Shared Ground

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What happens when you've spent years helping communities increase home ownership only to see everything burn down? Beyond the ashes of wildfire devastation, communities face the dual challenge of rebuilding structures while preserving their human spirit.

Sean had the chance to connect with Lori Gay, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of LA County during a 2-day working session focused on recovery and rebuilding in LA.  

She offers a profound perspective on recovery that challenges our very understanding of resilience. "In many communities of color, they do not want to be defined as resilient," she explains, "because the thinking is why do I have to appear as though I'm bouncing back?" This powerful reframing shifts our focus away from expecting communities to demonstrate superhuman recovery.  Rather, how might we create genuinely sustainable futures where people don't lose themselves in the process of finding their way back home.

The conversation reveals the emotional weight carried by those supporting disaster-affected communities. Gay shares her personal approach to sustainability: "If I need to cry every day, let it happen. Just keep pushing forward, but not forgetting that I need to walk or swim or sit and be quiet." This balance of action and reflection forms the foundation for effective long-term recovery work.

Most remarkably, the discussion uncovers unexpected wellsprings of hope emerging from disaster's aftermath. From a 90-year-old determined to rebuild to strangers donating cars to pastors who've lost everything, these "goodness stories" represent our collective hunger for connection after years of pandemic isolation. "Post-COVID, people are ready," Gay observes about this extraordinary outpouring of support, suggesting that within horrific circumstances, we might also discover our renewed capacity for compassion.

Subscribe to hear more conversations exploring how communities rebuild with resilience while honoring both their structures and souls. Share your own stories of unexpected goodness emerging from difficult circumstances in the comments below.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

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What happens when fire meets ocean? In the aftermath of January's devastating fires that swept through Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas, the impacts stretched far beyond charred hillsides to affect even our coastal waters. Tracy Quinn, President and CEO of Heal the Bay, brings her unique perspective as both an environmental leader and someone whose home was impacted by the January fires in Los Angeles.

Quinn takes us behind the scenes of Heal the Bay's rapid response to the disaster. When scientists observed ash coating ocean surfaces up to 100 miles offshore, her team was among the first organizations permitted behind fire lines to collect water samples. What they discovered revealed a troubling gap in our disaster preparedness: "We don't have protocols for what to test for after a big urban fire," Quinn explains, highlighting how the science of post-fire water quality assessment is still evolving.

The conversation explores the complex relationship between resilience and adaptation. Rather than simply "bouncing back" to pre-disaster conditions, Quinn advocates for reimagining our communities to withstand climate change's intensifying threats. As a member of LA County's Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery, she's helping shape recommendations for more resilient water systems, innovative stormwater management, and sustainable rebuilding approaches.  (Make sure to check out the Commission's report findings HERE).

Most poignantly, Quinn shares her personal journey of displacement while simultaneously leading her organization's emergency response. Despite tremendous loss, she finds hope in how communities have come together, creating support networks that filled gaps left by unprepared government systems. "I haven't felt alone through this process," she reflects, "and I feel so much closer to my community than I did before the fires."

This episode offers vital insights for anyone concerned about environmental resilience, disaster recovery, and the power of community in crisis. Subscribe to Shared Ground for more conversations exploring how we navigate challenges and build stronger communities together.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

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How do we maintain hope while facing growing environmental threats? Abhishek Motayed, founder and CEO of N5 Sensors, offers compelling insights into this question during our candid conversation about wildfire resilience and community protection.

Abhishek's company develops critical technology that provides real-time information to protect communities from environmental hazards, with a special focus on wildfire detection. But what drives him goes beyond technology—it's the stories of people directly impacted by these disasters that fuel his optimism. From dedicated firefighters to grassroots innovators and community organizers, Abhishek finds inspiration in how ordinary people respond to extraordinary challenges with creativity and determination.

We discuss the remarkable success of community-driven solutions like WatchDuty, which has become an essential resource for wildfire information. Abhishek emphasizes that even when facing overwhelming problems, taking small actions today matters: "This is too big of a problem, and we are all getting affected, so we have to do something. We have to do it today, even if we take small steps." This practical approach offers a blueprint for resilience—breaking down massive challenges into manageable actions.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Abhishek reflects on balancing his new role as a parent while running a company. He shares a universal truth that resonates deeply: "Have you met anyone whose life is not affected by some kind of personal adversities? Everybody faces something." His philosophy that resilience is both a personal journey and collective effort reminds us that finding hope isn't about denying challenges but facing them together with creativity and shared purpose.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation about innovation in crisis, community strength, and how the brightest solutions often emerge from our darkest challenges. Subscribe to hear more stories of resilience and forward-thinking approaches to our most pressing environmental issues.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

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What happens when everything around you burns to the ground, but your home miraculously survives? For Caroline Paules, this wasn't just a hypothetical question but her lived reality in the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Altadena fires. Standing amid the ruins of what was once a vibrant neighborhood in Jane's Village, Caroline made the remarkable decision to stay, not despite the destruction, but because of it.

