Kim Marshall Wins Gold at Fifth Signal Awards
Los Angeles podcaster Kim Marshall earned a gold Signal Award for an episode on narrative storytelling.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Awards
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Local podcaster Kim Marshall secured a gold Signal Award during the event's fifth annual ceremony. Her winning episode, titled Writing to Surprise Ourselves, was recognized in the mental health category.
Why it matters
Marshall created the podcast L.A. Rising as a way to process local experiences and community sadness following the 2025 Palisades Fire. The award-winning episode focuses on narrative storytelling as a tool for personal and communal healing.
The award recognized the episode in the mental health category during the fifth annual Signal Awards. Marshall produced the episode featuring Kathleen Katims, who is the founder of the nonprofit Saved by a Story.
The players
Kim Marshall
She is the creator of the podcast L.A. Rising and a resident who experienced the Palisades Fire evacuation.
Kathleen Katims
She is the founder of the nonprofit organization Saved by a Story and a featured guest on the winning podcast episode.
Mel Sobolewski
He is a FEMA-certified animal rescuer who assisted in the evacuation of residents and their pets.
Signal Awards
This annual competition celebrates and honors the achievements of podcasters and audio creators.
The details
The winning episode, Writing to Surprise Ourselves, highlights narrative storytelling through a conversation about writing prompts and group sharing. Marshall launched her podcast in the wake of the Palisades Fire to reflect on community experiences.
Timeline
January 7, 2025: Kim Marshall evacuated the Palisades Fire area.
2026: The fifth annual Signal Awards took place.
Culture Shift
This win reflects a broader societal trend where creators use personal storytelling to address collective trauma following regional disasters. It highlights how digital media platforms are increasingly used to process feelings of sadness within local communities.
Residents can explore the winning episode to see how narrative tools might assist in processing local events and personal experiences. The project offers a practical look at how creative writing groups are used to share stories in the Los Angeles area.
The takeaway
Marshall's work demonstrates that community-focused storytelling can be a powerful method for personal healing. Listeners interested in writing can explore how structured group sessions are used to create narrative content.
Further reading
Learn more about local achievements in the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palisadian-Post.
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