After the Ashes: A Beautiful Altadena Podcast

Shawna at Beautiful Altadena
  • 2.8 (9)
  • POLITICS

We are Beautiful Altadena, the online community group that launched in 2015 and the Substack by the same name. We started this podcast to ask: Who’s writing the rules of recovery? Who benefits? Who’s being left out? This podcast deep dives into the issues of recovery and rebuilding through the lens of policy. Each episode, we dissect the policies and bills impacting Altadena, Los Angeles County, and the rest of the country post disaster. We break down what they say, what they really mean, who they affect, and what – and who – they leave out. Every episode closes out with a local small business shout out and most include a media roundup of what's making the headlines and what's not. Your hosts: Shawna Dawson Beer / @BeautifulAltadena, Eaton Fire Total Loss Survivor Stephen Sachs / @AltaPolicyWonk, Eaton Fire Survivor, Current Altadena Resident We are not advertiser, sponsor or grant funded and have no agenda beyond ensuring our neighbors in Altadena, the Palisades and beyond are as in the know as possible so that we can all be our own best advocates for ourselves and our towns.

  1. 12H AGO

    Season 2/Episode 8: The Water Wars Wage On as the Rebuild Trudges Along

    It’s another long one. We planned to kick things off with our usual media roundup, but first the Altadena Water Wars. The drama! The intrigue! We open with the rapid rise and even faster disappearance of the anonymously penned Altadena Water Wars Substack by “JJ Gittes.” It vanished almost as quickly as it appeared but we kept receipts. Shawna pulled the full archive and reposted every word under a dedicated Altadena Water Wars tab. We dig into the escalating chaos surrounding Altadena’s three mutual water companies: • Las Flores Water Company drew record attendance at its January 22 meeting where residents pushed back on a proposed $3k fire charge just to remain solvent, with no clear financing or long-term infrastructure plan. • Rubio Cañon held its packed February 3 meeting requesting a rate hike and fire charge in perpetuity, a proposal that would cost customers more than Las Flores’. Tensions ran high with shareholders openly discussing board recalls.  • Lincoln Water Company meets February 5. They’ve gone on the defensive warning shareholders to get info only from them and restricting attendance echoing Rubio’s response after media showed up at Las Flores. All three mutuals were in Sacramento asking the state for funding despite claims their private status makes them ineligible for public dollars. Meanwhile, they’ve declined to pursue private capital. The question remains, why? Calls for consolidation continue and increasingly look like the only viable path forward, especially for Las Flores, which has the smallest service area, suffered the greatest losses, and was underinsured. Bottom line: shareholders have more power than they realize. Boards can be challenged. Votes can be forced. Media Roundup • Gavin Newsom’s national moment (The New Yorker, Vogue) and his new “centrist” positioning • A strong LAist report on post-fire rent laws that exist on paper but aren’t being used • A surprising moment of agreement with Rick Caruso   And an open invitation to all gubernatorial candidates. Come see us to see the real Altadena, not just what the establishment wants you to see A rebuild check-in. 599 buildings under construction, 6 completed, and just four county inspectors overseeing nearly 9k rebuilds. Inspectors reportedly handling 20–30 inspections per day. Corners being cut. Things falling through the cracks. Why is nothing being done more than a year out? Editor’s Note: Due to a tech glitch, a short portion of our density discussion is missing. Here’s context. On one stretch of Maiden Lane alone, pending water meter requests alone one lot proposed for 11 units, another for 8, and another for 4. Before accounting for ADUs which will be nearly universal. Where is the infrastructure plan to support this? Small Biz Shout-Out Goes to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Altadena Aerie, 455 E. Woodbury. A vital hub for community aid after the fire, home to the Beautiful Altadena mural by Austin Scott and one of the most authentic spaces left in town. Note: This episode was recorded on February 3, 2026

    1h 3m

  2. 1D AGO

    Season 2 / Episode 7: Back to the Policy Future

    After taking a week off, we’re back, and yes, this episode runs long again. Sorry, folks. Too much happening to keep it brief! We open with another media roundup, connecting national events to what’s unfolding here in Los Angeles and in Altadena. We talk about the national strike, journalists being arrested, bystanders being shot, and perhaps the most Altadena detail of all, Altadena Cookie Co is selling out of their “F**k ICE” cookies every single day they make them. Read what Shawna wrote on the topic for Beautiful Altadena.  Next, we turn to Trump’s Executive Order threatening federal intervention in permitting and rebuilding in both Altadena and the Palisades. While much of the coverage zeroes in on permitting, we argue that this misses the real issue entirely. The real story is that we’ve had money available for nearly a year, and it’s not moving, not because of the federal government, but because there is no economic development plan. The tools to bring money into this community already exist. The question remains, why is no one using them? Oh, the irony that even the Feds note we’d have more money here already if only we were incorporated. Instead, we’re watching organizations line up to parrot the party line, fight for control, and recreate the same dynamics that have plagued homelessness policy in our state for decades. The poverty pimps have become the new disaster pimps. We move into highlights from a new policy session and break down: SB 878 from Senator Sasha Pérez once again taking on the insurance industry, co-signed by Ben Allen, who is also positioning himself for a run at Insurance Commissioner. Will this finally help consumers — or will it push more insurers out of California?AB 1642, introduced by John Harabedian with Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU), calling for “Clearance Before Occupancy.” It’s an important concept, but is the focus on standing homes too narrow? Is this a missed opportunity — or a necessary first step to build broader policy?Finally, we discuss the Eaton Fire Collaborative’s LTRG Policy Advisory Committee's (PACs) expansive list of policy asks including more than $1.6 billion for a Community Land Trust, a revived version of SB 549 to create a rebuilding authority, and a total package that approaches $4 billion. If we couldn’t secure $70 million for post-remediation testing from the state, how are we supposed to land billions? We couldn't get $10 million for a CLT before, but now believe we can get $1.6 billion? And what happens if these asks can't deliver? The bottom line. You can’t do real advocacy while trying to curry favor from the very systems you need to demand accountability from. Small Business Shout-Out: Basic Nail Shoppe This episode’s small business shout-out goes to Basic Nail Shoppe, located at 3851 Foothill Blvd in Hastings Ranch, owned by Alex and Trish — Altadena residents who lost their home in the fire and are actively rebuilding. We loved them before the fire, and it's so great to be back here again. Follow on Instagram: @thebasicnailshoppe Note: This episode was recorded Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

    1h 7m

  3. JAN 26

    Season 2 / Episode 6: Everyone’s Suing Everyone & Survivors Turned Investigators

    We open this episode with another media round-up, because the news cycle has been busy! There are big stories everywhere, and nearly all of them raise the same unsettling question: who's actually in charge here. Stories and topics discussed include: The Guardian coverage on Climate Gentrification and the frustration that much of what we’re now facing could have been mitigated had AB 797 not been vetoed last year. Southern California Edison is suing… everyone. A headline that hit nearly every outlet, prompting the same question from survivors: what does this mean for us? We break down SCE's filing deadline, how responsibility gets shared (or deflected) in mass litigation, and the question everyone is asking — will this slow down settlements?Rick Caruso is out as a gubernatorial contender, something Steve covered in his Hot Potato Substack. This opens a bigger conversation. If California is “so great,” why is no one eager to govern it? Who are the real contenders likely to emerge? And what kind of leadership moment is this, really?We turn local. The Las Flores Water Company Shareholders Meeting, rescheduled to Thursday, January 22. Still no meaningful communication and so many unanswered questions. We discuss the growing concern: are they even competent to manage this moment? Should shareholders organize to force a vote?  Check out Shawna’s Beautiful Altadena Substack post that lays out exactly what has unfolded so far. Shawna is also quoted in this ABC7 story on the meeting.  Fellow fire survivor Sylvie Andrews’ investigation into the fire response and failed evacuation alerts. Her work uncovers troubling inconsistencies between official statements from leaders, official reports, and what residents actually experienced on the ground. Shawna shares her ongoing investigation into contaminated soil being moved around Altadena and buried beneath rebuilds, often with little or no oversight. An issue that refuses to go away and may define long-term health outcomes if left unchecked. And some unexpected changes to the Town Council’s Land Use Committee.  Small Business Shout-Out: Washington & Hill This week we’re uplifting several Altadena-adjacent and Altadena-owned businesses anchoring the Washington & Hill corridor including Lavender & Honey, Octavia’s Bookshelf and Woon Kitchen. These businesses continue to show up for the community and deserve our support. Follow them all on Instagram: Lavender & Honey @lh_espresso Octavia’s Bookshelf @octavias_bookshelfWoon Kitchen @woonkitchenNote: This episode was recorded Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The podcast takes the week of January 25 off and returns the week of February 1

