In this episode of How to Disaster, Jennifer speaks with American singer and songwriter Aloe Blacc about the Eaton Fire, its impact on his family, and the community of Altadena that he has worked to support in its aftermath. He reflects on evacuating during extreme winds, seeing places his children knew and loved damaged by the fire, and carrying both personal grief and a growing responsibility to speak up for others. They also explore the role of art in recovery, from music and songwriting gath

In this episode of How to Disaster, Jennifer speaks with Renae Hanvin and Dr. Daniel P. Aldrich about why relationships are one of the strongest foundations of disaster resilience and recovery. Together, they explain social capital in plain language: the connections, trust, and cooperation that help communities prepare, respond, and rebuild. The conversation looks at how these ties can be measured, mapped, and supported before disaster strikes, not only after. It also offers a grounded reminder

In this episode of How to Disaster, Jennifer Gray Thompson talks with Tennis Wick, former Permit Sonoma Building Department Director, about what local government becomes after a megafire. Drawing from Sonoma County’s 2017 fires, Tennis reflects on the early chaos, the emotional weight carried by public servants, and the responsibility of serving people who have lost nearly everything. Together, Jennifer and Tennis discuss why disaster recovery cannot be measured only by permits, dashboards, or

In this episode of How to Disaster, Jennifer speaks with Alex Athenson of the Foothill Catalog Foundation and Chris Corbett of Altadena Collective about rebuilding after the Eaton Fire. Both guests bring an architectural lens to recovery, but their work begins with survivors, community identity, and the emotional weight of coming home. Together, they explore how thoughtful design, pre-approved plans, community listening, and practical support can make rebuilding more affordable, more humane, an

Ash Level is AN ATLADENA NATIVE AND the founder of Altadena Rising, an organisation born from the Eaton Fire that is focused on empowering survivors and filling the gaps that outside institutions consistently miss. Nicole Huguenin is part of Maui Rapid Response, a hub within a wider network of organisations that has been doing care at scale since the Lahaina fire and through four major storms since. Both of them stepped into leadership not because they wanted to, but because their communities n

In this episode, Jennifer Gray Thompson speaks with Tyler Freres about what it can mean to rebuild with wood after a megafire. Tyler shares the story of his family’s long-standing timber business in Oregon’s Santiam Canyon, how the Beachie Creek Fire affected both the community and their forestland, and why the recovery of burned timber matters for local economies, land restoration, and future resilience. The conversation also looks at mass timber and mass plywood panels, including how engineer