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The Chocolate Pod

The Chocolate Pod

By: Zack Gallinger-Long
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About this listen

Ever wonder what it really takes to turn cacao beans into incredible chocolate? The Chocolate Pod takes you behind the scenes with the passionate chocolatiers, makers, and innovators who are crafting some of the world's best small-batch chocolate. In every episode, you'll hear the real stories—the aha moments, the expensive mistakes, the late nights perfecting a recipe, and the pure joy of creating something people love. Whether you're a chocolate superfan curious about what makes craft chocolate special, an aspiring maker wondering if you could do this too, or just someone who appreciates a good origin story, you'll walk away inspired, informed, and probably craving chocolate.


I'm Zack Gallinger-Long, and if you've been to a craft chocolate festival, you might know me as "the Golden Ticket guy" (yes, I wear a shiny gold suit while my wife rocks a Chocolate Queen costume). We're not industry insiders—we're enthusiastic fans who fell in love with this community and wanted to share these incredible stories. I bring my background in business consulting and small business ownership to ask research-informed questions that matter: How do you scale? What does "bean-to-bar" actually mean in practice? What factors influence the chocolate industry? This is a show for anyone who believes that the best stories are found in the passion, craft, and people behind what we love.

© 2026 The Chocolate Pod Art Cooking Economics Food & Wine Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Women in Craft Chocolate: Live from the Oregon Chocolate Festival

    Women in Craft Chocolate: Live from the Oregon Chocolate Festival
    Apr 14 2026

    This week on The Chocolate Pod, we’re bringing you a live recording from the Oregon Chocolate Festival, featuring a panel of women shaping the craft chocolate industry.

    Hosted by Darlene Gallinger-Long, this conversation brings together chocolate makers and chocolatiers to share how they got started, the realities of building a business, and the resilience required to stay in it. From evolving craft and navigating pricing challenges to balancing creativity with sustainability, this panel offers an honest look at what it takes to grow in chocolate today.

    You’ll hear perspectives from Dr. Melissa Berry of Missionary Chocolates, Deena Branson of Branson’s Chocolates, Evergreen Love of AhHome Chocolate, and Desiree Marca of Scharffen Berger. Together, they explore the importance of community, the role of curiosity and experimentation, and why supporting local chocolate makers matters more than ever.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like behind the scenes of craft chocolate or considered stepping into the industry yourself, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight.

    Listen now to this special live episode of The Chocolate Pod. 🍫🎙️🎧

    Discover more at www.TheChocolatePodcast.com

    Discover more at www.TheChocolatePodcast.com
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    26 mins
  • Missionary Chocolates: Dr. Melissa Berry, ND

    Missionary Chocolates: Dr. Melissa Berry, ND
    Mar 6 2026

    How does someone go from studying naturopathic medicine to building a chocolate company?

    For Dr. Melissa Berry, the answer began with a simple act of care: creating a chocolate her mother could safely enjoy. What started as small experiments in the kitchen gradually evolved into Missionary Chocolates, a brand known for its handcrafted vegan truffles and thoughtful approach to ingredients.

    Along the way, Melissa navigated doubt from others, discovered the power of community support, and learned how focusing her time on the right work could help the business grow.

    Listen to her story in the latest episode of The Chocolate Pod. 🍫🎙️🎧

    Discover more at www.TheChocolatePodcast.com
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    25 mins
  • Branson's Chocolates: Deena Branson

    Branson's Chocolates: Deena Branson
    Mar 2 2026

    When a long-standing chocolate shop in Ashland, Oregon closed its doors, Deena Branson saw a craft worth carrying forward.

    After purchasing the equipment from the store, she founded Branson’s Chocolates and drew on her experience in craft chocolate industry to guide her as she refined recipes and continued learning.

    Unwrap the story of Branson's Chocolate in this episode of The Chocolate Pod. 🍫🎙️🎧

    Discover more at www.TheChocolatePodcast.com
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    24 mins
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