The Crisis Files

Hybrid work demands, increased crime and overall employee wellness have businesses and residents questioning if downtowns are relics of the past or if they can meet the wants and needs of a post-pandemic world. How can city planners and civic leaders navigate these seismic changes to prevent urban blight? How can the arts ensure metropolitan communities and businesses thrive moving forward? What c...

Since Bitcoin broke into the mainstream in 2009, the cryptocurrency craze has turned early adopters into millionaires. But the recent bankruptcy of crypto exchange FTX and wild shifts in cryptocurrency values resurrected longstanding concerns about the viability of digital currencies. While celebrity endorsements from Tom Brady, Matt Damon and more lend credibility, crypto currency doesn’t have a...

This case file has it all: history, religion, bad optics, and high-octane emotions. When an adjunct art history instructor at Hamline University showed an image of the prophet Mohammed in class, a Muslim student complained. Eventually, Hamline decided not to renew the instructor’s contract. The University president went on record siding with the student's individual rights over academic freedom an...

When Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin collapsed during a Monday Night Football game, the entire nation held its collective breath. The NFL canceled the game as Hamlin was rushed to the hospital where he began the recovery process. The on-field tragedy parallels similar incidents such as the collapse and death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer in 2001. Brad Madson, former Executi...

From racial covenants to biased appraisals and unfair mortgage practices, disparities in home ownership based on race continue to hamper generational wealth and progress for people of color. Realtor and Minneapolis Area Realtors (MAR) Board of Directors member Jackie Berry joins host Roshini Rajkumar to bring perspective to historic and persistent causes of these racial disparities. She shares sta...

Sleep is as important to our overall health and wellness as diet and exercise, but Americans are sacrificing sleep in the name of productivity. In our 24/7 culture, sleep deprivation is a national epidemic. How much sleep do we really need? Some of the consequences of not getting enough have negative effects on your health and sex lives. How do we set boundaries to make the most of sleep? The Cris...

In a special New Year's message, host Roshini Rajkumar and her Crisis Squad share advice to help you launch 2023 and make it your very best. With candor and kindness, their insights will empower you to take control of your life and approach any situation with intention and strength. On the road of discerning what's real and what's shady, this is their gift of magic and light to you. Intentionality...

With millions of followers, big name celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylie Jenner, “Ye” (AKA Kanye West) and Lebron James command the clout to influence the beliefs and actions of their fans. Social media platforms can be used for the common good. But just as often, they can be an influencer’s Achilles heel. How and when should celebrities use their platforms? Can celebrities escape becoming i...

Do you drag yourself to work? Are you cynical on the job or just going through the motions? Employees are experiencing burnout at alarming rates. No one is immune. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can begin in the workplace and bleed into all aspects of your life – from your personal relationships to your health. Experience Life Magazine's Jamie Martin is our show's new...

Brands like Peloton and Disney can ride big highs just as quickly as they come crashing down. Messaging and management mistakes can jeopardize your organization’s reputation and bottom line. The Crisis Files host Roshini Rajkumar chats with two PR pros: Crisis Squad member Jennifer Hellman and Park Street Public's co-CEO, Brian McClung, about how to prevent unforced errors and recover when your br...

A very special Case File in which The Crisis Files host Roshini Rajkumar gets personal with film critic and our show's entertainment contributor Paul McGuire Grimes about his journey to fatherhood. After selecting the infant track, Paul and his husband Ryan couldn't have imagined the obstacles they'd face on the road to adopting their baby girl. Their story will touch your heart and make you want...

Nobody is perfect - we all screw up and make mistakes. So why is saying “I’m sorry” so hard? Apologizing can right wrongs and heal relationships, but a poorly delivered apology can make a bad situation worse. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Sheryl Ziegler and reputation management professional Jen Hellman from her Crisis Squad to dissect the art of the apology. Learn effec...

