Inside Cultivation Podcast
An insider's look at the cannabis industry, from legacy growers to large-scale commercial operations, hosted by a major figure in the cultivation world.
This is an interview podcast that serves as a deep dive into the business, technology, and culture of cannabis cultivation. Hosted by industry titan BigMike, the show leverages his extensive network and experience to explore the transition from the illegal legacy market to the complex legal landscape. It often champions the cause of small, craft growers while examining the operational realities of large-scale commercial facilities.
“Unlike many cannabis podcasts, this one is hosted by the founder of a major ancillary company, giving it a distinct business and science focus. It consistently bridges the gap between the old-school, outlaw legacy market and the new world of regulated, corporate cannabis.”
Who hosts this show
The podcast is hosted by Michael Straumietis, better known as BigMike, the founder and CEO of Advanced Nutrients, a leading global company for cannabis-specific fertilizers. Straumietis began growing in 1983 and founded his company in 1999 to create nutrients specifically for cannabis, which he felt was underserved by general hydroponic formulas. The show features interviews with fellow industry veterans, and some episodes are co-hosted or feature interviews by "ACT specialist Eljay".
Credentials & credits
- Founder and CEO of Advanced Nutrients.
- Cannabis cultivator since 1983.
- Pioneered over 57 'firsts' in the cannabis nutrient industry.
- Technical advisor for the TV series "Weeds" and films like "Pineapple Express".
- Founder of the Humanity Heroes Foundation.
- Host of the podcast "Business Outlaws".
Other ventures
- Advanced Nutrients
- Advanced Hemp.
- Humanity Heroes Foundation.
- Holiday Heroes (charity in Bulgaria).
- Business Outlaws (podcast).
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01The Commercial Cannabis Reality Check | Episode 29Jun 26, 2026 · 1h 00m
- 02The Real Cost of Going Legal | Episode 28May 1, 2026 · 1h 05m
- 03The Machine Big Tobacco Made Illegal | Episode 27Apr 3, 2026 · 1h 05m
- 04How to Pheno Hunt Like a Pro | Episode 26Mar 13, 2026 · 56 min
- 0540 Years: Prison, Risk & Building Advanced Nutrients | Episode 25Nov 21, 2025 · 2h 22m
- 06What growers can learn from Texas’ bold strategy | Episode 24Oct 10, 2025 · 57 min
- 07Inside the Caribbean Cannabis Boom | Episode 23Sep 24, 2025 · 32 min
- 08Inside Europe's Hidden Cannabis Cultivation Revolution | Episode 22Sep 5, 2025 · 1h 10m
Notable episodes
- 0140 Years: Prison, Risk & Building Advanced Nutrients | Episode 25
The host, BigMike, is interviewed by co-host Eljay, revealing his own dramatic and controversial backstory behind building his company, Advanced Nutrients.
- 02The Real Cost of Going Legal | Episode 28
A powerful deep-dive into the struggles of small, legacy farmers in the Emerald Triangle, a core theme of the podcast.
- 03The Machine Big Tobacco Made Illegal | Episode 27
This episode explores the intersection of cannabis technology, business history, and government regulation through the story of a revolutionary pre-roll machine.
What you'll be asked on this show
The hosts, primarily BigMike, employ a conversational yet strategic interview style. They often open by establishing a guest's origin story, sometimes chronologically, asking questions like "Where'd you grow up?" or "Why did you start [your project]?" They leverage their own deep industry knowledge, sharing personal anecdotes to build rapport. Probing is done with direct, concise follow-ups ("Why did those companies go out of business?") or by asking for the 'why' behind a guest's statement ("Do you think the system is trying to push small farmers out, and why?"). The interviews are guided discussions rather than rigid Q&As, allowing guests to speak at length on their areas of expertise.
The show is a long-form interview format, often opening with a dramatic, pre-produced introduction to build hype. The hosts, BigMike and Eljay, are knowledgeable insiders who guide conversations with direct questions but also allow guests ample time to tell their stories. The tone is casual and collegial, reflecting pre-existing relationships within the tight-knit industry.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
13 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
2- Q.01
“Where did you grow up and how did you first get into the cannabis world?”
