In this episode of the Crazy Amazing Humans podcast, hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim are joined by producer Ken Carlson for a year-end holiday reflection on resilience, hope, and community.

We begin on location at Marquez Elementary School in the Pacific Palisades. We walk the campus, see the play structure that survived the fires, and meet a community that stands as a powerful symbol of resilience. It is a community rebuilding after loss, led by children, teachers, and staff who continue to show up for one another with courage, care, and hope.

From there, the conversation returns to the studio for a thoughtful reflection on the year. We focus on three themes that wove their way through many of our most meaningful conversations: resilience and rebuilding, maintaining hope in the face of injustice or trauma, and fostering community and belonging.

Throughout the episode, we share practical takeaways drawn from our Crazy Amazing guests and our own lived experiences. We explore resilience not as bouncing back, but as bouncing forward through conscious choices, reframing perspective, taking small actions that build momentum, and allowing timelines to unfold without self-judgment. We reflect on hope as a discipline rather than a feeling, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, rejecting toxic positivity, and remembering that there is always something new to try, even when circumstances feel overwhelming or unjust.

The conversation also centers on community as both a lifeline and a responsibility. Through personal stories, legacy lessons, and research-backed insights, we underscore that belonging is created through small, intentional acts of care. We remind listeners that the more love we give, the more love there is to give, and that community is the antidote to isolation, especially during the holidays.

We close the episode with Katrina and Jefferson singing and playing their co-written Christmas song, "You Are Christmas." If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope and belonging right now. Don't forget to make sure you're following us at Instagram and also subscribe to our newsletter so that you'll know about this episode as well as the many crazy amazing humans featured in all of our episodes.

Thanks for being part of the Crazy Amazing Humans community. We appreciate you!

What if joy—not time, success, or wealth—was the real measure of your life? And what does joy truly mean?

In this powerful episode of Crazy Amazing Humans, hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim sit down with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a nationally recognized gerontologist, and her daughter Claire Burnight, a future naturopathic doctor, to explore how to move beyond Lifespan and Healthspan into the groundbreaking concept of Joyspan—the measure of how much joy, vitality, and meaning we experience throughout our lives.

Drawing from over 30 years of gerontology research, Dr. Burnight challenges our culture's obsession with anti-aging, inviting us to redefine aging as a season of continued growth, connection, and purpose. She shares her keys to living with vitality and fulfillment, helping you shift your mindset, cultivate connection, and embrace aging as evolution—not decline. You'll also learn practical ways to strengthen both body and spirit through her Inner Four: Grow, Connect, Adapt, and Give.

Meanwhile, Claire Burnight shares her deeply personal story of surviving a life-threatening brain tumor in her twenties and finding alignment through holistic medicine. She encourages us to find stillness each day, listen to our bodies, and see illness not as failure, but as communication guiding us back to balance. Her gentle wisdom highlights the essential determinants of health—sleep, nutrition, connection, sunlight, and gratitude—and how to nurture them in our daily lives.

Together, this inspiring mother-daughter duo reminds us that joy is an inside job, available to every person at any age. Whether you're 4 or 104, thriving means using all the tools you have to shift your mindset, strengthen your connections, nurture gratitude, find purpose, and embrace each season of life.

As Dr. Kerry Burnight says, "It's not about adding years to your life—it's about adding life to your years."

Don't forget to make sure you're subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube version of the podcast so that you'll know about this episode as well as the many Crazy Amazing Humans featured in all of our episodes.

Thanks for being part of the Crazy Amazing Humans community. We appreciate you!

Peace and love,

Katrina Carlson

Every year, Halloween in Santa Monica becomes something truly special. It's not just a night of costumes and candy, it's a joyful neighborhood celebration of community, creativity, and compassion. What started years ago as a simple night of trick-or-treating for the Carlson family, neighbors and close friends has transformed into the Annual Halloween Spooktacular, a beloved community event that now draws thousands from across Los Angeles.

