April 16, 2020
01. Trump Blames WHO for Pandemic
02. We May Be Social Distancing Until 2022
03. Women Leaders Better at Handling Pandemic
04. Risky Voting: Mail-In Ballots Are the Only Safe Option
05. Uncoupling After COVID: How the Virus Is Changing Divorce
06. Interview the Singing Tree Lady for Earth Day or Arbor Day
07. Hypnotist Uses Zoom to Send Healing During Coronavirus
08. Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2 Choices
09. How to Create Structure and Purpose in a Pandemic
10. Gun Sales Surge as Coronavirus Spreads
11. This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID Complications
12. How to Boost Your Immune System
13. Changing Careers Now: Tips from a Pro
14. Book This Guest If You’ve Ever Crammed for a Test!
15. Don’t Toss Out These 5 Keepsakes for Your Kids
16. When You Can’t Go Out, Go Inward
17. From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-Healing Secrets
18. How to Become Supernatural
19. Lady Rancher Helps Women Over 40 Wrangle Their Best Lives
20. ‘Little House’ Cast Reunites for Fans Online
1.==> Trump Blames WHO for Pandemic
President Donald Trump stunned world leaders and health
experts on Tuesday when he announced he was halting
funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the
middle of the global coronavirus pandemic. Trump
accuses the organization of mismanaging the spread of
the novel coronavirus and of not acting quickly enough
to investigate the virus when it first emerged in
China. But Thomas J. Bollyky says it’s not WHO’s fault
that Trump didn’t prepare for the pandemic. Thomas J.
Bollyky is director of the global health program and
senior fellow for global health, economics, and
development at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
He is also an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown
University. Bollyky is the author of “Plagues and the
Paradox of Progress: Why the World Is Getting Healthier
in Worrisome Ways” and the founder and managing editor
of Think Global Health, an online magazine that
examines the ways health shapes economies, societies,
and everyday lives around the world. Contact him at
(202) 509-8517; tbollyky@cfr.org
2. ==> We May Be Social Distancing Until 2022
This may be the new normal for quite a while. The U.S.
may have to endure social distancing measures — such
as stay-at-home orders and school closures — until
2022 unless critical care capacity is increased
substantially or a treatment or vaccine becomes
available. That news comes from researchers at the
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who published
their findings in the journal Science on Tuesday. Their
findings directly contradict research being touted by
the White House that suggests the pandemic may stop
this summer. “If intermittent distancing is the
approach that’s chosen, it may be necessary to do it
for several years, which is obviously a very long
time,” says Dr. Marc Lipsitch, an author on the study
and an epidemiology professor at the Harvard School of
Public Health. The report also predicts the virus will
come roaring back fairly quickly once restrictions are
lifted and that a resurgence in contagion could be
possible as late as 2024. Contact Dr. Marc Lipsitch at
(617) 432-4559; mlipsit@hsph.harvard.edu
3. ==> Women Leaders Better at Handling Pandemic
Germany, New Zealand and Taiwan have all received
accolades for their impressive handling of the
coronavirus pandemic. They’re scattered across the
globe: one is in the heart of Europe, one is in Asia
and the other is in the South Pacific. But they have
one thing in common: they’re all led by women. Leta
Hong Fincher says the success of these and other women-
led governments in dealing with a global pandemic is
all the more noteworthy, given that women make up less
than 7% of world leaders. “These countries — all
multi-party democracies with high levels of public
trust in their governments — have contained the
pandemic through early, scientific intervention,” says
Leta. She says it’s long past time to recognize that
the world is in dire need of more women leaders and
equal representation of women at all levels of
politics. “At the very least,” she adds, “The
disproportionate number of women leaders succeeding in
controlling this pandemic — so far — should show us
that gender equality is critical to global public
health and international security.” Leta Hong Fincher
is the author of “Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist
Awakening in China” and “Leftover Women: The Resurgence
of Gender Inequality in China.” Contact her at
letahong@gmail.com; @LetaHong
4.==> Risky Voting: Mail-In Ballots Are the Only Safe
Option
Many believe mail-in voting is the best way to ensure
that the November 2020 election can proceed safely
despite the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald
Trump has made it clear he intends to stymie any large-
scale vote-by-mail efforts, but Noah Feldman says it’s
the only realistic option for holding an election
during a pandemic. “No one should have to risk his or
her life to go to the polls,” he says. “If states
either constrain absentee voting or lack the resources
to enable it to function effectively, the consequences
for our democracy could be disastrous.” Feldman says
enabling a free and fair vote even under pandemic
conditions should be the very epitome of a nonpartisan
objective and points to another time in history when
Americans cast their ballots, during the Civil War.
“It’s time for responsible Republicans to stand up and
say that there is no other choice but mail-in voting.
