Coffee People Podcast
by Coffee People Podcast
The Coffee People Podcast is part of the Roast! West Coast coffee network. Host Ryan Woldt interviews coffee professionals and shares their stories as they tackle the entrepreneurship, creativity, passion, science, and innovation required to succeed in the coffee industry. Appreciate your morning coffee more by listening to Coffee People, and engage with the growing craft coffee community this podcast aims to uplift.
Episodes
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Fionn Pooler, Founder and Coffee Journalist at The Pourover
Fionn Pooler is the coffee journalist behind the highly readable, well-resourced, and impressively sourced The Pourover coffee newsletter. if it isn't obvious, we here at Coffee People podcast are fans of his work. We chat about the origin of The Pourover, the role of AI in journalism and coffee,...
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Iron Sharpens Iron: The Audio Version by Ben Jones for Coffee People Podcast.
Iron Sharpens Iron is the audio version of a column written for Coffee People Podcast's weekly newsletter by Ben Jones.Read by Coffee People Podcast host Ryan Woldt.Read the column in its entirety here: https://www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com/iron-sharpens-iron-at-roast-summit/Ben Jones is a coffee...
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Drinking Coffee With Ben Jones, Former Aeropress Champion and Coffee Person.
We enjoy a cup of coffee free of evil spirits with Ben Jones. Ben's a former Aeropress champion and all-around coffee person. For context subscribe to the Coffee People podcast newsletter at: https://www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com/ BUY: Yeah, No...Yeah Coffee. A Relative...
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David Yardley, CEO of Go Get Em Tiger
David Yardley rejoins the show to chat about Roasted At Origin, a new Go Get Em Tiger coffee program featuring coffees roasted by producers. David was previously on the Coffee People podcast during his tenure as Founder of MoonGoat Coffee. From a recent press release: "As part of the Roasted at...
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Mitch Fierro, VP Sales and Marketing at Go Get Em Tiger
Mitch Fierro of Go Get Em Tiger coffee (Los Angeles, CA) joins the podcast to chat about his unique path into leadership within the industry. We also touch on how the yo-yo taught him invaluable life skills, the risk of mission drift, and why you should stay curious. Find online:...
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A Coffee People interlude: at Quince Coffee House in Denver, Colorado.
A Coffee People interlude: at Quince Coffee House in Denver, Colorado. See you next week. For context subscribe to the Coffee People podcast newsletter at: https://www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com/ BUY: Yeah, No...Yeah Coffee. A Relative Coffee Co x Coffee People...
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Andreas Tischendorf, Co-Founder of Col Spirit, Colombian Specialty Coffee
Andreas Tischendorf is the Co-Founder of Col Spirit, a coffee import export business with a focus on Colombian coffees. The company was launched in 2016 with his partner Maria Mercedes Grajales whose family coffee farm in Quindío, Colombia needed an outlet for their specialty coffee product.…
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Armando Cardenas, Quail Street Coffee Roasters Co-Founder and Head Roaster
Armando Cardenas is the Co-Founder and Roaster at Quail Street Coffee Roasters in Escondido, CA. The garage-based roasting company is almost to their seven year anniversary. Cardenas opens up about his entrepreneurial motivation, why the name is so important to him, the vulnerability that comes...
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CLIP SHOW: Coffee People looks back to season one for great advice from coffee professionals.
As we move closer to season 20 of the Coffee People podcast (formerly Roast! West Coast), we're increasingly looking back to where we came from. Season one of the podcast featured plenty of great guests, including our long-time Coffee Smarter expert Siri Simran-Khalsa (Lofty Coffee and Color…
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Kenneth Olson, Barista Magazine and Camp Coffee Shop
Coffee People podcast host Ryan Woldt met Barista Magazine Co-Founder Kenneth Olson at a local Portland, OR coffee shop to hear his reflections on the magazine's recent IRL Camp Coffee Shop gathering. Camp Coffee Shop was a three day and night gathering for coffee shop professionals held at a...
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Edwin and Magda Harrison, Curious Roo Coffee Roasters and Artisan Coffee
Edwin and Magda Harrison (and their family) took a break—kind of—from running Curious Roo Coffee Roasters, Artisan Coffee, and Artisan Coffee School to deliver a bag of coffee from London, U.K. to Perth, Australia. The Guinness World Record setting delivery took 199 days. Then they joined the...
