Episodios

  • Faith Without Works Is Dead: Inside Altadena’s Journey from Devastation to Determination

    Faith Without Works Is Dead: Inside Altadena’s Journey from Devastation to Determination
    Apr 28 2025
    In the aftermath of the Altadena Eaton Canyon Fire, two beloved voices — Perry Bennett, owner of Perry’s Joint, and Senior Pastor Jonathan DeCuir of Victory Bible Church — share powerful stories of resilience and renewal. In this episode of "Conversation Live: Altadena Rising," host James Farr guides listeners to an unfiltered look at the devastation left behind, the joyful moments that emerged, and the spirit that keeps Altadena moving forward. While the conversations are often warm and lively, the urgent need for relief among survivors remains.

    Pastor DeCuir shares how Victory Bible Church became a lifeline for the community, distributing over a million dollars in direct support to fire-impacted families. He also highlights the "Ashes to Anthems" benefit concert — featuring Andra Day, Goapele, Erica Campbell, Lecrae, and D Smoke — as a celebration of hope rising from tragedy. Perry reflects on what first brought him and his business to Altadena more than 20 years ago, offering an outsider’s perspective on the community's deep roots and special spirit. Together, their stories answer the burning question: Is faith without works dead?
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    49 m
  • Burned Twice? DA Hochman and Assessor Prang Answer to Altadena

    Burned Twice? DA Hochman and Assessor Prang Answer to Altadena
    Apr 21 2025
    Altadena burned once—will it be burned again by those in power? In this urgent episode of "Conversation Live: Altadena Rising," host James Farr sits down with L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Assessor Jeffrey Prang to get real answers. As the community recovers from the Eaton Canyon fire, Farr presses Hochman on whether Southern California Edison will face criminal charges.

    The conversation digs into the long history of racial bias within both officials’ offices and its impact on Black communities. Hochman addresses price gouging, over-policing, and the challenge of rebuilding trust, while Prang breaks down his office’s disaster relief efforts and the threat of title fraud.
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    45 m
  • Justice for Rodney Nickerson: A Daughter’s Voice

    Justice for Rodney Nickerson: A Daughter’s Voice
    Apr 15 2025
    In this gripping episode of "Conversation Live: Altadena Rising," host James Farr confronts the fire’s human toll with a burning question: When corporate negligence takes a life, what does justice really look like for those left behind? Kimiko Nickerson speaks publicly for the first time about the death of her father, Rodney Nickerson—one of 18 people who perished in the January 7 Eaton Canyon Fire. She recounts the moment her world changed, the community that lifted her up, and her family’s legacy in Black Los Angeles.

    Joining her is legendary civil rights attorney Carl E. Douglas, now representing the Nickerson family in their wrongful death lawsuit against Southern California Edison. Together, they speak to grief, resilience, and the urgent pursuit of accountability. This conversation isn’t just about a fire. It’s about what happens after the flames—when families demand answers, and communities refuse to be forgotten.
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    44 m
  • Was Southern California Edison grossly negligent, and what about the legislation meant to prevent the fire?

    Was Southern California Edison grossly negligent, and what about the legislation meant to prevent the fire?
    Apr 10 2025
    On this week’s episode of "Conversation Live: Altadena Rising," host James Farr digs into the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Canyon fire that ravaged Altadena. With 18 lives lost and thousands displaced, the question remains: Did the utility company fail to take necessary precautions? Farr speaks with Chris Holden, former California Assembly member, and CEO of LA Fire Justice, to explore how Edison's alleged negligence might have played a role in the fire's outbreak. They’ll also discuss the legislative efforts, like AB 238, designed to hold utility companies accountable and provide financial relief to families impacted by this disaster.

    But that’s not all. Farr also invites Catherine Peoples, founder of HOUZD General Engineering, to answer the burning question: Are soil remediation and debris cleanup appropriately done to ensure safe rebuilding in fire-ravaged areas? As residents fight to rebuild their homes and lives, the real question is—are they getting the support they need?

    Tune in for a robust conversation on the intersection of disaster response, accountability, and rebuilding efforts.
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    44 m
  • From Ashes to Healing: Dr. Eshele Williams on Rebuilding After Disaster

    From Ashes to Healing: Dr. Eshele Williams on Rebuilding After Disaster
    Apr 1 2025
    How do you rebuild when the fire takes everything?

    For Dr. Eshele Williams, that question isn’t just theoretical—it’s deeply personal. The Altadena Eaton Canyon Fire didn’t just consume her home; it wiped out her entire family’s residences, leaving generations displaced. Her young son lost the only home he had ever known. And yet, as a marriage and family therapist, Williams was still expected to show up for her patients, helping them process trauma while silently carrying her own.

    On this episode of "Conversation Live: Altadena Rising," host James Farr sits down with Dr. Williams to explore the journey of Inner Healing and Outer Strength—the emotional toll of displacement, the resilience it takes to rebuild, and the unseen struggles of parenting through loss. With many survivors still waiting for relief and uncertainty clouding the road ahead, one burning question remains: When will real help arrive?
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    43 m
  • ‘Altadena Rising’ – FEMA’s Broken Promises?

