Chocolate and Coffee Break

Andrea Putting
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A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection. Each episode invites you into real, unscripted conversations over chocolate and coffee — simple rituals with the power to disarm, disarmour, and deeply connect. Here, we don’t just talk about change — we live it. We bring together people from different walks of life to share their stories, their hopes, and sometimes, their hardest truths. What will you get out of it? Perspective. Courage. Humanity. A spark of hope that maybe — just maybe — the world isn’t as divided as we think. This is your invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and discover the extraordinary in everyday people. Because when we make space for the conversations that matter, love doesn’t just whisper — it roars. So grab a cuppa. Break the chocolate. And stay for the conversation that might just change your day — or your life.

  1. 2d ago

    When Your Difference Becomes Your Strength - Larisa Vakulina

    The conversation you're most afraid of having is probably the one that needs to happen most. What happens between two people when one of them cannot find the words? Larissa Vakulina arrived in Australia 32 years ago carrying a lifetime of knowledge she couldn't share. No English. Unrecognised qualifications. She watched people dismiss her before she opened her mouth, not because of what she said, but because of how she sounded. She learned to stay quiet, to stand in the shade, to let others speak for her. And then she discovered something unexpected: the difference she'd been hiding was the very thing that could connect her to others. This conversation sits in the space between people — what gets lost across language, across accent, across the assumptions we make about each other. And what becomes possible when we choose curiosity over judgment. Connect with Larisa at https://larisavakulina.com.  Chocolate and Coffee Break is a compassionate proposition — real conversations about what happens between people, across difference, one coffee and chocolate at a time. Hosted by Andrea Putting, The Compassion Curator.  Subscribe for weekly conversations that disrupt division and build connection. 💬 What part of Larissa's story resonates most with you? Share in the comments. Let Love Be the Loudest Voice A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  2. Jul 15

    What Happens When We Let Children Teach Us Kindness

    Can changing just one life really change the world? In this uplifting episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Peter Nicholls, founder of Change the One, to explore why kindness isn't complicated and why the smallest acts of compassion can create the biggest ripple effects. After a life-changing trip to a remote village in Papua New Guinea with his daughter, Peter realized he didn't need to change the whole world. He simply needed to change one life at a time. That philosophy became the foundation of his charity, which has built schools, provided clean water, and created educational opportunities for communities across Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Peter also shares the inspiration behind his children's book Cece the Caring Cow: The Kindness Adventure, explaining why it was written just as much for adults as it was for children. Together, he and Andrea discuss how children naturally embrace kindness, how adults often complicate it, and why compassion begins with the simple choices we make every day. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that changing the world doesn't require extraordinary resources, it starts with ordinary people choosing kindness, generosity, and community. In this episode you'll discover: Why children naturally accept and include others.How one trip to Papua New Guinea transformed Peter's life.The powerful philosophy behind Change the One.Why education is one of the greatest tools for breaking the cycle of poverty.How everyday acts of kindness create lasting ripple effects.The inspiration behind Cece the Caring Cow: The Kindness Adventure.This week's Brew the Change Challenge: Let a child see you choose kindness. Don't just tell them, show them. One small act of generosity today may become a lifelong habit tomorrow. Hosted by Andrea Putting, Chocolate and Coffee Break is a compassionate conversation series dedicated to building stronger communities through stories that inspire empathy, kindness, and meaningful human connection. Until next time... let love be the loudest voice A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  3. Jul 11

    She Chose Cultural Respect Over Her Gut. It Nearly Destroyed Her. Dr Mini Rattu

    Can honoring your culture and trusting your intuition exist side by side? In this heartfelt episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Dr. Mini Rattu to explore identity, family, culture, healing, and the courage to rediscover your own voice. Growing up in a loving Punjabi family in California, Dr. Mini embraced the values of community, respect, and tradition. But after entering an arranged marriage that became abusive, she found herself disconnected from her intuition, her confidence, and even the culture she once loved. Through weight training, yoga, nervous system healing, and deep personal reflection, Dr. Mini rebuilt her life—learning that the body often recognizes danger long before the mind understands it. Today, she helps others understand trauma, resilience, emotional regulation, and the powerful connection between our bodies, our stories, and our ability to heal. This conversation is a compassionate exploration of cultural identity, intuition, recovery, and the importance of listening to the quiet signals within ourselves. In this episode, you'll discover:Growing up between two cultures and balancing identity.The realities and misconceptions surrounding arranged marriage.How trauma disconnects us from our intuition.Why the nervous system often knows something is wrong before the mind does.Reclaiming culture without allowing painful experiences to define it.The role of community, family, and self-compassion in healing.This week's Brew the Change Challenge: Learn someone's name correctly—and ask what it means. A person's name often carries a beautiful story, and taking the time to learn it is a simple act of respect and belonging. Hosted by Andrea Putting, Chocolate and Coffee Break is a compassionate conversation series dedicated to bridging divides, sharing powerful stories, and reminding us that every conversation has the potential to change a life. Until next time... let love be the loudest voice. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  4. Jul 11

