01. U.S. Takeover of Gaza?
02. Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency. What’s Next?
03. How the ‘China Shock’ Reshaped American Communities
04. Remember When We Were All Fighting Over Masks?
05. The Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads
06. From Prison to Grammy Nominee: Interview John Lee Hooker Jr.
07. Worldwide Consequences if Ukraine Loses the War
08. What History’s Most Notorious Leaders Can Teach Us About Success
09. This Guest Has Bad-Ass Solutions for Today's Big-Ass Problems
10. Current Politics Making You Feeling Anxious?
11. How Nonviolence Principles Can Transform Your Personal Life
12. Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—How to Get It Back
13. What Parents Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence
14. Can Doing Your Best Hold You Back?
15. Subtle Signs Your Ego is Destroying Your Life
1. ==> U.S. Takeover of Gaza?
President Donald Trump has proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza where Israel's military assault in the last 16 months has killed tens of thousands. Earlier, he suggested that Palestinians in the enclave should be permanently displaced and should move to Egypt and Jordan. That idea was quickly and roundly rejected by Palestinian leaders and leaders of the Arab world. Middle East expert Asaf Romirowsky can discuss Trump’s statements and what will likely, ultimately happen in Gaza. Asaf Romirowsky, PhD, is the executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. He has published widely on various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict and American foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as on Israeli and Zionist history. Romirowsky is co-author of “Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief.” Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com
2. ==> Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency. What’s Next?
Over the course of two weeks, the Trump administration largely dismantled the work of a 10,000-person, $40 billion foreign-assistance agency and the thousands of people in nonprofits and other groups that work with it. Dismantling of USAID appears to be a test case for the new administration. And while some of Trump’s actions, such as furloughing contractors, have been broadly legal, others appear to be impinging on Congress’s authority, according to Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Center for Global Health Policy and Politics at Georgetown University. “The see the U.S. Aid agencies and infrastructures as weaker than the rest of the government, so they are trying to see what they can get away with,” he says, and so far they have met little legal or political resistance. Kavanagh can also discuss Trump’s claims that $50 million in USAID was about to be spent to send condoms to Gaza. Contact Matthew Kavanagh at (202) 998-1781; matthew.kavanagh@georgetown.edu
3. ==> How the ‘China Shock’ Reshaped American Communities
A flood of Chinese imports started hitting America a quarter of a century ago and it radically altered the US economy. It upended manufacturing communities, hurt workers and their families, and sowed discontent with globalization. Some say it changed the nation’s politics and helped usher in Donald Trump’s first term. New research offers a shocking look at what really happened when the “China Shock” rippled through the Southeast and parts of the Midwest. “We were very, very startled by what we found. It was so different from what we expected,” says David Autor, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He says many of the places that were hit came back, but the people who got hit did not. The research examined employment and earnings records for nearly all American workers from 2000-2019. Among the findings were that manufacturing, as a sector, never really came back, and while retail and restaurants helped communities, it didn’t do much for former factory workers because the new jobs were filled with new workers, many of whom were young adults, legal immigrants and women. Contact David Autor at (617) 258-7698; dautor@mit.edu or Lauren Fahey at (617) 253-4669
4. ==> Remember When We Were All Fighting Over Masks?
