01. Expert Warns of U.S. Right-Wing Dictatorship by 2030
02. Why Donald Trump Still Dominates the Media
03. A Veteran’s Story: The Mythology of War and Patriotism
04. Let’s Stop Relying on Luck to Weather the Pandemic
05. Who’s Responsible? Legal Expert on Deadly Philly Rowhouse Fire
06. This Guest Was Exiled for Exposing Russian Mafia
07. Weight-Loss Lies You’ve Been Brainwashed to Believe
08. Interview Former Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams
09. How to Be a Productive Procrastinator
10. Colonel Shares Battle-Tested Tips to Help Conquer Stress
11. The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health in 2022
12. Could Your Forgetful Spouse Have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
13. How to Immunize Yourself from the Virus of Change
14. The Secret to Happiness? What Southerners Know
15. Crazy but True: Hilarious House-Hunting Stories
1. ==> Expert Warns of U.S. Right-Wing Dictatorship by 2030
Noted Canadian political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon is warning that Donald Trump could be “just a warm-up act,” and the U.S. could be ruled by a right-wing dictatorship by 2030, “if not sooner.” In an op-ed in Canada’s “The Globe and Mail,” he writes that Canada is “woefully unprepared” for the “terrible storm that is coming from the south.” A scholar of violent conflict for more than four decades, Homer-Dixon says Trump could return to the White House and serve as the wrecking ball that demolishes democracy to produce political and social shambles. He believes that could set the stage for a more managerially competent ruler to bring order to the chaos he’s created. Thomas Homer-Dixon is the founding director of the Cascade Institute and university research chair at the University of Waterloo. Contact him at (226) 772-3092; tfhomer@uwaterloo.ca or @TadHomerDixon
2. ==> Why Donald Trump Still Dominates the Media
There’s no denying that Donald Trump has changed the landscape of American journalism. Some say he exposed a lack of ethics and objectivity in the media while others say he used the media to spread misinformation and lies. Is it the media’s fault? Did they create the monster they hate? Invite Dutch American journalist and media trainer Hans Izaak Kriek to share his independent, nonpolitical observations on how the mainstream media have reported on Trump — as a person and president — and how both parties and their leaders played their part in building hatred for Trump and his family. The author of “Trump’s Daily Domination of the News Media” can discuss how journalism changed with the Trump presidency and whether he or the media themselves are responsible for the moniker “fake news.” Hans Izaak Kriek is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Krieksmediaworld.com. He worked as an international political journalist for AVRO/TROS, the two largest Dutch National broadcasters. As a media trainer, he has coached and advised thousands of politicians and executives. Contact him at (561) 861-2974; jkriek@rtirguests.com
3. ==> A Veteran’s Story: The Mythology of War and Patriotism
Discuss military life, the mythology of war and the ideas surrounding American patriotism with Jerad Alexander. While much attention has been paid to military dramas about the upper ranks of highly specialized fields, Alexander shares the story of the average American soldier. Alexander grew up on military bases, from the East Coast of the United States to Japan, and was raised on masculine fantasies of heroism and patriotism. As soon as he was old enough, he enlisted in the Marines and was deployed to the Mediterranean, East Africa, and Iraq. Once there, though, he says he learned that much of what he had spent his childhood dreaming about was a mirage. Invite him to discuss the motivations that drive young men and women to enlist in the military, the representations of war in American media, and the closed culture that creates our warriors. Jerad Alexander’s new book is “Volunteers: Growing Up in the Forever War.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)
4. ==> Let’s Stop Relying on Luck to Weather the Pandemic
It appears Omicron is less dangerous than other COVID variants, which is good news, but Zeynep Tufekci says we just got lucky. “If it had been more deadly — as Delta has been — the U.S. government’s haphazard and disorganized response would have put the whole country much more at risk.” Tufekci notes that even with the more moderate threat, public health officials seem more concerned with covering up or making excuses than leveling with the public. She points to the confusing and changing CDC messages about rapid antigen tests and N95 masks and says, “The government can help us pull out of this fog, but it should always be based on being honest with the public. We aren’t expecting officials to have crystal balls, but we want them to empower and inform us while preparing for eventualities — good or bad.” Zeynep Tufekci is a visiting professor at Columbia Journalism School and an associate professor at the University of North Carolina and a “New York Times” Opinion columnist. Contact her at (919) 962-0599; zeynep@unc.edu
5.==> Who’s Responsible? Legal Expert on Deadly Philly Rowhouse Fire
At least 12 people, eight of them children, were killed when fire tore through a three-story rowhouse in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Calling it one of the worst fires he’s ever seen, the city’s deputy fire commissioner vowed to make sure the tremendous loss of life did not happen in vain. Philadelphia attorney Joseph Marrone says this type of disaster always shakes the community but often has predictable root causes. “When a forensic analysis is done of these tragedies, we often see known defects in the property, unresolved maintenance and safety issues deferred over far too many years, and irresponsibility by the property owners and sometimes the city. The end result is always this profound loss of lives.” Marrone can discuss the background of this tragedy, the liability of the city of Philadelphia in the blaze, and how similar disasters can be avoided in the future. Joseph Marrone has decades of experience in premises liability law and represented plaintiffs in another deadly Philadelphia tragedy — the 2013 collapse of the Salvation Army building. Contact Janie Mackenzie at Janie@esquiredigital.com
6. ==> This Guest Was Exiled for Exposing Russian Mafia
John Christmas worked for Parex Bank in Latvia in 2004 when he exposed widespread bank fraud to a major international audit firm and the Latvian government. He was terrorized and fled the country while the firm and the government ignored the information. It eventually led to the bank’s collapse and the 2008 Latvian financial crisis, which continues to this day. Learn how a Western taxpayer-funded development bank covered up the corruption for years while Christmas was exiled for exposing the Russian Mafia bank. Ask him: What’s become of the players you exposed? Were your allegations ever investigated? Are you still in danger? Could a similar situation happen again? The spy thriller “KGB Banker,” co-written with crime fiction author William Burton McCormick, was inspired by John Christmas’ story. Contact him at (514) 700-9015; jchristmas@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Weight-Loss Lies You’ve Been Brainwashed to Believe
Each new year tens of millions of people resolve to get healthier and lose weight. Many will go on diets because they’ve been brainwashed to believe diets and exercise are the only ways to lose weight. Most people have no idea there are other options for shedding unwanted pounds. Ruth Houston can discuss research-backed, no-cost, easy-to-implement weight-loss tips and tricks — things the diet industry hopes the public will never find out. The author of “Eat Smart and Lose Weight: Scientifically Proven Ways to Lose Weight without Diets or Exercise” will share table tactics, kitchen tricks, binge prevention and more. Ruth has appeared on more than 500 radio and TV news and talk shows. Contact her at (718) 708-9799; EatSmartWeightLossExpert@gmail.com
8. ==> Interview Former Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams
The Harlem Globetrotters are basketball icons who perform all over the world entertaining audiences with their hoops skills, dunks, leaps, and comedic talents, sometimes to the whistled tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” It takes a special brand of athleticism and joviality to be a Globetrotter and Melvin Adams was lucky enough to be a member of the team for four years – including one year as “Mr. Globetrotter.” Invite Adams on your show to talk about life as a Globetrotter as well as how sports saved him when his father died when he was 13, leaving the family in financial peril. Ask him: How did you manage to make the pros when you are only 5 ft. 8? How does one become a Globetrotter? What advice do you have for coping with fatherlessness? Adams is now a popular inspirational speaker. Contact Peggi Merkey at (281) 346-9528; pmerkey@rtirguests.com
9. ==> How to Be a Productive Procrastinator
All adults know they have to perform certain tasks even though they may dread doing them (think paying taxes, buying holiday presents, or answering emails). But for some people, about one out of five, these tasks lead to a kind of paralysis in which nothing gets done causing feelings of shame and guilt. Interview Patrick Sanaghan, a “productive” procrastinator who has learned how to do what needs to be done and can pass that real-world advice on to your listeners. He’ll say that there are no silver bullets and the urge to put off for tomorrow what could be done today is likely to persist but we can learn to master it. His new book, “How to Be a Better Procrastinator,” contains 100 strategies to draw from. Patrick Sanaghan (the “g” is silent) heads The Sanaghan Group, an organizational consulting firm. Despite his bad habit, he earned a doctorate in education, has written 12 books and 50 academic articles. Contact him at (215) 234-1346; psanaghan@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Colonel Shares Battle-Tested Tips to Help Conquer Stress
Everyone could use some tips for handling stress better. Col. Debra M. Lewis (USA, Ret.) has already coached thousands of people on her battle-tested methods to overcome obstacles and use life’s daily stresses to their advantage. Col. Deb will share those tips and tools along with her action-packed life story as one of the first women to attend the Military Academy at West Point, a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, and a commander in combat. She is the author of “Why Is Pono Not Pono Today?” and its companion course, “Take Kids from Stressed to Success.” Ask her why are most reactions to stress destructive? Why do good people make bad decisions under stress? Contact Deb Lewis at (571) 332-7240 (text first as she is in Hawaii) Deb@ MentallyToughWomen.com
