For Love and Chocolate

Episode: The One With Gary Janetti and Brad Goreski

Hosts: Tommy & Tara Gallop ("Mr. and Mrs. Truffles")
Guests: Gary Janetti & Brad Goreski
Release Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This sweet and intimate episode of For Love and Chocolate centers on enduring relationships and the unique love story of acclaimed writer-producer Gary Janetti and celebrated fashion stylist Brad Goreski. Hosts Tommy and Tara Gallop set the stage with a sentimental tribute to family romance, before welcoming Gary and Brad—partners of 23 years—to recount their serendipitous meeting, the evolution of their love, and how they have shaped and championed one another's dreams.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Sentimental Opening: Love Stories Through Generations

• Hosts reflect on family legacies of love, setting a tone of nostalgia and reverence for enduring partnerships.
• Mr. Truffles shares a moving letter his mother wrote about her 50-year marriage:

  "What started as a simple date turned into a beautiful quilt of life... When you've had love in your life and you're surrounded by love, that's a happy ending." (Mr. Truffles reading Susu's letter, 03:27 - 05:44)

• Musical interlude: A heartfelt rendition of "It Had to Be You" in honor of Mr. Truffles's parents' love story. (06:52 - 10:32)

Introduction of Gary Janetti & Brad Goreski

• Tommy and Tara express excitement and share brief professional backgrounds for both guests. (10:44 - 12:18)

The First Meeting: Mykonos, 2001

How they met:

• Brad, freshly sober, was living in Athens and visiting Mykonos for the weekend; Gary was there spontaneously with a friend.
• Their first interaction happened at Nikos Taverna, where Gary offered Brad a dessert (with chocolate, fittingly), which Brad declined.

  "I was walking through Nikos Taverna, and Gary was sitting there with his friend Sal... Gary offered me a bite of his dessert. I believe I declined." (Brad, 16:03 - 16:50)

• Fate intervened through mutual friends; their immediate chemistry led to dancing and a first kiss at a local club.
• Gary was instantly drawn to Brad:

  "As soon as I saw him... My eye caught Brad instantly. And I said to my friend, who's that? I want to meet him." (Gary, 17:46 - 18:15)

• The first night together led to Brad moving his suitcase to Gary’s hotel, and an impromptu extended getaway.
• Brad shared:

  "I had a really weird feeling I’m gonna meet the person I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with." (Brad, 21:05)

[Timestamp: 13:23 – 22:40]

Navigating a Fast-Track Romance

• After Mykonos, Gary returned to LA and Brad to Athens, but within days Brad traveled to LA (his first time in the city) to see Gary.
• Early challenges included distance (Brad lived in Canada), a major age difference (Gary 11 years Brad’s senior), and Brad’s sobriety and career uncertainty.

  "It shouldn't have worked. Everything about it shouldn't have worked." (Gary, 26:32)

• Legal complications (border crossings, visas) made things “real world” challenging and stressful, but the couple persevered.

  "There were a lot of obstacles against us, which he was always very chill about." (Brad, 29:26 - 29:58)

[Timestamp: 22:23 – 31:18]

The Importance of Independence & Building Separate Lives

• Gary stressed that, for the relationship to last, Brad needed his own independent life and career—not to be just part of Gary’s world.

  "If this is gonna work out, you need to have your own independent life." (Gary, recalling early advice to Brad, 32:06)

• Brad initially found this daunting, seeking a more classic rom-com entwining of selves:

  "Independent life is not what I signed up for. I signed up for you complete me." (Brad, 32:41)

• In hindsight, both see this as a turning point that allowed them both to flourish together and as individuals.

[Timestamp: 31:18 – 34:28]

Mutual Support and Championing Each Other

• Gary highlights the necessity of supporting your partner’s dreams:

  "I'm also Brad's biggest fan. I mean, I should be the person who wants him to succeed more than anybody else."

• Brad credits Gary for encouraging him to pursue a Vogue internship—his first big break in fashion.

