MAP IT FORWARD Middle East

MAP IT FORWARD
  • 0.0 (0)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED DAILY

The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

  1. EP 994 | Part 4 of 5 | Leading Through Devastation and Finding Opportunity (Kim Thompson)

    5 HR AGO

    EP 994 | Part 4 of 5 | Leading Through Devastation and Finding Opportunity (Kim Thompson)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 4 of a 5-part series with founder and co-owner of RAW Coffee Company , Kim Thompson, based in Dubai, UAE. In this series, we’re discussing what it means to steer your business through a crisis. In this episode, Lee Safar and Kim Thompson explore how leaders navigate devastation while still identifying opportunities. Crisis forces difficult decisions, but it also tests values, identity, and leadership integrity. Kim shares how she approaches decision-making when there are no ideal options, and how she balances the emotional weight of what’s happening with the responsibility of leading a business. The conversation explores the importance of staying grounded, maintaining perspective, and continuing to look for opportunities, not from a place of optimism, but from necessity. This episode also highlights how businesses can adapt creatively, through new revenue streams, operational changes, and rethinking how value is delivered, while still holding onto what matters most. Contact Kim Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany/Website: https://rawcoffeecompany.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthompsonraw/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    23 min
  2. EP 993 | Part 3 of 5 | How Crisis Changes the Way You Do Business (Kim Thompson)

    1 DAY AGO

    EP 993 | Part 3 of 5 | How Crisis Changes the Way You Do Business (Kim Thompson)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.com Episode Description This is episode 3 of a 5-part series with founder and co-owner of RAW Coffee Company , Kim Thompson, based in Dubai, UAE. In this series, we’re discussing what it means to steer your business through a crisis. In this episode, Lee Safar and Kim Thompson explore how crisis fundamentally changes the way a business operates. What worked before no longer works the same way. Kim shares how supply chains become unpredictable, customer behaviour shifts, and pricing decisions become increasingly difficult. From rising costs to changing demand, this episode looks at how businesses are forced to rethink everything, from product offerings to purchasing decisions. The conversation also explores the pressure placed on relationships across the supply chain, particularly with producers, and how difficult decisions need to be made in order to survive, often with no ideal outcome. This is where crisis stops being reactive and starts becoming structural. Contact Kim Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany/Website: https://rawcoffeecompany.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthompsonraw/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    19 min
  3. EP 992 | Part 2 of 5 | What Leaders Actually Do When Crisis Hits (Kim Thompson)

    2 DAYS AGO

    EP 992 | Part 2 of 5 | What Leaders Actually Do When Crisis Hits (Kim Thompson)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.com Episode Description This is episode 2 of a 5-part series with founder and co-owner of RAW Coffee Company, Kim Thompson, based in Dubai, UAE. In this series, we’re discussing what it means to steer your business through a crisis. In this episode, Lee Safar and Kim Thompson explore what actually happens inside a business when a crisis hits, and how leaders begin to adapt in real time. Kim shares how quickly things shifted from “business as usual” to uncertainty, and the immediate steps her leadership team took to respond. From closing operations temporarily to protect staff, to assessing risks across logistics, supply, and customer demand, this episode breaks down what crisis response looks like on the ground. The conversation also explores the importance of leadership presence, communication, and decision-making under pressure. Kim discusses how her team moved into daily strategy sessions, scenario planning, and worst-case forecasting—while still prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their people. This episode offers a practical look at how businesses adapt, not perfectly, but in motion. Contact Kim Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany/Website: https://rawcoffeecompany.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthompsonraw/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    24 min
  4. EP 991 | Part 1 of 5 | Running a Business Through War: Lessons from Dubai (Kim Thompson)

    3 DAYS AGO

    EP 991 | Part 1 of 5 | Running a Business Through War: Lessons from Dubai (Kim Thompson)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is episode 1 of a 5-part series with founder and co-owner of RAW Coffee Company, Kim Thompson, based in Dubai, UAE. In this series, we’re discussing what it means to steer your business through a crisis. In this episode, Lee Safar sits down with Kim Thompson to understand what the current situation feels like in real time as conflict unfolds across the region. Kim shares what daily life looks like for her, her team, and her community, living with constant uncertainty, safety alerts, and the emotional weight of what’s happening around them. From managing a team of over 80 people from multiple countries to supporting employees whose families are directly impacted, this conversation reveals the human side of running a business through crisis. This episode is not about strategy. It’s about reality, what it feels like to lead, to stay, and to carry responsibility when everything around you is uncertain. Contact Kim Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany/Website: https://rawcoffeecompany.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthompsonraw/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    27 min
  5. EP 990 | Part 5 of 5 | Building a Resilient Food System (Toni Farmer)

