After losing his home to fire, Shawn Maestretti learned that resilience grows from relationship. He shows how working with the land—through soil, water, and love—can help communities not just survive, but bloom again. Shawn Maestretti is a regenerative landscape architect, landscape medium, and educator dedicated to earth-aligned futures. He is the founder of Studio Petrichor, an Altadena design practice rooted in ecological restoration, spiritual ecology, and whole-systems thinking. After losing his home in the 2025 Eaton Fires, the resilience of his nurtured landscape deepened his commitment to design as relationship, not control. Shawn also co-founded Poly/Ana, an educational nonprofit for regenerative systems. Honored with the Design Futurist Award for A Resilient Cottage, he has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Horticulture Magazine, and NPR, and continues to teach across California and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Architect Alex Athenson reimagines the Sears Catalog Home for today—showing how a century-old idea can help Altadena rebuild after disaster with equity, beauty, and belonging intact. Alex Athenson, AIA , is a licensed Architect and Urban Designer, as well as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Foothill Catalog Foundation in Altadena, CA. Mr. Athenson has previously earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago, as well as a Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. With an expertise and passion for regional traditional design, Mr. Athenson has contributed to a number of architecture and urban design projects throughout the United States. He is a board member of the AIA Pasadena Foothill Chapter. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When fire came for his home, Steven Siegel finally understood his foster son’s suitcase. Through loss and love, he discovers what it truly means to build—and rebuild—a forever home. Steven T. Seagle is a co-founding partner of MAN OF ACTION Entertainment; the bi-coastal collective that created the BEN 10 franchise for Cartoon Network and the BIG HERO 6 team and characters for MARVEL/Disney. With his partners, Seagle has created, executive produced, and written the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble (MARVEL/Disney); Generator Rex, Power Players, Mega Man: Fully Charged, Bakugan (Cartoon Network); SONIC: Prime, Zak Storm (NETFLIX); and their most recent series is Hello Neighbor (YouTube/Amazon) for which Seagle also voices Otto Kinander. Seagle is a multiple Eisner Award and Ringo Award nominated and Inkpot and Wizard Award winning graphic novelist whose works include Uncanny X-Men (MARVEL), Sandman Mystery Theatre, it’s a bird... (DC), Camp Midnight, and Get Naked (Image). Seagle is a proud foster/adoptive parent and lost his home and office in this year’s Eaton Fire in California. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When fire destroyed the Altadena Community Garden, Erica Slater looked underground for answers. By using mushrooms to heal the soil, she shows how true rebuilding starts not with walls—but with the earth itself. Erica Slater is a Senior Brand Manager at Califia Farms and a volunteer with the Altadena Community Garden, where she is chair of the Membership & Outreach Team. Born and raised in Altadena, she and her family were among many who lost their home in the Eaton Fire. As they rebuild and reclaim their land, Erica draws on her professional experience in the plant-based food sector to highlight the connection between healthy soil, nutrition, and community. Her work reflects a belief that resilience grows from the ground up. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

After the Eaton Fire destroyed beloved community spaces, artist and educator Courtney “SuNWhoa” Linsey found healing through creation. In this electric, poetic talk, he shows how grief and creativity share the same breath—one releasing pain, the other restoring life. From hip-hop nativities to youth art programs, Courtney transforms mourning into movement, reminding us that creativity isn’t talent—it’s survival, inheritance, and the rhythm of resilience itself. Courtney “SuNWhoa Love” Linsey is an artist, educator, and creative leader in the Pasadena/Altadena community whose work bridges music, storytelling, and spirituality. As Program Director of Harambee Ministries, he develops culturally responsive programs and productions that empower youth to discover their worth and purpose. A youth pastor and lifelong educator, SuNWhoa believes recovery is not just about healing; it is about reclaiming identity, voice, and legacy. Through his art and teaching, he calls others to walk boldly in their God-given potential. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Altadena once defied national odds—Black homeownership here nearly doubled the U.S. average. But after the Eaton Fire, that legacy now hangs in the balance. In this powerful, data-driven talk, Jasmin Shupper traces the history of redlining, displacement, and resilience that shaped Black Altadena. She lays out a bold vision for recovery—one centered on housing stability, grant-based rebuilding, and community land ownership—to ensure that rebuilding doesn’t erase, but restores, generations of Black wealth and belonging. Jasmin Shupper is the Founder and CEO of Greenline Housing Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to close the racial wealth and homeownership gaps and reverse the effects of systemic racism in housing by granting access to homeownership for Black and Brown people. Additionally, Greenline has played a leadership role in responding to community needs after the Eaton fire. Jasmin is also the Founder and President of The Greenline Group, a community-minded real estate development and consulting company. Prior to starting Greenline, Jasmin worked as the Business Director at a large nonprofit for four years, where she managed an $8 million dollar budget. Jasmin also worked as a corporate credit risk underwriter and financial analyst for ten years. She holds a BS in International Business from Pepperdine University, as well as a California Real Estate Salesperson's license and a Certificate in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California. Jasmin serves on the Board of Directors of Harambee Ministries and Heritage Housing Partners, an affordable homeownership developer, both in Pasadena. She was also appointed by the City of Pasadena to their 710 Reconnecting Communities Advisory Body. When she’s not busy trying to dismantle systemic injustice, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two girls, speaking French, hosting gatherings, cooking, and eating at new and exciting restaurants. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx