Towards Radical Human Connection | GenX Hits Menopause E17
E17 ~ Towards More Radical Human Connection ~ Listen
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Heather introduces listeners to Pete Sessa, pioneering cannabis activist and founder of the Cannadelic event series.
Topics include:
- How Pete Sessa transitioned from high-profile marketing and producing events like the Grammys and Super Bowls to organizing the world’s largest cannabis and psychedelic gatherings
- The founding of the Florida Cannabis Coalition in 2014, laying groundwork for the state’s current cannabis industry
- What it takes to deliver impactful, community-backed events under pressure and public scrutiny
- The Cannadelic phenomenon—how it created a unique environment for radical human connection
- The evolution of Pete’s personal relationship with cannabis, intentional use, and the role of “integration” in the psychedelic space
About Pete Sessa
Pete Sessa is a leading voice in cannabis and psychedelic culture, known for building platforms that center truth, transparency, and community over ego.
His journey with plant medicine started as self-medication in high school. A cannabis activist since 1993, Sessa’s transformational psilocybin experience in college offered profound insights into both advertising and human perception—lessons he carried into a successful NYC events career.
Despite his achievements in marketing and event production, Pete sought greater purpose and fulfillment, eventually moving to Florida to co-found the Florida Cannabis Coalition in 2014. He produced nine cannabis conventions and 150+ networking events—helping shape Florida’s cannabis industry before legalization.
That groundwork led to Cannadelic, a first-of-its-kind event uniting cannabis and psychedelics under one roof, now drawing over 25,000 attendees from 32 countries since 2022. Even after facing public attacks and setbacks, Pete continues to lead with vision, resilience, and a commitment to building authentic community in plant medicine.
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Episode Highlights
You’re gonna look back and wonder
"I felt like this was a responsibility. I felt like if I didn't do this, it was like, you know, like turning my back on the universe, which is like pounding on me to do this event. And then like, you gotta do this. If you don't do this, I mean, like, you're gonna look back and wonder what if."
Wow, I just can't believe it
"You were so magical in developing this sense of radical human connection. I mean, if people were flying down here the next day, I mean, that's radical. People are starved for that. And every time I'm at a Cannadelic event, I come away feeling, wow, I just can't believe it."
They're the ones that make it magical
"I create this space. I invite people to come to it, and then the people that come, they're the ones that make it magical."
You've created the space for that
"There's this incredible ability to connect with people because they're there for something more. And I just also wanna say, give yourself some props for creating the space for that. 'Cause that's magic because all these people are out there, right? But if they don't get together, there's no magic. You've created the space for that. And that's what we look forward to."
They're actually there
"I think that's definitely part of the magic and what makes people a little bit more comfortable at these events is that they're not just there to try and, you know, one up the next person. They're actually there, being more open. And I think the psychedelics, the substances themselves kind of help along with that. But I do think that it's more the intention that people come with."
