01. What Was in Ohio Train’s Toxic Cloud?
02. Is Rail Industry Greed to Blame for the Derailment?
03. She’s Not in Her Prime?
04. Interview ’80s Underground Music Artist Adele Bertei
05. How Democracy Can Win: Are Authoritarians on the Way Out?
06. Half of Americans Don’t Trust National Media
07. 5 New Reasons to Elect More Women
08. Chasing Serial Killers, Testifying Before Congress: Investigative Journalist Has Done It All
09. Climate Change and Journalism – Is the Story Getting Out There?
10. What Can We Do to Protect Against Wildfires?
11. March 1 is Plan a Solo Vacation Day: Solo Cruising
12. 4 Words That Will Make Anyone Pay Attention to You
13. How to Accomplish More by Seeing What Others Miss
14. Can Complaining Actually Make You Sick?
15. Why Did This Man Visit All 39 Presidential Graves?
1. ==> What Was in Ohio Train’s Toxic Cloud?
While officials have repeatedly sought to assure residents that the water and air in East Palestine, Ohio, are safe after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials earlier this month, anxiety has permeated the community amid reports of rashes, nausea and headaches. Local wildlife — including thousands of fish, backyard chickens, and a skulk of foxes — have also been reported sick or dead. Dr. Jacqueline Moline, vice president of occupational medicine, epidemiology and prevention at Northwell Health, says a controlled burn of vinyl chloride — a carcinogen — three days after the derailment may have contaminated the air, soil and water. “Not only is it a dangerous chemical in its own right, but burning it you can get hydrochloride acid and phosgene, which has been used in warfare as a gas,” she says. The phosgene — used as a weapon in WWI — could be what has caused swaths of animals to become ill or die since the derailment, Moline says. She can talk about the short- and long-term health effects of the toxic chemicals and who is most at risk. Contact Jason Molinet at (516) 321-6705; jmolinet@northwell.edu
2. ==> Is Rail Industry Greed to Blame for the Derailment?
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is calling out the rail operator at the center of a hazardous train derailment in Ohio, accusing the Atlanta-based company of repeatedly prioritizing profit over safety. The secretary says it’s a problematic ethos within the larger transportation industry that’s contributed to a number of derailments over the years. Julia Rock, an investigative reporter for The Lever says the derailment “is the result of efforts by the railroad industry to ensure that they do not have to retrofit trains carrying hazardous materials and crude oil with safety features.” The Obama administration attempted to require trains carrying hazardous materials and crude oil to install safer braking systems that use electric braking rather than the Civil War-era “air brakes” that are currently in use — which use a pressure system to stop train cars one by one. The railroad industry blocked the changes. Contact Julia Rock at jrock@levernews.com; @jul1arock
3. ==> She’s Not in Her Prime?
CNN’s Don Lemmon created a firestorm after telling his female co-anchors that 51-year-old Nikki Haley wasn’t “in her prime.” He took a couple of days off and apologized for the sexist remarks, but many women say this is what they face every day, and they’re tired of it. Cindy Watson, a women’s empowerment coach and the founder of Women on Purpose, says unconscious gender bias is a deeply conditioned undercurrent. “These biases are not just by men against women, but also by women against other women and even women against themselves. Studies show that men and women alike judge women more harshly and are less forgiving to women.” While the #MeToo movement launched increased awareness about overt sexism and gender bias, Watson says the next frontier is tackling the insidious — and arguably more dangerous — unconscious gender biases that still plague our psyches. She can also discuss how we shift to a new paradigm that recognizes the value of everyone’s “feminine” aspects. An attorney specializing in social justice law, Cindy Watson is the author of “The Art of Feminine Negotiation.” Contact her at (705) 646-3851; cindy@womenonpurpose.ca
4. ==> Interview ’80s Underground Music Artist Adele Bertei
You may not recognize her name, but you’ve likely heard Adele Bertei. She performed and recorded with such artists as Culture Club, Whitney Houston and Sandra Bernhard in the 1980s. At the age of 21, Adele began fronting the punk band the Wolves with Pere Ubu’s Peter Laughner. Later, in New York, she was a founding member of the Contortions. She was also the creator of the Bloods — the first out, queer, all-women-rock band. Her resume is a who’s who of the ’80s underground but her formative years bore little resemblance to her celebrity-studded adult life. In her new memoir, “Twist: An American Girl,” Adele recounts her troubled childhood, first with a mother who suffered with schizophrenia, then in several foster homes and reformatories. She’ll explain how music guided her toward a better life, and what it was like to be a queer artist at a perilous time when being “out” meant being under constant threat of ostracism and violence. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853 (cell); LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com or @lissa_warren
5. ==> How Democracy Can Win: Are Authoritarians on the Way Out?
