Guest #64 | Andi Wagner. Resilience.

On January 7th, 2025, Andi Wagner’s life changed forever when her home in Pacific Palisades was reduced to ashes. In a matter of hours, she lost everything—her house, her neighborhood, and the sense of safety she’d built over decades. But in the wreckage, Andi found something unexpected: a chance to confront deeper wounds, reclaim her voice, and begin again. In this raw and revealing conversation, she opens up about the fire, the trauma that followed, and the inner transformation that emerged through the Hoffman Process. This is a story of survival, resilience, and the power of choosing who you become when everything is gone.

🎙️ The Day Everything Changed | Andi Wagner on the 2025 Fire, Personal Loss & Emotional Recovery.

On January 7th, 2025, Andi Wagner’s home in Pacific Palisades burned to the ground. But the real story isn’t just about what she lost—it’s about what she discovered in the aftermath: resilience, clarity, and an unexpected path to healing.Episode Overview

📄 Episode Overview

In Episode #369 of Deep Shallow Dive, Ray Doustdar hosts one of the most emotionally resonant conversations in the show’s history. His guest, Andi Wagner, recounts the harrowing experience of losing her home—and almost everything she owned—in the Pacific Palisades wildfire that erupted in January 2025. This episode peels back the layers of trauma, displacement, resilience, and recovery. Andi’s raw storytelling goes beyond destruction to explore how tragedy can catalyze transformation. From the frantic evacuation and systemic failures to the emotional toll and the surprising healing power of the Hoffman Process, this conversation offers deep insight into surviving the unimaginable. If you’ve ever wondered how people rebuild not just homes, but identities, this is a conversation you won’t forget.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• The Pacific Palisades wildfire destroyed over 90% of homes in Andi’s neighborhood.
• Andi’s evacuation experience reveals systemic failures in emergency preparedness.
• The Hoffman Process played a pivotal role in helping her heal post-trauma.

🧠 Summary

The episode begins with Ray setting the stage for what he calls the “realest conversation” the show has hosted to date. Andi Wagner, a resident of Pacific Palisades, shares the deeply personal story of losing her home during the January 2025 fires—a tragedy that has since faded from the public eye but remains a searing reality for those impacted. Andi walks us through the eerie calm of the morning, the sudden onset of panic, and the surreal moments of leaving behind a home she thought she’d return to within hours.

As the episode unfolds, we learn about the systemic issues that made the disaster worse: depleted reservoirs, insufficient firefighting resources, and a community caught off guard despite warnings. Andi’s description of her street—where only five out of 45 homes survived—is both sobering and infuriating.

Ray and Andi then pivot to the aftermath: grief, insurance hurdles, and the psychological weight of starting over with nothing—not even a fork. But amidst the devastation, Andi found a path forward. She discusses the Hoffman Process, a week-long immersive healing journey that helped her unpack layers of grief, anger, and long-standing trauma. Now considering becoming a Hoffman teacher herself, Andi reflects on how loss transformed her sense of purpose.

Listeners will walk away with a visceral understanding of what disaster really feels like—not just in the moment, but in the long shadow it casts. The episode closes with a powerful call to action: prepare your home, take inventory, and never assume tomorrow will look like today.

🔎 Practical Tips

• Document Everything: Take photos/videos of each room, drawer, and closet for insurance purposes.
• Evacuate Like You’ll Never Return: Grab essentials with the mindset that this might be your last time home.
• Backup Important Docs: Keep digital and physical copies of passports, deeds, and insurance policies.

📚 Research Spotlight

Pacific Palisades residents were left vulnerable due to underfunded infrastructure and depleted emergency resources. LA Times report on the 2025 wildfire.

❓FAQ

Q: What started the Pacific Palisades fire in January 2025?
A: A previous fire started by fireworks on January 1st was inadequately extinguished. High winds on January 7th reignited it, leading to a massive wildfire.

Q: How did Andi Wagner evacuate during the fire?
A: Andi initially hesitated, but a strong internal message prompted her to leave quickly. She grabbed essentials and her dog, escaping just before her home was destroyed.

Q: What is the Hoffman Process Andi mentioned?
A: The Hoffman Process is a week-long immersive emotional healing program aimed at addressing core behavioral patterns and trauma. Learn more at hoffmaninstitute.org.

Q: Did the government provide cleanup support for affected homes?
A: Yes. Homeowners could choose between government-managed cleanup or private contractors. Andi chose the government option, which completed her lot’s cleanup in six months.

Q: How is Andi moving forward post-disaster?
A: Andi is rebuilding emotionally through the Hoffman Process and plans to help others heal from trauma, turning her experience into a source of service and strength.

⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Opening & Welcome
• 03:15 – Meeting Andi Wagner
• 05:10 – The Morning of the Fire
• 10:00 – Evacuation Decisions
• 17:00 – Discovering the House Was Gone
• 25:00 – Systemic Failures & Community Response
• 34:00 – Insurance and Financial Aftermath
• 42:00 – Emotional Recovery & Trauma
• 47:00 – The Hoffman Process
• 54:00 – Final Reflections & Advice

🧭 Final Thought

Losing everything doesn’t mean losing yourself. In the ashes of tragedy, Andi found not just loss—but a new calling.

🌍 External Resources

• Hoffman Institute
• LA Times on the Pacific Palisades Fire

⚙️ Squarespace SEO Settings

Meta Title: Andi Wagner on Surviving the Palisades Fire | DSD EP369
Meta Description: Andi Wagner shares her story of losing her home in the 2025 Palisades fire, healing through the Hoffman Process, and rebuilding with purpose.
Suggested Tags & Keywords: Pacific Palisades fire, wildfire survival, Hoffman Process, emotional healing, Andi Wagner, Deep Shallow Dive, trauma recovery, Ray Doustdar podcast

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