01. Fascism Expert on Project 2025 and Great Replacement Theory
02. The Right-Wing Litigation Group Attacking Public Health
03. Leadership Trend: Bringing Back the White Guy
04. 2024 Halloween Costume Trends
05. It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Puts an Eye Out
06. Halloween Magic With The Mayor Of Hell
07. Forgotten College Football History
08. October is Depression Awareness Month: Doc Shares Reasons For the Epidemic
09. Diddy Case Exposes Secret World of Sex Trafficking
10. Great Show for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
11. Panic, Anxiety, Procrastination: Signs of Hidden Trauma
12. How to Deal with an Out-of-Control Ego (Yours or Theirs)
13. This Middle-Aged Mom Has 1M YouTube Viewers
14. Longtime Journalist on Solving the Mystery of his Birth Story
15. Scientists, a Seed Bank and an Impossible Choice
1. ==> Fascism Expert on Project 2025 and Great Replacement Theory
There’s been a lot of talk about fascism this election season, but what is a fascist? Yale University philosophy professor Jason Stanley will discuss the global rise of authoritarianism in the United States, Russia, Israel and beyond. Stanley, author of the new book “Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future,” will explain how erasing history paves the way for ethnic, racial and religious nationalism, which is the core of the message we’re hearing from MAGA Republicans today. “What you do is you eliminate the history of nonwhite Christian men, and you instead elevate the stories of great white Christian men, who are supposedly the people who make our country great. And that way, you can represent nonwhite immigration as an existential threat to the nation.” Stanley says the current Republican message is that Democrats are behind this great replacement. And that is actually aiming political violence not just against immigrants, but at their political opponents. He’ll also explain what Project 2025 aims to accomplish by replacing civil servants and educators with party loyalists, and what he thinks about JD Vance as one of the emerging intellectuals of this authoritarian movement. Contact Jason Stanley at rop1@columbia.edu
2. ==> The Right-Wing Litigation Group Attacking Public Health
A corporate-aligned litigation group with ties to right-wing petrochemical billionaire Charles Koch is suing the Biden administration, alleging it influenced content moderation decisions made by social media companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case centers around the administration’s efforts to get Americans vaccinated, with the lawsuit claiming that the government coerced social media companies to restrict posts on Facebook and TikTok. Journalist Walter Bragman calls the censorship lawsuits an iteration of the war on public health. “Right-wing operatives have shifted their focus from opposing lockdown measures to rewriting history in a way that validates fringe contrarian views. They have launched lawsuits to show that their arguments were rejected during the pandemic not because they were discredited, but because there was a conspiracy against them.” Bragman says the lawsuits are protecting businesses down the line. “These groups want to poison the well of public health measures and take them off the table, so that no government will be able to impose a lockdown or tell private businesses to do anything to protect their workers.” Walter Bragman is co-founder of the OptOut Media Foundation. He writes the Substack Important Context. Contact him at walker@optout.news
3.==> Leadership Trend: Bringing Back the White Guy
2024 has been the year of CEO turnover with almost 1,500 having announced their departure so far—up 15% from the same period last year and the highest year-to-date total on record according to research from executive coaching and outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. “Companies are ushering in new leaders at an unprecedented clip. Economic uncertainty tends to drive leadership decisions and several indicators suggest not only is the labor marketing softening, but the market overall may be heading for a downturn,” says Andrew Challenger. So who is filling the CEO spots? Data shows companies are increasingly opting for white men. In August, the rate of new female CEOS fell to 27.2% in August. Challenger can discuss some of recent high-profile shakeups, which industries are seeing the most exits, and why leaders are leaving. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
4.==> 2024 Halloween Costume Trends
What will boys and ghouls be wearing this Halloween? According to the experts at Party City, this year’s most popular costumes will likely have a familiar vibe with Disney characters, “Deadpool,” and other pop culture favorites. Nostalgic costumes will also be hot like retro hippies and disco divas, along with traditional ghosts, witches and the ever-popular angels/devils. So what’s new? “Family and group costumes have always been a hit, but this year we’ve seen an incredible rise in interest in Mommy & Me Look-a-Like costumes,” says CEO Barry Litwin. Litwin can share advice on last-minute ideas and DIY costumes and discuss other Halloween trends. Contact Jennifer Ehlers at jehlers@partycity.com
5. ==> It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Puts an Eye Out
