Ex-Marijuana Smuggler interview-Lauren 

So cool to hear her origin story. Just assumed she was Mark's natural friend. She's so awesome with the Whitaker family.

I have fallen in love with Lauren thru her interactions with the Whittaker family. Such a beautiful soul. I think she has found her calling, humanitarian work.

Just came across this video. Would have never imagined this being her life before helping you with the Whittaker family. Love her genuine-ness.

I'm an ex farm owner turned into a jeweler here as well. The collapse of the industry was the best thing to happen to me. I now have my freedom and life back. Pay isn't as good but sanity is a great thing. Great story

I love Lauren, she seems so sweet. I saw her with you in the Whittaker's videos. I just saw this.... Thank you for giving her a chance ❤

Bro if she got caught with hundreds of pounds of weed there’s no way she only did 4 days in jail with no prison time. She had to have snitched on somebody.

Lauren, you're so so chill. Thanks for sharing your experiences!!

Thank you for this wonderful interview. She is very resourceful, humble, intelligent as well as a beautiful soul. Her life’s story is fascinating. Would love more interviews from Lauren.

She's a young Gypsy Soul. I'm happy she's found her place under the sun helping the less fortunate. That's really Kool. For her not being raised by a normal Mom and Dad she seems healthy and grounded Wishing her nothing but Peace ✌️ and Love 💕

As a cannabis patient, who used to live in indiana where it isn't at all legal, I thank people like you for giving me access to my medicine. Thank you.

Her disposition is amazing. She radiates kindness.

I love Laurens vibe! I can also relate to so much of her story its uncanny. Would love to hear more about your solo travels, Lauren! Much much love to you! 💞🙏

I've traveled to many countries, and have to give big time props to Lauren for having the self-awareness and confidence to just wander around countries as an attractive young girl. In India, Egypt, and other countries sexual assault against their own female citizens, not to mention single western female travelers, can be quite high. My suspicion is Lauren has an extremely perceptive sense of situations and people, and does allow herself to fall into dangerous predicaments. She does come off as a delicate flower child, but probably has a steely courage and confidence that she used to stay safe and still interact with the local population.

After traveling in my 20's, i can resonate with her a lot. It's addicting. I would get pissed off by my peers reactions to little problems too. It's a weird balance.

I don't know what to say but have to say something. Lauren, you are unique. Continue your amazing work and life and influence on people. I am not sure I have ever met anyone as strong and sensible as you. I hope to see a book written by you some time. Stunning life you are experiencing and phenomenal way you evaluate and enforce your boundaries. Focused to the extreme, simply brilliant.

Love her energy and how she really keeps her values high despite everything she has gone through. I hope she does write her book, I would definitely read it ❤

What a wonderful and kind-hearted soul! Best of luck to Lauren in her future endeavours. I loved to hear her stories and would love to read a blog or diaries by her if a book is not forthcoming. Hope our paths cross when travelling someday.

love your vibe! Laughed and smiled a few times in ways and for reasons I never expected. Awesome interview!

I never know quite what to expect with all the different guests. I make a pre judgement sometimes and then if and when I do listen to their story I am ALWAYS blown away with how fascinating these people are. Lauren is certainly no exception. Thanks for sharing Lauren. A real eye opener indeed and I wish you every success in all your endeavours

Her spiritual openness is why things went so well for her. What a gift. I hope she stays straight.

I honestly thought Lauren was Mark’s girlfriend. I didn’t realize she was one of people he’s interviewed. It was really interesting getting to know her more & it’s nice to see her with you visiting the Whittakers. 😊

This is one of your best interviews. I enjoyed the travel goals and her intellectual aspect to how she accomplished it. Her 20s are memorable and she has no regrets!

Takeaway: being white, attractive single white female will get you a 4-day introspective experiance in club jail while others experience an unending, life-ending battle with the legal system spending years without conviction. This comment is not aimed at Lauren, I am sure she is a nice girl but it's hard not to see the injustice here. I am a white male in my 40s, it shouldn't take someone nonwhite or someone experienced in the legal system to see this for what it is. If you think someone nonwhite and less attractive would have had the same outcome, I cannot help you.

