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Boss Barista

Boss Baristawww.bossbarista.com
Ashley Rodriguez talks to folks about gender, race, sex, and other important issues in coffee. We invite people from all realms of the coffee world to share stories and engage in discussion - we want to hear from you! Contact us at bossbaristapodcast@gmail.com
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Episodes

Fermentation in Coffee With Lucia Solis

Breaking down the microbes that help break down coffee with fermentation expert Lucia Solis. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Feb 16, 202450 minSeason 10Ep. 2

Jessica Easto Breaks Down the Tasting Notes of S'mores

The author of "How to Taste Coffee" talks expectations, effervescence, and finding joy and delight in drinking coffee. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jan 12, 202442 minSeason 10Ep. 1

LaChrista McArthur Did Her High School Capstone Project on Coffee

The Charlotte-based coffee consultant threw herself into the industry at a young age—and now has a wealth of thoughts to share about loyalty, robot baristas, and the best coffee cities in the world. A full transcript is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Oct 05, 202344 minSeason 9Ep. 19

Negotiating a Contract with the Madison Sourdough Union

Workers at Madison Sourdough are striving to ratify their first contract—a process that's proven to be more hampered by management than they anticipated. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Aug 24, 202329 minSeason 9Ep. 18

Mandy Naglich Time Travels with Smell

The author of the new book "How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life," talks building up your sensory skills and unlocking more enriching experiences. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Aug 22, 202345 minSeason 9Ep. 17

Context Matters with Junior's Roasted Coffee

Coffee is in crisis, and one of the big problems is that some farmers aren't paid enough to cover their production costs. A new template from the team at Junior's Roasted Coffee looks to change that. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Aug 08, 202346 minSeason 9Ep. 16

Sunergos Union Workers Fight to Make Their Voices Heard

The Louisville-based coffee chain won its union vote in January 2023—and is still waiting on leadership to ratify a contract. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jul 25, 202335 minSeason 9Ep. 15

Lucia Bawot Redefines the Protagonist of the Story

The photographer and author of the book "We Belong" centers the stories of women coffee workers in Colombia. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Jun 20, 202356 minSeason 9Ep. 13

Kristen Hawley is Glad Restaurants Aren't Going Away

The author of Expedite, a newsletter about restaurant technology, sees both the potential—and flaws—of tech in the food world. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jun 06, 202344 minSeason 9Ep. 12

Stephanie Alcala Loves Bats And Coffee

Asking coffee trader Stephanie Alcala what does it mean to source responsible coffee and think holistically about sustainability. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

May 16, 202347 minSeason 9Ep. 11

For Jackie Nguyen, a Coffee Shop Was Plan C

The owner of Cafe Cà Phê, Kansas City's first Vietnamese-owned coffee shop, talks about starting a business in a new city during a pandemic—and the importance of having a specific mission. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

May 02, 202345 minSeason 9Ep. 10

Going Beyond Price with Brendan Adams

Specialty coffee distinguishes itself by its higher price tag—and stops there. To make meaningful change, Brendan Adams of Semilla argues that cost alone cannot be the finish line. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Apr 18, 202344 minSeason 9Ep. 7

What Baristas Actually Make with Adam JacksonBey and Valorie Clark

The average wage for baristas is $14 per hour—but many are only scheduled to work 26 hours a week. Go Fund Bean representatives discuss barista wages and more. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Mar 08, 202339 minSeason 9Ep. 6

Keith Hawkins and the Zoom Call That Never Happened

The 20+ year industry pro and founder of Color of Coffee Collective talks about the start-stop pace of progress—and following through on attempts to do better. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Feb 07, 202341 minSeason 9Ep. 4

Namisha Parthasarathy on Romanticized Coffee Relics

The co-founder of Ārāmse on Indian coffee tools, colonial history, and the problem with flavor wheels. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Jan 24, 202343 minSeason 9Ep. 3

Coffee and Climate Change with Karla Boza

The third-generation farmer comes back to talk climate change and quality as a moving target in coffee. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com.

Jan 11, 202344 minSeason 9Ep. 2

Eight Essential Coffee Questions with Jim Ngokwey

A managing partner at Mighty Peace Coffee , Jim Ngokwey is creating pathways for Congolese coffee growers and posing difficult questions about the future of the industry. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Nov 15, 202246 minSeason 9Ep. 1

Baristas Can Do It All With Camila Coddou

The coffee pro-turned-coach talks about the gentleness of service work. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com. Listen to past episodes of Camila on the Boss Barista Podcast in 2019 and 2020 ....

Nov 01, 202246 minSeason 8Ep. 20

Cxffeeblack's Renata Henderson and Bartholomew Jones Make Connections [re-air]

In this episode from July 2020, we chat about legacy and reclaiming coffee's Black identity and origins. Check out the trailer to their documentary, Cxffeeblack to Africa, here , watch the documentary by joining Patreon , and keep an eye on their Instagram account for tour dates to watch. A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com...

Oct 18, 202258 minSeason 8Ep. 20

Oddly Correct Inverts the Minimum Wage [Reair]

In this episode from November 2019, we ask, "What if the minimum wage actually reflected the minimum you need to live?" A full transcript of this episode can be found at bossbarista.substack.com

Aug 23, 202227 minSeason 8Ep. 18

BONUS: Intelligentsia's Chicago Workers Are Unionizing

This bonus episode features Ravani Grace, an Intelligentsia barista who's helping to organize one of specialty coffee's most pivotal unions. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Aug 02, 202233 minSeason 8Ep. 16

Niki Tolch Gets #Deep [171]

The creator of the Not Caffeinated Enough platform connects community, curiosity, and coffee. It's all a circle. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jul 26, 202244 minSeason 8Ep. 15

David Tortolini Goes Beyond IRL Spaces [170]

Scholar and incoming graduate student at Purdue University David Tortolini talks about the importance of digital connection, and all the ways that communities are built through the internet. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jul 12, 202239 minSeason 8Ep. 14

Gefen Skolnick Is Making Coffee Fun [169]

The founder of Couplet Coffee eschews traditional ideas to make delicious coffee available to all. A full transcript of this episode is available at bossbarista.substack.com

Jun 21, 202245 minSeason 8Ep. 13
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