The Crisis Files

Case File #203: Mentors Matter

The National Institutes of Health report that more than 20 percent of children experience loneliness. Nearly 73% of Gen Z say they feel alone sometimes or always. The staggering reality is that 93 percent of parents believe their children receive enough emotional support. What's behind the perception gap? Host Roshini Rajkumar turned to Kathleen Cannon for some answers. Kathleen is executive director of Girls on the Run - Minnesota Chapter. Girls on the Run is a national organziatoin that helps girls boldly pursue their dreams. Through a confidence curriculum and training for an early summer 5K, third through eighth grade girls get support from adults who care. A 2026 national survey of 800 GOTR alumni from around the United States resulted in 91 percent reporting that what they learned helped them resolve conflicts with peers. Kathleen describes why adult mentors help young people avoid feelings of sadness and hopelessness. The picture is clear: When you show up for kids with authenticity and reliability, you help them live successfully in the present and build their futures toward the most healthy outcomes.

Case File #202: Hello LOVB

Women's sports are projected to hit $3 Billion in revenue in 2026. As valuations spike, new leagues are forming. Host Roshini Rajkumar goes inside the world of women's professional sports with April Ehrman, President of LOVB Minnesota--part of US League One Volleyball. April shares how early investors in these teams are seeing a 2x to 5x upside. Media coverage is booming. You might say these women athletes are on fire--in every good way possible. But there are more mountains to climb and ignorance to overcome. We think you'll feel this one in your head and your heart. Our money's on April, LOVB, and a future for women's sports that's only begun to tell its story.

Case File #201: Spectrum of Possibility

The term autism has come a long way. What once brought on stigma and false narratives is experiencing a major awareness campaign. Yet misunderstanding and discrimination continue--even within the autism community of parents and children itself. Host Roshini Rajkumar asks Rob Gorski to unpack all of it. He founded The Autism Dad after years of blogging about his own family. This influencer's journaling has become one of the longest-running autism parenting platforms online along with his podcast: The Autism Dad. Rob takes us inside his highs and lows of parenting three sons on the spectrum--all with varying needs. Learn the difference among Levels 1, 2, and 3 when it comes to support needs. Ask yourself if you show kindness or judgment when faced with what looks like a child's meltdown at the grocery store. Is it a tantrum or a meltdown that actually equates to despair? Rob will open your eyes to the beauty of parenting where you meet your child in their world and show you what "fierce love" really means. Warning: You might need a tissue for this episode.

Case File #200: Ballot Box Blues

Media madness. Mudslinging. Money. A few things associated with election cycles and the campaign trail. In the 200th episode of The Crisis Files, host Roshini inspects a phenomenon putting the US system of voting in real jeopardy with The Denver Gazette investigative columnist and radio host Jimmy Sengenberger. The attack on the election process has become a multi-billion-dollar cottage industry. From conspiracy theories to violence against election judges, Jimmy says: "We have a real crisis in our elections." Learn more about what's fueling the decline and how you might become part of the solution. Plus, get insider takes on what universal mail ballots look like for states that already run elections this way. The Framers of the US Constitution held voting at the heart of what it means to be a democratic republic. This ritual is meant to remain non-partisan and non-violent.

Case File #199: Weight Loss Woes

The safety of GLPs and their usage dominates headlines. Will my skin hang? Is muscle atrophy a reality? Common questions for many who consider using these short chain amino acids on their weight loss journeys. Host Roshini Rajkumar admits her skepticism about GLPs to functional nutritional therapist Kristin Rowell. They dive into aspects of the huge black market for the prescription version of these peptides. The founder of Energetically Efficient describes the downsides when someone overdoses and why the quest for GLP-1s isn't going away. She urges people to always seek guidance from medical and nutritional experts and to remember that GLPs are not a substitute for the basics: eating real foods, exercising, and working on bone density. This conversation will help equip you against sensational headlines and with medical professionals.