The Fame Game with Heidi & Spencer

Episode: Rebuilding Life, Community Resilience, and Finding Strength After Losing Everything with Michael and Jaimie Geller

Release: November 20, 2025
Guests: Michael and Jaimie Geller

Episode Overview

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, joined by Michael and Jaimie Geller, dive deep into what it means to lose everything in a disaster and the uphill battle of rebuilding—not just homes, but lives, community, and hope. Set against the backdrop of the Palisades fire that devastated their neighborhood, the conversation is raw, unfiltered, and highly personal. Together, they tackle topics ranging from the immediate chaos of escaping the fire, to lack of institutional support and accountability, to insurance woes, and the uncertain future of their once-tight-knit community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Immediate Terror: Stories From the Fire ([08:20]–[18:39])

• Jaimie’s Heart-Wrenching Evacuation

  • Jaimie recounts seeing smoke while in town, rushing home to quickly pack with her son and their housekeeper, only to be gridlocked with neighbors—including babies, elders, and nannies—with no help or guidance from authorities.
  • Quote:

    “I look to my left and I just see fire roaring down the mountain...I look up, the palm trees are on fire. Not a person in sight to help move anybody.” – Jaimie Geller ([09:21])

• Total Absence of First Responders

  • The guests describe a terrifying realization: "No one's coming." When they finally made it to the water's edge at Gladstone's, firefighters were present, but idle.
  • Quote:

    “People were going up to them, giving them water bottles. And I’m sitting there like, I can’t breathe. I have no mask, I can’t see, I have no goggles.” – Jaimie Geller ([11:35])

• Chaotic Information and Blocked Exits

  • Michael describes being trapped, police refusing to let anyone down from the Highlands, and the single, token police escort eventually letting a handful of cars out.
  • Quote:

    “They had police at the top saying, the canyon’s on fire. We’re not letting anybody go. Stay in place, shelter in place.” – Michael Geller ([12:47])

2. Anger and Disillusionment: Systemic Failures ([18:44]–[27:18])

• Bureaucratic Apathy

  • The group details how their 911 calls went unanswered or were met with disinterest—“No one is going into that area”—even while loved ones might be dying.
  • Quote:

    “You are wearing dirt lots. You think all of a sudden now, if I'm going to be nicer, we're going to come rebuild our house?” – Spencer Pratt ([50:08])

• Frustration with Official Inaction

  • Repeated references to officials “doing nothing,” lack of water supply, and “immunity” for LAFD and public agencies who failed in their duties.
  • Quote:

    “We as taxpayers have created a situation where what people don’t get...the LAFD has full immunity. They can literally let your town burn down. You can die and they’re immune.” – Spencer Pratt ([21:25])

• Lack of Accountability

  • The discussion pivots to political blame and the perception of a “Ponzi scheme” with tax dollars and disaster relief.
  • Quote:

    “If you don’t do your job...you get fired. Not here.” – Michael Geller ([32:43])

3. Insurance Nightmares & Rebuilding Obstacles ([34:00]–[41:48])

• Battling Insurance Companies

  • Jaimie and Michael, like many neighbors, struggle to access insurance settlements. Even after full-loss coverage, payouts are withheld or diminished by legal fees.
  • Quote:

    “Our insurance company, State Farm has not been like a good neighbor and has still withheld the money that we require to rebuild. If we don’t get the policy limit...we can’t afford it.” – Michael Geller ([34:07])

  • Spencer interjects with a hard-earned lesson:

    “They don’t actually even have to give you the policy.” ([34:35])

• “Affordable” Insurance Is Gone

  • Rates have now skyrocketed to unattainable levels—if insurance is available at all.
  • Quote:

    “The first year...was $14,000 for the year. The second year...it went up to 21,000. The next year...28,000. I don’t think I can afford [it].” – Jaimie Geller ([40:14])

4. Community in Limbo ([41:48]–[63:44])

• Exodus and Uncertain Futures

  • The new, post-fire Palisades will not resemble the old. Many former residents, especially young families, may never return.
  • Quote:

