01. How to Safely Gather Amid Omicron
02. As Omicron Spreads, So Does Anxiety
03. The World’s First Solar Power Plant
04. True Crime: He Exposed Russian Mafia
05. Do We Need to Bring Back ‘Elevator Music’?
06. Your Laundry Detergent May Be as Bad for You as Smoking
07. Britney’s Free But What about the Others?
08. Will 2022 Be Even Worse for Wildfires?
09. The Epidemic of Struggling Teens
10. Battle-Tested Tips to Help Conquer Stress
11. Post-Pandemic Tips to Build Your Life Back Better
12. Why Aren’t There More Black Doctoral Candidates?
13. Food is the New Medicine Cabinet … for Dogs!
14. Would You Try ‘Magic Mushroom’ Therapy?
15. This Hip-Hop Artist Appeared with Quavo and Waka Flocka!
1. ==> How to Safely Gather Amid Omicron
COVID cases are surging across the U.S. and abroad thanks to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Experts agree testing is crucial right now, but how does that work? Especially when tests are so hard to come by. One company is now offering an all-in-one solution to help people get together safely. Intrivo’s 2Gather service combines the company’s FDA-authorized On/Go rapid tests with a secure app that allows event and meeting hosts to send tests to guests and then track results to reduce the risk of transmission. “After almost two years of living apart, individuals and organizations alike are eager to return to more in-person activities like social gatherings, weddings and work events. In order to do so safely, event and meeting organizers should take proactive steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, starting with real-time rapid testing,” says co-CEO Ron Gutman. Intrivo is a U.S.-based health-tech company that uses the power of AI to help control COVID-19. Contact Jessica Savarese at jessica.savarese@ruderfinn.com
2. ==> As Omicron Spreads, So Does Anxiety
Just when we thought we could exhale and enjoy the holidays, the newest coronavirus variant has given us another gut punch. With this renewed uncertainty hitting when we are already depleted, it’s increasingly hard to keep calm and carry on. Psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic says,” Besides getting vaccinated, masking and taking care of our health needs, we can’t control much about the pandemic — or the other things making us anxious. But there are things we can do about our responses to these events.” She’ll share five science-based strategies to reduce anxiety and help you find grounding amid the storm. Jelena Kecmanovic is a clinical psychologist, the founding director of Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Contact her at (202) 800-2046 or (703) 539-5006, ext. 1; DrKpsychologist@gmail.com
3. ==> The World’s First Solar Power Plant
Climate change has never been more in the news, and the news of 2021 forest fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, heatwaves and polar vortexes have surprised us all. Invite Andy Bowman, a 25-year renewable energy veteran, to share his unique take that focuses not just on our climate problems but on what we can do to make them better. He’ll discuss the relationship between capitalism and climate change, the history of solar power, in particular its reinvention by China, and the relationship between power plant finance and greenhouse gas emissions. Andy Bowman has been a serial clean energy entrepreneur since the late 1990s. His new book, “The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World: Energy, Capitalism and Climate Change,” tells the story of the world’s first solar power plant. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)
4. ==> True Crime: He Exposed Russian Mafia
John Christmas’ life story reads like a spy novel. He was working for Parex Bank in Latvia in 2004 when he exposed widespread bank fraud to a major international audit firm and the Latvian government. And just as you might read in a thriller, he was terrorized and forced to flee the country while the firm and the government ignored the information. Invite Christmas on your show and hear how it eventually led to the bank’s collapse and the 2008 Latvian financial crisis, which continues to this day. He’ll explain how a Western taxpayer-funded development bank covered up the corruption for years while Christmas was exiled for exposing the Russian Mafia bank. Ask him: What’s become of the players you exposed? Were your allegations ever investigated? Are you still in danger? Could a similar situation happen again? The spy thriller “KGB Banker,” co-written with crime fiction author William Burton McCormick, was inspired by John Christmas’ true story. Contact him at (514) 700-9015; jchristmas@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Do We Need to Bring Back ‘Elevator Music’?
