'The Wirecutter Show': The True Cost of Recovering from the L.A. Wildfires, Part 1

On January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton Fires erupted, eventually burning down more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 31 people, becoming among the most destructive and deadly wildfires in California’s history.  Two Wirecutter writers, Gregory Han and Mike Cohen, lived through the Eaton fire. Both lived in Altadena, just outside Los Angeles. Gregory’s home was damaged, while Mike’s burned to the ground. They collaborated on an article sharing their biggest lessons of recovery, which Wirecutter published last July, as part of our emergency preparation coverage.  Now, in a special podcast series, they are sharing the biggest lessons they’ve learned from the past year–—and what they can teach you about how to prepare for a disaster.  Unfortunately, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent, more intense, and more unpredictable. In the last year alone, we’ve seen cataclysmic floods in the Texas Hill Country, deadly tornadoes in many parts of the U.S., and increasing flash floods across the country, just to name a few. No one is completely insulated from these types of events.  In this first episode, we’ll introduce you to Gregory and Mike, and why they think it’s imperative to invest in your community before a disaster.  You can listen to parts two and three of this series here. Part three will be published on Jan. 12. Actionable steps you can take from this episode:Invest in your community before a disaster. Information can be hard to come by during and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This is when knowing your neighbors can be invaluable. Both Gregory and Mike relied on neighbors and others in their community for information before, during, and after the fires. They’ve continued to share resources with this community as they’ve worked toward recovery over the past year.Create an easy way to communicate with your neighbors. This could be a text chain or a group chat–through something like WhatsApp or GroupMe. Maybe you’re already involved with a group that may eventually help in an emergency. Mike’s neighborhood thread started as a group of local dog owners before the fire.Join a volunteer organization in your community. After the fires, Gregory joined a group to do brush cleanup, which has helped deepen his connection with the people who live close to him. You can find out more about Gregory Han on his website and on Instagram @typefiend Additional reading:The LA Wildfires Devastated the Homes of Two Wirecutter Writers. Here’s What They Learned While Recovering.Build Your Own Disaster-Prep KitHow to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency9 Extreme Weather Survivors Share the Tools That Helped Them Get Through Disaster We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The celebrated author on the challenges of being kind, the benefits of meditation and the reality check of death.Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastFor transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Four White House reporters from The New York Times sat down with President Trump on Wednesday for an extended interview in the Oval Office.David E. Sanger, one of the reporters, walks us through their conversation.Guest: David E. Sanger, a White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York TimesBackground reading: The many faces of Mr. Trump: what we saw when we interviewed the president.On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities, not international law or treaties.Photo: Doug Mills/The New York TimesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Warning: This episode contains strong language.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday released new guidelines that dramaticaly cut down the number of childhood vaccines recommended by the federal government.Apoorva Mandavilli and Benjamin Mueller, who cover health, explain what is being cut and how it fits into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader agenda.Guest:Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter at The New York Times.Benjamin Mueller, a reporter covering health and medicine for The New York Times.Background reading: Mr. Kennedy on Monday scaled back the number of vaccines recommended for children.Here’s what to know about the new childhood vaccine schedule.Photo: Annie Rice/EPA, via ShutterstockFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

This year, the 2026 midterm elections will decide which party controls Congress, and whether Republicans can hold on to every lever of influence in Washington.Annie Karni and Shane Goldmacher, who cover politics, discuss the opportunities and perils for both parties.Guest:Annie Karni, a congressional correspondent at The New York Times.Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: Both President Trump and the Democrats are floating unusual midterm conventions.Here are six big political questions for the new year.And here are the latest polls for the 2026 elections.Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

On Monday, President Trump picked Vice President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela, now the interim leader, to continue to preside over the country instead of María Corina Machado, the opposition leader.Anatoly Kurmanaev, who reports on Venezuela, explains why Mr. Trump chose a Maduro loyalist to run the country. And Venezuelan citizens reflect on the realities of a post-Maduro era.Guest: Anatoly Kurmanaev, a reporter for The New York Times who covers Venezuela.Background reading: How Mr. Trump fixed on a Maduro loyalist as Venezuela’s new leader.Why he refused to back Ms. Machado.Photo: From left, Gaby Oraa/Reuters; Leonhard Foeger, via ReutersFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

 Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela was brought to New York with his wife over the weekend to face criminal charges.Charlie Savage, who covers national security and legal policy, discusses the legality of Mr. Maduro’s capture and whether the operation could undermine the legal case against him.Guest: Charlie Savage, who covers national security and legal policy for The New York Times.Background reading: Can the United States legally “run” Venezuela after Mr. Maduro’s capture? Here’s what to know.The U.S. indictment of Mr. Maduro cites cocaine smuggling. Venezuela’s role in the trade is believed to be modest.Photo: The New York TimesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The United States captured Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan president, over the weekend in a swift and overwhelming military operation. Mr. Maduro was pictured blindfolded, handcuffed and later brought to New York to face criminal charges.Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times, tells the story of how the operation unfolded, and discusses what comes next.Guest: Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times based in Washington.Background reading: President Trump said at a news conference that the United States would “run” Venezuela.Inside “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the U.S. effort to capture Mr. Maduro.See maps, videos and photos of how the capture unfolded.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

A special episode from "The Headlines" on the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Tomorrow, The Daily will publish an episode with more details about Maduro's capture and what comes next for Venezuela.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

As the U.S. government reverses course on renewable energy projects and other policies related to climate change, environmental solutions may seem out of reach. But they’re happening all over the country.Cara Buckley and Catrin Einhorn, who cover climate for The New York Times, discuss their project to document small but significant efforts to solve climate and environmental problems in every U.S. state.Guest:Cara Buckley, a reporter at The New York Times who writes about people working toward climate solutions.Catrin Einhorn, a reporter covering biodiversity, climate and the environment for The New York Times.Background reading: The Times set out to document one climate success story in each state. Here’s a full list.Readers submitted more than 3,200 ideas for our 50 States, 50 Fixes series. We’re highlighting just a few more of the ideas that stood out but that did not make it into the series.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.