Episode 13: Coffee, Kindness, and the Long Haul with Jon Seidman
When disaster strikes, who shows up? And who keeps showing up after the headlines fade?
In this episode of Shared Ground, Venice resident Jon Seidman joins Allan and Sean to talk about the quiet, enduring work of recovery after the Los Angeles fires.
We decided to release this on the 6-month anniversary of the January fires - listen to Jon's thoughts about how and when to lean in to understand why.
Jon didn’t just check in. He showed up. With his characteristic care and understated generosity, he offered not only a place to stay but something more lasting: a morning ritual built around exceptional coffee. As a passionate home roaster, John brought beans, brewing gear, and a simple gesture that reshaped Sean’s mornings. Together they made coffee, watched the moon set, and began to rebuild a sense of rhythm amid the rubble. (read more on Sean's substack: "Don't Drink Shitty Coffee")
But this story is not just about coffee.
Jon reflects on the emotional timeline of crisis. He talks about the surge of immediate support, the sudden quiet that follows, and the need to stay present long after the moment has passed. He shares insights from his time living in remote Costa Rica, where interdependence was not a value but a way of life. His reflections offer a contrast to how many communities approach care and crisis today.
This episode explores:
How months 4 after a crisis may be harder than month 1...and why now would be a good time to reach out to anyone you know affected by the January fires
How micro rituals can ground us during displacement
What mutual aid looks like when it is quiet and real
Why asking good questions matters more than giving advice
If you have ever wondered how to show up well for someone in pain—or how to let others show up for you—this conversation will stay with you.
Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks. Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.
Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).
Listen to the full episode: