The Zest from Orange Coast magazine

Today we’re talking about astrology, intuition, and how the cosmos can help us better understand the seasons of our lives. My guest is an evolutionary astrologer, tarot reader, and the host of “StarCast Weekly” on Gaia. After a series of major life challenges, he began diving deeper into tarot and astrology in search of meaning, which ultimately led him to the work he does today. Now he helps thou...

Today we’re sitting down with a skateboarder and stuntman who helped define a generation of chaotic, fearless entertainment. He started getting sponsored by skate shops as a teen and went from filming skate videos with stunts and pranks for Big Brother , a skateboard magazine, to becoming one of the breakout stars of MTV’s cultural phenomenon, “Jackass.” From dodging charging bulls to building bus...

Today we’re joined by a creative executive who started on the cutting floor at Vera Bradley and quickly rose to work directly with their co-founder. Today, she helps lead BÉIS, the travel and lifestyle brand founded by Shay Mitchell that has grown into a more than $250 million business. She has played a major role in shaping BÉIS into more than just a luggage company—transforming it into an “on-th...

Chase Wilson is a Newport Beach native who has turned a life spent in the ocean into both a professional surfing career with Quiksilver and a California-made grooming brand inspired by the timeless style of the ’50s and ’60s. His brand, Byrd, has been featured in Men’s Health , GQ , and Allure .

Today we’re joined by an actress, entrepreneur, and creator. You’ve seen her in hit shows like “Tell Me Lies,” “Chicago P.D.,” “CSI: Vegas,” “9-1-1,” and “The Good Doctor.” Now, she’s stepping into her biggest role yet as CIA analyst Gina Gosian on CBS’s “CIA.” She’s also the creator and host of “Ground Up with Natalee,” where she helps aspiring actors navigate the business side of Hollywood, and...

This week, we’re talking about creativity, collecting, and breaking down the barriers of the art world. Our guests are two women who are helping redefine what it means to discover and own original art: championing emerging artists from around the globe, making collecting more accessible, and leading one of the most influential online art platforms in the world. Please enjoy this episode with CEO S...

Natasha Gregson Wagner grew up in the heart of Hollywood as the daughter of Natalie Wood and producer Richard Gregson. After her mother’s tragic passing, she was raised by her stepfather Robert Wagner, navigating both profound loss and a powerful legacy. She built her own career in film and television with roles in “High Fidelity”, “Stranger Than Fiction,” and “ER,” and has since produced the HBO...

This week, we’re joined by a true cultural icon. She’s the international best-selling novelist behind Sex and the City and the woman often called the real-life Carrie Bradshaw herself. From bestselling books like Four Blondes , Lipstick Jungle , and The Carrie Diaries to the HBO phenomenon that changed the conversation around women, friendship, dating, and ambition, her work has shaped pop culture...

Today we’re sitting down with a trailblazer who turned a bold idea into a global fashion brand. From growing up in Alaska to modeling at just 16, she gained a behind-the-scenes understanding of how clothes are made and used that insight to challenge a male-dominated denim industry. In 2004, she co-founded a brand centered on fit, comfort, and a female perspective, which has since grown into a full...

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 lik...

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...

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 scal...

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-specifi...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Jen...

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...

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...

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 T...