01. ‘The Mauritanian’: Is It Time to Close Guantanamo?
02. Behind the Scenes of the Iconic Movie ‘Midnight Cowboy’
03. Bob Hope’s Daughter Shares WWII Letters
04. Peak into the Post-Pandemic Economy
05. This Advice Is Better Than a Minimum Wage Boost
06. Infectious Disease Expert on COVID Vaccines and Drugs
07. Nurses Are Quitting When We Need Them Most
08. How COVID Crushed Community College
09. Kids Have Hit the Pandemic Wall: How to Help
10. ‘We the People’ Must Fix Politics
11. How to Make Over Your Self-Confidence
12. Break Your Worst Habit in 21 Days (without Using Willpower)
13. More Women Are Freezing Their Eggs: What Happens Later?
14. The Best Ways to Manage Pain at Home
15. Therapist: Improve Your Sex Life to Ease Stress
1.==> ‘The Mauritanian’: Is It Time to Close Guantanamo?
“The Mauritanian” tells the story of Mohamedou Ould Salahi, who fought for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. government for more than a dozen years. The film, starring Jodie Foster and Shailene Woodley, was released as more than 100 human rights and civil liberties groups call on President Joe Biden to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and end indefinite military detention. Aliya Hussain of the Center for Constitutional Rights says, “That so many groups are calling for an end to the indefinite detention of Muslim men without charge or fair trial at Guantánamo, and see it as part of a broader movement to uphold human rights, demand accountability for U.S.-sanctioned torture and violence, and fundamentally change the flawed criminal legal system, is significant.” Other groups signing the petition include the Center for Victims of Torture, American Civil Liberties Union, Immigrant Advocacy Project, Physicians for Human Rights, Muslim Solidarity Committee and Witness Against Torture. Contact Aliya Hussain via Jen Nessel at jnessel@ccrjustice.org or @theCCR
2. ==> Behind the Scenes of the Iconic Movie ‘Midnight Cowboy’
“Midnight Cowboy” is rather unique in the history of cinema. The story of a young Texan who moves to New York City to become a hustler, and the relationship he forms with a small-time grifter, it’s the only film with an X-rating ever to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Invite Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, film scholar, and author Glenn Frankel to share a fascinating group portrait of the men and women who came together to create the dark classic of the New Hollywood era. Frankel — a former Washington Post journalist who received a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from the Middle East in 1989 — has, in the past decade, made a name for himself as the author of page-turning and authoritative works of film history. To write and research his latest book, “Shooting Midnight Cowboy,” Frankel interviewed all the surviving players in the story — including both Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight — and overturns some long-standing myths about the film, including how it got its infamous X-rating. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com
3. ==> Bob Hope’s Daughter Shares WWII Letters
Bob Hope had a unique relationship with “The Greatest Generation,” by way of the USO by providing a crucial link to home for military families. “Dear Bob… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.’s of World War II,” reveals exactly how important his service was to the troops. Martha Bolton, Hope’s first female staff writer, and his daughter, Linda, collected personal letters, postcards, packages, and more sent back and forth among Hope and the troops and their loved ones back home. “Handwritten letters were cherished. Dad received an average of 38,000 letters a week. He would dictate responses to be typed and mailed off by his secretary. The letters were amazing,” says Linda. “They had to deal with a variety of topics — asking when they were going to be coming home, and could they visit with him on the set or meet Lana Turner or Rita Hayworth.” Martha Bolton wrote for Hope’s TV specials, personal appearances, and military shows for approximately 15 years. She’s an Emmy-nominated writer and author of 88 books of humor and inspiration. Linda Hope produced her father’s TV shows for over 20 years, ran Hope Enterprises and has spent the last two decades perpetuating his legacy. Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com
4. ==> Peak into the Post-Pandemic Economy
More people are getting vaccinated and economic restrictions are being lifted in Texas, Massachusetts and other states. So, what will the post-pandemic economy look like, and how can investors and managers navigate it best? Peter Cohan believes we’re about to enter what he calls the Roaring 2020s. “The statistics are extraordinary. The amount of debt paid down, the amount of increase in the bank statements of people who have not been spending money, people who have jobs, who are fortunate to have jobs. Those people are basically like a whip ready to uncoil.” Cohan says businesses having anything to do with being socially close together will immediately surge. “Companies in those industries are going to suddenly find themselves needing to hire people and raise capital to meet all the demand, and that is going to create an outpouring of spending.” Peter Cohan runs his own management consulting and venture capital firm. He’s been a media/tech stock analyst for CNBC, Forbes and other outlets for more than 20 years and teaches business strategy and entrepreneurship at Babson College. Cohan is the author of more than a dozen books. Contact him at (508) 460-9348; (508) 361-3805 (cell); peter@petercohan.com
