Theo's Coffee Break Podcast

In this episode of Theo’s Coffee Break, I sit down with thee Shayna “Akanke” Marie who is a poet, art activist, creative entrepreneur, and quiet force behind so many of Grand Rapids’ truth-telling spaces. As the founder of Akanke’s Room , narrative strategist at The Diatribe , and collaborator on projects like A City Within A City , GRMiFi (Media Initiative & Film Incubator) , and Reaching Bey...

For me, a coffee break has never been just about coffee... I've always seen it as another way to connect with family, catch up with friends, or even connect within the community, workplace, or even with myself. In this reflective solo episode, I have decided to share how my earliest memories of coffee at my grandparents’ kitchen table and childhood home shaped my understanding of love, care,...

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t do anything right like no matter how hard you tried you were made to feel like you are never enough? This episode was created for the ones who’ve been micromanaged in love, guilted by those they trusted, and told that keeping score was the only way to protect yourself. Today, we lay it all out on the coffee table for us to discuss: The quiet damage of over-corr...

This episode is an open invitation straight from Theo of Theo's Coffee Break. If you’ve been listening to Theo’s Coffee Break and thought, “I’d love to share my story, too”   this is your sign. Theo is inviting listeners (yes, you!) to become future guests on the podcast. Whether you want to share your journey, offer insight, or just have an honest conversation at the coffee table, this is yo...

In this episode of Theo’s Coffee Break, Theo sits down with Alexis Stark who is a journalist, poet, educator, and West Michigan creative to talk about the intersections of faith, queerness, and storytelling. Alexis shares the heart behind her forthcoming poetry collection The Sound of Honey Falling, the role of journalism in shaping community narratives, and what it means to live authentically at...

In this solo episode of Theo’s Coffee Break, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to be your own boss. Entrepreneurship comes with the promise of freedom, your own schedule, and the power to call your own shots. But here’s the plot twist: without structure, freedom can quickly become drifting… and drifting can lead to burnout or even failure. I’ll walk you through my actual day li...

In this powerful episode of Theo’s Coffee Break , Theo sits down with filmmaker, community builder, and creative visionary Daveed Benoit. Together, Theo and Daveed explore: The roots of Daveed’s artistic journey How storytelling became his form of protest, purpose, and power Why building community through film matters more than ever This isn’t just a conversation. It’s a blueprint for using your v...

What if branding wasn’t just about business, but about planting something meaningful ? In today’s solo episode, we’re diving into what it truly takes to build a brand that feels alive, aligned, and rooted in purpose. From defining your mission to creating an experience people remember, I’ll walk you through 8 essential steps to grow your brand like a garden with care, intention, and patience. Whet...

What if the life you’re waiting for… is already happening? In this solo episode of Theo’s Coffee Break, Theo shares a deeply personal journey of self-worth, identity, and the myth of “arrival.” If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll finally be happy when ...,” this is your sign to stop waiting and start living now. Featuring gentle affirmations, personal storytelling, and an honest reflection on what it me...

In today’s episode of Theo’s Coffee Break , I’m joined by one of my dearest friends Christine Hang. She is a creator and founder of Honeycee Shop, loyal BTS fan, and an inspiration of all things regarding building community, monetizing creativity, and embodying joy. 💜 Christine opens up about how her love for K-pop culture inspired her to start her own small business, and what it’s taught her abo...

Today’s episode is a love letter from my coffee table to yours. This is for the quiet listener, the kind commenter, the presence felt in every email, DM, and voice note. Your words have reminded me why this coffee table exists. This isn’t just my podcast anymore. It’s our conversation. And today, I want to say thank you. Your voice, your heart, your story they have found their way to Theo’s Coffee...

In this honest solo episode, Theo invites you to sit at the coffee table for a raw reflection on what it really costs to choose your own happiness and why so many people try to talk you out of it. Through personal stories and real talk, Theo explores why we shrink ourselves to stay palatable, why we carry other people’s doubts, and how to break free from the spell of feeling like you are “not enou...

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the future of music from songwriting and production to the way we discover and share songs. In this solo deep dive, Theo explores the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) role of AI in music. Is it a threat to human creativity, or a powerful tool for artists? Grab your coffee and join the conversation about what’s changing, what’s possible, and what we sho...

In this episode, Theo sits down with Chris Cutting who is a composer, producer, and creative collaborator.  Theo and Chris talk about what it means to carve out your own lane in the music industry while Chris shares insights from co-writing with top-tier artists and producers like David D.A. Doman aka D.A. Got That Dope , and how he navigates the ever-changing music scene.  If you’ve ever wondered...

Have you ever felt stuck in a loop of thoughts that just won’t stop? Like your mind is going 100 mph, but your spirit is begging you to pause? In today’s episode, I’m talking about the all-too-familiar experience of mental gridlock:  when overthinking takes over, and we disconnect from our body, our heart, and even the moment we’re living in. We’ll explore how to reclaim your presence, your peace,...

Hey you! Yes, you! Have you been listening to Theo’s Coffee Break and wondering what it’s like to sit at the table with me? This episode is a personal invitation for you to come be a guest on the podcast. Whether you’ve got a story to tell, a lesson to share, or you just want to show up as your full self, I want to hear from you. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, send an email to:...

This episode is a heart-on-the-sleeve reflection on why visibility isn’t vanity, it’s healing. From growing up as a queer, Korean-born transracial adoptee with no mirrors or reflections to follow, to now choosing each day to become that mirror for someone else, Theo explores the power of being seen, the courage it takes to show up authentically, and the legacy we create when we dare to take up spa...

What happens when we stop blindly following charisma and start asking harder questions about power, influence, and emotional manipulation?  This solo episode explores how cultural figures like Donald Trump expose deeper truths about our spiritual discernment, our relationship with leadership, and the danger of prioritizing performance over integrity.  Theo created this reflection to be a bold, unf...

In this heart-centered conversation, Kylia Joyce joins Theo at the coffee table to share what it means to be a doula and an abolitionist, leading with tenderness through her company, You Are Seen Doula Services .  With courage and clarity, she speaks on what it takes to advocate for justice through the lived experience of growing into womanhood as a Black person in today’s world. From identity and...

In this episode of Theo’s Coffee Break , I sit down with Rev. Ellen Schoepf, a pastor, thinker, and spiritual leader unafraid to speak truth in tender places.  Together, we explore the evolving role of the church, what it means to wrestle with faith in a shifting world, and how to hold onto compassion when institutions fall short. This conversation invites us to reimagine what community, leadershi...

In this solo episode of Theo’s Coffee Break , I explore the tension between faith, toxic positivity, and real spiritual discernment. What does it mean to be a person of hope without bypassing the hard stuff? How do we stay grounded in God’s goodness without gaslighting ourselves through suffering? This isn’t just about “thinking good thoughts.” It’s about returning to YOU and your wisdom, your cla...

Welcome to the coffee table at Theo’s Coffee Break: a podcast where meaningful stories, soulful reflection, and real connection are always on the menu. ☕ In this early episode of Season One, we explore the history of the classic coffee break. From its roots in labor rights and community practices to what it means in our lives today, and here at our coffee table. You’ll also get a glimpse into the...

Before any stories are told, before any coffee is poured, lets get centered and grounded in sound. This is the official theme song of Theo’s Coffee Break , composed with deep presence and love by me, Shin Hoo Yong aka Theo, and my partner, Chris Cutting. We crafted this piece using organic, everyday elements from our very real creative life: the wind chime from our patio, the rhythmic snoring of o...