In the spirit of 1864, we must hold the election by any
means necessary.” Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion
columnist and host of the podcast Deep Background. He
is a professor of law at Harvard University and was a
clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Among
his books is “The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius,
Partisan, President.” Contact Shannon Whalen-Lipko at
(617) 495-4620; swhalen@law.harvard.edu
5. ==> Uncoupling After COVID: How the Virus Is
Changing Divorce
Divorce attorney Jacqueline Newman expects a big jump
in divorce rates after couples have been home
quarantined together during the coronavirus epidemic.
“Stress is not good for even the healthiest of
marriages, but it can be what pushes a marriage on the
brink right over the edge. The notion of being trapped
in a house (and in some cases a small apartment) with a
spouse who was annoying to you when you only saw him or
her for a few hours a day can definitely be
distressing,” according to Newman. For couples already
in the process of ending their marriage, Newman says a
lot has changed, from custody issues to financial
implications. Not to mention a huge backlog of cases
waiting for the court system to reopen. Jacqueline
Newman is a managing partner at Berkman Bottger Newman
& Schein LLP, a matrimonial law firm in Manhattan. The
author of “The New Rules of Divorce,” Newman has
appeared on various TV and radio shows and has been
quoted in numerous publications. Contact Ryan McCormick
at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200
6. ==> Interview the Singing Tree Lady for Earth Day or
Arbor Day
Laurie Marshall is a two-for-one guest who can help you
celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 24)
in a year in which environmental holidays are more
important than ever. Laurie is capable of discussing
everything from fascinating facts about trees (did you
know that tree-like structures show up in lungs,
brains, arteries, and rivers or that trees communicate
with each other?) to how to talk to kids about the
overwhelming issues of the pandemic and climate change
by involving them in finding solutions. Laurie is a
cutting-edge educator whose many books include “Beating
the Odds Now” and “Singing Trees: A Growing Forest.”
Known as The Tree Lady, Laurie is a project-based
learning and arts integration specialist who has worked
with underserved youth for over 30 years. Her partners
include FEMA and Project Drawdown, the World’s Leading
Resource for Climate Solutions. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 nature-based murals with over 25,000
people in schools, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Contact Laurie Marshall at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Hypnotist Uses Zoom to Send Healing During
Coronavirus
Life as we used to know it bears little resemblance to
what we are experiencing today as the coronavirus
pandemic upends everything from work to childcare to
celebrations, death and human contact. To counteract
the negativity coming at us at warp speed — whether we
listen to the news or not — the world needs more
positive thoughts and healing vibrations and that is
exactly what Mary Beth Battaglia is sending out with
her twice-daily Zoom sessions. “I’m using Zoom to
conquer feelings of doom, you might say,” Battaglia
observes. She’ll explain how the sessions connect
people throughout the world and reinforce that we are
all in this together. “People share what their
quarantine is like, where to get groceries and what
helps them stay calm,” she says. Invite this NJ-based
hypnosis and sound practitioner on your show and learn
ways to distance yourself from negativity and fear,
clear your mind of unwanted thoughts and use
affirmations to stay positive. Battaglia has appeared
on Fox News and offers hypnosis tips on her show
Conversations with Joan. “Transformation Through
Hypnosis: Relax, Clear Your Mind & Step Into Your
Power,” is her new book. Contact Mary Beth Battaglia at
(833) 732-2333; marybethpeace@gmail.com
8. ==> Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2
Choices
All things in life — our challenges, decisions, and
efforts — involve making “Just 2 Choices.” Do we
answer yes or no? Do we move ahead or stay put? Do we
like or dislike something? Even as the pandemic forces
many changes on society, we can still be empowered and
even comforted by this binary concept. That’s the
message of radio host Rico Racosky, author of the
bestselling book “Just 2 Choices,” who will help your
listeners navigate today’s new reality. Whether he’s
talking about moving your life from uncertainty to
clarity (When will it be safe to go out? Will our jobs
ever be the same?) or replacing doubt with peace of
mind (believing that we’ll return to the familiar, the
fun and the free) rests with two options to choose
from. Known as America’s “New Story Guy,” Rico can also
help listeners obtain his free downloads that promote
clear thinking. Contact him at (730) 572-1322;
rracosky@rtirguests
9. ==> How to Create Structure and Purpose in a
Pandemic
There is a heaviness that seems to have descended on us
as we wait out the storm of COVID-19. Millions of us
are staying home and finding ourselves without a
schedule or a place to go. We can get up any time we
want (assuming we don’t have pets or little children
clamoring for our attention) and in addition to lack of
income, many of us are feeling lethargic. Bary Fleet, a
retired minister and psychologist, says one of the best
things we can do for ourselves is to create a
structure. “The night before, make a plan for the next
day. Get up at the same time each day; eat at scheduled
times, and perhaps most importantly, set goals for
yourself. Identify a project to tackle. Giving
ourselves structure and purpose on a daily basis is
critical in these uncertain times to avoid depression
and lethargy.” Bary Fleet is the author of “Move into
Your Magnificence: 101 Invitations to a Life of Passion
and Joy.” Contact him at (410) 301-8240;
Bary@DrBaryFleet.com
10. ==> Gun Sales Surge as Coronavirus Spreads
The coronavirus has a lot of people scared,
particularly residents in states where the virus is
gaining the most ground. While some people buying guns
are old-hands worried that supplies might dry up, many
of these buyers are first-timers. Invite Chris Bird to
educate your audience about gun safety and self-
defense. A sought-after expert on gun rights and
personal protection, Chris can answer: Why are gun
sales skyrocketing? Do we really need guns more than
ever? Why are methods of observation as important as
one’s weapon? With 30-plus years of firearm safety
experience, Chris Bird is the author of several books
including “Surviving a Mass Killer Rampage,” “The
Concealed Handgun Manual” and “Thank God I Had a Gun!”
