Jennifer Gray Thompson: Disaster recovery that actually works

Dylan Hart & Conor O’Donovan: Rebuilding the Palisades one home at a time

Is it better to sell your burned lot or rebuild and stay? Hear real numbers, real strategies, and a creative “land contribution” model that lets homeowners keep upside without writing massive checks up front. In this episode, Jan, Dylan, and Conor discuss: * The founding of Village Rebuild and its mission to help restore the Pacific Palisades community * Their real estate backgrounds and how the fires motivated them to shift into rebuilding homes * The three different rebuilding models they offer: GC services, spec development, and land contribution partnerships * How the land contribution model helps homeowners rebuild even when insurance proceeds are delayed Key Takeaways:  * Village Rebuild was created by two real estate professionals who wanted to help restore the Palisades responsibly. Their goal is to rebuild homes while preserving the character and architectural diversity of the community. * The company offers multiple development pathways to meet homeowners where they are financially and emotionally. This flexibility allows families to rebuild even when insurance payouts or construction capital are uncertain. * The land contribution model allows homeowners to retain equity in their property without funding the entire rebuild themselves. By contributing the land to the project, they become partners in the development and share in the eventual outcome. * Rebuilding costs vary widely depending on lot complexity and design requirements. Custom homes can range from roughly $600 to $800 per square foot, depending on finishes, terrain, and architectural goals. “If you're going to do it, our advice is to get started.” – Dylan Hart “I think what a lot of people don't talk about is how encouraging it has been. I think a lot of the subcontractors are willing to really lend advice.” – Conor O’Donovan About the Guests: Dylan Hart is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, bringing real estate private equity and development experience along with deep roots in the Pacific Palisades community, where he was born and raised. He previously worked at Caruso Affiliated on the redevelopment of Palisades Village and the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel, helped launch a $225 million cannabis-focused real estate platform at Subversive REIT LP, and later served as Vice President of Acquisitions at Avenue Capital Group. Dylan holds a bachelor’s degree in real estate from NYU and an MBA from Columbia Business School, and serves as a Pacific Palisades neighborhood Block Captain. Conor O’Donovan is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, where he leads investment structuring and development integration to deliver high-quality homes that preserve the Palisades community. Previously, he worked on the real assets team at ICONIQ Capital and earlier at Goldman Sachs and Eastdil Secured, focusing on real estate acquisitions, development, and capital markets. Over his career, he has executed more than $8 billion in transactions across multifamily, industrial, and office properties, and holds a finance degree from Loyola Marymount University. Connect with Dylan Hart: Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/ [https://www.villagerebuild.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-hart-34a682b4/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-hart-34a682b4/]  Connect with Conor O’Donovan: Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/ [https://www.villagerebuild.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conortodonovan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/conortodonovan/]  Connect with Jan Brzeski: Website: https://scipfinance.com/ [https://scipfinance.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires [https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires] Email: pr@scipfinance.com [pr@scipfinance.com]  Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85]You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Geoffrey von Oeyen: Designing a fire-resilient future for Los Angeles

Geoffrey von Oeyen is an award-winning architect and Associate Professor of Practice at the USC School of Architecture. A graduate of Stanford University, the University of Cambridge (Fulbright Scholar), and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he previously worked for seven years with Frank Gehry in Los Angeles before founding Geoffrey von Oeyen Design and Von Oeyen Architects. His work focuses on innovative, resilient architecture, and in recent years, he has become a leading voice in wildfire-resistant design following the total loss of a family home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. In this episode, Jan and Geoffrey discuss: * Geoffrey’s personal experience losing a newly completed Malibu home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire * Why wildfire is no longer a fringe issue but an urban and global reality * The role of IBHS and the Wildfire Prepared Home certification in rebuilding safer homes * Practical strategies for hardening existing homes, from landscaping to vent protection Key Takeaways:  * Wildfire is no longer a rare event affecting isolated communities. It is an urban challenge that demands new thinking about how we design neighborhoods, homes, and public policy. * Homeowners already have access to actionable tools like the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home checklist. From defensible space to ember-resistant vents, small changes can dramatically improve survivability. * Resilient rebuilding is not just about individual homes. Fire-resistant construction protects entire neighborhoods by preventing structure-to-structure ignition. * New building technologies, such as insulated concrete panel systems, offer promising alternatives to traditional stick-frame construction. These systems can improve fire resistance, seismic performance, and long-term durability. “The most important takeaway is that this is the future. This is the world we live in.” – Geoffrey von Oeyen Connect with Geoffrey von Oeyen: Website: https://www.vonoeyen.com/ [https://www.vonoeyen.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-von-oeyen-584a889/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-von-oeyen-584a889/] Connect with Jan Brzeski: Website: https://scipfinance.com/ [https://scipfinance.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires [https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires] Email: pr@scipfinance.com [pr@scipfinance.com]  Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85]You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Amy Bach: What every fire survivor needs to know about insurance claims