For this fun and festive episode, we're on location at the Carlson's haunted home with all their Halloween decor-–monsters, vampires, ghosts, oh my! You'll get the real, behind-the-scenes story of why Ken and Katrina Carlson have decided to put in the effort to make Halloween a magical time for kids of all ages. You'll hear how it has grown organically into such a beloved community-building event. They also offer some helpful advice for communities that might want to create their own Halloween experiences in their neighborhoods. After listening to the audio, check out the YouTube version of the podcast to see the Carlson haunted home decorations (inside and out) in all its spooky grandeur!

In this inspiring and delightfully spooky episode, hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim welcome Ken Carlson—Katrina's husband and the creative force behind the event—to share the untold story of how this neighborhood tradition evolved into a joyful symbol of community, creativity, and compassion.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The origin story of the Halloween Spooktacular—how one family's front-yard fun became a city-wide celebration.

• How the Carlsons transform their Santa Monica home into a magical, family-friendly Halloween wonderland each year.

• The passion and purpose behind the festivities, including support for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Angel City Sports, and Palisades wildfire relief efforts.

• What the Spooktacular reveals about the power of imagination, generosity, and togetherness in today's world.

You'll laugh, you'll be inspired, and you might even get a few chills as Katrina and Ken pull back the curtain on the planning, heart, and humor that fuel one of L.A.'s most uplifting Halloween traditions.

This episode captures everything that defines the Crazy Amazing Humans spirit—people using their time, talent, and creativity to bring light, hope, and connection to their communities.

Listen now and rediscover how fun, kindness, and creativity can turn even the spookiest night of the year into something truly extraordinary. Check out the website www.crazyamazinghumans.com

Subscribe and follow the Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast wherever you listen for more inspiring stories, and join us in celebrating the crazy amazing humans making the world brighter—one act of kindness at a time. Thanks for being part of the Crazy Amazing Humans community. We appreciate you!

In this milestone 50th episode of our Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast, we sit down with Patti Davis—author, journalist, advocate, and daughter of President Ronald Reagan—for a deeply moving and honest conversation exploring how personal struggles can become a source of strength, purpose, and healing.

From her bestselling memoir The Long Goodbye, chronicling her father's battle with Alzheimer's, to her powerful new book Dear Mom and Dad: A Letter About Family, Memory, and the America We Once Knew, Patti Davis shares how she has walked through fire and emerged with a strength she never knew she had along with an unwavering commitment to helping others find their own.

We talk openly about:

• The emotional truth behind her relationship with her famous parents

• Honest reflections on addiction, recovery, and helping others

• How painful experiences in your past can become a source of power and connection

• Insights from founding UCLA's Beyond Alzheimer's support group and wrote Floating in the Deep End

• Co-writing "I Wish You Peace" with Bernie Leadon for the The Eagles' album One of These Nights

• What she's most proud of from her father's presidency

• How to incorporate healing and reconciliation in our lives

This conversation is raw, real, and deeply inspiring. Whether you're facing personal challenges, caring for a loved one, or simply looking for inspiration, this special episode will uplift and empower you. It's the kind of episode you'll want to share with a friend.

Subscribe to Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and don't forget to follow us on YouTube to watch the full interview!

What if the path to healing our divided world isn't found in power or politics—but in realizing that we belong to each other?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast, we sit down with Rev. David Carpenter, senior pastor of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, to explore how faith, inclusivity, and a radical sense of interconnectedness can heal our divided world. Reverend Carpenter is a deeply compassionate and forward-thinking leader who has been reshaping the conversation around faith. With an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a current doctoral thesis in progress at Duke Divinity School, Rev. Carpenter brings deep theological insight and global perspective. From the philosophy of Ubuntu to confronting Christian nationalism, and from spiritual deconstruction to climate change and biblical stewardship, this conversation is a must-listen for seekers, believers, and changemakers alike.

