01. Remembering Rosalynn
02. Trump Is Sounding More and More Like Hitler
03. How to Curb the Worst American Tradition
04. Turkey Talk: Butterball Experts Share Advice
05. Does Your Gathering Need a ‘Kids’ Table’?
06. Pass the Gravy and Check Your Misguided Gratitude
07. Beware of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams
08. Giving Tuesday: A Day of Radical Generosity
09. Do You Know Where Your Donation Dollars Go?
10. How to Lose Weight During the Holidays
11. November Is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
12. We Are Raising a Generation Unable to Think
13. Have Americans Lost Their Habit of Hope?
14. Reincarnation: Will You See Your Loved Ones Again?
15. This Hypnotherapist Talks to Aliens
1.==> Remembering Rosalynn
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died on Sunday at 96 years old. Besides her long-time advocacy for mental health issues, Carter is credited with professionalizing the role of the president’s spouse. Historian Betty Boyd Caroli says Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter shared what many would call a true American story and a genuine lifelong partnership. She can discuss Rosalynn’s mental health advocacy, her fight for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, and how she was the first first lady to work out of the East Wing. Frequently appearing on national television in the United States and on the BBC to discuss the role of presidents’ wives in American politics, Betty Boyd Caroli has been a guest on “Today,” “Lehrer NewsHour,” “Book Notes” with Brian Lamb, and many other shows. She is the author of several books including “First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama.” Contact her at bettycaroli@gmail.com
2. ==> Trump Is Sounding More and More Like Hitler
Fascism expert Jason Stanley says former President Donald Trump’s vow to purge the “vermin”-like “radical left” has taken his authoritarian rhetoric to new heights. Stanley says, “It doesn’t echo ‘Mein Kampf’—this is textbook ‘Mein Kampf.’ Any antisemite will hear this vocabulary as directed against Jews.” Hitler detailed his political ideology in his 1925 autobiographical manifesto “Mein Kampf,” which translates to “My Struggle.” Authoritarian rhetoric has been central to Trump’s political trajectory but many observers say that he’s clearly crossed into the domain of Nazi ideology in recent weeks. Jason Stanley is a Yale University professor and the author of “How Fascism Works.” Contact him at (203) 432-1689; jason.stanley@yale.edu
3. ==> How to Curb the Worst American Tradition
The FBI cited 2022 as the worst year of hate-fueled violence since its recording began in 1992, but terrorism expert Jacob Ware says Americans should brace for even grimmer numbers to come given the recent surge in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. He says tensions in the Middle East have often fueled violence at home, but social media is making it far easier with the free reign of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation campaigns online. Is this hate unstoppable? Are there countermeasures? Ware says the first step is for political leaders to dial down the current temperature, but, he says, grassroots solutions are vital to medium- and long-term success. “A big bet philanthropic injection into coalitions that fight hate and antisemitism, promote new ideas, and produce new cultural norms could transform how Americans think about and act toward the other and learn how to disagree well,” he says. He also believes the United States could learn from the EU’s stricter approach toward tech companies and social media. Jacob Ware is a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Together with Bruce Hoffman, he is the author of the upcoming “God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America.” Contact him at jware@cfr.org; @Jacob_A_Ware
4.==> Turkey Talk: Butterball Experts Share Advice
Whether it’s your first or fortieth time preparing a Thanksgiving meal, there’s a lot involved in creating the feast and it can be quite intimidating. “The holiday season can be one of the most exciting times of the year, but unfortunately, it can also be one of the most stressful,” says Nicole Johnson, director and 23-year veteran of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. Since its first season in November 1981, the Turkey Talk-Line has helped almost 50 million consumers with their bird woes. Each November and December, professionally trained turkey experts assist more than 4 million cooks through the phone hotline, Butterball.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Butterball Skill for Alexa, live chat and emails in the United States and Canada. With more than 50 staff members, the Talk-Line crew operates through December and answers questions from both English- and Spanish-speaking callers and responds to questions via email. Johnson can share the most common questions asked and offer tips and tricks to pulling off a holiday meal that everyone will enjoy. Contact Derek Wimmer at (312) 937-4855; derek.wimmer@edelman.com or ButterballMedia@edelman.com
5. ==> Does Your Gathering Need a ‘Kids’ Table’?