What will history remember about America and COVID? Historian Ronald Gruner examined the pandemic’s origins, its human and economic toll, and the cultural and political schisms the pandemic exposed and says “We stumbled badly during one of our nation’s greatest challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, America suffered 3,200 COVID deaths per million and a peak loss of 21.9 million jobs. No major nation had a worse record. Rather than uniting against a common foe, we Americans were divided by partisan politics, distrustful of our healthcare systems, and overwhelmed by disinformation.” Gruner’s new book, “COVID Wars: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedoms,” is a data-driven analysis that contains over eighty charts, tables, and maps and includes extensive statistical appendices which allow the curious, or skeptical, reader to conduct their own research. Ronald Gruner had a forty-year career as the founder and CEO of three technology companies. His previous book, “We the Presidents,” is a presidential history exploring how the policies of American presidents have affected America, and the world, today. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 400-1099; johanna@jrbpr.biz or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> The Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads
This Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. Millions of Americans will be watching, but for many, the highlight of the big game will be the commercials, with 30-second spots going for a reported $7 billion this year. Invite Charles Taylor, professor of marketing at the Villanova School of Business, to discuss what makes a great Super Bowl ad and share his predictions for this year’s crop of commercials. Who’s sitting out this year? Who are the newest advertisers to try to build awareness with the Super Bowl's massive reach? Is a Super Bowl ad worth the huge price tag? Charles Taylor is available before, during and after the big game. He is the author of the new book "Winning the Advertising Game: Lessons from the Super Bowl AD Champions (Business Guides on the Go.)" Contact Colleen Frerichs at cfrerichs@teamavoq.com
6. ==> From Prison to Grammy Nominee: Interview John Lee Hooker Jr.
John Lee Hooker Jr. seemed to have a golden ticket to a successful music career as the son of a blues legend. By the time he was a teen he was performing with his father onstage, and in 1972 the pair recorded a live album at Soledad Prison. But drug addiction and a series of related crimes would land Junior in and out of prisons, including Soledad, for three decades. In his new memoir, “From the Shadow of the Blues: My Story of Music, Addiction, and Redemption,” Hooker shares how he emerged clean and sober and began a successful career as a blues singer, earning two Grammy nominations and even opening for the Rolling Stones. Today, he’s known as the Reverend John Lee Hooker Jr., and preaches and performs gospel music in churches and prisons across the US and Germany. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com
7. ==> Worldwide Consequences 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
8. ==> What History’s Most Notorious Leaders Can Teach Us About Success
The long-held conventional belief in the business world is that leadership can only be learned from positive role models. However, Steve Williams claims that we have it backward. "We can learn a lot about effective leadership from the likes of Atilla the Hun, Al Capone, and Genghis Khan," he says. "Although they were ruthless, they were some of the most brilliant leaders of all time." Steve can share the specific practices and tactics that made these infamous characters such effective head honchos, and how to apply these to one's own path to success. He is the author of six books including " Notorious: Leadership Lessons from History's Most Notorious Leaders," and a certified leadership coach and QMS expert. Contact Steve Williams at (920) 280-1068; swilliams@rtirguests.com
9. ==> This Guest Has Bad-Ass Solutions for Today's Big-Ass Problems
Rising ocean levels. The epidemic of gun violence. Gang and drug crimes. Addiction. The immigration issue. The heated abortion debate. While many of society's problems seem unsolvable, or would take a very long time to remedy, author and businessman Mitch Francis has come up with a plethora of practical, doable, expedient solutions. He can share how we can destroy every assault rifle in 30 days, pay off the entire U.S. deficit and stop inflation, stop the oceans rising from melting polar ice caps, ...and more! Mitch is the author of "Bad-Ass Solutions For Today's Big-Ass Problems." He has an extensive business background as founder and CEO of publicly traded and private companies and has developed, owns, and manages commercial real estate across the U.S. As such, he was able to develop extreme problem-solving skills that he utilized to address 20 of our biggest problems. Contact Mitch Francis at (424) 380-4561; Mfrancis@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Current Politics Making You Feeling Anxious?
