On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 10 a.m., everything changed.

In this powerful episode of Banking on Girls, we sit down with three mothers who lived through the terrifying Palisades fires in Los Angeles—watching the flames reach their homes in real time through security cameras and dash cams left behind. As smoke filled the sky and evacuation orders came fast, for some, their neighbors stepped in to protect what they could. What followed was a test of emergency planning, emotional resilience, and financial preparedness.

We talk about:

• How it felt to watch the embers ignite their homes remotely as they raced to safety

• The critical role of having a plan to avoid panic-driven decisions during an emergency

• Why community support matters not just in the moment, but months later during long-term recovery

• The unexpected financial lessons born from loss

• And how the way we handle crisis teaches our kids—especially our daughters—what strength really looks like

Thank you Elaine Paul, Lynne Weaver and Brooke Crane for sharing your stories.

This episode is a testament to friendship, preparedness, and the quiet optimism of women rebuilding from the ashes. As one mom says, “The kids are watching. Take care of yourself first.”

Resources:

www.ready.gov

https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_emergency-financial-first-aid-toolkit.pdf