February 6, 2020
01. Fact-Checking Trump’s SOTU Address
02. Worst-Case Scenario of a Coronavirus Pandemic
03. Dismantling Environmental Rules Pushes U.S. Back, Not Forward
04. Journo Who Predicted Trump’s Win Explains His High Approval Rating
05. Why Women Directors Were Snubbed at Oscars
06. What Kobe Bryant’s Death Tells Us about Heroes
07. Legal Loophole Could Give Your Job to a Foreigner
08. Fun Valentine’s Day Show: Why Does My Partner Do That?
09. Yes, You Can Buy Love
10. Pair Wine with Chocolate for Ultimate Valentine’s Day Sensuality
11. How to Stop Attracting Losers
12. Could Self-Doubt Be the Key to Your Career Success?
13. Carrying a Gun for Protection — Hear This Expert
14. Why is Teen Chronic Pain up 800%?
15. Kids are Right: School is Boring
16. Reading Glasses Are Worsening Your Vision
17. This Guest Enjoys 3 Free Cruises a Year (and You Can Too)
18. Music to Our Ears: Solving America’s Culture Crisis
19. Get Healthier by Knowing Your Personality Type
20. Why Do People Believe in Hell?
1.==> Fact-Checking Trump’s SOTU Address
President Trump went on the offensive against socialism
and left-wing policies during a defiant third State of
the Union address to Congress Tuesday night but
according to the group Fact-Check.org, the address
included false and misleading claims on jobs, wages,
energy, immigration and more. Trump claimed the economy
is “the best it has ever been.” But GDP growth fell to
2.3% last year and economists predict further slowing
this year. He said he brought about low unemployment by
reversing “years of economic decay” and “failed
economic policies,” when in fact over 1 million more
jobs were added in the 35 months before he took office
than in the first 35 months since. He also boasted that
“a long, tall, and very powerful wall is being built”
along the southern border, and more than 100 miles have
been completed. But only one mile is located where no
barriers previously existed. Fact-Check.org, a project
of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University
of Pennsylvania, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer
advocate group that monitors the factual accuracy of
what is said by major U.S. political players in the
form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news
releases. Contact Eugene Kiely, director of
FactCheck.org, at (215) 573-7070; (215) 898-9400 or
Editor@FactCheck.org
2. ==> Worst-Case Scenario of a Coronavirus Pandemic
Amid furious efforts to stem the tide of the expanding
coronavirus outbreak, health officials are soberly
preparing for the growing risk of a worldwide pandemic.
Increasingly, some experts say, the question is a
simple one: How ugly will this get? “I think at this
point, containment is already a lost cause,” says
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for
Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the
University of Minnesota. Osterholm’s comments echo grim
realism from health officials at the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Although the disease’s
severity appears to be lower than once feared,
Osterholm says the 2019 novel coronavirus’s
transmission patterns so far are reminiscent of
influenza. “We can surely minimize transmission in
health-care facilities and some public spaces. But
beyond that, this virus is going to kind of do what it
damn pleases,” he says. Contact Michael Osterholm at
(612) 626-6770; mto@umn.edu
3. ==> Dismantling Environmental Rules Pushes U.S.
Back, Not Forward
No one should want the United States to return to the
days of free-flowing industrial pollution, of dead
waterways and poisoned birds, when science and society
didn’t fully understand how large-scale environmental
destruction happens and how to stop it. And yet, Peter
Groffman, Ph.D., says that’s essentially where the
Trump administration is taking us with newly
implemented rules that dismantle decades of
environmental protections. “The rules, which went into
effect last Thursday, allow all sorts of pollutants to
be dumped into our wetlands, seasonal streams,
waterways that temporarily flow underground and
transient streams that result from rain and snowfall.
These waterways ultimately feed into the larger bodies
that provide much of our drinking water.” Dr. Groffman
says removing their protection creates a real and
urgent danger to our health and environment. Dr. Peter
Groffman is a professor at the Advanced Science
Research Center at The Graduate Center of The City
University of New York. Contact him at (212) 413-3143;
pgroffman@gc.cuny.edu
4.==> Journo Who Predicted Trump’s Win Explains His
High Approval Rating
Some may be surprised by Donald Trump’s approval
rating, which is at an all-time high right now. But not
Nita Wiggins. The journalism professor and former
journalist predicted Donald Trump’s win back in October
2015, 13 months before the election, reading the signs
of a political shift. But what does she see happening
in 2020? How does President Trump defy all previous
election taboos? Why do his backers stay, despite sex
scandals, impeachment, and warmongering? What does Nita
see clearly that political reporting fails to report?
