184. An Alley, A Cause, and Really Good Pizza ft. John Carruthers

In this three-part episode of 'I Am Consciously Curious,' Victor Chan sits down with John Carruthers, the visionary behind Crust Fun Pizza, a monthly alley pop-up in Chicago that blends handmade pizza with charitable giving to local nonprofits. John traces his journey from growing up in McHenry County, Illinois, to discovering Chicago through Polish Catholic Mass and family dinners, and later building a career in journalism in rural Hawaii before returning to the city. What began as a simple family pizza night during the pandemic evolved into a powerful community ritual, driven by his belief in authenticity, connection, and small acts of generosity. He reflects on the challenges of modern journalism, critiques the manipulative nature of platforms like Substack, and champions the value of creating meaningful work on one’s own terms. His experiences in Rogers Park, working multiple jobs while pursuing grad school, led to transformative moments—like hosting a campus radio show and forming a deep friendship with food writer Jesse—that ultimately inspired his pivot into food consulting. John’s work extends globally, including a high-profile project to launch tavern-style pizza in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where he shared Chicago’s culinary identity with pride and purpose. He remains critical of exploitative systems in the food industry, from delivery apps to the three-tier beer distribution model, advocating instead for sustainable, equitable, and transparent models rooted in community and fairness. John’s vision for the future centers on Crossfundpizza.com, a platform that offers transparent, month-by-month updates on fundraising and charitable impact, and a dream of a nonprofit food hall funded by philanthropy that provides living wages, financial openness, and diverse culinary experiences. He emphasizes that true innovation comes not from chasing trends but from mastering fundamentals and sharing knowledge. Despite challenges like post-pandemic foot traffic declines, he remains hopeful, inspired by entrepreneurs who 'get shit done' and by cultural celebrations like the Filipino event hosted by Shai. The episode closes on a note of gratitude and forward momentum, underscoring the power of collective action, authentic connection, and the joy found in ritual, generosity, and food as a shared human experience.