
Living Full Kombucha Podcast
By Living Full Kombucha
This is her verbal journal of all she encounters with an open invitation to connect with fellow brewers, teachers, and entrepreneurs alike!
livingfullkombucha.com

Living Full Kombucha PodcastApr 17, 2023

We're Moving!! Taproom is Coming!
Yes! It's true!!! We are moving to a new space where we can expand production and open the doors to our inclusive taproom! *Insert cartwheel!* Check out this week's episode where we chat how we found the new space and what is to come next for Living Full!
Let's connect!
Email: Livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com
Cheers and thank you so much for listening!
Lydia

Are We Growing Too Fast?
A messy verbal journey entry expressing my thoughts on a question swirling through my head during this season, which is, "Are we growing too fast?" Drinking game option: One shot of kombucha every time I reference, "flying by the seat of my pants."
*EDIT: I misspoke on the origin of Zappa Hops (and even said "Zappos once, yikes). Zappa™ is a native, North American, Humulus lupulus variety, neomexicanus, recovered from the wild in New Mexico and named after counterculture icon Frank Zappa. :)
Hops used in March Kombucha Hops series: Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, and Zappa Hops
Let's connect! I would love to "meet" you!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

We are Turning 2!
Woah!! We are on the eve of our two year business anniversary! We reflect on some business wins during 2022 and goal set for 2023.
Thanks for another incredible year!
-Lydia
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

Well That Was Unexpected
I was dealt quite a curveball that was unexpected. Join me as I explain how I navigated and am still navigating what's next for Living Full!
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Cheers and thanks so much for listening!
Lydia

We Hired Someone + Market Duds
We have hired someone to our team! What are their job duties and roles plus a discussion on our busy month of markets and what we have learned after attending a few market "duds."
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com
Instagram: @livingfullkombucha
Cheers and thank you for listening!
Lydia

Leaving My Girls
Do I take vacations? How do I step away during this season of my journey? Come join me as I chat about leaving my fermenters aka "my girls" while I go away on a few days vacation and what that looks like logistically as well as some raw thoughts on how leaving/taking a break affects me mentally.

It Wasn't Always Kombucha
Travel back 2 years with me as I discuss my transition from one career to the next and all the other businesses I tried out before landing on pursuing and producing kombucha.
Let's Connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

Why Shrubs in a Kombucha Business?
What are shrubs and why did I choose to add a shrub to my kombucha business.
Some awesome shrub books on shrubs and apple cider vinegar:
Shrubs: An Old Fashioned Drink for Modern Times Wild Drinks & Cocktails: Handcrafted Squashes, Shrubs, Switchels, Tonics, and Infusions to Mix at Home The Healing Powers of Vinegar - (3rd edition): The Healthy & Green Choice For Overall Health and ImmunityLet's connect!
livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com
Cheers and thanks for listening!
Lydia

Symbiosis Fermenter Update
An update on how my transition to larger fermenters and new brewing equipment has been going and what I would like to change if I were to design my own symbiosis fermenter.
Let's connect!
livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

"Now I Know I Don't Like Kombucha"
As much as we want everyone to enjoy kombucha, it is not always for everyone. Come with me to the farmers markets as I candidly discuss instances when people did NOT like our kombucha and how I handled their responses.
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Cheers!
Lydia

Dating My SCOBY
Working with a SCOBY is truly like being in a relationship. Listen in to hear my brewing practices of how I define and cultivate my SCOBY to create my best brews as I begin to scale in production
Mentioned in this episode:
Barefoot Blonde FarmsLet's Connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com
Cheers to Living Full!
Lydia

All Things Farmers Markets
Outdoor season begins this week! I chat about what I bring to farmers markets and share my farmers market "spiel" for different types of customers.
Items discussed in this episode:
10x10 Tent (Comes with weights and carry case) Table Cloths Tables Signs Chalkboard Sign Large Coolers 4 and 6 pack recyclable holders Cornelius Keg Cooler and Ice Wrap Compostable Plastic Cups and Sipping Lids Square Reader (Comes with Magstripe) Square Reader Case Cash Box 1 oz Sampling Cups with lids Plastic Ice Cubes Folding CartOther Miscellaneous Items: Trash can/trash bags, scissors, pens small table signs, props
Let's Connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Instagram/Facebook: @livingfullkombucha
Cheers!
Lydia

