This is the first episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our guest in this series is well-known coffee educator and roaster, Kat Melheim also known on social media as @roasterkat. The theme of this series is "The Ego In Coffee".
In this episode of the series, Kat and Lee discuss the pervasive issue of ego within the coffee industry. The conversation delves into how competitions and the desire for success can be both a positive drive and a potential trap for ego inflation.
They also explore the impact of social media platforms and the importance of using them responsibly to educate and empower rather than perpetuate gatekeeping.
Kat shares her journey from starting as a roaster's apprentice to becoming a recognized coffee educator and founder of the Coffee People Zine, highlighting the challenges of finding credible roasting information and the importance of making learning accessible to everyone.
Additionally, the discussion touches on the benefits of competitions in producing countries and the need to create platforms that foster community and learning without the downsides of competition.
The episode also addresses the fine line between striving for success and succumbing to ego-driven motives, underscoring the complexities of personal motives and community impact in the coffee industry.
Read More