Chocolate: The Podcast

On this episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we take a step back and look at what’s really behind something as simple as a fizzy drink. From culture and marketing to identity and environment, this deep dive starts with soda, but quickly turns into something much bigger.ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sugar-Sweetened Beverages; REACH Program.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source: Sugary Drinks.Nicholas Freudenberg. “The Manufacture of Inequality: Soda, Corporate Power, and Public Health.” American Journal of Public Health, 2016.David Stuckler & Marion Nestle. “Big Food, Food Systems, and Global Health.” The Lancet, 2008.World Health Organization. Fiscal Policies for Diet and NCD Prevention; Obesity and Inequality in Europe.Beverage Marketing Corporation. U.S. Beverage Industry Overview.McKinsey & Company. Future of Food and Beverage.NielsenIQ. Global Beverage Trends.European Commission. Health Inequalities in the EU.Robert Koch Institute. Health in Germany: Key Indicators.____________mowe Festival for Art and Urban CultureBerlin, Germany | May 7th – May 10th“Dear Universe” ConcertSaturday, May 9th 17:00 PMFor more information and the full weekend programme, visit: MOWE____________TIBAShout-out to TIBA Movement e.V. a powerful Cologne-based collective creating space for music, community, and cultural exchange. From festivals to workshops and club nights, they continue to build platforms that center creativity, inclusivity, and empowerment.For more information, follow on instagram @tiba_cologneJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

On this episode we talk all about expectations. Expectations we place on ourselves, the ones we project onto others, and the ones we don’t even realize we’re carrying. From unspoken pressures to the ways expectations shape how we love, create, and move through the world, this is a reflection on learning to pause, question, and redefine what truly aligns. Maybe it’s not about meeting every expectation… but choosing the ones that actually feel like home.This episode is represented by OYA MÜLLEM Birthday #2 x Mülheimer Nacht !25.04.26 | 7PM | OYA MÜLLEM, Köln Germany 🎂✨OYA MÜLLEM is turning TWO—and you already know it’s about to be a whole vibe. Expect a night full of good energy, amazing music, delicious food & drinks, and just beautiful people all in one space 💫For more info, follow @oya_koeln and check out oya-koeln.de to learn more about the space and what’s coming up next 🧡Community Shout-Out:Help Jarral & ChiChi get home 🧡We’re raising support to help Jarral and their cat, ChiChi, make the long journey from Thailand back home to Buffalo, NY—also known as the “City of Good Neighbors.” After years away, they’re feeling called to return, reconnect with community, and continue mutual aid work in a place that truly needs it right now.This journey is deeply meaningful, but also emotionally and financially heavy—and they can’t do it alone.The route ahead is long:Krabi → Hua Hin → Bangkok → Istanbul → New York → BuffaloIf you’re able to support in any way, please check the GoFundMe link below: gofundme.com/f/help-jarral-and-chichi-get-home/cl/o?utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_GB&attribution_id=sl%3A11d9368b-55fd-497f-bd9c-1e21aa6f078f&ts=1776129556&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnRQKI8tPn4Ubsiw0iT-R_BgYkoYoNhJEkT2zsoUTokUnIEZa3kYXUx3eIqso_aem_1texjF-oxz3aI-uqpk0eJQ&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1dennguhedx9oDonations, shares, and even kind words all make a difference and bring them one step closer to home. Thank you for holding space and being part of this growing journey 🧡If you want to stay up to date with my music and all the other creative things I’m working on, you can follow me on Instagram @eye.zik 🖤Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

On this episode, we dive into the addictive world of reality TV! We explore why watching wealthy people stumble can feel cathartic, entertaining, and socially connective, while also examining the tension between image and reality.We discuss how editing, storylines, and reunion episodes often reinforce racial stereotypes, especially for Black women, and why representation matters. It’s a conversation about humor, escapism, and critical viewing, all through the lens of what we watch, who we see, and how we respond.Episode References: Nielsen. Creating Connections with Black Americans Across Media. 2024, Nielsen, https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2024/creating-connections-with-black-americans-across-media/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.Young, Jabari. “Nielsen’s Annual Report Highlights These New Trends Among Black Consumers.” Forbes, 29 Jan. 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/jabariyoung/2025/01/29/nielsens-annual-report-highlights-these-new-trends-among-black-consumers/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.Manfredi, Lucas. “YouTube Hits 12.7% TV Viewership Share Among Black Audiences.” TheWrap, 29 Jan. 2025, https://www.thewrap.com/youtube-tv-viewership-share-black-audiences-nielsen/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.“Love & Hip Hop.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_%26_Hip_Hop. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_%26_Hip_Hop%3A_Atlanta. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.“Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_House%3A_Martha%27s_Vineyard. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

