“Part of our mandate is cultivating emotional wellbeing. Giving yourself the space and tools to slow down and internalise some of the stress we carry and the stuff that we all live with. Everybody’s got something, and part of it is finding some sort of a ritual or habit that can help us with the equilibrium we’re all looking for.”
– Founder and CEO of Goodleaf, Warren Schewitz
Mindful moments come in many shapes and sizes
They can be as small as a 5-minute meditation or a split-second commitment to kinder, more compassionate thoughts. While changes like these ultimately lead to bigger, long-term shifts, we often forget that they take time and patience to build. Through our newly-launched podcast, we want to slow life down a little, and explore the ways in which the medicinal cannabis plant can help us find rituals in these routines.
Hosted by the ever-curious Maps Maponyane, the Goodleaf podcast also aims to de-stigmatise this often misunderstood plant, and explore its cultural and economic potential by engaging in conversation with inspirational thinkers, change makers and industry experts. Maps’ first guests are Warren Schewitz, the Founder and CEO of Goodleaf, Africa’s leading premium CBD wellness brand, and the Founder of Hemporium and influential cannabis activist, Tony Budden. Their combined knowledge on everything from public policy to the medicinal properties of the plant made them the natural first choice for our podcast premier.
“Cannabis is not doing the work. It is enabling us to do the work,” says co-founder of Hemporium Tony Budden as he chats to podcast host Maps Maponyane and Goodleaf founder Warren Schewitz. In perhaps the most fascinating section of the first episode, the trio delve into cannabis as a revolutionary tool for self-care. As an increasing number of scientific studies come to the fore, we’re discovering how CBD-infused vapes, topical creams, skincare and beverages and more can help the brain to send more efficient signals, rebalancing the body to achieve an elevated state of emotional wellbeing.
Part and parcel of this conversation is the stigma around “the devil’s weed” but also the increasing amount of data showing the positive impact that increased CBD usage is having the world over. While steps have been taken globally to legalise cannabis and CBD, South Africa still lies in a Catch 22 – we have some of the most exceptional strains and knowledgeable growers on our doorstep, but the local cannabis and CBD economy is still locked up in outdated legislation.
As Maps, Warren and Tony unpack the lobbying and educational efforts that have gone hand in hand with building their companies, they provide some insights into how the decriminalisation of cannabis products could lead to a seriously bright future for South Africa and beyond.
Through open, honest conversations with recognised thought leaders, we hope to enlighten, inspire and motivate our listeners to challenge preconceived thinking, and make up their own mind about one of nature's most iconic plants. Episode one merely skims the surface, giving us an overview of the South African cannabis industry and its untapped potential. Join us for weekly episodes where we’ll invite you to take a break from life’s cacophony and engage with fresh perspectives that’ll leave you hungry for more.
About the Podcast
The Goodleaf Podcast is a series of conversations hosted by Maps Maponyane about cannabis and well-being. We’re here to de-stigmatise this often misunderstood plant, and to explore its personal and economic potential by engaging in conversation with inspirational thinkers, change makers and industry experts.
Meet Maps
Presenter, actor, fashion designer, model, public speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist Maps Maponyane recently added another accolade to his list – Goodleaf podcast host. As a newly converted CBD advocate, Maps is on hand to ask all of the right questions and confirm what we knew all along – that he’s a pretty great guy.
Meet Our Guests
Warren Schewitz is the Founder and CEO of Goodleaf, Africa’s leading premium CBD wellness brand, and Tony Budden is an influential cannabis activist and Founder of Hemporium. In this conversation they explore the origins of the cannabis industry in South Africa, current laws and legislation and the untapped potential that exists in our country to become a world leader in cannabis cultivation and production.