Conversations With Kush

Sometimes the best businesses aren't planned—they're discovered.

For Stella Morrison, it started with a simple realization:

"Wait... this is an industry."

Coming from journalism and content marketing, Stella saw an opportunity to combine storytelling, education, and advocacy into something bigger. Nearly a decade later, she's helping businesses build brands with purpose while staying true to their values.

Her story is a reminder that your career doesn't always follow a straight line. Sometimes the opportunity you've been looking for is hiding in plain sight.

🎥 Watch the full conversation—link in bio. A must watch!

💬 What's one unexpected opportunity that completely changed your career or life?

What if walking into a dispensary felt more like talking to a trusted friend?

That's exactly what Rachel and Ashley set out to create with Pot Mamas.

Their mission isn't just about products, it's about making people feel welcome, answering questions without judgment, and creating a space where curiosity is encouraged.

Whether you're completely new or have years of experience, everyone deserves a place where they feel comfortable learning.

💚 Community over intimidation.
📚 Education over assumptions.
✨ A new kind of experience.

Minnesota has been ready for something different... and Pot Mamas is delivering.

🎥 Watch the full conversation link in bio.

👇 Would you rather shop somewhere that lets you browse on your own, or somewhere that takes the time to answer all your questions?

What if one of the world's oldest infused beverages became one of its newest innovations?

For over 3,000 years, it has been part of celebrations and traditions across India and South Asia. Yet when modern infused beverages began appearing across Minnesota, one thing was missing—representation.

That inspired the team behind Desi High to create something deeply personal: a modern take on a centuries-old tradition, rooted in culture, community, and authentic flavors.

Sometimes the best ideas don't come from a business plan—they start with one homemade recipe shared among friends.

🎥 Watch the full conversation and hear the incredible story behind Desi High. Full episode—link in bio.

💬 If you could bring one tradition from your culture into a modern product, what would it be?

She walked away because she thought she had to.

As a Division I athlete, scholarship recipient, and the first woman in her family to attend college, she wasn't willing to risk everything she'd worked for.
Years later, a frightening health scare changed her perspective forever.
What started as one intentional decision during one of the most stressful moments of her life became a complete mindset shift—and ultimately changed the direction of her career.

Sometimes the conversation we're most afraid to have becomes the one that changes everything.

🎥 Watch the full episode — link in bio.

💬 Have you ever had a moment that completely changed the way you viewed something?

Some family stories get passed around the dinner table…

Others make history.

Ezra's grandfather was a pilot whose life took an unbelievable turn in the 1970s—flying mail by day, chartering celebrities like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, and eventually becoming involved in an international smuggling operation that led to what was, at the time, the largest cannabis bust in U.S. history.

The craziest part? His grandmother learned about it while watching the evening news.

This is just the beginning of one of the most fascinating conversations I've had on the podcast. Today, that family legacy has evolved into building a legal cannabis brand with purpose, proving that every story has the power to change course.

🎙️ Watch this clip, then let me know…
Did this story surprise you?

Follow for more authentic conversations from the people shaping the future of the cannabis industry.

🌱 Building Minnesota's Future Workforce 🌱

What started as a vision during the fight for legalization has grown into an opportunity to educate, empower, and create pathways into Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry.

In this conversation, Marcus Harcus shares the story behind Cannabis College and how a new CanTrain Grant is helping provide career training in retail and commercial cultivation. Through professionally developed curriculum, hands-on support, and industry connections, Cannabis College is working to open doors for the next generation of cannabis professionals.

Whether you're interested in working in a dispensary, cultivation facility, or simply want to deepen your knowledge of the plant, education is the foundation of a thriving industry.

🎙️ Featuring Marcus Harcus, Cannabis College Co-Founder
📍 Recorded live at NECANN Minneapolis

What role do you think education should play in shaping Minnesota's cannabis industry?

Day 2 at the Flourish Investment Forum! 🎤

I had the opportunity to sit down with Sam Divine of Divine Media and the Minnesota Podcasters Association to discuss industry events, storytelling, networking, and the importance of learning from experienced professionals.

One of the biggest takeaways? The value of surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people who are willing to share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned. Events like this bring together leaders, entrepreneurs, media professionals, and innovators who are helping shape the future of emerging industries.

Thank you, Sam, for sharing your perspective and for the work you're doing to amplify important conversations through media and podcasting.

What has been your biggest takeaway from a conference or networking event?