Making Waves Project

For this conversation, we visited Kathryn Kupillas, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Inner Vision Psychotherapy in Los Angeles, to talk about something so many of us experience but rarely understand: burnout. As creatives, entrepreneurs and people living in a fast-paced world, we wanted to explore what burnout actually is, why it happens, and how we can start listening to what our minds...

This week, we’re talking about something that touches all of our lives but often goes unspoken: grief. Gabri Segui, creator and host of the My Mom Died Podcast , joins us for an honest conversation about losing her mom unexpectedly and how that experience inspired her to create a platform where people can talk openly about loss. Together, we explore the isolation that can come with grief, the pres...

This one is fun, fascinating and guaranteed to make you think differently about the water you drink every day. We sat down with Martin Riese, one of the world’s leading water sommeliers, for a conversation all about hydration, taste, bottled water myths and the environmental impact of the water industry. Martin breaks down how different waters actually taste, why minerals matter, what to know abou...

We took this week’s episode outside and recorded in Griffith Park with Jason Wise, an environmental educator and queer ecologist who is helping people reconnect with the nature all around them. As part of our Earth Day series, Jason shares how he went from working in policy to leading foraging hikes and teaching others how to see the world differently. We talk about foraging, invasive vs native pl...

In this week’s episode, we talk with Ellen Ochoa, astronaut, engineer and the first Latina woman to travel to space. Ellen shares how her path into science actually began later in college when she decided to major in physics, which eventually led her to pursue a career in research and apply to NASA’s astronaut program. We talk about what it was actually like to travel to space, the challenges and...

This week we’re diving into all things sex, pleasure and connection with Nadège, a sex scholar and founder of Pleasure Science. We start with her backstory and how she found her way into this work, then move into one of our favorite parts of the conversation, flirting. Nadège breaks down her different flirt styles and explains how understanding your style can change the way you date and communicat...

This week we sit down with our good friend Mallory Love, a professional matchmaker and dating expert, to kick off our February conversations around love. Mallory shares how she found her way into matchmaking, what her job actually looks like behind the scenes, and why dating is less about perfection and more about self awareness, communication and consistency. We get into modern dating culture, co...

We’re back after a holiday break and ready to kick off 2026! In this episode, it’s just Katie and Robiee talking about the new year, our thoughts on resolutions, and how we’re approaching goals and intentions without the pressure to have everything figured out on day one. We share what we’re excited about for the year ahead, what we’re letting go of, and how we’re thinking about growth in a way th...

This week we sit down with Kelly and Randy, two passionate vintage toy collectors who have built their lives and careers around the joy of finding, preserving and sharing nostalgic treasures. Randy collects vintage advertisements and ephemera, while Kelly is the owner of a vintage toy shop and lifelong collector herself. We talk about how they each got started, what draws people to collecting, and...

This week it is just Katie and Robiee on the couch, cozied up with sushi, wine and a whole lot of laughter as they read listener submitted traditions for the holidays and beyond. From family rituals to funny food combos to stories passed down through generations, this episode is a mix of sweet, silly and sentimental. We talk about everything from honoring loved ones to surprising traditions people...

This week we sat down with Tadas Dabsys, a Lithuanian craftsman, culture bearer and Katie’s father in law, to talk about what it means to pass down traditions in a modern world. Tadas shares the story of his family’s journey from Lithuania to Los Angeles, the tight knit community that helped keep the language and culture alive, and how he has carried those traditions into his own life and family....

In honor of Veterans Day, Katie and Robiee sit down with Andrew Holbert, Executive Director at Courtney Place Veterans Housing , a nonprofit in Salem, Oregon providing affordable housing and wraparound support for veterans. Earlier this year, the Making Waves team partnered with Courtney Place to help share the stories of the residents who call it home. In this conversation, Andrew opens up about...

This week it’s just Katie and Robiee introducing our newest series all about traditions. As the holidays approach, we’re talking about what traditions mean to us, how they evolve, and the many ways people keep them alive today. From cultural celebrations passed down through generations to new customs being created right now, this series explores how traditions connect us to our past, our communiti...

