In this first episode of Shared Ground, Allan sits down with Sean and Nina to explore the roots of the project and the personal stories that brought it to life. 

Together, we talk through the fires that changed everything for Sean and Nina's family—what it felt like, what was lost, and why those experiences pushed Sean to co-create this podcast.

Shared Ground emerged from co-host Sean Knierim's experience losing his family's home in the Los Angeles fires this January. Surrounded by an overwhelming outpouring of community support, Sean began documenting the faces and stories of those who extended kindness during his family's darkest hours. What started as personal photography evolved into this podcast—a platform for sharing powerful narratives about resilience, recovery, and human connection.