01. Veteran Middle East Journalist Charles Glass
02. International Law and the Israel-Hamas War
03. What’s Behind All the Pharmacy Walkouts?
04. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and the Osage Tribe
05. They Call Her The Queen of Halloween
06. Interview This Pumpkin Carving Expert
07. Ex-Pro Linebacker Credits Halloween ‘Nightmare’ for Epic Keys to Success
08. For Halloween: A Real-Life ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Story
09. Forget Your Triggers, Look for Your Glimmers
10. How to Work Smarter, Not Harder
11. What No One Tells You About Charitable Giving
12. How You Can Avoid America’s No. 1 Killer
13. This DJ Came Straight Out of Compton to Become a Loving Single Dad
14. Parenting: Inspiring Picture Books for Girls
15. Sober October: How to Be Social Without Alcohol
1.==> Veteran Middle East Journalist Charles Glass
Israel continues to launch air strikes on Gaza, while the U.S. is urging a delay in a planned ground invasion to allow more time for hostage negotiations and aid deliveries. With the situation in daily flux, invite veteran journalist Charles Glass to give his expert take on the ongoing war as well as historic perspective. Glass is a noted journalist who has covered the Mideast for decades. He was ABC News chief Middle East correspondent from 1983 to 1993, and has worked as a correspondent for “Newsweek” and “The Observer.” His books include “Tribes with Flags and Syria Burning: A Short History of a Catastrophe.” Contact him at charlesglassbooks@gmail.com, @charlesmglass
2. ==> International Law and the Israel-Hamas War
The atrocities Hamas committed against Israel have prompted the Israeli government to embark on a war of still-unknown magnitude against the Palestinian militant group, raising a host of questions about the combatants’ legal obligations. David Scheffer, an expert on international law and human rights, can explain Hamas’s war crimes, whether Hamas is covered under international law, Israel’s self-defense and what it needs to do to comply with international humanitarian law. He can also talk about the roughly 200 hostages taken by Hamas, and how that complicates the situation. David Scheffer is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), with a focus on international law and international criminal justice. He is also director emeritus of the Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Contact him at dscheffer@cfr.org
3. ==> What’s Behind All the Pharmacy Walkouts?
Dozens of pharmacists at Walgreens and CVS have staged walkouts this month, and more walkouts are planned in the coming weeks to protest unsafe working conditions in pharmacies. Megan Ehret — who is now a faculty member at a school of pharmacy and works to help provide pharmacies with injectable medications — previously worked at CVS for nearly 15 years as a part-time floater pharmacist. She says, “Post-COVID, the workload at community pharmacies has skyrocketed due to a host of factors. Before, if you walked into any Walgreens and most CVS’s, there would be some shift overlap where two to three pharmacists were on shift, where now there is only one. We’re seeing a lot of burnout — a lot of people leaving community pharmacies and leaving the profession altogether.” She adds, “People are angry. We can expect more walkouts.” Megan Ehret is a professor and co-director of the Mental Health Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Contact her at mehret@rx.umaryland.edu
4. ==> ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and the Osage Tribe
Everyone is buzzing about “Killers of the Flower Moon,” director Martin Scorsese’s new film based on a little-known part of history that occurred in the 1920s after oil was discovered by members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. When he was a reporter with Gaylord News, a reporting project at the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jim B. North interviewed members of the Osage tribe and has great stories to tell about the events that make up the new film. He can talk about the impact the oil discovery and newfound wealth had on the tribe. His new book, “Unsung Heroes Wear No Capes,” also contains some Native American removal stories. Jim has won multiple journalism awards for his human-interest storytelling and was a workshop speaker at the John Hope Franklin Symposium in Tulsa. He holds a B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in professional writing. He studied international reporting at Hebrew University. Contact Jim at (918) 809-0565; jim@jimbnorth.co
5. ==> They Call Her The Queen of Halloween
