FEATURED EPISODE

In this episode of Shady Characters, Linda Hakim (Best Version Media) shares how she built 3 hyper-local OC magazines through chambers, Rotary, and relentless community storytelling. We talk her path from Yellow Pages to social, why localism marketing works, and her new venture, SouthOrangeCounty.com—business interviews turned into web, social, YouTube, and podcast content.

In this episode of Shady Characters, we sit down with Jon Colburn, owner of Realtime AV—a high-end audio/video and smart home company based in San Juan Capistrano. Jon shares how a job at 14 (thanks to his speaker-engineer dad) turned into a 25-year career, a 50/50 partnership earned through sweat equity, and ultimately full ownership through seller financing. We talk loyalty, grit, learning by screwing up, raising boys with work ethic, and where smart homes are headed as AI changes everything.

In this episode of Shady Characters, Danielle Braithwaite—founder of Variant Movement—shares her journey from aspiring professional dancer to studio owner, mentor, and working mom. Danielle opens up about career-altering injury, launching a business during the pandemic while pregnant, and building a studio rooted in discipline, kindness, and community. It’s an honest look at creativity, leadership, and redefining success on your own terms.

From Oakley to ASICS, Amy Miller has made a career out of helping people find happiness at work. As the brand’s Director of People Capability, Culture & Global Engagement, she joins Shady Characters to talk about leadership, purpose, and how a 102-year-old Big Bear cabin, a VW van named Goldie, and a Japanese philosophy called Ikigai all tie into building a life—and workplace—you actually love.

San Juan Capistrano native Harrison Taylor joins Shady Characters to talk about growing up on historic Los Rios Street, curating the tenant mix behind the wildly successful River Street Market, and finding his path from corporate sales to community-shaping development. Harrison opens up about family, faith, the creation of Rad Dads, and the mentors, moments, and mistakes that shaped his journey.

Photographer Matt Morgan sits down with Shady Characters to unpack a 20-year career that started in a high school photo class and led to shooting world-class athletes, punk rock icons, and award-winning commercial campaigns. From San Juan bathtub birth stories to photographing Shaq with nothing but a reflector, Matt reflects on creativity, lighting, fatherhood, golf, and the joy of capturing life — one frame at a time.

Former NFL safety Chris Conte joins Shady Characters to talk about growing up in Hollywood, chasing football dreams to the NFL, and life after the league. From locker room legends and “The White Unicorn” nickname to raising kids, coaching young athletes, and building community in San Juan Capistrano, Chris opens up about competition, family, and the next generation of sport.

Retired Naval Intelligence Captain and San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember Howard Hart joins Shady Characters to talk about leadership, service, and the day that changed everything — September 11, 2001. From near-miss moments inside the Pentagon to championing human trafficking reform and community projects back home, Hart shares lessons in resilience, humility, and what it truly means to serve.

Leadership and people strategist Nicole DaCosta joins Shady Characters to talk about the power of human connection in a remote world, building authentic culture inside fast-growth companies like Rivian, and redefining success beyond the corporate ladder. From hospitality roots to high-tech leadership, Nikki D shares warmth, wisdom, and her signature approach to helping people “flex their muscle” for growth.

From the chair at King’s Club Barbers to changing lives across Mexico, Matt Schnitzer has built Barbers for Baja into a movement of purpose, community, and connection. What started as a small toy drive has grown into a nonprofit funding college scholarships, hosting medical and dental clinics, and giving entire towns access to care.

Mortgage pro Christian Hernandez joins Shady Characters to unpack “leverage” the right way—tech, finance, and relationships—plus why small, nimble teams win, how buyers can navigate today’s rates, and why serving people (not pipelines) is the only durable strategy. We also get into his family’s roots, mentoring the next gen, and a rad ocean-conservation project.

Skout’s Honor CEO Pete Stirling joins Shady Characters to share how a surfer-turned-startup founder built the pet-wellness brand from the ground up. Discover how spotting a niche, disrupting trade-show norms (yes, a keg in the booth), and treating pets as companions—not chores—led to millions of meals donated and a brand that stands out.