grounded. a coffee podcast

Brett Helton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

grounded. — a warm, easy-going space to sit down with the people who make coffee culture what it is — baristas, roasters, café owners, and everyday coffee lovers. Each episode feels like settling into a quiet café corner as someone’s story gently brews. Real people, real craft, real connection — one cup at a time.

Episodes

  1. Mar 14

    Episode 6: Tom – Building Presidents Coffee

    Tom Pottiger is the owner of Presidents Coffee in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From the beginning, his goal wasn’t just to open a coffee shop — it was to build something meaningful for both his team and the community around it. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to turn an idea into a coffee shop, the challenges that come with running a business, and why culture and collaboration matter so much behind the bar. Tom shares the story of how Presidents Coffee came to life, the mindset that helped him bring the vision together, and why creating a great coffee experience goes far beyond what’s in the cup. This conversation is about leadership, intention, and building something people genuinely care about. ⸻ Show Notes Guest: Tom Pottiger Owner of Presidents Coffee – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania In this episode, Tom shares the story behind opening Presidents Coffee and what it takes to build a specialty coffee shop rooted in quality, community, and teamwork. We discuss: • The vision behind starting Presidents Coffee • The realities of owning and running a coffee shop • Building a strong team and positive culture • Why collaboration matters in a café environment • Creating an experience that goes beyond the coffee • Growing a coffee business with intention

    1h 18m

  2. Feb 21

    Episode 5: Mike - The Magic of Home Brewing

    Mike never worked behind a café bar — but that didn't stop him from diving deep into coffee. What started as a simple gift at home turned into an obsession with brewing, dialing in, and understanding what actually makes a great cup. In this episode, we talk about: ​How his coffee journey really began​Going from casual drinker to serious home brewer​Learning without industry experience​Favorite coffee shops he's visited​Why passion matters more than credentials​And a few unexpected celebrity impressions to close it outThis episode is a reminder that coffee culture isn't limited to professionals — it belongs to anyone willing to care about it. Show Notes: Guest: Mike Mike shares how he got into specialty coffee without ever working in a café. We dive into the mindset of a home brewer, the learning curve of dialing in, and the joy of discovering great coffee through curiosity. Topics include: ​ Starting a coffee journey outside the industry​ The rabbit hole of home brewing​ Exploring standout coffee shops​ Taking coffee seriously without a job title​ Finding personality and fun in the processIf you've ever fallen down the coffee rabbit hole — this one's for you.

    53 min

  3. Feb 1

    Episode 4: Ashley — Setting the Tone Behind the Bar

    Ashley and I sit down the same way we always do — like two friends catching up over coffee. She’s a lead barista with years of experience, someone who truly understands what it means to set the tone behind the bar. We talk about leadership, positivity, showing up for people, and how coffee can quietly create space for connection and community. This conversation is relaxed, honest, and cozy — less about job titles and more about how you carry yourself, the energy you bring into a room, and why that matters just as much as the coffee itself. Show Notes ​How Ashley got into coffee and grew into a lead barista role​What it really means to “set the tone” behind the bar​Leading with positivity in high-pressure environments​Supporting coworkers and building healthy team culture​Experience vs ego in specialty coffee​Why attitude and intention matter as much as skill​Coffee as a space for connection and encouragement​a few coffee hot takes

    49 min

  4. Jan 24

    Episode 3: Logan — Finding Connection Through Coffee

    Logan and I met the way a lot of meaningful connections start — across a coffee bar. What began as casual conversation between a barista and a customer slowly turned into coffee hangouts, life check-ins, and a genuine friendship. In this episode, we sit down the same way we always do: no agenda, no performance — just two friends talking about life, growth, listening, and how coffee created the space for all of it. We talk about connection, showing up for people, navigating change, and how something as simple as coffee can quietly become the bridge to lifelong relationships. This one feels like a real coffee hangout — because that’s exactly what it is. Show Notes ​ How Logan and I first met at my early coffee job​ When casual café conversations turned into real friendship​ Coffee as a bridge for connection and community​ The value of daily check-ins and honest conversations​ Friendship, listening, and navigating life together​ How coffee still plays a role in Logan’s life today​ Why being open to connection can change everything

    33 min

  5. Jan 17

    Episode 2: Ben — Flavor, Friendship, & Building Things Together

    In this episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Ben — a barista of several years and a chef with over a decade of experience. We talk about coffee, food, flavor, and what happens when friendship and craft overlap. From working together on a coffee cart to learning how taste, trust, and creativity shape the things we build, this conversation is relaxed, honest, and very us. It’s just a real conversation between two friends about the things we care about and how coffee played a role in bringing us together. Show notes: • Ben’s path into coffee and why he keeps coming back • Working as a barista on and off over the years • How his background as a chef shapes his approach to flavor • Similarities between kitchen culture and coffee culture • What we learned running a coffee cart together • Building something with a friend — the good and the hard • How coffee strengthened our friendship • Why caring about craft still matters

    51 min
  6. Episode 1: My Journey In Coffee

    Jan 10

    Episode 1: My Journey In Coffee

    This episode is a little different. Instead of sitting across from a guest, I’m sitting with my own story — how I found coffee, how it changed me, and why grounded. exists in the first place. From my first job behind the bar, to learning what coffee actually meant beyond drinks and recipes, to moments that challenged my confidence and reshaped how I see this industry — this isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an honest look at the path that led me here. This episode isn’t about proving anything. It’s about giving context. Because every conversation on this show comes from somewhere. If you’ve ever found yourself through a craft, a community, or a place you didn’t expect — this one’s for you. Show Notes In this episode: How I first got into coffeeWhat working behind the bar taught me about peopleThe difference between loving coffee and understanding itMoments of growth, conflict, and self-doubtWhy connection matters more than credentialsThe reason Grounded focuses on people, not prestige

    22 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    grounded. - an introduction

    Welcome to grounded. This isn’t a podcast just about coffee — it’s a podcast about people. The conversations, friendships, and stories that quietly form around it. In this short introduction episode, I share why grounded. exists, what this space is meant to feel like, and what you can expect from future conversations with baristas, roasters, café owners, and coffee lovers — and why these stories matter even if you don’t drink coffee at all. This podcast is about slowing down, showing up, and remembering that connection is still something we can make — one conversation, and one cup, at a time.

    4 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

grounded. — a warm, easy-going space to sit down with the people who make coffee culture what it is — baristas, roasters, café owners, and everyday coffee lovers. Each episode feels like settling into a quiet café corner as someone’s story gently brews. Real people, real craft, real connection — one cup at a time.

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