    “At first it was like, okay, all the people that are like 75 and older, they’re not gonna wait for it. Then I was like, wait a minute. All my older kids...don’t want their four bedroom, five bedroom house anymore...Then I'm like, wait a minute...they make a new life now.” – Jaimie Geller ([36:34])

• Developers Circling

  • Spencer shares a blunt exchange with a developer:

    “He’s like, the palaces is over. Like, what you guys know, the palace is gone. Like, you need to start thinking about the new policies and get something built.” – Spencer Pratt ([37:27])

• Loss of Community Fabric

  • The guests mourn a culture and unity now at risk.
  • Quote:

    “There was a culture in the Palisades. There was a community. There was a spirit, There was an essence. There was a oneness. You know, there was a camaraderie.” – Heidi Montag ([37:42])

5. Political Blame & “Nobody Cares” ([24:26], [43:29]–[58:44])

• Political Cowardice & Distracted Discourse

  • The hosts are exasperated with how politics derails holding anyone accountable—people “refuse to say anything bad about Democrats,” or blame-shift to climate change or each other.
  • Quote:

    “It's not about the issue anymore. It's just about the hatred for the other person.” – Jaimie Geller ([32:06])

• Follow the Money (Developers, Lobbyists, Insurance)

  • The group unpacks how political connections, international investors, and systemic incentives have pitted profit and growth against the needs of a devastated community.
  • Quote:

    “It’s all just like mafia cartel.” – Spencer Pratt ([56:10])

6. “We Are On Our Own” – Resilience, Survival, & Moving Forward ([33:36]–[63:44])

• Self-Reliance and Resilience

  • The guests and hosts underscore how, in disaster, communities are forced to band together and fend for themselves.
  • Quote:

    “Biggest takeaway from this whole experience is that we’re on our own. No one cares about us.” – Jaimie Geller ([33:25])

• Rebuilding as a Fight

  • Rebuilding means battling bureaucracy, developers, insurance companies, and even your own sadness. Many are considering selling, moving, or never returning.
  • Quote:

    “So many people like us are in limbo right now...there isn’t much momentum.” – Michael Geller ([64:44])

• Lingering Grief

  • Michael and Jaimie reflect on homes and a way of life that can never be replaced.
  • Quote:

    “Every house Jamie and I…ever bought together as a married couple. Gone. The saddest is the house that we just sold…18 months before the fire they just bought the house. Burned. All they had was a dog.” – Michael Geller ([70:53])

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Calls for Accountability:

  “Even just say sorry. Like, anything.” – Jaimie Geller ([51:16])
  “If they say sorry, that implies some liability.” – Michael Geller ([51:21])

• On Public Perception:

  “People think Heidi’s song blew up and they’re fine, you’re rich, I'll do it. She’s a pop star…No. If we were rich pop stars, you would see some pilings going in here right now.” – Spencer Pratt ([48:49])

• On State of the Community:

  “It changes…not your life. Yeah, we would be changed. And how does that look? …We are in a mistake in limbo.” – Michael Geller ([64:59])

8. Timestamps of Key Segments

• [08:20] Jaimie’s evacuation story & lack of first responders
• [13:00] Michael’s account of blocked exits, “shelter in place” orders
• [18:44] Spencer on 911 failures & lack of emergency response
• [21:25] Discussion of governmental immunity, taxpayer frustration
• [34:00] Ongoing fights with insurance companies
• [36:34] Families considering whether to return or move on
• [37:27] Developer: “The Palisades is over…”
• [43:29] Anger at political/moneyed interests taking advantage of tragedy
• [50:08] Spencer on community criticism/defensiveness & advocacy
• [64:44] Limbo and “the fight to rebuild”

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode offers a brutally honest window into the trauma, anger, and resilience that comes when a disaster destroys not just material belongings, but a fabric of daily life and community trust. Michael and Jaimie Geller’s stories, shared with candor and emotion, make clear the systemic failures—governmental, political, and financial—that complicate recovery. Yet, they also highlight the stubborn persistence of those choosing to rebuild, if only to keep their story—and calls for justice—alive.

For listeners seeking to support or follow the Gellers' journey, visit Jamie Geller Jewelry ([74:21]), and for more advocacy updates, stay tuned to Spencer’s social channels and upcoming projects.