March 19, 2020
01. We Need a Coronavirus Manhattan Project
02. Coronavirus: Historic Lessons in Civic Duty
03. Andrew Yang’s Moment: Economic Cost of the Pandemic
04. NY Times Reporter on the Women Shaping Congress
05. Free Online Program Keeps Kids Smart with Art
06. Wedding Cancellations in the Age of Coronavirus
07. Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
08. Coronavirus and Surging Gun Sales
09. Balancing Coronavirus Fear with Facts
10. Gyms Are Closed But Forget about Walking 10,000 Steps
11. Sex, Drugs, and Heavy Metal: Backstage Tales of Metal Legends
12. 5 Reasons You Should Write a Book Now
13. Former Clutter Queen’s Secrets for Living More with Less
14. Could Self-Doubt Be the Key to Your Career Success?
15. The Link Between Porn and Human Trafficking
16. ‘I’m Glad My Parents Forced Me into an Arranged Marriage’
17. Why Do So Many People Hate Themselves?
18. The Best Treatments for Younger-Looking Skin
19. Who Says Learning Math Has to Be Hard?
20. Want a Better Sex Life? There’s an App for That!
1.==> We Need a Coronavirus Manhattan Project
Robert David Siegel, M.D., Ph.D., says it’s time for a
Viral Manhattan Project to combat COVID-19, and it must
begin immediately. He explains, “During World War II,
the United States sponsored a massive project of
unprecedented scope. The purpose of the Manhattan
Project was to develop weapons to put an end to a world
conflict. Once again, we are in an all-out war. This
time, the war does not involve a world divided. It is a
time when all of humanity must come together to face a
common threat.” Dr. Siegel says while they appear
impressive, the government’s multibillion-dollar
proposals are woefully inadequate in response to the
pandemic. Invite him to outline a 10-point plan for
creating the Viral Manhattan Project. From ramping up
testing to creating a wartime scale-up in the
production of critical care facilities, Dr. Siegel will
discuss the best way to address the current crisis
before it’s too late. Robert David Siegel. M.D., Ph.D.,
is a professor in the Department of Microbiology and
Immunology at Stanford University. Contact him at 650)
725-3212; (650) 678-8728 or siegelr@stanford.edu
2. ==> Coronavirus: Historic Lessons in Civic Duty
Cough into your elbow, wash your hands and stay home.
These are the patriotic acts of 2020. Historian Meg
Jacobs reminds us this is not the first time small,
seemingly insignificant acts have taken on life or
death meaning, recalling the many sacrifices Americans
made during WW II. “Repair a shirt rather than buy a
new one, paint on nylons instead of wearing the real
thing, go without cuffs on your pants; indeed, women
wore pants instead of skirts since that used less
fabric. Their bathing suits shrank. The fewer pairs of
stockings worn by women, the more nylon available to
use for parachutes. The precautionary efforts officials
are asking of us to fight the coronavirus are an
opportunity to renew our civic-mindedness — to wake up
from our selfish slumbers and take action. If President
Trump won’t appeal effectively or directly to our
better selves, other than thin comments that came way
too late, listen to all the other mayors, governors,
corporate executives, union leaders, clergy and doctors
who are asking us to make small sacrifices for the
greater good. As hard as it is to stay indoors and
self-quarantine, it will be great to know that in a
crisis we each did our part.” Meg Jacobs teaches
history at Princeton University. She is working on a
book about the New Deal and World War II. Contact her
at (609) 258-0559; megj@princeton.edu
3. ==> Andrew Yang’s Moment: Economic Cost of the Pandemic
As fears of the growing coronavirus pandemic lead to
something close to a temporary shutdown of the U.S.
