01. Israel-Hamas War – Diplomatic and Political Challenges
02. Inside the White Evangelical Movement
03. What Does Populism Really Mean?
04. ‘It’s Basic’: New Film Fights Major Poverty Myth
05. Diwali: The Festival of Lights Explained
06. Achoo! Why Autumn Allergies Are So Awful
07. Why You Get SAD This Time of Year (and How to Fight It)
08. How to Use Your Brain to Heal Faster
09. From Jane Fonda to CrossFit: How American Exercise Has Changed
10. Attorney Shares 5 Brutal Divorce Truths No One Tells You
11. Are People Who Set Goals Smarter?
12. The Science of Becoming a Better Speaker
13. Why You Should Care About Endangered Elephants
14. How to Have Unbreakable Resilience
15. Why Don’t Most People Take Their Happiness Seriously?
1. ==> Israel-Hamas War – Diplomatic and Political Challenges
Discuss the diplomatic and political challenges touched off by Hamas’s attack on Israel with Linda Robinson, a senior fellow for women in foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Robinson can comment on the current hostage situation, humanitarian issues, and international reaction to the war including growing pressure for a cease-fire. Robinson is a distinguished author, analyst, and prize-winning former foreign correspondent with 40 years of experience in international affairs and national security. Contact her at lrobinson@cfr.org
2. ==> Inside the White Evangelical Movement
Evangelical Protestants are often portrayed as foaming-at-the-mouth Christian insurrectionists, but Jon Ward gives listeners an inside look at the church and his life growing up as the son of a pastor within the evangelical movement. The author of “Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation,” believes white evangelicals have been led astray by their political thirst. “There’s a lot of really great people in these evangelical churches,” he says. “But there’s a whole culture of political beliefs and cultural practices that have been added on to the faith that I was indoctrinated in.” Ward can discuss who is attracted to this fusion of religion and politics and what it would take for evangelicals to lose their allegiance to Donald Trump. John Ward is the chief national correspondent at Yahoo! News. Contact Kelly Hughes at kelly@dechanthughes.com
3. ==> What Does Populism Really Mean?
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 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 or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
4. ==> ‘It’s Basic’: New Film Fights Major Poverty Myth
The new documentary “It’s Basic” breaks down the deep history and complicated reality of guaranteed income, or universal basic income. The film shows how a guaranteed check can be a path out of poverty, and why communities can’t bank on the idea alone. Directed by Marc Levin and executive produced by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) founder Michael Tubbs, “It’s Basic” examines several pilot programs launched in the U.S. that test the effects of giving everyday people an extra $500 to $1,000 monthly, with no strings attached. The film follows five recipients in different cities and explores the power of cash, the importance of dignity, and the ongoing work of providing an income floor. For interviews, contact Cassady Fendlay at info@mayorsforagi.org
5.==> Diwali: The Festival of Lights Explained
One of the largest and most significant religious observances in the world begins on Sunday when more than a billion people begin celebrating Diwali, India’s Festival of Lights. The five-day festival honors the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance and features prayers, feasts, fireworks, and for some, a new year. Natasha Mikles says there are many different versions and stories surrounding the holiday, but overriding themes remain. “These diverse origin stories of Diwali point to a shared argument that Indian culture is making about the world: that good – whether as one of the many avatars of Lord Vishnu, an enlightened Jain prince, or an imprisoned guru – will necessarily triumph over the evils of demons, injustice and ignorance.” She says, “Certainly that’s an argument worth celebrating, especially in the chaotic times we live in today.” Natasha Mikles is a scholar of Asian religion and popular narratives at Texas State University. She has written extensively on the topic of Diwali and its significance in South Asian culture. Contact her at (512) 245-2228; nlm66@txstate.edu
6. ==> Achoo! Why Autumn Allergies Are So Awful