I would love to know how Lauren went from a person you interviewed to being your assistant. I think I saw her in one of the Whittaker videos

Being someone who was in this industry and got to be with you and witness you in and out of this it’s so AMAZING to finally see you SHINING & SHARING your story and your truth. I fucking love you dude and I’m so proud of you.

I've watched SWU for years now. I noticed Lauren during your Whittaker family visits and thought it was great for Mark to have an assistant. Learning a bit about Lauren kinda fills-in blank. But also, it shows more of Mark's positive influence in others folks lives.

Great story and cool to see Lauren’s background. Must be a decent person to work for you now. I like her and how she is with the Whittaker’s. She is so nice and it shows Ray that just because people look at you differently doesn’t mean you are. Best of luck lauren

Wow, what a refreshing woman. Her honesty is so nice & calm. She's a woman who doesn't lie to herself. Beautiful also!

so, have some pretty severe phobias stemming from ptsd and have been pretty much hiding from life, since even before the pandemic despite being young... but something about lauren's story and the way she told it, felt like a curse breaker of sorts- like no matter how cynical one's past (and the tone of news, social media, society ect) makes a person feel about the prospect of still being able to hope for adventures and that sense of wonder...that the ability to find magic and newness in the world is still out there clearly a very special and kindhearted person with amazing and genuine energy, to have such an impact. big hugs lauren 🧡

She is fascinating! I love how after all she went thru, the humanitarian work is the only thing that she found deeply satisfying. I hope to read from her more.

Pretty privilege+ great personality+ 🤓 smart+ hustler mentality+ honest= dope story and and great outcome. ..... honestly traveling the world is def on my bucket list

Proud to call her a fellow Hoosier, the polar vortex was a time when it stayed below 10 degrees and mostly below 0 for over 6 weeks here in Indiana, a great time to escape. What an amazing story, someone who was delt a bad hand but made the most out of it. Rock on Lauren.

One of your best interviews of all time. A nice diversion from the drug addicts and homeless people.

Lauren is a very blessed individual with only 29 years of life. Also her being an attractive woman helped her when she got arrested. She also has a beautiful pure spirit . That's one of your best Videos ever Mark.

Well done Lauren! I am following the channel from Ireland have fallen in love with the Whittaker family and love your interaction with them all. Love and care to you all as it is wonderful to see how good people can make good x

I love how free her energy is. ❤

Well now seeing her with Mark at the Whitakers finally makes sense! She’s not his wife or daughter… not sure about being his girlfriend, but she’s only 30 now, he’s 62…she’s beautiful, intelligent , and a true humanitarian like Mark, but he first strike me as dating someone near to his own daughter’s age… she’s a great assistant with the Whitakers! They love her too! Unusual to see someone so young with so much wisdom and compassion towards others who are very different from her. Good luck Lauren!

Wow Lauren! You've packed so much into your life thus far, more than some ppl do in a lifetime. You've been on so many adventures. I find your story fascinating & inspiring. I was glad you mentioned possibly writing a book one day, because I was going to ask if you had any intentions of writing one, as I would love to buy & read it. Your outlook on life & what is truly important, is really beautiful. Btw, I also think you add a lot to the videos with the Whittakers & you show so much kindness & empathy with them. Don't listen to the trolls, everyone online gets some trolls.

I hope Ray went to the doctors about his arthritis, my husband suffers from Arthritis, he needs something for his pain, I had to leave work to care for my husband and I know the pain he goes through every day , I feel for Ray .

What a great story teller.

I love this! Lauren is such a great interview, and shares so many interesting stories.

What a lovely lady. With a heart like hers, I hope life is good to her.

Thank you for sharing, u have an old soul and could teach many how to be humble in life we need more people like u on this earth

Learned so much from Lauren this morning. She has been a beautiful voice and energy to listen to on my morning walk and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story!

We need more on Lauren! Such a great energy!

Nobody was “teaching” us how to grow weed in Nimbin. It’s been a thriving industry since the 70’s It’s also not legal and on occasion police will let you go. Sometimes they’ll sit at the edge of town and bust you as you’re leaving. If you drive around the country side,you know you’ve driven close to a harvest as the smell hits you when you drive through it.

