> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Chocolate Conspiracy: A Chat with Rachel Handler | #PSC 242 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/pinned/the-chocolate-conspiracy-a-chat-with-rachel-handler-psc-242/ - Published: 2026-11-01T22:58:14.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-01T22:58:14.000Z - Description: OVERVIEW: Episode 242 of #PodSaveChocolate features a chat with Rachel Handler, a features writer for NY Magazine, who authored "The Chocolate Conspiracy" article that led to my recent interview with Brad Reese. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream, #Pinned ### **Timing and Links to Watch & Comment** 🗓️ This stream begins at 12:00 ****MST** (11:00 P****S**T, 1:00 C****S**T, and 2:00 pm E****S**T) on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode. ❗ Note the later start for ***this** episode. 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[Participate/Watch on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/19Z93vNPpx/) --- ## **Episode 242** Rachel first reached out to me by email on June 12th with the following request: > Clay: > > I am writing about the state of the chocolate industry as it pertains to ingredients and compound chocolate – specifically inspired by Brad Reese’s comments about Hershey. Would love to hear about your experience as a “chocophile” and your take on the current state of ingredients in the industry! Our interview was scheduled for the 23rd of June with some back and forth clarifications and requests for more details in late August. A fact-checker from NY Mag reached out on October 23rd, and the article was published on October 19th. [Chocolate Is Getting WorseEveryone in my life agreed: It tastes different now. I ventured into the molten belly of our crumbling world to find out why.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/icon-5ab8e462-7109-4853-b50c-ca3e81fa3c33.png)Grub StreetRachel Handler![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/d98f62ba26c9522abf808c4ab3caab2293-nymag-chocolate.1x.rsocial.w1200-4d24f1a5-fc24-49c6-b21f-3abc34dcde7a.jpg)](https://www.grubstreet.com/article/chocolate-hersheys-reeses-conspiracy.htm?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Click to sign up for a free trial to read the full article. Looking back at the questions the fact-checker had for me, not very much from our initial interview made it into the final article. But that’s often the way things turn out. > I have said, and I will repeat here, that this is one of the best-written pieces about chocolate by a non-subject-matter-expert I have read in the past decade or longer. There is a real grasp of nuance that is missing in many pieces, even those written by the “mainstream confectionery press.” I tried to get both Brad and Rachel as guests on the same episode but was not able to. [A Chat With Brad Reese | #PSC 240OVERVIEW: Episode 240 of #PodSaveChocolate takes a look at one of THE most iconic chocolate candies in the US, from the perspective of the grandson of the inventor: as chocolate recipes under price pressure, what can consumers do to push back? \[updated\]![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-f386897b-60f1-4caa-8cc0-6725e01665c3.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Ep-240-Brad-Reese---Featured1920x1080-b724e5c4-7739-4c04-943a-60d1520e7f13.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/a-chat-with-brad-reese-psc-240/) The links to watch my chat with Brad are in this post. Rachel graciously agreed to join me solo. I learned from Brad that Rachel began her research for the article months before she reached out to me, so in this episode I want to talk about the journey – where she started out, what the original vision for the article was, how it changed (and why), as well as discussing what she found most surprising about chocolate and cocoa. --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗒️ ****Friday, November 6th** November News & AMA 🗒️ ****November 10 – 20** I will be traveling (in the air) to Tabasco, MX on the 10th and returning on the 20th, so there will be no episodes either day. I also don’t know my schedule for the 13th and 17th, but I update the schedule when I find out. --- ### **Episode Hashtags** #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards below. 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[#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) ⁉️ After a year-long+ experiment, the audio-only versions of PodSaveChocolate episodes have been taken down after an end-of-year review. There were not enough listens to continue uploading episodes and paying for hosting. ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for ****Free** to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Premium subscriptions available. ---