Life & Work with Chelsea Raineri of Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Raineri.

Hi Chelsea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a kid I loved writing and story telling. I’ve kept diaries and journals throughout my life, gathered the neighborhood kids to make mini movies, successfully petitioned to have a journalism class at my high school, and eventually worked on the newspaper at Chapman University.

I had always dreamed of working at Orange Coast, and when I finally connected with the editor-in-chief at the time, she told me there was an opening for the Style and Home Editor. I was lucky enough to be offered the role, where I’ve had the chance to interview incredible people from Revolve’s Chief Brand Officer Raissa Gerona, Z Supply’s President and Partner Mandy Fry, Hanks Kerchiefs’ Founder Colin Hanks, and more.

A few years ago, Engine Vision Media acquired Orange Coast,Los Angeles magazine, and Pasadena magazine and were looking to expand into podcasting. I’d been wanting to start a podcast where I could conduct long-form interviews because so many of the people I spoke with for the magazine had incredible stories I wanted to tell in a deeper way. So when the opportunity came along, I jumped at it. I’ve since become the “The Zest” podcast’s producer, host, and editor, and I’ve loved every moment of it. Through the podcast, I’ve had the opportunity to interview guests including author Kristin Hannah, Urban Decay and caliray co-founder Wende Zomnir, “Botched” star Dr. Paul Nassif, and many more.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With any new experience comes a learning curve, and I’ve become a much stronger writer and editor thanks to Orange Coast’s Senior Editor Astgik Khatchatryan, Art Director Andrew Hart, and Editor-in-Chief Tina Borgatta. They’ve offered guidance and thoughtful feedback along the way, helping me refine my writing and editing skills while also teaching me how to conduct smoother, more engaging interviews—skills that have translated directly to my work on the podcast.

I was fortunate to have Gary Patrick Smith, a talented podcast producer, help me get the podcast off the ground. He taught me how to edit the audio and video, offered valuable guidance on scheduling episodes, and shared countless tips along the way. I think the biggest challenge, however, was learning how to pivot during an interview. Sometimes a guest will answer a question I had planned to save for later, mention something that wasn’t part of my research that I want to explore further, or take more time than expected with an answer. Learning to adapt in those moments while still keeping the conversation natural and engaging has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in storytelling, whether its for the magazine, podcast, or social. I love getting to share stories of entrepreneurs, small business owners, artists, and more. I’ve learned after almost a decade of doing this that we’re really all so similar. Everyone has a dream they want to accomplish and I love hearing about the path someone’s taken to get there. Some people went to college, others didn’t; some pursued the same dream for years before pivoting and chasing something else; some experienced a tragedy that opened a door to something unexpected. I’m incredibly proud that I’ve had the opportunity to get those stories out there and hopefully they inspire others to pursue their dreams as well.

What are your plans for the future?
Personally, I’d love to eventually start a family. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to experience life with him by my side. For years, we were both very open about not wanting to have children—something I even talked about on my podcast. I can’t quite put my finger on what shifted for us, but somewhere along the way, our perspective changed, and we’re now incredibly excited about the possibility of becoming parents and starting this next chapter together.

Contact Info:

• Website: chelsearaineri.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsearaineriarchaga/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-raineri-08467573/
• Other: http://www.orangecoast.com/

Image Credits
Shot at Same Studios