01. The Border Crisis is Forever
02. Why Naming Mass Shooters Matters
03. Get Paid to Get Vaccinated?
04. What in the World is a Non-Fungible Token?
05. Great March Madness Show: Real Basketball Heroes
06. ‘Free Byrd’ – Go Ahead, Live a Little
07. Appreciate the Life You Have More
08. Are Americans Too Independent for Their Own Good?
09. What’s Killing Women’s Economic Futures? What Isn’t?
10. Spring is Wildfire Season
11. The Truth about Black Women and Infertility
12. Instant Upgrade: Quick DIY Spring Paint Projects
13. Organize for Your Personality-Type
14. Time for a Self-Confidence Makeover?
15. Bob Hope’s WWII Letters Revealed
1.==> The Border Crisis is Forever
There’s one truth seldom mentioned in the coverage of the border crisis already reaching a fever pitch in the early days of the Biden administration: whatever happens on that border, whatever the latest policies may be, an ever-growing border-industrial complex will continue to haul in profits. “It’s still too early to assess just what will happen to this country’s vast border-and-immigration apparatus under the Biden administration, which has made promises about reversing Trumpian border policies. Still, it will be no less caught in the web of the border-industrial complex than the preceding administration,” says journalist Todd Miller. Invite the author of “Build Bridges, Not Walls: A Journey to a World Without Borders” to discuss who is making money from the situation, the role of natural disasters and climate change in the global crisis, and what became of Donald Trump’s quest to build a wall along the Mexican border. Todd Miller has researched and written about border issues for more than 15 years, the last eight as an independent journalist and writer. He just wrote “The Greater the Disaster, the Greater the Profits: The Border-Industrial Complex in the Post-Trump Era” for TomDispatch.com. Contact him at toddmemomiller@gmail.com, @memomiller
2. ==> Why Naming Mass Shooters Matters
After the recent mass shootings in Colorado and Atlanta, we’re once again asking why anyone would commit such a heinous crime. Researchers who study mass shootings say it’s a myth that people snap and then commit mass violence and that instead, many people make decisions to commit violence based on a burning grievance that builds over time. Others, says criminologist Adam Lankford, crave attention. He says these murderers know media coverage of them will be negative and they still find it validating. Lankford suggests journalists stop publishing a mass shooter’s photo and name. But he says other details, like an offender’s background or behavior, or how the attack was carried out, aren’t as motivating to potential copycats. “Perpetrators are often worshiped as gods, heroes, kindred spirits and sex symbols,” he says. “So when you think about what type of media coverage is most dangerous, it’s not necessarily the details about how something happened. It’s about who did it.” Adam Lankford is a professor of criminology at the University of Alabama. He conducts research on many types of social deviance and criminal behavior, including mass murder, mass shootings, and terrorism and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, BBC World News and in major publications. Contact him at (205) 348-9901; lankford@ua.edu
3. ==> Get Paid to Get Vaccinated?
A growing number of companies are offering incentives for their employees to get vaccinated. Grocery giant Kroger is giving its employees $100 in store credit plus a $100 payment, while Publix is offering its staff a $125 gift card to use in the store. Amtrak will give its employees the equivalent of two hours of work for getting vaccinated and Target is paying the equivalent of four hours’ work and throwing in reimbursement up to $15 each way for workers who take Lyft to their vaccination appointments. Invite pharmaceutical technologies expert Dean Fanelli to discuss the role of companies in encouraging — and paying — employees to get vaccinated. He can also discuss the current approved vaccines, what’s happening with other vaccines in development, and whether Americans should be worried about the new mutated strains of the virus. Dean Fanelli, Ph.D., is a partner in the intellectual property department of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Washington D.C. office. His focus is on pharmaceutical- and chemical-related technologies. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
4. ==> What in the World is a Non-Fungible Token?
