South Bay Buzz: The South Bay LA Storytelling Podcast

What Kind of Community Do We Want to Be? A Conversation with Culture Club SB Founder, Allison Hales

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 [https://www.instagram.com/cultureclubsb/] Website: cultureclubsb.com [https://www.cultureclubsb.com/] Donate: cultureclubsb.com/donate [https://www.cultureclubsb.com/donate] Follow South Bay Buzz Instagram: @southbaybuzz [https://www.instagram.com/southbaybuzz] Website: southbaybuzz.com [https://southbaybuzz.com/]

The Secret Behind Great Podcasts: Steven Ray Morris on Storytelling, Connection & Curiosity

What makes people feel truly connected? In this special anniversary episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with podcast producer, host, and storyteller, S [https://www.stevenraymorris.com/vai3czgouuzt0ipvvf3rk0n04mfdjy]teven Ray Morris [https://www.stevenraymorris.com/vai3czgouuzt0ipvvf3rk0n04mfdjy], 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 [https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/]and Ologies with Alie Ward [https://www.alieward.com/new-about]. The See Jurassic Right [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-jurassic-right-with-steven-ray-morris/id1239538917]podcast Host, Steven, shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a cat podcast (The Purrcast [https://www.instagram.com/thepurrrcast/]) 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-jurassic-right-with-steven-ray-morris/id1239538917] and Keanan And Lakin Give You Déjà Vu [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keanan-and-lakin-give-you-d%C3%A9j%C3%A0-vu/id1731434430]📱 Follow Steven on all socials: @stevenraymorris [https://www.instagram.com/stevenraymorris/] 🎬 Jurassic Park III 25th Anniversary Screening & Live Podcast Event, July 18th, at Gardena Cinema [https://www.instagram.com/gardenacinema] https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/e748de18-5bfe-4168-8de2-43744b8f331c?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGntf34QuQrZlERfc6N5oe-d0mrp_qk7S5Z2G7Sz9c7GMUV10EhYOToll6dGCY_aem_fZ-Hb5yl_JObF301UsRTug Connect with Megan 📱 Follow @southbaybuzz [https://www.instagram.com/southbaybuzz/]

Returning to Yourself: Dr. Kelly Waggoner on Wellspring, Finding Purpose, and Living Authentically

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. ---- 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 [https://www.returntowellspring.com/] * Wellspring Instagram: @returntowellspring [https://www.instagram.com/returntowellspring/] * Kelly Waggoner Instagram: @drkellywaggoner [https://www.instagram.com/drkellywaggoner] * Megan Lebre Instagram: @southbaybuzz [https://www.instagram.com/southbaybuzz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * South Bay Buzz Website: southbaybuzz.com [www.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.

Why AI Can’t Replace Human Creativity | Jo Delgado of The Creative Inka

In this episode of South Bay Buzz, Megan sits down with returning guest and brand designer, Jo Delgado of The Creative Inka [https://www.thecreativeinka.com/about], 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 [https://www.cafe-minerva.com/], and the ways she personally uses AI as a tool without letting it replace her creativity. Stay Connected: Jo Delgado, The Creative Inka [https://www.thecreativeinka.com/]Megan Lebre, South Bay Buzz [https://www.instagram.com/southbaybuzz]

The Stories We Wear: Kimio Fukutani on Jewelry & Human Connection

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 [https://www.instagram.com/kimio_fukutani_designer/] and explore his collections through Kimitake Inc. [https://kimitakejewelry.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooN3Y6p9RLzPxgpSFci1doSVNkW2D5OqPp3L8D6K7vq2OuIx6-e] and on Instagram at @kimitake_official [https://www.instagram.com/kimitakejewelry/]. 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 [https://www.blvdmb.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and follow along at @blvd_mb [https://www.instagram.com/blvd_mb/].