Living The Red Life — Episode Summary

Episode Title: From Chemist to Cannabis Mogul: The Mindset That Changed Everything
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: (Guest Host) Ray Gutierrez for Rudy Mawer
Guest: Kristen Avalon — Author, Chemist, Coach, Cannabis Entrepreneur

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the unconventional journey of Kristen Avalon, a former chemist who became a cannabis mogul, coach, and author. The conversation explores Kristen’s evolution from growing up in Florida to building and selling a major cannabis business, her perspective on the cultural and regulatory challenges within the cannabis industry, and her advocacy for mindful use and education. Kristen’s personal story of overcoming societal expectations, embracing entrepreneurial risk, and redefining “success” is interwoven with discussions about product development, the nuances of cannabis and CBD, parenting as a stepmom, and the future of psychoactive wellness. The tone is candid, empowering, and energetic, highlighted by humor and insights into what it truly means to “live your legacy.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Challenging Societal & Family Norms

• Invisible Chains: Kristen reflects on the hidden obstacles we inherit from family, culture, and prior authority figures, which often shape our paths subconsciously.
  • “I think that we all too often have invisible chains that we don't realize… it could be, you know, dad, mom, because their views and beliefs are a certain way. And that could really be holding you back.” (00:00, 16:18 — Kristen)
• Non-Traditional Path: Rejects the prescribed “go to college, get married, have kids” narrative for a more self-driven journey.
  • “I just did the opposite. I started school and I was like, this is not for me… I think I could do this. I could run my own thing.” (00:34, 19:41 — Kristen)

2. Becoming a Cannabis Entrepreneur

• Origin Story: Got her start in the cannabis industry in 2013 when Arizona began regulations, drawing on her under-the-radar Californian experiences.
  • “I started that back in 2013 when nobody was really doing it… I came from that underground world and wanted the closest environment to Northern California as possible.” (04:01 — Kristen)
• Reward & Impact: Found meaning in helping medical patients discover plant-based solutions.
  • “At first I was like, people just want to get high… but I really loved the people that it did actually help medicinally.” (04:49 — Kristen)

3. Industry Challenges & Evolution

• Funding & Growing Organically: Kristen self-funded her operation, building “one room at a time,” contrasting with others who poured millions upfront.
  • “We grew organically, built one room at a time... A lot of people came into the industry with millions and millions of dollars… that really pushes out the people that really enjoy and love the industry.” (00:49, 09:11 — Kristen)
• Regulations & Barriers: Critiques intense regulations, noting the irony that cannabis is often more heavily monitored than food.
  • “Why is cannabis so highly regulated and our food industry isn't?... This is not something that somebody would do every single day, but they probably eat an apple a day, and that has the same pesticides.” (10:02 — Kristen)
• Maintaining Culture Amid Growth: Misses early communal spirit in cannabis and regrets some of the corporatization’s side effects.
  • “You can't forget where you came from… it’s not like that anymore. We have to evolve, but you really… you can't forget where you started.” (05:24 — Kristen)

4. Approachable Product Philosophy

• Design & Accessibility: Kristen’s CBD line aims for clean, modern packaging that feels safe, neutral, and not intimidating.
  • “Understanding that colors make a difference while keeping it still simple and clean… the goal is to keep something super clean… not intimidating.” (11:06, 11:44 — Kristen)
• Education First: Products are designed to be discreet and educational, with accessible information for the consumer.

5. Destigmatizing Use & Advocating for Mindful Dosing

• Breaking the Stigma: Kristen is passionate about shifting perceptions, especially focusing on microdosing and proper titration.
  • “The side effect, in my opinion, is getting high. So where do we put you in that sweet spot to where you're not… potentially can’t move?... It's really dialing that in.” (14:51 — Kristen)
• Medical & Lifestyle Benefits: Both host and Kristen discuss how cannabis products alleviate anxiety, aid sleep, and improve functionality without being about “getting high.”
  • “I'm not getting high, I'm just getting normal.” (08:02 — Ray)