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Julian Mamaj, SOVDA Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Julian Mamaj joins us from Munich, Germany to chat about his journey through specialty coffee to his current role as VP of Sales and Marketing at SOVDA. SOVDA manufactures equipment designed to improve the workflow of coffee roasters. Find SOVDA online: https://sovdacoffee.com/ and...
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Coffee People Live at World Of Coffee San Diego 2026
The Coffee People Podcast returned to San Diego, CA in April 2026 for the World Of Coffee expo hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association. On the Thursday evening before the event we gathered our very first Coffee Smarter experts together for a chat and a celebration of San Diego's coffee scene....
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Ian Nelson, DOMA Coffeee
Coffee People podcast visits past guest Ian Nelson of DOMA Coffee at their Post Falls, ID coffee lab for a chat about music, the evolution of the Q-Grader certification, and the value found in work and silence. Find Doma Coffee online at: https://www.domacoffee.com/ Coffee People is presented by...
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Nick And Ryan Drink Coffee. Coffee People Season 18.
Join Nick Schmitt, Specialty Coffee Ambassador for Roastar coffee packaging, and Ryan Woldt, Host of Coffee people as they drink a cup of coffee (and in this case an espresso martini) while catching up in their first real chat since World of Coffee San Diego (April 2026). Coffee People is…
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Jonathan Bass, Bellwether Coffee EVP of Marketing and Communications
Jonathan Bass is the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Bellwether Coffee in Berkley, CA. After taking a break from an illustrious career that included stints with Solar City, Tesla, and Wing, he joined the electric roasting manufacturer and green coffee marketplace...
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Jane Lo and Rob Whitten, p!ng
Jane Lo and Rob Whitten are the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of p!ng, an autonomous coffee and beverage drive-thru business focused on speed and convenience. They've leaned on robotics, AI, and their technical and product development skills to open the first location in Hudson, NH, with an eye toward...
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Jenn Chen, Specialty Coffee Writer and Photographer
Jenn Chen is a writer and photographer whose work in specialty coffee has been expansive. We chat about the benefits and challenges of being self-taught and self-employed, not listening to advice from people who've not been where you are or where you want to go, and what opportunities brands…
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Maria Sinatra, Brand Protection Attorney, Venable LLP
Disclaimer from Venable LLP: “The information in this podcast is not intended to provide legal advice or opinion. Such advice may be given only when it is related to specific fact situations that Venable has accepted an engagement as counsel to address.” Maria Sinatra of Venable LLP is an…
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Andrew and Christine Houghtaling, Kissing Rock Coffee
Andrew and Christine Houghtaling are the duo behind Kissing Rock Coffee. The roasting company located in Gold Beach, OR near the iconic Kissing Rock rising up next to the ocean joined our podcast in the Roastar packaging booth at World of Coffee San Diego earlier this spring to chat, just a bit,...
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Kevin Hartley, CEO and Co-Founder of Cambio Roasters
Kevin Hartley is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cambio Roasters. The company is trying to divert some of the demand for disposable coffee pods into recyclable aluminum pods with compostable internal filters and grounds. Previously, Kevin worked with a smaller company called Green Mountain.* You may...
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Freezing Coffee with Isabella Vitaliano, Lab & Quality Control Specialist at Royal Coffee.
Isabella Vitaliano and the team at Royal Coffee's recent experiments on freezing coffee were more than worthy of a full episode. Plus, we get to learn more about what set Isabella down the path to a career in coffee.Find the Frozen Is The New Fresh article summary and direct link...
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Nick & Ryan Drink Coffee at CoffeeFest NYC
Coffee People Podcast host Ryan Woldt sits with recurring guest Nick Schmitt of Roastar (coffee packaging) for an extended segment they call Nick & Ryan Drink Coffee. Thanks for being here. Season 18 begins dropping soon. For context subscribe to the Coffee People podcast newsletter...
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Season 17 is complete! Thank you.
Thanks for being here. Season 18 begins dropping soon. For context subscribe to the Coffee People podcast newsletter at: https://www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com/. BUY: The reliable coffee brewer that sits on our counter from Simply Good Coffee. (Affiliate...
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Craig Brooks and Kory Nauseef, Coffee Depot
Kory Nauseef (Head Roaster) and Craig Brooks (Co-Founder) of Coffee Depot and Coffee Mania in upstate New York joined the Coffee People podcast at CoffeeFest to chat about the evolution of their business. Find online at: https://www.cnywholesale.com/ and https://www.cnycoffee.com/ The full…
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Sundar Chellapa, Yeri Cofee
Sundar Chellapa is the founder of Yeri Coffee in Harlem, NY. His search for the unique flavor profiles found in the coffee of his upbringing in India finally inspired him to leave the tech industry to start a coffee company that focuses on India specialty coffees. Find online at:...
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Anu Menon, Co-Founder Driftaway Coffee Roasters
Anu Menon is the Co-Founder of Driftaway Coffee Roasters. Along with their partner, they've been running the business in Brooklyn, NY since 2014. A lot has changed in Specialty coffee since then, including Driftaway being named Roast Magazine's 2026 Roaster of the Year. Find online at:...
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Yoshawn Smith, The Pour-Up LA & Califia Farms
Yoshawn Smith of The Pour Up LA (coffee and barista education) and Califia Farms (alternative milk options) rejoins the podcast at CoffeeFest NYC to talk about how baristas and coffee shops should approach alt milks, the vibe in New York, and why we need to be aware of the wattage demands of our...
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Dr. Gregory Marcus, Associate Chief of Cardiology for Research at UCSF Health
Dr. Gregory Marcus is the Associate Chief of Cardiology for Research at UCSF Health and an Associate Editor of JAMA. JAMA is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal published online daily and in print weekly. He joined Coffee People when I reached out to him after reading his...
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Bruce Hathaway, The Coffee Lamp
Watch the full interview on Coffee People podcast featuring Bruce Hathaway, the nattily dressed gentleman behind The Coffee Lamp. We chat about having an entrepreneurial idea and following it through. Find online at: @thecoffeelamp The full episode dropped April 30, 2026. Recorded at…
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Marino Baca, Rishi Tea & Botanicals
For a half an hour, we turned the Coffee People set at CoffeeFest NYC into the Tea People set. Watch the full interview on Coffee People podcast featuring Marino Baca (Sales and Education) of @RishiTeaUSA . We chat about the overlapping language connecting the specialty coffee and tea…
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Megan Kanzler, Olive Ridley Studios
The full interview on Coffee People podcast featuring Megan Kranzler, the Graphic Designer and Founder behind Olive Ridley Studios, a creative branding agency that works with small businesses in the coffee industry and beyond. Find online at: https://oliveridleystudios.com/...
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Taka Kirstein, Takayoshi.Co
Enjoy the full interview on Coffee People podcast featuring Taka (Brian) Kirstein, a coffee media personality who creates and develops content for brands in the coffee space. Find online at: https://takayoshi.pixieset.com/ The full episode dropped April 24, 2026. Recorded at CoffeeFest NYC in...
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John Wilt, Maiden Coffee Roasters
John Wilt is the Co-Owner and Operator of Maiden Coffee Roasters in Asbury Park, NJ. The mostly wholesale coffee roaster recently introduced tin cans sourced from Roastar, Inc. as a way to simplify their packaging's environmental impact and be able to offer a new refill program that provides…
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Ibrahem Dalatte, Hands-On Coffee and Mooala Ambassador
Ibrahem Dalatte, Barista, Entrepreneur, and Latte Artist, was at CoffeeFest NYC supporting the Mooala alternative beverage booth. He took a break to join Coffee People podcast to share some thoughts on an era of lost hospitality that we can (and need) to bring back.Find online at…
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Brianna Stefano, Brewing With Brianna Coffee Consultant
Brianna Stefano is the Cortado Queen of Connecticut, and also a coffee consultant, coffee roaster, and Vice President of the Connecticut Coffee Collective. By the time you read this, she'll probably have added another title. Find online at: https://www.brewingwithbrianna.com/...
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Miguel Flores Burgos, List+Beisler Coffee
Miguel Flores Burgos is a Green Coffee Importer with List + Beisler Coffee. Originally from Honduras, he has a coffee farm background and now gets a different perspective, in particular, on who is taking the risks and when as coffee moves through the supply chain. Find online at:...
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Michael Acosta, Story And Soil Coffee
Story and Soil Coffee is based in downtown Hartford, CT. Founder Michael Acosta joined the Coffee People podcast to talk about how a college job led to his coffee career, Hartford as a coffee hotbed, and what it meant to be on the list. Find online at: https://www.storyandsoilcoffee.com/ •...