Lesley Bannatyne is very popular this time of year. Known as the Queen of Halloween, the freelance journalist and author has written extensively about the holiday and has appeared as an expert on media around the globe. She can explain just about anything related to Halloween including the ancient Celtic roots of the holiday during Samhain, or summer’s end, when spirits from the otherworld were thought to mingle with the living. Hear how Halloween crossed the Atlantic through the folklore of Irish and Scottish immigrants, the link between Americans’ interest in Halloween and the Civil War, and what happened in the 20th century to turn the holiday into the cultural phenomenon it is today. Lesley Bannatyne’s books include “Halloween Nation,” “Halloween: An American Holiday, and American History,” and “A Halloween Reader: Poems, Stories, and Plays from Halloweens Past.” Contact her at Lesley.bannatyne@gmail.com
6. ==> Interview This Pumpkin Carving Expert
Looking for some pumpkin carving inspiration? Have a large, diverse crew that might not be the best with knives? Grab some pumpkins and get everyone involved in some Halloween fun when you invite Patsy Fox of Pumpkin Masters to share great, creative ideas! “Pumpkin crafting is a fun, hands-on activity that encourages teens to put their phone down, be a kid again for a while and connect with family.” Fox has tips and tricks to make pumpkin crafting “cool” for teens as well as ways to make it safe for smaller hands. She’ll also share helpful ideas to make the most out of your pumpkin while being kind to the planet, like roasting the seeds and donating your post-Halloween pumpkins to a local farm or zoo to feed animals. Your listeners can even win up to $5,000 when they post their pumpkin pics online! Pumpkin Masters makes kits, tools and accessories for crafting Halloween pumpkins. Contact Kylee Julian at (816) 309-9091; kylee.julian@vmlyr.com
7. ==> Ex-Pro Linebacker Credits Halloween ‘Nightmare’ for Epic Keys to Success
When best-selling author John Nicholas crashed into a house during a Halloween night car chase with police at age 16, it almost ruined his life. Desperate for direction, he discovered keys that quickly transformed him from “dumb jock” to Ivy League scholar, pro football player and successful entrepreneur. He credits something he calls Personal Convergence, a dynamic force similar to nuclear fusion, that has fueled high-impact people throughout history and can help us target and direct our lives today – if we know about it. John’s upcoming book “Hit Your Bullseye!” shares how you can harness this power to achieve your ultimate life, career, business, or calling. John has appeared on ABC News, CBS News, syndicated radio, and numerous podcasts. He also wrote the popular book, “Debt-Free ASAP!” Contact him at (214) 225-9991; Jnicholas@rtirguests.com
8. ==> For Halloween: A Real-Life ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Story
In the 1975 cult movie classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a young couple’s car breaks down in front of a spooky house. They knock on the door and encounter Dr. Frank-IN-Furter and assorted other weirdos. Detri McGhee (say DE’ trah) — a perfect guest for the Halloween season — had a ‘Rocky Horror” moment herself in the 1980s before cellphones when her car ran out of gas two miles from home late at night at the entrance to three cemeteries. Dressed in black and wearing high heels suitable for the business meeting she had been at, she found herself stranded in a rough neighborhood known to be home to bears and panthers. To find out what happened you will have to interview Detri for the ultimately uplifting story that changed her life. Detri runs the nonprofit Reaching for Life, Inc. which encourages reading writing, and communicating through developing advanced emotional intelligence skills. Contact Detri McGhee at (870) 407-7523; dmcghee@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Forget Your Triggers, Look for Your Glimmers
When we talk about emotional healing and mindfulness, there’s a lot of talk about triggers and avoiding things that could trigger us. Sometimes it can seem like the idea of a healing journey is a trigger within itself. Dravon James focuses on a more positive and active approach to mindfulness and mental health. She espouses looking for glimmers; small moments that prompt our bodies and minds to feel safe, regulated, and at ease. “A glimmer can be as simple as keeping a voicemail from a loved one that you can refer to when you need a reminder that you’re appreciated and cared for,” she says. “The idea is to shift the focus toward actively engaging with elements of your life that can inspire joy, instead of waiting in fear for something to bring you down.” She’ll explain how to find your own glimmers, why you need to flex your happiness muscle, and how gratitude feeds happiness. Dravon James is the founder of Everyday Peace and the author of “Freedom is Your Birthright.” Contact Mackenzie August at (661) 255-8283; mackenzie@steveallenmedia.com
