TO TEA TOGETHER

*UPDATE* TO TEA TOGETHER podcast is taking a short intermission for Summer 2021. We'll be right back in the Fall with more amazing content and guests. During this time, our host, Will Liu– will be pursuing a 9-week Teashop Research project, observing artisanal/Chinese teashops across Canada and the U.S. 

Stay tuned! As we will be having some amazing guests on the podcast when we resume again in the Fall! 

Dean Wahle is the founder and designer of the clothing brand Matik Boston. Dean is currently a rising-junior at Wake Forest University studying computer science. In this episode, we brew some Yunnan black and iron goddess tea to discuss the motivation, mindset, and process of pursuing a passion in entrepreneurship and clothing design. Dean shares the origin story of Matik Boston and his clothing production journey that started in the junior year of high school. When Dean started his journey in clothing production, he was so inspired by Kanye West and the streetwear culture, he decided to learn everything by doing! 

We also share our insights on The Alchemist, written by Paul Coelho, as the book has been a huge inspiration for Dean in pursuing his Personal Legend. Throughout quarantine, Dean had much time to self-reflect and he shares how he has become more spiritual and begun incorporating mindful practices such as meditation and tea in his life.      

MATIK X TO TEA TOGETHER Apparel Collaboration

As part of the release for this episode, MATIK BOSTON and TO TEA TOGETHER has collaborated on an apparel line selling t-shirts and hoodies. The design philosophy of this collaboration depicts Steve (Matik mascot) pouring himself tea from a gaiwan. However, the tea is overflowing from the teacup because Steve is an AI robot that learns as he goes. Brewing tea is new to Steve therefore, he is bound to make mistakes.

PURCHASE MATIK X TO TEA TOGETHER MERCH: https://matikboston.com/

Dan is the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Tea Journey Magazine, one of the largest and most authoritative tea publishers on artisanal tea and in the tea industry. Dan is also the founder and podcast host of the Tea Biz Blog and Tea Biz Podcast, offers insight in real-time for beverage professionals scanning daily news items about their trade. With over 40 years working in the journalism space, having managed multiple magazines and publishing companies including STIR Coffee and Tea International, Natural Food Network, and Speciality Coffee Retailer to name a few. Dan is a veteran journalist to say the least. Now, Dan has shifted his focus to the tea industry and is using his ample experience to grow Tea Journey Magazine and the Tea Biz Blog and Tea Biz Podcast. 

In this episode, Dan shares his insight on the tea industry and what many tea farmers, large and small, need to focus on– which is to produce more artisanal quality tea. Furthermore, Dan shares his experience from running coffee to liqueur to tea magazines and what makes tea such a unique industry to report and publish on. Finally, Dan discusses with us his personal experience with tea specifically, the importance of going from unconscious to conscious tea drinking and putting finer quality tea in perspective compared to commodity tea. 

This episode is simply a MUST LISTEN for tea industry professionals and for any tea enthusiast wanting to learn more about the tea industry and tea culture as a whole! 

Subscribe to Tea Journey Magazine: https://teajourney.pub/
Check out Dan's work at Tea Biz: https://tea-biz.com/ 

What are the biggest sustainable issues among students on Wake Forest campus? How do we make change as individuals? 

On our 2nd episode of SustainabiliTEA, Roxie sits down with some of campus’s top sustainability leaders to discuss all things sustainability from public policy to sustainable clothing to campus sustainability concerns! Tune-in to this conversation with representatives from campus organizations; Greeks Go Green, Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Leadership Group, and Wayward Fashion. 

On this exciting episode, Wake Forest middle-distance runner Aleeya Hutchins and personal trainer Virginia Wooten join us on our podcast again to discuss the importance of mental health and fitness while discussing challenges and overcoming these challenges as female atheletes and fitness trainers. 

Aleeya Hutchins is currently a sophomore at Wake Forest who is on the track & field team. She is also the host of "Tap In" where she have conversations with other student-athletes and professional athletes on their experiences and as athletes. 

