Costa Mesa Pod

 In this episode of The Costa Mesa Pod, Holly McDonald sits down with Michelle, founder of J’Adore Body Studio, to talk about her fitness journey, losing 60 pounds, building confidence through weightlifting, and creating a women-focused fitness community in Costa Mesa. From entrepreneurship and wellness to strength training and mindset, this conversation highlights the passion and purpose behind o...

From local small businesses and community organizations to neighbors coming together, Love Costa Mesa Day was all about celebrating what makes our city special. Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported local vendors, and helped make a positive impact in our community. #LoveCostaMesa #CostaMesa #SupportLocal #CommunityFirst #SmallBusiness

In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, Holly McDonald chats with Sarah Cathers of Sunrise Movement Chiropractic about redefining chiropractic care through a mobile, patient-centered approach. Sarah shares how she built a flexible business that aligns with her values as both a healthcare provider and mom, while helping clients throughout Orange County improve mobility, nervous system health, and ov...

 In this episode, we’re talking about Love Costa Mesa Day and the incredible impact community involvement can have. From service projects and donation drives to supporting local schools and foster youth, this conversation highlights how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. We discuss the story behind Love Costa Mesa Day, ways to get involved, and why authentic community co...

Love Costa Mesa Day is a city-wide volunteer day coming up on Saturday, May 16. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jill & Jonathan Dease on The Costa Mesa Pod about their years of service and how they've brought their kids into the tradition. Unexpected bonuses for their kids included: -Volunteer hours -Confidence -Leadership skills What a great way for families to do something together &...

In this episode of The Costa Mesa Pod, Holly McDonald sits down with Costa Mesa resident and community leader Holly Horikawa to talk about life in the Halecrest neighborhood, the power of community involvement, and why Costa Mesa is such a special place to raise a family. After previously living in Huntington Beach, Holly and her family discovered the Halecrest neighborhood and quickly fell in lov...

In this episode of The Costa Mesa Pod, Holly sits down with international bestselling author and coach Patrick Snow to talk about entrepreneurship, writing books, and designing a life around freedom. Born and raised in Michigan, Patrick built his speaking and coaching career from the ground up — eventually relocating to Maui after realizing his business could be run from anywhere in the world. We...

What if a heart attack didn’t feel like a heart attack? In this powerful conversation, Sarah Wilson shares the moment she drove herself to the hospital thinking she was having a panic attack — only to discover she was experiencing a full-blown heart attack. No chest pain. No arm pain. No jaw pain. Just subtle symptoms that are often overlooked — especially in women. In this episode, we talk about:...

In this episode, I sit down with Sebastian Rusk — professional podcaster, keynote speaker, and comedian — to talk about the moment that forced him to take ownership of his life and stop drifting on autopilot. We unpack the turning points that come from discomfort, the role accountability plays in personal growth, and why learning to show up fully changes not just your own life, but the people arou...

Money problems aren’t always about math — they’re about mindset. In this episode, I sit down with Erika, a professional money coach, to talk about the habits, beliefs, and emotional triggers that quietly keep people stuck financially — even high earners. We cover: Why credit card debt feels overwhelming (and how to start tackling it) The snowball method and how small changes can save years of inte...

What if chiropractic care wasn’t just about back pain — but about supporting families at every stage of life? In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, I sit down with Dr. Corrin of House of Chiropractic to talk about what modern, family-focused chiropractic care really looks like. From newborns just days old to patients over 100 years old, Dr. Corinne shares how thoughtful diagnostics, proper imagin...

In this episode of Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Andrew from Goosehead Insurance to break down how insurance actually works and why so many homeowners and buyers feel frustrated by the process. We talk about: Why insurance is based on pooled risk (and what that really means) How carriers evaluate both the home and the homeowner Why some homes are denied coverage or quoted higher premiums How in...

