01. Is Biden On the Path to an FDR-Size Presidency?
02. Black AIDS Institute President On HIV/AIDS and COVID
03. Anti-Vax Protesters Are Exploiting Holocaust Symbols
04. Vaccine Side Effects Explained
05. The Housing Market Is On Fire: Should You Buy, Sell, or Rent?
06. It’s Earth Month: Is What You Eat Helping or Hurting?
07. Help for Your Unfinished Home Projects
08. The 3 Most Toxic Things for Your Health
09. Intuition: Your Secret Post-COVID Survival Weapon!
10. Roar Back Better Than Ever from Your Pandemic Setbacks
11. Spring Cleaning Isn’t Just for Grownups
12. Politics Aside … Why You Should Adopt Biden’s Aviators
13. How to Move from Heartache to Happiness
14. The Bad News about Friendly Bears
15. Disgusting or Delicacy? Cicadas for Supper
1.==> Is Biden On the Path to an FDR-Size Presidency?
President Biden may not have achieved as much as Franklin Delano Roosevelt did in his first 100 days, but no modern president has matched that level of accomplishment. What would an FDR-size presidency look like today, and will Joe Biden achieve it? In his new book “Why the New Deal Matters,” historian Eric Rauchway explains that it wasn’t the dollar figure of the New Deal that made for an FDR-size presidency. It was the purpose of the programs and the meaning the American people took from them that mattered more. He can discuss the New Deal’s foundational belief, Roosevelt’s primary concern (it wasn’t just gross domestic product and unemployment), and visible signs of the New Deal that remain today. Eric Rauchway writes about and teaches U.S. history at the University of California, Davis. He has consulted for government and private agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and a major Hollywood studio. Contact him at (530) 754-1646; earauchway@ucdavis.edu
2. ==> Black AIDS Institute President On HIV/AIDS and COVID
Raniyah Copeland is a seasoned advocate leading the charge to end HIV in Black communities. She also recently spoke to the Biden administration about why HIV/AIDS is a racial justice issue. Invite her on your show to discuss HIV/AIDS and COVID’s disproportionate effects on minority communities, the possible explanations, and the issue of medical mistrust in Black and Brown communities. She says while HIV/AIDS is often viewed as a men’s issue it strongly impacts women in many unrecognized ways. Similarly, she says women and working mothers have felt the biggest impact during the pandemic. The Black Aids Institute (BAI), based in Los Angeles, is the only Black think- and do-tank in America working to end the HIV epidemic, led by, and focusing their efforts, on the Black community. Raniyah Copeland was named one of The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2019 and is an opinion leader and long-time advocate. Contact James DeMarco at james@strategicheights.com
3. ==> Anti-Vax Protesters Are Exploiting Holocaust Symbols
Some anti-vaccination protesters have been spotted wearing the yellow Star of David, apparently analogizing proposed mandatory vaccination documentation to the symbols the Nazis forced Jews in occupied Europe to wear prior to enacting industrialized genocide. David Perry, a journalist and historian, says the analogy is both offensive and incoherent and distorts historical facts and trivializes the Holocaust. “History is not just a collection of facts about the past, but interpretation and argument both about what happened and, critically, what it means to us today. The misuse of the yellow star and other symbols of the Holocaust by fringe political actors distracts both from the truth of the Holocaust and the crises we are now facing, right at the moment when we need to see systems of inequality and fight hard to address them.” David Perry writes for CNN, The Nation, the Washington Post and other media outlets and is senior academic adviser in the history department of the University of Minnesota. Contact him at (612) 624-5227; histugs@umn.edu
4. ==> Vaccine Side Effects Explained
Wondering what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to coronavirus vaccine reactions? Does a severe reaction predict how you’d react to the actual virus? And why do some people have a reaction and others don’t? Experts say side effects are either a physical manifestation of your body’s immune response (which is the case for most people) or an allergic reaction. Anna Wald, an infectious diseases physician and researcher in COVID-19 vaccine trials at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, can discuss common side effects and how to treat them. She says it’s still unclear whether the severity of side effects has anything to do with how well your body will fight the virus if exposed and adds, “Remember, most people had mild or no side effects in the clinical trials, and yet the vaccine was still found to have 95% effectiveness at protecting them from illness.” Wald says the bottom line is that the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the side effects. Contact Anna Wald at (206) 520-4340; annawald@uw.edu
5. ==> The Housing Market Is On Fire: Should You Buy, Sell, or Rent?
