5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

World Coffee Portal
  • 4.8 (12)
  • Business
  • Updated Semimonthly

A forward-thinking interview series examining the business of progressive coffee culture. The 5THWAVE Podcast is hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5THWAVE magazine and Founder of Allegra Group. Each episode features inspiring stories, business lessons, and thought leadership from the entrepreneurs and industry experts blazing trails to success across the world of coffee. The podcast will delve into the detail of achieving operational excellence, get to grips with green coffee sourcing and seek out the very best of global coffee culture. We’ll also examine the future of e-commerce and coffee at home, the changing face of cafés and coffee shops, and how to hone winning HR strategies – plus much more. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify to listen to all the credits music featured the show: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45goieo3qIN1xT9hSGnWeI Get in touch and tell us what topics you'd like to hear by visiting www.worldcoffeeportal.com/5THWAVEPodcast

  1. 2d ago

    How technology is changing coffee

    In today’s episode, we’re exploring how technology and AI is transforming coffee operations, and the importance of creating connected tech ecosystems. What are the commercial benefits of connected equipment and Internet of Things (IOTs)? How can data and telemetry help coffee businesses improve efficiency and reduce waste? And what role will AI play in shaping the future of coffee consumption? We’ll hear from Scott Martin, Founder, Unity Coffee, Jochen Bauer, Head of Product Management Digital Solutions, Groupe SEB, and Raivis Vaitekūns, Global Partnership Manager, Vendon. Credits music: "Bare Minimum" by Daisy Peacock in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  2. Aug 21

    If not now, when? Coffee’s path to a sustainable future

    Coffee is facing a defining moment. Climate change, environmental degradation and growing pressure across the value chain are creating unprecedented risks for the future of our industry.  Addressing these challenges will require collaboration and action from every corner of the coffee community. So in this episode, we’re exploring what sustainability really means for coffee and what needs to change to secure the future of the industry. We'll hear from Vanúsia Nogueira, International Coffee Organization, Violeta Stevens, Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, Kasper Hülsen and Sebastian Nielsen, Slow Forest, Konrad Brits, Falcon Coffees, Cemal Ezel, Change Please. While the challenges are significant, there is also a huge opportunity for coffee to lead the way in creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. That’s why we launched the C20 Global Coffee Sustainability Summit – a forum for the sustainable future of coffee. The C20 brings together global coffee leaders, change-makers, scientists and legislators to collaborate across the supply chain and ensure long-term prosperity for all industry stakeholders.  Find out how you can get involved and join the conversation here. Credits music: "What on Earth" by HOLNE in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  3. Aug 14

    People, purpose and product – a conversation with Helen Russell, Equator Coffees

    In today’s episode, we're speaking with Helen Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Californian specialty coffee business Equator Coffees. With more than 30 years in the coffee industry, Helen has been at the forefront of the US specialty coffee movement and launched Equator Coffees with her business and life partner Brooke McDonnell in 1995. What began as a small garage roastery in the Bay Area has grown into a thriving business with 12 retail locations and a successful wholesale operation. In this conversation, Helen shares how she and Brooke built a company around the belief that passion and profit can coexist. She also reflects on the importance of community and human connection in coffee, the role of values in building a successful business, and how commercial performance can create opportunities to make a positive impact. Credits music: "Lighthouse" by Californian artist Haley Fishberger in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  4. Aug 3

    Understanding consumer behaviour

    In today’s episode, we’re exploring how coffee businesses can better understand their customers – from purchasing behaviour and evolving preferences to anticipating future trends and demand. How can coffee operator gather meaningful feedback and information on their customers purchase decisions? How do you turn that information into actionable insight? And for growing businesses, what are the ways to stay close to your guests and retain brand loyalty as you scale? We’ll speak with Jonathan Rubinstein, Founder, Joe Coffee Company, Kallie Kocourek, Founder and Hospitality Consultant, GSD Collective, and Lucie Mavlian, Commercial Director, Old Spike Roastery. Credits music: "Something About Dover" by Milli-Rose in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  5. Jul 24

