Writer Emily Witt (“Health and Safety: A Breakdown”) has spent the past two weeks on the ground covering the Los Angeles wildfires for The New Yorker.

Her latest story centers around the Benns (5:39), a multigenerational Black family with deep ties to Altadena (8:35), where they’ve raised children in homes they’ve owned dating back to the late 1950s (16:13). We discuss how they’re managing as the Eaton fire continues to rage (17:00), the value of community in crisis (18:40), and the measures the city was urged to take to mitigate this disaster (23:28).

On the back half, Witt reflects on her 2023 interview with Mayor Karen Bass (32:40), the prophetic work of Altadena author Octavia Butler (39:28), how on-the-ground reporting offers a chance to “write a first draft of history” (46:30), and where Los Angeles goes from here (56:10).

To help support the Benn family, visit their GoFundMe or text “Talk” to 858-358-5881. 

And special thanks to Weyes Blood.

Writer Emily Witt (<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/718547/health-and-safety-by-emily-witt/">&ldquo;Health and Safety: A Breakdown&rdquo;</a>) has spent the past two weeks on the ground covering the Los Angeles wildfires for The New Yorker.
Her latest story centers around the Benns (5:39), a multigenerational Black family with deep ties to Altadena (8:35), where they&rsquo;ve raised children in homes they&rsquo;ve owned dating back to the late 1950s (16:13). We discuss how they&rsquo;re managing as the Eaton fire continues to rage (17:00), the value of community in crisis (18:40), and the measures the city was urged to take to mitigate this disaster (23:28).
On the back half, Witt reflects on her 2023 interview with Mayor Karen Bass (32:40), the prophetic work of Altadena author Octavia Butler (39:28), how on-the-ground reporting offers a chance to &ldquo;write a first draft of history&rdquo; (46:30), and where Los Angeles goes from here (56:10).
To help support the Benn family, visit their <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-the-benn-family-rebuild-after-devastating-wildfire">GoFundMe</a> or text &ldquo;Talk&rdquo; to 858-358-5881.&nbsp;
And special thanks to Weyes Blood.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly series of intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians. Where people sound like people. Hosted by Sam Fragoso. New episodes every Sunday.

Where people sound like people, since 2016.

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