Podcast · Arts & Books

The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

by The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson · English · Arts & Books

Uncovering the untold stories about coffee

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 10 min
Latest: 4 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 10 min

United States Barista Champion of 2025: Kay Cheon

This weeks podcast will be audio only because we had some issues with the camera recording this. The honest story is we were in a venue where chefs were butchering some freshly caught tuna (which looked lovely) and so the camera was out of focus and thus we couldn't use the footage. Kay Cheon is the United States Barista Champion of 2025 and founder of Parterre Coffee. This podcast was the last of our series in the USA and was recorded inside of Hooked Venice Beach. Kay's story is something many people can resonate with, he started as a home barista in another career and transitioned to…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

28 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
What Does A Barista Do In 2050? With Chris Marbury Of Beta Coffee
Chris Maybury is a disruptor in coffee and this episode has been a long time coming. Chris and Kirk have a lot in common: They both embrace pre batched espresso, embrace automation and hold dear the very thing customers love about coffee: People! Kirk and Chris discuss what they think the barista profession will evolve to and how baristas in the future may end up becoming sommeliers. Plus, the fallout of the infamous Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet Interview continues…
14 Sep 2026 · 55 min
The Enemy of Specialty Coffee: Julien Moussi & Cory Slater of SCFO
Australian coffee professionals have been up in arms about a new concept called Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet (SCFO). Kirk interviewed the founders Julian Moussi and Cory Slater to get their perspective. The team who founded Inglewood Coffee are trying a new strategy in specialty, selling high quality coffee for ultra cheap prices and betting on selling high quantities. They're going for a larger degree of marketshare by lowering costs wherever possible. The most controversial element of the strategy is their roaster callouts, where they compare their own coffee to that of another roasters…
2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Dennis Do: Finance Bro to Coffee Pro
Do you want to quit the job you hate and start a new career you love? This podcast might be the encouragement you need. Dennis Do last year had never made coffee in a cafe, now he runs Project Zero Coffee and competes in the Brewers Cup! This is a great podcast detailing how Dennis was able to change careers and a great example for other cafe owners to consider hiring staff with no experience. If you hate your job and need a push, then listen to this podcast! Like this podcast? Like, share and tell two friends!
24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Greg Cornes: How The Cafe Game Has Changed In 2026 And How To Survive!
Greg Cornes is a New Zealand based cafe owner and operator with multiple venues. Greg's profile has grown this year thanks to his viral videos dissecting and analysing what it takes to be successful business in 2026. In this podcast Greg discusses his strategy and playbook in a marketplace that has frankly turned upside down after the Pandemic, multiple supply chain issues and a protracted cost of living crisis. This is a must listen for anyone that wants to open a coffee shop or currently owns one. Greg is running online workshops which you can sign up to and directly work with him. Like…
19 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 39 min
West Coast Chronicles: Andrew Sinclair, Madlab Coffee Roasters
Andrew Sinclair is without a doubt one of the best ranters in specialty coffee, and should probably have a podcast of his own. Until then, Kirk sat down with him at his roastery and discussed what its like operating a coffee shop in the US and just how hard it can be for people to make it, especially in the City of Angels. This podcast was done just by the cooling tray of Andrew's roaster! Like this podcast? Like, share and tell two friends!!
19 Aug 2026 · 18 min
Pre Batched Cafe in Los Angeles! With Derek Taylor
Derek Taylor is a cafe owner based in Los Angeles California. His cafe Noun, is serving coffee that has been pre batched and we recorded this mini podcast in the middle of service there! Derek is unique in his approach to business. Customers can pay with bitcoin and he has been making sure people have been caffeinated at Coachella for a number of years. This was a short but interesting podcast that opens up new ways to do business in coffee. Like this podcast? Like, subscribe and tell two friends!
19 Aug 2026 · 21 min
Zack Telander & Jak Michael Ryan: Australia's Favourite Sons
