Sourcing Compassion: Sweetleaf Collective & Operation EVAC

Colleen and Carolyn travel to Jackson Heights, Queens, NY to the home of Ethan Frisch. Together, they converse on the farmer's role in the value chain, and the clear differences in flavor between freshly harvested spices and those that sit in warehouses for years before making it home. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on how globalization has affected music-making and music listening. Danielle poses the question: what exactly is world music?   Check out Ethan's current selection of spices here: https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/

Colleen and Carolyn discuss rice as a global staple. Colleen meets with Momoko at Sourceress HQ to discuss the evolution away from traditional, natural methods of growing rice in her home country of Japan. Early on her sourcing journey, this episode highlights how cultural preservation and environmental activism shapes food justice movements.   This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on City pop, a soundscape of one of Japan's most opulent eras.   To see the work that Momoko is doing, check out her website here: https://www.thericegirl.com/

Carolyn and Colleen discuss why they chose this international perspective, as our neighbors to the north create a supply chain on a national level. Alison joins Carolyn to discuss the evolution of the legalized market, organic farming practices, vertical integration, capitalism, and the allowance of interstate commerce. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on reggae, which was drastically influenced and in many ways formed by the communal use of cannabis.   Check out Rob & Sims' current selection of oysters here: https://realoystercult.com/

Alison Gordon, CEO of the Canadian cannabis company 48North and the Sourceresses discuss the evolution of the legalized market in the country that is our neighbor to the north: organic farming practices, vertical integration, capitalism, and the allowance of interstate commerce.

Cannabis compassion programs are crucial to be included in the legislation as decriminalization and legalization progresses world-wide. Colleen speaks with Joe Airone of the Sweetleaf Collective about his 20+ years sourcing and managing his compassion program that donates free cannabis for low-income, terminally ill, HIV+ patients.   In part two, Ryan Miller of Operation E*V*A*C, speaks with Colleen about the impact and importance of cannabis access for both active duty and military veterans.   To learn more how you can support our guests' Compassion Programs here: https://www.sweetleafcollective.org/ http://www.opevac.org/  

Colleen and Carolyn discuss visiting a hemp research center. Brittany joins Carolyn in a conversation about the blossoming hemp and cannabinoid industry in the state of New York. From the pursuit of day-one-equity in legislation, to advancing genetics in hemp cultivation, Brittany and her team are right on the front lines. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on the birth of modern American music, and the ways in which cannabis use constructed the cultures of blues and jazz.   Check out Brittany's current selection of CBD products here: https://www.tonicvibes.com/

Colleen and Carolyn discuss Dandelion Chocolate's educational storefront. Greg D'Alensadre pays a visit Sourceress HQ to break down the nuances of the cocoa trade. Colleen and Greg discuss the nuances of sourcing in the global south, and how to be an ally when building a bean-bar company. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on West African Highlife. The Highlife genre is a powerful case study in acculturation, the process of cultural change that results when different cultures interact. In this case, West African and African American cultures melding.

Colleen and Carolyn dive deep into the burgeoning Tequila industry. Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo shares insights on sustainability, the supply chain from agave to barrel, and commitment to excellence of flavor from his headquarters in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment Mariachi reimagined. The Mariachi genre was founded in Jalisco, and has strong ties to Spanish colonialism and patriarchy.

Colleen and Carolyn travel to New York City to sit down for tea service and conversation with Ana at the In Pursuit of Tea headquarters. Together, they discuss tea's colonial ties to silver and opium and learn the intricacies of processing's impact on flavor. This interview also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on Taiwanese Pop music, and the cultural dualism by political and social circumstances that have structured the island states.

Colleen and Carolyn travel to Masienda headquarters in Los Angeles. They explore NAFTA's significant impact on growers's relationships between the United States and Mexico. Carolyn and Jorge discuss his team's journey of revitalizing heirloom corn on the steep hillsides of Oaxaca. This episode also features Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio for a segment on the ways in which Indigenous communities preserve knowledge of land through ritual labor.