5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

Hosted by World Coffee Portal

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242

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Aug 2026

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About the show

A forward-thinking interview series examining the business of progressive coffee culture. The 5THWAVE Podcast is hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5THWAVE magazine and Founder of Allegra Group. Each episode features inspiring stories, business lessons, and thought leadership from the entrepreneurs and industry experts blazing trails to success across the world of coffee. The podcast will delve into the detail of achieving operational excellence, get to grips with green coffee sourcing and seek out the very best of global coffee culture. We’ll also examine the future of e-commerce and coffee at home, the changing face of cafés and coffee shops, and how to hone winning HR strategies – plus much more. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify to listen to all the credits music featured the show: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45goieo3qIN1xT9hSGnWeI Get in touch and tell us what topics you'd like to hear by visiting www.worldcoffeeportal.com/5THWAVEPodcast

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 21, 2026Episode 21833 min

If not now, when? Coffee’s path to a sustainable future

Coffee is facing a defining moment. Climate change, environmental degradation and growing pressure across the value chain are creating unprecedented risks for the future of our industry. Addressing these challenges will require collaboration and action from every corner of the coffee community. So in this episode, we’re exploring what sustainability really means for coffee and what needs to change to secure the future of the industry. We'll hear from Vanúsia Nogueira, International Coffee Organization, Violeta Stevens, Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, Kasper Hülsen and Sebastian Nielsen, Slow Forest, Konrad Brits, Falcon Coffees , Cemal Ezel, Change Please . While the challenges are significant, there is also a huge opportunity for coffee to lead the way in creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. That’s why we launched the C20 Global Coffee Sustainability Summit – a forum for the sustainable future of coffee. The C20 brings together global coffee leaders, change-makers, scientists and legislators to collaborate across the supply chain and ensure long-term prosperity for all industry stakeholders. Find out how you can get involved and join the conversation here . Credits music: "What on Earth" by HOLNE in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

August 14, 2026Episode 21742 min

People, purpose and product – a conversation with Helen Russell, Equator Coffees

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Helen Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Californian specialty coffee business Equator Coffees. With more than 30 years in the coffee industry, Helen has been at the forefront of the US specialty coffee movement and launched Equator Coffees with her business and life partner Brooke McDonnell in 1995. What began as a small garage roastery in the Bay Area has grown into a thriving business with 12 retail locations and a successful wholesale operation. In this conversation, Helen shares how she and Brooke built a company around the belief that passion and profit can coexist. She also reflects on the importance of community and human connection in coffee, the role of values in building a successful business, and how commercial performance can create opportunities to make a positive impact. Credits music: "Lighthouse" by Californian artist Haley Fishberger in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

August 3, 2026Episode 21641 min

Understanding consumer behaviour

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how coffee businesses can better understand their customers – from purchasing behaviour and evolving preferences to anticipating future trends and demand. How can coffee operator gather meaningful feedback and information on their customers purchase decisions? How do you turn that information into actionable insight? And for growing businesses, what are the ways to stay close to your guests and retain brand loyalty as you scale? We’ll speak with Jonathan Rubinstein, Founder, Joe Coffee Company, Kallie Kocourek, Founder and Hospitality Consultant, GSD Collective , and Lucie Mavlian, Commercial Director, Old Spike Roastery. Credits music: "Something About Dover" by Milli-Rose in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

July 24, 2026Episode 21546 min

Innovation, community and consumer trends – highlights from The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping the European coffee market and beyond. First up we unpack how Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping expectations and driving demand for wellness, authenticity and in-store experience. With Ilya Aksamentov, The Miners , Bryan Serwatka, Minor Figures , and Kendra Kroon & Amijé van der Laan, SHOT Lifestyle & Coffee. Next, we take a look at the latest beverage innovations redefining cafe experience and explore how non-coffee drinks like matcha, chai and functional ingredients are becoming major growth drivers. With Isabella Miglinci, AIYA Europe , Lucia Parlanti, Tea Stories, Tristan Meulenbelt, Oatly , and Salma Tabiat, Nomadschai . We'll also be exploring bakery trends to find out how cafes are evolving into all day hospitality concepts and why quality food is becoming as important as great coffee. With Nils Klinkspoor of Corri Bakery, Marion Waterkeyn, Gerard Bakery, and Mitchel Charles, Farine . To close the episode, we take a look at the role of community in modern coffee brands, and why loyalty is driven by belonging, not just product quality. With Veronique Lagarde, DAK Coffee Roasters, Murray Robertson, Amsterdam Coffee Run, and coffee influencer, Sam Lasaroms, koffietje.nl Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

