01. Goodbye, Election Deniers
02. The Fetterman Effect: How Dems Can Rebuild ‘Blue-Wall’ States
03. Biden Turns 80 on Sunday – How Sharp Are Our Aging Politicians?
04. 50th Anniversary of ‘The Waltons’ – Actor Michael Learned
05. Blast Off! How the Artemis Missions Can Inspire Kids
06. Don’t Be a Turkey: How to Choose Thanksgiving Wine
07. How to Cultivate Gratitude That Lasts Beyond Thanksgiving
08. Nearly Half of Americans Think the U.S. Should Be a Christian Nation
09. Unusual Jobs: Interview a Former Pioneering Black Diplomat
10. How to Have Unbreakable Resilience
11. 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
12. What Your Teen Can’t Tell You
13. Do You Drabble?
14. This Champion Athlete Began Sprinting at Age 61
15. Fighting Gun Violence from the Inside
1.==> Goodbye, Election Deniers
Many political observers worried about the number of election deniers on the midterm ballots and what their wins would mean for future politics and elections. Christopher Beem says the vast majority of election deniers lost their races with few losers claiming fraud. He believes that signals a shift away from Trumpism and says that’s very good news for the country. “Election denial may not quite be in America’s rearview mirror, but it is unlikely to be the go-to play for Republican politicians that it was in this campaign. In the end, it failed to be a winning strategy. And that means that free and fair elections remain the foundation of a still viable American democracy.” Christopher Beem is the managing director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State University. He’s also the host of the Democracy Works podcast and the author of “The Seven Democratic Virtues: What You Can Do to Overcome Tribalism and Save Our Democracy.” Contact him at (814) 863-7630; cxb518@psu.edu
2. ==> The Fetterman Effect: How Dems Can Rebuild ‘Blue-Wall’ States
Journalist Greg Sargent says Democrats should take note of John Fetterman’s Pennsylvania Senate campaign if they hope to win back voters in traditional “blue-wall” states. Calling Fetterman’s win “uniquely instructive,” Sargent says the candidate’s unorthodox issue profile (legalization and prison clemency) combined with his unusual campaign style (a lumbering giant in a hoodie and cargo shorts) helped make tough political territory more competitive again. He says new data from the American Communities Project offers a detailed picture of Fetterman’s winning strategy against Dr. Mehmet Oz, especially in the three types of counties where MAGA Republicans have recently done extraordinarily well. He’ll discuss how Fetterman made the biggest gains in Trump country and what that means for Democrats trying to rebuild the blue-wall before the 2024 election. The American Communities Project is a combined social science/journalism effort based at the Michigan State University School of Journalism that uses data to break communities into different types for analysis to show how people in different places experience the world very differently. Greg Sargent writes the Plum Line Blog for the “Washington Post.” Contact him at sargentg@washpost.com; @ThePlumLineGS
3. ==> Biden Turns 80 on Sunday – How Sharp Are Our Aging Politicians?
Joe Biden turns 80 on Sunday and is the oldest ever U.S. president, but he’s not the only old geezer on Capitol Hill. Look around and you’ll see a sea of white hair with more than a dozen octogenarian senators, many in leadership positions. Nancy Pelosi is 81. Bernie Sanders is 80 and Mitch McConnell turns 80 in February. Behavioral specialist Lisa Skinner says with this aging herd of politicians making key decisions for America, it’s important to ask about the cognitive health and fitness of our country’s current leaders. We do ask candidates for the presidency to disclose their medical histories; however, we currently have no mechanism to evaluate their past and present mental health. In her book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces,” Skinner provides a roadmap to distinguish normal aging from something more troubling by identifying the common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Lisa Skinner has more than a quarter-century of experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She has appeared on CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and ABC News, and in “USA Today,” “Health & Fitness,” and many other publications. Contact Dianemarie (DM) Collins at (775) 825-1727; DM@DMProductionsLLC.com or @DMCollins
4. ==> 50th Anniversary of ‘The Waltons’ – Actor Michael Learned
Four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned currently stars in Netflix’s limited series, “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” but millions of fans came to love her as Olivia, the iconic mother on the long-running CBS drama “The Waltons.” As the show celebrates its 50th anniversary, invite Learned to discuss why she thinks the show about the life of a Depression-era family in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains became so popular. Hear her favorite memories, behind-the-scenes stories from the series, and the biggest myths about the show and cast. Ask her about this week’s cast reunion when seven of the original Waltons family came together at the Hollywood Museum to celebrate the show and answer questions from fans. Contact Harlan Boll at harlan@bhbpr.com
5.==> Blast Off! How the Artemis Missions Can Inspire Kids