This is a common opening question to establish the guest's origin story and entry into the industry.
- Q.02
“Why did you start your company or project?”
The host asks this to understand the core motivation and the market need the guest sought to address.
money
2- Q.01
“What were the prices like back in the legacy days?”
This question is used to ground the conversation in the economic reality of the pre-legalization market.
- Q.02
“Why are some legacy operators succeeding in the legal market while others are failing?”
This question seeks to analyze the specific factors that determine success in the modern cannabis business environment.
controversy
2- Q.01
“What was the closest you ever came to getting busted?”
A recurring question for legacy operators to highlight the risks they faced before legalization.
- Q.02
“Do you think the system is designed to push small farmers out, and why?”
The host uses this pointed question to get the guest's perspective on systemic pressures in the legal market.
mindset
1- Q.01
“What's a lesson the legal market has forgotten from the legacy days?”
This question elicits a comparison between the cultures of the old and new cannabis industries, often highlighting values like loyalty.
personal
1- Q.01
“What was the most expensive lesson you've learned in a grow?”
The host asks this to surface a story of a major setback and the learning that came from it.
advice
1- Q.01
“When you walk into a cultivation facility, what's the first thing you look for?”
This question reveals the guest's diagnostic process and priorities as a professional grower or consultant.
process
1- Q.01
“What are the biggest challenges when transitioning from the traditional to the legal market?”
A key question that explores the primary obstacles legacy growers face with regulation and compliance.
industry
1- Q.01
“How do the 'golden years' of the traditional market compare to now?”
This prompts a direct comparison of the economics and culture before and after legalization.
backstory
1- Q.01
“Tell us about your time as a [surprising past job, e.g., diplomat].”
The host will explore unexpected parts of a guest's background to add depth to their story.
technique
1- Q.01
“What's the trick to your technology that makes it work so well?”
When discussing a new product or technique, this question is used to understand its unique advantage.
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically seasoned cannabis industry professionals, including veteran cultivators, business owners, tech innovators, and community organizers. Many have deep roots in the pre-legalization 'legacy' market and now run or consult for legal operations.
- JJ Crosson The Commercial Cannabis Reality Check | Episode 29
- Lorien Curranon The Real Cost of Going Legal | Episode 28
- Adam Kingon The Machine Big Tobacco Made Illegal | Episode 27
- Shane Pontoon How to Pheno Hunt Like a Pro | Episode 26
- Colton Lutheron What growers can learn from Texas’ bold strategy | Episode 24
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Estimated: The podcast is a significant content marketing platform for the host's primary company, Advanced Nutrients. Episode 25 is an extensive interview about the founding of the company, and the show's branding and topics are closely aligned with establishing Advanced Nutrients as a thought leader.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- Who is the host of Inside Cultivation?
- The primary host is Michael "BigMike" Straumietis, the founder and CEO of Advanced Nutrients. Some episodes are also hosted or co-hosted by "ACT specialist Eljay".
- What is the podcast's format?
- It is a long-form interview show where the hosts talk with professionals from the cannabis industry, including growers, entrepreneurs, and activists.
- Is Inside Cultivation still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes on a roughly monthly basis.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
- What kind of topics are discussed?
- The show focuses on all aspects of cannabis cultivation, including the business, technology, science, and the politics of transitioning from the legacy to the legal market.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]About Michael Straumietisabout.me
- [02]Hall of Fame: Mike “BigMike” Straumietis - Cannabis Nowcannabisnow.com
- [03]About Advanced Nutrientsadvancednutrients.com
- [04]Meet Big Mike Straumietis: the Marijuana Don of America - Square Milesqmle.com
- [05]Inside Cultivation: The Best Cannabis Podcast for Growers | Advanced Nutrientsadvancednutrients.com
- [06]Inside Cultivation on Buzzsproutbuzzsprout.com
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