5.==> This Advice Is Better Than a Minimum Wage Boost
Even as the Democrats struggle with their initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15, urban economist and tech guru Ida Byrd-Hill has advice that can help women and minorities do far better financially. “Women have the ability to power unprecedented economic growth for the cities in which they live,” she says. Byrd-Hill’s company, Automation Workz, trains people for jobs in cybersecurity, particularly Black women in cities who make up 75% of its student body. Not coincidentally, she says, “Black women make up the largest percentage of the 5.5 million women who have lost their jobs during this ‘she-cession.’” Byrd-Hill can discuss how anyone can upgrade their income and help solve the talent shortage of the digital revolution. Ida Byrd-Hill has appeared on Good Morning America, numerous radio stations and podcasts, and in Essence Magazine. Her latest book is “Invisible Talent Market.” Contact her at (313) 483-2126; ida@autoworkz.org
6. ==> Infectious Disease Expert on COVID Vaccines and Drugs
Get the inside scoop on COVID-19 therapeutics from antiviral developer and entrepreneur John Gregg. Interview this infectious disease expert, who formerly led planning for the distribution of Pfizer’s coronavirus therapeutics, to hear the latest on COVID vaccines, including how the newly approved single-dose vaccine from Johnson and Johnson involves a unique partnership between competing drug companies. John can also talk about COVID-19 drugs and therapeutics, which new ones are coming soon to patients, and why therapeutic pills and inhalers are not yet available for home use but are the focus of major government and industry initiatives. John is the author of COVID-19 journal articles and is a regular industry speaker on drug development and marketing. Ask him: What are the most important factors in getting good outcomes if you test positive for COVID-19? Why are there currently no easy-to-take outpatient medications for COVID-19 like tablets or inhalers? Contact John Gregg at (917) 951-6615; jgregg@balinbac.com
7. ==> Nurses Are Quitting When We Need Them Most
Even before the pandemic, 33% of new nurses were leaving the profession within the first two years of practice. Why are so many walking away from a stable and rewarding career, and what can we do about it? You’ll want to explore this timely topic and the nursing experience with all its implications by interviewing Nancy Congleton. In addition to offering solutions to help today’s nurses and ultimately everyone they serve, she will reveal the unexpected realities of the nursing profession, five relationship dynamics that nurses face, legal issues, and the concerns everyone should have when nurses feel so unprepared and overworked that they may leave. An outspoken registered nurse known as Nurse Nancy, she has worked in the NICU, ER, and case management. She’s the author of “Autopsy of the NP: Dissecting the Nursing Profession Piece by Piece.” Contact Nancy Congleton at (918) 992-4616; NCongleton@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How COVID Crushed Community College
That the pandemic put a dent in college enrollment last fall is no surprise. Less obvious is the unequal impact deferring college has on low-income community college students. According to researcher Sepideh Jessica Vasseghi of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, “The issue is not simply that a lot of students deferred one year, it is that primarily community college students deferred, which has the potential to perpetuate long-run economic inequality.” Vasseghi notes, public two-year colleges or community colleges saw a 10.1% decrease in enrollment in fall 2020, which is four times greater than the national decrease of 2.5%. The primary driver for student deferments is economic hardship and insecurity brought on by the pandemic. She says students who defer community colleges often never return or complete their degrees, which has life-long economic ramifications. Researchers also note that some community colleges may be forced to close, further limiting access to higher education for low-income students. The Center for Economic and Policy Research was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. Contact Karen Conner at (202) 281-4159; conner@cepr.net
9. ==> Kids Have Hit the Pandemic Wall: How to Help
After almost a full year of grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have had enough. But kids in particular appear to be hitting a breaking point that developmental psychologists are calling the “pandemic wall.” Barb Daniels can talk about the problems children face — such as feeling saddened and separated from other youngsters — and offer solutions parents, teachers, and caregivers can use. As the author of the award-winning “Timmy Teacup” series, Daniels can discuss how to recognize a child’s level of isolation and worries, and ways to address them. Among her recommendations are adding extra family activities, such as reading together, having appropriate discussions to address and lessen fears, and sharing cheerful anticipation of upcoming post-COVID-19 months. Hear what family games and conversations can boost children’s self-esteem and enhance mood, and how siblings can help younger kids and themselves. Contact Barbara Daniels at (636) 220-5495; BDaniels@rtirguests.com
