Talks Around the Coffee Cups: Recent Episodes
chië
Let’s have a coffee with me, and people around me. We have something we love, but maybe matter to only us. Talking about being “nerd” about something with having coffee.
chië @chloeplants
How do we make our ”blueprints” into the reality?
Often, there are someone who is the nerd of the nerds, like my NERD friends saying “you should talk this person.” Douwe is definitely that nerd of the nerds. He is a photographer who takes pictures in black and white with the analog camera. But also he’s created his own “cyanotype“, which is the printing method discovered in 1842, the cyan-blue print. Yes, I have a massive soft spot for “makers nerds”, and yes I went to talk with him.
Thank you so much, Douwe for such a fun, inspiring chat, and so generous to share the wisdom and show me your “garage”!
*Sorry about some noises, I’m still figuring out about my microphone! (It seems doesn’t like my new phone again.)
Get inspired by Douwe cyanotypist.com | @analog_by_douwe
Have I become a nerd finally? After all these 29 episodes?
When I say that I make a podcast, this podcast, people often ask me “so what’s your nerd thing?” or “are you nerd too?” Of course, that is the question, and THAT IS THE QUESTION! And my answer is still, “no, I’m not a nerd enough!”
For this episode, I invited my great friend Floor who was my guest on Episode 10 to be the host of this episode, to talk about “nerd-ness”. Or to be specific, my nerd-ness. Thank you, Floor for hosting the episode, and for being such a great friend for me!
*Sorry about my voice and small noises of the microphone. (I’m figuring out to solve it)
Talks Around the Coffee Cups @talks.around.coffee.cups | Chië @chloeplants
Can you tell what you like about your face?
Ashley is a playful makeup artist I’ve been admiring. Every time I saw her, she has sparkles on her face, her warm, joyful smile, and the beautiful makeup arts. I barely have any makeup on myself, and to be honest, I have a lot insecureness about the makeup. So, let’s dig in!
*Sorry for the small noises! It’s not your headphone, it’s my microphone.
Thank you Ashley for our honest, joyful conversation! Also the makeup and vibe you brought for me!
Get inspired @ashley_duijveman
Can we fall behind on our development, on our life?
Jesper is an inspiring teacher who teaches biology, also helps the students who needs extra help for the study. Also he helps me leaning Dutch! Every time I listened to his thoughts for the teaching and the education, I thought this is not only for kids, also important and inspiring for all the people who try to learn or engage to something new, in any moments of life. We are the students of our own life, here is an amazing teacher who inspires me!
Thank you so much, Jesper for sharing your thoughts and stories!
(We practiced to pronounce his name too, haha)
Can we just love doing things, not thinking of “what’s for?” ahead? Can we just love all of them together?
Michael is one of my favorite photographer who has kept me wondering “what’s your theme???” His photos are from the cars to the landscapes, then street to the portraits. Or colors to black and white. Not just one “theme.” Also whenever I see his photos, I feel the stories, but it’s not spoken, but it’s there. So, here I am, asking “tell me, who is this photographer?”
*Enjoy the BGM, my favorite movie theme!
Thank you, Michael for inviting us to your stories, and inspiring me to enjoy photography!
Get inspired mvdb_photography | MVDBPhotography (YouTube)
There are two types in human. Coffee person? Or Tea person?
Kirsten is the owner of the tea shop, “The smallest house “ which is really the smallest house for the tea in Amsterdam. I’m in love with them since I moved to Amsterdam, not only for their amazing teas, also for the fun conversations with Kirsten through the tea. Her insightful knowledges about tea, and her love for the tea lets my tea world so deepen, simply sharing joy for tea with Kirsten is such an amazing feeling. So, this episode is “talks around the tea cups”. Let’s have a tea with us.
Thank you, Kirsten always for such a joyful conversations, and letting me explore more senses through a cup of tea!
Get your tea! https://www.hetkleinstehuis.nl | @smallesthouse
It’s time to make some new year resolutions!
Rajeb is someone who always takes care of others, as far as know of. He always gives a lot of cares for others to be comfortable, and for others to shine. I’m one of them whom he took good care of. So I got very curious when he said he would buy a big mirror to come back to dancing. When the person is sooooooo good at taking care of people’s joy and fun, like Rajeb is, what they do for themselves?
Thank you so much Rajeb for fun talk, honesty, and so inspiration!
Get inspired @14.25.143.89.8000
How was your 2021? I would love to wrap up with someone who is for “now and future”.
Ikram is an activist for equality and justice, which sounds very difficult topics, I thought so too when I heard that is what she does, but something about her makes it so beautiful. The engagement to the life, I really love about her. This year she said she stepped into new things, new phases of her path, I felt this is perfect chat for this end of 2021. On the bench of the coffee bar, to the stage of the actions, she is the same Ikram. Let’s talk about her joy!
Thank you Ikram, always so inspiring for me, and always joy in our coffee time!
Get inspired by @iekjepiek
2021 is almost over! Fouad and I sat down for the reflection of 2021, the journey of storytelling. What connects us in the isolated world? What’s we earned? And what’s next?Thank you Fouad for such a fun chat, and fun year! Everyone has stories @flakbir
How we know each other, how we connect to each other, and how we deepen your connection?
Sarah is young artist who I am so grateful that I can call her my friend. So sensitive and honest, true to herself, or trying to be as pure to it as it is. Sarah and I have been working on making the jingle for this podcast for while. Finally it’s here! So this time, I want to share the moment I hear the final version of the jingle for the first time with you all. I hope you all like it as I do!
Thank you Sarah, for all the work, for all the talks, for our time together!
Get inspired @sarahben.svg
There are always “one day…” in the stories. A little turning points in the storylines. So, one day….
Sani is a young coffee roaster I met in Fuku, from Indonesia, working in Berlin as a barista. The time I met him, he started his own small roastery with his small machines he’d invested. Whenever people came in Fuku and asked him what he does, he pointed a round sticker on the coffee grinder at Fuku counter, and said “I roast the coffee. That’s my sticker!” with a big smile on his face. (Yes, I have his stickers too!) So, ladies and gentlemen, here is the story of the young coffee roaster I met, one day in Amsterdam.
Thank you, Sani for your coffee and nerd moments! So glad to seeing you back to Amsterdam!
Get beans from @madsancoffee
I think being a nerd is not all about being a professional, nor being proving something.
Mélanie is a dedicated runner I know, often see her with her beautiful smile after her running. Because I don’t have the habit of running in my daily life, I‘ve thought people who runs have some goals, achievement like going the marathon race. But seems like, it is a bit different with Mélanie. Seems, it’s really in her life to keep her calmness. To build some habit, and keep the habit in health. In this over-stressed, over-socialized world, we all could learn how to “run” long way.
Thank you so much, Mélanie for sharing! So nice to have time together, always!
Get inspired by Mélanie @melanierel
What catches your eyes when you walk around in the city?
I fell in love with one picture during the photowalk I joined. It was a black and white photo, just one building in it. When the photographer of that photo walked in, with his warm smile, I wondered about him and the picture. The “alone-ness and the connection” in the picture, where it comes from? So, here it is. I went to Rotterdam to see the photographer, Jorri to see his city. Let’s see wha we can see through his lenses.
Thank yo, Jorri for taking me to see the wonderland, within the city!
Get inspired by Jorri @jorri_photo
What we eat goes into our bodies. So the foods didn’t ended up into our bodies, where they go into?
Andres - Roots, Rice & Beans creates the tasteful vegetables and the foods from their farm in Amsterdam West, where they use the compost they’ve made with the ”food wastes“ which they collect from the local restaurants and the cafes in Amsterdam. I’ve seen them collecting the “coffee waste” from the cafe, and got curious. So I visited their farm for the vegetables and now I’m fan of their vegetables. Now days, we are more careful with foods, what we put on our plates, especially about the sustainability. How about the foods, which didn’t ended up on our plates? Let’s put it on the table to talk about it.
Thank you, Andres, for sharing your knowledge and time with me! It was truly full of nutrition for my mind and heart!
Get inspired by Andres @rootsriceandbeans | https://rootsricebeans.com
What and How we preserve the moments?
I have wanted to sit down with Nuno to listen to his “geeky” stories since I met him during the photowalk. He gave a lecture about his project of making a battery for Polaroid. Although I didn’t understand much about his project (because of my lack of knowledge), I got so inspired by Nuno bringing his experiences and knowledges to make A BATTERY for just one Polaroid. Maybe making that battery, the Polaroid matters to only him in this world, but that’s exactly why I have this podcast to hear about that. Also Nuno is now one of my favorite photographer that somehow I feel like I’m not alone in the world about how I feel about myself and the world, when I’m looking at his photos. Let’s step into his world.
Thank you Nuno, for so much joy listening and talking with you! I couldn’t stop giggling!
Get inspired by @nuno_das_fotos | https://nunocruz.photo | You are not alone zine
What do we find when we are in the outside of our own cultures?
