Best Fifthwave Podcasts (2025)

1
A vision of transparency – in conversation with Dion Cohen, Single O 18:38

9h ago18:38

18:38

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Dion Cohen, Co-founder of Single O – an iconic name in Australian specialty coffee. Originally known as Single Origin Coffee Roasters, Dion founded the business in 2003 alongside his wife and business partner, Emma Cohen. Their vision was to bring greater transparency to the coffee supply chain while building…

1
Future-proofing your business – a conversation with James Sweeting, Lincoln & York 32:06

10d ago32:06

32:06

In today’s episode, we're speaking with James Sweeting, Co-founder of Lincoln & York – a highly respected private label coffee roaster based in the North of England. James founded Lincoln & York with business partner Simon Herring in 1994 and over the past 30 years, the company has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent coffee roasters. Wit…

1
What’s brewing for The London Coffee Festival 2025? 41:40

17d ago41:40

41:40

This year’s London Coffee Festival is right around the corner and with it comes four days of caffeine-fuelled celebration in this city’s ever-evolving coffee scene. Founded in 2011, The London Coffee Festival is a major event in global industry’s calendar, drawing thousands of coffee professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators from around the world …

1
Beverage trends you need to know [Recorded Live @ Amsterdam Coffee Festival] 43:10

23d ago43:10

43:10

In today’s episode we’re bringing you the first in a series of interviews and discussions recorded live at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2025. Celebrating its 10th year, the festival was buzzing with energy, ideas, and innovation, as industry leaders and entrepreneurs from all across Europe came together for an inspiring celebration of coffee. In t…

1
Building access to careers in coffee – a conversation with Eve Wagg, Well Grounded 25:44

1M ago25:44

25:44

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Eve Wagg, Founder and CEO of Well Grounded – a UK-based social enterprise supporting unemployed individuals to gain access to meaningful careers in coffee. Since its inception in 2016, Well Grounded has trained over 1,000 people and delivered more than 15,000 hours of work placements in partnership with leadin…

1
The people behind the rise of specialty coffee in France 37:22

1M ago37:22

37:22

With Le Paris Café Festival 2025 happening this week, today we’re concluding our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France. Over the past four episodes, we’ve heard some incredible stories from industry pioneers and trailblazers across the French specialty coffee scene. In today’s closing episode, we take a step back to reflect on how far th…

1
The rise of specialty coffee in France: Part Four – a conversation with Tom Clark, Coutume 25:16

1M ago25:16

25:16

In today’s episode, we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Tom Clark, Co-founder and CEO of Coutume. Originally from Australia, Tom was among the early pioneers of Paris’ specialty coffee movement. While studying in the city, he spotted a clear gap in the market to bring high-quality coffee to French consume…

1
Growing a mission-driven business – a conversation with Yorick Bruins, Wakuli 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Amsterdam Coffee Festival – a celebration of the edgy Dutch coffee scene and its passionate coffee community. This year, we’re thrilled to bring 5THWAVE Live to the Festival, where we’ll be showcasing two days of dynamic discussions with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and coffee innovators. And to whet your…

1
Value-driven leadership – a conversation with Fleur Studd, Market Lane 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Fleur Studd, co-founder of Australia's Market Lane and Melbourne Coffee Merchants. Established in Melbourne in 2009, Market Lane is a highly-respected specialty roaster and retailer with ten outlets across the city. Since its inception, the company has placed a strong emphasis on responsible business practice…

1
The rise of specialty coffee in France: Part Three – a conversation with Mihaela Iordache, Belleville Brûlerie 23:30

2M ago23:30

23:30

In today’s episode, we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Mihaela Iordache, Head Roaster at Paris’ iconic Belleville Brûlerie. Founded in 2013, Belleville is a pioneering specialty roaster, known for its high-quality coffees and the staff’s signature Bleu de Travail outfit – the classic French blue workwear…

1
How big is matcha? 33:09

2M ago33:09

33:09

Matcha has seen significant growth in coffee shops in recent years. With its striking green colour, promoted health benefits, and aspirational lifestyle appeal, this Japanese-origin tea has firmly captured the attention of Western consumers. In this episode we're asking what’s driving this surge in popularity, what’s next for the category, and will…

1
The rise of specialty coffee in France: Part Two – a conversation with Hippolyte Courty, L' Arbre à Café 27:47

3M ago27:47

27:47

In today’s episode we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Hippolyte Courty, Founder of L' Arbre à Café. Established in 2009, L’Arbre à Café is a Paris-based specialty coffee roaster and operator, and a pioneering force in the French specialty coffee scene. With a background in wine and fine gastronomy, Hippo…

