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

John Carruthers didn't set out to raise $100,000 for Chicago nonprofits. He just wanted to do something that felt useful when the world stopped making sense.

When the pandemic hit, John — a writer and lifelong pizza obsessive — felt the helplessness that most of us did. What started as a weekly family ritual became something stranger and more beautiful — a secret alley pop-up, where strangers donate to John’s monthly charity of choice, show up to an alley, and eat great pizza.

That's Crust Fund Pizza. And it's become one of the most quietly meaningful food projects in this city.

In this conversation, we reflect on the current state of journalism, how John fell in love with Chicago, and how his love of making pizza has taken him across the world. 

Find John at crustfundpizza.com and on Instagram at @nachosandlager