On the Austin stop of Kirk's USA Tour he met up with old friend Jak Michael Ryan and new friend Zack Talender. Zack Talender is a US musician who wen't omega viral in Australia for his videos about the coffee. Zack's whole thing was to try and find a 'bad coffee' and he was unable to, which found him adored by pretty much every Melburnian. Jak Michael Ryan is the new US Barista Champion, together we all contrast how coffee is different in the US vs Australia and some unique Australian terms! Enjoy this podcast? Like, share and tell two friends!!
13 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
The Coffee Show x Keys to the Shop Crossover
This week The Coffee Show and Keys to the Shop are doing a crossover episode in Nashville Tennessee, the closest point that could meet. Kirk and Chris Deferio are both outspoken in the coffee industry. They agree on a lot of things, and disagree on some things as well. This podcast has been months in the making but we both wanted to do it in person and it was great to make that happen. No studio, no amazing production, just two people in a room speaking about what we love. Chris is an amazing advocate for what should be the foundations of coffee shop. Tech and innovation are the talk of the…
29 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 37 min
Jak Michael Ryan: US Barista Championship, Dancing, Boxing and MERICA!!
Jak Michael Ryan, originally from Australia, is the United States Barista Champion. Jak is one of the most unique personalities you will find anywhere in life. Jak is a professional dancer, dedicated boxer with ambitions for great things and just casually, the best barista in the USA. This podcast looks into his journey and discipline and the many years of hard work it took to reach this point. Jak and Kirk discuss the emerging US coffee scene and what is going on back home in Australia, and Kirk goes nuclear on 'foodie' creators. Like this podcast? Subscribe, like and tell a friend! Music…
27 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 43 min
Davy Ball: Fine Dining Coffee Experiences & More
Davy Ball is the Founder of Draped in Blue and one of the Co-Founders of Now and Then, a now closed coffee bar that provided a fine dining coffee experience. In this podcast Davy and Kirk are recording in Chef Sean Brock's office in Nashville with all of his cook books, as you can see there are many! Kirk and Davy discuss how fine dining and coffee can work together and the future of coffee experiences of that nature. Like this podcast? Subscribe, like and tell a friend!
23 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Coffee Show x Buy The Drip Crossover
Kirk has reached the means streets of Calgary, Alberta in Canada. In Calgary one of the worlds most reputable specialty coffee roasters is there, Rosso Coffee Roasters. Rosso was started by David Crosby who is a 2x World Barista Championship coach, coaching both Mikael Jaisin and Boram Um to victory in consecutive years. David and Kirk have been friends for years now and it was great to catch up at the Rosso roastery. This is a crossover podcast where we both interviewed each other really and makes for an excellent listen. Like, subscribe, tell two friends and enjoy!
16 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
George Howell: The Godfather Of Specialty Coffee
George Howell is the Founder of George Howell Coffee and one of the most influential forces in the coffee industry ever. Many know him as the man who created the Frappuccino, which he sold the rights of to Starbucks. Such was his influence in the 90’s he sold all of his venues to Starbucks as well, and has devoted his entire life to the betterment of the specialty coffee industry. In this podcast Kirk and George discuss tech in coffee, what concerns him and what the future holds. Plus, Kirk and George reflect on his life, which he is writing about in his biography. Things get emotional when…
14 Jun 2026 · 29 min
Nemesis Coffee: One Of The Best Coffee Shops In The World!
Nemesis Coffee are based in Vancouver and have multiple venues spanning specialty coffee focused venues and bakeries. The owners Jes and Albert blew Kirk away with the coffee quality and service throughout the Vancouver leg of the 'Freedom Tour!' We sat down in their Great Northern Way store and spoke about the origins of Nemesis and the near terminal challenges they faced along the way. An excellent podcast for all!
12 Jun 2026 · 36 min
The World Of Beverages Is About To Change: Dr Doran Pennington and Dr Christopher Hendon
Dr Doran Pennington is a former student of someone the coffee industry knows well: Dr Christopher Hendon. Doran and Chris story has shades of Good Will Hunting, Doran the former student recruited his teacher to form a start up that has the change to change the beverage industry as we know it. It is called Overpotential. In this episode Kirk visits the ‘Engine Room,’ a start up accelerator within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the #1 ranked university on the planet by many. While walking through the building Kirk was even introduced to someone making lasers for mini nuclear…
10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
CVA 1 Year On: Have Things Improved? WIth Craig Simon of Criteria Coffee
