<![CDATA[Matt Haze: Coffee Shop Convos]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-_BI!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4dc89e98-b51f-480e-94d7-b8b69b61c626_500x500.pngMatt Haze: Coffee Shop Convoshttps://coffeeshopconvos.comSubstackSun, 05 Apr 2026 18:02:52 GMT<![CDATA[So... what are you working on?]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/so-what-are-you-working-onhttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/so-what-are-you-working-onWed, 25 Mar 2026 22:06:57 GMT

If there’s one thing I’m known for, whether friends, family or strangers on the internet, it’s one thing: coffee. For years, I’ve worked from coffee shops in locations around the world. From New York City to San Juan to London to my current home base in Chicago. It’s the same rhythm everywhere: drip coffee with a splash of cream (stateside) or latte (international), my laptop open to “work” and the quiet hum of strangers doing their thing around me. It’s my thing. It’s my element. It’s what I love.

Over the years, I started noticing patterns amongst the strangers around me. The Elderly Regular, there everyday at 7am like clockwork. The Laptop Warrior working on something no one knows about yet. The Zoom Call T.M.I.’er, sharing more details about a secret work project to everyone around ‘em that don’t give a damn.

Thanks for reading Matt Haze: Coffee Shop Convos! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Every third space has its own energy, its own unspoken rules, its own cast.

I love talking to this cast of characters. I love finding what makes them tick. And the best part? People want to talk. People want to share what they’re building, why it matters, what brought them to this specific table on this specific Tuesday.

That’s Coffee Shop Convos. One question. Strangers. Third spaces. Short episodes filmed in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotel lobbies — anywhere people gather to work in public.

I’ve started to share some of the stories of unique coffee shop experiences already, check out the first two episodes…

FLAT WHITE OR F*CK OFF: The best pop up idea ever in the heart of London.

https://www.instagram.com/coffeeshop.convos/reel/DUGLnwuDHNy/

THE CHATTY CAFE SCHEME: A group of strangers meeting every week over coffee turning into friends - and a whole organization growing around the concept in the UK.

https://www.instagram.com/coffeeshop.convos/reel/DU3kavCjtN2/

New episodes and fun observations will come out on Instagram @coffeeshop.convos. Longer dispatches and insights will be here on Substack, so be sure to subscribe!

If you’ve ever worked next to a stranger and wondered what they were typing, I’m here to help you find out.

Onward!

Matt

Thanks for reading Matt Haze: Coffee Shop Convos! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #62: She Thanks Gen Z For Helping Her Find Parts of Herself Again]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-62-she-thanks-gen-z-forhttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-62-she-thanks-gen-z-forTue, 29 Jul 2025 17:54:28 GMTFrom a conversation in London earlier this year. Stranger #62, a millennial, works with Gen Z every day. She’s learned a lot about herself from them and thinks there’s a lot we can learn from this generation, if we take the time to listen.

Be sure to check out the new gomeetastranger.com!

Follow Matt on Instagram at instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #61: The Co-Founder of Carom Shares How To Share Your Interests With New People]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-61-the-co-founder-of-carom-c92https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-61-the-co-founder-of-carom-c92Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:58:32 GMTToday, the co-founder of Carom shares the story behind creating a platform designed to help people build meaningful, real-life connections through shared experiences and events. Born from a personal need for community and inspired by the disconnection felt during the pandemic, Carom facilitates organic meetups based on mutual interests—from opera nights to casual coffee meetups.

Learn more about Carom at https://www.carom.app/

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #60: From Grief to Giving - The Story Behind the Doolin Motorcycle Fest]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-60-from-grief-to-giving-cd3https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-60-from-grief-to-giving-cd3Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:12:27 GMTIn this episode of Meet a Stranger, Matt Haze sits down with a man whose life took a heartbreaking turn when he lost his wife to ovarian cancer at just 36 years old. What began as an Airbnb stay in Ireland turned into a deeply moving conversation about love, loss, and resilience. Despite his grief, he channeled his pain into purpose by creating the Doolin Motorcycle Festival, a charity event that has raised hundreds of thousands of euros for cancer support. This powerful story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the impact of living for those we've lost.

Learn more about the Doolin Motorcycle Fest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DoolinMotorcycleFest/

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Strangers #58 and 59: They Travel Thousands of Miles to Hold a Holiday Party with Strangers]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/strangers-58-and-59-they-travel-thousands-8f2https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/strangers-58-and-59-they-travel-thousands-8f2Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:04:00 GMTThey fly into Puerto Rico every Christmas to hold a holiday party with strangers. Why?

