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Cat & Cloud Podcast

Cat & Cloud

Chris Baca and Jared Truby are professional Baristas and are here to introduce the world to Specialty Coffee! From placing in the finals of the United States Barista Championship multiple times, winning regional competitions, to leading training and education for some of the most progressive coffee companies around - these two have learned a ton about coffee and want to share it with you. Tune in for weekly interviews, tutorials, and general mayhem from the brothers from different mothers: Truby & Baca. Learn more at catandcloud.com 

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 51 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • April 20 · 49 min

    Coffee and a Danish Barista Champion, Christopher Hoff - Ep# 446

    Cat & Cloud Podcast Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Coffee and a Danish Barista Champion, Christopher Hoff - Ep #446 Summary: In this episode, Jared and Casey sit down with Danish Barista Champion Christopher Hoff, a top-six finisher at the World Barista Championships, to talk about competition, coffee, and the deeper story behind both. Christopher shares how his world routine centered on the coffee variety Wush Wush, a tropical and complex coffee that became a metaphor for his own journey of trying to become something he wasn’t before learning to compete from a more grounded, authentic place. The conversation moves from signature drinks and competition strategy into bigger reflections on storytelling, hospitality, personal growth, and how coffee professionals can invite people into new experiences instead of gatekeeping them. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging episode about craft, identity, and what it means to share something meaningful through coffee. Cat & Cloud celebrates this relationship to the world community of coffee and our desire to connect with friends from around the globe. Chapters 00:00 Welcoming Christopher Hoff to Cat & Cloud 03:20 What Barista Competition Actually Looks Like 09:10 Breaking Down the Signature Drink 13:00 Wush Wush and the Coffee Behind the Routine 20:00 The Three Principles and the Meaning of the Presentation 26:00 Competition Pressure, Overthinking, and Performing Authentically 32:00 Discovering Coffee Through Cat & Cloud and Coffee Collective 38:00 Denmark vs. California Coffee Culture 42:00 Hospitality, Encouraging Taste, and Bringing People In 45:00 The Community of Coffee Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Links – The Truth! Colombia Truji y Angelita Thermal Shock Natural https://catandcloud.com/products/colombia-truji-y-angelita-thermal-shock-natural Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by Casey Ryan April 2026 Podcast Info and Contact: www.catandcloud.com/podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore: www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription: www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners: Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby

    • Transcript
  • April 13 · 1 hr 5 min

    Taking Care of the Pack with Leah Wolff in HR - Ep #445

    Cat & Cloud Podcast Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com Taking Care of the Pack w/Leah Wolff in HR - Ep #445 Summary: In this episode, the team sits down with Head of HR Leah Wolff to explore what it really looks like to build people, culture, and leadership inside a growing coffee company. Leah shares her journey from starting as a concierge during the pandemic to stepping into an executive leadership role, offering a candid look at how growth happens through ownership, feedback, and continuous learning. The conversation digs into the difference between traditional HR and a more human, culture-driven approach—covering hiring, training, communication, and the realities of managing a transient workforce. Along the way, they unpack how strong values, intentional onboarding, and honest conversations can shape not just better employees, but better people. Chapters: 00:00 Meet Leah Wolf and Casey Ryan 04:30 Leah’s Journey from Concierge to Head of HR 10:00 Knowing When You’re Ready to Lead 15:30 Feedback, Directness, and Learning to Communicate 21:00 Orientation, Training, and Setting the Tone 27:00 Hiring for Values and Cultural Fit 33:00 The Challenge of Staffing a Cafe Business 39:00 How Cat & Cloud Built Better HR Systems 45:00 Advice for Small Business Owners Hiring Their Team 51:00 Team Chemistry, Standards, and Accountability 57:00 Why Clear Expectations Matter 1:01:30 Gratitudes and Final Thoughts Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Links – The Truth! Colombia Truji y Angelita Thermal Shock Natural https://catandcloud.com/products/colombia-truji-y-angelita-thermal-shock-natural Jared Truby Interview https://youtu.be/KaTFcHxjumk?si=wlTAbJ7ZCvZleM7B Jared Truby Zine https://www.flipsnack.com/965BBFD6AED/letter-to-young-coffee-owners-issue-with-jared-truby Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by Casey Ryan April 2026 Podcast Info and Contact: www.catandcloud.com/podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore: www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription: www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners: Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby

    • Transcript
  • April 6 · 55 min

    What We Think Matters vs. What Actually Matters w/ Chris and Casey - Ep# 444

    Cat & Cloud Podcast Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ What We Think Matters vs. What Actually Matters w/ Chris and Casey - Ep# 444 This episode opens with an introduction to Casey Ryan—his background in filmmaking and eventually as an independent school principal, and how he found his way into Cat & Cloud—but quickly shifts into a deeper conversation about hospitality, coffee culture, and business. At the center is the question of what guests actually care about versus what coffee professionals think they care about, leading to a thoughtful breakdown of service, empathy, and meeting people where they are. Chris reflects on the tension between passion and practicality in specialty coffee, how to build excitement without overwhelming people, and why creating a welcoming, human experience ultimately matters more than showcasing expertise. Chapters 00:00 Casey Ryan’s Path from Education to Cat & Cloud 08:00 What Guests Care About vs What We Think They Care About 17:00 Passion vs. Business in Specialty Coffee 22:00 Santa Cruz, Coffee Culture, and Meeting People Where They Are 29:00 Service as Soft Skill, Performance, and Human Connection 29:00 Training, Teaching, Enthusiasm and Not Overloading People 40:00 Coffee Curiosity, Guest Journeys, and No Gatekeeping 47:30 Gratitude for Team Cat & Cloud: Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore: Buy Our Coffee! www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Links – Cafe Imports Event at World of Coffee: Moderated by Chris Baca https://www.eventbrite.com/e/source-where-do-we-go-from-here-tickets-1983895046489 The Truth! Colombia Truji y Angelita Thermal Shock Natural https://catandcloud.com/products/colombia-truji-y-angelita-thermal-shock-natural Jared Truby Zine https://www.flipsnack.com/965BBFD6AED/letter-to-young-coffee-owners-issue-with-jared-truby World of Coffee/SCA https://usa.worldofcoffee.org/ Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by Casey Ryan April 2026 Podcast Info and Contact: www.catandcloud.com/podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore: www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription: www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners: Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby

    • Transcript
Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes