Episode 6 | Four Voices. One Through Line. Live from NECANN.

Episode 6 | Four Voices. One Through Line. Live from NECANN. What does it look like when the cannabis industry shows up in one room and gets honest? In this episode: Crystal takes The Conscious Bloom to NECANN Boston, mic in hand, for a series of quick but genuine conversations with some of the people building, growing, and teaching inside this industry. Four guests. Four different entry points. One through line: cannabis as a tool, a teacher, and something worth taking seriously without losing the joy in it. Whether you're curious about where to start as a consumer or thinking about making a move into the industry, this one has something for you. These conversations are short, but they're packed. Ben Herbstman talks about using cannabis for self-reflection and creative problem solving. Benjamin Acadia brings 20 years of cultivation experience and some hard-won wisdom about what it takes to survive (and thrive) in this market. Kris Brown, combat veteran and fellow podcaster, shares what managing vibrations really means and why starting slow is always the move. Alex Sherma, chef and expert culinary artist, brings it back to something simple: listen to the plant. Patience. Intention. Don't take yourself too seriously. Those themes show up in every single conversation here, and that's not a coincidence. What we get into: Why intentional cannabis use starts with honest self-reflection, not just consumption What it really costs to build in the cannabis industry, and why the pivot is everything How a combat veteran found rhythm and calm through the plant, and what that taught him about helping first-time consumers Why starting low and going slow isn't just good advice, it's protection The difference between taking the industry seriously and taking yourself too seriously Why building a relationship with the plant matters more than finding the "right" product What the cannabis industry looks like from the inside, and why passion is non-negotiable Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [00:00] Ben Herbstman: self-reflection, philosophy, and using cannabis as a creative tool [00:08] Benjamin Acadia: 20 years in cultivation, facility design, and the art of the pivot [00:26] Kris Brown: managing vibrations, starting slow, and why fun is still part of this [00:35] Alex Sherma: high-end dab pairing dinners, culinary infusions, and listening to the plant [00:37] Outro + Green Wisdom 44 experience invite Connect with Crystal & Gaia's Gift: Website: www.gaiasgift.love Instagram: @crystalclearwithintention LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-coker-gaiasgift/ Green Wisdom 44 Experience: https://gaiasgift.love/greenwisdom44    About Ben Herbstman: Ben is the CEO and founder of Jiraffe, an accessory brand focused on whole flower consumption. He brings an innovative, thoughtful, and reflective approach to his work and his cannabis use. Connect with Ben Herbstman: Website: https://jiraffejoint.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiraffejoint/   About Benjamin Acadia: Benjamin is a 20-year cultivator, extraction specialist, and cannabis facility designer with experience across more than 200 companies. He is a trained judge for cannabis competitions, a former emergency medicine student, and a passionate advocate for high-level cannabis education. Connect with Benjamin Acadia: Website: www.acadiafarmsfamily.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Benjaminacadiafarms  LinkedIn: @BenjaminAcadia   About Kris Brown: Kris is a budtender and host of the podcast Cannasations with Kris, where he ventures from seed to sale across Vermont talking to the people behind the plant. Connect with Chris: Podcast: Cannasations with Kris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannasationskrispodcast/    About Alex Sherma: Alex is the head chef for the Ganjier program and co-owner of HighSocieaty and Veggierrl. He specializes in high-end dab pairing dinners, culinary cannabis infusions, and processing. Connect with Alex: Website: https://veggierrl.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatthedamnhealth/ https://www.instagram.com/highsocieaty/    Enjoyed this episode? Thanks for tuning in! If this episode sparked something real, leave a quick review and share it with someone who's ready to bloom consciously, too. And if you've been craving something consistent to bring yourself back to center, I want to invite you into Green Wisdom 44. It's a 44-day journey of short, grounding soundbites dropped into a private Telegram space, just 3 to 7 minutes a day, exploring expression, intention, stillness, and space. Only $44. Cannabis always welcome, never required. Grab your spot: https://gaiasgift.love/greenwisdom44  This content is intended for adults 21+ only. All information shared is for educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any health-related questions. Please adhere to your local cannabis laws. NFSOT.