An award-winning cannabis podcast for women, by women. Hear joyful stories and useful advice about cannabis for health, well-being, and fun—especially for needs specific to women like stress, sleep, and sex. We cover everything from: What’s the best weed for sex? Can I use CBD for menstrual cramps? What are the effects of the Harlequin strain or Gelato strain? And, why do we prefer to call it “cannabis” instead of “marijuana”? We also hear from you: your first time buying legal weed, and how ...
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Ellen Scanlon Podcasts
An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trail magic and injury.
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We welcome Dr Rob Scanlon to the podcast today to talk about five essential skills that hikers need to learn to avoid becoming a depressing statistic on trail. Rob shares anecdotes and data to illustrate those five skills, and he has presented a book rich in detail that will benefit most hikers. I'll certainly be paying attention to several of the …
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The self-deprecating James Kinch is on the show today, claiming the title of the "Fattest Known Time" on the Appalachian Trail, having twice thru-hiked the trail, starting at well over 300lbs each time. James has published his journal of the hike, and he serves as an inspiration to those who convince themselves that they can't do this hike for many…
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Episode #520 - Ellen Langford (Adventurine)
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1:02:30
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Ellen Langford, or Adventurine, joins us today. Ellen is a professional artist who had dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail for several years before 2025 opened a window for her. On the trail, she found logistics to be challenging, yet utterly "embraced the suck" as she knocked off 1700 miles before an unfortunate health condition curtailed her …
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Episode #519 - Jesse Cody & Mike Rose (Hike the Good Hike)
1:07:59
1:07:59
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We meet Jesse Cody and Mike Rose today, and hear about their non-profit, Hike the Good Hike, an organization committed to enhance mental wellness through nature. They have partnered with several well-known outdoor brands to provide a path for a disparate cohort of people taking on US hikes in 2026. Jesse and Mike value the stories that hikers tell …
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Emily Manzon, or Tic Tac, is our guest this week. Emily was looking for an epic way to celebrate her 40th birthday this year, so the Appalachian Trail certainly checked that box. Along the way, Emily gained a respect for the trail and the impact it had upon her, using mantras to reflect her attitude along the way. Missing 200 miles partway through,…
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Episode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)
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1:04:55
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Tom Margaria, a retired FDNY firefighter, set out on January 1st from Key West to hike the 5700 mile Eastern Continental Trail. On the way, Tom met up with–and joined–the "Over the Hill Gang," the group including Dave Santi, one of my Mighty Blue Class of 25 this year. Tom, a man of deep faith, would ask people he met along the way how he could pra…
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313. Why I’m Pausing the Podcast — and What’s Next
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7:50
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After six years and more than 300 episodes, host Ellen Scanlon is pausing How to Do the Pot. In this special episode, she shares why — and what’s ahead. Ellen breaks down what’s shifting in cannabis and podcasting, from the ban on intoxicating hemp to the podcast industry’s move toward video and bigger-budget shows. She also revisits the episodes t…
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Episode #516 - Galloway Johnson (Clementine)
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We meet a young New Hampshire guy today who had never hiked in New Hampshire prior to his Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. Galloway Johnson had dreamed about the AT for five years and made it a reality this year. He didn't enjoy those early days, finding it tougher than he had imagined and carrying on almost to spite the trail!! But he made i…
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This is indeed the season for hearing from successful thru-hikers, and we have another one joining us today. Jennifer Cole, or Indy 5, was looking for a great adventure and a bit of independence. She certainly found both on the Appalachian Trail. She has been a stay-at-home-mother to five children over the years, and decided to hike the AT back in …
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Episode #514 - Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy (Blue Pére, Bad Camel, and Popeye)
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43:09
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We've got a family of three on the show today, with Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy sharing their own hiking story. I met Molli and Kayla on my 2014 thru-hike, and found them to be charming company. Mike had started with them but had to get off trail due to an injury, supporting them the rest of the way. For Kayla, it wasn't the end of her long-dis…
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312. How I Finally Got Better from Mold Illness, with Ariana Thacker of MoldCo, part 2
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After years of unexplained illness, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon finally found answers. In this episode, she shares what helped her recover from mold illness, and what testing and treatment really look like — with Ariana Thacker, founder and CEO of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness and Chronic Inflammatory Res…
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Lisa Laidlow came to the trail when she became an empty-nester. She had always been an outdoor girl–often along with her father–yet it was only fairly recently that she returned to hiking and discovered the idea of a thru-hike. As a black woman on the trail, she was embraced by hikers, though had a few uncomfortable encounters along the way. Despit…
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311. Mold and Me: The Health Story I Haven’t Told Until Now, with Ariana Thacker of MoldCo
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In one of her most personal episodes yet, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon opens up about her years-long experience with mold toxicity — a hidden condition that affects millions but is often overlooked by traditional medicine. Ellen was inspired to create this episode after meeting Ariana Thacker, the founder of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic…
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James Dalberto, or Nomad, joins the podcast today. James has been an RV'er for the past few years, earning a living as a "starving artist" (his words) all over the country. This year, he decided to mix it up a bit and headed out onto the Appalachian Trail for a thru-hike. On the way, he fell back in love with the hiking community he discovered last…
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Episode #511 - The ALDHA Gathering - October 2025
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1:30:07
