The Lunchbucket Podcast

In this episode of The Lunchbucket Podcast, Ellie shares what it’s like to be a Dutch Bros barista. The training she went through, the details involved in making all those specialty caffeinated drinks, and how it feels to interact with customers for hours at a time. Her smile shines through as she tells the story of how she came to work in a coffee hut and what’s on her near horizon; graduating from college! She also shares one of her lunchtime go-to recipes with us, her mom’s Black Bean Mango Salsa. Like a nice shot of espresso, Ellie’s bright spirit energizes the room. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did as well as the links, ideas, and recipe attached. Cheers! Gail & Donna Ellie is a barista at a Dutch Bros location in Bend, Oregon where The Lunchbucket Podcast is based. Dutch Bros is a coffee hut chain that started in Grants Pass, Oregon in 1992. With PNW roots, the company has been expanding nationwide with plans to open over 180 stores in 2026! Check out the Dutch Bros story and mission. As Ellie described some of the most popular Dutch Bros energy drinks, we were surprised at all the sour flavors and started pondering why sour candies and drinks seem to be so popular these days. Check out this fascinating read on how the Mega Warhead catapulted us into true sour territory: TOXIC. SOUR. ATOMIC. Just for fun, we thought this “At Home with Amy Sedaris” was fitting: No offense Dutch Bros, but we are a little concerned about how much caffeine and sugar the youth of America seem to be ingesting these days. We dug a little deeper into that worry and found some interesting reading that we wanted to share. Not to alarm, but to educate, here’s a LINK to a Psychology Today report. And here’s a caffeine chart you might find interesting: CHART Service with a smile. That’s a huge expectation in our culture. If you listen to the end of the podcast, you’ll hear us talking about the emotional toll working in any service industry job can take on a person. Here’s an article we found quite interesting that addresses just that, the dark side of service with a smile: BARISTAS BURDENEllie’s Favorite Black Bean Mango Salsa/Salad (from her mom) Ellie’s mom Melissa is a great cook, so instead of exact amounts, she says to “Cook From Your Heart” 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drainedsmall bag of frozen white or yellow corn, thawed1 mango, peeled and choppedsmall can of roasted green chileschopped red pepper, as much as you likea handful of cilantro, choppedred onion, diced, as much as you like chopped tomato, as much as you like a few swirls of olive oila splash of red wine vinegar salt, to tasteblack pepper, taste garlic powder, to taste a zesty seasoning of your choice, to taste Stir it all together and just taste it to see if it tastes like you like it to taste. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

In this episode of The Lunchbucket Podcast, Gail is in conversation with a very inspiring human being. Robert is his name and his warmth, humility, and enthusiasm for life is uplifting, to say the least. Robert has contributed a lifetime of service to humankind and he’s not slowing down. His current endeavors including volunteering with hospice (in Central Oregon) as well as donating his time to lead meditation groups at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Jefferson County, Oregon. You can literally feel the kindness in his spirt and the goodness in his heart from listening to his voice. As Gail puts it, she’s happy to share a little of “The Magic of Robert” with our audience. As always, we hope you enjoy the links/info related to this episode, shared below.Love, Gail & Donna As you find out early on in Robert’s episode, he was an OG Mr. Mom who was quite comfortable and more than happy in his role. Of course the 1983 movie starring Michael Keaton came to mind. Here’s a link to the Prison Contemplative Fellowship organization that produces the book (available for free and in multiple languages) that Robert’s group uses at Deer Ridge: uspcf.org “Toxic Shame and Contemplative Prayer – From Hiding to Healing” by Ray Leonardini This all-volunteer, grassroots, nonprofit organization sends books to incarcerated people who can request books: PRISONERS LITERATURE PROJECT Interested in volunteering at Deer Ridge or another correctional facility in Oregon? Find out more HERE.If Robert’s hospice work touched your heart, here’s a link to great videos and other guides from expert end-of-life educator, Barbara Karnes. Robert was born in East Africa but by the time he started school his family had relocated to Garrison, NY. His homemade school lunches were usually cream cheese and jelly or PB & J sandwiches. These days lunch is leftovers, salad, or one of his famous homemade soups. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

