01. The High Court Takes on Guns
02. A Cheerleader, Snapchat and Free Speech
03. Are Inflation Fears Real?
04. Why Chloé Zhao’s Win Matters for Asian Women in Hollywood
05. New Documentary: ‘Who’s On Top?’
06. Post-Pandemic Wedding Bells Ringing Loud and Clear
07. Are Women Programmed to Fail in Business?
08. Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call: The SolarWinds Hack
09. 4 Things You Should Never Say to Someone Who Lost Someone to COVID
10. Could You Use a Mindset Reboot? Take This Quiz
11. How to Boost Your Immun-a-Tea
12. The Undertaker’s Daughter Reveals What Really Happens When We Die
13. Why Parents Should Put Themselves First
14. Would You Sacrifice Your Career for Your Child’s?
15. Beloved Wildlife Expert Diagnosed with Dementia
1.==> The High Court Takes on Guns
The Supreme Court will take on the 2nd Amendment in a case concerning a New York law that restricts an individual from carrying a concealed handgun in public. Invite Chris Bird, an expert on gun rights, personal protection and firearm safety, to discuss the issue. It’s been more than a decade since the justices have ruled on a significant case concerning the right to bear arms, and the court’s decision to take the case comes in the wake of several mass shootings in the U.S. and the Biden administration’s push for enhanced gun regulations. Bird can share his insights into recent attacks as well as ways to stay safe in today’s dangerous world. With more than 30 years of firearm safety experience, Chris will share stories of people saying, “Thank God I had a gun!” – which is one of his best-selling book titles. Chris’ other books include “Surviving a Mass Killer Rampage” and “The Concealed Handgun Manual.” Contact him at (210) 686-4440; cbird@rtirguests.com
2. ==> A Cheerleader, Snapchat and Free Speech
The nation’s highest court is tackling the issue of free speech involving students. The case is based on a Pennsylvania high school cheerleader who was suspended from the team after posting profanities on Snapchat about not making the varsity squad. While it may seem like a minor case, law scholars say it’s about speech anywhere and everywhere, by students of all ages. “This is the most momentous case in more than five decades involving student speech,” says Justin Driver, a Yale law professor and author of “The Schoolhouse Gate: Public Education, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for the American Mind.”
Observers say because it’s rare for the justices to take a student speech case, they will essentially be writing the standards for all forms of speech across all media. Contact Justin Driver at (203) 436-9150; justin.driver@yale.edu
3. ==> Are Inflation Fears Real?
C-suite executives are letting it be known that inflation is a real threat to profits this year. To be sure, the cost of doing business is on the rise as a snapback in global growth as the pandemic rounds the corner has sent commodities prices significantly higher. Invite Ted Oakley of Oxbow Advisors to discuss the latest economic numbers and what they mean. He says, “We are in the beginning band of where inflation numbers start to increase. We will see if the bond market buys the ‘transitory’ comments by Fed Chair Powell.” Oakley can also discuss cryptocurrencies and what’s going on with the stock market. Raised in a home with no indoor plumbing, running water, or understanding of how to manage money, Oakley began working at age six and paid for his college education. From those humble beginnings, he built a multimillion-dollar company and has been advising high net-worth clients in the investment industry for more than 40 years. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188
4. ==> Why Chloé Zhao’s Win Matters for Asian Women in Hollywood
It took 93 years for the Academy to name an Asian woman as best director, but that changed when Chloé Zhao took home the Oscar last night. Nancy Wang Yuen says the Chinese director’s win acknowledges the impact Asian women can exert on the entertainment industry — one that has historically objectified them. “In Hollywood, Asian women have long existed as fantasy, fetish and exotica — objects of desire filtered through a Western male gaze. But as the stature of Asian women slowly grows behind the scenes, so does the richness of Asian female characters on screen.” According to Yuen, the fact that Zhao is being celebrated as an auteur during a time of rising anti-Asian hate is also noteworthy. “While her accolades, of course, cannot erase anti-Asian racism, she will garner more influence and visibility for the Asian community in the U.S. movie industry that has long marginalized it.” Nancy Wang Yuen is a sociologist at Biola University, author of “Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism,” and a media expert on PBS’s documentary series, “Asian Americans.” She has appeared on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, CBS News, and many other media outlets. She is also a guest writer at CNN, NBC, Newsweek, Elle, and Self. Contact her at @nancywyuen or Jenna Loumagne at (562) 777-4061; jenna.loumagne@biola.edu
5.==> New Documentary: ‘Who’s On Top?’