    55 min

  4. JAN 25

    Season 2 / Episode 5: The Billion Dollar Questions

    This episode opens with a media round-up, because there is no shortage of big stories shaping the narrative around Altadena’s recovery. We unpack recent reporting and what it gets right, what it gets wrong, and what’s being oversimplified. Stories discussed include: LA Times: Leaked Memo Reveals California Debated Cutting Wildfire Soil Testing Before Disaster Chiefs Exit. A look at how environmental testing decisions were being debated behind the scenes and what that means for communities now dealing with toxic fallout and incomplete remediation.LA Times: Wildfire Victims Decry State Law Protecting Utilities from Cost of Disasters They Cause. We tackle the growing focus on demanding So Cal Edison “pay up” and why chasing a $200,000 payout that will never materialize misses the larger, more urgent reality. The $22B Wildfire Fund while unsavory and emblematic of the deep problems with private, for-profit utilities is currently the only mechanism that will ensure fire survivors are made even remotely whole through legal settlements. The real problem isn’t the fund. It’s private utilities and state and county authorities failing to enforce maintenance standards, safety laws, and accountability before disaster strikes.Black Enterprise: Altadena’s Historic Little Red Hen Café Facing Landlord Woes After Devastating Fire. The uncertain future of one of Altadena’s most iconic institutions. Despite donations from Paris Hilton, the 15 Percent Pledge, and a GoFundMe, owner Annisa Shays shares that funding remains the biggest obstacle. We discuss the whiplash of being offered the chance to buy the land, quoted at $500,000 by landowner Perry Bennett, only for the offer to be abruptly withdrawn. CalMatters: How Altadena Businesses Are Trying to Recover from the Eaton Fire. Small businesses still don’t know when, how, or even if they can return. Another reality that threatens to hollow out the community long before homes are rebuilt.We also dive into Steve’s Friday Stack on homelessness, drawing uncomfortable parallels between that crisis and this one. Over $24 billion spent, fragmented oversight, mismanaged funds, and shockingly little to show for it. Without accountability, transparency, and coordination, even massive spending fails, whether the crisis is homelessness or wildfire recovery. Small Business Shout-Out: Daz-E Thrift This week we’re shouting out Daz-E Thrift, which is reopening this weekend — Saturday, January 24. Find them at 2525 N. Lake Avenue and follow their updates and reopening details on their website dazeshop.org Note: This episode was recorded Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The podcast takes the week of January 25 off and returns the week of February 1

    55 min

  5. JAN 16

    Season 2 / Episode 3: The One We Forgot to Title

    One year after the Eaton Fire, the dust still hasn’t settled — literally or figuratively. In this more emotionally raw episode of After the Ashes, co-hosts Shawna Dawson Beer and Stephen Sachs look back at the first 90 days after the fire. What was happening on the ground, what we understood then, how many solutions were proposed, and how many of today’s cascading failures were locked in during those earliest weeks. We also name something that isn’t being talked about nearly enough: Year Two is a financial siege on fire survivors. Shawna has said repeatedly that Altadena residents are being “smoked out” — priced out, delayed out, and exhausted out of returning home. Steve adds we are being “starved out,” as the financial granaries that kept families afloat are depleted while rebuilding remains stalled for too many.  This is our 27th episode and we cover: Where we each were during the first three months after the fireGovernor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a new wildfire recovery fund and potential mortgage reliefWhat's up with FEMA’s limited lead soil testing program, with results not expected until AprilThe expanding environmental crisis across Altadena revealing itself The complete absence of county oversight, post-remediation testing, or enforceable standardsAnd the “cowboy” cleanup economy, where contaminated soil and debris are being hauled from site to site across our community with little to no monitoringWith responsibility now clearly established, this episode marks our continued shift away from blame and toward solutions — the ones we’ve been advocating for since day one and the new ones we're going to need as Altadena enters its second year after the fire — and how we can continue to be our own best advocates. Steve also shares how the emotional weight of this year has finally caught up to him, prompting a rare pause from his usually relentless daily writing on AltaPolicyWonk. This isn’t a light listen but it’s an important one. The section on how toxic soil is being moved around Altadena unchecked is worth the time all on its own. Small Business Shout-Out: Sidecca We close every episode by uplifting a local business, and this week it’s Sidecca, the beloved clothing and gift shop at Mariposa Junction (Mariposa & Lake). They had just celebrated their reopening when they were hit again by water damage after the recent rains. If you love Altadena style, thoughtful gifts, and community rooted businesses, Sidecca is another one to support. Follow them on Instagram @sidecca. Donate via their GoFundMe if you can. And don’t miss the beautiful new mural currently going up at their storefront

