01. This American Was in Israel During the Gaza Invasion
02. Israeli Peace Activist on October Failures, Then and Now
03. Taboo Talk: One Family’s Bout With Mental Illness
04. Is That an Alien at Your Door?
05. Trick or Tater? The Spooky Side of Spuds
06. What’s Going On With the Job Market?
07. How to Work Smarter, Not Harder
08. This Guest Offers a Bigotry Breakthrough
09. Which Charities Are Worth Donating to (and Which to Avoid)
10. Why Aren’t We Battling the Biggest Threat to Children?
11. Toxic Anger: It’s Not Just a Male Problem
12. Why Are Women Afraid to Speak Up?
13. Déjà vu or Something More?
14. How to Live Longer and Stronger, with Herbs
15. The Myth of Male Hunters, Women Gatherers
1. ==> This American Was in Israel During the Gaza Invasion
Detri McGhee just returned from Israel, on one of the last planes to leave the country before the airlines shut down. She will give listeners a window into what it was like to be in the country during an active terrorist invasion and describe what she saw and heard and the mood of the people. In Jerusalem to attend a Feast of the Tabernacles celebration, Detri (DE-trah) says she could hear explosions and sirens and spent time in bomb shelters including one in which Orthodox Jews were praying. She’ll recount hearing the mayor of a town near the Gaza Strip speak and then learning two days later that he was killed by terrorists. Hear how and why she believes her life has been changed by what she experienced. Detri runs the nonprofit Reaching for Life, Inc. which encourages reading, writing, and communicating through developing advanced emotional intelligence skills. Contact her at (870) 407-7523; dmcghee@rtirguests.com
2. ==> Israeli Peace Activist on October Failures, Then and Now
Miko Peled is an Israeli writer and peace activist living in Washington, D.C. He just wrote the piece “The October Failures” and says, “I have family” in a settlement that was “taken by Palestinians, Kibbutz Be’eri.” Peled’s books include “The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine,” the story of his transformation from a young man who’d grown up in the heart of Israel’s elite and served proudly in its military, into an advocate of nonviolent struggle and equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis. Pelod’s father, Mattityahu “Matti” Pelod, was a much-decorated Israeli general who, after serving as the military commander of Gaza during the half-year Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, became a peace activist. Contact Miko Peled at mikopeled@gmail.com; @mikopeled
3. ==> Taboo Talk: One Family’s Bout With Mental Illness
America is currently in the midst of a mental health crisis. More and more people are being diagnosed with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues yet we still have trouble talking about the subject and many stigmas remain. Deborah Kasdan can discuss her family’s experience with severe and chronic mental illness. Deborah’s older sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 23. She then endured 30 years and innumerable admissions to five psychiatric hospitals before a compassionate social worker finally found a way for her to live on her own with the assistance of a community agency. Deborah will share the ways her family members dealt with her sister’s illness, the limitations of psychiatric systems to provide assistance, and the grief her family experienced after her sister’s untimely death. Deborah Kasdan has served on the board of directors of Under One Roof, an intergenerational housing organization, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for southwest Connecticut. Her new book is “Roll Back the World: A Sister’s Memoir.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
4.==> Is That an Alien at Your Door?
