South Bay Buzz: The South Bay LA Storytelling Podcast

In this episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with South Bay criminal defense attorney, Mona Afrashteh, to explore what justice really looks like from the inside. Mona shares her journey from growing up in the South Bay to 12 years as a public defender, her transition into private practice, and the human stories behind the cases she’s fought.

Together, they unpack false confessions, jury duty, misidentification, and what everyone should know about interacting with police. Mona also reflects on the South Bay community, the impact of storytelling in the courtroom, and the moments of hope, resilience, and redemption that keep her doing this work.

If you’ve ever wondered how the justice system works, what your rights are, or how an advocate can change someone’s life, this conversation will stay with you.

Featuring stories, legal insights, and heart-led reflections rooted in the South Bay.

For more information about Mona Law Group, visit https://www.monalawgroup.com.

To contact Mona Law Group, email [email protected] or call 323-902-7417.

Subscribe to the South Bay Buzz mailing list at southbaybuzz.com.

In this joy filled and emotional episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with Jade Wong, certified hand therapist (CHT) and founder of Reach Beyond Therapy in Redondo Beach.

What started on a climbing wall became a calling: helping people heal their hands and upper extremities — and their confidence — through compassionate, whole-person care. Jade opens up about her journey from hospital OT to hand-therapy specialist, what it means to truly see a patient beyond the diagnosis, and how motherhood reshaped her approach to healing and hope.

Jade closes with sharing her and her husband's journey caring for her eldest daughter with Dravet Syndrome as well as the upcoming Dravet Syndrome Walk in Torrance, Sunday, November 23rd.

Together, we explore:
• How the hands connect us to who we are and what we love
• What holistic recovery really looks like
• How South Bay community care can change lives
• Why “reaching beyond” is more than her business name — it’s a legacy

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or anyone navigating healing in your own life, this story will stay with you.

🎧 Listen to Reaching Beyond Healing wherever you get your podcasts.

Contact Jade at https://www.reachbeyondtherapy.com/

Sign-up for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation Walk: https://dravetfoundation.org/gd-event/steps-toward-a-cure-los-angeles-california-november-23rd/

At Mathnasium Rancho Palos Verdes, math is the gateway, but confidence is the real subject. In this South Bay Buzz episode, Megan sits down with Joey from Mathnasium RPV to talk about how their teaching approach centers on effort, encouragement, and genuine connection — meeting each student where they are and helping them grow from there.

From reducing math anxiety to celebrating progress (not perfection), Mathnasium RPV is shaping how kids show up in the classroom and in life. If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child’s confidence without pushing or overwhelming them, this conversation is full of perspective and heart.

Follow Mathnasium RPV at @mathnasium_ranchopalosverdes

For Hours and Information, please visit: https://www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/ranchopalosverdes/schedules

Haven Academy of the Arts is stepping onto its biggest stage yet as it celebrates 19 years!

In this episode, Executive Director, Rebekah Kellaway, joins me to share Haven Academy's origin story, why character development sits at the center of their work, and how productions become life lessons in grit, empathy, teamwork, and community. We talk about expanding from the South Bay to Pico-Union and West Adams, making arts education more accessible across LA, and the full-circle magic of alumni returning as teachers and directors. Rebekah also previews Haven’s upcoming mainstage production, Les Misérables (School Edition), and how students connect to its big themes—mercy, transformation, and love.

See the show: Les Misérables (School Edition), Nov 13–15, El Segundo High School's Performing Arts Center.
Buy Les Mis tickets, Enroll, and Learn More: http://www.havenartsacademy.org/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havenartsacademy/

Sign up for the South Bay Buzz mailing list at www.southbaybuzz.com

What does true healing look like when it’s rooted in integrity, inclusivity, and community?

In this episode, Megan sits down with Dr. Jessica Sharratt and Dr. Brenda Perry, co-founders of Heal Los Angeles, to talk about building a wellness collective that bridges Eastern medicine, modern science, and compassionate care. From creating safe spaces where women can heal without shame to announcing their upcoming wellness hotel in Mexico, Dr. Sharratt and Dr. Perry share how they’re redefining what it means to thrive—body, mind, and spirit.

Grounded in the South Bay but made to resonate anywhere, this conversation invites you to slow down, reconnect, and remember that healing is both personal and communal.

Heal LA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/x.losangeles/?hl=en

Heal LA website: https://www.heal-losangeles.com/

South Bay Buzz website: southbaybuzz.com

South Bay Buzz socials: instagram.com/thesouthbaybuzz x instagram.com/southbaybuzz

Step into a heart-led conversation with Megan Lebre, host of the South Bay Buzz podcast, as she sits down with award-winning Puerto Rican author and parenting mentor, Mari Bellas.

Mari’s new bilingual children’s book Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English / Tío Ricky no habla Inglés: A Bilingual English-Spanish Picture Book (Lil' Libros Bilingual Book) is a "story honors the beauty of family, the strength of language, and a culture enriched with plantains, dominoes, and warmth. Tío RickyDoesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés is a heartwarming tribute to the kids who translate not just words, but emotions, traditions, and even love. "

Together, Megan and Mari talk about the joy and challenges of raising bilingual kids, the power of storytelling to nurture empathy, and why seeing your culture reflected in books matters.

