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PODCAST

The Crisis Cast

Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin

The Crisis Cast is a conversational journey in business leadership during a crisis. Our cast of experts review crisis management scenarios and provide resources for navigating uncharted waters. Each episode is moderated by renowned crisis communicators Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin.

business management

All Episodes

37:52

Greg Hinz - Covering The Rooms Where It Happened

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/10/12

Crain’s Greg Hinz has been tracking the political scene in Illinois for a half-century. As Greg steps back from his regular column at chicagobusiness.com, Lissa & Thom get a download on his past adventures and his next adventure. For Hinz, politics is the business of getting things done. During this visit to the chat room, Greg weighs in on the politicians he believes possess that power. Hinz also grades the digital transformation of journalism. Plus, he gives up some of names that have reported

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56:24

Nick Kass - Question Everything

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/10/04

For more than 30 years Nick Kass was guiding intelligence at the highest levels of U.S. government -- from the Department of State to the CIA, and the White House. Nick's mantra is simple: question everything. Based in Bucharest, this Chicago native is now Senior Fellow for European Affairs at the Center for the National Interest. Thanks to Nick's life's journey full of questions -- he's in our chat room with a lifetime full of anwers for Lissa & Thom. Nick Kass is an award-winning analyst,

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24:41

Crisis Whiteboard - Full Disclosure

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/09/27

The topics of full disclosure and conflict of interest leaped center stage mid-month. It was triggered by reporting from the Chicago Tribune and NPR. Their stories revealed some crisis communications assistance provided for then Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, five years ago. The communications firm is SKDK, which is co-owned by Anita Dunn — now a top advisor to President Biden. Simultaneously, SKDK was also involved in a high profile effort to assist victims of sexual harassment through the

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35:24

Crisis Whiteboard - White Sox Lifering

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/09/19

In this episode, we contemplate the unthinkable for Chicago sports fans. What if we were a city with just one Major League Baseball team? OUR team won't have it. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin get out our Crisis Cast "whiteboard" to brainstorm solutions and locations for a White Sox ballpark village. Hint: It isn't at 35th & Shields. The whole debate ignites a conversation about what works and what doesn't work for 21st century sports franchises and their playgrounds.

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51:40

Ray Long - The Mapes Tapes

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/09/06

Time to get back to examining public trust in state government, through the reign of the former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael Madigan. In this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin bring Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune back to our chat room. Ray spent nearly three weeks covering the perjury trial of Tim Mapes, who was Speaker Madigan’s Chief of Staff for over two decades. What did the Mapes verdict signal about Madigan's upcoming trial? Is Illinois getting any closer

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25:51

Crisis Whiteboard: Grading Northwestern

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/08/21

When is silence golden? That is perhaps the most nuanced question, when it comes to crisis communications. During this episode, we use our Crisis Cast Whiteboard to grade how Northwestern University has been communicating publicly, during the crises in its athletic department. Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin also interpret who wins and who loses, when you don't get out in front of a crisis. Plus, we'll answer this question: should the Wildcat football hazing story put a pause on their $800 million

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41:31

Parliament of the World's Religions

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/08/09

The Parliament of the World’s Religions is the world’s premier interfaith convening of civic, spiritual, and grassroots changemakers. It's roots are in Chicago, where it first convened during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin document the return of spiritual leaders representing more than 80 nations, to the shores of Lake Michigan. Their guests are part of this summer's "call to conscience" when it comes to human rights. In

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33:44

Kelly Richmond Pope - Watching The Whistleblowers

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/07/31

Renowned forensic accounting expert Kelly Richmond Pope shows fraud in action, uncovering what makes perps tick -- and she returns to the Crisis Cast to define the archetypes of the fraudster. Kelly also applauds the bravery of whistleblowers, and explains their peril. With Lissa Druss on assignment, Thom Serafin flies solo with Kelly to dig further on what was so fascinating and maddening about the story of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes. Plus, you'll learn the newest lessons she's

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25:26

Mark Carman - Northwestern In A Haze

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/07/19

This is a moment of reckoning for Northwestern University. In the wake of a hazing scandal within its football program, players on and off the field are immersed in a crisis. In this episode, Lissa & Thom are joined by sports journalist Mark Carman. Not only has he been studying the evolution of college athletics for decades — he's also reported from the Northwestern football sidelines for over ten years. Mark calls former Wildcat coach Pat Fitzgerald a unicorn, but trouble has been simmering for

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21:00

Mike Flannery - Chicago's Future Shock

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/07/05

During part two of our send off for political journalist Mike Flannery, we dive into his analysis of Chicago's path forward. Lissa & Thom get to the heart of whether Flannery thinks the Brandon Johnson administration can bring down Chicago's murder rate. Plus, how do the best reporters separate personal opinion from their pursuit of the truth? In this follow-up episode, you'll also learn what Mike's father did at the dinner table to catapult his career choice.

