Leading with Purpose
When we began planning the Gents Issue, we wanted to explore the qualities that define leadership, resilience, and community spirit. This month, we are honored to share three stories that exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, whether on a global stage or right here in our own backyard.
We sat down with a local Olympic gold medalist to learn about his remarkable journey. From his historic 400-meter victory in Seoul, to a courageous battle with a career-threatening illness, and ultimately a triumphant return to win the Olympics again in Barcelona, his story is a masterclass in poise under pressure.
We also meet a local resident who proves that one person can spark a movement. What began as a simple observation of litter on our local Greenway has grown into a monthly grassroots cleanup, bringing neighbors and local students together. His dedication is a reminder of the impact of taking personal responsibility for the places we call home.
We are equally inspired by the entrepreneurial hustle of two local high school students. From their hand-built workshop, these young men are building a thriving business based on handcrafted quality and old-school "handshake" relationships. Their story is a refreshing reminder that the next generation of local leaders is already hard at work.
We hope these stories inspire you to find your own way to lead, serve, and excel. Whether you're out on the bike path or enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, thank you for letting us be a part of the start of your summer.
With full hearts,
BRANDON FARMER, PUBLISHER, LESLEY A. ROLLO, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR @REDONDOBEACHCITYLIFESTYLE
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Brandon Farmer | brandon.farmer@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Lesley A. Rollo | lesley.rollo@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Erika Daniels
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Proverbs 3:5-6
Poise Under Pressure
Grassroots on the Greenway
For 40 years, Custom Design & Construction has partnered with South Bay homeowners to thoughtfully reimagine kitchens, living spaces, and whole homes. Led by Director of Design Beth Yuen and Designer Chelsea Cutler, our integrated designbuild approach blends intentional planning, refined interior design, and expert construction to create spaces that feel both beautiful and livable now and for years to come.
Discover what’s possible for your home.
city scene
Highlights from the 44th Annual Springfest. 1: Ross Christensen and Robin Garfield from the North Redondo Beach Business Association celebrate community connection. 2: Alison ClayDuboff of Estate Properties welcomes a guest at the exhibitor booth. 3: Kate Kys, husband Brett Maynard, and sons Jase and Keelan enjoy the fun-filled festivities. 4: Dawn Brown and Elaine Shea pause for a pose in the Beer & Wine Garden. 5: Dr. Dibagohar of The ProActive Clinic, with his wife Tanaz and daughters Audrey and Celine. 6: Angelika Fuchs shares a warm embrace with her son Noah between volunteer duties. 7: Barbara Bixler of Estate Properties enjoys a beautiful day at the event.
Live Performances at Springfest.
8: Sean Leary of The Catalina Comedy Club and The Buddy Cop Podcast kicks things off. 9: RBPD officer Kyle Lofstrom emcees Springfest's first comedy night. 10: Scott Ibarra of The Buddy Cop Podcast commands the stage. 11: The RUHS Comedy Sports Team engages the crowd. 12: Amelia Capio delivers a powerful rendition of "The Winner Takes It All." 13: Faith Graham captivates the crowd with a standout vocal performance. 14: Teen Talent winners Naomi and Dayton of The Seconds perform “Creep.”
King Harbor Yacht Club Opening Day Ceremonies. 15: Local sailboat racer and Commodore Denny Browne pictured with Debbie. 16: Andy Beggs (L) receives the Yachtsman of the Year honor. 17: Outgoing Commodore James Lee is inducted into the International Order of the Blue Gavel. 18: RUHS Jr. Marine ROTC Color Guard pictured with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary liaisons. 19: Vice Commodore Katie Gonzalez shares a moment with her husband Dan. 20: Norie Martin is honored as Volunteer of the Year. 21: Staff Commodore Bob Folkman (L) receives the gold burgee, 50 years after serving as Commodore.
business monthly
Elite Craftsmanship: Chandler’s Roofing Receives GAF President’s Club Gold Award
Chandler’s Roofing has been honored with the GAF President’s Club Gold Award, a distinction reserved for a small fraction of top-performing contractors nationwide. As part of GAF’s Master Elite® program—held by only about 2% of roofers—the award reflects exceptional installation standards, strong customer satisfaction, strict adherence to performance metrics set by GAF, and ongoing training. Chandler’s Roofing continues to demonstrate trusted expertise, precision workmanship, and a commitment to premium roofing systems and service. Scan to
Return to Yourself: Wendy Jones Introduces The Healing Home Method™
Built on a different premise: you are not broken, you are disconnected, Wendy Jones’ Healing Home Method™ is a 30-meditation somatic library designed as a complete healing journey back to the self. It was created for people who have done the work—therapy, books, podcasts—and still feel something isn’t shifting. Rooted in neuroscience and accessibility, it helps calm the nervous system and support emotional healing for a greater balance and connected way of living.
Intentional Excellence: Record-Breaking Sales at COVE & KEY Real Estate
Matt Cox, founder of COVE & KEY Real Estate, has grown his brokerage into a trusted name in South Bay real estate, recently representing the sale of the second-highest priced home ever sold in Redondo Beach at $17 million. Built on a foundation of excellence and intention, Matt and his team focus on listening, guiding, protecting, partnering, and helping clients find the home that feels just right.
Precision in Restoration: Coastal Beach Cities Restoration Provides Meticulous Care
Oscar Sanchez, owner of Coastal Beach Cities Restoration, has built his reputation on a level of care that goes beyond water remediation—specializing in detailed pack-out services that carefully remove and inventory clients’ belongings before work begins, then returning each item to its exact original place once restoration is complete. This meticulous, white-glove approach ensures both efficiency and peace of mind, reflecting a commitment to restoring not just homes, but the sense of normalcy within them.
Scan to read more
Fresh Finds Weekly: Redondo Beach Welcomes a Third Farmers Market
The launch of the NRB Farmers Market on April 22 brought a third farmers market to Redondo Beach. Held every Wednesday from 2:00-7:00 PM on Green Lane between Artesia Blvd. and Vanderbilt Lane, the market brings together local vendors in a walkable, community-focused setting. Designed as a midweek destination for neighbors to connect and shop local, the NRB Farmers Market adds another vibrant layer to Redondo Beach’s growing neighborhood food scene.
Crafting Unforgettable Moments: Kaycie Fellows Launches Emery & Co.
Drawing on her extensive background in catering, event production, and creative direction at Critic’s Choice, Kaycie Fellows has launched Emery & Co., a full-service wedding planning and event design studio. With experience managing complex logistics, vendors, and high-end experiences, she brings a calm, intentional approach to celebrations. Emery & Co. transforms each couple’s vision into an artfully designed event that feels effortless and is crafted to last a lifetime. Want
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
POISE UNDER Pressure
From Olympic Gold to Family, Steve Lewis Proves Mindset Goes the Distance.
At 19, most people are still discovering who they are. Not Steve Lewis! Steve was becoming one of the best in the world.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the UCLA freshman shocked expectations by winning the 400 meters, then added a second gold medal as part of the 4x400-meter relay team. Four years later, after illness and setbacks nearly derailed his career, he returned to the Olympic stage in Barcelona to win silver in the 400 and another relay gold.
But when Lewis looks back, he doesn’t begin with medals. He begins with a moment.
“Coming down the home stretch. That’s kind of what sticks out because I was not expected to be there and lead the charge for the Americans,” he said. “I remember coming off the curve into the home stretch and I’m in the front. All sorts of thoughts flashed in my head.”
Those thoughts weren’t connected to fame or records. They were all about family.
“My mother was in the bleachers, and my grandfather was [there] so I was just thinking about where I grew up,” he said.
“Wow, am I going to win this thing?”
When he crossed the line, he still wasn’t sure he had won.
