01. Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class
02. Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?
03. Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman
04. Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It
05. What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love
06. Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone
07. Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous
08. Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay
09. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
10. How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy Suddenly Learned to Read
11. Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays This Summer
12. How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire
13. The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad for You
14. Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2 Choices
15. Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19
1. ==> Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class
Long before COVID-19 ravaged the economy, millions of
middle-class Americans were struggling with another
crisis — stagnant earnings, unaffordable health care
and the prospect of an impoverished retirement.
Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter James B. Steele says
this is no accident. Invite him on your show to share
human stories and authoritative, statistical findings
that illustrate how specific actions by Washington and
Wall Street are systematically dismantling the middle
class. He’ll discuss how government policies have
created the most unequal society in America in 100
years, why the wealth gap is widening and why more and
more Americans are trapped at the bottom, unable to
provide basic necessities for their families. Listeners
will hear the real reasons why the percentage of
Americans in the middle class is smaller today than at
any time in more than half a century. James B. Steele
and Donald L. Barlett are co-authors of the newly
updated and expanded New York Times #1 bestseller
“America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens.” Barlett
and Steele are the nation’s most honored investigative
reporting team. Their work has received two Pulitzer
Prizes, two National Magazine Awards and upwards of 50
other national journalism awards. They began working
together at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and their
writing has appeared in Time, Vanity Fair, the New York
Times and the Washington Post. The American Journalism
Review has called them “almost certainly the best team
in the history of investigative journalism.” Contact
Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099
(cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703)
646-5188
2. ==> Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?
Here in the U.S., a level of rage has arisen over the
brutal treatment and death of George Floyd that
intensifies the cauldron of anger already boiling in
African American communities. Now, many people from all
aspects of our society are finally “getting” the deep
realities of discrimination and brutal treatment
minorities, especially young black men, have endured at
the hands of rogue cops using their power and position
wrongly. Myke Merrill, (D-Minn.) says terror, rage and
exhaustion are not bad emotions, in and of themselves,
but are responses to how an individual, or a society,
perceives what is happening. Ask the author of “Why Do
People Act That Way? (And What Can I Do About It?)”:
What can be done about cultural foundations that run
hundreds of years deep? Especially when no one seems to
know exactly what courses of action might bring about
the desired changes? Dr. Myke will engage your audience
in the first clear step: finding the language to talk
and listen effectively about these strong emotions. The
author of 22 books, Dr. Myke was a panelist on the
national television show Ask the Pastor for 18 years.
Contact him at inquiries@drmyke.com or (585) 615-6383
3. ==> Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman
As recent protests over the police killing of George
Floyd grew, President Donald Trump belittled governors
for not cracking down on demonstrators hard enough.
Trump suggested calling in the military to help clear
cities of protesters and enlisted the National Guard to
disperse demonstrators in D.C. by throwing tear gas
into the peaceful crowd. But Stephen M. Walt says
Trump’s use of violence and division isn’t a signal of
his authority — it’s a sign of his desperation. He
says, “Indeed, Trump has every reason to want the level
of violence to get worse, both to distract us from his
other failures and to convince Americans that they are
facing a massive threat to public order and that any
and all measures are justified. It really is mind-
boggling: For the first time in U.S. history, an
American president may genuinely believe that openly
encouraging violence and disorder at home could benefit
him politically. Not even Richard Nixon went quite that
far.” Walt says while current protests are rightly
focused on racial inequality, they are also a
manifestation of mass political anger at a political
and economic elite that in recent years has done a
better job of enriching itself than addressing broader
social needs and is rarely held accountable. Stephen M.
Walt is the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of
international relations at Harvard University. Contact
him at (617) 495-5712; stephen_walt@hks.harvard.edu or
Leah Marshall at (617) 496-2737;
leah_knowles@hks.harvard.edu
4. ==> Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It
If you’ve found you’re not washing your hands as often
or you’re making trips outside more frequently, you’re
not alone. Behavioral scientists call the phenomenon
“caution fatigue” and say your brain is to blame. At
first, our brain’s alarm system goes off and we’re on
alert, but as time goes by our brains adjust the
perception of alarm to reduce stress and we begin to
relax our safety rules even though the threat remains.
Experts say caution fatigue can also be the result of
cognitive challenges. “Almost all of America is being
confronted with an ambiguous, complex problem-solving
situation,” says Eric Zillmer, a professor of
neuropsychology at Drexel University. “We’ve never been
through anything like this, so it’s ambiguous.” Zillmer
will discuss ways to overcome quarantine fatigue, how
to turn safety practices into habits by setting up
visual cues like putting a face mask on a table by the
door to remind you to put it on before you leave, and
ways to mitigate information overload to develop a
balanced viewpoint. Eric Zillmer Psy.D., is the Carl R.
Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel
University. Contact him at zillmer@drexel.edu; (215)
895.1977
5. ==> What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love
Mention the concept of self-love and guys will snicker,
their juvenile sense of humor trying to deflect their
discomfort at the idea that loving yourself is in any
way masculine. “Most men have been raised to push their
emotions down and those who are sensitive are told to
“man up” and “grow a pair.” It’s not surprising men
don’t embrace the idea of self-love,” says personal
growth expert and author Joffre McClung. “Women are
much more open to the concept, but men may actually
need it more.” McClung will share five easy things dads
can do to start or deepen their personal growth
journey, which she says everyone in the family should
support. “From opening up to their emotions to
separating their worth from their jobs, when men love
and support themselves they have more empathy and
compassion, which ripples outward into society.” Joffre
McClung has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs
including CBS TV-Austin Texas, Hay House Radio and The
Joe Franklin Show. A former media producer, independent
filmmaker, and author, Joffre’s latest book is “The
Heart of the Matter.” Contact her at (917) 994-0225;
JMcClung@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s
Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone
Father’s Day is an exceedingly difficult time for those
who have lost their dads. But undertaker’s daughter
Margo Lenmark offers comfort. While growing up in a
Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an
undertaker, Margo learned a lot about life from her
dad, before and after he passed away. “I can share
fascinating experiences of growing up around death and
dead people, and the messages I received from them,”
she says. “I have a lot to say about death and gifts
people give when they die.” Margo can reveal her
journeys to the Other Side, experiences she had in
dreams and the important messages she received about
life from the deceased. She is the author of “Light in
the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,”
which has received glowing reviews from Deepak Chopra
and others. Contact Margo at MLenmark@rtirguests.com;
(484) 928-7824
7. ==> Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous
Everyone wants to feel safe especially when a virulent
virus makes its way around the world. But safety has a
downside we don’t always think about … it can actually
be dangerous, says author and adventurer Sparrow Hart.
