South Bay midwife, Julie Oates, has spent more than 15 years caring for women through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond. Now, she’s bringing that experience into a new chapter with Cove Midwifery & Women’s Health in Manhattan Beach.

In this special South Bay Buzz × Practicing Withness crossover episode, Megan sits down with Julie inside the new Cove Midwifery space to talk about her journey from doula to labor and delivery nurse to certified nurse-midwife, what she wishes more people understood about midwifery, and her vision for changing the experience of maternity care here in the South Bay.

They talk about what makes people feel truly seen and supported during birth, the relationship between midwives, doulas and physicians, birth trauma, trust and communication in healthcare, and why Julie believes great care starts with treating patients as experts in their own bodies.

Plus, Julie shares the story behind Cove, her hopes for creating a gathering and education space for the local birth community, and the unexpected way competitive bodybuilding has changed her relationship with strength, food, and her own body.

This episode also marks the very first episode of Megan’s new podcast, Practicing Withness, exploring birth, parenthood, grief, loss, joy, and the life transitions we don’t talk about enough.

Listen here, then follow Practicing Withness for more conversations about how we show up for one another through all of it.

This episode marks a big moment for South Bay Buzz: host Megan Lebre steps into the guest seat to share the launch of her full-spectrum doula practice in an interview led by Dr. Kelly Waggoner — clinical psychologist and co-founder of Wellspring in Redondo Beach, CA>

Kelly guides Megan through the story behind her call to become a doula: her grandfather's death during her sophomore year of college, walking alongside her mother through a six-month battle with uterine cancer, and the documentary that first pointed her toward birth work. Megan opens up about what it means to be a full-spectrum doula — a non-medical person who supports people through birth, postpartum, miscarriage, illness, caregiving, and end of life — and unpacks the concept at the heart of her practice: "withness" — the difference between witnessing someone's pain from a distance and being fully, actively present with them in it.

It's a conversation about how our hardest moments can become the doorway to a bigger capacity for love, compassion, and service — and about finally having the courage to say yes to a calling that's been there since childhood.

In this episode, Kelly and Megan cover:

• What a doula is — and what "full-spectrum" doula work actually looks like
• The story behind the name Between the Portal
• Transitions as portals: who we are before and after we walk through one
• Megan's personal experience with loss — her grandfather, and her mother's six-month journey with uterine cancer
• Why "at least..." statements (even well-meant ones) can land badly, and what to say instead
• Megan's concept of "withness" — being with someone, not just for them
• Why presence has to come before advocacy and education
• How grief and birth are more alike than we think
• What's next for Between the Portal, Wellspring, and South Bay Buzz

Stay Connected

• Reach out to Megan: [email protected]
• Wellspring: returntowellspring.com

Today's Podcast Sponsors

Shade Hotel Redondo Beach — FREE Rooftop Soiree every Sunday in July & August (12–5pm), FREE rooftop yoga every Sunday (9–10am), weekday happy hour at Sea Level (Mon–Fri, 3–6pm), and $20 rooftop pool passes when dining at Sea Level.

Orange Door Spaces & Orange Door Stays — South Bay homeowners: recent rulings have opened up ~43% of homes in Hermosa Beach's coastal zone to legal short-term rental eligibility. Orange Door Stays can help with listing, guest communication, and full-service property management.

South Bay Buzz will be slowing down for a while as Megan focuses on launching her doula services— thank you for supporting six years of heart-led stories. More throwback episodes and new clips coming soon.

Megan will also be joining a panel on parenting with Unfiltered Life Co. on August 26, speaking through the lens of her doula work.

Money is about so much more than numbers. It's about freedom. Security. Opportunity. And ultimately, creating a life that reflects what matters most.

In this episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with financial planner, Liv Shin, for a thoughtful conversation about building wealth with intention, navigating life's financial milestones, and making confident decisions for your future without letting fear take the driver's seat.

Whether you're just beginning your investment journey, planning for retirement, raising a family, changing careers, or simply hoping to feel more in control of your finances, Liv shares practical wisdom that is approachable, empowering, and refreshingly human.

Together, they explore why financial planning isn't just about preparing for someday. It's about creating more peace, more choices, and more freedom to live the life you want today.

• How to create a financial plan that aligns with your values
• Investing with confidence, even if you're just getting started
• Common money myths that keep people stuck
• Planning for major life transitions and long-term goals
• The importance of financial wellness alongside emotional well-being
• Small decisions today that can make a big difference tomorrow

If you've ever felt intimidated by investing, uncertain about retirement planning, or simply wished someone would explain personal finance in a way that feels approachable, this conversation is for you.