Many people worry that democracy is in danger of dying amid the rise of populism and authoritarians, but Samantha Power sees signs of hope. Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, can discuss the recent assaults on democracy and the right way to fight autocracy. “After years of democratic backsliding, the world’s autocrats are finally on the defensive. But to seize this moment and swing the pendulum of history back toward democratic rule, we must break down the wall that separates democratic advocacy from economic development work and demonstrate that democracies can deliver for their people,” Power says. Samantha Power served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017. Her latest book is “The Education of an Idealist.” Contact her at @SamanthaJPower or Kendra Newton at kendra.newton@harpercollins.com
6. ==> Half of Americans Don’t Trust National Media
Half of Americans who responded to a recent survey indicated they believe national news organizations intend to mislead, misinform or persuade the public to adopt a particular point of view through their reporting. The survey, by Gallup and the Knight Foundation, goes beyond others that have shown a low level of trust in the media to the startling point where many believe there is an intent to deceive. “Americans don’t seem to think that the national news organizations care about the overall impact of their reporting on the society,” says John Sands, Knight’s senior director for media and democracy. In one small consolation, the survey found Americans have more trust in local news. Participants also reported that the amount of information available today makes it harder to be well-informed and, for those that rely on digital platforms rather than television or print, trust in the media overall is lower. The results are based on a Gallup study of 5,593 Americans aged 18 and older conducted between May 31 and July 21, 2022. Contact Rebecca Dinar at dinar@kf.org
7. ==> 5 New Reasons to Elect More Women
Whether for Women’s History Month in March or anytime, an interview with Debbie Peterson could not be timelier when she discusses five reasons we need to elect more women beyond merely for purposes of equal representation. She’ll talk about why women are more likely to reach across the aisle to get things done, are better at fast-tracking the implementation of new ideas and more. Peterson is the former mayor of Grover Beach, Calif., and the host of the podcast The Corruption Chronicles. Peterson’s Integrity 101 book series includes “The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies & Suicide in a California Beach Town,” and the newly released “City Council 101: Insider’s Guide for New Councilmembers.” Ask her: What do studies show about female leaders in terms of happiness, crime figures, and government? How does the U.S. fare in relation to other countries? Contact Debbie Peterson at (805) 550-4490; DebbiePeterson805@gmail.com
8. ==> Chasing Serial Killers, Testifying Before Congress: Investigative Journalist Has Done It All
Over an extraordinary career in journalism, Michael Bowker has interviewed celebrities, athletes, adventurers, several presidents, and even serial killers. He has narrowly escaped mountain lions and exploding volcanoes and been up close and personal with the Golden State Killer. With behind-the-scenes stories of famous figures and crazy-but-true encounters around the world, this guest is sure to fascinate and delight your audience. He’ll also share inspiring stories of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things, such as the man who went from convicted criminal to saving millions of lives. An expert media guest who’s been featured on hundreds of radio, podcast, and TV shows including “Good Morning America,” Michael has written more than 20 books and thousands of articles appearing in such publications as the “Los Angeles Times” and “Reader’s Digest.” His latest book is “Michael Bowker’s No Ordinary Days,” a riveting collection of tales from his storied career. Contact Michael Bowker at (530) 296-6301; mbowker@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Climate Change and Journalism – Is the Story Getting Out There?
When COVID-19 struck in 2020, news outlets around the world rapidly transformed to meet the moment. As devastating as the coronavirus pandemic has been, many believe it’s only a preview of the chaos that the climate crisis has in store. Yet, historically, journalism’s response to climate change has been comparatively muted. Invite independent journalist Andrew McCormick to discuss the situation. “For many years, news organizations treated the climate as only a niche concern. To appear ‘objective,’ they indulged in climate denial, pitting established science against provably false arguments by the fossil fuel industry and its defenders.” Thankfully, he says, things are changing. He’ll discuss how newsrooms across the globe are increasing their commitment to the climate story, hiring scores of reporters and launching a diverse array of climate desks and programming. In 2019, McCormick helped launch Covering Climate Now (CCNow), a global journalism nonprofit cofounded in the U.S. by the “Columbia Journalism Review” and “The Nation” to collaborate with journalists and newsrooms and provide reporting resources grounded in science. Andrew McCormick’s work has appeared in “The New York Times,” “The Atlantic,” “The Nation,” “Columbia Journalism Review,” and the “South China Morning Post,” among other publications. Contact him at @AndrewMcCormck or editors@coveringclimatenow.org
10. ==> What Can We Do to Protect Against Wildfires?
