James Farr is host of new weekly KBLA Talk 1580 show “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,” 10 a.m. Saturdays.
This Saturday morning’s episode of “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising” will examine the emotional toll of disaster recovery, as host James Farr shifts focus to the psychological impact of the Eaton Canyon Fire on Altadena’s Black community.
The program, airing at 10 a.m. Saturday on KBLA Talk 1580, will explore “Inner Healing and Outer Strength” with guests including Dr. Eshele Williams, a licensed therapist who continues to counsel patients despite losing her own home and seeing her entire family displaced by the fire.
The show will address the painfully personal question facing many survivors: “How do you heal when everything you’ve built is gone?” This challenge is especially acute for community members like Williams who must process their own trauma while supporting others.
The stress of displacement, frustration with navigating Federal Emergency Management Agency’s bureaucracy and uncertainty about rebuilding all weigh heavily on survivors, according to Farr, who describes the situation as more than just a delay but “a betrayal.”
The episode comes as residents approach the critical March 31 Federal Emergency Management Agency application deadline, with many still navigating denied claims and bureaucratic hurdles nearly 90 days after the disaster.
Farr, a regular contributor to KBLA’s morning show “First Things First” with Dominique DiPrima, co-produced the station’s three-hour remote broadcast from the fire zone immediately after the disaster.
Last week’s broadcast confronted Federal Emergency Management Agency officials directly about the slow pace of relief, with homeowner Tony Cosby sharing his frustration over the lack of clear answers after losing his family home of 54 years. Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson La-Tanga Hopes joined the conversation, facing direct questions about accountability.
“The road to recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes—it’s about reclaiming hope,” Farr said, emphasizing that this week’s focus on mental health represents a crucial aspect of community resilience.
The program airs again Sunday at noon, with previous episodes available on YouTube. KBLA Talk 1580, the original home of the iconic hip hop station KDAY, broadcasts at 50,000 watts, reaching nearly 12 million listeners across Southern California.
