01. What Doctors Say About Gender-Affirming Care for Kids
02. How Will Trump’s Cabinet Affect Me?
03. Exceptionalism and the Risk of Nuclear Confrontation
04. New Holiday Scams Are Sneakier Than Ever
05. What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living the Good Life
06. What if Ukraine Loses the War?
07. This Author Took Part in the Chaotic Withdrawal of Afghanistan
08. How a Major Investment Firm Got Away with a Massive Ponzi Scheme
09. Why Work on Overcoming Your Biases?
10. With 1 Million YouTube Viewers, Middle-Aged Mom Proves You Can Do Social Media at Any Age
11. Forgotten College Football History
12. Why You Need to Tell Your Doctor About Your Weed Use
13. Common Misconceptions About Muslim Women
14. Panic, Anxiety, Procrastination: Signs of Hidden Trauma
15. Chiropractic Care for Pets? This Doc Says, “Yes!”
1. ==> What Doctors Say About Gender-Affirming Care for Kids
The Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a major transgender rights case testing the legality of a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Every major medical group, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and has said the treatments are safe if administered properly. The academy reaffirmed its support back in 2023. “The board is concerned about restrictions to accessing evidence-based health care for young people who need it,” Mark Del Monte, the academy’s CEO, said in a statement released by the group at the time, calling the restrictions enacted by states “unprecedented government intrusion.” The High Court is expected to rule on the case this summer. Contact Lisa Robinson at the American Academy of Pediatrics at (630) 626-6084;
lrobinson@aap.org
2. ==> How Will Trump’s Cabinet Affect Me?
With accountability mechanisms weakened, many political observers are worried about corruption in Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. Think that wouldn’t affect you? Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project, says many of Trump’s cabinet picks are uniquely unqualified, but he doubts there will be much public outcry until people see the cascading effects on their lives. “Events like (the 2023 train derailment in) East Palestine are more likely. Air safety disasters, like Boeing 737 Max planes dropping out of the sky, are more likely. That’s what happened under the last Trump administration. This is going to be worse. Food safety issues, automobile safety with driverless cars, rail safety––these are all risks that the Trump team will be taking with the lives of ordinary people. That will be the case with our financial markets too. Banks and crypto are on the cusp of going wild.” The Revolving Door Project is a project of the Center for Economic and Policy Research that monitors political appointments to 39 different U.S. federal government agencies to ensure they use their office to serve the broad public interest, rather than to entrench corporate power or seek personal advancement. Contact Jeff Hauser at hauser@therevolvingdoorproject.org
3.==> Exceptionalism and the Risk of Nuclear Confrontation
Exceptionalism is the idea that a person, country or political system can be allowed to be different from, and perhaps better than, others. Alfred de Zayas says there are many dangers associated with that, especially in the nuclear age. “Countries that practice exceptionalism have traditionally exhibited a naive nonchalance about what they say and do. They like to gamble. They take risks for themselves and others. They provoke and expect that the other side will not react, that the provocation will be absorbed.” He warns that the U.S., UK and some NATO countries continue playing with fire and irresponsibly escalating the Ukraine war, instead of looking for ways to end the conflict by diplomacy and negotiation. “This is yet another reason why the Global Majority in Latin America, Africa and Asia must become more vocal, because if NATO miscalculates, as it has done in the past, the consequences will be borne by all inhabitants of Planet Earth.” Alfred de Zayas is a law professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and served as a UN Independent Expert on International Order 2012-18. He is the author of ten books including “Building a Just World Order.” Contact him at alfreddezayas@gmail.com; @AlfreddeZayas
4.==> New Holiday Scams Are Sneakier Than Ever
With holiday e-commerce sales projected to exceed $260 billion this year, scammers have more opportunities than ever to target victims. Fraudsters are deploying advanced techniques such as AI-generated fake websites and realistic phishing emails to trick even the most careful consumers. Invite Kelly Richmond Pope, a professor of forensic accounting at DePaul University in Chicago, to share the most common holiday scams and how to avoid them. She’ll explain the big-picture financial stakes of cyber fraud, how to spot suspicious emails and websites, and share her biggest piece of advice for anyone making online purchases right now. “Take a deep breath. Read it a little bit closer before you click. If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Don’t click,” she says. Kelly Richmond Pope is author of “Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, And Secrets From The Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry.” Contact her at kpope2@depaul.edu
5. ==> What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living the Good Life
Spending any amount of time with your dog may leave you wondering: Is my dog making the most of his life? Is my dog good? Does my dog love me? Animal mind expert Mark Rowlands explores these questions and suggests that in dogs we can see faint hints, shrouded but discernible, of what a better way of living might look like. Rowlands, a professor and chair of the philosophy department at the University of Miami and leading figure in the morality of animals, is the author of “The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life.” Invite him on your show and learn how we could do a lot better than we’re doing simply by listening to the unspoken wisdom our dogs reveal to us every day of their happy, uncomplicated lives. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbpr.biz or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
6. ==> What if Ukraine Loses the War?
