In our latest episode of Curve Ahead, I had the opportunity to speak with Shahbaaz Kara-Varani (SKV), Vice President of Growth at Blaze, a company providing payment, point-of-sale, and e-commerce software for cannabis retailers. What struck me most about our conversation wasn’t just the technical aspects of their platform, but the fascinating regulatory landscape they navigate daily.
This interview perfectly illustrates why podcasting is such a powerful medium for exploring complex, regulated industries—it allows for nuanced discussions that written content often struggles to capture.
Finding Opportunity in Regulatory Complexity
One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation with SKV was his insight into how Blaze finds opportunity within the complex web of cannabis regulations across different states.
“The opportunity for us within the regulations is in the specialty knowledge that needs to happen in understanding how to navigate those regulations,” SKV explained. This expertise has allowed Blaze to develop solutions like their white-labeled payments platform, addressing a critical need in an industry that can’t use traditional payment rails.
This type of discussion—exploring how businesses identify opportunities within constraints—creates particularly valuable podcast content. While a blog post might simply list the challenges of the cannabis industry, a conversation allows the listener to understand the strategic thinking process that leads to innovation.
The “Invisible Monster” of Change Management
Perhaps the most insightful moment of our conversation came when SKV described what he considers the biggest challenge for software companies selling to established businesses: the “invisible monster” of change management.
“No one wants to do any work, let alone change the work that they’re doing on the system that they’re doing,” he noted. “You have to be able to quantify the problem and drive the problem so hard that it’s worth the switching costs.”
This candid discussion of sales challenges provides the kind of authentic insight that makes for compelling podcast content. In a written case study, companies typically highlight their successes while glossing over obstacles. In conversation, however, leaders often speak more candidly about the real-world challenges they face.
The Go-To-Market Journey: Inside vs. Outside Perspective
When I asked SKV whether it’s easier to develop go-to-market strategies as a consultant or from within an organization, his thoughtful response revealed the kind of nuanced perspective that podcasts excel at capturing:
“I think it might be harder to do it when you’re in the company, only because then you start having emotions involved in it. If you’re objective… you might be more willing to say the hard things or ask the hard questions versus, when you’re inside an organization, you really see the inside of that organization. You really need to make it work.”
This reflection on the different perspectives involved in bringing products to market provides valuable insights for listeners across industries. It’s the kind of discussion that naturally unfolds in conversation but rarely emerges in more structured content formats.
Regulatory Paradoxes Across State Lines
Another fascinating element of our conversation was SKV’s explanation of the paradoxical regulatory landscape across different states. He noted that even in progressive states like New York, there are surprising restrictions: “You still can’t do loyalty and do loyalty points in New York, you can’t actually incentivize someone to buy… You can’t do things like buy one get one off.”
Meanwhile, in states where cannabis remains illegal, the hemp industry flourishes as a legal loophole. This complex patchwork of regulations creates both challenges and opportunities that SKV navigates daily.
These kinds of regulatory discussions make for particularly compelling podcast content because they reveal the practical realities behind abstract policy debates. While news articles might focus on whether a state has legalized cannabis, podcasts can explore the intricate details of how those regulations actually affect businesses on the ground.
Why Podcasts Excel at Exploring Regulated Industries
For businesses operating in complex regulatory environments—from cannabis and financial services to healthcare and energy—podcasts offer several unique advantages as a communication medium:
- Space for nuance: Regulations rarely fit into simple categories, and podcasts provide the time and flexibility to explore the gray areas that define many regulatory environments.
- First-person expertise: Hearing directly from those navigating complex landscapes helps listeners understand not just what the regulations are, but how smart operators find opportunities within constraints.
- Authentic challenges: The conversational nature of podcasts often leads to more candid discussions of obstacles and setbacks, providing valuable learning opportunities for listeners.
- Cross-industry insights: Discussions about navigating regulations in one industry often yield insights applicable to other regulated sectors.
- Human stories behind technical subjects: Podcasts excel at revealing the personal journeys and strategic thinking of those operating in challenging environments.
Amplifying Your Industry Expertise Through Podcasting
Whether you’re operating in a highly regulated industry like cannabis or navigating complex business environments, podcasting offers a powerful medium to share your expertise, build thought leadership, and connect with your target audience.
At Autozy, we specialize in helping businesses in complex industries share their unique perspectives through high-quality podcast production. Our comprehensive services handle everything from content strategy and guest coordination to recording, editing, and distribution, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.
Ready to leverage podcasting to share your industry expertise and build your brand? Contact us today to discuss how our podcast production services can help you create compelling content that resonates with your target audience and positions you as a thought leader in your field.
Looking to launch or improve your podcast? Contact us to learn how our podcast production services can help you create engaging content consistently while building direct connections with your audience.
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