    The Power of a Smile Across Difference Sally Pymer

    A smile costs nothing,but what if it could change someone's entire day, or even their life? In this episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Sally Pymer to explore the remarkable power of one of the simplest acts of compassion: a genuine smile. Together they discuss how a smile helps people feel seen, safe, and accepted, especially those experiencing stigma, loneliness, disability, addiction, or personal struggle. Sally shares moving stories of how a simple smile and a few moments of listening transformed the day of a woman who felt invisible, proving that we don't always have to solve someone's problems we simply need to acknowledge their humanity. The conversation also explores the surprising science behind smiling, including its ability to reduce stress, release feel-good chemicals, lower anxiety, improve wellbeing, and create stronger human connections. Andrea and Sally discuss why genuine smiles foster acceptance, belonging, and community, and how this small gesture can ripple outward to create meaningful change. If you've ever wondered whether the smallest acts of kindness really matter, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that compassion often begins with something as simple as making eye contact and smiling. This week's Brew the Change Challenge: Offer three genuine smiles this week to people you might normally walk past. Notice how one simple moment of connection can brighten someone else's day and perhaps your own. Until next time… Let love be the loudest voice. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  5. Jul 11

    60,000 Years of History My Marriage Taught Me Jo Connolly

    What happens when love invites you to walk between two cultures? In this episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Jo Connolly, whose life changed when she married an Aboriginal Australian and began seeing her country through different eyes. What started as a love story became a journey of understanding, challenging assumptions, and discovering the richness of one of the world's oldest living cultures. Jo shares her experiences witnessing racism firsthand, raising children to embrace both their Aboriginal and Irish heritage, and learning the deeper meaning behind concepts like Welcome to Country, cultural identity, and belonging. Rather than speaking from theory, she speaks from decades of lived experience alongside her husband, family, and community. Together, Andrea and Jo explore why listening matters, how curiosity can replace fear, and how understanding another person's story can transform the way we see our own. If you've ever wondered how compassion can bridge cultural divides, this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that meaningful change often begins with one honest conversation. This week's Brew the Change Challenge: Take time to learn about another culture. Listen with curiosity, ask respectful questions, and spend a little time walking in someone else's shoes. Until next time... let love be the loudest voice. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  6. Jul 11

    The Suburban Witch Sitting With the Question of Faith Hana O'Neill

    What happens when someone chooses a spiritual path that challenges everything they were taught to believe?In this thought-provoking episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Hannah O'Neill, better known as The Suburban Witch, for an open-hearted conversation about faith, spirituality, curiosity, and finding the courage to follow your own path.Raised in a strict evangelical Christian environment, Hannah shares her deeply personal journey from organized religion to identifying as a witch and pagan. Along the way, she explores how curiosity replaced fear, how spiritual awakening transformed her understanding of the world, and why embracing questions can be just as powerful as finding answers.Together, Andrea and Hannah discuss: Hannah's journey from Christianity to paganismCommon misconceptions about witchcraftThe surprising similarities between different spiritual traditionsTarot, intuition, and spiritual practicesWhy curiosity is more powerful than judgmentFinding connection through nature, compassion, and personal growthRather than debating beliefs, this conversation invites listeners to approach different perspectives with openness, respect, and understanding. It's a reminder that meaningful conversations begin when we choose to listen instead of judge.Brew the Change Challenge: This week, create space for someone to explore their beliefs without trying to change, fix, or convince them. Sometimes the greatest act of compassion is simply listening.Until next time, grab your chocolate, pour your coffee, and remember...Let love be the loudest voice. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  7. Jun 10

    When Storytelling Gives Others Permission to Be Heard _ Khatija Halabi

    What does it mean to truly belong? In this heartfelt episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Andrea Putting sits down with Khatija Halabi—audiologist, community advocate, and author of A Soft Landing—to explore the power of belonging, inclusion, and human connection. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, Khatija experienced firsthand what it means to live in a society divided by race and classification. Arriving in Australia with plans to stay for only two years, her life changed when someone offered her a "soft landing"—a simple act of kindness and welcome that shaped her future and inspired a lifetime of helping others feel they belong. Together, Andrea and Khatija discuss:Growing up in South Africa during apartheidBuilding a life in Australia as a Muslim womanThe importance of storytelling in breaking down barriersThe parallels between hearing loss and social isolationCreating communities where everyone feels seen, heard, and valuedWhy belonging is something we intentionally createFrom her work supporting people with hearing loss to initiatives that promote understanding across cultures and faiths, Khatija reminds us that belonging begins with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to connect. "Belonging isn't accidental. It's intentional. And it begins with us." – Khatija Halabi Brew the Change Challenge This week, create a soft landing for someone new in your world—a neighbor, colleague, student, or community member. A simple conversation could make all the difference. 🍫 Connect with Khatija Halabi and learn more about her book A Soft Landing. Until next time, grab a chocolate, share a coffee, and remember: Let love be the loudest voice. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

  8. Jun 3

    A Greek Boy in a Milk Bar Learned What Most Adults Still Don't _ Peter Mousaferiadis

    Growing up in his family's milk bar in Melbourne's western suburbs, the son of Greek migrants who barely spoke English, Peter experienced discrimination firsthand. But instead of pulling away from difference, he leaned in — through music, through dialogue, through a Greek concept called philotimo: putting humanity before yourself. A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.

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About

A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection. Each episode invites you into real, unscripted conversations over chocolate and coffee — simple rituals with the power to disarm, disarmour, and deeply connect. Here, we don’t just talk about change — we live it. We bring together people from different walks of life to share their stories, their hopes, and sometimes, their hardest truths. What will you get out of it? Perspective. Courage. Humanity. A spark of hope that maybe — just maybe — the world isn’t as divided as we think. This is your invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and discover the extraordinary in everyday people. Because when we make space for the conversations that matter, love doesn’t just whisper — it roars. So grab a cuppa. Break the chocolate. And stay for the conversation that might just change your day — or your life.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrea Putting
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Vids Inc. TV
  • Show Website
    Chocolate and Coffee Break