June 2, 2020
- Are Extremists Inciting Violence at Rallies? White Nationalists or Antifa?
- Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts
- ACLU Creates App to Help People Record Police Misconduct
- George Floyd’s Murder: Are We Ready to Listen?
- How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids about Racism
- Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf Whistle Violence
- ‘Why I Forgave My Son’s Murderers’
- Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and Sobriety
- The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives
- Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now
- How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage
- 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in Pandemic Times
- World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using Ingredients in Your Kitchen
- 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic Overload
- ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film and TV Series
1.==> Are Extremists Inciting Violence at Rallies? White Nationalists or Antifa?
As demonstrations over George Floyd’s death spread
across the country, many peaceful protests are turning
violent. Some say extremists are behind the mayhem, but
which ones? Some point to white nationalists but
others, like President Trump, blame a group called
Antifa. Short for anti-fascists, Antifa’s roots can be
traced to Nazi Germany and Anti-Fascist Action, a
militant group founded in the 1980s in the United
Kingdom. “Modern-day Antifa members have become more
active in making themselves known at public rallies and
within the progressive movement,” says Brian Levin,
director of the Center for the Study of Hate and
Extremism at California State University, San
Bernardino. “What they’re trying to do now is not only
become prominent through violence at these high-profile
rallies, but also to reach out through small meetings
and through social networking to cultivate
disenfranchised progressives who heretofore were
peaceful.” Levin says Antifa activists feel the need to
partake in violence because “they believe that elites
are controlling the government and the media. So, they
need to make a statement head-on against the people who
they regard as racist.” Brian Levin is a criminologist
and civil rights attorney who specializes in analysis
of hate crime, terrorism and legal issues. He has
appeared on every network and cable television evening
news broadcast and various network magazine shows on
the subjects of civil rights, criminal law, and
extremism. Contact him at (909) 537-7711;
Blevin8@aol.com
- ==> Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts
Watching the unsettling video of George Floyd crying
out for his mother while gasping for air is disturbing,
to say the least. So are the scenes from violent
protests around the country. Witnessing acts of racism
can produce fear, anger and outrage, but even those who
don’t take to the streets can experience significant
emotional distress. Experts call it “vicarious racism”
and say you can witness it in person or via video,
radio or social media. And you don’t have to be the
victim to be harmed. “I think of it as like a
secondhand racism, similar to secondhand smoke,” says
Chicago pediatrician Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, who chairs
the minority health, equity and inclusion committee of
the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Some people think
only black and brown folks who see themselves as
potential victims will identify and experience health
impacts,” Heard-Garris says. “But we have data that
shows despite color, if a person is exposed to racism,
it hurts them too. It really actually hurts all of us.”
Heard-Garris studies the impact of vicarious racism on
health, especially children’s health. She says
observing racism in the media or hearing about it from
friends may transmit trauma to children as they imagine
their parents, siblings or even themselves in place of
the target. “The biggest kind of health impacts are the
behavioral health issues,” Heard-Garris says. “Some
kids will show aggression and other negative behaviors.
Others will go within and be socially withdrawn, be
distant from others and not seek help when they really
need it.” Contact Jon Yates at (847) 491-4892;
jon.yates@northwestern.edu
- ==> ACLU Creates App to Help People Record Police
Misconduct
The American Civil Liberties Union is encouraging
protesters and others to use the group’s Mobile Justice
app to document their interactions with police in case
the situation escalates. Marcus Benigno, a spokesperson
for the ACLU in Southern California, says it could come
in handy during ongoing protests over police
misconduct. “There is no doubt that moments like these
highlight the importance of the app,” Benigno says.
“Without a video of the unfortunate and tragic
incident, we probably wouldn’t even know George Floyd’s
name.” The ACLU first released the Mobile Justice app
in 2015. Videos are automatically uploaded to the
organization’s server to ensure they are saved even if
a phone is seized or destroyed. The American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization
founded in 1920 “to defend and preserve the individual
rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this
country by the Constitution and laws of the United
States.” Contact Marcus Benigno at (213) 977-5252;
communications@aclusocal.org
4.==> George Floyd’s Murder: Are We Ready to Listen?
In Minneapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and
other cities protestors have been taking to the streets
to ensure that George Floyd’s death is not forgotten.
Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed black man who died on
a Minneapolis street under the knee of a white police
officer, is the latest in an unending string of people
who were dehumanized and attacked for being black. As
anger and emotions run high across the country,
interview black journalist Nita Wiggins who says the
only way to turn down the heat is to Listen to Others
as we would have them listen to us. She’ll talk about
ways to accomplish that. An experienced interviewer and
professor of journalism, Nita is the author of “Civil
Rights Baby,” a book in which she describes the harm
she suffered when she was not heard on the job. Contact
her at nita@nitawiggins.com
- ==> How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids about
Racism
As protests and riots continue across the country in
the wake of George Floyd’s death, parents across the
country are figuring out how to talk to their children
about the protests and about fighting racism. For
African American families, the discussions are likely
nothing new, but in white families, particularly those
who have tried to bring up children to be “colorblind,”
it can be particularly difficult. For white parents who
may not feel confident speaking with their children
about race, or who may not feel as if they have all the
answers, this can be an opportunity to learn with your
children, according to Margaret Hagerman, a sociologist
and the author of “White Kids: Growing Up With
Privilege in a Racially Divided America.” “In order to
understand the present, we have to understand the past,
and it might mean that you don’t know all the answers
and you don’t feel confident even talking about this
with your children. But that means that you could do
some work to learn the answers to these questions,” she
says. “You can take the time to read up on this and
this could be something even that you do with your
children.” Margaret A. Hagerman teaches sociology at
Mississippi State University She studies racial
socialization, or how kids learn about racism, racial
inequality, and racial privilege in the context of
their everyday lives. Contact Haberman at
mah1125@msstate.edu; @maggiehagerman
- ==> Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf
Whistle Violence
For some Americans, President Trump’s language is
incendiary garbage. But does it actually elicit acts of
violence? While nobody would label Trump a gifted
orator, what he says has power and renowned
communication expert Helio Fred Garcia says his
dangerous rhetoric has motivated lone wolves to commit
violence. Invite the author of “Words On Fire: The
Power of Incendiary Language and How to Confront It” to
discuss the language President Trump uses that
conditions an audience to accept, condone, and commit
violence against a targeted group, rival, or critic and
the history of such rhetoric. He’ll explain “lone-wolf
whistle violence” — a term he coined to describe
rhetoric that provokes violence on the model of “dog
whistle” politics, where politicians use coded language
that conveys benign meaning to most people, but a
different meaning to members of a certain group or
followers of a certain ideology. Learn the playbook of
12 forms of communication that typically precede acts
of mass violence and how civic leaders and engaged
citizens can hold leaders accountable to prevent such
harm. Helio Fred Garcia is president of the crisis
management firm Logos Consulting Group and is on the
adjunct faculties of New York University and Columbia
University. He is a senior fellow at the Institute of
Corporate Communication at Communication University of
China and a contract lecturer at the Defense
Information School and at the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania. Garcia’s previous books
include “The Agony of Decision: Mental Readiness and
Leadership in a Crisis” and “The Power of
Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty,
and Lead Effectively.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188
- ==> ‘Why I Forgave My Son’s Murderers’
In May it was seven years since Rev. Meghan Smith
Brooks lost her 29-year-old younger son. Justin’s body
was found in a river, wrapped in chains and weighed
down by a cinder block. Justin, the father of a five-
year-old, had been shot three times. It would take 18
months for two arrests to be made. Interview Meghan to
find out how she coped with the tragedy and why she was
able to forgive her son’s murderers. She can talk about
whether grief ever goes away and why forgiveness is so
important to moving forward as well as share tips other
people can use who are currently grieving. Meghan is an
ordained Unity Minister and certified grief coach. She
is the author of the upcoming book “Unraveling Grief: A
Mother’s Spiritual Journey After Losing Her Son.” She
was the keynote speaker at Missouri’s event
commemorating National Crime Victim Awareness Week in
April. Contact Meghan Smith Brooks at (816) 844-6783;
mbrooks@rtirguests.com
- ==> Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and
Sobriety
COVID-19 has caused numerous physical and mental health
issues and is creating special problems for addicts
trying to maintain sobriety during the pandemic. Even
though she’s 14 years sober, Jennifer Gimenez
recognizes the impact of isolation and stress from the
global health crisis as she works through her own
sobriety. Listeners will recognize Jennifer, a former
supermodel, from the VH1 reality television series
“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and as the sober living
house manager on the spinoff, “Sober House.” She also
appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and
in the film “Blow.” Invite Jennifer on your show to
share her story of sobriety during the coronavirus
crisis and create greater awareness about treatment
options and resources for addicts and those touched by
addiction. Jennifer Gimenez is regularly featured as an
addiction and recovery expert on numerous television
networks and social media platforms. Contact Clarissa
Ford at (646) 843-1828; cford@5wpr.com
- ==> The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives
It is something that anyone can do. It is free. It
doesn’t require special equipment. Even children can do
it. It can be done at work, in bed, on the floor or in
a chair. And it can be lifesaving. It is the daily
ritual that could save your life, yet most people do
not practice it. John Sambalino can explain how you can
make meditation the daily ritual that helps improve
your health, relationships, job performance and mood,
and how he has even used meditation to help prison
inmates avoid future crimes. John will also discuss how
its calmness reduces stress, helps you deal with
deadlines, leads to better sleep, and even boosts
memory. He is the author of “Is God in That Bottle Cap?
A Search for Truth.” Ask him: Why do so many
celebrities practice meditation? How has meditation
helped people face the coronavirus epidemic? What are
some common myths that keep people from trying
meditation? Contact John Sambalino at (856) 245-5062;
jsambalino@rtirguests.com
- ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now
With schools closed, many parents are now their
children’s primary educators, a role for which they are
largely unprepared. Laurie Marshall, a career educator
and author of “Beating the Odds Now” and other books,
says parents can be highly effective at exposing their
children to the rich world around them by paying
attention to two questions whose answers will be
different for each of their children. What brings that
child joy? What fascinates them? Bring Laurie on your
program to hear creative ways parents can be memorable
homeschool teachers by zeroing in on who their child
is. Marshall 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 Marshall
at (415) 360-3304; lmarshall@rtirguests.com
- ==> How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a
Living Wage
Right now, college students are hunkered down at home
taking online classes, most likely until the fall. But
as former college professor Glen Dunzweiler will tell
you, a return to “normal” is not going to cut it
because the way things have been done does not lead to
a secure future for most student’s post-graduation.
