01. Murdaugh’s Guilty Verdict: When Spouses Kill
02. Good News on Medicare and Drug Prices
03. Jimmy Carter and Progressive Evangelicalism
04. Oscar Night: A Surprising Nominee Fear
05. It’s a Philly Thing – ‘Cheesesteaks & Tastykakes’ Anthem
06. International Women’s Day – Why Men Should Embrace Their Feminine Side
07. Is the Federal Government Still Failing Border Kids?
08. Extreme Wealth: Survival of the Richest
09. This Expert Shares How to Stop Thinking You’re Messed Up
10. How to Use Brain Glue to Make Your Ideas Stick
11. Rewriting Illness: When a Witty Novelist Gets Sick
12. Disability Awareness Month: Equality for the Disabled
13. April Is Math Awareness Month: Myths About Girls and Math
14. How Trying to be the Perfect Parent Can Ruin Your Kids
15. This Guest Loves to Talk About the Elephants in the Room
1.==> Murdaugh’s Guilty Verdict: When Spouses Kill
Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. While the trial is over, many questions remain, including why the disgraced attorney would kill his family. Certified family law specialist Steve Mindel handles many celebrity and high-profile family law matters and is no stranger to cases where one spouse kills another. Ask him: What drives a person to commit murder? What additional factors may have been at play, other than those presented in court, that drove Alex Murdaugh to kill his family? What might Buster Murdaugh have been hiding? Or what is he still hiding? Mindel has theories other than those presented in court and suggests there are more “skeletons” in Murdaugh’s closet. Steve Mindel is the managing partner at FMBK Law in West Los Angeles and is regularly featured as a legal analyst on TV, radio and in print. Contact Cherie Kerr at (714) 550-9900; (714) 271-2140 or cherie@kerrpr-execuprov.com
2. ==> Good News on Medicare and Drug Prices
Recent analysis in the “Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy” predicts that Medicare will most likely negotiate prices for 38 Medicare Part D drugs and two Part B drugs between 2026 and 2028. The 40 products eligible for negotiation –– including inhalers, antidiabetics, anticoagulants and more –– accounted for $67.4 billion in gross Medicare spending in 2020. Inmaculada Hernandez says out-of-pocket costs will go down for those drugs and make a “big difference in spending.” Invite Inmaculada Hernandez to discuss what drugs are set to be negotiated and when consumers will see the savings. The analysis also found that most high-priced drugs that are ineligible for negotiation already have a biosimilar or generic version on the market. Inmaculada Hernandez is an associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego. Contact her at inhernandez@health.ucsd.edu
3. ==> Jimmy Carter and Progressive Evangelicalism
Many people are sharing stories about Jimmy Carter now that the 98-year-old former president has entered hospice care. As tributes pour in from around the globe, biographer Randall Balmer says there’s one source of inspiration for Carter that’s been overlooked –– his distinctive brand of progressive white evangelical Christianity. “At one time, there was a strong element within the [Southern Baptist] Convention that would be identified as progressive evangelicalism, but now that’s pretty much been obliterated,” he says. Today’s evangelical Christians are associated with conservative theological and political stances, but progressive evangelicals once led campaigns against slavery, fought for women’s rights and became leaders in social justice reform efforts. Balmer will recount how Carter defended a Black Naval Academy classmate and refused to join a white supremacist group, and how he is a feminist who appointed more women to his administration than any other president before him. Randall Balmer frequently appears in the media to comment on religion in American life. The author of “Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter” is a professor at Dartmouth College. Contact him at (603) 646-9389; randall.balmer@dartmouth.edu
4.==> Oscar Night: A Surprising Nominee Fear
This Sunday, when Oscar-nominated celebrities attend the Academy Awards, they won’t just be concerned about the possibility of losing out on the coveted golden statue. They may be anxious about winning. “Acceptance speeches can cause anxiety,” says celebrity public-speaking coach Nina Surya.” Winners may feel judged by their peers and mistakes don’t go away.” This year people are also nervous about disruptions or someone acting out, like Will Smith’s infamous slap last year. Nina has worked with many famous people and can reveal the secrets to successful communication on stage and in everyday life. She is the president and CEO of UniqueSpeak Consulting and has served as a speech and communication coach to celebrities, top-level executives, politicians, and other public figures. Contact Nina at (310) 359-0787; nsurya@rtirguests.com
5. ==> It’s a Philly Thing – ‘Cheesesteaks and Tastykakes’ Anthem