As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to rage with no end in sight, author and refugee Laszlo (Les) Suhayda can share how the consequences will be catastrophic if Ukraine loses. “The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has verified 30,457 civilian casualties to date and millions of people have been displaced, which will only escalate,” he says. “If Ukraine loses, this will also embolden China, Iran, and North Korea to continue their own military expansion, which would have dire consequences for the entire world.” Les and his family escaped from Communist Hungary for America when he was only 5, and he witnessed the horrors of dictatorships first-hand. He is the author of the memoir “Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story,” and the inventor of the first wine slushee product in America. Contact Laszlo (Les) Suhayda at (314) 501-6838; Lsuhayda@rtirguests.com
7. ==> This Author Took Part in the Chaotic Withdrawal of Afghanistan
As a long-time flight attendant, author Tania Anderson has done and seen it all, from meeting world-famous celebrities to flying into war zones. “In 1990, I flew the military into Saudi Arabia (near the Kuwait border) only weeks after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait under possible SCUD poison missile attacks,” she says. “In 2021, I brought the 82nd Airborne, the last regiment in Kabul at the end of the U.S. withdrawal, from Germany back to America.” Tania can share the many harrowing experiences she had along the way, including witnessing pro-Taliban guerillas shooting at planes at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in 2013, and much more. She is the author of the memoir “On Butterflies’ Wings: An Anthology of International Escapades,” and the upcoming “Synchronicity — the Escapades Continue.” Contact Tania Anderson at (213) 513-6099; tanderson@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How a Major Investment Firm Got Away with a Massive Ponzi Scheme
While working as an investment broker for Morgan Stanley in the early 2000s, Dana de Windt discovered some shocking improprieties. “Morgan Stanley inadvertently established a Ponzi scheme, with the deliberate and intentional selling of Kemper Lumbermen’s Surplus Notes,” he says. “That’s the reason that they and their regulators have fought like tigers to keep this very serious infraction from getting into the public’s knowledge.” In 2007, Morgan Stanley and one of its senior traders agreed to pay $6.1 million in fines and restitution to settle allegations that the investment bank overcharged brokerage customers — one of whom was Dana’s then 87-year-old father — on 2,800 purchases of $59 million of bonds. But no criminal charges were ever pursued. Dana is the author of “Checkmate: The Morgan Stanley Whistle Blower.” Contact Dana de Wendt at (772) 773-6879; ddewindt@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why Work on Overcoming Your Biases?