Caroline's story weaves together multiple threads of resilience. As co-founder of Casa Nova, she's working to address California's housing crisis through innovative 270-square-foot prefabricated homes. Originally designed for people exiting homelessness, these structures have unexpectedly found new purpose as potential emergency housing for those displaced by disaster. "A lot of us are facing this really rough construction timeline that is scaring people away from their homes," Caroline explains, highlighting how her company's mission evolved in response to immediate community needs.

The heart of this conversation, however, centers on community bonds that strengthen rather than break under pressure. Caroline describes neighbors stopping their cars to talk when they see her outside, or the spontaneous gathering of residents to sit with someone watching their property being cleared – like when she shared a beer with a neighbor while watching the demolition of a fireplace. These small moments of connection reveal how resilience often manifests not in grand gestures but in quiet companionship during difficult times. As Caroline reflects on what sustains her through this challenging rebuilding process, she points to her faith: "Neighborhoods can be destroyed and things can burn and people can leave...but God is very steadfast." This unwavering foundation gives her the strength to remain planted where others might flee, committed to supporting her community through what experts predict could be a decade-long recovery.

Listen now and consider: What would you do if disaster struck your neighborhood? Would you stay to rebuild or start fresh elsewhere? Join the conversation about resilience, community, and finding hope amid devastation.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

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The moment disaster strikes, our truest selves emerge. When the LA wildfires swept through communities in January 2025, Kate Jerkens didn't hesitate. Before the flames had even crested the hill behind her home, her teenage daughter had already texted asking if her friend's evacuating family could stay with them. No deliberation needed—just immediate, unquestioning welcome.

This profound conversation explores what happens when offering help isn't a choice but an instinct. Kate, Chief Business Officer for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, shares raw stories of early personal losses that shaped her understanding of community resilience: "picking yourself back up, putting one foot in front of the other, and doing your damn best every day." From opening her partially-renovated home to displaced families to watching teenagers channel trauma into community service, Kate reveals how Los Angeles showed up for itself in ways that defied stereotypes.

Beyond the initial emergency response lies the heart of this episode—what happens three months later? When the texts stop coming, the GoFundMe campaigns slow down, and people return to their lives, who's still checking in? Kate advocates for "three-month reminders" to reach out to those still rebuilding, still grieving, still processing trauma long after public attention has moved on. These delayed check-ins, she suggests, might be the most meaningful support we can offer.

The conversation weaves through profound questions of intergenerational resilience, systemic preparedness, and finding hope amid multiplying crises. Kate's optimism rests largely in today's youth, who "don't take shit from anyone" while demonstrating remarkable compassion and action. She also finds strength in her "found family"—the networks of support that sustain us when biological families are distant or gone.

Send that text message. Make that call. Set that reminder. Because true community resilience isn't just about the immediate response to disaster—it's about showing up again and again, long after the cameras have moved on and the ashes have cooled.

You can read more about how Kate and her family showed up for others at this Substack post.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Send us Fan Mail

From the tenth floor of her Marina del Rey apartment, Tara watched as a small puff of smoke appeared in the Palisades hills. Within hours, this wisp would transform into a devastating wildfire, forcing thousands to evacuate. What happened next reveals the extraordinary resilience hidden within Los Angeles communities.

Drawing from her experiences during 9/11 (when she lived across from the Pentagon) and a previous home disaster, Tara leaned into her role as a central hub for information sharing and resource coordination. Through cycling club WhatsApp groups, she connected those in need with those who could help—creating a real-time support network that proved crucial during the chaos. 

Her simple philosophy, "This is what we do," encapsulates a profound approach to community responsibility that transcends any expectation of reciprocity.

The conversation explores how communities built around shared interests, such as cycling, developed bonds of trust that proved invaluable during crisis. As Tara explains, "When you ride in a Peloton at 25 miles an hour down PCH, you're putting your life in the hands of the people around you." This foundation of trust enabled an immediate, coordinated response that helped countless displaced residents.