In this episode of the Lunchbucket Podcast, Donna gets a haircut while chatting with her longtime hairdresser/friend Cash about his livelihood. We learn what it’s really like to cut and color hair all day long, what it takes to build a clientele and own your own shop and how to make the perfect PB&J! You’ll also hear why Cash believes cosmetology is a practical profession for the long run and why it’s always important to find out what your hairdresser likes to drink - think caffeine! As usual, this conversation brought up a lot of ideas and memories so we hope you enjoy the links, info and photos we share below.Love, Gail & Donna Cash says the beauty shop depicted in the movie “Steel Magnolias” (with Dolly Parton playing Truvy Jones, the shop owner), is as close to real-life as he’s seen in pop culture. The 1989 motion picture was directed by Herbert Ross with the screenplay by Robert Harling (it’s based on his 1987 play) and starred Dolly along with Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts. It’s a fun one, here’s the trailer. Then there’s “Hairspray” (1988) by John Waters which stars Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Debbie Harry, Jerry Stiller and other stars you’ll recognize and talk about some BIG hair! Watch the trailer. It was the 1980s when Cash graduated from cosmetology school and got his first job at a hair salon on the square in a small southern town. That’s where he really learned his craft, watching and learning from the ladies who had been doing hair longer than he had been alive - they specialized in shampoos and sets and beehive ‘dos. As we learned in the podcast, hairdressers often get close to their clients. It’s an intimate relationship of sorts and that has led to beauty professionals banding together to support survivors and help end the epidemic of violence and abuse. Below are a couple of links for more information on the Professional Beauty Association’s Cut It Out program and Sheer Haven’s free domestic violence training program for beauty professionals: Cut It OutShear Haven Training Thanks for tuning in - we appreciate you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

In this episode of the Lunchbucket Podcast, Gail has a compelling conversation with Betsy, who has a very important job at Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon. Betsy has been working at the ski resort for 26 years and currently is the Mountain Operations Senior Manager and Snow Safety Manager. This is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes peak into what goes on daily at an active ski resort including how avalanche dogs are trained and what Betsy finds most rewarding and most difficult about working in the elements and trying to keep everyone safe. Of course there’s also food talk; we hear what Betsy eats for snacks and lunch when she’s working and what she had in her lunchbox during her childhood school days. We hope you enjoy the info/links we share below and be on the lookout soon for an accompanying Thank-You-God granola recipe from Alicia Witt. Love, Gail & Donna See Betsy in action on this episode of Oregon Field Guide featuring the Mt. Bachelor avalanche dog program! WATCH HERE. Learn more about Mt. Bachelor’s Avalanche Dog Rescue Program and see a photo of the current canine team HERE. In a field once dominated by males, Betsy has persevered and now there are more female ski patrollers than ever at Mt. Bachelor. Women ski patrollers are building their own spaces for support. Here are a few sites to check out: Women Of Patrol “You’re Nothing Until They See You Ski”: Life as a Female Ski Patroller Revelstoke Mountain Resort She Patrol Betsy loves to bring leftovers for her lunch break but her daily snacks include things such as nuts, berries and other easy to pack, healthy snacks. Looking at Betsy’s snack pack is a reminder of a cookbook I worked on in 2021, Alicia Witt’s “Small Changes”. I did the recipe testing for the recipes in the book and Alicia’s Thank-You-God Granola is literally the best granola I have ever eaten! I’ll be sharing that recipe and a few other food thoughts in an upcoming lunchbucket Substack essay so please stay tuned! — Donna This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

In this episode of the Lunchbucket Podcast, Kim talks about being an OG van-lifer, making work transitions and what she eats for lunch (Pu-Pu platter & Chinese Tea Eggs). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

In this episode, Gail visits with a college math professor to learn about a day in her teaching life, what she eats for lunch and how work life in her homeland of France differs from the U.S. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

Hear the story behind the Lunchbucket podcast in this mini-cast from creators Gail & Donna. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

