01. Do Americans Care if Democracy Is in Danger.
02. Why Some States Are Insuring Immigrants
03. Shirley Chisholm: Black Feminist Power Icon
04. New Cybersecurity Risks for Your Business
05. She Was in the Trauma Unit When Tupac Died
06. Former NBA Player’s Mission to Keep Kids in School
07. A Beauty Pageant Turned Deadly for This Afghan Woman
08. What You Can Learn From Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett
09. A Personal Way to End Polarization and Divisiveness
10. Words Matter: Do You Use Weaponized Language?
11. Why Don’t More Doctors Use Placebos?
12. How to Get Back Up When Life Pushes You Down
13. Why You Should Tell Your Kids They’re Amazing
14. Are Jerks Still Jerks in the Afterlife?
15. 3-Minute Tool to Bust the Winter Blues
1.==> Do Americans Care if Democracy Is in Danger?
Many people, including UCLA law professor Richard Abel, believe the future of American democracy is in peril. So why aren’t more Americans up in arms about the situation and defending the principles our nation was founded upon? Do they understand what an autocracy is? Abel’s latest book, “How Autocrats Seek Power: Resistance to Trump and Trumpism,” chronicles and analyses resistance to the threat that autocracy poses in a liberal democracy. “Autocracy negates democracy — which requires that the state be responsible to an electorate composed of all eligible voters — by concentrating unconstrained power in a single individual,” he explains. Abel provides the definitive account of the rise of Donald Trump’s popular support in 2016, and his failed efforts to nullify the result of the 2020 election. Richard Abel is an internationally recognized scholar, who has written about law from a social scientific perspective in countries as varied as the U.S., England, South Africa and Kenya. He is the author of numerous books including his latest Defending American Democracy mini-series. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbpr.biz or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
2. ==> Why Some States Are Insuring Immigrants
Half of undocumented adults in the U.S. are uninsured –– more than five times the uninsured rate of U.S. citizens. This is partly because programs that make health insurance more affordable, including Medicaid and subsidized coverage available through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, limit eligibility based on citizenship and immigration status. Justin Giovannelli, a health researcher at Georgetown University, says undocumented immigrants simply can’t get comprehensive coverage. “When folks don’t access coverage and care, there are other costs to society at large … If people don’t have access to coverage, they’re experiencing worse [health] outcomes and those costs tend to spread and get picked up elsewhere,” he says. Giovannelli will explain how four states –– Colorado, Washington, Minnesota, and New York – are trying to fill the gap by expanding access to private coverage for undocumented residents with incomes just above the Medicaid eligibility threshold. “Unless and until there is a change in federal law, it’s up to the states to decide whether this is a problem they want to fix or not,” Giovannelli says. Justin Giovannelli is an associate research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute. Contact him at Justin.Giovannelli@georgetown.edu
3. ==> Shirley Chisholm: Black Feminist Power Icon
Shaking up New York and national politics by becoming the first African American congresswoman and, later, the first Black major-party presidential candidate, Shirley Chisholm left an indelible mark as an “unbought and unbossed” firebrand and a leader in politics for meaningful change. Invite the author of “Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminist Power Politics” to discuss the many contributions she made and how the development of her political orientation didn’t follow the standard narratives of the civil rights or feminist establishments. Curwood will interweave Chisholm’s public image, political commitments, and private experiences to explain the origins and significance of her historic firsts in the United States Congress and in the 1972 race for the U. S. presidency. Chisholm’s story provides a unique lens to view both the Black freedom struggle and late twentieth-century feminism. Anastasia Curwood is an associate professor of history and the director of African American and Africana studies at the University of Kentucky. Contact her at (859) 257-1731; a.curwood@uky.edu
4.==> New Cybersecurity Risks for Your Business
A cyberattack occurred every 39 seconds in 2023 — more than 2,200 times per day — according to a recent study by Cybersecurity Ventures. While consumers need to guard their personal information, business owners face a unique set of problems. Invite international cybersecurity expert Amir Sachs to explain what’s at stake by ignoring your cybersecurity and help entrepreneurs and business owners get ahead of hackers. Listeners will learn who hackers target and why, and the most important first step to shore up your company’s security today as Amir shares well-kept secrets that only cyber experts know. Amir Sachs is the CEO of Blue Light IT. Contact Adrienne Mazzone at (561) 908-1683; amazzone@transmediagroup.com
