This week we sit down with Maegan, the baker behind Meggles Makes, to trace how a childhood love of crepes and banana bread turned into a dessert brand locals plan their week around. From her first Ziploc brownie sales to sellouts at Whiskey Smoke, she walks us through the honest steps of going full time: tightening costs, pricing for profit, managing inflation, planning bake days, and shooting content that actually converts. What makes this journey pop is the mix of craft and community. Maegan shares how Kaneohe neighbors became customers, how Corey and the Whiskey Smoke family opened doors, and why certain flavors win next to barbecue. We get into the signature ube cheesecake that converts skeptics, the year-round staples that anchor the menu, and the seasonal surge of pumpkin chantilly, pumpkin crunch, and pumpkin cheesecake that flies off shelves. She’s candid about experiments that flopped, why she added gluten-free options, and how she reads demand signals so she can scale without overbaking or disappointing regulars. At the core is a steady mindset fueled by faith and family. Maegan talks about losing her dad, the push he gave her to chase big dreams, and the daily rituals that keep her grounded—journaling, prayer, and showing up even when the week hits hard. A chance moment with a diner who stopped to pray for her becomes a turning point, a reminder that resilience is as essential as butter and eggs. If you’re building a food business, you’ll find practical tactics here: batching work, using Instagram trends with intention, pairing flavors for context, and letting customer feedback shape production. If you’re looking for courage, you’ll find that too. Craving more? Follow Meggals Makes for weekly restocks at Whiskey Smoke, watch for the Thanksgiving menu, and get there early if you want a slice. If this conversation fed you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a push, and drop a review to help more listeners find us.

This week Atbpod sits down with Kyani Bateman model, mentor, and cofounder of Pakolea—to trace her path from kid commercials and pageantry to building a community-first agency with her partner, photographer Darren. She shares how social media became a living portfolio, why brands care about personality as much as pictures, and how a fierce feed can coexist with a grounded, aloha-driven life. Kyani pulls back the curtain on runway realities: quick changes, six-inch heels, and the mental game that starts long before call time. She breaks down the difference between influencers and professional models, explains how to make reels and day-in-the-life content work for bookings, and tells the unfiltered stories rolled ankles, missed cues, and all that forged her resilience. We explore Hawaii’s collaborative backstage culture versus Miami’s every-model-for-themselves pace, underscoring how character shows on stage and in the camera. The heart of the episode is Pakolea’s model-first blueprint. The academy teaches posing, runway technique, comp cards, consent, and ethics; the agency represents ready talent with fair, modest commissions so models keep more of their pay. No height gatekeeping, no mean-girl energy just a clear interview process to protect culture and safety. Kyani encourages smart choices about paid vs unpaid work, networking with intention, and taking uncomfortable opportunities that expand skill and confidence. She also opens up about building a business with her boyfriend , communicating through creative decisions, and keeping trust at the center. We wrap with big goals: more global bookings, pop-up workshops from LA to New York, and a personal dream to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway. If you care about modeling, content creation, or creative careers built on values, this story is your blueprint. Listen, share with someone chasing their first casting, and leave a review so we can bring more conversations like this to your feed.

A coach who builds tougher teams with softer hands. A singer who swapped liquid courage for real conviction. A Hawaii-born artist designing a sound that can live anywhere. That mix is Mahina—grounded, generous, and ready for the world. We dive into her journey from playing shortstop and coaching high school softball to writing radio-ready songs that people can’t stop singing. She explains how standards changed since her playing days and why positive discipline, respect, and real-life accountability help young athletes grow into strong people. Then we trace her creative arc—from recording vocals in a bathroom with GarageBand to building a collaboration-first workflow with manager Romeo Valientine and producer Mad Mat, shaping hooks that travel and verses that feel true. The origin of “Stay With Me,” her DM to Tehani, and the leap from backyard studios to polished mixes show how persistence and community can turn a good idea into a charting single. Faith and sobriety now sit at the center of her life. Mahina talks candidly about letting go of alcohol, shedding stage nerves, and trusting God to lead rather than bargaining for outcomes. That surrender changed her performances, clarified her choices, and fed her writing. The new single leans into betrayal and comes out brighter—pain reframed as fuel, a chorus that’s easy to carry, and verses that move from crying in the shower to laughing in the mirror. Call it “Mahina World”: a blend of R&B, pop, and island reggae that nods to old-school soul while reaching for global playlists. Offstage, she draws on years as a caregiver, where listening, patience, and presence became second nature—and where empathy turned work into family. There’s more on the way: a 10-track album slated for next year, singles rolling out ahead of release, dream collabs, and shows where she’ll tease a few unreleased cuts. Until then, you’ll find her coaching, writing in notebooks, posting more consistently, and remembering why she started—to make music people feel and to help her community shine. If this story moved you, follow and subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs the lift, and leave a quick review so more listeners can discover Mahina’s voice.