Who doesn’t love a cheesesteak? Or a catchy tune? National Cheesesteak Day is Friday, March 24 and a great time to celebrate Philadelphia’s most famous foods. And while you’re getting your cheesesteak on, debating the merits of “with wiz” or without, share a fun, Philly anthem and video called “Cheesesteaks & Tastykakes.” Created by Philly ex-pat Pitz Quattrone and his guitarist friend Chris Robertson, the catchy ode is certain to put a smile on listeners’ faces, especially those who grew up in Philadelphia. Pitz, an international didgeridoo performer and maverick now based in Vermont, is a lively, entertaining guest. Check out the fun song and video on Pitz Quattrone’s YouTube channel. There’s even a karaoke version! Contact him at pitzquattrone@gmail.com
6. ==> International Women’s Day – Why Men Should Embrace their Feminine Side
Wednesday is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity. Cindy Watson believes the world is out of balance because for far too long, we’ve defined success almost exclusively based on a masculine, competitive mode. “Ironically,” she says. “The true path to success is in leaning in to our feminine. Those traits typically regarded as feminine are the key skills necessary for effective negotiation.” Invite her on your show to discuss how leaning into your feminine side (whatever your gender) will secure better outcomes, healthier relationships, more creative solutions and more. She’ll also reveal the myths that have held women (and men) back from stepping into the full force of their feminine power. An attorney specializing in social justice law, Cindy Watson is the founder of Women on Purpose, the author of “The Art of Feminine Negotiation” and has a podcast with same title as her book. Contact her at (705) 646-3851; cindy@womenonpurpose.ca
7. ==> Is the Federal Government Still Failing Border Kids?
Anyone who follows the news is well aware that the U.S. has been struggling with a crisis at the border for decades. According to author and international authority on immigration issues and foster families Richard Villasana, few people realize just how badly the kids suffer. “The federal government still has more than 1,000 families that have not been reunited,” he says. “One of the biggest failings of the Trump administration was the lack of successful efforts to stay in communication with the thousands of children who were placed with sponsors.” As an insider, Richard can reveal the little-known, shocking reasons for this, and why the border crisis continues. Richard is the founder of the nonprofit Forever Homes for Foster Kids and the author of the critically-acclaimed book, “Do No Harm: The U.S. Border Child Tragedy Continues.” Contact him at (619) 648-4729; rvillasana@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Extreme Wealth: Survival of the Richest
The new report Extreme Wealth estimates that over the last decade: the global billionaire class has more than doubled and their wealth has skyrocketed at a similar rate: 99.6%; Wealth in the U.S. has been steadily concentrated in fewer hands. U.S. households with more than $50 million have seen their wealth increase by 53.9% since 2012; for every $100 of wealth created over the last decade, $37.40 went to the top 1%. The bottom half of U.S. households only saw a $2 gain. Report co-authors Chuck Collins and Omar Ocampo can discuss the extreme levels of concentration of wealth and power across the globe, what it would take to even the playing field, and how the pandemic boosted the bottom line of billionaires. The report was released by the Institute for Policy Studies, Oxfam, Patriotic Millionaires, and Fight Inequality Alliance. It is a complement to Oxfam’s recently released Survival of the Richest. Contact Olivia Alperstein at olivia@ips-dc.org
9. ==> This Expert Shares How to Stop Thinking You’re Messed Up
Many people get trapped in a seemingly never-ending cycle of low self-esteem and are convinced that they are stuck in their limitations. They turn to self-judgment, self-abuse, poor choices and believing lies about themselves. But psychologist/author Dr. Adriana Popescu says it’s possible to stop the inner critic and stop feeling bad about yourself. “Over the last 25 years, I’ve worked with thousands of people, empowering them to overcome their imagined limitations, release their self-judgments and discover the brilliance within − creating a life of infinite possibilities,” she says. Adriana is a licensed clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, speaker, thought leader and empowerment coach, and author of the critically-acclaimed book “What If You’re Not as F***ed Up As You Think You Are?: How We Come to Believe Lies About Ourselves and What We Can Do to Change Them.” Contact her at (415) 707-5054; Apopescu@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How to Use Brain Glue to Make Your Ideas Stick
James Bond (no, not THAT one!) knows how to get to yes in surprising and unexpected ways. And whether you’re looking to sell more of your products or services, level up your career with a raise or promotion, or boost your personal life through better relationships, you need to hear from this guest. He reveals the incredible secrets to highly effective persuasion that will have more people than you ever imagined saying “yes!” to your ideas, offerings, and so much more by applying “brain glue” to make yourself unforgettable. A top behavioral management and business marketing specialist, James has worked with a virtual Who’s Who of American business as well as numerous Fortune 500 companies. This popular and frequent media guest has been featured in “Forbes” and the “Los Angeles Times” and appeared on ABC News, CBS News, and Fox News, among many others. Jack Canfield calls his new book, “Brain Glue,” “mind-blowing…this should be required reading for anyone in business.” Contact James Bond at (805) 424-8611; jbond@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Rewriting Illness: When a Witty Novelist Gets Sick
