By PoppaDukes Serrano, Executive Producer & Host
Yo, family. We gotta talk.
We started The OG Social Network Podcast with a simple mission. We wanted to amplify the voices that matter in the New York cannabis community. We wanted real talk. Unfiltered conversations. Stories from the entrepreneurs, activists, and everyday people building something from the ground up.
And now? The numbers are in. The community has spoken. And we’re absolutely blown away.
This isn’t just a growth report. This is a thank-you letter to every single one of you. You tuned in, shared an episode, or dropped a comment. Maybe you showed up to a cannabis networking event in the city. You made this happen. Let’s break it down.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Q1 2026 At A Glance
Let’s get straight to it. Here’s what we’ve accomplished together over the past quarter:
- Total Impressions/Views Across All Platforms: ~189,610
- Total Reach: ~70,428 unique accounts
- Instagram Views: ~55,501
- Facebook Video Impressions: ~130,000+
- LinkedIn Followers: 1,133 (and climbing)
These aren’t just numbers on a screen. Each one signifies a real person who decided our content was worth their time. That’s powerful. That’s community.
Our Instagram analytics dashboard showing 79.5K views, 37.1K reach, and 5.2K content interactions, all organic, no ad spend.
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
Instagram: The Heavy Hitter
Instagram continues to be a powerhouse for us. We have approximately 55,501 views this quarter. Our reach numbers keep climbing. The ‘Gram is where we’re connecting with the culture in real time.
Here’s the stat that gets me hyped: up to 61.5% of our reach came from non-followers. That means more than half of the people seeing our content are brand new to the podcast. They’re discovering us through Reels, through shares, through the algorithm doing its thing.
That’s not just growth. That’s expansion. That’s the New York cannabis community finding its voice and spreading the word.
Facebook: Volume King
If Instagram is our heavy hitter, Facebook is our marathon runner. We pulled in over 130,000 video impressions on the platform this quarter. One hundred thirty thousand.
Facebook remains the spot where our video content truly thrives. Whether it’s clips from interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, or full episode drops, the community there shows up consistently. The engagement is real, and the conversations in the comments? Chef’s kiss.
LinkedIn: The Professional Growth Engine
Now, LinkedIn seems like an odd fit for a cannabis podcast. But here’s the thing, the industry is maturing. Business deals are happening. Investors are paying attention. And cannabis activism in New York is increasingly intersecting with policy, law, and corporate social responsibility.
Our LinkedIn dashboard showing steady weekly impressions and follower growth, 1,133 strong and rising.
We’ve grown to 1,133 followers on LinkedIn, with steady increases in profile views and search appearances. This is where we’re connecting with the professionals and the advocates. We are also engaging with the decision-makers who are shaping what this industry looks like.
Slow and steady? Absolutely. But that’s how you build lasting professional relationships.
YouTube: The Long-Form Community Builder
And now let’s talk YouTube, because this platform is quickly turning into a key home for long-form community engagement. Not just quick hits—real time spent with the stories, the context, the nuance, and the people.
Over the full quarter (90 days), our YouTube channel pulled:
- 14,305 views (up)
- 62.8 hours of watch time (up)
- +16 new subscribers (up)
That watch time is the big deal. Views are dope. Watch time tells you something deeper. Folks aren’t just scrolling past us. They’re actually staying, listening, and building with the conversation. That’s the momentum that turns a channel into a community hub.
YouTube Analytics (Q1 / 90 days): 14,305 views, 62.8 watch hours, and +16 subscribers—all up.
These are true quarterly numbers. They fit perfectly in the Q1 story. There is more full-episode consumption. We see stronger retention and a growing base that wants the long-form version of what we do.
What This Growth Really Means
Let’s zoom out for a second.
These numbers represent something bigger than social media metrics. They represent a movement. Every view, every follow, every share is someone saying: “Yeah, this matters. I want to be part of this conversation.”
The OG Social Network Podcast Collage.
From day one, The OG Social Network Podcast has been rooted in the Bronx. That’s where I’m from. That’s the energy I bring to every interview, every episode, every event. And that authenticity? You can’t fake it. The community knows real when they see it.
“We’re not just talking about cannabis. We’re talking about equity. We’re talking about who gets a seat at the table.”
That’s been the mission. And based on these numbers, people are ready for that conversation.
Amplifying the Voices That Matter
Here’s something we’ll never compromise on: this platform exists to uplift marginalized voices.
The cannabis industry has a representation problem. Women, people of color, and those most impacted by the War on Drugs are still fighting for their fair share. According to industry reports, Black and Brown entrepreneurs receive a fraction of the funding that goes to cannabis startups. The playing field isn’t level.
That’s exactly why we do what we do.
Podcast Cartoon Balloon: that OG energy—tap in, talk back, and build community.
Every guest we feature is designed to shift the narrative. Every story we tell contributes to this shift. Every cannabis networking event we promote also plays a part. We’re not waiting for permission. We’re building the table ourselves and making sure everyone has a seat.
Recent episodes like The OG Talks w/ Rev. Gerlyn Henry showcase exactly this commitment. Real conversations with real trailblazers making real change.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for 2026
We’re not slowing down. Not even a little bit.
Here’s what you can expect from The OG Social Network Podcast as we roll through 2026:
- More live episodes featuring special guests from across the industry
- Expanded coverage of New York dispensaries, farms, and cannabis businesses (check out our Top 10 Dispensaries in NYS and NYC guide)
- Deeper dives into cannabis policy, activism, and the upcoming midterm elections
- More community events where we can connect with you face-to-face
The goal? Keep growing. Keep pushing. Keep creating a space where cannabis activism in New York isn’t just talked about, it’s celebrated and supported.
Join the Movement
Look, we can’t do this without you. Every subscribe, every follow, every like, every comment, it all matters. It helps the algorithm. It spreads the word. It builds the community.
So here’s the ask:
Please Subscribe, Follow, Like, Comment on Substack, YouTube, IG, LinkedIn, & FB.
Hit up theogsocialnetwork.com to stay updated on episodes, events, and everything happening in the New York cannabis space.
Want to support the show directly? Check out our partners and sponsors page to see who’s helping make this possible.
The Bottom Line
Q1 2026 has been nothing short of incredible. Nearly 190,000 impressions. Over 70,000 people reached. A growing community of cannabis enthusiasts, professionals, activists, and advocates who believe in what we’re building.
This is just the beginning.
From the Bronx to the world, The OG Social Network Podcast is here to stay. We’re here to amplify the voices that need to be heard. We’re here to cover the cannabis networking events. We report on the policy fights and the entrepreneurial wins. We also share the community stories that define this movement.
Thank you for rocking with us. Thank you for being part of the family.
Now let’s keep building.
Relax. Relate. Release.
About the Author
PoppaDukes Serrano is the Executive Producer and Host of The OG Social Network Podcast. The podcast covers the intersection of cannabis, culture, politics, and community in New York. PoppaDukes has deep roots in advocacy. He is committed to amplifying marginalized voices in the industry. PoppaDukes brings the street cred and real talk that the community conversation needs. Follow the podcast for unfiltered conversations with the trailblazers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and activists shaping the future.