01. What a Ukraine/Russia Peace Deal Could Look Like
02. Should You Sign Up to Fight for Ukraine?
03. Why Employers Should Rethink ‘Back to the Office’ Plans
04. There’s Nothing Micro About a Billion Women
05. Women’s History Month: The Unsung Heroine of the Underground Railroad
06. How Much Longer Will America Have Democracy?
07. Will the ‘Great Resignation’ Lead to a Resurgence of Unions?
08. The Best 5-Minute Way to Start Your Morning
09. The Biggest Reason So Many Kids Are Disengaged in School
10. Why This OB-GYN Avoids C-Sections
11. Do a Show on the Coolest Form of Adoption
12. What the Most Successful People Know about Making Healthy Choices
13. Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
14. This Guest Prevailed Over the Worst Life Threw at Her
15. What You Don’t Know about Sunglasses Could Hurt You
1.==> What a Ukraine/Russia Peace Deal Could Look Like
If the Russians are ever to withdraw from Ukraine British author and journalist Anatol Lieven says that a diplomatic agreement on the terms of withdrawal will be necessary. “President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly hinted that a treaty of neutrality may be on offer; and he is right to do so. For two things have been made absolutely clear by this war: that Russia will fight to prevent Ukraine becoming a military ally of the West, and the West will not fight to defend Ukraine. In view of this, to keep open the possibility of an offer of NATO membership that NATO has no intention of ever honoring, and asking Ukrainians to die for this fiction, is worse than hypocritical.” Lieven can discuss what should be in a peace agreement and what it will take to make that happen. Lieven is senior research fellow on Russia and Europe at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and just wrote the piece “It’s time to ask: what would a Ukraine-Russia peace deal look like?” published by The Guardian. Contact Jessica Rosenblum at (202) 279-0005; rosenblum@quincyinst.org
2. ==> Should You Sign Up to Fight for Ukraine?
‘Uncle Zelensky’ has opened applications to join his International Legion to help Ukrainians fight the Russian invaders. Through their website, they’re accepting most everyone except Russians. Many Americans have been looking for ways to help Ukrainians, so some may indeed decide to join. “It’s a noble thought, but you need to consider why you’re joining and if this is right for you. It’s not paintball. It’s a real war, where you could get killed,” says Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., a Board-Certified psychiatrist. She’ll discuss the types or people most likely to apply for the wrong reasons and 7 ways to decide if this is right for you. Carole Lieberman, MD, MPH, frequently comments on today’s headlines from a psychological and socio-political point of view. She’s appeared on Oprah, FOX News, CNN, Today Show, Good Morning America, ET, Access Hollywood and more and is the author of “Coping with Terrorism: Dreams Interrupted” and “Lions and Tigers and Terrorists, Oh My: How to Protect Your Child In a Time of Terror.” Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103
3. ==> Why Employers Should Rethink ‘Back to the Office’ Plans
Americans are seeing record prices at gas pumps across the country, right as a dip in COVID cases is prompting employers to bring workers back to the office. One workplace authority says it might serve companies well to allow work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid work options to offset this cost, particularly as workers consistently leave for new opportunities. In a new online survey conducted by Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. in January and February among 150 companies nationwide, 82% of employers said they were worried about an exodus of talent, up from 68% in July. “It’s important for leaders to remember that many of their workers are likely experiencing burnout, not just from the lingering pandemic and myriad tangential issues that come with it, but also from the growing conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, inflation is stretching paychecks thinner. Those who negotiated or received bumps in wages may feel they are taking two steps forward and one step back. If employers can offer benefits that offset these costs, it will go a long way toward retaining their talent,” says senior VP Andrew Challenger. For interviews and other survey results contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld (312) 422-5074; (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
4.==> There’s Nothing Micro About a Billion Women
Nearly one billion women have been completely excluded from the formal financial system. Without even a bank account in their own names, they lack the basic services most of us take for granted—secure ways to save money, pay bills, and get credit. Microfinance has been hailed as an economic lifeline for women in developing countries—but, as Mary Ellen Iskenderian explains, it takes more than microloans to empower women and promote sustainable, inclusive economic growth. She believes the banking industry should view these one billion “unbanked” women as a business opportunity and will show how financial inclusion can be transformative for the lives of women in developing countries. Iskenderian leads the nonprofit Women’s World Banking that works to give women access to the financial system. Her new book is “There’s Nothing Micro About a Billion Women: Making Finance Work for Women.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
5. ==> Women’s History Month: The Unsung Heroine of the Underground Railroad
When you think of women who participated in the Underground Railroad the first name that comes to mind is Harriet Tubman. But there were others, of course, including Laura Smith Haviland, a petite, bonnet-wearing white Quaker who welcomed runaway slaves to her family farm in Michigan and was so successful at helping them reach freedom that she had a $3,000 bounty placed on her head. Interview Sheryl White, D.Min., an author and YouTube channel creator to find out more about Haviland’s life and the lessons we can learn from it that are applicable today. Dr. White’s work of historical fiction is “Underground Angel: The Life of Laura Smith Haviland.” Contact her at (620) 672-1596; sdw1001@gmail.com
6. ==> How Much Longer Will America Have Democracy?
