Withum Sounding Board

Hosted by Withum

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Episodes

104

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast sharing powerful business tips, insights and trends for those seeking to become a rock star in their industry.

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60 recent

November 5, 20263 min

Post-Election Cannabis Update: What Massachusetts, Idaho and Pennsylvania Results Mean for the Industry

What do the 2026 election results mean for cannabis? On this episode of What the Hemp? , Withum’s Wendy Heiss and Ray Owens recap the state results that matter most for the industry. They cover Massachusetts voters’ decisive rejection of Question 8, which would have repealed adult-use cannabis; Idaho’s vote against HJR 4, which keeps the door open to future legalization by ballot; and how Pennsylvania’s new Democratic trifecta could pave the way for adult-use sales in one of the nation’s largest medical markets. They close with a look at federal legalization and why momentum at the state level points to a bright 2027.

October 21, 202620 min

New Federal Hemp Rules 2026: What Businesses Should Know

The hemp beverage industry could look very different by the end of 2026. A new federal hemp definition takes effect November 12 and December 11, replacing the 0.3% delta-9 THC test with a total-THC standard and a 0.4-milligram-per-container cap that would push most hemp THC drinks outside federal law. On this episode of What the Hemp? , Withum’s Raymond Owens and food and beverage specialist Derek White discuss how the 2018 Farm Bill fueled the hemp boom, why Section 280E could return for hemp companies, how the midterms and the courts could change the outcome, and how states like California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Minnesota are handling hemp-derived THC. They close with practical steps hemp operators, investors and advisors can take now to prepare.

September 11, 202612 min

Before You Migrate: What Organizations Need to Know About COBOL Modernization

Join Withum's Application Modernization and Project Management experts as they discuss a budget line item nobody enjoys defending: outdated COBOL systems. So, what does it really take to modernize a COBOL environment? Listen in to explore the financial, operational and governance factors organizations should understand before launching a modernization initiative.

August 18, 202640 min

Talent Development and the Evolving Project Leader Role

For the final installment of Withum's PMO series, our group of experts will cover what is perhaps the most consequential topic of all in project management — the people. Through real examples and experience, the group will discuss AI's real impact on project management talent, role archetypes, hiring criteria, development programs and more.

August 11, 202627 min

What Makes a Company Investable Today? A Board-Level Perspective

Host Cutty Thomas sits down with Bill Hagaman , board member across multiple life sciences companies, Global Chairman at HLB International and CEO emeritus at Withum. Together, they explore the evolving life sciences landscape, what investors and boards really look for in growth-stage companies, and how founders can craft pitches that stand out. Bill shares hard-won lessons from years of boardroom leadership, plus his outlook on the opportunities and challenges set to shape the industry's future.

July 30, 202612 min

The Hidden Tax Credits Cannabis Farmers Are Leaving on the Table in New York

New York's cannabis market is already at $2.5B in sales and heading toward $6.1B by 2033, but the biggest opportunities for growers may be sitting in the state's tax code. On this episode of What the Hemp , Withum's Ray Owens and Jonathan Tretter unpack the New York State credits and incentives cannabis producers should line up before they ever pick a site: the Brownfield Cleanup Program, Excelsior Jobs incentives, the 20% refundable Investment Tax Credit available to qualified farms, agricultural real estate exemptions, and the Workforce Retention Credit. They also flag the mistakes that trip up operators. If you're building, growing, or investing in New York cannabis, this is the planning conversation to have before you sign a lease.

June 18, 202626 min

What Buyers Really Want: Systems, Stability, and Scalability

In this episode of The C-Suite Spotlight , Cutty Thomas hosts Judith Wilks, Founder and Principal Consultant of Steadfast Ventures , to discuss what buyers really look for in today’s market. They explore how strong systems, operational stability, and documented processes drive enterprise value and reduce risk. Judith shares insights on transforming tribal knowledge into scalable assets and how leaders can build organizations that grow beyond individual contributors.

May 12, 202643 min

How to Finance Your Life Sciences Company Through the Valley of Death

Greg Erman , serial entrepreneur, investor, and life sciences mentor, joins host Cutty Thomas to share a practical playbook for funding life sciences ventures, covering IP, revenue, and margin inflection points, investor expectations, and how founders can navigate dilution, scaling, and uncertainty to survive the “valley of death.”

May 7, 202622 min

Designing Hybrid PMO Methodologies for Your Organization

This episode explores how PMOs can move beyond the waterfall vs. agile debate by adopting hybrid methodologies tailored to each project. Through real examples and practical steps, subject matter experts from Withum's Business and Management Consulting Services Team show how to balance structure and flexibility to navigate change management effectively.

April 14, 202619 min

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Changes Everything for Cannabis Operators and Small Business

CPA and Tax Supervisor Lindsey Valentine sits down with Withum Senior Tax Manager Raymond Owens to break down the most consequential tax legislation since the TCJA. From a major SALT cap increase to permanent bonus depreciation, restored R&D expensing, and a sweeping crackdown on hemp products, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act touches nearly every corner of the tax code. Whether you're a cannabis operator, manufacturer, or individual taxpayer, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for what's changing and how to position yourself for success.