The Crisis Files

This year, there are more than 30 bills aimed at restricting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at U.S. public colleges and universities. As America becomes more diverse, critics argue DEI initiatives are unnecessary and even discriminatory. But racial wealth gaps, inequities in homeownership and economic barriers continue to separate the haves from the have-nots. The Crisis Files' go-...

Hollywood is on strike! The actors of the industry's largest union, SAG-AFTRA, struck on July 14. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since early May. Both unions are demanding improved working conditions and fair compensation in an industry challenged by artificial intelligence, streaming, reality TV and inflation. Film critic and The Crisis Files entertainment contributor Paul...

New headlines every day as the storied PGA Tour tries to get into bed with LIV Golf--a Saudi-backed former rival. Let's back it up to early June 2023, when PGA and LIV said they'd join forces after months of dueling lawsuits and maneuvering to dominate professional golf. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund backs LIV Golf. A successful merger would hand the Saudi government a wholly American i...

Our cell phones are the Swiss army knife of the modern era. It’s hard to imagine life without them. But at some point, we all fall down the digital rabbit hole – doomscrolling, constantly checking social media, responding to texts, and losing hours. What happens when our digital habits become an escape from reality or an addiction with serious mental health and wellness effects? Host Roshini Rajku...

After recent headlines from Anheuser-Busch, Target, Starbucks, and other big brands surrounding their LGBTQ+ support, many organizations are wondering - "Do we weigh in on social issues or just focus on making money?" Host Roshini Rajkumar and her entire Crisis Squad reunited to answer that question in a special Case File #50: Gender Fluid. Find out why Dr Sheryl Ziegler cautions against "group th...

We make 227 decisions every day on food alone. No wonder we often feel mentally overloaded! Making decisions can feel empowering. But the thousands of choices we consider and decisions we make can drain our willpower and leave us impulsive and in jeopardy of making bad decisions with long-term consequences. Decision fatigue is actually a real phenomenon acknowledged by the American Medical Associa...

Most of us easily navigate making doctors’ appointments, enrolling our kids in school, applying for loans without thinking about what language we're using. What if seemingly regular but important tasks didn't come so easily? There are more than 7000 languages spoken around the globe. In the United States, many people have limited English skills. Language barriers can be a non-starter for communica...

We love rooting for our favorite sports stars, often elevating them to god-like status. But off-the-field scandals can make or break an athlete’s career. Nasty contract negotiations and offensive tweets can overshadow a championship win and create headaches for managers, agents and owners. In one of the most notorious acts to affect the reputation of the NFL, then-New England Patriot Aaron Hernand...

In this era of cancel culture and political correctness, many of us are watching our words more than ever. We may not intend to offend, but it can be easy to speak without realizing the impact of our words. How are we supposed to know what is a mis-speak? Should the intent of a person’s message matter as much as its impact? Are individual sensitivities more important than freedom of speech? Comedi...

Our military members serve and sacrifice to protect America’s freedom, but the transition from the military to civilian life can be difficult. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), homelessness, traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse are a few of the challenges that can plague veterans looking to return to their families and civilian life. Resources such as the Veterans Health Administratio...

We’ve all been there - “You Look Amazing! Have You Lost Weight?” Even well-intentioned comments about our bodies can trigger negative feelings and painful memories. Society intensely focuses on appearance - often even from birth. Younger generations and activists are challenging unrealistic body standards and embracing body positivity for people of all sizes. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes The Cri...

Crises are shaking up higher education! When Hamline University decided not to renew an adjunct instructor’s contract after she offended a student by showing an image of the prophet Mohamed in class, it set off a national debate. A clumsy response from university leadership led to a Federal lawsuit, the resignation of the Hamline president and a damaged reputation for Minnesota’s oldest university...

Studies show that globally more than 1700 infants are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders each day. Exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can lead to lifelong challenges, yet more than 13% of expecting mothers report drinking while pregnant. Alcohol is deeply embedded in our culture, traditions and society. A positive twist for some, sober lifestyles and non-alcoholic beverages are becoming...

