SuperLife with Darin Olien

Sheila Morovati: The System Failed Us—What Really Happens After the LA Fires Disaster

Feb 21, 2025

Sheila Morovati, an environmental advocate and founder of Habits of Waste, shares her harrowing journey of rebuilding after losing her home in a wildfire. She dives into the emotional toll of such disasters and the urgent need for systemic change in disaster preparedness. The conversation highlights how climate change exacerbates natural disasters, the hidden dangers of toxic building materials, and the power of community resilience. Morovati emphasizes the importance of questioning traditional practices and making small, impactful choices for sustainability.

01:04:47

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Sheila Morovati

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Quick takeaways

The emotional toll of losing a home and community during natural disasters highlights the need for empathy and resilience in rebuilding efforts.

Preparedness and effective infrastructure are essential to addressing the increasingly severe natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.

Advocacy for sustainable building practices and community-driven initiatives fosters proactive change, encouraging individual actions that lead to broader societal shifts.

Deep dives

The Impact of Community Displacement

Experiencing community displacement due to natural disasters profoundly alters individuals' perspectives on life. The emotional toll of losing a home and community leads to heightened feelings of empathy and connection with others going through similar struggles. This devastation serves as a harsh reminder of the fragility of everyday life and the essential elements of home that are often taken for granted. In navigating these challenges, individuals realize the importance of resilience and the need to rebuild not just physically but emotionally as well.

Intro

3min

Navigating Loss and Resilience Post-Disaster

13min

Navigating Crisis and Embracing Healing After LA Fires

3min

Rebuilding Resilience: Questioning Defaults for Sustainability

14min

Transforming Default Settings for Sustainability

4min

Rethinking Environmental Language

8min

The Plastic Dilemma

6min

Imperfect Environmentalism: Shifting Mindsets

15min

What happens when everything you’ve built is wiped out overnight?

In this powerful episode of Super Life, Darin Olien sits down with Sheila Morovati, environmental advocate and founder of Habits of Waste, to discuss the devastating impact of wildfires, the emotional and physical toll of rebuilding, and the urgent need for systemic environmental change.

Sheila shares her firsthand experience of losing her home and community overnight, how climate change is making natural disasters more frequent and severe, and why she refuses to let tragedy silence her fight for sustainability.

They explore the psychological aftermath of disaster, why government systems are failing, and how everyday choices—like single-use plastic, construction materials, and policy changes—can shape a more resilient future.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(00:00:00) Introduction – The devastating impact of losing a home overnight.
(00:02:30) The Emotional Toll of Natural Disasters – How loss affects mental and physical health.
(00:06:10) Why Disaster Preparedness Must Be a Priority – The gaps in our system and how to fix them.
(00:09:15) Climate Change & Wildfires – The undeniable connection we can’t ignore.
(00:12:40) The Power of Community in Times of Crisis – Rebuilding together after catastrophe.
(00:15:50) The Hidden Costs of Toxic Building Materials – How what we rebuild with matters.
(00:19:30) The Role of Policy & Corporate Influence in Climate Disasters – Who’s responsible, and who’s avoiding accountability?
(00:23:00) How Social Movements Drive Real Change – The power of collective action.
(00:26:45) The Fight for Sustainable Living – Why imperfect environmentalism is the key to change.
(00:31:10) Rethinking Waste in a Consumer-Driven World – Why the small things (like cutlery bans) matter.
(00:36:05) The Psychological Impact of Climate Grief – How to process loss while fighting for change.
(00:40:15) The Unseen Dangers of Everyday Plastics – What’s really in the products we use?
(00:44:25) The Future of Sustainable Cities – How we can rebuild smarter, not just faster.
(00:49:30) How to Take Action Now – Steps to make a real impact in your own community.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off
Fatal Conveniences Book: Everything you think is safe—your food, home, and daily habits—could be slowly killing you. Fatal Conveniences exposes the hidden dangers in everyday life and shows you how to reclaim your health. Pick up a copy by visiting the link for Fatal Conveniences.

Find More From Sheila Morovati & Habits of Waste:

Website: habitsofwaste.org
Instagram: @habitsofwaste
Book: Imperfect Environmentalist – Available now!

Find More From Darin:

Website: darinolien.com
Instagram: @darinolien
Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway:

"You can’t rebuild the same way and expect different results. It’s time to push back, rethink sustainability, and fight for a future where disasters like this don’t keep happening."