Together with hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim, Rev. Carpenter explores what it truly means to live out the gospel in today's world—and why it's more radical, inclusive, and revolutionary than often portrayed.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Faith as Relationship, Not Religion: Rev. Carpenter shares his transformative spiritual journey that began with a hillside moment in high school and ultimately led him from pre-med at Tufts to a life in ministry.

• The Decline in Church Attendance: Why millennials and Gen Z are leaving organized religion, and why the Church must take responsibility for becoming judgmental, hypocritical, and out of touch.

• What is Ubuntu & Imago Dei? We take a deep dive into Rev. Carpenter's thesis on Ubuntu, a South African philosophy meaning "I am because we are," and how Archbishop Desmond Tutu infused it with Christian theology through the lens of Imago Dei—the belief that each of us is made in the image of God.

• The Dangers of Christian Nationalism: A candid conversation on how political movements have co-opted Christian identity, often in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.

• Interfaith Harmony: Rev. Carpenter reflects on the beauty of shared values across major religions and how faith leaders like Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and the Buddha might just walk out of a bar as best friends.

• What the Bible Really Says About Climate Change and Environmental Care: A new (and ancient!) understanding of humanity's relationship with the environment—how serving the garden, not dominating it, reflects God's love for all creation.

• Ubuntu in Action Today: What would it mean if we all truly believed we were interconnected? Why should we create inclusive communities of faith in a modern, multicultural world? How could that shift politics, climate action, religion, and relationships?

• Practical Ways to Live More Meaningfully—whether you're religious or not!

www.crazyamazinghumans.com

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We're in the studio with Jason Flom, a legendary music industry executive, criminal justice advocate, and podcast host who has shaped the careers of global superstars while fighting to free the wrongfully convicted. Flom is the founder and CEO of Lava Records, former Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, Virgin Records, and Capitol Music Group. He is a true music industry legend who has launched the careers of many Grammy-winning artists. Some of the acts he's worked with include Katy Perry, Lorde, Kid Rock, Greta Van Fleet, Tori Amos, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jessie J, Hootie & The Blowfish, Skid Row, Collective Soul, Stone Temple Pilots and Matchbox Twenty.

Beyond Jason Flom's influence in the entertainment industry, Flom is a leading voice in criminal justice reform. As founder of Lava Media, which encompasses a record label, music publishing, and a fast-growing podcast company, Flom hosts the Webby Awards-honored Wrongful Conviction series on the Lava for Good platform. Jason has interviewed and raised international awareness for the cases of hundreds of innocent men and women imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit, many facing death sentences. Jason also hosts Righteous Convictions, a podcast that spotlights today's social justice leaders and change-makers to uncover the most powerful actions we can take together to inspire meaningful reform and equal justice.

A founding board member of The Innocence Project, Jason Flom works relentlessly to change laws, support exonerees, and shed light on systemic injustices. He has been honored as a Billboard Change Agent and awarded the City of Hope's Ambassador Award, the Spirit of Life Award, and the Correctional Association of New York Social Justice Award.

In 2024, Jason married Khaliah Ali (Muhammed Ali's daughter) and together they continue to tirelessly advocate for the wrongfully convicted.

Much of Jason's current work includes working with elected officials and policymakers, activist groups, celebrities, and other philanthropists to reform the inequities in the criminal legal system. This has made him a globally recognized leader in criminal justice reform.

Through his work with the Innocence Project, Lava For Good and as the host of the podcast Wrongful Conviction, Jason Flom has changed lives, challenged broken systems, and inspired real reform. His story is a powerful reminder that one person can make an extraordinary impact.

Tune in now to hear Jason's inspiring journey, jaw-dropping cases, and why second chances matter.

A conversation between our hosts, Katrina and Jefferson, and guests, Roger Fishman and Ken Carlson, about experiencing the recent devastating Los Angeles wildfires. It is difficult to find the words to describe the unimaginable devastation affecting so many and beyond heartbreaking to see all of the different communities affected by the many wildfires. Our hearts go out to all of those dealing with this tragedy.