If you care about language, identity, and the way local stories shape our future, this one’s for you.

• Subscribe to South Bay Buzz with Megan Lebre for more conversations that connect us through authentic stories. Follow Megan on Instagram @thesouthbaybuzz and join the newsletter at southbaybuzz.com to stay in the loop.

• To stay in touch with Mari, please email [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.mariterewrites.com or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok.
• To RSVP for the October 13th Book Launch Reception, please visit pages: a bookstore website: https://pagesabookstore.com/event/2025-10-13/special-author-event-mari-bellas
• Thank you to Orange Door Spaces for sponsoring today's podcast episode! Bring your co-working and events to life by visiting www.orangedoorspaces.com today!

Health is wealth — especially during open enrollment.
In this episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan Lebre talks with Martha Gonzales, president of CHM Insurance Services, who has spent 30 years guiding families, small-business owners, and retirees through the maze of healthcare coverage.

They discuss the biggest mistakes people make when picking a plan, how to think beyond the monthly premium, tips for freelancers and small-business owners, and why being your own best advocate matters. You’ll also hear why this conversation felt personal for Megan — and why legacy and community drive Martha’s work.

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Subscribe to the South Bay Buzz mailing list at southbaybuzz.com and follow the main account @thesouthbaybuzz and podcast account @southbaybuzz on Instagram.

For more information about Martha and CHM Insurance Services, you can email her at [email protected]⁠.

Visit www.chminsurance.com.

Follow their new Instagram account @chminsuranceservices

Thank you to our friends at Orange Door Spaces in the South Bay Galleria for continuing to be our podcast home and today's sponsor! Visit orangedoorspaces.com today!

This milestone episode marks Megan’s birthday and the launch of the brand-new South Bay Buzz website (southbaybuzz.com). After five years of cheering on and uplifting small businesses, Megan reflects on the journey from passion project to business, the lessons learned, and the support system that made it possible.

She shares gratitude for the people who shaped the brand, why this season of the podcast is audio-only, and the story of reclaiming the SouthBayBuzz.com domain. More than a launch, this is about weaving stories into the fabric of the South Bay — uplifting neighbors, celebrating local businesses, and creating a legacy of connection.

Sign up for our mailing list at southbaybuzz.com

Website Shoutouts:

Brand Design: Jo Delgado, The Creative Inka, thecreativeinka.com

Website Copy + Design: Sabrina Cohen, sabrinacohen.co

Photographers: CorRi Vaughn (Lenn M. Photography, IG: lenn_m._photography) and Michelle Marie Photography (IG: michelle_mariephotography)

Domain Transfer: Marcus of Listen Up Beaches, listenupbeaches.com

South Bay Buzz with Megan Lebre is back from summer break! In today's episode, Megan Lebre interviews Kevin Wallner, the founder of The Restoration Project. Kevin shares his inspiring journey of serving the unhoused community in Wilmington for nearly a decade, which stemmed from a childhood experience of serving dinner at a homeless shelter. Kevin explains the mission and impact of The Restoration Project, which includes monthly community events and a new mobile resource unit to provide support directly to those in need. The discussion delves into the misconceptions surrounding the unhoused, the power of community, and the simple yet profound ways we can all make a difference. Join us as we explore the transformative power of compassion and service.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:42 Meet Kevin Wallner: Founder of The Restoration Project01:36 The Mission and Impact of The Restoration Project02:39 Personal Experiences and Emotional Moments04:27 Understanding the Unhoused Community06:33 Challenges and Successes in Wilmington17:11 Daily Operations and Mobile Resource Unit20:14 Stories of Hope and Resilience23:48 Final Thoughts and How to Get InvolvedFor more information and to get involved with The Restoration Project, please visit https://therestorationproject.org/. Thank you to the South Bay Buzz with Megan Lebre podcast sponsor, Orange Door Spaces! Visit Orange Door Spaces in the South Bay Galleria and their website at orangedoorspaces.com.

In this empowering episode of South Bay Buzz, host Megan Lebre sits down with Ciara Lyons-Ragains, MSN, RN, PHN — registered nurse, wellness coach, mother, and founder of Her Black Wellness — to discuss the urgent realities of Black maternal health, preeclampsia awareness, and how to be your own best advocate in healthcare settings.

Drawing from her own near-death experience, Ciara deep dives into topics such as systemic racism that fuels health disparities, why Black women are 3-4x more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum, and what we can do to change the statistics.

We also explore:✅ The signs and risks of preeclampsia (before and after birth)✅ How to prepare for healthcare appointments to be your own best advocate ✅ Practical, real-world ways to be a better ally to Black women✅ The power of rest, joy, and community in sustaining a whole and relaxing life

Whether you’re an expecting parent, a healthcare professional, or someone committed to health equity, this conversation is packed with tools, tips, and truths

📌 Connect with Ciara: Her Black Wellness📌 Follow Megan: South Bay Buzz