Espresso veterans Bronwen Serna and Kathie Hilberg are again with all-new episodes that includes thrilling particular company.

BY EMILY JOY MENESES
FOR BARISTA MAGAZINE

Your favourite espresso podcast is again and higher than ever. “Completely Dissolved,” the brainchild of 2004 U.S. Barista Champion Bronwen Serna and longtime espresso skilled Kathie Hilberg, has returned with its fifth season.

On this all-new chapter, the 2 hosts will proceed their discussions on espresso schooling with business leaders and legends. Listeners can count on in-depth talks about origin international locations, espresso enterprise, and occasional science that construct on conversations offered in season 4, with company together with Omar Herrera of Cafe Imports, Mokhtar Alkhanshali of Port of Mokha, Lauren Lathrop of Mill Metropolis Roasters, and Dr. Christopher Hendon, a professor of computational supplies chemistry and well-published espresso creator—amongst others.

About ‘Completely Dissolved’

Bronwen describes “Completely Dissolved” as “an schooling in caffeine” meant to function a platform for espresso professionals, aspiring espresso professionals, and normal espresso lovers to delve into specialty-coffee matters in-depth.

Each based mostly in Los Angeles, Bronwen and Kathie launched the podcast in 2022, and it was a direct hit based mostly on their spectacular collection of company, together with key business figures like Jaymie Lao, Selina Viguera, Tommy Gallagher, and Tony Querio, protecting a variety of matters from espresso tech and customer support to palate improvement and retailing.

“We’re each nonetheless very a lot concerned in specialty-coffee and in our espresso neighborhood (so) we needed to begin a podcast challenge,” says Bronwen. “There are such a lot of nice espresso podcasts on the market, and we needed to create one which we felt was accessible and will present a wide range of views—and have a very good time doing so.”

Bronwen and Kathie share that this aspect of enjoyable and accessibility is what units “Completely Dissolved” other than different podcasts. The 2 usually play video games with their company, and start every episode with an interactive phase they name “#whatsinyourcup.”

“We begin every episode with a espresso of our selecting; it may be a single-origin or a trending beverage, or one thing that isn’t even espresso, and we give our little tackle it and invite our visitor to share what’s of their cup,” Bronwen says. “It builds connection, and we get to strive a wide range of drinks!”

A Jam-Packed New Season

Season 5 is formally obtainable for streaming, and episodes delve into matters corresponding to espresso competitions, decaf espresso, and the significance of design when making a espresso model. A number of episodes can even give listeners a more in-depth have a look at espresso manufacturing in origin international locations like Guatemala, Yemen, and Colombia.

And although season 5 continues to be recent on their minds, Bronwen and Kathie are already eagerly planning the sixth season, which they are saying will focus extra on specialty-coffee schooling for the buyer and bridging the hole between espresso professionals and the general public.

“Typically, it appears like nobody is listening, and then you definately go to espresso occasions like Expo, and also you’re reminded of what number of supportive of us within the business are listening to you and your buddy say dumb stuff right into a microphone whereas interviewing a number of the business’s greatest individuals,” says Kathie.

Now Streaming on A number of Platforms

“Completely Dissolved” is now obtainable for streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Click on right here to begin listening.

This text initially appeared within the June + July 2025 challenge of Barista Journal. Learn extra of the difficulty on-line right here without cost.

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