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Compassion in action

Get to know some of the advocates who ensure those in need have safe, affordable access to plant-based healing and those who benefit from compassion programs in California.

Compassion in action

Get to know some of the advocates who ensure those in need have safe, affordable access to plant-based healing and those who benefit from compassion programs in California.

Sweetleaf Joe: On a Quest for Compassion in California

Sweetleaf Joe: On a Quest for Compassion in California

Written by Lesley NickusIn a historic building in San Francisco, Joe “Sweetleaf Joe” Airone reflects on his journey with Sweetleaf Health Equity, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free medical cannabis to patients and veterans in need. With over two decades of...

Cyd Johnson: A Caregiver Navigating Veteran PTSD

Cyd Johnson: A Caregiver Navigating Veteran PTSD

Written by Lesley NickusSidney Johnson, a resilient woman dedicated to supporting her Vietnam veteran husband, shared her poignant story in a candid interview. Johnson, a regular visitor to the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, opened up about the struggles and triumphs...

Kathleen Anderson: A Lifeline of Compassion in Santa Cruz

Kathleen Anderson: A Lifeline of Compassion in Santa Cruz

Written by Lesley NickusIn the heart of Santa Cruz County, amidst the towering redwoods and enveloping fog that characterize this coastal enclave, lies a sanctuary for veterans like Kathleen Anderson. Anderson, a Navy veteran with a spirited demeanor and a deep...

Xochitl Martinez: Weaving Into the Fabric of the Community

Xochitl Martinez: Weaving Into the Fabric of the Community

Written by Lesley NickusHow a Two Spirit Veteran Found her CommunityAmid the lively atmosphere of a community center, a group of veterans convenes. Among them is Xochitl Martinez, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Two-Spirit community. As the conversation unfolds,...

Linci Comy: Transforming Veteran Support Through Compassion

Linci Comy: Transforming Veteran Support Through Compassion

Written by Lesley NickusIn the heart of West Oakland, the Hella Positive Art Gallery stands as a beacon of hope and healing for veterans. Embedded in this transformative space is Linci Comy, a Navy veteran and the veteran coordinator at the gallery. Through her...

Anders Winther: Finding Healing and Community Through Cannabis

Anders Winther: Finding Healing and Community Through Cannabis

Written by Lesley NickusA Veteran's Journey to Fulfillment and Relief In the bustling streets of the Bay Area, a new kind of veteran support group is taking shape, one rooted in the power of cannabis and compassion. It’s called Veteran’s Compassion and the program...

John Entwistle: Documenting History, Fighting for Change

John Entwistle: Documenting History, Fighting for Change

Written by Jessica PeraltaA look at the impact of Dennis Peron and John Entwistle, Jr., who co-founded the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club.No conversation about the history of medical cannabis access can happen without talking about John Entwistle, Jr. and his late...

Aaron Newsom: Compassion Through Care and Cultivation

Aaron Newsom: Compassion Through Care and Cultivation

Written by Jessica PeraltaSanta Cruz Veterans Alliance co-founder Aaron Newsom gives back to veterans through cannabis.It was the day after 9/11 when Aaron Newsom signed up as a Marine. He was looking for purpose — and he found it — but not exactly in the way he’d...

Valerie Leveroni-Corral: Advocate for End-of-live Care

Valerie Leveroni-Corral: Advocate for End-of-live Care

Written by Jessica PeraltaValerie Leveroni Corral’s journey with cannabis began with a car accident. “A plane buzzed our car. My friend was driving my Volkswagen bug and the car flipped and rolled and that left me with a TBI, a traumatic brain injury,”said Leveroni...

More Profiles Coming Soon…

Ryan Miller

Co-founder, Compassionate Veterans

Portrait of Nicole Redler, founder of Re-Compass.

Nicole Redler

Founder, ReCompass

Shannon DeGrooms, founder of This is Jane Project.

Shannon DeGrooms

Executive Director, This is Jane Project

Portrait of Sunny by Jess Graye

Sunny

Medical Cannabis Patient

Image of Jerry Flagg outside Cultivate Dispensary in Santa Cruz, California wearing a Weed for Warriors hat

Jerry Flagg

Veteran Compassion Advocate

Renita Taylor attends a This is Jane Project compassion event at GorillaRx in Compton, Calif.

Renita Taylor

Medical Cannabis Patient

Shannon DeGrooms, executive director, This is Jane Project

Miyoko Toy

Compassion Advocate

Portrait of Wayne Justman

Wayne Justman

California’s First Medical Card Holder

A portrait of Terrance Alan outside Flore Dispensary in San Francisco, Calif.

Terrance Alan

Compassion Advocate

Shannon DeGrooms, executive director, This is Jane Project

Justine Amodeo & Suzanne DeCarion

Earth Alchemy Holistic Care

Cannabis is a plant medicine with deep roots in healing

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Looking for more Kind Convos?

Purchase apparel or sponsor an episode to keep the kind conversations going

Sales from apparel and sponsorships will help us finish editing on the current season and begin making plans for future seasons.