July 17, 2026Episode 21416 min

Spotlight on Slow Coffee Festival in Bucharest

In today’s episode, we speak with Afshin Roshanian, co-founder of Romania’s Slow Coffee Festival. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Slow Coffee Festival has become one of Eastern Europe’s flagship specialty coffee events, bringing together the people behind the region’s thriving coffee community. In this conversation, we explore the extraordinary rise of Romania as Europe’s fastest-growing coffee market. We also discuss how Slow Coffee Festival has evolved from a consumer-focused event into an international business platform, and the role that community plays in driving the industry’s growth. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

July 10, 2026Episode 21346 min

The importance of Good & Proper Tea

Today we’re diving into the exciting world of tea innovation with Emilie Holmes, Founder of Good & Proper Tea. Historically a challenging category for coffee operators, tea has seen a real surge in recent years, largely driven by the meteoric rise of matcha and growing consumer demand for wellness and iced formats. In this conversation, we explore the latest trends in tea innovation, from cold brews and concentrates to premium teas like hojicha, maojian and sencha. Emilie also shares why tea should be treated with the same care and storytelling as specialty coffee, and why long-term success depends on transparency and support for producers. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

June 12, 2026Episode 21223 min

A conversation with World Barista Champion Jack Simpson

In today’s episode, we catch up with Jack Simpson of Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and the reigning World Barista Champion. After taking the Australian Barista Championship title three years in a row, Jack claimed the world crown in Milan in November, 2025. In this conversation, Jack reflects on the experience of winning on the biggest coffee stage in the world, the pressure and opportunities that followed, and what comes next. We also discuss sustainability in coffee, and why, for Jack, it’s ultimately about relationships, respect and long-term support for coffee producers, to ensure fairness and economic viability across the supply chain. Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

June 5, 2026Episode 21139 min

Learnings from Dutch coffee pioneers Menno Simons and Paul Sharo – recorded live at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival

Today, we’re bringing you two standout conversations recorded live on the 5THWAVE stage at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026. First up, we're joined by Menno Simons, Founder of Bocca Coffee and a pioneer of the Dutch specialty coffee scene. In this thought-provoking conversation, Menno reflects on 25 years of Bocca, the evolution and longevity of specialty coffee, and why even the most established brands must continue to adapt and innovate. We then speak with Paul Sharo, Founder of Man Met Bril Koffie – the Rotterdam-based coffee hotel and roastery. In this conversation we discuss how career pathways in coffee are always evolving, and why the industry can be a platform for entrepreneurship as much as employment. Credits music: "Here's To" by Pien in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

May 29, 2026Episode 21049 min

What’s next for France’s burgeoning specialty coffee market? Highlights from Le Paris Café Festival 2026

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you highlights from a series of live conversations recorded at Le Paris Café Festival earlier this year, exploring the future of France’s burgeoning specialty coffee market. In the first conversation we speak Sandra Bouckenooghe, La Marzocco France , Christophe Servell, Terres De Café and Julie Duval at Oatly France , to discuss the evolution of the French coffee market and the shift towards more structured business models. We then take a deep dive into the beverage innovations reshaping coffee shop menus in France with Hippolyte Courty, L'Arbre à Café, Ryan Milstein, La Main Noire and Alice Vasseur, Brûlerie des Gobelins and Cafes Richards. Next, we explore how automation is transforming coffee operations with Tom Clark, Coutume Café, Dominique Lasseur, SEB Professional , Adrien Poncet, BRITA , Nicolas Poirot-Crouvezier, Simonelli Group and Marco De Sousa Rosa, MaxiCoffee To close the episode we look at the rise of the home coffee segment with David Flynn, Belleville Brulerie Paris , Monica Lee, La Marzocco France , Charles Dézé, De'Longhi France, Frédéric Smedile, Café Mokxa, Laurent Canavese, Café Lauca Credits music: "Paris" by Bandits On The Run in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

May 15, 2026Episode 20941 min

The future of beverage innovation

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the fast-moving world of beverage innovation. Everyone wants to know what the next big beverage trend will be – the next iced matcha, mushroom latte or ube cold foam moment. But true beverage innovation is more than chasing trends. It’s about understanding what consumers value, recognising emerging opportunities, and delivering products in ways that feel relevant, distinctive and authentic to your brand. So in this episode, we’re asking – how can operators build an innovative beverage programme? Which flavours, formats and signature drinks are genuinely resonating with consumers today? And where will the next wave of inspiration come from? We're joined by Josh Tarlo, Director of Growth, Origin Coffee , Chi Sum Ngai, Co-Founder, Coffee Project New York , and David Deeley, Marketing Director for Foodservice Europe, Kerry . Credits music: "Mary Jane" by Arif Raihan in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear