We The Growers

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Nov 2026

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We The Growers is a cannabis cultivation podcast hosted by Brandon Burkhart and a panel of experienced Southern California growers. The show brings real-world perspective, proven best practices, and discussion around the latest technology shaping the cannabis industry. Each episode features knowledgeable guests with years of hands-on cultivation experience across multiple sectors of commercial cannabis. Full episodes and clips are also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WeTheGrowers

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46 recent

November 4, 20261 hr 15 min

Brandon Burkhart & Rex Gill – E.48

Rex Gill and Brandon Burkhart built PowerSI together, became competitors, and are now working together again. In We The Growers Episode 48, they discuss cannabis cultivation, selling PowerSI, and the research behind PACKS nutrients. From living in Southern California hydro shops to greenhouse growing and producing hash, Rex shares the experiences that shaped his career. We get into building a fertilizer business, the difficulty of selling it, and what brought him and Brandon back together. On the cultivation side, we discuss synganic nutrition, fulvic acid, PK boosters, and Athena’s crowdsourced research. Brandon and Rex explain how feedback from growers using different water and cultivation systems informs nutrient development. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: Spotify ( https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy ) Apple Podcasts ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747?utm_source=chatgpt.com ) Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast: @wethegrowerspodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ ) Athena Ag: @ athena.ag ( https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ ) Visit our website: www.athenaag.com ( https://www.athenaag.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com ) #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

September 24, 20261 hr 10 min

Steve Mayo from Mitten Canna Co & Rex Gill – E.47

Michigan grower Mitten Gardens has built a cultivation style around simplicity, consistency, and knowing when not to follow the crowd. In Episode 47, we talk about growing in one of the most competitive cannabis markets in the country, keeping a smaller operation profitable, and why good product and the right scale still matter. Inside the grow, Mitten breaks down Toad Venom, why the cultivar performed better under significantly lower PPFD, HPS vs LED, checkerboard lighting, under-canopy lighting, three-gallon coco, once-a-day irrigation, runoff, and why he still prefers reading the plant over chasing sensors and complicated crop steering strategies. We also get into pheno hunting, genetics, Michigan’s caregiver roots, the shift from the traditional market to licensed cultivation, building a team, staying disciplined with money, and why doing more is not always the answer. This one is about keeping cultivation simple, learning what each genetic actually wants, and building a business that can survive when the market gets tighter. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGb ... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast ... Follow Mitten: @mittencannaco @mittengardens Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast: @wethegrowerspodcast Athena Ag: @ athena.ag Visit our website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

August 26, 20261 hr 21 min

Steve Kado from Legasea Farms – E.46

Steve Kado of LegaSea Farms: Michigan Cannabis, Cultivation & Building a Brand | E.46 Michigan is one of the toughest cannabis markets in the country, and Steve Kado has been through nearly every version of it. From the legacy market to commercial cultivation, white labeling, and building LegaSea Farms into a brand carried in 150+ stores, Steve has learned that growing great flower is only part of the equation. In Episode 46, we talk about surviving market compression, building relationships that move product, and finding the balance between culture and business. Inside the grow, Steve breaks down under-canopy lighting, HPS vs LED, Rockwool, crop steering, substrate monitoring, and why yield has become one of the biggest levers for staying competitive. We also get into THC and terpene testing, blind smoke tests, rosin, consumer education, and a question the industry keeps coming back to: are we measuring quality the right way? This one is about adapting without losing what got you into the game in the first place. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Steve Kado and LegaSea Farms: https://www.instagram.com/legasea_farms/ Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ Athena Ag: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ Visit our website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

May 21, 20261 hr 24 min

Chris Ghostbudsters – E.44

This episode dives into the future of cannabis R&D through real-world, crowdsourced product testing. Chris from Ghostbudsters joins us to talk about running Athena Pro Line at 3.0 EC, using Fade in the final 7–9 days, and testing new formulations through Athena’s grower-led research program. Alongside Jay from R&D, Chris has been evaluating new PK formulas, Smokeability-focused products, and upcoming releases with controlled, repeatable runs. The testing showed serious gains: more yield, higher THC, increased terpene content, and overall flower quality that checked every box. More importantly, this conversation highlights what the industry needs more of: transparency, honesty, real data, and growers willing to share both wins and losses. Crowdsourced R&D is helping us learn faster, improve products, and build the future of cultivation with the people actually running the rooms. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=3832d93785d14a5fhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostbudstersfarm /Produced by the Athena Ag Team.We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com#WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

