Rebuilding L.A.
Rebuilding L.A.
Podcast Description
What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes related to disaster recovery, community resilience, and climate change adaptation. Episodes explore topics such as the complexities of rebuilding homes and infrastructure in the aftermath of wildfires, the impact of environmental policies on urban planning, and personal stories of resilience from residents like Kelsey Szamet who is striving to return to her hometown. Specific episodes highlight the status of debris removal, considerations for fire-resilient rebuilding, and the emotional struggles of displaced families.
What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
NOTE:We taped this episode on January 8th, 2026, exactly one year after much of Altadena awoke to the news that their homes and their neighborhoods had burned, and their lives were forever changed.
Filmmaker Ondi Timoner was overseas shooting a documentary when the Eaton Fire destroyed her home of 14 years, and wiped her entire neighborhood away.
She learned about the fate of her house from her neighbor Randy Vance via a text.
As soon as she came back, she picked up her camera and began to tell the story of what happened last January, highlighting the displacement of friends and neighbors, the endless financial challenges, and the daily heartache — and small joys — of trying to move forward.
Ondi joined forces with fellow Altadenean, Heavenly Hughes, and the non profit My Tribe Rise to help their neighbors with immediate, temporary housing needs, fight foreclosures, and, hopefully, help people come back to Altadena and rebuild the homes they lost to the flames.
Her short documentary, All The Walls Came Down, was completed in months and has been distributed in partnership with L.A. Times Studios as part of the L.A. Times Short Docs program. It’s been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination.
Guest: Ondi Timoner, filmmaker, All The Walls Came Down
Link to the film: https://www.latimes.com/shortdocs
Ondi’s Production Company, Interloper Films: https://www.interloperfilms.com/
My Tribe Rise/ Adopt A Survivor Program: https://mytriberise.org/home
Ondi’s Change.org petition to freeze foreclosures and force So Cal Edison to release emergency funds to fire survivors to help with costs: https://www.change.org/p/freeze-foreclosures-and-release-emergency-funds-keep-altadena-families-on-their-land
November 2025 update regarding conversations with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger as well Judy Chu, the congresswoman representing the 28th District that includes Altadena: https://www.change.org/p/freeze-foreclosures-and-release-emergency-funds-keep-altadena-families-on-their-land/u/34066783 (edited)
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