1
The rise of specialty coffee in France: Part one – a conversation with Christophe Servell, Terres de Café 28:47

3M ago28:47

28:47

In today’s episode, we’re launching a new deep-dive series in collaboration with 5THWAVE magazine exploring the rise of specialty coffee in France. Once known for its traditional dark espressos and modest coffee standards, France is undergoing a transformation. All across the country, interest in specialty coffee is exploding, with a growing number…

1
Respecting the craft maker – a conversation with Tom Molnar, GAIL’s 34:25

3M ago34:25

34:25

In today’s episode, we speak with Tom Molnar, Co-founder and CEO of GAIL’s Artisan Bakery – a highly influential UK-based bakery and coffee chain. Tom partnered with the eponymous Gail in London in the early 2000s, transforming her wholesale bakery business for chefs into a thriving neighbourhood chain. Today, GAIL’s is a much-loved UK bakery-cafe …

1
Coffee on the move 36:15

3M ago36:15

36:15

As consumer interest in specialty coffee continues to rise, so too does demand beyond the café. Today’s customers expect high-quality coffee to be available wherever they are – whether commuting, travelling or shopping. In this episode, we explore the businesses redefining coffee service outside the traditional bricks-and-mortar model. From mobile …

1
Behind the scenes of success – a conversation with Nicolas O’Connell 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

In this episode, we're joined by Nicolas O’Connell – an influential coffee and business expert and a former Partner at La Colombe Coffee Roasters. Nicolas joined La Colombe in the mid-1990s as a barista and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a key role in launching the brand’s pioneering wholesale programme. Though he’s often worked behind the…

1
Coffee and Architecture – A conversation with Mark Sciberras, The Common E2 20:32

4M ago20:32

20:32

In today’s episode we speak with Mark Sciberras, Director of The Common E2 and Common Ground Workshop – an East London café and architecture studio specialising in hospitality and residential design. Originally from Melbourne, Mark trained as an architect before moving to London in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the city’s emerging specialty coffee sce…

1
Transforming Coffee Waste into High-Value Products – Recorded Live at The European Coffee Symposium 24:15

4M ago24:15

24:15

In our final live session from the event, we’re joined by Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, and Alex Pantziaros, founder of Coffeeco Upcycle, to explore their mission of transforming coffee waste into high-value products. Coffee Island is Greece’s largest coffee chain, with over 450 outlets in Greece and an additional 50 across …

1
The quest for exceptional – A conversation with Paul Ross, Special Guests 36:25

4M ago36:25

36:25

In today’s episode we’re speaking with a very special guest – Paul Ross, founder of Special Guests Coffee, a boundary-pushing specialty coffee business based in the heart of London. A two-time UK Barista Champion, Paul founded Special Guests in 2022 with a mission to curate rare specialty coffees from around the world and showcase these hidden gems…

1
E-commerce: Coffee at your doorstep 37:44

4M ago37:44

37:44

In today's episode we’re finding out how specialty roasters and distributors are navigating the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce coffee. In an era where the competition is now global, how do brands stand out from the crowd? How can businesses engage with consumers and build loyal audiences online? And what lies ahead for the burgeoning new cof…

1
Major Impact – A conversation with Minor Figures' Stuart Forsyth 31:22

4M ago31:22

31:22

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Stuart Forsyth, CEO & Co-founder of distinctive and influential oat milk brand, Minor Figures. Stuart set up Minor Figures in London back in 2015 with a vision to create an accessible alternative milk brand that complements the taste of coffee and champions our industry. Today, Minor Figures is a leading play…

1
Encore: The social entrepreneur – A conversation with Cemal Ezel, Change Please 39:32

5M ago39:32

39:32

For the second revisit episode of our Holiday break, we’re returning to one of the most inspiring conversations of last year, with Cemal Ezel, Founder of the social enterprise Change Please and Old Spike Roastery. Cemal’s insight into balancing social impact with commercial success is thought-provoking and powerful. In this extended interview, he s…

1
Encore: A taste of home - A conversation with the Founders of Maman 32:41

5M ago32:41

32:41

As we take a short break over Christmas and New Year, we’re re-sharing some of our favourite conversations from the past 12 months. First up, we’re revisiting an inspiring conversation with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman – the French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded acros…

1
An alternative Christmas playlist from The Coffee Music Project – Part Two 44:13

5M ago44:13

44:13

In today's episode we're continuing our tradition of sharing an alternative Christmas playlist to soundtrack your celebrations over the Christmas period! We love to close each episode with music from up-and-coming artists, in association with The Coffee Music Project. So, today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode filled with some of the bes…

1
The case for co-roasting 37:13

5M ago37:13

37:13

In today's episode, we're exploring the growing global trend of co-roasting – a collaborative and community-driven approach that has been gaining traction in recent years. How does co-roasting work? What are the benefits for roasters? And how does this model support the wider coffee community? To find out, we’ll hear from the founders of three exci…

