The Crisis Cast

As the field of candidates to replace Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate, we've put together the manual on what it will take to win that seat. In this episode, Lissa & Thom welcome back professor Robin Johnson of Monmouth College. Robin is the first call anyone should make if you want to really understand voters in the midwest -- especially downstate Illinois.  This discussion hits on Illinois' nation...

George Ryan's legacy is built largely on being the Illinois Governor who halted prison executions. The son of a pharmacist, Ryan grew up in Kankakee County where he launched one of the most storied and complicated political careers in Illinois history In this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin revisit a conversation we had with Illinois' 39th governor on May 2nd 2021. Mr. Ryan died May 2, 2025,...

This is a tale of two governing bodies. In this episode, we go to grad school on the stark differences between Illinois' municipal and state pensions. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin are in our chat room with Naperville's city manager, Doug Krieger and Mark Fowler , executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference. Both leaders have been instrumental in stabilizing city pensions across the st...

Funding for healthcare has reached an unprecedented crossroad.  But the path of Humboldt Park Health is secured through the tenacious leadership of its president, José R. Sánchez . He tells the Crisis Cast, "I wake up thinking I'm going to conquer the world."   In this episode, Lissa Druss talks with Mr. Sánchez about the critical role of safety net hospitals in underserved communities. Sánchez sh...

How is it that Chicago still lacks a city charter ? We're chasing the answer to that question this week with Kam Buckner who represents the 26 th  District in the Illinois General Assembly.  Rep. Buckner insists the city's lack of a constitution keeps us from any effective governance.   In this episode, Lissa & Thom get to the heart of how Rep. Buckner's long and illustrious resume led him to Spri...

After a storied career in media, Roe Conn is living his father's dream for him, as a devoted public servant. In the summer of 2021, Conn became a sworn deputy and Director of the Cook County sheriff's office.    In this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin dig into what a career pivot like that looks and feels like. We'll hear about Conn's task force to reduce carjackings in Cook...

On March 17, 2020 Lissa Druss called us together to button down the launch of this podcast. It was just days prior to the State of Illinois' official call for a "shelter in place" due to the global pandemic.   In this episode, Lissa, Thom Serafin, and our producer Todd Manley met on St. Patrick's Day 2025 to discuss what we've learned about leadership and humanity over the past five years. We'll s...

Too many voices simply complain about the struggles of our state. Wirepoints President  Ted Dabrowski  enters our chat room with solutions for Illinois. Ted's approach is driven by 16-year career in international finance, based in Poland and Mexico.   During this episode, you'll hear what compelled Dabrowski to come home to engage in public policy. Plus, we'll dive into the what can be done to cha...

Four "sanctuary city" mayors faced a grilling before Congress this week. How did Chicago's Brandon Johnson perform? You'll hear his grade from Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt .   Pratt is literally writing the book on City Hall, and breaks down the chaos of a 6-plus hour hearing on Capitol Hill that questioned Chicago's role in immigration reform. Lissa & Thom get into t...

In times of crisis, few organizations can rise to the occasion like The Salvation Army. But a $24 million budget shortfall, driven by Elon Musk's team at DOGE is putting the services "The Army" provides in peril.   During this episode, we examine the impact of massive federal funding cuts on non-profits. Lissa Druss is joined by Brian Bernardoni, Executive Council Chair for the North & Central Div...

We've had more than a week to digest the trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan. We're still processing. Who better to guide that thinking than the Chicago Tribune's investigative reporter  Ray Long .    In this episode, Ray joins Lissa & Thom to explore the implications of Madigan's conviction on Illinois politics and the broader issues of corruption within Illinois' political sys...

Here's some political whiplash. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan historic corruption conviction lands just days after impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich is pardoned by President Donald Trump. Some might say, "Only in Illinois." During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin contemplate whether Madigan's conviction signals the full closure of Springfield's legacy...