I could totally see myself being friends with her. She's spiritual, intelligent and hard working. Super cool chick.

What an amazing story! Thank you so much, Lauren! Every day is a gift!!! Namaste!

For the doubters out there, I live in Northern California & familiar with the industry. While she’s certainly glossing over negative experiences, she’s probably telling the truth.

wow,..what a great interview. i really wish you needed a partner back then...you seem like you would have been so much fun to travel the world with. So down to earth, and humble! Glad to hear your working with Mark now...seeing you with the Whittakers was so touching. You seem like such a genuine and caring person

So interesting. Well done Lauren. Thank you for sharing your story!

I did 11 months for 2 and a half ounces of weed in TX in 2011. Let that sink in...

Great interview. Lauren is very interesting and I can tell she will be sucessfull in anything she decides to do. Thanks for posting.

Who else thinks this needs a follow up?

She has that super power to remain calm and detach from fear. Her integrity is Admirable.

Happy she turned things around and love seeing her visit the Whitaker's. I turned 70 yesterday and I have a story to tell and wish I could connect with you.

just a heads up weed is "tolerated" in Nimbin, NOT legalised.

You’re amazing Lauren! So glad we have met and I commend you for telling your story. Our paths are our own and the beautiful humanitarian heart is flowing forward! Blessings upon blessings sis 💫🙏🏽🤍✨

I love your testimony Lauren. Thank you for sharing with us. Prayers you will continue to spread joy and helping others. You are so beautiful. Look forward to you entire story.

She’s intelligent and interesting, and she live out her dream of traveling, it’s too bad people served time in prison for possession of weed because it had been used for medicinal purposes for years.

I'm facing 2 felony driving with a revoked license from a dui for sleeping in a gas station parking lot with weed in my pocket. I couldn't get my license reinstated bc the dmv was shut down bc of covid. I'm still waiting to be sentenced 3 years later. Can you please send me some of your good luck? My next court date is February 13th. Bless anyone watching. I'm sending you all my best vibes.

Nimbin is in New South Wales Australia. Marijuana is not legal in NSW. However it is openly grown and sold in Nimbin.

i related with this story in so many ways; thanks mark. This hit home.

I like her style she seems like a really good person and she has a lot of heart to move the way she was moving rolling cross country hustling and helping people along the way .

What a unique soul. I did a lot of travelling in my day, and spent lots of times with locals. Best lesson be humble. I understand why people would confide in her. Bravo Lauren!

Youre the assistant! I recognized the eyebrows! Lol😂 What a fascinating story. I hope you write it all down. What is it like seeing all these different cultures in such a short time? I find it very cool that youre one of the good karma folks. Like those of us who have a hard life and still do great things. You have a optimistic personality. That alone will save your life. ❤ God Bless 333

This woman is a true gem. Thanks, and take care.

This is so hilarious. She lived across the street from me forever. Wild. Great job

Smuggling drugs and smoking weed. So inspiring.

Mark is dating Lauren now. She was with him at the Whittakers

Lauren, you are so articulate, such amazing stories.

Moral of the story, if your doing runnning. Don’t smoke weed, and make sure you have everything ready at the hand. License registration, insurance etc...

I met you in a bar/restaurant in SLC a few years back... I remember because you are obviously stunning, we chatted for an hour or more, but it was more that you paid my tab when you left... made me laugh, since I'm an old fart. When I left the bartender said "oh, your daughter got the bill". : ) To hear your real/full story is exponentially crazy. Best of luck to you!! much love!!

I like this girl Lauren, cause throughout all these adventures that she was talking about not once did she brag or boast about it. Even in her proud moments she still made sure to keep herself humble about it, and you can see how she would do that. This girl is very smart. I really hope she fulfills her goal in helping other people who are really in need. It's really refreshing seeing a female be so positive with her life. She's not one trying to get her hustle on by flipping tricks and she's not looking to come up off of someone else's misfortune. She's not someone who is trying to do anybody wrong. I really hope she stays on her positive path and I really hope that she doesn't stray away from her positive values. Keep doing what you are doing Lauren, and keep staying humble.

I'm deep down into the rabbit hole but I'm pretty sure she's Mark's assistant now. Helping with the lovely Whittakers. It's so nice to see. Always rooting for and not judging. Life can be hard✌💛

Such a young but mature and extremely impressive girl, so intelligent and full of true self-confidence. I wonder where she will be in 10 years. There is no doubt that she will have a very interesting and fascinating life

The more I watch these videos the more I appreciate my square ass life

Lauren I hope you write a book! I've been growing my own for 45 years. I use it for medical reasons. You are such a beautiful free spirit ✨️ Stay safe. Sending you love & light ✨️ 💛 ✨️ Blessed Be💜

She was with Mark when he went to recently visit the Whittakers 😊

I love how she learned humility and service to humanity through her experience. Turning 30 is an exciting time with new beginning.

Mark. You are the best interviewer. Keep it up. Great questions

Mark! Watch most of you videos! You’re a stud! Nice work getting this young lady helping. She’s an amazing compliment to your channel.

I love that you’re a compassionate vegan, Lauren! I’m coming up on 17 years vegan this month. Also for the animals.

Lauren you are very wise for being so young. Blessings to you and all that you do.

I watched Lauren visit with the Witikers (sp)? with you. She was so gentle and loving with Ray and was able to quickly connect with all of them. She never showed any negative feelings toward them at all. She cooked them all breakfast with such humility and love it was amazing to watch. I can understand how so many people could be attracted to her. Thanks Mark for a really interesting interview....🤗

As everyone is saying she needs to write a book. But even better would be for her to work with someone that does a podcast. Someone getting the details of her stories would be amazing. There aren't enough people living life to this extreme. Her soul is all over the place.

She said she went to Humboldt in California. If I remember correctly, I watched a documentary about that place and the weed industry in that place, and that is a very dangerous place. Most people don’t come back. This is an amazing story!

I am in my 70s and for 30 years lived and traveled overseas, and not as a tourist. Like Lauren, I made money and then traveled. The impact on my life has been great. It is so refreshing to hear someone so young, who has so much worldly experience already. She has experienced how wealthy and priviledged we are in this country by seeing day to day reality of life in other countries. Hats off to her and hope she continues traveling on the good and humble path she is now on.

I know someone just like her its a crazy lifestyle......I believe her 100%

You don’t have to do this to travel. My daughter is going to Nepal soon to help kids swim and teach, this is a good way to travel .My daughter is spiritual and works to help people!♥️🎈🙏

Truly amazing Mark bringing life out there to the screen it's fascinating and educational and sad but real

She’s a different vibe from what this channel normally showcases. Love her energy and story. 🩵

Mark, were you like me while listening to Lauren's story and thinking that this young woman really is so incredibly bright, articulate, wise and mature beyond her years, save the insanely risky business in which she engaged for 8 seasons? And, to come from not an ideal early childhood to being an adult who feels so compassionate about and interested in helping with humanitarian causes in Africa, I think is so admirable. Lauren, if nothing else, I think you could do some incredible charitable work with/for organizations such as the one affiliated with Tony Hawk and skateboard and component manufacturers, particularly since so many more girls/women are into skateboarding now. In any case, I think you absolutely rock and that you WILL make significant contributions to humankind in some capacity over your lifetime. Best wishes!

Very amazing person. May she have continued success on her journey. 🙏

Lauren has such a beatiful spirit that matches her looks and manner and I'm sure that someday she will find legitimate success.

Lauren is a throw back to the 70s. Free-spirited people like her don't exist anymore. She's a unicorn.

She reminds me of my ex girlfriend back in the 90's. Tragically she was killed by a drunk driver near Colorado Springs. Such a beautiful spirit, hearing her belief system, i know it well, her ability to accept the world for what it is , is her strong suite. She will 4 ever be successful, enough for her to honor her own personal contract. Much love, take care, be well.

Only flaw is she's trying to say she counted a million dollars in 20s and drug dealers don't count money they weigh it

She's so beautiful but thumbnail picture is unflattering. No offence to Mark, usually his photos are incredible.

She is a very beautiful lady And an entrepreneur