The Crisis Cast

Hosted by Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

November 5, 2026Episode 2825 min

Shia Kapos - Pritzker wins big. Now what?

Welcome to our deep dive on the midterms. Shia Kapos , author of Politico's Illinois Playbook joins Lissa and Thom to unpack the election results and what they could mean for Illinois politics. We have ears close to the ground on Chicago's mayoral race, and the next fight over the Illinois House speakership. They examine the Democratic gains, Republican setbacks, the economic concerns shaping voter sentiment, and the higher ambitions of Illinois' governor.

October 5, 2026Episode 2719 min

John Kass - White Sox Fever

Here comes the tale of two sides of town as October baseball rages onward. Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin welcome the great scribe and ballyard fanatic, John Kass, to our chatroom for a conversation about the cultural significance of baseball in Chicago. You'll hear some fables of games played long ago and why the White Sox of Chris Getz have a shot at going deeper in the post season.

October 1, 2026Episode 2628 min

Donna Miller - Chasing A Legacy of Service

A sense of community was etched into Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller's journey as an "original Chicago girl." Now she's chasing a seat in the U.S, Congress. In this episode, you'll hear how she plans to serve Illinois' very complex 8-county 2 nd District. Lissa & Thom dig into Donna's previous work on Capitol Hill, her vision for a better health care system, and what she's already learned from rural constituents. Plus, you'll hear the lessons she learned from her great grandfather, a Pullman Porter.

September 19, 2026Episode 2528 min

Henry J. Evans - Bombs, Bacon & Bankruptcy

This is a conversation that leans into the art of crisis leadership. Henry J. Evans shares his journey from being bullied as a boy in Brooklyn, to counter-terrorism to crisis leadership. In this episode, Henry walks Lissa Druss through finding organizational resilience, and the concept of STO (speed to objectivity). You'll hear Henry's very personal 9/11 story and the leadership experiences that inspired him to write the book " Bombs, Bacon & Bankruptcy ."

September 10, 2026Episode 2421 min

Janet Sutherland - Nose Over Toes

To call Janet Sutherland a world-class crisis manager would still be an understatement. The author-journalist is a two-time brain aneurysm survivor. In this episode, Janet shares her inspiring journey with Lissa & Thom. You'll hear the importance of awareness, early detection, and advocacy for research funding. You'll hear vital insights into symptoms, risk factors, and the need for increased support and funding to prevent and treat aneurysms. Plus, Janet recalls the intensity of hearing her own 9-11 call and why her background as a figure skater propelled her recovery. Register for the Brain Aneurysm Foudation Walk/Run here . Read Nose Over Toes

August 27, 2026Episode 2341 min

Rod McCulloch - Straight Truth About Polling

Time to go behind the curtain when it comes to political polling. Liss & Thom welcome the "pollsters' pollster" Rod McCulloch to our chat room. In this episode, he shares insights into Chicago's mayoral race, signature-collection challenges, and the impact of voter behavior and ethnicity on elections. He also discusses the upcoming Democratic and Republican conventions and the political landscape in Illinois. We'll also discuss some candidates' biggest fears.

August 13, 2026Episode 2241 min

Grant DePorter - Calling Your Shot

There's a name that's synonymous with making events larger than life. It's Grant DePorter , the longtime CEO and managing partner of Harry Caray's restaurant group. In this episode, Lissa & Thom talk with Grant his inspiring journey through cancer, the legendary adventures of Harry, and how superstition and community helped him overcome adversity. Plus, you'll hear more about how Grant is the living legacy of a hospitality pioneer. This conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, community support, and the power of positivity.

July 30, 2026Episode 2131 min

Pat Hynes - On a mission to reform property taxes

When the property assessor's office fails to reflect market realities, the results can be chaotic. In this episode, Lissa & Thom are joined by Pat Hynes , candidate for Cook County Assessor. Pat shares his journey from firefighter/EMT to political leadership. We'll dive into the intricacies of property valuation, tax assessment reforms, and how to improve the system for taxpayers. Pat uses the metaphor of "spaghetti thrown on the floor" to describe how assessments can become erratic. Ideally, property values should increase at a steady and predictable pace. As confusion and shock seem to rule tax bills, we'll get into the solutions that Hynes says would bring reform.

July 18, 2026Episode 2028 min

Lou Sandoval - How to mend a divided Illinois

Tenacity and resilience are two very meaningful words in the journey of Lou Sandoval . As one of our region's most revered business leaders, Lou has insights that have guided many ledgers through troubled waters. In this episode, Lissa Druss gets Lou to share his insights on business turnarounds, drawing from his diverse experiences in crisis management, nonprofit leadership, and sailing. Discover practical strategies for navigating organizational change, and fostering tenacity. Plus, Lou has some critical advice for Illinoisans that seeks to bring down state residents into harmony with the Chicago region.

July 9, 2026Episode 1943 min

Greg Bedalov - DuPage County's Economic Growth Secrets

Rumors of Chicagoland's death in business development have been greatly exaggerated." Those words come straight from Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage . In this episode, Lissa & Thom talk with Greg about economic development strategies and the vision for growth in DuPage County. You'll hear about key metrics, infrastructure, workforce, and regional collaboration. Plus, Bedalov shares why he and his team are passionately rooting for the City of Chicago.