With new sightings and further evidence that lifeforms might exist beyond Earth’s atmosphere, there’s a possibility that extraterrestrial activity could be happening right outside your front door or in your backyard. For the month of October, Ring, the company that makes video doorbells, is asking customers to keep an eye out for any unusual activity. If you can capture it on your Ring camera the company will give you a million dollars! No alien? No problem. Simply capture and submit your most creative interpretation of an extraterrestrial sighting on your Ring device and you could win other prizes. For interviews and more information on the Out of This World contest, contact Juliet Stein at jstein@hunterpr.com
5. ==> Trick or Tater? The Spooky Side Spuds
When you think of Halloween and produce you probably think about pumpkins and gourds. But there’s a new push to include another veggie into the mix: the potato. “Traditions like trick-or-treating for candy bars and carving pumpkins aren’t going anywhere. But it’s really fun to experiment with unexpected twists that can catch people by surprise,” says Marisa Stein, marketing director for Potatoes USA. “Potatoes and Halloween go far back historically, so it’s really cool to see them come back together, and for our traditions to come full circle.” Learn how the Irish would carve spooky faces into spuds to scare away an evil spirit called Stingy Jack, how modern Halloween lovers are bringing back this historic trend, and how some have gone even further, handing out spuds as treats. Stein will share creative ways to use potatoes in your Halloween celebrations and fun recipes like recipes for Boo! Pumpkin and Potato Stew, Baked Jack-O’-Lantern Potatoes and Roasted Pumpkin and Potato Soup. Potatoes USA is the national marketing and promotion board representing U.S. growers and importers. Contact Erin Bracken at media@hillenby.com
6. ==> What’s Going On With the Job Market?
Summer is over, school is back in session and a change is in the air. As the temperature cools, it appears the job market is following suit. Last month employers announced plans to hire just 7,744 workers, the lowest monthly total since November 2020. “Job openings are falling, and American workers are more reluctant to leave their positions right now. The job market is resetting after the pandemic and post-pandemic hiring frenzy,” says Andrew Challenger, labor expert and senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “The increase in job cuts is not surprising as technological disruption and companies taking a cost-savings approach on the economy claim positions,” he adds. He’ll explain which employment sectors are the exception to the trend, and where the most job cuts are expected next. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (o); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
7. ==> How to Work Smarter, Not Harder
Our society has long believed that working long hours, toiling through stress and generally busting your butt on the job are the keys to success. But according to Gerald Leonard, these are myths. “This only leads to burnout and low productivity,” he says. “Finding balance and mindfulness in your life overall are the true keys to success.” Gerald has devised tried-and-true strategies for managers and their teams to bring creativity and joy to their projects, which results in greater success for all. He can also share the future of workplace trends, as careers move more toward project-based roles. He is a certified Portfolio Management Professional and professional bass player, and author of “A Symphony of Choices,” “Workplace Jazz” and “Culture is the Bass.” Contact Gerald Leonard at (443) 703-2929; gleonard@rtirguests.com
8. ==> This Guest Offers a Bigotry Breakthrough
While bigotry is on the rise across the globe, author Sara Ting claims that there is still hope for peace and harmony. The founder and president of World Unity, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the elimination of all forms of bigotry says, “All humans have unconscious biases. I have developed a tool that takes 10 seconds or less to help cultivate a mindset to value all people equally.” Sara is a diversity and inclusion educator, speaker, consultant and author of “Small Book with a Big Idea: 5 Minute Training to Empower You and Transform the World.” Contact Sara Ting at (508) 715-3370; Sting@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Which Charities Are Worth Donating to (and Which to Avoid)
Many people are quick to donate to charitable causes, especially following natural disasters. But according to author and nonprofit expert Michele Whetzel: “It’s better to think with your head as opposed to your heart before turning over your hard-earned cash. Do your research first!” She can share what to look for in truly worthy charities, as well as tips for starting your own nonprofit. Michele is a veteran of the nonprofit arena, founder of Your 501 Guide consulting and author of the book “So, You Want to Start a Nonprofit, Now What?” Contact Michele Whetzel at (302) 407-0513; Mwhetzel@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why Aren’t We Battling the Biggest Threat to Children?
