01. DOJ Sets Up Taxpayer-Funded $1.7 Billion Trump Slush Fund
02. Inside the Pentagon’s Push Toward Autonomous Warfare
03. Americans Say Government Hasn’t Done Enough to Regulate AI
04. Mushrooms as Medicine? Will FDA Approve Psychedelics for PTSD?
05. Country Recording Artist Sarah Harralson
06. How the Most-Watched Television Event on Earth Vanished from the Airwaves
07. Why Are So Many Female Leaders Bowing Out?
08. How to Disagree Without Destroying the Relationship
09. Loneliness No One Talks About: When Crisis Pushes Us Into Isolation
10. She Buys Houses Like Some Women Buy Shoes - Here’s How
11. Caught in the Middle at Work? What to Do Without Picking a Side
12. Why So Many New Grads Burn Out Their First Year
13. The Case for Out of the Chair Full-Body Learning
14. A Better Way to Help Kids Build Confidence
15. Do You Have a Telescope? NASA Needs Your Help
1. ==> DOJ Sets Up Taxpayer-Funded $1.7 Billion Trump Slush Fund
The Department of Justice under Donald Trump has established a $1.7 billion fund to compensate friends and supporters of the president who were prosecuted or investigated under previous Democratic administrations. The fund is being established to settle a $10 billion lawsuit which Trump and his children filed against the IRS after his tax returns were leaked. Donald Sherman, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) says, “While Americans are struggling with an affordability crisis, President Trump plans to use nearly $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to pay off his friends and allies—including potentially the violent insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol on January 6th. By settling his absurd $10 billion lawsuit against his own administration, Trump and the Justice Department just engaged in the most brazen act of self-dealing in the history of the presidency, and did so quickly in order to avoid the scrutiny of the judicial process, while quite likely violating the Constitution’s Domestic Emoluments Clause in the process. This is one of the single most corrupt acts in American history.” CREW is a nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog organization. For media inquiries email Press@citizensforethics.org
2. ==> Inside the Pentagon’s Push Toward Autonomous Warfare
The Pentagon’s growing investment in military robotics and autonomous systems is changing the future of warfare and Michael LeBlanc, former U.S. Marine Corps Major and founder of Foundation Robotics, says human judgment matters more than ever. After 13 years in the Marines, including deployments against ISIS and work advising the Department of Defense on emerging military technology, LeBlanc now builds robots designed to replace soldiers in dangerous operational environments. His experience gives him a rare perspective on what changes when machines begin taking on roles once reserved for human combat decision-making. As debates intensify around AI-powered weapons systems, autonomous drones, battlefield robotics, and the role of human oversight in modern war, LeBlanc can speak directly to what these technologies mean for soldiers, military leadership, and national security. LeBlanc is the author of the forthcoming book “What If Anger Is the Answer?: A Harvard Marine’s Guide to Shaping Aggression,” which argues that anger, when properly disciplined, can become a source of resilience, courage, and leadership rather than destruction. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
3. ==> Americans Say Government Hasn’t Done Enough to Regulate AI
According to a new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Americans are skeptical that artificial intelligence will broadly benefit society. And they think politicians haven’t done enough to rein it in. Fewer than 2 in 10 Americans think artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on the country over the next decade, and more than twice as many expect negative results, the study found. Medical research was the one area in which the public found reason for optimism, with 57% expecting positive impacts. The data show most Americans are paying attention to AI — “and what they see concerns them,” says Shawn Patterson Jr., a research analyst at the Annenberg center. “The demand for regulation is not a partisan issue.” The survey also found just 21% say they would support the construction of new data centers in their area, compared with 49% opposed. Shawn Patterson, Jr., is a research analyst at the Annenberg Public Policy Center. At APPC, he works with the Institutions of Democracy project on a panel study of public opinion toward elections and democracy. Contact him at shawnpattersonjr@gmai.com or shawn.patterson@appc.upenn.edu
4. ==> Mushrooms as Medicine? Will FDA Approve Psychedelics for PTSD?