LGBTQ+ athletes take on more than just a mountain in Devin Fei-Fan Tau’s new documentary “Who’s On Top?” The film, narrated by George Takei, shines a spotlight on a diverse group of the LGBTQ+ community challenging stereotypes about gender and sexuality in outdoor recreation. Historically excluded and ostracized as not belonging to the adventurer community, the climbers tackle not only a mountain, but assumptions about who they are and how they belong to the world of outdoor sports. “While working as a ski instructor on Mount Hood, I became fascinated by the ways in which different people react to the challenges posed by nature’s extremes,” says Devin. “Over time I realized that cultural attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community painted a picture of us as being unfit for that challenge.” He says the idea for the film grew out of his desire to allow the community to tell their own story, rather than being silenced. “Who’s On Top?” will be available to stream in May. For interviews, contact Ryan Ann Davis at (206) 491-3738; ryan@smarthousecreative.com
6. ==> Post-Pandemic Wedding Bells Ringing Loud and Clear
After a challenging year of rescheduling, postponing, canceling and producing Zoom weddings, luxury wedding planner Lynne Goldberg says, “The phones are busy, and my brides are beginning to smile again!” With the vaccine now accessible, weddings and events have also been given a shot in the arm, according to Lynne. “With smaller budgets and a different outlook, newly engaged couples are planning weddings again but this time with very different priorities. For now, elegant small weddings are in and over-the-top opulent weddings are out.” Invite her to share the latest post-pandemic wedding trends including how to navigate the new “Wedding Invitation Vaccine Etiquette.” For more than two decades, Lynne Goldberg has been planning over-the-top luxury weddings and events for couples, organizations, non-profits, celebrities, sports figures and private clients. Contact her at (561) 212-6024; Lynne@lynnegoldberggroup.com or Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com
7. ==> Are Women Programmed to Fail in Business?
Has society created an infrastructure that viscerally challenges and disqualifies women from earning money? Raj Girn believes it has. Invite her to talk about where the root cause of gender inequality comes from and so much more. Ask her: despite all the work we’ve done, why is it so hard to close the gender pay gap? Do religious texts play a role? How can women unlearn everything that’s feeding the beast of inequality by changing their mindset? What can men do to facilitate the change that will ultimately help their wives, daughters, sisters and grandchildren? 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 Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call: The SolarWinds Hack
The SolarWinds hacking campaign — one of the most extensive to date —exposed fundamental cybersecurity vulnerabilities within U.S. government agencies and the private sector. And cybersecurity expert Rob Knake says the campaign, which investigators suspect Russia is behind, is far from over. He says the sweeping campaign shows how sophisticated adversaries can bypass even well-defended targets. He’ll run down what has happened, what could be coming, and how to improve defenses against this type of cyber threat in the future. Rob Knake is the Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Knake served from 2011 to 2015 as director for cybersecurity policy at the National Security Council. Contact him at rknake@cfr.org; @robknake
9. ==> 4 Things You Should Never Say to Someone Who Lost Someone to COVID
To date, more than 555,000 people have died from COIVD-19 in the U.S., leaving behind shell-shocked survivors. Most people know someone for whom the contagious disease has been fatal or one of their family members. What can you possibly say to the COVID grievers? Well, you can start by avoiding the most common meaningless phrases that often come to mind in such situations. Interview Emily Thiroux Threatt, author of “Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief” and a woman with extensive grief experience, to learn the worst things you could say, starting with “I’m sorry for your loss” and “aren’t you over that now?” She’ll cover what you should say instead. Emily holds a master’s degree in English with a concentration in writing and taught writing and composition at the college and university level for over 30 years. She conducts workshops, speaking engagements, and retreats on transforming from loss to joy on the mainland of the United States and on Maui, Hawaii. Contact her at (661) 428-3610; emily@lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com
10. ==> Could You Use a Mindset Reboot? Take This Quiz