“I’m looking with my coach John Smith… looking up at the Jumbotron, at the big screen. Did I win? Did I win?” he recalled.
“Then it hit me. I won.”
He took his victory lap toward the backstretch where his family was seated. “[My mom’s] in tears. My grandfather’s in tears. It was surreal. It was an incredible moment.”
That moment carried deeper meaning because his grandfather’s journey to watching Steve compete at the Seoul Olympics had once seemed impossible. Lewis said his grandfather fought in the Korean War and was wounded on the battlefield, believing he might not make it home. After surviving, he swore never to return. Decades later, he did—not as a soldier, but as the proud grandfather of an Olympic finalist watching him win gold in Seoul.
Lewis credits that breakthrough not only to talent, but to what he calls a “lion mentality.” “I grew up in the inner city and had to be tough and resilient. A single parent household. My mother was basically the head of the household. My father was not there so I grew up having to go out and prove myself.”
That background became fuel for his passion. “I was the underdog. I was a young kid. I’ll show you. I’ll prove you wrong.”
Then came the philosophy that still guides him today. “There was nothing more that I was going to do when I got to that starting line that was going to make me perform any better… so let me go out there and do my best.”
He did more than that. Lewis ran what he calls “the perfect race,” setting a world junior record (U20) that stands today, nearly four decades later.
“I remember coming off the curve into the home stretch and I'm in the front. All sorts of thoughts flashed in my head.”
Steve Lewis as a young athlete, proudly holding his Olympic medals, outfitted in the stars and stripes.
Success, Lewis says, never eliminates pressure. It simply changes it. “There’s pressure even when you succeed because you have to overcome something to be successful,” he said. “It’s just how you deal with that stress and pressure that really kind of defines who you are.”
After the highs of 1988 came injuries, and then in 1990, he became seriously ill. “I was sick for about a year. We couldn’t figure out what was going on with me,” he said. “I was a shell of my previous self. I lost a lot of weight… I thought it was over for me.”
Unable to train and unsure if he would ever return to competition, Lewis leaned on family, teammates, and patience. Then, almost as suddenly as it began, the illness lifted. “I got stronger and as suddenly as this illness came upon me, it just went away.”
He fought his way back onto the 1992 Olympic team. “I made the ’92 team and went back and tried to defend my title. I took second that day, but it was okay. I was happy to be there and be that successful.” He also helped the U.S. team break another world record in the relay and earned his third gold medal.
Today, Lewis channels the same competitive fire where he sells robotics at Stryker. “Winning is winning,” he said. “I want to be successful and doing the best at what you’re setting out to do.”
The setting has changed. The mindset has not. “There’s a saying: The five P’s: Proper preparation prevents poor performance. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” Whether it was stepping onto a track or into a boardroom, Lewis says preparation remains the separator. “Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready. It’s a mindset.”
At home, Lewis measures success differently. He and his wife, Tamala, raised two daughters. Because his own father was absent, he was determined to be present. “I just wanted to make sure that I was there for them,” he said. “Everything that I do… I’m
“There’s a saying: The five P’s: Proper preparation prevents poor performance. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”
Wearing his gold and silver medals, a snapshot of a career that made history on the track and continues to inspire.
thinking about them… just trying to make sure that they’re set up to be successful.”
Now a longtime Redondo Beach resident, Lewis embraces the lifestyle of the South Bay. “Living by the water. The people. The activities. The weather,” he said. “We ride the bike on the boardwalk. It’s just very active.” It’s a fitting home for someone who has always been in motion.
If Lewis could leave one message for young athletes—or anyone chasing a dream—it would sound familiar to anyone who has followed his journey. “Hardship is just part of life. Nothing is guaranteed.”
But pressure, he believes, can become something powerful. “Like a diamond… all that pressure being coal, that’s how diamonds are formed.”
Then he offers the kind of wisdom earned over decades of peaks and valleys. “You gotta go through it to get to it.”
