RoR#38 : A Better Way to Think About Roasting Dark, w Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee

RoR#38 : A Better Way to Think About Roasting Dark, w Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee

Author: Chris Deferio September 26, 2025 Duration: 41:32

Roasting excellent coffee should not be relegated to only one finish temp or level of roast. For a significant portion of our history we have favored the lighter and lower temps in specialty coffee. But recently roasters have begun to full embrace more full developed roast profiles in a pursuit of brining that specialty excellence to a wider range of consumer.

Today's guest is all about this way mindset and has a specific way to communicate it to his customers. 

For this month's RoR to talk with Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee! 

Erik Johnson is a founder and the roaster behind thinkwell.coffee. He began as a barista in 2006 and has roasted professionally since 2012, working as head roaster for regional brands. He has worked across the supply chain—from producers to millers, from villages to importers. Now, he runs a production roastery that opens to the public, offering beans (not lattes) for people who value beauty, balance, and brewing at home. He believes that coffee is art, and great coffee is built on harmony: between people, the earth, and the roast itself. 

 

Related episodes:

 

Our Sponsor for Rate of Rise!

www.millcityroasters.com


Running a coffee shop is about so much more than pulling great shots. It's a complex dance of craft, culture, and commerce that demands a unique kind of leadership. That's the space where Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders lives. Hosted by Chris Deferio, this podcast digs into the real, often unspoken challenges faced by owners, managers, and aspiring leaders in the specialty coffee world. Each conversation moves beyond abstract theory to deliver concrete, usable strategies you can apply directly to your operation. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices, including seasoned coffee professionals and insightful experts from other fields, all focused on the practicalities of building a thriving business. Episodes tackle the full spectrum of running a shop, from daily systems and financial health to fostering a positive team environment and developing your own skills as a leader. The aim is to provide a genuine resource for growth, whether you're looking to refine your barista program, improve your shop's profitability, or scale your vision thoughtfully. Tune in for honest discussions that equip you with more than just inspiration-they offer the tangible keys to building a better, more sustainable coffee business. This podcast understands that your passion is for coffee, but your success depends on mastering the craft of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:53
I was invited to speak recently to a group of coffee professionals on the state of the industry based on what I have experienced through my consulting, career, and interviews. One of the main things I shared was that cof…
572 : Understanding Water For Coffee w/ Maxwell Dashwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:44
Water for coffee. This is the biggest area of quality control focus that we must always monitor and check to provide constantly excellent coffee. Learning about water can come from various sources and for many busy opera…
SHIFT BREAK! Get Your Cafe to Stand Out Without Losing Your Footing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
If you listen to every well meaning linkedIn post or biz hack YouTube video you can stand out so much that you actually lose touch with he foundation of your business. Today on shift break we will talk about ways to purs…
Special! Interviews From Coffee Fest Orlando 2025! w/ Claudio Martinez (Golden Bush Coffee), Vanessa Jaramillo (Florida Coffee Culture), Maria Esther Thome-Lopez (Coffee Flock), and Katherine Morris (Cherry Coffee Shop) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:07
Time for our last installment of live interviews from Coffee Fest 2025. This time from Orlando, FL USA! We are talking with four awesome professionals about everything from training and tasting, Florida coffee culture an…
571: Worrying and Other Deceptive Replacements for Good Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:22
In my live workshops with owners and teams, coaching calls with clients, and even in interviews here on the show run into many go-to habits that are replacements for healthy leadership. Today we are going to be discussin…
SHIFT BREAK! How Does Your Staff Know They Are Doing a Good Job? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:31
In our world of coffee shops we feel if we can get through the day without too many disasters or fires that we are doing well. The people we put into various roles adopt a similar mindset of avoidance of bad is equal to…
570: Myths Baristas Believe Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
At this show we believe that the onus for setting people up for success and being the chief servant of those above them is squarely on the leader or owner of the cafe. they have more power, say, and responsibility. With…