01. The Alarming Rise in Antisemitism
02. Why Conservative Populism Is an Oxymoron
03. ‘Maya’ Exposes Harsh Realities of Teen Trafficking
04. 50th Anniversary – Inside the Endangered Species Act
05. The Upside of Returning to the Office
06. Daylight Savings Time Doesn’t Make Sense
07. Great Veterans Day Show: Ret. Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack
08. Celebrate Women in Military Aviation with a Latina Air Force Veteran
09. Is the Federal Government Still Failing Border Kids?
10. Think Like a Doctor to Save Time, Money, and Maybe Your Life!
11. Psychologist Reveals Why Traditional Talk Therapy Doesn’t Work
12. The Real Reason Women Don’t Speak Up
13. Planning Your Next Getaway? How to Choose a Cruise
14. He Succeeded Despite the Odds. You Can Too
15. How to Bounce Back from Big Setbacks
1.==> The Alarming Rise in Antisemitism
Since the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recorded a significant spike in antisemitic incidents across the United States. Preliminary data from the ADL Center on Extremism indicates that reported incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault increased by 388% over the same period last year. “When conflict erupts in Israel, antisemitic incidents soon follow in the U.S. and globally,” says Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “From white supremacists in California displaying antisemitic banners on highway overpasses to radical anti-Zionists harassing Jewish people because of their real or perceived support for the Jewish state, we are witnessing a disturbing rise in antisemitic activity here while the war rages overseas.” The ADL also recorded a nearly 1,000% increase in the daily average of violent messages mentioning Jews and Israel in white supremacist and right-wing extremist channels on the messaging platform Telegram in the days following the massacre in Israel. Greenblatt says, “It is incumbent on all leaders, from political leaders to CEOs to university presidents, to forcefully and unequivocally condemn antisemitism and terrorism.” To arrange interviews with Anti-Defamation League experts, contact the ADL Communications Department at adlmedia@adl.org or call (212) 885-7755
2. ==> Why Conservative Populism Is an Oxymoron
Do you know what a populist is? Or how — and when — the movement started? What would the original populists think of Donald Trump? Invite Steve Babson to tell the story of how the populists of the 1890s transformed the nation’s political terrain and how that history still resonates today. Hear how hard-pressed farmers launched the original movement, calling for a widening democracy to counter corporate monopoly and profiteering. “‘Right-wing populism’ is an oxymoron,” says Babson. “The very term ‘populist’ was originated by groups that favored economic cooperatives, public ownership of railroads and utilities, low-cost federal loans for struggling farmers, postal savings banks, and an end to the gold standard.” Babson says the original populists would have detested the likes of Trump, a right-wing billionaire from New York City. Steve Babson, Ph.D., is a labor educator, union activist and the author of “Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
3. ==> ‘Maya’ Exposes Harsh Realities of Teen Trafficking
Many people think only at-risk teens are vulnerable to child predators but the reality is that any teen could become a victim. “Maya,” is a new feature film created to raise awareness of child trafficking, domestic abuse, alcoholism and the danger of online predators. The movie tells the story of a teen who falls prey to the pitfalls of an unstable home, social media, and a predatory trafficker. Filmmaker Julia Verdin says the movie is an opportunity for pre-teens and teens to see first-hand what grooming looks like. “It’s a great tool to educate teenagers on the dangers of social media predators and to keep an eye out for friends that might be being groomed by a trafficker,” she says. The movie features Patricia Vasquez and Rumer Willis and is currently screening at festivals worldwide. It’s set to hit theaters this January. Veteran British filmmaker Julia Verdin is an accomplished producer and award-winning director. She’s also written several award-winning screenplays. For interviews, contact Brittney Faletta at Brittney@anderson-pr.com
4. ==> 50th Anniversary – Inside the Endangered Species Act
The history of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been one of increasing impact, complexity, and controversy. In 1978, the Supreme Court declared that Congress intended for the U.S. government to save all species at any cost, and thereafter implementation of the ESA became steadily more controversial. Today, more than 1,600 species are listed as either endangered or threatened in the United States under the ESA. Invite ESA expert and Washington, D.C., insider Lowell Baier to discuss the Endangered Species Act, funding for wildlife preservation on private and public land, and the future of new legislation expected to fund the conservation and restoration of wildlife and plant species in danger of extinction. Baier is a tireless advocate for natural resources and wildlife conservation and a legal and environmental historian and author. His latest book is “The Codex of the Endangered Species Act: Volume 1, The First Fifty Years.” Contact Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 or Reigan Wright at (703) 646-5188
5. ==> The Upside of Returning to the Office