Spring may be the season most people associate with outdoor allergies, but millions of people suffer each autumn from ragweed and outdoor mold. “For many people, these seasonal outdoor allergen exposures occur on top of chronic indoor allergen exposure to things like dust mites and animal dander,” says Marc Riedl, a professor of medicine and clinical service chief of allergy and immunology at the University of California at San Diego and a practicing allergist/immunologist at UC San Diego Health. He says, “So for these people who may have some low-level chronic allergy symptoms, this seasonal spike in outdoor allergens can push their symptoms to an intolerable level and generate miserable fall allergies.” Riedl can discuss ways to avoid fall allergens like showering after raking, wiping pets’ feet before they come inside, and wearing a mask. He’ll also discuss treatment options including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and for long-term, severe symptoms, immunotherapy. Contact Marc Riedl at mriedl@ucsd.edu
7. ==> Why You Get SAD This Time of Year (and How to Fight It)
The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping and we’ve started the slide into shorter days and longer nights. Many people dread this time of year, especially if they suffer from “The Winter Blues.” Invite Dr. Greg Hammer to share a tried-and-true way to help boost your mental resilience and give you the tools to thrive as we head into the cold winter months. He’ll explain the science behind seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the physical and mental symptoms, and a simple, daily three-minute tool to combat negative thoughts and rewire the brain. Hammer is passionate about educating people on how they can prioritize and improve their mental health so that they may live peaceful and fulfilling lives. Greg Hammer, M.D., is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, a pediatric intensive care physician, pediatric anesthesiologist, mindfulness expert, and the author of “GAIN Without Pain: The Happiness Handbook for Health Care Professionals.” Contact Mackenzie August at (661) 255-8283; mackenzie@steveallenmedia.com
8. ==> How to Use Your Brain to Heal Faster
Science has shown that a mind-body connection exists and your emotions can impact your physical health, but how much does it actually help? Discover the real power of positive thinking when you interview Stan Munslow. After helping his father beat 30% survival odds and fully recover from Stage 4 lymphoma, Stan shares his methods for faster recovery from surgery, chronic conditions, or serious illness — and improved health overall. Discover powerful techniques to optimize your mind-body connection and reclaim your health. Ask him: How can your thoughts help you decrease pain, recovery time, and even your health-care costs? Why does being the “perfect patient” help you shorten and improve a hospital experience? Stan Munslow is the author of “Get Weller Sooner: 12 Powerful, Proven Ways to Speed and Improve Your Recovery from Illness or Surgery?” Contact him at (401) 337-7436; smunslow@rtirguests.com
9. ==> From Jane Fonda to CrossFit: How American Exercise Has Changed
Goodbye treadmill and elliptical trainer, hello dumbbells, squat rack and bench press. Strength training (aka weight or resistance training) is the exercise of choice these days, driven by new research on its health benefits and popularity of gyms like CrossFit. “Strength training has become so much more widely embraced and accepted for all kinds of outcomes – aesthetic, weight loss, bone health and balance,” says Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, an associate professor of history at the New School and author of “Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession.” She says it’s just the latest in a series of radical shifts over decades in how Americans exercise. She can discuss the history of America’s obsession with exercise including early 20th-century gyms, women’s “reducing salons,” and the cardio revolution that included Jane Fonda workout videos and aerobics. Contact Natalia Mehlman Petrzela at natalia@nataliapetrzela.com; @nataliapetrzela
10. ==> Attorney Shares 5 Brutal Divorce Truths No One Tells You
While the fundamentals of divorce are known to most people because when you go through a divorce everyone thinks they are a lawyer, the ugly truth about divorce can only be passed on by someone like Nancy Perpall. She’s a divorce attorney with over 30 years of experience, who shares the five brutal truths about divorce that no one tells you. The root meaning of divorce is the Latin word diverte, which means to divert. Nancy believes that divorce is a diversion. Ask her: how can people evaluate whether to stay or go in a marriage? Nancy is an experienced media guest, a former critical care nurse, and the author of the novel about relationships, “Around Which All Things Bend,” and the upcoming book, The Malnourished Marriage: 5 Essential Emotional Nutrients for a Healthy Relationship. Contact Nancy Perpall at (610) 360-9822; nap@nancyperpall.com
11. ==> Are People Who Set Goals Smarter?
