The Zest from Orange Coast magazine

This week, we’re sitting down with a visionary creative lead producer who’s made a major impact across Broadway, film, and television. With multiple Tony Award nominations, recognition on EBONY’s Power 100 list, and being named one of Variety’s Top 10 Broadway Players to Watch, he’s built a reputation for bringing powerful, culture-shifting stories to life. From producing groundbreaking hits like "Othello" starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, to "The Piano Lesson" with Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington, and "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" featuring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer, he’s consistently worked with some of the biggest names in the industry while helping bring important stories to the stage. Please welcome Brian Anthony Moreland!

Stephen Nelson is making history on one of the biggest stages in sports. He’s a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the first Asian American play-by-play announcer for a Major League Baseball team as well as an NBATV host. He’s been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and has called games from some of the most iconic broadcast booths in the world.

Heidi Zuckerman is a globally recognized leader in contemporary art who has reshaped what modern museums can be. She’s the first woman to build two major art museums, has raised more than $200 million to transform cultural institutions, and has worked to make art more accessible. From curating hundreds of exhibitions to leading the Aspen Art Museum and the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art and now expanding the conversation through her About Art platform, her career has been defined by curiosity, vision, and bold leadership.

Shirin Behzadi is a national bestselling author, CEO, and keynote speaker whose story defies every expectation. She grew up in Iran, was arrested as a teenager for holding a book, arrived in the U.S. alone at 17, and worked at a gas station. Against all odds, she put herself through college, rose through the ranks of prestigious financial institutions, and ultimately became the CEO who helped scale a home services franchise company to nearly a billion dollars in sales. Her journey is one of resilience, empathy, and finding strength in the unexpected.

This week's guest is the Vice President of Programming and Production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She oversees all Center performances, from mainstage productions to outdoor programming at Argyros Plaza, as well as education, public programs, and community engagement. She’s known for her bold, interdisciplinary approach to curation, seamlessly blending contemporary performance, site-specific works, and unexpected collaborations. Before joining Segerstrom Center, she held high-profile roles at some of the nation’s most iconic cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and New York Public Radio. Please enjoy this conversation with Limor Tomer!

This week, we’re diving into the story of an award-winning filmmaker who grew up in Huntington Beach and has gone on to create deeply emotional documentaries that challenge the way we see athletes, adventure, and the human spirit. From surviving a life-altering surfing accident as a teen to chasing big creative dreams at Chapman and turning a student passion project into a feature-length film that made waves around the world, her journey is all about resilience, storytelling, and doing things differently. She’s an award-winning director, co-founder of Intermaritime Studios, and a professor helping shape the next generation of filmmakers. Please enjoy this week’s episode with Devyn Bisson!

Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme are the co-owners and the driving force behind Mountain Mike’s Pizza and Juice It Up! They're longtime friends and Newport Beach locals, former student-athletes, and business partners who turned a beloved college pizza spot into one of the fastest-growing family-style pizza brands in the country. They’ve gone from early jobs washing cars and serving hot dogs to leading Mountain Mike's Pizza with more than 300 locations nationwide, all while staying true to quality, community, and a whole lot of crispy, curly pepperoni.

Sameer Gadhia is the Irvine-raised frontman of Young the Giant, the acclaimed alternative band behind multiple platinum singles, global tours, and unforgettable performances on major stages like the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Tonight Show,” and more. He’s also the visionary behind SiriusXM’s “Point of Origin” series, where he spotlights artists of color and amplifies fresh voices in the alternative genre.

Dr. Yasmine Mason is the founder of Fermentation Farm—a wellness-focused fermentation kitchen specializing in handcrafted, probiotic-rich foods and drinks that support gut health and overall well-being. After starting out as a chiropractor in Newport Beach, she shifted gears when patients and friends kept requesting the fermented products she was making at home. That passion eventually grew into a thriving business now celebrating 12 years, with locations in Costa Mesa and River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano.

Today, we’re joined by Isha Nicole, who is a creative leader who’s helping redefine modern Western style. She is the SVP of Creative & Marketing at Boot Barn—a nearly 50-year-old heritage brand headquartered in Irvine, with more than 500 stores nationwide.

Johanna Pate is a fashion stylist and vintage connoisseur who offers a range of services, including wardrobe edits, personal shopping, vacation looks, curated rental closets, photoshoot styling, and more. She’s worked with several guests we’ve had on the show, such as Z Supply’s President and Partner Mandy Fry, Coffee Dose and Bronzed Bunny Founder Jeni Castro, and author and watercolor artist Jenna Rainey.

