01. Ret. Brig. Gen. Talks Taliban, Afghanistan and the Future
02. A Scary Energy Winter is Coming
03. Insider: What Really Goes On at the FDA?
04. Will Banks Squash USPS Plan Again?
05. Halloween Spending to Hit Record High
06. Trendiest Post-COVID Cosmetic Procedures
07. What’s Behind the Increase in Post-COVID Homeschooling?
08. Everything You Wanted to Know about Frozen Embryos but Were Afraid to Ask
09. Ignore This and You May Put Your Children’s Lives at Risk
10. Mask vs Mask-Free: Understanding the Debate
11. Why is the U.S. C-Section Rate So High?
12. Drink Your Way to Increased Immunity
13. Is Your Kid Ready for the High Costs of Higher Learning?
14. Successful Lawyer Proves Anyone Can Overcome Extreme Adversity
15. She Helps Stuck Souls Cross Over to the Other Side
1.==> Ret. Brig. General Talks Taliban, Afghanistan and the Future
What will happen now that the U.S. has physically departed Afghanistan? How will major nations including the United States, Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Turkey continue to grapple with serious Afghan-related challenges that extend beyond its borders? Ret. Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack, who served as the Director of the Joint Intelligence and Operations Center in Afghanistan from 2008-2009, can discuss the forces at play in that country and the brutal history of the region while providing the region’s forces at play insight into the people beyond the usual clichés. Zwack’s new book, “Afghanistan Kabul Kurier,” provides an eyewitness account of the complexities of Afghanistan through a series of letters he wrote while serving as a U.S. top military intelligence officer on the ground during a particularly tumultuous period. He spent more than 34 years of U.S. military service in senior command and staff positions in Afghanistan, Germany, Kosovo, South Korea, and Moscow. He currently serves as a Wilson Center Global Fellow within the Kennan Institute and frequently appears to discuss national security and leadership issues in the media. Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 979-7438; BG.PBZ.r@gmail.com
2. ==> A Scary Energy Winter is Coming
Thomas Friedman believes this could be the worst energy winter since 1973. He says that the tectonic geopolitical plates that hold up the world economy are shifting. “Several forces are coming together that could make Vladimir Putin the king of Europe, enable Iran to thumb its nose at America and build an atomic bomb, and disrupt European power markets enough that the upcoming U.N. climate conference in Glasgow could suffer blackouts owing to too little clean energy.” He explains the cause as a good-news-bad-news situation. “The good news is that every major economy has signed onto reducing its carbon footprint by phasing out dirtier fuels like coal to heat homes and to power industries. The bad news is that most nations are doing it in totally uncoordinated ways, from the top down, and before the market has produced sufficient clean renewables like wind, solar and hydro.” Thomas L. Friedman is an internationally renowned author, reporter, and columnist. He’s the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes and the author of seven best-selling books, among them “From Beirut to Jerusalem” and “The World Is Flat.” To book Friedman, contact FSG Publicity at fsg.publicity@fsgbooks.com
3. ==> Insider: What Really Goes On at the FDA?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates more than $1 trillion worth of consumer goods each year and is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring Americans’ food, drugs and medical devices are safe and effective. But a former director says most people would be surprised by what goes on behind closed doors of the agency. Richard Williams, Ph.D., is the author of “Fixing Food: An FDA Insider Unravels the Myths and the Solutions.” Invite him on your show to talk about the health and safety of our food supply. You’ll learn why one out of every six Americans get food poisoning every year, and why two-thirds of us are overweight or obese and why, by 2030, despite FDA’s nutrition labeling, one out of every two Americans is expected to be obese! Dr. Williams can also discuss new tools coming from private entrepreneurs that will help consumers eat more safely and healthier. Richard Williams, Ph.D., served as the director for social science with the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the Food and Drug Administration from 1980 to 2007. He then served as vice president for policy research at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. 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. ==> Will Banks Squash USPS Plan Again?
The U.S. Postal Service has quietly begun offering a handful of new or expanded financial services in four cities, a potential first step toward a return to postal banking, which advocates say could help rescue the agency’s finances and assist millions of people who have limited or no access to the banking system. Historian Christopher Shaw says, “It’s a case of market failure where the banking industry is not interested in serving these people because they’re not profitable enough and where the Postal Service, because it is a government service, can step in and help with that market failure and ensure those services are available.” He says, “Many other nations use postal banking, and in the twentieth century the United States did too. My research reveals that in the 1960s the banking lobby killed postal banking, opening the door for the millions of unbanked who currently pay high fees for basic financial services.” Shaw’s latest book, “First Class: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy, and the Corporate Threat,” will be released in November. Contact him at christophershaw.ca@gmail.com; @chris_w_shaw
5. ==> Halloween Spending to Hit Record High
Consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. “Americans plan to spend more than ever to make this Halloween a memorable one,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay says. The survey finds that 65% of Americans plan to celebrate the holiday, with the average consumer spending about $100 on candy, costumes, decorations and greeting cards, and those with kids spending twice as much as those without. And what costumes are people buying? Superheroes and princesses top the list for kids, while adults are embracing traditional Halloween favorites like ghosts, witches and vampires. And Shay says interest in pet costumes remains high, with one in five intending to dress their pet up for Halloween this year. The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association. Contact Danielle Inman at (855) 637-7737; press@nrf.com
6. ==> Trendiest Post-COVID Cosmetic Procedures
Having been given the green light to resume elective surgery in late 2020, plastic surgeons have found themselves managing waiting lists that stretch for months, even years. For Vasileios Vasilakis, M.D., it’s no surprise that demand for cosmetic procedures is on the rise again, especially now that more Americans are fully vaccinated. “With COVID-19 cases dropping each day, many are confidently approaching the procedures they’ve always wanted to have done,” Dr. Vasilakis says. He says the most requested procedures have been liposuction and breast augmentation along with facial procedures involving fillers and injectables. “The fact that people are now going mask-less is definitely motivating this new demand,” Dr. Vasilakis points out. “Aside from these injectables, we’re also receiving many inquiries about surgical lip lifts because they want to show off their new looks without a mask.” A surgeon at Memorial Plastic Surgery in Texas, Dr. Vasilakis specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, nose, and body. Contact Dr. Vasilakis or Dr. Patrick Hsu at (713) 633-4411; @memorialplasticsurgery
7. ==> What’s 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
8. ==> 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
9. ==> Ignore This and You May Put Your Children’s Lives at Risk
When it comes to health, people often think it’s all up to their doctors. Not so, warns Anne McAwley-LeDuc, a retired nurse practitioner (APRN), who says patients have an important role in their own medical team, a role they often shirk out of lack of awareness. Often overlooked, she’ll say, are the patient’s duties for keeping full and accurate records of medical histories, doctor visits, procedures, treatments, medications, vaccinations and more. Parents are responsible for doing so for their children and teens too. In an interview, she can share where and how you should keep and maintain those essential medical records, and the role that COVID-19 has played in making this task more important than ever. Contact Anne McAwley-LeDuc at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
10. ==> 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 jobsite, 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
11. ==> Why is the U.S. C-Section Rate So High?
