The Podcast

065: Erna Baby

Erna Knutsen had been a secretary for over thirty years before she was given a seat at the cupping table. Once she found her love and passion for small lots of coffee, what she called 'specialty coffees,' she upended people's notions of what women could do in the industry. She bought the company she worked at, and fired all the men—but there's more to her story than just getting rid of the 'unimpressive men around her.' Without Erna, our industry would look radically different than it is today. We explore her legacy through sharing stories told by those who knew her best.

Thanks to Sherri Johns, Kayd Whalen, Karen Cebreros, Ric Rhinehart, Kim Easson, and T. Ben Fischer. Our new music is from Lost in the Sun - you can check our their new single on Spotify.

Specialty CoffeeAshley RodriguezJanuary 10, 2019Boss Barista

039: Running a Podcast Isn't Cheap...

Ok folx. We're not gonna lie - we need your help. In this episode we tell a story about failed sponsorship, sad feels, proper plant care, and do our VERY FIRST SEGMENT: #thoucrushshoutout where we highlight coffee folx past and present doing amazing things! Please consider donating to our patreon page - it's what keeps the podcast going: www.patreon.com/bossbarista

Specialty Coffee, Equality, SocietyAshley RodriguezFebruary 25, 2018Coffee, podcast, Boss Barista

038: It's Not Over—An Unofficial Four Barrel Wrap Up

It's been almost six weeks since Jeremy Tooker and Four Barrel coffee were sued based on allegations of sexual misconduct and creating an environment where harassment was tolerated. So we emailed. We boycotted. We rallied. We watched current owners, Jodi Geren and Tal Mor, oscillate between divesting from their company and then hiring the PR crisis firm Sitrick and Co, who represents Harvey Weinstein. Now what? In this episode, we reflect on the last few weeks and make an open call to current owners, Jodi and Tal - if you want to talk and share your story, we're here to listen. Our email address is bossbaristapodcast@gmail.com.

Specialty Coffee, Equality, SocietyAshley RodriguezFebruary 15, 2018Boss Barista, fuck four barrel

036: Molly Flynn is Starting Drama and Talking Shit

Molly Flynn was fed up listening to the stories of harassment and assault her friends experienced in the coffee industry—so she organized. Molly is the founder of #coffeetoo, a grassroots organization dedicated to ending harassment in the coffee industry. We get real, we get personal, and we talk shit. CHECK OUT #COFFEETOO GOFUNDME www.gofundme.com/startdrama

Specialty Coffee, Society, EqualityAshley RodriguezJanuary 24, 2018Boss Barista, start drama, talk shit, Coffee

032: Emily Ordendoff's Statement at Reno Coffeechamps

Lots of amazing folks competed at the Reno Coffeechamps earlier this month, and used their platform to call out the SCA and speak up for their community. In this mini-episode, Jasper talks about activism and airs a statement from Emily Orendorff of Boxcar Coffee Roasters in Denver. Thank you to Emily for letting us air her statement, and Lucas Haladki for noticing this and tagging us on Twitter!

Specialty CoffeeJesse RaubDecember 16, 2017coffee, Specialty Coffee

030: BOSS BARISTA IN PARIS!

Hope you were paying attention in your high school French class -- we bring you an episode of Boss Barista entirely IN FRENCH! The great folks from Cafée let us hang and record a panel with women from all over the coffee scene in Paris, and we're thrilled to share the happenings of a coffee scene abroad. Remember, this episode is entirely IN FRENCH and we hope to bring you episodes in different languages soon!

Society and culture, Specialty Coffee, SocietyGuest UserDecember 4, 2017Comment

026: Reflections on Leadership

A leader isn't simply the person in charge--it's the person who takes responsibility for their staff and ensures their success. In this episode, Jasper and Ashley talk about leaders in the cafe and why people seem to ignore their responsibility to their baristas. LEADERSHIP IS A PRACTICED SKILL YOU CAN DO IT BETTER. Photo featuring Jen Apodaca showing folks how to roast at a #shestheroaster event.

Society, Society and culture, Specialty CoffeeGuest UserSeptember 27, 2017Leadership, Specialty Coffee, Coffee shops, Positive thinkingComment