6. Personal Stories: Family, Parenting & Resilience

• Coming Out to Her Father: Kristen describes the pivotal moment revealing her career to her conservative dad—and winning his respect.
  • “He actually didn’t know I was in the cannabis industry for about a year… He was like, 'Wow, holy crap. That’s going to be like the new oil industry.'” (06:37 — Kristen)
• Stepparenting Journey: Details her experience as a stepmom, culminating in writing her book Stepping Into Love: Navigating the Journey of a Stepmom.
  • “I realized she put Riley, my stepdaughter, into my life. That’s who I was supposed to be... At the end of the day… that's still not your child, and people forget that, and that is hard.” (16:54–17:43 — Kristen)
• Generational Cycles: Notes how easy it is to inadvertently pass down the same “security” scripts parents give—despite rebelling against them herself.
  • “I gave her the same path that I hated that my dad gave me, but she ended up doing something and running with it and being extremely successful.” (20:23–20:24 — Kristen)

7. Building and Letting Go

• From Startup to Exit: Kristen built her business with her own hands—literally—citing personal involvement from electrical to irrigation, and admits selling was emotionally challenging.
  • “It was hard to let go because it was like the baby. I literally did the floors, I put up the walls…” (21:39 — Kristen)

8. The Future: Psychedelics, Microdosing, and Expansion

• On the Cutting Edge: Kristen is already exploring microdosing mushrooms and advocates for responsible exploration of novel therapies as Colorado and others legalize.
  • “Absolutely. So I also microdose mushrooms. Love—helps calm your mind… that is absolutely on the next forefront.” (23:05 — Kristen)
• Federal Regulation & Hopes: Hopes for a federal shift to enable legal interstate commerce.
  • "Hopefully... if you're able to cross lines from legal state to legal state, that's a huge step." (13:11 — Kristen)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset:
  “It doesn’t matter where you come from. You can be what you want to be no matter what. Just change your mindset. Quit thinking about what other people think about you. Just do you.” (16:37 — Kristen)

• On Overcoming Adversity:
  “You can put your heart into anything and everything that you want… but at the end of the day, that’s still not your child, and people forget that, and that is hard.” (17:35 — Kristen)

• On Industry Transformation:
  “They highly regulated it… to kind of keep the riff raff out a little bit too… but let’s evolve everywhere then.” (10:30 — Kristen)

• On True Value:
  “I love how people… started and then where they are now and how much they evolved. And the cannabis industry is eventually going to get there. But I still think that the personal touch… you really can feel it.” (22:43–22:59 — Kristen)

• On Letting Go:
  “It was hard to let go because it was like the baby. I literally did the floors, I put up the walls…” (21:39 — Kristen)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 00:46 — Challenging family and societal expectations
• 01:52 – 02:28 — Kristen’s Florida roots and upbringing
• 02:52 – 03:46 — Early partying, transition into business
• 04:01 – 05:43 — Getting into the cannabis industry, its evolution, and challenges
• 06:37 – 07:32 — Breaking news to family, regulation, and medicinal use
• 09:11 – 10:30 — Funding, industry barriers, regulatory issues
• 11:06 – 12:29 — Product design, branding philosophy, and accessible CBD
• 14:51 – 15:42 — Microdosing, proper dosing, and consumer education
• 16:54 – 17:43 — Step-parenting and the inspiration behind her book
• 20:23 – 20:37 — Repeating and breaking generational cycles
• 21:39 – 22:59 — Building a business from scratch and the emotional sale
• 23:05 – 23:33 — Future of microdosing and psychedelics
• 13:11 — Legal and regulatory hopes for the cannabis business

Where to Find Kristen Avalon

• CBD & Consulting: HiveMindRefinery.com
• Life Coaching: WhenYouHaveChoices.com
• Book: Stepping Into Love: Navigating the Journey of a Stepmom

Conclusion

Kristen Avalon’s story is one of reinvention, persistence, and pushing through invisible boundaries. Her insights offer both practical advice for entrepreneurs and inspiration for anyone navigating change—whether in business, family, or personal mindset. The episode blends humor, authenticity, and a forward-looking perspective on what it means to build a business and a life true to oneself, leaving listeners empowered to “live their legacy.”