NASA launched its massive Artemis I moon rocket early Wednesday, bringing the United States a step closer to landing on the lunar surface for the first time in 50 years since the end of the Apollo program. The purpose of the Artemis missions is to explore the lunar surface more than ever before and establish the first long-term presence on the moon. Dr. Samantha Pillay hopes the fanfare and excitement surrounding the mission will encourage young females to dream about a career in science. She says, “There has never been a better time for encouraging STEM activities in girls in the lead-up to the first woman on the moon in 2024, fueling a well overdue focus on female STEM role models in the media.” Dr. Pillay can discuss space STEM activities to do with kids to immerse them in the excitement of the historic missions. Dr. Pillay is a surgeon and the author of eight books. “When I’m a Surgeon” and “When I’m an Astronaut” are part of her “Inspiration Careers for Kids” series written to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Contact her at drssp@continencematters.com; @drsamantha_p
6. ==> Don’t Be a Turkey: How to Choose Thanksgiving Wine
Thanksgiving is hectic enough as it is. The last thing you want is to be lost in the wine aisle or struggle to select bottles within your budget at the local wine shop. Jim Laughren, CWE, can help your listeners figure out the perfect wine for the occasion, whether they’re looking for a comforting favorite or something out of the ordinary. And since we are entering holiday season, he can also suggest creative gift ideas for the wine lovers on your holiday shopping list like special glasses and accessories, wine club memberships and more. An encyclopedia of wine knowledge, Jim is the author of two short eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” He has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” Contact Jim Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How to Cultivate Gratitude That Lasts Beyond Thanksgiving
Many people celebrate Thanksgiving by thinking about all the things for which they are grateful. Family, careers, a home to call their own, close relationships with family and friends and a full belly may occupy their thoughts. But, as Sharon Rose Wallen will tell you, the ability to feel grateful is too important to limit to just one day. She’ll suggest ways listeners can cultivate a daily gratitude practice and reap its many benefits, including happiness, lessened anxiety, better health and stronger connections to others among others. Wallen can discuss several studies that back up her contention that gratitude and well-being are connected and explain simple ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily life. Sharon Rose Wallen is a retired elementary school teacher and the author of “Grateful Reflections Journal.” Contact her at (786) 473-4026; solaceplace07@aol.com
8. ==> Nearly Half of Americans Think the U.S. Should Be a Christian Nation
Forty-five percent of Americans believe the U.S. should be a “Christian nation,” one of several striking findings from a sweeping September Pew Research Center survey examining Christian nationalism. But researchers say respondents differed greatly when it came to outlining what a Christian nation should look like, suggesting a wide spectrum of beliefs. According to the survey, 60% of Americans believe the U.S. was originally intended to be a Christian nation, but only 33% say it remains so today. Spiritual life coach Latoya Shea can discuss the role Christianity has played in shaping America, how nations that share a faith differ from those that don’t, and whether she believes the civility and morality of a country are directly affected by how many citizens practice some type of religion or spirituality. A veteran and former nurse, Latoya Shea has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows sharing advice to help people live more fulfilling lives. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103
9. ==> Unusual Jobs: Interview a Former Pioneering Black Diplomat
If you have ever wondered what a diplomat does, what being in the Foreign Service is like, or what it was like to be stationed in a country where coups were commonplace, this is your chance to find out. Starting in 1975 and for the next 30 years, Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans, a former English major and Fulbright Scholar, was a diplomat in the Foreign Service in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Brussels, Libreville, Bujumbura, and Brazzaville. Moreover, she did it as a Black single mother with few role models. Ask her was it hard to wave the flag for an ideal America yet to be realized? What are the pros and cons of frequent travel? Who were some of the famous people you met? What lessons have you learned that are applicable to others with big dreams? Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans’s memoir is “Chocolates for Mary Judith: Black Woman Blazes Trails as a Career Diplomat.” She rose from the military equivalent of a first lieutenant to a major general. Contact Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How to Have Unbreakable Resilience
It’s easy to appear resilient when life is going great. But the true test of one’s flexibility comes when life is difficult and unpredictable as it had been for Kiden Jonathan. Invite Kiden on your show to learn how anyone can develop unbreakable resilience by listening to her as she passes along what she learned after she fled worn-torn Sudan at age 20 with her two-month-old baby, lived with an abusive man and spent time in a women’s shelter and the world’s largest refugee camp in Kenya. Now she 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
11. ==> 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
