420 Chief Podcast

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ian Hill, Army veteran and Vice President of Garrett Farms Inc. Ian shares his personal journey from military service to intentional cannabis use, revealing how plant medicine became a key part of his healing process. In this episode, we’ll explore the mission and impact of Garrett Farms, host of Nokefest, Virginia Spring Fest 2026 and Mission: DD-420. Ian discusses how he, Doc Ray, and the 420 Chief are building a safe, 420-friendly space for veterans to connect, decompress, and rediscover purpose. Hear about the unique blend of music, community, and healing that defines this event, and the intentional efforts to ensure every veteran leaves with a mission and a battle buddy. Whether you’re a veteran, advocate, or ally, this episode highlights the strength of community, the importance of safe access, and the transformative power of cannabis in veteran lives. Tune in for real stories, practical insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most impactful veteran-led cannabis events of the year.

From Outlaw to Professor | Doc Ray on Cannabis as Medicine, PTSD & the Truth About the Industry Before cannabis was taught in classrooms, traded on Wall Street, or wrapped in corporate branding, there was Doc Ray. In this episode, I sit down with Ray “Doc Ray” Fowler — Army veteran, legendary Northern California cultivator, holder of five patented cannabis strains, and now the first cannabis professor at Roanoke College. Doc Ray’s education didn’t come from textbooks. It came from decades in the field, cultivating cannabis as medicine long before legalization — often at great personal risk. His work has helped patients with PTSD, epilepsy, and other serious conditions, while shaping genetics and knowledge still used across the industry today. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we discuss: Cannabis as medicine, not marketing Plant medicine and its role in trauma, PTSD, and healing The lost knowledge of legacy cultivators Terpenes, cannabinoids, and cultivating with intention Why speed and profit are damaging the modern cannabis industry Education, ethics, and the future of cannabis This episode isn’t about hype. It’s about truth, healing, and honoring the plant. At a time when we’re still losing 22+ veterans every single day, conversations like this matter. Awareness saves lives. Education saves lives. 👉 If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and share it. 👉 Subscribe for more veteran stories, education, and healing conversations. Better together. Never alone. #End22aDay

After 24 years in the Army, Sheila Farrell thought she'd faced every battle. But the toughest fight came after she took off the uniform and it nearly cost her everything. Struggling with substance abuse, mental health, and the crushing weight of shame and guilt, Sheila felt invisible. Until peer support changed everything. Now, as a Veteran Peer Recovery Specialist, she's standing on the frontlines again. This time fighting for veterans who need someone in their corner. Someone who gets it. Someone who's been there. In this raw, powerful conversation, Sheila shares: The battle she fought in silence for years How peer support saved her life Her journey with plant medicine and alternative healing Why having "the right people in the room" changes everything Her mission to create stigma-free spaces for veteran recovery If you're a veteran struggling, or you know someone who is—this message could change everything. There's a seat waiting. You're not alone.

Army Veteran Turned Nurse: How Cannabinoids Saved Her Life After Decades of Pain For over 20 years, Alice Mangan battled Fibromyalgia, MS, Chronic Fatigue, IBS, Narcolepsy, Anxiety, and Depression. She served 5+ years as an Army Specialist. She survived the military. But surviving her own body? That was the real war. Traditional medicine failed her. Cannabinoid therapy didn't. Now, as a Registered Nurse and founder of AliceCBD, Alice is helping thousands find relief when conventional treatment falls short. In This Interview: 🎖️ Her journey from Army Specialist to chronic illness warrior 💊 Why traditional medicine wasn't enough 🌿 How CBD, CBG, and BCP worked when THC-only therapy didn't 🧬 The science behind full-spectrum cannabis 💪 Navigating cannabinoid therapy (with or without a medical card) 🔥 Her mission to help others find hope If you've tried everything and nothing's worked—this conversation is for you. Relief is possible. Alice is proof. Connect with Alice: AliceCBD.com #Cannabinoids #ChronicPain #VeteranStories #CBD #ChronicIllness #PainRelief #AliceCBD #CannabisTherapy