    47 min

  6. JAN 16

    Season 2 / Episode 4: You Can’t Always Get What You Want… But If You Try Real Hard

    We open this episode with some unexpected news. After the Ashes was named a Spotify 2025 Most Binged Show, a 2025 Marathon Show (listeners stuck with us 75% longer than the average podcast), and a 2025 Instant Hit, with a debut season more popular than 80% of other new podcasts.  Whoever you are listening out there — thank you. Truly. We're doing this for you.  From there, we dig into what may be a pivotal moment in the fight for accountability and recovery in Altadena. And yes, this is also the episode where Steve gets his groove back. This episode explores: Assemblyman John Harabedian’s audit of the Eaton Fire response — what it is, what it isnt', and why the other "official" investigations have fallen shortWhether an audit with subpoena power could finally deliver what fire survivors and advocates have been calling forThe importance of hearings and what it would mean if this committee exercises its authority to compel testimonyEarly discussion of financial tools and recovery mechanisms that may be coming onlineLA County’s emergency rent relief program for landlords and how (or if) it helps stabilize displaced communitiesThe possibility of a revolving loan fund and other capital-based recovery strategiesA brand-new legislative session. Will it bring new solutions?We revisit our conversations around tax reform, including Prop 13, and how structural tax policy could shape recovery, rebuilding, and local government capacityFinally, we explore the bigger-picture questions ahead — Opportunity Zones, recovery incentives, and whether policy will finally meet the scale of the problemIt's worth noting that the day after we recorded this episode, the Trump administration announced it was looking into ways to address this issue, underscoring how suddenly these long-stalled conversations may be re-entering the national policy arena. The throughline. You don’t always get what you want but sustained pressure and persistence  can move the needle. Small Business Shout-Out: Bevel Coffee This episode’s small business shout-out goes to Bevel Coffee, which is making steady progress on its first brick-and-mortar location on Allen, just up from Altadena Beverage. Until then, you can find Bevel on the patio at Prime Pizza and at pop-ups and events all over town.  They’ve become a familiar and welcome presence in Altadena’s recovery and we’re cheering them on every step of the way. Follow their journey on Instagram @bevecoffee