Nita will help your audience avoid election-mania,
misinformation, and “shiny object” reporting, and stay
sane throughout the impeachment trial fallout and the
primary voting season. She worked from coast-to-coast
for 21 years as a TV reporter and anchor, and she is
the author of “Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race,
Sports and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism.”
Nita now teaches journalism in Paris, France. Contact
her at NWiggins@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Why Women Directors Were Snubbed at Oscars
When the 2020 Academy Award winners are announced on
Sunday, acclaimed female directors such as Greta Gerwig
(‘Little Women’) and Lulu Wang (‘The Farewell’) will be
conspicuously absent. “Despite the progress Hollywood
has made in hiring women to direct blockbuster films,
unfortunately, women directors still face an uphill
battle to get projects that are film awards contenders
due to the type of films they are hired to direct,”
says director Kailin Gow. She can share how women can
break through the glass ceiling in this and other male-
dominated industries. She is a director/filmmaker and
the founder of Sparklesoup Inc. and an internationally
recognized, multi-award-winning bestselling author who
has sold over 5.5 million books. Contact Kailin at
KGow@rtirguests.com; (617) 582-2121
6. ==> What Kobe Bryant’s Death Tells Us about Heroes
Why has the death of a retired basketball player caused
so much anguish to so many persons? Because human
beings need heroes–and very often great athletes are
champions most immediately recognizable to us. If we
are to understand the impact of Kobe Bryant’s life and
premature death, we must answer these questions: What
makes someone a hero? Why do human beings need them?
Why are great athletes so often looked up to as heroes?
Andrew Bernstein can help audiences discover the
answers. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the City
University of New York. His just-published book is
“Heroes, Legends, Champions: Why Heroism Matters.” The
book demonstrates what heroes are, how they are
distinguished from non-heroes, and why mankind needs
them. Contact Andrew Bernstein at (845) 219.4566;
andyswoop@gmail.com
7. ==> Legal Loophole Could Give Your Job to a
Foreigner
Suppose you came into work and were told that you were
being replaced by a foreigner making half your salary
whom you had to train before you go. This is currently
happening to stellar employees at AT&T, Disney, Verizon
and Toys ‘R’ Us, who were tossed out of their jobs
thanks to a legal loophole that lets companies import
non-U.S. citizens to do jobs college-educated Americans
can do. Let American jobs advocate Hilarie Gamm explain
this threat to your audience and why everyone from
recent graduates to experienced workers could be
victims. A veteran talk show guest and co-founder of
the nonpartisan American Workers Coalition, Gamm can
bust the myth of the shortage of U.S. STEM workers and
talk about legislation that could close the loophole
that is unfairly benefiting certain tech companies and
nationalities. Gamm can also be joined by her AWC co-
founders, Marie Larson and Barbara Birch. Gamm is the
author of “Billions Lost: The American Tech Crisis and
The Road Map to Change.” Contact her at (203) 571-3819;
hgamm@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Fun Valentine’s Day Show: Why Does My Partner Do
That?
This Valentine’s Day can be a game-changer for the
couples in your audience if you book clinical
psychologist Dr. Stacy Dicker as soon as possible.
That’s because Stacy can offer fresh insights using a
combination of psychology and astrology that can bring
couples closer no matter how long they’ve been dating
or married. Want to know why your mate does what he or
she does that drives you crazy? Hear ways that they are
like you or different than you that you hadn’t
considered? Find out from the author of “Psychstrology:
Apply the Wisdom of the Cosmos to Gain Balance and
Improve Your Relationships.” Stacy Dicker, Ph.D., is a
psychologist who has been working with clients for 20
years using astrology as her secret sauce. She taught
psychotherapy courses to upper-level psychology majors
at the University of Colorado, Boulder, for nearly ten
years. Contact her at (720) 327-1732;
sldicker@yahoo.com
9. ==> Yes, You Can Buy Love
Sure, the Beatles said that “money can’t buy me love”
and most of us assume that the Beatles knew what they
were singing about. But according to Barry Shore, you
can buy love—the real, authentic good stuff—as long as
you apply his simple ASK formula. In time for
Valentine’s Day, let Barry, a former quadriplegic
turned happiness expert, share the three things you
need to do so that in “in the end, the love you take is
equal to the love you make.” Shore’s mission is
spreading the joy of being alive no matter what
adversities people face. He hosts The Joy of Living
radio program and podcast and has been featured in or
appeared on O Magazine, Fox, NBC, ABC, and Forbes.