The Halloween season is filled with thrills and fun, but also potential mishaps. Pumpkin carving, costumes, unfamiliar homes, and young children traveling in darkness all provide possible scenarios for accidents and injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges children and adults to take proper precautions to ensure a safe Halloween. “We urge parents to set clear safety guidelines and supervise activities like pumpkin carving. By taking simple steps – such as using specialized carving tools and cutting away from the body – families can focus on the fun of Halloween rather than an unexpected hospital visit,” says Verena M. Schreiber, MD, FAAOS. She’ll share how to safely hang Halloween decorations, ways to carve a pumpkin without anyone getting hurt, and trick-or-treating safety tips for every age. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. Schedule an interview with an AAOS expert at media@aaos.org
6. ==> Halloween Magic With The Mayor Of Hell
Why do so many people love Halloween? And why do they love horror movies, especially at Halloween? It’s the celebration of dark magical mystery and masquerade of the season! And there’s nobody better to demonstrate and discuss the spooky season than actor and Gothic illusionist, Ron Fitzgerald, Master of the Dark Realm, and the former Mayor of Hell. For decades Ron has performed his unique brand of devilishly dark and humorous illusions from Hollywood to Hong Kong. Ron has also acted in lead and supporting roles in numerous horror movies over the past 20 years. Fitzgerald became the honorary Mayor of Hel (Michigan) for the first time in 2016 as part of his Halloween season that year. Have some fun and share some spooky season magic and madness with your audience! Contact Ron Fitzgerald at (312) 498-5383; fitzgerald@fitzgeraldsrealm.com
7. ==> Forgotten College Football History
Share the surprising story about the importance of college football in our country during World War II, and the lengths colleges went to preserve this American institution and keep morale high. West Point graduate, retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Vietnam veteran Rich Cacioppe gives your audience an in-depth look at college football in the crucial 1940s, as well as the unique cultural aspects that surrounded this tumultuous time. The author of “Black Knights and Fighting Irish” and an experienced media guest, Rich provides the answers to fascinating questions like: Why was the 1946 Army-Notre Dame game considered “The Game of the Century?” What was the shocking connection between Notre Dame and a 1951 cheating scandal at West Point? How does WWII’s impact on college football make today’s unprecedented Transfer Portal issue seem benign by comparison? Contact Rich Cacioppe at (239) 420-7460; rcacioppe@rtirguests.com
8. ==> October is Depression Awareness Month: Doc Shares Reasons For the Epidemic
One in 10 adults in the U.S. (18 Million) suffer from depression. “It is the leading cause of disability, costing the country over $100 billion a year in economic toll,” says author and retired psychiatrist Dr. Shila Patel. “There are 41,000 suicides per year compared to 16,000 homicides, with 50,000 in 2022.” Dr. Patel says that elderly men who are lonely have had the highest increase in suicide by gun rates in the last few years. And while women are more prone to depression, men are less inclined to talk about feelings and often do not seek help. She can share the main triggers of depression, such as chronic pain, financial, and relationship stress, and the most effective treatments. She is the author of “US Fractured.” Contact Dr. Shila Patel at (229) 586-6190; spatel@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Diddy Case Exposes Secret World of Sex Trafficking
Sean “Diddy” Combs is charged with what the Justice Department called a years-long scheme to sexually abuse and exploit women, allegedly using his business empire to commit the crimes. Attorney, activist and founder of The Red Movement, Shadan Kapri, says the case is just the beginning to understanding the secretive world of sex trafficking. Kapri will share the truth about the exploitation of children and women in the fashion industry, the entertainment industry, the sports world, and even high profile events like the World Cup, Olympics, and the Super bowl. Kapri, a former prosecutor and an expert in sex trafficking and domestic violence, believes we are entering a new era called The Red Movement, where people no longer support products, brand, people, corporation, and events that exploit the people are the planet. Shadan Kapri (pronounced Shadawn Capri) has been recognized nationally and internationally for her work in law and human rights. She is the author of “The Red Movement: Social and Environmental Justice in the 21st Century.” Contact her at (509) 720-0278; ShadanKapri@icloud.com
10. ==> Great Show for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
When you think of cancer treatments, the first thing to come to mind is typically chemotherapy or radiation. However, there’s another surprising, natural treatment that may help cure this dreaded disease: Sunlight. Francisca Epale shares her amazing, inspiring story of surviving breast cancer without chemotherapy (and with plenty of sun). A certified health and life coach and the award-winning author of “How I Conquered Breast Cancer Without Chemotherapy: My Journey from a Mess to a Message” (medical disclaimer included), Francisca looked for better ways to survive cancer after five of her family members died due to chemotherapy. After being diagnosed with breast cancer herself and successfully curing it, she now shares her advice to help other women fight breast cancer whether or not they choose to undergo traditional treatments. Contact Francisca Epale at (647) 692-3886; fepale@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Panic, Anxiety, Procrastination: Signs of Hidden Trauma
