Show Notes:

How to help Venezuela after the 2026 earthquakes:

- For rebuilding efforts:

• Techo

- For food and clean water/medical supplies/medical attention/Hygiene kits/temporary shelter and more:

• Caritas  
• I love Venezuela Foundation (part of the We Love Foundation)

- For a 3 month support for families, including: shelter, food, clean water, education and entertainment for children, medical and hygiene supplies, medical and psychological care, clothing and a weekly follow up with families:

• Impaktemos

- For medical supplies and equipment, safety equipment for rescue workers, generators, emergency internet set up, free transport for rescue workers and volunteers, international rescue workers, rebuilding efforts and more:

• Yummy Rides: Venezuela's largest delivery company which has gone above and beyond to secure aid and bring relief to victims and rescue efforts (by clicking the "transparency" link, you can see everything that is being purchased and what funds are being used for every day).

- For Transport and shipping of physical donations made within the US to Venezuela, the shipping of family necessity kits and large scale pellets of humanitarian aid 

• G.E.M (Global Empowerment Mission)

- Food halls with free meals for children/ additional relief in ground zero

• Alimenta la Solidaridad

- For animal shelters and emergency vet care:

• La Manada de Bethoven

This week’s episode is a personal and emotional departure from our usual format.

After taking a break from the podcast for the last few weeks because of this tragedy, I’m sharing what has happened in my home country, Venezuela, after the devastating earthquakes of June 24th, 2026—and why I felt it was important to pause and speak about it.

I'm sharing stories that are tough and full of heartbreak, but also full of resilience, community, hope, and especially, I'm sharing in the hopes that those of you who are willing and able can help support the people of my country, whose spirit you'll learn all about through the stories I bring you today.

In this episode, I talk about:

• What happened during the 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes and their impact across Venezuela

• The devastation in La Guaira and the historical context of the 1999 Vargas tragedy

• Personal memories of growing up in Venezuela and how deeply this place is tied to my life and cooking

• The incredible rescue efforts, including international teams and heroic rescue dogs (yes! they get a huge mention in today's podcast!)

• Powerful stories of survival—from children and families to animals protecting each other

• The overwhelming solidarity of Venezuelan communities, both locally and across the global diaspora

• Grassroots efforts: from makeshift hospitals and community kitchens to engineers, students, and volunteers stepping in

• The ongoing humanitarian crisis and why continued support is urgently needed, and how you can help

How You Can Help

In the show notes above, you’ll find an updated list of verified organizations providing:

• Food and medical aid

• Shelter and support for displaced families

• Assistance for orphaned children

• Animal rescue and veterinary care

• Long-term rebuilding efforts

No contribution is too small. Sharing information also makes a real difference, as does bringing emotional support to any Venezuelans in your life.

A Note to Listeners

This episode contains heavy themes. Please take care while listening, and wear headphones if you have young kiddos around.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening, for your support, for bearing witness. I love this community we've built, and it meant a lot to me to simply have this space to write these stories, to have somewhere to place them, to leave a bit of a record of the impact of what has happened. A huge virtual hug to all our listeners who took the time to listen and/or donate. It means the world.