Contact him at (310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com
10. ==> Pair Wine with Chocolate for Ultimate
Valentine’s Day Sensuality
Let’s be honest, we’ve all given or received a box of
chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Hopefully to, or from,
someone very special. Yet how many of those heartfelt
offerings do we really remember? Mmm … none? But with
the assistance of some well-chosen wine, we can all
create a stellar tasting experience that will be etched
in our sweetie’s memory for years to come. Let wine
guru Jim Laughren, CWE, show your audience how to set
the stage for a delicious and memorable Valentine’s Day
after-dinner snuggle-up. He will discuss the long and
remarkable relationship between wine and chocolate and
how we can pair this sensuous twosome for maximum
delight. Contact Jim at (954) 317-9623;
JLaughren@rtirguests.com
11. ==> How to Stop Attracting Losers
Are you tired of always being in relationships with
people who are bad for you? Invite Arnoux Goran,
author, speaker, and the world’s #1 expert in personal
transformation, to reveal how you can stop attracting
losers. He’ll share the real reason why we’re attracted
to people who aren’t good for us and why, no matter how
often we promise ourselves we’ll choose someone better
next time, we end up with a loser again. Goran has the
solution to stop being a “loser magnet” and to break
the cycle forever so you can find your perfect match.
His upcoming book, “The Answer: How to Change Your Life
and Make Your Dreams Come True,” reveals how to release
negative emotions permanently and truly change your
life by addressing the cause of repeating patterns.
Goran has been featured on radio and television
nationwide. Contact him at (878) 203-8231;
AGoran@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Could Self-Doubt Be the Key to Your Career
Success?
Leaders are expected to be confident, but what can you
do if you’re in a leadership position and you lack
confidence in your abilities? Author and leadership
expert Marc Pitman says that self-doubt may actually
mean you’re on the verge of greatness. Invite him to
reveal the 3 main factors that can bring out the best
leader in you. He can also share how to overcome past
failures to achieve career success. His forthcoming
book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a
framework for leaders to move past feeling like a fraud
and manage teams more effectively. Ask him how to
overcome the feeling you’re “broken,” and why it can be
dangerous to follow every new leadership system or
self-help guru. Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610
(SC); mpitman@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Carrying a Gun for Protection — Hear This
Expert
Your neighbors, co-workers and friends are among
today’s millions of responsible gun owners. Many more
(perhaps yourself) are considering gun ownership in
this era of mass killings, home invasions and attacks.
Invite Chris Bird to educate you and your audience
about gun safety and self-defense. A sought-after
expert on gun rights and personal protection, Chris can
answer: Why are methods of observation as important as
one’s weapon? What steps help you survive a public
shooting? What are his insights about recent attacks at
schools, workplaces, community events and places of
worship? With 30+ years of firearm safety experience,
Chris Bird is the author of several books including
“Surviving a Mass Killer Rampage,” “The Concealed
Handgun Manual” and “Thank God I Had a Gun!” Have your
listeners call in during the interview with their gun
questions. Contact Chris Bird at (210) 686-4440;
cbird@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Why is Teen Chronic Pain up 800%?
When you think of chronic pain you are likely to
imagine older people whose bodies have broken down over
time—not teens. Let David Hanscom, M.D., share a topic
you’ve probably never heard before as he reveals why
teenage chronic emotional and physical pain is robbing
America of its future, having risen more than 800% in
the last ten years. But he does have good news: the
anxiety that is fueling young people’s pain can be
dealt with and he’ll share ways the body’s stress
chemicals can be reduced, and what we should be
teaching children in elementary school that would be
game-changing. Dr. Hanscom is an orthopedic spine
surgeon who quit his surgical practice to teach
patients and medical practitioners how to solve chronic
pain. His most recent book is “Do You Really Need Spine
Surgery?” Contact him at (206) 890-1892;
david@backincontrol.com
15. ==> Kids are Right: School is Boring
It’s no surprise that so many kids complain about
school being boring. Between mandated tests and
outdated teaching methods, many students would rather
be anywhere than in a school classroom. How do we
maintain the intrinsic motivation students bring with
them to kindergarten for all 13 years of K-12
education? Lee Jenkins says there is no limit to what
schools can accomplish when students are still
motivated like they once were in kindergarten. Invite
him on your show to discuss how this is possible with
examples from all grade levels and subjects. Lee
Jenkins has been an educator and administrator both in
public schools and universities. He’s the author of
“How to Create a Perfect School,” with a foreword by
Jack Canfield. Contact him at (484) 306-8784;
LJenkins@rtirguests.com
16. ==> Reading Glasses Are Worsening Your Vision
Nathalie Fiset M.D., started using reading glasses at
the age of 41. After a few months, her vision worsened,
even when she was using the reading glasses! Then she
had an epiphany: the glasses weren’t helping her, they
were making her eyesight worse. A retired family
physician, Dr. Fiset will explain how listeners are
harming their eyesight by using contacts, reading
glasses and LASIK and share four secrets to normal
vision after 40. She’ll also reveal how anyone can get
better eyesight in just one month. Dr. Nathalie Fiset
has appeared on radio, TV, podcasts and in newspapers.