What happens when a lifelong passion is suddenly put on hold? In this deeply personal conversation, we journey alongside a former collegiate volleyball player Kayla Kilaulani "KK" whose devastating ACL and MCL tear forced her to reimagine her identity beyond the court. Her story reveals the remarkable resilience that athletes develop and how those qualities translate to unexpected career paths. The conversation takes us through KK's extraordinary childhood battle with meningitis at age 11—a disease that temporarily robbed her of basic functions like walking and talking—and how the experience of having to relearn everything shaped her approach to future challenges. This foundation of resilience would later serve her when transitioning from competitive volleyball to a thriving career in television production. We explore the fascinating world of broadcast media through her experiences at Hawaii News Now, where she quickly advanced from curious visitor to skilled Technical Media Producer. Her detailed explanation of directing live newscasts offers rare behind-the-scenes insights into what happens in the control room during broadcasts. Most exciting is her role in developing a new high school sports broadcasting program that showcases student-athletes from underrepresented Hawaiian islands. Throughout our discussion, powerful themes emerge about embracing change, finding strength in vulnerability, and the critical importance of being present in the moment. Her perspective on balancing ambition with well-being and her thoughtful critique of social media's impact on authentic experiences offer wisdom that transcends sports and broadcasting. Whether you're facing a career transition, recovering from setback, or simply looking for inspiration to take more initiative in your life, this conversation reminds us that our greatest challenges often reveal unexpected paths forward. Listen now to discover how the mindset of an athlete can transform any obstacle into opportunity.

Ever wondered what happens when your dinner companion whips out their phone before you can take your first bite? In this captivating conversation with Landon from High Grindz (@high_grindz), we dive deep into the world of food content creation in Hawaii, revealing the fascinating journey from casual dining to influential posting. Landon shares how his Instagram account began as a simple suggestion from a friend to document the restaurants he was already visiting. What started as casual food photography has evolved into a nearly daily content creation schedule, filming approximately five days a week at eateries across the islands. Unlike many mainland influencer scenes characterized by cutthroat competition, Landon describes Hawaii's creator community as uniquely supportive. The conversation takes unexpected turns as Landon reveals his double life - creating mouthwatering food content while maintaining a full-time career as an orthopedic physical therapist at Queen's Hospital. This balance between passion and profession offers listeners a refreshing perspective on content creation as an extension of genuine interests rather than a primary career. From his nostalgic collaboration with Crazy Shirts to his viral Botox experience video, Landon demonstrates how authentic content resonates with audiences beyond just food posts. What makes this episode particularly insightful is Landon's candid approach to content ethics. He explains his philosophy of only posting positive experiences rather than criticizing disappointing restaurants - a stance that reflects the spirit of aloha while maintaining credibility with his audience. Using nothing more than an iPhone and simple editing apps, Landon proves that compelling content stems from genuine passion rather than expensive equipment or technical expertise. Whether you're a foodie looking for your next great meal, an aspiring content creator, or simply curious about the people behind those perfect food shots delaying your dinner, this episode offers a satisfying glimpse into the evolving relationship between social media, food culture, and authentic Hawaiian values. Follow @high_grindz on Instagram to discover your next favorite eatery!