01. Best Haunted Attractions: Nightmares, Screams and Laughs
02. No Pumpkin? How about a Halloween Pineapple?
03. How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro
04. Candy or Cash? Financial Fun for Trick-Or-Treaters
05. Scary Stories: Top 10 Terrifying Tales
06. Squash the ‘Squid Game’ Costumes
07. How to Handle the Halloween Haul
08. When Kids See Spirits
09. Bracing for Extreme Weather: The Enormous Price Tag Grows
10. Do Shy People Make Good Leaders?
11. What No One Tells You about Critical Race Theory
12. Behind the Increase in Post-COVID Homeschooling
13. 10 Things You Need to Know about Alzheimer’s Before It Strikes Your Family
14. The Surprising Truth about Bipolar Disease
15. Comics Expert: The History of American Comics
1. ==> Best Haunted Attractions: Nightmares, Screams and Laughs
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 The 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
2. ==> No Pumpkin? How about a Halloween Pineapple?
It might seem weird to suggest you replace your gourds with tropical fruit, but in some parts of the country pumpkins are scarce and prices are pretty steep so the Dole Food company thinks this may be the year their annual Pineapple-O’-Lantern campaign really takes off. The company created the initiative to promote the nutrition and convenience benefits of the pineapple to help Halloween lovers without a pumpkin to carve. “For years we’ve been encouraging fruit-loving families to try something new by carving a pineapple at Halloween and are now expanding our efforts in light of any possible pumpkin scarcity,” says Melanie Marcus, RD, M.A. Dole’s nutrition and health communications manager. “Of course, pineapples have an important nutritional profile and are so much easier to prepare and enjoy than pumpkins since you don’t have to cook them.” According to Marcus, the fruit is low in fat and sodium and high in vitamin C and antioxidants – making it the perfect sweet treat after a night of trick-or-treating. Ask about free, downloadable pineapple Jack-O’-Lantern carving templates and fall recipes. Contact Bob Ochsner or Gemma Stewart at (714) 694-7190
3. ==> How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro
If you’ve gotten your hands on a pumpkin this year, you don’t want to ruin it (or wind up in the ER with a nasty injury.) Safely tap into your inner artist when you grab your gourd and up your game with some expert tips, starting with what shape of pumpkin is best. Don’t be afraid to get one that’s more visually interesting or even misshaped as long as it doesn’t have any soft spots, according to Masterpiece Pumpkins’ Gene Granata, who has been expertly carving pumpkins for more than 20 years. He’ll share hacks that will simplify the job like cutting open the bottom instead of the top around the stem. “When you pull that plug out, a lot of the seeds and stringy stuff comes out with it. Half your job of cleaning out the pumpkin is already done,” he says. Gene Granata custom carves pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns, and designs carving patterns and stencils. He specializes in camera-ready pumpkins for movie and theater props, homes, businesses, and weddings. Contact him at (949) 874-4503; gene@masterpiecepumpkins.com
4.==> Candy or Cash? Financial Fun for Trick-Or-Treaters
A group of financial educators is urging parents, families, neighbors and local businesses to make Halloween a little sweeter this year — and a whole lot healthier — by exchanging cash for candy and teaching money management and savings lessons in the process. “Getting involved in the Cash for Candy campaign is a great way to strengthen both the physical and financial well-being of the youngest members of your community,” says Vince Shorb, CEO of the National Financial Educators Council. “None of us need as much candy as our kids can collect on Halloween night, but we could all use a reminder of money-saving tips.” Shorb will share simple, hands-on tools to use the holiday as a teachable financial education moment and to reduce the amount of sweet treats kids consume after trick-or-treating. Get a free, downloadable guide for parents, treat-givers, and organizations with simple financial literacy activities to help kids learn about money and find out about the Cash for Candy Toss Contest. Contact Trevor Stoll at (702) 620-3059; 320991@email4pr.com
5. ==> Scary Stories: Top 10 Terrifying Tales
Want to talk scary books? Invite Mary Oves to share the “Top Ten Scariest Novels Ever Written” and hear why it’s so hard to write literature that goes bump in the night. Oves, an English professor and Halloween fanatic, devours (no pun intended) scary novels. She also loves Halloween lore and grew up hearing haunted tales and watching documentaries about the Jersey Devil. To this day, she keeps a wary eye out for the Jersey Devil and his wayward mother while on weekend hikes! If you’re in the New Jersey area, ask her about the story and where to go to try and spot him, and see where he grew up! Oves’ writing has appeared in the “New York Times,” “Philadelphia Inquirer,” the Erma Bombeck Humor website and many other publications. She teaches English at Stockton University and is the author of “The Chrysalis Collective.” Contact Mary Oves at (609) 408-8762; maryoveschrysaliscollective@gmail.com
6. ==> Squash the ‘Squid Game’ Costumes
“’Squid Game’ has become the new addiction — and it is not all fun and games!” according to Dr. Carole Lieberman, a forensic psychiatrist and former head of the National Coalition on TV Violence. She says, “The violence is strangely sanitized and sadistic at the same time, and it mesmerizes viewers like a grotesque car accident, where we can’t look away.” Dr. Lieberman says society is already on edge and extremely vulnerable to becoming violent. “The popularity of this show, especially so close to Halloween, will make it the costume of choice for many kids. This is dangerous because it shows kids that their parents validate the violence, and — just like with any costume — the wearer naturally acts out like the character they are dressed up to be.” Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist who has testified before Congress three times about the impact of media violence. She hosts a radio show and podcast and is the author of several books. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
