Chocolate and Coffee Break

Andrea Putting

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. 1d ago

    Who Cares for You- The Question Nobody Asked Her - Oksana Samkova

    She was the lighthouse — the person everyone turned to. But what happens when the lighthouse goes dark? Oksana Samkova grew up in a Ukrainian village where caring was woven into daily life. It led her into 32 years of nursing across multiple countries, raising children, supporting parents, and being the one who always showed up. Then she collapsed at work — and became the patient. Pour your cuppa and join us as Oksana and Andrea explore a question that rarely gets asked: who cares for the carer? They dig into why receiving help feels harder than giving it, the addictive pull of being needed, and the water bottle metaphor that changed how Oksana sees compassion — and herself. 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. Aug 12

    She Chose Curiosity When Belonging Felt Impossible _ Ell Joven

    What happens when every culture has different unspoken rules—and you no longer know where you belong? In this episode of Chocolate and Coffee Break, Elee Joven shares her experience of moving between Guam, the Philippines and the United States, and the challenge of balancing her old identity with a new cultural environment. She speaks honestly about feeling like an outsider, experiencing culture shock, struggling with belonging and questioning whether adapting meant losing part of herself. From the everyday differences around saying “please” and “thank you” to the deeper ideas of cultural intelligence and power distance, this conversation explores how quickly we can mistake difference for something wrong. Elee explains how curiosity helped her move beyond defensiveness, understand cultural differences and create more meaningful connections across cultures. This is a conversation about cultural identity, belonging, authenticity and learning to listen more deeply. Chocolate, coffee, and a conversation can change the tone of a room. How simple is that? ☕ Brew the Change Every episode ends with one simple invitation to put compassion into practice. This week: Ask someone, "What's something people often misunderstand about where you come from?" Then listen with curiosity. If this conversation meant something to you, share it with someone who could benefit from it. Let Love Be the Loudest Voice. Subscribe to Chocolate and Coffee Break, a compassionate proposition. Connect with Elee on LinkedIn or ellijolvin.com 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. Aug 6

    He Built Belonging Across 70 Countries After He Was Told He Didn't Belong _ Endre Hoffman

    At 15, Endre Hoffman was told he didn't belong. That one moment set him on a 20-year journey across 70 countries, searching for a place to call home. But along the way, he learned that belonging isn't something you find out there — it’s something you build between us. Today, he is known as "The Doctor of Self-Worth," helping others heal the wounds of rejection. In this conversation, we sit with the difficult questions of outgrowing our roots, the difference between blood family and soul family, and what happens when we stop escaping and start building connection where we are. Chocolate, coffee, and a conversation can change the tone of a room. How simple is that?—🎙 Chocolate and Coffee Break: A Compassionate Proposition Hosted by Andrea Putting, The Compassion Curator 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 29

    Courageous Compassion_ When Difference Divides, One Woman Crosses _ Morenike Ogebe

    What happens when you’re told you don’t belong — by the people who should belong to you? Morenike Ogebe grew up between African-American and Nigerian cultures, feeling she was not “enough” for either side. Over time, that lived experience became something powerful: the ability to listen across difference, understand more than one perspective, and help people move towards one another. In this conversation, Andrea and Morenike explore: • belonging and cultural identity • what it means to become a bridge builder • courageous compassion and the discomfort of difference • how curiosity can widen our world • small steps that help us connect with people unlike ourselves Morenike shares how her experience of living between cultures shaped her work, her relationships, and her commitment to bringing people together. This is not a conversation about pretending differences do not matter. It is about meeting one another with courage, curiosity, and humanity intact. Your Brew the Change challenge: notice where you feel most comfortable — and where you instinctively pull back. Stay a little longer. Ask one more question. Listen without needing to respond. Because that is where bridges begin. Find Morenike’s Elevating Good podcast: Website: elevategoodpod.com Substack: elevatinggoodpod.substack.com Watch Chocolate & Coffee Break, a compassionate proposition — conversations about what happens between people across difference. 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 22

    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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Vids Inc. TV
  • Show Website
    Chocolate and Coffee Break