Have you ever caught yourself putting things off until tomorrow or next week or next year? Busy schedules, unclear directions and limited time can be overwhelming, making procrastination your go-to coping mechanism. But dragging your feet often snowballs, putting you in a worse position and impacting your personal wellbeing. Productivity coach and founder of “Life Done Simply” Aimee Olson shares h...

Love is universal but navigating sex and intimate relations in modern times can feel hopeless. Kinky fantasies, cultural expectations and sexual chemistry can make or break a relationship. But data and psychological research can help decode modern love – separating emotions from reality. Psychologist, Love & Life podcast host, and author Dr. Karin Anderson Abrell joins Roshini Rajkumar to help you...

Americans are obsessed with true crime! From the Murdaugh murders to Tiger King, true crime TV shows, podcasts and documentaries are more popular than ever. A new era of familial DNA, forensic entomology and digital fingerprints have eclipsed the days of Sherlock Holmes and the tools of deduction. These unbelievable advances in technology have transformed the field of criminology, creating a new f...

When U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Green called for a “national divorce,” many balked at the farfetched idea. But in our increasingly polarized country, the concept of dividing the nation into red and blue states is gaining traction. Some lawmakers have proposed seceding, redrawing state boundaries and even prosecuting women who cross state lines for abortions. Attorney and Crisis Squad memb...

In an increasingly interconnected world, cancel culture takes center stage. Public figures like J.K Rowling, Mindy Kaling, and Dave Chappelle sometimes find backlash from Americans fueled by a desire for accountability. But at what cost? How does the marketplace of and for ideas live on? Addressing controversy can devolve into a mob mentality, unfair boycotts, and punishing those with dissenting v...

From bracket breaking upsets and Cinderella stories to dominant champs hoping to cement their legacies, March Madness is in full gear! The NCAA basketball tournament captivates the nation year after year as the biggest sports tourney in the United States. Attorney, Crisis Squad member, and sports superfan Steve Silton joins host Roshini Rajkumar to talk about game changers, including the spread of...

Do you ever wonder if life is happening to you or whether you are in control? Now may be the time to take a step back, dig deep, and pivot. In this inspiring case file, host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes Small Business Revolution host and former Chief Brand Office of Deluxe Amanda Brinkman. She shares how her vision of a cosmic swirl started her journey from the corporate C-Suite to CEO of her own bra...

Experts say there are more guns in the U.S. than people. While the second amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, the shocking frequency and magnitude of U.S. gun violence surpasses every other country. As extremes on both sides of the political spectrum dig in, mass shootings and record-breaking casualties highlight Washington’s failure to act. Do regulations like red flag laws infringe on r...

Death isn’t something we want to talk or think about. But when tragedy inevitably strikes, the fog of grief can leave us shocked and hopeless. Loss can tear families apart and make surviving spouses vulnerable to bad actors looking to make a quick buck. Difficult conversations and end-of-life preparations can take the stress out of funeral preparations, prevent estate disputes and prepare you for...

Having trouble keeping up with all the awards shows? The Crisis Files host Roshini Rajkumar asked film critic and our entertainment contributor, Paul McGuire Grimes, to get real about what's real. A win usually meant a career-defining moment for an actor and a prestigious payout for a studio. With declining ratings, are awards shows and the awards they give out still relevant? How have streaming s...

Extreme voices on the right and left dominate politics, creating endless showdowns and stalemates without much progress for the American people. Studies show that divisive politicians reflect an increasingly polarized electorate and a media machine that feeds on scandal and soundbites. How can leadership thrive in this increasingly divided climate? Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes lobbyist and forme...

It’s a tale as old as time - two people meet at work, fall in love and get married, but for every successful office romance there’s a dating disaster that can have legal and moral consequences. From sexual harassment to consensual extramarital affairs, sex at work can violate company policies, make coworkers uncomfortable and even break the law. But you can’t stop love and you definitely can’t sto...