094 : How to Map it Forward w/ Lee Safar

Chris DeferioCareer, Leadership, Podcast

We all want a fulfilling career in coffee but often times we feel trapped and disappointed with where we are and cannot see the next move. Enter Lee Safar. Lee is the owner of “Map it Forward” and host of the “Map it Forward Live Podcast”. She has amassed a world of experience and knowledge in her over 15 years of working in coffee and draws on both her expertise and other industry success stories to teach you how you can map out an amazing career, grow you business, and be a true professional.

093 : US Brewers Cup Champion, Becca Woodard!

Chris DeferioBarista Craft, Career, Podcast, Training

Today we get to talk with the 2018 U.S. Brewers Cup Champion, Becca Woodard! It was such a pleasure to chat about the details that went into her fantastic performance, the fascinating story of her competition coffee, her personal drive and the message she delivered regarding changing systems, her mission as a specialty coffee ambasador, and some challenges to the coffee community around how we can become a more diverse and inclusive community.Becca is a humble and inspiring champion and you will be all the better for listening to her in this conversation.

091 : Founder Friday w/ Talor Browne of Talor & Jorgen

Chris DeferioCareer, Founder Friday, Podcast, Roasting

Talor Browne, Co-founder of Talor & Jorgen in Oslo, Norway chats with us on this May edition of Founder Friday. Talor is an absolute legend and through her career has been at the helm of some of the worlds greatest cafes and roasters. She and her business partner Jorgen opened Talor & Jorgen December 2017 and have put together what looks to be one of the industries most unique and fun concepts.

088 : 2018 U.S. Barista Champion, Cole McBride

Chris DeferioBarista Craft, Career, Podcast, Training

Today we talk with the new U.S. Barista Champion, Cole McBride! Cole has always given 110% effort to improving both his own craft and being an advocate for specialty coffee and those around him. In his 15 years of professional coffee work he has gleaned an impressive amount of wisdom, skill, and perspective that is clearly on display both on …

087 : Coffee Masters Champion, Agneiszka Rojewska

Chris DeferioBarista Craft, Career, Podcast, Training

Today we talk with Coffee Masters Champion, Agnieszka Rojewska! She is the multi-time Polish Barista champion, Latte Art champion, and now Coffee Masters champion, a trainer, consultant, and all around inspiration! In this conversation we chat about her packed completion schedule, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, her experience as a cafe owner and manager folding in lessons from competition …

085 : How we Ruin the Specialty Experience

Chris DeferioBarista Craft, Career, Leadership, Podcast

It is often the little things that we allow or that escape our attention that will ruin the specialty experience for our customers in our shops. Today we discuss ways that we create unnecessary roadblocks to customers having a truly great experience in the cafe and what to do about it.  We give you a framework to use in rooting …

083: 6 Essential Books for your Professional Growth

Chris DeferioCareer, Leadership, Management, Podcast

I love recommending great books! In this episode we talk about 6 books that I think are critical to your professional development. They cover everything form hospitality, coffee knowledge, operations, management, personal growth, and vocational calling and should be a part of your library. I want to do more episodes like this so keep an eye and ear out for …

079 : Interviews from Coffee Fest Baltimore

Chris DeferioCareer, Podcast

Hey! Coffee Fest Baltimore 2018 was fantastic and I got to visit and chat with three fantastic people for this KTTS episode. What are people looking for at an event like this? What are the things you, as a coffee retailer should be pursuing and focusing on as you go out to acquire knowledge and build your business? How can …