10. ==> ‘We the People’ Must Fix Politics
A two-party system by nature is an “us vs. them” system, a fight or flight system that on the brain level, shuts down reason, cognition, and problem-solving. Interview William L. Silvaneus to learn how “we the people” can take back control of our brains, re-humanize our political opponents, and break the emotional lockdown associated with politics. Silvaneus has joined with other people with wildly different political agendas to form the neutral, nonviolent, nonpartisan 5% Movement for Political Reform. Their goal is changing the political expectations and narrative of fight and flight and replacing it with dialogue and cooperation. He says, “We can change how politics works in America. If we don’t, current politics will destroy our nation. The world is waiting to see if we can; and if we will.” Contact William Silvaneus at (308) 227-3221; william.silvaneus@williamsilvaneus.com
11. ==> How to Make Over Your Self-Confidence
Haven’t left the house in a week? Living in sweats and with pandemic hair? Many of us are feeling like life is not going well these days. Yet there are simple ways to boost self-confidence, says Demi Dee, a fitness trainer, health coach, and founder and CEO of The Knockout Room. For example, she’ll tell you why you should look closely at the titles of the books that surround you for hidden messages that may be negatively impacting you and ways the people you follow on Instagram may be making you feel bad. Demi and The Knockout Room have appeared in UpJourney, CEO Blog Nation, Insider, Business Insider, Elite Daily, Bustle, 24life.com, Women on Topp, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Contact Demi Dee at (866) 857-4376; media@theknockoutroom.com
12. ==> Break Your Worst Habit in 21 Days (without Using Willpower)
Every year, millions of Americans resolve to break at least one bad habit like procrastinating, smoking, overeating or overspending. So why do fewer than 8% succeed? Habits are in the spotlight! And no one knows this better than The Power Habits® Mentor, Noah St. John. As the No. 2 best-selling author of 15 books including “Power Habits®: The New Science for Making Success Automatic,” Noah has bridged the gap for more than a million people over the last two decades with his high-energy speaking style and media-friendly message. Ask him: Why is it so hard to break bad habits? What is “head trash” and how does it keep people stuck? How do you help people break their worst habit in 21 days without willpower? Contact Noah St. John at (330) 730-1727; media@successclinic.com
13. ==> More Women Are Freezing Their Eggs: What Happens Later?
In response to the COVID pandemic, more women are feeling the need to freeze their eggs to preserve their reproductive options for the future. In fact, some U.S. clinics are reporting as much as a 40% increase in egg-banking. But what will happen to those frozen eggs including those that were fertilized before freezing, when the donors don’t plan more children? Or split from their partner who doesn’t want more kids? Or when something happens to the embryos’ parents and IFV becomes medically impossible? Expect controversy and heartwarming stories when you interview Nate Birt, author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption.” He will tell how he and his wife, like many other parents, sought embryo adoption, carried the baby to term and are now raising a healthy toddler daughter they adore. Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; NBirt@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Best Ways to Manage Pain at Home
The stress of COVID-19 has left many patients in severe pain and opioid overdoses have increased dramatically. Many are cut off from their usual health-care providers. Pain treatment expert Cindy Perlin has valuable advice for the 100 million Americans who are suffering from chronic pain, including how to use diet, mind/body approaches, movement, supplements, devices and more to reduce pain. Cindy Perlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified biofeedback practitioner, chronic pain survivor, author of “The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free” and the founder of the online Alternative Pain Treatment Directory. Contact Cindy Perlin at (518) 439-6431 or cindyperlin@gmail.com
15. ==> Therapist: Improve Your Sex Life to Ease Stress
With so many people working from home and social distancing, many couples are spending a lot of time alone together. That can cause tension in even the best relationships. One way to counter the stress — and perhaps even help your relationship — is to spice things up in the bedroom. Diana Wiley, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist and board-certified sex therapist for more than 30 years, will share her advice on how to plan an exciting date night at home, ways to use sensual touch to relieve stress, tips for trying something new with your partner, and more. Dr. Diana is the author of “Love in the Time of Corona: Advice from a Sex Therapist for Couples in Quarantine.” She will gladly adjust the level of explicit language in the interview to suit your audience. Contact Dr. Diana at (206) 448-5359; diana@drdianawiley.com