Contact her at (407) 970-7373; Nathalie.fiset@gmail.com
17. ==> This Guest Enjoys 3 Free Cruises a Year (and
You Can Too)
Fifteen years ago when she retired, Cynthia Barnett had
a fantasy: she wanted to enjoy cruising without having
to pay for it and she figured out how to do exactly
that! Cynthia has cruised to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe,
and the Caribbean without paying a thing; for example,
during a two-week cruise, she enjoys all the cruise
ship amenities (gourmet food, a single inside room
cabin, etc.) in exchange for giving four less than an
hour talks on topics that interest her such as
Caribbean festivals or female pirates. She can tell
your audience that entertaining guests during days on
the high sea are a priority for cruise lines and coming
up with topics to lecture about is not as hard as you
might think. Cynthia can talk about how she got
started, what equipment you would need, and how to get
your foot in the cabin door if you have never done this
before. Cynthia Barnett, Ph.D., is the author of “I’m
Not Done Yet and You Shouldn’t Be Either,” a book that
inspires people to make the most out of their
retirement years. She’s been featured in the Wall
Street Journal and Time magazine and other media and is
the recipient of the inaugural AARP Purpose Prize,
which recognizes people over 50 who have “used their
wisdom and experience to revitalize their lives and
make the world a better place.” Barnett earned a
doctorate in leadership from Teachers College, Columbia
University. Contact her at
(203) 807-3321; drcynthiabarnett@gmail.com
18. ==> Music to Our Ears: Solving America’s Culture
Crisis
If life is like a symphony, then Gerald Leonard
believes we’re a little out of tune these days. The
professional musician, management consultant and
culture change expert says America is currently having
a culture crisis in politics, business and society. “In
order to change our national values, we first must
change our vision,” he says. “If truth is really valued
then we must make it more important than the expediency
of just getting ahead through politics. If our vision
and values are off, then we will continue to have a
negative culture.” Leonard will discuss the seven
principles that can be used to create any
culture—including at the highest levels of government
—and how they can be applied to change our national
culture. Gerald Leonard is president and CEO of
Principles of Execution, a strategic project portfolio
management and IT governance consulting practice. He is
the author of “Culture Is The Bass: 7 Steps to Creating
High Performing Teams.” Contact him at (443) 622-4740;
Gerald@Principlesofexecution.com
19. ==> How Your Personality Type Affects Your Health
Changing bad habits is tough, but wellness expert
Nathalie Beauchamp, D.C., IFMCP, says knowing your
personality type can help ease the struggle to change
habits—especially those that relate to your health.
Invite Dr. Nathalie to share four core personality
types that come into play when changing health habits
and why each requires a different approach. “People who
are detail-oriented require all the facts before
beginning a program. They’re not going to jump on board
the latest health trend until they have consulted
professionals and done the research. But if they’re not
careful they can suffer from analysis paralysis.”
She’ll reveal the four personality types, the hidden
motivators behind them, and how to keep your
personality type from getting in the way of your health
goals. Dr. Nathalie is a chiropractor, a former
professional natural figure/bodybuilder, a wellness
consultant, speaker, and radio and TV personality.
She’s the author of “Hack Your Health Habits: Simple
Action-Driven, Natural Health Solutions for People On
the Go!” Contact her at (613) 852-1770;
drnathalie@drnathaliebeauchamp.com
20. ==> Why Do People Believe in Hell?
Eternal damnation vs. eternal salvation. Notre Dame
theologian David Bentley Hart’s recent New York Times
op-ed on the subject challenges the “historical
validity, biblical origins, philosophical cogency and
moral sanity of the standard Christian teaching on the
matter of eternal damnation.” Invite Dr. Hart for a
controversial discussion about why he believes so many
people believe in hell. “People rejoice in the thought
of hell to the precise degree that they harbor hell
within themselves. I believe heaven and hell alike are
both within us all, in varying degrees, and that for
some, the idea of hell is the treasury of the most
secret, most cherished hopes — the hopes of being
proved right when so many were wrong, of being admired
when so many are despised, of being envied when so many
have been scorned.” David Bentley Hart, Ph.D., is an
Eastern Orthodox scholar of religion, a philosopher,
writer, and cultural commentator, and a Templeton
Fellow at the University of Notre Dame Institute of
Advanced Study. His latest book is “That All Shall Be
Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation.” Contact
Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099
(cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703)
646-5188