For Lewis, the lesson has always been the same: stay focused, trust preparation, and remain poised under pressure.
Steve Lewis in the 4x400-meter relay in Seoul, Korea, a race that helped define Olympic greatness.
Steve Lewis with his wife Tamala and daughters Ashley and Sienna, celebrate at the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame red carpet event.
L–R: Danny Everett (bronze), Steve Lewis (gold), and Harry “Butch” Reynolds (silver) on the Olympic podium in Seoul, Korea.
BRENT TALBOT
A lifelong member of the South Bay community, Brent Talbot has been a Realtor in the Beach Cities for more than two decades. Having raised a son in Redondo Beach, he remains part of the area’s closeknit network of families and neighbors after years coaching many different sports at every level. Brent is also fortunate to have extended family throughout Los Angeles—as well as friends dating back to his high school and college days, and a 10-year-old yellow Lab named Lola.
Brent’s local expertise extends to the culinary scene, and he is frequently out trying new restaurants on Catalina Avenue and throughout Manhattan Beach. He also knows the area’s golf courses like the back of his hand and reminisces about his time playing with Tiger Woods in his youth or placing at the U.S. Open for frisbee golf.
Brent is very analytical and at one point planned to become an architect, but he ultimately chose to begin his career in the clothing industry. Ten years later, in 1999, he began working in real estate and has been a top Realtor for 26 years. He works hand in hand with experts from home inspectors and handymen to escrow agents and mortgage lenders. With his ties to the community and hyperlocal knowledge, Brent offers a calm, steady hand throughout the process of buying or selling a house.
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLEY A. ROLLO AND PROVIDED
Grassroots on the Greenway
How Jeff Rowe Turned a Simple Cleanup into Five Years of Community Impact.
On the second Saturday of every month, while many people are easing into their weekend, Redondo Beach resident Jeff Rowe can be found unloading gloves, trash bags, water, snacks, and trash grabbers from the back of his SUV beside the Greenway path in North Redondo Beach.
By 9 AM, neighbors arrive. Some stay for two hours. Some stay for 45 minutes. Middle school students come to earn volunteer hours. New faces appear each month. And together, this small but determined group spends the morning making their community cleaner, safer, and better.
It is simple. It is consistent. And for the last five years, it has been Jeff’s quiet act of leadership. “This is grassroots,” he said. “I don’t want to make this some nonprofit. It’s got to be grassroots.”
That philosophy is what makes Jeff’s story so powerful. He is not waiting for permission, a budget, or a formal title. He saw a need and stepped forward.
Jeff wears many hats. He teaches college, works in real estate, and has built a career that spans engineering, business, marketing, and education.
Today, one of his greatest passions (in addition to keeping Redondo clean!) is working with students preparing to enter
the workforce. “My main job as a professor is to be a mentor to these young people who are about to graduate and start their lives,” he said. “The most important part of my job is to help them with their résumé, interview skills, and positivity.”
He often encourages students to begin serving others early. “One of the things I tell them is, you got to volunteer, and start young, because it’ll make a difference in your life.”
That belief was shaped decades ago through his own first volunteer experience as a Big Brother. “I know I changed his life,” Jeff said. “He didn’t have a father figure, so I was his father figure.” What Jeff received in return was not money or recognition, but something more lasting. “I got nothing in return but a sense of fulfillment.”
Jeff moved from Alabama to Redondo Beach in 1996 after taking an engineering job nearby. He quickly fell in love with the South Bay lifestyle. “I have to say the weather,” he said when asked what he loves most about Redondo Beach. “You can’t beat it.”
But it is more than sunshine that keeps him rooted here. It is community.