If there is anything good to come out of the contentious election or the COVID-19 epidemic, it’s that some people have been using them as catalysts for change. Invite Rev. Arthur Mackey on your program to share the fuel for that change by giving your audience an eye-opening quiz and helping them interpret their answers. He will inspire us all as he explores everything from family and workplace influences on our lives to health and social services, faith-based resources, and education programs worth knowing about. He’ll have your audience members thinking about ways they would answer such questions as: What is (and should be) your biggest priority right now? Are you most concerned about relationships, career, health, or finances? How would you describe your current mood: stressed, hopeful, serene, bored? Which people could you help? Rev. Mackey is a sought-after media guest and a researcher who has authored several books including “Overcoming the Spirit of Depression.” Contact him at (516) 219-8392; AMackey@rtirguests.com
11. ==> How to Boost Your Immun-a-Tea
For the past year, we’ve been talking about immunity and how to stay healthy and ward off disease. Invite Tilak Silva to share new ways we can be wiser in what we eat and drink. He’ll discuss the best natural ways to create strength, energy, healthier skin and ultimately longer life. You’ll learn about unexpected health foods and how to take advantage of their benefits, as well as which commonly imbibed beverages can decrease your immunity. Tilak Silva is an expert in nutrition and health research and the inventor of CilanTea, based on a 3,000-year-old recipe from Sri Lanka. Contact Tilak Silva at (310) 421-4680, tsilva@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Undertaker’s Daughter Reveals What Really Happens When We Die
While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark learned the truth about death. “There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where we leave the story,” she says. “Death is an illusion because we don’t die.” On your show, she’ll explain why this is so and share her fascinating experiences with your audience. Her book, “Light in the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,” has received glowing reviews from a number of prominent authors and spiritual leaders including Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at (828) 260-0873, MLenmark@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Why Parents Should Put Themselves First
Parenting is stressful, even at the best of times, so how can parents continue to give their all when they feel they’re running on empty? Invite author and speaker Natalie Bonfig to share the importance of parents putting themselves first in order to do better for their children. She says that if parents are sick, exhausted or stressed, they can’t adequately meet their children’s needs. She points out that mothers, in particular, tend to neglect themselves by putting their children first, but that such self-sacrifice has a heavy price. She can tell your audience how to show your kids that taking care of your basic needs is smart, not selfish. Her forthcoming book, “Everyday Self-Care and Your High Needs Child,” offers advice for parents of high-needs children on how to reduce stress and make their lives more joyful. Bonfig has been interviewed on podcasts nationwide. Contact her at (651) 419-3137; nbonfig@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Would You Sacrifice Your Career for Your Child’s?
How far should parents be willing to go to help grown children? Should they lend adult children money that the parents might need for retirement, raise their grandchildren due to addiction issues, or move closer to their children to provide childcare? Oliver Akamnonu, M.D., went about as far as a parent could go, actually giving up his medical practice (as did his wife) to help his daughter Nena make it through medical school, childbirth, and early parenting. Learn more when you explore this heartwarming story with the Akamnonus, authors of “Little Baby Lydia, Grandma, Grandpa and Student Mom: Saga of Family Role Reversal and the New Times.” Ask them: Do they have any regrets? Would they encourage others to take the same path? What were their first decisions, eventual actions and ongoing challenges? Contact Oliver Akamnonu at (413) 206-6753; oakamnonu@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Beloved Wildlife Expert Diagnosed with Dementia
Jack Hanna’s family recently announced the 76-year-old animal and wildlife expert was retiring after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Famous for his TV appearances over the years, Hanna’s condition has deteriorated quickly in recent months and his family says he can no longer participate in public life as he used to. It’s not easy for families to talk about a loved one’s diagnosis because of the stigma surrounding the disease. As a devoted caregiver and husband of someone who was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s in her fifties, Carlen Maddux can discuss what it’s like to have a loved one who fades away even as they continue to live. He can share early warning signs and treatment options along with the biggest challenges for loved ones and tips for caregivers. Maddux has appeared on numerous shows. He’s the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com