01. The ‘Dump Trump’ Movement Grows
02. Don’t Run Joe – Why Biden Should Pass the Torch
03. Tripledemic of RSV, COVID and Flu Hits Most Vulnerable Kids
04. Like the Movie ‘Splash’ – Mermaids to the Rescue
05. New Season of Crackle TV’s ‘Going From Broke’
06. When the Holidays Hurt
07. Did Mom Put a Shoe in the Refrigerator?
08. Indigenous Peoples’ Month: Their Wisdom Can Save the World
09. Why Are So Many Black Women Obese?
10. Can You Guess the Most Important Minutes of the Day?
11. Why You Should Write an ‘Angry Letter’
12. A Traumatic Brain Injury Revealed Her Greatest Gift
13. This Guest Almost Missed Out on an Incredible Life
14. Behind-the-Scenes: A ‘Golden Girls’ Experience
15. An Incredible Story of Adoption, Identity and Family
1. ==> The ‘Dump Trump’ Movement Grows
Former President Donald Trump is teasing an announcement this week about whether he’ll run for the White House again. Will the GOP embrace him? Should he attempt another term in the Oval Office or allow the party to move forward with a new face? Merrill Matthews says there are several reasons to move past Trump. “There’s a plethora of potential GOP presidential candidates who would bring similar policies to the White House, but with less drama and fewer distractions.” Matthews says there will be no problem filling Trump’s shoes; the problem will be getting him to step out of those shoes. “While Democrats may be stuck with Biden, Republicans are not stuck with Trump. He may not be willing to move on with his life, but Republicans should be with theirs,” he says. Matthews says Trump brings too much baggage to a race and suggests that the GOP doesn’t need him anymore because his Supreme Court picks will continue to shape the future of American politics. Merrill Matthews is a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation, a research-based, public policy think tank, and a health policy expert and opinion contributor at “The Hill.” Contact him at mmathews@ipi.org; @merrillmatthews
2. ==> Don’t Run Joe – Why Biden Should Pass the Torch
President Joe Biden, who turns 80 this month, says he’ll announce his reelection intentions early next year. Biden’s approval ratings hit historical lows throughout his first two years in office, but his party exceeded expectations in last week’s midterm elections. Some observers believe Democrats over-performed in spite of Biden, not because of him, and are urging him to pass the torch. Jeff Cohen is co-founder of RootsAction.org which just launched Don’tRunJoe.org. The group states: “On issue after issue, Biden has offered ‘too little, too late’ — from voting rights to abortion rights to student debt to the climate crisis — and he has spent nearly two years demonstrating that he is incapable of using the power of the presidential ‘bully pulpit’ to mobilize for victory. On many issues, he has failed to use his executive authority, including the power to issue executive orders, to defend working families – a failure that can’t be blamed on Congress.” Jeff Cohen is a retired journalism professor at Ithaca College and the author of “Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media.” In 1986, he founded the media watch group FAIR. Contact him at jcohen@ithaca.edu, @Roots_Action
3. ==> Tripledemic of RSV, COVID and Flu Hits Most Vulnerable Kids
Health experts warn about a trifecta of illnesses swirling in many parts of the country. Respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) and flu cases are surging, causing a strain on children’s hospital capacities, while COVID-19 simmers in the background. “Our hospital is filling up with young babies who are struggling to breathe,” says Dr. James Reingold, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, calling the spike highly unusual. RSV typically appears in October and peaks in winter months, but children’s hospitals along much of the East Coast are experiencing peak-season volume now — a fact that doesn’t bode well, given that flu and COVID-19 cases are expected to continue to rise through wintertime. Reingold calls the situation a public health emergency. “We have enough licensed beds but we’re facing a shortage of staff to be able to open them all,” he says. “It’s been very challenging. A lot of nurses left the profession following COVID because of the burden placed on them and the burnout.” Reingold can explain why low-income communities are hardest hit by respiratory illnesses, the difference between RSV and the flu, the best ways to avoid getting sick, and when to seek medical help. Contact Paul Healy at (215) 427-4060 (office); Paul.Healy@towerhealth.org
4. ==> Like the Movie ‘Splash’ – Mermaids to the Rescue
Just like a scene out of the ‘80s movie “Splash,” three mermaids-in-training in California recently made headlines for saving a scuba diver from drowning. While it sounds like a one-in-a-million chance, mermaiding (the art of swimming with mermaid fins and tails) is growing in popularity across the globe. Marielle Henault of Montreal says it’s a fun activity for everyone. “When you put your mermaid tail on at the beach or pool, you become a superstar,” she says. “Kids and adults — everybody’s happy to see a mermaid!” A love of mermaiding led to Henault’s opening the AquaMermaid School in 2015. Today it’s the world’s largest mermaid swimming school with over 10 locations across Canada and the U.S. The schools offer mermaid swim lessons, certification, mermaid tail rentals, mermaid apparel (seashell bras, silicone and fabric tails, monofins and T-shirts) and mermaid performer bookings. Henault can discuss the lore of mermaids, and what’s involved in mermaid training, and share real behind-the-scenes mermaid stories. Contact Marielle Chartier Hénault at (514) 601-2808; info@aquamermaid.com
5. ==> New Season of Crackle TV’s ‘Going From Broke’
Financial literacy isn’t usually considered an entertaining subject but “Going From Broke,” the award-winning TV series from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, has viewers hooked. Hosted by Dan Rosensweig (CEO of Chegg and former COO of Yahoo) and financial expert Tonya Rapley, the show helps people overcome their crippling debt to achieve financial freedom. In the wake of “The Great Resignation” manifesting across the American workforce, this season focuses on helping people manage their debt, job insecurity and growing mental health concerns. The third season features a wide range of people from all walks of life, including a young couple drowning in staggering student loans with dreams of buying a home, a military veteran and his family struggling with bad financial decisions, restaurateurs whose business took a major hit during the pandemic and a single father living paycheck-to-paycheck. Invite Dan to talk about the show and offer tips for listeners on how to take control of their debt, find their way to financial freedom, and how to best prepare for a potential recession. “Going From Broke” is currently streaming on Crackle TV. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com
6. ==> Did Mom Put a Shoe in the Refrigerator?
