01. Capitol Attacks are Just the Beginning
02. The Founding Fathers and Presidential Pardons
03. Unprecedented GOP Corporate Backlash — Will it Last?
04. Immunity Passports: The Vaccine Credential Initiative
05. Faith, Sex and Gender: What the Bible Really Says
06. Is the Concept of Race Racist?
07. The One Thing You Never Saw Trump Wear and Why It’s Important
08. Creative Ways to Make Extra Cash Right Now
09. Get Ahead in 2021 by Breaking All the Rules
10. Workplace Jazz: Treat Your Team Like Musicians
11. Book This Guest If You’ve Ever Bought Life Insurance
12. The Self-Confidence Lie: How Doubt Makes a Leader Better
13. Combat Winter Blues: Put More Yay in Every Day
14. Fight Fibromyalgia and Feel Better in 2021
15. God, Trump and the Election
1. ==> Experts Say Capitol Attacks are Just the Beginning
Washington D.C., looks like a war zone this week ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration, with security as tight as can be after the recent Capitol riot. “The plots of tomorrow are literally being hatched right now,” Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, says. Experts share growing concern about chatter around a unifying message of people who feel wronged — by those in power, by the political system and by Big Tech. They’re also worried that the numbers of potentially violent extremists are growing. Segal calls the Capitol attack a seminal moment and says it will have a major impact, even more than the country’s historically biggest catalysts for major anti-government activity. “It ain’t Waco, it’s not Ruby Ridge, this is bigger than that,” Segal explains, comparing January 6 to past events that sparked calls to action and inspired deeper distrust and sometimes hatred against the government. “This stuff impacts more people.” The ADL’s Center on Extremism provides resources, expertise and training to law enforcement, public officials and internet and technology companies to identify and counter emerging threats. Contact the ADL communications department at (212) 885-7755; adlmedia@adl.org
2. ==> The Founding Fathers and Presidential Pardons
How did the Founding Fathers feel about presidential pardons and what would they think of Donald Trump’s in particular? The issue was hotly debated at the constitutional convention when James Madison argued that a president’s pardoning power should be restricted during the impeachment process — precisely the situation Donald Trump finds himself in today. The Brookings Institution’s D.W. Buffa explains the proposed pardon clause. “What can stop him pardoning anyone who was involved in the crimes for which the president is being impeached or whose testimony might put him in jeopardy? The president, according to Madison, still holds office, but he no longer has the power to pardon. The House can suspend him when suspected, and the power will devolve on the vice-president. Should he be suspected, also, he may likewise be suspended till he be impeached and removed, and the legislature may make a temporary appointment.’” The drafters of the pardon clause clearly recognized the danger but didn’t act to prevent it. D.W. Buffa can discuss the original intent of pardons, how past presidents wielded their power, and whether a president can pardon himself. Buffa holds J.D. from Wayne State University in Detroit and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. He served as special assistant to Senator Phil Hart of Michigan. A criminal defense attorney for 10 years, his seven Joseph Antonelli novels reflect that experience. Contact Paloma Losada at (202) 797-6197; media@brookings.edu
3. ==> Unprecedented GOP Corporate Backlash — Will it Last?
Since the Capitol riot earlier this month, dozens of major companies have stepped forward with pledges to halt political donations to Republicans that supported Trump in disputing the election results. Widespread condemnation of such a large group — more than half the Republican members in the House of Representatives, including its leader — is “unprecedented,” says Sheila Krumholz, executive director at the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks corporate giving. “This is perhaps a new bold stance that corporate America is taking,” she says. “It could also be that this lasts a few months and then it’s back to business as usual.” If sustained, Krumholz says, a withdrawal of corporate contributions could have a sizeable political impact, especially in the House, where members face re-election every two years, and many rely on corporate donations for a big part of their campaign funds. But we will have to see how long such pledges last, she says. The Center for Responsive Politics/OpenSecrets.org is a nonpartisan research group. Contact Brendan Quinn at (202) 354-0110; press@crp.org
4.==> Immunity Passports: The Vaccine Credential Initiative
You may have heard about using ‘vaccine certification’ or ‘immunity passports,’ analog or digital tools to prove you’re vaccinated. Some experts champion them as a way to get back to normal life while others warn about privacy risks and the potential for discrimination and abuse. A group of health and technology leaders has created the new Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI) as a way to enable users to access vaccination records on their phones. “The goal of the Vaccination Credential Initiative is to empower individuals with digital access to their vaccination records so they can use tools like CommonPass to safely return to travel, work, school, and life, while protecting their data privacy,” said Paul Meyer, CEO of The Commons Project Foundation. He’ll explain how this system works, what makes it different from others, and who it is designed for. The Commons Project is a nonprofit public trust established to build platforms and services that enable everyone to utilize the full benefit of technology and data while maintaining control over their digital lives. Contact Samantha Pierce at samantha@120over80mktg.com or press@vaccinationcredential.org
5. ==> Faith, Sex and Gender: What the Bible Really Says
Prepare for an eye- and heart-opening show about faith, sexuality and gender when you interview biblical scholar and New York Times best-selling author Preston Sprinkle. On your show he’ll explain what it means to be transgender, that most stereotypes about sexuality and gender come from culture and not the Bible, and why more teens are now questioning their gender. You’ll learn what happens when someone experiences incongruence between their biological sex and their internal sense of self, and which one determines who they are — and why. Whether you’re looking to understand the issue more deeply or you’re a parent with a transgender child, Sprinkle can offer help and advice to those wanting to better love transgender people and those wrestling with their own gender identity. An international speaker and expert on the biblical theology of sexuality, Preston Sprinkle, Ph.D., is the president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender. His latest book is “Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church and What the Bible Has to Say.” Contact Jason Jones at jason@jonesliterary.com
6. ==> Is the Concept of Race Racist?
Is it possible to talk about racism without being racist? Without causing other people pain? Should the “what are you” question even be on the census form? Can we build enough trust to talk about race without judgment? Just as he does with his new YouTube series, “Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler,” Glen Dunzweiler will engage your audience in a thoughtful discussion on the controversial and often divisive topic of racism. Ask him: As a white person, why do you identify with Black people? What are four possible ways to cope with racism? Dunzweiler is an independent filmmaker, a former college professor, and author of two books including “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
7. ==> The One Thing You Never Saw Trump Wear and Why It’s Important
During his campaign and presidency, you never saw Donald Trump wear sunglasses or glasses of any kind. And it’s not because he has perfect vision (he made reading goofs despite the availability of a Teleprompter) or never appeared outside in the bright sunlight. According to vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson, Trump’s lack of eyewear reveals something important about him just as President-elect Joe Biden’s fondness for Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses says something about him and the seriousness with which he takes his health. As Linda will tell your listeners, “The eyes are porous and the optic nerve is a direct extension to the brain. So, it stands to reason that eye protection should be added to the virus protection mix, especially for children,” she says. Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Ask her: Why aren’t sunglasses just for summer? Why do you need them on cloudy days? What does she have in common with Bono? Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Creative Ways to Make Extra Cash Right Now
Many of your listeners have lost jobs — or taken salary and hours cuts — in recent months. With so many people unemployed and bills mounting up, there’s a lot of folks out there who want to know how they can make some extra money now. Patricia Davis, author of “Going Broke Is No Joke,” can provide some fresh ideas. She’ll talk about ways to bring in extra bucks by doing things like selling your cellphone images, agreeing to test websites and products, and selling your opinions to focus groups. Patricia will also caution your audience about scammers and share ways to spot bogus job opportunities. She’ll also offer tips on what household goods can be sold for needed cash without being missed. An experienced guest, Patricia Davis holds an MBA from Stanford, a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Golden Gate University and a certificate from Georgetown University’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Finance. Contact her at (301) 517-6304; pdavis@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Get Ahead in 2021 by Breaking All the Rules