Momentum around psychedelic PTSD treatment for veterans accelerated again last week. Lawmakers are now pressuring the FDA to fast-track psychedelic therapies for mental health, while veteran advocacy groups continue expanding support for alternatives to conventional PTSD treatment. Christian Rasmussen, founder of Amentara, can discuss why veterans are increasingly exploring legal mushroom-based wellness tools, what’s driving demand, and why many feel traditional treatment models have fallen short. As someone who fought to overcome severe anxiety, Rasmussen discovered his answer in a simple mushroom. While initially, the research he conducted was solely for his own benefit, he quickly understood that these ethnobotanicals could help others on their way to a healthier, holistic lifestyle. Contact Aura at Lyris at (780) 660-7538; aura@publicityforgood.com
5. ==> Country Recording Artist Sarah Harralson
Twelve years into her Nashville music career, Knoxville native, Sarah Harralson, continues to make waves in the music industry. Her brand new EP and short film “Just the Beginning” offers an intimate look at precious childhood memories, family struggles, and life experiences that shaped both the artist and the music. “This EP and short film is a collection of songs that I have written and co-written over the past few years about my childhood,” Harralson says. “It's very personal as I sing about the divorce of my parents, the loss of my Mom, and not seeing or speaking to my father for ten years.” She adds, “I hope people can relate to that. I titled it “Just the Beginning” because even though this is a big part of my life, my childhood, it doesn't necessarily define all of me. There's so much more to come!” Sarah is a part of the upcoming “Women Behind the Lyrics” documentary and is host of Takin’ a Walk Nashville, which has reached #2 on the Apple Music podcast chart. She also volunteers with Musicians On Call to bring music to patients’ bedsides. Contact Jason Ashcraft at (615) 991-1125; jwa@jwamedia.com
6. ==> How the Most-Watched Television Event on Earth Vanished from the Airwaves
More than 2.5 billion people around the world were expected to watch the 1984 Summer Olympics. Then suddenly, the signal went dark. What happened behind the scenes during one of the most high-stakes moments in broadcast history? Satellite broadcasting pioneer Bob Patterson takes audiences inside the chaos, pressure, and split-second decisions required when a live global event begins to unravel in real time. He’ll reveal what most viewers never see: how live television is delivered across continents, why a single technical failure can impact millions, and how the broadcasting breakthroughs of the 1980s helped shape today’s streaming and always-connected world. Patterson’s new book is “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Contact him at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Why Are So Many Female Leaders Bowing Out?
For decades, women were told to lean in, speak up, and push harder. Yet women in tech, finance, and other demanding fields are burning out and leaving leadership roles at record rates, with 43% of women leaders reporting burnout, compared to 31% of men. Master life coach and former banking executive Amanda Christian says the problem isn’t ambition. It’s the “translation tax” women pay in male-dominated workplaces when they’re constantly adjusting how they speak, lead, and make decisions in order to be taken seriously. Her book “The Skeptical Executive” outlines a research-backed alternative leadership approach that integrates mind, body, heart, and soul so high-achieving women can lead without burning out. Book her for a segment that shows why “lean in” backfired and what women and companies can do right now to stop losing their best female leaders. Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How to Disagree Without Destroying the Relationship
At a moment when even small disagreements can end friendships and fracture families, people aren't just looking for debate tips, they're looking for a way back to each other. National Muslim leader and peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan has spent years inside some of the world's most difficult conversations at training schools, workplaces, and communities to reduce bias, lower tension, and keep people talking. She knows exactly why most people's instincts backfire when conflict hits, and she brings surprisingly practical tools for lowering defensiveness, interrupting escalation, and protecting connection even when the disagreement is real. Her timing couldn't be better. Audiences are exhausted by division and hungry for something that actually works. Daisy also draws from her book “30 Rights of Muslim Women,” which challenges assumptions about faith and identity that even open-minded audiences didn't know they were holding. Contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Loneliness No One Talks About: How to Pivot When Crisis Pushes Us Into Isolation
Loneliness has become a public health crisis. Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General warned it carries health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Yet many people don’t recognize how quickly life-changing events like serious illness, caregiving, grief, infertility, divorce, or financial hardship lead to isolation. Author Karen Kay Smith calls these moments “waiting room seasons” — when people become so focused on functioning that they stop processing their feelings. Smith explains why this emotional suppression deepens loneliness, makes healing harder, and why women in particular struggle to communicate their needs during difficult seasons. Drawing from years in women’s ministry, life coach training, and 15 years caring for her husband during his battle with multiple sclerosis, she shares practical ways listeners can reconnect emotionally, spiritually, and relationally, including simple “breath prayers,” emotional honesty, and her “3 Cs” framework for rebuilding communication, connection, and community. Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com
10. ==> She Buys Houses Like Some Women Buy Shoes - Here’s How
