When we started Totally Dissolved, we wanted to put out a resource for coffee professionals that would go beyond the 'basics' of coffee, to provide info out there to further develop as a coffee professional, AND have fun doing so. After 2 Seasons (!!!) we hope we've provided that for you all. We certainly have been getting inspired and having such a good time conversing with other lovely coffee peeps and humans. This episode, you ask us the burning questions.Thanks for listening!
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 10
We had a fabulously fun and enlightening conversation with Bailey Arnold and Becky Reeves. They both give insight on the importance of building and nurturing relationships and finding a path of work that is both fulfilling, fun, and true to yourself. Bailey Arnold is above all else a seeker of sensory delight. After wearing several hats in the coffee industry for nearly a decade she now works for Oatly as the Northeast US Market Development Manager, also working cross-functionally with Oatly’s P...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We're going to chat about oat milk and we do, but really we talk about business with Michelle Johnson. She has been a force and and inspiration in Specialty Coffee. It was amazing to talk to her about being a Founder and what's it's like creating a product for communities often not considered. Michelle is the founder of The Chocolate Barista, a coffee culture platform and creative consulting agency for coffee businesses and other ventures in the F&B space. Her decade-long experience as a cof...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We take some time this week for a lovely conversation with Anita Tam on the tools we as coffee professionals use. It was inspiring and refreshing to discuss her take on design, functionality, and intentional use of supplies and tools we use daily, but often overlook. Anita Tam is the Founder and Owner of Slow Pour Supply - a specialty coffee equipment distribution company based in Houston, TX. Anita serves as the current Chairperson for the United States Latte Art Championships member of the US ...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 7
What makes a memorable cafe experience? We all love going out to cafes and coffeeshops for a variety of reasons. This episode, we chat with Jaymie Lao not only about her favorite experiences, but her willingness to share how these experiences helped her shape cafe experiences for others. Jaymie Lao is a coffee human based in Los Angeles who has spent 14+ years in the coffee industry. Most recently she was the Director of Cafe Experience for Go Get Em Tiger where she delighted in opening new cafe...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 6
Sustainability in coffee has many facets and the industry has made progress or has it? Tyler Duncan of Coracle Coffee shares his views on sustainability in terms of the growing market of convenience and how to make Specialty Coffee more accessible for all. Tyler has been in the industry for around a decade. Beginning at Starbucks and then Topeca Coffee Roasters, he now owns an instant coffee business called Coracle Coffee. He’s been a barista, manager, chief cinnamon roll eater, and educator. He...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Technological developments in coffee has created some drastic changes in the Specialty Coffee industry. Tune in as Marcus Young helps us distill how technology has helped make Specialty Coffee what it is today and where it can continue to grow. Marcus Young has spent nearly twenty years in coffee. He is motivated to create sustainable economic opportunities throughout the coffee supply chain. Marcus manages education and content at coffee software company Cropster, which sets the bar for softwar...
Oct 25, 2022•50 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This episode takes us on an enlightening discussion on taste, smell, and how we can better develop our palates for tasting. Supertaster Candice Madison helps us understand the hows and whys of taste and how we can all benefit from exploring different tastes and smells. Candice Madison has worked in specialty coffee for almost 15 years, as an accomplished barista, roaster, green buyer, and instructor. They are a Q Arabica Instructor for the Coffee Quality Institute which awards the highest sensor...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We get in-depth and science-y with Christopher Hendon discussing water. This was a fun conversation that challenged us, we learned lots, and gave us better insight on water for coffee. To the boundaries of science! Dr. Christopher H. Hendon is a Professor of Computational Materials Chemistry at the University of Oregon. His interests are in energy materials and coffee science. Prof. Hendon’s interest in coffee began during his PhD, and since then has published several peer-reviewed articles and ...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Our inaugural episode for Season 2 we spill the tea with the spirited and lovely Tricia Lu of Spirit Tea. We chat tea, community, and what's it like being in a coffee adjacent field. Tricia Lu (she/her/hers) is the West Coast sales manager for Chicago based tea company Spirit Tea and has been part of the coffee industry for over ten years. Before she was tea she was coffee and her background in the industry ranges from dishwasher to barista to educator to consulting to sales. You've probably see...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Happy End of Summer/Autumn is here!!! Quick update for what is to come in Season 2 of Totally Dissolved. Stay tuned and catch new episodes starting in October!
Sep 27, 2022•7 min
We get geeky and philosophical about Espresso Machines with the brilliant Tommy Gallagher in our last episode of Totally Dissolved Season 1! Espresso machines can often be intimidating and talking with Tommy we breakdown the ins and outs to help make this tool easier to understand for the Coffee Pro. Tommy Gallagher (he/him) manages product and brand development for Seattle-based espresso machine manufacturer SLAYER. After stumbling into coffee somewhat by accident, Tommy's 15+ year career in Sp...
