High On Feminism

We're kicking off Season 4 of High On Feminism with Solonje Burnett, founder and CEO of Weed Auntie, a cannabis education and events platform, and co-founder and Chief Culture & Community Officer of Erven, which supports sustainable growth for brands and retailers. In this episode, Solonje shares her journey in the cannabis industry, focusing on education and community-building. She discusses her mission to create an intersectional culture within the communities she engages with and builds, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility in the cannabis space. Solonje's work with Weed Auntie and Erven highlights her dedication to fostering connections and promoting understanding through specialized events and educational initiatives. Jess and Solonje dive into the challenges and rewards of building community through education. Solonje's philosophy is captured in her quote, “I'm trying to build bridges, not walls,” reflecting her approach to community-building. This conversation showcases how thoughtful, inclusive initiatives can create meaningful connections and drive positive change. Join us as we explore the intersection of cannabis, education, and community with Solonje Burnett, and get inspired by her vision and dedication to building bridges in the cannabis community.Follow us on Instagram @highonfeminismSubscribe to our Youtube @wokemediabk

To close out this special season, Jess chats with long time friend and barber Alyssa Bachowski about their journey of growth, self-discovery, and following one's passions as an entrepreneur. After graduating with a degree in marketing only to find little satisfaction in the field, Alyssa shares what pushed her to pivot into the barber industry, how creativity fuels her work, and the importance of finding your own freedom, be it through shaving your hair off or following your heart's passions. Alyssa also gives us a little insight into her new luxury groomsman service, Heartbreakers Hair Club, launching summer 2023. Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, TONIC, Potli, ASH

In this episode of High On Feminism, Jess sits down with Melissa Alam, Founder of digital design agency, Alam Digital. After starting her business in 2012, Melissa digs into the ins and outs of running a creative agency, how she leads by example as a female bengali entrepreneur, and some of the bold choices that have led her to where she is now.Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, TONIC, Potli, ASH, Kota Botanics

High On Feminism steps into high fashion as Jess welcomes Kasha Reavis, co-founder and brand designer of luxury resortwear brand Bohn Jsell. As a black and LGBTQ+ owned brand, Kasha explores the fashion industry and its continuous need for more diversity, the visual inspiration behind the brand's colorful pattern styles and gives us backstage details as she recounts some of her experiences behind the show curtains.

After experiencing the depths of depression and sadness in her own life, Elyse Fox joins High On Feminism to discuss the importance of mental health and what inspired her to create Sad Girls Club in 2017. Realizing that there was a need for space and conversation around the topic, Elyse explores the stigma against discussing mental health in the black community, re-learning herself through therapy, using cannabis as intentional medicine, and creating a community for girls to feel both safe and compelled to share their sad girl stories together.

From the humble beginnings of a lollipop, to a full time career passion, Jess chats with private chef Kimberly Barrett on her journey through the culinary world of cannabis. After attending the Culinary Institute of America in 2007, Kim found her calling for health advocacy and baking after creating a blueberry and lemon infused muffin for a stage 3 breast cancer patient. That experience has now led to her on the precipice of launching a new culinary business as she discusses the importance of clean ingredients for edibles, the future of cannabis in NYC and drops some quick tips for the best edible experience.Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, Brwn Box, ASH, Ardent

Get ready for all the energy and all the vibes with our next guest, Andrea Dasent, the Founder  of corporate event planning firm, A Jay Event Productions. After leaving her career in finance behind to focus on building the life she wanted for herself, Andrea shares the highs and the lows of starting a business ahead of the 2020 pandemic, and discusses the bravery it takes to bet on yourself. Now a curator of luxurious corporate retreats, Jess and Andrea dive in deep to explore the importance of committing to your joy, and what it means to truly love the work that you do.Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, Brwn Box, Potli, ASH, Kota Botanics

Jess and Laura OG bring all the energy to this episode of High On Feminism as they discuss Laura's experience as a cannabis educator, cultivator and consultant with SMK BRK (Smoke Break). After graduating from the NY School of Visual Arts with a Design BFA, Laura shares why she switched up from her graphic design career, how she advocates for home growers, and explores the importance of making spaces that normalize the conversation between women and weed.

