Your Daily Chocolate

Patty Deutsche
  • 4.8 (18)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Tired of all the negativity and bad news in the world? This brief weekly podcast will boost your mood. With funny stories, clean jokes and interviews with people who will inspire you — it’s like a bite of chocolate… feels good and it's good for you!

  1. Sep 21

    Ritz-Carlton Doorman Todd Foster on Leadership, Customer Service, and How Everybody Had Baggage

    Today Patty welcomes Todd Foster, former Ritz-Carlton Chicago doorman and author of Everybody Had Baggage, who shares how three years observing guests—from celebrities to everyday people—shaped his work as a keynote speaker and executive coach. Todd explains how people reveal character by how they treat those they don’t need, why mindset drives behavior, and how leaders set the tone for everyone in the room. He recounts a pivotal moment when President Clinton told Secret Service to “Let the man do his job,” reinforcing respect and role clarity. Todd describes Ritz-Carlton systems for remembering names to create a luxury guest experience, admits mistakes around confidentiality, and tells stories involving entitlement, kindness, Harry Caray, Oprah, and Chris Farley.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Todd Foster 01:32 Landing the Doorman Job 02:14 First Day Fur Coat Chaos 03:21 Why the Book Took Years 05:03 Watching People Unmasked 06:58 Celebrities and True Colors 10:11 Mindset and First World Problems 11:53 Let the Man Do His Job 16:00 Leadership Sets the Tone 18:23 Big Mistake and Redemption 22:20 Concert Payback Story 22:42 Pearson Street Standoff 25:01 Spit Sparks a Punch 27:59 Union Review Aftermath 29:01 Harry Caray Name Lesson 32:11 Ritz Carlton Name Game 35:54 Chris Farley Kindness 39:33 Book Plug Rapid Fire 42:43 Host Takeaways Outro  #Leadership #CustomerService #Hospitality #RitzCarlton #ExecutiveCoaching #KeynoteSpeaker #HotelManagement #LuxuryHotels #EmployeeExperience #GuestExperience #ServiceExcellence #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #Mindset #Kindness #GoldenRule #PersonalBrand #Networking #Chicago #Celebrities #Storytelling #Management #NameRecognition #EverybodyHadBaggage #YourDailyChocolate

    Ritz-Carlton Doorman Todd Foster on Leadership, Customer Service, and How Everybody Had Baggage

  2. Sep 7

    Neuroscientist & Boxer Amanda Alvarez on Free Youth Boxing + STEM in East Dallas

    Today Patty welcomes Amanda Alvarez, a Puerto Rico–raised neuroscientist, salsa dancer, and founder of LaBori Boxing, a Dallas-based nonprofit offering free boxing training for youth 18 and under plus STEM education and career exposure. Alvarez shares how she began boxing at 17, studied neuroscience at NYU, earned a PhD at UT Dallas, and built Laboré to remove economic and geographic barriers for East Dallas kids after community-building salsa classes during COVID.  The gym provides low-contact training, recently received a donated ring, partners with local nonprofits and schools, and has served 400+ students with about 150 weekly participants. She discusses brain benefits of boxing, safety compared with football, women’s self-defense classes, and student outcomes including nursing program connections and support for families.  Connect with Amanda: laboriboxing.com DONATE HERE @labori_boxing @brainsandboxing Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Amanda Alvarez 01:21 How Boxing Began 04:42 Neuroscience Meets Boxing 06:01 Brain Benefits and Safety 09:23 Meaning of Labore 10:51 Why She Started the Gym 15:40 Funding and Growth 18:10 Impact Stories and STEM Wins 22:54 Self Defense for Women 24:30 Kids Stress and Confidence 29:34 Vision for the Future 31:34 Rapid Fire Fun 34:26 Wrap Up and Next Guest

    Neuroscientist & Boxer Amanda Alvarez on Free Youth Boxing + STEM in East Dallas

  3. Aug 24

    Retired Detective Dan Roman’s 5,000-Mile Solo Bike Ride for Parkinson’s Awareness

    Today on Your Daily Chocolate, Patty talks with Dan Roman, a retired police detective, father of five, and grandfather of eight, who completed a 5,000-mile solo bicycle ride across the U.S. to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease in honor of his father, who died after a 40-year battle.  Dan explains why the timing mattered to him, including anniversaries connected to Route 66 and the TransAmerica Bike Trail, how he trained and planned his route and what he carried on a fully self-contained, heavily loaded bike. He shares challenges like extreme rain, wind, and repeated bike breakdowns, and highlights generosity from strangers and businesses, fundraising for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and lessons about faith, support, and resilience.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Dan Roman 01:13 Why Ride Cross Country 02:34 TransAmerica Trail Explained 04:09 Route Choices and Direction 04:40 Training and Cycling Background 06:21 Fueling with Junk Carbs 08:51 Mapping and Water Stops 11:48 Gear Load and Bike Weight 13:29 Weather Challenges on the Road 16:14 Bike Breakdowns and Repairs 18:36 Kindness of Strangers Begins 19:17 Kindness on the Road 19:58 Six Hours of Downpour 21:45 Carol’s Rain Jacket 24:23 Donations and Discounts 26:31 Faith and Godwinks 30:01 Prayers from Strangers 31:35 Rapid Fire Favorites 32:00 Route 66 and Vermont 34:38 Next Ride and Chocolate 35:35 Final Thanks and Wrap  #ParkinsonsAwareness #ParkinsonsDisease #MichaelJFoxFoundation #BikeAcrossAmerica #SoloCycling #EnduranceCycling #BikeTouring #TransAmericaBikeTrail #Route66 #AdventureCycling #CyclingLife #CyclingPodcast #InspirationPodcast #Fundraising #GoFundMe #CharityRide #LongDistanceCycling #BikePacking #GarminCycling #StravaCycling #TennesseePodcast #RetiredPolice #FaithAndResilience #HumanKindness #YourDailyChocolate

    Retired Detective Dan Roman’s 5,000-Mile Solo Bike Ride for Parkinson’s Awareness

  4. Aug 3

    Hope Filled Cafe: Inclusive Employment for Young Adults with Autism with Andrea Ratfield

    Today on Your Daily Chocolate, Patty interviews Andrea Ratfield, a Delta pilot, single mom, and founder/executive director of Hope Filled Cafe, a biblically rooted nonprofit in Minneapolis creating meaningful, sensory-friendly employment for young adults with autism and cognitive disabilities. Andrea shares how her son’s diagnosis and a Delta airport tour program for families and adults with special needs revealed the “falling off the cliff” gap after age 22 and the 80–85% unemployment/underemployment rate for this population.  She explains launching the nonprofit in late 2023, raising over $75,000, and operating a colorful, non-motorized mobile cafe serving organic smoothies, cold brew lattes, and simple treats staffed by team members with autism, cognitive disabilities, Down syndrome. Andrea discusses hands-on training, the biggest need being fundraising, hopes for a future brick-and-mortar cafe, and how faith, determination, and Lean Startup principles guide her work. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Andrea Ratfield 02:07 Hope Filled Cafe Mission 02:53 Airport Tours to Advocacy 04:14 The 22 Cliff and Jobs Gap 06:28 Calling and Launch Story 08:13 Mobile Venue Menu 09:53 Hiring Training Funding 12:05 Heartwarming Impact Stories 16:16 Faith and Resilience Roots 19:06 From Government to Skies 19:49 Post 9/11 Pilot Push 20:35 Faith Driven Balance 21:22 Co Parenting Logistics 22:35 No Regrets FBI CIA 23:01 Dark Times Stronger Faith 24:18 Scaling the Cafe Mission 26:05 Rapid Fire Favorites 29:10 Chocolate Talk and Farewell 31:16 Host Wrap Up

    Hope Filled Cafe: Inclusive Employment for Young Adults with Autism with Andrea Ratfield

  5. Jul 13

    NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore on Faith and Perseverance

    Today Patty interviews NASA astronaut and retired US Navy Captain Butch Wilmore about his book ‘Stuck in Space’ and the Boeing Starliner’s first crewed test flight that became a 10-month stay on the International Space Station instead of 9–10 days. Butch describes facing closed doors in football and naval aviation, relying on determination, prayer, and scripture, and how being assigned the A-7 Corsair—despite not wanting it—led to Desert Storm, test pilot school selection, and a NASA application that stood out.  He recounts a spacewalk moment seeing his reflection and the awe of Earth from orbit. Wilmore explains Starliner thruster failures near docking, the risk of not docking, intensive simulator training, and how his faith removed fear and provided contentment.  Website: https://www.butchwilmore.com  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Butch Wilmore 01:17 Determination and Faith 04:08 Football Setbacks 04:34 Navy Training Curveball 06:22 A-7 Lesson in Trust 08:05 Steady Emotions and Purpose 09:57 Becoming an Astronaut 13:02 NASA Interviews and Selection 14:46 Spacewalk Mirror Moment 18:32 Stuck in Space Book 20:51 Starliner Thruster Crisis 23:28 Thrusters Failing Fast 24:45 Backup Mode Decision 25:12 Faith Under Pressure 28:06 Truth Over Feelings 30:52 Leadership for Crew 31:32 Leaving NASA Next Steps 35:36 Why He Published Book 36:38 Where to Get Book 37:29 Rapid Fire Fun 40:49 Host Wrap Up

    NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore on Faith and Perseverance

  6. Jun 8

    Life-Saving Sea Search and Rescue With Dr. Dr. Rob Yonover

    Today Patty welcomes Dr. Rob Yonover, a Hawaii-based PhD geochemist and volcanologist, big-wave surfer, and inventor of the See Rescue Streamer, a long, segmented orange visual marker designed to make people easier to spot during ocean and wilderness search and rescue. Rob explains the 1985 origin of the idea after a tense flight over open water, his biomimicry-inspired design, and why the streamer is battery-free, continuous, and redeployable compared with flares, smoke, or dye.  He discusses military approvals and real-world rescues in Afghanistan and a local diving incident, plus features like reflectors, chem lights, and FLIR visibility for night and covert use. He shares lessons from Shark Tank, media outreach, consumer pricing, and mentions other survival inventions, volcanology interests, books, and caregiving experience. Connect with Rob: Web: www.SeeRescueStreamer.com X: https://x.com/seerescue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeeRescueStreamer IG: @SeeRescueStreamer Email: military@SeeRescueStreamer.com Email: info@SeeRescueStreamer.com Episode Highlights: 00:00 Survival Stories Setup 00:27 Meet Dr Rob Yonover 01:36 Origin of the Streamer 02:43 Biomimicry Design Breakthrough 04:27 Military Testing and Approval 07:34 Shark Tank Reality Check 09:52 Media Hustle and Outreach 13:24 Consumer Market and Pricing 15:26 Covert Tech FLIR and SpaceX 18:52 Auto Deploy and Mandates 21:48 Volcano Passion and Adventures 23:41 Explosive Volcanoes and Caldera Facts 24:33 Survival Inventions Rundown 24:59 Gore-Tex Desalinator Explained 26:08 Surface Area Breakthrough 27:21 Weird Everyday Fixes 28:41 Chocolate Coconut Oil Hack 32:00 Books Caregiving and Health 34:01 Inventor Advice and Mindset 36:14 Rapid Fire Surfing Stories 38:21 Fishing Ethics and Big Catches

    Life-Saving Sea Search and Rescue With Dr. Dr. Rob Yonover

  7. May 11

    Bringing Positivity via Chart-Topping Music with Christian Rapper David Paul Brooks

    Today on Your Daily Chocolate, Patty interviews Christian rapper and motivational speaker David Paul Brooks, whose single “Undefeated 3.0” hit #1 on the National Radio Hits AC40 chart. Brooks shares his mission to give youth positive, faith-based alternatives to negative music, shaped by raising two sons and by his mother’s church foundation.  He discusses his Grammy- and Dove-winning group DOC splitting due to life changes, rebuilding as an independent artist, and collaborating with Bootsy Collins’ circle. Brooks explains his singles-first strategy leading to multiple #1 songs and the Undefeated album tied to a book and upcoming three-song mini-movie addressing child trafficking, the Me Too movement, and peer pressure. He describes the animated film “Power in the Name Of,”  Party in the Park outreach honoring first responders with giveaways, and his “No Bad Days” book and TikTok show. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet David Paul Brooks 01:29 Mission for Youth 02:57 Role Models and Roots 04:07 From Group to Solo 05:30 Starting Over Indie 07:27 Chart Topping Breakthrough 09:37 Why Release an Album 10:32 Undefeated Book and Movie 12:07 Power in the Name Of 16:57 Faith in Music Today 19:07 Accountability Matters 20:12 Party In The Park 22:42 Giveaways That Change Lives 24:00 Concert Ministry Impact 26:10 Leading With Love 28:18 No Bad Days Mindset 30:54 Rapid Fire Questions 34:04 Closing And Next Episode

    Bringing Positivity via Chart-Topping Music with Christian Rapper David Paul Brooks

  8. Apr 27

    Mark Steven Porro on Caregiving Humor and His Memoir “A Cup of Tea on the Commode”

    Today Patty welcomes Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native who spent 28 years in Hollywood, to discuss his bestselling, award-winning debut memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode, The book is about caring for his mother during the final three and a half years of her life after a near-death experience in 2011.  He explains the title’s origin from a daily bedside commode routine that included his mother’s favorite tea, and shares how hospice taught him hands-on caregiving tasks such as treating bed sores, changing diapers, sponge bathing, and managing stress. Porro describes using humor to handle difficult moments, recounts stories about both parents, and notes a caregiver health crisis that led to emergency surgeries. He also talks about creating the organic snack brand Grandpa Po’s Originals, life in the south of France, and an upcoming second book focused on his father. Find out more about Mark below: Choose your favorite bookstore to order Our website Our Facebook page Instagram TikTok Our YouTube channel Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Mark Porro 01:04 Title Meaning Explained 01:54 From Notes to Memoir 02:38 Hospice Care Lessons 04:46 Not a How To Book 06:32 Humor as Medicine 09:14 Dad Stories and Dignity 12:58 Why Mark Became Caregiver 16:47 Caregiver Burnout Warning 18:37 Third Emergency Recovery 18:58 Wild Hospital Meds 20:16 Accidental Nonprofits Story 21:11 Grandpa Poes Origins 23:11 Flavors And Factory 25:03 Mantras And Burnout 25:35 Screenplay And Next Book 27:08 Awards And Reader Letters 28:24 Life In France 30:15 Wine Actor Chocolate Picks 32:56 Wrap Up And Next Guest

    Mark Steven Porro on Caregiving Humor and His Memoir “A Cup of Tea on the Commode”
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Tired of all the negativity and bad news in the world? This brief weekly podcast will boost your mood. With funny stories, clean jokes and interviews with people who will inspire you — it’s like a bite of chocolate… feels good and it's good for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Patty Deutsche
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Patty Deutsche
  • Show Website
    Your Daily Chocolate

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