Unless you have been hiding under a rock recently you’ve likely heard the term NFT. It stands for non-fungible token and while it may sound like gobbledygook, NFT is one of the main developing blocks of the new blockchain-powered digital economy. Invite tech expert Shelly Palmer to explain everything you need to know about the world of DeFi including how it’s more like the Old West than you think it is. Shelly Palmer is an advertising, marketing and technology consultant and business adviser. He’s CEO of The Palmer Group, Fox 5 New York’s on-air tech and digital media expert, a columnist for Ad Age, and a regular commentator on CNBC and CNN. Contact him at (917) 886-1173; shelly@palmer.net or Dana Eisenberg at (212) 532-3880; admin@shellypalmer.com
5.==> Great March Madness Show: Real Basketball Heroes
March Madness has nothing on the Oklahoma state basketball championship of 1967 when a scrappy, small-town high school team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Oklahoma sports history. Carl McCullough’s new book “Sid and the Boys,” tells the story of coach Sid Burton and his team of unlikely heroes, with multiple players well under six-feet tall, and interference from the town’s main employer, Phillips Petroleum, which tried to sideline Burton and minimize the contributions of his Black athletes. A great sports story, it’s also relevant in today’s society where race and corporate giants continue to impact lives. In an interview that can touch on race, corporate influence on communities and the value of sports, McCullough can discuss why Coach Burton resigned after the championship game, ways Phillips Petroleum interfered in the town’s high school sports, and how a Facebook post led to his idea for the book. Carl McCullough is a former Navy pilot and executive White House staffer who played under Burton in 1960. Contact him at (703) 609-8434; carl_mccullough@hotmail.com
6. ==> ‘Free Byrd’ – Go Ahead, Live a Little
Looking for some feel-good entertainment? “Free Byrd” is a new film about living every moment to the fullest as long as you are able. It features Jay, a lovable underachiever who works as a van driver at an assisted living community, and Harry Byrd, who is being kicked out of the community for general irascibility. At the behest of the home and Harry’s kids, Jay is assigned to drive Harry to a new home. The ensuing journey is full of entertaining and enlightening misadventures which shed some much-needed perspective on each man’s life. Invite writer/director Tony Vidal to share behind-the-scenes stories from the film and discuss where he got the idea for the story. “Free Byrd,” starring Raymond Barry, Randy Nazarian and Shondrella Avery, starts streaming in April. Tony Vidal and the cast are available for interviews. Contact AJ Feuerman at aj@ajfeuerman.com; @FreeByrd_Movie
7. ==> Appreciate the Life You Have More
Nine years ago, when Charles (Charlie) Gardner developed sepsis while recovering from the flu, he spent six weeks in a coma, suffered 13 strokes and major organ failure. In the near-death experience that accompanied that ordeal, Charlie had the requisite out-of-body experience but the bright light he saw was a green disco ball! Charlie can relate what happened including how one day before his family planned to pull the plug on him his 14-year-old daughter’s words brought him back to his body. He can talk about the difference between Heaven time and Earth time, the angels he met and why he believes he was spared to tell other people about the miracles he has experienced and serve as an example of how to appreciate the life you have even if it isn’t the one you expected. Charlie tells his inspiring story in “Always Remember This Moment.” Contact Charlie Gardner at (650) 995-5626; charlesgardner@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Are Americans Too Independent for Their Own Good?
Glen Dunzweiler is an independent filmmaker, former college professor, and author who specializes in raising and debating difficult questions. For example, are Americans more inclined to fight each other than to fight the COVID-19 virus? Is the rugged independence the U.S. is known for a handicap when it comes to getting people to buy into doing what is best for the common good? How can we deal with the deeply ingrained pushback we have for authority? Just as he does with his new YouTube series, “Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler,” Glen will engage your audience in a thoughtful discussion on ways to use “good old American innovation” to confront the issues currently facing society. Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
9. ==> What’s Killing Women’s Economic Futures? What Isn’t?
Women have lost 5.4 million jobs since the start of the pandemic and they were already behind before it began. Women also face an unequal impact from the five biggest economic trends that are affecting Americans’ futures, according to Certified Financial Planner Lorri Craig. Lorri can detail the significant economic impacts of COVID-19, lower interest rates, climate change, the U.S.’s declining global power, and baby boomer’s inability to retire and why women are more affected than men. Lorri has a master’s degree in finance and is a subject matter expert for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. She offers an Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investment platform on her website for socially conscious investors who want to make a positive impact. Contact Lorri at (484) 453-1742; LCraig@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Spring is Wildfire Season
In the past few weeks, wildfires have broken out in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Alabama, bringing to mind last year’s crushing wildfires across the West that killed people and animals, destroyed homes, paralyzed the wine industry, and decimated millions of acres in California alone. With 60 percent of wildfires happening in the spring, now is the perfect time to interview James Moseley, CEO of Sun FireDefense. His California-based company defends life and property from wildfire every year. Ask him: What keeps many wildfires burning with such intensity? What role does climate change play? What can people do to protect themselves and bounce back? How can we save firefighters’ lives? What do you expect for this year’s wildfire season? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
11. ==> The Truth about Black Women and Infertility
It took almost 20 years for Frances Jones to heal the damage that being infertile had caused her and to put feelings of unworthiness behind her. She hopes to prevent other women, particularly women of color like herself, from viewing themselves as “damaged goods” because they cannot conceive and bear children. “Many people facing infertility battle with low self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. There are so many negative feelings including guilt, anger, resentment and blame as a result of fertility challenges,” Jones says. In her new book, “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility,” she discusses what fertile people don’t understand about those who are not, why her desire to conceive never went away despite having two adopted sons and a stepdaughter, and why we need to change the dialogue society has about fertility problems. Frances Jones co-authored the national and international best-seller “Girl on Fire! Fireproof” and is an executive channel producer for the TV network Women Wins. She recently appeared on TV on Fox Soul’s The Tammi Mac Late Show to discuss Black women and infertility. Contact her at (901) 258-8272; frances@heartdesirescoaching.com
12. ==> Instant Upgrade: Quick DIY Spring Paint Projects
Whether you want to freshen up your decor for spring or you’re planning to put your house on the market, Cindy Gelormini has great ideas on how to update your home with just a can of paint and a brush! Affectionately known as The Paint Diva, Cindy takes the stress out of choosing paint colors and helps clients find their style and create spaces that reflect their personality and serve their specific needs. Cindy will share how to up your Zoom game by painting an accent wall in your home office, inexpensive ways to give your kitchen a DIY paint update, and quick and easy projects to create instant curb appeal. Cindy Gelormini has over 30 years of experience in the interior design and real estate fields as a color consultant, interior design consultant, mural artist, stager and realtor and has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows. She’s the author of “The Paint Diva Method.” Contact her at (908) 665-9149; (908) 451-2767 or ThePaintDivaNJ@gmail.com
13. ==> Organize for Your Personality-Type
Want to be more organized, less stressed, and happier without having to change who you are? Sisters Katie and Kelly McMenamin have the simple answer to making organization stick with strategies that work for every personality. Whether you’re OCD or a little less fastidious, Katie and Kelly will help you discover your organizational style and offer advice on solving strife between different personalities, or “PixieTypes.” Learn why organizing isn’t “one size fits all,” how to change absolutely nothing yet feel more organized, and why a lot of messy people are very organized. Katie and Kelly McMenamin are sisters, professional organizers, personality-type experts, and founders of PixiesDidIt! Their book, “Organize Your Way,” offers personality-based solutions for your entire home. Contact them at (917) 860-8581; info@pixiesdidit.com
14. ==> Time for a Self-Confidence Makeover?
Forget when you left the house last? Still living in sweats and T-shirts? It’s been a very rough year and even though the pandemic appears to be easing, many of us are still struggling to feel confident about the future and ourselves. A fitness trainer, health coach, and founder and CEO of The Knockout Room, Demi Dee can share simple ways to boost self-confidence. She’ll tell you why you should look closely at the titles of the books that surround you for hidden messages that may be negatively impacting you and ways the people you follow on Instagram may be making you feel bad. Demi and The Knockout Room have appeared in UpJourney, CEO Blog Nation, Insider, Business Insider, Elite Daily, Bustle, 24life.com, Women on Topp, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Contact Demi Dee at (866) 857-4376; media@theknockoutroom.com
15. ==> Bob Hope’s WWII Letters Revealed
Bob Hope had a unique relationship with “The Greatest Generation,” by way of the USO by providing a crucial link to home for military families. “Dear Bob… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.’s of World War II,” reveals exactly how important his service was to the troops. Martha Bolton, Hope’s first female staff writer, and his daughter, Linda, collected personal letters, postcards, packages, and more sent back and forth among Hope and the troops and their loved ones back home. “Handwritten letters were cherished. Dad received an average of 38,000 letters a week. He would dictate responses to be typed and mailed off by his secretary. The letters were amazing,” says Linda. “They had to deal with a variety of topics — asking when they were going to be coming home, and could they visit with him on the set or meet Lana Turner or Rita Hayworth.” Martha Bolton wrote for Hope’s TV specials, personal appearances, and military shows for approximately 15 years. She’s an Emmy-nominated writer and author of 88 books of humor and inspiration. Linda Hope produced her father’s TV shows for over 20 years, ran Hope Enterprises and has spent the last two decades perpetuating his legacy. Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com
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