beansandmore.coffee

• Ep. 20: AI Assisted Review of The Year

  Reflecting on the Journey: A Special Review Episode of The Beansandmore.coffee Podcast. As we step into a brand-new year, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the journey of The Beansandmore.coffee Podcast so far. In my latest episode, we’re doing something a little different—a review episode that highlights the most memorable moments, impactful stories, and the incredible people we’ve met along the way. This special episode was brought to life with the help of cutting-edge technology: GoogleLM. How GoogleLM Brought This Episode to Life? GoogleLM, short for “Language Model,” is an advanced AI tool that processes and analyzes text, generating summaries that capture key insights in a precise and engaging way. By feeding it the URLs of past podcast episodes, it sifted through hours of conversation to identify the standout moments, recurring themes, and most compelling stories. This allowed me to craft a polished audio summary - in the form of a Podcast - that not only reflects the heart of The Beansandmore.coffee Podcast but also brings back the emotions and energy of our previous episodes. It’s like a highlights reel, but with the added nuance and charm that only a podcast can deliver. What’s more, GoogleLM’s efficiency freed us up to add our personal touch—combining its insights with reflections, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and our gratitude for all who’ve joined us on this journey. A Big Thank You to Our Guests I couldn’t have done this without the incredible people who have participated in The Beansandmore.coffee Podcast so far. From baristas and coffee shop owners to advocates and listeners, every story shared has added depth and richness to this podcast. Your passion for coffee and community has inspired me and helped shape the vision for the future of The Podcast. To each of you who has been part of this journey—whether as a guest, a supporter, or a listener—thank you. This podcast is about celebrating the people behind the coffee, and it wouldn’t exist without your enthusiasm and contributions. Nominate Your Favourite Coffee Shop or Barista! As I plan for 2025, I'm opening the door for your input. Do you know a coffee shop that’s making a difference in your community or a barista with an inspiring story to share? I'd love to feature them on an upcoming episode! • Send me your nominations and tell me why you think they deserve to be featured. • Reach out via our socials or contact page to submit your suggestions. Get Involved! As I look to the future, I'd love your help to grow our  Beansandmore.coffee Podcast community: • Like the episode on your favorite podcast platform. • Follow  on social media for behind-the-scenes updates. • Share this episode with friends and fellow coffee lovers to help us spread the word! What’s Next? This episode is just the start of an exciting year. With projects like An Trucail, my new mobile coffee experience, and plans for more interviews and advocacy work, 2025 promises to be full of opportunities to celebrate the world of coffee together. So, grab a cup of your favourite brew, tune into the review episode, and join me in toasting the year that’s been—and the one to come. Thank you for being part of the journey so far. Here’s to great coffee, great conversations, and an even greater year ahead.

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• Ep. 19: Where’s My Ham?

  “Where’s My Ham?” – A Story of Coffee, Connection, and Community In Episode 19 of the BeansAndMore.coffee podcast, Paddy takes us to Drogheda’s McBride Train Station, where we meet Elaine Kirwan, the friendly face behind TheKoffeeKart. From her early days of redundancy to building a thriving coffee business, Elaine shares her journey filled with resilience, humor, and heartwarming connections. After leaving a 19-year career at Coca-Cola, Elaine pursued her dream of running a coffee cart, just weeks before the world shut down for COVID. What seemed like a challenging start turned into a story of community support and friendship. Locals seeking comfort and connection during lockdown found a welcoming space by her cart, and some of those early customers remain loyal friends today. Elaine’s passion shines through her dedication — from remembering dozens of orders by heart to ensuring every cup is served with a smile. And yes, even the occasional “ham sandwich without the ham” adds to the charm! Whether it’s a flat white, a quirky dirty chai, or a laugh over a cappuccino with a teabag, TheKoffeeKart is more than just a stop for coffee — it’s a lifeline of community spirit. 🎵 And if you’re wondering what theme song captures this delightful spot? It’s none other than “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner — perfectly summing up the coffee, the service, and the heart behind it all. Find Elaine at the Drogheda Train Station, weekdays from 5 AM to 12:30 PM and Saturdays from 7 AM to 1 PM. Follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook at @TheKoffeeKart. Listen to the full episode on: www.beansandmore.coffee Follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more behind-the-scenes stories. ☕✨

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• Episode 18: It’s Hard to Have a Bad Day