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

]]><![CDATA[I'm 42 and Ready to Make New Friends... and I Know I'm Not the Only One]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/im-42-and-ready-to-make-new-friends-fcehttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/im-42-and-ready-to-make-new-friends-fceMon, 03 Feb 2025 17:34:35 GMTAs I start the next chapter in my life, I'm craving something different - something REAL - a real community of friends. But how does one do that as we get older? Welcome to Meet a Stranger 2.0

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #57: A Makeup Artist Shares How She Gets Her Clients to Open Up and Connect]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-57-a-makeup-artist-shares-645https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-57-a-makeup-artist-shares-645Mon, 14 Oct 2024 22:16:13 GMTToday, a makeup artist shares what she does to get her clients to open up to her, and the answer is way more simple than you think.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #56: He's Turned His Sense of Curiosity Into His Superpower]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-56-hes-turned-his-sense-fe6https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-56-hes-turned-his-sense-fe6Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:00 GMTMeet Stranger #56. He's traveling the world, learning about strangers and learning about himself. He shares how his conversations with different people has taught him so much about himself.

Follow the pod on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #55: She Shares How She Took a Chance to Chat with a Stranger…]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-55-she-shares-how-she-took-10dhttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-55-she-shares-how-she-took-10dTue, 01 Oct 2024 01:09:05 GMTWe're back with a new season! To kick things off, you'll meet stranger #55 who recently shared her interaction with a stranger.

Follow the podcast on instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #54: They Share What Wedding Planning Has Taught Them about Themselves and Each Other]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-54-they-share-what-wedding-3d6https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-54-they-share-what-wedding-3d6Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:03:27 GMTA couple in suburban Chicago talk about their wedding planning and what they've learned about themselves and each other.

Follow Meet a Stranger on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #53: He Shares What He’s Learned About Himself After Moving to a New City]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-53-he-shares-what-hes-learned-435https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-53-he-shares-what-hes-learned-435Mon, 08 Jul 2024 21:31:00 GMTI met stranger #53 in Mexico City one morning. We chatted about how he always wanted to live abroad, and now he's doing it!

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #52: She Shares Why She’s Running for Public Office]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-52-she-shares-why-shes-running-effhttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-52-she-shares-why-shes-running-effWed, 19 Jun 2024 22:15:52 GMTShe's running for public office to change the world in her own neighborhood. She share why and why it's important to learn about the names on the ballot you might not recognize.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #51: She is Falling in Love with Her Puerto Rican Roots Again]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-51-she-is-falling-in-love-a16https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-51-she-is-falling-in-love-a16Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:14:50 GMTShe's been falling in love with her Puerto Rican roots all over again as she watches her family discover theirs.

Follow Meet a Stranger on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #50: Catching Up with Stranger #1, Who Went from a Stranger to My Girlfriend]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-50-catching-up-with-stranger-b4ehttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-50-catching-up-with-stranger-b4eWed, 28 Feb 2024 22:24:10 GMTToday we have a catch up chat with stranger #50, who is no longer a stranger, but my girlfriend, Kat.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #49: He Shares His Insight of America After Moving Here from France]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-49-he-shares-his-insight-799https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-49-he-shares-his-insight-799Tue, 27 Feb 2024 01:03:18 GMTToday's stranger moved to America from France a few years ago. We talk about his perspective of the country then vs. now. Plus, he has an important message for Americans.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #48: She’s Sharing Her Thoughts One Cartoon at a Time]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-48-shes-sharing-her-thoughts-e57https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-48-shes-sharing-her-thoughts-e57Mon, 19 Feb 2024 23:58:29 GMTShe built a business sharing her insights on life through her cartoons.

Follow Meet a Stranger on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #47: He’s Worked to Show Us Some of the Biggest News Stories and People of a Generation]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-47-hes-worked-to-show-us-bf4https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-47-hes-worked-to-show-us-bf4Tue, 13 Feb 2024 01:11:59 GMTFor 40+ years, stranger #47 has worked for a national TV network and helped to show us the good and bad of the world. He shares his insights into life, how we can have better conversations and the one thing he does that we all should do to help humanity.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #46: Missing the Bus Turned into a Chat about Music]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-46-missing-the-bus-turned-e4dhttps://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-46-missing-the-bus-turned-e4dMon, 05 Feb 2024 23:28:26 GMTIf the busses were running as scheduled, I might have not had a great chat with a stranger about music. Take a listen!

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #45: They Share How a Hot Air Balloon Ride Can Make You See Life Differently]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-45-they-share-how-a-hot-387https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-45-they-share-how-a-hot-387Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:46:50 GMTMeeting strangers in the back of a car at 4am in a foreign country might not be the most ideal way to connect with people. But it can also turn into a great adventure.

My girlfriend and I did a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Mexico a few months back. On our way, we met a great couple from NYC that we ended up sharing the adventure with. I talk to them about our experience and how travel can really make you look at life differently.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

]]><![CDATA[Stranger #44: He Travels the World in One Night to Give Presents to Everyone]]>https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-44-he-travels-the-world-9e2https://coffeeshopconvos.com/p/stranger-44-he-travels-the-world-9e2Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:03:55 GMTHe might have the ultimate job: traveling the world in one night to give presents to boys and girls everywhere. But WHY does he do it?

Today's strangers shares some of his magic with you - and it's something I think we could embrace a bit in our own world.

Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/gomeetastranger

Follow Matt on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matthaze

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