15. From Pickleball Pals to a Community Recovery Powerhouse

In this vital episode, we sit down with Joy Chen, founder of the Eaton Fire Residents United network, an organization born from the immediate chaos of evacuation that swiftly pivoted into a powerful force for community support and system accountability. Joy shares the deeply personal origin story of the network—how a simple community chat became the strategic engine fighting major insurance companies and utilities on behalf of hundreds of displaced residents. We discuss the emotional toll of this two-front war (rebuilding homes and reclaiming dignity), the strategic choices EFSN made in their media approach, and how they showcased authentic survivor stories to push for systemic change. Joy offers powerful insights into the healing power of collective action and what true, long-term recovery means for families who faced not just fire, but the ripple effect of broken promises. This episode proves that community is the most resilient infrastructure of all.The Wellness Lift segment features Leela Bahador, a Palisades High School student whose home survived the fire, who channeled her complex feelings into a mission to help the youngest members of her community process their loss and hold onto hope by writing the interactive children's book "Wildfires to Wildflowers.”Resources:Read Wildfires to WildflowersDonate to help support #L.A. RisingProduced by NOVA