The Crisis Files

Fighting fires is a dangerous job, but the biggest threats firefighters face are often more long-lasting than the blazes themselves. 32-year firefighter veteran George Esbensen knows firsthand the most serious risks are often invisible. George breaks down the “Big Three” for host Roshini Rajkumar: Cancer, cardiac and emotional trauma. All silently take a toll on those who keep us safe. As founder of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), George is driving a cultural shift and inspiring agencies across the United States. He shares how MnFIRE focuses on prevention, education and access to mental health resources because what’s predictable is preventable. He walks us through the steps firefighters and fire departments can take to protect themselves, reduce risks and build a stronger, healthier fire service for the future. The Crisis Files is honored to help MnFire fuel the call to action for legislatures around the country to pass legislation to protect the firefighters who risk their lives for all of us.

Just because you can put it on a billboard or in a TikTok video doesn’t mean you should. Host Roshini Rajkumar and marketing strategist Melissa Fors Shackleford unpack how marketers can be a force for good by delivering trusted, truthful information. With a background in brand transformation and growth initiatives in healthcare, technology and nonprofits, Melissa walks us through ethical boundaries of modern marketing. From protecting vulnerable audiences to recognizing the lines between persuasion and manipulation, she shares why the American Marketing Association's Code of Ethics is a valuable starting point for any marketing campaign. Learn how marketers can avoid deception in a world full of misinformation. Marketing isn’t just about reach. Effective marketing is about responsibility. For more insider tips, check out Melissa's book: Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Inspiring Connection.

Just as event spaces bounce back and restaurant closures slow down, new challenges are emerging for the hospitality industry. Hospitality insider Stephanie March unpacks industry changes with host Roshini Rajkumar. Stephanie brings a fresh perspective on what it takes to thrive in an industry built on people, connection, and constantly-shifting expectations. From the impact of AI and local morality to emerging trends and the importance of authenticity, she explains why managing change has become the new metric and the most essential skill in hospitality. Stephanie argues that restaurants need to rethink their presence, both online and in-person.

As co-founder of Smarch + Co Strategies, she guides clients through why personal touch and storytelling can transform hospitality from a simple service into an opportunity for genuine connection and community. These are lessons any brand can take to the bank.

When you hear the word gossip, you probably expect something juicy or forbidden, but do these “info trails” actually help us? Can gossip actually do good? Experience Life magazine editor-in-chief Jamie Martin flips the script on what we think we know about gossip. She breaks down what good gossip is and explains to host Roshini Rajkumar how it can build trust, strengthen communities and drive meaningful changes. Jamie also unpacks the darker side of gossip and how to navigate it thoughtfully. She urges us to stop and think: Does this align with my values? Is this mine to share? Drawing from her own experiences in media and wellness, Jamie helps us rethink how small conversations can have a big impact. Hear more of Jamie on LifeTime Talks podcast, which she co-hosts.

Stop the presses! With news fatigue on the rise and new outlets popping up every day, newspapers are fighting to stay relevant. What's the role of a daily publication in today's constantly changing media landscape? How can outlets thrive when they compete with numerous local and national platforms, infotainment and political dissonance? CEO and President of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Steve Grove, explains to host Roshini Rajkumar why it's crucial his brand evolves. Bringing lessons he learned as employee #85 at YouTube, a leader at Google and head of a government department for the State of Minnesota, Steve reveals the superpowers of crisscrossing skill sets. Steve also gets real about personal awakenings – captured in his memoir, How I Found Myself in the Midwest. Find out specific advice he received from his Simon & Schuster editor that led him to write about going on man dates after moving back to his home state, big-time crisis management during COVID, and the fertility journey he went through with his wife Mary.

From unhinged tirades to public indiscretions, bad behavior from leaders can make headlines and send shockwaves beyond the brand. Easy to blame an inflated ego or a lack of oversight, but is that the full story? Leadership comes with immense pressure and stress, which can lead to a loss of emotional and mental regulation. Clinical psychologist Dr. Tyler Arvig applies his behavioral health expertise to shed light on the root of these outbursts and the long-term effects of a leader's bad behavior as well as how workplaces can respond when a bad actor enters their scene. As Associate Chief Clinical Officer for R3 Continuum, Dr Arvig explains to host Roshini Rajkumar how to identify effective strategies for leaders, employees and everyone else to lower the temperature and find inner balance.

Choosing something to watch these days can feel more like a full-time job than a relaxing evening. With endless options like Peacock and HBO Max, constant media mergers, and shows changing platforms, how do you even begin to decide? Is the sheer quantity of content we're getting from streaming services like Netflix sacrificing quality? The Crisis Files entertainment contributor Paul McGuire-Grimes untangles the plotlines of your favorite streaming services and must-watch shows with host Roshini Rajkumar. He shares insider takes on everything from the contrived meanness in Bravo's Housewives universe to how shorter TikTok attention spans are impacting the industry. Learn why the dreaded “c” word — content — is no longer king and how the marketplace is having the final word on inclusive programming. Plus, find out how upheaval in Hollywood actually holds valuable lessons for business brands when it comes to customers and continuity.

As we kick off Season 4 of The Crisis Files, host Roshini Rajkumar weighs in on a topic everyone in the world was aghast over. With her unique crisis strategy lens, Roshini dissects the Astronomer CEO - Chief People Officer brouhaha. Getting past the shock value, she uncovers layers we can all learn to clear ourselves from a collision course to crisis. Whether you're a business owner, corporate executive, or just a regular person trying to live a scandal-free life, you'll find lessons you can use immediately. Roshini also shares her 3-part crisis prevention test that you can take to the bank. Plus, find out why Roshini gives Maximum Effort's ad for Astronomer – featuring Gywneth Paltrow – an A+.

We’d all like to be more productive – getting more out of every day. Old school tools and approaches to time management are traps that romanticize productivity, according to our show's Productivity Contributor Aimee Olson of Life Done Simply. Could the new frontier in our digital age mean AI is the solution? Or, is it just another overwhelming distraction? Host Roshini Rajkumar and Aimee bust AI myths and share strategies for embracing new technologies guided by human intelligence. Aimee stresses slowing down, simplifying, and focusing on what's truly important to showcase high value thinking over high-volume doing. Plus, we get an update on how Aimee practices what she preaches as she celebrates seven years and forty thousand miles of RV living.

Dreaming of an affordable, luxurious vacation? While inflation, "no-fly" countries, and ever-changing frequent flyer programs can make booking flights too overwhelming, it doesn't have to be. Host Roshini Rajkumar and The Crisis Files' travel and lifestyle contributor Todd Walker explore invaluable tips and tricks for navigating leisure and business trips. Roshini always asks Todd to name names. Find out why he cites Delta and Hilton. They delve into the new Chase Sapphire Reserve card program and how Chase seems to go head-to-head with another favorite perks card. Todd helps close clever loopholes to find the perfect prices. On the more indulgent side, what is the Taylor Swift Effect and why is the NFL cashing in on it? Plus, always check the U.S. State Department's site for any travel bans that could affect your flight plan.