Author, coach and therapist Lisa Morgan experienced the kind of trauma that many people could not survive. After enduring a horrific childhood which included sexual abuse, violence, and neglect, she developed multiple personality disorder (soul-fracturing) as a way to cope. Despite the odds, Lisa not only survived the trauma, she also somehow managed to thrive and now helps others facing similar circumstances. Lisa can explain how she developed her own path forward with compassion and love, and how her Freedom Body Blueprint coaching methodology helps others to reclaim their authentic selves. “After navigating a 20-year journey through the dark night of the soul, I draw upon all of my professional experiences in psychiatry, 20-plus years of inner-healing, and all the wisdom, insights, and know-how gained along the way to provide hope for those who suffer.” Lisa is an author, speaker, and coach with 35-plus years of experience as a Certified Life Coach and Board- Certified Music Therapist. She is the author and co-author of several books including “Against All Odds.” Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Deal with an Out-of-Control Ego (Yours or Theirs)
Do you take everything personally? Do you experience extreme fear and anxiety when you believe that you’ve been wronged? Or do you know someone who does? According to psychologist and award-winning author Melody Krafft, those are signs someone’s ego is taking over their emotions, which is very destructive. “Contrary to popular belief, having a big ego is not good,” she says. “The ego’s purpose is to keep you stuck in the past.” Melody will explain how to get unstuck and the difference between confidence and having a big ego. She’ll also illustrate how many of the problems plaguing the world today stem from egos run amok. An experienced media guest and public speaker, Melody is the author of “Get Me Out of Here! What’s Beyond This Madness.” Contact her at (703) 951-4735; mkrafft@rtirguests.com
13. ==> This Middle-Aged Mom Has 1M YouTube Viewers
Most people associate YouTube with cool music, comedy, and how-to videos, as it’s primarily considered a bastion of young trendsetters. But author and English language educator Jennifer Lebedev is living proof that you don’t have to be a 20-something hipster to become a YouTube star. “I reached the 1 million subscriber mark on the channel when I was nearing 50,” she says. “I believe it’s important to step outside your comfort zone, especially in mid-life.” She can share how mid-lifers can successfully set and attain personal and professional goals, despite their hectic lives. Jennifer is a long-time educator and author of the book “Being a YouTuber: One Creator’s Bumpy Road to 1M Subscribers.” Contact Jennifer Lebedev at (617) 668-1804; jlebedev@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Longtime Journalist on Solving the Mystery of his Birth Story
Listeners who recognize David Tereshchuk from his decades as a producer and correspondent for PBS may view him in a new light after hearing the personal story he is now revealing. His new memoir, “A Question of Paternity: My Life as an Unaffiliated Reporter,” focuses on his decades-long search to figure out the dark secret surrounding his birth. On your show David will share how he used all of his skills as an investigative journalist in his attempt to discover his origins. He got the police involved. And the Catholic Church. And the Red Cross. And the British military. He’ll reveal what he did and didn’t find out, and what he ultimately learned from the search for his father. David Tereshchuk has been a producer and correspondent for PBS since 2012, concentrating on ethical issues. He broadcasts a weekly public radio dispatch of media criticism, The Media Beat, and writes an online column by the same name. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com
15. ==> Scientists, a Seed Bank and an Impossible Choice
The history of the world’s largest seed bank wouldn’t appear to be particularly interesting at first glance, but then you probably haven’t heard Simon Parkin’s version. Parkin will share the story of the Siege of Leningrad and how from 1941 to 1944, scientists at the world’s largest seed bank faced an impossible choice each day: eat the collection to prevent starvation, or protect their life’s work to help end world hunger? Drawing from previously unseen sources, Parkin will tell the incredible true story of the botanists who held their posts at the Plant Institute during the 872-day siege and the remarkable sacrifices they made in the name of science. Simon Parkin is a contributing writer for the “New Yorker,” and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His latest book is “The Forbidden Garden: The Botanists of Besieged Leningrad and Their Impossible Choice.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (o); (703) 400-1099 (c); johanna@jrbpr.biz or Reigan Wright at (703) 646-5188
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