This is the 5th 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 final episode of the podcast series, Kat and Lee explore the hope within the coffee industry. They touch on various topics including standing up against manipulative individuals, the vast opportunities for leadership and innovation in coffee, and the exciting shift towards younger generations like Gen Z entering the field.

The episode highlights the struggles and potentials in coffee production, the impacts of climate change, and the importance of community and curiosity.

Lee and Kat reflect on their experiences and the hard work required to make a positive impact in the industry.

Furthermore, the episode provides insights into navigating challenges with empowerment and hope. Kat, representing RoasterKat and Coffee People Zine, shares her journey and emphasizes the creative force within the coffee community.

The podcast concludes on a note of encouragement for listeners to pursue their passions and contribute to a brighter future in coffee.

This is the 4th 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 podcast series, Kat and Lee discuss the intentionality behind creating content, contrasting those who aim for recognition and fame with those who seek to disseminate useful information and education.

Kat shares her journey of starting without a structured plan, focusing instead on sharing her learning and answering questions from both her audience and herself.

The episode delves into challenges like dealing with copied content without consent, the trap of seeking validation through social media, and the dilemmas around sponsorship and maintaining authenticity.

Additionally, they explore the notion of success in social media being measured by the education and value provided to the audience rather than mere likes or views.

This is the 3rd 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 podcast series, Kat and Lee discuss the complex dynamic between coffee roasters and producers.

They emphasize the importance of not imposing roasting methodologies onto producers, especially given the producers' extensive experience and experimentation with processing methods.

The episode highlights the detrimental effects of roasters dictating practices without understanding local contexts or the potential harm to the environment, using the example of introducing Koji in Colombia.

Furthermore, it advocates for respectful, curious engagement with producers, urging industry professionals to visit origins to better appreciate the coffee cultivation process and foster meaningful connections.

The conversation also criticizes certain social media behaviors that distract from the crucial issues facing coffee producers.

Overall, the episode stresses the benefits of learning and partnership over imposition in the coffee industry.

This is the 2nd 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 podcast series, Lee and Kat discuss the prevalent issues of gatekeeping and lack of transparency within the coffee industry.

They explore the secretive nature of coffee roasting and sourcing, and Lee shares a personal story about challenging misinformation in a popular online coffee publication.

The episode highlights the importance of open communication and sharing knowledge to foster industry growth, using @roasterkat's Instagram as an example of demystifying the coffee roasting process.

It also touches on the topic of cultural palettes and how perceptions of flavors, like raspberries and blackberries, can vary widely, suggesting a broader conversation about ego, education, and inclusivity in coffee tasting and production.

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.