Welcome to The Beat’s latest drop—a playlist of perspectives from the influencers and innovators moving the needle. Here’s what’s on repeat from the voices moving culture forward:

• Boomers and Gen X are becoming cannabis’s fastest-growing market, challenging industry stereotypes and demanding wellness-focused marketing strategies.

• Creative leaders can use AI to amplify authenticity instead of sacrificing the human spark, safeguarding trust and originality in an era drowning in synthetic content.

• Mastering decisive timing in dealmaking can mean the difference between transforming a business or missing the moment entirely—channeling your inner hero has never been more essential.

For the uninitiated: The Beat is a free, biweekly newsletter designed for the influencers, tastemakers, and innovators in the worlds of music, entertainment, media, food & beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and more. Each article featured below is penned by a member of Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of influential leaders across an array of industries.

With the lineup set, let’s turn up the volume on this week’s insights.

Seniors Are the New Cannabis Connoisseurs: Time to Rethink the Playbook

Cannabis isn’t just for millennials anymore. Over 20% of Americans 50+ are consuming cannabis, and they’re doing it to handle everything from chronic pain to sleepless nights. These ex-hippies didn’t just dust off their Grateful Dead tees; they’re serious about cannabis as wellness. Here's the kicker: Boomers and Gen Xers control half of all consumer spending in the U.S. Ignoring their potential is bad business.

Here’s all you need to know:

🌱 Education Matters: 61% of older users tried cannabis after age 60. Get your budtenders ready to answer questions and make your website accessible for this crowd.

📦 Reimagine Packaging: Easy-open containers, clear dosage details, and medically reliable info are a must. The goal? That first edible shouldn’t end in panic.

🩺 Lean on Medical Expertise: Complex health needs mean seniors need trusted, credible advice. Partner with professionals who can offer answers.

💰 Loyalty via Savings: Fixed income doesn’t mean fixed habits. Edibles and balms priced with discounts will attract repeat customers.

Read The Full Article >

AI Won’t Kill Creativity—But It Could Without You

AI is shaking up every creative space, fast. From pumping out stock photos to auto-generating tracks, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. But here’s the rub: when everything’s synthetic, what’s real becomes priceless. Creative leaders face a choice: use AI to amplify greatness or let it dilute the human spark. The stakes? Trust, authenticity, and the soul of creativity itself.

Check out the highlights below:

🛠 Treat AI as the Assistant, Not the Artist: Use AI for exploration (think design variations or idea generation), but keep human judgment at the helm. Creativity thrives when tech supports, not substitutes.

💡 Doubling Down on Authenticity: Audiences crave the imperfection of handmade art, live music’s grit, and stories that only humans can tell. The real? Always beats the replica.

🤝 Build Trust, Not Just Clicks: Chasing AI-driven speed over substance can erode credibility. Trust needs strategy—and soul.

Read The Full Article >

Timing Is Everything: The Hero’s Journey of Every Deal

Capital deals are more than transactions; they’re epic adventures, complete with risks, rewards, and pivotal decisions. Like a hero’s journey, the hardest (and most important) move is deciding when to answer the call. Missteps are rarely about poor execution but happen when leaders leap too soon—or wait too long.

Explore key insights below:

🌍 The Ordinary World: Stability doesn’t mean readiness. Before jumping into a deal, assess your financials, team, and scalability objectively.

✨ The Call to Adventure: A fresh opportunity may be tempting—but rushing to raise capital, acquire, or sell because others are doing it could lead to regret.

🤔 Refuse Before You Commit: Strategic leaders know when to say “not yet.” Volatile markets or internal gaps can make pause the smartest move.

🧙 Test Mentors for Alignment: Advisors can guide—or mislead. The best ones care about your success, not just their fees.

⚔️ The Ordeal & Reward: Every deal’s crucible moment tests endurance. Survive with a prize: sharper leadership, new connections, or business clarity.

Read The Full Article >

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together influential leaders and innovators in art, media, gaming, theater, social impact, fashion, film, hospitality, sports, and more.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on RollingStone.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Rolling Stone Culture Council today and become part of a group driving innovation in entertainment.