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What happens when the systems meant to protect us fall short? How might we rebuild them with compassion, insight, and integrity?

In this episode of Shared Ground, we talk with Gavin Blair of Bright Harbor about the complex realities of disaster response and long-term recovery. Gavin has spent years working at the intersection of risk, community service, and systemic resilience, supporting survivors, navigating the insurance and FEMA landscape, and pushing for solutions that focus on those affected by challenging situations.

We cover:

• How systems need to innovate in response to the increasing severity and frequency of disasters, and what effective support really looks like
• What FEMA gets right, where it breaks down, and how to work within its limits
• Why insurance systems often fail survivors, and what needs to change
• How to advocate for communities without adding to what they’re experiencing
• And why kindness isn’t just moral, it’s structural

This episode blends the intimate with the systemic, pairing lived experience with lessons for anyone working in emergency response, policy, or community infrastructure. It’s about what resilience really looks like—and how it begins long after the flames are out.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks. Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity: visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack. We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).