On this vulnerable episode, we explore how validation, especially from cis men, can feel like proof of existence in a world shaped by the male gaze.Through personal reflection and cultural insight, we unpack the line between self-expression and performance, the pull of external validation, and what it means to feel seen but not truly known. This is a conversation about unlearning, reclaiming self-worth, and redefining desire on your own terms.Episode References: Mbowe, Khadija. “The Feminine Urge to Internalize the Male Gaze, Unpacking Desirability 🥴.” YouTube, 13 Nov. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVXxzqBvAx8Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16(3), 6–18. – Foundational essay introducing the concept of the male gaze.Otago. (n.d.). Depiction of women in advertisements. Otago Shorthand Stories. Retrieved from https://otago.shorthandstories.com/gend305-depiction-of-women-in-ads/index.htmlZipdo. (n.d.). Sex in advertising statistics. Retrieved from https://zipdo.co/sex-in-advertising-statistics/Lancers Point. (2022, April 5). The objectification of women in film and its impact on society. Retrieved from https://lancerspoint.sjvhs.com/pop-culture/2022/04/05/the-objectification-of-women-in-film-and-its-impact-on-society/Fast at UCLA. (n.d.). Sex fuels fashion: Destabilizing the male gaze. Retrieved from https://www.fastatucla.com/fast-at-ucla/sex-fuels-fashion-destabilizing-the-male-gaze-by-shattering-the-glass-runwayPew Research Center. (2022). LGBTQ adults and attraction patterns in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/YouGov. (n.d.). Young Americans and sexual attraction beyond cisgender women. Retrieved from https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/The Trevor Project. (n.d.). Nonbinary and gender nonconforming youth experiences. Retrieved from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

On this episode, we explore how relentless advertising, social pressure, and easy access to goods trap us in cycles of comparison, debt, and distraction. We trace the history of consumerism, from post-WWII worker gains to the rise of the modern consumer and ask: how can we reclaim intentionality, solidarity, and genuine happiness in a world built to keep us buying?Episode References:Digital Silk. “How Many Ads Do We See a Day?” Digital Silk, 2026,www.digitalsilk.com/digital-trends/how-many-ads-do-we-see-a-day/.Flavor365. “Ads Per Day: Uncovering the Reality of Our Exposure.” Flavor365, 2026,www.flavor365.com/ads-per-day-uncovering-the-reality-of-our-exposure/.Prof. Jiang Xueqin. Consumerism is the Perfection of Slavery – Prof Jiang Xueqin. YouTube, uploaded by Predictive History (or similar), 2 Jul. 2025,www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pG-8XLLaE0. Cara Nicole. How Consumerism Ruins Our Planet and Finances YouTube, uploaded by  Cara Nicole 14 September 2021,www.youtube.com/watch?v=MilcnqXKjR4______________I’m excited to spotlight a Gift of Power Community Check-In on my podcast! Are you ready to talk about resistance?This session will be led by Jarral Boyd, an empowering friend of the podcast—an elder, trauma- and somatic-informed facilitator, mediator, healer, and hoodoo practitioner. Jarral has been closely observing the rise of fascism worldwide for over a decade and has been hosting these check-ins since October 2024.Join me and others for a real conversation to explore your gifts and how they can support resistance. We are all needed. We can all help. And we all have to start.📅 When: Sunday, March 22nd, 12:30–14:00 CEST📧 Email: [email protected] for the linkJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

