In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Dr. Brent Musson—a public policy specialist, real estate development professional, and three-time Altadena Town Council member—for an in-depth conversation about Altadena’s rich history, the legacy of Black homeownership, and the challenges that residents face after the Eaton Fire.

He explains how decades-old policies continue to impact rebuilding efforts today, and why protecting Altadena’s legacy is more urgent than ever.Through his personal stories and professional expertise, Dr. Musson offers a blueprint for resilience, rebuilding, and what it truly means to fight for the soul of a community.

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Lesson: The Fire Is Over, The Fight Isn’t.

Not every home in Altadena burned to the ground—but that doesn’t mean every family made it home. In Episode 5, we meet Stacie Bolden, whose house survived the Eaton Fire—but remains unlivable. Months later, she’s still locked in a cycle of red tape, adjusting to a new way of life she never saw coming.

We also hear from nationally renowned Civil Rights Attorney Lee Merritt, who grew up nearby in Pasadena. He shares his personal connection to the fire, what community organizing looks like in a time of crisis, and why rebuilding goes far beyond bricks and permits.

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In this episode, we meet Erion and Stephon Taylor, who lost everything when the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena. With just minutes to escape, they fled with their three children and Erion’s 75-year-old mother-in-law. When they returned, only a single Dutch oven—still sealed from the night before—remained. Now, as developers circle and pressure builds, families like the Taylors are standing their ground, sending a powerful message: Altadena is not for sale.

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