Do you listen to elevator music? You know, the wordless instrumental musical pieces you used to routinely find when you got in an elevator or visited your local mall or doctor. Once ubiquitous, instrumental music is less common today but perhaps we need to bring it back. Interview Dave Combs to learn about the health benefits of elevator music, including its calming nature, and why we might need to listen to more of it during current chaotic times. In addition, Dave can talk about the power of music — even music without words — to change lives and share the inspiring story behind his most successful composition, “Rachel’s Song.” Dave Combs’ music has been played millions of times on radio, satellite, and internet streaming media. He is also the author of “Touched By the Music: How the Story and Music of Rachel’s Song Can Change Your Life.” Contact him at (336) 655-8320; dave@combsmusic.com
6. ==> Your Laundry Detergent May Be as Bad for You as Smoking
Your laundry may smell like a mountain breeze or fresh meadow after washing, but those seemingly delightful aromas may be as deadly as cigarettes. “Many household products contain fragrance,” says product expert Zorica Denton. “They may contain anywhere from 100 to 1,000 chemicals. But they don’t have to be listed due to trade secret policies.” Zorica should know. She developed asthma, a gastric ulcer and other debilitating health problems as a result of working as a perfume model, and almost died. She is the founder of the natural personal care products company Zorica of Malibu, and the author of an upcoming book about toxic chemicals in products. Contact Zorica at (213) 616-7904; zdenton@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Britney’s Free But What about the Others?
Thanks to the widely publicized Free Britney movement, legally binding adult conservatorships have begun to emerge from the shadows and Léonie Rosenstiel thinks it’s about time. Her elderly mother, a retired professor with dementia, was placed under such an arrangement, with dire results. She’ll explain how the conservator prevented her from seeing her mother for nearly three years, against her mother’s wishes and her own, and forced her mother to remain in her bed for the rest of her life after suffering a broken hip. Originally a classical violinist, Rosenstiel made a promise to her mother to expose the flaws in the guardianship system and empower other families caught in its web. She went back to school to earn a master’s degree in public health and undertook a vigorous research process before writing “Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp.” Léonie Rosenstiel and her work have been featured in “The New York Review of Books,” “Los Angeles Times,” “Albuquerque Journal,” “Chicago Tribune,” the “Boston Globe,” the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” and more. Contact her at (505) 317-2405; L.rosenstiel1@gmail.com
8. ==> Will 2022 Be Even Worse for Wildfires?
We’ve seen the photos of gigantic trees enveloped in “fireproof” wraps to protect them from the killer flames of wildfires in forested areas of California and Canada. Will that be enough to protect some of the largest and oldest lifeforms on Earth? What about protecting communities (some already decimated by wildfire), farms, homes, pets, wild animals and human lives in 2022? As climate change imperils the planet and leads to fires and other dangers that could make millions of acres uninhabitable, your audience will want to discuss this topic with wildfire expert James Moseley. Ask him about the latest actions and technologies that can save lives and property. What connection could NASA have to the wildfires plaguing our drought-prone world? How can new technology be successful? What should everyone know, whether living in wildfire areas or not? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Epidemic of Struggling Teens
Last year was especially tough for teenagers whose lives typically include one challenge, change, and charged-up problem after another. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the proportion of mental health-related emergency room visits for adolescents jumped 31% during the pandemic. That’s why you’ll want to interview Paul Bernabei, an educator, trainer and author of the popular “Top 20” book series — including “Top 20 Teens” — who can discuss the many factors behind teens’ increasing anxiety and depression. He will explore what parents and mentors need to know as teens struggle amid the turmoil of adolescence. Ask him: What often takes the brightest teens off the path to excellence and on the road to poor behavior, disengagement in school, and even suicidal thoughts? Which conversations, activities and programs help teens enjoy life and feel hopeful? Contact Paul Bernabei at (651) 470-3827; PBernabei@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Battle-Tested Tips to Help Conquer Stress
Everyone could use some tips for handling stress better. Col. Debra M. Lewis (USA, Ret.) has already coached thousands of people on her battle-tested methods to overcome obstacles and use life’s daily stresses to their advantage. Col. Deb will share those tips and tools along with her action-packed life story as one of the first women to attend the Military Academy at West Point, a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, and a commander in combat. She is the author of “Why Is Pono Not Pono Today?” and its companion course, “Take Kids from Stressed to Success.” Ask her why are most reactions to stress destructive? Why do good people make bad decisions under stress? Contact Deb Lewis at (571) 332-7240 (text first as she is in Hawaii) Deb@ MentallyToughWomen.com
11. ==> Post-Pandemic Tips to Build Your Life Back Better
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on everything from the economy to our relationships and our mental health. Families have lost loved ones, businesses and careers and been forced to make choices they never expected. For those who feel lost, stuck or unsure what to do next, Oreste D’Aversa has four steps to start creating a new life that’s even better and more prosperous than before. Oreste D’Aversa is a life and business coach, corporate trainer, minister and the author of “Life Beyond the Pandemic: A Practical New Journey Handbook,” his revolutionary step-by-step blueprint to reinvent your life and thrive in the post-pandemic world. Ask him: What one thing can make the fastest impact in getting unstuck? What’s the biggest mistake people make in defining their life’s purpose? Contact Oreste D’Aversa at (201) 949-3002; odaversa@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why Aren’t There More Black Doctoral Candidates?