This week on Chocolate: The Podcast, we check in after a whirlwind few weeks of creativity, allergies, and life moving at full speed. From a peaceful reset weekend in Koblenz to witnessing a literal meteor over Köln, this episode is all about slowing down and paying attention to the signs around us. Inspired by a spontaneous tarot reading at a FLINTA community café, we walk through a deeply personal card spread that explores intuition, healing after difficult endings, and learning to find balance during times of transformation. It’s a reflective, honest conversation about growth, spirituality, creative life, and trusting the journey as it unfolds. ✨⭐️QUEER ART OF CARE⭐️ from Krush Kollectiv 13-15 MARCH 2026 @ Alte Feuerwache KölnAn interactive art space focused on care, solidarity and complicity within queer communities.✨Workshops, installations, ballroom, a queer library, pop-up shop, and plenty of space to explore, experiment & participate.✨ FREE ENTRY21.3 · 11:00 – CAFÉ: The Asymmetric FLINTA Café*Hosted by the @FLINTANIA collective, these FLINTA* coworking and study sessions have evolved into a welcoming FLINTA & Friends café space*. The idea is simple: create a place where people can work together, but also relax and connect — just like you would in your favorite café.Come by to enjoy coffee, chat, read, write, play games, flirt, go on a date, or simply spend time in community.Coffee, tea, oat milk, cookies, card games, and hot water bottles will be available free of charge. Guests are also warmly encouraged to bring snacks to share with the community 💞Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

On this special LIVE episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we explore the future of Black Queerness, what it means to center it, protect it, and imagine it boldly.We’re joined by Via, a media scholar, video essayist, and emerging filmmaker currently pursuing her Master’s in Media Culture Analysis. Her work explores film, culture, and identity, and she’s actively involved with the Black & Queer NRW collective. Together, we dive deep into what exactly the future looks like for Black Queer beings.We also answer your questions in a special Live Q&A.Missed the live show? Don’t worry! Sit back and enjoy the conversation.Special thanks to OYA Müllem for hosting us. If you’re in Köln, check out this vibrant, community-centered space for great food, drinks, and cultural events.📲 Follow Via: @via_.jpg 📲 Follow OYA MÜLLEM: @oya_koelnJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

This episode is a special Chocolate Talk featuring someone who knows me better than anyone else on this planet: my sister, Sarah! Sarah is adventurous, curious, and always ready for the next experience. Sarah loves to travel, hike, and spend time with friends! She’s also a former track star, having spent years competing in track and field as a long jumper, so sports will always hold a special place in both of our hearts.We reflect on growing up together, dive into our favorite video games, share stories from our food journeys, and explore the moments that shaped who we are today. Expect laughter, nostalgia, and real sibling energy throughout.📲 Follow Sarah:Instagram: @ogsarahherronJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

This week on Chocolate: The Podcast, we are is switching things up with another cozy, no-filter Q&A episode! Let's dive into your really good questions about Black queer comfort, respectability politics, queerness in community, protecting your peace, and why trends are… absolutely not it.I’m beyond excited to invite you to Chocolate: The Podcast LIVE! A night of reflection, music, and community. 🎙️🎶🫂 Join us for an unforgettable evening with guest voices, meaningful conversation, and a space rooted in joy and liberation.⏰ 18:00 - 19:00📍 Oya Müllem, Köln📅 Thursday, Feb 24th🎟 Get your tickets HERE: CHOCOLATE: THE PODCAST LIVE!Come as you are. Bring your full self.Let’s dream forward together. 🤎Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

Today’s episode is about ICE — where it came from, what it’s become, and why so many people are terrified and outraged in 2026.We break down ICE’s history, its expansion under multiple administrations, and the recent events that have sparked nationwide protests, international backlash, and growing fears about human rights, detention, and the criminalization of dissent.This isn’t just an immigration story anymore. It’s about power, accountability, and what happens when cruelty becomes normalized.Resources for combating ICE: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://raicestexas.org/https://nipnlg.orghttps://www.immigrantdefenseproject.orghttps://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ma...Ways to help Minneapolis!Rent assistance - https://www.gofundme.com/f/critical-rent-assistance-for-central-neighborhood-families?Neighborhood House - https://neighborhoodhousemn.org/donate/Stand With Minnesota - https://www.standwithminnesota.com/Works CitedAmerican Civil Liberties Union. “ICE and Border Patrol Abuses.” ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union, n.d.,https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/ice-and-border-patrol-abuses. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.American Civil Liberties Union. “Detained Immigrants Detail Physical Abuse and Inhumane Conditions at Largest Immigration Detention Center in the U.S.” ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union, n.d.,https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/detained-immigrants-detail-physical-abuse-and-inhumane-conditions-at-largest-immigration-detention-center-in-the-u-s. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.American Immigration Council. “Report: ICE Expanding Detention System.” American Immigration Council, n.d.,https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/press-release/report-trump-immigration-detention-2026. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.American Immigration Council. “Due Process and the Courts.” American Immigration Council, n.d.,https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/about-immigration/due-process-and-courts. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.American Immigration Council. “U.S. Citizen Children Impacted by Immigration Enforcement.” American Immigration Council, n.d.,https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/us-citizen-children-impacted-immigration-enforcement. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.Physicians for Human Rights. “You Will Never See Your Child Again: The Persistent Psychological Effects of Family Separation.” PHR, Physicians for Human Rights, n.d.,https://phr.org/our-work/resources/you-will-never-see-your-child-again-the-persistent-psychological-effects-of-family-separation/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.Join Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