Are you worried about going out in public because you fear that other people will judge you? Do you struggle to interact with strangers? Have you avoided speaking up for yourself at work or home because you’re afraid that you won’t be liked enough to be taken seriously? You may be relieved to know that you’re not alone – and that you don’t have to struggle with these and other common symptoms of social anxiety. Collectively, our social anxiety has only gotten worse since the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview Lee Vallely, the author of “Kick the Sh*t out of Social Anxiety,” to help your audience ease the stress of social anxiety and start enjoying their lives. Ask him: What are four things you can do right now if you’re experiencing social anxiety? Why is “feel the fear and do it anyway” terrible advice? How can simple breathing help you overcome social anxiety? Contact Lee Vallely at (561) 658-1266 or lvallely@rtirguests.com
12. ==> What Your Teen Can’t Tell You
A lot of jokes are made about the difficulties of raising a teenager, but beneath the jokes, parents are hurting and feeling helpless, while their teens are navigating extraordinary cultural challenges unlike anything faced by previous generations. Teens today are feeling more isolated, anxious and depressed says longtime pediatric nurse practitioner Jessica Peck, and parents don’t know how to communicate with them and help. Invite her to share ways parents can assess their teen’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health and share practical advice and tools to empower them to connect their teen to support and services. In the privacy of her exam room, Dr. Peck has treated teens with mental illnesses, responded to suicide attempts, treated self-harm wounds as well as the emotional trauma of cyberbullying, sexting, pornography addictions and numerous other issues. Jessica Peck has a doctor of nursing practice degree (DPN) and is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), a clinical professor at Baylor University School of Nursing, and a former president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is the author of “Behind Closed Doors.” Contact Jason Jones at (512) 720-2996
13. ==> Do You Drabble?
If you have never heard of Drabbles or Drabbling, or ever thought of writing a Drabble, maybe you should interview leading Drabble expert Arlene Duane Hemingway (no relation to Ernest) to find out about this addictive way to tell a story in 100 words that was inspired by the comedy troupe Monty Python. Drabble is more than a fun word to say (although we could use more of those); it’s a technique that lets you have greater focus, relaxation and problem-solving abilities. Curious to know more? Invite Arlene to share some of her favorite Drabbles including a Drabble on Drabbles, something she can do extremely quickly since they are so short. She is the author of “A Twist of Lemon: 100 Curious Stories in Exactly 100 Words” and has a master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. She was a respected piano and vocal music teacher in a Long Island public school system, and a professional organist, choir director, and vocalist. She performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Radio City Music Hall and launched a composer’s original work at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Contact Arlene at (828) 684-9840; adh7@att.net
14. ==> This Champion Athlete Began Sprinting at Age 61
Exercising is one of those things that we all know we should be doing, and yet we can find endless reasons not to. The issue can be even harder to tackle for those over 40 because many people believe that the older you get, the more pointless it is to try getting into shape. National champion senior athlete John Hurd is here to tell your audience that it’s never too late and motivate them to reclaim their physical health at any age. John began training on his own to run competitively at the age of 61, and holds a total of 162 gold medals, is a 15-year undefeated Florida State Sprint Champion in three separate events, and a two-time National Senior Olympic Sprint Champion. The author of “Johnny Run Lately” and “A Sprint to the Gold,” John shares his success story with your audience as well as a simple-to-use spreadsheet that works better than fitness apps to help anyone achieve their exercise goals, and much more. Interview this inspiring guest who puts young couch potatoes to shame. Contact John Hurd at (850) 367-8411 or jhurd@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Fighting Gun Violence from the Inside
Concerns about violent crime and guns also remain top of mind for American voters, though solutions remain elusive. Ricky Aiken, founder and executive director of Inner City Innovators, says, “When gun violence happens in our communities, it’s not outsiders tearing up our communities. It’s insiders.” Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, his nonprofit combats crime rates and gun violence by empowering and inspiring inner-city youth through mentoring programs, anti-violence workshops and community engagement. “Our goal is simple: to keep every young man in our program free and alive through age 25. Most offending starts around 13, and 25 is when they say the brain is finished developing,” says Aiken. He’ll explain why he and his cousin created the nonprofit back in 2015 and the ways they’re helping young men in the community, giving many a second chance at a better life. “When you challenge a young person who’s been through hard times, they want to stand up and show you they’re capable,” says Aiken. Contact Chelsea Koester at (561) 838-6687; c.koester@innercityinnovators.org