To Venezuela with Love: After the Earthquake, Stories of Survival, Community, and How to Help

(To find a list of the organizations you can donate to and find out ways to help Venezuela after the earthquakes, click here)

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

To find a list of the organizations you can donate to and find out ways to help, click here, or visit brownble.com/blog