Episodes

In this heartfelt and insightful panel, longtime mortgage banker and moderator Tim Carpenter leads a discussion with Lori Gay President & CEO, Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles, and Sidra Goldwater Advisor, Disaste...

Moderator Casey Taylor leads a thoughtful discussion with panelists Jessica Pyska, J. Lopez, Laura Blaul, and Karl Flippinger on leadership, collaboration, and the power of partnerships in community resilience. Together, they...

11 The Heart of Leadership in Disasters: Honest Lessons from Years on the Frontline In this inspiring talk, Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Butte County, shares insights on the power of friendship, trust...

Day two of the 2025 After the Fire Leadership Summit opens with warm remarks from Jennifer Gray Thompson, emphasizing honesty, resilience, and the daily dedication of community leaders in wildfire recovery. She introduces key...

At the 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, Jennifer Gray Thompson of After the Fire USA shared the powerful story behind passing the bipartisan Disaster Relief Tax Bill (HR 5863) — a landmark victory for fire survivors across th...

The Power of Connection: Friendship and Trust in Recovery In this heartfelt closing panel, two leaders—John Smith, Administrator of Maui’s Office of Recovery, and Paul, Division Chief Fire Marshal from Santa Rosa—share how tr...

Australian resilience expert Renae Hanvin, Founder and CEO of Resilient Ready, shares powerful insights on how “invisible infrastructure”—the social connections that bind communities—plays a crucial role in disaster preparedn...

In this panel on Funding and Philanthropy in Disaster Recovery, leaders from Napa Valley Community Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, and Ballmer Group discuss lessons learned from disaster response across California an...

In this inspiring panel on Community-Led Resilience, Kasey Earnest, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, moderates a powerful conversation with Nicole Huguenin, a generosity entrepreneur from Maui, and architect David Hert...

Architects and community leaders from Paradise and Altadena share how they’re helping wildfire survivors rebuild with resilience, affordability, and heart. Jen Goodlin of Rebuild Paradise Foundation, Alex Athenson of the Foot...

Miguel Santana, CEO of the California Community Foundation, shares how the organization mobilized rapid relief and long-term recovery efforts following devastating wildfires across Los Angeles. With over a century of service ...

In this inspiring address, Jennifer Gray Thompson highlights the power of resilience, leadership, and community in the aftermath of wildfires. She honors fire survivors, leaders, and partners from across the country—acknowled...

A moving opening from the 2025 After the Fire gathering featuring singer-songwriter and Eaton community member Aloe Blacc, joined by Kainoa Horcjo, a Cultural Leader from Maui. Together, they share songs, stories, and reflect...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description:  “We are not hopeless against mega-fires. We are not hopeless against the era of climate change. We can do these things together because we are daring to hope and to help each other.”...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “Aloha does not mean hello and goodbye. Aloha has a much deeper meaning of love and respect. Hello to the return of our Indigenous kupuna knowledge and goodbye to the profit-making...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “We're not powerless. We are not powerless against wildfire. We know what we need to do.” —Amanda West “I try not to use the word remove. Just move them. You can have plants....

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:   “As the recovery process continues, you have to continue to adapt.” —Emily Nilsen Disaster recovery is a complex challenge, but innovative lenders are stepping up to the...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “Home ownership is about stability. Homeownership is about building wealth. Homeownership is about families. But if you don't have a clear title, you don't know if that stability is...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “How you frame your argument is how you get them to listen.” —Jeff Okrepkie   “We're willing to help anybody out that is going through this now or in the future.”...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  This recovery is slow, it's painful, and it's costly. We need patience, and aloha, and support because we're all in this together.”  —Angus McKelvey   “We have a lot of...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “Trust is so important to building a community of practice. And part of that trust comes from understanding where people are and where they stand.” —Michael McCormick  ...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “It's not enough just to give, you have to always receive as well with the same grace and gratitude and aloha.” —Jennifer Gray Thompson   “Aloha is boundless, and we know...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description:   “Indigenous values can shift how we deal with disasters.” —Kainoa Horcajo   Disaster recovery isn't just about rebuilding infrastructure— it's about honoring the deep...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  “We are making a change and we are making a difference, and it all starts with culture.” —Kukui Keahi “[The silver lining] is neighbors helping neighbors.” —Melissa Baurer...