Disney, Starbucks, and Salesforce are the latest corporate giants to call workers back to their cubicles and data indicates that, starting in 2024, a staggering 90% of companies will require employees to resume working from the office at least three days a week. While some see this as a regressive move driven by corporate profit rather than employee welfare, data scientist and lawyer Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio offers a different perspective. She contends that a return to the office could be particularly advantageous for women and minorities. “Current data suggests that these groups have faced career stagnation during remote work periods due to decreased visibility and the ensuing missed promotional opportunities,” she says. Paola can discuss the potential upside of returning to the office and how to make a hybrid model work. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio holds dual appointments at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Law School, where she serves as faculty chair of the Executive Leadership Research Initiative for Women and Minority Attorneys. Her new book is “Diversity Dividend: The Transformational Power of Small Changes to Debias Your Company, Attract Diverse Talent, Manage Everyone Better—and Make More Money.” Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com or @Lissa_Warren
6. ==> Daylight Savings Time Doesn’t Make Sense
At 2 a.m. this Sunday most of the country will set their clocks back an hour as we “fall back,” and say goodbye to daylight savings time. Last year, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act with bipartisan support, making daylight savings permanent, but the House never acted to pass the act into law. Sheldon H. Jacobson proposes a simple compromise between daylight savings and standard time, by cutting the difference in half. “Everyone can agree that changing times makes no sense. So let’s do the sensible thing and get everyone aligned with a 30-minute permanent time shift, placing the need to change times a thing of the past, forever.” Jacobson can explain why the first daylight saving was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, how it evolved over the years, and which states currently don’t participate and why. Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., is a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He appears in the media frequently applying his expertise in data-driven, risk-based decision-making to evaluate and inform public policy. Contact him at (217) 244-7275; shj@illinois.edu
7. ==> Great Veterans Day Show: Ret. Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack
Saturday, Nov. 11 we’ll celebrate Veterans Day, honoring those who have served in the U.S. military. For a fascinating discussion about the military and insight into today’s hot spots including the Russia/Ukraine war, invite retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Peter Zwack on your show. 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. Zwack served as a senior defense official and attaché to the Russian Federation from 2012 to 2014 and can share insights from his time in the region. He is a global fellow at The Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and has recently appeared on CNN, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” The BBC, MSNBC, and in “The Washington Post” and “The Economist.” Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 409-5687; bg.pbz.r@gmail.com
8. ==> Celebrate Women in Military Aviation with a Latina Air Force Veteran
Ahead of Veterans Day, chat with Latina military veteran Graciela Tiscareño-Sato about her award-winning career as an aviator and how she is now inspiring families with her bilingual “Captain Mama” series of children’s books. Graciela can discuss what it was like to be a navigator on the KC-135 flying gas station, how she became the first female Hispanic Air Force aviator to be awarded an Air Medal for combat air operations, and what she hopes to accomplish with her children’s books. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Graciela has appeared in “USA Today” and on NPR, ABC, NBC, CNN en Español, Al Jazeera, Fox News, Telemundo, Univision, and many regional TV networks. She can share her daughter-of-immigrants-turned-military-aviator journey for long-form interviews. Contact Graciela Tiscareño-Sato at (510) 542-9449; grace@CaptainMama.com
9. ==> Is the Federal Government Still Failing Border Kids?
President Joe Biden promised to overhaul Trump’s immigration policy but has struggled to address growing migrant flows as socioeconomic conditions worsen across Latin America. The end of some pandemic-related border measures has challenged the Biden administration to seek new ways of handling children and families arriving at the southern U.S. border, with some critics condemning his restrictive asylum proposals. Author and international authority on immigration issues and foster families Richard Villasana, says few people realize just how badly the kids suffer. As an insider, Richard can reveal what really happens to children at the border, why so many separated families are never reunited, and why the border crisis continues. He is the author of “Do No Harm: The U.S. Border Child Tragedy Continues,” founder of the nonprofit Forever Homes for Foster Kids and has appeared as an expert on CNN and ABC. Contact him at (619) 648-4729; rvillasana@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Think Like a Doctor to Save Time, Money, and Maybe Your Life!