Amy Bach is a nationally recognized insurance consumer advocate and attorney who has been championing policyholders’ rights since 1985. She co-founded United Policyholders in 1991 and serves as its Executive Director and primary spokesperson, leading programs such as Roadmap to Recovery™, Roadmap to Preparedness, and Advocacy and Action to help individuals navigate insurance and disaster recovery. Amy is an expert on insurance claims, coverage, law, and public policy, currently serving her second term on the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance and as an official Consumer Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She also sits on the Fire Victim Trust Oversight Committee and the Redwood Credit Union Services Group Associate Board, and is widely featured in national media. An accomplished author, her works include The Disaster Recovery Handbook and WISE UP: The Savvy Consumer’s Guide to Buying Insurance, and her honors include NAPIA Person of the Year and Money Magazine’s “Money Hero.” In this episode, Jan and Amy discuss: * The founding of United Policyholders and its role as a consumer advocacy nonprofit * Valuation disputes between homeowners and insurers over rebuild costs * The emotional and practical imbalance between individuals and insurance companies * Building fire-resilient homes to improve future insurability Key Takeaways:  * A large majority of fire survivors discover they do not have enough dwelling coverage to rebuild their homes. In the LA fires, underinsurance rates appear significantly higher than in previous wildfire disasters. * Disputes over reconstruction cost estimates are increasing as material prices, labor shortages, and economic conditions drive rebuilding costs upward. These disagreements complicate the claims process and can affect how quickly homeowners move toward resolution. * Smoke contamination claims are occurring at unprecedented levels due to the materials that burned and heightened health awareness. Homeowners are pushing back more forcefully when insurers declare homes safe prematurely. * Insurance markets in California are under strain, creating tension between consumer protections and insurer participation. Policymakers are exploring reforms while advocates warn about access and affordability risks. “We empower the insured with information so that people can make good decisions, be their own best advocates, and get what they paid for.” – Amy Bach Connect with Amy Bach: Website: https://uphelp.org/ [https://uphelp.org/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bach-8a76842/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bach-8a76842/]  Help library for LA wildfire-impacted households: https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/ [https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/]  Connect with Jan Brzeski: Website: https://scipfinance.com/ [https://scipfinance.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires [https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires] Email: pr@scipfinance.com [pr@scipfinance.com]  Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85]You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jennifer Gray Thompson: Disaster recovery that actually works

