In the first half, host Connie Willis (info) spoke with Bradford A. Yater, the marketing genius behind some of the biggest chocolate empires in the world. Yater is the only American to have managed all three major Belgian chocolate companies: Godiva, Leonidas, and KC Chocolatier. While at Godiva, he helped elevate chocolate's image from an everyday treat to something more upscale. "We had to position chocolate as a special-occasion gift," he explained, noting how this confection "activates the brain and creates sensory pleasures." According to Yater, "There are more chocoholics than alcoholics these days."
Yater described his tenure at Godiva during the 1980s, a time when women were beginning to break into management roles. "The Wall Street Journal coined the phrase the 'Godiva Girls'," he said. These Godiva Girls were not just sales representatives — they were also a tight-knit community that embraced the idea of extraterrestrials. "Many of the women had their own stories to tell," Yater recounted, revealing that some were even UFO abductees. He shared the story of "Sweet Pea," who claimed to have flown in an alien craft. "They taught her how to fly," Yater recalled, describing how she could manipulate the ship's speed by harmonizing with certain light-wave frequencies. "We all knew that there was [life on] more than just Earth," he admitted.
Yater also told listeners about his own encounters with the paranormal, recalling an unsettling experience with a poltergeist in his home. "Every time I was gone, my house would burn down, or my house would flood," he shared. After several insurance claims, he sought help from a paranormal expert who revealed that he had a spirit of a young boy living between the walls of his dining room and living room. This spirit, feeling neglected during Yater's absences, would unleash chaos in his home. "The entity was sad and lonely, and they got mad that I wasn't there," he speculated.
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The second half featured Open Lines, where listeners called in to discuss topics of interest. Yater joined in for the first part to answer questions from callers. Catherine from Canada asked him if any famous person has requested chocolate-covered ants for a party. He explained that while it's a fun idea, strict food regulations and inspections make it unlikely for his companies to produce such items.
Mike from Denver praised Yater for his chocolate knowledge and asked about the evolution of marketing this treat. Yater explained how the product image has now shifted from being a luxury item to having health benefits. Bill from Florida shared a quick recipe for a chocolate soufflé using eggs and snack-pack pudding. Joseph from Monterey discussed the historical connection between chocolate and extraterrestrials, also referencing its significance in Mayan culture. He shared his personal experience with chocolate as a childhood staple, and linked it to endorphins and brain stimulation.
The final hour of the program shifted away from the topic of chocolate. Steven from Washington State asked about distinguishing between haunted houses and spiritually active spaces. He also mentioned encountering a "dark man" figure. Ruth from Maryland recounted a recent experience with a pendulum at work, which was made of magnets. She described witnessing a spirit or orb emerging from the pendulum, comparing its size to a 10-gallon aquarium. Ruth speculated that there may be a connection between the pendulum's magnetic properties and the phenomena she observed.