In this episode of High On Feminism, Jess sits down with Maryam Pugh, CEO of social justice apparel brand Philadelphia Printworks. After founding her business in 2010, Maryam shares what compelled her to step into the world of printmaking, the importance of lifting up marginalized voices, and explores how she amplifies stories of black history through her artistry and advocacy. Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, BrwnBox, Potli, ASH

High On Feminism is back and better than ever for Season 3, and we're kicking it off with none other than the founder of Veda Warrior and Veda Farms - Smrita Choubey!After pivoting from her career on Wall Street in healthcare investment banking, Smrita discusses her journey of reconnecting with her Northern India lineage of farmers and medicine makers, researching the all-natural, holistic medicine of Ayurveda, and enlightens us on the timeless wisdom of these plant-based alternatives that heal both people and planet.

And that's a wrap for Season 2 of High On Feminism!In this episode, Jess is joined by one of her long-time best friends, Sarah Jean, founder and owner of Serotonin Smoothies! Sarah talks about how her pandemic passion blossomed into leading a business and the two talk about the importance of female friendships, understanding entrepreneurial risks, using marijuana to help with stress, as well as what it takes to build a team, and a business, from scratch.Sponsored by: Empire Glasswork, AFG Suga. Prismatic Plants

Julianna Rose, founder and illustrator of Four Twenty Tarot, grew up in a community with stigmas against tarot and cannabis, now working at breaking the stigmas around the two. In the latest episode of HOF, Julianna opens up about breaking into the cannabis industry as a female entrepreneur and how tarot has served as a tool to help with her decision-making. She shares stories about how she started doing readings, the creative process and life experiences that contributed to the creation of her decks, and where she sees herself going next. Jess and Julianna also discuss the ethics and cultural stigmas around tarot readings.Sponsored by: Empire Glasswork, Tonic (Chill & Chronic)

Mary Jane Oatman, Founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Coalition and member of Nez Perce Tribe, sheds light on the ways Indigenous communities face disparities when it comes to federal legalization of marijuana and the importance of preserving legacy in legalization. Mary Jane also talks about the different roles she's played to advocate for the rights of Indigenous people and their relationship to plant medicine. As the Founder of THC Magazine, Mary Jane discusses the need for more tribal media, and how to elevate Native-American stories.Sponsored by: Empire Glassworks, AFG Suga, Buena Botanicals 

Co-Founder of Goodekind, Kayla Croft joins High On Feminism to discuss her start within the cannabis industry after switching from an unfulfilling career. The inspiration for starting Goodekind with her brother-in-law came from shared passions in philanthropy and sustainability. As Kayla navigates the changing cannabis industry, she discusses with Jess the components of a conscious business model as well as the importance of giving back to the community.Sponsored by: UNOIA, Empire Glasswork, AFG Suga

Before she became the Director of Community and Strategy for Cannaclusive and Co-Founder of Black X Film Festival, Kassia Graham had long been involved with cannabis. In this episode of High On Feminism, Kassia tells Jess about her introduction to cannabis in her home country of Jamaica, and using the plant as treatment for medical issues, and how this nuanced relationship with marijuana led her to becoming a leading woman in the cannabis space.Sponsored by: Potli, Empire Glasswork, AFG Suga

After professionally treating locs since 2006, Chimere Faulk joins High On Feminism to discuss how she founded her business, Dr. Locs. As a proud natural hair wearer herself, she noticed a gap in the natural hair product market specifically for locs and used her previous career experience to leverage herself in the natural hair market. Jess and Chimere discuss their evolving relationships with their hair, especially as two Black woman entrepreneurs navigating the stigmas of Black hair in the professional realm.Sponsored by: Tonic, Empire Glasswork, AFG Suga 

We're kicking off Season 2 of High on Feminism with an amazing woman you might remember from TT the Artist's Season 1 episode —Doreen Sullivan, the Founder of My Bud Vase! With almost seven years in the cannabis industry, Doreen breaks down how her creative background in previous careers has shaped her to be a woman leader in the cannabis space. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, Doreen and Jess discuss women entrepreneurship in the space as well as where there is room to grow. Pre-show episode featuring Veda Warrior (@vedawarrior) , AFG Suga (@afgsuga_usa), and Empire Glassworks (@empireglassworks) products. 

