Best Daniel Zafran Podcasts (2025)

1
Hometown Zeros (Our Hometown Neighborhoods) 1:43:09

Play Pause

7h ago1:43:09

1:43:09

This month we're giving thanks and taking names. For the time of Thanksgiving and returning to hometowns, we are delving into the histories of our hometown neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Greg with his precious Elysian Heights (15:39) and Daniel with his beloved Granada Hills (53:11).

1
Mike and Ike 1:08:08

3d ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Be you a fan of Mike or a worshipper of Ike, this episode's got something for you. This week for our Halloween episode we're trying the divisive Mike and Ike. And stay tuned for the definitive Halloween candy bracket. Grab a box and eat along with us.

1
Look a la Mode Chocolate 1:34:23

18d ago1:34:23

1:34:23

We're back with a feature length episode and this week it's time to take a Look. No, this is not Greg's 5 cavity Look! but rather Japan's famous Look a la Mode chocolate samplers. Grab a pack and get ready to eat along with us.

1
Murder, He Podcasted (Celebrity Murders) 2:06:06

1M ago2:06:06

2:06:06

The Halloween season is here so that means we're getting eerie and disturbing but NOT creepy and haunted (TM). We'll be covering the cases of a celebrity who was murdered (allegedly) in Thelma Todda (16:48) and a celebrity who was a murderer (allegedly) in Robert Blake (1:03:50).

1
Sugar Showdown: Popping Candy (Pop Rocks v Warheads v Kool-Aid) 28:04

1M ago28:04

28:04

What's this? A sugar showdown? This time of the month? All will be explained before we get down to crowning the champion of the popping candy world. Will it be the out-of-their-element Warheads brand? The also-out-of-their-element Kool-Aid brand? Or the in-their-element Pop Rocks brand? Tune in to find out.…

1
Wiley Wallaby Licorice 1:18:58

2M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

This week we're going down under by way of the North Star State: Minnesota. We'll be trying all possible flavors of Wiley Wallaby Australian style licorice as well as playing a brand new game involving the fan favorite auxiliary cable. Grab a bag and eat along with us!

1
Candy Cigarettes 1:17:55

2M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Crack a window because the sugar dust smoke is getting thick this week. That's because we are trying the most controversial of novelty candies: candy cigarettes. As you'll learn: one of the few candies that has had legal action taken against it. Grab a box and eat along with us! Don't smoke!

1
Now That's What I Call Musings (Punk & Rap Music in LA) 2:50:19

2M ago2:50:19

2:50:19

In this, our longest episode ever, we are diving, if not deep then at least long into two major LA music scenes: punk (16:26) and rap (1:47:53). And, yes, our new friend Aux Cable is sitting in so you can listen to the music along with us.

1
Borrachines 1:06:25

2M ago1:06:25

1:06:25

Grab your passport because we're heading down to Mexico with a brief layover in Margaritaville. This week we're trying the alcohol centric Borrachines from Mexico. Grab a box and get ready to eat along with us!

1
After Eight 1:11:46

3M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

Today Candy is Dandy is heading into tonight. After Eight to be precise. Join us in discussing the refined, vaguely erotic backstory of After Eight straight from the United Kingdom.

1
Hotel it Like it is (Hotels) 1:50:03

3M ago1:50:03

1:50:03

Room for two? Shared bed? An extra cot? You got it because this month we're checking into some of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles. We get the bed, you get the cot. We'll be going over the history of the Sportsmen's Lodge (21:48), the Hollywood Roosevelt (41:22) and the Chateau Marmont (1:12:15).…

1
Fun Size: Coffee Crisp Cold Brew Infusion 9:41

3M ago9:41

9:41

B-b-b-bonus time! This week Daniel returns from the Great White North (that means Canada) with a variety of a Canadian classic we've already covered: The Coffee Crisp. This time with cold brew.

1
Serra Specialita le Italiane Hard Candies 1:11:19

4M ago1:11:19

1:11:19

Ciao bellas get ready to chow. This week we're taking an Italian vacation to the Piedmont region of Italy to try Serra Specialita le Italiane hard candies. We've got blood orange, lemon and mint. The flavors are as complex as the name! Grab a bag and eat along with us!

1
Mounds & Almond Joy 1:21:06

4M ago1:21:06

1:21:06

Summer's here and things here at Candy is Dandy HQ are getting tropical. This week we're trying the divisive Mounds and Almond Joy. Grab some and get ready to eat along with us.

1
Heir and Space (Aerospace Industry) 1:51:15

4M ago1:51:15

1:51:15

Look! What's that up in the sky? It's a bird? It's a plane? It's a plane. This month we're diving into one of the foundational industries in Los Angeles history: aerospace. We'll be covering the companies and the men behind them of Douglas (27:32) and Hughes (1:00:22).

1
Fettuccine Gummi 1:05:21

5M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Strap in because this week we're heading back to Japan by way of...Italy? We're trying Bourbon brand Fettuccine Gummis. Plus a brand new game! Grab a bag and eat along with us!

