#L.A.Rising

Kim Marshall and NOVA

Stories of Hope, Help, and Healing from the L.A. Fires

  1. 18/12/2025

    17. Emmy Winning Actor/Philanthropist, Hank Azaria, “Turning Pain Into Purpose.”

    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. Resources: Human Solidarity Project: humansolidarityproject.org Determined to Succeed: determinedtosucceed.org Dream School: dreamschool.org The After Collective, a non-profit co-founded by Dr. Heinz that is building a disaster recovery coach that harnesses psychological science and agentic AI to empower disaster survivors. Reach out if you're interested in supporting the mission adrienne@dradrienneheinz.com PTSD Coach app is free, science-based and private  Unthinkable resource hub for eco-anxiety and climate grief by Dr. Britt Wray at Stanford.  Take a short quiz to personalize resources into a custom care package.  RAIN - when emotions overwhelm us Frozen Peas and Ice-water Bath to activate the dive response for nervous system down regulation Donate to help support #L.A. Rising Produced by NOVA

    58 min
  2. 12/12/2025

    16. Love of Mankind – Philanthropy’s Role in Fire Recovery

    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. Resources: Money to Give (Podcast) – Rick Peck’s show on giving strategically and joyfully in 20+ countries. Richard C. Peck Consulting – Rick’s philanthropy consultancy focusing on strategic insight, non-cash gifts, and impactful nonprofit fundraising. GivingTuesday – Global generosity movement that inspired the timing of this episode. Click here to donate stocks, crypto, real estate or cash to help support the important work of #L.A. Rising.   Produced by NOVA

    1 h y 2 min
  3. 05/11/2025

    14. The Worst Club with the Best People -- Jennifer Gray Thompson, Founder, After the Fire

    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.  Along the way, we visit Wellness Wednesdays at Culver City’s Wende Museum, where free meditation, movement, and creative writing workshops are quietly stitching together the emotional fabric of a traumatized city. Listen in to learn why we must “stop building back the way we burned down,” how hope plus smart policy and ethical practices can make megafires one of the most solvable crises we face. Resources: afterthefireusa.org Fire Smart Yards: A visual guide for landscapers Wende Museum Wellness Wednesday: Mindful Meditations with Christiane Wolf Donate to help support #L.A. Rising Produced by NOVA

    1 h y 10 min
  4. 07/10/2025

    12. Lessons Learned -- Lahaina, Maui, Two Years Later

    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. Resources: Maui Recovers – Official county hub for housing, grants, and recovery updates Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate – Tours, tastings, and direct orders Mana Up – Accelerator and venture fund for Hawaiʻi brands After the Fire – Wildfire recovery network for community leaders and survivors Donate to help support #L.A. Rising Produced by NOVA

    1 h y 27 min

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Stories of Hope, Help, and Healing from the L.A. Fires