Mina Kimes is hosting a special episode of her podcast The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny Monday night in Los Angeles to support the American Red Cross’s wildfire relief efforts. She’s invited friends from various companies, including Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald of The Ringer, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily, and Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic to join her.
🚨Exciting news 🚨
I am hosting a live pod in LA to raise money for wildfire relief here. A bunch of pals are joining me with more to come!
Mon Feb 3
Belasco TheaterPlease share and send to LA based folks 👇https://t.co/uSqgUkPi6m pic.twitter.com/2ew6hJwypS
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 24, 2025
Tickets to this live podcast (starting at 7 p.m. PT at The Belasco in LA) are still available for $50. All funds raised will go to the Red Cross’ California wildfire disaster relief efforts, and they will be matched by podcast producer Omaha Productions, further supported by various partners, as Kimes explained in a recent interview. “Omaha is just wonderful,” she shared. “They’re matching all of the ticket sales, which is unbelievably generous.”
Kimes felt motivated to help after witnessing the devastation in her community. “Seeing friends and friends of friends who have lost their houses has been so heartbreaking,” she stated. “Even though the news cycle has shifted, many still require assistance. I thought, ‘Is there anything my friends and I could do?’ and this live pod idea quickly came together.” She acknowledged that her employers at ESPN and Omaha played a crucial role in making this event happen, stating, “I’m not doing the difficult part. ESPN and Omaha are.” They managed the logistics, allowing her to focus on the podcast itself.
The wildfires had a direct effect on Kimes’s life, as she, her husband, and young son had to briefly evacuate their home. Fortunately, the impact on them was minimal compared to others. “I was really fortunate—only out of my house for a couple of days. While chaotic, the harder part was flying home from NFL Live in Connecticut during the height of the fires. I saw the Eaton Fire from the air, which was surreal,” she remembered. Despite her brief displacement, Kimes empathizes with those who have lost everything, stating, “It’s so small compared to what so many have gone through.”
Another significant impact was felt during the NFL Wild Card game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, which had to be relocated to Arizona. “When the game moved, it emphasized how intertwined sports are with real-life situations,” Kimes explained. Her personal experience reinforced the importance of local media coverage, especially as national attention diminished. “I relied heavily on local news, including The LA Times, to stay informed about ongoing efforts and the aftermath.” Kimes hopes the live podcast will significantly aid those affected, with the matching donations amplifying the contributions received. “I really hope everyone enjoys the event; their donations will help families in need and be magnified by our partners,” she expressed.
She values such live events as an antidote to the often cynical online conversations surrounding the NFL. “These gatherings remind us that people generally enjoy things and want to connect. It’s refreshing to see that community spirit,” she concluded.
