01. After the Election: It Takes Courage to Run for Office
02. Meet the Political Rocky: How One Man Took on the ‘Unbeatable’ and Changed His District
03. The Elections Are Over, Now What? This Activist Has an Answer
04. The Impossible Will Take a Little While
05. Already Stressed and it’s Only November?
06. Why Smart, Successful People Fall for Narcissists
07. The Invisible Price Women Pay to Be Taken Seriously at Work
08. Forced Retirements: Could AI Compound Problem?
09. Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
10. Our Boys Are in Trouble. How to Parent Tomorrow’s Men
11. Real Life Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
12. Today’s Kids Are Suffering a Confidence Crisis
13. Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide
14. Autism Advocate Inspires Kids Who Feel Different
15. How to Harvest More Joy This Fall
1. ==> After the Election: It Takes Courage to Run for Office
From school boards and city councils to the Texas Legislature and statewide offices, candidates put their names, ideas and personal lives before the public. They face criticism, uncertainty and the possibility of defeat, often while balancing the demands of work and family. When the votes are counted, attention naturally turns to the winners. But what might we learn by also recognizing the people who stepped forward because they believed they could make a difference for their fellow citizens? Elizabeth D. Samet, PhD, a longtime professor at West Point and the author of the forthcoming “Taking Courage: A New Look at an Old American Virtue,” says courage is more complicated than simply being fearless or standing firm. It involves understanding what is at stake, exercising judgment and deciding how to act even when the outcome is uncertain. In a nonpartisan conversation, Samet can discuss different types of courage, why it is often unpredictable and unglamourous and what courage looks like AFTER election day. She invites listeners to look beyond familiar images of heroism and consider the many forms courage can take. Following an election, she offers audiences a thoughtful way to recognize those who chose to stand up for their beliefs and seek to represent their fellow citizens. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
2. ==> Meet the Political Rocky: How One Man Took on the ‘Unbeatable’ and Changed His District
Author Rob Curnock knows politics from every angle—as a volunteer, TV reporter, and county party leader. He ultimately got a front-row seat to the down-and-dirty world of politics during his unlikely run for Congress against an entrenched incumbent. “I experienced the often brutal realities of running for office—and learned how ordinary citizens can shake up the system,” he says. Whether you’re thinking of running for office—or just curious about what it takes—Rob delivers an inside look that is as timely as today’s headlines. He is a long-time broadcast journalist and the author of “Dead Man Running.” Contact Rob Curnock at (254) 822-3741; rcurnock@rtirguests.com
3. ==> The Elections Are Over, Now What? This Activist Has an Answer
Sam Daley-Harris has spent decades answering a question most people never think to ask: what happens after you vote? A former percussionist, Daley-Harris helped build a movement that’s helping save 10 million children’s lives a year — not through elections, but by teaching ordinary citizens how to make their voices heard. He says most people’s civic engagement ends at the ballot box, he calls it the American Slumber Party, and that’s exactly the problem. Real change happens in the months between elections, not just on election day. He’ll explain how. Ask him:
What’s one specific action someone can take between elections that actually makes a difference? What’s the biggest misconception people have about when their civic duty ends? How did a musician end up building a movement that saves 10 million lives? Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; sdaley@rtirguests.com
4. ==> The Impossible Will Take a Little While
“We live in a time fraught with bad news: assaults on democracy, climate disasters, crippling inequality, and an endless proliferation of lies,” says Paul Loeb. “Exhaustion and despair are understandable, so we need to learn from people who’ve acted in the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and persisted with courage, heart, and even joy.” Loeb’s new book, “The Impossible Will Take a Little While: Perseverance and Hope in Trouble Times,” offers stories of hope, inspiration, and raw courage from heroes of world-changing political movements. It features authors including include Nelson Mandela, Alexei Navalny, Heather Cox Richardson and many more and shows what it’s like to go up against Goliath and win—on battlefields from the 2024 South Korean coup, Putin’s prisons, South African apartheid, American slavery, and defeatism about climate change. Paul Loeb has spent fifty years researching and writing about citizen responsibility and empowerment asking what makes some people choose lives of social commitment, while others abstain. He has written numerous books, lectured at hundreds of colleges and universities and appeared more than 1,000 times on TV and radio. Contact Paul Loeb at paul@paulloeb.org
5. ==> Already Stressed and it’s Only November?