economy, Edward Alden says the moment has come to
listen to the most important young political voice in
the country: Andrew Yang’s. “Yang’s dark-horse run for
the Democratic presidential nomination was based on the
simplest of ideas: if Americans are poor and
struggling, give them money. He took the idea of
“universal basic income” (UBI) from the stuff of think-
tank analyses and policy books to the front pages of
newspapers. Its moment has come more quickly than he
could have imagined.” Mitt Romney, the Utah Republican
senator, has joined a growing chorus of Democrats in
calling for direct cash grants of $1,000 to all
American adults to help them weather the economic hit
from the virus. As Congress is considering additional
measures to help an economy that is careening into
recession, Alden says getting money quickly into the
hands of struggling individuals and families must be a
top priority. Edward Alden is Bernard L. Schwartz
senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
(CFR), specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness,
trade, and immigration policy. He is the author of
“Failure to Adjust: How Americans Got Left Behind in
the Global Economy.” Contact him at (202) 509-8474;
ealden@cfr.org
4.==> NY Times Reporter on the Women Shaping Congress
In January 2019, the largest number of women ever
elected to Congress was sworn in — 87 in the House and
23 in the Senate. This history-making class included
many firsts: the youngest woman ever to serve; the
first two Muslim women; the first two Native American
women, one openly gay; a black woman from a nearly all-
white Chicago suburb; and a Hispanic woman from a
heavily Republican border region. Invite veteran New
York Times Capitol Hill reporter Jennifer Steinhauer to
give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at these
newcomers and their individual and collective attempts
to usher in change in Washington. Can these women, many
already social media stars and political punching bags,
find a way to break through the partisan stalemate and
hidebound traditions of Washington, D.C.? Which is a
more salient marker of change — their gender, or the
diversity of age, race, religion and economic status
they bring to Congress? Jennifer Steinhauer has covered
numerous high-profile beats in her 25-year reporting
career at the New York Times. Her latest book is “The
Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping
Congress.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703)
646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or
Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188
5. ==> Free Online Program Keeps Kids Smart with Art
Parents across the country have now become their kids’
classroom teachers as schools shutter their doors to
contain the coronavirus. How about some help from the
Boca Raton Museum of Art in the form of a new series of
free online programs? Keep Kids Smart with ART is a
visual arts program created by the museum’s art
schoolteachers for kids at home and seniors who are
social distancing and feeling isolated. “Art, culture,
and creativity have always made a difference in
powerful ways, especially during challenging times,”
says Irvin Lippman, executive director of the Boca
Raton Museum of Art. “While the Museum is temporarily
closed, we will continue to give back to the community.
Being inspired and creative have not been canceled.”
The new program resulted from consulting with an
American father who lives abroad with his family and
shared the challenges they’ve faced while staying home
due to school closures. Invite Lippman to share tips on
how parents can use art at home to keep kids engaged.
Contact Jose Lima at (305) 910-7762;
editorial@newstravelsfast.com
6. ==> Wedding Cancellations in the Age of Coronavirus
Couples spend months or even years planning their big
day, but the coronavirus has put the kibosh on many
upcoming ceremonies and events. What’s a couple to do?
Invite wedding and event planner Lynne Goldberg to
discuss the options, from postponing the event to
having a scaled-down version or canceling altogether.
Goldberg will share tips for dealing with vendors, what
to do with decorations and food and even how to notify
your guests. Lynne Goldberg is the president of Boca
Entertainment, a full-service wedding and event
planning company that specializes in theme
entertainment. She’s appeared on reality TV and her
work and commentary have been featured in the New York
Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post and Wall Street
Journal. Contact her at (561) 212-6024;
Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com
7. ==> Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
Everybody’s at home and the anxiety level is bound to
be rising right about now. Everything is changing and
it’s unsettling for not only adults but kids! “Children
need to be reassured that although things seem
confusing and troubling right now, in time, everything
will be OK,” says former teacher Peggy Sideratos. “They
can keenly sense the energy around them, so our words
and our energy need to be succinct. To keep kids from
being overly anxious, adults need to model calm and
rational behavior. If there is a disconnect between our
words, emotions and reactions, our anxiety will
transfer to kids and manifest itself in changes to
their behavior.” An elementary school teacher for more
than a dozen years, Peggy Sideratos is the author of
“The Light Giver and Other Stories to Raise Emotionally
Healthy Children” and a companion workbook. Contact her
at (917) 715-8788; peggy@thelightgiverstories.com
8. ==> Coronavirus and Surging Gun Sales
The coronavirus has a lot of people scared,
particularly residents in states where the virus is
gaining the most ground. While some people buying guns
are old-hands worried that supplies might dry up many
of these buyers are first-timers. Invite Chris Bird to
educate your audience about gun safety and self-
defense. A sought-after expert on gun rights and
personal protection, Chris can answer: Why are gun
sales skyrocketing? Do we really need guns more than
ever? Why are methods of observation as important as
one’s weapon? With 30-plus 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
9. ==> Balancing Coronavirus Fear with Facts
Erasing stress is not only critical to success but also
critical to our survival, says Janet McKee, a former
Fortune 500 executive who nearly died from massive
stress and burnout. But how can we erase stress in the
midst of a pandemic? McKee knows. Allow her to explain
how to balance fear with facts to reach a place of calm
acceptance, how to maintain positive energy to get your
power back amid the chaos and to self-regulate the news
you take in. She’ll also share four ways to build a
strong immune system and even discuss the good that is
coming out of the epidemic. Janet McKee, MBA, CHPC,
CHHC, is a High-Performance™ success coach, wellness
expert, and CEO of SanaView. She is the author of the
No. 1 bestseller “Stressless Success: The Surprising
Secrets to a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity.”
