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.