No matter how open-minded we may think we are, studies have shown all humans have unconscious biases. According to author and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) educator Sara Ting, these biases aren’t just detrimental to the subjects of our prejudices. “Biases can negatively impact every aspect of our lives, both personally and professionally,” she says. “This can make us less productive in the workplace and creates more tension in our dealings with others on a day-to-day basis.” Sara can share how we can recognize our biases, and how to overcome them. She is a diversity and inclusion educator, speaker, consultant, and author of “Small Book with a “Big Idea: 5 Minute Training to Empower You and Transform the World.” Contact Sara Ting at (508) 715-3370; Sting@rtirguests.com
10. ==> With 1 Million YouTube Viewers, Middle-Aged Mom Proves You Can Do Social Media at Any Age
Most people associate YouTube with cool music, comedy, and how-to videos, as it’s primarily considered a bastion of young trendsetters. But author and English language educator Jennifer Lebedev is living proof that you don’t have to be a 20-something hipster to become a YouTube star. “I reached the 1 million subscriber mark on the channel when I was nearing 50,” she says. “I believe it’s important to step outside your comfort zone, especially in mid-life.” She’ll share how mid-lifers can successfully set and attain personal and professional goals, despite their hectic lives. Jennifer is a long-time educator and author of “Being a YouTuber: One Creator’s Bumpy Road to 1M Subscribers.” Contact Jennifer Lebedev at (617) 668-1804; jlebedev@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Forgotten College Football History
Share the surprising story about the importance of college football in our country during World War II, and the lengths colleges went to preserve this American institution and keep morale high. West Point graduate, retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Vietnam veteran Rich Cacioppe gives your audience an in-depth look at college football in the crucial 1940s, as well as the unique cultural aspects that surrounded this tumultuous time. The author of “Black Knights and Fighting Irish” and an experienced media guest, Rich provides the answers to fascinating questions like: Why was the 1946 Army-Notre Dame game considered “The Game of the Century?” What was the shocking connection between Notre Dame and a 1951 cheating scandal at West Point? How does WWII’s impact on college football make today’s unprecedented Transfer Portal issue seem benign by comparison? Contact Rich Cacioppe at (239) 420-7460; rcacioppe@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why You Need to Tell Your Doctor About Your Weed Use
Americans of all ages are embracing cannabis, whether they use it socially or medicinally. With recent polls showing that an overwhelming share of U.S. adults (60%-88%) believe marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use, Dr. Raymond Wiggins wants everyone to understand that today’s pot isn’t as harmless as many believe. “This is not your grandfather’s weed. At Woodstock in 1969, the average THC potency was 1-2%. Today the average is 22%,” he says, and will explain why that matters. Wiggins also says anesthesia is particularly tricky for patients who use pot, with some requiring more than 3X the normal dose to be fully sedated. “You have to let your doctor know so they can be better prepared. Also, you have a higher risk of heart attack the more recently you have used, so recent use with anesthesia is not good.” Raymond Wiggins, MD, is the author of “Weeding Out the Myths About Marijuana.” Contact him at (972) 525-5205; rw@drwiggins.com
13. ==> Common Misconceptions About Muslim Women
Invite Daisy Khan, author, women’s advocate, and social activist, to discuss topics central to peace over war, women’s rights in both America and Afghanistan, and much more. She’ll shed light on everything from Islamophobia to reproductive rights and female leadership. Her work is not just about women’s rights—it’s an urgent call to understand how the weaponization of religion disproportionately impacts women. It is a plea for a robust discussion to change the world’s current trajectory. Ask Daisy: What does the Qur’an say about sexual harassment? What is the Muslim view of the Roe v. Wade abortion debate? How can the transformative powers of female leaders be harnessed to solve our biggest social problems? Contact Daisy Khan at (212) 362 2242; daisy@wisemuslimwomen.org
14. ==> Panic, Anxiety, Procrastination: Signs of Hidden Trauma
Author, coach and therapist Lisa Morgan experienced the kind of trauma that many people could not survive. After enduring a horrific childhood which included sexual abuse, violence, and neglect, she developed multiple personality disorder (soul-fracturing) as a way to cope. Despite the odds, Lisa not only survived the trauma, she also somehow managed to thrive and now helps others facing similar circumstances. Lisa can explain how she developed her own path forward with compassion and love, and how her Freedom Body Blueprint coaching methodology helps others to reclaim their authentic selves. “After navigating a 20-year journey through the dark night of the soul, I draw upon all of my professional experiences in psychiatry, 20-plus years of inner-healing, and all the wisdom, insights, and know-how gained along the way to provide hope for those who suffer.” Lisa is an author, speaker, and coach with 35-plus years of experience as a Certified Life Coach and Board- Certified Music Therapist. She is the author and co-author of several books including “Against All Odds.” Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Chiropractic Care for Pets? This Doc Says, “Yes!”
Veterinarians often treat animals with the same meds and treatments used on humans. Bill Ormston, DVM, who incorporates holistic remedies into his practice, takes things one step further by adding chiropractic care. “It can treat everything from range of motion issues in senior pets to injury recovery, behavior issues caused by medical issues, and more,” he says. Dr. O can share how this approach works, and its many benefits for animals. Dr. O. has been a vet for more than 36 years, has been adjusting animals for more than 26 years, and is a member of the elite Animal Chiropractic Hall of Fame. He is the author of “Yes! It’s Really a Thing: An Informative Guide to Animal Chiropractic.” Contact Dr. Bill Ormston at (469) 833-2378; bormston@rtirguests.com
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