Welcome to Season 4 of CoffeeU! In this episode, Nathan and Brad sit down with Noelle, a key member of the Baba Java marketing team, for a fun and personal conversation.

Noelle shares her journey from growing up in the Alabaster/Montevallo area, to becoming a barista at the Montevallo café (RIP), and eventually transitioning into full-time marketing after graduating with a graphic design degree. She talks about learning coffee from the ground up, working closely with Rachel (now in Dubai) and Randy, creating content, planning events, and what it’s like being part of a small but mighty marketing team that spans two continents.

You’ll hear about her favorite drinks (including a secret menu tip), how she balances B2B and B2C storytelling, the challenges of jumping into marketing right out of college, and plenty of laughs about team dynamics, dad jokes, and Randy’s reactions.

This episode gives you a behind-the-curtain look at one of the people helping tell Baba Java’s story every day.

----------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/ Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/What you're looking for:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFwIlVKRsqc

We’re continuing our threepart series on World of Coffee Dubai! Nathan and Brad sit down with Noelle from the Baba Java marketing team, fresh back from her first experience at the massive Middle East coffee expo. Noelle shares what surprised her most: the explosion of bold, fruity co-fermented coffees (including a frankincense infused one and a piña colada style pour-over), the strong B2B focus compared to the more consumer driven U.S. shows, and how the days flew by in a whirlwind of conversations, cuppings, and networking. She also talks about the challenge (and fun) of creating content on the ground, capturing photos and reels while building relationships with roasters and producers, and how experiencing the event firsthand will shape the way she tells Baba Java’s story moving forward both in the U.S. and internationally. This episode gives a great behind-the-scenes look at the marketing side of the trip, the energy of the show, and why events like World of Coffee are so valuable for growing Baba Java’s presence in the Middle East. ----------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/ Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/

Welcome to CoffeeU Season 4! Nathan and Brad are joined by Christopher Tickell (Baba Java's Homewood Cafe Manager) and Jayson Dobelstein (Baba Java's Meadowbrook Cafe Manager) fresh from their recent trip to the World of Coffee in Dubai.

In this opening episode of our three part series on the massive Middle East specialty coffee expo, the guys share what surprised them most: the explosion of bold co-fermented coffees (frankincense-infused anyone?), the intense focus on green coffee and business relationships over consumer giveaways, the sheer scale of the specialty scene (180+ roasters in Dubai alone), and how Baba Java’s Papua New Guinea and other offerings held their own against the global competition.

Hear their honest takeaways on jet lag vs. caffeine overload, why the Gulf market craves ultra fruity profiles, the value of seeing the full supply chain upstream, and why experiencing the show gave them fresh appreciation for the quality and mission behind every Baba Java cup.

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Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/

Join us for the thrilling CoffeeU Season 3 finale, recorded live at Baba Java Coffee’s Meadowbrook Cafe in Birmingham, Alabama! Hosts Nathan and Brad, along with a lively audience of CoffeeU listeners and Baba Java fans, dive into the heart of Baba Java’s global impact. Hear from Randy Webb, US Marketing Director, about his transformative trip to the Ramirez Estate in the Dominican Republic, where sustainable coffee farming is powering communities with solar energy, schools, and even a fire department featuring a Birmingham-donated fire truck. Brad, Nicholas, and Lee share their adventures in Colombia, judging a coffee competition at the Elverhill Estate and meeting farmers like Jorge, whose family is breaking into specialty coffee for the first time. Josh and Rachel Parvin round out the episode with stories from Dubai, where they sell ethically sourced green coffee to specialty roasters, impacting lives from Papua New Guinea to the Middle East. Taste the stories behind the Dominican, Colombian, and Papua New Guinean coffees served at the event, and learn how every cup you drink at Baba Java supports farmers and communities worldwide. Have ideas for Season 4? Email Matt at [email protected] to share what you’d like to see next!---------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/

Join Nathan and Brad as they welcome back original CoffeeU cast members Josh and Rachel Parvin from Dubai in this episode! The Parvins dive into Baba Java’s unique role in the Middle East, selling ethically sourced green coffee to specialty roasters across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even Iraq. Josh shares insights on navigating Dubai’s saturated coffee market with nearly 200 specialty roasters, while Rachel discusses keeping the Baba Java brand cohesive through social media and marketing. From cultural differences like the Arab emphasis on hospitality over directness, to tips for expats moving to a new culture, this episode is packed with stories of building relationships and growing Baba Java’s mission abroad. Plus, hear about their new intern, Braden, who went from his third-ever coffee to mastering pour-overs, and Josh’s journey to becoming an SCA-authorized trainer for cupping and Q grading. Tune in for a fun, insightful look at coffee, culture, and global business!---------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/Follow us in Dubai: https://www.instagram.com/babajavacoffeedubai

