Your Daily Chocolate

Today is a beautiful episode as Patty brings the heartwarming story of Friendly City Florals, a nonprofit organization founded by Laura and Rebecca in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Hear how these two friends, fueled by a passion for gardening and a need for healing after personal losses, repurpose leftover event flowers into beautiful arrangements for nursing homes, hospitals, and more. They talk about...

Thank you for joining us for this heartfelt episode. Patty welcomes Josh and Carly Berg, whose daughter Ellie's kindness has inspired the Be Like Ellie Foundation. Josh shares touching memories of Ellie's life and their mission to honor her through acts of kindness. Learn about their initiatives, including kindness cards, kindness grants, and music, all aimed at making the world a better place. Th...

Welcome back to Your Daily Chocolate! Patty returns after a short break to dive into December with a focus on kindness. Today her guest is Dark Joseph Ravine, a Canadian influencer and advocate for positivity. He shares his mission to promote kindness through his movement 'Kindness for Success.' Joseph discusses the influence of positive celebrities, his experiences with professional kindness in h...

Comedy can have powerful effects in all areas of life. Today Patty is joined by Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian and executive coach Parker Dean to share how his high-energy improv and live theater skills translate into effective corporate communication training. Parker has trained professionals across multiple countries to be more adaptable, confident, humorous, and relatable. Find more about...

In this special episode of 'Your Daily Chocolate,' Patty welcomes Zachary Leyden, a veteran and owner of Ocean View Stables. Zachary shares his experiences with PTSD and how working with horses provided healing, leading him to create therapeutic programs for fellow veterans. He highlights the transformative journey of veterans like Tyler, who built confidence and a sense of purpose through consist...

Today's amazing guest is Anne Montgomery, a pioneer in female sportscasting in the U.S. Anne shares her journey from a young sportscaster to becoming a high school sports referee, teacher, and foster mom. She discusses overcoming gender barriers, transitioning to teaching, and fostering children while addressing the impact of modern communication technology. Anne also talks about her writing caree...

Again, Patty never fails to impress with her guests. Today Patty welcomes film producer Larry Kasanoff to discuss his remarkable career and his book 'A Touch of the Madness', which explores how a playful, innovative mindset has fueled his success. Known for blockbuster movies like Terminator 2, True Lies, and Mortal Kombat, Kasanoff emphasizes the importance of creativity, risk-taking, and asking...

This week marks the birthday of The Navy, so Patty has a very special guest, retired Navy SEAL Marty Strong to discuss his transition from military service to the business world as a CEO. Marty, an author of multiple novels and leadership books, shares insights on leadership, the importance of emotional maturity, intellect, and psychological resilience. He emphasizes the absence of 'lone wolf' men...

On today's episode, Patty welcomes Cindy Fertsch, co-founder of Heart of Surfing, to discuss how the organization strives to bring opportunity in honor of her late son Jamie, who was on the autism spectrum. Cindy shares Jamie's love for surfing, the community they have built for individuals with developmental disabilities, and the various activities they offer beyond surfing. Despite personal trag...

Today Patty is wrapping up her final episode of the September podcast promotion series, with an informative, inspiring and heartwarming look at Byron and Margaret McKie's the 'Beyond I Do' podcast. This marriage-focused podcast offers valuable tips for a successful relationship, drawing from the McKies' 26 years of experience. The couple shares insights into communication, handling...

In honor of International Podcast Day, Patty welcomes Katey Fortun, creator of 'The Different Ability' podcast. Katey advocates for people with different abilities. Highlighting inspiring stories and resources for those with disabilities, aiming to celebrate and embrace our unique differences, and emphasizing how understanding different abilities can make us all better human beings. Find m...

In this episode of 'Your Daily Chocolate,' Patty highlights the 'Life Excellence' podcast hosted by success coach and bestselling author Brian Bartes. They discuss Brian's background in personal development, the inspiring stories from over 60 episodes, and the importance of lifelong learning. Brian shares his approach to interviewing people who have achieved excellence in vario...