In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, I sit down with Paul Gorman of ClearView Strategies, a CPA and financial coach with nearly four decades of experience in accounting and government finance. Paul shares what new business owners are often not prepared for, including self-employment taxes, estimated payments, and why so many people feel blindsided in their first year. We also talk about why your...

In this episode of Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with the team at Vanity Compound to talk about modern wellness, medical-grade aesthetics, and why thoughtful, individualized care matters—especially for busy moms, professionals, and anyone juggling real life. We dive into: Why consultations and medical history matter in aesthetic and wellness treatments How Vanity Compound approaches IV therapy, skin...

In this episode of Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Terri Brien of Terri Brien Interiors to talk about what separates good design from amazing design. Terri shares why a home should do more than look beautiful—it should support your lifestyle, elevate how you live, and function effortlessly every day. We dive into: Why design should be built around how you actually live The importance of listening...

In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, I sit down with Ann Marie of Restore Massage for an honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, and the unseen energy exchange that happens in wellness work. We talk about what it’s really like to build a business — especially during high-stress seasons — and how overworking, people-pleasing, and ignoring limits can quietly impact both practitioners and cl...

What started as face painting has turned into a full-scale, mom-owned party entertainment business serving families across Orange County. In this episode, Cass — founder of Mama Mia Party Pros — shares how she built a thriving local business offering face painting, airbrush and glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, craft stations, and even maternity bump painting. We talk about spotting gaps in the m...

In this episode of Costa Mesa Pod, I sit down with Sarah from Everything’s Messy Podcast to talk about stress, perfectionism, and the moment everything changed — including surviving a heart attack at 43. We dive into: Why stress is more dangerous than we admit Letting go of the “perfect life” illusion Sitting with the messy reality instead of rushing to fix it How facing the hardest moments can be...

In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Shaun and Amada from Top Notch Cleaning to talk about what it really means to grow a business without losing the heart behind it. From maintaining a small business feel as a company scales, to reinvesting back into the local community, Shaun and Amada share how supporting local goes far beyond transactions — it creates real impact. We talk ab...

Surf City Splash = the BEST way to start the year Rain or shine, Huntington Beach is kicking off 2025 the only way we know how… by running straight into the ocean   New Year’s Day Costume contest (yes, really — you’re getting wet anyway) Miss HB + her court in attendance New Mayor Casey McKeon doing the official countdown New category this year: Most Patriotic to launch America’s 250th anniversary...

Get ready for a mind-blowing deep dive into Newport Beach’s hidden history with Bill from Newport in Rearview Mirror! From a river that completely reshaped the coastline, to the forgotten stories behind local landmarks, to how a passion for podcasting and local history turned into a viral community phenomenon — this episode is packed with fascinating insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether...

In this multi-part conversation on the Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Shawn Kortes, founder of the Facebook Group HB Quarantine Cuisine, to talk about what it really means to support your community — from uplifting local businesses to navigating life-changing health experiences. Shawn shares powerful insights into kidney donation, including how modern kidney swap and voucher programs allow peopl...

Pelvic floor therapy is one of the most misunderstood — and most impactful — areas of women’s health. In this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Carrie from Recharge Therapy to talk about why pelvic floor issues affect so much more than people realize, and how the right care can be truly life-changing. We discuss how pelvic floor therapy has evolved over the past 20 years, why many wo...

Are interest rates finally leveling out… or are buyers and sellers in for another surprise? In this episode of Costa Mesa Pod, mortgage expert Jason Thibodeau breaks down the frustrating ups and downs of the past three years — from quick dips that vanished overnight to rates snapping back above 7%, and why today’s market feels different. If you're trying to make sense of today’s market or pla...

In this powerful episode, we challenge the outdated idea of “bouncing back” after motherhood — and instead celebrate the evolution every woman goes through. Heather shares why moms become the most powerful version of themselves, how creating life fundamentally transforms you, and what it really means to rise as a woman today. This conversation is vulnerable, honest, and deeply empowering — whether...