In the United States, c-sections are performed more than any other surgery and account for about 34% of all deliveries. While sometimes needed to save the lives of mothers and their babies, the risk of complications can be higher than with vaginal births. When Dr. Alan Lindemann was in his OB/GYN residency 40 years ago, the c-section rate at his hospital was about 11%. What’s happened? Dr. Lindemann can answer your questions about why this rate is so high and reveal ways mothers can avoid unnecessary surgery. He has produced a video course for women on how to navigate through their pregnancy safely and is completing the book “Pregnancy Your Way.” Contact Alan Lindemann, M.D., at (701) 399-9556; ALindemann@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Drink Your Way to Increased Immunity
The Brits do it. So do little old ladies. But is tea something that belongs in your cupboard and in your cup if you want to boost your immunity to flu and viruses, and feel and look your best? Listen to nutritional expert Tilak Silva and learn why you should never overlook tea when it comes to building immunity from disease and other health-zapping dangers. The inventor of CilanTea, Tilak will teach your audience how to literally drink their way to greater strength, healthier skin, more energy, fewer illnesses, and better sleep. Oh, and Tilak will also tell you what beverages are best avoided because they may depress immune systems. Ask him: What’s the best way to take advantage of tea’s benefits? What are the best times of day to drink tea? What foods go best with a cup, and what should you not pair with tea? Contact TIlak Silva at (310) 483-2785, tsilva@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Is Your Kid Ready for the High Costs of Higher Learning?
Are the parents in your audience tired of nagging their kids to study to get better grades? If so, Pete Andersen, Ph.D., an Amazon best-selling author of “The 3 Secret Skills of Top Performers,” a father of six college graduates, and a former principal and school superintendent, is on hand to give the success secrets they need to raise go-getters instead of excuse-makers. Dr. Pete will explain the need for an early discussion of the costs of college, the family sacrifices that may be needed and why higher education is an investment not to be wasted. He can also share why top students set low positive goals, and parents should wear college sweatshirts and discuss shared expectations. Ask him how can you teach your student to hold themselves accountable and demonstrate serious learning behaviors? What are top-performing students doing that your kids aren’t doing? How can parents raise positive expectations for future success in their children? Contact Dr. Pete Andersen at (858) 886-9820 (text); drpete@The3SecretSkillsofTopPerformers.com
14. ==> Successful Lawyer Proves Anyone Can Overcome Extreme Adversity
Talk to Francine Tone, and you’ll be surprised that her life turned out so successful and positive, after facing so much adversity. Today she is an accomplished attorney, author, speaker and devoted mother. But things didn’t look that way in her youth. After loss and abandonment as a child, she was molested by her adoptive father while just a little girl. She contemplated suicide nightly as a teen. She suffered a near-fatal car accident, went through a troubling divorce, got cancer and then dealt with a traumatic injury to her only son. So many times she was tempted to give up. But she did not. And she is prepared to tell others how they, too, can overcome difficulties and get their lives in order despite the worst of the worst happening. Today she says she is the luckiest girl in the world — especially as she surfs overhead waves on the North Shore of Hawaii. Among Francine’s successful projects is “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know,” a best-selling book that helps laymen navigate the law. Contact her at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com
15. ==> She Helps Stuck Souls Cross Over to the Other Side
Jean Keegan Daly can talk about extraordinary experiences she had rescuing the souls of people who had died but were stuck between our world and their spiritual home. This soul rescuer helped a young couple who died in the Vietnam War reunite in death and cross over, a six-year-old boy who lived in 1841 and died after falling into a silo or grain bin and a 1950s’-era mother, father and two-year-old disoriented after the auto accident that killed them. Jean can describe the clarity she experienced during each of these rescues including how she was able to intuit names and other details she would have no way of knowing. She can also talk about the expanded consciousness technique she utilized that made her feel like she was flying. Ask her: Does a time warp exist between this life and the next? How has having these experiences impacted her life? Jean’s experiences were unrelated to her career as a retired hospice nurse. She shares them in her memoir, “Reflections of a Seasoned Soul.” Jean has appeared on local television and taught at community colleges and hospitals. Reach her at (609) 912-3778; Jkeegandaly@rtirguests.com
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