Thanksgiving is arguably the biggest “meal” holiday of the year. Now that many families have done away with the traditional Thanksgiving “kids’ table,” many gatherings feature big tables with everyone seated together, both old and young. But kids sitting through a meal is a big problem for many parents, and whether you have a kids’ table or not, if your child can’t sit still long enough to join in Thanksgiving dinner you’re likely to stress about the situation … and how it reflects on you. Parenting expert Rebecah Freeling can share ways hosts and parents can try and prevent issues, how parents can prepare kids before leaving home, and how to deal with meltdowns in the moment. Rebecah Freeling specializes in kids with problem behaviors. She’s the owner of Wits End Parenting and the author of the upcoming “Your Rules Are Dumb: Parenting Your Strong-Willed, Oppositional or Defiant Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
6. ==> Pass the Gravy and Check Your Misguided Gratitude
Each Thanksgiving we’re reminded to be grateful for all we have. Studies show that being grateful is good for our health and well-being and some people believe being grateful can actually attract more of what we are grateful for into our lives. But Dr. Dravon James cautions that misguided or misplaced gratitude can actually hold you back by causing you to play small. “Thanksgiving is the perfect time to appreciate what is good in your life while also setting your intention on future aspirations.” The founder of the Next Step Leadership Academy will explain the difference between gratitude and complacency, how to know if your gratitude is misplaced, and how to shift your attitude to draw more things into your life to be grateful for. Dr. Dravon is a transformation specialist who coaches women on how to master goal attainment. She is the author of “Freedom Is Your Birthright,” host of “Dr. Dravon James Every Day Peace” on Unity Online Radio, coach on the SiriusXM “Road Dog Trucking” show, and an actress whose career credits include a recurring role on HBO’s “The Wire.” Contact Mackenzie August at (661) 255-8283; mackenzie@steveallenmedia.com
7. ==> Beware of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams
Nothing can put a damper on your holiday spirit faster than getting tricked out of your hard-earned cash! This year experts say scammers are out in full force looking to fool you, steal your money and more. Invite William Francavilla to share the biggest scams this holiday season (yes, porch pirates are still stealing packages), how to spot a rip-off scheme, and who scammers target most and how they do it. From charity donations to online rip-offs and social media phishing scams, Francavilla will outline ways to make sure your information and your funds don’t fall into the wrong hands. Francavilla is the author of “The Madoffs Among Us: Combat the Scammers, Con Artists and Thieves Who Are Plotting to Steal Your Money.” He’s a CFP and former senior vice president, and director of Wealth Management for Legg Mason who has extensive media experience. Contact him at (757) 870-4590; wmfrancavilla@gmail.com
8. ==> Giving Tuesday: A Day of Radical Generosity
Held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday encourages people to give back to their communities in a myriad of ways. It all began in 2012 when the 92nd Street Y in New York City sought to organize a movement that, with the help of social media, promoted generosity and charitable giving while reminding people of the true meaning of the holiday season. Asha Curran, chief executive officer of Giving Tuesday, says, “The most magical part of Giving Tuesday, the special and unique characteristic that drives this generosity movement, is that this remarkable day of giving is made possible by the many and not the few; everyday people’s kindness, acts of generosity, and commitment to a better world fueled this day of good.” She’ll explain the concept of radical generosity, how far the movement has spread across the globe and ways everyone can participate and make a difference. Giving Tuesday has become a global network that collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world. Contact Shareeza Bhola at media@givingtuesday.org
9. ==> Do You Know Where Your Donation Dollars Go?