Aug 02, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 12
This week we get to talk about whirs and burrs with Josh Kimbrough of GH Grinding & Brewing Solutions. Grinders are some of the most under-appreciated pieces of equipment in any coffee bar/restaurant/cafe that serves coffee. We discuss the why, how, and what makes them so important and Josh gives us lots of great insight into this overlooked and sometimes misunderstood piece of equipment. Josh is the marketing director and a salesperson for GH Grinding & Brewing Solutions (formerly Mahlk...
Jul 19, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Brewed coffee is a popular staple on many cafe menus that doesn't always get the most attention. This week we are fortunate to pick the brains of the Co-Founders of Ground Control, Eli Solomon, Josh Avins, and Jason Sarley. They are some of the most innovative minds when it comes to thinking about brewing and gives us new perspectives on how to do brewed coffee on another level. Eli is the Co-Founder and CEO, whose knowledge in management, data science and business bring Ground Control to life. ...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 10
We start getting in-depth with equipment and tech knowledge beginning with one of our favorite Coffee Techs, Rebecca Jones. Her insight is not only valuable, but unexpected combining curiosity with patience and empathy. Rebecca Jones is a coffee tech ☕🔧with SteamVolt in Chicago, IL. She loves people, coffee, and solving puzzles, so fixing espresso machines is the perfect gig. Beyond fixing machines, Rebecca enjoys playing the viola, watching Startrek, and cooking for friends. 🎻🖖🍳...
Jun 21, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Episode 008 "Career Series: Trish Rothgeb Gives a Lesson on Becoming a Cafe Owner" We are so fortunate to talk with one of Specialty Coffee's greats, Trish Rothgeb. Her experience and breadth of knowledge is extensive and we hope you have as much fun listening as we had chatting with her! Trish Rothgeb (she/her) is the co-founder, roastmaster, and director of coffee at the San Francisco-based Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters! With over 30 years of experience, Trish has held numerous roles in the co...
Jun 07, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We had a such a great time talking with Dana about her career path to becoming a Broker. Her story is insightful and unique and hope you all are inspired! Dana is a trader at Atlas Coffee Importers and has been with the company since early 2016. She manages the purchasing and origin relationships for 9 countries across Latin America and Asia. Dana first entered the coffee world working as a barista in Missoula, Montana but ultimately went back to school to pursue a Master’s degree in Internation...
May 24, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 7
We're kicking off a series of episodes the next few weeks delving into Coffee Careers. Tony Querio starts off this series with his take on a path toward becoming a Coffee Roaster. His perspectives are full of thoughtful insight and wisdom considering his long, storied career and we hope you all take something valuable from it. Tony has been working in the coffee industry for 15 years with the last 10 focused on roasting. He has run multiple award winning coffee programs and is himself a United S...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This week we recap SCA Expo 2022 in Boston with the incomparable Julie Housh. We recount our adventures through the world of the annual coffee tradeshow. Julie Housh is currently the Knowledge Development Manager with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and an Authorized SCA Trainer (AST). She is passionate about sharing specialty coffee with as many people as possible and working to improve the livelihoods of all stakeholders in the coffee value chain. Julie began her career in coffee as a b...
Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
We discuss Customer Service with the inspiring Selina Viguera. Customer service is not always easy. Selina has spent over a decade in retail guiding and teaching Baristas hospitality, all while being kind and having fun (#selinaselfie) Selina works for Blue Bottle Coffee in Venice, CA and has been with the company since 2010. As a Café Leader, she continues to enjoy her work as a barista, but also as a trainer, mentor, and coach. Selina began volunteering with the SCA in 2012 and has managed the...
Apr 12, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4
It's Coffee Competition season! For all you curious and eager to learn about competitions, this episode is for you. We discuss the ins and outs of competitions with the wonderful and knowledgeable Kain Adams, who will let you know if your espresso really is up to par. Kain Adams is the chairperson of the US Barista Competition Committee. They’ve been in coffee for 7 years and have been inspired by competitions since the beginning. They work for La Colombe as the West Regional Educator, and love ...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Join us for Episode 2 as we sit down with Laila Ghambari and tap into her wide-ranging knowledge of coffee education, training, and general coffee badassery. Dropping on Tues, 15 March!!! Laila Ghambari got her start in coffee over 15 years at her family’s business, Cherry St Coffee House in Seattle, where she won the title of United States Barista Champion in 2014. She currently works for Stumptown Coffee Roasters as the Director of Cafes. Once a coffee snob, she now drinks her coffee with crea...
Mar 25, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Hey Coffee Peeps! In Episode 01, Kathie and Bronwen introduce Totally Dissolved and discuss who they are, what this is all about, and why this podcasts exists. This is not about coffee basics, you can Google that ish. A little fun and always coffee nerdy. Thanks for listening!
Mar 01, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1
