grounded. a coffee podcast

Tom Pottiger is the owner of Presidents Coffee in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From the beginning, his goal wasn’t just to open a coffee shop — it was to build something meaningful for both his team and the community around it. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to turn an idea into a coffee shop, the challenges that come with running a business, and why culture and collaboration mat...

Mike never worked behind a café bar — but that didn't stop him from diving deep into coffee. What started as a simple gift at home turned into an obsession with brewing, dialing in, and understanding what actually makes a great cup. In this episode, we talk about: ​How his coffee journey really began ​Going from casual drinker to serious home brewer ​Learning without industry experience ​Favorite...

Ashley and I sit down the same way we always do — like two friends catching up over coffee. She’s a lead barista with years of experience, someone who truly understands what it means to set the tone behind the bar. We talk about leadership, positivity, showing up for people, and how coffee can quietly create space for connection and community. This conversation is relaxed, honest, and cozy — less...

Logan and I met the way a lot of meaningful connections start — across a coffee bar. What began as casual conversation between a barista and a customer slowly turned into coffee hangouts, life check-ins, and a genuine friendship. In this episode, we sit down the same way we always do: no agenda, no performance — just two friends talking about life, growth, listening, and how coffee created the spa...

In this episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Ben — a barista of several years and a chef with over a decade of experience. We talk about coffee, food, flavor, and what happens when friendship and craft overlap. From working together on a coffee cart to learning how taste, trust, and creativity shape the things we build, this conversation is relaxed, honest, and very us. It’s just a...

This episode is a little different. Instead of sitting across from a guest, I’m sitting with my own story — how I found coffee, how it changed me, and why grounded. exists in the first place. From my first job behind the bar, to learning what coffee actually meant beyond drinks and recipes, to moments that challenged my confidence and reshaped how I see this industry — this isn’t a highlight reel....

Welcome to grounded. This isn’t a podcast just about coffee — it’s a podcast about people. The conversations, friendships, and stories that quietly form around it. In this short introduction episode, I share why grounded. exists, what this space is meant to feel like, and what you can expect from future conversations with baristas, roasters, café owners, and coffee lovers — and why these stories m...