and leader of the Marketing Board of Directors. He spent the first 16 years of his career at The Coca-Cola Company and played key roles in the launching of brands like Coke Zero, Gold Peak Tea, Georgia Coffee and the innovative fountain dispensing platform Coca-Cola Freestyle.

We are having some fun with Meirda Capital co-founder and Managing Partner Mitch Baruchowitz talks about the Future of Cannabis, his contribution to social media, and discusses his musical tastes. Merida is filled with veterans from major Wall Street and private equity firms and hedge funds, bringing over 50 years of collective cannabis industry experience to our management and portfolio companies. Our operating partners include individuals with senior executive experience at both Fortune 500 companies as well as from the cannabis industry.