  "He was always by my side, helping me to achieve my dreams." (Brad, 33:59 - 34:28)

• Later, Brad encourages Gary to embrace Instagram, which leads to newfound success and multiple book deals for Gary.

  "Had I not listened to him, I think there's a very conceivable that I would have never written three books in five years." (Gary, 41:46)

• Both emphasize the joy in witnessing the other grow and thrive:

  "I think it's just the way that he loves me is by watching me and— we do for each other— is like watching each other achieve their dreams and being the person there going, like, how can I help you to get there?" (Brad, 39:54)

Marriage, Family, and Legacy

Engagement & Wedding

• Proposal took place in Mykonos at the hotel where they first met; Gary bought the ring locally and proposed on one knee.

  "If you’re doing the bit, do the bit. You know what I mean? Don’t do it halfway." (Gary, 42:47)

• They have a small wedding on a cruise ship with immediate family, celebrating both their love and the generations that made gay marriage possible:

  "I kind of got married for them, you know, it was a way to honor that and for what people had worked so hard for." (Gary, 43:36)

[Timestamp: 42:09 – 44:27]

Family Centrality

• Both stress the value of family—Sunday calls to Gary’s parents, sharing travel and experiences with each other’s families, and fostering ties even through difficult times.

  "Family is so important to both of us... I think watching Gary, who has not missed a phone call to his parents on a Sunday in the 23 years that I've known him..." (Brad, 45:11)

• Brad describes how Gary’s support helped him maintain a complicated but ultimately rewarding relationship with his own father:

  "My dad and I are doing great right now. It's just a beautiful miracle that the two of us are aware..." (Brad, 46:54)

[Timestamp: 45:11 – 47:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On writing the new book:

  "I've never written a love letter to Brad. And until this book." (Gary, 13:36)

• On the moment of knowing:

  "I knew the first night... There was love there the first night." (Gary, 23:19 - 24:05)

• On behind-the-scenes support:

  "It also wasn't just him saying, you need to find yourself. It was him saying, I want to hold your hand while you find yourself." (Mrs. Truffles, 52:26)

• On true partnership:

  "You are each other's wind beneath each other's wings." (Mr. Truffles, 52:44)

Gifts and Closing

Romantic Weekend in a Bag (48:00):

• Swiss chocolates, scented candles, Judy Garland perfume, Tara’s handmade white chocolate body butter.

Reflections from the Hosts

On Gary and Brad’s connection:

• "Not only a deep love, but a really deep appreciation, you know?" (Mrs. Truffles, 51:40)
• Their story affirms how love is serendipitous yet flourishes through intentional support, growth, and the celebration of each other’s uniqueness.

Key Timestamps

• Gallop Family Love Letter: 03:27 – 05:44
• Gary & Brad’s First Meeting: 13:23 – 22:40
• Navigating Distance & Challenges: 22:40 – 31:18
• Building Independent Lives: 31:18 – 34:28
• Supporting Each Other’s Careers: 33:59 – 41:46
• Engagement & Family: 42:09 – 45:11
• Family Relationships: 45:11 – 47:05
• Romantic Weekend in a Bag (Gifts): 47:53 – 49:20
• Host Reflections: 50:44 – 52:44

Tone and Language

The conversation is open, witty, and heartfelt—balancing humor (and a little irreverence) with vulnerability and warmth. The hosts create a cozy, inviting atmosphere, inviting listeners to savor not just stories, but the emotions and lessons that flow through them.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a heartwarming and insightful exploration of how chance, vulnerability, generosity, and sustained effort nourish lasting love. Gary Janetti and Brad Goreski’s story is both singular—full of glamour, travel, and pop culture—and universal, grounded in mutual respect, encouragement, and family ties. Their reflections on supporting one another’s ambitions and maintaining independence within a deep relationship offer timeless wisdom and inspiration, wrapped in a tone as sweet and authentic as the Swiss chocolate signature to the show.