5. ==> She Was in the Trauma Unit When Tupac Died
Susie Bell was a young nurse working in the trauma unit at University Medical Center in Las Vegas when infamous rapper Tupac Shakur was fatally shot. At the time, she was a member of the Mormon Church and had led a sheltered life. “I had no idea who he was,” she says. “I saw a lot of people who I assumed were celebrities coming in and out of the hospital.” At one point, Susie found herself alone with Shakur’s lifeless body and can recount that poignant experience. That is just one aspect of her often harrowing life story, which includes excommunication from the church, being drugged, raped, and dragged through the mud by a famous athlete, and more. Susie is now a nurse practitioner and author of the upcoming book “A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine & Men.” Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Former NBA Player’s Mission to Keep Kids in School
The rate of school dropouts has increased alarmingly, especially after the pandemic. More than 7,000 U.S. kids leave the education system every day — that’s one child every 26 seconds — which places them at high risk for drug addiction, prison, or worse. Former NBA champion Dean Tolson is on a mission to stop this national crisis. His powerful personal story has already inspired thousands of kids across the country to stay in school. Hear Dean’s incredible journey from illiterate NBA player to graduating magna cum laude with a master’s degree, and how he was drafted for the Seattle SuperSonics by Hall of Famer Bill Russell. He’ll also reveal the shocking, controversial actions that took place during his recruitment, why he never should have played in college or the NBA, and much more! The author of “Power Forward: The Dean Tolson Story,” Dean has decades of public speaking experience and has appeared on KING5 TV, The Grio, and in “Sports Illustrated.” Contact him at (235) 884-8934; dtolson@rtirguests.com
7. ==> A Beauty Pageant Turned Deadly for This Afghan Woman
Competing in a beauty contest is usually not considered dangerous. But when you’re the first woman to represent Afghan women and you catch the attention of the Taliban, it can be deadly. That’s what Masuda (Massie) Rahmati found out when she competed in the 2005 Mrs. World International Beauty Competition and received death threats — including one made in person to her home in California. Bring Massie on your show to talk about the inhumane way girls and women continue to be treated in her native Afghanistan where their lives can be taken for the most frivolous reasons. Her upcoming book is tentatively titled “Almost Killed by the Taliban: How I Stood Up for the Women and Girls of Afghanistan. Born in Kabul, she came to the U.S. as a teenager with her family in 1982. She has been interviewed by international media and recognized by Congress. Contact Masuda Rahmati at (831) 298-8335; mrahmati@rtirguests.com
8. ==> What You Can Learn From Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett
Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett are very different people. However, both are icons with advice your listeners can use to live happier, more fulfilling lives. Interview Detri McGhee to learn ways you can strive to be more like Swift or Buffett without having to be a Swiftie or making a single terrific financial investment. Detri is an emotional intelligence expert who says both Swift and Buffett recognize that EI (emotional intelligence) is more important than AI (artificial intelligence). Ask her: What surprising thing did Buffett say represents one’s best investment? What have Swifties been told to never do? Why should one pay attention to criticism offered by an enemy? Detri is the author of the upcoming book “Criticism Management: The C-A-T That Tames the Dragon.” She is the president of Entrepreneurial Training and Marketing, LLC, a company that offers workshops and seminars on criticism management. Contact Detri McGhee at (870) 407-7523; dmcghee@rtirguests.com
9. ==> A Personal Way to End Polarization and Divisiveness
The modern world seems to be a bubbling cauldron of out-of-control chaos, wars and hate. But according to author Sara Ting, there is hope. “Most people harbor unconscious biases, which is the root cause of societal divineness,” she says. “I have a tool that can help people become more self-aware of all of their unconscious biases and any future ones humans will create. It’s a poem called The Sun Poem, and it only takes 15 seconds or less to read.” Sara 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. ==> Words Matter: Do You Use Weaponized Language?
