In this energizing episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land sits down with coffee scientist and author Shawn Steiman to explore the surprising intersections between coffee, culture, and mental health. From morning routines to religious rituals, coffee has long been more than a beverage—it’s a way of connecting, bonding, and even healing. Together, they unpack the pros and cons of caffeine, including its impact on memory, mood, and even cholesterol.

Shawn also pulls back the curtain on the ethics of coffee: Does fair trade really work? Should you prioritize organic? And which regions produce the best beans? Along the way, listeners get a mini masterclass in how to think critically about coffee research, plus insights on brewing methods, cultural traditions, and why taste itself can be a benefit. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a true coffee devotee, this episode will deepen your appreciation of your daily cup.

Shawn Steiman, Ph.D, is a coffee scientist, consultant, and entrepreneur. His coffee research has included coffee production, pest management, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, organoleptic quality, and brewing. He owns Coffea Consulting, a coffee-centric consulting firm, and Grok Coffee, a coffee delivery, event, and education company. He was also a co-founder of Daylight Mind Coffee Company. He has authored numerous articles in scientific journals, trade magazines, newsletters, and newspapers. He is the author of The Hawai‘i Coffee Book: A Gourmet's Guide from Kona to Kaua‘i, The Little Coffee Know-It-All: A Miscellany for Growing, Roasting, and Brewing, Uncompromising and Unapologetic, and is a co-editor and author of Coffee- A Comprehensive Guide to the Bean, the Beverage, and the Industry.

grokcoffee.net, coffeaconsulting.com, @grokkingcoffee (IG/FB), https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnsteiman/.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik