01. Who Has Upper Hand at Beijing Summit?
02. High Court’s Redistricting Ruling Alters Election Outlook
03. Do You Know Your Neighbors? Most People Don’t
04. The Science of Musical Daydreams and the Wandering Mind
05. Barbarians, Billionaires, and Beauties: The Secrets of St. Barth
06. Sophisticated AI Scams Now Targeting Families
07. Why Women Often Make Better Leaders—And What Companies Miss
08. Great Business Show: How to Use Visual Thinking in the Age of AI
09. Love Is in the Air: Tips for Dating After 50
10. The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower
11. The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
12. The Biggest Myths About Healing
13. Get Real This Spring. You’re Not OK, and That’s OK
14. 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
15. This Psychotherapist Shares How Psychedelic Medicine Changed Her Life
1. ==> Who Has Upper Hand at Beijing Summit?
Donald Trump arrived at the China Summit seeking headline deals and visible momentum ahead of the midterms. But China expert Zongyuan Zoe Liu says Xi is playing a longer game, focused on strategic patience rather than substantive compromise. “The asymmetry between these two-time horizons will shape what the summit produces—and what it quietly leaves unresolved,” she says. “Repeated discussion in Washington of multiple Trump–Xi meetings this year may have weakened U.S. bargaining leverage by signaling a strong American interest in leader-level engagement. Chinese officials likely calculate that Trump needs visible deliverables ahead of the midterms more than Xi needs substantive compromise.” Zongyuan Zoe Liu is a senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of “Sovereign Funds: How the CPC Finances Its Global Ambitions.” Contact her at zliu@cfr.org; @ZongyuanZoeLiu
2. ==> High Court’s Redistricting Ruling Alters Election Outlook
Up until last week’s Supreme Court decision that could yield many more Republican districts, prospects for Democratic wins in the midterm elections had been rising. Now, not so much. Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution can explain how the decision alters the outlook for the midterm elections. She says, “This Supreme Court decision may still end up being a political victory for Republicans, but it isn’t as straightforward as it looks. Democrats should put away their sackcloth and ashes, and Republicans shouldn’t pop the champagne corks just yet. GOP efforts to gerrymander congressional districts by redistributing Democratic voters could backfire if large numbers of voters reject Trump’s policies and overall job performance, and that electoral wave outweighs the impact of the new district lines. The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Elaine Kamarck is a senior fellow in Governance Studies and the director of the Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings. She is the co-author of “Lies That Kill: A Citizen’s Guide to Disinformation” and the author of several books including “Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates.” For interviews, contact the Governance Studies media office at (202) 540-7724; gsmedia@brookings.edu
3. ==> Do You Know Your Neighbors? Most People Don’t
Americans have fewer close friends than they once did and spend fewer hours socializing. The same trend is showing up in the American neighborhood. The American Enterprise Institute’s 2025 American Neighbor Survey explores the various ways in which Americans are—and are not—interacting with the people in their immediate communities. It found that over the past decade, the frequency of neighborly interactions has plummeted. Relatively few Americans report socializing with their neighbors, although the drop has had a larger effect on some communities than on others. The withdrawal has been particularly prevalent among young adults, while seniors have remained more consistently in touch with their neighbors. College-educated Americans also experience stronger neighborhood ties compared with Americans who have a high school degree or less. Daniel A. Cox is the director of the Survey Center on American Life and a senior fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Contact Lexi Baker at Lexi.Baker@aei.org
4. ==> The Science of Musical Daydreams and the Wandering Mind
Why do two people listening to the same piece of music, in separate rooms, often imagine remarkably similar scenes? Drawing on research from her Music Cognition Lab at Princeton, Elizabeth Margulis can explain how musical daydreams are not as private as we assume and what that tells us about music’s power to shape our inner lives. The author of “Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams” will discuss new research that suggests that musical daydreaming isn’t a failure of attention—it’s essential to memory, creativity, and well-being, what your musical daydreams reveal about who you are, and what music and AI have in common. At a time when distraction is treated as a problem, her work reframes mind wandering as essential. Elizabeth Margulis’ work bridges music, psychology, and neuroscience. She’s appeared on Netflix’s “Explained,” the BBC and on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> Barbarians, Billionaires, and Beauties: The Secrets of St. Barth