1
Grind’s David Abrahamovitch Live at The European Coffee Symposium 27:22

5M ago27:22

27:22

Today, we’re excited to bring you the next instalment of our 5THWAVE Live sessions, recorded at the European Coffee Symposium in Berlin 2024. We welcome back to the show David Abrahamovitch, CEO and founder of Grind – a boutique hospitality group with 14 locations, a roastery and thriving direct-to-consumer coffee business. In this candid conversat…

1
The future of water and coffee 25:54

5M ago25:54

25:54

Today, we're continuing our deep dive into how water quality can transform the taste and character of coffee. In part one, we explored the fascinating science behind water and coffee brewing. In part two, we’ll find out how water science is being applied in practice to elevate customer experience. We'll speak with Maximillian Lundin, Product Market…

1
The science of water and coffee 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

Over the next two episodes, we’re deep-diving into the fascinating science of how water quality can profoundly transform the flavour and character of your coffee. In part one, we’re donning our lab coats to explore water chemistry and its impact on coffee. We'll speak with Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, coffee entrepreneur and author, and Christopher H.…

1
Preparing for the European Deforestation Regulation [Live Recording] 28:41

6M ago28:41

28:41

Today we're returning to our interviews recorded live at The European Coffee Symposium in Berlin last month. In this episode, we’re exploring the impact of the incoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) directive. We’re joined by Kajsa-Lisa Ljudén and Jonny England, Head of Sustainability and Head of Coffee respectively at Löfbergs, and Pim …

1
La Marzocco’s Chris Salierno Live at The European Coffee Symposium 25:57

6M ago25:57

25:57

Today we’re sharing the second interview from our 5THWAVE Live sessions recorded at the European Coffee Symposium in Berlin. In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Salierno, Chief Marketing Officer at La Marzocco. La Marzocco is a powerhouse in the espresso machine industry, celebrated for its exceptional quality, innovative technology and dedicati…

1
dean&david’s David Baumgartner Live at The European Coffee Symposium 27:17

6M ago27:17

27:17

Earlier this month, the European Coffee Symposium returned for its 15th edition, hosted in the vibrant city of Berlin. This prestigious event brought together leaders from across Europe’s coffee and hospitality industry for four days of networking, one-on-one meetings, and thought leadership – all culminating in the launch of the brand-new Coffee +…

1
Spotlight on Berlin’s specialty coffee scene 33:39

6M ago33:39

33:39

Next week marks the 15th anniversary of the European Coffee Symposium (ECS), set in the effortlessly cool city of Berlin, Germany. Alongside ECS, we're thrilled to be launching the Coffee & Hospitality Expo – two landmark events coming together in one of Europe’s most dynamic coffee capitals. This gathering is an opportunity to dive into the latest…

1
How to win new business 29:32

7M ago29:32

29:32

From coffee roasters and food & beverage providers to packaging and equipment manufacturers, the multi-billion dollar coffee industry is packed with supplier categories. In a crowded marketplace where suppliers are constantly vying for buyers’ attention, the stakes for winning new business are higher than ever. So, as a supplier, how do you stand o…

1
The unstoppable entrepreneur – A conversation with Murray d’Almeida 33:56

7M ago33:56

33:56

In today’s episode, we speak with prolific coffee entrepreneur Murray d’Almeida, founder of Retail Food Group and the visionary behind a number of influential hospitality brands across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. With a career spanning over 50 years, Murray has mentored many industry figures and remains a dynamic source of inspi…

1
Staying true to your craft – A conversation with Esther Maasdam 36:06

7M ago36:06

36:06

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Esther Maasdam, Co-founder of Manhattan Coffee Roasters, a renowned specialty coffee business based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Esther founded Manhattan Coffee with business partner, Ben Morrow, in 2017, with the vision of bringing world-class specialty coffees to European markets. Esther also runs an even…

1
Celebrating UK Coffee Week 25:12

7M ago25:12

25:12

Next week marks the start of UK Coffee Week – a nationwide celebration and fundraiser led by Project Waterfall, which aims to bring clean water and sanitation to coffee-growing communities. Every year, hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, and roasters across the UK come together to host exciting events and activities, raising both awareness and v…

1
The future of office coffee – Part 2 34:09

8M ago34:09

34:09

In this episode we’re diving back into the topic of office coffee and exploring how coffee businesses are adapting to the evolving workplace dynamics. In part one, we examined the office coffee markets in the UK and Europe and in this episode we'll take an in-depth look at the US market. We'll speak with Daniele Foti, Marketing VP, Lavazza North Am…

1
A taste of home – A conversation with the Founders of Maman 34:00

8M ago34:00

34:00

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman, a French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded across the US and to Canada. Since its founding in 2014, Maman has grown exponentially, and by the end of this year, they’ll be celebrating a remarkable miles…

