01. Capitol Riot Anniversary: Generals Warn of Civil War
02. Did Pentagon Dismiss Civilian Drone Deaths?
03. Beyond the Screen: Betty White’s Legacy
04. Insider Secrets to Pay Down Debt and Avoid Scams
05. How to Make COVID Vaccines Available to Everyone
06. What Smallpox Can Teach Us about Vaccines and Politics
07. Don’t Waste Your Time Writing to Congress
08. How to Build Your Life Back Better in 2022
09. Is 2022 the Year to Start a Biz? Pitch Your Idea to This Expert
10. Can You Really Have It All?
11. How to Stop Being a ‘Drama Junkie’
12. Dying to Smell Good? Cologne May Be Killing Us
13. How the Youngest of 10 Kids Achieved a Doctorate
14. Science Fiction or Reality? The World of Frozen Embryos
15. Do We Need to Bring Back ‘Elevator Music’?
1. ==> Capitol Riot Anniversary: Generals Warn of Civil War
Citing a “disturbing number” of veterans and active-duty military members taking part in last year’s January 6th Capitol riot, three retired army generals have penned an op-ed in “The Washington Post” about the risks of another insurrection—or even civil war— if the results of the 2024 presidential election were not accepted by some in the military. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack did not write the letter but says the possibility of a fractured and politicized military is extremely worrisome. “I was in Army and government service for almost 40 years and served the administration of six presidents, both Republican and Democrat. While we had political views and voted, there was little political agitation within the ranks,” he says. Zwack can discuss how political leaders undermine the country by stoking dangerous division and explain how the military serves the Constitution, without regard for political party or partisan positions. Peter Zwack currently serves as a Wilson Center Global Fellow within the Kennan Institute and frequently discusses national security and leadership issues in the media. He recently appeared on the international Russian-language TV network RTVI to discuss the Russia/Ukraine situation. Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 979-7438; BG.PBZ.r@gmail.com
2. ==> Did Pentagon Dismiss Civilian Drone Deaths?
As the “New York Times” publishes the “Civilian Casualties Files,” an investigation into U.S. drone attacks and civilian deaths, a coalition of antiwar groups is urging House Democrats to investigate the U.S. military’s systematic cover-up of civilian casualties caused by its drone-dependent air wars. “Congress is in a unique position to gain access to all videotapes, action reports and other documentation for all U.S. drone attacks,” says Nick Mottern of the BanKillerDrones.org campaign. “This appears to be the only way that the public will ever know what has been inflicted on civilians in nations that have come under U.S. drone attack, which include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Niger, Libya and the Philippines, as well as Iraq and Syria.” The Times investigated drone attacks from 2014 to 2018 in Iraq and Syria. However, the coalition says Congress could quickly and easily gather data dating back to 2001 and cover all drone attack locales. Members of the coalition include World Beyond War, Code Pink, BanKillerDrones and the New York Chapter of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 34. Contact Nick Mottern at nickmottern@gmail.com
3. ==> Beyond the Screen: Betty White’s Legacy
Her life spanned nearly a century and included more than eight decades in show business and a laundry list of career achievements and awards. And while most remembrances have focused on her iconic work as an actor, Dr. Elizabeth Yoku says White also wielded her power behind the scenes. “In addition to her lifelong work for animal welfare, she also became a visible supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness and research,” says Yoku. “Other aspects of White’s legacy may not have been as overt but challenged stigmas nonetheless, including her choice not to have biological children in an era where that was expected of women, and maintaining a successful career later in life.” Dr. Elizabeth Yuko is a journalist and bioethicist, and an adjunct professor of ethics at Fordham University. She has been published in “The New York Times,” “Washington Post,” “Rolling Stone,” “The Atlantic,” and Refinery29 among others. She was previously the health and sex editor for SheKnows Media. Contact her at elizabethyuko@gmail.com; eyuko@fordham.edu
4. ==> Insider Secrets to Pay Down Debt and Avoid Scams
Millions of Americans made New Year’s resolutions to clean up their finances and get out of debt, but debt industry insider John Nicholas warns that not all debt relief programs are the same and they aren’t always in your best interest. Nicholas, a former NFL player, ran a multi-million-dollar sports media consulting business in New York City until losing it all and falling into serious debt and financial reparations in the years after 9/11. Eventually, he went into the debt relief business himself until he discovered he couldn’t stomach the dishonesty of the industry. Ask him: What are the most common mistakes consumers make when paying off debt? Who can you trust to help with debt relief and what are the signs of predatory programs? What are the three debt recovery keys that everyone should know but very few people do? John Nicholas is the author of “Debt Free ASAP!” Contact Jason Jones at jason@jonesliterary.com
