Community, Kindness & Impact with Shawn Kortes | Costa Mesa Pod

In this multi-part conversation on the Costa Mesa Pod, we sit down with Shawn Kortes, founder of the Facebook Group HB Quarantine Cuisine, to talk about what it really means to support your community — from uplifting local businesses to navigating life-changing health experiences.

Shawn shares powerful insights into kidney donation, including how modern kidney swap and voucher programs allow people to donate even without a direct match. We also discuss living a full, healthy life with one kidney and how the system is designed to make selfless acts more accessible than most people realize.

Beyond health, this conversation dives into community values — including why Shawn chooses to only share positive food reviews and how supporting local, family-owned businesses plays a critical role in the fabric of Orange County.

This episode is about perspective, compassion, and the small decisions that create meaningful impact in the communities we live in.