Join Nathan and Brad as they sit down with Christopher Tickell, the manager of Baba Java Coffee’s Homewood location, in this episode of CoffeeU. Christopher shares his journey from Memphis to Virginia Beach, and finally to Alabama, where he’s built a family and a thriving career without a traditional education. From arcade sales to building his own house, Christopher’s diverse experiences have shaped his leadership at the Homewood cafe, a unique blend of coffee shop and family-friendly entertainment hub at The Edge in Homewood, AL. Learn how his team creates a welcoming, family-like atmosphere, pours top-notch coffee, and churns out an unbelievable number of Popbar gourmet gelato pops. Tickle discusses overcoming challenges like weather and building renovations, all while fostering a tight-knit team that delivers excellent coffee, customer service, and education. Tune in for a fun, heartfelt conversation about community, leadership, and the magic behind Baba Java’s Homewood vibe!---------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our blog: https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Find your new favorite coffee with our quiz: https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/

Join hosts Nathan and Brad as they sit down with Lee Wideman, Director of Client Services, and Nicholas Hannah, from the roasting team at Baba Java Coffee, to dive into their trip to Colombia’s coffee farms. In this episode, the trio recounts their visit to Forest Coffee, a partner in northwest Colombia, where they met farmers like Jorge and Yeraldine, cupped nearly 50 coffees, and celebrated the top 10 producers at a heartfelt graduation ceremony. From navigating steep mountains to witnessing the impact of specialty coffee, they share eye-opening moments that highlight the hard work and dedication behind every bean. Learn how this trip reinforces Baba Java’s commitment to ethically sourced, traceable coffee and their mission to empower farmers and communities. Packed with stories of Colombian hospitality, cultural insights, and a passionate call to support ethical coffee, this episode is a must-listen for coffee lovers who care about the journey from farm to cup.

Join hosts Nathan and Brad as they sit down with Lee Wideman, Director of Client Services at Baba Java Coffee, for an engaging episode of CoffeeU.

Lee shares his journey from a military kid in Quebec to a key player at Baba Java, offering a glimpse into his life, family, and unexpected path from car sales to coffee. Discover how the Client Services Team (CST) acts as Baba Java’s ambassadors, bringing excellent coffee, excellent customer service, and excellent education to cafes, churches, and nonprofits. From sourcing custom coffee blends to white-labeling bags and providing barista training, Lee explains what sets Baba Java apart in the crowded Birmingham coffee scene.

Plus, get the scoop on exciting new ready-to-drink canned coffee beverages and Baba Java’s partnership with Pop Bar for all-natural gelato pops, soon to hit local Piggly Wiggly shelves. Tune in for a fun, insightful conversation about coffee, community, and creating memorable experiences!

Join Nathan and Brad as they welcome back special guest Abigail Phillips, head barista and trainer extraordinaire at Baba Java Coffee, for another episode of CoffeeU. In this installment, Abby and Brad share their expert tips and hacks for brewing great coffee while traveling. From using an Aeropress on an airplane and bribing flight attendants, to crafting a makeshift pourover with a styrofoam cup, Abby covers practical solutions for coffee lovers on the move. The team also discusses cold brew techniques, the Japanese ice coffee method, and how to make the most of hotel coffee machines. Whether you're camping, flying, or stuck in a coffee desert, this episode is packed with creative ways to ensure you never go without a quality cup. Tune in for helpful advice, a few laughs, and some surprising travel brewing stories!---------------------------------------------------------------------The Baba Java Coffee Blog:https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Take our quiz and find your new favorite coffee!https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/

Join hosts Nathan and Brad as they team up with Baba Java Coffee’s head barista, Abby Phillips, for a brew-tiful episode of CoffeeU! Abby spills the beans on game-changing hacks for drip, pour-over, and French press brewing. From a secret weapon to keep your drip machine spotless to a clever trick for the perfect pour-over bloom, and a surprising French press technique to dodge bitterness, this episode is brimming with tips to transform your home coffee game. Curious about the one tool Abby swears by for consistent brews? Tune in to uncover the mystery and brew like a pro!---------------------------------------------------------------------The Baba Java Coffee Blog:https://babajavacoffee.com/blog/Take our quiz and find your new favorite coffee!https://babajavacoffee.com/coffee-quiz/