In most research projects (such as an artisanal coffee roasters' podcast), the first step in the research plan is usually to

Conduct first-hand research by contacting local artisanal coffee roasteries for interviews.

Search for collaboration partners in related communities, i.e. in the podcasting community.

Prepare and record the end product format, i.e. the podcast.

Conduct online research using platforms such as ChatGPT and Wikipedia to establish a baseline level of understanding.

All of the above steps can be the first step in a research plan, depending on the specific project and its objectives. Different research projects may have different starting points, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The choice of starting point depends on the nature of the research and the questions and goals of the project.