Founder and CEO of skincare line Vegan Mia Organics, Life Schneider, joins the next episode of High On Feminism to share her story of growing up on a commune in Los Angeles, stepping back from corporate life, and her journey on holistically combating her son's eczema with her Vegan Mia products. Jess and Life get into skincare, the importance of creating high quality organic products, and ways that we, as women, can continue to change and influence the skincare industry.Episode sponsored by Vertly and Goodekind.

Jess' longtime mentor, Ashley Brooke Jones, joins the HOF hot seat to talk the duo's come up in the Media industry as women of color, their branch out into the CEO/entrepreneur space, and their goals for the future. Longtime friends since crossing paths twice in their professional careers, Ashley is now the owner of her brand consultant agency, Ashley Brooke CS. A cultural curator, Ashley has worked with brands such as IMG, MILK Studios, Alexander Wang, DKNY, NYLON, Frends Headphones and more. Episode sponsored by @randluxury @empireglassworks and @stashlogix. 

Newark-based poet and performance artist, Jasmine Mans, joins the next episode of High On Feminism to share her story of the come up, and what's next for her brand and her work. Fresh off the release of her most recent memoir 'Black Girl Call Home,' Jasmine breaks down the inspiration for the book, informed by her own life and exploring the intersections of race, feminism, and queer identity. Jess and Jasmine get into her cannabis business venture Buy Weed From Women, and discuss the ways that we, as women, can continue to change and influence the cannabis industry. Pre-show available July 9th. Episode sponsored by Ouid, Stashlogix, and Empire Glassworks. 

Founder/Owner of DC-based mental health organization Onyx Therapy Group, Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, sits down with Jess to talk all things mental health within the Black community. From selecting a therapist, addressing mental health in your own family, and even ensuring that your therapist has a therapist. As a queer, Black woman, Dr. Plummer also speaks to raising her 2 children from a previous hetero-relationship with her now wife, and how to discuss things like cannabis use, sex lives, and more, with your kids. Pre-show featuring products from Mello, Stashlogix and Empire Glassworks. 

In the new episode of HOF, Jess chats with Afro-futuristic singer-songwriter and canna-baker, Niambi Ra, to break down life on Broadway for Black performers, Niambi's edible treats company @themothership.treats, and the struggles she faced as a young Black woman navigating the private school system as a teen. Pre-show episode featuring products from itiba Beauty, Stashlogix and Empire Glassworks. 

The next episode of HOF features recording artist, director/producer and owner & founder of Club Queen Records, TT the Artist (@tttheartist). Jess sat down with TT ahead of the release of her new documentary film, Dark City Beneath the Beat -- a musical doc about the Baltimore club music and dance scene -- to talk all things filmmaking, her start as a dancer and choreographer, gender stereotypes and how women relate to women, and so much more. Sponsored by female-owned and operated cannabis brand, My Bud Vase,  TT and Jess get the exclusive first test of MBV's newest release VAMP, paying homage to the prohibition era and ensuring that these 20's are better than the last. Use code HOF10 for 10% off your VAMP Vase. Pre-show featuring My Bud Vase and Stash Logix.

Jess sits down with Dique Media founder, Sarah Vega, to talk about what her struggle was really like on her way to being an entrepreneur. From when she found herself homeless and blacklisted from finding a job, to starting her own business off her friend's couch, Sarah's pathway to success was anything but easy, but incredibly admirable. The founder of her own tooth polish called Lujo Wellness, Sarah has proven she is a media mogul force to be reckoned with!Pre-show products provided by Kush & Cute. 

Jess sits down with fellow Publicist, YouTube Personality & Content Creator, Imani Murray (@itsimanimurray) of Leda & Co., to talk navigating media during COVID-19, her experiences as a Black Female entrepreneur, and her personal decision behind NOT consuming Cannabis/CBD products. Follow us on Instagram at @HighOnFeminism

For the debut episode of High On Feminism, Jess sits down with  Digital Marketing specialist, Social Media manager and friend Sharell Jeffrey (@social_rell), for a candid conversation on being a Black female in the Music industry, Jeffrey's new business ventures: QLEEN Agency and FAAN, and talk all things weed and women. Pre-show featuring products from @HerHighnessNYCWatch the pre-show here! Follow us on Instagram at @HighOnFeminism