Many Americans feel their freedoms are being infringed upon. Lockdowns, mask and vaccination mandates were the mechanisms that brought our attention to the fact that our liberties are being eroded. This is a mere glimpse into the future, says conservative commentator Tamara Lashchyk, who warns that continued government infringement under the guise of “public health” and “the greater good” will result in the end of a free society. She says electronic passports are a step toward consolidating all citizen information with one technology that, incidentally, is the same one China used to enforce its “one-child” policy and administer a social credit score. A new effort is now underway to implement a “programmable” digital currency in countries such as Canada and the UK that will control how citizens spend their money. Tamara says, “we are headed towards an authoritarian world.” Tamara has been interviewed by the BBC and featured in Huffington Post and co-hosts “The Bo Peep Podcast” which probes the answers to questions that we are afraid to ask. A career coach, author, and former Wall Street executive, she recently ran for the New York State Assembly. Contact Tamara Lashchyk at (848) 373-3543; TLashchyk@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Will the ‘Great Resignation’ Lead to a Resurgence of Unions?
Unionism — the policies and practices of labor organizations meant to protect and further the rights of workers — has been declining since the mid-1970s. But as employment attorney Beverly Williams will point out, the Great Resignation may bring it back. As proof, she’ll cite the two Starbucks locations in the U.S. which have unionized and the congressional staffers who have taken steps to form a union. Williams will say that employers have the opportunity to avoid unionization if they treat their employees mindfully, authentically, and with integrity instead of with lip service. Beverly Williams is a partner at Wong Fleming PC in Princeton, N.J., where she specializes in labor law. She is also an employment professional, arbitrator, and former HR executive of a Fortune 500 corporation. Additionally, she is the author of “Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job,” and host of the podcast “Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams.” Williams earned an M.P.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School. Contact Beverly Williams at (973) 576-5841; bwilliams@rtirguests.com
8. ==> The Best 5-Minute Way to Start Your Morning
Life has been tough for most of us lately and our collective mental health is showing the strain. Those are reasons enough to start every day off with the five-minute routine Rick Mc Daniel uses to begin each of his mornings. Invite Rick to share the one thing you need to do during this time and best of all, it requires little expense and no special expertise, or equipment. He’ll explain the simple concept anyone can embrace and answer any questions you have about it. Rick Mc Daniel is a writer, the host of the Point of Impact podcast, and the author of eight books. His latest is “This Is Living: Daily Inspiration to Live Your Faith.” Contact Rick at (804) 387-8321; rick@rickmcdaniel.com
9. ==> The Biggest Reason So Many Kids Are Disengaged in School
Parents and teachers everywhere are troubled that countless students are bored and no longer enthusiastic in the classroom. Invite Paul Bernabei, author of “Why Students Are Disengaged in American Schools and What We Can Do about It,” to explore the causes and remedies of disengagement. He’ll explain how today’s bored and disengaged students likely got that way, and how leaders, educators, mentors and families can cooperate to fix the problem. Ask him: What are American youth experiencing that is resulting in their decreased interest in learning? What can be done to create a culture of learning? What conversation should we be having with disengaged students? How can school boredom affect people for life? Contact Paul Bernabei at (651) 470-3827; PBernabei@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why This OB-GYN Avoids C-Sections