The Greenway cleanup began in April 2021. What started as a quarterly cleanup is now a monthly tradition held on the second Saturday of each month. Jeff built
“This is grassroots. I don't want to make this some nonprofit. It’s got to be grassroots.”
a database of volunteers, and on the Thursday prior to every cleanup, he creates flyers, posts signs on telephone poles, and emails supporters. He has personally purchased many of the cleanup supplies over the years, along with receiving funding from Athens Services, a large waste and recycling company, and now from the North Redondo Beach Business Association.
“It’s small but effective,” he said. With as few as 10 volunteers, the team can clean the entire stretch of the Greenway. If more people come, they expand into nearby parks. Jeff’s motivation is deeply personal. “I live on the Greenway so it’s like my front yard.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the cleanup is the participation of local students who come for volunteer hours. Jeff hopes
Locals out for an afternoon stroll and exercise on the Greenway.
they leave with something greater: a sense of ownership and pride in their community. “The kids that show up, they really enjoy it.” They also enjoy comparing notes about the strange items they discover along the path. “Beer cans, shoes. Why would people abandon their shoes?” Jeff asks with a laugh.
For someone so grounded in service, Jeff also has a playful competitive streak. “I was the Alabama State Frisbee Champion when I was 19,” he said. The competition included Frisbee golf, distance throwing, and an event called maximum time aloft, where contestants launched the Frisbee high into the air, then sprinted to catch it before it landed. “It was my first contest, and I won the whole thing,” he said. “It was fun.”
The story clearly illustrates who Jeff is. Even in lighthearted moments, Jeff has always been willing to run after something with full effort.
He also serves as a neighborhood watch captain, helping connect more than 200 households and encouraging residents to stay informed and involved. Whether it’s public safety, student mentorship, or picking up litter, he continues asking the same question: “What else can I do?”
For anyone wondering where to begin, his advice is simple. “Talk to friends and family about what they think needs to be done in the neighborhood.” Because needs are everywhere. Opportunity is everywhere. And according to Jeff, so is potential.
“You can move mountains and you don’t even know it yet. One person can change the world. You can be that person.”
Jeff Rowe organizes the monthly community cleanup to keep the Greenway clean and welcoming for all.
Patricia Anaya is all smiles after turning a little Greenway litter into a cleaner trail for everyone.
Brandie Siu, her daughter Haylee, and their dog Cooper share a morning of community service.
NRBBA President Mickey Johnson and Brian Maly pitch in during a monthly cleanup.
BUILT BY HAND, DRIVEN BY HUSTLE
HOW TWO 16-YEAR-OLD FRIENDS TURNED A BUSINESS CLASS PROJECT INTO A GROWING BUSINESS.
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
At a time when many teenagers are figuring out weekend plans, Jack Pascual and Wyatt Andrade are deciding how much product they can produce in a week, which client to follow up with next, and how to turn a backyard shed into something bigger. They are 16-year-old students at Redondo Union High School and proof that ambition does not come with an age requirement.
Their story is about business, but it is even more about friendship, identity, and two young men discovering who they are by building something with their own hands.
It started with Mr. SooHoo’s business class. “First semester, we didn’t really talk
“We’re kind of like the yin and yang.” - Wyatt Andrade
much,” Jack said. “But second semester, we had to start a business for the class. I wanted to do window cleaning. Then [Wyatt] joined me and that’s how it all started.”
At the time, they were from different worlds. Jack was on the surf team. Wyatt played baseball. They had gone to the same middle school without ever really crossing paths. Then one class project changed everything.
In a room full of students, Jack nervously stood up to pitch his idea. “Hi, I’m Jack. I want to do window cleaning. If anyone wants to join, they can.” Wyatt walked over. The partnership—and friendship—began.
It turned out they had more in common than either expected. Both had separately bought window-cleaning supplies before they ever met. Both wanted more than the ordinary after-school job. And both loved country music.
Ask them for favorite artists and the answers come quickly: Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Morgan Wallen, Lily Fitts. But the music was only part of the connection. Wyatt had a skill that would soon shape their future. He had been woodworking since he was eight years old, inspired by his grandfather. Jack recognized the opportunity immediately. Wyatt could build. Jack could sell. Together, they started Wyatt’s Woodworks—a small woodworking business focused on custom pieces and closing gifts for real estate agents.
“We’re kind of like the yin and yang,” Wyatt said. “He’s the marketer so he gets all the clients, talks to all the realtors… I’m
the labor. I make everything and then design, ship out, logistics, stuff like that.”
Jack sees it the same way. “If he knew everything I knew, it wouldn’t make sense, but he does stuff that I don’t know how to do and I do stuff he doesn’t know how to do,” he said. “It allows him to make an amazing product and just focus on that. It allows me to convert customers and find them as best I can so we’re not stretched thin.”
Their business journey has included plenty of pivots: tables, incense holders, military coin displays, and now custom closing gifts for real estate agents. They speak openly about mistakes, missteps, and what they call their “business ADHD.” But instead of hiding the messy middle, they own it. It’s part of the story. “It’s never really mistakes, it’s a lot of experience,” Wyatt said. “The secret sauce from now on is to just stick with something,” Jack explained.
Today, Wyatt’s Woodworks focuses on handcrafted boards, trays, and personalized gifts that solve a real need for busy real estate agents who want something memorable, made locally for clients. The business is growing, but the heart of it still lives in the shed.
The shed itself is almost a character in their story. Wyatt spent two years asking his dad to help him build it. Now it is packed with tools, machines, wood scraps, and layers of sawdust so thick Wyatt jokes it feels like walking through snow. It is cramped, loud, and imperfect. It is also where confidence has been built alongside products. “It’s kind of always been a dream,” Wyatt said.
“The best time to start a business was yesterday, the second best time is right now.” - Jack Pascual
And for Jack, what was built there went far beyond products. “I was never great at school. I’ve never been known for something, so this was a nice change,” he said. Then he says something many adults still struggle to articulate: “I felt like I didn’t have an identity. I didn’t know who I was. This gave me a sense of direction. This is what I do.”
There is wisdom in that honesty. Many people spend years searching for purpose. Jack and Wyatt found theirs by showing up, trying things, failing, learning, and trying again. And they dream big—beautifully, unapologetically big.
Ask where they see themselves years from now and the conversation shifts from CNC machines and brokerages to wide-open land, horses, cows, boats, and freedom. They talk about owning 10,000 acres. Jack imagines North Carolina, close enough for a quick drive to the Outer Banks. “If I didn’t have the ocean, I would go somewhere Midwest or somewhere Northwest, like Montana or Colorado,” Wyatt said.
“We would love 10,000 acres,” Jack said. It sounds ambitious, maybe even impossible. Then again, so do two 16-year-olds building a real business out of a school project.
That same belief in possibility shapes the advice they give other teenagers. “The best time to start a business was yesterday, the second best time is right now,” Jack said. Wyatt added, “Speed is king… Start right now. Why not?”
Maybe that is what makes their story resonate beyond their age. They are not waiting until they feel ready. They are learning by doing.
In an era of endless scrolling and distraction, Jack and Wyatt have chosen something tangible: sawdust on the floor, music in the background, and a future they are building one piece at a time. “We would be fine without each other,” Jack said. “But I’m so glad we did [meet], because we made something.”
Built by hand and driven by hustle, they are not waiting for the future—they are already building it.
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The Healing Home Method
Nervous system regulation for highperformers & their families. Somatic meditation audio method — yours to keep, forever Body first. Legacy follows.
From Type A to Type Be. Your body already knows the way.
Download the Healing Home Free Meditation to get started.
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
Pickle In A
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PICKLE-BRINED CHICKEN WINGS SOAR TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH ALABAMA WHITE SAUCE.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect wing flavor, never quite satisfied, until I heard a podcast suggestion: brining chicken wings in pickle juice. It sounded strange at first, but it yields incredibly tender and flavorful wings! Since then, I save pickle juice from every jar I buy just to recreate these beloved wings. If I run out of pickle juice, olive juice works too. I air fry mine, but if you don’t have an air fryer, cook them as you normally would. Don’t forget to toss them in a buttery dill sauce and try the Alabama white BBQ sauce for an extra layer of goodness!
Pickle Juice Brined Wings
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds chicken wings (flats and drummettes)
• Pickle juice - enough to cover wings
• 1 – 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 6 tablespoons butter
• A few dashes of hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place chicken wings in a non-reactive container and pour pickle juice over chicken wings until completely covered.
2. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate, covered, for at least 8 hours.
3. Drain wings, discard pickle juice, and completely pat wings dry.
4. Put dried wings in a bowl and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Mix well.
5. Place wings in an air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd. Cook at 400 degrees for 28 minutes, turning every 8 minutes until crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
6. Melt the butter and add a few splashes of hot sauce of your choice and mix in a bowl. Add wings and completely cover with butter mixture. Sprinkle with fresh dill and toss a few times, and serve with my white barbeque sauce.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
INGREDIENTS
• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (I prefer Duke’s)
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pepper, coarsely ground
• 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk all ingredients together until blended. Dip your pickle juicebrined wings in this sauce and taste the joy! Store in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks.
WEDNESDAYS
NRB Farmers Market
SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
Green Lane between Artesia Blvd. and Vanderbilt Lane | 2:00 PM
Your New Midweek Destination! The NRB Farmers Market brings fresh energy to North Redondo Beach as the city’s third farmers market. It offers neighbors a welcoming space to shop local, connect, and support small businesses. The market also helps support revitalization efforts in the Artesia–Aviation Corridor. Get details at nrbfarmersmarket.org.
JUNE 3RD
Dine Around Riviera Village
Riviera Village | 5:00 PM
Stroll. Sip. Savor! Dine Around Riviera Village brings a summer twist to a favorite culinary experience, heading south from last fall’s successful Dine Around ARTesia event. One ticket grants access to 20+ participating restaurants offering curated tastings throughout the Riviera Village. Enjoy an evening of great food and community connection. Tickets are limited. Learn more at instagram.com/rivieravillage.
JUNE 6TH & 7TH
Wounds to Wisdom Retreat
Redondo Beach | 10:00 AM
A Guided Healing Journey! Hosted by Wendy Jones of Healing Home, this two-day somatic retreat focuses on nervous system expansion, meditation, and guided ritual. Limited to eight participants, it offers deep personal work, integration support, nourishing meals, and lasting transformation tools. Visit healing-home.co to apply. 6/6: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM; 6/7: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
JUNE 6TH, 20TH, & 27TH
Torrance Summer Nights
Wilson Park Amphitheatre, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance | 5:00 PM
Summer Vibes Have Arrived! Enjoy free entertainment all summer long with live concerts featuring crowd-pleasing cover bands. Bring a chair, gather your friends, and enjoy a night filled with music and fun. Don’t miss these fan favorites, and see the full summer lineup at torranceca.gov. 6/6: Britain’s Finest; 6/20: Locked Out of Heaven; 6/27: Classic Journey
JUNE 13TH & 14TH
Hermosa Beach Fine Arts Festival
Community Center, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
Artistry on Display! This beloved South Bay tradition celebrates creativity, community, and local talent with a two-day outdoor event featuring more than 100 artists showcasing works across a variety of mediums—from painting and sculpture to ceramics, photography, and mixed media. Visit hermosafinearts.com.
JUNE 26TH - 28TH
48th Annual Riviera Village Summer Festival
Riviera Village | 12:00 PM
Fun in the Sun! A weekend of live music, artisan vendors, local food and drinks, and family-friendly fun. This festival transforms the Riviera Village streets into a lively community summer celebration. Check out rvsummerfestival.com. 6/26: Noon-9:00 PM; 6/27: 10:00
AM-8:00 PM; 6/28: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
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