Mike DiNorscia is an entrepreneur, community builder, and the CEO of Grit & Grain Collective, the hospitality group responsible for bringing Broken Yolk Cafe to Orange County, including in Orange, Costa Mesa, Buena Park, and Irvine. If you’ve ever enjoyed one of their iconic breakfast plates or stood in their weekend line, you’ve experienced part of the vision that he has worked hard to grow.

This week, we’re diving into the incredible story of a true Huntington Beach legend. From opening surf shops to helping grow powerhouse brands such as Billabong and Hurley, his journey has left a lasting mark on surf culture. Last year, he earned a well-deserved place in the 2025 Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Please enjoy this conversation with Dwight Dunn!

Aisha Ross is the founder of Fren, the brand creating elevated essentials for your best friend, including dog collars that can be embroidered, bandanas, and more. You might’ve seen her stylish dog accessories in collaborations with Free People, Monty’s, and Sidecar Doughnuts. In this week's episode, she shares how she came up with the idea for Fren, what she looks for in a collaboration, adorable behind-the-scenes moments, and more. You can read more about Fren in Orange Coast's February 2026 issue.

Sami Rappoport is an actress, writer, and producer. You probably know her best as Becca, the queen bee mean girl from the four-time Emmy-nominated Hulu series “Pen15” and now she’s stepping behind the camera with her own feature film in the works. On this week's episode she shares how she got into acting, behind-the-scenes stories from her time with Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, and more! You can also see Rappoport in Orange Coast's January issue.

Caroline Renezeder Foulk is the founder of Beer Girl Brewing Co., which offers consumers a crisp, refreshing lager with a lower ABV, less gluten, and no added sugar. The company aims to offer a more inclusive beer culture and has hosted activations at Stagecoach and Coachella in collaboration with Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand 818. You can find Beer Girl across Orange County at places including The Butchery, Hi-Times, Total Wine, and more.

Kiana Hanaoka manages social and influencer partnerships at Slowtide where she works across community, influencer partnerships, and product launches for the premium textile brand. She is also the founder and co-owner of Same Studios in Costa Mesa, which hosts workshops, events, panels, and more, and was featured in Orange Coast’s Best Of issue in 2025.

This week, we’re doing things a bit differently! Orange Coast magazine's publisher Chris Gialanella will be taking the reins and interviewing host Chelsea Raineri! If you're new to the podcast, Chelsea is the style and home editor at Orange Coast magazine as well as the producer, editor, and host of "The Zest." This week, Chelsea shares how her passion for writing began, what prompted her to start this podcast, and what listeners can look forward to in 2026.

Here's a look back at one of our earlier episodes!

Here's a look back at one of our earlier episodes!

Ryan Hitzel is an artist, adventurer, and founder of the globally inspired apparel brand, Roark. From growing up immersed in travel to leading design at major agencies and eventually launching his original lifestyle brand, his story is all about pushing boundaries, telling authentic stories, and living life off the beaten path.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts.Deanna Templeton is a film photographer whose work captures the raw, unfiltered beauty of adolescence, subculture, and everyday life in Southern California. Her acclaimed book What She Said blends her teenage diary entries with striking portraits taken over two decades, and she’s now featured in the 2025 California Biennial at UC Irvine’s Langson Institute, Orange County Museum of Art.

Chris Gialanella is someone who truly embodies the pulse of Southern California media. He’s the president and publisher of Engine Vision Media, which includes Los Angeles magazine, Pasadena magazine, and, of course, Orange Coast! He’s spent more than two decades shaping the publishing world and has interviewed everyone from Ryan Seacrest to Nicole Kidman.

Here's a look back at one of our earlier episodes!

Kylie Travis is a driving force behind one of Orange County’s most beloved cultural landmarks, Casa Romantica. She is the executive director of operations and programming, and under her leadership, the historic San Clemente venue has transformed into a vibrant hub for arts, education, and community connection.

Jordan Robinson is a powerhouse in sports journalism. Not only is she a host on the Women’s Sports Network and Pac-12 Network, but she also co-hosts the “Queens of the Court” podcast with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, and has been published in GQ, Essence, The Ringer, and more. This year, “Queens of the Court” became a new podcast called “The Women’s Hoops Show.”

