- Do Russians Support Putin’s War?
- What Orban’s Win Means for the EU
- Amazon Workers Did the Impossible: Behind the Union Victory
- The Cure for Tax Season Anxiety
- Great Easter Show: Modern Church Fresco Inspires Hope
- TV Host Offers 5 tips for a ‘Simply Delicious Spring’
- Bernie Sanders, Up Close and Personal
- How Much Longer Will America Have Democracy?
- Fake News, Donald Trump and the Media
- Hunted By the KGB, He Lives to Tell the Story: Russia, Ukraine and the KGB Banker
- What’s Your Sunglass IQ?
- 3 Surprising Ways to Lessen Pain
- How to Talk to Kids about Illness and Empower Them to Heal
- Turn Your Self-Doubt into Self-Clout
- Toxic Humor and the Case for Clean Comics
1.==> Do Russians Support Putin’s War?
Take a deep dive into the psyche of Vladimir Putin and the Russian people when you interview U.S. Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack (ret.) who was in the Soviet Union and Russia during the 1990s before and after the Soviet Union unraveled and whose recently published memoir, “Swimming the Volga,” offers cogent insights that provide context for what is happening today. Zwack says Putin carries deep “scar tissue” from unresolved issues from the fall and breakup of the Soviet Union, 30 years ago. The Russian people, Zwack says, are patriotic and support their government, but not blindly. Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack (ret.) served as a senior defense official and attaché to the Russian Federation from 2012-2014. He is a global fellow at The Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and has recently appeared on CNN, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” The BBC, MSNBC, and in “The Washington Post” and “The Economist.” He can go further in depth for long-form interviews. Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 409-5687; bg.pbz.r@gmail.com
- ==> What Orban’s Win Means for the EU
Matthias Matthijs says Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent reelection was due to unfair advantages and presents a thorny challenge for European unity on Russia and the rule of law. “Orban’s victory means he will continue to be an autocratic thorn in the EU’s side. He has opposed further sanctions against Russia, especially a ban on its oil or gas given Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels. He’s also opposed transferring heavy weaponry to Ukraine through Hungarian territory.” He adds, “Orban is banking on the fact that the need for Western unity will trump the EU’s desire to rein in his illiberal excesses.” Matthias Matthijs is senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is an award-winning author and teacher, and an expert on European political economy, the politics of economic ideas, and regional integration. Contact him at (202) 663-5743; mmatthijs@cfr.org
- ==> Amazon Workers Did the Impossible: Behind the Union Victory
Amazon workers’ win in New York may wind up spurring union growth around the country after decades of decline, at a time when a tight labor market is empowering workers in ways that once seemed impossible. Mike Elk, senior labor reporter at Payday Report, says the Staten Island union election is a historic victory. “It marks the first time an Amazon warehouse has been unionized and it will likely inspire more unionizing efforts. For years, activists have been told that it’s impossible to organize Amazon, but now workers have achieved the impossible.” He adds, “No one in the labor establishment saw the victory at Amazon on Staten Island coming and no one saw 170 Starbucks stores unionizing. What else could happen this year that no one has predicted? Contact Mike Elk at mike.elk@gmail.com; @MikeElk
- ==> The Cure for Tax Season Anxiety
It’s that time of year again, tax season. Just the thought of it sends millions of people into a state of mental and emotional anxiety and stress. But Jeff Levine says there are help and solutions no matter how severe your tax problems may be! Levine will share tips on finding the right tax expert and explain why you shouldn’t fear the IRS. “When it comes to taxes, how you play the game and position yourself to make taxes work for you instead of against you all depends upon your beliefs, perspective and mindset around money,” he says. Jeff Levin has been a financial consultant for 32 years. He is co-author of the book “The 13 Steps to Riches,” and author of the soon-to-be-published “Financial Freedom of a Lifetime.” Contact him at (518) 221-8043; jeff12levine@gmail.com
- ==> Great Easter Show: Modern Church Fresco Inspires Hope
Fresco paintings are one of the oldest and most durable forms of artwork. As natural pigment is blended with wet plaster, the painting literally turns to stone and the stories are preserved for centuries. The new documentary “Theirs Is The Kingdom” follows the creation of a contemporary fresco mural inside the sanctuary of a small church in Asheville, North Carolina. But unlike historical frescos that depict religious figures or political icons, this painting features people battling homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, those on the fringes of society whose stories are often marginalized and forgotten. Director Chris Zaluski says, “This story is about everyone, whatever someone might be battling, having space to be who they are – and celebrated for it. We hope the film, like the fresco itself, is able to inspire hope in whoever watches it.” Christopher Zaluski is an award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and assistant professor at Wake Forest University’s Documentary Film Program. “Theirs Is The Kingdom” has been making the rounds of spring film festivals and will air on PBS on Easter Sunday, April 17. Contact Lori Heiselman at Lori@docsologyfilms.com
- ==> TV Host Offers 5 tips for a ‘Simply Delicious Spring’
It’s time to shake off the winter blues and pandemic pounds and prepare for a healthy and delicious spring and summer. For inspiration, interview Maryann Ridini Spencer, an award-winning screenwriter, author, TV/film producer, journalist, and host of the Telly Award-winning “Simply Delicious Living” PBS-TV series. She’ll discuss how to create a healthy plate you’ll “want” to eat, offer five tips for getting in shape and more. Ask her what are your mind, body, and spirit tips for spring? How can people get moving again after being isolated and dormant? What’s the best way to spring into summer? Maryann is the author of the award-winning Kate Grace novels “Lady in the Window,” “The Paradise Table,” “Secrets of Grace Manor,” and the “Simply Delicious Living” cookbooks. Her work has appeared on Hallmark Hall of Fame (CBS-TV), the Hallmark Channel, CNN, USA, SyFy, Showtime, PBS, and many others. Contact Maryann Ridini Spencer at (818) 492-9135; mspencer@rtirguests.com
- ==> Bernie Sanders, Up Close and Personal
Bernie Sanders inspires fervent love and, even among his enemies, a measure of grudging respect — yet, curiously, we know little about who the man really is, with Sanders deliberately keeping the focus on his policies. Ari Rabin-Havt, former deputy campaign manager on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign, will take listeners where no profiles or televised interviews have been able to go. Rabin-Havt offers a behind-the-scenes account of Sanders’s run, including his heart attack in Las Vegas, his notorious debate encounter with fellow-progressive Elizabeth Warren, and a momentous conversation between Sanders and Barack Obama that has never been reported before. He’ll reveal Bernie Sanders when the cameras turn off: his dry sense of humor; his views of his young supporters; the pivotal role his wife, Jane, plays in every decision he makes; and more. Ari Rabin-Havt’s new book is “The Fighting Soul: On the Road with Bernie Sanders.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
- ==> How Much Longer Will America Have Democracy?
Many Americans feel their freedoms are being infringed upon. Lockdowns, mask and vaccination mandates were the mechanisms that brought our attention to the fact that our liberties are being eroded. This is a mere glimpse into the future, says conservative commentator Tamara Lashchyk, who warns that continued government infringement under the guise of “public health” and “the greater good” will result in the end of a free society. She says electronic passports are a step toward consolidating all citizen information with one technology that, incidentally, is the same one China used to enforce its “one-child” policy and administer a social credit score. A new effort is now underway to implement a “programmable” digital currency in countries such as Canada and the UK that will control how citizens spend their money. Tamara says, “We are headed towards an authoritarian world.” Tamara has been interviewed by the BBC and featured in Huffington Post and co-hosts “The Bo Peep Podcast” which probes the answers to questions that we are afraid to ask. A career coach, author, and former Wall Street executive, she recently ran for the New York State Assembly. Contact Tamara Lashchyk at (848) 373-3543; TLashchyk@rtirguests.com
- ==> Fake News, Donald Trump and the Media
There’s no denying that Donald Trump changed the landscape of American politics and journalism. Some say he exposed a lack of ethics and objectivity in the media while others say he used the media to spread misinformation and lies. What is it about DJT that makes it impossible to look away? Is it the media’s fault? Did they create the monster they hate? Invite Dutch American journalist and media trainer Hans Izaak Kriek to share his independent, non-political observations. The author of “Trump’s Daily Domination of the News Media” can discuss how journalism changed with the Trump presidency and whether he or the media themselves are responsible for the moniker “fake news.” Ask him: Are Americans getting honest news from mainstream media? Are media owners pushing their own political agendas? What is so different about Trump’s relationship with the media? How can the public recognize fake news and framing? Do others besides politicians use fake news, and why? Hans Izaak Kriek is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Krieksmediaworld.com. He worked as an international political journalist for AVRO/TROS, the two largest Dutch National broadcasters. As a media trainer, he has coached and advised thousands of politicians and executives. Contact Hans Izaak Kriek at (561) 861-2974; jkriek@rtirguests.com
- ==> Hunted By the KGB, He Lives to Tell the Story: Russia, Ukraine and the KGB Banker
Imagine what life would be like if the KGB was after you, threatening your life? And if you had no idea you were even taking them on at first? John Christmas does not have to imagine … he lived it. While heading up an international banking group, Christmas tried to expose fraud he uncovered without realizing that the bank in question was a KGB front. Fired for being a whistle-blower, he was threatened and terrorized and finally fled the country. Christmas is co-author of the geopolitical thriller “KGB Banker,” which was inspired by his story and takes place on the Russia/Ukraine border. Ask him: Why is your experience particularly relevant given today’s political environment? What happened to the players you exposed? Are you still in danger? Contact John Christmas at (514) 700-9015; jchristmas@rtirguests.com
- ==> What’s Your Sunglass IQ?
Do you know how to pick a pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes and not just look good? Do you know when to wear them and why? Many people have no clue about just how important protecting their eyes from the sun’s UV rays is, missing out on a simple way to help ensure that they keep their vision for life. But as vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson will tell you, “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. “Add to that protection against cataracts while looking totally cool, and you have a potent reason not to leave the house without them.” Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Ask her why aren’t sunglasses just for summer? Why do you need them on cloudy days? Should you also wear a hat? What does she have in common with Bono? Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com
- ==> 3 Surprising Ways to Lessen Pain
Living with chronic pain is no fun and was even less so during the pandemic when care was restricted and stress levels were through the roof. Why not help make listeners’ lives more comfortable by interviewing Trevor Campbell, M.D., who can share tips for controlling stress, managing negative thoughts, and paying attention to the story they tell their friends and family members about their illnesses, all things that can lead to lessening pain? Ask him how can what we are thinking affect our pain levels? How can people feel less stressed when they hurt? Dr. Campbell is a family physician who has worked in multidisciplinary pain management and opioids reduction programs and has served as a medical director for a leading pain management provider in Western Canada. He graduated from the University of Cape Town. He hosts the holistic “Healthscape” podcast. Dr. Campbell’s book is “The Language of Pain: Fast Forward Your Recovery to Stop Hurting.” Contact Trevor Campbell at (250) 217-7832; tcampbell@rtirguests.com
- ==> How to Talk to Kids about Illness and Empower Them to Heal
It’s hard to understand what’s going on inside a sick body, especially when you’re a child. But Grandma Ness, a working artist and painter, provides a whimsical, entertaining and imaginative way for parents to broach the topic of illness with their children with her new book, “Bernie and Babs vs. the Virus.” Grandma Ness, a pen name for Annessa Morrison, says that although the book was written for four- to seven-year-olds, it’s for adults too because it gives readers a way to visualize their immune system’s response. She’ll share ways to empower sick children, five hacks that make healing visualization work better, and how she used them to treat her lupus and the pain that impacted her ability to work as an artist. Contact Grandma Ness at (928) 830-3935; GrandmaNess2022@gmail.com
- ==>Turn Your Self-Doubt into Self-Clout
Everyone has negative self-beliefs that hold them back from reaching their potential. But did you know that you can use these “limiting” beliefs to your advantage? Confidence-building expert Raj Girn can explain how she built a corporate and celebrity network because she felt no one would hire her as a single mother with no journalism or business degrees or personal connections. Ask her: what gave you the chutzpah to go out on your own? How did you turn your limitations into assets? What advice do you have for other people who lack confidence? A media celebrity in Canada who has been featured in “The Wall Street Journal” and “Globe and Mail,” and on FOX and CBS, Raj is an internationally best-selling author whose blog attracts 500,000 unique monthly visitors. She also publishes a weekly newsletter with over 100,000 subscribers and has a combined social media network of over 1 million. She runs The Open Chest Confidence Academy. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
- ==> Toxic Humor and the Case for Clean Comics
One veteran of the comedy industry says this year’s Oscar altercation is an example of how toxic some corners of comedy have become. Adam Christing, CEO of CleanComedians, says, “The problem isn’t Chris Rock or Will Smith. It’s a comedy culture issue. For years now, American comedians have confused comedy with being crass or cruel. But our history proves that humor can be playful instead of poisonous. Think Will Rogers, Betty White, Jim Gaffigan.” According to Christing, whose company requires its performers to avoid profanity, prejudice, and politics, “We need to remember that ‘fun’ is not a four-letter word. We can lift people and bring them together with positive humor.” Christing says his business is booming, especially with meeting planners who don’t want to embarrass people with foul or abrasive humor. Contact Todd Brabender at (785) 842-8909; toddb@spreadthenewspr.com