As if the official government data on soaring home prices wasn’t crazy enough, the latest monthly data from RedFin shows that in April, homes sold at their fastest pace on record with nearly half off-market within one week. Compared to 2020, the median home-sale price increased 18% year over year to $344,625, an all-time high. Invite Andrew Ragusa, CEO/broker of REMI Realty, to discuss the current housing market and why it’s so hot, how long that will continue, and why the market right now is unlike any other previous time in history. Ask him: If I want to relocate to another state, should I sell now or wait for my house to appreciate? What tips can you offer for anyone trying to buy a home right now? Should buyers looking for a good deal rent and wait for the market to cool? Are we headed for a housing market crash? Andrew Ragusa has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows talking about real estate issues. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
6. ==> It’s Earth Month: Is What You Eat Helping or Hurting?
April is Earth Month and a great time to think about the impact of all we do on the planet, including what we eat. Interview health coach Ximena Yanez to find out five ways what you are putting in your mouth might be ruining the environment as well as five simple things you could easily do to turn this around. Ask her: Does eating organic produce really matter? What’s so bad about GMO ingredients? What should you include in every meal? Ximena (pronounced He-men-a) is the author of the upcoming book “Healthy Planet, Healthy You: Invest Now in the Transformational Change That Will Ensure Our Future” and the former CFO of an environmental fund. Contact her at (720) 277-8617; xiyaso@gmail.com
7. ==> Help for Your Unfinished Home Projects
With everyone stuck at home this past year, a lot of people started home improvement projects. Unfortunately, a lot of those projects remain unfinished. “While the fabulous remodeling shows on TV transform a space from disaster to dream in under 30 minutes, in reality, there is much to consider when attempting this feat in your own home,” says Dawn Mahan, founder of PMOtraining.com, which teaches people the fundamentals of successful project management — whether that’s at the office or around the house. “People just want to jump in and get started, and then wonder why they find themselves at The Home Depot 47 times.” From major remodeling to redecorating and even landscaping, Dawn can share ways to prioritize, plan and get your project back on track and finally finished! She says using project management tools at home just makes sense. “That way, you can get what you want, when you want it, for a cost you are comfortable paying, all while keeping your blood pressure in check.” Dawn is a dynamic international speaker, a PMI-certified leader with extensive global experience, and the sole inventor of ProjectFlo. Contact her at (215) 756-1585 (cell); DMahan@PMOtraining.com
8. ==> The 3 Most Toxic Things for Your Health
Patients are subjected to all manner of advice about their health. Just when it seems like we have heard it all, along comes family physician Trevor Campbell who discusses the three most toxic things to avoid at all costs especially for people who have chronic illnesses like chronic pain. Sharing information you are unlikely to hear from your doctor, Campbell will talk about ways to reduce chronic daily stress, negative ways of looking at your illness and the nasty habit of catastrophizing things that go slightly wrong, the trio he dubs “the Bermuda Triangle of Health.” With a charming South African accent, Campbell specializes in helping people achieve the fullest lives possible by minimizing their chronic aches and pain. His book is “The Language of Pain: Fast Forward Your Recovery to Stop Hurting.” Contact him at (250) 217-7832; tcampbell@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Intuition: Your Secret Post-COVID Survival Weapon!