Season 4 of Chocolate Talk is officially here — and we’re kicking things off with an incredible guest artist straight out of Bonn, whose work lives right between canvas and resistance.Reggie is Black, queer, disabled, and has been creating since their early teens, sometimes through painting, sometimes through words, always capturing the chaos of everyday life alongside something much deeper.Rooted in a post-migrant and Afro-diasporic perspective, Reggie’s art explores themes of identity, radical love, hope, and resistance, the kind of work that refuses to stay quiet.In this episode, we dive into using visual art as a form of political expression, the rise of AI-generated art, decolonizing creativity, and the power of making space where none existed before. An honest conversation about art, resistance, and stories that demand to be seen.🎨 Follow Reggie for more amazing artwork and informative vibes: @justxreggieJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcast

This week is all about rewiring our conditioning! The moment when the stories we were handed begin to crack, and clarity arrives whether we’re ready or not. From questioning binary political thinking to confronting environmental harm, capitalism, and internalized narratives about worth, this episode explores what it means to think critically in a world that rewards comfort over truth.This episode is proudly represented by OYA Müllem, a vibrant, community-centered cultural space in Cologne. More than a bar or restaurant, OYA is a place of connection—bringing together food, music, art, and collective care in a welcoming, colorful environment.🌍 Website: https://oya-koeln.de/📸 Instagram: @oya_koelnJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://www.patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay connected with Chocolate: The Podcast?Follow us on Instagram: @chocolatethepodcastWorks Cited (Episode References)Humanium & Save the Children. Child Labour in Cobalt Mines — Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2025.https://www.humanium.org/en/the-current-state-of-child-labour-in-cobalt-mines-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/Rights Lab, University of Nottingham. Forced Labour in DRC Cobalt Mining. 2025.https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/drc-majority-of-cobalt-miners-trapped-in-forced-labour-says-university-of-nottingham-report/National Center for Transgender Equality. Transgender Inequality Data Report. 2025.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_inequalityWikipedia. African-American LGBTQ Community. 2025.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_LGBTQ_community

We open the new season with a deeply personal meditation on transformation, clarity, and choosing intention in a world obsessed with noise. From unlearning performative productivity to recommitting to art as a tool for truth rather than profit, this episode explores what it means to live, create, and resist with care, courage, and conviction.Rooted in Blackness, queerness, and revolutionary imagination, this episode draws inspiration from the Black Arts Movement, cultural awakenings, and the moment when you see systems clearly—and can’t unsee them. It’s about naming what no longer serves us, refusing to shrink ourselves to fit frameworks never built for us, and choosing depth over speed in hyper-times.This episode is proudly represented by SOFRA Queer Migrants, a migrant-led, intersectional queer collective based in Cologne. SOFRA creates safer, community-centered spaces for queer migrants, refugees, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—centering mutual care, cultural exchange, political education, and creative connection.If you’re looking to support queer migrant communities or connect with an empowering, community-rooted collective, check them out:🌍 Website: sofra.cologne📸 Instagram: @sofra.cologne📘 Facebook: SOFRA Queer MigrantsJoin Patreon. Join the Chocolate Club.🍫 Chocolate: The Podcast — Unwrapped.👉 https://patreon.com/chocolatethepodcastWant to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news?Follow us on Instagram @chocolatethepodcast .

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  !