    Innovation, community and consumer trends – highlights from The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026

    In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping the European coffee market and beyond. First up we unpack how Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping expectations and driving demand for wellness, authenticity and in-store experience. With Ilya Aksamentov, The Miners, Bryan Serwatka, Minor Figures, and Kendra Kroon & Amijé van der Laan, SHOT Lifestyle & Coffee. Next, we take a look at the latest beverage innovations redefining cafe experience and explore how non-coffee drinks like matcha, chai and functional ingredients are becoming major growth drivers. With Isabella Miglinci, AIYA Europe, Lucia Parlanti, Tea Stories, Tristan Meulenbelt, Oatly, and Salma Tabiat, Nomadschai. We'll also be exploring bakery trends to find out how cafes are evolving into all day hospitality concepts and why quality food is becoming as important as great coffee. With Nils Klinkspoor of Corri Bakery, Marion Waterkeyn, Gerard Bakery, and Mitchel Charles, Farine. To close the episode, we take a look at the role of community in modern coffee brands, and why loyalty is driven by belonging, not just product quality. With Veronique Lagarde, DAK Coffee Roasters, Murray Robertson, Amsterdam Coffee Run, and coffee influencer, Sam Lasaroms, koffietje.nl Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  6. Jul 17

    Spotlight on Slow Coffee Festival in Bucharest

    In today’s episode, we speak with Afshin Roshanian, co-founder of Romania’s Slow Coffee Festival. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Slow Coffee Festival has become one of Eastern Europe’s flagship specialty coffee events, bringing together the people behind the region’s thriving coffee community.  In this conversation, we explore the extraordinary rise of Romania as Europe’s fastest-growing coffee market. We also discuss how Slow Coffee Festival has evolved from a consumer-focused event into an international business platform, and the role that community plays in driving the industry’s growth. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  7. Jul 10

    The importance of Good & Proper Tea

    Today we’re diving into the exciting world of tea innovation with Emilie Holmes, Founder of Good & Proper Tea. Historically a challenging category for coffee operators, tea has seen a real surge in recent years, largely driven by the meteoric rise of matcha and growing consumer demand for wellness and iced formats. In this conversation, we explore the latest trends in tea innovation, from cold brews and concentrates to premium teas like hojicha, maojian and sencha. Emilie also shares why tea should be treated with the same care and storytelling as specialty coffee, and why long-term success depends on transparency and support for producers. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

  8. Jun 12

    A conversation with World Barista Champion Jack Simpson

    In today’s episode, we catch up with Jack Simpson of Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and the reigning World Barista Champion. After taking the Australian Barista Championship title three years in a row, Jack claimed the world crown in Milan in November, 2025. In this conversation, Jack reflects on the experience of winning on the biggest coffee stage in the world, the pressure and opportunities that followed, and what comes next. We also discuss sustainability in coffee, and why, for Jack, it’s ultimately about relationships, respect and long-term support for coffee producers, to ensure fairness and economic viability across the supply chain. Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A forward-thinking interview series examining the business of progressive coffee culture. The 5THWAVE Podcast is hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5THWAVE magazine and Founder of Allegra Group. Each episode features inspiring stories, business lessons, and thought leadership from the entrepreneurs and industry experts blazing trails to success across the world of coffee. The podcast will delve into the detail of achieving operational excellence, get to grips with green coffee sourcing and seek out the very best of global coffee culture. We’ll also examine the future of e-commerce and coffee at home, the changing face of cafés and coffee shops, and how to hone winning HR strategies – plus much more. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify to listen to all the credits music featured the show: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45goieo3qIN1xT9hSGnWeI Get in touch and tell us what topics you'd like to hear by visiting www.worldcoffeeportal.com/5THWAVEPodcast

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