#58 Joey Brabo Respect My Region, cannabis normalization, and building a sponsor-powered media network

Joey Brabo, co-owner, COO, and head editor of Respect My Region (RMR), joins the PreVetted Podcast to unpack how music, cannabis, and community intersect, and why thoughtful media can de-stigmatize an entire industry. Raised across Seattle, Indiana, and Texas and now based in Los Angeles, Joey traces his path from lifelong music fan to culture builder, sharing how personal health challenges, exposure to technology, and hands-on sales/marketing roles shaped his advocacy and editorial lens.Across this conversation, Joey tackles the stigma around cannabis with nuance. He contrasts cannabis with highly marketed but unhealthy habits (energy drinks, processed foods, excess sugar), explains why smoking isn’t for everyone, and clarifies the difference between cannabis and nicotine/tobacco use. He highlights fast-onset use cases (e.g., nausea relief) while emphasizing safer alternatives, quality standards, and the critical role of regulation in protecting consumers from contaminants like pesticides. Joey also notes how rules vary country by country and argues that legal frameworks, lab testing, and accountability make products safer—while tax revenue can fund schools, infrastructure, and community programs.Zooming out, Joey frames cannabis as one part of a broader public-health and civic conversation: vote for sensible policy, invest in youth sports and education, eat better, move more (“motion is lotion”), and build communities that help people thrive. He rejects culture-war absolutism in favor of respect, open dialogue, and allowing people to make their own informed choices without imposing anyone’s “perfect” lifestyle.On the business and media side, Joey details how RMR evolved into a multi-format podcast network (in-person, live streams, and recorded shows), producing hundreds of episodes with artists and operators. He breaks down a sponsor-powered model that blends content with warm introductions (lead generation) for partner brands—accounting firms, labs, tech tools, and more—delivering practical ROI beyond views and likes. We hear about consumption-lounge interviews, collaborations across states and Canada, and the gear and automation increasingly used in modern cannabis production. Looking ahead, Joey plans to expand into sports, technology, food, and small-business storytelling, encouraging “regular” businesses—restaurants, barbers, agencies—to collaborate openly with licensed cannabis companies on community events and creative campaigns.Throughout, Joey returns to two anchors: positivity and opportunity. As head editor, he’s intentional about giving students and emerging creators a first shot, learning from mistakes, and building a team culture that’s curious, generous, and resilient.About Federico Ramallo ✨👨‍💻🌎🚀 Software Engineering Manager | 🛠 Founder of DensityLabs.io & PreVetted.ai | 🤝 Connecting 🇺🇸 U.S. teams with top nearshore 🌎 LATAM engineers- 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/framallo/- 🌐 https://densitylabs.io- ✅ https://prevetted.ai🎙 PreVetted Podcast 🎧📡- 🎯 https://prevetted.ai/podcast- 🐦 https://x.com/PrevettedPod- 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/prevetted-podcast00:00 Introduction to Joey Brabo and Respect My Region02:39 The Role of Cannabis in Health and Wellness05:12 Stigmas and Misconceptions Surrounding Cannabis07:52 The Importance of Quality and Safety in Cannabis Products10:49 Legalization and Its Impact on Society13:23 Community Health and the Role of Cannabis16:08 Personal Experiences and Perspectives on Lifestyle Choices18:58 The Importance of Positivity and Community Engagement23:17 Navigating Social Interactions in Networking25:41 The Purpose Behind Podcasting31:58 Building a Self-Sustaining Podcast Network35:14 The Intersection of Cannabis and Traditional Business38:25 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Respecting Choices