Chances are you know someone who had a C-section. The serious and danger-prone surgery has become far more common in North America during the last 35 years. But are more cesarean births happening for medical reasons or for convenience? You and your audience will discover what veteran obstetrician Alan Lindemann, M.D., says about avoiding C-sections, for the health and safety of mothers and babies. Ask him: Why has giving birth become so dangerous? How has the pandemic impacted conception and maternal care? What advice does he have about obstetrical risks, older moms (births past 40), living in maternity “deserts” and minimizing surgical deliveries? A sought-after media guest and author, Dr. Lindemann has delivered more than 6,000 babies in his 40-year career without any maternal mortalities. Contact Alan Lindermann, M.D., at (701) 399-9556; ALindemann@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Do a Show on the Coolest Form of Adoption
A few years ago, Nate Birt and his wife started thinking about adding another child to their family through adoption. They did their research and found what they believe is the coolest way to adopt: frozen embryo adoption. Learn how the Birts’ youngest child started her life as someone else’s frozen embryo that was implanted, carried and birthed by Nate’s wife. Their daughter is now a preschooler adored by her parents and siblings. Invite Nate to discuss what other people need to know should they be considering a similar journey or if they’re merely curious. Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
12. ==> What the Most Successful People Know about Making Healthy Choices
According to author Rico Racosky, the world’s most successful people know that whatever they do, buy, develop, interact with or say can impact their physical, emotional, mental, relational and financial health. In fact, Rico says these people (who have achieved great accomplishments in life!) are part of something he calls a Healthy Choice Revolution that’s amazingly simple, surprisingly obvious, and profoundly practical. Anyone is capable of embracing this, with all their choices going forward! Rico’s popular book is “Just 2 Choices” and he can instantly teach your audience some of the choice-making skills contained in that book and his online classes, that we all need for greater happiness and wellness. Contact him at (403) 938-9368; Rico@Just2Choices.com
13. ==> Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
The ravages of Alzheimer’s are not limited to the aged. In fact, thousands of relatively young people and their families will be affected by early-onset Alzheimer’s this year alone. Interview Carlen Maddux, author of A Path Revealed, about the journey he took with his late wife, Martha, after she was diagnosed at 50. Carlen has many insights to share about the first signs of the disease, and ultimately on caregiving, single parenting, learning about a memory-robbing illness with no cure, and what lifestyle changes and treatments gave his spouse additional quality years. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
14. ==> This Guest Prevailed Over the Worst Life Threw at Her
Francine Tone has lived a life filled with adversity. In her youth she experienced parental loss, abandonment and molestation, leading her to contemplate suicide. As an adult, she suffered a near-fatal car accident, dealt with a cancer diagnosis, endured a difficult divorce and was hurtled into more desperation when her only son experienced a severe injury. How did Francine keep her sanity and stay hopeful? How did she rise above it all to be a successful attorney and author of “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know”? Interview this inspiring guest to learn why she calls herself the happiest girl in the world, especially when speaking and teaching, or surfing near her home in Hawaii. Contact Francine Tone at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com
15. ==> What You Don’t Know about Sunglasses Could Hurt You
What’s your sunglass IQ? Do you know how to pick a pair that will protect your eyes and not just look good? Do you know when to wear them and why? Many people have no clue about just how important protecting their eyes from the sun’s UV rays is, missing out on a simple way to help ensure that they keep their vision for life. But as vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson will tell you, “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. “Add to that protection against cataracts while looking totally cool, and you have a potent reason not to leave the house without them.” 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? Should you also wear a hat? What does she have in common with Bono? Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com