#l.a.rising by Kim Marshall and NOVA

After wildfire strips a neighborhood bare, what helps people heal, and what helps a community breathe again? In this moving episode of LA Rising, host Kim Marshall explores the deep connection between recovery and the urban forest with sustainable landscape architect David Card of the Palisades Forestry Committee and biophilia expert Jennifer Walsh.

In this episode of L.A. Rising, host Kim Marshall sits down with NY1 Chief Meteorologist John Davitt to unpack life in the age of unprecedented weather events. Fresh off reporting from the front lines of NYC’s recent Nor’Easter and bomb cyclone, John explains the jarring shift in the frequency of billion-dollar weather disasters –from every three months in the 1980’s to every three weeks today. We dive into the science behind how climate change is supercharging storms and heating our oceans. We discuss the human cost and emotional toll these events take on not only those in their path but the experts tasked with delivering the warnings.  We’ll hear why reporting like John’s is a beacon of evidence and hope, offering practical steps—from congestion pricing to household habits—that turn fear into empowerment. 

What if the thing that saves us isn’t rebuilding a house, but rebuilding our story? In this deeply human episode of LA Rising, host Kim Marshall sits down with Kathleen Katims, founder of Saved by a Story, a nonprofit offering free writing workshops to wildfire survivors, foster youth, seniors, and others navigating life’s hardest seasons. After losing her own Pacific Palisades home in the 2025 fires, Kathleen began guiding fellow survivors to write their way through grief, humor, shock, and resilience—often in just ten minutes. You’ll hear unforgettable stories from the workshops, including “My House is a Poem,” a love letter from a burned-down home to its owner, and a surprisingly hilarious treasure unearthed from the ashes. If you believe storytelling heals, this episode will show you why. Share it with someone who needs connection—and consider attending a workshop or supporting LA Rising’s mission to preserve these living histories of hope.

We go live for this episode to literally the first address on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu – and one of a handful of oceanfront structures still standing post-fire along a seven-mile stretch of coastline – to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2025 L.A. Fires. Host and fire evacuee, Kim Marshall, moderates a panel of creatives – filmmakers, photographers, storytellers, a high school coach, and even a student activist – who share the unique ways they are helping their communities heal, post-fire. 

As a multi-peril podcast looking for rays of hope, it is fitting that we focus on the Caribbean island of Jamaica and how their advance resiliency planning is helping speed their recovery after being hit by the monster, Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in late October.  Hear first hand strategies implemented before and after the storm on the island from international resilience expert, Edmund Bartlett, the Tourism Minister of Jamaica.  We’ll also speak to a hospitality industry leader, Tonya Vassal – Spa Director at Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay – who uses her wellness background to help neighbors, employees and their children cope with this trauma.  

As our first year comes to a close, #L.A. Rising is sharing a special gift with our community of listeners, a conversation with six-time Emmy winning actor, musician and philanthropist, Hank Azaria.  Known for his television work in Friends, Tuesdays with Morrie, Brockmire or movies like The Birdcage, Along Came Polly and Night at the Museum, Hank is most famous for doing over 100 different voices over nearly four decades for the groundbreaking animated show, The Simpsons.  He is also considered one of the most philanthropic people in Hollywood, focusing on education, social justice, mental health and addiction recovery.  The conversation is especially relevant during the first holiday since L.A.’s devastating January 7, double disaster/fire hurricane, since it is an especially fragile time for those in recovery or any of us facing mental wellness challenges.  Stanford’s Dr. Adrienne Heinz – a disaster mental health specialist – will share coping tools for the holidays and beyond in this episode’s special Wellness Lift segment.

When the fires ravage a community many are motivated to give and give quickly.  The role of philanthropy post disaster rightly sparks important questions about where donated money goes, how nonprofits make decisions, and what real support looks like for families trying to rebuild their lives. In this episode of LA Rising, host Kim Marshall talks with philanthropy expert Rick Peck—known as “The Philanthropy Guy” and host of the Money to Give podcast—to break down how giving actually works after a disaster. Together, they explore the Five T’s of philanthropy (time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony), the role of fiscal sponsors, why overhead isn’t the enemy, the role of events in fundraising and how storytelling drives impact more powerfully than statistics. The episode also takes listeners to the first post-fire Turkey Trot in Pacific Palisades, where survivors share moving reflections on loss, resilience, and the meaning of community. From the controversy over the $100M Fire Aid fund to practical tips on choosing trustworthy charities, this conversation offers clear, compassionate insight into how generosity can rebuild not just structures, but lives. Listen, learn, and join us in supporting youth mental health and the ongoing work of #LA Rising as we document this living history for a stronger, more prepared future.

