Finding Joy in Every Season of Work: Part I - Ep # 440

About this episode

The hosts reflect on their early experiences in specialty coffee and how those shaped their current work, exploring the evolution of joy in their careers.

Cat & Cloud Podcast Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Finding Joy in Every Season of Work: Part I – Ep #440 Summary In this episode, Chris and Jared (plus Casey) reflect on the early days that pulled us into specialty coffee and how those experiences shaped the work we’re still doing today. From skateboarding friendships and barista competitions to building cafés and leading teams, we talk about how the things that bring joy evolve over time. As careers grow and responsibilities expand, the work changes—and sometimes the parts you loved most become harder to hold onto. We explore the idea that every season of life and business brings different sources of meaning, and that part of the real work is finding the through lines that keep the joy alive. This conversation looks back at where it all started while asking an ongoing question: how do you stay connected to the things that made you love the work in the first place? Chapters 00:00 – Missing the Old Days: Skate Culture, Community, and the Idea of “a Place” 05:00 – What Attracted you to Coffee and the Industry? 10:30 – Origin and Drive Around Being a Competitive Barista 15:00 – Competition, Connection, and Energy 20:00 –…

People in this episode

Hosts: Chris Baca, Jared Truby

Topics covered

• specialty coffee
• career development
• joy in work
• barista competitions
• community

Keywords

• skateboarding friendships
• barista competitions
• building cafés
• leading teams
• sources of meaning

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Cat & Cloud Coffee

Books & works: Finding Joy in Every Season of Work, Cat & Cloud Coffee, Missing the Old Days: Skate Culture, Community, and the Idea of “a Place

Places: Santa Cruz

More episodes of Cat & Cloud Podcast

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• Build a Café - Ep# 448 · May 4, 2026 · 51 min
• The World of Coffee 2026: Observations, Stories, and Lots of Love for the Community of Coffee - Ep #447 · April 27, 2026 · 55 min
• Coffee and a Danish Barista Champion, Christopher Hoff - Ep# 446 · April 20, 2026 · 49 min
• Taking Care of the Pack with Leah Wolff in HR - Ep #445 · April 13, 2026 · 1h 5m
• What We Think Matters vs. What Actually Matters w/ Chris and Casey - Ep# 444 · April 6, 2026 · 55 min