Ben Callahan shares his journey and passion for coffee, a fascination that began in childhood. This curiosity led him to explore the science behind coffee preparation, and his quest for the perfect cup of coffee led him to experiment with various brewing methods, equipment, and even water quality. Throughout the conversation, Ben emphasizes his love for sharing coffee with others and his enjoyment of both the ritualistic and authentic aspects of coffee culture, highlighting his deep passion, continuous learning, and exploration within that world.

Guest Bio

Ben Callahan (he/him) founded Sparkbox in 2009 with a mission to build a better web. He has helped lead and grow the organization while they work alongside clients like Gap, The Oklahoma City Thunder, and Stanford University. He’s focused his energy most recently on developing a maturity model for design systems, articulating the anatomy of design systems, and chronicling his findings about workplace culture in the tech space. When not knee-deep in these explorations with others, Ben is a father, partner, poet, and home barista. His personal motto is, “Stay in learning mode” and this helps him to remember that every interaction is an opportunity to grow.

Links

Espresso Vivace: https://espressovivace.com/

Bialette Moka Express: https://www.bialetti.com/it_en/moka-express.html

Hario v60: https://www.hario-usa.com/products/v60-coffee-dripper-02-ceramic

Kalita Wave flat bottom brewer: https://kalitausa.com/collections/waves-series

Flair Lever Espresso Maker: https://flairespresso.com/

Bellman Stovetop Steamer: https://bellmanespresso.com/products/bellman-stovetop-steamer-50ss

Comandante hand grinders: https://www.comandantegrinder.com/

Niche coffee grinder: https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/

Fellow Opus grinder: https://fellowproducts.com/products/opus-coffee-grinder?variant=41510665715812

Acaia coffee scales: https://acaia.co/collections/coffee-scales

PRESS Coffee in Dayton Ohio: https://www.pressdayton.com/

Wood Burl Coffee Roasters in Dayton Ohio: https://www.woodburlcoffee.com/

Ben’s site: bencallahan.com

Ben’s company: sparkbox.com

Credits

Cover design by Raquel Breternitz.