Conan, Sona, and Matt Discuss the LA Fires

Mon Jan 20 2025

Conan, Sona, and Matt discuss the loss of Sona’s home in Altadena and their experiences in the wake of the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires. Information on how to donate to LA Wildfire relief funds: Altadena Chamber of Commerce https://www.altadenachamber.org/ LAFD https://supportlafd.org/ The Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund https://pasadenacf.org/supporting-our-community-eaton-canyon-fire-relief-recovery-fund/ World Kitchen https://wck.org Baby 2 Baby https://baby2baby.org/ Core https://www.coreresponse.org/southern-california-wildfires/

Summary

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

Episode: Conan, Sona, and Matt Discuss the LA Fires
Release Date: January 20, 2025

Introduction

In this poignant and heartfelt episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Conan O’Brien sits down with his longtime collaborators, Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley, to discuss the devastating wildfires that recently swept through Los Angeles. This episode marks a departure from their usual format, featuring no external guests, as the trio navigates the emotional aftermath of the fires and their personal experiences with loss and resilience.

Personal Experiences and Loss

The conversation opens with Matt Gourley addressing the severity of the wildfires, highlighting the immediate impact on their lives. Sona Movsesian bravely shares her personal tragedy:

Matt Gourley (01:26): "Sona, you lost your house."

Sona confirms the heartbreaking loss:

Sona Movsesian (01:26): "Yeah."

She delves into the emotional toll, expressing moments of vulnerability:

Sona Movsesian (01:30): "I really thought I was like, keep it together."

Matt reassures her, emphasizing the importance of expressing emotions during such times:

Matt Gourley (01:57): "You don't have to keep it together."

Sona discusses the challenges of explaining the situation to her young children, Mikey and Charlie, opting to shield them from the trauma by portraying their displaced living situation as a temporary and exciting experience:

Sona Movsesian (02:24): "They think we told them. There's always this like, oh, you should be honest with your kids and tell them. And we're like, no, we're just not going to tell them that their house burned down."

She shares a creative approach to this difficult conversation by emailing her children’s future selves, allowing them to believe they will return to their home once it's rebuilt.

Sona Movsesian (02:29): "I emailed them their future selves... they think we're just living somewhere else until we build a house."

Community and Family Support

Matt Gourley and Conan O’Brien explore the broader impact of the fires on their community, expressing both concern and solidarity:

Matt Gourley (05:30): "The number of people I've heard from... is stunning. It's crazy."

Sona describes the destruction in her neighborhood, emphasizing the loss of a close-knit community:

Sona Movsesian (05:30): "Our entire street, our whole neighborhood has just been just destroyed."

Despite the devastation, Sona highlights the unwavering support from neighbors and the importance of community:

Sona Movsesian (06:38): "Everybody that we reached out to is safe somewhere. So that's important."

The trio reflects on their personal connections and the collective effort to rebuild, drawing parallels to past disasters like 9/11, where community resilience shone through:

Matt Gourley (23:23): "It's easy for me to say, but I do think there's... a vibrant community there that I think is resilient and can come back."

Coping and Emotional Reactions

The discussion delves into the psychological impact of the fires. Sona candidly talks about her anxiety and the steps she's taking to cope:

Sona Movsesian (36:17): "This is probably the hardest thing I've ever gone through."

Matt shares his support for therapy and the importance of talking about trauma, while Sona emphasizes her reliance on friends and open communication to navigate her emotions:

Matt Gourley (36:40): "There's so many people who are going to have some form of PTSD or whatever."

Sona Movsesian (37:07): "We're lucky in that sense."

Their conversation underscores the significance of mental health support during crises, advocating for openness and seeking professional help when needed.

How to Help and Community Assistance

The trio discusses practical ways listeners can support those affected by the wildfires. Conan introduces a resource for finding individuals and families in need:

Conan O’Brien (26:30): "There's a database of the least funded Gofundmes for individual families."

They emphasize the importance of directing aid to those who are most vulnerable and ensure that contributions are meaningful and respectful:

Sona Movsesian (25:30): "I think before people think about sending stuff to us, I think you should definitely look into people who really need it."

Matt and Conan highlight the need for sensitivity when offering assistance, sharing humorous anecdotes to lighten the conversation while still acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

Resilience and Moving Forward

Conan, Matt, and Sona express optimism about rebuilding and the enduring spirit of their community. Sona reflects on her love for Los Angeles and her determination to return to normalcy:

Sona Movsesian (32:10): "I just know I've lived in LA my whole life, and I was just... the happiest I've ever been. So I just want to make sure people know. It's a really incredible place."

Matt adds a personal touch, sharing his own journey towards forming deeper connections and the therapeutic nature of this episode:

Matt Gourley (37:55): "This was really special for me to get to talk to you and tell you face to face that I love you."

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of support and the importance of community, showcasing the strength that comes from unity in the face of adversity.

Notable Quotes

Sona Movsesian (02:24): "They think we told them. There's always this like, oh, you should be honest with your kids and tell them. And we're like, no, we're just not going to tell them that their house burned down."
Matt Gourley (05:30): "The number of people I've heard from... is stunning. It's crazy."
Conan O’Brien (26:30): "There's a database of the least funded Gofundmes for individual families."
Sona Movsesian (36:17): "This is probably the hardest thing I've ever gone through."
Matt Gourley (37:55): "This was really special for me to get to talk to you and tell you face to face that I love you."

Conclusion

This episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend serves as a profound exploration of loss, community, and resilience. Through open and honest dialogue, Conan, Sona, and Matt provide listeners with an intimate glimpse into their personal struggles and the broader impact of the LA wildfires. Their candid conversations not only highlight the challenges faced by those affected but also celebrate the strength of human connection and the unwavering spirit of their community.

Resources Mentioned:

Least Funded GoFundMe Database: Find individual families in need and contribute to their recovery efforts.
Support Networks: Reach out to local charities and community groups to offer assistance to wildfire victims.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on a fictional transcript provided for illustrative purposes.