The Crisis Files

Harvard and Boeing are battling firestorms in the media and the boardroom. Can these brands survive major scandals? Dive into the world of crisis management with host Roshini Rajkumar and public relations expert Jen Hellman as they dissect the latest brand blunders dominating headlines. Get insider tips for navigating the treacherous waters of public perception. Learn why building a bank of trust...

Cutting-edge tech is reshaping industries at an accelerating pace. Navigating that impact requires careful strategy and adaptation. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, the surge in advancements is creating unprecedented opportunities and disruption. Is the rise of AI a precursor to mass unemployment? How can companies keep our personal information safe from hungry eyes - especially cy...

As election season heats up, The Crisis Files explores the idea of what it means to be a patriot. Host Roshini Rajkumar turns to attorney, historian, and author Steve Yoch, who gives a firsthand account of perhaps the United States’ most infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold. In his book Becoming Benedict Arnold, Steve explains why Benedict's uncompromising persona mirrors the inflexibility of certain...

Happy New Year! The Crisis Files gives you a front row seat to 2024 with hot takes and predictions from host Roshini Rajkumar and two special insiders. Who will make waves? Will applause turn to boos when athletes weigh in on social issues and the election? Which dark horse contenders will steal the show this awards season? Do new crises lurk for your favorite brand? Our entertainment contributor...

The Great Resignation, the Big Quit, the Great Reshuffle - whatever you call it, the way people look for and leave jobs has undergone cosmic shifts. Workers are dissatisfied with low pay, poor company culture and uncertainty from emerging technologies. How can leaders stop the corporate chaos, cultivate trust, and ensure strong teams? Host Roshini Rajkumar spoke with Dan Stoltz, longtime president...

Suicide is at crisis levels across the US population and the military. Suicide rates for veterans are double those of other groups. To get into the topic of suicide prevention and understanding, host Roshini Rajkumar turns to Rear Admiral John F. Meier, US Navy, Ret. He was part of Command of the USS George Washington during Easter Weekend 2022 when 3 suicides in 3 days rocked not only his carrier...

It's official! The actors' union ratified the $1 billion deal that ended the longest actors’ union strike in Hollywood history. That means shows are coming back, and actors are back to promoting after being on the picket lines for 118 days in protest of unfair pay, streaming terms, and studios’ use of artificial intelligence to replace real people. But, this strike affected more than just people w...

Case File #72: CyberBlock From high-profile cyber-attacks to phishing scams, our online data is increasingly at risk. With the rise of artificial intelligence-powered hacking, the line between what’s safe and malicious is harder to discern. Plus, how do you ensure your own employees aren't the leak? In this episode, host Roshini Rajkumar asks the question every business should: How is our organiza...

Entering a crisis is entering the unknown. Panic is the exact wrong first step. Crisis is actually a form of exploration. When approached with an open mind, you might discover pathways you never thought existed. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes attorney deal-maker extraordinaire and co-author of Explore or Expire, Tom Wiese, to discuss the notion of "exploratory leadership." He shares how visualizin...

Nearly two-third of Americans are eligible to donate blood. But only five percent do. Blood donations can make the difference between life and death for countless people battling cancer, undergoing surgeries, suffering from blood disorders or in disaster situations. Every donation has the potential to save up to three lives, but chronic blood shortages have blood banks changing tactics to boost do...

In the age of digital media, government corruption and corporate mess-ups, it's harder than ever to believe the messages we receive. Studies show Americans are losing trust in major institutions such as religion, government, education and the media. How can industries combat this epidemic in credibility? And, how is trust built in the first place? Host Roshini Rajkumar dove into this topic with Da...

Every day, we’re bombarded by inspirational mugs and pillows encouraging us to be the best version of ourselves. But what does that really mean? How do you go from ordinary to extraordinary while balancing a healthy lifestyle? Host Roshini Rajkumar discovers the answers to these eternal questions with the visionary CEO of Life Time, Bahram Akradi. A leader in the health and wellness industry for m...