Once a remote and unremarkable Caribbean island, St. Barth has transformed into a global playground for the ultra-rich, celebrities, and power players. Michael Gross shares scandalous stories that pull back the curtain on this hotspot for the ultra-insiders in his new book, “Treasure Island: The Story of St. Barth…and Its Barbarians, Billionaires, and Beauties.” Invite the bestselling author to spill the beans on the secrets the rich and famous don’t want revealed. Hear about the legendary guesthouse where Greta Garbo and her lesbian lover, a Rothschild, vacationed incognito on the island, the family feud that set off a real estate free-for-all that’s now seen villa rentals rise to $250,000 a week, and how David Rockefeller’s far-right-wing caretaker helped inspire the 1975 riot that set the stage for today’s billionaire-loving St. Barth. Gross offers a rare look behind the velvet rope of one of the world’s most exclusive destinations — where, as the saying goes, what happens on St. Barth stays on St. Barth. Michael Gross is the author of three New York Times bestsellers and is known for his deep dives into wealth and power. Contact Justin Loeber at (212) 260-7576 (office); justin.loeber@mouthdigitalpr.com
6. ==> Sophisticated AI Scams Now Targeting Families
Scammers preying on senior citizens is nothing new, but today these cons are highly sophisticated and convincing, making it easy for anyone to fall victim. From AI-cloned faces and voices that sound like loved ones to impersonation scams that mimic trusted companies, today’s threats are now past the ability for the human eye and ear to spot. Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of Smarter Online Safety, helps families understand who scammers target and what to do to protect yourself and your family. After becoming a victim of cybercrime herself, King joined forces with leading cybercrime fighters and learned cybersecurity, the Dark Web, and the business of cybercrime — and how to prevent becoming a victim. She was named a Top 10 Women in Cybersecurity and has helped millions become empowered and equipped to protect themselves in our AI world. Ask her: Why are parents and grandparents such effective targets for modern scams? How is the new pandemic of AI voice cloning fooling families? What conversations should families be having before something happens? What’s the smartest first step when a call feels urgent but wrong? Contact Jocelyn King at (970) 762-7837; jking@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Why Women Often Make Better Leaders—And What Companies Miss
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, companies say they value strong leadership but often overlook one of their greatest untapped assets: women. Research and real-world results consistently show that women tend to lead with empathy, collaboration, and long-term vision—qualities that drive stronger teams and more sustainable growth. Yet many organizations still default to outdated leadership models that reward dominance over development. Entrepreneur and author David Hampson argues that businesses miss the mark by failing to fully empower female leaders, especially in cultures that prioritize short-term wins over people-first strategies. If companies want better outcomes, it’s time to rethink leadership itself—and recognize that elevating women isn’t a trend, but a competitive advantage. David is the author of “Rainbow Gold: Building A Business That's Both the Journey and the Destination,” and a business advisory consultant. Contact him at (603) 605-8594; dhampson@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Great Business Show: How to Use Visual Thinking in the Age of AI
What if your messy stick figures could transform stalled meetings into breakthrough moments? Lisa Rothstein, “New Yorker” cartoonist and former advertising creative, has discovered that imperfect doodles beat perfect presentations every single time—and the science backs her up. In interviews, Rothstein will reveal how simple sketches get buy-in faster than any PowerPoint deck, why drawing badly creates psychological safety that "perfect" can't match, and how to use visual thinking in the age of AI to stand out as authentically human. Drawing from her book “Drawing Out Your Genius,” she'll share quick techniques anyone can use to simplify complex ideas, kickstart innovation, and finally get teams speaking the same language. Ask her: You say "the worse it looks, the better it works"—how does that make sense? What kinds of problems can this technique help you solve? How can non-artists use drawing to get breakthrough results this week? Contact Lisa Rothstein at (310) 388-8093; Lrothstein@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Love Is in the Air: Tips for Dating After 50
For millions of single Americans over 50, Spring brings renewed hope for love. But dating later in life comes with risks many smart, successful women still overlook. Dr. Victoria Vaughn says experience doesn’t always protect against blind spots. In fact, loneliness, optimism, and the belief that “time is short” can make red flags easier to ignore. On-air, she reveals the warning signs mature singles often miss—from fast-forward romance and financial fog to charming manipulators who feel exciting but unstable. She explains why women (and men) sometimes settle after 50, how to spot emotional unavailability early, and why the biggest myth about love later in life may be the most damaging: that there’s only one soulmate. Blending humor with hard-earned insight from her memoir “Oh the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince,” Dr. Vaughn offers practical, buyer-beware guidance for anyone navigating the dating world. Contact Dr. Victoria Vaughn at (512) 580-8531; vwiesen@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower
If willpower were enough, you'd already be free from negativity in your life. “What keeps people stuck isn’t a lack of motivation, it’s the nervous system holding unresolved survival responses from the past,” according to Lisa Morgan. “Real change happens when we work with the body, not against it.” Lisa’s world fell apart when panic and anxiety brought her to her knees. This became the foundation of her life’s work. Lisa is a master coach, intuitive guide, and soul-level healer who helps people break free from hidden blocks and rediscover who they truly are. Through her signature framework, Free Your Soul to Soar™, she bridges neuroscience and energy psychology to help people transform to reclaim their joy, worth, and wings. Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
11. ==> The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
Chronic illness is rising in America, and many patients leave medical appointments with prescriptions, but without answers about why their symptoms developed in the first place. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores how stress, emotional patterns, and long-term internal pressure may influence physical health. After eight years of intensive autoimmune treatments that managed symptoms but didn’t restore his life, Marcel began examining the deeper drivers behind his condition. He has been hospital-free since 2012. This is not about rejecting medicine. It’s about asking a broader question: why do two people with the same diagnosis often recover at different rates? Marcel discusses how understanding recurring symptoms, personal stress history, and emotional triggers may complement conventional care. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for “The Key to Self-Liberation by the late Christiane Beerlandt, an encyclopedic work on the psychological and emotional roots of more than 1,000 diseases and symptoms. Contact him at Mvogeli@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Biggest Myths About Healing
Healing is not neat, inspiring, or Instagram-ready, and pretending it is leaves people feeling broken. Avonley Lightstone can explain why healing often looks messy, slow, and unresolved, and why lingering pain does not mean failure. She’ll challenge the belief that healing requires closure and reframe progress as something that can happen even when wounds remain. Lightstone speaks from lived experience. After losing her mother in a childhood house fire and facing abandonment soon after, she learned that healing comes in small, honest steps, not sudden breakthroughs. She is the author of “Strength of Scars,” a memoir on resilience and faith, and her story has gained media attention as it moves toward a potential film or television adaptation. Contact Avonley Lightstone at (801) 980-0447; alightstone@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Get Real This Spring. You’re Not OK, and That’s OK
“I’m fine.” “It’s all good.” “I’ve got this.” Most people say these words automatically, even when they’re barely holding it together. Author Kat Perkins says that habit of pretending we’re okay is often what keeps us from truly healing. After losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later facing breast cancer, Kat became skilled at smiling through pain. “It’s all good,” she would often say, even when it wasn’t. Everything shifted when someone finally gave her permission to admit the truth: it wasn’t all good, and she didn’t have to carry it alone. In this timely Spring conversation about renewal and emotional reset, Kat explains why acting okay can delay real healing, how unprocessed pain quietly shapes relationships and identity, and why understanding your story is the first step toward rewriting it. Drawing from her memoir “Girls with Pearls Have Power,” she shares how setbacks can become turning points, and why this season may be the perfect time to stop surviving and start rising. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com
14. ==> 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
Behind closed doors, abuse thrives in silence — and far more women experience it than most realize. Kit Filbey pulls back the curtain on the hidden reality of domestic abuse, revealing why so many women never speak up. Through a deeply personal story set in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin, Kit captures the confusion, denial, and emotional complexity that keep victims trapped. Her journey from self-sufficient homesteading to recognizing and escaping abuse offers rare insight into the psychology of silence. Kit’s story gives voice to millions, helping readers to see the signs, confront uncomfortable truths, and start conversations that could save lives. She is the author of the memoir “Cottage Test.” Contact Kit Filbey at (540) 501-7189; kfilbey@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Psychotherapist Shares How Psychedelic Medicine Changed Her Life
Psychotherapist and author Anjalia McGoldrick traversed an unexpected path that transformed her life and work: psychedelic medicine. After surviving severe childhood trauma, abuse, and decades of conventional therapy, she reached a breaking point that traditional approaches could not heal. Her carefully guided plant medicine experience opened a profound door to insight, forgiveness, and emotional freedom she had never experienced before. She reveals how this powerful journey reshaped her understanding of trauma, inner wounds, and lasting healing. She also shares the potential healing powers of psychedelics, and how these help people who are battling mental illness. Anjalia is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir “The Child I Left Behind: A Mother's Journey To Healing and Forgiveness.” Contact Anjalia McGoldrick at (540) 616-3200; amcgoldrick@rtirguests.com
