George Hodgin is a former Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur who is revolutionizing the world of medical cannabis research. George is the founder and CEO of Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC), one of the only federally legal cannabis research organizations in the United States. His company is leading the charge in developing safe, regulated, and scientifically-backed cannabis-based therapeutics—offering alternatives to opioids and other pharmaceutical treatments.
This is George’s second time on the podcast—our first conversation was almost exactly five years ago, back when his company was in its early stages, the pandemic was just beginning, and he was navigating the uncharted waters of federal cannabis regulations. Since we last spoke, BRC has made huge strides—partnering with leading medical institutions, earning FDA orphan drug designation, and paving the way for legal, cannabis-based medications.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend going back and listening to that first episode, where George shares the full story of his fascinating career trajectory—his time as a Navy SEAL, his MBA at Stanford, and his undergraduate experience as a Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina. That conversation is a great companion to this one and provides even more insight into his unique journey.
In this episode, George and I dive into the evolution of BRC, the shifting cultural & political landscape around cannabis, and what it’s like balancing an entrepreneurial mindset with the slow, methodical world of federal drug approval. We also talk leadership, risk assessment in business and combat, humility vs arrogance, and what it’s been like to watch his wife, bestselling author & culinary powerhouse Caroline Chambers, build an incredible career of her own. Be sure to check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we discussed, plus links to resources, books, and more.
George is one of the most insightful, driven, and humble people I know, and I always learn a ton from our conversations. Whether you’re interested in business, science, leadership, or just a great story of perseverance and innovation, this episode has something for you.
Hope you enjoy!
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Photos courtesy of George Hodgin and Caroline Chambers
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RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 2:36 – Reconnecting with George
- 3:51 – George’s BRC elevator pitch
- 6:51 – City of Hope collaboration
- 10:36 – Choosing partnerships and plans
- 13:36 – What makes a successful idea
- 16:06 – Company mechanics
- 18:21 – Energy balance
- 22:06 – Cannabis in the name
- 23:51 – Cannabis sentiments culturally shifting
- 26:36 – But not legally
- 28:06 – Regulations and competition
- 32:21 – Different schedules of drugs
- 36:36 – Betting on the idea versus the team
- 41:21 – Risk framework
- 46:51 – When do you stop planning?
- 51:06 – Favorite failure
- 55:36 – Not seeing the forest for the trees
- 59:06 – Does cockiness play a role?
- 1:02:06 – George’s wife’s cooking journey
- 1:07:06 – General Mattis’ influence
- 1:08:51 – Book recs
- 1:11:06 – Parting words, asking Ed a question
Information Referenced:
- George Hodgin
- Biopharmaceutical Research Company
- George’s first M&P episode
- BRC’s partnership with City of Hope to address pain management in breast cancer patients.
- Drug schedules per the DEA
- Bill O’Reilly: “We’ll do it live!!”
- Caroline Chambers
- What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers
- General Jim Mattis’ memoir, Call Sign Chaos. George’s son, Mattis, is named after General Mattis.
- Hampton Sides’ Blood and Thunder.
- King Rat by James Clavell, same author of the stories that inspired the Shogun series.
- The Splendid and the Vile, not just another Churchill book, according to George.
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these too:
- Jason Gardner – A Life of Purpose & Service
- Iris Gardner – Living with Intention
- Rick Ridgeway – Purpose-Driven Adventurer
- Walt Morgan – Helping People Discover Their Best Selves
- Nick Offerman – Empathy, Nuance, & Good Hard Work
- Hampton Sides Returns: The Wild and Tragic Tale of Captain James Cook
- Joe Schobert – From NFL Pro Bowler to Western Conservation Advocate
- Hal Herring Returns – Live at the Old Salt Festival
Visit the podcast page for a full, searchable list of episodes
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