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Welcome to the Cannabis Media Spotlight Series! We created this Q&A series to celebrate the incredible work that reporters, editors, and podcast hosts do to shed light on the cannabis industry. Their insights and stories play a vital role in shaping how this space is understood and appreciated by the world.
Our goal is to highlight their journey, their expertise, and the meaningful impact of their work.
This week we're featuring Bryan Fields, Host of The Dime Podcast. His weekly podcast, The Dime, dives deep into the cannabis industry, interviewing top leaders for insights, tips, and success strategies and is recognized as a top 25 Cannabis Podcast and among the top 5% of most shared podcasts globally.
Let's learn more about Bryan:
What inspired you to start covering the cannabis industry, and how has your perspective evolved since you began?
The cannabis industry is incredibly hard. Each state has its own unique challenges, and my goal when I started was to learn more about those challenges, better understand them, and build a strong network. Over time, my perspective has evolved as I’ve seen firsthand how adaptable and innovative the industry can be, despite the hurdles. It's been fascinating to watch the progress and growth while still navigating the complexities of state-specific regulations. What's even more exciting is that there is still so much meat on the bone in every area for entrepreneurs wanting to start. There’s immense opportunity for those willing to dig in and solve problems and take pain!
What does a typical day look like for you as a journalist/editor/podcast host in the cannabis space?
Researching, prepping, and understanding what our guests do is a big part of my day. I also spend time connecting with them and building trust, which is incredibly important and often one of the hardest aspects. Trust allows them to feel comfortable sharing some of the challenges they face in this industry. I also make it a point to research other interviews they’ve done so I can ask different questions or dive into concepts and topics I feel they wanted to expand on—or that I personally wish they had elaborated on.
What are some of the most compelling trends, stories, or issues in the cannabis industry right now that you think deserve more attention?
One of the most fascinating aspects of the cannabis industry is how it’s essentially a startup industry with insane challenges. Each company is like an entrepreneurial founder figuring it out as they go. What makes it even more compelling is that every company has its own unique origin story. Most had an original business plan that they’ve since pivoted or evolved from over time. These stories are incredibly valuable to understand, no matter what your role in the industry is, because they highlight resilience, adaptability, and the innovative spirit driving the cannabis space forward.
What advice would you give to cannabis businesses or PR professionals hoping to connect with you or pitch their stories effectively?
Understand who you’re pitching and where you’re pitching. We have a specific style and viewpoint in our conversations, focusing on strategy and unique positioning. If you’re pitching a guest, make sure to include those elements in your pitch and align it with the topics we discuss. Also, please double-check if we’ve already interviewed that guest. A well-researched and tailored pitch goes a long way.
What’s been one of the most memorable stories or moments in your career covering cannabis so far?
100%, my favorite moments are when guests tell me that a listener reached out to secure a business opportunity, collaborate, or just express how much they enjoyed or learned from the conversation. It’s easily the best part of what we do, and it’s impossible to quantify. It reminds me of the "100 True Fans" concept, often attributed to Kevin Kelly—it's about deeply engaging with a smaller, passionate audience rather than trying to please everyone. For Kellan and I, we focus on topics that genuinely interest us, and I think that shows in the wide variety of conversations we cover. It allows our listeners to explore aspects of the industry that might fall outside their day-to-day but are incredibly critical given how dynamic this space is.