01. Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong
02. The History of Public Executions
03. Capital Punishment as Entertainment?
04. Should You Be Worried About Catching Measles?
05. It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
06. Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them
07. Do Kids Need to Be Taught How to Be Students?
08. Worried AI Will Replace You? Here’s How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable
09. Is Your Company Using an Outdated Leadership Playbook?
10. How Faith Carried a Visually Impaired Marathoner 26.2 Miles—Three Times
11. Feeling Disconnected? 3 Ways to Rebuild the Connections
12. Is Your Environment Secretly Working Against Your Health?
13. Searching for More? A Skeptic Says It’s Time to Rethink Faith
14. Three Questions You Never Ask Are Quietly Running Your Life
15. 72 Ways to Create Lasting Peace
1. ==> Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong
“Is there a single person who predicted that the secretary of defense would become one of the most influential—potentially even the most effective—senior officials within the Trump administration? I can’t find one, and that’s astounding,” asks “Foreign Policy” columnist Emma Ashford. Pete Hegseth has been a big surprise to most people. In May, the “Washington Post” described Pete Hegseth as an “emboldened, ascendant figure” within the Trump administration, while more recently the “Bloomberg” editorial board penned a piece on his “generational damage” to the U.S. military. Ashford can discuss how Hegseth has increasingly been able to impose his will on the institution, most notably in his success waging an internal culture war on the military’s diversity initiatives and his purge of around 10 percent of the military’s top officers. She says Hegseth’s influence and power may have taken everyone by surprise, but the results will not be pleasant and will last far longer than this presidency. Emma Ashford is a columnist at “Foreign Policy” and senior fellow with the Stimson Center’s Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University and the author of “Oil, the State, and War.” Contact her at eashford@stimson.org
2. ==> The History of Public Executions
Daniel LaChance, an associate history professor at Emory University, says Donald Trump’s efforts to turn the execution of Nidal Hasan into a public spectacle is out of line with decades of thinking on the issue, but in line with his own ethos about crime and punishment. “His whole brand is this kind of populist, anti-elitism. And when executions moved into the bowels of prisons in the early 20th century, they were really becoming bureaucratic affairs, run by experts, carried out in front of a small group of professionals and clergy,” LaChance says. “It was a denial of the public’s right to see a punishment that was carried out in their name, in part because there were elites who thought that the public couldn’t handle this kind of spectacle, that they were misbehaving, that it would generate more disorder when an execution is designed to do the exact opposite: to generate order.” Trump clearly thinks he is pushing back against elitism and expertise and giving people what they want, LaChance says, though the question many scholars have is whether doing so will “increase people’s bloodthirst” or force them to recoil — and ultimately decrease support for such punishments. Daniel LaChance is a legal scholar working at the intersection of American legal and cultural history, criminology, and literary studies. He is the author of several books including “Executing Freedom: The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment in the United States.” Contact him at dlachance@emory.edu; (404) 727-9855
3. ==> Capital Punishment as Entertainment?
Matthew Robinson, a criminal justice professor at Appalachian State University and author of a book on U.S. capital punishment titled “Death Nation,” says he is “appalled” by the administration’s plans for a public execution. “It strikes me as meant to be entertaining.” He says a student asked what would happen when children tune in to watch the execution, which Robinson says he believes they will do, as if it’s a video game. He says the idea was appalling — and not just to him. “I imagine the rest of the world, the civilized world, will see this and have the same response that I did,” he says. “They’ll respond with shock.” Matthew Robinson has been with the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University since 1997. He is the author of 30 academic books, has authored scores of op-eds in newspapers across the country and regularly appears in media stories of crime and criminal justice. Contact him at (828) 262-6560; robinsnmb@appstate.edu
4. ==> Should You Be Worried About Catching Measles?