In Part 2 of our Chocolate Talk spotlight on musical theater, we’re keeping the curtain up with the incomparable B Noel Thomas . If Act 1 was about stepping into the spotlight, Act 2 is about what it takes to stay there—joys, struggles, and everything in between.We get candid about navigating and building a career that honors both craft and community. From backstage stories to bold visions for the future of theater, this conversation is a love letter to resilience, artistry, and unapologetic authenticity.Grab your playbill and settle in—the show’s not over yet. 🎭✨B Noel:Instagram New York City listeners get your tickets to see B Noel in Saturday Church!! Catch this powerful Off-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop – a bold and beautiful story at the intersection of queerness, faith, and self-discovery.🗓️ Previews start: August 27🌟 Opening night: September 15🎭 Extended through: October 26, 2025📍NYTW | Standard showtimes Tues–Sun✨Created by: Damon Cardasis & James Ijames🎶 Music by: Sia🩰 Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie🎤 Directed by: Whitney White🔥 Music team includes Jason Michael Webb, Luke Solomon & Honey DijonTrust me—this is the one to see. Tickets are more information can be found here: SATURDAY CHURCH__________________________________Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast @chocolatethepodcast

In this episode of Chocolate Talk, we’re stepping into the world of musical theater—bold, bright, and unapologetically Black and queer. Joining us for ACT 1 is the incredible B. Noel, a dynamic performer and creative force, as we dive deep into the realities of life on (and off) the stage.Together, we talk about what it means to take up space in an industry built on tradition, how identity shapes artistry, and the magic that happens when you refuse to shrink. This episode is full of laughs, truths, and some real Broadway tea. 🎶Hit play, and take a front-row seat to a conversation that sings.B Noel: InstagramNYC get your tickets to see B Noel in Saturday Church!Catch this powerful Off-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop – a bold and beautiful story at the intersection of queerness, faith, and self-discovery.🗓️ Previews start: August 27🌟 Opening night: September 15🎭 Extended through: October 26, 2025📍NYTW | Standard showtimes Tues–Sun✨Created by: Damon Cardasis & James Ijames🎶 Music by: Sia🩰 Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie🎤 Directed by: Whitney White🔥 Music team includes Jason Michael Webb, Luke Solomon & Honey DijonTrust us—this is the one to see. Tickets are more information can be found here: SATURDAY CHURCH TICKETS ________________Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on @chocolatethepodcast

 I am not half of anything. I am the whole of myself. I am not between — i am beyond. I am chocolate. In this special episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, I officially come out as non-binary and unpack what that means for me—emotionally, spiritually, and politically.  We also journey through history to explore how gender diversity has always existed across the globe. From the Two-Spirit people of Indigenous North America to the Hijras of South Asia, the Orisha of Yoruba cosmology, the Fa’afafine of Samoa, and the gender-shifting deities of ancient Europe, non-binary identities are far from new. We talk about how colonialism tried to erase these rich traditions—and why reclaiming them matters today. This episode is both a celebration and a reclamation of gender beyond the binary._____________Episode References: Farmer, Nic. Hey, I'm Non-Binary, Let's Talk | BLACK NON-BINARY. YouTube, 10 June 2021, https://youtu.be/vv05K8I72Fg.Palmer, Patrice. Are You a Man or Woman? …I’m BLACK | Patrice Palmer | TEDxCSU. YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, 6 May 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQCWLS_Atj0.American Psychological Association. Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People. APA, 2015.https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/transgender.pdfBesnier, Niko, and Kalissa Alexeyeff, editors. Gender on the Edge: Transgender, Gay, and Other Pacific Islanders. University of Hawai‘i Press, 2014.Feinberg, Leslie. Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman. Beacon Press, 1996.Human Rights Campaign. Glossary of Terms. HRC.https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-termsIndian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Two-Spirit People.https://www.ihs.gov/lgbt/health/twospirit/Lang, Sabine. Men as Women, Women as Men: Changing Gender in Native American Cultures. University of Texas Press, 1998.Madunagu, Bene. “Feminism, Culture and the Family.” Women in Nigeria Today, edited by Amina Mama, Zed Books, 1996.National Center for Transgender Equality. Understanding Non-Binary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive. NCTE, 2016.https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-non-binary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportiveNanda, Serena. Gender Diversity: Crosscultural Variations. Waveland Press, 2000.Oyěwùmí, Oyèrónkẹ́. The Invention of Women: Making an African Sense of Western Gender Discourses. University of Minnesota Press, 1997.Planned Parenthood. “What’s Non-Binary?”https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/sexual-orientation/whats-non-binaryUNDP and India Government. Hijras/Transgender Women in India: HIV, Human Rights and Social Exclusion. UNDP India, 2010.https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/hijras-transgender-women-india.pdfUN Free & Equal. “Being a Fa’afafine in Samoa.”https://www.unfe.org/faafafine/Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on @chocolatethepodcast !

