The Crisis Files

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 cyber espionage? In the technology sprint, who will stumble? Who will lead? Technologist, security expert, and OODA.com CEO Matt Devost joins Roshini to explore how digital innovation will shape the future of life. Plus, learn how these technological advancements also bring exponential hope for the future of humanity!

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 current candidates and reflects the starkly divided political landscape of modern-day USA. Steve stresses how the United States' Constitution came out of a series of monumental compromises.

Roshini and Steve investigate how political polarization endangers our future unless we learn from the past and embrace the elusive yet essential art of compromise.

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 Paul McGuire Grimes and former pro basketball player turned Bally Sports announcer Kevin Lynch dive into changing tides. Plus, the one question Roshini and the guys answer that you won't want to miss AND the new trend Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may be setting. Thank you to our listeners – may the new year bring you magic and joy!

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 and CEO of SPIRE Credit Union (soon to be known as Blaze Credit Union) for some answers. Stoltz emphasizes why leading is less about titles and more about integrity, character and authenticity. He even shared a sneak peek about what he learned from interviewing 50 people he admires across different industries for his upcoming book. Plus, find out why Stoltz highly recommends a personal board of directors. You might be surprised who's on his.

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, but the entire Navy. He shares how virtually all suicides have their own unique circumstances but often present recurring themes of mental health challenges, alcohol use, broken relationships, access to lethal weapons, or a combination of those factors. The heartbreaking realities of the suicide crisis across all populations is what he's taking on in retirement. This Case File is dedicated to those lost to suicide and the families who love them. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. If you are a service member or vet, call the Veterans Military Crisis Line at 988 and then press 1.

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 working in Tinseltown. The Crisis Files entertainment contributor Paul McGuire Grimes spoke with host Roshini Rajkumar about the state of movies and television post-strike and how SAG-AFTRA’s recent win could have ripple effects across other industries. Plus, Paul shares the lowdown on Oscar buzz and what to look for on TV and in theaters in 2024.

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 organization at risk, and what can we do to mitigate cyber threats? Andy Brown, cybersecurity expert and CEO of Sand Hill East, dives into actions companies can take to ensure their data – and their employees’ access to data – stays safe. Andy shares guidance for effective cybersecurity and lays out Zero Trust techniques. You can find more of Andy's advice in his book, Cybersecurity: Seven Steps for Boards of Directors: https://www.zscaler.com/resources/ebooks/zscaler-cybersecurity-seven-steps-for-bod.pdf

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 visualizing our outcomes and remembering our core values are the best first steps to crisis navigation. Plus, the amazing lessons Tom learned from astronaut Buzz Aldrin and professional mountain climber Jimmy Chin.

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 donor turnout and diversify supply. Host Roshini Rajkumar welcomes blood quality and donation expert Dr. Jed Gorlin to break down the science in this perma-crisis zone. Find out which part of a blood donation has an expiration date, who can and cannot donate blood, and why a diversity of donors is needed to ensure everyone has access.

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 David Horsager, founder and CEO of the Trust Edge Leadership Institute. Through decades of research and application, he developed the Eight Pillars of Trust. Find out what they are plus the only way to rebuild trust--it might not be what you think.