11. ==> The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health in 2022
You may see your doctor regularly, take your prescriptions, exercise, eat a good diet and avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking. But what else should you be doing to keep yourself and your family members healthy? Interview Anne McAwley-LeDuc to learn about the simple health-promoting activity most people ignore: keeping fully accurate records of medical histories, doctor visits, procedures and treatments, medications, vaccinations, and more for all family members. She’ll explain why keeping records is essential, especially during challenging times like COVID. Anne is a retired nurse practitioner (APRN) and the award-winning author of “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
12. == > Could Your Forgetful Spouse Have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
It’s one thing to overlook paying a bill, or to misplace your keys, or to be unable to remember a stranger’s name. It’s another thing to become so forgetful that you can’t complete a task you have done a thousand times. Or to forget how to find your way home. When such things happen, especially to a loved one who isn’t even 60, you may wonder if it’s early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can strike as early as 30. Discover more about the disease and how to spot its symptoms when you interview Carlen Maddux. A former reporter who chronicled his family’s 17-year Alzheimer’s journey in the award-winning book “A Path Revealed,” Carlen is determined to help others with information and been-there advice. His wife, Martha, was just past her 50th birthday when diagnosed. Carlen will discuss his family experiences, and what it was like to become his wife’s caregiver. Highly articulate, Carlen has done dozens of media interviews. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Immunize Yourself from the Virus of Change
The past two years brought lots of changes to most people’s lives in ways that could not have been anticipated. In fact, the pace of change has been accelerating exponentially and is likely to continue doing so. That‘s why Tim Winders wants to prepare your listeners to meet future challenges by building up their immunity to “the virus of change.” Tim can offer advice on embracing change so that it doesn’t knock you off course to your hopes and dreams. Ask him what three words help build immunity to change? How can you use the concepts those words illustrate to be better prepared? How did the idea for comparing change to a virus come to you? Tim has over 25 years of experience as a strategic coach for leaders and leadership teams. He also hosts the “SeekGoCreate” podcast and has written his debut novel, “Coach: A Story of Success Redefined.” Contact Tim Winders at (404) 846-4639; winders@rtirguests.com; available as a last-minute guest
14. ==> The Secret to Happiness? What Southerners Know
As many Yankees may have noticed, Southern folks have a unique, laidback charm, colorful ways of expressing themselves and a deep love of humor. According to former Miss America contestant, best-selling author and humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong, y’all could learn how to be happier by emulating our Southern kinfolks. “Southerners remember their heritage and all that makes us unique and curious to others,” says the native of South Carolina. “We hold on to our traditions like we grip moon pies.” Jane is the award-winning author of numerous books including the upcoming “Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep Fried South,” and has recorded music CDs and personal growth and comedy DVDs. As a humorist, her comedy is featured on Sirius XM 97. Contact Jane at (803) 599-2941; JHerlong@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Crazy but True: Hilarious House-Hunting Stories
Selling real estate to the rich and famous can sometimes be crazy, often hilarious but never boring. Let top Realtor Valerie Fitzgerald, cohost of the new podcast “Real Estate, Real Laughs,” take your audience behind the scenes to hear some of the greatest stories never told before. While she can’t mention names, Valerie can dish on the unusual and sometimes embarrassing situations she and her peers have encountered (for example, showing a house while a naked couple were visible directly outside the window) and a whole lot more. Maybe you’ll hear about the role cats play in whether someone likes a house or not, celebrities who show up for appointments in disguise, or the fantastic perks the wealthiest potential buyers may be awarded to keep them happy. The former star of HGTV’s “Selling L.A,” former Ford model and TEDx speaker, Valerie Fitzgerald is one of Coldwell Banker’s Top 10 Agents, with $3 billion in sales. She has 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her new weekly podcast proves there is a side to real estate most people don’t know about: the fun side. Contact Valerie Fitzgerald at (310) 861-3238; vfitzgerald@rtirguests.com