In this vital episode, we sit down with Joy Chen, founder of the Eaton Fire Residents United network, an organization born from the immediate chaos of evacuation that swiftly pivoted into a powerful force for community support and system accountability. Joy shares the deeply personal origin story of the network—how a simple community chat became the strategic engine fighting major insurance companies and utilities on behalf of hundreds of displaced residents. We discuss the emotional toll of this two-front war (rebuilding homes and reclaiming dignity), the strategic choices EFSN made in their media approach, and how they showcased authentic survivor stories to push for systemic change. Joy offers powerful insights into the healing power of collective action and what true, long-term recovery means for families who faced not just fire, but the ripple effect of broken promises. This episode proves that community is the most resilient infrastructure of all.

When megafires tear through a community, so many are left angry, exhausted, and desperate to know who to blame—but what if instead the focus was on the realities of today’s climate and proven ways to prevent future megafire disasters? In this episode of #L.A. Rising, host, Kim Marshall, sits down with Jennifer Gray Thompson, megafire survivor and the founder of After the Fire USA a nonprofit whose groundbreaking work helps communities around the country navigate the era of megafires—from the first bewildering days of smoke and ash to the long, grinding years of recovery. Jennifer shares her own story of loss and courage, explains the power of compassion and human connection, how resiliency is forged in young people, a positive approach to “Zone Zero” landscaping and the inspiring story of their tireless work in D.C. to help win billions of dollars in tax relief for disaster survivors. 

Ten months post-fire, a community gathers again across The Longest Table, sharing stories of survival, surprise, sadness, and renewal. We join the grassroots non-profit, Team Palisades – that’s all about neighbors helping neighbors – as they host a 500-seat open air potluck lunch event for the entire community. We’re on the ground, talking to eleven different residents, sharing stories and lessons learned from surviving a devastating and unprecedented urban wildfire.

When the winds roared and the lights went out, Maui turned to its oldest strength: each other. In this two-part episode, Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. and First Lady Isabella Kaʻihi Bissen take us back to August 2023—how the Kula Fire ignited, why Lahaina (Lāhainā) was cut off so quickly, and the neighbor-to-neighbor lifesaving that followed. We dig into the hard numbers and the hopeful ones: housing grants, new emergency tools, and a clear message for visitors—you are welcome here, please respect our home as we would yours, and your visit will help the island continue to recover. Then we pivot to small-business resilience with Gunars Valkirs of Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate and Brittany Heyd of Mana Up, exploring what it takes to keep doors open after a disaster. They’ll share lessons learned, such as the importance of diversifying sales, of being disaster-ready, and how keeping community first can help the bottom line. Culture, hula, and song tie it all together in this episode’s Wellness Lift, because in Maui, healing is shared.  Listen, learn, and act: embrace the culture that makes Hawaii so special, buy from local makers, and support the groups still doing the work.

What do you do in the aftermath of a natural disaster when no government agency or insurance company has the data to prove it’s truly safe to return home? You band together with your neighbors and gather the data yourself. As unbelievable as it sounds, that’s exactly what our guests in this episode did. 

Wildfires can destroy homes in hours—but the insurance battle that follows can last for years. In this powerful episode of LA Rising, we bring you expert guidance from Matthew Blumkin, President of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and Managing Partner of The Greenspan Company, on how to navigate your insurance claim after disaster strikes. From understanding the three types of adjusters to knowing your policy “buckets” and avoiding common homeowner mistakes, Matthew breaks down the essentials to getting what you’re owed. We also welcome wellness coach and fire survivor Nora Plesent, whose “GLANCES” framework offers practical, compassionate tools for managing the emotional toll of recovery. Together, they deliver a masterclass in protecting your home, your health, and your peace of mind. Whether you’re in the thick of a claim or preparing for the unexpected, this episode will leave you better informed and better equipped to face the challenges ahead. Listen now and start building your roadmap to recovery.

Six months after the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, we sit down with Colonel Eric Swenson, the Army Corps of Engineers leader who spearheaded the fastest disaster cleanup in California’s history. Swenson shares the rarely heard, deeply human side of disaster recovery: building trust with survivors, walking with them through their darkest hours, and leading teams that not only cleared debris but helped recover priceless memories from the ashes. We learn about the art of compassionate leadership, the sensitive dance of rebuilding amid loss, and the importance of listening—whether it’s working with grieving families or negotiating with passionate arborists over the fate of beloved trees. As Colonel Swenson moves on to new challenges, he leaves L.A. with hard-won lessons in resilience, hope, and the power of one step at a time.

Two female firebrands from Malibu explain how the devastating Palisades fire actually left a nearly seven-mile path of destruction along one of the most iconic coastal routes in America. In this deeply personal episode of #L.A. Rising, we meet noted author and activist Kathy Eldon and Equinox co-founder and fitness maven Lavinia Errico, who both embody hope and resilience in the wake of devastation. Kathy shares her harrowing experience as the first house in Malibu threatened by fire, reflecting on the role of storytelling, survivor’s guilt, and the transformative power of helping others. Lavinia reveals how business acumen, movement, breathwork and joy, and her strong sense of community helped her weather both the Franklin and Palisades fires. Together, they offer hard-won wisdom on coping with loss, building resilience, and the importance of focusing on what truly matters. Along the way, we learn actionable strategies for preparing for disaster, nurturing our mental health, and finding light even in the darkest moments. Listen through the end for Lavinia’s special wellness segment and an exclusive offer for #L.A. Rising listeners. Want to support the work? Share your story, contribute to youth mental health, or simply pass this episode on to someone who needs a little hope today.

When disaster strikes, how do you rebuild—not just structures, but hope itself? In this powerful episode of LA Rising, we hear directly from the leaders at the heart of LA’s wildfire recovery. Supervisor Lindsay Horvath shares the inside story of the fastest fire debris removal in the nation’s history, to finding appropriate spaces for students whose schools burned down, to quickly distributing small business and household grants to those in need, and assembling an action-centric Blue Ribbon Commission to guide a climate-smart build back.  Meanwhile, Najla Kayyem, Executive Director of Steadfast LA, reveals how a coalition of civic and business leaders came together to cut through red tape, champion innovation, and ensure vulnerable communities aren’t left behind. From AI-driven permitting and fire-resistant prefab homes to the fight for insurance reform and the rebuilding of beloved landmarks like the Palisades Rec Center. In this episode, we learn what real resilience looks like—and how collaboration, urgency, and transparency drive recovery forward. Plus, a special visit to Rancho La Puerta explores how healing, nature, and sustainable living are vital on the long road to recovery. Listen in for stories of leadership, partnership, and hope—then find out how you can get involved in rebuilding a stronger, safer Los Angeles.

The fires that tore through Los Angeles left devastation in their wake, but in their aftermath, a powerful movement emerged—one rooted in science, resilience, and community action. In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay, and Thierry Malleret, an economist and global thought leader, to explore how communities are navigating the intersection of environmental recovery, policy, and human resilience. Tracy shares how a group of local scientists from Pacific Palisades organized through WhatsApp to demand transparency, secure public health protections, and monitor water and air quality, while Thierry discusses the broader economic and global implications of climate change and the crucial importance of planet-first policy decisions. Together, they highlight the crucial role of advocacy, data, and hope in rebuilding a safer, more sustainable future. Join us in learning how science and community-driven solutions are shaping the road to recovery.

After the fires, the community of Los Angeles is still standing—together. In this powerful episode, you’ll hear the emotional highs and lows of post-fire life, welcoming Rabbi Amy Bernstein, Senior Rabbi of Kehillat Israel Congregation who leads a congregation of 900 families in the Pacific Palisades region.  Rabbi Amy discusses resilience, faith, and the strength found in community. Having lost her home and all her family keepsakes in the flames reflects on what it means to hold onto hope even when all tangible connections to the past have burned away. Through stories of kindness, the unwavering support of neighbors and friends, and even lessons from the biblical burning bush, she reminds us that while fire may consume, it does not have to destroy. Later, we explore the healing power of contrast bathing post wildfire trauma with wellness experts and learn from sustainable building leader Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic on how Los Angeles can rebuild in a way that is fire-resistant, sustainable, and prepared for the future. This is about more than recovery—this is about rising from the ashes. Join us in standing together.

Loss and devastation struck Altadena as the wildfires consumed homes, history, and entire communities. But in the ashes, stories of resilience and hope emerged. This episode of LA Rising brings you the voices of Ada Okimura and Lori Corral—two women deeply connected to the cultural and artistic heat of Altadena. Ada, whose family home for decades was lost just after it was paid off, reflects on the pain of displacement, the power of family and the unwavering spirit of community. Lori, a sculptor whose work has graced the likes of Disneyland and the Rose Bowl, shares how the fire spared only her sculptures—symbols of endurance amid destruction. Through their stories, we explore the true meaning of home, the importance of memories, and the power of rebirth. Listen in for a poignant reminder that even in loss, there is life, art, and the promise of renewal.

In the inaugural episode of #L.A.Rising, host Kim Marshall takes us on a deeply personal and emotional journey through the recent wildfire devastation in Los Angeles.