Sean Illing is a journalist, author, and podcast host. But his most important title is father. In June 2026 Sean's family suffered catastrophic misfortune when a storm flooded their home of six years, forcing them to vacate. The damage is severe and will necessitate extensive repairs. Sean's family—a 7-year-old (who's birthday party the flood wrecked), a 3-month old infant, and his wife—have been displaced for over 4 weeks while their home is repaired. Since they did not live in flood zone and their home had never flooded in the past, they did not have flood insurance and are forced to pay for the extensive cost of repairing the flood damage out of their own pocket. Displacement from their home has also been expensive, especially now that they need to return to Gulfport as their older son begins 2nd grade.

A family with young children is suddenly without their home. They need help. All donations will go towards the family's immediate housing needs and the fixing the damage caused by the flood.

Sean has devoted his life to shining the light of journalism on creeping autocracy and contemporary cultural trends. I worked with Sean at Salon in the 2010s and his passion for using the tools of journalism, rhetoric, and philosophy to push society forward was instantly apparent. After helping the public, he now needs the public's help. Any donation no matter how small will make a difference to this young family suddenly finding themselves in the heart of a catastrophe.

Thank you for helping Sean and his family put their lives back together.