Invite Glen to discuss ways educators, parents and
others who care about the next generation have to teach
every college student about entrepreneurship so they
can hold their future in their own hands and earn a
living wage. He’ll share why all students need an exit
strategy and a clear idea of how they intend to
monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a
former college professor, a documentarian and the
author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In
Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.”
Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219;
GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
- ==> 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in
Pandemic Times
Life during the coronavirus pandemic has brought with
it accelerated change; jobs have been lost, hours have
been cut, relatives and neighbors have sickened and
died, and comfortable routines involving socializing,
entertainment, religious attendance and even grocery
shopping have been upended. And while no one ever knows
the future, for many it appears confusing, fuzzy and
scary but at the same time, it presents an opportunity
to regroup and focus on the next steps. Cindy Cipriani
offers tools for navigating through this unprecedented
period when life feels like it is spinning out of
control using her 5C solution. You’ll learn how your
hand can help you make wise choices in a moment of
chaos, three steps for gaining greater clarity in
deciding what you want and need and ways making
commitments can help you move from stuck to unstuck.
Cipriani will explain how to use the 5Cs in a range of
circumstances from adapting a business to breaking free
from domestic violence. Cindy Cipriani is an award-
winning business owner, keynote speaker, author and
clarity coach. The founder of the Clear Path Institute,
she helps individuals and families create healthy
relationships and trains business and sales teams to be
more successful. Her latest book is “The 5C Solution:
Discover Clarity & Confidence in Times of Change.”
Contact her at (856) 534-7070; cindycip1@gmail.com
- ==> World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using
Ingredients in Your Kitchen
Before Clint Rogers, Ph.D. spent a decade traveling the
world with the legendary Indian master healer Dr.
Pankaj Naram, the university researcher was a skeptic
when it came to alternative medicine. But after
witnessing Dr. Naram in action and watching him cure
Dr. Clint’s father, the researcher’s attitude changed.
Dr. Naram, who counted among his patients the Dalai
Lama, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela as well as many
ordinary people, passed away on Feb. 19. Sharing Dr.
Naram’s wisdom with people all over the world is Dr.
Clint’s priority and “Ancient Secrets of a Master
Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and
Life’s Greatest Secrets” is his new book. On your show,
he’ll discuss how to boost your immune system with
things already in your home, instantly reduce anxiety
and release stress, and reduce blood pressure to normal
in minutes. Listeners will learn ways to ease arthritis
and joint pain with food, improve memory and focus by
pressing certain points on the body and achieve healthy
and lasting weight loss. Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., is a
university researcher whose TEDx talk on Dr. Naram has
been viewed by millions. Dr. Clint designed and taught
with Dr. Naram a university certification course in
Berlin, Germany, for doctors. Contact him at (914)
215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com
- ==> 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic
Overload
More than two months into the COVID-19 pandemic people
are starting to get antsy for a return to normalcy.
Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY), an author, certified exercise
physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter,
has found that his corporate clients are now seeking
his advice on coping strategies they can offer their
employees to lessen information overload and feelings
of isolation. Odeh, who is also an on- and off-road
marathoner, says, “Surviving in the age of COVID-19 is
akin to running a marathon … and there are five daily
steps you can take to train for living in pandemic
times.” Odeh’s suggestions include reading the news
instead of watching it, focusing on what’s going on in
the moment instead of worrying about the future, and
spending time on things you can control like your
health and wellness. He’ll also discuss the benefits of
soaking in a little sunshine sans sunscreen and ways to
keep active, no matter what your schedule or
circumstance. Odeh is the author of the three-volume
series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770)
773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com
- ==> ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film & TV Series
You may have read the recent announcements in The
Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, The Wrap, etc.,
that the “Kung Fu” Movie is in the works! Universal has
optioned the 1970s martial arts western television show
and is developing it as a big-screen property with
director David Leitch. In addition, “Hobbs & Shaw”
filmmakers will also produce the adaptation of the ’70s
TV series over at Warner Bros. Radames Pera, who played
Caine “Grasshopper” throughout the series, is the only
remaining cast member alive. Invite him on your show to
discuss the series which ran from 1972 to 1975 and
starred David Carradine as a monk who came to the
American West in search of his half-brother. Kung Fu
gained a cult following and injected the phrase “young
grasshopper” into the pop culture lexicon via
flashbacks to Caine’s training as a teenager. Pera also
had a recurring role on “Little House on the Prairie”
and appeared on “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The
Waltons,” “Hawaii Five-O” and other TV shows. Radames
Pera is available via Skype or phone from France, where
he took his family when the COVID pandemic began.
Contact Harlan Boll at hboll@rtirguests.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