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Jaye Cheray, Coffee For Singles
Jaye Cheray is building a community where people can just be without the pressure of the dating scene. Coffee For Singles is a meet-up opportunity for organic connection between humans. Find online at: https://www.coffeeforsingles.com/ • @coffeeforsingles The full episode dropped April 8th, 2026....
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Nathan Claycomb, Joe On The Go
Joe On The Go Co-Founder Nathan Claycomb joined the Coffee People podcast at CoffeeFest NYC to chat about the quick growth of his family owned company, and how moving from a truck to brick-and-mortar location changed the business. Find online at: https://www.joeonthegocoffeeco.com/ •...
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Owner of The Yellow Mug Valley Mobley joins Coffee People at CoffeeFest NYC 2026
Valley Mobley joins Coffee People podcast at CoffeeFest NYC to talk about how early coffee diner experiences led her down the path to entrepreneurship and community in Crozet, VA. Find online at: https://theyellowmug.com/ The full episode dropped April 7th, 2026. Watch and subscribe to ...
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Jackie Newman, World of Coffee
Jackie Newman joins Coffee People podcast at CoffeeFest NYC to talk about joining the family business and working with big clients like Jack Daniels and I Heart NY. Find online at: https://www.worldofcoffeeinc.com/ The full episode dropped April 6th, 2026. Watch and subscribe to ...
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Maddie & Marianna, Gaia Coffee Co.
Maddie and Marianna dropped by our CoffeeFest NYC booth collaboration with Roastar Coffee Packaging to talk up Gaia Coffee Co. in Lewes Delaware. Find online at: https://www.gaiacoffeeco.com/ The full episode dropped April 5th, 2026. Watch and subscribe to @coffeepeoplepodcasts ...
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Gio Barreto, Running Latte Coffee
Gio Barreto is the Co-Founder of Running Latte in Bergenfield, NJ. We chatted at CoffeeFest NYC 2026 about the new business he opened with his sisters.The full episode dropped April 1st, 2026. Watch and subscribe to @coffeepeoplepodcasts for more context, subscribe to the Coffee...
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Tori Mininni, Future Coffee Shop Owner
Tori Mininni is in the beginning phases of opening their first coffee shop on the Jersey Shore. Tentatively named Flourish, Tori aims to open a space that lets the customers express their personalities. Follow https://www.instagram.com/torimininni/ to follow their journey.The full episode dropped...
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Evan Santiago, Hybrid Kitchen + Butter Bakery
Evan Santiago is the Founder of Hybrid Kitchen + Butter Bakery. We chat about the value of pocket notebooks, coffee, and he offers the advice entrepreneurs need to hear in order to "follow their dreams." The full episode dropped March 25, 2026, and was recorded at Coffeefest NYC in March 2026.…
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Jean Brillman, White Horse Coffee Roasters
Jean Brillman is the Co-Founder of White Horse Coffee Roasters in Jenkintown, PA. She was our very first guest at our Coffeefest NYC 2026 pop-up podcasting session, and game to chat about her path into entrepreneurship, advice for someone opening a coffee shop, and how a love for the equestrian...
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Emily Smith, Hacea Coffee Source
Emily Smith reimagined her career, and then apparently manifested it into existence! As the Customer Relations Expert for our friends at Hacea Coffee Source she focuses on providing support, sales, and providing IRL and online educational coffee content. This interview was released on March 18,...
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Mat Cohen, Coffee Connections Chicago
Mat Cohen is the founder of Coffee Connections in Chicago, IL. Coffee Connections is a barista training and cafe job skills non-profit. He joined Coffee People to chat about how his non-profit is about people, and they just happen to get to drink a lot of great coffee.The full episode dropped…
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Josh Taves, Founder Of Dialed Coffee Services
Josh Taves is the Founder of Dialed Coffee Services based in Grand Rapids Michigan. We chat about his barista-forward espresso technician and services company whose goal is not only to fix equipment but to make the coffee taste better. We also chat about entrepreneurship, stress testing your...
About this show
The Coffee People Podcast is part of the Roast! West Coast coffee network. Host Ryan Woldt interviews coffee professionals and shares their stories as they tackle the entrepreneurship, creativity, passion, science, and innovation required to succeed in the coffee industry. Appreciate your morning coffee more by listening to Coffee People, and engage with the growing craft coffee community this podcast aims to uplift.
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Coffee People Podcast
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