01. U.S. or China: Who’s the Aggressor?
02. Captain Kirk’s Karmic Mission
03. Pump: Fascinating History of the Heart
04. America’s Best Haunted Attractions
05. What Type of Witch Are You?
06. How to Handle the Halloween Haul
07. How the Williams Family Started a Tennis Revolution
08. Who’s Responsible for the 20-Year Fiasco in Afghanistan?
09. Behind the Increase in Post-COVID Homeschooling
10. Psychedelics Are Going Mainstream
11. What Nobody Tells You about Critical Race Theory
12. Should We Incentivize Helping the Homeless?
13. Everything You Wanted to Know about Frozen Embryos but Were Afraid to Ask
14. Mask vs Mask-Free: Understanding the Debate
15. Anime’s Growing Global Popularity
1.==> U.S. or China: Who’s the Aggressor?
Taiwan has become a focal point for tensions between the U.S. and China with some in the U.S. calling for a commitment to defend the island against Chinese attack. But according to historian James Bradley, “The business of China is business. The business of America is war. Will the U.S. make a business-like deal with China over Taiwan? Or will the U.S. insist upon the Taiwan question being settled as a matter of war? It’s not China that’s aggressive — it’s the U.S. government that invades Iraq and Afghanistan and puts a fleet on China’s doorstep.” Bradley lives in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region, producing the “Untold Pacific” podcast about the American experience in Asia. Recent episodes include “China Rising,” and “U.S. Military: ‘War with China Inevitable.’” He is author of several books on U.S. policy in the Pacific and Asia, including “Flags of Our Fathers” and “The China Mirage: The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia.” Contact him at james@jamesbradley.com
2. ==> Captain Kirk’s Karmic Mission
Iconic actor William Shatner, who played Captain James Kirk on “Star Trek” in the late 1960s, has become the oldest person to leave the confines of Earth and gaze out into what has been called “the final frontier.” An avid “Star Trek” fan, physicist Don Lincoln was thrilled to watch the actor’s launch this week. “I would not classify Shatner’s trip as an innovative technical achievement. After all, Blue Origin has successfully launched people into space before. But there is no question that sending Capt. Kirk into space is great showmanship.” He says, “Shatner is an actor and not an engineer, nor an entrepreneur. He has never contributed directly to space exploration, but he was part of an influential science fiction dynasty that continues to motivate and excite young people to look to the stars and dream. I expect that flights like this one will change a child’s life and maybe 50 years hence, humanity will be closer to realizing the dream represented by “Star Trek.” Don Lincoln is a senior scientist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. He is the author of several science books for general audiences, including “The Theory of Everything: The Quest to Explain All Reality.” Contact him at (630) 840-5218; lincoln@fnal.gov
3. ==> Pump: Fascinating History of the Heart
For centuries, humans have been fascinated by the heart. Aristotle believed it was the seat of consciousness; the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz” mused about how his life would change if only he had one; and poets and musicians from Shakespeare to Tom Petty to Stevie Nicks have written countless words about hearts being cold, broken, and lonely. Now, American Museum of Natural History zoologist Bill Schutt turns his attention to this vital organ. Invite the author of “Pump: A Natural History of the Heart,” to explore the mysteries and wonders of the literal heartbeat of life on Earth. He’ll trace humanity’s cardiac fascination from the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, who believed that the heart contains the soul, all the way up to modern-day laboratories, where scientists use animal hearts and even plants as the basis for many of today’s cutting-edge therapies. Hear about the strange science behind the giraffe’s circulatory system, the natural blood antifreeze that allows Antarctic icefish to survive and experiments showing the direct relationship between bereavement and Takotsubo syndrome, better known as “broken heart syndrome.” Bill Schutt is a vertebrate zoologist and author of five nonfiction and fiction books, including the “New York Times” Editor’s Choice, “Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History.” 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.==> America’s Best Haunted Attractions
What makes something a great haunted attraction? Ask Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, aka the Queen of Haunts. She says the most critical attribute is scariness, “If we can get nightmares, we really did our job. Although the true measure of success is screams and laughter.” Amber annually ranks the best mega-haunts around the country and says there’s likely a scary attraction within driving distance, no matter where you live. She’ll run down her best-of list from the Bates Motel in Philadelphia to Netherworld in Atlanta and Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City and can also talk about the trend of people creating haunted houses as a hobby, offering limited public viewings via word-of-mouth. She can even share tips on how to create horror décor at home! Amber Arnett-Bequeaith was born into the haunt industry. Her mother and grandmother created Edge of Hell Haunted House 47 years ago. Today, Amber’s company, Full Moon Productions, operates three commercial haunts and a ghost tour in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact her at (913) 406-7833
5. ==> What Type of Witch are You?
