01. Inside America’s Fast-Food Season of Rebellion
02. Inflation Fears Rise and News Coverage Comes Up Short
03. What Really Happens When Celebs and Millionaires Go Househunting
04. Fun Thanksgiving Music Show: Bands You Can Eat
05. Earn $1,000 to Watch Betty White’s Work
06. Legal Expert: Is Britney’s Battle Finally Over?
07. Are Baldwin and ‘Rust’ Cast Suffering PTSD?
08. ‘Tis the Season for Relatives You Don’t Like
09. Grief Hits Hard Over the Holidays
10. Are Vaccine Passports an Assault on Freedom?
11. Before You Resign, Consider a Side Hustle
12. The Baby Diet: Eat Like a Toddler to Lose Weight
13. Are You a Kind Parent or a Dictator?
14. 5 Steps to Conquer Bad Stress in Minutes
15. A Kitchen Redo to Help You Live Longer
1. ==> Inside America’s Fast-Food Season of Rebellion
The Bureau of Labor Statistics only tracks major stoppages that involve more than 1,000 workers. But Mike Elk, a labor reporter and founder of PayDayReport.com, has compiled a database of 1,600 walkouts since March 2020 that included as many as 100,000 workers. Elk says his organization is now tracking the largest strike wave in the U.S. since 1946. “More than a year and a half ago, Payday was the first outlet to identify a massive strike wave,” he says. “Commentators failed to pick up on the strike wave because the walkouts were fundamentally different from walkouts in the past. Instead of calling upon unions and going on traditional strikes, many non-union workers organized on social media and simply walked out.” Elk can discuss who’s walking out and where, as well as whether these walkouts and strikes are effective and if he expects them to continue or grow. Mike Elk’s work was recently featured in the in-depth piece “‘It’s a Walkout!’ — Inside the Fast-Food Workers’ Season of Rebellion” in the “Washington Post.” Elk has worked as an advisor on W. Kamau Bell’s Emmy-award-winning “United Shades of America” and on the Eva Longoria-produced award-winning documentary “Food Chains.” Contact him at mike.elk@gmail.com; @MikeElk
2. ==> Inflation Fears Rise and News Coverage Comes Up Short
Nobody needs to tell you that things are getting more expensive. Everywhere you turn there are signs of inflation with rising prices on groceries, clothes, cars and more (if you can find the items in stock). But “Washington Post” opinion columnist Catherine Rampell says part of the problem right now is in the way the media are covering the current inflation surge. She says too many media outlets are “laboring under the collective delusion” that President Biden can do a lot to address the issue.” Rampell says, “Inflation is painful. It’s causing uncertainty for families and businesses, but there’s not a ton the president can do about it.” Rampell says both left- and right-wing media are poorly explaining what’s going on with the economy and are instead playing politics with the issue. Catherine Rampall is a syndicated op-ed columnist for the “Washington Post,” a CNN commentator and a special correspondent for “PBS NewsHour.“ Contact her at crampell@washpost.com; @crampell
3. ==> What Really Happens When Celebs and Millionaires Go Househunting
Selling real estate to the rich and famous can sometimes be crazy, often hilarious but never boring. Let top Realtor Valerie Fitzgerald, cohost of the new podcast Real Estate, Real Laughs, take your audience behind the scenes to hear some of the greatest stories never told before. While she can’t mention names, Valerie can dish on the unusual and sometimes embarrassing situations she and her peers have encountered (for example, showing a house while a naked couple were visible directly outside the window) and a whole lot more. Maybe you’ll hear about the role cats play in whether someone likes a house or not, celebrities who show up for appointments in disguise, or the fantastic perks the wealthiest potential buyers may be awarded to keep them happy. The former star of HGTV’s “Selling L.A,” former Ford model and TEDx speaker, Valerie Fitzgerald is one of Coldwell Banker’s Top 10 Agents, with $3 billion in sales. She has 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her new weekly podcast proves there is a side to real estate most people don’t know about: the fun side. Contact Valerie Fitzgerald at (310) 861-3238; vfitzgerald@rtirguests.com
4. ==> Fun Thanksgiving Music Show: Bands You Can Eat
AXS TV’s popular music countdown series “The Top Ten Revealed” is back with 15 all-new episodes featuring fan-voted lists and an all-star roster of new guests and returning favorites. Executive producer and host Katie Daryl will entertain your audience as she shares hilarious moments from this season along with fun countdown facts. Joining Daryl this season is a rotating panel of entertainers including Black Eyed Peas hitmaker Taboo; reality star and daughter of rocker John Mellencamp, Teddi Mellencamp and Alice Cooper axe-slayer Nita Strauss. Among this season’s countdown themes are Boy Bands, ‘80s Movie Soundtracks, Rain Songs and the Thanksgiving-themed, Bands You Can Eat. “The Top Ten Revealed” airs on Sunday evenings. 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)
5. ==> Earn $1,000 to Watch Betty White’s Work
Beloved actress Betty White will turn 100-years-old on January 17 and to celebrate the milestone, Choice Mutual Insurance Agency is looking to hire a mega-fan and pay them $1,000 to binge-watch some of White’s best work and document the experience on social media. “We’re looking for someone who adores Betty White,” the company says on its website. “This candidate is probably already planning to binge 10 hours of her classics, but now they get paid to do it!” To apply, candidates must explain their favorite Betty White role and their favorite things about the actor. Extra points are given to candidates who include a video explaining why they love her. The prize includes a DVD player and a curated selection of performances and appearances from throughout White’s 80-year career. For more information and interviews contact Anthony Martin at media@choicemutual.com or help@choicemutual.com
6. ==> Legal Expert: Is Britney’s Battle Finally Over?
