Teach Me Coffee!

James Lucas
  • 5.0 (3)
  • How To
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Teach Me Coffee! The show where each conversation starts with curiosity, and where I openly admit I don't know everything. In this podcast, I sit down with cafe owners, baristas, roasters, and other pros from across the specialty coffee industry to learn about their experiences, skills, and hard-earned lessons, from fundamentals to conversations happening in the industry today. The mission of Teach Me Coffee! is simple: I'm inviting you along as I build my understanding of specialty coffee, one guest at a time. You’ll walk away with practical insights, behind-the-bar stories, and a clearer picture of what makes great coffee great. If you love specialty coffee, or just love watching someone ask the questions you’ve always wondered about, this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. A Holistic Approach to Green Buying and Sourcing in Specialty Coffee | Austin Bowers, Methodical Coffee

    3d ago

    A Holistic Approach to Green Buying and Sourcing in Specialty Coffee | Austin Bowers, Methodical Coffee

    I sat down with Austin Bowers at Methodical Coffee in Greenville, SC to learn about his role in connecting producers and importers to Methodical’s roasting operation. In this episode, we talk about Austin’s early exposure to coffee during his childhood, his experiences on both the cafe and roasting ends of the industry, and how he approaches relationships with producers and importers today. We also had the opportunity to talk about his experience at World of Coffee 2026! Join me in learning from Austin!

    1h 11m
  2. Why Starting Small Might be the Best Way to Open a Coffee Business | Edwin Martinez, Reunión Coffee

    Mar 3

    Why Starting Small Might be the Best Way to Open a Coffee Business | Edwin Martinez, Reunión Coffee

    I sat down with Edwin Martinez at Reunión Coffee in the Village of West Greenville to learn how he built Reunion from pop-ups and a cart into an intimate brick-and-mortar shop. We talked about starting small on a budget, showing up consistently before opening day, building community through proximity and hospitality, curating a rotating multi-roaster menu, and navigating pricing, wages, and sustainability in specialty coffee. Come learn with me from Edwin.

    1h 7m
  3. What 20 Years in Coffee Teaches You About Craft & Humility | Stephanie Harmon, Blackwater Roasters

    Feb 10

    What 20 Years in Coffee Teaches You About Craft & Humility | Stephanie Harmon, Blackwater Roasters

    I sat down with Stephanie Harmon at Blackwater Roasters to learn from her two decades of experience in specialty coffee, from working behind bar to training, management, and shop leadership. We talked about building strong foundations in espresso and milk, dialing in by sight and feel, learning to listen to what coffee is telling you, and why hospitality matters more than perfection. We also explored career longevity, curiosity over ego, and how community shapes the best coffee spaces. Come learn with me from Stephanie.

    1h 12m
  4. Growing Within the Specialty Coffee Industry with Jacob Bickers, Blackwater Roasters

    Jan 20

    Growing Within the Specialty Coffee Industry with Jacob Bickers, Blackwater Roasters

    I sat down with Jacob Bickers at ⁠Blackwater Roasters⁠ to learn from his experience working behind bar, developing seasonal menus, and stepping into roasting. We talked about learning espresso and milk through repetition, café workflow during a rush, roasting fundamentals, and how community and curiosity shape longterm careers in specialty coffee. Come learn with me from Jacob.

    53 min
  5. What it Takes to Grow a Coffee Shop with Jacob Kirby, Piecewise Coffee Co.

    Jan 15

    What it Takes to Grow a Coffee Shop with Jacob Kirby, Piecewise Coffee Co.

    I sat down with Jacob Kirby, owner of Piecewise Coffee Co. (Cayce, SC) to learn from his experience of taking over a shop with little coffee-knowledge, and growing that shop to a widely-known local coffee brand with two locations in the Columbia area. We talked about the challenges of shop ownership, the realities of staffing, turnover, and training, and where Piecewise is headed in the near future! Come learn with me from Jacob!

    58 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Teach Me Coffee! The show where each conversation starts with curiosity, and where I openly admit I don't know everything. In this podcast, I sit down with cafe owners, baristas, roasters, and other pros from across the specialty coffee industry to learn about their experiences, skills, and hard-earned lessons, from fundamentals to conversations happening in the industry today. The mission of Teach Me Coffee! is simple: I'm inviting you along as I build my understanding of specialty coffee, one guest at a time. You’ll walk away with practical insights, behind-the-bar stories, and a clearer picture of what makes great coffee great. If you love specialty coffee, or just love watching someone ask the questions you’ve always wondered about, this podcast is for you.

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