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24:21

Mike Flannery - The Ultimate Political Safari

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/06/28

For half a century, this kid from D.C. has been chasing alders, mayors, and senators. Mike Flannery, has even questioned every president since Richard Nixon. Flannery has been on the Chicago political beat since 1973, and now he's turning the page. In this episode of the Crisis Cast, you'll hear how Mike landed his first gig at the Chicago Sun-Times -- just two weeks after graduating from Georgetown. During part one of this chat with Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin, Flannery shares a patented Mike

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29:49

Alex English - Changing Your Shot

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/06/09

Alex English is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. But the points he's made as a humanitarian surpass ALL his basketball records. Alex even made a movie with Jamie Lee Curtis that earned two thumbs up from Siskel & Ebert. In this episode, Thom Serafin charts Alex English's journey from the racism of South Carolina to his crusade to stop famine in Ethiopia. You'll hear why his grandmother chose "Alex" as his name, and which NBA opponent was the most formidable defender. While Lissa

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19:50

Larry Doll - EV Speed Bumps

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/05/31

As more EV's hit the market, the manufacturer vs. auto dealer relationship road is laced with potholes. In this episode, Lissa & Thom dig into the evolution and revolution of electric vehicles. Their guest has been driving this rocky road trip for the past 15 years as legal counsel for the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association. Larry Doll sees dealers as the bridge to happy motoring. Our conversation with Larry lays out the sea of change for car owners, that may include a manufacturer

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31:32

The Fate of AM Radio

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/05/22

Has the end of a broadcast era arrived? More EV manufacturers are leaving AM radio out of their electric vehicles -- their motors interfere with AM signal reception. Now, lawmakers on Capitol Hill want to require automakers to keep AM radio in the dash with new legislation. In this episode of The Crisis Cast, Lissa & Thom, debate and reminisce the value of driving with AM radio through your car speakers. Their guest is our producer, Todd Manley, the former VP of Content at WGN Radio. For over a

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46:24

Ray Long - The ComEd Four

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/05/16

Has the "House of Madigan" finally collapsed? During this episode, Lissa & Thom go inside the courtroom for the trial of the so-called "ComEd Four" with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. What do the guilty verdicts of Anne Pramaggiore, John Hooker, Jay Doherty, and Michael McClain mean for the fate of former Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan? Ray Long says Pramaggiore, the former ComEd CEO, was 98% perfect on the witness stand. What went wrong with the other 2%? Has the jury actually sent a

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46:21

Chicago's Next Mayor - What REALLY Happened?

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/04/07

Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin gather a panel of experts, just 48 hours after Brandon Johnson was elected as Chicago's next mayor to discuss what REALLY happened. Were all the pollsters wrong? Wasn't Paul Vallas predicted to win? Why is the answer "no" to both of those questions? PLUS, which campaign had the best ground game? Join Lissa & Thom with The Chicago Way's John Kass, NBC5 political correspondent Mary Ann Ahern, Rod McCulloch of Victory Research, and Frank Calabrese at Big Shoulders

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38:44

Rod McCulloch - Tracking Chicago Voters

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/03/23

Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin go behind the scenes of polling voters with Rod McCulloch of Victory Research. Who will be Chicago's next mayor? Has Paul Vallas stayed on message? What has driven Brandon Johnson's recent five-point jump? In this episode of the Crisis Cast, we get insights on the latest numbers from one of the nation's most revered pollsters. Plus, Rod lays out what each candidate needs to do in the waning days before the election.

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23:37

Carolyn Mossberger - Dogs Go "Home" Hunting

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/03/22

One in five Americans welcomed a new dog to their family during the first 14 months of the pandemic. But in the aftermath of job loss, inflation, and a little less work from home -- many of those dogs have lost their forever home. Carolyn Mossberger is Executive Director of the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove, and she's on a mission to change that. In this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa & Thom explore some of the harsh numbers that face young pups. Only 10% of dogs born will find

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33:09

Behind the Badge - Modern Crimes

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/03/12

What's the future of policing neighborhoods? What drives gang activity as the 21st century progresses? What's on the horizon for recruiting law enforcement professionals in America's big cities. All of these questions and more are answered as we revisit our "Behind the Badge" series in this episode of the Crisis Cast. Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin welcome "Officer A" back to our chat room. He's a veteran of the Chicago Police Department with a lot to say about the city's consent decree and public

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30:46

Justin Kaufmann - No Softball Questions

The Crisis Cast ·

2023/03/08

Post-pandemic Chicago in many ways is navigating a new crisis of division. In this episode of the Crisis Cast, veteran journalist Justin Kaufmann from Axios brings his giant map of 50 wards and unpacks the next chapter of mayoral politics in his hometown. Lissa & Thom come loaded with questions about Chicago's two most powerful unions and their influence on City Hall. Justin breaks down some truths about voter turnout, and why he believes the April runoff election for mayor is a referendum on the

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183 results

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