Contact her at (724) 417-6695; janet@janetmckee.com
10. ==> Gyms Are Closed But Forget about Walking 10,000
Steps
For almost 55 years, it has been accepted as fact that
keeping fit meant taking 10,000 steps a day. But, as
Kristen Carter will tell you, until recently, there had
never been any research refuting or backing up this
claim. So why did this myth persist for so long and
what other myths are we still holding on to? What are
some more realistic guidelines for daily fitness
particularly with gyms closed? You’ll find out when you
talk with Kristen, a Certified Precision Nutrition
Coach with a master’s degree in exercise physiology.
She is the author of “Lose Weight? Exercise More? I
Don’t Think So! What to Do When Your Doctor Tells You
to Make Changes for Your Health.” Contact Kristen
Carter at (267) 930-2547; kacarter@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Sex, Drugs, and Heavy Metal: Backstage Tales of
Metal Legends
Get your backstage pass and go behind-the-scenes with
such legendary bands as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest,
Twisted Sister, and Quiet Riot — to name a few. Jon
Wiederhorn will take you onto tour buses, into hotel
rooms, and to exclusive parties and spots both seedy
and glamorous. Topics range from band brawls and
security scraps to mosh pit mishaps and near-death
experiences. And of course, there’s booze and drugs and
groupies. Jon Wiederhorn is the author of “Raising
Hell: Backstage Tales from the Lives of Metal Legends.”
Contact Lissa Warren, (617) 607-4925;
lissa@diversionbooks.com
12. ==> ==> 5 Reasons You Should Write a Book Now
An estimated 80 to 90 percent of Americans would like
to write a book someday. Most of them let their dream
die without ever acting upon it. Let Fabi Preslar,
president of custom publishing house SPARK Publications
and an author herself, explain what’s involved in
writing and publishing a book. She can reveal five
powerful reasons to write your book today including the
importance of letting others learn from your hero’s
journey. She can also answer such questions as what’s
the biggest roadblock to getting a successful book
written? And, book publishing isn’t what it used to be,
what does a new author need to know? Articulate, smart
and honest, Fabi (Fay-Bee) is the author of “Fabulous F
Words of Business Ownership: Redefining Choice Words to
Fuel Your Small Business” and winner of Charlotte
Business Journal’s 2018 First-Generation Family
Business of the Year Award. Contact Fabi at (704)
291-3566; FPreslar@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Former Clutter Queen’s Secrets for Living More
with Less
Can’t find your car keys? Haven’t seen the scissors in
weeks? Always losing your cell phone? As decluttering
and downsizing expert Marlena Uhrik, Ed.D., will tell
you, while we are strongly attached to them, a surplus
of possessions can also lead to chaos and wasted time
trying to find them. Marlena can talk about the peace
and calm that comes with decluttering and where to
start if you want to live with less, whether you are
staying put or moving to a smaller home. She can also
share how to make decluttering an everyday process. A
50-year educator, Realtor and Certified Home Stager,
she’s one of six authors of the No. 1 Amazon bestseller
“Secret Sauce of Downsizing: The Complete Guide for
Living with Less and Loving It More!” Ask her about
free giveaways. Contact her at (916) 269-0528;
MUhrik@rtirguests.com
14. ==> 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 three 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; mpitman@rtirguests.com
15. ==> The Link Between Porn and Human Trafficking
On Jan. 2, a Superior Court Judge in California awarded
$13 million to 22 women who claimed they had been
forced to perform in porn videos by three adult-film
producers. The women answered an ad on Craigslist
offering $5,000 to “pretty, preppy college-type girl”
models, only to be forced to perform in sex videos.