10. ==> 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
11. ==> What No One Tells You About Charitable Giving
Those who donate to charities that are dear to their hearts always have the best of intentions. But where exactly do their dollars go? And are the funds actually making an impact? “There are more than 1.7 million public charities in our country, and many of them overlap services with others and need to compete for donor dollars and grants,” says nonprofit expert and author Michele Whetzel. “People need to do their homework before donating to organizations. Charities should be findable and transparent and should register and share their financials on sites like Guidestar.org and CharityNavigator.org.” 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
12. ==> How You Can Avoid America’s No. 1 Killer
Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death among American men and women? The good news is, it can be avoided, according to long-time nurse Allen Daugherty. “The American health-care system is designed to focus on diseases after they happen,” he says. “So we need to change our mindset to focus on prevention.” Allen can share the types of screenings, lifestyle changes and other preventative steps we can take before becoming another statistic. He has worked in the medical field for almost 50 years, first as a U.S. Air Force medic then as an RN and certified dialysis nurse. He is the author of “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth More Than You Can Imagine.” Contact Allen at (540) 712-8704; adaugherty@rtirguests.com
13. ==> This DJ Came Straight Out of Compton to Become a Loving Single Dad
While growing up on the mean streets of Compton, Calif., amidst police brutality, gangs, drugs and a broken home, Damon Grayson managed to become a productive member of society and devoted single father to three boys. “I was eventually able to overcome the obstacles by focusing on myself, instead of focusing on the antagonistic reality that surrounded my daily life,” he says. Damon channeled his frustrations into music by becoming a successful DJ who worked with Dr. Dre, an entrepreneur who owned many successful businesses and a relationship expert who has counseled many couples. He is the acclaimed author of “When His Ways Meet Yours: When You Love You He Will Follow Suit.” Contact Damon Grayson at (760) 490-0656; dgrayson@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Parenting: Inspiring Picture Books for Girls
We tell our children they can become anything they choose, but how do we open the world to them so they know their choices? Dr. Samantha Pillay hopes to provide some inspiration for little girls. “Being a surgeon has delivered fantastic opportunities to develop diverse skills, exceeding my expectations. My dream is to have more young women believe that they too can become surgeons.” Pillay’s “Inspirational Careers for Kids” picture book series aims to set young girls on a course to dream big and aim high. Pillay is driven to help the next generation overcome the career barriers and gender stereotypes she faced as the first female to train in urological surgery in South Australia. She has devoted her career as a surgeon to treating incontinence, reducing the stigma, and educating doctors, health professionals and the community. “When I Become a Surgeon,” “When I Become an Astronaut,” and “When I Become an Entrepreneur” are the first three books in her new series. Contact Dr. Samantha Pillay at (840) 889-0667; drssp@continencematters.com
15. ==> Sober October: How to Be Social Without Alcohol
It’s Sober October, a challenge to social drinkers to go the entire month without consuming alcohol. You can’t argue with the health benefits of abstinence, which include better sleep, glowing skin and weight loss. But sobriety will also affect your social life, especially if you have social anxiety and use booze as a “social lubricant.” As social animals with the need to belong in a tribe or community “we get anxious in social situations because, with social anxiety, there is a sense that people will judge or reject us,” says clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen. The author of “How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety” says these thoughts can lead to feelings of incompetence and inadequacy. Turning to alcohol for artificial confidence “is so ingrained in our culture, and it’s a socially acceptable, and even expected form of reducing inhibitions,” she adds. She’ll explain how developing true self-confidence starts with recognizing the lies feeding the habit and discuss ways to cope without alcohol. Ellen Hendriksen serves on the faculty at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD). Contact her at ellen@ellenhendriksen.com