This month on the mic

Episode 50. Laila Ghambari

Episode 49, Rachel Peterson

Episode 48, Christine Rollings

Episode 47, Jamie Parker & Mike Wenzlawe

Episode 46, Jordan Saglio

Episode 50: Laila Ghambari - What Happens After You Win?

U.S. Barista Champion. Café builder. Consultant. Laila shares what it really means to win big - and what’s waiting on the other side of the trophy.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Winning isn’t everything - healing is. Laila’s post-competition journey exposed deep burnout and the need to re-center her identity outside of coffee performance.

2. Success can isolate. When you’re “the champion,” it’s easy to feel like your peers put you on a pedestal or assume you have it all figured out.

3. It’s okay to pivot. Laila reminds us that stepping back from the spotlight or leaving roles you once loved isn’t failure, it’s evolution.

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Episode 49: Rachel Peterson - Esmeralda’s Legacy, A Historic Triple-Crown at the Best of Panama

Rachel gives us an honest look into managing legacy, innovation, and family. Coming of a record-setting Best of Panama, with a first place in all three categories.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. What it takes to produce record setting 98 and 97 point coffee. 

   From the Nest of the Quetzal, Nido we get personal with farm details.

2. Geisha then versus Geisha now. 

   What’s changed in the genetics and profile of Geisha since the discovery 21 years ago

3. Balance is a battle. 

   Rachel discusses the human side of elite Geisha production - balancing motherhood, leadership, and generational stewardship.

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Episode 48: Christine Rollings - My Barista ABCs: A Coffee Kids' Book

In this episode, Christine Rollings dives into her latest project: My Barista ABCs, a charming board book that introduces young readers to the world of coffee. Inspired by her years in the coffee industry - from building roasteries in Turkey and the Philippines to leading product design - Christine shows how passion, education, and creativity can cross generations.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Make coffee culture accessible from the start
   My Barista ABCs turns coffee terms into playful ABCs, featuring Barista Bear exploring everything from “Aeropress” to “Varietal.” Christine designed it to spark curiosity and early learning - even among adults.

2. Use creativity to reinforce your brand and mission
   This book isn’t just for kids - it’s a branding and outreach tool. By connecting families to coffee culture at an early age, Christine extends her brand’s reach in a fun and memorable way.

3. Diversify your skillset & impact
   Christine’s move from hardware and consulting into publishing shows how coffee professionals can build impact through varied media - consulting, design, books, and more - and reach audiences in new ways.

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Episode 47: Jamie Parker & Mike Wenzlawe - From Flames to Farms: Building Calgary Heritage Roasting Co.

From wildland firefighters to coffee entrepreneurs, Jamie and Mike bring grit, community, and conservation into every roast. Based in Calgary, their brand is grounded in outdoor roots, sustainable values, and a passion for people-first business.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. "Start yesterday" & stay lean.
   Parker and Wenzlawe emphasize launching early - even from a garage. They began with just $10,000 and roasted beans in Mike's mom's garage, learning quickly and building creatively out of necessity

2. Perseverance forged in the fire.
   Their history battling wildfires taught them resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection to the outdoors - qualities that shaped CHRC’s identity and brand ethos

3. Purpose isn't just a buzzword - it's baked into every bag.
   CHRC plants a tree for every coffee bag sold and supports conservation efforts - linking their frontline firefighting legacy to genuine environmental action

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Episode 46: Jordan Saglio - From Van Life to Roastery Founder

“The Nomadic Movement to Coffee Roasting”
In this episode, Jordan Saglio shares the full story of his journey - from hitting the road in a van with his family, to starting a YouTube channel, and ultimately founding Movement Coffee Roasters in Stowe, Vermont. His path is a reminder that passionate storytelling can lead to meaningful entrepreneurship.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Adventure can light the spark ⚡
   Living nomadically with his wife and daughter allowed Jordan to explore deeply, develop his content creation skills, and ultimately discover coffee as a platform for connection and creativity.

2. Content builds your brand before your storefront
   Jordan’s early YouTube videos focused on life in the van and coffee exploration, building a dedicated audience that became the seed for Movement Coffee. By the time they opened their roastery and café, they already had an excited community ready to support it.

3. Unexpected routes can lead to expertise
   From competing in Panama’s Brewers Cup to mastering roast profiles in Vermont, Jordan shows that success comes from learning on the move - combining curiosity, experimentation, and real-world grit.

🔗 Listen to the Episode

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