5. ==> How to Make COVID Vaccines Available to Everyone
At first glance, it may seem as if the world will soon have more than enough COVID-19 vaccines but Prashant Yadav says over 70 percent of the vaccines produced in 2021 were bought by high- and upper-middle-income countries. Less than one percent, by contrast, have gone to low-income ones. And, he says, it’s not just a problem of aggregate distribution. “The world may appear to have lots of vaccines, but only 27 percent of them are messenger RNA (mRNA) shots, which train the body to make the protein that allows COVID-19 to infect cells and then the antibodies that fight it off. And so far, these are the vaccines that appear able to prevent people from becoming sick with the new, very contagious Omicron variant. These more effective and adaptable vaccines are even more concentrated in rich states than are shots overall.” Yadav says the solution is for wealthy countries, multilateral development banks, and global health agencies to expand mRNA manufacturing in regions and countries that have little to no capacity. Prashant Yadav is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and affiliate professor of technology and operations management at INSEAD. Contact him at Prashant_Yadav@hms.harvard.edu or prashant.yadav@insead.edu
6. ==> What Smallpox Can Teach Us about Vaccines and Politics
For a timely show in light of today’s debate about the role of vaccines in stopping COVID’s spread in the world’s poorest nations, invite Bee Bloeser to share her experiences in Africa after the CDC dispatched her husband Carl to join the global smallpox vaccination campaign in 1969. “Vaccines and Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War,” details Bee’s time in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea (where she was one of only two American women), including brushes with a brutal dictator and a heartbreaking humanitarian crisis unknown to the outside world. An award-winning author and engaging public speaker, Bee Bloeser has been featured on NPR’s “Journeys of Discovery” and NPR KCBX Radio’s show, “Issues and Ideas.” Contact her at (520) 214-5971; bbloeser@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Don’t Waste Your Time Writing to Congress
We’ve all been indoctrinated to reach out to our elected officials when we want to affect change. But award-winning author, screenwriter and former Universal Studios executive John Thibault says that’s futile. “Members of Congress get 10,000 emails and physical mail a month,” he says. “But you will get a canned response. You need to reference specific bills, clarify your issue, build your coalition and appeal to higher authorities. Trade associations and lobbyists do this, but average people don’t.” He will share how to decipher specific issues, build a coalition of like-minded citizens in your community and effectively appeal to higher authorities. John is the author of the critically acclaimed book “How to Change a Law.” Contact John at (650) 761-7564; Jthibault@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How to Build Your Life Back Better in 2022
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on everything from the economy to our relationships and our mental health. Families have lost loved ones, businesses and careers and been forced to make choices they never expected. For those who feel lost, stuck or unsure what to do next, Oreste D’Aversa has four steps to start creating a new life that’s even better and more prosperous than before. Oreste D’Aversa is a life and business coach, corporate trainer, minister and the author of “Life Beyond the Pandemic: A Practical New Journey Handbook,” his revolutionary step-by-step blueprint to reinvent your life and thrive in the post-pandemic world. Ask him: What one thing can make the fastest impact in getting unstuck? What’s the biggest mistake people make in defining their life’s purpose? Contact Oreste D’Aversa at (201) 949-3002; odaversa@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Is 2022 the Year to Start a Biz? Pitch Your Idea to This Expert
For a lively, fun show, have callers pitch Tawn Holstra Auston their small business ideas; she’ll offer them invaluable advice on what they need to be thinking about. Tawn says, “Most people don’t want to get rich… they just want to get a mortgage, put braces on their kids’ teeth, and be able to afford a prom dress for their child. Starting a business does not have to be so uncertain, hard, scary, or stressful.” Tawn developed “Launch Like a Pro,” an affordable system for helping businesses of one to five people get the support they need to be successful. She’s been advising small business owners for more than 10 years. Ask her: How can people go from vision to first customers in just a few months? What are the top myths that prevent people from acting on their business dreams? Contact Tawn Holstra Auston at (206) 495-6505; tauston@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Can You Really Have It All?