Americans carry over $1 trillion in credit card debt, and much of it is tied to lifestyle spending, not assets. Janet Tonkins says the same money going toward handbags, heels, and impulse buys could be the foundation of real estate wealth, and she shares how to make that shift. On your show, she explains how everyday consumers can start building property portfolios without perfect credit or large capital, using simple strategies like automating $5–$10 monthly investments, leveraging first-time homebuyer programs, and finding off-market deals. She shares real-world stories from a 24-year-old who now owns multiple properties to families who transformed their financial future in under a year. A seasoned developer and private lender with 30+ years of experience, 900+ units, and $900M+ in transactions, Tonkins is author of “Purses, Heels, Houses — You Choose.” She trains aspiring investors through her Cashflow Diva Academy and equips landlords nationwide at TheCashflowDiva.com. Contact Janet Tonkins at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Caught in the Middle at Work? What to Do Without Picking a Side
Whether it's a silent feud between two managers, a team fractured by favoritism, or a culture where speaking up feels career-ending, every workplace has its fair share of conflicts that threaten to quietly destroy trust, morale, and people. Leadership expert Dr. Dionne Poulton has seen it from every angle, and she's here to offer your audience a practical playbook for navigating workplace tension without becoming collateral damage. Dr. Dionne breaks down how behaviors such as favoritism, bias, and bullying operate under the radar—quietly fueling workplace conflict, and what it actually looks like to lead (or work) in an environment grounded in decency and accountability. Ask her: Why do workplace conflicts so often spiral out of control? Can trying to “stay neutral” actually make things worse? Dr. Dionne Poulton is a certified educator and DEI scholar and the author of “Excellence Without Exclusion.” Contact her at (404) 383-8924; dpoulton@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why So Many New Grads Burn Out Their First Year
Today’s college graduates are entering a workforce where burnout is happening faster than ever. Some studies now show Gen Z workers are reaching peak burnout at just 25 years old. That’s nearly two decades earlier than previous generations. Executive coach and former Fortune 500 HR leader Lindsay Barnett says many young professionals are stepping into high-pressure careers without the tools to protect their well-being, set boundaries, or manage workplace stress. On your show, Barnett explains why so many ambitious young employees quickly feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and emotionally exhausted—and what they can do before burnout takes hold. Using her practical “3Ps” framework—Planning, Pacing, and Playing—she shares realistic strategies to help new grads improve performance without sacrificing mental health or work-life harmony. Barnett also discusses how parents, managers, and companies can better support early-career employees entering today’s demanding workplace culture. A global HR veteran and executive coach, Barnett has advised leaders and teams across industries on workplace well-being and sustainable performance. She’s the author of “Working Hell to Working Well.” Contact Lindsay Barnett at (310) 340-2579; Lbarnett@rtirguests.com
13. ==> The Case for Out-of-the-Chair Full-Body Learning
Kids are spending more time on screens than ever and struggling more with focus, memory, and engagement in school. What if the solution isn’t more tutoring or tech, but simply getting kids up and moving? Math educator Suzy Koontz says movement may be the missing link. Suzy is the creator of Math & Movement, a program used in schools nationwide to improve academic performance through full-body learning. In this high-energy segment, she shows how simple activities like jumping through math problems, spelling with movement, or turning the floor into a learning game can help kids learn faster and retain more. Parents and teachers will walk away with easy, no-tech strategies they can use immediately to re-engage restless learners. Ask Her: Why does moving the body actually improve focus and memory? Can kids really learn more by being active than by sitting still? Contact Suzy at (607) 366-9588 or skoontz@rtirguests.com
14. ==> A Better Way to Help Kids Build Confidence
Parents today are giving kids more planners, reminders, and productivity tools than ever, yet anxiety and self-doubt are rising. Author and mindset coach Sharon Emily says confidence is not built through pressure and performance charts. It grows when children learn how to picture possibilities, trust themselves, and focus less on fear and more on what they want. A former counselor and FranklinCovey-trained facilitator, Sharon teaches families why creativity, repetition, and imagination shape behavior more effectively than lectures, rewards, or constant correction. Her children’s book “Mirror of Myself” began as a simple song designed to help kids redirect anxious thinking in a way they could remember and use. Her message resonates with families navigating test anxiety, school stress, social media pressure, and rising concerns about children’s mental health. Ask her: Why can imagination build confidence faster than achievement charts? Are parents accidentally increasing anxiety by over-focusing on performance? Contact Sharon Emily at (480) 470-3893; semily@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Do You Have a Telescope? NASA Needs Your Help
As NASA’s Artemis II astronauts zipped around the Moon in early April, they observed flashes of light caused by meteoroids hitting the lunar surface. At the same time, volunteers for the NASA-funded Impact Flash project scanned the Moon with their own telescopes and sent their videos to scientists to share what they saw from Earth. The Artemis II astronauts have splashed back down to Earth, so their observations of the Moon from space have come to a halt for now, but the Impact Flash team is just getting started and recording these flashes is more important than ever. Thanks to modern robotic telescopes and video equipment, it’s also easier to do. If you have access to a telescope four inches in diameter or greater with video capabilities, your observations can make a difference. “We are planning to send seismometers to the Moon to measure how the ground shakes,” says Impact Flash project lead Ben Fernando, a planetary scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. “Your measurements of impact flashes will help us work out the sources of moonquakes we detect. This will help us work out what the Moon’s interior looks like.” For interviews, contact NASA’s media team at hq-media@mail.nasa.gov.