Every year, 18,000 children and teens are shot and killed or wounded and approximately 3 million are exposed to gun violence. What are adults in the U.S. doing wrong? Dr. Regina M. Griego lost five family members to a mass murder, three of whom were children. Her 15-year-old nephew shot them and Regina took guardianship of her nephew. She has since become an advocate for gun safety and believes that we all want to keep our children safe and families whole. Ask her: Why are our children dying from guns? What role does mental health play in the gun deaths of children? Griego is the author of the award-winning, best-selling book “Sins of the System: Trauma, Guns, Tragedy, and the Betrayal of Our Children,” a memoir that explains the systems that failed her family. She holds a Ph.D., MS, and BS in electrical and computer engineering and an MS in computer science. Contact Regina Griego at (505) 306-6189; transcendingfutures@gmail.com
11. ==> Toxic Anger: It’s Not Just a Male Problem
Heart disease is the number-one killer of women. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Karyne B. Wilner, anger is one well-known factor in women’s heart disease, along with our culture’s role in suppressing it. “Anger creates stress in the body that can lead to physical and emotional health problems,” she says. She can share body-based techniques to release anger in ways that lead to greater health overall. Karyne is the author of the upcoming book “Releasing Toxic Anger for Women: Body-Based Practices to Transform Negative Thoughts, Soothe Stress, and Stay True to Yourself.” She is a leader in the field of Core Energetics and mind/body health. Contact Dr. Karyne Wilner at (401) 305-2278; kwilner@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why Are Women Afraid to Speak Up?
It’s no secret that women struggle to be heard. Society teaches girls to be polite and agreeable and not make a fuss, even when a situation is challenging — or just plain wrong. If your audience is looking to reclaim their power in the workplace, at home, and beyond, you need to hear from Francesca Burack. The author of “Women Are Special: 123 Reasons Why” can share advice, tips, and encouragement to help women find, own, and use their voices with confidence. Ask her: What can women do to speak up in one-sided relationships, whether it’s at work or with family? How can women approach difficult conversations in the workplace, such as asking for raises, promotions, or benefits? An author, entrepreneur, educator, and popular speaker, Francesca Burack has been featured on major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News. Contact her at (516) 823-4003; fburack@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Déjà vu or Something More?
Do you frequently have a sense of déjà vu? Do you have fears or phobias that are unrelated to anything you’ve ever experienced? According to Jennifer Maag, we’ve all had past lives, and they have a profound impact on our current lives. “I believe the self-esteem you’re born with comes from the past lives you’ve already lived,” she says. “Tapping into that enables us to heal in our current existence.” Jennifer, a licensed massage therapist, and her son, Alexander Maag, are the co-authors of the critically acclaimed book “Take on God,” which explores how to transform our inner battles into healing tools to live our best lives. Contact Jennifer Maag at (419) 969-3259; jmaag@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How to Live Longer and Stronger, with Herbs
The idyllic Caribbean nation of Dominica, where herbs expert Gladstone Etienne grew up, is a nature paradise known for its pristine environment, organic foods and laid-back lifestyle. Gladstone claims that the citizens there live longer, and stronger, as a result. “According to the BBC, Dominica has the highest number of centenarians per capita in the world,” he says. He also gives credit to herbal medicine, which he began studying as a child. Gladstone went on to develop a line of teas, to make it easier for Americans to gain the wondrous health benefits of herbs. He is the founder of ZABIOLife herbal tea company. Contact Gladstone Etienne at (301) 820-7656; Getienne@rtirguests.com
15. ==> The Myth of Male Hunters, Women Gatherers
Historically, hunting has been thought to be solely a man’s domain. But researchers have found that women in foraging societies were often the ones bringing home the bacon (and other prey, too). According to a review of records from around the world and spanning the past century, women — young and old alike — hunted large game as well as small animals. They hunted in groups or alone, with their children and with hunting dogs, and wielded weapons like bows and arrows, knives and nets. Biological anthropologist and lead study author Cara Wall-Scheffler says, “Males were taught to hunt in a particular way and had a very particular tool type they would use,” while women chose whatever tool they wanted at the time, she said. Women also exhibited greater variety than men in their choice of hunting partners. “They would go with their husband, they would go with their friends, they would go with their sisters. Sometimes a grandma would go all by herself if she had a particular way of capturing certain prey,” according to Wall-Scheffler. The study was recently published in the journal “PLOS One.” Cara Wall-Scheffler is a professor and co-chair of biology at Seattle Pacific University. Contact her at cwallsch@spu.edu