01. The Ballooning U.S.-China Problem
02. The Unemployment Numbers You Didn’t Hear
03. Untold Stories: Female Athletes Who Changed Sports
04. Bad Boys, Bad Girls and Why You’re Addicted to Them
05. Don’t Forget Yourself This Valentine’s Day
06. Do a Show on Celebrity Pets for Love Your Pet Day
07. Fun Presidents Day Show: Weirdest White House Antics
08. Drink Up: Saturday Is National Drink Wine Day
09. How Science Beat Cold-War Politics to End Smallpox
10. From Tic-Tac-Toe Chickens to Roulette Wheel Custody Battles: Crazy Stories from the Courtroom
11. This Guest Proves Being a Loser Can Make You a Winner
12. When to Worry About a Forgetful Spouse
13. Why We Should Care About Happy the Elephant
14. Science Fiction or Reality? The World of Frozen Embryos
15. Did Trump Ruin the Party of Lincoln?
1. ==> The Ballooning U.S.-China Problem
What is going on in the skies? The U.S. military had a busy weekend shooting down a high-altitude object over Lake Huron, just days after downing a huge Chinese spy balloon that was seen travelling across the country. Now, China is accusing the U.S. of “illegally” flying balloons into its airspace more than 10 times over the past year. Invite David Sacks to discuss what’s really going on and the implications for the immediate future. “Ultimately, this raises more fundamental questions about U.S.-China relations, revealing that neither side is prepared for a serious crisis. The potential for such a crisis, however, is growing more likely as the two clash over Taiwan, the East China Sea, South China Sea, and China’s support for Russia and North Korea,” he says. David Sacks is a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, where his work focuses on U.S.-China relations, U.S.-Taiwan relations and Chinese foreign policy. Contact him at dsacks@cfr.org
2. ==> The Unemployment Numbers You Didn’t Hear
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in January. That’s the lowest rate since 1969. But Algernon Austin says the numbers don’t reflect all of America. “Regardless of whether economic conditions are good or bad, Black job seekers are less likely to find work,” he says. “From 1963 to 2022, the Black unemployment rate has been roughly twice the White unemployment rate.” According to the latest Labor Department data, there remain large gaps in unemployment rates depending on workers’ race and gender, with Black men having an unemployment rate of 5.3% as of January, compared to a rate of 2.9% for white men. Austin can explain how anti-Black discrimination in hiring plays a major role in this permanent inequality and discuss the need for a targeted federal program for subsidized employment. Algernon Austin is the director for race and economic justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. His primary focus has been on the intersection of race and the economy. Contact him at austin@cepr.net
3. ==> Untold Stories: Female Athletes Who Changed Sports
From early Amazons to modern-day athletes, women have been fighting for their rightful place in the world. The history of these female athletes —whether warriors on the battlefield or competitors in the sports arena — has often been neglected, yet it is through sports that women have changed society, gaining entry into education, travel, politics, and more. Invite Alexandra “Alex” Allred to share the eye-opening stories of amazing women who refused to accept the status quo and fought for something better for themselves and for those who would follow. Her new book, “When Women Stood: The Untold History of Females Who Changed Sports and the World,” features the stories of female football players, Olympic athletes, powerlifters, soccer stars, historians, archeologists, crusaders, and scientists. Alexandra Allred is a former professional athlete who made sports history when she won the first-ever U.S. women’s bobsled championship when she was more than four months pregnant. A former fighter and fourth-degree black belt, Allred has been teaching martial arts, self-defense and mainstream fitness classes for over 25 years and is an adjunct professor of kinesiology at Tarleton State University. 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. ==> Bad Boys, Bad Girls and Why You’re Addicted to Them
Do you dread Valentine’s Day? If your relationships always end with a broken heart it’s hard to appreciate a holiday that celebrates love. ‘America’s Psychiatrist,’ Dr. Carole Lieberman, can explain what makes women fall for “bad boys” and what makes men sitting ducks for “bad girls.” She’ll also reveal the impact these heartbreakers have on your future dating life. The author of “Bad Boys: Why We Love Them, How to Live with Them and When To Leave Them” and “Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them and How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets!” will share the signs you’re attracted to heartbreak along with ways to break the cycle. Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist and the author or several books. She frequently provides commentary and analysis for radio and TV. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
5. ==> Don’t Forget Yourself This Valentine’s Day