There’s a shortage of physicians around the country that is projected to reach up to 124,000 doctors by 2034. People need practical tools to protect themselves and their families. They need actionable tips to empower them to maximize their care and minimize their costs — tips that Ann Hester, M.D., a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience in direct patient care, can provide. Ann is the author of “Patient Empowerment 101: More Than a Book, It’s an Adventure!” She also created Patient World, a platform where people can take on-demand health and wellness courses taught by physicians, authors, and other health experts. Ask her: How can people lower their medical bills? How can they prepare a one-minute elevator speech that will help their doctor nail their diagnosis? How can families be protected from the unprecedented doctor shortage on the horizon? Contact Ann Hester. M.D., at (443) 414-8182; dr.hester@patientempowerment101.com
11. ==> Psychologist Reveals Why Traditional Talk Therapy Doesn’t Work
Conventional mental health professionals have long maintained that talk therapy is the panacea to healing the mind. But Adriana Popescu Ph.D., claims that true healing comes from also treating the body and spirit. “I specialize in using some of the most powerful, effective holistic healing techniques to radically shift limiting feelings and beliefs,” she says. “These may include meditation, nutritional supplements and all kinds of mind-body healing techniques.” Adriana is a licensed clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, speaker, thought leader and empowerment coach, and author of the critically acclaimed book “What If You’re Not as F***ed Up As You Think You Are? How We Come to Believe Lies About Ourselves and What We Can Do to Change Them.” Contact Adriana at (415) 707-5054; Apopescu@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Real Reason Women Don’t Speak Up
It’s no secret that women struggle to be heard. Society teaches girls to be polite and agreeable and not make a fuss, even when a situation is challenging — or just plain wrong. If your audience is looking to reclaim their power in the workplace, at home, and beyond, you need to hear from Francesca Burack. The author of “Women Are Special: 123 Reasons Why” can share advice, tips, and encouragement to help women find, own, and use their voices with confidence. Ask her: What can women do to speak up in one-sided relationships, whether it’s at work or with family? How can women approach difficult conversations in the workplace, such as asking for raises, promotions, or benefits? An author, entrepreneur, educator, and popular speaker, Francesca Burack has been featured on major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News. Contact her at (516) 823-4003; fburack@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Planning Your Next Getaway? How to Choose a Cruise
This past summer was one of the busiest and most expensive travel seasons ever and experts say there’s no slowdown in sight. If you’re planning your next adventure and thinking about taking a cruise, you’ll want to hear little-known tips from travel expert Cindy Bartram. What type of cruise is best for me? What’s the best time of year to cruise? Should I buy travel insurance? Are there specific travel apps for cruising? Cindy has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry and can ensure smooth sailing on your next shipboard adventure. She’ll answer all your cruising questions from booking to boarding and share insider tips to make the most of your time on and off the ship. Cindy is a communications, media and branding specialist and the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact Cindy Bertram at (219) 501-5054; cbertram@rtirguests.com
14. ==> He Succeeded Despite the Odds. You Can Too
Many people go through life experiencing failure after failure and ultimately give up trying to succeed. In fact, society may set people up to fail, due to their family backgrounds, ethnicity and/or socio-economic circumstances. But after experiencing numerous setbacks in his personal and professional life, Dr. Carl Barnes went on to a 35-year career in the military, ultimately becoming a Navy chaplain; and earned five degrees, including a doctorate of ministry in leadership. “Failure is a great learning tool,” he says. “The key to succeeding against all odds is unbridled resilience and turning pain into purpose.” Carl is the author of “Resilient Sailing: 10 Lessons to Persevere in Life’s Stormy Seas,” and conducts life coaching workshops and online courses. Contact him at (407) 809-8047; cbarnes@rtirguests.com
15. ==> How to Bounce Back from Big Setbacks
Are you prepared for the major problems life can throw at you? When you suffer a serious setback, whether it’s a divorce, losing a job, surviving a disaster such as a house fire, ending a relationship, or struggling with life-altering health issues, dealing with grief is a huge part of the process. Unfortunately, the majority of advice for conquering the aftermath of life’s worst curveballs does not address grief at all. Frank DiMaio can help your audience recover from the big things and find ways to enjoy life. He developed a way to help anyone move forward from being emotionally stuck in grief. Frank’s new book is “A Promise Made, A Promise Kept: A Husband’s Journey Through Journaling to Heal the Loss of His Spouse.” Contact Frank DiMaio at (401) 205-3325; fdimaio@rtirguests.com