There's a ton of great stories about someone "blowing up" on the internet. Our favorite tale is what we'll cover in this week's episode. Matthew Serafin is a corporate strategist by day, and a concert streaming superstar by night. In this edition of the Crisis Cast, we'll learn how Matthew went viral all because of his passion for the music of Beyo…

It's true. Our guest this week has the pope's cell phone number. But long before cell phones, Father Anthony Pizzo was a close confidant of Cardinal Robert Prevost. In this episode, Father Pizzo shares the story of his 50-plus year friendship with the first American pontiff. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin explore the depths of the Augustinian order, …

The United States Oath of Citizenship is the destination of some of the brightest minds and biggest hearts that call our nation home. Inspired by the naturalization ceremony at Ellis Island's Great Hall on Constitution Day 2022, this episode traces the paths of our hosts' ancestors. We'd like to honor every family's story by sharing the origins of …

As the field of candidates to replace Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate, we've put together the manual on what it will take to win that seat. In this episode, Lissa & Thom welcome back professor Robin Johnson of Monmouth College. Robin is the first call anyone should make if you want to really understand voters in the midwest -- especially downstate I…

George Ryan's legacy is built largely on being the Illinois Governor who halted prison executions. The son of a pharmacist, Ryan grew up in Kankakee County where he launched one of the most storied and complicated political careers in Illinois history In this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin revisit a conversation we had with Illinois’ 39th go…

This is a tale of two governing bodies. In this episode, we go to grad school on the stark differences between Illinois' municipal and state pensions. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin are in our chat room with Naperville's city manager, Doug Krieger and Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference. Both leaders have been instru…

Funding for healthcare has reached an unprecedented crossroad. But the path of Humboldt Park Health is secured through the tenacious leadership of its president, José R. Sánchez. He tells the Crisis Cast, "I wake up thinking I'm going to conquer the world." In this episode, Lissa Druss talks with Mr. Sánchez about the critical role of safety net ho…

How is it that Chicago still lacks a city charter? We're chasing the answer to that question this week with Kam Buckner who represents the 26th District in the Illinois General Assembly. Rep. Buckner insists the city's lack of a constitution keeps us from any effective governance. In this episode, Lissa & Thom get to the heart of how Rep. Buckner's…

After a storied career in media, Roe Conn is living his father's dream for him, as a devoted public servant. In the summer of 2021, Conn became a sworn deputy and Director of the Cook County sheriff's office. In this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin dig into what a career pivot like that looks and feels like. We'll hear about …

On March 17, 2020 Lissa Druss called us together to button down the launch of this podcast. It was just days prior to the State of Illinois' official call for a "shelter in place" due to the global pandemic. In this episode, Lissa, Thom Serafin, and our producer Todd Manley met on St. Patrick's Day 2025 to discuss what we've learned about leadershi…

Too many voices simply complain about the struggles of our state. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski enters our chat room with solutions for Illinois. Ted's approach is driven by 16-year career in international finance, based in Poland and Mexico. During this episode, you'll hear what compelled Dabrowski to come home to engage in public policy. Plu…

Four "sanctuary city" mayors faced a grilling before Congress this week. How did Chicago's Brandon Johnson perform? You'll hear his grade from Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt. Pratt is literally writing the book on City Hall, and breaks down the chaos of a 6-plus hour hearing on Capitol Hill that questioned Chicago's role…

In times of crisis, few organizations can rise to the occasion like The Salvation Army. But a $24 million budget shortfall, driven by Elon Musk's team at DOGE is putting the services "The Army" provides in peril. During this episode, we examine the impact of massive federal funding cuts on non-profits. Lissa Druss is joined by Brian Bernardoni, Exe…

We've had more than a week to digest the trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan. We're still processing. Who better to guide that thinking than the Chicago Tribune's investigative reporter Ray Long. In this episode, Ray joins Lissa & Thom to explore the implications of Madigan's conviction on Illinois politics and the broader issues…

Here's some political whiplash. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan historic corruption conviction lands just days after impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich is pardoned by President Donald Trump. Some might say, "Only in Illinois." During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin contemplate whether Madigan's conviction…

How do you find the words, when events leave you speechless? That's one of the questions that faced Los Angeles-based screenwriter and producer Amy Guth during the recent wildfires. During this episode, Thom Serafin gets curious about writer's block and hidden narratives with Amy. This is a conversation about getting started on a book, on a film, o…

The midair collision of an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter underscored the critical nature of crisis response. A space Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin live and breathe. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, we'll discuss the hard realities facing the new Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy. Plus, we'll chat th…

This conversation hits warp speed with Lissa's first question. Will the new economic policies of the White House bring benefits or detriments? Who better to answer that, than our financial wellness guru Ilyce Glink? We'll learn how to square public perception with economic reality as Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin dig into Ilyce's expertise on the ma…

