Podcast Summary: "For Love & Chocolate"
Episode: The One With David and Patricia Mastrandrea
Hosts: Tommy & Tara Gallop (Mr. & Mrs. Truffles)
Guests: David and Patricia Mastrandrea
Date: September 9, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of "For Love & Chocolate" centers on enduring love and the sweet intersections between relationships and chocolate. Tommy and Tara (Mr. & Mrs. Truffles), celebrate the romantic journey of David and Patricia Mastrandrea—a couple married for 52 years, together for 55. The conversation travels from lighthearted Beverly Hills shop tales and listener mail to the profound spiritual and emotional partnership between their guests. The Mastrandreas share the story of their meeting in 1969, their shared spiritual inclinations, their supportive roles in each other's personal growth, and their advice for lasting love.
Key Segments & Highlights
1. Setting the Scene in Beverly Hills (00:24–04:49)
- Tommy and Tara open with observations about the changing seasons and the return of local customers to their chocolate shop near Rodeo Drive.
- A humorous story about a missing shipment of "Milk Butter Crunch" truffles and a devastated VIP customer underscores how chocolate is woven into their community's affections.
- Quote:
- “When we don't have people's favorites, all hell breaks loose.” – Mr. Truffles (03:01)
2. Family Updates & Listener Mail (04:54–10:27)
- Personal note: Their daughter Marley is bringing her new boyfriend to dinner, which is treated with warmth and excitement.
- The mailbag features:
- "Mikey from Montecito" announcing he married a woman who just inherited $250 million.
- Giovanni, an Italian listener, requests matchmaking help in LA and prompts a comedic rendition of “Making Whoopee."
- Quote:
- “Another season, another reason for making whoopee…” – Mrs. Truffles (08:16)
3. Introducing the Mastrandreas (10:28–12:11)
- The Mastrandreas’ impressive backgrounds and 55-year love story are introduced.
- The couple is celebrated for their long, intertwined careers in the arts, entrepreneurship, education, and environmental advocacy.
The Mastrandrea Love Story: An Enduring Partnership
First Meeting & Instant Connection (12:07–18:05)
- How They Met: In October 1969, at a Stanford Esalen workshop—David was organizing, Patricia was attending.
- David describes his first sight of Patricia:
- “An angel had landed and appeared to me like out of a Botticelli painting or something.” (15:14)
- Patricia reciprocates the sentiment:
- “I absolutely knew him.” (17:19)
- David describes his first sight of Patricia:
- They spent the evening talking, sharing a back massage, and feeling an immediate sense of rightness about their connection.
- Their first kiss happened that night, “as soon as possible.” (18:05)
Shared Spiritual Journey (18:47–23:16)
- Both were deeply involved in the intellectual and spiritual movements of the Bay Area in the late '60s and early '70s.
- Fascination with Zen Buddhism and openness to different philosophies.
- Connections with figures like Baba Ram Dass and Ralph Metzner.
- Quote:
- “We kind of had these different ways of coming to something that was the same.” – Patricia (22:00)
Partnership & Marriage (24:01–26:41)
- Lived together for three years before formalizing their commitment, motivated in part by wanting to move into a Tibetan Buddhist community.
- Their wedding was a simple city hall ceremony, writing their own vows to reflect a “deep, deep commitment and connection.” (26:13)
- “I was continually proposing for three years... through poetry and music.” – David (24:45)
- The marriage was personal and spiritual, not about external displays or conventions.
Sustaining the Relationship (27:37–31:36)
- Both cite openness, creativity, kindness, and steadfast support as foundational.
- Patricia:
- “I can never be bored with David... You have to just stay open.” (27:46)
- The couple has handled life’s challenges—illness, adversity—by supporting and strengthening each other.
- “We’ve experienced suffering, sickness… And how are you dealing with that? Are you preparing yourself to deal with that and, you know, help not only yourself, but others?” – David (31:17)
Advice for Enduring Love (30:17–31:36)
- David’s playful, candid advice:
- “Have a lot of sex the first seven years.” (30:17)
- Patricia adds the importance of patience and understanding that happiness cycles, but steadfast commitment brings you back to joy.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Instant Recognition:
- “I knew him. I absolutely knew him.” – Patricia (17:19)
- On Intimacy & Care:
- “He truly has healing hands. People attest to that touch.” – Patricia (17:48)
- On Lasting Happiness:
- “All I could think of was, I want to be this happy all the time.” – Patricia (21:56)
- On Proposing through Art:
- “I would do it through poetry and when we started playing music together…” – David (24:45)
- On Partnership:
- “She’s taken that something and made me realize that compassionate, loving, kind, respectful, philosophical person who is always there for people.” – David (28:35)
- On Family Support:
- “Our families all accepted us wholeheartedly.” – Patricia (26:20)
- On Cycles in Relationships:
- “You can’t be in the God realm forever... it comes back and you’re in the God realm again.” – Patricia (30:38)
- On Building Strong Foundations:
- “Create a really strong foundation in the beginning.” – Mrs. Truffles paraphrasing (30:32)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Setting the Scene / Chocolate Shop Stories: 00:24–04:49
- Family Notes & Listener Mail: 04:54–10:27
- Introducing the Mastrandreas: 10:28–12:11
- Meeting Story / Early Days: 12:11–23:16
- Partnership, Marriage, & Philosophy: 24:01–27:37
- Advice & Reflections: 30:17–32:05
- Hosts’ Reflections / Outro: 32:56–35:05
Final Thoughts & Host Reflections
Tommy and Tara close by reflecting on the “pure love” and authenticity of the Mastrandrea’s relationship. They extend thanks to the couple’s daughter-in-law, Annabelle, who helped bring the guests onto the show. The hosts muse about the culture of the '70s, the magic of California, and their appreciation for enduring love stories.
“They are so sweet. They are pure love.” – Mrs. Truffles (34:32)
Conclusion:
This episode shines with warmth, intimacy, and wisdom. It not only tells a remarkable love story but offers uplifting advice and perspective on nurturing real connection, staying open, and embracing the full journey of life together.