The YouTube form, created by means of business veterans Trish Rothgeb and Jay Lijewski, brings the espresso family in combination for candid, roundtable-style discussions.
BY EMILY JOY MENESES
ONLINE EDITOR
Footage courtesy of Jay Lijewski
Have you ever ever puzzled what it’s love to paintings within the specialty-coffee global of Los Angeles, Seattle, or alternative large towns throughout america? The fresh espresso communicate display “The Shift” offers audience a firsthand glimpse of espresso tradition in key locales around the nation, bringing in combination the leaders using the tradition for evident discussion discussions—suppose “The View” meets espresso.
Co-hosts Trish Rothgeb and Jay Lijewski (either one of whom have made their very own mark within the espresso global through the years) percentage that the form is supposed to let audience “listen in” on latest conversations between business leaders, presenting an unique have a look at what’s occurring within the espresso global lately. “The vibe is conversation, not interview. No filters, no agenda. Just what’s top-of-mind from some of the best thinkers in the coffee industry,” says Trish, who’s famously identified for coining the time period “third-wave coffee.”
The Inspiration
When requested what impressed “The Shift,” Trish stocks that she’s at all times sought after to look at a roundtable-style espresso communicate display, however had by no means evident it finished. “I had this idea rattling around in my head for years. I wanted to see a kind of talk show where we could listen in on conversations that we all so often have in coffee—with our friends and colleagues, or in the industry,” she says. “I’ve seen examples of these kinds of roundtable (discussions) online, but not for coffee.”
Electrified by means of the theory, Trish grew to become to Jay Lijewski, who she had labored with at the first Oscillations espresso tournament in Chicago. Coincidentally, Jay had simply introduced his personal business movie area, Picture Day Works, with PJ Neuhoff, and used to be in search of fresh tasks to dive into. “Almost within the same breath after finishing my pitch to Jay, I asked if he’d want to co-host with me,” Trish says. “I think it was meant to be!”
“For decades, I’ve seen Trish as a leader who is real and approachable. So, when she reached out, PJ and I jumped at the opportunity to help get ‘The Shift’ off the ground,” Jay provides.
The 2 co-hosts have labored within the business for the while few many years, they usually percentage that the display has given them a probability in order in combination the entire espresso population they’ve met alongside their trips.
“I’ve been involved in competition and events, mostly on the organizing/emcee side: things like regional events, USBC, WBC, Nordic Barista Cup, and more. Through all of that, I’ve met countless interesting and inspiring people—all thanks to coffee,” Jay explains. “‘The Shift’ is a unique and powerful way to document and archive candid conversations with some of these folks that we’ve met, grown up with, and formed lifelong friendships with.”
Trish provides that, past it’s been superb to reconnect with some longtime buddies, she additionally hopes to listen to views from other voices. “One of the challenges I face is finding the right guests to join the conversation. We have so many friends, really beloved colleagues worldwide, so we have to force ourselves out of our comfort zones and make sure to invite folks who we don’t already talk to constantly,” Trish explains. “We want it to be a fresh and rewarding conversation with hopefully some surprises. And I’m stoked to be surprised, honestly.”
A Have a look at Los Angeles and Seattle Espresso Tradition
Subsidized by means of Melitta, “The Shift” has formally introduced its first season on YouTube and to this point has exempt two episodes: the primary filmed at Copa Vida in Los Angeles, and the second one, at Seattle’s Caffe Vita, situated inside of KEXP Studios.
In episode one, visitor audio system Michael Adinew (Cafe Hilm), Mo Maravilla (Kindness + Mischief Coffee), Phillip “Leeroy” White (espresso competitor and of BlackL!ne Social), and Steve Chang (Copa Vida) talk about urgent problems like record-high C-market costs, the hot L.A. wildfires, and gender and racial inequality around the business.
Episode two brings in combination Sam Spillman (Caffe Vita), Ali Güldüren (Boon Boona Coffee), Paolo Bicchieri (Eater), and Laura Sommers (The Coffee Dept) for talks about song, skilled enlargement, and the use of Seattle within the specialty-coffee global.
From one episode to the then, the conversations stay unique and candid—as for those who’re merely sitting with a bunch of buddies over espresso. “We know that there’s a lot of crossover between regular life and coffee life. We don’t really want the conversation to only be about coffee, but rather folks who love coffee talking about life,” Jay says.
What’s Then + The place to Keep tabs on
Trish stocks that she and Jay try to put together six episodes of “The Shift” in 2025, they usually hope to get some thrilling superstar visitors going forward. For now, you’ll be able to get started looking at season one at the Image Past YouTube channel here—and make sure you practice The Shift on Instagram for updates.
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