“This is just one example of how human trafficking can
affect anyone,” says Raleigh Sadler, a Christian
reverend and founder of the human trafficking awareness
group Let My People Go, and author of “Vulnerable:
Rethinking Human Trafficking.” He can discuss how
anyone can become a victim, and how to end this
problem. Contact Raleigh at (917) 341-6758;
RSadler@rtirguests.com
16. ==> ‘I’m Glad My Parents Forced Me into an Arranged
Marriage’
Raj Girn was 22 years old and in college in Wales when
her Indian parents offered her a choice: marry a
stranger from a different country or prepare to leave
their home and support. Concluding that she had only
one option really, she married a Canadian dentist she
had met only twice, lived with him for ten years and
had a son. And while she ended up divorced, she now
says that being forced into an arranged marriage was
the best thing that happened to her. Invite Raj — a
well-known media personality in Canada — to explain
Indian marriage customs, what it was like to feel as
though she were a second-class citizen for most of her
life and ways living alone in a new country with a
stranger ultimately led to her finding out who she was.
Once shy and lacking in confidence, she is now a
confidence coach who started her own award-winning
media company and brand that helps others navigate the
same dual cultural identities that challenged her
growing up. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158;
Rgirn@rtirguests.com
17. ==> Why Do So Many People Hate Themselves?
An awful lot of men and women who outwardly appear to
be living a good life actually feel worthless on the
inside. What’s behind this gnawing self-hate and why
are we so hard on ourselves? Social media, which is all
about projecting our best, unrealistic self, certainly
doesn’t help, but personal growth expert Joffre McClung
says self-loathing has been around a lot longer than
the internet. She’ll explain the real reasons people
hate themselves, why we’re often kinder to others than
ourselves, and three things you can do daily to begin
to change this unhealthy habit. Joffre McClung has
appeared on numerous radio and TV programs. She’s a
former media producer, independent filmmaker, and the
author of “The Heart of the Matter.” Contact Joffre
McClung at (917) 994-0225; JMcClung@rtirguests.com
18. ==> The Best Treatments for Younger-Looking Skin
According to business research data organization
Satistica, the global market for skin-care products is
currently $148.3 billion. As that huge number
illustrates, the number of skin-care products available
to consumers today is staggering, making it difficult
to know how to spend those dollars wisely. Christy Hall
says the best way to reduce beauty industry overwhelm
is through consumer education. Invite Hall on your show
for straight talk on everything from how skin works to
nutrition, what to expect with topical procedures and
how to look your best while aging. From injectable
fillers to Botox and lasers, learn what works, what is
a waste of money, and how to get the most bang from
your beauty buck. A board-certified physician assistant
(PA-C) specializing in cosmetic dermatology and
aesthetic medicine, Christy Hall’s Arizona medical
aesthetics practice specializes in non-surgical facial
and skin rejuvenation treatments. Her new book is “Your
Beauty Advocate: A Non-Nonsense Guide to Age-Defying
Skincare.” Contact Christy Hall at (520) 260-2272;
Christy@mikelkristi.com
19. ==> Who Says Learning Math Has to Be Hard?
Even dedicated, experienced educators are challenged
helping students learn math. Students expect
insurmountable lessons and often get frustrated when
math doesn’t make sense. No wonder all types of
audiences (teachers, parents, students, and employers)
will enjoy hearing good news from Teruni Lamberg, Ph.D.
The author of “Work Smarter, Not Harder: A Framework
for Math Teaching and Learning” will discuss a
research-based, classroom-tested framework shown to
improve teaching and impact student achievement.
Whether your listeners are teachers, parents or
students, they’ll appreciate Dr. Lamberg’s tips and
tricks to make math more manageable. Contact Teruni at
(775) 451-3086; TLamberg@rtirguests.com
20. ==> Want a Better Sex Life? There’s an App for
That!
A San Francisco-based start-up aims to take the taboo
out of sexual wellness by providing practical, science-
based tools and strategies to improve sex lives all
customized to each user’s sexual type. “People are
hungry for better guidance on their sex lives, using
knowledge based on the latest scientific research,”
says Dr. Britney Blair, co-founder of a new app called
Lover. The app uses a unique new sexual profiling tool
developed by Dr. Blair and a team of sexual medicine
experts which identifies users as one of 12 common
sexual types. It then provides guidance in the form of
video and audio content, plus exercises and games. Dr.
Britney Blair is a Stanford psychologist, board-
certified in sexual medicine, and founder of Northern
California’s largest independent sexual health clinic.
Lover has a basic version free to download. A premium
subscription costs about $60 a year. Contact Todd
Brabender at (785) 842-8909; toddb@spreadthenewspr.com