  In this episode of beansandmore.coffee, host Paddy sits down with Ella, the vibrant young owner of Sip It Coffee, a specialty café located in Walterstown GFC, Co. Meath. Ella shares her journey from working in coffee shops at 16 to opening her own business while still in college. Sip It Coffee, known for its quality brews, açai bowls, and toasties, has quickly become a community hotspot.Ella’s passion for coffee shines as she describes sourcing beans from Groundwork Coffee, a small-batch roasters and perfecting each cup. For her, coffee is more than a drink - it’s a way to bring people together. She recounts moments that highlight this sense of community, from a dad helping his daughter retrieve a hidden sticker to the shop becoming a go-to spot after local events.Sip It Coffee thrives on its warm, friendly atmosphere. Ella credits her team, whom she considers family, for creating such a welcoming environment. Whether it’s through fun promotions like “silly dances for coffee” or simply chatting with customers, the café fosters connections across all ages.The episode also touches on the café’s quirky beginnings, including how Ella’s dad built the entire pod by hand, a labor of love supported by family and friends. Despite challenges, including weathering a storm, Ella’s determination has turned her vision into a thriving business.As the episode wraps up, Ella reflects on the joy of creating a space where people can unwind, connect, and share memorable moments. Sip It Coffee is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @Sip_it_Coffee, and listen to the full episode to discover how coffee is connecting a community, one cup at a time.

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• Ep. 17: The Cheers Experience

  The Craic’d Pot Coffee House in Armagh is a vibrant community hub that blends exceptional coffee with personal connection. Founded by Scott King eight years ago, it has become a cherished local spot, known for its unique late-night hours. Designed to stand apart from commercial chains, The Craic’d Pot offers a warm, inviting space where regulars are treated like friends, and conversations flow as freely as the coffee. Scott’s journey into coffee began with inspiration from a café in Barcelona, which led him to leave his career in fitness and teaching to create something meaningful in his hometown. His passion for quality and craftsmanship drives the shop, with 95% of its coffee roasted in-house under the Wild Hare Coffee Roasters label. From meticulously crafted espresso recipes to encouraging customers to explore the rich flavors of black coffee, The Craic’d Pot celebrates coffee as an art form. The shop’s commitment to community is as strong as its brews. Scott sponsors local sports teams and schools, fostering connections that go beyond the coffee counter. The Craic’d Pot has become a place where relationships blossom—several couples have even met and married after connecting there. Its off-menu Dirty Chai, a customer-inspired favorite, reflects the shop’s playful and inclusive spirit. Through its cozy atmosphere, dedication to quality, and focus on community, The Craic’d Pot Coffee House has cemented itself as more than a coffee shop—it’s a place where people come to connect, be inspired, and feel at home. Whether it’s a morning pour-over or a late-night cappuccino, The Craic’d Pot captures the essence of Armagh’s coffee culture, offering an experience that’s both personal and memorable with every visit. Follow beansandmore on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, or listen to the latest episodes on www.beansandmore.coffee or wherever you get your Podcasts. If you love our brews, support us by liking, subscribing, and leaving a review. And don’t forget to recommend a coffee shop in your locality—we’d love to check it out!

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• Ep. 16: Considered Coffee

  In this podcast episode, Paddy interviews Barney McElroy, co-founder of the Red Door Cafe, celebrating its four-year anniversary. Barney shares his journey from accounting student to cafe owner, tracing his love for coffee back to quality espressos enjoyed with his family. He advocates for approachable specialty coffee, avoiding the “snobbery” often found in the industry, instead focusing on the pleasures of freshness and carefully sourced beans from Cloud Picker Coffee Roasters. Red Door Cafe’s community-focused atmosphere is central to its charm. Barney reflects on meaningful customer interactions, like learning sign language from a regular deaf customer, that deepen connections and enrich the café experience. For Barney, cafes serve as sanctuaries where people share rare quality time. He takes pride in creating this welcoming environment, which he describes as a social hub filled with memorable moments—including a humorous near-miss with a hanging ivy basket. Discussing the “secret society” of coffee enthusiasts, Barney shares how two-cup drinkers symbolize dedication to the coffee ritual. His ideal coffee experience considers every element, from the quality of the drink to the friendliness of the staff, the ambiance, and the company of the customers. Music is key to the Red Door atmosphere. Barney highlights songs like “Marinade” by Dope Lemon for calm moments and “Tell It to My Heart” for high-energy rushes. This curated playlist helps shape the cafe’s dynamic vibe, uplifting both staff and patrons. Barney also addresses the often-overlooked skills in the hospitality industry, particularly in Ireland, where barista work is sometimes undervalued. He admires his team’s dedication to building a warm, vibrant culture at Red Door and extends this appreciation to the broader community of hospitality workers. In closing, Paddy and Barney emphasize the role of skilled, passionate baristas in creating cultural hubs. This episode invites listeners to appreciate the artistry of coffee and the community-building role of cafes, and it highlights the dedication of the baristas who make this experience possible.

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