As our final guest in the 13 Days of Strange series, Darnell Lamont Walker shares his journey as a Death Doula and Writer who brings compassion and creativity to one of life’s most misunderstood experiences. Darnell shares how death work found him at a young age, what it means to help people transition peacefully, and how storytelling plays a powerful role in remembering those we love. We talk abo...

In this conversation with Théron Regnier ( @thewhiskyist ), founder and lead distiller at The Obscure , we explore how curiosity and storytelling fuel one of LA’s most inventive tasting rooms. As part of our 13 Days of Strange series, Théron shares how he went from working in real estate to building a creative world rooted in history, craftsmanship and community. We talk about the magic behind The...

This week, we’re joined by Ansley Layne, better known as @spookyfoodie , to talk about her world of haunted bars, ghost stories and unforgettable food. Ansley shares how growing up in Las Vegas shaped her love for true crime and the paranormal, how Spooky Foodie began, and what it’s really like ghost-hunting in LA’s most historic bars and restaurants. We also talk about her work as a tour guide wi...

This week, we’re diving deep into Los Angeles’ darker history with Adam Levine, founder of Grave Line Tours . Part of our 13 Days of Strange series, this conversation uncovers how Adam turned his fascination with true crime, history, and empathy into one of LA’s most unique experiences. We talk about the city’s infamous cases, the history behind his vintage funeral limousines, and how Grave Line b...

This week it’s just Katie and Robiee introducing our newest series, 13 Days of Strange. We talk about how the idea first came to life, what “strange” means to us, and give you a sneak peek at the stories and people you’ll meet throughout October. From horror collectives to pet communicators, this series is about celebrating the unusual, the unexpected and the wonderfully unique. And, of course, we...

This week, Katie sits down with her good friend Michael Perez, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), to highlight CVI Awareness Month. Michael shares his journey into this unique field, starting from childhood friendships to teaching in schools across California. He explains what Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is, how it differs from other types of vision loss, and why early inte...

This week we’re joined by Toni Rose, founder of Little Rosie Flower Truck , a vintage Volkswagen pickup turned mobile flower bar that brings joy, color and connection to events across Southern California. Toni shares her journey from working in higher education to starting her own small business, what it’s like running Little Rosie full-time, and the lessons she’s learned about balance, value and...

This week we sit down with Woody Lovell, founder of the Barber Shop Club , to hear his incredible journey from growing up in Kansas to creating one of the most unique barbershop experiences in Los Angeles. Woody shares stories from his early days in Beverly Hills salons to opening the first Barbershop Club on Melrose, and the lessons he’s learned from working with everyone from everyday clients to...

This week we’re joined by Leah Landon, co-founder of Holy Cacao, to talk about her journey from growing up in Brooklyn and working in the music industry to finding a new path through wellness, community and cacao. Leah shares stories about her mom’s early influence, her time in New York and LA, and how meeting her partner Blake led to the creation of Holy Cacao. We dive into the benefits of cacao,...

This week it’s just the two of us, Katie and Robiee, catching up and giving you a look at what’s coming next for Making Waves Project. We talk about how we’ve been making waves in our own lives, the special campaign we created with Avery Labels that inspired our upcoming series, and what it was like behind the scenes bringing real small businesses onto set. It’s a mix of stories, reflections, and...

This week we’re joined by our friend Maggie Morlath, a TV producer who’s worked on Shark Tank, Hell’s Kitchen, E! News and The Great Christmas Light Fight. We talk about how she went from being an overachieving kid to finding her way in Hollywood, what really goes on behind the scenes of unscripted TV, and the importance of staying positive and connecting with people, including the entrepreneurs s...

In this episode, we were so excited to sit down with Bravo Valenti, an artist, author, and Robiee’s neighbor! We talk to Bravo about how he discovered creativity later in life, his psychedelic experiences, and the way art can truly be a healing tool for both the person making it and the people experiencing it. Bravo takes us through his life journey that is honest, thoughtful, and full of unexpect...