Kim Marshall: LA Rising: Storytelling, Healing, and Hope After Disaster

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Kim Marshall, media strategist, podcast host, and wildfire survivor, to explore how storytelling can become a lifeline in the aftermath of crisis. After narrowly escaping the devastating January 7th fires in Los Angeles, Kim transformed her personal trauma into purpose by launching the LA Rising podcast, a platform dedicated to stories of healing, help, and hope. From firsthand accounts of evacuation and loss to long-term recovery, climate resilience, and community rebuilding, Kim shares why capturing these stories isn’t just therapeutic, it’s essential for individuals, cities, and the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling is a proven tool for healing, helping survivors process trauma and realize they are not alone.
• Disaster recovery is a long-term journey—often five to ten years—and philanthropy must be prepared to support beyond immediate relief.
• Investing in disaster preparedness saves lives and resources; every dollar spent on pre-planning can save many more in rebuilding costs.
• Community voices, data, and lived experience are critical to shaping smarter, healthier responses to future climate-related disasters.

Connections:

• Learn more about LA Rising: https://larisingpodcast.org
• Connect with Kim Marshall
• Connect with Rick Peck

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