Marijuana legalization is sweeping the nation! Acceptance of cannabis has grown rapidly with a majority of Americans now supporting both medical and recreational use. In fact, 30 states have legalized medical or adult-use cannabis. More could join soon. But as the conversation shifts from legalization to regulation, concerns about road safety, Federal law, criminal activity, underage usage and lic...

Mergers are suddenly the name of the game as businesses look to grow, diversify and gain a competitive edge. If a business isn’t innovating, is it even relevant anymore? At the same time, acquisitions and mergers can feel chaotic and erode trust with consumers, employees and shareholders. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes CEO Dan Stoltz, who is leading Spire Credit Union through a merger that becomes...

She graced your televisions from the national desk at Fox News for years. She feared for her life when she sued the big boss, Roger Ailes, after being fired. Now, she's walking the halls of Congress and building coalitions to ensure Americans aren't signing away their rights to corporate "secret chambers." More than 60 million Americans are silenced and unable to share their toxic workplace experi...

Becoming an empty nester is one of life’s truly bittersweet experiences. It’s a time to celebrate as children spread their wings and launch. It can also be a time of relaunch for parents. This major life transition forces parents and children to adjust to new roles and find new pathways for connection. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes culture and organizational thought leader Chanda Smith Baker, who...

The wait is over and so is the strike. After 5 months on the picket lines, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted to ratify the agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Could this mean good news for the actors? Their strike continues as negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP broke down. In the face of a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intellig...

Entrepreneurship in the United States looks a lot different than it used to. Changing demographics are creating new opportunities in an industry traditionally dominated by white men. But disparities still persist. There is a lot of work needed to increase access to capital and resources for women founders, who receive only 2 percent of venture money in the U.S. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes manag...

When did tipping become so complicated? The cleverly hidden service charge on a menu or the obligatory 20% minimum tip on a receipt screen can be maddening and put you on the spot. What is the proper etiquette for tipping? How do other countries handle gratuities? Should you tip if you are also paying a service charge? MSP Magazine's Food & Dining Editor Stephanie March joins host Roshini Rajkumar...

Just because you can't see an injury doesn't mean it's not there. Studies show that one in sixty people live with a permanent brain injury, which can lead to a lifelong struggle with anxiety, depression and PTSD. In this special case file, Canterbury Park Race Ambassador Mark Irving shares his story as a former professional jockey with over 1000 wins, whose career came to a halt after his 9th unco...

Social media use among young people has spiked exponentially. In an age of information overload, social media spirals and triggering online content, these stats beg the question - how is social media affecting young people's mental health? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 15% of U.S. children aged 5-17 received treatment for mental health conditions in 2021, and the nation is un...

Just when you thought we wouldn't see a re-match of the 2020 Election, it just may happen. This week, The Crisis Files went a little off-format to focus on a very real and very current event - the 2024 presidential election. On the trail, a former president facing four indictments (at the time of recording) leads the GOP competition in the polls by a huge margin. Hopeful contenders with a smorgasb...

Pickleball is sweeping the nation! Created decades ago and named for a West Coast family's pet dog, pickleball has been renewed and become the fastest-growing sport in America. Described as a hybrid of ping-pong and tennis, pickleball has a low barrier to entry and is accessible to people of all ages and ability levels. Plus, it’s not just fun and games. There's hope its required hand-eye and neur...

Cybercrime is an increasingly sophisticated and lucrative criminal activity that costs us $16.4 billion every day. If cybercrime were a country, it would rank third behind the United States and China. From major corporations and online retailers to nonprofits and school districts, no one is immune from phishing scams, ransomware, hackers and the dark web. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes Marsh McLen...

Is this dark horse a solution to America’s mental health crisis? Sally Mixon, founder of Abijah’s on the Backside, joins host Roshini Rakjumar to discuss how her trailblazing organization is transforming lives by taking retired horses, deemed to have no value, and turning them into mental health miracle workers for humans. By pairing off-track thoroughbreds with counseling professionals, this expe...