I feel talking with Katie is one of the journeyes that we all can go far and deeper. The light on that path is the intelligence, curiosity, joy, and her warm smile. I’ve met Katie for her study, the cultural psychology. As the person who is in the different culture from own, it‘s been always interesting to talk with her, to ask her, and to hear her thoughts. So, I’m excited to be able to share a bit of what we talk almost all the time. Let’s explore with us.
Thank you, Katie for always always generous to answer my questions and thoughts, and enjoying time together!
Get inspired by Katie @kt_micl
Da, da, da, daaaaan! Here we are again!
It’s been three months since I started this podcast. 3 months, 15 episodes, 15 nerds! (We don’t count me as a nerd yet.) I knew I would love doing this, but I didn’t expect this much. So, this is a little bit of my side, how it’s been for me.
Thank you so so so SO much for everyone who had the coffee with me, and all the people who tuned in from the all over the world.
Talks Around the Coffee Cups @talks.around.coffee.cups | Chië @chloeplants
I have bought a textbook to learn Chinese, decades ago. (and felt it’s impossible to learn!)
Mike has been my (very very VERY patient) Dutch teacher nearly a year now. Interesting about us is that he has been in Taiwan with speaking Mandarin Chinese fluently, and me in the Netherlands with my little Dutch. Just as opposite. We often talk about the East Asian language, cultures, as well as Dutch (Europe) cultures. It’s really interesting that we are someone who are something “between” the totally different cultures and languages. Let’s see the language which I felt like “impossible to learn”.
*Another virtual coffee meeting!
Thank you Mike, for such a fun chat, and always being so good teacher!
How to be the top in the category? Make your category!
James is a London-based cyclist, who is simply “one and only”. He has challenged the endurance cycling races with his Brompton, which is small folding bicycle. He just finished another endurance race, so of course I wanted to talk with him about it! Oh, you know, I wonder what people who make Brompton think about what James does, sometimes.
Thank you James, for taking me along for your adventure, and making me laugh so much talking about it!
*This is my first “long distance coffee, aka virtual coffee meeting”!
Follow the adventure https://www.jameshouston.com | @jim_london
Well… I don’t have any stories to tell…. Really?
Fouad is the witty, warm-heart storyteller, I absolutely enjoy talking with. He has also guided many people to tell their stories in the Netherlands and abroad. For me, there are something magical about him, like whenever I need a little bit of the space for catching myself, somehow he’s appeared with the coffee. I can feel his heart in his words, always makes me smile, laugh, sometimes tears, and get me back to my life again. Here is the story for you, everyone.
Thank you, Fouad for letting me touch the beauties of storytelling!
Share stories @flakbir
How many of us actually follow the passion?
Ania is an amazing painter who has decided to let her passion taking her to the unknown. We sat down for the coffees, and talked about her journey to get there, and her journey ahead of her, very very vulnerably. What if we follow the passion within us, what if we let our creativity have the space to bloom. Is it scary? Is it difficult? Or is it…? If you have the same questions as me, here is Ania’s story for you.
Thank you, Ania for being so honest and sharing your story with me! It was definitely the beautiful time that I spent with you.
Follow her journey @seneg.art
Listen to this episode, if you are heading to the journey.
Floor is one of my morning coffee regulars that I see almost every morning. Then, when I don’t see her in the morning, she is somewhere far, in the beautiful scenery with her bicycle. When I first asked her that I want to have a chat with her about the cycling, I knew it would be more than just the chat about cycling, because she has that sparkles inside of her, that we all can feel it when I see her every time. But I didn’t know where I was heading…
Thank you, Floor for sharing such an inspiring story with me, and taking me to the journey!
Get inspired @veegens
Can you name all the plants you have in your house?
Romy is a florist in my favorite flower shop, Mooi Anders Bloemen. Her instagram is full of the knowledges and tips for successfully taking care of the various plants. I mean, A LOT of kinds of plants! For me, it’s so fun to have someone like Romy to get excited about the plants with, sharing pictures of own collections, and giggling about it! Definitely that is one of joy being a plants nerd! So, how many plants do you have, Romy?
Thank you, Romy, for taking time with me to chat before your work! I enjoyed your story so much!
*Maybe easier to listen through the speaker, not with the earphones, since the birds behind were excited as we were!
Get inspired by Romy @groen_geluk_
Finally, my absolute coffee buddy! (Yes, I’m aware that I’m very excited and talkative, sorry!)