Hey Chocolate fam! 🍫 It’s Isaac (they/them) back with a special episode of Chocolate: The Podcast — where we celebrate all things Blackness, Queerness, and everything chocolatey. Today, we’re switching it up with a fun Q&A session, answering your amazing questions about the origins of the podcast, my creative journey, irrational fears (spoiler: chia seeds 😅), zombie apocalypse strategies, and more!But first — I just had to talk about Sinners (2025), the new supernatural horror film by Ryan Coogler starring Michael B. Jordan. From breathtaking visuals to deep cultural storytelling, I’m sharing all my thoughts (and a few spicy takes!) on this powerful movie. 🎥✨This episode is cozy, honest, hilarious, and a true reflection of why I started this space: for joy, for reflection, and for real conversations.🎶✨ Music Spotlight! ✨🎶Today's episode of Chocolate: The Podcast wouldn't be complete without the incredible vibes brought to you by these amazing artists:🎧 "Sunset Ave" by Danya VodovozSmooth, soulful, and the perfect chill vibe for our Q&A session. 🌅Check out more from Danya Vodovoz:🔹 Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/danyavodovoz🔹 Facebook: facebook.com/danya.vodovoz🔹 Spotify: Listen here🔹 Apple Music: Apple Music Profile🔹 Instagram: @danyavodovoz🎶 "Watercolors" by John Deley and the 41 PlayersA soft, classic sound that's royalty-free and full of heart. 🎨Discover more on YouTube and support royalty-free music creators!🔹 Listen hereMuch love to these artists for creating the soundtrack to today's conversations. 🎙️💛Go give them some love and add their music to your playlists! 🖤🎶#PodcastMusic #MusicSpotlight #ChocolateThePodcast #BlackQueerJoy #VibesOnVibesTune in, laugh with me, and maybe even get a little inspired along the way. 💛Follow the journey on Instagram @chocolatethepodcast!Don’t forget to like, rate, and review — it helps the Chocolate fam grow! 🖤✨#ChocolateThePodcast #BlackQueerJoy #PodcastLife #BlackCreatives #QandAEpisode

We are extraordinary. We are black. We are chocolate. In this thought-provoking episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we explore the nuances of cultural appropriation and its impact on creative expression. We unpack Ariana Grande’s controversial Blackiana era, dissecting the layers of identity and influence in modern pop culture, examine the timeless allegory of Animal Farm, are more! Tune in for a dynamic conversation that challenges perceptions and invites you to rethink the blend of art, culture, and history.Episode References: Upstairs Neighbors PodcastFollow on instagram : instagram.com/upstairsneighborspodAnimal Farm (Movie) Origin (Movie Trailer)VICE Asia. (2020). What's the difference between appropriation and appreciation? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JCWc7s6FY&t=63sPBS Origins. (2023). What is accent and why do people keep using it? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mXaccYFKRQ&t=1sWant to stay updarted on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast !

I am hurt. I am Angry! I am chocolate On this episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we dive into the phenomenon of world blindness—the way we collectively look away from the global issues that should matter most. From climate collapse to systemic injustice, we explore why so many people, especially in the U.S., choose ignorance over action.How did we get here? Why do so many continue to ignore reality? And what does this say about our willingness (or refusal) to confront uncomfortable truths?Episodes References: @thecompass.online “Why is it Important to learn about Global Issues”https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SuGrhzGMjUE@BobbyUmar “Why it‘s Important to Care: A personal reflection on Global Issues”https://www.youtube.com/shorts/go1GNgNjLUw@TheBlueRecord1881 “Why Gen Z should care about Global Issues”https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fzs4O0J9cx0Glamour, 70 Men Ages 5-75: What Global Issue Should People Care About More? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UASXMO6NcY@masterclass Let's all create some magic and joy todayhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/FmtYg-aYicMThe London Economic - The richest man on Earth is dismantling the organisation that feeds the poorest children on earth https://www.instagram.com/p/DFvZrQEv1lR/?igsh=MXJ0aGNreThmcWtjaA%3D%3D&img_index=1Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast !

In celebration of reaching 6 months of sobriety, In this episode, we delve into the delicate yet empowering process of letting go. Join us as we explore the art of shedding layers that no longer align with our soul's growth. From releasing toxic relationships to bidding farewell to substances that hold us back, we navigate the intricate journey of self-evolution. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions surrounding substance abuse that may be triggering for some listeners. If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please know that there is help available. Visit https://beam.community/get-help-now/ for support and resources. Remember, you're not alone, and help is always within reach. Take care of yourself. _______________________ Episode References: 1. “Dick Gregory Speaks on the #1 Problem in the Black Community.” www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/shorts/InOHnauU4D0. Accessed 8 May 2024. Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast now!

On this exciting episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we are thrilled to introduce our new segment, Chocolate Talk! Candid conversations with special guests on topics that are close to our hearts and chocolate minds. And what better way to kick off this segment than in celebration of Women’s Heritage Month? Our guest for this episode is none other than the incredible Jarral Boyd – educator, podcast host, poet, and a true embodiment of creativity in all its forms.  Together, we embark on a journey through the layers of the Black Women experience. From navigating the complexities of identity to unpacking our relationship with White Women Feminism, our conversation delves deep into the nuances of intersectional feminism and empowerment. Join us as we celebrate the resilience, strength, and beauty of Black women, while engaging in thought-provoking discussions surrounding white women feminism. Get ready to be enlightened, inspired, and uplifted! ______________ Episode References: Jarral Boyd -Instagram -Website -RHYMES WITH "SCHMAREN" Podcast Happy Vintage Background Music [ No Copyright Music] Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast now!

"I am resilient, I am deserving, I am thriving, I am black , I am queer, I am chocolate." On this episode of Chocolate:The Podcast, we dig deeper into the critical issue of Black Queer Representation in Media. Let us embark on this conversation, exploring the significance of representation in media and its broader implications. ________________________________________________ Episode References: 1. HealthyGirlKitchen -Instagram -TikTok 2. Town Hall: A Black Queer Podcast Episode Appearance - Lonely Hearts: Tales of Unrequited Longing & Loneliness - Spotify link Instagram Linktree 3. "Black Queer Romance Is Dead..." imuRgency, YouTube, n.d., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okqxi-EaBnQ. 4. EluJay Website Spotify Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast now!

"I am a work of art, I am dynamic, I am complex, I am gorgeous, I am black, I am chocolate." On this episode of Chocolate: The Podcast we are unraveling the bittersweet taste of social media activism. Let’s explore the impact of digital movements and discover the irresistible blend of online conversations.  ---------- Episode References: 1. Breeze, Charlotte Matherly | The. “Opinion: Is Social Media Activism Actually Effective?” The Breeze, 8 Feb. 2021, www.breezejmu.org/opinion/opinion-is-social-media-activism-actually-effective/article_7853d8b6-6a57-11eb-8fb1-e70f4d287663.html. 2. Wortham, Jenna. “A ‘Glorious Poetic Rage.’” The New York Times, The New York Times, 5 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/sunday-review/black-lives-matter-protests-floyd.html. 3. “Activism Is Not a Trend.” MHS Chronicle Online, 15 Oct. 2021, mhschronicle.com/activism-is-not-a-trend/. 4. "The Social Dilemma: Documentary" Netflix, 2020 5. “How to Have a Healthier Relationship with Social Media.” Headspace, headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/how-to-have-a-healthier-relationship-with-social-media/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhomtBhDgARIsABcaYymW6ws5MPh9j_NkZfAb-3b07ZMdjKIyWFuxVJ7cDWeSFkabJxHVCAAaAgkPEALw_wcB. Accessed 13 Jan. 2024. 6. “How War Images on Social Media Can Your Affect Mental Health.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Nov. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=801h1UY0e0Q&t=22s. Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow the podcast on instagram @chocolatethepodcast now!