Website: https://livinpractice.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liv_inpractice/

Instagram: @southbaybuzz
Website: southbaybuzz.com

If this conversation encouraged you, inspired you, or helped you see your financial future a little differently, please follow South Bay Buzz, leave a review, and share this episode with someone you love.

The Midlife Chrysalis: Why So Many Women Are Reimagining Their Lives

with Ashley Chaney & Samantha Warner of The Unfiltered Life Co.

What if midlife isn't a crisis at all?

What if it's a chrysalis?

This week on South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with Ashley Chaney and Samantha Warner, founders of The Unfiltered Life Co., for an honest conversation about the season so many women find themselves navigating: the space between who they thought they were and who they're becoming.

Together, they explore burnout, people-pleasing, performance, grief, motherhood, identity shifts, emotional healing, and the surprising freedom that comes when we stop trying to hold it all together. From learning how to express anger and sadness in healthy ways to questioning the expectations we've carried for decades, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that we are not broken. We may simply be disconnected from ourselves.

In this episode, they discuss:

✨ Why so many women feel stuck in midlife✨ How people-pleasing and over-functioning keep us disconnected✨ The difference between fixing yourself and discovering yourself✨ The concept of the "midlife chrysalis" and becoming who you're meant to be✨ What women really need more of right now: permission, connection, and community

Connect with The Unfiltered Life Co.

Follow @theunfilteredlifeco

Stay updated with upcoming events

Connect with South Bay Buzz

Follow @southbaybuzz

As we approach Juneteenth 2026, this conversation invites us to reflect on a question that feels both timely and timeless: What kind of community do we want to be?

In this episode, Megan sits down with Allison Hales, founder of Culture Club South Bay, at the historic site of Bruce's Beach to talk about belonging, identity, resilience, and the power of creating spaces where people feel seen and welcomed.

Born and raised in London, Allison shares the profound losses that shaped her life, the journey that brought her from the music industry to the South Bay, and how those experiences ultimately inspired her to build something life-changing. Through Culture Club South Bay, she's creating opportunities for children and families to experience connection, cultural understanding, and the joy of belonging.

Together, we explore the legacy of Bruce's Beach, the importance of representation, and the role each of us plays in shaping the future of our communities.

This is a conversation about history, hope, purpose, and the belief that meaningful change begins when ordinary people choose to show up for one another.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The personal experiences that shaped Allison's path• The history and legacy of Bruce's Beach• Why belonging matters for children and communities• The creation of Culture Club South Bay• Turning pain into purpose

This conversation offers a powerful reminder that the future of a place is shaped by the people willing to care for it.

Follow Culture Club SB

Instagram: @cultureclubsb

Website: cultureclubsb.com

Donate: cultureclubsb.com/donate

Follow South Bay Buzz

Instagram: @southbaybuzz

Website: southbaybuzz.com

What makes people feel truly connected?

In this special anniversary episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with podcast producer, host, and storyteller, Steven Ray Morris, whose work helped shape some of the most influential podcasts of the last decade, including the hit shows My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark and Ologies with Alie Ward.

The See Jurassic Right podcast Host, Steven, shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a cat podcast (The Purrcast) led to producing My Favorite Murder, what it was like helping build a show with millions of listeners, and why podcasting remains one of the most intimate forms of storytelling.

Together, Megan and Steven explore the power of curiosity, the difference between community and cult fandom, the evolution of podcasting, mental health, creative risk-taking, and why the stories that connect us are often bigger than the topics that bring us together in the first place.

Whether you're a podcast lover, creator, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to figure out what's next, this conversation is filled with wisdom, humor, and encouragement to trust your voice and stay curious about the people around you.

In this episode:• The surprising reason podcasting feels so personal• What makes communities thrive and fandoms endure• Lessons learned from working on one of the world's biggest podcasts• Why curiosity is a superpower in both creativity and life• Advice for aspiring podcasters and creators

🎙️ Listen to current projects: See Jurassic Right and Keanan And Lakin Give You Déjà Vu📱 Follow Steven on all socials: @stevenraymorris

🎬 Jurassic Park III 25th Anniversary Screening & Live Podcast Event, July 18th, at Gardena Cinema

Connect with Megan

📱 Follow @southbaybuzz

What if healing isn't about becoming someone new, but remembering who you were before the world told you who you should be?