Year-end deadlines, holiday obligations, and packed calendars can turn the final months of the year into an endurance test. But executive coach Lindsay K. Barnett says squeezing more into every hour isn’t the answer. Instead, we should manage our energy as carefully as our time. On your show, Barnett will reveal how to spot what’s draining your capacity, pace yourself through demanding weeks, and use her “power of the pause” before automatically saying yes to one more request. She’ll also explain why taking a break can actually improve performance, and how adding more play and connection to your day can help replenish energy when schedules get hectic. Barnett is the author of “Working Hell to Working Well” and a 20+ year HR veteran who has advised Fortune 500 leaders and global teams on creating healthier, more effective ways of working. Contact Lindsay K. Barnett at (310) 340-2579; lbarnett@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Why Smart, Successful People Fall for Narcissists
Dr. Valerie Sussman knows firsthand how convincing a narcissist’s charm can be — she’s seen smart, accomplished people blindsided by manipulation they never saw coming. In her book “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” Sussman breaks down why intelligence and success offer no protection, and why victims often blame themselves. She helps survivors move past the shame that keeps them silent, replacing self-blame with clarity about what actually happened — and how to spot it before it happens again. Ask her: What are the 6 red flags that you’re sleeping with a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Why is hope a deadly drug if you’re with a narcissist? Why are narcissists known as emotional vampires, and how do you stop them? Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; vsussman@rtirguests.com
7. ==> The Invisible Price Women Pay to Be Taken Seriously at Work
Women have never been more represented in leadership, yet many still report higher levels of stress and exhaustion than their male counterparts. Why? After 33 years in global banking and technology, executive leader Amanda Christian says many women are paying an invisible tax: the constant pressure to adapt, translate, and reshape themselves just to be heard. On your show, she’ll reveal how this hidden burden impacts confidence, performance, and well-being. She’ll also share why traditional leadership advice often falls short and what organizations can do to create more sustainable paths to success. Amanda offers a fresh framework for leading with authenticity rather than constant self-adjustment. Having built an executive career in industries where women remain underrepresented, Christian speaks from firsthand experience, not theory. She is the author of “SoulFIRE Leadership.” Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Forced Retirements: Could AI Compound Problem?
Retirement doesn’t always happen because someone is ready to stop working, sometimes older Americans are pushed out of work before earlier or more completely than they’d prefer. “For some people, retirement follows a job loss and a search that never produces another suitable opportunity. The concern is that a temporary separation becomes a permanent exit,” according to workplace expert John Challenger. A recent AARP poll found that 22% of surveyed workers age 50-plus felt they were being pushed out of their jobs, while 64% had seen or experienced workplace age discrimination. As employers introduce artificial intelligence, Challenger says assumptions about older workers’ technological capabilities could become another barrier. “The risk is that employers mistake limited exposure to AI for limited ability to learn it. If experienced workers are excluded from training and then judged unprepared for redesigned jobs, the process can reinforce the assumption it started with,” he says. Challenger is CEO of the outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
9. ==> Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
Artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries, leaving many workers wondering whether their careers will still exist a decade from now. But according to author and decision-making expert George Lee, some professions won’t merely survive AI—they’ll become even more valuable because of it. On your show, Lee will explain which careers are best positioned for long-term growth. He’ll discuss why creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability are becoming premium skills, and how young professionals can future-proof their careers before the next wave of disruption arrives. He’ll also talk about why many schools and workplaces continue preparing people for a world that no longer exists. Lee offers a practical roadmap for thriving in an AI-driven economy. With experience spanning law, neuroscience-informed decision-making, and cross-cultural education, Lee brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to the future of work. He’s the author of “SMART Parenting 5.0.” Contact George Lee at (604) 330-8697; glee@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Our Boys Are in Trouble. How to Parent Tomorrow’s Men
