OBSESSIONS: Wild Chocolate

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year’s celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan’s first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miles and the team learn how Vassilis and his gang pulled off the biggest bank robbery in Greek history without firing a single shot. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new series from Kaleidoscope co-founder Mangesh Hattikudur, we journey into the weird, wonderful world of astrology with a little help from: Mangesh's mom, a science writer, a famous musician, and one very sneaky author! But when an ominous prediction suddenly comes true, his life turns upside down. We made you a mixtape! Listen Sounds from Skyline Drive here! A transcript of this episode is located here. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Instagram and Twitter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the final chapter of Wild Chocolate! This week, we dive into the actual experience of eating REAL chocolate. Why does it have an almost drug-like effect on so many of us? And what can a chocolatier do to make that experience pop? And, you know, where can I get me some? (To start go to www.stettler-chocolate.com) For seven weeks, we’ve dragged you past floods and jungles, electric eels and narco traffickers and this week, we’re not gonna do any of that. No dangers, no scandals, just bliss. So kick back and relax. This is desert. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast.. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Volker continues his quest for the perfect bean, police stage a stake out on his property to snare local cacao thieves. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a Brazilian prodigy discovers a wild new strain of cacao, she can’t tame the flavor, until a mysterious fixer shows up at her door with a plan. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the edges of one of the world’s most stunning nature preserves, an ancient Mayan secret has been hiding in plain sight. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember the Mast Brothers scandal? Think you are eating sustainable, small batch chocolate? It's way more complicated than that. Plus: when three idealists try to tackle the evils of Big Chocolate, they realize treacherous roads, nails and bullets are just the beginning of their problems. Want some of this truly bean to bar chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one should be murdered over some cacao beans. But as the world gets a taste for wild chocolate, competition becomes cutthroat. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cacao hunter Volker Lehman has spent 20 years ruining his life to chase the perfect flavor. But he just can’t quit the Amazon. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things get off to a rocky start when the team accidentally crashes into a major cocaine flyway. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing the first season of OBSESSIONS: Wild Chocolate. We take you deep into the Amazon on the hunt for fortune, glory and chocolate. Want some of this god-level chocolate? Kaleidoscope has joined forces with wild cocoa hunter Luisa Abram and Stettler Chocolate to make a special box to go along with this very podcast. Just visit: www.stettler-chocolate.com to order your wild chocolate today. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.