Jennifer Gray Thompson is a nationally recognized leader in wildfire recovery and resilience, and a fierce advocate for disaster survivors. Named a Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact Leader, she is the founder and CEO of After the Fire USA, a survivor-led, survivor-focused nonprofit advancing equitable recovery from megafires nationwide. After the 2017 North Bay Fires, she transformed a small local effort into a national model supporting communities after catastrophic fire. Jennifer was instrumental in delivering more than $6 billion in federal tax relief for disaster survivors. A former high school teacher and public administrator, she designs survivor-centered recovery systems, advises federal policy, and hosts the How to Disaster podcast, spotlighting leaders who know how recovery actually works. In this episode, Jan and Jennifer discuss: * How mega fires have increased dramatically and reshaped disaster recovery in the U.S. * The mission of After the Fires USA is to support local leaders after disasters * Why collaboration between jurisdictions and leaders is essential in LA’s recovery * The limits of philanthropy versus the role of federal disaster funding Key Takeaways:  * Mega fires are becoming more frequent and complex, requiring new models of coordination and leadership. Communities must rely on collaboration rather than waiting for a single hero or agency to solve recovery. * Philanthropy can help with targeted needs, but it cannot replace federal disaster funding at the scale required. Public systems must function properly for recovery to be equitable and complete. * Building back to wildfire-prepared standards, including Zone Zero defensible space, is essential for future insurability and safety. These measures are practical and can still be implemented in ways that are visually appealing. * Trauma significantly affects how survivors make decisions in the first year after a disaster. Understanding this emotional reality is key to providing ethical support and avoiding exploitation. “There is no one group or person; no one is a hero or a savior. The community itself is the hero and savior.” – Jennifer Gray Thompson Connect with Jennifer Gray Thompson: How to Disaster Podcast Website: https://www.howtodisaster.com [https://www.howtodisaster.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoDisasterPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoDisasterPodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodisaster [https://www.instagram.com/howtodisaster/] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-disaster/id1556177625 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-disaster/id1556177625] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qf4grpRpMbegzl56vM4fM [https://open.spotify.com/show/6qf4grpRpMbegzl56vM4fM] Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/How-to-Disaster/B08JJQ4MWC [https://www.audible.com/podcast/How-to-Disaster/B08JJQ4MWC] After the Fire USA Website: https://afterthefireusa.org [https://afterthefireusa.org/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@afterthefireusa [https://www.youtube.com/@afterthefireusa] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa [https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afterthefireusa [https://www.linkedin.com/company/afterthefireusa/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA [https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA/] Connect with Jan Brzeski: Website: https://scipfinance.com/ [https://scipfinance.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires [https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires] Email: pr@scipfinance.com [pr@scipfinance.com]  Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85]You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Devang Shah: Fixed-price homes offer a practical path to rebuilding Altadena

Shah was co-head of Cityview’s development and acquisitions in the Western US. He has 27 years of experience in real estate investment, development, design, construction, and asset management. Previously, Devang was the principal of Marketcents Inc., an independent project management firm, serving as an owner’s representative to investment firms, builders, and developers. Prior to that, he worked as Vice-President at RCLCo, LLC, a national independent real estate consulting firm. Today, Devang is applying his deep industry expertise through Genesis Builders to help homeowners rebuild faster, safer, and more affordably in wildfire-affected communities like Altadena. In this episode, Jan and Devang discuss: * The origin story behind Genesis Builders after the January 7 wildfires * Pre-approved home designs and streamlined permitting in Altadena * Fire-resistant building standards and insurance-driven construction requirements * ADUs as a cost-effective add-on during the rebuilding process Key Takeaways:  * By leveraging long-standing subcontractor relationships and economies of scale, Genesis Builders can lower per-square-foot costs compared to traditional custom homes. This makes rebuilding achievable even for homeowners with limited insurance proceeds. * Pre-approved plans significantly shorten the approval process, allowing homeowners to move from decision to completed home in roughly 16 months. This speed is critical given insurance “loss of use” time limits. * Fire resistance is a central design priority, with homes exceeding California Chapter 7A requirements and aligning closely with insurance-backed wildfire safety standards. * ADUs become far more affordable when built alongside the primary residence, since many soft costs are already absorbed. This has led to strong adoption of ADUs among rebuilding homeowners. “You could be nine months in with a permit in hand and realize you can’t even afford the home. With ours, architectural and structural is already included.” – Devang Shah Connect with Devang Shah: Website: http://www.genesisbuildersla.com/ [http://www.genesisbuildersla.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devang-shah-re/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devang-shah-re/]  Connect with Jan Brzeski: Website: https://scipfinance.com/ [https://scipfinance.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires [https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires] Email: pr@scipfinance.com [pr@scipfinance.com]  Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85]You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.