The Crisis Files

Being the first has advantages. But what about a reality where excellence is rewarded and possible for anyone and no one's keeping score over gender? Host Roshini Rajkumar talks about one of the world's most popular sports with Minnesota Aurora FC President Saara Hassoun. Her rise to soccer team president wasn't exactly something she dreamed about from childhood. We dive into the playing field of gender in sports management. Saara shares insights for how to saturate the pipeline so no great candidate goes unturned. Find out some statistics about who's investing in women's teams on gut feelings that are paying off. Hint: Geico and Delta Dental are in on the action.

What would you do with one entire day away from work? We're not talking about a vacation day but actually one less day required on-the-job. Host Roshini Rajkumar dives into the 4-day work week phenomenon with The Crisis Files productivity contributor Aimee Olson. She highlights a study across the United States, Great Britain, and Canada that showed productivity did not go down. In fact, revenue increased. Burnout dropped. And these results had nothing to do with artificial intelligence. Aimee says the real question is, "What will it cost if we don't evolve with this new trend?" The Life Done Simply founder shares ways to experiment individually or with your teams before making any permanent changes. Leading from innovation is key. Many industries cannot eliminate actual days in the office, but the ones that can experiment might just love examples we lay out in this episode. Plus, learn Aimee's big prediction for 2027.

What's the difference between sports betting and prediction markets? That's what host Roshini Rajumar asked attorney Aalok Sharma, who has specialties in gaming, sports and hospitality. As chair of Stinson's gaming group, he sees all the issues in this fast-growing field of high-stakes and regulation. They dive into why sports books care about your bets but prediction markets don't. They also cover the real downside--gambling addictions. Find out how laws around the United States try to balance the public need for control with market efforts to increase profits. Forty US states have some sort of legal gambling. Aalok says prediction markets are the next seismic shift. And, they're here now.

Imagine this: If we could correct the female health gap, we'd increase Gross Domestic Product by at least one trillion dollars. Why is it that women weren't included in clinical trials until 1993? Host Roshini Rajkumar dives into this question and more with sports scientist Roma van der Walt. A former professional athlete and co-founder of Vitelle, Roma is challenging stereotypes in data analytics so female data gets the attention it deserves in the longevity movement. Do you use a wearable? Did you know it and many pieces of sports equipment are built with only male data inputs? In an $800 billion preventive care market, this also means artificial intelligence tools "hallucinate" when female data is used. Roma explains how the female part of the population can better hold medical professionals and sports companies accountable before they put their bodies and their dollars on the line.

Is your workplace prepared for physical threats or the risks that already exist within? Former U.S. Secret Service agent Mike Olson is co-founder of 360 Security Services. He takes host Roshini Rajkumar through insights from his 20-year career protecting people and organizations and explains how Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) can bridge critical security gaps. They explore how to recognize warning signs, strengthen reporting systems, and navigate the high stakes of cyber security. Packed with actionable insights, this conversation offers an eye-opening roadmap for leaders to bolster systemwide defenses. Don’t miss Mike’s essential "hot tips" because taking immediate action is always better than standing still.

Warnings about AI are dominating headlines, but how much of it is real? Host Roshini Rajkumar unpacks the realities of AI with physicist and author Dr. Peter Solomon. He breaks down both the promises and dangers of AI and shares how he used AI to help write a character in his book 12 Years to AI Singularity. While the risks are serious, Dr. Solomon highlights AI’s potential benefits to spark creativity and transform industries. Though he shares plenty of warnings when programmers don't embed what he calls a "maternal instinct" when they create. Find practical steps to use AI responsibly, emphasizing that building a better future with AI will require a global effort — one in which everyone has a role to play.

Oil is the world’s most controversial necessity. Most people never see the geographic, political, legal and physical infrastructure that keeps the oil industry producing and makes our daily lives possible. With 35 years in the petroleum industry, Attorney Urs Furrer knows the sector well. He joins host Roshini Rajkumar to discuss the friction between environmental goals and global necessity. From the foundational role of oil in products like toothpaste and smartphones to the debate over whether renewables can replace fossil fuels, Furrer provides a grounded perspective on why oil remains essential. This episode challenges you to look past talking points and ask hard questions to better understand the realities of a global energy market.

The American health system isn't just failing and the metabolic emergency needs more than resuscitation, it requires an all-out medical reboot. A staggering 6 out of 10 Americans are battling chronic issues like high cholesterol. Barely 7% of adults maintain optimal cardiometabolic health. Dan Cohen is co-founder and Chief Performance Officer of Human Powered Health. He breaks down the alarming statistics with host Roshini Rajkumar. Cohen argues we are measuring the wrong metrics, and we should be using tools like DXA scans to inform and catalyze lifestyle shifts. This conversation serves as a call to action for anyone ready to move the needle on their internal health. It’s a long road to recovery, but the change can start today.

Marking her landmark 30th anniversary covering college football, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reveals the greatest victories are often won off the field. From Azzi Fudd’s injuries at UConn to the resilience of players like Fernando Mendoza, Holly dives into why she loves the "crisis" of sports. Host Roshini Rajkumar asks Holly Rowe how she became Holly Rowe. Would you believe a childhood passion launched a "dream-come-true" career and a platform for trailblazing? Get a front-row seat to the unforgettable moments and grit required to overcome the odds. Yet, there's one major sporting event eluding this trailblazer, which may require a network negotiation between ABC and NBC. Find out about that and which sporting win she calls one of a kind in her lifetime.

What is fact and what is fiction? In an era where the truth is easily manipulated, defining objective reality is more challenging than ever. To help navigate the convergence of calamities, host Roshini Rajkumar dives deep into the forces blurring perceptions with public affairs and crisis strategist John Blackshaw. From the impact of personal belief systems and the "conglomeratization" of media to AI, John and Roshini examine how these elements work in tandem to undermine the quality of facts. When digital echo chambers prioritize engagement over accuracy, they suggest we reflect on our own information-gathering habits and the ethics of media "spin." Together, John and Roshini suggest a path forward rooted in high moral standards, honest journalism and a commitment to transparent conversations.