Have your listeners call in during the interview with
their gun questions. Contact Chris Bird at (210)
686-4440; cbird@rtirguests.com
11. ==> This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID
Complications
You have probably heard that people with certain health
conditions are more likely to fare poorly if they
contract coronavirus. But did you know that among those
diseases is one that many people do not even know they
have? It’s true; more than 7 million people don’t know
they have diabetes out of the 30 million adults who
have the condition. That is why it is more important
than ever to educate the public about diabetes and how
to manage it with the expert guidance of Nadia Al-
Samarrie, a leading patient advocate in the diabetes
community. Nadia is editor-in-chief of Diabetes Health,
a 400,000-circulation magazine used in hospitals,
diabetes classes and doctors’ offices as an educational
resource for patients, and her AskNadia column is
ranked No. 1 by Google as her DiabetesHealth.com
website. Nadia is also the author of “Sugar Happy: Your
Diabetes Health Guide in Achieving Your Best Blood
Sugars” and “Letting Go of Your Diabetes Complication
Fears.” She has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and
other major cable networks. Contact her at (415)
741-3545; nalsamarrie@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Boost Your Immune System
No one wants to get sick, especially in the middle of a
pandemic. But frankly, most of us don’t think about
revving up our immune system until news about the
consequences of not doing so reach a fevered pitch.
Angela Andalcio-Holtz, author of “Beyond Your Numbers,
Connect the Pieces to a Path of Amazing Health,” says
we need to change that attitude. Invite her on your
show to discuss lifestyle habits that nurture your
brain and body, fun ways to move more to raise your
immunity at a time when gyms are closed and planned
activities have been curtailed, and a lab test that can
indicate what supplements and foods you need to
maximize your unique health. You’ll learn what to look
for on food labels and how to make recipes that heal.
Angela Andalcio-Holtz is a clinical medical
technologist and health coach. Contact her at (630)
329-1095; myuniquepathway@yahoo.com
13. ==> Changing Careers Now: Tips from a Pro
Millions of Americans are now out of work. Some won’t
have a job to return to after the pandemic, while
others may find their previous career no longer serves
their needs. Geraldine Hogan will offer tips for anyone
who wants — or needs — to apply their skills in a new
direction. She has already helped thousands of
educators; business professionals and entrepreneurs
explore new opportunities. She can talk about her own
career journey as well. Learn three simple, life-
changing questions to ask before making any career
move, whether salary should guide your decision, and
how to overcome obstacles, hesitation and fear of the
unknown. Geraldine is a former educator, attorney and
judge and the author of “Career Moves for Teachers and
Other Professionals: Strategies for a Successful Job
Change.” Contact Geraldine Hogan at (305) 902-3869;
ghogan@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Book This Guest If You’ve Ever Crammed for a
Test!
Have you ever crammed for a test? How about your kids?
Chances are the answer is yes. But did you know that
cramming almost never leads to learning? It’s true!
Most students cram to get that “A” on Friday … but they
have forgotten vital information by Monday. The “Cram
Plan” just doesn’t work long-term. Interview Lee
Jenkins, educator, administrator and author of “How to
Create a Perfect School,” so he can explain how a
“perfect school” is possible when we take away the
cramming game that teachers and students play.
According to Lee, it’s easier than you think to solve
the educational dilemma in this country by getting rid
of cramming, once and for all. Lee Jenkins has been an
educator and administrator both in public schools and
universities. Contact him at (484) 306-8784;
LJenkins@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Don’t Toss Out These 5 Keepsakes for Your Kids
Nowadays many people try to make their home look sleek
and minimalistic. But our homes still need elements of
history and personality to come alive. So, think twice
before issuing a blanket refusal when offered keepsakes
from downsizing parents and grandparents, advises
lifestyle journalist Suzanne Wexler. Let Suzanne tell
you which five keepsakes you should never toss out.
