ABOUT THE BOOK

How do you go on after you’ve lost everything?

Over several terrifying summers in the early 2010s, deadly wildfires raged across Colorado. Lives were lost, and the flames destroyed thousands of homes. When the smoke cleared and only rubble remained, survivors were left trying to find a way forward against devastating loss. The aftermath of that destruction would span many years, and its effects are still felt today.

In Phoenix Rising, twenty women share their stories of fire, the terror they felt as flames engulfed their communities, and the dark desperation that followed. And how—in the ensuing weeks and months—they worked to recreate a life from the ashes.

With tens of thousands of Southern Californians facing fear and uncertainty now as they confront the challenge of rebuilding their homes and lives, these tales of fear and bravery, of deep compassion, heart-rending grief, and, ultimately, recovery and hope, offer an uplifting chronicle of human courage and resilience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen Moeller, MS, knows what it means to walk through fire—literally and figuratively. After losing her dream home and all her worldly possessions to the devastating 2012 Lower North Fork Fire in Colorado that claimed three lives and destroyed 21 homes, Kristen found herself at a crossroads. There was now “life before the fire” and “life after the fire.”

Drawing on over 30 years of personal growth and psychological training, her recovery from addiction in 1989, and her experience as a former therapist working with people at their darkest points, Kristen confronted her own grief and explored the resilience it takes to rise from the ashes. Her journey has been one of embracing the messiness of being human, finding beauty in tragedy, and championing others as they navigate their own wild and unpredictable paths.

Kristen is a literary agent, author coach, speaker, and writer. As an agent for Waterside Productions—the literary home of luminaries like Eckhart Tolle and Jean Houston—she has placed a wide range of titles, from Personal Growth to Young Adult, Pop Culture to Memoir. 

Through her Author Your BrillianceTM workshops, retreats, and one-on-one coaching, Kristen helps writers transform their ideas into published works, fostering both their creative expression and marketing prowess.

A three-time TEDx speaker, Kristen has been featured on NPR, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, Huffington Post,and, following the fire, even appeared on Tiny House Nation. She also is the author of Waiting for Jack (2010) and What Are You Waiting For? (2013)

Kristen is currently crafting a memoir and a guide for new authors on navigating the often-treacherous road to publication.

When she’s not traveling in her RV to soak up the warmth of faraway places, Kristen still resides in the mountains of Colorado with her husband of 30 years and their two pit bull rescues.

TALKING POINTS

The Raw Reality of Loss and the Strength to Rise Again
Phoenix Rising showcases the fierce, emotional journey of women who lost everything in the Colorado wildfires. Their stories are not just about survival but about how they found the strength to rebuild from the ashes—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These women exemplify the profound resilience that lies in the human spirit when faced with devastating loss. But it’s not just about bouncing back—Phoenix Rising highlights how trauma can be cumulative, and how the weight of one tragedy can trigger deeper mental health struggles, such as PTSD.

The Role of Community in Rising from Tragedy
Phoenix Rising isn’t just about individual strength—it’s about community strength. The women in this book didn’t just rely on themselves; they leaned on one another, formed lasting bonds, and showed that rebuilding a life after disaster is something best done together. This book serves as a powerful reminder that after tragedy, it’s not just about getting back to normal; it’s about building something better with the help of others. It also addresses the critical role that community support can play in mitigating the effects of trauma—creating a safety net that helps individuals confront mental health struggles like PTSD and find solidarity in their healing.

The Cost of Disasters: How We Must Acknowledge the Long-Term Impact
While wildfires may be classified as “natural disasters,” the aftermath is anything but natural. Phoenix Rising draws attention to the often-overlooked long-term impacts of such catastrophic events—not just the physical rebuilding of homes, but the emotional, financial, and psychological toll that continues to ripple through communities for years. These stories are a wake-up call that we need more than temporary solutions; we need a long-term approach to recovery and support. Mental health resources, trauma counseling, and long-term PTSD support are just as crucial to recovery as physical rebuilding efforts.

The Power of Storytelling: Turning Trauma into Healing
The women in Phoenix Rising didn’t just rebuild their homes—they rebuilt their hearts. Their powerful, personal stories reveal the transformative process of facing trauma head-on and using it as a source of strength. These stories give voice to those who have suffered in silence, and through their bravery, they inspire others to find their own path to healing and renewal. The book also explores the deep, often hidden consequences of trauma—how PTSD can seep into the lives of survivors and affect their mental health, relationships, and daily functioning in ways that last far beyond the event itself.

Why Resilience is a Lifelong Journey, Not a One-Time Event
Healing from catastrophe isn’t instant, and the road to recovery doesn’t have a timeline. Phoenix Rising makes it clear that rebuilding your life after trauma is a continuous journey, full of setbacks and victories. The women in this book remind us that resilience is about the long haul—it’s about finding strength in the face of daily struggles long after the fire has gone out. But for many, it’s not just about rebuilding—Phoenix Rising also illustrates how trauma, especially compounded by prior experiences of loss, can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Recovery isn’t linear, and for these women, every day is part of an ongoing healing process.

How Women Are Redefining Strength and Resilience After Disaster
This book defies traditional notions of ‘strength.’ Phoenix Rising highlights women who, after losing everything in the wildfires, demonstrated extraordinary courage not just to survive, but to thrive in the face of devastation. Their stories redefine what it means to be strong, showcasing a deeper, more profound type of resilience that comes from vulnerability, healing, and unwavering determination. This is especially true for those whose trauma isn’t just physical—how loss, fear, and PTSD can manifest in the mind, affecting the survivor long after the physical scars have healed.

The Power of Compassion in the Aftermath of Catastrophe
The women in Phoenix Rising didn’t just survive; they thrived, in part because of the compassion that emerged from their communities. Their stories emphasize the power of kindness and empathy in healing, and the ways in which people can come together to create something beautiful out of chaos. Compassion became a lifeline in their darkest hours, and it continues to be a driving force as they rebuild. Phoenix Rising also demonstrates how compassion isn’t just about supporting those in grief—it’s about understanding the unseen mental health struggles that arise after trauma, and offering long-term care for PTSD and the complex emotions that accompany loss.

A Call to Action: How We Can All Rise from Our Own Ashes
Phoenix Rising isn’t just a book about wildfires—it’s a book about resilience and hope in the face of any personal disaster. These stories call on all of us to take action in our own lives. Whether we’re recovering from personal loss, emotional pain, or an unforeseen crisis, this book offers a road map to find the courage to rebuild and rise, no matter what we’ve lost. It also encourages readers to seek help for mental health struggles like PTSD, recognizing that it’s okay to not be okay—and that the path to healing starts with acknowledging our trauma.

Inspiring Courage in the Face of Unimaginable Loss
Phoenix Rising shows that the human spirit is capable of incredible transformation. These women didn’t just go through their hardships; they grew from them. Their journeys inspire readers to see that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward. Their courage is a beacon for anyone looking for the strength to face their own struggles with the same grace and determination. Phoenix Rising also delves into the often-hidden mental health impact of trauma, emphasizing that while courage and resilience are vital, so too is acknowledging the lasting effects of PTSD and finding the support needed to heal.