James Loud Podcast

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Ed Rosenthal—one of the most influential authors and educators of all time. Known as the “Guru of Ganja,” Ed has spent decades shaping modern cultivation, writing bestselling books, and contributing to publications like High Times. His work has educated generations of growers, builders, and innovators, laying the foundation for the entire modern scene.In this conversation, Ed reflects on his incredible journey—from early activism in the 1960s to helping shift public opinion and push legalization forward. He shares behind-the-scenes stories of writing some of the first widely read cultivation books, working with scientists and universities, and being part of pivotal moments that changed the course of the industry forever. This is real history from someone who lived it and helped build it.We also dive deep into the evolution of cultivation, extraction, and global genetics—from Northern California to Morocco to India. Ed breaks down how techniques evolved, what the future could look like (including biotech and personalized formulations), and why preserving original plant genetics is more important now than ever. His perspective bridges old-school knowledge with forward-thinking ideas you won’t hear anywhere else.If you care about the roots of the culture, the science behind the plant, and where everything is headed next, this is a must-watch episode.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for more conversations with pioneers, innovators, and legends shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Ed Rosenthal:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edrosenthal420/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Noel, founder and operator of Sun Extractions, a cutting-edge extraction company based in New Jersey. Noel is a longtime industry pioneer whose journey spans decades—from the underground Northern California scene to building licensed operations on the East Coast. His experience bridges legacy cultivation, early concentrate innovation, and modern large-scale production.In this conversation, Noel shares incredible stories from the early days, including the rise of iconic genetics like Headband and Sour, the evolution of concentrates, and the experimentation that helped shape today’s extraction techniques. From the origins of live resin to the transition into regulated markets, this episode dives deep into how flavor, aroma, and technique have driven innovation over the years—and why those fundamentals still matter more than ever.James and Noel also break down the current state of the industry, comparing West Coast and East Coast markets, discussing product trends like vape technology and solventless vs hydrocarbon extraction, and exploring where things are headed over the next five years. Beyond the business, Noel opens up about resilience, rebuilding after loss, and what it takes to stay passionate and successful in an ever-changing landscape.If you’re into cultivation, extraction, genetics, or the real history behind the modern market, this is a must-watch episode packed with knowledge and perspective.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for more conversations with innovators, builders, and pioneers shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Sun Extractions:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunextractions/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Dan, CEO of True Terpenes, a global leader in terpene science, aroma innovation, and product formulation. True Terpenes has become one of the most influential companies in the space, supplying terpene blends, flavor systems, and sensory solutions to brands around the world. With distribution in over 100 countries and a focus on consistency, scalability, and experience, the company is helping shape the future of how aroma and flavor are delivered across multiple product categories.Dan brings a unique background spanning international wine markets, venture capital, and emerging industries, giving him a rare perspective on how this space is evolving globally. In this conversation, he breaks down how True Terpenes went from its early days—founded to explore the therapeutic potential of plant compounds—to becoming a full-scale innovation house working across vapes, pre-rolls, edibles, and beyond. The discussion dives deep into the science of aroma, including the role of terpenes, esters, and volatile compounds, and why flavor and sensory experience are often more important than simple potency metrics.James and Dan also explore the future of the industry—covering topics like global expansion, product consistency, consumer trust, and why repeatable experiences will define the next generation of successful brands. From the challenges of scaling quality to the importance of research and innovation, this episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in product development, branding, and the evolving science behind flavor and aroma.If you’re into cultivation, product innovation, or the deeper science behind how flavor and experience connect, this is a must-watch episode.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and builders shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow True Terpenes:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueterpenes/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Nate from Higher Heights, a Mendocino-based cultivator and breeder with decades of experience rooted in legacy outdoor growing and modern genetic development. Nate’s journey spans from early East Coast guerrilla grows in the ‘90s to building a respected presence in Northern California, where he’s become known for his deep knowledge of plant genetics, long-term breeding work, and commitment to quality over hype.Higher Heights represents a philosophy centered on authenticity, community, and craftsmanship—focusing on unique terpene profiles, strong effects, and flower that truly smokes. In this episode, Nate shares incredible stories from the early days, the evolution of genetics culture, and how his breeding work has quietly influenced modern Mendocino strains over the years. From hunting rare phenotypes to preserving legacy genetics through seeds, this conversation is packed with real insight from someone who’s lived every phase of the industry’s growth.James and Nate also dive deep into the science and art of breeding, discussing topics like terpene dominance, hybrid vigor, phenotype selection, and why modern trends like bag appeal may be taking the industry in the wrong direction. It’s a raw, honest conversation about what actually matters—flavor, effect, and the overall experience—plus why sun-grown flower deserves more respect in today’s market.If you’re into cultivation, breeding, genetics, or the deeper culture behind plant-based industries, this episode delivers knowledge, history, and perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for long-form conversations with growers, breeders, and innovators shaping the future of plant culture.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Higher Heights:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherheightsmendo2.0/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

If you’re into golf, entrepreneurship, content creation, or building something from the ground up, this episode is packed with real insight and motivation from someone making it happen in real time.On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Dominic Denucci, founder of Eighth Iron, a fast-rising lifestyle brand blending golf, culture, and plant-based community into one unique movement. What started as an idea to merge two worlds—golf and modern plant culture—has quickly evolved into full-scale events, branded merchandise, and a growing network of supporters across Southern California and beyond .Dominic shares his journey from becoming a golf pro in record time to launching Eighth Iron and hosting standout golf events that bring together people from completely different backgrounds. From country club golfers to creative entrepreneurs, Eighth Iron is creating a new lane where networking, competition, and culture collide. The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, building a brand from scratch, content creation using just an iPhone, and the challenges of scaling events in a rapidly changing industry.They also get into the deeper parallels between golf and life—discipline, mindset, and staying focused under pressure—along with how community and collaboration are key to long-term success. Dominic breaks down his vision for expanding Eighth Iron into new markets, launching product lines, and continuing to push the boundaries of what a modern lifestyle brand can be.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for long-form conversations with founders, growers, athletes, and innovators shaping culture and business today.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Eighth Iron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8th_iron/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.