11/25/2025 RTIR Newsletter: How to Have a Safe, Low Conflict, Budget-Friendly Holiday



01. Turkey Safety is No Joke! Don’t Sicken Your Gathering
02. Let Mother-Daughter Conflicts Go This Holiday
03. This Holiday Thing is Expensive! Smart, Cost-Cutting Hacks
04. Holiday Flu Season Could Be a Doozy This Year
05. What the America First Global Health Strategy Means for the World’s Children
06. How the Pursuit of “Great Again” Is Changing Faith in America
07. Is Unity Possible? The Case for a National Divorce
08. What Hungary’s Experience with Socialism and Communism Can Teach America Today
09. An Alternative to Rage: Channel Political Anger into Real Change
10. Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Practical Ways to Prepare for Elder Care
11. Could A Body Piercing Put Your Health at Risk?
12. Spot the Covert Narcissist in Your Life
13. Psychiatrist Reveals the Mental Toll of Living in America Today
14. How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids Without Expensive Therapy or Apps
15. Mindset is Everything: How to Get Into Your Kids’ Heads


1. ==> Turkey Safety is No Joke! Don’t Sicken Your Gathering

You’ve purchased a Thanksgiving turkey and the fixings to accompany it. Hopefully, the bird is thawing and you’re mentally prepping to host the event. But don’t forget to think about food safety. “When you’re preparing a holiday meal, usually for a larger group of people, you’re preparing more food and you’re a little bit more rushed. You may be more prone to make mistakes,” says Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida. He’ll discuss the biggest turkey mistakes (and how to avoid them) and share his number one tip: wash your hands! “People don’t even realize that they’ll rub their noses, they’ll run their fingers through their hair or wipe the sweat from their brow as they’re preparing a meal for 20 people,” he says. Other tips include properly thawing your bird (in the refrigerator) and using a meat thermometer. But should you wash it before cooking? And what about stuffing? Schneider warns that washing turkey is a fantastic way to spread a lot of bacteria throughout your kitchen (so don’t do it) and says the safest way to cook stuffing is in a casserole dish, outside the bird. Contact Keith Schneider at (352) 294-3910; keiths29@ufl.edu

2. ==> Let Mother-Daughter Conflicts Go This Holiday

The holidays are supposed to bring families together, but for many, they bring old wounds to the table. From silent treatments to sharp words, unresolved mother-daughter tensions often ripple through the whole household, turning what should be a season of joy into one of stress and strain. Bestselling authors Leslie and Lindsey Glass know this struggle all too well. Once estranged, the mother-daughter pair rebuilt their relationship from the ground up, and now they’re helping others do the same. Their book, “The Mother Daughter Relationship Makeover” was featured on Oprah’s Book Club. Their new, follow-up workbook offers practical tools designed to defuse conflict, rebuild trust and rekindle genuine connection. “With the holidays approaching, this is the perfect time to take stock of what’s working and what’s hurting in your family dynamic,” sa Leslie Glass. “Repairing a mother-daughter relationship can have a ripple effect that transforms the entire family.” Contact Carrie King at (800) 854-1134; news@ascotpr.com

3. ==> This Holiday Thing is Expensive! Smart, Cost-Cutting Hacks

Millions of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck, and the many costs associated with the holidays just add to the stress and burden. Budget-minded listeners will appreciate financial educator Terence Bradford’s tips to stretch their dollars this holiday season. “People who plan ahead and stay intentional with their spending will get through the season fine; the ones winging it are going to end up stressed especially when the credit card bills show up in January,” he says. Find out how to travel smarter, save money on kids’ toys and diffuse the cost of entertaining, as well as how to use discount codes, loyalty apps and other tools to cut spending. Bradford created the groundbreaking television series “A Check For Life.” The show merges entertainment, education, and empowerment to help families build lifetime income streams and achieve financial freedom. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; Ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

4. ==> Holiday Flu Season Could Be a Doozy This Year

It’s prime travel season and doctors are now warning of a new mutated version of the flu virus. Infection rates across the country are unreliable due to the government shutdown and cuts, but there are reports of the strain causing more severe illness and early information suggests that protection from previous infections or the vaccine is “suboptimal.” Dr. Bruce Farber can discuss who is most at risk, and why doctors are concerned. “Influenza is not the cold,” says Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of infectious diseases at Northwell Health. “Last season, more people died from flu than Covid-19 in the U.S.” Ask him whether it makes sense to get a vaccine now, symptoms of the new variant and what to have on hand this flu season to deal with a bout. Contact the Northwell Health PR department at (516) 840-0644 or Christian Preston at cpreston@northwell.edu