Yet, even in the face of such immense challenges, we are reminded of the incredible stories of hope, resilience, and humanity. From the heroic efforts of first responders to neighbors stepping in to support one another, and the tireless work of organizations providing aid, these acts of kindness shine brightly amid the darkness. One such organization is World Central Kitchen who we highlighted in Episode 30 with Maxwell Eaton. Other groups include American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, FEMA, Walt Disney Company, NFL, to name a few.

In this impromptu conversation, we are joined by a previous Crazy Amazing guest, Roger Fishman. Roger tragically lost his home and everything in it during the Palisades Fire. Despite this profound loss, he offers powerful insights about the strength of kindness, compassion, and hope—true forces of nature that sustain us in difficult times.

There are many families in our Crazy Amazing Humans community that have lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades Fire. Also, living in north Santa Monica, Katrina and her family were on Evacuation Warning for the duration as well as one block from the Mandatory Evacuation zone. Since most neighbors had evacuated, Ken Carlson had to fend off looters roaming the neighborhood. It was both comforting and disturbing to see the National Guard come in to help secure the area. Comforting because we felt more secure and disturbing because we really needed them.

Though the flames may seem all-consuming, they cannot break the human spirit. We are inspired by all those who have stepped forward to help rebuild, to offer comfort, and to remind us that we are never alone. To those lending a hand or supporting others in any way during this time, we are deeply grateful. Stay safe, stay hopeful, and let's remember that we are all in this together.

Subscribe to the Crazy Amazing Humans podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, our website, or wherever you tune in. Go find us, hit subscribe, and you'll be notified about our latest Crazy Amazing Humans podcast episode. Follow us on Instagram for uplifting updates, behind-the-scenes content, and inspiration, and stay connected with our latest episodes.

It's unimaginable, but each year about 45 million children worldwide suffer from severe malnutrition — that's nearly one in three children under the age of five. Thankfully, there is hope! We're thrilled to introduce our guest, Navyn Salem, founder and CEO of Edesia. Edesia, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit, is on a mission to tackle this global crisis, having already saved over 25 million lives in more than 65 countries.

Her journey began with a powerful realization while watching 60 Minutes, where she saw firsthand the devastating effects of malnutrition—a preventable condition that affects millions of children worldwide. Inspired by her father's Tanzanian heritage and the knowledge that so many children's lives could be saved, Navyn set out to create an organization that could make a tangible difference.

Partnering with major organizations like UNICEF, USAID/USDA, World Food Programme (WFP), Global Child Nutrition Foundation, CORE Group, Navyn navigated manufacturing and logistics while raising the necessary funds to scale Edesia's efforts. Edesia focused on creating life-saving products designed for areas where children are at severe risk. Their Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), like Plumpy'Nut, are peanut-based pastes fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. These treatments are revolutionary in malnutrition relief: they don't require refrigeration, water, or cooking, making them accessible for distribution in even the most remote and conflict-affected areas.

Edesia's workforce is as diverse as the communities they serve, including former refugees from 26 countries, adding a unique depth and resilience to the organization. Their shared commitment underscores Edesia's role in empowering communities while fighting malnutrition. Navyn's visionary approach has redefined the conventional models of humanitarian aid, creating Edesia as a social enterprise and focusing on impactful, sustainable solutions that can adapt to today's challenges.

Feel the hope and inspiration as Navyn's journey proves that each of us has the power to contribute to a healthier, more equitable world. Subscribe to the Crazy Amazing Humans podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, our website, or wherever you tune in. Go find us, hit subscribe, and you'll be notified about our latest Crazy Amazing Humans podcast episode. Follow us on Instagram for uplifting updates, behind-the-scenes content, and inspiration, and stay connected with our latest episodes.