Measles outbreaks have been reported in multiple states, with Pennsylvania cases accelerating to become the largest outbreak since 1991. Experts blame declining vaccination rates saying it’s made parts of the country vulnerable to surges of a disease that was eliminated more than two decades ago. “In January in Pennsylvania, they had 12 cases. Now we’re seeing 100 plus cases per week and over 1,000 cases,” says Patsy Stinchfieldd, executive director of the Measles Collaborative, a public health effort led by the National Infectious Diseases Foundation. “If Pennsylvania can see it spread that fast, that can happen in any state that has low immunization rates.” The recent surge has many wondering if they’re at risk. She says vaccination is the best defense against measles and can discuss what to do if you’re unsure of your own vaccination status or unable to get a vaccine. Patricia Stinchfield, MS, PNP is a widely recognized infectious diseases specialist. She is the executive director of the Measles Collaborative and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Contact Diana Olson at dolson@nfid.org
5. ==> It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
Artificial intelligence is making scams faster, more convincing and more personal. Fraudulent messages can imitate family members, trusted companies or familiar voices, pressuring people to act before questioning what is happening. Jocelyn King says families do not need to become cybersecurity experts to protect themselves. They need practical habits for recognizing manipulation, verifying unexpected requests and limiting the personal information criminals can use against them. King is a Top 10 Woman in Cybersecurity, a 15-year Silicon Valley AI insider, CEO of Smarter Online Safety and author of the bestselling book “Digital Self-Defense in an AI World.” She’ll explain how AI is changing familiar scams, the warning signs families miss and the protective steps they can take now. Contact Jocelyn King (970) 514-5150; jking@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them
The school year is in full swing, with academics, sports, clubs and social pressures. While it’s great to keep kids busy and engaged, school can turn into a pressure cooker for kids when parents push too hard for high grades, top sports performance, or constant achievement. Former LPGA Tour Player and mindset coach Cindy Miller has seen how perfectionism, comparison and performance pressure can crush kids’ confidence. In this conversation, she shares what parents should (and shouldn’t) say after a bad grade or tough loss, why mistakes are essential for growth, and how to raise resilient kids without breaking their spirit. Her advice applies on and off the field, helping families set goals while keeping perspective. Cindy Miller is a Hall of Fame LPGA Professional and certified mindset coach with decades of experience developing confident young athletes. Contact her at (716) 670-5341; cimiller@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Do Kids Need to Be Taught How to Be Students?
Schools teach reading, math and science but award-winning teacher Karen Horwitz says one important lesson is often assumed: children already know how to be students. Horwitz says they don’t. In her classroom, she explicitly taught children what school was for, why their choices affected others and how to become part of a community. She told students, “School is your job,” and compared the class to a boat: everyone had to work together for smooth sailing. Horwitz can explain why belonging and responsibility aren’t extras, how teaching children the purpose of school can change classroom behavior and learning, and why these early lessons can help develop critical thinking and citizenship. Karen Horwitz is the author of multiple award-winning books. Contact her at (312) 471-9435; khorwitz@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Worried AI Will Replace You? Here’s How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable
AI anxiety is no longer hypothetical: through July, U.S. employers cited AI in 112,713 announced job cuts in 2026. But startup strategist and attorney Douglas Park says the answer isn’t trying to compete with machines at what they do best. It’s strengthening the human capabilities companies still need. On your show, Park will explain why judgment, creativity, collaboration and strategic thinking become more valuable as AI handles more routine work, and how employees can position themselves as people who know how to use technology rather than fear it. He’ll also reveal why companies that treat AI simply as a way to replace people may sacrifice the human insight that creates differentiation and long-term value. Park brings more than 25 years advising companies and developed the research-based 3P Framework—People, Product and Position—to help organizations build businesses that are adaptable, scalable and durable. His new book is “Starting Startups.” Contact Douglas at (650) 629-1424; dpark@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Is Your Company Using an Outdated Leadership Playbook?