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Very limited notes this month, mainly because I'm away and rushing to get this out on Wednesday evening!! It was an honor to be chosen to present the Saturday evening keynote speech at ALDHA last weekend. I picked my own guests–and subjects–and the event was not only well-attended but also well-received. First up was Mills Kelly, the well-known AT …
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310. Alcohol vs. Cannabis Drinks: 3 Things Women Need to Know
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Curious about trying a cannabis drink instead of reaching for alcohol? This episode of How to Do the Pot is your quick, no-stress guide. Host Ellen Scanlon shares what she’s learned from being soberish and counts down the top 3 questions women ask about low-dose cannabis drinks as an alcohol alternative. You’ll learn: 1. How to start slow with THC …
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We meet an unusual hiker this week. Ken Posner has been a long-distance runner and hiker over the years, yet he has gradually morphed into a barefoot runner and hiker. Ken and I discuss this–to me–bizarre footwear choice, and he makes a compelling case for the advantages of barefoot walking. Ken has also taken on the fascinating project of "The Gri…
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309. Pain Relief That Lets You Move Again
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By Ellen Scanlon
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Chrissy Schubert and her daughter Ady will be attempting a 250-mile section of the Appalachian Trail next year. No big deal, you may think. Think again. Ady is afflicted by profound autism, communicates through writing, and has a heart as big as the trail itself. The adversity that Ady and her family have overcome during her earlier years has stren…
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308. How to Drink Less Without Going All-or-Nothing, with Soberish Mom Katie Nessel
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Tired of feeling sluggish, anxious, or short-tempered after drinking? In Part 2 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Katie Nessel, better known as Soberish Mom on Instagram, you’ll hear realistic ways to cut back without strict rules or guilt. Katie shares the mindset shift that reframed everything for her: “what did you gain last night by dri…
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Episode #508 - Woods Hole Weekend 2025
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1:08:36
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This week, we have a little change of pace. I attended the Woods Hole weekend last week as a presenter, and I came away with friendships, more knowledge, and a decent amount of humble pie as I savored the experience. My Dana came with me and experienced a little of what I experience on trail. She hiked into our campsite at Dismal Falls, then camped…
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307. “Soberish Mom” Katie Nessel on Breaking the Wine-at-5 Routine
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More and more women are rethinking their relationship with drinking — not by going completely sober, but by finding their own middle ground. In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Katie Nessel, the woman behind Soberish Mom, the hugely popular blog and Instagram account that’s reshaping how women think about alcohol, motherhood, and everyda…
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Episode #507 - Glenn Sweitzer (Wanderer)
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Glenn Sweitzer, designer and filmmaker, is our guest today. Glenn's fascinating back story takes in working with Disney, designing artwork for Tim McGraw and others, then telling stories through film, before ending up on the Appalachian Trail, discovering and sharing stories along the way. Glenn is a natural raconteur with an eye for detail, and ha…
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306. Practical Tips from Cannabis Experts on Exercise & Recovery
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What if cannabis could really help you enjoy working out? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with women who know cannabis inside and out — and use that expertise to improve their workouts, recover faster, and make movement something they look forward to. From running and yoga to hiking and Pilates, you’ll hear practical tips and real stories…
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Episode #506 - Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez (Peaches)
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Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez, or Peaches, completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike last month. She is a single mother who managed her autistic son's reaction to her hike by preparing him for a year before she left. The hike allowed her to see herself as not just a mother, embracing the hiking community and returning home to her son, Nico, wit…
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305. From Wine Nights to THC Seltzers: Why More Women Are Making the Switch
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16:51
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What if the next drink you cracked open didn’t come with a hangover? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Anita Loomba, Senior Marketing Director at Cycling Frog, about the fast-growing world of THC seltzers. We get into what first-time drinkers should know, how these bubbly cannabis beverages compare to alcohol, and why so many women are…
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Episode #505 - Roxanne Strine (Idiot Runner)
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Roxanne Strine completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike just a few weeks ago, at the sprightly young age of 70. She proved her mettle after her original plans fell through at the last minute, deciding to modify those plans and just go for it. On the way, Roxanne discovered an inner strength that she always knew was there, from her time in her 30s …
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Can cannabis actually make exercise easier? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by journalist Hilary Achauer, who explored that very question in The New York Times. What she found challenges stereotypes and reveals how cannabis can lower barriers to movement — especially for women. Hilary shares stories of women who discovered that cannab…
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Episode #504 - Darrell Eck (Old Stag)
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1:34:23
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Darrell Eck, or Old Stag, is this week's main guest. Darrell retired as a teacher in 2022 and fulfilled his dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. He had kept a picture of the AT behind him in his classroom, so the completion must have been sweet indeed. On the way, Darrell helped rescue a woman lost on trail leading her out when she had found…
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303. Edge-of-Your-Seat Movie Nights: Scary, Horror & Action Picks
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What makes the ultimate scary or action-packed movie night? In Part 3 of How to Do the Pot’s Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious, to share how to create a night full of suspense, excitement, and fun. Sophia reveals her favorite scary, horror, and action films…
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Mike Wetherhold, who was in the running to be part of the Mighty Blue Class of 2025, is our guest today. Mike went ahead and started the Appalachian Trail at the end of February, and finished mid-July. As you'll hear, he is a resilient kind of guy. Mike also had a serious purpose to his hike, raising a considerable sum for ALS research in honor of …
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