Produce Produce Produce!
It seems like I am on an endless cycle of production with no end in sight. Let's chat about some raw of my feelings and some ways I am helping myself tackle this season in my business.
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

Scaling Scaries
A real time conversation about how we are doubling production, learning new equipment, and how I may have a new tattoo.
Connect with us:
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Kombucha Business
We just finished a year in business! We thought what not a better time than to reflect and share things we have learned over the past year and created a top 10 list of things we wish we knew before jumping into business AND also found it fitting to debut our new podcast name the "Living Full Kombucha Podcast!" (Formerly Teacher Turned Alchemist).
Let's connect:---livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com
Instagram/Facebook: @livingfullkombucha
Cheers!

Ep 21: Winter Sales
I chat how my first winter in business is going and what I am doing to try to boost sales as well as how I continue to expand the business in this slower season.
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: livingfullkombucha.com

Ep. 20: Tips on Finding a Commercial Kitchen
HOLY EDIT: I forgot to mention cooler space! Face palm* But make sure you have designated cooler space for all your kegs and bottles! You can never have too much cooler space. :)
In this episode, I go into detail about how I found my commercial kitchens to brew from, chat budgeting, and some tips on how to visualize your space.
Let's connect!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Instagram: @livingfullkombucha
Website: livingfullkombucha.com

Ep 19: The Messy Beautiful Middle
This "middle" part of the journey is tough and yet beautiful. Chatting about how things are going both in the physical operations and how I'm doing mentally.

Ep: 18: Tasting All The Booch
I laid back episode in which I bring on to the pod a very special guest to try all the kombucha and give honest feedback on what we try.
*Note: All kombuchas we try are found and based in the United States.
livingfullkombucha.com
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

Ep. 17: All Things Flavoring
How do I come up with my kombucha flavors? Do I flavor in kegs? Where do I get my ingredients? Check it out in this months episode!
R's Koso Japanese Natural Enzyme Concentrate Discount Code: LFK10
Connect with me! Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: Livingfullkombucha.com

Ep. 16-The Big Dump
Allllll the booch had to go down the drain. It hurts even typing that. Listen to what happened and how I am tackling and solving the problems.
Livingfullkombucha.com
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Local delivery in Southeast Wisconsin
Cheers!
Empress Roots: Empressroots.com
R. Koso Japanese Superfood Fermented Concentrate

Ep 15: Growing Out my Britches!
We moved to a larger location and are selling and selling! It's an exciting time learning about supply and demand.
Cody Pickett--Artist for Living Full Kombucha Labels: @codiaccreative "Cody Codiac Pickett"
Contact me at: Livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Follow us at @livingfullkombucha

Ep. 14: On Money and Finances
Megasode that covers my start up costs, ongoing costs, and how I am currently paying for the business.
I wanted to be transparent and understand that this is not an exact roadmap for anyone to follow, but this is my journey and I wanted to share it with you to encourage you if you are looking to start something of your own.
Cheers!
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Website: Livingfullkombucha.com

Ep. 13: Doubling Up
We are selling and it's time to double up our production! We chat about what that looks like and our upcoming farmers market season!
Check us out online: Livingfullkombucha.com
Email: Livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Cheers! Live Full.

Ep. 12: We are LIVE, folks!
Yes, you heard it right, we are selling our kombucha online! Hear about the bumps in the road to get there and about ANOTHER product we will be selling alongside our kombucha. We feel this is a great way to enter into season 2 of the pod. Cheers!
website: livingfullkombucha.com
email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com

Ep. 11: Why is There Sugar in Kombucha?
Let's tackle some questions about sugar and its role in kombucha. Why is it necessary? How much is in each bottle? Should you drink if you have diabetes? How can I figure out which brand is best while shopping? All this and more on this week's episode.
Our business name has changed!!
Living Full Kombucha has a new home over at livingfullkombucha.com
Email livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Instagram @livingfullkombucha
Type 2 Diabetes Journal Article

Ep. 10: Scrapping the Business Name
A lot has happened and I'm close to selling, but before selling comes the hard questions and challenging myself on my WHY before moving forward again.
Website: livingsimplelivingfull.com (for now!)
Email: livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com (for now!)

