Costa Mesa Pod

Holly visits Generations OC to meet Christian, the Kids Ministry Director, and learn about Welcome Play — a free indoor play space designed to bring local families together.

Created to give children a safe, fun place to play and parents a chance to connect with other adults, Welcome Play is a thoughtful community resource with room for little ones, working parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

They discuss how the idea started, why making it free matters, the need for in-person connection among families, and how local spaces can help build a stronger community.

Welcome Play is currently offered Thursdays from 9:30–11:30 AM at Generations OC.

A lovely reminder that sometimes the best community resources are the ones created simply because someone saw a need and wanted to help.

Holly McDonald sits down with Kelli from Beyond Athletics OC, a nonprofit bringing sports and recreational programs to elementary schools across Orange County.

Kelli shares how the organization grew from a small park program in 2020 to serving more than 30 schools, why accessible youth sports matter, and how teamwork helps children develop important life skills through Beyond Athletics’ six pillars of character.

They also discuss volunteer opportunities, partnerships with local schools and businesses, and ways the community can help create more opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow.

To learn more, follow @beyondoc on Instagram or visit beyondathleticsoc.org.

Holly McDonald welcomes Elizabeth, founder of Looma Birth, to discuss pregnancy, birth, postpartum support, and the importance of community for new parents.

Elizabeth shares how her own journey into motherhood inspired her work as a birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher, and how she built Looma Birth into a resource offering birth and postpartum doula care, birth education, prenatal yoga, lactation support, and community classes in Costa Mesa.

They also discuss birth choices, preparing for the transition into parenthood, finding support through working motherhood, and why connecting with other parents can make such a difference.

Learn more about Looma Birth at loomabirth.com or find Elizabeth on Instagram and TikTok at @loomabirth.

This episode of The Costa Mesa Pod celebrates the local people and businesses helping Orange County families feel supported and connected.

The Costa Mesa Pod welcomes the person behind the Instagram account @926oc and talked about the latest additions coming to Costa Mesa, including:
☀️@lalaland
☀️@erewhon
☀️@themetcostamesa
…and more!

Give her a follow for the latest updates around Orange County, CA - she has the hottest updates on new businesses and developments. This is often critical and insightful information for residents when deciding where to live too.

Holly McDonald,

Realtor at Compass

DRE 01892567

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Call/Text: +1 714-928-4682

Hallie, owner of Southe on East 17th Street in Costa Mesa, joins Holly to talk about her entrepreneurial journey and the story behind her boutique.

From bedazzling phone cases and graphic design to building a six-figure photography business and eventually opening Southe, Hallie shares how each chapter of her career shaped what she's created today.

They also talk about small business, community, the changing 17th Street scene, affordable fashion, collaborating with other women entrepreneurs, and Hallie's vision for growing Southe into a lifestyle brand.

📍 Find Southe at 333 E 17th Street, Suite 4, Costa Mesa or online at shopsouthe.com.

Mention The Costa Mesa Pod when you visit Southe for 20% off. ✨

What if your home could be designed around the way you actually live, instead of simply following the latest design trends?

On this episode of The Costa Mesa Pod, Holly McDonald sits down with Daniela, interior designer and founder of DCondo Design, to talk about her incredible journey from Calabria, Italy, to London and now Orange County.

Daniela shares how she built her design career from the ground up, why she believes in timeless design over trends, and what it really means to be a “lifestyle designer.”

They also talk about:

✨ Designing around your everyday routines and personality
🏡 Why you should talk to a designer before starting a renovation
🔨 Moving walls, reconfiguring layouts, and the importance of interior architecture
💰 Design considerations for flips and investment properties
🏠 Working with buyers before they even purchase a home
🌎 Designing for clients from different cultures and backgrounds
🎨 Her unforgettable “Alice in Wonderland” townhouse project in London
📍 Daniela’s move from London to Orange County and starting her business again from scratch

On this episode of The Costa Mesa Pod, Holly sits down with Laura Maldonado, founder of ReCreate Spaces, to talk about the art — and sometimes emotion — of getting organized.

Laura shares the story behind her organizing business and how something she's loved since childhood became a career. She also explains why decluttering can be especially important when preparing a home for sale, moving, downsizing, or navigating a major life transition.

Holly and Laura discuss:

🏡 How clutter can influence a buyer's perception of a home
 📦 How to prepare your home before a move or listing
 ❤️ The emotional side of sorting through family belongings
 💧 Organizing and inventory support after water damage or insurance claims
 🚚 Full-service packing, unpacking, and move management
 🗂️ Storage solutions tailored to each client's space and budget
 🔥 A surprise garage transformation for a firefighter
 💰 Real examples of organizing costs
 ✨ Why Laura asks clients NOT to clean up before she arrives

Laura's approach is practical, compassionate, and completely judgment-free — making this episode especially helpful for homeowners who don't know where to start.

About Laura / ReCreate Spaces:
Website: recreatespaces.com
Phone: 949-521-4143
Facebook: Laura Maldonado

Atlas College Prep: A New Free Public Charter School in Orange County

A new free public charter school is opening in the Tustin/Santa Ana area for Fall 2026 — and in this episode of the Costa Mesa Pod, we talk with Alex from Atlas College Prep to learn what families can expect.

Part of the Ednovate network, Atlas will begin with a founding class of approximately 50–60 ninth-grade students and a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Alex explains Atlas’ personalized, family-style approach to education, including its “whole child” report card, which looks at academics as well as self-regulation, critical thinking and social-emotional development.

We also discuss college preparation, athletics and extracurriculars, family involvement, the school’s focus on first-generation college-bound students, and Alex’s own journey from Brazil to a 15-year career in charter school education.
In this episode:

• What makes Atlas a public charter school
• The 10:1 student-to-teacher model
• The “whole child” approach
• College preparation and outcomes
• Athletics, clubs and student life
• Family and parent involvement
• Who can apply
• What families should know about the founding class

Atlas College Prep is opening in Fall 2026, with its first day scheduled for August 4.
Learn more: Ednovate.org/enroll
Instagram: @ednovate_atlascollegeprep

Financial planning isn’t just about investments—it’s about understanding people.
In this episode of the Costa Mesa Podcast, Holly McDonald welcomes financial planner Lety Aguilar for an honest conversation about money, mindset, and the life experiences that shape our financial decisions.
Lety shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States as a young child to building a career helping individuals and families gain confidence with their finances. She discusses how cultural beliefs, trust, education, and personal relationships all play an important role in financial planning.
Throughout the conversation, Holly and Lety explore why many people delay financial decisions, how to overcome fear around money, and why financial literacy should be accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re preparing for your financial future or simply looking to develop a healthier relationship with money, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories that will leave you feeling empowered.
Topics Covered

• Financial planning for everyday people
• The psychology of money
• Immigrant experiences and financial literacy
• Building financial confidence
• Trust and relationships in financial advising
• Education and long-term wealth building
• Breaking down financial barriers

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation.

 Affordable housing has become one of the biggest challenges facing communities across the country—and Southern California is no exception.
In this episode, Holly McDonald sits down with Tony from PadSplit to explore how the company is creating a new model for affordable housing through thoughtfully designed shared living spaces.
Together they discuss:
• What PadSplit is and how it works
• Why shared housing is becoming more popular
• The opportunities for real estate investors
• PadSplit’s expansion into Orange County and beyond
• How this model helps both property owners and residents
Whether you’re a real estate investor, homeowner, or simply curious about the future of housing, this episode offers an insightful look at one of today’s most talked-about housing solutions.