1
Cotton Candy 1:53:40

5M ago1:53:40

1:53:40

Much like the topic this week, this episode will dissolve instantly in your mouth which is why we don't recommend enjoying these orally. Open up your ears and get ready to hear us try 16 different flavors of cotton candy! Get some Chocolate Storybook brand cotton candy and eat along with us!

1
Surfin' Bacardi (Tiki and Surf) 1:43:52

5M ago1:43:52

1:43:52

Surfs up, glasses down. To kick of summer we're diving into two pillars of the hot months of the year: Tiki culture (17:00) and surfing (58:27).

1
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Candy 1:25:08

6M ago1:25:08

1:25:08

You shall not pass...on this episode! Wait, wrong wizard. This week we're trying candy from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks. We'll get into the history of the franchise and the park before trying Exploding Bonbons, Fizzing Whizbees and Butterbeer Gummies. This episode is not an endorsement of JK Rowling. She is an awful…

1
Dubai Chocolate 1:05:53

6M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

This week Candy is Dandy is going viral. And this time it ISN'T contagious. Join us as we try the hit sensation Dubai Chocolate. And stick around for a very important debate. Grab a bar (if you can afford it) and eat along with us!

1
Songs the City Taught us (LA Songs) 2:14:30

6M ago2:14:30

2:14:30

Hey Mr. DJ (Daniel and Jreg) put a record on. This month we're going to be talking about AND listening to a smattering of some of the most iconic songs about Los Angeles. We'll discuss some of their backstory and what they say about the city. Come for the ones you expect; be angry at the ones we missed.…

1
Confection Connection: Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier 25:06

6M ago25:06

25:06

The triumphant return of the Confection Connection! And what better way to herald the return than with the official chocolatier of an emperor of France! This week we're trying St. Louis' own Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier. Learn its history with the royal court of France and what we think of their modern day products. Grab a box and eat along …

1
Swedish Fish 1:32:03

7M ago1:32:03

1:32:03

We've gone fishin' this week. SWEDISH fishin'. And what did we catch? Fish. SWEDISH fish. Tune in for a history and review of Swedish Fish. Stay for a brand new movie themed game!

1
Whatchamacallit 1:13:52

7M ago1:13:52

1:13:52

What's this show called again? Doesn't matter. That's because this week we're trying the cult classic Whatchamacallit. Tune in for our history and review of Whatchamacallit and the return of a very seasonal game. Grab one and eat along with us!

1
The L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer: Part IV 1:22:17

7M ago1:22:17

1:22:17

Spring is here and our drawers are loaded. That means it's time to empty them out in another junk drawer episode of topics that never found a home in other episodes. We'll be covering the Los Angeles Pigeon Farm (20:24), the geographic center of Los Angeles (34:09) and the Bella Union Hotel shootout (46:55).…

1
Necco Wafers 1:32:37

8M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

Love 'em or hate 'em, we know you hate 'em. This week we're getting both retro and divisive with the classic Necco Wafers. Get ready for the history of Necco Wafers. Get ready for a review of Necco Wafers. Get ready to hate what you hear. Grab a tube and eat along with us if you dare!

1
Marukawa Bubble Gum 1:27:55

8M ago1:27:55

1:27:55

We're heading east once more (or west depending on where you're coming from) and trying Japan's famous Marukawa Fusen Bubble Gum. We'll go its history, the rules of chewing gum in Japan and a dip into the Bazookaverse. Grab a box and eat along with us!

1
L.A. Womans (Trailblazing Women) 1:14:55

8M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

For Women's History Month we're covering some notable women who made an impact on Los Angeles. We've got the first woman there was: the La Brea Woman (14:24), mental health pioneer Agnes Richards (23:20) and suffragette Caroline Severance (43:33).

1
Roshen Candies 1:17:19

9M ago1:17:19

1:17:19

Grab your passports because we are once again fleeing the country. This week we are heading to Ukraine to try a smattering of their famous Roshen products. Saddle up for cow, crazy bee and Kyiv Evening. If you can find some, get it and eat along with us.

1
Hershey's Kisses 1:13:43

9M ago1:13:43

1:13:43

ValenTINE's day came early this year so get ready to pucker up. In honor of the loveliest holiday we are going over the history and reviewing the iconic Hershey's Kisses. We'll be covering the original milk chocolate, almond, special dark and chocolate dipped strawberry. Grab a bag and eat along with us.…

1
My Scuzzy Valentine (Houses of Ill Repute) 1:27:52

9M ago1:27:52

1:27:52

This ValenTINE's Day we're doing the most romantic thing we can think of and going to a couple houses of ill repute. This month we'll be covering the history of Jumbo's Clown Room (29:52) and Chippendale's (45:59).

1
Big League Chew 1:34:05

10M ago1:34:05

1:34:05

Just in time to miss baseball season by 4 months, we're tackling the show's very first gum: Big League Chew. We'll be giving its history and our reviews while trying 4 different flavors and seeing how accurate it is to chewing tobacco. Grab a pouch and eat along with us.

1
The Itty Bitty City Committee (Ethnic Enclaves) 1:18:05

10M ago1:18:05

1:18:05

In light of bad people trying to destroy the very fabric of our country, this month we're highlighting that which they want to destroy. We'll be covering some of our favorite ethnic enclaves of Los Angeles including Little Ethiopia (16:22), Historic Filipinotown (32:55) and Koreatown (51:25).

1
Milky Way 1:18:22

10M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

The stars are out this week as we kick the year off with the mighty Milky Way. We'll cover the history and our review of Milky Way plus our new year resolutions. Grab one and eat along with us!

1
100 Grand 1:06:02

11M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

We're striking it rich this week as we sink our teeth into the 100 Grand bar. Join us as we get into its toothsome history and our reviews. Grab one and eat along with us!

1
Caramelo de Coca 1:07:47

11M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

In this gray zone of an episode we are maybe or may not be trying the highly controversial Keshua Caramelo de Coca. We go into its sordid history and explain all the vagueness you're reading right now!

1
Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah Part: XI(for an)I (Haunted Stories) 1:20:06

11M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

At long last it's here: our annual Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah. Hide the children. Hide the elf on the shelf. Hide the afikoman (wrong Jewish holiday but still). This year we'll be covering the haunted Wolf's Lair (15:17), the Dog Woman of Watts (30:13), the Hollymont Hauntings (39:24) and the dreaded Lamb Mortuary (47:07). This episode bes…

1
Bajadera 1:08:37

12M ago1:08:37

1:08:37

You've never heard of a Bajadera? And you call yourself a Croatia-phile. This week we're covering the most popular candy in Croatia: the Bajadera. We'll get into their tragic and controversial roots and start the show off with the much anticipated tie breaker from our last episode. Grab a Bajadera and eat along with us.…

1
Andes Mints 1:26:01

12M ago1:26:01

1:26:01

Andes Mints. Andes Creme de Menthe Things. Those chocolates from the Olive Garden. Whatever you know them as, we're trying them this week. We'll be giving our history and our review of Andes Mints with a surprise sugar showdown built in. Grab one and eat along with us.

1
YOUltide (Holiday Traditions) 1:21:45

1y ago1:21:45

1:21:45

This holiday season we're putting the yu back in yultide as we asked YU, dear listener, your favorite LA holiday time traditions. We'll be going over all of those as well as our own and a some historic old holiday traditions from Los Angeles of yesteryear.

1
Blow Pop 1:27:11

1y ago1:27:11

1:27:11

Halloween has sunk its teeth in our necks and guess what? There's gum inside. This week we'll be going into the history and giving our review of Blow Pops: the Halloween staple you could take or leave. Grab one and eat along with us!

1
Smarties 1:29:34

1y ago1:29:34

1:29:34

We're kicking off Halloween month with everyone's favorite Halloween candy: Smarties. Right? RIGHT?! Grab yourself a tube and eat along as we get into the history and review of Smarties.

1
Our Little Secrets (Secret Societies) 1:30:04

1y ago1:30:04

1:30:04

What's the secret word? That's ok, we don't remember either so just come in. This month, to throw you into spooky season, we'll be covering the history of some of Los Angeles' secret societies. We'll be covering the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America (17:06), the Philosophical Research Society (26:25) and the Magic Castle (52:37).…

1
Zotz 1:08:06

1y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

It's time to put the fizz in fizzZotz. This week we're giving the history of and reviewing Zotz. Is this arcade classic any fun at all outside of an arcade? Grab one and eat along!

1
Dots 1:15:55

1y ago1:15:55

1:15:55

This week we're dipping into Dots. We'll be going over the history and giving our review of Dots as we challenge our own preconceived notions about this much maligned Halloween staple.

1
Gossip Ghouls (Louella Parsons & Hedda Hopper) 1:26:08

1y ago1:26:08

1:26:08

This month we're juicing Hollywood and getting into the two matrons of juicy Hollywood gossip. We'll be covering Louella Parsons (17:26) and Hedda Hopper (45:07) and their legendary feud.

1
M&M's (Plain and Peanut) 1:12:48

1y ago1:12:48

1:12:48

This is it. The big one. This week we'll be going over the history of and reviewing M&M's plain and peanut. Listen to it quick because it may not melt in your hands but it may melt in your ears.

1
Heath Bar 1:19:09

1y ago1:19:09

1:19:09

We're going old fashioned this week with the bottom shelf of the candy section favorite: Heath. We'll crunch into its buttery interior and the stick interior of the family who created them. Grab a bar and eat along with us.

1
Chain of Foods (Restaurant Chains) 1:29:38

1+ y ago1:29:38

1:29:38

Make sure you're hungry for this one, or not so that you don't faint from hunger. That's because we're talking about a few sitdown food chains that started in Los Angeles. We'll be covering The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (16:19), Bob's Big Boy (35:02) and IHOP (58:54).

1
Confection Connection: Ms. Merita's Hard Candy Slides 38:11

1+ y ago38:11

38:11

Grab your best AC and your most beloved gator because we're taking a mid summer trip to Louisiana in this Confection Connection. We'll be trying Ms. Merita's Hard Candy Slides so head over to hardcandyslides.com and order some for yourself today!