How do you find the words, when events leave you speechless? That's one of the questions that faced Los Angeles-based screenwriter and producer Amy Guth during the recent wildfires.   During this episode, Thom Serafin gets curious about writer's block and hidden narratives with Amy. This is a conversation about getting started on a book, on a film, on  anything . Plus, you'll learn how Guth became...

The midair collision of an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter underscored the critical nature of crisis response. A space Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin live and breathe. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, we'll discuss the hard realities facing the new Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy. Plus, we'll chat through the White House's on again-off again funding...

This conversation hits warp speed with Lissa's first question. Will the new economic policies of the White House bring benefits or detriments? Who better to answer that, than our financial wellness guru Ilyce Glink ?   We'll learn how to square public perception with economic reality as Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin dig into Ilyce's expertise on the market, and our place on the global stage relativ...

Serious political junkies jump right into predicting the next ballot. Listen in as Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin trespass on 2026. We invited Axios Chicago's  Justin Kaufmann back to debate the shifting tides for the 5th floor of Chicago's City Hall, the governor's mansion, and a very critical U.S. Senate seat. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, we examine what might be the tipping point for M...

You're only as smart as the people around you. So, in the midst of 2020's global pandemic we went searching for voices smarter than us. We wanted to learn how compassionate leaders navigated uncharted waters. The Crisis Cast with Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin was born, and 185 episodes later we're grateful to have you along for the ride.   During this conversation, we'll revisit the wisdom of our fav...

We close out 2024 and our fifth season with some humorous wisdom from our archives. Al Gini is an archaeologist of ideas, and renowned author. In this episode of The Crisis Cast, he shares his adventures in training future leaders as professor of Business Ethics at Loyola University of Chicago.   You'll meet his Uncle Joe, a teacher of survival through laughter.  Prof. Gini schools us on what we t...

We got a wake-up call during this episode of the Crisis Cast. On a show about problem solving during a crisis, Father Greg Sakowicz reminds us, "Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved." Father Greg is rector of Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, and gives Lissa, Thom, and all of us some mysteries to ponder. During his 40-plus years as a priest, Father Greg has fed his passion for hu...

On heals of the 2024 election, there's a lot stirring in our neighborhoods about the federal funding that may vanish. All of which collides with the City of Chicago's nearly $3 billion budget deficit.   Durning this episode, Justin Kaufmann of Axios Chicago joins Lissa & Thom to talk about our present day council chaos . Justin sees it as a hearkening back to the "council wars" of the 1980s. What'...

Music therapy is innovating every day. Yet much of the practice is misunderstood.  Clare Takash joins Lissa & Thom during this episode to explain her journey to becoming a music therapist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.   Music therapy provides the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions for patients with autism, trauma survivors, Parkinson's disease, and more. Clare c...

There's one powerful statement you'll always hear from the leader of Illinois' 2nd largest city. "Don't tell me.  Show  me." Richard Irvin is in his 2nd term as the Mayor of Aurora, and touts the city's innovative approach to empowering its citizens. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin revisit Mayor Irvin's interests in statewide office and explore his passion pitch...

As we approach the season of giving, we're proud to bring you a conversation that explores innovation in serving community needs. During this episode, Thom Serafin digs into how one non-profit group built an alliance with the City of Chicago -- to keep the un-housed warm during the winter. Beth Amodio, CEO of One Warm Coat , shares the reinvention of how volunteers get activated. Plus, you'll hear...

With Donald Trump poised to retake the White House, we cornered two experts to pull out their political GPS point out the path. During this episode, we tap into the deep thoughts of two great journalists: Mary Ann Ahern and Ray Hanania .   Lissa & Thom uncover what the pundits missed in the 2024 vote and what the next Trump cabinet might look like. Plus, where will J.B. Pritzker's fortunes land af...

For her entire life Hermene Hartman has been driven to  stand up  and  stand out . Dr. Hartman's career began during the Civil Rights Movement, when she collaborated with Reverand Jesse Jackson at Operation Bread Basket.   During this episode, Lissa & Thom chat with Hermene about how she channeled her activism into publishing as a media entrepreneur. Dr. Hartman has plenty to say about what's goin...