Virginia Wooten is currently a sophomore at Wake Forest who just recently attained her ACE certification for personal training and is putting that to good use. She and her friend has started the campus's only female weightlifting club, "Athenas", where she is bringing women together to strengthen and feel like their most confident selves! 

Elyse Petersen is the Founder of Tealet, a transparent supply chain for independent tea producers to share information and do efficient trade with the international tea market. She began her studies in tea in Hawaii and Japan and has now works with tea growers, tea producers, tea artists, and tea businesses throughout the globe. With her experience as a food scientist and Peace Corps volunteer (international development) her focus is on uplifting the sustainability and economic potential for independent tea producers through high quality tea production. 

In this episode, she speaks on the economic, social, and agricultural issues of sustainability surrounding the world of tea. She also shares her insight on where the future of artisanal tea is heading as a growing culture and growing industry. 

Follow Elyse on her platforms:
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/tealettea
Instagram – @tealettea 

Checkout her websites:
Tealet – https://tealet.com/
Tea and Its People – https://teaanditspeople.com/

Welcome to our new sub-series we are starting with Catherine Guo and Weihan Wang called "Asian-American & Asian in America"

The essence of this series is to celebrate and share our Asian heritage by discussing topics and issues that shape our identity as Asian-Americans and Asians living in America. Through our conversations over gongfu tea, we hope to bridge the cultural gap between American-born Chinese and international Chinese students. Please tune-in to our first episode from this series as the 3 of us share our unique experiences and forming our identities in America. 

*One episode each month will be dedicated to this series.

Follow us on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/toteatogether/
https://www.instagram.com/caguooo/
https://www.instagram.com/wangweihan_/

In our Part 2 episode with Roxie and Virginia, our conversation gets deep. We share from our own perspectives and experiences what confidence is, how to develop confidence, embracing the hardships and difficult emotions instead of suppressing them, and practicing gratitude. The episode finishes with a special message in which we all share how tea has affected each of our lives and why tea is the ultimate facilitation to meaningful conversations. 

In this episode, Virginia Wooten and Roxie Ray from Wake Forest join us to discuss what sustainable fashion is and why it's important. From the intensive wastes and resources used within the "fast fashion" industry, sustainable fashion explores the ways of limiting one's negative impact and simultaneously, providing itself as an avenue for self-expression. Self-expression through thrifting cultivates individualness, agency, and most of all, it is fun! Tune-in to this episode as we also discuss how to visually express yourself authentically and creatively with confidence.

Brew some tea! We are celebrating the diversity of tea culture as Virginia, Roxie, and Will all brew teas from their own unique culture. 

Check them out on IG:
Virginia Wooten – @virginiawooten
Roxie Ray – @roxie_ozra

She is very REAL about “helping you find your style” and with big dreams of starting her own fashion brand one day, Charlize is building herself a platform on TikTok and Instagram with her fashion videos. Having just started her content creating journey in the middle of 2020, Charlize has already amassed a following of over 669M followers on TikTok and over 30k on Instagram. Very impressive to say the least. This is the result of hard work, consistency, and passion. In this episode, we start by discussing her tiktok content creating process, how she finds her style, the difference between fashion & style, confidence and passion building, keeping a healthy relationship with social media, the art of self-expression through style, and developing creativity. To close everything off, we discuss being Asian-Americans and the identity formation process from initially rejecting our cultural roots to appreciating and learning more about our Asian culture in America. We briefly discuss the future of the Asian-American identity and how we can use our passion and creativity to establish a presence to be proud of our true identity­­.

Follow Charlize on Instagram and TikTok– @charxstyle

Charlize's Podcast– @TotallyUnexpectedPodcast

Jaylen Hudson is a linebacker for Wake Forest University's Football team. In this episode,  we dive deep into the game of football and how it's like art. Jaylen's mentality is so clear and it shows in this conversation his passion and love for the game. This episode is a must listen, no doubt! 