Last year the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) announced sweeping changes to what is known at the Coffee Value Assessment. Coffee professionals were furious that a seemingly functional system of assessing a coffees quality was being replaced by a system that was far more complex. Craig Simon is Australia's leading coffee trainer who was one of two certified Q Grade instructors in the country. Craig has embraced the new changes and teaches the course at Criteria Coffee, his co roasting and education space. Kirk and Craig discuss the new form and whether or not it is practical. Among other…
1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Australia Chooses Its Favourite Coffee Roaster
'Breakfast Shirts' or Mark Crotti is a content creator who travels Australia as a touring musician and cafe connoisseur. Mark has compiled some data from a survey sent out to his followers. It seeks to find out: Who is Australia's favourite coffee roaster? What is Australia's favourite coffee order? And where is the best breakfast in the country? Kirk and Mark discuss all this week on The Coffee Show!!
8 May 2026 · 1 hr
Nic Petrie: PBDS, Co Fermentation, UFC
Nic Petrie is the Head of Coffee for Born and Raised, a Melbourne based coffee roasting supplying cafes and sharpening their focus to go direct to consumer. Nic has been one of the lead agitators with pre batched coffee, something Kirk is very familiar with. Additionally, Nic has been big on Co-Fermentation. Kirk and Nic discuss the potential problems that Co Ferments could create and also discuss future UFC match ups for those that are interested. Kirk also delivers a nuclear hot take in the 'Grind My Bean' segment that may well and truly get him cancelled! If you're reading this, like,…
28 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Why is Specialty Coffee Becoming Mainstream? With Ryan Caisley of Oatly
Ryan Caisley is an ‘Oat Dealer’ from Oatly based in Melbourne Australia. When working in London, Ryan would often serve some of the biggest name actors and sports stars, leading to him eventually featuring in a Hollywood film! Kirk and Ryan discuss famous stars like Jimmy Butler and Emma Chamberlain entering the specialty coffee industry with their own brands that are doing very well. Sustainability also gets a mention as it seems to not be a priority in the context of foreign wars and the cost of living crisis. And finally, Kirk wants Google reviews abolished!! Like this podcast? Like,…
20 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 46 min
Beginner and Advanced: How to Make Espresso Like a World Champion
Think of this podcast as a 100 minute lesson on how to make espresso. Whether you're a beginner at home or in the cafe, you're going to get something out of this. 2022 World Barista Champion Anthony Douglas sits down with Kirk to go through espresso making. What is the best equipment to use if you're on a budget? Where should you allocate your money for buying home coffee equipment? Plus, Anthony makes an exclusive announcement on the podcast that you may just love! Like this podcast? Share with two friends! Order beans here: www.projectzero.coffee
6 Apr 2026 · 27 min
Is Kirk Pearson Destroying The Coffee Industry?
Kirk is getting international heat, again! Firstly, Kirk and Jack caught up during the week and sorted out their drama from last week, which ended in a really pleasant reunion. There are some looming articles to come out soon where journalists have been seeking alternative opinions on pre batched espresso. Potential hit pieces in the works? What are Kirk's philosophies on coffee service? Find out on this weeks episode of The Coffee Show With Kirk Pearson.
9 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Human Tobasco: Coffee's Funniest Personality!
James Coburn is the man behind one of the most hilarious coffee content creations currently going. You might know him as Human Tobasco, and after nearly a decade living and working in New York, he's taking a brief stint living and working back home in Melbourne Australia. James is as hilarious in person as he is online, but most of all he is very down to earth. Many of his video ideas arose from seeing things from a perspective of being grateful. Plus, Kirk and James also talk about things that GRIND THEIR BEANS!!! Like this podcast? Leave a like, comment and tell some of your friends!
1 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Flat White Or F*ck Off! The Worlds Most Controversial Coffee Shop!
Can you imagine going to a coffee shop and getting told to fuck off by the server? Well, that now exists thanks to a whimsical bunch of lads in the United Kingdom. Tom Noble, Will Sudlow and Charlie Hurst are the three founders of Flat White or Fuck Off, a pop up that came about thanks to British figure Rory Sutherland, who spoke of this idea on another podcast. Charlie Hurst loved the idea so much he came up with some concept designs, then Tom Noble and Will Sudlow decided they wanted to bring the idea to life, and just like that the idea was born! In this podcast we discuss in depth how…
22 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Football To Coffee: Life After Professional Football For Zac Smith