Welcome to The Lunchbucket Podcast ! Co-hosted by Gail Bartley & Donna Britt (donnabrittcooks), this down-to-earth, bi-monthly podcast features conversations with everyday people about what they do to make a living and what they eat for lunch during their workday.In this episode Gail visits with ER Nurse Jeff. We get to hear the story behind his chosen profession, what keeps him doing what he does and the particulars of his lunch sandwich making.Please don’t miss the fun notes, links, photos & factoids this episode inspired (below).Links related to this podcast:You’ve probably heard of Florence Nightingale, considered to be the founder ofmodern nursing, social reformer and innovator in the use of statistical graphics.Pretty groundbreaking stuff! Check it out here:If you happen to be in London you can visit the Florence Nightingale Museum.You can read HERE about famous black women nurses who advanced not only the field of nursing but also advocated for civil rights and social justice.You may also find this READ fascinating about Harriet Tubman’s overlooked story as a nurse.Read HERE about men in nursing.Read HERE about PTSD & the nursing professionSee Self Portrait as a Nurse by German Expressionist artist Max Beckmann (1884-1950), whose time spent in the medical corps during World War I dramatically shapedthe future direction of his art. Check out these links to more art:Max Beckmann: The Faces of World War IRed Cross Nurses Handing out Wool for Knitting by William H. JohnsonRecipe for No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread3 ¼ cups flour2 teaspoons fine sea salt½ teaspoon regular yeast1 ½ cups warm water (105-110 degrees)Whisk dry ingredients together in large bowl. Add warm water and stir until there are no streaks. Let the dough rise in the bowl, covered with plastic wrap for 12-18 hours.Flour a flat surface. Form dough into a rounded ball working in a bit of flour if need be. Then turn the ball of dough onto a piece of parchment paper, rounded side up – lightly flour the top of the dough ball and cover loosely. Let dough rest while heating oven to 450. Put a Dutch oven into hot 450 degree oven (lid on) for 30 minutes. Carefully remove hot Dutch oven from oven – leave temp at 450. Place dough ball on parchment into hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for another 10-20 minutes until browned the way you want it.Cool 30 minutes on wire rack before cutting into bread. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com

Welcome to The Lunchbucket Podcast ! Co-hosted by Gail Bartley & Donna Britt (donnabrittcooks), this down-to-earth, bi-monthly podcast features conversations with everyday people about what they do to make a living and what they eat for lunch during their workday.This very first episode features Julie L., who has her own janitorial/cleaning company and also house/pet sits for folks. Below are the fun notes, links, photos & factoids associated with Julie’s episode:Links to cool things related to this podcast: The Lunchbox MuseumA great piece of art from conceptual artist Barbara Kruger “It’s a Small World, But Not If You Have to Clean It”More about Barbara Kruger & Fast Facts: Barbara KrugerLink to vintage radio ads featuring cleaning products. And here.Reading Recommendations:Studs Terkel was a Pulitzer Prize winning oral historian, radio host and author ofover a dozen books featuring insightful interviews that capture the lives andinsights of thousands of his fellow human beings. A vast archive of his work isavailable at https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/Learn more about Terkel’s book Working – People Talk About What They Do All Dayand How They Feel About What They DoBarbara Ehrenreich “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America”While Julie prefers her all-natural, often homemade cleaning products, she also recommends Krud Kutter because she says “It works!”Recipe for Julie’s Homemade Window Cleaner:50% (or a bit less) rubbing alcohol50% waterA couple squirts of dish soap (your choice)Mix above in spray bottle. Use lint-free cloth or newspaper to clean glass, windows, mirrors.Recipe for Julie’s LEAST FAVORITE childhood lunch - Velveeta/Mayo Sandwich:White bread (2 slices)Velveeta cheese (thick slice)Mayonnaise (enough to slather on both slices of bread, inside and out too if you want to grill your sandwich)Spread mayo on each bread slice, inside and outside (if you want to grill your sando).Place cheese between the two slices of bread.If you prefer a grilled cheese, grill the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.Julie L. having her “car lunch” in between appointments This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelunchbucket.substack.com