Britney Spears appears to finally be unshackled! The popstar regained control over her life Friday when Judge Brenda Penny ruled that a 13-year legal conservatorship – which held her under the personal, professional, and financial control of her father – was over. The decision came after Spears’ emotional court address last June detailing her trauma under the arrangement, and just ahead of her 40th birthday next month. David Glass, a certified family law specialist and former clinical psychologist, has been following the case and was at Friday’s hearing. He can explain the judge’s ruling, why there was no mental health exam required, and what it all means for the singer’s future. David Glass has appeared on AP television and “ABC News” to explain the intricacies of the Britney Spears conservatorship story. He’s a regular legal analyst for “Good Morning America” and ‘ABC News Live” and has also appeared on other newscasts including NBC’s “Extra” and “Good Day L.A.” Contact Cherie Kerr at (714) 271-2140; Cherie@kerrpr-execuprov.com or Shannon Dugger at (303) 619-3949; Shannon@Kerrpr-execuprov.com
7. ==> Are Baldwin and ‘Rust’ Cast Suffering PTSD?
Actors shoot guns all the time on movie sets. Usually, nothing bad happens. But as you know, Alec Baldwin recently pulled the trigger of a prop gun on the set of the film “Rust,” killing the cinematographer and wounding the director. The shooting was shocking, both to the crew and the public. Vern Mathis, a man who spent years on hundreds of Hollywood movie sets as a cameraman, editor, post-production supervisor and as the son of a vice president of MGM-United Artists in Culver City, says he could read the anguish and cry for help in Baldwin’s face during media interviews. He says Baldwin’s past addictions and this recent trauma put him in great danger. Vern can talk about how Baldwin is likely to suffer from this horrible traumatic event. He’ll also discuss how Baldwin is already showing signs of PTSD, and how important it is for him to seek help now. In addition, Vern will say that the other actors and crew members who were on set are also susceptible to the after-effects of the event. Vern worked in the film industry for years and co-hosted a weekly TV show in Vegas. He is the author of the physician-recommended book “PTSD: Living On Edge: A Survivor’s Guide to Recovery.” Reach him at (514) 700-9015; vmathis@rtirguests.com
8. ==> ‘Tis the Season for Relatives You Don’t Like
Many people admit to being estranged from siblings, spouses, parents, children, and in-laws. For those folks, the holidays present extra challenges. Thanksgiving dinners become uncomfortable and Kwanza, Hanukkah and Christmas gatherings end up stressful or even ruined. What can families do to experience the forgiveness and peace promised by the season? Discuss estrangement’s effect on family dynamics with author and educator Peter Colman, Ph.D., whose book, “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption,” explores how fragile family relationships can be. Many listeners are sure to identify with this topic and be moved to better enjoy the holiday season. Ask him: Why do closely related people drift apart? How can family healing begin? What is so sacred about the bond between father and son? How do the effects and memories of wartime service impact family relationships, especially at holiday time? What is so powerful about saying you’re sorry? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 912-4481; jcolman@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Grief Hits Hard Over the Holidays
This holiday season, many families will gather for the first time in a long while and for some, there will be fewer loved ones at the table. Whether the loss is new or old, the holiday season can be difficult for those who are grieving. Interview Meghan Smith Brooks to find out how you can manage holiday grief triggers and enjoy the reason for the season at the same time. Meghan is the author of “Unraveling Grief: A Mother’s Spiritual Journey of Healing and Discovery,” based on the murder of her adult son. A grief expert, she can offer tips and tools to move beyond surviving the impact of loss to begin thriving with meaning and purpose all year. Ask her: What can we do to manage grief, especially over the holidays? How is it possible to move forward after loss? Does the pain ever go away? Contact Meghan Smith Brooks at (816) 820-3836; unravelinggrief@gmail.com
10. ==> Are Vaccine Passports an Assault on Freedom?
