The Zest from Orange Coast magazine

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 Hellogood...

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 wit...

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 Visitin...

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 Isla...

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 Cre...

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...

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 Oly...

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 includ...

Troy Arntsen is the founder and president of Voluspa, a global luxury home fragrance brand that’s based in Irvine and offers everything from glass and tin jar candles to diffusers, room spray, hand care, and more! The candles are vegan, free of sulfates, phalates, parabens, and pesticides and are handcrafted in California using a clean burning coconut wax blend. They are sold in thousands of bouti...

Jake Schwaner is the co-owner of Hobie Surf Shop, which was originally created in the '50s as the first surf shop in Southern California. Hobie currently has four locations in Orange County, including Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, and most recently San Juan Capistrano. In this episode, he talks about Hobie's history, how he came to own the store, and what listeners can keep an ey...

Carson Cody is a touring musician, producer, and arranger who has played in bands including Judah and the Lion and with Matt Kearney. Recently, he played keys and bass for Ashlyn Rae Willson also known as Ashe and opened for Kelsea Ballerini and soon will be opening for Gracie Abrams. In this week's episode, he talks about how he first got into music, what goes into his position, and more.

You may recognize today’s guest from performing as the lead singer for the Orange County-based band Tijuana Dogs, which is how I was first introduced to him. But Matt Mauser is also a Sinatra-style crooner and the author of his memoir “Bittersweet Treasures: A Father’s Journey Through Loss & Healing,” which shares the heartbreaking story of his wife, Christina, who tragically passed in the sam...

This week's guest is the producer of this podcast! He’s also produced podcast shows for comedian Adam Carolla including The Adam Carolla Show and The Adam & Dr. Drew Show, as well as Rob Riggle’s Riggle’s Picks, which has featured guests including Jake Johnson, Travis Kelce, and Nate Bargatze. He is also the producer and co-host of Reasonable Doubt with criminal defense lawyer Mark Geragos...

Today's guest is Karen Odell-Barber who is the CEO at Neurologics, a cutting-edge technology company that offers brain mapping services that help to optimize the brain, in some cases leading to an additional 15 functional IQ points regardless of age. The company offers programs that are designed to aid in concussion and brain injury, cognitive decline and dementia, addiction and recovery, ADHD...

Evan Rossell is the co-founder of Rossell Studios, which is a full service creative and design studio with an emphasis on luxury mural experiences. In this episode, he talks about collaborating with brands like Nike, Levi’s, and Warner Brothers. He also shares how he first got into art, what inspires him when coming up with new murals, and more.

You may recognize today’s guest from the popular show “Botched” and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Dr. Paul Nassif is a double-board certified, world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is a pioneer and leader in the field of aging face plastic surgery. He has an award-winning skincare line called NassifMD that is often featured on "Good Morning America," &quo...

Wende Zomnir is the co-founder of Urban Decay and caliray, which is a clean makeup brand that focuses on sustainability and has been featured in Elle, Allure, Glamour, Cosmopolitan , and more! It is also one of three Clean + Planet-Aware makeup brands at Sephora. This week, she talks about growing up in Texas and attending high school in Belgium, starting Urban Decay, how she came up with the idea...

Cassie Piasecki has founded several Orange County businesses including The Full Routine, which is a unique workout in Newport Beach. She also founded The Nail Lounge and is the former CEO of GritCycle. In her time as a workout instructor, she has taught more than 10,000 people. In today's episode, she talks about what instilled the entrepreneurial spirit in her, how she founded her first busin...

Lisa Andersen is a four-time world surfing champion and was named one of the 100 greatest sportswomen of the century by Sports Illustrated . She’s also credited as being instrumental in establishing equal pay for women in surfing. In this episode, she shares how she first got into surfing, moving to Orange County, challenges she's faced in her career, and more.

Matt Costa is a singer, songwriter, musician, and filmmaker. In this episode, he talks about growing up in Orange County, what first drew him to music, his love for skateboarding, and what it was like working with No Doubt's guitarist. He also talks about how he got into filmmaking and what inspired his more recent projects including "Explorations of Sight and Sound."

Bonni Pomush is the CEO of Working Wardrobes, a nonprofit that offers career readiness services as well as professional clothing at no cost to their clients. She was also one of Orange Coast ’s Kickass Women in 2024. This week, she shares how she went from teaching to her current role, how Working Wardrobes was started, and what her vision is for the future of the organization.

Greer Wylder is the author of Born in O.C. , which features 50 remarkable individuals whose stories capture the culture, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Orange County and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and booksellers nationwide. She is also the founder of Greer's OC, where she writes about fashion, dining, and trends. In this episode, she talks about what inspired her to wr...

You may recognize this week's guest, Jason Wahler, from shows such as “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills.” He is also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and an addiction and mental health advocate who works to raise awareness around substance abuse. This week, he shares his journey and experience with fame, addiction, and the incredible work he has done in eliminating stigma around it. He also talks abou...

Jaclyn Sanchez is the co-founder of Moxi3 Fitness, which is a fitness center that offers classes including Cycle, Shred, and Strength, as well as a sauna, cold plunge, red light, and more. She is also the co-founder of Wren, a neighborhood wellness retreat that is coming soon to Costa Mesa and she has a podcast with Wren’s co-founder called Friends With Health Benefits. In this week's episode she...