Expensive Chocolate: Money

It’s a celebration, y’all! 🥳 Isaac (they/them) is back on Chocolate: The Podcast with a special birthday episode full of laughter, reflection, and real talk. Isaac takes us through a reflective journey— diving into the messy, complicated topic of materialism and money. Plus, a big announcement for the future of the pod!. 🍫✨This episode is a mix of birthday energy, heartfelt truths, and community love—you don’t want to miss it._____________________Episode ReferencesWhy is it so hard to escape poverty? – Ann-Helén Bay“Why Is It So Hard to Escape Poverty?.” YouTube, uploaded by Ann-Helén Bay, 3.7 years ago (approx. early 2022), www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9N7QaIOkG8.YouTubeRacial Segregation and Concentrated Poverty“Racial Segregation and Concentrated Poverty.” YouTube, uploaded by (uploader unspecified), 4.5 years ago (approx. early 2021), www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi9sjhISYfg.YouTubeCourage vs. Racial Wealth Gap – Alexandra Bastien“Courage vs. Racial Wealth Gap | Alexandra Bastien.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks (presumably), 7.9 years ago (approx. 2017/2018), www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCSP_8PAcVk.Brookings Institution. "Black Wealth Is Increasing, but So Is the Racial Wealth Gap." Brookings, 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/black-wealth-is-increasing-but-so-is-the-racial-wealth-gap/.Citigroup. Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Restating the Economic Case. Citigroup, 2022, https://www.citigroup.com/citi/closing-the-racial-wealth-gap.pdf.Institute of the Black World 21st Century. "Disparities and Socioeconomic Dynamics of the Global Black World." IBW21, 2022, https://ibw21.org/editors-choice/disparities-and-socioeconomic-dynamics-of-the-global-black-world/.McKinsey & Company. "The Economic Impact of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap." McKinsey & Company, 2022, https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/the-economic-impact-of-closing-the-racial-wealth-gap.Reuters. "South Africa Launches G20 Taskforce to Examine Global Wealth Inequality." Reuters, 28 Aug. 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-launches-g20-taskforce-examine-global-wealth-inequality-2025-08-28/.SAGE Journals. "Black Squares for Black Lives? Performative Allyship as Credibility Move." SAGE Journals, 2022, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20563051221080473.ScienceDirect. "Social Media Influencers and Followers’ Conspicuous Consumption: The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Followers' Purchasing Decisions." ScienceDirect, 2024, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024124188.WIRED. "The Psychology of Flexing: Why Influencers Flaunt Wealth." WIRED, 2023, https://www.wired.com/story/psychology-of-flexing-influencers/.Kristofferson, Kristina, White, Kevin, and Peloza, John. "The Nature of Slacktivism: How Publicly Signaling Support Reduces Actual Effort." Journal of Consumer Research, 2014, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271604592_The_Nature_of_Slacktivism_How_Publicly_Signaling_Support_Reduces_Actual_Effort.The Chronicle of Philanthropy. "Seeking Big Gifts During a Crisis." The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2020, https://connect.chronicle.com/rs/931-EKA-218/images/SeekingBigGifts_GrahamPelton_ArticleCollection.pdf.Forbes. "These Billionaire Signers of the Giving Pledge Still Matter." Forbes, 29 Apr. 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2025/04/29/giving-pledge-signers-on-why-the-15-year-old-group-still-matters/.Inequality.org. "Racial Inequality in Wealth and Income." Inequality.org, 2023, https://inequality.org/facts/racial-inequality/.Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on Instagram @chocolatethepodcast  !