The Zest From Orange Coast magazine

Tilly Levine is the co-founder of Irvine-based Tillys an action sports retailer that sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. She’s also the founder of Tilly’s Life Center, which is a nonprofit that takes a proactive approach to empowering teens in high school and enabling them to navigate life’s challenges. In this episode, she shares how she moved from the United States at just 23 years old before starting Tillys in 1982. She also discusses how Tilly's Life Center helps teens through the unique challenges they face today, the activities in the program, what listeners can do to help, and more.

Courtney Conlogue is a world class surfer who was on the World Surf League Tour for 13 years and was inducted into the surfing walk of fame as woman of the year in 2019. She’s been featured in Sports Illustrated as well as ESPN’s The Body Issue and is the founder of the coffee and apparel brand Sea Tiger. In this episode she shares how she started surfing, what it was like traveling the world as a professional surfer, how she got into painting, and more.

Sofia Sheth is the head of marketing for LSPACE, which is headquartered in Costa Mesa. She has also held marketing positions at brands including YouTube, Conde Nast, Goop, and Frame. In addition, she created her company Beautiful Ideas Co., which offers brand strategy and marketing to companies. In this episode, she discusses starting Goop's podcast with Oprah as its first guest, how LSPACE's Fashion Island flagship came to be, tips on growing an audience on YouTube, and more.

Alicia Cox is the founder and CEO of The Prjkt Restaurant Group. She discusses how she came to own and operate seven eateries in Huntington Beach including SeaLegs at the Beach, The Huntington Beach House, and Sahara’s Sandbar & Pizza. She also talks about her time working at her uncle's business Hurricanes Bar & Grill, what inspired her to start her first business SeaLegs, and how she co-founded The Salty B boutique.

Ed Templeton is an acclaimed contemporary artist, photographer, two-time World Skateboarding Champion, and owner of the skateboard company Toy Machine. He has published more than 20 photography books and his work as been exhibited worldwide. Last year, he released "Wires Crossed," a compilation of photographs, collages, interviews, and more chronicling skate subculture between 1995 and 2012. In this episode, he shares how he first got into skating, what it was like touring, how he started #DailyHBPierPhoto and more.

Nikki Bostwick is the founder of Laguna Beach’s The Fullest, which offers therapeutic-grade saffron supplements for anxiety, depression, and more and has been featured in Goop and Vogue. She is also the co-founder of the Honarkar Foundation for Arts and Culture as well as Baile, which features products that infuse the elements of the countryside. In addition, she has a podcast of her own called Nikki Bostwick Unfiltered where she shares her personal journey, opinions, and ideas.

Murphy Karges is the former bassist for the band Sugar Ray and has been seen on MTV, VH1, NBC, and “The Tonight Show.” He is also the co-founder of Sunset 17, which is a TV and podcast studio in Costa Mesa. In addition, he recently published a book called "Basics for Bassists." In this week's episode, he shares how the band initially formed, what it was like creating music for Sugar Ray's hit album “Floored,” experiencing fame, and more. He also shares how he came up with the idea for Sunset 17 and what inspired him to write his book.

Susan Grau had a near-death experience when she was a child. Soon after, she was visited by spirits and is now an intuitive medium who is able to connect her more than 50,000 clients with their loved ones who have passed on. In this episode, she shares an in-depth look at what it's like to be a medium, how she helps those who are grieving, and her recently published book.

Reed Dickens is the founder of LA Golf, the anti-establishment golf brand that’s handmade in Anaheim and is changing the industry with its products. He is also the co-founder of Marucci Sports, which disrupted baseball with its innovative bat. Not only is he a successful entrepreneur but he also held positions in the White House. He shares how he came to Orange County from Louisiana, what inspired him to work at the White House, his career in crisis management, and what makes LA Golf's products superior.

Dario Phillips is the co-founder and marketing director of the Costa Mesa-based towel brand Slowtide which has been featured in magazines including Rolling Stone, Forbes, and Vogue. Since starting in 2015, the company has expanded to include ponchos, blankets, bath robes, and more. Dario shares his journey from growing up in Canada to becoming a DJ and working at Quiksilver, and discusses how the idea for Slowtide came about.