Ari is definitely the good proper nerd, that I have always enjoyed the coffee time together. We always talk about just the small things we found, and that’s one of the big reasons why I have started this podcast! His curiosity and enthusiasm for the daily life objects, and collecting them into his lifestyle always inspire me. When I asked him to have a chat for this podcast, he said he cannot choose just one topic, but that’s exactly what I love about him. There are so many beautiful things in the world to enjoy, and Ari knows that, and enjoys that.
Thank you, Ari for always making my coffee time so much joy! I always cannot stop laughing around you!
Be curious with Ari https://www.aridanmecava.com | @aridanmecava
I know nothing about the coffee. But I think the baristas are my gurus, often.
Jasper is definitely my and everyone’s favorite barista, and I have always wondered, is anything, any fields he hasn’t explored yet. There are always something new to talk with him, and with his coffee in my hands, talking with him is definitely my favorite time in my week. Just so you know, at the moment of the recording, we already talked nearly few hours before I actually hit the “recording”. Talks around the coffee cups, finally talking about the coffee. (Be sure, I know nothing about the coffee!)
Thank you, Jasper for good coffee always, and thank you for sharing your knowledge and your stories!
Have a good coffee moment with @friedhatsfukucafe | @jasper_de_waal
You may want to have a glass of the wine on you side for this episode!
Laura has kept my Wednesday mornings always like a warm sunny day with her heartwarming smile and her heartsparkling coffee (even it’s the gray-sky day as often Amsterdam is). Turns out, the coffee is not the only passion she has. Natural wine! Oh, Natural wine, I‘ve heard of it, yes, I have had a bit…. But what is it? I was a bit intimidated to ask her to talk about it, because I have absolutely no idea, but her answer was the big smile! So here it is!
Thank you! Laura for sharing your knowledges and passion. The vibe!
Get inspired @laurapeach
So, I found out the breads from my favorite bakers fill my belly and heart with the joy, but also fill my mind with the wisdom!
Yoeri and Elin own my favorite bakery, Ulmus Bakkerij in Amsterdam. Every Saturday evening, I wait for their newsletter sent into my email-box, just like the weekend newspaper sliding into the mailbox, and I take time to read the (nerdy) story around/in the bakery, and checkout the breads for the next week. Then the next week, on Wednesday, I pick up my treats, the freshly baked pastries and the sourdough breads. This has been my great joy in my Amsterdam-life for a year.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and wisdoms with me, also thank you so so so much when I came up with the idea of the podcast for the first time, you encouraged me so warmly. Without you, there would be no ”talks around the coffee cups”. Thank you!
Check out Ulmus Bakkerij https://www.ulmusbakkerij.nl | @ulmus_bakkerij
Well, the sheep would not make us sleepy, actually it’s a quite opposite!
Luz writes the patterns for crochet and knitting, also the inspiring craft-enthusiast. I have walked around Amsterdam with her, the coffees in our hands, talking about yarns. AND just so you know, after this recording, we actually went to yarn-shopping straight away, with coffees in our hands.
Thank you so much, Luz for sharing your passions for the crafts. (And coincidentally, this episode publishing day is her first vaccination! Woo-Hoo!)
Get inspired by Luz! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LuzPatterns | @luzpatterns
May is my favorite month because everything starts blooming!
Dennis is the owner of my favorite flower shop “Mooi Anders Bloemen“, the beautiful shop I stepped in on my way to have a coffee. It’s been more than two years since then, I have been there because it’s so fun to talk with Dennis. I have learned so much about plants through Dennis and deepen my love for plants! It’s two plants lovers being nerdy, yes.
Thank you so much, Dennis for fun chat! Caudex, terrarium, aquascaping … More world to explore.
Check out Mooi Anders Bloemen https://www.mooianders.info | @mooiandersbloemen
My first guest, everybody!
William is an American photographer based in Amsterdam, who I met in front of our favorite cafe. (And we have always found each other queuing up there.)
I am a big fan of his work, portraits. Also I happened to be in one of his projects. I know William is the person with the curiosity, and I’m curious about his curiosity for others and the world. So here it is.
Thank you so much, William for letting me be so curious, and asking the questions!
Check out William’s work! https://www.wlounsbury.com | @will_louns
Hello, world. It’s me! Introducing myself who believes “I’m not a nerd enough!”, but I would like to tell you a bit of myself and why I have this podcast, a little bit.
Chië @chloeplants
Welcomed to “Talks around the coffee cups”. Here is my introduction/invitation for you to join my coffees.