If you are thinking about starting a business in 2021, you need to talk to Raj Girn first. Raj started what would prove to be a lasting, successful publishing business just one year after learning how to write a check and attributes much of her success to not knowing the rules and not realizing she was breaking them! Raj gave numerous mainstream celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Scherzinger, and Nelly Furtado their first South Asian covers in her ANOKHI Magazine; she is also a confidence expert and has an inspiring life story of how she survived an arranged marriage with a stranger, life in a new culture and country and more to achieve a new identity and to work with an impressive roster of multinational clients (L’Oréal Paris, Estée Lauder, Johnnie Walker, Ciroc, Hilton and Sheraton Hotels). Raj heads the Open Chest Confidence Academy, is a well-known media personality in Canada and a serial media entrepreneur who has worked with thought leaders, celebrities, and multinational corporations. She has been featured in two coffee table books, a documentary, and a motivational book that became an international best-seller. Contact her at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Workplace Jazz: Treat Your Team Like Musicians
Since he first picked up his sister’s guitar at age 12, music has taught Gerald Leonard many things: the discipline of practice, playing fairly, how to listen, connect with others, and how to have fun. Today, the conservatory-trained musician and CEO of the business consultancy Principles of Execution, uses those lessons to help managers understand and motivate their employees. “In the mind of an artist, a performance is either great or horrible. There is no gray area; it is excellent or it is shameful. For most of us, work is our biggest daily performance. We want to nail it and feel bad when we fail. We also need skilled conductors – good leadership – to guide our flow and help us play our best, both as solo artists and as part of the band.” Leonard will explain why the hallmarks of high performing employees are nearly identical to those of artists and share how management can tap into their teams’ natural creativity to keep them engaged, collaborative and successful. A professional bassist, Gerald J. Leonard offers a unique approach to accomplishing more productivity in the workplace. His latest book is “Workplace Jazz: How to Improvise – 9 Steps to Creating High-Performing Agile Project Team.” Contact him at (443) 622-4740; gerald@geraldjleonard.com
11. ==> Book This Guest If You’ve Ever Bought Life Insurance
Why is it that we trust experts to look over and review almost all of our legal documents … but we never think to have anyone review our life insurance policies? This, as it happens, can be a fatal financial mistake! And can lead to a huge financial loss in the long run. David Kottler, The Life Insurance Doctor™, can walk your audience through the benefits of regularly reviewing their insurance policies. He’ll start by sharing some powerful statistics. Did you know that 90% of life insurance policies lapse with no value before any death benefit is paid? That $700 billion worth of death benefits lapse or get surrendered each year? Or that 99% of lapsing policies could have delivered great value to the family before lapsing? David is the author of “The Best Kept Secret in Your Insurance Policy,” which details everything people need to know to get the most value out of their insurance policies. Contact David Kottler at (216) 532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Self-Confidence Lie: How Doubt Makes a Leader Better
In our culture, self-confidence is lauded as a virtue. So, what happens to self-doubters? Are they broken? Or could they have an advantage that others lack? Invite leadership expert Marc A. Pitman to reveal why doubt can be a surprising gift that forces leaders to look inward to gain special insight. He can reveal how the words in your head could be sabotaging your efforts and why people experiencing doubt are some of the strongest leaders. 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. Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Combat Winter Blues: Put More Yay in Every Day
We all experience the winter blues in one form or another. But, one of the things that have saved many of us and will continue to save us through 2021 is having a hobby or two. For those who have procrastinated on finding one or still aren’t giving enough time to what brings them joy listening to award-winning author Mary K. Savarese could be a lifesaver. Mary’s own hobby — writing books — came after her last child left home and she overcame significant anxiety about her new family dynamic. Mary can talk about why it is important to find yourself, and even how to find a new hobby (that could turn into a career) that’s best for you. Mary has appeared in local publications, Mindalia TV, iHeartRadio and podcasts. Her latest book is “Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume, (who knew!).” Her latest project, “The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper” is a trilogy that will be published this summer. Contact Mary at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com
14. ==> Fight Fibromyalgia and Feel Better in 2021
Leah McCullough, affectionately known as The Fibro Lady, appreciates that she no longer deals with life-impacting pain, fatigue and depression. Now an international wellness speaker and author, she’s on a mission to help other pain sufferers cope, manage, and even recover from fibromyalgia. Invite this informative and vivacious speaker to discuss secrets to an upbeat mood, boundless energy, achieving a great night’s sleep, and also timely topics such as the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on chronic pain patients, as well as medical cannabis. Leah is the author of “Freedom from Fibromyalgia: 7 Steps to Complete Recovery and Eat to Energize.” Her free online program is “How to Reduce and Even Eliminate Fibromyalgia Pain.” Contact Leah at (859) 279-0413; LMcCullough@rtirguests.com
15. ==> God, Trump and the Election
A Politico story contends that millions of Americans believe God wanted Donald Trump to be president. But a second term was not in God’s plan. Interview Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., who agrees that a Trump White House was God’s will. But find out why he says God may not have wanted Trump to serve two terms. Originally from Jamaica, Dr. Rutherford has studied politics, faith and human nature for decades. His critically acclaimed book is “God and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him why did many deeply committed Christians had no qualms about electing a seemingly godless man? What does the anti-Trump contingent get right and wrong? Why didn’t he vote for Trump? How would God “grade” Trump’s term in office? Contact Dr. Rutherford at (786) 201-6638; patricrutherford@gmail.com