In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Megan sits down with psychologist, meditation teacher, and Wellspring co-founder Dr. Kelly Waggoner for an exploration of healing, authenticity, purpose, and the journey back to self. Together, they discuss why insight alone doesn't create transformation, how the body often holds the answers the mind cannot access, and why so many people who appear successful on the outside still feel disconnected from themselves on the inside.

Drawing from nearly two decades as a psychologist in the South Bay, Kelly shares how her own meditation practice expanded her understanding of healing beyond traditional talk therapy and inspired the creation of Wellspring, a unique community where science-backed psychology and soul-centered practices come together.

The conversation explores everything from somatic healing and mindfulness to grief, synchronicities, purpose, motherhood, intuition, and the difference between self-improvement and self-return. If you've ever felt exhausted by optimization culture, questioned your purpose, or wondered how to feel more aligned in your own life, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and profound perspective.

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Dr. Kelly Waggoner is a psychologist, meditation teacher, and co-founder of Wellspring, a wellness and personal growth center in Redondo Beach dedicated to helping people live more authentic, aligned, and meaningful lives. Through classes, workshops, private sessions, and immersive programs, Wellspring bridges evidence-based psychology with soul-centered healing practices.

• Wellspring Website: Return to Wellspring
• Wellspring Instagram: @returntowellspring
• Kelly Waggoner Instagram: @drkellywaggoner
• Megan Lebre Instagram: @southbaybuzz
• South Bay Buzz Website: southbaybuzz.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need a reminder that healing is about returning home to yourself.

In this episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with returning guest and brand designer, Jo Delgado of The Creative Inka, for a no frills conversation about AI, branding, creativity, and the future of human connection for businesses.

They discuss:

• why AI-generated brands often feel “off”
• how small businesses can use AI as a helpful tool
• the difference between strategy and aesthetics
• why imperfect, human content is resonating more than polished perfection

Jo also shares behind-the-scenes insight into the South Bay Buzz rebrand, the storytelling behind brands like Cafe Minerva, and the ways she personally uses AI as a tool without letting it replace her creativity.

Stay Connected:

Jo Delgado, The Creative InkaMegan Lebre, South Bay Buzz

What if jewelry is more than something we wear? What if it becomes a living thread connecting generations, memories, love, and human connection?

In this heart-led episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with internationally recognized jewelry designer Kimio Fukutani, Creative Designer and Co-Founder of Kimitake Inc., for a deeply personal conversation about the emotional stories behind his work and the connections woven into every piece he creates.

From designing engagement rings for celebrity couples in Japan to creating collections inspired by DNA, harmony, luck, and imperfection, Kimio shares how jewelry became both an artistic practice and a philosophy about life itself. Together, Megan and Kimio explore inherited jewelry, generational memory, symbolism, Japanese craftsmanship, Irish and Japanese cultural motifs, and the idea that the pieces we wear often become part of our family legacy.

This episode is a beautiful reflection on connection, storytelling, beauty, and the ways objects can carry love across generations.

In this episode, we discuss:• The emotional meaning behind the original and newest Kimitake collections • How jewelry can symbolize love, memory, identity, and transition• The beauty of imperfection through pearls and human individuality• Japanese cherry blossoms, four-leaf clovers, and cultural symbolism• Jewelry as a wearable talisman and family heirloom• The stories and memories we pass down through generations

Follow Kimio Fukutani and explore his collections through Kimitake Inc. and on Instagram at @kimitake_official.

A special thank you to Ye-Hui Goldenson for coordinating the interview. Thank you to the team at BLVD Manhattan Beach for hosting the beautiful Mother’s Day event where this conversation was filmed. Learn more at BLVD Manhattan Beach and follow along at @blvd_mb.

This week on South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with Hanna Bauer, intuitive holistic healer and founder of Holisticly Hanna, for a conversation about healing from the inside out.

Hanna shares her journey from years of feeling disconnected in her own body to discovering the power of somatic healing, nervous system regulation, breathwork, reiki, and intuitive connection. Together, they talk about root cause healing, how the body stores pain and stress, learning to listen to ourselves more deeply, and why so many people are craving real connection and healing right now.

This conversation explores the intersection of mind, body, soul, community, and what it means to turn pain into purpose.

If you’ve been curious about somatic healing, emotional well-being, intuition, or reconnecting with yourself in a more grounded way, this episode is for you.

Follow Hanna at @holisticlyhanna

Follow Megan at @southbaybuzz