Today Patty continues her special series in bringing you other podcasts that also bring positivity, inspiration and joy. Today she is highlighting two of them! First she welcomes Stephanie McLaughlin and her brilliant 40 Drinks Podcast . She and Patty discuss her podcast, focused on life transitions around turning 40, and her idea to have 40 drinks with 40 friends in 40 different places (not all i...

Patty is kicking off a month of highlighting other podcasts that are bringing inspiration, good news and that just make you feel good. Today Patty welcomes David Page and shines a light on his new podcast 'Culinary Characters Unlocked,' which features engaging conversations with culinary stars and food industry icons. Premiering on August 27th, the podcast will release episodes twice a wee...

Today Patty talks with Mario Chiodo, a longtime friend and renowned sculptor inspired by history’s great artists. From reshaping Yoda for Star Wars to creating monumental sculptures such as 'Remember Them', Mario shares his unique story, the challenges of being a colorblind artist, and his passion for making impactful art. He discusses his upcoming Halloween project and reflects on his sig...

Today’s episode is one that so many people can feel a passion for - the love of animals. Patty welcomes Peter Knights, a former economist turned wildlife conservationist. Peter's journey from economics to conservation started when he realized he wanted to make a positive impact on the world. He joined a team of undercover investigators working to expose illegal wildlife trafficking, which init...

As you can see from the title, today's guest is a little unique. Patty is thrilled to welcome Bullseye the Clown to share his incredible journey from working at an Amazon factory to becoming an award-winning humanitarian clown. He recalls how a trip with Patch Adams to Russia after his father's death reshaped his life, leading him to establish Clowns on a Mission, a charity providing essen...

In this episode, Patty celebrates Disability Pride Month with guest Melanie Dunn, a double amputee and program director at the Aimee Copeland Foundation. Melanie shares her extraordinary journey through countless surgeries to finding healing in nature. Discover how the foundation's flagship program, All Terrain Georgia, is transforming lives by providing all-terrain vehicles to individuals wit...

In this episode, Patty welcomes Matt Walker, president and CEO of Miracle by the Bay, an organization serving individuals with disabilities in Tampa Bay. Matt, born with cerebral palsy, shares his journey from playing baseball to surfing and leading community initiatives. He discusses an upcoming event to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act, aiming to raise awareness and provide resource...

On today's episode of Your Daily Chocolate, Patty welcomes Bina Bendale, a mother of three special needs children and founder of the nonprofit 'Real Life with Special Kids.' Bina discusses her struggle to find support as a parent to becoming a nurse coach, and helping other parents navigate mental health challenges and the healthcare system. She also shares insights into her upcoming S...

In this episode Patty welcomes Larissa Sousa, the Associate Director of Communications at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. They discuss the park's revival led by investor Greg Carr, the reintroduction of wildlife, and community engagement through education and sustainable living projects. They also highlight the park's fight against early marriages, the promotion of tourism, and the...

Thank you for joining us for another inspiring and heartfelt episode. Today Patty welcomes Genevieve Piturro, Inspirational and TedX Speaker, Author, Consultant, Oprah guest, and Founder of Pajama Program .   She talks about her transition from a successful corporate career to founding the Pajama Program, and from a child's innocent question, she overcame self-doubt, spearheaded a national mov...

On Today's episode Patty is letting you know that she's taking a little break in June. But gives you some great tips on what past episodes to check out during this month. Have a wonderful June and we'll see you back on July 1st!

When treating veterans with PTSD, your first thought is probably not farms or cows. But today’s guest is changing lives using just those things. Patty welcomes Marvin Frink, wounded veteran and owner/operator of Briarwood Cattle Farm in North Carolina. Marvin begins the episode by explaining the physical setup of the farm that is uniquely designed to be comfortable for veterans with PTSD. He then...

Have you ever seen a hot air balloon and wished you could be up there floating free? Well today's guest, Holly Pfeifer, competes in competitions around the country and even beyond. Holly she shares her passion for hot air ballooning, from childhood fascination to competitive flying. Discover the intricacies of balloon events, safety measures, challenging gender norms in ballooning, the thrill...