Serious political junkies jump right into predicting the next ballot. Listen in as Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin trespass on 2026. We invited Axios Chicago's Justin Kaufmann back to debate the shifting tides for the 5th floor of Chicago's City Hall, the governor's mansion, and a very critical U.S. Senate seat. During this episode of the Crisis Cast,…

You're only as smart as the people around you. So, in the midst of 2020's global pandemic we went searching for voices smarter than us. We wanted to learn how compassionate leaders navigated uncharted waters. The Crisis Cast with Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin was born, and 185 episodes later we're grateful to have you along for the ride. During this c…

We close out 2024 and our fifth season with some humorous wisdom from our archives. Al Gini is an archaeologist of ideas, and renowned author. In this episode of The Crisis Cast, he shares his adventures in training future leaders as professor of Business Ethics at Loyola University of Chicago. You'll meet his Uncle Joe, a teacher of survival throu…

We got a wake-up call during this episode of the Crisis Cast. On a show about problem solving during a crisis, Father Greg Sakowicz reminds us, "Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved." Father Greg is rector of Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, and gives Lissa, Thom, and all of us some mysteries to ponder. During his 40-plus years a…

On heals of the 2024 election, there's a lot stirring in our neighborhoods about the federal funding that may vanish. All of which collides with the City of Chicago's nearly $3 billion budget deficit. Durning this episode, Justin Kaufmann of Axios Chicago joins Lissa & Thom to talk about our present day council chaos. Justin sees it as a hearkening…

Music therapy is innovating every day. Yet much of the practice is misunderstood. Clare Takash joins Lissa & Thom during this episode to explain her journey to becoming a music therapist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Music therapy provides the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions for patients with autism, trauma su…

There's one powerful statement you'll always hear from the leader of Illinois' 2nd largest city. "Don't tell me. Show me." Richard Irvin is in his 2nd term as the Mayor of Aurora, and touts the city's innovative approach to empowering its citizens. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin revisit Mayor Irvin's interests in…

As we approach the season of giving, we're proud to bring you a conversation that explores innovation in serving community needs. During this episode, Thom Serafin digs into how one non-profit group built an alliance with the City of Chicago -- to keep the un-housed warm during the winter. Beth Amodio, CEO of One Warm Coat, shares the reinvention o…

With Donald Trump poised to retake the White House, we cornered two experts to pull out their political GPS point out the path. During this episode, we tap into the deep thoughts of two great journalists: Mary Ann Ahern and Ray Hanania. Lissa & Thom uncover what the pundits missed in the 2024 vote and what the next Trump cabinet might look like. Pl…

For her entire life Hermene Hartman has been driven to stand up and stand out. Dr. Hartman's career began during the Civil Rights Movement, when she collaborated with Reverand Jesse Jackson at Operation Bread Basket. During this episode, Lissa & Thom chat with Hermene about how she channeled her activism into publishing as a media entrepreneur. Dr.…

In the last gasp before election day 2024, we're pulling back the curtain on political polling. Once again we welcome Rod McCulloch of Victory Research to our Crisis Cast chat room. We'll hear what's changed in polling over the long haul, and what's different about each of the last 3 Presidential elections. You'll learn about how pollsters deal wit…

This week, we revisit a powerful conversation from Season 3 of The Crisis Cast. Listen in on the lessons learned from his forensic consortium. Our guest, Paul Ciolino, convinced Governor George Ryan to rethink the death penalty in Illinois. Ciolino is a private investigator turned DNA expert who advocates for those wrongly convicted. In this episod…

On Friday October 4th mass resignations from the CPS school board rocked Chicago's political landscape. Then on Monday October 7th, Mayor Brandon Johnson's made a quick turnaround to appoint new board members. During this episode of the Crisis Cast municipal finance expert Paul Vallas joins Lissa & Thom to offer perspective and a dose of reality on…

We’ve talked a lot about candidates on the 2024 ballot, but voters in seven Illinois counties are voting this fall on whether they’d like to become their own state. 23 counties have already said, "yes." During this episode, Thom Serafin talks with G.H. Merritt, the Chairman of NEW Illinois. Merritt says this is not a divide between Democrats and Re…

At midnight, Monday September 23rd — ShotSpotter, the gun detection technology in place for more than six years in the city of Chicago was shut down as the contract expired. The city council voted to extend the contract, but Mayor Brandon Johnson exercised his veto power. During this episode, Lissa & Thom are joined by Chicago's 9th Ward Alderman A…

Time travel can be enlightening. During this trip through our show archives, we go back to the heals of the 2022 midterm elections. Paul Kendrick is the Executive Director of Rust Belt Rising, a grass roots grooming organization for Democrats. Their mission is training candidates and their organizations to connect with working families. During this…

Here's a conversation that is both predictive and reflective on the potency of debates. Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin are in our chat room examine the stakes for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in what may be their only Presidential debate. We'll ask the question, "Is the Commission on Presidential Debates obsolete?" Plus, how often has a single debate…

It's time to hear from a voice dedicated to writing Illinois' comeback story. Austin Berg has lived all over the Land of Lincoln, and is one of our state's most compelling change agents. During this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin get to the heart of how Austin engages action on governance issues, as VP of Marketing for the Illinois Policy In…

During any crisis, the "cool" heads prevail. In this episode we'll cover some Chicago's most daunting and outrageous challenges -- like an airport bulldozed in the middle of the night. Forrest Claypool has held the highest leadership post at three of the most critical municipal institutions: the park district, the public schools, and the Chicago Tr…

During this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin lean in on one particular question. "What will the nationwide narrative on Chicago be following the 2024 Democratic National Convention?" To get some answers, there's no better source than Rick Pearson, Chief Political Writer for the Chicago Tribune. Our conversation examines DNC conventions from th…

Lissa & Thom have a ton on their mind. What's the Fed's next move on interest rates? How much fear has been stoked by the jobs report? What's Governor Tim Walz all about? That's a ton to process, but we'll cover it all in rapid fire. Plus, a Crisis Cast primer on the state of Illinois' L-G-D-F. Gather round for a Crisis Cast Whiteboard on the issue…

Here comes some rare enlightenment from two of Chicago's former police superintendents, in the same conversation. Thom Serafin welcomes Eddie Johnson & Garry McCarthy to share what everyone is missing about reducing crime in Chicago. They also reveal the statistics on the ShotSpotter systems that get buried in politics. Plus, you'll hear a real tim…

In this special edition of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin take us to Milwaukee and the floor of the RNC. Their guest is Richard Porter, a national committeeman for the Republican Party of Illinois. Porter joined us moments after it was announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance would be joining the Republican ticket as Donald Trump's running ma…

Lissa Druss is on assignment this week. Meanwhile, Thom Serafin digs into the trials and sentences of some key political figures like Mike Madigan and Ed Burke. Some of this lead straight to an intersection with the Chief Justice John Roberts' Supreme Court. Once again, we welcome Ray Long investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune. The two-tim…

The firestorm that has engulfed 2024's first Presidential debate is still burning. We needed a cool head in the room, to consider the aftermath of President Joe Biden's performance vs. former President Donald Trump. That calming voice, came in the form of the Chicago Tribune's Ray Long. During this episode, Lissa & Thom work through the complicatio…

Severe and sudden loss is how Kelly Richmond Pope realized her inner strength. As an educator and entrepreneur, she has uncovered the truths inside fiscal fraud. Her day job is teaching accounting forensics at DePaul University - but she is also the award-winning director of the documentary All The Queen's Horses. The film tells the story of the la…

The traditional broadcast world has endured a seismic shift or two – or ten. Steve Cochran has been in front of a microphone and up and down the dial for all of it. For the better part of three decades he's been a fixture on Chicago radio. That includes audio brands like WLUP, WMVP, WIND, WLS, and more than 16 years on WGN. During this episode of t…

From retail politics to sitting on the judicial bench, Aurelia Pucinski's life in public service is brimming with wisdom. This Crisis Cast flashback offers a fascinating glimpse into our legal system from a discussion that took place just a week prior to the now infamous 2020 election. Judge Pucinski references her presence on the ballot, and her s…

Allen Lynch spent his childhood in Chicago's south suburbs with fond memories of walks to his grandmother's house in Roseland. Lynch was often bullied, and at age 18, to test his strength he enlisted in the U.S. Army. That was 1964, and one year later the United States had troops on the ground in Vietnam. In 1966, Sgt. Allen Lynch began a tour of s…

Two presidential debates between Joe Biden and Donald Trump are on the books. The first will be June 27th at CNN studios in Atlanta. It will have a unique nod to Chicago, because it will take place without an audience on a television set. That was the case in 1960, when WBBM-TV hosted John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon for the first-ever televised d…

The timing of this conversation left us pondering pathways to change. It was the spring of 2021, and occurred during the days surrounding the verdict in the killing of George Floyd, and the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Chicagoan Adam Toledo. Renowned civil rights attorney Sheila Bedi joined Lissa and Thom to discuss her work surrounding the Chicag…

During this episode, a critical look at Illinois’ strategic players with reporter Shia Kapos, author of Politico’s morning newsletter: the Illinois Playbook. Shia offers up her definition of the city's new brand progressive politics. Lissa & Thom dig in on how she sees the City of Chicago responding to a summer full of global visitors. Plus, we get…