February 19, 20261 hr 32 min

Athena IPM Team Joe Alcorn & Jay Yokiel – E.43

We The Growers sits down with Joe Alcorn, IPM Specialist at Athena, and Jay Yokiel, Athena’s Director of Cultivation Science.In this episode, we dive deep into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and plant health mitigation strategies. We talk about the importance of scouting, beneficial pests and fungi, the risks that come with using certain products, and what types of questions Joe will ask you in one of his IPM consultations that we are offering to @ athena.ag customers. Additionally, we discuss common irrigation strategy pitfalls and the latest research coming out of the Athena R&D Facility and our Crowdsourced R&D Program. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=3832d93785d14a5fhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747Follow Joe and Jay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athenajoe/__https://www.instagram.com/saltsandleds/Produced by the Athena Ag Team.We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com#WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

January 15, 20261 hr 57 min

Proper Doinks – E.42

We The Growers sits down with Roach from Jungle Boys, and Adam & Paul from Proper Smoke Network & Proper Doinks. In this episode, we talk about the characteristics of high quality flower, how Adam & Paul came together to start their brand, and the upcoming partnership between Athena® R&D and Proper Doinks, who will be aiding in QC to help us figure out what inputs and variables really create the best flower on Earth. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=5fe5deab1b454569Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Proper Doinks & Proper Smoke Network: https://www.instagram.com/propersmokeleague/ https://www.instagram.com/properdoinkstv/ Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

September 25, 20251 hr 9 min

Hytek – E.40

We The Growers sits down with Bill, aka Chocolate, and Tyler from Hytek Detroit. Recently, the guys won the Best Overall and Best Tasting categories at Zalympix Michigan 2025. In this episode, Chocolate and Tyler talk about how they produce their cup winning flower. What media they are using, what Athena products they are using, and how they are running their facility as a whole. We also talk about both of their stories coming up in the Detroit Cannabis Industry. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=5fe5deab1b454569Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Hytek Detroit: https://www.instagram.com/hytek.detroit?igsh=azFhb2F1bTNob3Zz Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

August 27, 20251 hr 51 min

Growing Pains – E.39

We The Growers sits down with Tom and Seth from Growing Pains. Recently, the guys on the Proper Doinks Dessert Bracket with their cut of Honey Banana. In this episode, Tom and Seth talk about how they produce their cup winning flower. What lights they use, what Athena products they use, Irrigation Strategy, how they dry and cure their product, and how they’re winning with their business in Michigan. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=5fe5deab1b454569Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Growing Pains: https://www.instagram.com/growingpainsmi/ Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

July 29, 20252 hr 17 min

Chris Mayerson #2 – E.38

We The Growers sits down with Chris Mayerson, a legacy cultivator and entrepreneur to talk about his journey in the Canadian Cannabis Industry. In this episode, we talk about how he got started with Aurora Cannabis, how much he owned, and what he is up to now after launching a craft cannabis business called Black Rock. We also dive into what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in this industry; overcoming challenges, hard lessons, and the personal philosophy it takes to win. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=5fe5deab1b454569 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747 Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrismayerson Produced by the Athena Ag Team. We The Growers Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/ Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/ Visit our Website: https://www.athenaag.com #WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture

May 23, 20252 hr 5 min

Bones Grows and Wow Town – E.37

We The Growers sits with Mike and Bones from @ wow.town and @bones_grows. In this episode, we discuss what it was like for both to come up in the industry. Fighting through raids, theft, and everything else that came with cultivation in the traditional market. We also discuss how the two met, how they both run profitable businesses, and both their stories.We are also available to listen to on Spotify and Apple podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VrbpGbAE9JYn3I0Vo8zSy?si=5fe5deab1b454569https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-growers/id1620427747More information about Wow Town and Bones Grows: https://www.instagram.com/bones_grows/https://www.instagram.com/wow.town/Produced and shot by the Athena Ag Team.Athena Ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.ag/We The Growers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wethegrowerspodcast/Visit our website: https://www.athenaag.com#WeTheGrowers #AthenaAg #ForTheCulture