5. ==> What the America First Global Health Strategy Means for the World’s Children

Child and public health advocates say the new America First Global Health Strategy fundamentally changes the structure and goals of U.S. foreign aid in a way that marginalizes children. Leila Nimatallah of the group First Focus on Children says the plan gives support to other countries not based on what they need but based on how much they can give back to the U.S. “Sadly, we are having to relearn the lessons of the past 60 years all over again. We know low cost, highly impactful interventions: investing in clean water and sanitation; supporting breastfeeding for the first six months of life; proper nutrition and micronutrient supplementation; protecting kids from diarrheal disease and pneumonia; vaccination. We’re taking all that away. She adds, “The average American would not be happy knowing that a child abroad was going to die from dirty water. The federal government is not making decisions in line with what the American people want.” Nimatallah is vice president of advocacy and mobilization at First Focus on Children, a bipartisan organization working to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Contact her at leilan@firstfocus.org

6. ==> How the Pursuit of “Great Again” Is Changing Faith in America

What does it really mean to be “great again”? And why is that phrase influencing everything from our politics to our pews? Rick Patterson, author of “The Matthew Challenge,” says the obsession with “greatness” has become a moral blind spot in American life. In his new book, the former evangelical preacher and adoptive father of four Black children, explores how this mindset has crept into churches, shaping alliances and behaviors that contradict the very faith they claim to uphold. With master’s and doctoral degrees in ministry and decades of experience in evangelical circles, Rick brings a powerful insider perspective to today’s spiritual and cultural divide. He makes the psychology behind it all practical and accessible, helping audiences understand how the need to feel “great” often strips us of the humility and compassion that make us human. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Is Unity Possible? The Case for a National Divorce

The notion of “one nation under God” depends on the ability to “agree to disagree.” However, Taylor Woodruff believes that’s an impossibility. “Sadly, today’s American culture has lost that virtue,” he says. “One side still values dialogue; the other seeks to silence, shame, or even destroy dissent.” While a “national divorce” may sound drastic, Taylor is convinced that it’s necessary. “America is now defined by two irreconcilable moral visions—one rooted in traditional faith and freedom, the other in secular control and relativism,” he says. “Maybe the lesson is that preserving liberty sometimes requires parting ways peacefully, before the nation’s moral fracture becomes a permanent wound.” Taylor is the author of “The Case for National Divorce, One Christian's Perspective.” Contact Taylor Woodruff at (252) 888-5892; twoodruff@rtirguests.com

8. ==> What Hungary’s Experience with Socialism and Communism Can Teach America Today

If promises of “free” healthcare, housing, and education sound too good to be true, Laszlo Suhayda says they probably are. He knows from experience. He claims that socialism’s promises can quietly evolve into total government control. “As some American cities embrace socialist ideals, freedom, once surrendered, is nearly impossible to reclaim,” he says. Born in Hungary under communist rule, his family lived through a regime that confiscated homes, dictated salaries, and ruled through fear. Over 100,000 innocent civilians were murdered by the secret police, the AVH. Les and his family escaped through the courage of seven brave strangers—each risking execution to help them reach freedom. He is the author of “Twelve Bells to Freedom.” Contact Laszlo Suhayda at (314) 501-6838; Lsuhayda@rtirguests.com

9. ==> An Alternative to Rage: Channel Political Anger into Real Change

“Agonizing, protesting, or tuning out” aren’t our only options in today’s heated political climate, says activist and author Sam Daley-Harris. In his book “Reclaiming Our Democracy,” Daley-Harris reveals a proven alternative: transformational advocacy, where you don’t just change an issue, you’re changed in the process. He shares stories of ordinary citizens who turned “climate trauma” into hope, and political helplessness into purpose. Feeling fed up isn’t a flaw. It’s fuel. Daley-Harris shows your audience how to harness it into impact. Book him today to inspire your audience and dive into the tough question like “Why is outrage not enough?” and “How can ordinary people actually change politics?”. Sam Daley-Harris is the founder of RESULTS, a citizens’ lobby that has empowered grassroots advocates to influence U.S. policy for more than 40 years. Contact Sam at (202) 804-2504; sdaley@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Practical Ways to Prepare for Elder Care