You may be not be thinking of yourself this Valentine’s Day, but maybe you should be. When was the last time you did something for yourself? Our lives are busier than ever before. Between jobs, families, and social obligations, it can often feel like every day is precisely scheduled from the minute your alarm goes off until the time you go to bed and set it for the next day. Not only is there zero time for yourself, but you feel guilty when you do take time out — because there’s always something you could be getting done. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to talk to Valerie Whetstone. She’ll show your audience ten simple ways to carve out me-time every day so you can rest and recharge, no matter how busy your life has become. This best-selling author and coach who has trained with Jack Canfield and Oprah Winfrey reveals not only how to put yourself first, but why you must do so today! Ask her: How can you instantly stop feeling guilty about putting yourself first? Why does slowing down make you more productive than ever? How did she nearly die by not taking time for herself? Contact Valerie Whetstone at (408) 752-5943; vwhetstone@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Do a Show on Celebrity Pets for Love Your Pet Day
People are their most genuine selves when they’re with their pets, even celebrities. Celebrate Love Your Pet Day on Feb. 20 with photographer Johanna Siegman, whose new book, “In Good Company,” features portraits of notable people with their pets. “No matter how experienced or nervous someone is about being photographed, interviewed or even in crowds, as soon as they are with their pets, everything changes,” Siegman says. Unlike traditional pet portraits, these unique images depict the relationship between people and their beloved pets and portray everyday moments between them, which are intimate and mundane, often humorous, whimsical, or touching, and always genuine. Participants include the late Ed Asner, Ed Begley Jr., Richard Karn, Norman Lear, Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and many others from a wide range of fields including the arts, science, literature, performance and music. A portion of profits will go to support Apex Protection Project, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, created to save the wolf species through education, rescue and advocacy. Contact Harlan Boll at harlan@bhbpr.com
7. ==> Fun Presidents Day Show: Weirdest White House Antics
Did you know James Monroe used to enjoy swimming nude in the Potomac River? Or that doctors once held a press conference to announce Dwight Eisenhower moved his bowels? Or that Calvin Coolidge often conferred with a raccoon? Or that First Lady Florence Harding gave press interviews in her negligee? Or that George H.W. Bush took showers with his dog? Presidents Day is Monday, Feb. 20, and the perfect time to interview author Hal Marcovitz. He can talk about the many strange stories that have been circulating around the White House since John and Abigail Adams occupied the Executive Mansion, including some very odd ones about the last occupant. Marcovitz, a longtime journalist, is the author of the novel “Painting the White House,” which tells the story of an ordinary house painter who finds himself at the center of White House intrigues and misadventures. Contact him at (267) 718-6807; hmarcovitz@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Drink Up: Saturday Is National Drink Wine Day
Get ready for some sparkling conversation as Certified Wine Educator Jim Laughren helps your audience celebrate all the joys of wine in time for National Drink Wine Day on Feb. 18. Jim will prove that talking about wine is nearly as much fun as imbibing it and says you don’t need to spend a fortune to find wines that are often overlooked by wine snobs. His approachable take on wine will encourage everyone in your audience — even the bargain-hunters — to chuckle and experiment more. You’ll also learn about the vital role wine played in developing the world’s trade routes, how monkeys, wild boars and elephants manage to get tipsy, which celebrities own wineries or wine labels, and much more. Jim is the author of two short new eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” Jim has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” He is the past president of a wine importing and distribution company and is known for his fun and irreverent wine classes and seminars. Contact him at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com
9. ==> How Science Beat Cold War Politics to End Smallpox
Today’s highly polarized society makes it hard for people from opposing sides to agree on anything, let alone work together, even if the goal is for the common good. It’s possible, as Bee Bloeser personally witnessed in the middle of the Cold War when despite their vast differences, political leaders joined forces to rid the world of smallpox. Bee and her family became embedded in the global campaign when the CDC dispatched her husband to West Africa in 1969. Invite her to share her experiences as an American woman in Africa at that time and the unexpected challenges her family faced, including brushes with a brutal dictator’s regime and living in an isolated region suffering a humanitarian crisis the rest of the world knew nothing about. An award-winning writer and engaging public speaker, Bee Bloeser has been featured on NPR’s “Journeys of Discovery” and NPR KCBX Radio’s show, “Issues and Ideas.” Her book is, “Vaccines and Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War.” Contact her at (520) 214-5971; bbloeser@rtirguests.com
10. ==> From Tic-Tac-Toe Chickens to Roulette Wheel Custody Battles: Crazy Stories from the Courtroom
Have you ever seen a chicken playing tic-tac-toe in court as evidence in a case? Experienced attorney J.D. Mortmain has! Movies and television portray the courtroom as a dramatic place full of nail-biting tension, but in real life, that’s not always the case. In fact, there’s often more humor than horror happening behind closed doors — such as the psychologist who failed his own test trying to prove a defendant was disabled. J.D. shares stories of the lighter side of the law with your audience. He has helped thousands of clients, many with unusual experiences like fighting for custody of a roulette wheel and the couple who divorced and remarried every year to profit from tax breaks. An author and experienced media guest, J.D.’s latest book is “The Fuzzy Pink Bathrobe and Other Tales of the Law.” Contact J.D. Mortmain at (860) 969-2693; jmortmain@rtirguests.com
11. ==> This Guest Proves Being a Loser Can Make You a Winner
The majority of people perceive losing as derogatory. But Dr. Carl Barnes disagrees. “Not only can losing teach us valuable life lessons, but it can also teach us how to win,” he says. “Losing actually allowed me to win in the end. The key is developing resilience.” Carl faced a lifetime of rejection. He was almost aborted by his single teenage mom, was rejected by the military and numerous colleges and went through a painful divorce. He eventually overcame the odds and went on to a 35-year career in the military, ultimately becoming a Navy chaplain; and earned five degrees, including a doctorate of ministry in leadership. Carl is the author of “Resilient Sailing: 10 Lessons to Persevere in Life’s Stormy Seas,” and conducts life coaching workshops and online courses. Contact him at (407) 809-8047; cbarnes@rtirguests.com
12. ==> When to Worry about a Forgetful Spouse
It’s one thing to overlook paying a bill, or to misplace your keys, or to be unable to remember a stranger’s name. It’s another thing to become so forgetful that you can’t complete a task you have done a thousand times. Or to forget how to find your way home. When such things happen, especially to a loved one who isn’t even 60, you may wonder if it’s early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can strike as early as 30. Discover more about the disease and how to spot its symptoms when you interview Carlen Maddux. A former reporter who chronicled his family’s 17-year Alzheimer’s journey in the award-winning book “A Path Revealed,” Carlen is determined to help others with information and been-there advice. His wife, Martha, was just past her 50th birthday when diagnosed. Carlen will discuss his family experiences, and what it was like to become his wife’s caregiver. Highly articulate, Carlen has done dozens of media interviews. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Why We Should Care About Happy the Elephant
Bronx Zoo resident Happy the elephant made the news when the animal advocacy group the Nonhuman Rights Project filed a writ of habeas corpus to have her declared a person. Although Chief Judge Janet DiFiore acknowledged that elephants are intelligent and deserve compassion, she decided that they do not have the same rights as humans. Animal welfare activist Georja Umano disagrees. “Happy and other captive elephants don’t deserve this treatment,” she says. “They deserve to live in accredited sanctuaries where they have room to walk where they want, roll in the mud, choose their companions and have as much freedom as possible – given that they have lost their families, herds and homelands.” Georja spent two years living and working in Kenya. She is the author of “Terriers in the Jungle.” Contact her at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Science Fiction or Reality? The World of Frozen Embryos
How is it possible that embryos that have been frozen for as long as 27 years can be defrosted and implanted in a woman’s uterus to produce a healthy baby? What sounds like science fiction is happening more and more, and Nate Birt can fill you in on the exciting details. This topic is personal for Birt, the father of a toddler who began life as another couple’s frozen embryo adopted by Birt and his wife, who carried the embryo to term. The author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption,” Birt can talk about the frozen embryo adoption journey, the controversies that exist with unclaimed embryos, and much more. Ask him: Are frozen embryos screened for genetic issues? Is this form of adoption affordable? Why would parents choose frozen embryo adoption over IVF or standard adoption? Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Did Trump Ruin the Party of Lincoln?
Donald Trump has been one of the most controversial presidents of our times, with a love-him-or-hate-him line that practically divides the country in half. He has even drawn fire from members of his own party, leading some to claim that he has ruined the Republican Party. However, author Gretchen Wollert will argue that’s not the case. This guest, who has a degree in history, will discuss the many startling similarities between Donald Trump and Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered United States presidents in history, from facing opposition in their own parties to battling a divided country to achieve greatness. She’ll also make the case for why Trump should be reelected despite his flaws. An educator, entrepreneur, and farmer with appearances in local, regional, and national shows, Gretchen is the author of “Born to Fight: Lincoln & Trump.” Contact Gretchen Wollert at (307) 338-2807; gwollert@rtirguests.com