Could changing the language Americans use to describe each other lead to greater empathy and problem-solving? That’s the provocative question Michael M. Starr wants to debate on your program. Mike wishes to raise people’s awareness of the words they use and hear so they become bloodhounds alerted to the dog-whistle language that divides us. For example, he’ll talk about words like libtard, mean, stupid, anti-vaxxer, and white privilege and their role in weaponizing language, and how to replace them with wise, empathetic words. He says, “If we are not vigilant with language use and understanding, we can be deceived to believe exaggerated slanderous views of others. These views divide, disempower, and distract us from healthy relationships. They facilitate self-righteousness and become the antithesis of empathy.” Mike is the author of “Journey into Peace.” His life experiences include summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, driving a nuclear submarine, and managing a $100 million-a-year manufacturing business. Ask him: What does ROT stand for and what is its significance? What is self-exorcism and why might someone need one? How can all of us have more good and less bad in our lives? Contact Mike Starr at (501) 585-1302; michaelstarr222@yahoo.com
11. ==> Why Don’t More Doctors Use Placebos?
The power of the placebo effect — medication or treatment that has no effect save for the patient’s belief that it works — has been documented as successful in 30% to 60% of patients suffering from a wide range of symptoms. Dr. Dinesh Verma reveals why modern medicine usually ignores the placebo effect and makes the case for why more physicians should integrate this and other under-used alternative therapies with modern health-care methods for incredible results. Ask him: Why does the placebo effect work so well? How did your mother miraculously recover from late-stage breast cancer? How can patients feel better, heal faster, and even save money on medical expenses? A medical doctor with 45 years in practice and 18 years of integrative medicine research and experience, Dr. Verma’s latest book is “From Dreams to Genes.” Contact Dr. Dinesh Verma at (248) 817-8296; dverma@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Get Back Up When Life Pushes You Down
We all have goals, from smaller things like planning a vacation to big ideas like finding a dream job or getting the promotion you’ve always wanted. And we all suffer setbacks on the road to those goals. It can be hard to pick yourself up after your path is interrupted — especially with a major, life-disrupting issue. Frank DiMaio is here to help you continue forward, whether you’re facing a temporary bad patch or a serious hardship like divorce, layoffs, or even the loss of a loved one. After losing his wife to breast cancer, Frank developed a method for dealing with his grief. He’ll share what he learned about facing life’s biggest challenges with positivity and progress. Contact Frank DiMaio at (401) 205-3325; fdimaio@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Why You Should Tell Your Kids They’re Amazing
Social media. Bullying. The long isolation of the pandemic. Gender confusion. Today’s kids have more stressors than at any other time in modern history. “When I speak to fellow counselors and parents, they say that anxiety and depression among young people are off the charts,” says author, former teacher and counselor Patricia Wilson. “I have an understanding of what children need: a sense of self-worth, how to cooperate with others and an appreciation of the gift of life.” Patricia can share how to figure out if kids are struggling with depression, and simple, yet powerful self-talk tools to convince them that they are amazing. She has taught children from grades K-12 and counseled kids for more than 30 years. She is the author of numerous best-selling books including “My Magical Night Mare,” “I Am Amazing” and “When Grandma Giggled.” Contact Patricia Wilson at (778) 561-4603; pwilson@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Are Jerks Still Jerks in the Afterlife?
It’s very common for those who have lost mean loved ones to glorify them and gloss over their faults post-mortem. But author and psychic medium June Edward claims that death doesn’t change their rotten ways. “People don’t miraculously change just because they passed to the other side and left their body,” she says. “They are the exact same people they were when they were here. If they were a jerk, they’re still a jerk!” On a positive note, June claims that they do eventually learn from their mistakes once they’ve passed over. She can share exactly how this happens, and what really occurs when we die. She is the best-selling, award-winning author of “All’s Fair in Love & Karma, 5 Steps to Relationship Mastery,” which has been endorsed by renowned author John Gray. Contact June Edward at (508) 544-0189; jedward@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 3-Minute Tool to Bust the Winter Blues
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 in 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