There’s a lot going on in Washington right now and millions of people are worried about Donald Trump and what he’ll do in the next four years, while others are excited about the changes. Regardless of which side you are on, emotions are running high right now and political divisions have never seemed wider. Psychiatrist Melvyn Lurie can help explain why people take politics so personally, and how that can fuel emotions and lead to blow-ups and ruined relationships. The author of “The Biology of Politics” says more is going on than you realize. He’ll discuss the many hidden drives that are a fundamental part of our nature and help your audience learn how to discuss and debate politics (or anything) with family and friends without resorting to anger, rage or name-calling. Dr. Lurie is an honors graduate of Harvard Medical School. He has practiced and taught medical students at Harvard and Tufts, has served as an expert witness, managed political campaigns and once even ran for political office. Contact him at (617) 510-8474; mlurie@post.Harvard.edu
11. ==> How Nonviolence Principles Can Transform Your Personal Life
There’s a lot of turmoil going on in the world and a lot of angry people out there. Retired American diplomate and self-described peacebuilder Danielle Reiff advises those looking to turn down the heat to take a cue from Martin Luther King Jr. and other peaceful activists and adopt a commitment to universal love and nonviolent non-cooperation. Reiff says the practice can apply to family as much as political opponents – or even to oneself. When faced with conflict within her family, Reiff incorporated King’s principles of nonviolence into her own personal life, and the results were transformative. Reiff has spent her life in the service of peace, supporting democratic transitions and peace processes around the world as a diplomat for twenty years. She now runs Peacebuilders, an initiative to promote nonviolence and unity in diversity. Contact Danielle at (202) 499-7256; dreiff@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—How to Get It Back
Why are parents losing the battle for their children’s attention and trust? Parenting expert Richard R. Ramos tackles this urgent issue in his book “Parents on a Mission,” revealing how to reclaim influence in an era where social media dominates teens’ lives and parental rights are being challenged in schools. Ramos has helped thousands of parents nationwide strengthen family bonds and prevent negative lifestyles like gangs and violence. His revolutionary “Home Field Advantage” strategy equips parents with tools to connect deeply with their kids and navigate today’s challenges with confidence. Book Ramos for your podcast, TV or radio show to inspire your audience with proven strategies that prioritize parenting over the outdated “it takes a village” mindset. Contact Richard Ramos at (805) 456-1407; rramos@rtirguests.com
13. ==> What Parents Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is already a big part of our day-to-day lives. Should we be concerned that our kids have easy access to this powerful resource? Quite the opposite, argues thought leader Marc Prensky. He sees artificial intelligence and cell phones as young people’s passports to the future and the new human capabilities they will use to better the world. Invite Prensky on your show to bust the myth that cell phones make kids lazy and explain why kids need to be taught the fundamental emotional skills of love, empathy, gratitude, and optimism. Prensky is the author of 12 books, most recently “Third Millenium Kids: A Hell Yes! Low Stress Guide for Everyone.” He’s also a public speaker who’s appeared in over 50 countries. Contact Marc Prensky at (516) 701-1440; mprensky@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Can Doing Your Best Hold You Back?
People think that doing your best is the key to success, but according to transformational speaker, educator, and businesswoman Rachel Rappaport, that attitude leads to “just getting by.” Instead, she says, “Do whatever it takes, because doing your best is not enough! It is just a well-intentioned excuse; it is a mindset that leads to feeling stuck and creates an imaginary glass ceiling.” Alternatively, doing whatever it takes will stretch your creativity, empower you, and expand your possibilities, and give you the passion that you need to succeed in business and life. Rachel is the founder of the success-coaching program MAX! She also trained with Jack Canfield, co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” and well-known motivational coach Tony Robbins. Contact Rachel Rappaport at (848) 266-5824; rrappaport@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Subtle Signs Your Ego is Destroying Your Life
Do you take everything personally? Do you experience extreme fear and anxiety when you believe that you've been wronged? According to psychologist and award-winning author Melody Krafft, those are signs your ego is taking over your emotions, which is very destructive. "Contrary to popular belief, having a big ego is not good," she says. "The ego's purpose is to keep you stuck in the past." Melody will explain how to get unstuck and the difference between confidence and having a big ego. She'll also illustrate how many of the problems plaguing the world today stem from egos run amok. An experienced media guest and public speaker, Melody is the author of “Get Me Out of Here! What’s Beyond This Madness.” Contact her at (703) 951-4735; mkrafft@rtirguests.com