Beyond emergency response, we discover how Tara's intentional community-building through women's cycling groups demonstrates principles that create resilience before disaster strikes. By creating inclusive spaces where "no one gets dropped" and everyone feels supported, these communities foster connections that become lifelines during crisis.

How do we maintain this sense of community without requiring tragedy to activate it? What role should technology play in enabling rather than replacing genuine human connection? Join us for this powerful exploration of how adversity reveals our true capacity for compassion and collective action.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

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“You don’t get smarter in the crisis.  We use what was built beforehand.”

In this episode of Shared Ground, Sean and Allan talk with Dr. Dan Dworkis -emergency physician, performance coach, and author of The Emergency Mind - about what it means to prepare for, move through, and grow after high stakes moments.  Dan speaks of individual, community and systems level approaches to developing resilience.

We explore how communities process trauma, build systems that can hold under pressure, and why resilience sometimes looks like crying at a commercial and still showing up the next day.  Dan shares stories from emergency medicine, high performance teams and personal reflections.  He offers clarity, perspective, and hard-won kindness.

If this episode lands with you, we’d love to hear what stuck.
Drop a comment on Substack or reach out through shared-ground.com.
And if someone in your life is walking through their own fire right now, consider sending this their way.

These stories aren’t finished. Add yours to the thread.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Send us Fan Mail

Sean spends a few minutes reflecting on resilience with Amit Singh.

CEO of startup fusion company, NearStar Fusion, Amit talks about childhood through fatherhood, learning the ropes through leading a cutting-edge energy company.

He brings a pragmatic view to approaching difficult times, yet manages to do so with an underlying optimism and kindness towards others in a kind and generous way.  

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Send us Fan Mail

Today Allan and Sean talk with Joy Gruver about her response to the January fires in the LA region, and more broadly about responding when others are struggling.  

We weave between personal stories of giving and professional insights into textile sustainability.

On the personal side, what started as delivering a basic care package with her daughter evolved into something far more profound for Sean's family.  

Joy, who works in business development focusing on sustainability at Eastman Chemical in the fiber industry, brings a unique perspective to disaster response. She leveraged her professional connections with companies like Marmot (thank you, Kim!) to secure clothing donations for fire victims and shares insights into how these individual actions connected to larger community efforts. 

The conversation takes a remarkable turn when discussing how teenagers organized a sophisticated clothing redistribution system, methodically matching donations to specific family needs with an efficiency that impressed even seasoned professionals.

Throughout the conversation, resilience emerges as more than just surviving hardship—it's about community connections, preparedness, and finding meaning in difficulty. 

As Joy puts it, "Part of resilience is lifting yourself up from those dark days, being appreciative for what we actually have, and not being afraid to ask for what you need." Her story reminds us that in our most vulnerable moments, both giving and receiving support with grace can transform lives. How might you prepare yourself to be both a giver and receiver of support when your community faces challenges?

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when everyday life collides with catastrophe? When a food delivery arrives at your doorstep just as wildfire races down the hillside toward your home? These surreal moments reveal who we truly are and how communities respond when crisis strikes.

Stream the episode here, or follow on your favorite streaming service (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Shared Ground emerged from co-host Sean Knierim's experience losing his family's home in the Los Angeles fires this January. Surrounded by an overwhelming outpouring of community support, Sean began documenting the faces and stories of those who extended kindness during his family's darkest hours. What started as personal photography evolved into this podcast—a platform for sharing powerful narratives about resilience, recovery, and human connection.

Together with co-host Alan Marks, Sean explores conversations with guests whose backgrounds span emergency management, climate science, sustainability, and community building. Each brings their unique expertise, but more importantly, their deeply personal ties to crisis response. From the absurdity of carefully unpacking groceries into a refrigerator that would soon melt in the inferno to the profound ways communities rebuild both physically and emotionally after disaster, these stories offer both comfort and practical wisdom.

Over the coming episodes, Shared Ground will celebrate the extraordinary capacity of ordinary people to support each other when it matters most.   And from there we will explore wider concepts of resilience - how might we develop conditions necessary to help communities thrive in the face of challenging times.  

Whether you've experienced disaster firsthand or simply want to understand how communities recover and grow stronger, these conversations offer insight, inspiration, and actionable guidance. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform or visit shared-ground.com to join this journey of resilience and community.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks.  Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity:  visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack.  We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).