Totally Booked with Zibby - Episode Summary: "Zibby on the Palisades Fire: 'We Are Safe. But We Are Destroyed.'"

Release Date: January 10, 2025

In this emotionally charged episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens shares a deeply personal and harrowing account of the catastrophic Palisades Fire, the most destructive wildfire in U.S. history. The episode intricately weaves Zibby's narrative of loss, community, and resilience, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the devastating impact of the fire on her life and the broader Palisades community.

1. Introduction to the Palisades Fire

Zibby Owens sets the stage by describing the onset of the Palisades Fire, emphasizing its proximity to her home and the ensuing nightmare that followed.

Zibby Owens (00:40): "The horrific Palisades Fire, the most destructive fire in US History, started just feet away from our home in the Pacific Palisades two days ago. Life has been a living nightmare since then."

2. Life in the Palisades: Building a Dream Community

Zibby recounts how she and her husband, Kyle, fell in love with the Pacific Palisades nearly a decade ago, detailing their journey from first visits to establishing their life and business in the community.

• Discovering the Palisades:

  Zibby Owens (03:00): "We promptly fell in love with the most beautiful, hidden gem of a town seemingly frozen in time... It felt like we were in an episode of the Wonder Years."

• Establishing Roots:

  Zibby Owens (05:15): "We made new friends. Kyle and I began to think, could we potentially live there when we didn't have the kids?"

• Opening Zibby's Bookshop:

  Zibby Owens (10:45): "Four months later, Zibby's Bookshop opened on Montana. After all, it made perfect sense. In my dream life, at my home tucked away on top of the hill, I could own a dream bookstore."

3. The Final Days Before the Fire

As December 2024 approached, Zibby describes the family's activities and a premonition that hinted at impending disaster.

• Normalcy Amidst Chaos:

  Zibby Owens (12:30): "We swam in the pool and played Four Corners. We lit the Hanukkah candles each night and opened gifts artfully arranged at the base of one of our potted trees."

• A Premonition:

  Zibby Owens (14:50): "If there was a fire up here, couldn't we just stay in our pool until it passed?... 'No, honey, the smoke would kill us.'"

4. The Fire Erupts: Evacuation and Immediate Aftermath

The narrative intensifies as Zibby details the sudden outbreak of the fire, their swift evacuation, and the immediate threat to their home.

• The Immediate Response:

  Zibby Owens (16:20): "I grabbed my passport, phone charger, books from the nightstand and shoved it all into a backpack... We followed him up past a fire truck into the fire road in the canyon behind us."

• Escaping Destruction:

  Zibby Owens (17:10): "It was a loud noise in our typically silent neighborhood. I watched it as it turned and shined its light right into our bedroom."

5. Total Devastation: The Community's Loss

Zibby paints a grim picture of the complete annihilation of the Palisades, highlighting the loss of homes, businesses, and the very fabric of the community.

• Describing the Widespread Damage:

  Zibby Owens (17:50): "How is it possible? I was just there. Everything was fine. Kyle and I are still waiting for a complete update about our home, which we watched firefighters save early on before the fire spread."

• Loss of Beloved Places:

  Zibby Owens (18:05): "The yogurt shop in Beach Street? Gone. Palisades, our kids' favorite store. Gone. Gelson's grocery store... Gone. The entire town. How?"

6. Emotional Turmoil and Personal Grief

The episode delves into Zibby's profound emotional struggles as she grapples with the loss of her second home and the disintegration of her community.

• Processing Grief:

  Zibby Owens (18:20): "My soul feels crushed. Plus, soon I know I need to jump in and find tactical ways to help. First, I have to get off the ground myself."

• Questioning Her Emotions:

  Zibby Owens (18:35): "Am I allowed to be this upset? After all, I don't live there full time. But for almost a decade I've been a part of it."

7. Media Engagement and Advocacy

In an effort to raise awareness and put a face to the tragedy, Zibby engages with various media outlets, sharing her story publicly.

• Media Appearances:

  Zibby Owens (18:25): "At first I kept saying yes. Kyle and I could share. We went on ABC News Live, CBS, KCAL, Inside Edition, a Canadian TV show."

• Balancing Personal Struggle with Public Advocacy:

  Zibby Owens (18:35): "The real loss of this fire isn't just the acreage affected. It's about the loss of a way of life."

8. Reflection and Community Resilience

Zibby reflects on the collective loss experienced by the Palisades residents and contemplates the future of the shattered community.

• A Community Torn Apart:

  Zibby Owens (18:30): "It's about the everyday interactions that will never be replicated. Everyone is now scattered all over LA, in hotels and other people's homes."

• Hope Amidst Despair:

  Zibby Owens (18:35): "We've all lost it together, and maybe that's enough to keep the community together. I'm sending love to everyone out in LA who has lost everything and really, who hasn't."

Conclusion

In this poignant episode, Zibby Owens not only shares her personal ordeal with the Palisades Fire but also underscores the profound impact such disasters have on communities. Through her heartfelt narration, listeners gain insight into the resilience required to navigate immense loss and the enduring spirit of community solidarity in the face of tragedy.

Notable Quotes:

• Zibby Owens (05:15): "We thought, could we potentially live there when we didn't have the kids?"

• Zibby Owens (10:45): "Zibby's Bookshop opened on Montana... I could own a dream bookstore."

• Zibby Owens (14:50): "No, honey, the smoke would kill us."

• Zibby Owens (18:05): "How is it possible? ... How could everyone have lost everything?"

This summary encapsulates the core elements of Zibby Owens' narrative, highlighting her journey before, during, and after the Palisades Fire, while emphasizing the emotional and communal ramifications of such a devastating event.