No matter what part of the coffee industry you’re in, there’s a podcast for you.
BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Cover photo courtesy of James Harper
The history of podcasting began almost two decades ago. It was 2004 when Adam Curry, a former MTV VJ, and Dave Winder, a software developer, coded iPodder, which allowed them to download internet radio broadcasts straight to their iPods.
It was an almost instant success. In the last 18 years, podcasts have become a staple of media communication; they’re easy to access, cover every imaginable topic, and are available with a simple click. It’s no mystery why podcasts became so popular.
Almost every possible (and impossible) topic is covered in at least one podcast nowadays, and the world of specialty coffees is no exception.
Here’s a short list of some interesting podcasts that will tell you more about your favorite drink.
’Cat & Cloud Coffee Podcast’
If you want to improve your coffee knowledge (in a fun way), the “Cat & Cloud Podcast“ is perfect for you. Hosts Jared Truby and Chris Baca (both baristas, trainers, former barista competitors, and coffee shop owners) share their thoughts on topics related to the specialty-coffee world.
Topics discussed include the relationship between boss and employees, and coffee competitions. They have interviews with interesting coffee professionals, and make suggestions on how to brew well at home. “Cat & Cloud“ is perfect for those already in the business, but it can also offer some interesting perspectives to the occasional coffee lover.
’Keys to the Shop’
Sometimes a podcast might just be inspirational. It could encourage you to train, advance your coffee career, to better manage your coffee shop, or to improve in every aspect of your career.
“Keys to the Shop“ host Chris Deferio is a longtime leader and consultant in everything from coffee shop management to coffee training, culture, and retail. His podcast “Keys to the Shop“ offers insider tips specifically aimed at coffee professionals.
Chris gives tips on management and leadership by both sharing his own thoughts and interviewing industry experts (not necessarily from the coffee world). He also shares how to achieve success and pursue personal development.
’Roast! West Coast’
A one-man show (with many guests), the “Roast! West Coast“ coffee podcast was born during the pandemic from the creative mind of Ryan Woldt, a former coffee shop owner with a background in business and marketing consulting.
Set as a seasonal show, during the 20-episode-long season, Ryan releases two episodes per week—one is an interview, the other a so-called “Coffee Smarter.”
The interviews tell the story of coffee professionals; even if coffee provides the base, the true protagonist of the episodes are often the entrepreneurial journey and the passions that inspired the guest.
Completely different are the “Coffee Smarter“ episodes, where Ryan plays “the coffee idiot,” asking questions about coffee to different roasters or coffee experts. They cover everything: how to make better coffee, how to build a café, some notions of coffee science, and much more.
’Filter Stories Podcast’
Sometimes the focus of a coffee podcast is not coffee itself, but the stories behind it, and that’s exactly what “Filter Stories Podcast“ is all about. Host James Harper dives deep into some of the extraordinary stories hidden in a simple cup of coffee.
These stories cover a wide range of topics. There is the tale of an award-winning coffee grower who earns just $2 for 250 cups of espresso sold. There’s an interview with Mikhail Sebastien, the (luckily former) “stateless” barista. There’s the story of Annet Nyakaisiki, who was born in a rural village in Uganda, and has become one of the most notable women in the history of African coffee. Many interesting stories are being told here as a sort of documentary that will leave you wanting to know more.
You can check out some past write-ups on coffee podcasts here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the coffee machine (or visiting some hidden corner of the world), she’s busy writing for Coffee Insurrection, a website about specialty coffee that she’s creating along with her boyfriend.