What happens when a witty novelist with a lifetime of fear about getting sick finds a lump where no lump should be? Months of medical mishaps, coded language, and doctors who don’t get It. With wisdom, self-effacing wit, and the story-telling artistry of an acclaimed novelist, Elizabeth Benedict will share the journey of her cancer diagnosis and treatment after discovering multiplying lumps in her armpit. From a muddled diagnosis to “natural remedies” and debilitating treatments, she’ll share what she learned from the experience and how she gathered sustenance from family, an assortment of friends, and a fearless “cancer guru.” Ask her: Is there a cancer personality? How do doctors’ own fears influence their comments to patients? After a diagnosis, which fear is worse, the fear of knowing or the reality of knowing? Benedict’s new book is “Rewriting Illness: A View of My Own.” Her novels include the national best-seller, “Almost,” and the classic book on writing about sex in fiction, “The Joy of Writing Sex,” in print for 25 years. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
12. ==> Disability Awareness Month: Equality for the Disabled
More than 6 million Americans live with developmental disabilities that include autism, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy and traumatic brain injuries. Sadly, many of them face discrimination daily. March is Disability Awareness Month and a great opportunity to discuss the issue of equality for the disabled with Zylo Marshall. Zylo suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident when he was just 11 months old. Remarkably, he overcame the odds, has lived on his own since he was a teen, and even became a Realtor. Unfortunately, Zylo lost his career and inheritance when he was taken advantage of due to his disability. He’ll explain how it happened and how it has made him even more passionate about stopping the exploitation of disabled people and recognizing them as equals. Zylo Marshall is a TBI survivor and motivational speaker. Contact him at (561) 203-9061; zylomarshall@gmail.com
13. ==> April Is Math Awareness Month: Myths About Girls and Math
It’s long been believed that girls lack math skills. “That’s a myth!” says author and STEM professor Chris A. Goldberg. “In fact, female students tend to perform better than boys in math. But they suffer from lower confidence and a lack of role models in the STEM-related fields and do not pursue these careers, according to a recent study.” Chris can share how girls can get their inspiration from such role models as mathematician Dr. Gladys B. West, an African American woman credited for the major calculations that led to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). He is the author of “Aliyah and The STEMsational Problem-Solvers: What’s Cooking?” Contact Chris at (973) 576-5841; cgoldberg@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How Trying to be the Perfect Parent Can Ruin Your Kids
Many parents attempt to be perfect and expect the same from their kids. But author Jerry Bures claims that this does a lot more harm than good. “Striving for perfection in parenting is both unrealistic and unnecessary,” he says. ” It’s the curse of parenting. It’s more about getting it mostly right, most of the time, and celebrating more of what goes well and beating yourself up less for what goes wrong.” Jerry should know. As a dad to six kids, including one with significant special needs, he had to learn how to deal with the pressures of what he calls “crisis parenting.” He is the author of “When Kids Leave Clues: 26 Timeless Stories of Inspiration & Essential Life Lessons Taught to Us by Our Own Children.” Contact him at (920) 796-9160; jbures@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Guest Loves to Talk About the Elephants in the Room
Elephants are very popular in modern culture, with good reason. They are majestic, lovable and highly intelligent. But according to animal/environmental welfare activist Georja Umano, pachyderms are more than just adorable. “They are crucial to the health of our environment and ecosystems, and are sadly endangered because of poaching, trophy hunting and habitat loss due to land development,” she says. Georja can share why it’s so important to protect this endangered species, and other fascinating pachyderm facts, as well as her experiences living in Kenya. She is the author of the award-winning book “Terriers in the Jungle,” and is launching a nonprofit called the Elephant Matriarch Project for Mothers and Children, the goal of which is to educate and train young underprivileged African women and girls for careers in wildlife conservation. Contact her at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com