1
The rise of Modern Coffee - a conversation with Roland Horne, WatchHouse 31:58

8M ago31:58

31:58

In today’s episode, we welcome back Roland Horne, CEO and founder of WatchHouse, one of the world’s leading boutique specialty coffee businesses. This month, WatchHouse celebrates its 10th anniversary — a milestone for this ambitious and fast-growing brand, which now operates 20 boutique coffee houses across London, Bath, and New York City. Roland …

1
Coffee with a conscience — A conversation with Orang Utan Coffee 31:30

8M ago31:30

31:30

In this episode, we’re speaking with Regina Frey, Founder of Orang Utan Coffee, and Diana Kosmanto, its CEO. Orang Utan Coffee is a unique coffee trader and social enterprise dedicated to supporting rainforest conservation and empowering local coffee farmers in Sumatra. Founded in 2004, Orang Utan Coffee’s model is one of collaboration rather than …

1
A coffee conversation with GRAMMY-winner Nicole Zuraitis 19:26

8M ago19:26

19:26

Following on from our last episode on coffee and music, we're bringing you an extra special bonus interview today with one of my favourite musicians - Grammy Winner and friend of the podcast, Nicole Zuraitis. We first met Nicole in 2016 when she won the Coffee Music Project New York Competition with her wonderful track “I Like You A Latte”. Fast-fo…

1
Coffee, music and the perfect playlist 38:09

9M ago38:09

38:09

In today's episode, we're exploring the connection between coffee and music and how the right soundtrack can contribute to the success of a hospitality venue. How do you identify the perfect playlist? How do different genres, moods, and tempos shape the right customer experience throughout the entire week? And what are the latest trends in hospital…

1
Encore: How to be an overnight success - With It’s Bagels 33:35

9M ago33:35

33:35

During our short summer break here we’re re-sharing one of our favourites conversations from the past year. We’ll return to Dan Martensen, the man behind the overnight sensation, It's Bagels - a New-York inspired bagel and coffee shop in London’s Primrose Hill. Dan opened the doors to Its Bagels in September 2023 and within days they had queues of …

1
A conversation with Kate O’Brien, The Costa Foundation 23:16

9M ago23:16

23:16

Today we’re excited to bring you the full length interview with Kate O’Brien, Executive Director of the Costa Foundation. We first spoke to Kate for our episode on using coffee for social good, but her insights were so valuable that we wanted to share the entire conversation with you today. Kate has a wealth of experience across the charity sector …

1
The social entrepreneur - A conversation with Cemal Ezel, Change Please 42:35

9M ago42:35

42:35

Following on from our last episode on leveraging coffee for good, we’re bringing you the full interview with Cemal Ezel, Founder of the social enterprise Change Please and Old Spike Roastery. Cemal’s insights on both social impact and commercial success were so compelling that we wanted to share the full conversation with you today. In this extende…

1
Leveraging coffee for good 37:01

9M ago37:01

37:01

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how businesses can leverage coffee as a force for good, benefiting both our coffee communities and the world beyond. We’ll speak with three leaders from remarkable social organisations to learn about their transformative work and the tangible impact they're making on people's lives. Cemal Ezel, Founder and CEO Ch…

1
Introduction to Burundi Coffee - A conversation with Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian 26:09

10M ago26:09

26:09

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, Owner of JNP Coffee and Board Director of the Specialty Coffee Association, to get an overview of the Burundi coffee market – a vibrant, yet relatively unknown origin. Founded in 2012, JNP Coffee produces, promotes and trades African specialty coffee and is committed to transforming l…

1
Coffee vs. Olive Oil 38:25

10M ago38:25

38:25

In this special summer episode, we’re stepping into the glorious world of olive oil to explore the parallels and synergies with the coffee industry. We’ll speak with Anna Cane, President of the Olive Oil Group at Assitol (The Italian Association of Edible Oils) and Joseph R. Profaci, Executive Director, North American Olive Oil Association to unpac…

1
Girls Who Grind Coffee - A conversation with Casey Lalonde 30:54

10M ago30:54

30:54

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Casey Lalonde, Owner of Girls Who Grind Coffee - a specialty coffee roaster based in Somerset, Southwest England. Founded in the mid- 2010s, Girls Who Grind sources all its coffees from women producers, with a focus on driving more visibility and representation for women across our industry. In this thought-pr…

1
The future of office coffee - Part One 37:39

10M ago37:39

37:39

In today’s episode we’re discussing the future of office coffee and finding out how coffee businesses are adapting to changing dynamics and the rise of hybrid working. In this episode we’ll examine the UK and European office coffee markets and in a later episode we’ll take an in-depth look at the North American market. Today, we’ll speak with Nick …

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Fifthwave Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen