In this episode of Market Like A Badass, Kristin welcomes Garrett Rudolph, Editor in Chief of Marijuana Venture magazine, one of the cannabis industry's most respected B2B publications. As a journalist, editor, and event producer behind the Interchange series, Garrett sits at the intersection of cannabis media, retail, and wholesale, giving him a front-row seat to what's working (and what's not) for brands trying to get their message out.

Garrett pulls back the curtain on what actually makes a cannabis story worth covering, why most brand pitches miss the mark entirely, and how businesses with limited budgets can build a realistic, consistent media strategy without hiring a PR firm. From crafting the perfect pitch to maximizing a placement once it finally lands, this episode is a masterclass in earned media for cannabis and ancillary brands ready to stop flying under the radar.

Then Kristin and Garrett square off in a round of "Ass or Badass" — reacting to the hottest headlines across the industry, from a Michelin-starred restaurant collab with craft cannabis growers to Shopify's alleged double standard with Seth Rogen's Houseplant brand, and more.

On this episode, you will:

1. Learn what editors at top cannabis publications actually want to see in a pitch — and the red flags that get you ignored instantly
2. Discover how to build a sustainable earned media strategy with limited time and no PR budget
3. Hear why credibility still drives media opportunities — and how to maximize coverage once you finally land it

QUICK LINKS

Connect with Garrett: LinkedIn

Check out Marijuana Venture: www.marijuanaventure.com

Follow Kristin: www.sourcemarketinggroup.com | LinkedIn

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This is a bonus episode of Market Like A Badass — outside our usual seasonal themes, but too good to keep in the vault.

In this episode of Market Like A Badass, Kristin welcomes Spencer Ploessl, Creative Director and marketing strategist who bridges the worlds of cannabis, craft beer, and beverage innovation. As Advisor and Creative Director for Canna Connect in Minnesota, Spencer recently launched Coco Flow - a THC-infused coconut water that is a first of its kind. This special hemp beverage collaboration with Back Channel Brewing Co. showcases what's possible when cannabis and craft beer collide.

Spencer shares the inside story of how this collaboration came together, revealing the strategy behind successful brand partnerships in highly regulated spaces. From navigating tolerance variations to educating consumers on minor cannabinoids, Spencer breaks down the creative marketing tactics that work when traditional advertising won't cut it. Plus, he reveals which craft beer branding lessons translate to hemp beverages - and which approaches need to be completely reimagined.

On this episode, you will:

1. Discover how the Canna Connect and Back Channel Brewing Co. collaboration came together and what metrics actually matter when launching a co-branded hemp beverage
2. Understand how to differentiate hemp beverage brands in an increasingly crowded market
3. Hear real-world tactics for educating consumers about minor cannabinoids and dosing

QUICK LINKS

Connect with Spencer: SpencerPloessl.com | LinkedIn

Check out Canna Connect: www.cannaconnectmn.com

Follow Kristin: www.sourcemarketinggroup.com | LinkedIn

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

This episode is part of "Taboo to Tap" - a special season exploring how hemp beverage pioneers are racing to craft billion-dollar beverage brands by mastering the art of compliant and grassroots marketing.

In this episode of Market Like A Badass, Kristin McFarland sits down with Lisa Hurwitz, Founder and CEO of Happi, the female-founded THC beverage brand that's revolutionizing how consumers experience cannabis through thoughtfully dosed, wellness-focused drinks.

Lisa shares her journey from CPG and cannabis expertise to launching Happi with a clear mission: creating accessible, low-dose THC beverages. From navigating regulations to choosing the right dosing and marketing strategy, Lisa reveals what it really takes to build a compliant, women-first cannabis beverage brand.

On this episode, you will:

1. Discover why Happi chose a low dose philosophy in a market obsessed with high potency - and how this strategic decision opens doors to the canna-curious demographic
2. Learn how being female-founded influences every aspect of product development, from formulation to flavor profiles to packaging designed with women in mind
3. Understand the biggest regulatory challenges facing THC beverage brands and how Happi navigates compliance while building a recognizable brand
4. Hear Lisa's digital marketing playbook for hemp beverage brands when traditional advertising isn't an option - including email marketing tactics that actually work (and helped them build a 100,000+ person subscriber base)
5. Get insider insights on why it's important for hemp beverage brands and marketers to build trust and provide ample education in the emerging cannabis beverage space

QUICK LINKS

Shop Happi: www.happihourdrink.com

Connect with Lisa: LinkedIn

Follow Kristin: The Source Marketing Group | LinkedIn

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This episode is part of "Taboo to Tap" - a special season exploring how hemp beverage pioneers are racing to craft billion-dollar beverage brands by mastering the art of compliant and grassroots marketing.

In this exciting episode of a new season of Market Like A Badass, Kristin gathers hemp beverage experts to explore the season theme "taboo to tap". This new season is all about how hemp beverage pioneers are racing to craft billion-dollar beverage brands by mastering the art of compliant and grassroots marketing.

On this episode, Kristin sits down with Haylee Jordan, Co-Founder of Fabric, the Australian-born, US-crafted beverage brand that's redefining what non-alc and THC-infused drinks can be. Fabric is pioneering a new style of high-function fizz that keeps you sharp, sparks creativity, and helps you drop into the moment.