Why should you need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination when you eat out? Attend a concert? Travel? Stay in a hotel? Are these so-called vaccine passports truly about the public good or are they just a form of government control? Find out what your listeners think when you interview Tamara Lashchyk, who worries that what is happening in New York City where she lives and passports are now required will spread across the country. She says, “A two-tiered society is emerging and those who simply want to exercise their right to medical choice are being smeared as ‘others.’” Ask her: Why are so many Americans blindingly trusting corporations and governments that have repeatedly lied to us? How is COVID propaganda brainwashing us? Who stands to gain the most from a vaccine mandate? Who will be held accountable if you sustain a vaccine injury? Tamara Lashchyk has been interviewed by the BBC and featured in Huffington Post and co-hosts “The Bo Peep Podcast” which probes the answers to questions that we are afraid to ask. A career coach, author, and former Wall Street executive, she recently ran for the New York State Assembly. Contact her at (848) 373-3543; TLashchyk@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Before You Resign, Consider a Side Hustle
Thanks to the pandemic, more of us had time to think about our values and what we like and don’t like about our jobs. That soul searching has led to some refusing to go back to work or seeking new opportunities. But, as workplace specialist Marc A. Pitman will tell you, not everyone knows the best way to make these changes. Invite Marc to explain why having a side hustle is more important than ever today and even why having one can make you a more effective employee. He can talk about the steps to take to determine what type of moonlighting is best for you, how to value your time, and eventually, how to resign well. Ask him what does it mean to resign well? Why do moonlighters make good employees? How can you identify what you do well? 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 including his latest, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt: Use Uncertainty to Become the Exceptional Leader You Are Meant to Be.” Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Baby Diet: Eat Like a Toddler to Lose Weight
When it comes to losing weight quickly and effectively, one nutritionist claims you should look to the eating habits of toddlers as the perfect example of what diet plan to follow. Nicolette Pace says babies have an organic rhythm when it comes to refueling their bodies and insists that adults could benefit to learn from their food habits. Pace goes on to point out that babies rarely skip meals, while it’s common for adults to forgo food when putting in long hours at work. She adds that babies tend to push food away when they’re no longer hungry and are not likely to spend an entire day snacking on chips like their grown-up counterparts might. Nicolette Pace MS, RDN, CDE, CBC, CDN, CFCS, FAND, founded Nutrisource Inc., in 2002 to provide high-quality education, counseling and nutrition services for a diverse community population. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
13. ==> Are You a Kind Parent or a Dictator?
How can we help make this world a better place? Emily Slingluff believes it starts at home, with people learning to be nice to one another. A long-time advocate of kind parenting, Emily will share how to help newborns, babies and teens grow up to be nice adults and will share two types of parenting and explain the differences between them. “A kind, loving parent will have a different child than a dictator parent,” says Emily. “A kind parent is likely to have a kind child who is happy with life and therefore caring about others. But a dictator parent is likely to have an insecure child because he has not been allowed to help make decisions.” Emily will explain how children of dictator parents grow to be insecure, unhappy people who want to hurt others and share ways parents can replace rules and punishments with guidelines and communication. Emily Slingluff has been writing and speaking about kind parenting for years. She loves listener call-in shows to help parents. Contact her at (757) 428-6167; emilyslingluff@aol.com
14. ==> 5 Steps to Conquer Bad Stress in Minutes
These are stressful times. Whether it’s the horror and fallout of a global pandemic, our unending political strife and culture wars, or just the pressures of everyday living (working, childcare, paying the bills) too many of us are feeling lost and overwhelmed. Nina Ahuja, M.D., has created a framework called ADMIT® (an acronym). It’s an easy-to-remember tool that helps organize the jumble of emotions you experience when feeling overwhelmed. She’ll teach your audience how this framework can be applied anywhere, anytime to help conquer bad stress and bring them clarity and calm in minutes. A sought-after speaker with media experience, Dr. Ahuja is a surgeon, award-winning medical educator, certified EQi2/EQ360 emotional intelligence instructor and the best-selling author of “Stress in Medicine.” Contact Dr. Nina Ahuja at (905) 537-2469; media@docsinleadership.org
15. ==> A Kitchen Redo to Help You Live Longer
We live in a world where medical problems are on the rise, much of them due to choosing convenience foods over nutritious fare. And many times we do it without even thinking about it! Interview bariatric surgeon Franchell Hamilton to learn small changes you can make in your kitchen that will help reprogram your brain to form healthier habits you won’t have to think about, lose weight and reduce your chance of medical problems. Dr. Hamilton has successfully used this method with her family and patients. A board-certified obesity medicine and wellness specialist, bariatric surgeon, author and practice consultant, Dr. Hamilton is the author of “Transformation Is a Mindset: The Journey to Changing Your Input and Your World.” Contact Dr. Franchell Hamilton at (210) 410-9374; Franchell.richardmd@gmail.com