Adventures in Coffee
Celebrating a global ritual, One Cup at a Time
Adventures in Coffee is a narrative BBC / NPR-style podcast series for those curious about their daily cup of coffee, brought to you by the makers of Caffeine Magazine. The concept came from the idea that once you know a little about coffee you realize there is a whole world of stories to explore. Every episode the presenters take you on a journey and explore another facet of coffee and its rich and sometimes dark history. Listening to the podcast you are diving deep into a caffeinated rabbit hole.
Navigating Seasonality for the teacher collaborative podcast
The Problem
After working with the same producer for two seasons, the founder of Caffeine Magazine, other host, and the executive producer sought to refresh their approach and bring in new perspectives. They aimed to diversify their content, experiment with different formats, and dive deeper into the research for each episode.
Research and Development
To ensure that our next season aligned with our goals and resonated with listeners, we conducted a strategic evaluation. We analyzed our most popular episodes and researched other food and beverage podcasts for inspiration. This process led us to brainstorm and develop a roster of 8 episodes. Our team produced 5 of these episodes, while an additional producer was brought in for the remaining 3. The 5 episodes we produced covered topics such as debunking coffee myths, making espresso at home, the environmental impact of oat milk, Ethiopian coffee traditions, and crafting coffee cocktails for the holidays.
Sound Design
With a background in comedic podcasts, theater, and music, our producer created custom soundscapes that enhanced the listening experience. These soundscapes were designed to complement or recreate specific moments within the podcast, transforming it from a purely informational audio experience into one that engaged listeners on a deeper level through immersive sound.
The Oat Debate:
"The Oat Debate" was a hybrid episode that combined personal storytelling with in-depth research. We started by interviewing one of the host's partners to provide a personal connection to the topic. Next, we attended a coffee conference to conduct interviews with attendees, gathering their perspectives on the episode's central theme. Finally, we interviewed a subject matter expert to gain expert insights, delve deeper into the issue, and conclude the episode. Additionally, the numerous locations and settings took the listener on an audio-sensory journey.
Ethiopia’s Gift to the World
"Ethiopia's Gift to the World" was an episode that explored a cultural tradition unfamiliar to the hosts. To ensure authentic representation, we took several steps. One host traveled to Italy to learn about coffee roasting from an Ethiopian woman who was close to his family. We also interviewed an Ethiopian coffee historian and visited the Ethiopian embassy for a coffee ceremony. Additionally, we interviewed an Ethiopian expat to understand how the tradition has evolved within the diaspora. This approach allowed us to explore the culture while minimizing the risk of the hosts dominating the narrative. Also, by attending multiple coffee ceremonies and going in depth in the process, we also created a responsive soundscape to embellish the storytelling and enhance some of the found sounds to create an audio-sensory listening experience that carries the listener through the episode.
Jools and Scott’s Coffee Cocktails Celebration
"Jools and Scott's Coffee Cocktails Celebration" was a festive and interactive episode that combined holiday cheer with a unique listening experience. Inspired by cooking shows, we aimed to create a personalized and engaging experience for our listeners.
The episode centered around the hosts searching for the perfect coffee cocktail gift for each other, which ultimately became a gift for the listeners as well. We interviewed coffee cocktail mixologists to gain expert insights and then conducted a "live" interview where the hosts met in person to taste the cocktails. This in-person interaction added a personal touch and a unique listening experience, contrasting with the remote recording style of most of our episodes.
The bespoke format of this episode allowed for a playful and whimsical atmosphere that perfectly complemented the festive theme along with our signature audio sensory embellishments.
Through collaboration, we created a season that deeply connected with our audience while highlighting coffee as a shared ritual that broadens our perspective on the world.
Lead Consultant
Mijon Zulu
Our Role
Technical Production/Voiceovers/Narration/Scripts and Storyboards/Brand consultation/Strategic Evaluation
Photography
Sourced by the Zulus