As the holiday season gets underway and families gather in person, it’s important to take note of some of the changes that may have taken place since you last saw your loved ones. Maybe you’ve been keeping in touch with your elderly loved ones over the phone or via Skype but haven’t been together for a while. Leonie Rosenstiel will discuss what to do if you feel something is a bit off during your visit. “I’m not talking about someone feeling down, but perhaps you find things in odd places — a shoe in the refrigerator or a favorite brooch in the bathroom,” she explains. Leonie, a senior advocate and advisor, will discuss what to look for, when to worry, and what you can do to help protect your elderly loved ones. Originally a classical violinist, Rosenstiel earned a master’s degree in public health after her mother, a retired professor with dementia, was put in a conservatorship, with dire results. Léonie Rosenstiel is the author of “Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp.” Her work has been featured in “The New York Review of Books,” “Los Angeles Times,” “Albuquerque Journal,” “Chicago Tribune,” the “Boston Globe,” the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” and more. Contact her at (505) 317-2405; leonie@DayspringResources.com
7. ==> When the Holidays Hurt
Scenes of happy families celebrating can feel like torture when you’re hurting, especially when everyone is talking about being grateful and you feel anything but. Why do our hurts and pains get magnified around the holidays? How can you navigate this time without feeling isolated, forgotten, confused and hopeless? Help your listeners understand what’s going on and find ways to find comfort when you interview Pastor Mike Novotny, author of “When Life Hurts: How to See Through Suffering.” Novotny can discuss strategies to get through the holidays and how to help loved ones who are hurting. Mike Novotny is pastor at The CORE, a church in Appleton, Wisconsin, and spiritual leader and lead speaker for Time of Grace, a media ministry that features a weekly television program, video and written devotions, blog posts, podcasts, and printed publications. Contact Jason Jones at jason@jonesliterary.com
8. ==> Indigenous Peoples’ Month: Their Wisdom Can Save the World
November is Indigenous Peoples’ Month, an opportunity to celebrate and honor the native peoples of the Americas and to reflect on their rich and continuing cultural heritage. Invite scholar and author Dr. Sousan Abadian on your show for a timely discussion on how we can all benefit from embracing indigenous people and the spiritual and cultural practices they have long honored. “Indigenous wisdom can help us to connect with the deepest aspects of ourselves, in order to come into the right relationship with the natural world and the interconnected planet that we all call home.” Sousan is the author of the forthcoming book “Free Me to Love.” She has a Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University. Contact her at (617) 860-2785; sabadian@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why Are So Many Black Women Obese?
Obesity is an epidemic across America, but especially so in Black communities where nearly half of all adults and a staggering 82% of women are overweight. The statistics are even more alarming when considering the health risks most commonly associated with obesity. Invite Dr. Alvin Perry to discuss the genetic, behavioral and socio-cultural factors at play in the Black community, and how to change the equation to create healthier communities. Ask him: Are Blacks genetically predisposed to being overweight? Has the community normalized obesity? Why are Black women less likely to exercise (and what is the simple solution)? Alvin Perry, DBA, is a successful entrepreneur and small business expert. He’s also ISSA certified in personal training and nutrition. His book, “Just Fat!” chronicles his 80-pound weight-loss journey and shares a simple system he created that changed the course of his life and led him to the path of personal wellness. Contact him at (678) 788-7529; aperry@rtirguests.com
10. == > Can You Guess the Most Important Minutes of the Day?