    6 DAYS AGO

    EP 990 | Part 5 of 5 | Building a Resilient Food System (Toni Farmer)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Community Monthly Discussion Group. Join our third tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community. Episode Description This is episode 5 of a 5-part series with adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of ⁨@tonifarmersgarden⁩ , Toni Farmer. In this series, we’ve been discussing the evidence for regenerative agriculture and what it means for the future of global food systems. In this final episode, Lee Safar and Toni Farmer explore what it might look like to move toward a more resilient food system. The conversation brings together the themes from the series, soil health, climate pressure, geopolitics, and systemic barriers, and focuses on what practical steps can be taken moving forward. Toni discusses the importance of returning to certain agricultural practices that prioritise soil health and biodiversity, while also embracing technological advancements that can support more efficient and sustainable farming. The episode also explores the role of consumers, communities, and policy in shaping the future of food systems. This is not a conversation about quick fixes. It’s about understanding the complexity of the system and recognising where change is possible. Contact Toni Farmer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonifarmersgarden/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ToniFarmersGarden Website: https://tonifarmersgarden.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    23 min
  6. EP 989 | Part 4 of 5 | Why Regenerative Agriculture Isn’t Scaling (Toni Farmer)

    9 APR

    EP 989 | Part 4 of 5 | Why Regenerative Agriculture Isn’t Scaling (Toni Farmer)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 4 of a 5-part series with adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Toni Farmer’s Garden, Toni Farmer. In this series, we’re discussing the evidence for regenerative agriculture and what it means for the future of global food systems. In this episode, Lee Safar and Toni Farmer explore the barriers preventing regenerative agriculture from being widely adopted. While the evidence for regenerative practices continues to grow, the systems surrounding agriculture, from finance to policy to supply chains, are not designed to support the transition. Toni breaks down the structural challenges farmers face, including financial risk, lack of policy support, dependence on existing systems, and the influence of large institutions across agriculture. The conversation also explores how global markets, banking systems, and commodity pricing structures reinforce the status quo. This episode highlights a key tension: while regenerative agriculture may offer long-term resilience, the current system often makes it difficult, if not impossible, for farmers to adopt it without significant risk. Contact Toni Farmer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonifarmersgarden/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ToniFarmersGarden Website: https://tonifarmersgarden.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    18 min
  7. EP 988 | Part 3 of 5 | How Urgent Is the Global Food Crisis? (Toni Farmer)

    8 APR

    EP 988 | Part 3 of 5 | How Urgent Is the Global Food Crisis? (Toni Farmer)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.com Episode Description This is episode 3 of a 5-part series with adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of ⁨@tonifarmersgarden⁩ , Toni Farmer. In this series, we’re discussing the evidence for regenerative agriculture and what it means for the future of global food systems. In this episode, Lee Safar and Toni Farmer explore how urgent the global food security situation really is. Building on the geopolitical pressures discussed in the previous episode, this conversation looks at how trade tensions, tariffs, and policy instability are accelerating risks across the food system. Toni explains how recent policy decisions have impacted farmers, disrupted trade relationships, and increased costs across agriculture. The discussion highlights how interconnected global systems are—and how quickly they can shift when trust between trading partners breaks down. We also explore the broader implications for food availability, pricing, and long-term stability, including how these pressures may reshape the way food is produced and consumed. Contact Toni Farmer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonifarmersgarden/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ToniFarmersGarden Website: https://tonifarmersgarden.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    24 min
  8. EP 987 | Part 2 of 5 | Why Global Politics Is Driving Food Prices Up (Toni Farmer)

    7 APR

    EP 987 | Part 2 of 5 | Why Global Politics Is Driving Food Prices Up (Toni Farmer)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is episode 2 of a 5-part series with adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Toni Farmer’s Garden, Toni Farmer. In this series, we’re discussing the evidence for regenerative agriculture and what it means for the future of global food systems. In this episode, Lee Safar and Toni Farmer explore how global geopolitics is already impacting food supply chains. From the war in Ukraine to disruptions in fertilizer production and shifting trade relationships, this conversation unpacks how interconnected the global food system has become—and how fragile it is. Toni explains how modern supply chains evolved, why efficiency has come at the cost of resilience, and how geopolitical instability is now creating ripple effects across agriculture. The discussion also looks at the rising cost of inputs like fertilizer and fuel, and how these pressures are impacting farmers’ ability to produce food sustainably. For the coffee industry, these dynamics are already being felt through rising costs, supply uncertainty, and increasing pressure across the value chain. Contact Toni Farmer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonifarmersgarden/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ToniFarmersGarden Website: https://tonifarmersgarden.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    23 min
See All (301)

About

The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    MAP IT FORWARD
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 MAP IT FORWARD | All Rights Reserved 512477
  • Show Website
    MAP IT FORWARD Middle East

You Might Also Like