As traditional concepts of gender and race are challenged, school districts, businesses and organizations grapple to balance freedom of speech and personal beliefs with fair and enforceable communications guidelines. How do organizations make everyone feel equal and respected in a world where language and attitudes are rapidly changing? Are age old social norms the foundations of a civil society o...

When Wyoming's incumbent Liz Cheney lost her Congressional primary by 35 percentage points, it seemed the Republican superstar’s political career was over. In opposing Donald Trump, she alienated many of her constituents but simultaneously raised her national profile, becoming the best-known anti-Trump Republican. As she teases a run for president in 2024, you could ask: Is her positioning a funda...

Whether spontaneous, self-inflicted, or cleverly planned, an “October Surprise” can make or break a political campaign. From Gary Hart’s “Monkey Business” to Herschel Walker’s alleged abortion accusations, last-minute scandals and bombshells can change the course of an election. A timely and accurate response can save a candidate from the dustbin of history. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes Co-CEO o...

From Jonah Hill to Naomi Osaka, public figures are increasingly making the decision to reject interviews, press junkets and media attention as topics become too personal. The relationship between celebrities and the media can vary from tenuous to positive. Many celebrities, politicians, actors and athletes are choosing to protect their mental health and reputation by creating boundaries. Clinical...

Minneapolis Public Schools made national headlines with a new race-based layoff policy that prioritized retaining teachers of color over teacher seniority. The district claims the policy was designed to keep teachers of color who are underrepresented in schools in a district that wasn't mirroring the racial make-up of the populations it serves. Is an employment policy that considers race constitut...

As employers push for more in-person work, employees are pushing back. In many parts of the country, there are two job openings for every person in the workforce. Employees have the advantage, and businesses must think beyond the paycheck to attract and retain the best talent. Minneapolis Regional Chamber President and CEO Jonathan Weinhagen joins host Roshini Rajkumar to explore remote work’s imp...

With 23 grand slam titles to her name, Serena Williams’ recent "retirement" from professional tennis marked the end of an era and a continuation of her ongoing evolution in the public eye. She broke the mold by defining herself with authenticity, making her an approachable and endearing role model fans root for and relate to. Public relations and reputation management expert Jennifer Hellman joins...

Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8 created an outpouring of sorrow and grief across the world. The end of her historic 70-year reign was a defining moment for the British monarchy as it wrestles with its history and looks to the future. Film critic and entertainment reporter Paul McGuire Grimes joins host Roshini Rajkumar to reflect on the status of the British Monarchy and analyze what’s next...

The sports world mourned the death of basketball phenom Kobe Bryant in a January 2020 helicopter crash that killed him, his daughter, and several others. What the world didn't expect was how Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and firefighters took and shared graphic photos of the victims. Bryant's widow Vanessa sued L.A. County and ultimately prevailed in a multi-million dollar jury verdict in...

When a famous young rock singer overindulges one night, her squeaky-clean image is at stake when her drunken behavior goes viral. With countless impressionable fans who look up to her as a role model and a record label scrutinizing her behavior, the pressure is building to respond with humility and authenticity. The entire Crisis Squad is on the case to help her come out on top.

It’s a nightmare scenario for parents – your teen is making threats of violence, watching videos about school shootings and telling classmates how to build pipe bombs. Are these warning signs a cry for help or could they escalate into school violence? How do mental health stigmas prevent teens from getting the help they need? What is the responsibility of teachers and schools to ensure a safe scho...

When an NFL assistant coach interviews for a head coach job, his dreams are dashed once he learns the position was already filled. Why would the NFL conduct a sham interview? Is this a case of discrimination by a powerful organization with a questionable track record on race and representation? Does the situation warrant a lawsuit or is the court of public opinion the ultimate authority? We take a...

When the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, inked a deal to purchase Twitter and then tried to back out, the conflict played out on Twitter for the whole world to see. In Case File 5, Crisis Files host Roshini Rajkumar dives into the mudslinging with Crisis Squad member and reputation management and public relations specialist Jennifer Hellman. They explore what happens when the Twitterverse becom...