It’s pretty common to think of witches this time of year, they’re everywhere we look! But have you ever wondered or felt that you were part of that tribe? Julie Wilder says you are — if you want to be. The creator of the White Witch Academy can talk about the many different types of witches, how to create spells for yourself and others, and ways to improve your life with magic. She’ll discuss the myths and misconceptions about witchcraft and magic and share 13 powerful white magic spells to manifest your deepest desires and connect with your intuition. Listeners can also download a witch starter kit with free printables, meditations and tools. Julie Wilder created the White Witch Academy as a resource for anyone looking to learn simple, secular witchcraft. She’s the author of numerous books including “The White Witch Academy” textbook series. Contact her at contact@whitewitchacademy.com; @whitewitchacademy
6. ==> How to Handle the Halloween Haul
Trick or Treat! A lot of parents are thinking about Halloween costumes and safety, but another concern for many parents is the battle that ensues once the trick-or-treating is over and parents want to bring some semblance of balance to their kids’ candy intake. Rebecah Freeling says the struggle is real: “All that candy is NOT good for kids, it causes kids with bad behavior to behave even worse, and it can be a real problem for parents.” A family coach with exceedingly practical and creative problem-solving tips, Rebecah’s will share ways parents can get control over the situation using effective and outside-the-box solutions. Ask her about the Halloween Fairy! Rebecah Freeling, the owner of Wits End Parenting, specializes in kids with problem behaviors. In addition to working with individual families, she also consults with schools and speaks about parenting issues. Rebecah is the author of “Your Rules Are Dumb: How to Maintain Your Parental Authority While Creating a Partnership With Your Spirited Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
7. ==> How the Williams Family Started a Tennis Revolution
Perhaps you’ve seen the trailers for the upcoming movie “King Richard,” starring Will Smith as the father of Serena and Venus Williams. The highly anticipated film chronicles the sisters’ amazing journey of overcoming the odds to become tennis royalty, in large part due to the guidance and skill of their sometimes-controversial father. Sportswriter Cecil Harris has interviewed all three and can share his insights on the family, the athletes and the history of race in tennis. Hear the story of how Richard Williams decided his daughters would be tennis champions before they were even born and wrote a 78-page plan to coach them when they were four years old, and why he referred to them as his “Ghetto Cinderellas.” Cecil Harris is the author of “Different Strokes: Serena, Venus, and the Unfinished Black Tennis Revolution.” Contact him at (914) 643-7622; CecilHarris2008@gmail.com
8. ==> Who’s Responsible for the 20-Year Fiasco in Afghanistan?
President Biden has garnered the bulk of the blame for the huge failure of our recent Afghanistan withdrawal and much of it is well-deserved, but author Terry Jastrow believes there is plenty of blame to go around. After the tumultuous tenure of Donald Trump, Americans of both political parties seem to regard President George W. Bush in relatively warm terms. But Jastrow says we need to reexamine far more closely the Bush presidency in the wake of Afghanistan. In Jastrow’s new novel, “The Trial of George W. Bush,” President Bush is whisked off a golf course in Scotland and brought to The Hague International Criminal Court in the Netherlands to stand trial for war crimes. Though a fictitious scenario, Jastrow believes there is a very compelling case to be made for Bush’s prosecution. Terry Jastrow is a television producer, director, screenwriter, playwright and actor (as well as husband to Oscar-nominated actress Anne Archer). Contact Anthony Pomes at (516) 535-2010, ext. 105; (631) 875-6075 (cell); sq1marketing@aol.com or apomes@squareonepublishers.com
9. ==> Behind the Increase in Post-COVID Homeschooling
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey showed a substantial increase in homeschooling during COVID-19. Is this increase here to stay and which ethnic groups are leading the charge? Interview Linda Karimo to school your audience on the latest on homeschooling. Ask her: Is homeschooling legal in all states? Can a parent start homeschooling before kindergarten? How is it different from unschooling? Is homeschooling popular with Black families? Are most homeschooled children well-prepared for college? An educator and children’s book author, Linda is currently offering a 2021 International Post-COVID Child Education Summit for parents and a free PDF playbook with advice from the 40 expert participants. The Summit covers a wide range of childhood education topics including mental health. Contact Linda Karimo at (914) 944-1474: Lkarimo@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Psychedelics Are Going Mainstream