The workplace is changing fast, but David Hampson says many companies are still rewarding an old model of leadership built around dominance rather than development. That may be especially shortsighted when Gallup reports that full-time working women currently show stronger employee engagement than men. Hampson will explain why qualities such as empathy, collaboration and long-term thinking can create stronger teams—and why organizations may undermine themselves when they overlook women who bring those strengths to leadership. He’ll challenge audiences to rethink what an effective leader looks like and explain why people-first leadership isn’t simply about fairness; he believes it can be a competitive advantage. Hampson is an entrepreneur, author and business advisory consultant who brings firsthand business experience to his call for rethinking leadership. He offers a different way to evaluate workplace success in his book “Rainbow Gold: Building A Business That’s Both the Journey and the Destination.” Contact David at (603) 605-8594; dhampson@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How Faith Carried a Visually Impaired Marathoner 26.2 Miles—Three Times
Brenda Knight had never run a marathon, and her vision impairment made it difficult to see and avoid obstacles. But she says God called her to run 26.2 miles, and she answered, completing what she considers a miraculous marathon. And she didn’t stop there, she kept running marathons, although faith didn't make every race easy. Months later, Brenda hit the dreaded "wall" and says she wasn't mentally prepared to push through. That failure became a lesson she would carry into two more successful marathons. On your show, Brenda will reveal how she learned to "fight the good fight of faith" when fear of hitting the wall returned and why she completed three marathons on a seven-day fast. She’ll also share how she survived an astonishing fall and why she believes an angel protected her from serious harm. The author of “Faith Runner,” Brenda combines firsthand experience overcoming vision-related barriers with hard-earned lessons about faith, failure and perseverance. Contact Brenda Knight at (859) 297-5395 or bknight@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Feeling Disconnected? 3 Ways to Rebuild the Connections
Fall brings people back to routines, but being surrounded by others doesn’t necessarily mean feeling connected. Karen Kay Smith says difficult “waiting room seasons”—including illness, caregiving, grief, infertility and financial uncertainty—can cause people to withdraw precisely when they need support most. On your show, Smith will reveal three ways to rebuild connection through her “3 Cs”: communication, connection and community. She’ll explain the difference between functioning and actually feeling, why suppressing emotions can deepen isolation, and how simple practices such as naming emotions and “breath prayers” can help people reconnect emotionally, spiritually and relationally. Her upcoming book, “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room,” draws on lessons from life’s uncertain seasons. Smith brings years of women’s ministry and life-coach training plus firsthand experience caring for her husband through 15 years of multiple sclerosis to this timely conversation about loneliness and connection. Contact Karen at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Is Your Environment Secretly Working Against Your Health?
Cell phones, Wi-Fi, smart watches and other wireless devices have become nearly impossible to avoid, but should we be paying more attention to our everyday exposure? The CDC confirms that cell phones emit radiofrequency radiation while noting that research has not definitively established whether long-term exposure causes health problems. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser believes electromagnetic radiation deserves greater scrutiny and may contribute to issues including sleep problems and fatigue. On your show, he’ll explain his concerns about EMR from phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters and emerging wireless technologies, what he believes developing research suggests, and practical ways people can reduce exposure without abandoning modern technology. Rather than encouraging fear, the conversation gives audiences questions to consider as they reassess the environments in which they live and work. Heuser has spent years researching environmental influences on health and brings that focus to examining the potential effects of our increasingly wireless world. Contact Norbert at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Searching for More? A Skeptic Says It’s Time to Rethink Faith
Nearly three in 10 Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, yet 43% say they’ve become more spiritual over their lifetimes. Author Gary Meisner believes that seeming contradiction points to a deeper search for meaning that doesn’t always fit neatly inside traditional religion. After more than two decades as a skeptical, materialist agnostic grounded in reason and evidence, an experience he couldn’t explain caused him to reconsider what he believed. Meisner will share what changed his mind, why skeptics may reject faith based on assumptions they’ve never examined, and how patterns he sees in nature led him to question whether design points to something more. His book, “Life Through a New Lens—Finding God Where Reason and Faith Meet,” explores that intersection. Known worldwide for his work studying patterns in nature, Meisner brings an unusual analytical perspective to questions of God, purpose and belief. Contact Gary at (615) 703-3637; gmeisner@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Three Questions You Never Ask Are Quietly Running Your Life
Are you safe? Do you belong? What choice do you have? Mitra Manesh says the questions we live by, often without realizing it, can determine whether we spend our lives reacting from fear or consciously choosing what comes next. On your show, Mitra will reveal how our most basic questions about safety and belonging can keep even successful people stuck in “survival mode.” The way out, she says, begins by changing the questions to: What are the facts? What choices do I have? What response serves me and the world around me? It’s a simple shift that can change how we approach everything from relationships and careers to uncertainty about the future. Mitra explores this progression from survival to conscious choice in her latest book, “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World.” A senior mindfulness educator at UCLA Mindful, she brings decades of mindfulness teaching to this practical framework. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 72 Ways to Create Lasting Peace
Michael Riso didn't expect an unplanned hospital visit to change his life — until a shocking terminal cancer diagnosis led him to a level of inner peace he'd never known. In his upcoming book, “Finding Joy in Daily Living,” Riso translates that hard-won peace into 72 simple, teachable practices anyone can use. A former golf instructor of 38 years, Riso has spent decades helping people find clarity under pressure — on the course and off. His segments are ready-made: 35 filmed clips, one for nearly every chapter in the book. Ask him: What did a terminal diagnosis teach you that nothing else could? What's one of the 72 practices anyone could try today? How did teaching golf prepare you to teach people about peace? Contact Michael Riso at (727) 353-5109; mriso@rtirguests.com