7. ==> How to Handle the Halloween Haul
Trick or Treat! A lot of parents are thinking about Halloween costumes and safety, but another concern 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 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
8. ==> When Kids See Spirits
For most kids, Halloween is all fun and games and pretend, but what about children who see real spirits in the world? Alicia McBride saw her first memorable spirit apparition at 12 years old. Invite her on your show to discuss her experiences as a child and how she learned to overcome the fear associated with seeing ghosts and sharing the details of her encounters with other people. She’ll openly talk about going through a spiritual awakening and communicating with spirits, living and deceased. Alicia McBride is the author of the international best-seller “I Feel Too Much: A How-to Guide for the Beginner Empath.” Contact her at healinglightempath@gmail.com
9. ==> Bracing for Extreme Weather: The Enormous Price Tag Grows
Severe weather is headed for much of the country this week as we batten down the hatches once again. According to a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information, 2021 is likely to be one of the costliest years ever for the U.S. thanks to weather disasters. The report listed 18 separate weather and climate disasters that have cost us at least $1 billion. Among those increasing disasters have been wildfires that at the moment are burning in California, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Available to talk about the impact increased wildfires are having on the country and ways we can be better prepared to fight them is Jim Moseley, whose company, Sun FireDefense, has developed technology whose widespread use could save property and lives. Jim will discuss how new technology can protect homes, why the western U.S. and Canada are so prone to damaging wildfires and ways new technologies can protect wildlife, the environment and communities at risk. Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Do Shy People Make Good Leaders?
Must good leaders be loud and confident? Or can someone quiet, calm, and introverted be good at inspiring others? Reserved people are often misunderstood in the American workplace, observes workplace specialist Marc A. Pitman. He can talk about why it’s a mistake to assume that quiet people are less ambitious or charismatic and although the way they lead may look different it can be very effective. He can discuss the difference between reserved people and active people who tend to be loud and don’t always think before they speak and how both types can understand each other more. Marc has a master’s degree in organizational leadership and 30 years of studying leadership to his credit. He’s been featured in “Real Simple” and “SUCCESS,” and on NBC, and Fox News. Marc is the author of seven books, the latest of which is “The Surprising Gift of Doubt: Use Uncertainty to Become the Exceptional Leader You Are Meant to Be.” Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610 (SC); mpitman@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. ==> 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
13. ==> 10 Things You Need to Know about Alzheimer’s Before It Strikes Your Family
Many people regard Alzheimer’s as a disease of the old. But did you know that people as young as 30 can get it? Or that it can strike when least expected, forcing fairly young spouses into the role of caregiver with young children at home? Discover what you should know about this memory-robbing disease when you interview Carlen Maddux, a former reporter who chronicled his family’s 17-year Alzheimer’s journey in “A Path Revealed.” His wife, Martha, was just past her 50th birthday when diagnosed. Your audience will hear about the signs and symptoms of this unforgiving condition, along with coping skills and lifestyle improvements that could help many families. Highly articulate, Carlen has done dozens of interviews about this moving topic. Ask him: How are people blindsided by the first signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s? Is the disease ever mistaken for something else? Will this be the new boomer pandemic? Who might be especially susceptible? What treatments are available to enhance health and quality of life? What does caregiving involve? Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Surprising Truth about Bipolar Disease
Invite Diana Grippo on your show to engage listeners with her story of battling back from debilitating aspects of bipolar disease, explaining why it is difficult to think your way out of a depression but you can often act your way out of one. Her gritty yet inspiring story will touch on what it was like to be homeless in San Francisco’s legendary Tenderloin area, why she is certain she would have a police record if she were Black, and how it is possible to be a highly functioning employee with a bipolar diagnosis. She’ll also share the three-pronged approach she recommends for people who are depressed. Diana is a former high school English teacher and the author of “Bipolar Chronicles: From Crazed to Content.” Contact her at (650) 417-1242; dianagrippo@gmail.com
15. ==> Comics Expert: The History of American Comics
From cartoons to comic strips and graphic novels, invite acclaimed author and Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber to discuss comics and their century-long hold on the American imagination. Listeners will hear about the unlikely heroes (and villains) of comics history, from the golden age of newspaper comic strips and the first hero boom that brought us Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and hundreds of others to the grim and gritty fallen heroes of the 1990s and the graphic novel’s brilliant rise. Dauber says we can understand how America sees itself through whose stories comics tell. His new book, “American Comics: A History,” chronicles the last 150 years of American history through the lens of its comic strips, political cartoons, superheroes, graphic novels, and more. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703)-646-5137 or (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Brittany Odoms, publicity assistant at (703) 646-5188 (office).