Zac Smith is a former Aussie Rules player who played for both the Gold Coast Suns and Geelong Cats. In the final years of his football career, Zac began to fall in love with coffee, and once he retired decided that he wanted to do this for a living after football. Zac now owns Tallboy Coffee in Queensland Australia, where the weather is pretty much perfect all year round, he sees opportunity to disrupt the cold brew market into the future, particularly in his neck of the woods. Zac and Kirk discuss what it takes to make a career out of coffee, and just how hard it can be. A good portion of…
15 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Pre Batched Espresso: Destroying Coffee Or Hope For The Industry? With Hany Ezzat
Project Zero 2.0 has opened which has captured attention globally. There are really only two camps of people on this, those who are open to new ideas and innovation, and those that think the definition of espresso was written in the Magna Carta era. Joining Kirk is Hany Ezzat, the man responsible for posting a viral reel that has caused many to have a melt down. Hany is the founder of Ni Wares, a coffee ceramics brand that make specialist cups for coffee brewing. But what is this point of all this? How is it done? And where will it lead? Kirk also goes on a Karen rant in a new segment called…
9 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
Lucia Solis: Beginners Guide To Coffee Processing
Lucia Solis is a fermentation and coffee processing specialist who is now based in Guatemala. Lucia is also hosts an award winning coffee podcast called 'Making Coffee with Lucia Scolis' which recently won Sprudge Podcast of the year. Lucia's first line of work was as a wine maker. After studying Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis she worked in California's esteemed Napa Valley. These days Lucia commits her life to teaching others techniques to process their coffee, urging them to see 'processing as an opportunity to add value.' In this podcast Kirk asks guide for some of the basics when it…
1 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Christopher Feran: Post Harvest and Green Bean Specialist
Christopher Feran is coffees is the author of coffees most detailed and forensic blog. Chris has many years of experience working as a post harvest and green bean consultant, helping roasters of many different sizes with their sourcing and blend formulation. Chris also has a brand called Aviary Coffee where he roasts and sells one different coffee monthly, allowing him to develop sutainable partnerships, and roast the coffee really damn well! In this episode Chris and Kirk talk about sourcing, the Scott Rao wars, Luckin Coffee, SCA, competitions and Chris time at the FBI! Leave a comment…
25 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Smallbatch Founder Andrew Kelly: Why Ethical Sourcing Matters
Though he would never own up to it, Andrew Kelly is one of the Four Horseman of Melbourne's specialty coffee industry. Andrew is the Founder of Small Batch Coffee, a seminal Melbourne roastery and Sharesource, which sources coffee that ensures farmers financial sustainability and aims for better outcomes on farm. The key contention of this podcast is how do we as an industry better communicate to consumers why buying ethically sourced coffee is a good thing. Have we been selling the message wrong? Have we been to prone to lecturing the public instead of having a better discourse? Kirk and…
18 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
How To Roast Coffee With Scott Rao
Scott Rao is the most recognised coffee roasting expert in the world. Through his consulting work he has helped countless coffee roasters to improve their roasting and day to day operations. The who's who of coffee all look up to him. Kirk and Scott cater to roasters that are at the beginner, intermediate and advanced level of roasting, so if you roast coffee already or you want to learn, this is the best podcast you can listen to. Scott and Kirk both tell some horror stories of workplaces they have had in previous years. And has Scott become a co-ferment guy? Like this podcast? Leave a…
14 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
Why Are Pokemon Cards Surging In Value Right Now?
WARNING! This podcast has nothing to do with coffee. Pokemon is the most successful game/movie/merchandising franchise in the world by a long way, and in recent times that has gone to a whole new level. In the podcast we are joined by Jonathan D'allessando of Card Bot AU, a company that sells cards through vending machines. What started as a hobby for his brother CJ, ended up becoming a thriving business that cannot stock their machines quick enough! Regular listeners to this show know that Kirk LOVES Pokemon, so here is an opportunity to have some fun on a different topic. So what caused…

About The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

Uncovering the untold stories about coffee

The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson is a English arts & books podcast from The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 10 min
Latest episode: 4 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1813317634
Rights: The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English arts & books

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.