Invite him on your program to discuss why “safety-ism”
— valuing safety above everything else — runs counter
to both scientific research and ancient wisdom. You’ll
learn why safety is antithetical to passion and growth
and toxic to a life of adventure and meaning. Sparrow’s
varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate
of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse,
adventures in the Amazon jungle, and over 30 years of
leading workshops on shamanism, the heroic journey, and
vision quests in nature. He is the author of several
books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a
Dream Worth Living.” Contact him at (801) 516-0740;
SHart@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay
Going back to work in an office is scary — and in most
cases unnecessary. Work from home — or really work from
anywhere — is here to stay for a huge number of former
cubicle inhabitants. Companies have realized there’s no
need to spend an average of $18,200 to house a worker
in a corporate office anymore. For workers, the genie
is out of the bottle and they have finally adjusted to
remote work and are loving it — or will when they can
start living a social life after work! Invite Diane
Huth, the Accidental Career Coach, to discuss the post-
pandemic workplace, what types of jobs can be done
remotely, and how workers can hone their skills and
communication practices to participate fully in remote
work — so they can enjoy being untethered from the
corporate office forever. Diane Huth is the author of
two bestselling career guides and the creator of the
Secrets to Land Your Dream Job online masterclass.
Contact her at (210) 601-7852; DianeHuth@DianeHuth.com
9. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the
IRS!
It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and
chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-
experts” will be doing it until July. Plus, they have
already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says
former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard
Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity
he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for
sending out stimulus money, did you realize that
thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks
while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still
awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated
technology and data, is still sending double and even
triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken
payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever
get their money? Find out more when you interview Green
while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak.
Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer
his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues.
Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509;
rgreen@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy
Suddenly Learned to Read
A 17-year-old boy who could not read was able to do so
after a few sessions with Dr. Annalee Kitay, one of
fewer than 50 U.S. practitioners using a hands-on,
little known protocol called The Neural Organization
Technique. Coincidence? Miracle? Fluke? Amazing
science? You’ll decide when you interview Dr. Kitay for
Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, June 15 to 21.
Like that young man, 10 percent of children in the U.S.
or about 7 million U.S. schoolchildren have learning
disabilities that greatly impact their lives and that
of their parents. Invite Dr. Kitay on your program to
explain the protocol in layman’s terms and share other
success stories. The technique she uses can also help
people with immune issues, concussions, low back pain,
and more. By spreading awareness of the technique to
the general public, Dr. Kitay also hopes to motivate
more doctors to seek training. Dr. Kitay has researched
with Kessler Institute and also practiced with the late
Dr. (Robert) Atkins at his Center for Complementary
Medicine in New York City. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561)
462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays
This Summer
True or False: You can be born with cataracts. They are
the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
There is no way to protect yourself from getting them.
Black people and Hispanics are more likely to get them
than white people. The average age for cataract surgery
is 60. Find out which of these statements are true when
you interview vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson
for Cataract Awareness Month in June. Learn how to
protect yourself this summer and why you just might
want to wear better sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
as you spend time outdoors as well as gain information
on symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries and more. Linda knows
not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered
from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at
(914) 229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire
Taking a walk every day seems like a great idea. How
could it possibly backfire? Interview exercise
physiologist and certified nutrition coach Kristen
Carter to find out. Kristen will talk about ways vowing
to take more walks, joining a gym, buying home exercise
equipment, and signing up for exercise classes can end
up fizzling, possibly making a person feel like a
failure for the umpteenth time. Kristen is the author
of “Lose Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So!
What to do when your doctor tells you to make changes
for your health Ask her: What makes developing an
exercise habit so elusive, even with the best of
intentions? How can the right preparation and mindset
make all the difference? Contact Kristen Carter at
(267) 930-2547; kacarter@rtirguests.com
13. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad
for You
We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
book, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers Guide
to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,” published by
Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413) 225-4758;
elanadavidson@rtirguests.com
14. ==> 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 Rico at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19
On March 26 Renae Baker was working as a Lyft driver
when she picked up Dr. Frank Gabrin after his shift at
East Orange Hospital in New Jersey. Five days later he
was dead from COVID-19, becoming the first ER doctor in
the country to die from the virus. Baker says they
talked the entire 35-minute ride to his home in New
York City and some of what they discussed may have
saved her own life in the following days. Dr. Gabrin
developed his first symptoms later that morning. Baker
developed hers shortly after and has since recovered.
She will reveal what Dr. Gabrin told her about life
inside the ER during this pandemic, the surprising
thing he and other doctors were seeing at the moment of
COVID-19 deaths, and why he thought this could be an
important spiritual moment in our history. Baker says
they discussed everything from morale among health-care
workers to what happened when nurses got sick and how
doctors were being treated by hospital administrators.
Renae Baker is an author and speaker who has managed a
professional caroling company for decades. She has been
featured on Fox News and many more media outlets.
Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.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