According to the National Science Foundation, African American doctoral candidates averaged a modest 5.4 percent during the last 20 years. According to Dr. Dorothy Kegler, Ed.D., the divide is cultural. “African Americans are exposed to sports and entertainment and other quick-money fields, not higher education,” she says. “There are also fewer African American doctors and lawyers because they aren’t exposed to these fields early enough in life.” The youngest of 10 children, Dorothy overcame a learning difficulty to earn a doctorate in higher education administration from Alliant International University in San Diego. She is the author of three books. Contact Dr. Dorothy at (619) 679-9627; dkegler@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Food is the New Medicine Cabinet … for Dogs!
People are accustomed to hearing that “food is medicine” but is the same also true for dogs? According to Michele and Jeff Allen, the founders of Monkey’s House, a dog hospice and sanctuary, it is — particularly for aging dogs. Invite the Allens on your program to explain what food therapy is and how to feed your dog for maximum health. Veterans of over 50 media appearances including television, print, internet, and radio, their lives with 25 hospice dogs have given the Allens vast knowledge in the care of aging dogs and have allowed them to experience the beauty and unconditional love only a dog can give. She’s a retired nurse who was recognized as a 2017 CNN Hero for her dog hospice work. He’s the best-selling author of “Where Dogs Go to Live!” and “Life is a Dog Bone … Chew It All Day Long.” Contact Michele and Jeff Allen at (267) 565-0624; WhereDogsGoToLive@gmail.com
14. ==> Would You Try ‘Magic Mushroom’ Therapy?
While still prohibited by law, some once-considered “bad boys” of the drug culture (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA), are now being seriously studied by science and found to be not only completely non-addictive, but more effective in the relief of anxiety, addiction, and depression than any known or traditional treatment. Sparrow Hart is available for interview on this timely topic, having studied the variety of ways to alter and change consciousness for decades. He can discuss both the incredible promise of psychedelics as well as potential pitfalls for their misuse in an addictive and distraction-seeking culture. Ask him: does he see psychedelics as having a broader impact than just improving a few individuals’ personal happiness? He has studied with Native Americans, taught courses on shamanism, and led vision quests for three decades. Is there any commonality between these processes that alter consciousness, for example between a vision quest and a psychedelic journey? Sparrow’s varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse, adventures in the Amazon, and over 30 years of leading workshops on shamanism, conscious dreaming, and vision quests in nature. He is the author of several books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a Dream Worth Living.” Contact Sparrow Hart at (801) 516-0740; SHart@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Hip-Hop Artist Appeared with Quavo and Waka Flocka!
He’s shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the music industry like Quavo and Waka Flocka. But like many other hip-hop artists, Austin Lanier overcame a lot to get where he is, from trouble with the law beginning at age six to bullying, depression, anxiety, fatherlessness, drug addiction, and the loss of friends to suicide. Yet Austin’s story of finding his purpose and helping other people find theirs as a speaker in schools is the perfect, uplifting fit for the New Year. Ask him: How has fame changed you? What are some keys to finding purpose? What role has soccer played in your life? Contact Peggi Merkey at (281) 346-9528; pmerkey@rtirguests.com