Debbie Miller, Certified Senior Advisor® and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist®, knows that when a loved one suddenly needs care, families often find themselves unprepared—and overwhelmed. As author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, & Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” Miller offers clear, compassionate guidance to help families plan before crisis strikes. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, she reveals practical steps for avoiding costly mistakes, improving communication, and making confident decisions under pressure. Whether you’re helping parents stay safely at home or navigating long-term care options, Miller’s advice can spare families from confusion and conflict—and provide peace of mind when it matters most. Ask her: What are the most common mis¬takes families make when caring for aging parents? How can adult children prepare before a parent’s health crisis happens? Contact Debbie Miller at (703) 844-4074; dmiller@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Could A Body Piercing Put Your Health at Risk?

After “People” magazine recently reported on a woman’s cancer scare linked to a nipple piercing, more people are wondering how safe body piercings really are. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser has spent over 45 years studying how modern habits like caffeine, cell phones, tattoos, and piercings affect our health in ways that medicine often misses. He highlights new research, such as a Swedish study that found tattoos may raise the risk of lymphatic cancer by 20%, as a reminder that “what’s trendy today could have long-term health costs.” On your show, Norbert can share what the science says, what mainstream experts might overlook, and practical steps people can take to stay safe. This topic works well for health and lifestyle programs, consumer awareness shows, and talk shows looking for timely segments that combine personal stories with surprising science. Norbert is a German health researcher, life coach, and author of “One Concept to Live For.” Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Spot the Covert Narcissist in Your Life

They can seem charming, generous, even selfless—until the mask slips. Dr. Valerie Sussman, retired pediatrician and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist, knows firsthand how devastating covert narcissism can be. After enduring years of emotional manipulation in her own marriage, she now helps others recognize the subtle red flags of abuse long before the damage is done. In her upcoming book, “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” Dr. Sussman decodes the psychology behind toxic relationships with clarity, empathy, and a touch of humor. Her message: you’re not crazy—you’ve been con¬ditioned. In interviews, she shares how to identify manipulation, rebuild self-trust, and finally break free from cycles of emotional control. Ask her: What makes narcissistic relationships so crazy-making? Why do smart, capable people fall for emotional ma¬nipulation—and how can they recover? Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; Vsussman@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Psychiatrist Reveals the Mental Toll of Living in America Today

America used to be the land of freedom and opportunity. But according to Dr. Shila Patel, the current chaotic political and social climate has changed that for the worse and it’s taking a toll on Americans’ mental health. “The statistics are staggering, and getting worse,” she says. “According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults and one in six children have mental health issues such as depression, anger, frustration, and feeling hopeless and helpless.” Shila is a retired psychiatrist who spent her 25-year career helping people to navigate daily stress and find positive paths to happiness. She is the author of “US Unhinged Book 1,” “US Unhinged Book 2” and “US Fractured.” Contact Dr. Shila Patel at (229) 586-6190; spatel@rtirguests.com

14. ==> How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids Without Expensive Therapy or Apps

In today’s fast-paced, chaotic world, parents, educators, and professionals are asking the same question: How can we help children and young adults build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness? Dianne Olvera, Ph.D., BCET brings 40+ years of experience helping people of all ages turn hesitation into leadership. Drawing on her diplomatic work with U.S. Embassies in Argentina and Mexico and her acclaimed book, she delivers practical strategies that change lives. Dianne is a board-certified educational therapist and the author of “The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower.” She’s also a former diplomat and spy. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Mindset is Everything: How to Get Into Your Kids’ Heads

Across the country, teachers and parents are noticing that kids are more anxious than ever. Mindset coach and mother of four Sharon Emily believes the antidote is not pressure or perfectionism, but mindset. A former counselor and FranklinCovey-trained facilitator, she teaches families practical ways to replace fear with focus. Her new children’s song turned book, “Mirror of Myself,” gives parents an easy way to start those conversations at home. Sharon helps audiences understand how thoughts shape confidence, motivation, and resilience in both children and adults. Whether your listeners are concerned about school stress, social media, or the constant rush of modern life, she offers tools that spark calm, gratitude, and hope while still acknowledging real challenges. Sharon has practiced what she preaches, raising a son who became a millionaire before 30 and a thriving daughter living with autism. Contact her at (480) 470-3893; scarstens@rtirguests.com