Lily Magaziner is the founder of May Martin, the popular handmade jewelry brand that is known for its minimalism and timeless designs. The brand started in 2014 in a small trailer at The LAB, and now has four locations throughout Costa Mesa, San Juan Capistrano, and Laguna Beach and more than 800 wholesale partners nationwide.

Joseph McGinty Nichol, famously known as McG, is a filmmaker, director, and producer who has worked projects including “Charlie’s Angels,” “I Feel Pretty,” “The OC,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Supernatural,” and so much more. In the beginning of his career, he created more than 50 music videos for artists such as Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Sublime, and The Offspring. Now, he’s taken on a new chapter: overseeing the beloved Lido Theater here in Orange County.

Brian McDonell is the co-founder and president of Melin, which is a premium headwear brand that focuses on creating high-quality, innovative hats designed for adventure and everyday wear, using the finest materials and attention to detail. The San Clemente-based company has stores in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Irvine and has collaborated with brands including Red Bull, The Beverly Hills Hotel, the L.A. Kings, and more.

Audrey Huynh is an actor, singer, songwriter, and musician who stars as Stella in the “To All the Boys I Loved Before” spinoff series “XO, Kitty.” She’s also been in films including "Murder of a Cat" alongside J.K. Simmons and Nikki Reed and has does voice acting for shows including “We Bare Bears” and “Boss Baby: Back in Business.” This year, the Chapman student released her EP “lovesick” and was on the cover of Orange Coast’s Under 40 issue.

Miguel and Joshua González join Chelsea this week on The Zest. Miguel is the director of IT for Northgate Market and Joshua is the director of operations. Northgate Market was first opened in 1980 and is now one of the largest Hispanic supermarket chains in the country. In 2023, they launched Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market, a vibrant food hall featuring 20 vendors serving up Mexican dishes including tamales, tacos, and more.

Tom Dumont is the guitarist and longtime member of the iconic band No Doubt, which was famously formed in Anaheim back in 1986. He’s also part of Dreamcar, the ’80s pop group that blends members of No Doubt and AFI. This month marks the 30-year anniversary of No Doubt’s album “Tragic Kingdom,” which features hits such as “Spiderwebs,” “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” and more.

Shaheen Sadeghi is the founder, president, and CEO of LAB Holding, which is the parent company of cultural landmarks in Orange County including The LAB, The CAMP, and the Anaheim Packing District. He’s also held positions including the president of Quiksilver and worked in New York’s fashion and art industry during the “art explosion” in the ’70s.

Flavia Lanini is an internationally renowned beautician with 20 years of experience who honed her craft in Brazil. She is the creator of the EFFECT Massage—a specialized lymphatic drainage technique that’s earned her a devoted celebrity clientele, including Selena Gomez, Kris and Kendall Jenner, Sabrina Carpenter, Hailey Bieber, and many more. She recently brought her signature treatments to Orange County with the opening of her namesake Newport Beach spa this past April.

Hannah Akamine is the founder of It’s a Play Date, an empowering community where women come together to build real friendships through sports and community events such as Pilates, hiking, basketball, and more. In this week's episode, she shares the sports she first fell in love with, moving to Orange County, and what inspired her to start It's a Play Date. She also discusses her favorite memories from events and the impact she hopes to make.

Nolan Kahal and Sean Morrissey are the co-founders of SaunaBox, the Huntington Beach-based viral wellness startup that’s bringing the luxury of a steam room into your home. The young entrepreneurs are USC graduates and former NCAA athletes who started their company at just 25 years old and have created a brand that’s endorsed by professional athletes. In today's episode, Kahal and Morrissey discuss how they came up with the brand, their biggest hurdles and highlights, and more.

Case Anderson is the co-founder and chief marketing officer of the San Juan Capistrano-based apparel and accessories brand Seager, which combines the Old West and surf culture. The company recently opened its first flagship store at San Juan Capistrano’s River Street Marketplace and is in more than 600 retailers worldwide. In this episode, he talks about how Seager was founded and what listeners can look forward to from the brand.

Dr. Karen Odell-Barber is back on The Zest! She is the CEO at Neurologics, a cutting-edge technology company that offers brain mapping services that help to optimize the brain. In today’s episode we focus specifically on mental health, anxiety, OCD, and depression.