It may be the season of giving, but you should know where your dollars go. Those who donate to charities that are dear to their hearts always have the best of intentions but are the funds actually making an impact? “There are more than 1.7 million public charities in our country, and many of them overlap services with others and need to compete for donor dollars and grants,” says nonprofit expert and author Michele Whetzel. “People need to do their homework before donating to organizations. Charities should be findable and transparent and should register and share their financials on sites like Guidestar.org and CharityNavigator.org.” Michele is a veteran of the nonprofit arena, founder of Your 501 Guide consulting and author of the book “So, You Want to Start a Nonprofit, Now What?” Contact Michele Whetzel at (302) 407-0513; Mwhetzel@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How to Lose Weight During the Holidays
The pies! The egg nog! The stuffing! So much of the run-up to the holidays involves food including family favorites that just reading about them may make you think of gaining weight. But Laura Pickett — who lost 80 pounds and has kept them off — is here to tell you that you can lose weight during the holidays and do it without giving up your favorite foods. “The holidays don’t mean you have to abandon your weight-loss goals,” Laura says, and she’ll explain what you need to do to enjoy holiday foods without the guilt or excess pounds. Laura Pickett is the author of “Get Over Weight (12 Steps to Finally Win the Weight Battle and Win at Life)” and the creator of a coaching and mentoring program on the topic. She has spent more than 30 years in the ministry and made multiple appearances on TBN’s national and local network (in Atlanta), and WATV. Contact Laura Pickett at (404) 856-5781; lpickett@rtirguests.com
11. ==> November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Every year about 64,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and another 50,000 will die of the disease that carries the highest mortality rate of all cancers. As November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, now is a great time to speak to Sue Tabashnik. Although she isn’t an expert on the disease, she lost her grandmother to it and can talk about how the late actor Patrick Swayze, whom she met multiple times, became one of the first celebrities to talk about battling pancreatic cancer, advocated for more funding for research for better early detection and new treatment for pancreatic cancer, and by example showed more openness about discussing the cancer’s impact on lives. Sue is the author of “Patrick Swayze: The Dreamer.” Contact her at (248) 617-0505; stabashnik@rtirguests.com
12. ==> We Are Raising a Generation Unable to Think
Children and teenagers today don’t have it easy. Nor do their parents. But as emotional intelligence expert Detri McGhee will tell you, one of the biggest problems with kids these days is that they are subjected to never-ending information with no filter with which to judge it. Kids need extra help, she’ll say, so they can begin to think for themselves, and parents, teachers and others who care about them can provide those resources. Detri can share how to raise a contrarian thinker (and why you’ll want to), how to teach kids the importance of the 80/20 rule, and how to raise an emotionally intelligent child. Detri runs the nonprofit Reaching for Life, Inc. which encourages reading writing, and communicating through developing advanced emotional intelligence skills. Ask her: How can parents raise kids who handle criticism well? Why is it important to build quiet times of reflection into children’s days? How does expanding emotional intelligence relate to success in life? Contact Detri McGhee at (870) 407-7523; dmcghee@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Have Americans Lost Their Habit of Hope?
With all the political turmoil and negative news Americans are subjected to it’s easy to see why some of us have lost the habit of hope. But like any healthy habit, it can be refreshed, rebooted, or acquired for the first time. Expert Edie Summers is making it her mission to teach people how to be more hopeful and shift their mindset to focus on what they can control. Ask Edie: How can we develop a habit of hope? How can focusing on small things to be grateful for reinforce that habit? What mindset shift do we need to make? Edie Summers is the author of “The Memory of Health,” a mind-body fitness instructor, a former executive, and the creator of the My Daily Well app. She has been featured in “Entrepreneur” and many podcasts. Contact her at (503) 487-0058; esummers@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Reincarnation: Will You See Your Loved Ones Again?
Have you ever dreamed about a lost loved one? Or felt the presence of those who have passed on, and experienced other seemingly inexplicable messages from the dearly departed? While it’s common to chalk this up to mere nonsense, psychic medium and author June Edward claims that this is not our imagination playing tricks on us. “You can’t see the air you breathe, but it’s there,” she says. “It’s the same with souls that have passed on. They are standing right next to you!” June can share how to communicate with departed loved ones, and how this can vastly improve our lives. She is the author of “All’s Fair in Love & Karma: 5 Steps to Relationship Mastery,” which has been endorsed by best-selling author John Gray. Contact June Edward at (508) 544-0189; jedward@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Hypnotherapist Talks to Aliens
Dozens of people suspect they have been visited by an alien, but do you know anyone personally who has conversed with one? Hypnotherapist and author Kryste Andrews recounts a year of gathering information from a Gray, one of the 81 extraterrestrial species currently acknowledged by experts. Working weekly with her client, former champion weightlifter Robert Nanez, Kryste was introduced to the Gray whom Robert met at the age of five. “Under hypnosis, we’ve uncovered the truth for Robert and can now share his story with the world,” she says. “His bravery may help others who suspect they are undergoing physical and emotional manipulation by aliens.” Kryste (pronounced Christy) spent 30 years as a performer/singing instructor in New York City where she prepared young singers for Broadway and international stages. Her work as a certified hypnotherapist began in 1994. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book “LEGACY Book One, Discovery: A Remote Time Viewer’s Journey to His Ancestors.” Contact Kryste Andrews at (201) 801-4551; Kandrews@rtirguests.com