On this episode, you will:

1. Discover how Fabric is navigating the complex regulatory landscape to build a compliant hemp beverage brand that can't rely on traditional advertising channels - and why grassroots marketing is their secret weapon
2. Learn the positioning strategy behind "dosed for any moment" and how Fabric is differentiating in an increasingly crowded THC beverage market by focusing on function and community
3. Understand Fabric's approach to building a beverage brand from the ground up
4. Hear real-world tactics for educating consumers on THC-infused drinks, functional benefits, and responsible consumption
5. Get insider insights on partnerships, sampling strategies, and the grassroots marketing tactics that are helping Fabric compete against legacy brands and deep-pocketed competitors

QUICK LINKS

Shop Fabric: drinkfabric.com

Connect with Haylee: LinkedIn

Follow Kristin: The Source Marketing Group | LinkedIn

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

This episode is part of "Taboo to Tap" - a special season exploring how hemp beverage pioneers are racing to craft billion-dollar beverage brands by mastering the art of compliant and grassroots marketing.

In this eye-opening episode of Market Like A Badass, I sit down with Kat Kennan, certified trauma-informed professional and Founder and CEO of Radical Customer Experience and BVscore.ai, to explore how trauma-informed marketing is revolutionizing customer relationships and brand loyalty.

On this episode, you will:

• Discover why traditional marketing techniques that trigger inadequacy are actually driving customers away and how trauma-informed approaches can transform your ROI
• Learn actionable strategies for implementing strengths-based marketing that builds genuine connections without exploiting vulnerabilities
• Explore how Kat's Brand Inclusion Index provides companies with measurable alternatives to traditional metrics like Net Promoter Score
• Understand the critical importance of data hygiene and segmentation in creating meaningful, trauma-sensitive customer experiences
• Hear real-world examples of brands succeeding with compassionate marketing approaches

QUICK LINKS

Connect with Kat: Radical Customer Experience | BVscore.ai

Follow Kristin: The Source Marketing Group | LinkedIn

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

In this electrifying episode of Market Like a Badass, host Kristin McFarland (Founder & CEO of The Source Marketing Group) sits down with Evan Nison, Founder & President of NisonCo, a trailblazing PR, SEO, and content creation firm specializing in cannabis, psychedelics, and emerging industries.

Get ready to dive deep into the future of AI, automation, and cutting-edge cannabis tech as Evan shares his expertise on:

• How AI is revolutionizing marketing, lead gen, and sales workflows
• Must-know AI tools for business owners
• The power of PR & SEO in highly regulated industries like cannabis
• Social equity, advocacy, and why giving back matters in this space
• Pro tips for networking at cannabis conferences (even on a tight budget)
• Common AI mistakes to avoid - and how to use it to work smarter, not harder

Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you automate more, do more with less, and market like a true badass.

Brought to you by The Source Marketing Group - helping businesses in regulated industries grow revenue with data-driven marketing & AI solutions.

Listen now and level up your AI game!

QUICK LINKS

https://nisonco.com/

In this episode of Market Like a Badass, host Kristin McFarland, Founder and CEO of The Source Marketing Group, welcomes Varun Sharma, Founder and CEO of Sticky Cards for a dynamic and engaging conversation on cannabis tech. Discover how Sticky Cards is revolutionizing loyalty programs for cannabis retailers with their app-free solution that leverages Apple and Google Wallet.

Varun shares insights on overcoming SMS marketing restrictions in the cannabis industry through push notifications, revealing how dispensaries can communicate directly with customers without worrying about carrier policies. Learn about innovative features like geofencing that allow retailers to send location-based notifications to nearby customers, even targeting competitor locations.

The conversation covers essential marketing tactics for dispensaries, including:

• Building customer loyalty and repeat business
• Creating effective push notifications that drive store visits
• Integrating loyalty programs with platforms like Klaviyo and Breadstack
• Ensuring compliance with marketing regulations like CASL and CAN-SPAM
• Using geofencing to capture customers when they're near your store

Whether you're a cannabis retailer looking to enhance your marketing technology stack or interested in innovative approaches to customer engagement in highly regulated markets, this episode delivers actionable insights to help grow your business.

This episode is part of the "Innovation in Cannabis Tech" season of Market Like a Badass.

QUICK LINKS

https://www.stickycards.co/

Most cannabis, hemp, and other highly regulated businesses are leaving thousands on the table with broken email flows and generic automations. Or even worse, using restrictive technology that makes it harder for your teams to perform and monetize your customer data. But the real pros? They’re using Klaviyo to crush revenue.

Klaviyo isn’t just for mainstream ecommerce - it’s a secret weapon for regulated DTC brands and dispensary retailers.

In this episode, podcast host and Klaviyo Community Champion, Kristin McFarland, sits down with Klaviyo Community Champion, Paul Millar (CBDfx/Trehouse) to reveal:

• The power of Klaviyo for highly regulated businesses like cannabis, hemp and CBD
• The underused Klaviyo strategies that drive ROI in regulated industries (while staying compliant)
• Data monetization opportunities by integrating disparate data sources
• Paul’s battle-tested playbook for lifecycle marketing (with real examples)
• How top cannabis brands structure flows that actually convert (without landing in spam)

Spoiler: If you still don't have a solid retention marketing plan and email program, you’re losing. This is how the champions win.

Tune in to this episode to hear the Klaviyo Champions break down why Klaviyo is the top choice for compliant growth, whether you’re a DTC hemp company, a growing edible brand, or a dispensary ready to grow and scale!

This podcast episode is brought to you by Breadstack Technologies, they build eCommerce software that powers growth at the most progressive dispensaries in North America.

QUICK LINKS

https://www.klaviyo.com/

https://cbdfx.com/

https://trehouse.com/