    ‘Altadena Rising’ – FEMA’s Broken Promises?
    Mar 25 2025
    On KBLA TALK 1580’s “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,” host James Farr demands answers. Despite the crisis, FEMA has yet to hold a single in-person town hall, leaving families to navigate endless hotlines and bureaucracy. With the March 31 application deadline looming, time is running out. But will applying even make a difference?

    Tony Cosby, whose family home of 54 years was destroyed, shares his frustration. Attorney Bradley Gage explains why Southern California Edison could be held accountable—and how uninsured homeowners can fight for justice. Meanwhile, FEMA spokesperson La-Tanga Hopes faces tough questions from Farr:

    “When will FEMA sit down and listen? Stop dodging the community, sending out 1-800 numbers, and delivering nothing. People need real answers.”

    This is more than a conversation. It’s a call to action.
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    42 m
  • Can We Trust FEMA? Can We Trust President Donald Trump?

    Can We Trust FEMA? Can We Trust President Donald Trump?
    Mar 22 2025
    First, their homes burned. Now, their hope is fading.

    On January 7, the Eaton Canyon fire tore through Altadena’s historic Black community, destroying 80% of Black-owned homes and leaving families in a desperate fight to rebuild. However, as survivors sift through the ashes, a second crisis looms: Can FEMA be trusted to deliver the aid they need, or will broken promises leave them abandoned? And can we trust President Donald Trump to ensure disaster relief reaches those who need it most?

    On this episode of KBLA TALK 1580’s Conversation Live: Altadena Rising with James Farr, the show of record chronicling this tragedy for the nation, Farr investigates whether the federal government is failing Black Altadenans in their greatest moment of need. For him, this isn’t just a story—it’s personal. Though his family escaped the flames, many of his friends and neighbors lost everything and now face endless red tape and delays.

    Martin Gordon, a Black Panther and chair of the Pasadena Community Coalition, recounts his harrowing escape from the fire and the devastation of losing his home. He calls out the urgent need for accountability and real support. La-Tanga Hopes, a FEMA media relations specialist, joins the discussion to address concerns about delays, misinformation, and whether FEMA is being gutted under Trump’s administration—just as other vital services have been stripped away.

    This isn’t just about rebuilding homes. It’s about survival, justice, and the future of Black disaster victims in America. Will FEMA follow through? Will Trump’s administration step up—or step aside?

    Tune in to Conversation Live: Altadena Rising with James Farr—the show of record chronicling this crisis for the nation.

    Saturday 10AM James Farr will explore Altadena's Black community's deep roots and resilience as we track its recovery and reimagine its future. From relief efforts to rebuilding, we’re raising up voices, stories, and solutions to build Black Altadena back better and stronger than ever.

    Every Saturday at 10 AM/PT and Sunday at 12PM/PT

    Contact: tunnelvisionlive@gmail.com www.jamesfarrlive.com
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    43 m
  • The Show of Record Chronicling a Community’s Fight for Justice

    The Show of Record Chronicling a Community’s Fight for Justice
    Mar 21 2025
    What happens when a fire doesn’t just destroy homes—but threatens to erase a community’s history?

    On January 7, the Eaton Canyon fire tore through Altadena’s historic Black neighborhood, reducing 80% of Black-owned homes to ash and causing financial losses that could climb into the billions. But beyond the devastation lies a more profound crisis: Was this disaster preventable? And will justice ever come for those left to rebuild from nothing?

    KBLA TALK 1580’s Conversation Live: Altadena Rising is the show of record, chronicling this tragedy for the nation over the next 52 weeks. Host and journalist James Farr leads the investigation, documenting the community’s fight for accountability and its journey through roots, resilience, recovery, rebuilding, and reunion.

    Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing fire victims, joins the discussion to examine Southern California Edison’s potential liability and the legal battle ahead. Veronica Jones of the Altadena Historical Society provides crucial historical context, reminding us that this neighborhood was built through struggle—and won’t be erased without a fight.

    This isn’t just about what was lost. It’s about what must be reclaimed.

    Tune in to the show of record on KBLA TALK 1580—because if we don’t tell this story, who will? And if justice is delayed, will it be denied?

    Conversation Live: Altadena Rising with James Farr - Ben Crump & Veronica Jones (Airdate 3/8/25)

    Saturday 10AM
    James Farr will explore the deep roots and resilience of Altadena’s Black community as we track its recovery and reimagine its future. From relief efforts to rebuilding, we’re raising up voices, stories, and solutions to build Black Altadena back better and stronger than ever.

    Every Saturday at 10 AM/PT and Sunday at 12PM/PT


    Contact: tunnelvisionlive@gmail.com
    www.jamesfarrlive.com
    Más Menos
    45 m
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