On this episode of the 420 Chief Podcast, I sit down with Josue, a retired Navy Chief whose story is packed with grit, resilience, and the kind of truth veterans rarely get to speak out loud. We dive into his time in the Navy, the highs, the heavy moments, the battles nobody saw, and the road he walked long after the uniform came off. Through trials, family struggles, and personal storms, he found a way to rise from all of it and become the steady, positive force he is today. A huge part of his healing came from integrating plant medicine, reconnecting with himself, and learning how to navigate life without burying the pain. His journey shows exactly what happens when a veteran stops trying to fight alone and starts embracing real tools, real community, and real conversations. If you’re looking for a story that hits hard, inspires, and opens doors for others to heal, this one is powerful. Josue resources: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n5mrh81eiwfogg91ou9cv/Veterans-Resource-Guide-Nationwide-_230530_120718.pdf?rlkey=6pel1qp1lv7rb5u8a88dmjdsb&st=xor4jhz7&dl=0

On this episode, we sit down with Jason Ambrosino. A 100% service-disabled Army veteran who went from soldier to building one of the fastest-growing cannabis manufacturing companies in America. Ranked #125 on the 2025 Inc. 5000, his company Veterans Holdings is scaling nearly 50,000 sq. ft. of production and reshaping the New York cannabis market. We’re diving into: His journey from the military to civilian life The grind of building a Fortune-500-level cannabis operation from scratch The battles he faced transitioning, leading, and scaling What he’s doing right now in the industry and what he’s passionate about next How discipline, purpose, and veteran resilience fueled everything This is more than a business story—this is a mission-driven conversation about grit, healing, service, and the power of veterans leading the way in cannabis. If you want to hear how a soldier became a CEO in one of the toughest industries in the country… don’t miss this one.

On this episode of the 420 Chief Podcast, I sit down with Drew Gregory — retired Army who served 16.5 years before being medically retired. Drew opens up about his journey from the intensity of Army life to the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life — a path filled with both struggle and growth. He shares how he discovered healing through cannabis and other plant medicines, and how these tools have helped him find peace, balance, and purpose beyond the uniform. In this powerful conversation, Drew shares: Lessons learned from 16.5 years of service in the Army. The emotional and practical challenges of transitioning to civilian life His personal approach to cannabis — what he consumes, how he consumes, and why it helps The role plant medicine plays in veteran healing and wellness How he’s continuing to serve, now through supporting nonprofit organizations that change lives This isn’t just a veteran’s story — it’s a story of healing, evolution, and using new tools to rebuild a life of purpose. Tune in for an honest and inspiring look at how Drew is breaking stigmas, finding balance, and helping others along the way.

On this episode of the 420 Chief Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Carey, a 14-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran, former professional athlete and singer, and the founder of Operation Purify. After a medical discharge in 2016 and a difficult struggle with isolation, suicidal ideation, and the wounds of service, Ryan found a path back to himself through deep, culturally-rooted plant medicine work and community. We talk honestly about the realities many vets face when they return home: the loneliness, the moral injury, and the small day-to-day things that feel impossibly heavy. Ryan shares his personal journey from surviving to thriving, how he found his “medicine family” in Colombia, and why he built Operation Purify, a 15-day, cohort-based healing program that uses ancestral plant medicine practices and hands-on tools to help veterans reclaim sleep, joy, and purpose. Tune in for raw, uplifting conversation about: The real aftermath of service (beyond the headlines) How Ryan rebuilt life after discharge and the role plant medicine played in his healing What Operation Purify is, who it helps, and what a 15-day healing mission looks like Practical advice for veterans who feel stuck, alone, or unsure where to start This episode is for veterans, allies, and anyone curious about alternative paths to healing that combine community, accountability, and time-tested plant medicine traditions. If you’ve felt alone in the aftermath of service — you’re not. Listen, take notes, and find out how to reach out if you want to learn more.