Suzanne will also share her hilarious story of what
happened when she unexpectedly had a truckload of
antiques from her late grandparents’ home show up at
her new house. Suzanne is published in the Huffington
Post, National Post, Bust.com and her work has been
syndicated throughout Canada. She’s been quoted in
Reader’s Digest, Goodhousekeeping.com, and Prevention
magazine and provided commentary on CTV National and
Virgin Radio; she has been on more than 200 radio
stations in the U.S. and Canada. Contact her at (514)
704-0029; suzannawexler@hotmail.com
16. ==> When You Can’t Go Out, Go Inward
The whole world is stuck at home. We’re being told to
isolate but if we stay inside on the couch glued to our
computers, TVs and phones, stuffing junk food into our
mouths as we mindlessly try to numb out the anxiety of
our desperate aloneness, a spiral downward is
inevitable. Yoga and meditation expert Dashama Gordon
says an alternative is to use this “alone time” to
focus on self-improvement. She’ll explain how listeners
can stay peaceful and feel more connected and view this
uncomfortable time as an incredible opportunity for
personal growth and change. Featured on ABC, NBC, CBS
and OWN and in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Cosmo
and many other publications, Dashama is the go-to
expert to share wisdom, practical advice, tips and
secrets to feeling happier, healthier and more
harmonious, especially during challenging times. She is
the founder of Pranashama Yoga Institute and the author
of five books including “Journey to Joyful.” Contact
Dashama Gordon at (808) 283-2646; dashama@dashama.com
17. ==> From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-
Healing Secrets
Countless people in your audience (and studio) are
dealing with diseases and health challenges they never
expected, and which hit them seemingly out of the blue.
What do you do when such life-impacting issues strike
with little warning? First, you can feel confident and
empowered that we humans have innate abilities to begin
self-healing and strengthening. So says acclaimed
physician and speaker Nelie Johnson, M.D., initiator of
the forum It’s Time to Heal, which offers an
integrative approach to treating illness. Invite this
outspoken expert on-air to hear her advice for health
and longer life. Learn why self-healing is so powerful
and necessary, what kind of messages we receive from
our bodies and the link between emotions and disease.
Dr. Johnson’s latest book is “The Healing Message of
Illness.” Contact Dr. Nelie Johnson at (604) 334-3853;
njohnson@rtirguests.com
18. ==> How to Become Supernatural
The supernatural isn’t just the stuff of sci-fi movies.
According to Kim Chestney, we all possess these powers.
“A popular theme in our culture today is the cognitive
evolution of humanity — how the expansion of our
consciousness can give us the ability to know the
unknowable and experience the impossible,” she says.
Kim will share the simple yet powerful ways that you
can tap into your superpower and radically change your
life. The founder of IntuitionLab, Kim is the author of
“The Psychic Workshop” and the upcoming “Radical
Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide to Your Inner Power.”
Contact her at (412) 214-9502; KChestney@rtirguests.com
19. ==> Lady Rancher Helps Women Over 40 Wrangle Their
Best Lives
Like many women over 40, Sandra Matheson found herself
at a daunting crossroads. She was divorced, unable to
continue her career as a veterinarian due to work-
related chemical sensitivities and stuck with a money-
losing farm. But she managed to turn lemons into
lemonade by rebuilding her farm, which became a
metaphor for her life. “Just as a farmer grows crops,
you can make the choice to grow your dreams after 40,”
she says. “The main focus has to be on silencing your
inner critic.” Sandra is a co-host of New Cowgirl
Camps, which teach women about farming and ranching,
each June and August in Cheney, Wash. She is also the
author of the upcoming book “Thrive After 40 ? How to
Seize the Life of Your Dreams!” Contact Sandra at (360)
325-4221; smatheson@rtirguests.com
20. ==> ‘Little House’ Cast Reunites for Fans Online
Just like everyone else, Alison Arngrim is social
distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. With no
work, and stuck at home, the actress who played Nellie
Oleson on “Little House on the Prairie” decided she
needed to do something. “I decided to read ALL the
Little House books, the complete works of Laura Ingalls
Wilder, all NINE books,” she says. “I knew it would
make me feel better, but then I thought, why keep it to
myself? I decided to read the books in order, LIVE on
Facebook, a chapter or two at a time, every single day
… while wearing a bonnet!” The response from friends
and fans has been overwhelming with people posting
pictures of themselves in bonnets reading the books.
Many tell her how much they enjoy it and how calming
and reassuring the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder are at
a time like this. Dean Butler, who played Almanzo
Wilder, has already joined her and several cast members
will also appear in the coming weeks. Alison Arngrim is
an author, activist, and stand-up comedian. She
currently serves as the president, national
spokesperson, and founding board member of The National
Association to Protect Children. Contact Harlan Boll at
(626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com
Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com
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