Will 2023 be another year of wildfires that kill people and wildlife, destroy homes, flatten forests, ravage farmland and endanger communities? As climate change and global warming imperil our planet, audiences want to know what they can do to protect lives and property. You’ll want to interview wildfire expert James Moseley to learn what we can do before more acres become uninhabitable. He will explain which advanced new technologies, tools and trends are designed to prevent wildfire devastation. His Sun FireDefense for Wildfire Coating Technology is now patented. Ask him: How is NASA connected to the war against wildfires? Which North American locations are especially endangered in our drought-prone world? When does “wildfire season” become its worst? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
11. ==> March 1 is Plan a Solo Vacation Day: Solo Cruising
Have you ever thought about packing up and heading out on a solo trip? March 1 is Plan a Solo Vacation Day, and a great time to talk about fun new options for solo cruises. The industry has traditionally focused on couples and families with kids, but because there are more single people than ever, there are new options for those who are sailing solo. Travel marketing expert Cindy Bertram says, “It’s a great way to meet other people with whom you can go on shore excursions, and to hang out in common areas where you can meet other singles.” Cindy has lots of tips to offer solo cruisers. She is a communications, media and branding specialist who has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry. Cindy is the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact her at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
12. ==> 4 Words That Will Make Anyone Pay Attention to You
In today’s hectic, highly distracted world in which most people have short attention spans, effective communication is a bigger challenge than ever. “People subconsciously decide with lightning speed if they should pay attention to you,” says public speaking coach Nina Surya. “When you speak, others aren’t just responding to what you’re saying. They’re responding to things you don’t even know you’re doing.” This impacts everyone when it comes to achieving success, from presentations at work to speaking on the phone and communicating in everyday life. Nina is the president and CEO of UniqueSpeak Consulting and has served as the speech and communication coach to top-level executives, politicians and public figures. Contact her at (310) 359-0787; nsurya@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Accomplish More by Seeing What Others Miss
Want to be savvier? More competitive? Wiser? Wish you could develop a wisdom detector that would let you see patterns others fail to notice? If this wish list sounds too good to be true that’s because you have yet to meet Steven Feinberg, Ph.D., a top 1% business coach in the country who has advised Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Visa, Oracle, FedEx and more. Steven is a neuro strategist who can talk about why the logical solution too often fails and share lessons he learned from his father, a big-time bookie who taught him how to deal with uncertainty. As a child, Feinberg slept on a fire escape because he didn’t have a bed. In his youth, he worked as a doorman, cab driver and carnival barker. His latest book “Do What Others Say Can’t Be Done … Play The Meta-Game” features interviews he conducted with 50 world-class leaders and entrepreneurs. Ask him: Why do so many people remain stuck? What three behaviors let you do what others say can’t be done? Contact Steven Feinberg at (650) 374-4540; sfeinberg@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Can Complaining Actually Make You Sick?
Now more than ever, we are faced with a daily flood of bad news that makes it easy to give in to negativity. You’d be hard-pressed to speak with someone who isn’t ready to vent their frustrations with politics, world news, or current events. However, what we view as blowing off steam may be actively harming us both mentally and physically. Author and seasoned media guest Mary Mitchell reveals the mind-body connection that can make you literally sick when you engage in negativity. She’ll share proven techniques that help you ditch constant anxiety and learn to be happy no matter what. Give your audience a positive outlook when you interview Mary! Ask her: How do complaining and negativity affect your physical health? What is your method for identifying and removing personal obstacles to happiness? How can you find happiness when the whole world seems unhappy? Contact Mary Mitchell at (530) 561-5945; mmitchell@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Why Did This Man Visit All 39 Presidential Graves?
Yesterday was Presidents Day. More than just an excuse to enjoy a good sale, this week presents an opportunity to remember the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as well as to think about all the men who have held the office. TJ Fallon is the perfect Presidents Day guest because he visited all 39 graves of presidents as well as all 34 graves of vice presidents. In addition, he visited 53 graves of signers of the Declaration of Independence and 39 signers of the Constitution. A resident of Jackson, N. J., TJ visited all those graves in only five months during the pandemic, a feat that has just earned him the Person of the Year award by the Dull Men’s Club, a group of men and women dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of ordinary people. TJ can talk about the humble locations where most of the graves are located and the crumbling state they are in. TJ Fallon is available for interview along with Leland Carlson, who heads the Dull Men’s Club and can talk about the club’s credo and some of the fun accomplishments they have uncovered. Contact Leland at (308) 874-4173; lvcarlson@mac.com