    38 min

  7. JAN 10

    Season 2 / Episode 1: Weeee’re Baaaack

    New year, new season. We had planned to be on hiatus this week. But as the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire arrived, so did a flood of media coverage, public events, and major developments that made it clear we needed to get back into the studio. We recorded two back-to-back episodes, that both run a little long — just under an hour — so thank you, as always, for staying with us. We open with a wide-ranging media roundup, as Altadena and the Eaton Fire were covered across nearly every major outlet imaginable. We focus on a few key pieces that included quotes from Steve and/or me, including coverage in the Los Angeles Times, Politico, and The Economist and talk through what that attention means for our community and for the larger accountability fight. We also share our own writing and reflections on the one-year anniversary, and review several of the major events that marked the day. We discuss the county’s official anniversary event at Grocery Outlet, which brought out a familiar lineup for speeches and photo ops, followed by the deeply moving community vigil organized by Altadena Rising at Fair Oaks Burger, which offered a far more grounded and meaningful moment of remembrance. Earlier that day, I was in the Palisades speaking on behalf of Altadena at the “They Let Us Burn” rally, alongside Westside fire survivors who, like so many in Altadena, have become organizers out of necessity, working without funding out of their own pockets. The rally featured speakers including Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt (who announced his run for mayor against Karen Bass there) and former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Interesting bedfellows to say the least.  We also talk about the growing visibility and actions of the Altadena for Accountability coalition, including the banner drop at the Rose Parade, the community-centered message at the Altadena Forever Run, and a quiet but powerful silent demonstration at the Grocery Outlet anniversary event. And we touch on the role of state leadership during the anniversary week. Governor Gavin Newsom did travel to Southern California for the one-year mark of the fires, but did not appear in either Altadena or the Palisades, instead attending a tightly controlled, closed-door event away from the communities still living with the consequences of what happened. We close the episode with an unplanned and emotional conversation about the ongoing toll this fire continues to take, as our community mourns yet another life lost. Even a year later, the impacts of January 7 are not behind us. They are just unfolding. Small Business Shout-Out This week’s small business shout-out is a little different. Instead of featuring just one spot, I direct listeners to a comprehensive guide I created covering Altadena’s restaurants and food businesses, along with several closely connected, fire-impacted businesses outside of Altadena

    52 min

  8. JAN 10

    Season 2 / Episode 2: Missed Chances & Bad Bets. Could It Have Been Different?

    This is our second episode of the new year, and the second of two back-to-back recordings made during the one-year anniversary week of the Eaton Fire. We begin shifting back into deeper policy conversations, asking one of the most important questions of all: did it have to go this way and does it still have to? Steve takes us through a deeper dive into the financing options for the $20 billion rebuild of Altadena and other fire-impacted communities. Options that existed then and still exist now. We revisit the “Marshall Plan” Governor Newsom called for in January 2025 and ask why so little of that bold rhetoric translated into meaningful recovery on the ground. We also dig into two major reports that dropped during the anniversary week. The House Judiciary Committee report on where the $100 million in FireAid concert funds actually went, and the Milken Institute report on the roughly $1 billion in philanthropic dollars distributed in the name of fire survivors. The findings are sobering but not suprising. Very little of that money ever made it into the hands of people who lost their homes and lives in the fires. We also discuss Governor Newsom’s announcement this week of $107 million in grants for affordable housing for fire survivors. Despite the headlines, none of that funding was awarded to projects in Altadena, raising serious questions about how recovery dollars are being distributed.  This week’s coverage also included a major spotlight for this podcast itself. We were featured on KCRW’s Press Play with Madeleine Brand, discussing the anniversary and the ongoing fight for accountability and resources for fire survivors. Small Business Shout Out   Rather than a traditional small business shout-out this week, Shawna takes a moment to highlight the brands — from small businesses to major corporations — that have truly shown up for fire survivors and earned real brand loyalty in the process. A full list will be published soon on Substack, so keep an eye out for that. And a quick production note: Episodes 25 and 26 were recorded on January 8 and would have landed a little sooner, but Shawna decided to get wild and sprained a wrist this week. A reminder that even when you’re chasing accountability and rebuilding a community, life still finds a way to slow you down! Thanks for being here as we keep asking the hard questions and keep pushing for better answers.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

2.8
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

We are Beautiful Altadena, the online community group that launched in 2015 and the Substack by the same name. We started this podcast to ask: Who’s writing the rules of recovery? Who benefits? Who’s being left out? This podcast deep dives into the issues of recovery and rebuilding through the lens of policy. Each episode, we dissect the policies and bills impacting Altadena, Los Angeles County, and the rest of the country post disaster. We break down what they say, what they really mean, who they affect, and what – and who – they leave out. Every episode closes out with a local small business shout out and most include a media roundup of what's making the headlines and what's not. Your hosts: Shawna Dawson Beer / @BeautifulAltadena, Eaton Fire Total Loss Survivor Stephen Sachs / @AltaPolicyWonk, Eaton Fire Survivor, Current Altadena Resident We are not advertiser, sponsor or grant funded and have no agenda beyond ensuring our neighbors in Altadena, the Palisades and beyond are as in the know as possible so that we can all be our own best advocates for ourselves and our towns.

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