In this special morning edition of ThunderCast, Chris sits down with Abdullah Ramay, CEO of Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters, to grind through the big questions in leadership, business, AI, and, of course coffee. Abdullah’s obsession with craft, culture, and continuous learning turns this casual chat into a masterclass on building resilient, human-centric businesses in an era of rapid change.
1. Coffee Economics 101 (Without Putting You to Sleep)
- Why global coffee prices have skyrocketed and why your $5 flat white might still be too cheap.
- The difference between commodity and specialty coffee (spoiler: Arabica snobs, you’re not wrong).
- How climate, supply chains, and consumer expectations are reshaping the coffee industry.
2. Product, Service, Experience… Emotion?
- Coffee as a ritual, not just a beverage.
- The four lenses every business should use to evaluate their offering.
- The surprising power of a good cup and why it’s not about caffeine.
3. Obsession > Passion: The Case for Caring Too Much
- Why great leaders are often slightly obsessed (in the best way).
- How motivation can be cultivated and why your team’s energy is contagious.
- Why sweeping the floors still matters, even when you’re CEO.
4. Human Touch in a Robotic World
- What AI could mean for the hospitality industry — from barista bots to emotion-aware service.
- The risk of replacing connection with convenience.
- Why 'made by humans' might be the next premium feature.
5. Scaling Culture Without Burning the Beans
- Why great founders must build great leaders.
- How to keep your values intact while growing the business.
- The delicate balance between indoctrination and inspiration.
6. Technology, Transformation & Tinkering With the Future
- Why some businesses are stuck bolting AI onto broken systems.
- Why innovation should start now—not after your ERP upgrade.
- Build the laser, then the Death Star: how to experiment at low risk and high reward.
7. The Secret Sauce? Curiosity
- Abdullah’s self-confessed superpower: an unstoppable urge to learn.
- Why curiosity might be the only long-term career hack that matters.