Discover how exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, music, and creativity can significantly aid brain integration. These activities are crucial for mental wellness and overall cognitive function. #brainhealth #exercise #nutrition #creativity #mentalwellness

Exploring cannabis, psilocybin, and ayahuasca, it's important to find guides. Remember, there's no magic cure, but integration and the journey are key. Taking charge of your well-being responsibly is essential. #cannabis #psilocybin #ayahuasca #healing #reputableguides

A veteran recounts his experience with medicinal marijuana as Canada explored federal legalization. The impact was profound, bringing him back to himself and his family. #veterans #cannabis #medicinal #Canada #legalization

Getting through tough times isn’t about going it alone — it’s about finding the right people to walk with you. 🌱 Peer-to-peer support and expert guidance can make all the difference. Hear the full conversation at 420chief.net or on YouTube. #420Chief #BreakStigmas #BetterTogether #NeverAlone #Healing

Ever wonder why divine requests come with a side of chaos? Instead of extra patience, brace yourself for the ultimate test. Buckle up and transform road rage into a divine comedy. 😄 #patience #faith #comedy #spiritualjourney

Plant medicine gave me breakthroughs that years of therapy never could. 🌱✨ I found clarity, acceptance, and peace that finally opened my heart in ways I didn’t think were possible. Sometimes the path to healing looks different — and that’s okay. If you’ve ever wondered about alternative healing, this story is for you. 🎥 Watch the full episode at 420chief.net or on YouTube. #420Chief #BreakStigmas #Healing #Transformation #BetterTogether

Under the influence of ayahuasca, it's possible to feel, understand, and accept things that would take years in therapy. It can completely open the heart. 🙏✨ See the full conversation at 420chief.net or on YouTube. #420Chief #BreakStigmas #BetterTogether #NeverAlone #Healing

Sometimes the biggest distance in our relationships isn’t about actions — it’s about energy. 💡 Shift your energy, and you can shift your connection. Watch the full episode at 420chief.net or on YouTube. #420Chief #BreakStigmas #BetterTogether #NeverAlone #Healing

Resilience means not just surviving the storm, but remembering you have the strength to get through anything. 🙏✨ See the full conversation at 420chief.net or on YouTube. #420Chief #BreakStigmas #BetterTogether #NeverAlone #Healing

Talking about shared experiences normalizes struggles. Whether it's PTSD, anxiety, or addiction, open conversation validates that others feel the same way. It reminds everyone that they're not alone in their experiences. #PTSD #anxiety #mentalhealth #addiction #struggles #sharedexperiences #BreakStigmas #Cawefee

It's vital to match the energy you seek. Protecting your peace is a personal responsibility. Identify what needs change, find the right people, and move forward together. Cheerleaders are essential. #energy #peace #cheerleaders #motivation #inspiration

Hearing someone else's story can be a reminder that you're not alone in your struggles. There's nothing wrong with experiencing pain; it's time to heal. #mentalhealth #healing #community #inspiration #BreakStigmas Full episode on you tube.

Today I sit down with Jeremy Poley — a Purple Heart veteran, philosopher, world traveler, and President of Blunt Style Inc. Jeremy has turned his experiences on the battlefield and across 20+ countries into a creative mission: making dope shirts, packaging, and culture that break stigmas and push the veteran voice forward. We dive into his journey from combat to creativity, the power of philosophy in business, and how veterans can lead the charge in healing through plant medicine, community, and storytelling. This one’s about more than apparel — it’s about purpose, resilience, and rewriting what it means to be a veteran entrepreneur. 👉 Check it out now, share it out, and help us spread the message. Together, we can #End22aDay. 🌐 More at 420Chief.net #BreakStigmas #PurpleHeart #End22aDay #Veterans #CannabisCommunity

A person describes how dealing with shrapnel and the repercussions led to cannabis use for medicinal purposes in Washington. State laws prevent using terms like 'healing' or 'medicine'. #cannabis #medicine #WashingtonState #shrapnel #health #wellness

Cannabis can actually help people overcome pain, not couch-lock them. It helps one person overcome knee, back, and hip pain to hit the trails with their border collie and mutt. #cannabis #hiking #dogs #bordercollie #mutt

The harvest crew got a laugh when a new team member was 'blown away' by the sheer volume of product after processing roughly 800 dry pounds. David recalls: 'I've never seen this much weed before in one place in my life.' #harvest #cannabiscommunity #weed #growlife #420Chief #breakStigmas