In this episode of Women of Cacao, Ecuador-based founder of Aukey Cognitive Chocolates, Natalia shares the neuroscience of cacao and how chocolate interacts with the brain. Drawing on research in gamma brainwaves, dopamine and reward pathways, multisensory integration, and the endocannabinoid system, Natalia explains how visual cues, aroma, texture, sound, and context shape not only flavor perception, but also mood, memory, and connection. She shares findings that link high-cacao chocolate (70%+) with improved cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and emotional regulation, and presents parallels between the neurological effects of laughter, deep meditation, and cacao. The conversation closes with practical implications for makers, facilitators, and wellness practitioners: mindful, multi-sensory cacao experiences can be designed to enhance focus, empathy, and group cohesion—turning chocolate into a deliberate tool for cognitive and emotional transformation.

In this episode, we travel to the high mountains of Talamanca, Costa Rica, with holistic therapist and Bribri–Cabécar healer India Mayorga to explore the cosmovision of cacao as a living spirit, not a commodity. India shares an ancestral origin story of cacao—Siru—as told through her matriarchal lineage, explaining how cacao is woven into Bribri cosmology, law, and ceremony, and why her community speaks of having “cacao blood.” She also touches on traditional protocols (including why Bribri women do not drink cacao during menstruation), the role of women as guardians and ritual preparers of cacao, and how modern practitioners can approach cacao with greater reciprocity, respect, and relationship to original peoples and lands.

Conversations from the Women of Cacao Summit—uniting the many voices shaping the future of cacao and chocolate. Join our global community, register for the next FREE live summit, and explore monthly gatherings at womenofcacao.com.

Welcome to the Women of Cacao Podcast, Season 1, sharing highlights from the Women of Cacao Summit 2025.

In this opening ceremony of the Women of Cacao Summit 2025, hosts Ava J and Fiorella welcome listeners into a four-day journey that bridges cacao and chocolate, ancient cosmologies and cutting-edge research. Broadcasting from Cusco, Peru, Fiorella shares the scope of this year’s gathering: more than 40 women speakers, 32 workshops and panels, 23 cacao origins, 7 native languages, and 25 partner organizations working across the cacao and craft chocolate value chain.

Through blessings from First Nations and Indigenous elders, the episode honors cacao as a feminine, sacred plant teacher and a living bridge. Listeners are invited to treat the summit like a personal rite of passage—from head to heart—showing up in self-responsibility, reverence for the land, and respect for the communities who have carried cacao’s wisdom for generations.

This episode opens Season One of the Women of Cacao Podcast and highlights a selection of standout sessions from the 2025 Women of Cacao Summit. RSVP for next year’s free live event or join our ongoing community gatherings at WomenofCacao.com.