If the word “psychedelic” makes you think of Woodstock, the 1960s, and people dropping out of society, you are behind the times. While still prohibited by law, some once-considered “bad boys” of the drug culture (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA), are now being seriously studied by science and found to be not only completely non-addictive, but more effective in the relief of anxiety, addiction, and depression than any known or traditional treatment. Sparrow Hart can discuss both the incredible promise of psychedelics as well as potential pitfalls for their misuse in an addictive and distraction-seeking culture. Sparrow’s varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse, adventures in the Amazon, and over 30 years of leading workshops on shamanism, conscious dreaming, and vision quests in nature. He is the author of several books including “The Vision Quest and Letters to the River: A Guide to a Dream Worth Living.” Contact him at (801) 516-0740; SHart@rtirguests.com
11. ==> What No One Tells You about Critical Race Theory
One of the most talked-about topics today is critical race theory and removing it from the classroom. But what is this theory and is it really being taught in classrooms? Moreover, should children learn about slavery and racism in school? Talk about these issues with Patrick (Pat) Bishop, the white author of “A Class Divided: A Story About Racism,” the first in a “Kids Empathy” series he wrote with his wife and 8-year-old daughter meant to prompt discussions between adults and children. Pat says that according to a recent study, 90% of parents admit that they rarely talk to their kids about race. He says such discussions are needed more than ever. Ask him: Should Black history be taught in schools? Who was Jane Elliot and how did she inspire you? Does learning about past racial inequalities throughout history make white children feel guilty? Contact Pat Bishop at (405) 999-2686;
patbishop100@yahoo.com
12. ==> Should We Incentivize Helping the Homeless?
It won’t be long until the holiday season when thoughts traditionally
turn to helping the homeless. Let homelessness expert and documentarian Glen Dunzweiler bring some fresh inspiration to listeners who want to help but don’t know where to start. Glen says although no one should get rich helping the homeless, no one should become poor doing so either; he says we need are incentives for those who want to lend a hand to people without a support system. Glen, whose TEDx talk on the topic has garnered more than 105,000 views, will explain his concept of small business homelessness, getting over the fear of making contact with the homeless and what happens afterward, ways neighborhood watches could be turned into neighborhood help and more. Dunzweiler is an independent filmmaker, former college professor and author of two books including “A Degree In Homelessness?” He also hosts the YouTube series “Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler.” His documentary, yHomeless, can be seen on Amazon Prime. Contact him at (702) 703-2219;
GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Everything You Wanted to Know about Frozen Embryos but Were Afraid to Ask
How long does it take to defrost a frozen embryo? (Answer: as little as 30 seconds!) Why would someone choose frozen embryo adoption over IVF or standard adoption? (Answer: Frozen embryo adoption can be cheaper and more likely to “take.”) How many years can an embryo be frozen yet viable? (Answer: up to 27, and the number might actually be higher.) Let Nate Birt answer the questions you were afraid to ask (or didn’t know you wanted to ask) about the newest form of adoption. For example, are all frozen embryos screened for genetic issues? How costly is it to adopt this way? What is involved? Nate is the author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption” whose toddler daughter was adopted as a frozen embryo. Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Mask vs Mask-Free: Understanding the Debate
Has wearing a mask been a blessing or a curse? Has it provided a way for people to find more privacy, solitude, and protection, or has it been an excuse to get out of family functions, office parties, or even the dating scene? Psychotherapist Elke Scholz has extensively researched the mask vs. maskless controversy from the medical and emotional points of view and will explain how the past year of mask-wearing has profoundly impacted our relationships and careers. An expert on social anxiety, Elke can offer valuable insights to help people comfortably return to the job site, the theater, stadiums, schools, places of worship, airplanes, and meetings, no matter where they stand on the issue. She also offers anti-anxiety and pro-wellness kits for employees, at-risk youth and seniors. A therapist for over 35 years, Elke Scholz is the author of “Anxiety Warrior Vol. One” and “Vol. Two.” Contact her at (705) 710-4315; escholz@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Anime’s Growing Global Popularity
Anime has been a part of collective popular culture since the 1970s when it reached TV markets around the world, but the Japanese cartoons have exploded in popularity since then. Once just for niche audiences, anime has gone mainstream, influencing some of Hollywood’s biggest hits. The “Wall Street Journal” reports that 100 million households watched at least one anime title on Netflix in 2020, a 50% increase over the year before. Pop culture guru Lauren Moore, host and producer for the anime website Funimation.com, can discuss what’s behind the recent boom in anime among U.S. audiences. She can also recommend some anime titles listeners can check out, including horror anime titles in time for Halloween, whether you’re new to the anime world or a diehard fan. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com
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