Don't ever make your boss a cake
Gone forever? Not sure, but definitely need time to regain focus.
BOSS BARISTA
A newsletter and podcast about a thing you drink everyday. Interviews and articles about big ideas in coffee, the service industry, and collective action.
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 3 days ago and current, but nothing has been published for 14 months.
Latest episodes
A Short Lexicon of Coffee Buzzwords
“Sustainable,” “ethical,” and “responsible” are all words used to describe coffee, but what do they mean? Companies use them constantly to denote integrity but what do these words actually mean?
A Fundraiser for Gaza Hopes to Wake Up the Coffee Industry
For 18 months, the coffee industry has remained mostly silent about the ongoing destruction of Gaza. A new fundraiser hopes to raise money—and jolt the industry awake.
"How do you take care of your mental health?"
A student asked me this during a journalism Q&A and I gave an inadequate answer. I haven't stopped thinking about it.
How Tariffs and Private Equity Are (Loosely) Connected
Two stories dominated my coffee news cycle this week. I found some interesting resonances between them.
Against Interpretation (In Coffee)
How Susan Sontag's seminal essay speaks to the constraints we place on coffee—and what breaking free could look like.
Revisiting the Question: Does Coffee Taste the Same as it Did Five Years Ago?
Pondering a question I had in 2022 and how, due to climate change, coffee's flavors have morphed over time.
Q&A: Peace Sakulclanuwat Wants To Give Thai Coffee the Spotlight
The coffee professional won second place at last year’s U.S. Brewers Cup Championships with a Thai coffee blend. Now, she’s on a mission to give Thailand’s coffee scene the attention it deserves.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Unions
Too many people still operate under the assumption that unions are only necessary in “bad workplaces.” Here’s why that’s wrong—and why it’s time to leave that limiting framework behind.
What if Coffee Cost As Much as Wine?
Running the numbers reveals an interesting truth about how we value these two beverages—and where the oft-repeated comparisons between them fall flat.
Is Starbucks Doomed?
Years ago, I wrote that Starbucks acts like it’s too big to fail. Now, by alienating people across the political spectrum, the multinational may be on course for extinction.
Q&A: Kevin Joanisse Only Buys Coffee From Costa Rica and Colombia
The owner of Lulo Coffee Roasters in Ottawa uses a "slow sourcing" model, keeping his focus on building and growing longstanding partnerships and deepening impact.
Eight Years of Boss Barista
Marking a significant milestone for Boss Barista by reflecting on the present moment.
Disruptor Olive Oil Is Everywhere—And It Reveals Something About Coffee, Too
Many internet-famous olive oil brands make marketing claims that don’t stand up to scrutiny. Unfortunately, coffee isn’t immune from similar disruptive tactics and pressures.
Meet Your Guest: Jimmy Butler
For paying subscribers: My Standart interview with NBA superstar and BIGFACE Coffee founder Jimmy Butler
What Does It Mean To Label Coffee As ‘Healthy’?
The FDA now says coffee can officially be labeled “healthy.” But in an industry already rife with dubious health and ethical claims, what does adding a new word to coffee’s lexicon mean?
In 2025, Get Weird With Your Coffee
Every January, I give Boss Barista readers a recommendation for how to approach the year ahead. This year, I think we could all stand to get weirder.
What Does Feminism Mean to Me? Part Two
For paid subscribers, a manifesto on what feminism means to me and how I define freedom.
What Does Feminism Mean to Me? Part One
Boss Barista started with a basic tagline: coffee and feminism. As the platform has evolved, where does feminist ideology fit in?
Wages for Hospitality Work
Why do we expect service workers—some of the lowest-paid workers in our society—to perform their jobs with a smile? What would happen if hospitality was something we paid for instead?