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.

Resources:

• Creative Visions Foundation

• Boundless by Kathy Eldon (latest book)

• Angelcatcher, Dreamcatcher, Safari as a Way of Life (journals and books)

• The Journey is the Destination (book/film)

• Dying to Tell the Story (documentary on YouTube)

• JoyLift Complimentary Trial - for two weeks of free online classes by Lavinia Errico

• JOINJOYLIFT.COM. Use Code LARISING for 30% off any membership tier.

• Equinox (co-founded by Lavinia Errico)

• World Central Kitchen (disaster food relief)

• Rise and Thrive Pacific Palisades & Malibu Business Fund 

• Students Rebuild and #CreateConnectCare (youth mental health initiatives)

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Produced by NOVA

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.

Resources:

• LA County Recovery Resources: recovery.lacounty.gov

• Blue Ribbon Commission: Link via recovery.lacounty.gov

• Steadfast LA: steadfastla.com — nonprofit leading community rebuilding, donations, and initiatives (ADU portal, Samara Housing, rec center, etc.)

• Steadfast LA Instagram: @steadfastla

• Samara Housing Initiative (ADUs): Apply via steadfastla.com

• HomeAid: homeaid.org

• Loan Depot: loandepot.com

• EPA Hazardous Waste: epa.gov/hw

• World Central Kitchen: wck.org (emergency food relief)

• Rancho La Puerta: rancholapuerta.com

• Podcast: Resonate: Conversations and Life Lessons from Rancho La Puerta

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor of #L.A. Rising? ? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Produced by NOVA

What do trees, tortoises, and high-tech spa treatments have in common? They're all part of the hidden story of wildfire recovery in Los Angeles. In this episode, we meet three unsung heroes working to heal the city in ways you might not expect.

Master arborist Carl Mellinger takes us into the heart of LA’s urban forest—fighting to save surviving trees misidentified for removal and educating homeowners, businesses and HOA’s on fire-smart, tree-friendly landscaping. Fairmont Century Plaza Spa & Wellness Director, Alison Kirsten shares how a luxury hotel became a refuge post disaster and how red light and biohacking therapies are giving fire victims a much-needed nervous system reset and overall rejuvenation. And Dan Jacobs, longtime CEO of the Antelope Valley Fair & Event Center, walks us through the creation of California’s first purpose-built resiliency campus—a pioneering concept designed to care for both animals and evacuees when disaster strikes.

Whether you're navigating loss or planning for the future, these stories remind us of what it takes to rebuild with heart, science, and foresight.

Resources:

• Palisades Forestry Committee: https://www.palisadesforestry.org

• ISA (International Society of Arboriculture): https://www.isa-arbor.com

• Trees Are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org

• TreePeople LA: https://www.treepeople.org

• LAFD Palm Tree Fire Guidelines: https://www.lafd.org/safety/fire-prevention/brush/palm-trees

• Fairmont Century Plaza Spa: https://www.fairmontcenturyplaza.com/spa Mention “LA Fire” for 15% off red light or power nap treatments

• Antelope Valley Fair & Event Center: https://www.avfair.com

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Produced by NOVA

How do you fight back an inferno?  How do you build back a badly burned but much-loved community? In this poignant episode, we talk to a civic leader and a poet to dive deep into stories of survival, resilience, and artistic healing following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Join us as we speak with the dynamic L.A. Rams stadium announcer and Pacific Palisades native,  Sam Lagana, whose quick thinking and unyielding spirit embody the ethos of building back after a crisis. Then, we travel to Altadena, a historic haven for Black families and artists, where we meet Altadena Poet Laureate Lester Graves Lennon, who shares the powerful poetry he has created to capture the pain, hope, and resilience that emerge from tragedy. Through vivid memories and soulful verse, we explore how art becomes a lifeline for emotional healing. Listen in, be moved, and discover your own path to resilience—one story, one poem, one moment at a time.

Wellness Lift:  Dr Bruce Madden, Director Palliative Care, Providence St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, CA on “Understanding Grief.”  @saintjohns.foundation 

Resources:

• Altadena Poets Laureate – altadenalibrary.org

• Rosebud Poetry Magazine – rsbd.net

• Lester Graves Lennon’s Books:

• The Upward Curve of Earth and Heavens

• My Father Was a Poet

• Lynchings: Postcards from America

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Questions? Feedback? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Produced by ⁠NOVA

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.

Resources:

• • Heal the Bay – www.healthebay.org
  • EPA Hazardous Waste Management Resources – www.epa.gov/hw
  • Thierry Malleret’s Monthly Barometer – www.monthlybarometer.com
  • Read: The Great Narrative for a Better Future
  • Read: Ten Good Reasons to Go for a Walk
  • Read: Deaths at Davos 2.0

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Questions? Feedback? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Produced by ⁠NOVA

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.

Resources:

• Kehillat Israel Congregation – Rabbi Amy Bernstein’s synagogue in Pacific Palisades:⁠⁠ ourki.org⁠⁠
• After the Fire – A disaster recovery organization:⁠⁠ afterthefireusa.org⁠⁠
• Sauna Aid – A global initiative bringing mobile saunas to disaster areas:⁠⁠sauna-aid.com⁠⁠
• ASAP Consulting - Sustainable rebuilding and toxin mitigation: ⁠sustainpro.org⁠
• Global Wave Integration - If you’ve been affected by the LA wildfires and need solutions for indoor air quality, air purification, or filtration, visit ⁠globalwaveintegration.com

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Questions? Feedback? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Produced by ⁠NOVA

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.

Resources:

• Go Fund Me: Help Juan & Lori Rebuild After Devastating LA Fires
• JW.org Disaster Relief 

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Questions? Feedback? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠

Produced by NOVA

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.

Kim shares her harrowing escape story, highlighting the quick decisions and moments of grace that define such crises. Joined by extraordinary guests, including animal rescue expert Mel Sobolewski, who recounts tales of courage and training during the fires, and Melody Kanschat, an art and cultural leader reflecting on the resilience of Los Angeles, this episode emphasizes hope, community, and action.

Together, they explore the importance of rebuilding lives, both human and animal, and the critical role of youth mental health in recovery.

Tune in for stories that inspire and remind us of the power of unity in the face of tragedy.

Support the show and its mission to donate sponsorship funds to youth mental health initiatives in Los Angeles.

• Contribute to The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health

• Email us to share your story of hope & healing, or support #L.A.Rising

• #L.A.Rising is produced by S'well The Agency and NOVA.

Questions? Feedback? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Produced by ⁠NOVA