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The Maria Liberati ShowAuthor: Maria Liberati
Foodie, traveler, and art enthusiast? Immerse yourself in "The Maria Liberati Show," where Gourmand World award-winning author/ chef Maria Liberati explores the world through the lens of food, culture, and art. Join Maria as she engages fascinating guests in lively conversations about:** Culinary experiences and traditions from around the globe. The connections between food, wine, art, and literature. The unique stories and inspirations behind people's food journeys. What food means to them personally and culturally. Learn how food connects us all! Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Philadelphia History: Historic Maps, Hidden Stories and the History of Chocolate
Tuesday, 3 November, 2026
Here's a full episode description with timestamps: Philadelphia History: Historic Maps, Hidden Stories and the History of Chocolate This week on the Maria Liberati Show, we explore the rich, layered history of Philadelphia through two fascinating conversations — one about the city's historic maps and hidden stories, and another about the surprising 3,000-year history of chocolate. Maria opens with a monologue exploring how Philadelphia was built on layers — streets renamed, neighborhoods reshaped, borders redrawn — and shares fun chocolate facts, including Philadelphia's role as a major chocolate hub, home to Wilbur Chocolate and the famous Wilbur Buds that predated Hershey's Kisses. Then we're joined by two incredible guests: [0:28] Opening Monologue Maria introduces the episode's themes — cartography and chocolate — and how both are ultimately about storytelling. She shares chocolate facts including cocoa as Aztec currency, the three main cocoa types (Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario), and debunks the chocolate-acne myth. [4:06] Interview: Natalie Pompilio — Historic Maps of Philadelphia Journalist and author Natalie Pompilio discusses her book Historic Maps of Philadelphia, co-authored with map expert Chris Verlene (an Antiques Roadshow alum). Topics include: [4:54] What inspired the book — walking Philly and constantly discovering new things[6:38] The story of Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother) buried in Philadelphia[8:57] Living on an alley in Queen Village and never getting lost on purpose[10:12] Partnering with map expert Chris Verlene and gathering historic maps[10:52] How the original city grid was planned — including the surprise discovery that Broad Street was moved one block over[11:35] Strange discoveries on Philly sidewalks, including a walking tour built around founding women and the history of the first women's medical college[13:30] The only food story in the book — William Penn's marketing campaign promoting Philadelphia to English settlers (turkeys walking around at 40 pounds, air as fresh as Southern France)[15:35] Chaotic travel moments — covering the Iraq War with $10,000 taped to her body, finding a ride from Amman to Baghdad[17:44] The story that changed her — covering the shooting of 10-year-old Fahim Thomas Childs in Philadelphia and riding the bus with his mother to the courthouse[20:40] Underrated neighborhoods — the Delaware River Waterfront and the new park being built over I-95, due for completion in 2030[21:57] Favorite Philly neighborhoods — East Falls, Fitler Square, and the story behind Race Street's name (horse carriage racing)[22:01] Where to find Natalie: nataliepompilio.com — book available anywhere books are sold; she's also working on a new book about Pennsylvania facts and curiosities, including a snack food section[23:18] Interview: David Bagosian — The History of Chocolate Chocolate historian David Bagosian, with Mars Wrigley's American Heritage Chocolate, traces the global journey of chocolate across 3,000+ years. Topics include:[24:02] How he became a chocolate historian — starting at Mars in 1986 in sales, then transitioning to history research full-time[25:48] Chocolate as medicine — the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs used chocolate to treat headaches, stomach aches, coughs, indigestion, and even believed it could calm hyper people and energize calm people[26:25] Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, prescribing chocolate to smallpox patients in Boston[27:14] How chocolate became candy bars — for most of history chocolate was a beverage; the Industrial Revolution enabled solid, portable chocolate in the mid-1800s[28:47] The cost of early chocolate — a nickel product, alongside penny candy stores[29:40] Chocolate's spread from Mesoamerica to Spain (1544), then throughout Europe — Venice, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and England (1650)[30:50] Chocolate arriving in North America — first sighting in St. Augustine, Florida (1641), then Boston by 1650[32:22] Holiday chocolate traditions — Valentine's Day chocolate boxes traced to the mid-1800s; chocolate's unique ability to evoke emotion and meaning[34:10] Chocolate in the military — from the American Revolution (used as payment) through every major war, and the origin of M&M's: Forrest Mars Sr. created them in 1941 after seeing soldiers in the Spanish Civil War eating sugar-coated chocolate balls; M&M's were heat-resistant and distributed exclusively to the US military from 1941–1945[35:10] Where to find David: americanheritagechocolate.com — also on Instagram[34:54] Closing Monologue & Holiday Gift Guide Preview Maria wraps up the episode and teases the upcoming holiday gift guide series, highlighting the ASUS Zenbook Duo (a Time Magazine award winner) as a top gift pick. [38:27] Outro Connect with the Maria Liberati Show:Website: marialiberati.comInstagram: @marialiberatiFacebook: Chef Maria LiberatiPinterest: Maria LiberatiVimeo: Maria LiberatiYouTube: The Maria Liberati ShowBooks mentioned: The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions- 2nd edition The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