Our boys are in trouble. In a culture where boys are often taught to suck it up, suppress their feelings and be tough, award-winning parenting expert C. Lynn Williams says parents can help sons become emotionally aware, resilient, and confident by challenging outdated ideas about masculinity. On your show, Williams will explain why fear-based parenting should give way to connection, communication, and trust, and how giving boys permission to feel, communicate, and be understood can help them grow into healthier men. She’ll also tackle a question many parents struggle with: How do you raise sons to be strong without teaching them to be aggressive? Williams is the author of five parenting books, including “Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen.” Williams is an educator, speaker, family dynamics strategist, and award-winning parenting expert. Contact her at (224) 344-3487; Cwilliams@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Real Life Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
Keeping teenagers safe isn’t as simple as giving them more rules. After 40 years in crime and violence prevention, Stephanie Mann says the teens best equipped to navigate danger are the ones who develop their own inner strength. Mann will reveal how self-awareness, emotional strength, and a centered sense of identity can help young people navigate risky situations. She’ll explain what can make teens vulnerable to gangs, toxic relationships, and other dangers, why tighter restrictions can create false security, and how parents can build genuine resilience instead. Her book, “Magical YOU! Empowering Teens to Stay Safe and Healthy in an Unsafe World,” gives families a different way to think about protection: empower teens rather than simply shelter them. After 40 years as a crime and violence prevention specialist, Mann brings decades of firsthand experience understanding the conditions that put young people at risk. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Today’s Kids Are Suffering a Confidence Crisis
Social media addiction, disappearing family rituals, and a lack of stability can leave kids feeling disconnected and adrift. Jack Gindi, founder of the I Believe in Me program, says all three can also undermine something children desperately need: self-esteem. Drawing on his own difficult childhood and decades of experience as a father, grandfather, and mentor, Jack will show parents how to replace constant correction with confidence-building habits. He’ll share practical ways to help children manage emotions, set achievable goals, and strengthen their belief in themselves in school and beyond. He’ll share how small, consistent actions can create lasting connection and trust, even through the teen years and tough conversations. Gindi focuses his work on giving families practical tools to strengthen children’s self-esteem, emotional management, and goal-setting skills. Contact Jack Gindi at (719) 751-8807; jgindi@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide
In a world where suicide is now the leading cause of death for people ages 10-33, therapist Sally Raymond is on a mission to change the narrative. With over 33 years of experience, Sally’s deeply personal journey—shaped by the loss of her son to suicide—continues to fuel her de¬termination to help others avoid the same unnecessary and heartbreaking fate. Sally has worked tirelessly to uncover the toxic social forces that first took her own son to suicide and still work to demoralize today’s youth in ever-increasing numbers. In this powerful interview she’ll reveal the hidden factors contributing to the rising suicide rates, including bullying, social media pressures, and lack of emotional support. Sally’s message is clear: while we can’t always prevent suicide, we can always make life worth the living. Contact her at (805) 576-8640; sraymond@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Autism Advocate Inspires Kids Who Feel Different
Neurodiversity speaker and advocate Matthew Kenslow has spent years sharing what it’s like to grow up with autism. Now, he’s taken his real-life experiences and put them into a story designed to resonate with readers, particularly young autistic people. Like the protagonist in his new book “The Tireless Advocate: An Epic Journey of One Autistic Who Refused to Surrender,” Kenslow overcame bullying and ableism on his way to a career as an advocate and educator. Today, he promotes more awareness, acceptance and inclusion, crediting faith, family, friends and “that light at the end of the tunnel” with helping him persevere. Matthew Kenslow was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 6 years old. Today, he is an autism advocate, neurodiversity speaker and the author of three books. He is also a substitute teacher and digital creator with more than a million followers on Instagram and has appeared on television, radio and podcasts around the world. Contact Chloe Ferguson at news@ascotpr.com
15. ==> How to Harvest More Joy This Fall
Autumn is a natural time to let go, and happiness expert Deborah Mallow says our mindset could use a little seasonal clearing too. Deborah shows audiences how to recognize the habits and thought patterns that can make life feel heavier, from worry and negativity to overthinking and a relentless inner critic. With humor, warmth, and practical, science-informed strategies, she’ll share simple Daily Decisions™ that can help viewers shift their perspective, build more positive patterns, and make room for greater joy, gratitude, and peace. Deborah’s uplifting fall segment reminds audiences that happiness doesn’t require pretending everything is perfect. Sometimes it starts with changing how we approach the day in front of us. Deborah is a former #1-ranked pharmaceutical sales rep and the author of “6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck.” Contact Deborah at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com