Did you know that you can change your life, get rid of stress, and feel more in control of your destiny in only 30 minutes a day? Interview Theo Prodromitis, the author of “The Balance Between the Hustle and the Flow: Knowing When to Make Things Happen and When to Let Them Happen,” to discover why the first and last 15 minutes of your day are the most important and how to maximize them. Theo is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and best-selling author of “The Success Formula with Jack Canfield.” Ask her: What does neuroscience tell us about our brain activity at the beginning and end of each day? What are the four things we should do every morning? Contact Theo Prodromitis at (813) 701-5414; tprodromitis@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Why You Should Write an ‘Angry Letter’
Have you ever been so mad that steam could have come out of your ears? It happens to most of us after someone has treated us unfairly, hurt us, taken advantage of us, or failed to live up to our expectations. Unfortunately, under such circumstances we are likely to do the wrong thing: lash out at someone else nearby or say things we will later regret. Handling anger properly is one facet of being resilient, a subject Kiden Jonathan knows a lot about having fled war-torn Sudan with a baby, lived with an abusive man and spent time in a women’s shelter and the world’s largest refugee camp. Invite Kiden on your program to explain the therapeutic power of writing an “angry letter” to a person or institution that wronged you and then dipping it in a substance that she’ll reveal on the air. She’ll also share other tips on being resilient. Kiden now lives in Canada where she is a full-time college student, speaker, and the author of “Resilience: The Journey of Self-Discovery.” She has been quoted in CBC News and the “Toronto Star.” Contact Kiden at (647) 503-5092; kjonathan@rtirguests.com
12. ==> A Traumatic Brain Injury Revealed Her Greatest Gift
After experiencing a traumatic brain injury due to falling at home, author Jennifer Maag realized this was a blessing in disguise. “I became extremely empathic, which was a gift,” she says. One of those gifts was developing an understanding of what happens after we die. “When we pass over, we go to a ‘soul hospital’ and then ‘soul school’ where we learn valuable lessons. Those who have passed over often communicate with us through our dreams.” Jennifer, a licensed massage therapist, and her son, Alexander Maag, are the co-authors of the critically acclaimed book “Take on God,” which explores how to transform our inner battles into healing tools to live our best lives. Contact her at (419) 969-3259; jmaag@rtirguests.com
13. ==> This Guest Almost Missed Out on an Incredible Life
Rick Smith was a professional hockey player with an amazing life — from the outside. But his battle with substance abuse took a heavy toll. He snorted enough cocaine to literally make his nose bleed and was suicidal before the age of 30. Ultimately, his addictions cost him his hockey career and nearly killed him. Rick eventually overcame his addictions and rebuilt his life. Clean and sober for more than 19 years, he’s an award-winning athlete, author, behavior change expert, and world traveler who has helped thousands of people transform their lives. Interview Rick today for a powerfully motivational show that will inspire your audience to overcome addiction or any other obstacle they face. Ask him: Why doesn’t going “cold turkey” work? What was it like playing professional hockey? How can people who struggle with substance abuse avoid passing their problems to the next generation? What was the low point that made you decide to change? Contact Rick Smith at (313) 351-7037; rsmith@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Behind-the-Scenes: A ‘Golden Girls’ Experience
Millions of Americans love “The Golden Girls,” an iconic network television staple that featured a unique premise, a mesmerizing cast, and the tendency to tackle groundbreaking social issues that few sitcoms at the time dared to incorporate. But what was it really like on the set of this treasured show? Interview Jesse Fiedor to find out! An author and inspirational speaker, Jesse overcame a serious disability to achieve his dream of working in Hollywood. He’ll not only regale your guests with tales of meeting stars like Betty White, one of America’s most beloved actresses, but also help them find the motivation to overcome their own obstacles and succeed in life. Ask him: What was Betty White like in person? Did you meet anyone else? What did you do on the set of the show? How did you overcome your disability, and how can others do the same? Why do you say, “If I can do it, anyone can”? Contact Jesse Fiedor at (714) 683-2353; jfiedor@rtirguests.com
15. ==> An Incredible Story of Adoption, Identity and Family
Identical twins Isabella and Hà were born in Vietnam but were raised on opposite sides of the world until being reunited as teenagers. Hear their incredible story and challenge listeners’ previous assumptions and opinions about transnational and transracial adoption, Asian and Asian American identity, the nature versus nurture debate, poverty and privilege, and what it means to give a child a good life. Author Erika Hayasaki spent five years researching the girls and hundreds of hours interviewing them and their families, tracing their diverging childhoods in the suburbs of America and the villages of Vietnam and following them from their reunion through the complicated years that followed. Her new book is “Somewhere Sisters: A Story of Adoption, Identity, and the Meaning of Family.” Erika Hayasaki is a professor in the Literary Journalism Department at the University of California, Irvine. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (o); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Sasha Beatty at (703) 646-5188
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