"Have you ever been told you look like someone famous, who was it? What really frustrates you?  How long would you last in a zombie apocalypse?" This episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we answer your questions sent via @chocolatethepodcast instagram page! ~ Special Guest @contentbytariq Our sister podcast: Genuinely Obsessed Podcast - Spotify Background Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by FreeMusic109    / freemusic109   Nighttime Stroll by E's Jammy Jams Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by FreeMusic109    / freemusic109   Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow @chocolatethepodcast now!

"My story is never ending, the chapters of which I am creating throughout my bountiful life are full of comedy, drama, mystery, but as I walk the words and letters of my experience there has and will be always a constant. I am strong, I am peaceful, I am dynamic, I am queer, I am black and I am chocolate." My black queerness is like the air that I breathe, the water to quench my thirst, the clothes that shelters my body, It is my everything! In this episode, we celebrate Pride Season with a black queer episode. ~ Episode References: 1. Channing Gerard Joseph "How Black Queer Culture Shaped History" || YouTube, TEDTalk (published 2023) 2. India Hosten-Hughes “What Does It Mean to Be Black and Queer?” Stonewall, 30 Sept. 2021, 3. POSE FX Theme Song 4. James Baldwin Love and Sexuality YouTube. (2015). Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? follow @chocolatethepodcast now!

"I love being chocolate. Our skin melts into a melanin pool of smoothness. The sun kisses our skin only to rest its warm texture upon us, draping us in a glow that is like no other! Us chocolate beings are guardians of all things beauty. From our lips to our curly hair, we are majestic. We are sensational. I am smart, I am courageous, I am funny, I am angelic, I am black, I am chocolate." Am I a pretty? Am I all things beautiful, handsome and all in between? On this episode of Chocolate: The Podcast we discuss Colorism and beauty standards. ~ Chocolate Reading: Author: George. M Johnson Instagram:@iamgmjohnson Book Title: "All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir Manifesto About Growing Up Black and Queer" Chocolate: Music: Stevan: Spotify Instagram: @stevan.jpeg Episode References: 1. Chika Okoro "Confessions of a D Girl: Colorism and Global Standards of Beauty" || YouTube, TEDxStanford (published 2017) 2. Dr. Sarah L. Webb "How Can We Heal from the Shades of Colorism?" || YouTube, TEDxUofISpringfield (published 2021) 3. "People of color discuss the impact of 'colorism'" || YouTube, Good Morning America (published 2021) 4. "What Is Ethnocentrism And How It Affects Beauty" || YouTube. QOVES Studio (published 2020) Beauty is in the eye of…the Colonizer?" || Youtube, Khadija Mbowe (published 2021) I'm Black...Not ✨Black✨: The Societal Beauty Standard for Black Women" || YouTube, Ty Talks (published 2021)

"I am legendary, I am delicious, I am invincible, I am Black, I am chocolate!" What do black people fear? On this episode of Chocolate: The Podcast, we dive into what black people fear the most. ~ Chocolate Music: Choker : Spotify Instagram: @choker Episode References: Jane Elliott "Why white people are afraid of black people." || YouTube (published 2021) Jonathan Capehart "Black people are not afraid of White people." || CNN (published 2022) Doyin Richards "Racism from the perspective of a non-threatening black man" || YouTube TEDxTemecula (published 2021) Want to stay updated on the latest Chocolate: The Podcast news? Follow @chocolatethepodcast now!

The Black community is filled with different flavours of chocolate.  With this notion, comes different textures of experiences. From the eyes of a black and queer being, Chocolate is the best way to describe the black community. Take the cocoa bean. The cocoa is taken, snatched or harvested with a fear of the unknowing. Paired with the intense mixtures of ingredients and experiences, the cocoa bean forms what the world knows to be "chocolate". The analogy is simple. Chocolate can be advertised and promoted to make professional business gains. Chocolate can be seen as a sexual and sensual energy, and sadly objectified and glorified in lustful ungodly hours. We are rich in taste being black culture. We are delicate. And through our design, we articulate and mould our abundant history and attributes of art and life into a blended and sacred self love that is oh so sweet! Chocolate:The Podcast dives into topics surrounding, rasicm, colorism, black queer expression and more! Join me as we unwrap what it truly means to be all things black.