Ep. 9: Fermenters, Finances, and Food Certifications
New fermenters are here! Updates on renting a commercial kitchen, how in the world I am paying for this on a shoestring budget, and several chats with the health department I didn't know I needed to have to make legal booch. Cheers!
website: livingsimplelivingfull.com
email me at livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram and Facebook

Ep. 8: A Yes Among the No's
My first pod episode without writing a script and winging it as I discuss how the amount of "no's" I am getting from people have tried to get me down.
Join our email club on our website to know when we can officially sell: Livingsimplelivingfull.com
Email: livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com

Ep. 7: Productivity Guilt
Ever have that nagging feeling that you should be doing more? Productivity guilt is REAL and I am sharing my first hand accounts of how I am learning to deal with it in this new season of me being my own boss.
Join me!
Instagram: @livingsimplelivingfullkombucha
email: livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com
Join my email club for up to date info of when kombucha will be live to sell!

Ep. 6: Blast you Alcohol
My little friend alcohol tries to meddle in my kombucha business.
Headspace Gas Chromatography Diagram and explanation
Advanced Analytical Research Lab (AAR Labs)
Email: Livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com
Website: Livingsimplelivingfull.com
Facebook-Living Simple Living Full Kombucha
Instagram: @livingsimplelivingfullkombucha

Ep. 5: How my Enneagram Type is Trying to Mess up the Business
"Certain personality types should not own businesses." After seeing this on a blog post during a mindless scrolling lunch break, Lydia decides to explore her own personality type, discuss different personality assessments like the Enneagram, and decide whether or not her dominant personality type has doomed her entrepreneur path.
UGH: Sorry for slight audio differences in this episode--all part of the learning process, and it's the content that matters, right?! Thanks for your patience as my audio/voice fluctuates a few times in the episode...Cheers!
Website: Livingsimplelivingfull.com
Email: Livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com

Ep. 4: Disability is Not a Bad Word
In this week's episode I go over my thoughts on the term "disability" and how I am not ashamed to admit that as an entrepreneur, I am still learning and in need of more knowledge on understanding how to help and come alongside the disabled community to push equal rights for all forward as I strive to create an inclusive business.
EDIT to this episode: I mentioned that I apologized about being frustrated after seeing how people in the disabled community are treated, but I do NOT want to apologize, as it is very appropriate to be frustrated as we (and I am apart of the "we") have a lot of work to do toward this goal of inclusivity and equal rights, and I want to use my frustration to only continue to further myself as I learn and seek out ways in which I can give my time and money toward change. I left that segment in to show that I am still human and continuing to learn.
Organizations and People to check out and give toward:
Squirmy and Grubs Youtube Channel (Shane and Hannah-):
Laughing at my Nightmare-(Provides equipment grants to those with muscular dystrophy)
Bif in Medias Res- Blog by college acquaintance, Sydney Chasteen, who opened my eyes to the hashtag #disabilitiestwitter and identity first language.
Inspired Coffee-Lake Geneva, WIYoutube Ted Talks:
"I am not your Inspiration Thank you Very Much"-Stella Young Haben -"Why I work to Remove Access barrier for Students with Disabilities" "Unforgotten"-Willowbrook DocumentaryWebsite:livingsimplelivingfull.com
Contact me at livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com

Ep. 3: What Is Kombucha?
Today we are digging into all things kombucha! I am sharing what kombucha is, how to make it, and what health benefits you may see after drinking it.
History of Kombucha-3:46
What is Kombucha made of-9:00
Health benefits-21:02
Join me on my journey!
Website: Livingfullkombucha.com
Email: livingfullkombucha@gmail.com
Sources:
"The Big Book of Kombucha: Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea"--Hannah Crum and Alex LaGory
"Long before U.S. hipsters discovered it, kombucha was a staple in Russia. It’s making a comeback"-LA Times May 2018

Ep. 2: 7 Years to Become a Master
Officially unemployed and sharing solid progress made thus far along with musings on becoming a master of a craft.
Check me out: livingsimplelivingfull.com Email me: livingsimplelivingfull@gmail.com

Ep.1: It Wasn't Supposed to End This Way
Raw thoughts on how COVID-19 ruined the end of my teaching career.

Introductions are in Order
Quick summary of and warm introduction to my new chapter in life!