Eric Bae is a graduate student at Wake Forest University who has been playing on Wake Forest Men’s Golf team for the last 4 years. In this episode, we are brewing some fine puerh-stuffed tangerine tea that is fueling our conversation about the game of golf and the intricate mentality that is behind his game.

Topics in our conversation includes performing under pressure, becoming mentally stronger through competitions, shifting from a golf-oriented to process oriented mindset, and not associating results with who you are. Golf is a game that requires mental fortitude and many aspects of the game can be applied to life.

“Results don’t come as quickly as you expect them to but, as long as you are working on the right stuff, results will eventually come.”

Eric is currently ranked #32 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and is seeking to turn pro soon. Tune-in to this episode to learn more.

A senior from Wake Forest and the goalie of the Men’s Soccer team, Dominic shared his journey prior to coming to Wake and playing with the San Jose Earthquakes and training with Argentina’s National team, alongside some great legends such as Messi, Arguero, and Di Maria. Dominic shares his identity as beyond just a “Student and Athlete” and how yerba mate has contributed to his global perspective and growth. 

Dominic will be pursuing a Masters in International Relations in South America as he continues to explore more about Latin culture.

The TTT hosts, William and Crawford sat-down and chatted over some tea with Wake Forest Track and Field star, Aleeya Hutchins. She is a 1x All-American team winner of the ACC DMR (Distance Medley Relay) competition. In addition to holding the 3rd fastest 800m time in the history of the school, she earned a spot in the top 3 placing 3rd during her freshman year at the ACC Championship. Just as incredible as Aleeya is at her sport,  her mindset and self-discipline are like none other.

In this episode, we chatted about the culture here in the U.S. and comparing that to home in Canada. In addition, Aleeya shares her experience and lessons so far as a student-athlete and dive deeper into the importance of creating purpose to live a fulfilling life. Aleeya is currently on track for presenting Canada in the next summer Olympics. 

This is the first episode to our new series, "Athletes and Tea." 

Please also visit our YouTube channel to view this episode in video format!
Link: https://youtu.be/RRHfvNPeFwo 

In this episode, Jeff shares a little bit about tea from Paraguay, tereré, and his experience moving to Canada from Paraguay. Jeff, Mo, and Will also discuss the expectation and reality of coming to Canada, more specifically to, Richmond Hill, Ontario. Further discussion about sports influence on shaping one’s character and talks about the game of golf.

Will, Mo, and Collin sit down around a table of tea as they chat about their own experiences with software programming. 

Interested in studying computer science? Collin shares his experience with software development as a rising-sophomore at the University of Toronto. Will shares his experience and reflections with a failed idea and app. Mo learns about the difference between IOS and Android development from Collin.

On this week’s episode, Leo and Will keep slurping and slurping. And the sweats keep dripping and dripping. As they continue their conversation with tea brewed in-between, the friends share some thoughts on what they have a love for. Will shares a little background about tea and Leo shares his love and vision with his camera work.

A podcast capturing all the moments and discussions happening around tea. A platform where tea is not the central topic, but the vessel, to meaningful and thoughtful conversations. 

Tea will become the beverage of choice for all people. Best believe it! Join us each week for insightful conversations! 

As an audience of this podcast, please have this question in the back of your mind as you listen through this episode: 

How do we find content and satisfaction in our lives? 

Join Mo, Jack, and Will as they share and discuss their experience throughout their first year in university. This conversation around tea involves the importance of passion and having a strong mental fortitude. 

Welcome to Episode 1 of To Tea Together. 

In this episode, four friends of unique backgrounds and personalities are gathered to tea together. Samuel, Armin, Will, and Mo share some laughters while discussing the importance of slowing down, cultivating a sense of self-awareness,  and sharing stories of our upbringing. The teas shared in this episode includes Tangerine Stuffed with Ripe-Puerh and Ghol Gav Zaban (Borage tea) of Persian culture.