If you want to live the best years of your life starting now and suffer fewer disappointments, you need to start setting good goals. “Setting goals makes us better, and people deserve to have good things in their lives,” says Winifred Bragg, a medical doctor, and author of “Dreams Without Goals Are Nightmares.” Bragg will share how to get started by using TheBraggFactor®, her five-step system for goal achievement in all areas of life. Ask her: What are the four most important questions to ask yourself about setting goals? How can you create habits that make it easier to reach your goals? A nationally recognized speaker, she has appeared in numerous TV and print media and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. She has been quoted as an expert in “Redbook,” “Women’s World,” and “Self” magazine. Contact Winifred Bragg at (757) 434-7425; drbragg@thebraggfactor.com
12. ==> The Science of Becoming a Better Speaker
Blank looks. Confused expressions. People looking at their cell phones or wishing they were anywhere else. When business executives lose their audiences, it is usually because they have bought into communication myths. Psychotherapist and renowned speech coach Danny Slomoff says there is no such thing as public speaking — it’s simply talking. And talking is the same whether it is to one person or an auditorium full of people. Slomoff, who overcame speaking issues himself, asserts that there are no natural-born speakers. Similar to all brain-based coordination systems like music and sports, he says speaking at the highest level requires practice and commitment. The author of “The Myth of Public Speaking: The Revolutionary Brain-Based System for Communicating in Business” will reveal five neurological behaviors of authentic executive presence, why mind contact matters more than eye contact and where speech patterns and bad habits come from. He can explain the unique public speaking method he created that utilizes the way human brains are wired, without techniques or tricks. Danny Slomoff is CEO of Slomoff Consulting Group and the founder of the Slomoff Method©. He coaches CEOs and C-suite executives worldwide on their corporate communication. He has a Ph.D. in both clinical and organizational psychology and is the speaking coach for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Olympic team. Contact Ariana Donaldson at (415) 606-0099; ari@slomoff.com
13. ==> Why You Should Care About Endangered Elephants
Elephants have long enchanted humans due to their intelligence, charm and majesty. Sadly, they are also one of the world’s most endangered species. According to author/animal welfare advocate Georja Umano, this places the entire planet’s environment in peril. “They are so large that rain in an elephant’s footprint can create a microsystem that can provide a home for tadpoles and other organisms,” she says. “The effects of their movements in both savannahs and forests help restore and maintain the balance of nature.” Georja spent two years working in Kenya and can share why it’s important to preserve elephants’ natural habitats, as well as how these lovable creatures positively impact global ecosystems. She is the author of “Terriers in the Jungle.” Contact Georja Umano at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
14. ==> 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 has 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. 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.” Ask her: What was it like living in the world’s largest refugee camp? What are some specific things people can do to become more resilient? Contact Kiden Jonathan at (647) 503-5092; kjonathan@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Why Don’t Most People Take Their Happiness Seriously?
Everyone wants to live a happy life. But the trouble is most of us never bother to do the work to achieve one. Why? According to Raj Girn, it’s because few people pay serious attention to what will make them happy. Raj says, “What I’ve learned through my own experiences, the experiences of people around me, and what clients share with me, is that there is one common denominator that screams out louder than all the others and it is a lack of constant evaluation of their life.” Interview Raj — who just became a regular panelist on CTV’s daily news show “The Debate with Mike Le Couteur” — to learn the questions all of us should be asking ourselves. A media celebrity in Canada, Raj has been featured in “The Wall Street Journal,” “Globe” and “Mail,” and on FOX and CBS and has a combined social media network of over 1 million followers. She also runs The Open Chest Confidence Academy. Contact her at (647) 363-7372; Rgirn@rtirguests.com