Gina Maier Vincent is a visionary thought leader, master motivator, author, TV host, and empowerment entrepreneur. She is also the host of the podcast “Exquisitely Aligned,” which is ranked among the top 3% globally. In this week's episode, she talks about the life event that led to a change in direction in her career, becoming an author, and how to live an Exquisitely Aligned life.

Diane Challis Davy is in her 29th season as the director and producer of Laguna Beach’s Pageant of the Masters. In this episode, she talks about how she first got involved with the show, her favorite behind-the-scenes moments, what attendees can expect from this year, and more.

Dakota Blaze Rader is the co-founder and CEO of Golden Eagle Vodka, a small-batch premium sipping vodka that is distilled in Montana using a unique dark northern spring wheat and Yellowstone spring water. He is also a TEDx speaker, sommelier, brand consultant, and has an MBA in luxury brand management. This week, he shares the history behind the brand, how he came to create Golden Eagle Vodka, and what sets the company apart from other leading vodkas in the country.

Forrest Kline helped define the soundtrack of the early 2000s. He is the frontman of Hellogoodbye—the band best known for their hit “Here (In Your Arms),” which topped charts and became a staple on iPods everywhere. You might also recognize his music from shows like "The O.C." In this week's epsiode Kline shares what first got him into music, the inspiration behind many of Hellogoodbye's songs, touring with Paramore, and more.

Jacquelyn Umof is a celebrity trainer who has worked with Kris Jenner, Reese Witherspoon, and Alanis Morissette and is also the founder of Barre Definition, the number one barre and Pilates fitness app for women. She is also a former ballerina as well as a former NBA dancer for the Clippers and the Lakers. She shares stories about her time dancing, the community she's built online, working with celebrities, and more.

Kaira Rouda is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author whose extensive list of novels includes “The Favorite Daughter,” “Best Day Ever,” and most recently “Jill is Not Happy.” Her book “Beneath the Surface” was recently optioned for feature film. In this week's episode, she shares what inspired her to start writing, the career she had before she became an author, and more.

Dr. Mercedes Szpunar is the Physician Director of the Maternal Mental Health Program at Hoag where her expertise includes diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopausal depression. She’s received numerous accolades including the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology New Investigator Award and the Anne Klibanski Visiting Scholars Award. She also has 10 first-author scientific publications. In this week’s episode, she discusses common mental health struggles during pregnancy, various solutions she offers her patients, and more.

Kate Kim and Michael Holcombe are the owners of Caitlyn Minimalist, an Asian female-founded jewelry brand that crafts delicate, personalized, and timeless pieces that capture each client’s unique style and story. The Orange County-based company started in 2013, and since then has been featured in Elle, Vogue, Glamour, and more. You can shop Caitlyn Minimalist’s products in store at Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum. In this week's episode, Kate and Michael share what inspired their brand, the eco-conscious practices they've implemented, customer stories, and more.

Here's a look back to one of our first episodes!Samah Dada is a cooking show host on the Today Show, the author of "Dada Eats Love to Cook It," and the creator of the blog and Instagram page Dada Eats. She talks with Chelsea about how she started her Instagram to share her favorite meals, starting her cooking show, and what putting herself in new situations has taught her.Photo Credit: Brendan Wixted

Jessica Stone is a published author and Harvard Certified in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies. She’s built a thriving modern spiritual brand, offering transformative courses, channeling sessions, and more—and has partnered with major names like Alo, Revolve, and Lululemon. In this week's episode she shares the core pillars of her course, how she helps people heal emotionally, and gives a cosmic update!

Garrett James is the founder and creative director of Fountain Valley-based Ryoko Rain, a luxury streetwear brand that got its start with unique and colorful mesh basketball shorts. Today, the brand features everything from shorts and tops to jackets, hoodies, and more for men, women, and kids. You can see Ryoko Rain on everyone from NBA superstar Jayson Tatum and NFL powerhouse Maxx Crosby to Olympian Alaysha Johnson. In this week's episode, James shares how he founded his company and what listeners can look forward to in the coming year.

Shaun Tomson is a world champion surfer, best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and environmentalist. He’s been called one of the greatest surfers of all time as well as one of the most influential surfers of the century by Surfer magazine, and you can see his name in Huntington Beach’s Surfing Walk of Fame. He’s inspired corporations with his motivational speeches including General Motors, Google, and Disney. This year, he brought his Positive Wave Tour to schools across Southern California including schools in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and Laguna.