The Dave Chang Show The Los Angeles Fires, Lettuce Cup Memories, and New York vs. L.A. With Jacob Soboroff
Jan 22, 2026
Jacob Soboroff, an MSNBC correspondent and author of 'Firestorm,' shares his poignant experiences with the Los Angeles fires from both a personal and professional perspective. He reminisces about family gatherings tied to a comforting lettuce cup dish, which helps him process the emotional toll of the fires. The discussion dives into the devastating effects of climate change on future disasters, a comparison of living in LA versus New York, and Jacob's journey into journalism. Their banter is both insightful and entertaining, highlighting the unique dynamics of each city.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Memories Returned During The Fires
- Jacob Soboroff described how Cafe Palisades and his childhood neighborhood memories resurfaced while reporting the fires.
- He watched bricks turn back to their original red and felt intense nostalgia and grief for places that burned.
Watching The Fire From Afar
- Jacob recounted being in Las Vegas when the fires started and watching helplessly as flights canceled and smoke blanketed Pasadena.
- He relied on apps like Watch Duty and recordings from his wife's phone to track the fire's progression.
Driving Back To Check The Neighborhood
- Jacob drove between the Palisades and Dodger Stadium area daily during the first week of the fires to check on his home.
- He described seeing hurricane‑like fire behavior with embers flying sideways like rain.