As we ease back into the post-pandemic “new normal,” many of us are feeling anxious and uncertain about the future. Best-selling author and intuition expert Kim Chestney says that focusing inward is the best way to heal and move on. “As life gets busier and we spend more time ‘out there’ in the world, it’s important to carve out dedicated quiet space in your daily routine to stay connected to yourself and your intuition,” she says. “Give yourself the timeouts, rejuvenation and creative time that you need to thrive.” She can share other simple yet powerful tips for getting your life back on track such as how to start your own business, find a new job and create a new, empowering life. Kim is an international best-selling author and artist. Her Intuition Masterclass is part of her global online school, Intuition Lab. Contact Kim at (412) 214-9502; KChestney@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Roar Back Better Than Ever from Your Pandemic Setbacks
The pandemic isn’t over, but it is showing signs of retreat. Now is the time to start thinking about how you are going to bounce back and what sort of life you’d like to have. Author and performance coach Tim Winders can offer three principles for hitting the reset button. Winders, who has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, utilizes these principles in his novel, “Coach: A Parable of Success Redefined.” It tells the story of an executive who contemplates ending his life after personal failures and business problems that could potentially send him to jail; as the story unfolds, the executive learns three acts to gain clarity that can bring peace to anyone. Winders, who along with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while traveling around the country, survived several business failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts the “SeekGoCreate” podcast and is available last minute. Contact Tim at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Spring Cleaning Isn’t Just for Grownups
Spring is in the air! It’s time to open the windows, let the fresh air in and … clean! But spring cleaning isn’t just for grownups. Child behavior expert Rebecah Freeling says spring is also a great time to declutter and organize kids’ spaces — and more importantly — get rid of their extra stuff! She says, “That extra stuff — or lack thereof — really impacts kids’ behavior and their mental health. Eliminating the stuff reduces the overstimulation kids so often experience in today’s world. It also increases the quality of their play and reduces kids’ feelings of entitlement.” Freeling says parents will be amazed at how kids’ behavior improves when toys are reduced to a reasonable minimum. She says despite initial pushback, kids are happier without all the extra junk. Rebecah Freeling is the owner of Wits End Parenting. She consults with schools and speaks on parenting issues and specializes in kids with difficult behaviors. She’s the author of “Your Rules Are Dumb: How to Maintain Your Parental Authority While Creating a Partnership With Your Spirited Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
12. ==> Politics Aside … Why You Should Adopt Biden’s Aviators
Joe Biden has been wearing aviator sunglasses for most of his life. Some might say he looks cool. But putting style and politics aside, Joe may be onto something. Wearing wraparound aviator sunglasses (but not necessarily pricey Ray-Bans can help you protect your health, especially during COVID-19, reports vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson. As Linda will tell your listeners, “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. Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Move from Heartache to Happiness
The year 2020 was especially tough for many of us. Author David L. Peters was no exception. “I lost my wife of 58 years, on the 60th anniversary of our meeting,” he says. “I also had to care for my sick brother, who passed away in October.” But David still manages to find joy via a simple yet powerful formula he created. He can share how we can develop our own recipes for happiness, even in the worst of times. David is an engineer who holds 18 patents and is the author of “The 12 Steps to Joy and Happiness.” He’ll describe his formula for happiness and explain how it utilizes science. Contact David at (607) 304-3329; DPeters@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Bad News about Friendly Bears
A mysterious neurological disease in young California black bears is making them behave like pet dogs, cozying up to humans. “Infected bears come to our attention because they approach people in a peaceful, friendly and non-aggressive manner,” says Ann Bryant, executive director of the BEAR (Bear Education Aversion Response) League who has been involved in rescuing infected bears. “The first bear I personally rescued was diagnosed with encephalitis in March of 2018,” Bryant says. “She walked into a school and entered a classroom where she sat down among the children, behaving very much like a friendly dog.” Bryant warns that the bears are still dangerous to humans despite their friendly behavior. Eight cases have been reported in California in recent years, although the actual number may be higher. Half of the confirmed cases have been detected in the last year. The BEAR League is a completely volunteer, community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to keeping bears safe and wild in their natural habitat. Contact Ann Bryant at (530) 525-7297; info@savebears.org
15. ==> Disgusting or Delicacy? Cicadas for Supper
By now, you’ve probably heard all the noise about the billions of 17-year Brood X cicadas set to emerge from the earth this spring. What should be done with all these red-eyed bugs? How about eating them? They’re high in protein and low in fat and recipes are all over the internet; they can be deep fried and served with a dipping sauce, marinated, and even baked into a pie. But why, you may ask? Entomologist Isa Betancourt calls them “shrimp of the land” and she considers them a delicacy. The cicadas will begin rising from the ground in 15 states and the District of Columbia in May or June. For those wanting to taste-test the creatures, Betancourt says the best time to harvest the bugs is just after they emerge and molt in the morning, “That’s when they’re softest,” she says. “When they first emerge, they’ll be kind of green in color, and after a few hours they’ll harden.” They’re still edible after hardening, but crunchy. Isla Betancourt is employed by Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University. Contact her at isabelle.s.betancourt@drexel.edu; @isabetabug