Women have been told they can have it all: rich, satisfying lives that nourish their families, as well as their own needs and desires. But for many — particularly mothers — it’s not that easy to create this kind of life. Shelly Sood, an entrepreneur and mother of three, says guilt often gets in the way, as do worries over what other people will think of you. “The actions of others drive us. We create mental warfare and a self-defeatist attitude. We care about what others think. We want to keep up with the Joneses of the block,” Shelly says. “As an entrepreneur, I am bombarded with requests,” she says. “I used to respond to everyone. Did that make me a stronger entrepreneur? No. It made me crazy, sleep-deprived, and ultimately burnt out.” Invite her on your show and learn how to let go of your inner critic, when to say no, and how to be proactive instead of reactive and choose what makes you happy and outsource the rest. Shelly Sood is a founding partner of GIOSTAR Chicago, a company that offers regenerative medicine therapies. Her upcoming memoir, “Untethered,” is being modified for film by Hollywood producers. Contact Shelly at (312) 401-3495; shelly@giostarchicago.com
11. ==> How to Stop Being a ‘Drama Junkie’
Is your life in a constant state of chaos? Arnoux Goran says that you may actually be unwittingly attracting this due to an addiction to emotional turmoil rooted in childhood. “I had a horrific upbringing, being raised by two deaf crack addicts,” he reveals. “Despite having a genius IQ as an adult and seven years of getting A’s at university, I was unable to get a decent job or take care of myself.” Thus, Arnoux made it his life’s mission to heal himself to become a success in his personal and professional lives. He created the Goran Technique online and live course, which has helped countless people to overcome their childhood trauma. He is also the author of three upcoming books including “The Goran Technique.” Contact Arnoux at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Dying to Smell Good? Cologne May Be Killing Us
As the demand for personal grooming products is exploding, the perfume/fragrance industry rakes in a whopping $32.5 billion in revenue per year. But there’s a potential dark side to those delightful aromas. “Products with fragrances may contain anywhere from 100 to 1,000 chemicals,” Zorica Denton says. “But they don’t have to be listed due to trade secret policies.” Zorica should know. She developed asthma, a gastric ulcer and other long-term debilitating health problems as a result of working as a perfume model, and almost died. She is the founder of the natural personal care products company Zorica of Malibu and the author of an upcoming book about toxic chemicals in products. Contact Zorica at (213) 616-7904; zdenton@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How the Youngest of 10 Kids Achieved a Doctorate
Dorothy Kegler is the author of three books and holds a bachelor’s degree, two master’s and a doctorate in higher education. As if that weren’t impressive enough, she was the youngest of 10 kids, has a learning difficulty and is African American, of which only 5.4 percent of the population holds doctorate degrees. “As an African American female with a learning difficultly, I endured many challenges,” she says. “But my family and my faith taught me to be resilient and to not let anything hold me back.” Dr. Dorothy can share her inspirational life story, as well as tips for setting goals, building a network of mentors and maintaining faith in oneself, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Contact her at (619) 679-9627; dkegler@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Science Fiction or Reality? The World of Frozen Embryos
How is it possible that embryos that have been frozen for as long as 27 years can be defrosted and implanted in a woman’s uterus to produce a healthy baby? What sounds like science fiction is happening more and more, and Nate Birt can fill you in on the exciting details. This topic is personal for Birt, the father of a toddler who began life as another couple’s frozen embryo adopted by Birt and his wife, who carried the embryo to term. The author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption,” Birt can talk about the frozen embryo adoption journey, the controversies that exist with unclaimed embryos, and much more. Ask him: Are frozen embryos screened for genetic issues? Is this form of adoption affordable? Why would parents choose frozen embryo adoption over IVF or standard adoption? Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Do We Need to Bring Back ‘Elevator Music’?
Do you listen to elevator music? You know, the wordless instrumental musical pieces you used to routinely find when you got in an elevator or visited your local mall or doctor. Once ubiquitous, instrumental music is less common today but perhaps we need to bring it back. Interview Dave Combs to learn about the health benefits of elevator music, including its calming nature, and why we might need to listen to more of it during current chaotic times. In addition, Dave can talk about the power of music — even music without words — to change lives and share the inspiring story behind his most successful composition, “Rachel’s Song.” Dave Combs’ music has been played millions of times on radio, satellite, and internet streaming media. He is also the author of “Touched By the Music: How the Story and Music of Rachel’s Song Can Change Your Life.” Contact him at (336) 655-8320; dave@combsmusic.com