01. The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet
02. Why Won’t Dems Talk About Why They Lost 2024?
03. Ebola: What’s Different About This Outbreak?
04. What Actually Survives Us? What Endures and What Vanishes
05. Celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday
06. How New Grads Can Get—and Keep—a Job
07. The Money Talk Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Grad
08. Why Self-Awareness May Be a New Grad’s Most Important Skill
09. Is a Job the Only Path? What New Grads Should Consider
10. Why Many Grads Feel Like Frauds at Work
11. New Grads Struggle to Focus—What’s Behind It?
12. America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis
13. From Overwhelmed to Action: How Everyday People Are Making a Real Difference
14. How to Stand for What You Believe Without Burning Bridges
15. Real Change Starts Locally – How Communities Are Taking Back Control
1. ==> The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet
It’s no secret that a virulent form of misogyny has sunk into American culture recently, but where has it come from? Laura Field spent close to a decade in conservative academic circles and chronicles the rise of the New Right in her book, “Furious Minds.” “People ask me what the New Right is furious about,” she says. “And I think a good shorthand for that is they’re furious about their own loss of status in society over the last few years and the elites who made that happen, and I think the pithiest short version of that is that it’s the women. It’s the women who took their status.” Field can discuss how Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential victory set off a radicalization and reconfiguration of the American conservative intellectual world. She’ll discuss the network of academics, public intellectuals, and influencers who provide ideological fuel to Trumpism and examine the intersection of feminism and conservative politics within the New Right movement. She’ll highlight how women have been both empowered and constrained by New Right ideologies and discuss the role of women in conservative activism and their influence on policy. Laura Field is a nonresident fellow in the Governance Studies program at Brookings, and a writer and political theorist in Washington, D.C. Contact her at @lkatfield or Molly Grote at Molly_Grote@press.princeton.edu
2. ==> Why Won’t Dems Talk About Why They Lost 2024?
After several months of saying he would not make it public, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has released the party’s autopsy report on the 2024 election. But many critics, including RootsAction political director Sam Rosenthal, say it does little to address what really happened and instead focuses on superficial messaging issues. “This draft expresses the identity of the Democratic Party perfectly: it is completely preoccupied with ads, spending, and communications strategy. It contains virtually no reflection on the political legacy of the Biden administration or on how Harris positioned herself in relation to that legacy. Our argument all along has been that there has to be a reckoning with the failures of that administration, and that Harris needed to chart a different course if she wanted to win. She did nothing like that, and the party simply does not want to talk about it.” RootsAction is a grassroots organization focused on progressive activism. Contact Rosenthal at sam@rootsaction.org
3. ==> Ebola: What’s Different About This Outbreak?
Ebola has returned to West Africa, and this time the World Health Organization has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It’s the highest level of global health alert and is mostly reserved for an extraordinary disease outbreak or event that is a public health risk to many countries through international spread requiring global coordinated efforts. Michelle Gavin is the Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. She can explain the scale of the crisis, what’s driving it, and how prepared the region and the world are to respond. “The only way to get ahead of the outbreak is through rigorous contact tracing; isolating and caring for those infected while protecting health-care workers; and public education delivered by known, trusted voices, particularly around burial practices,” she says. “However, given that transmission has been occurring for weeks, conditions on the ground are extremely challenging, and the global health community has been thrown into disarray by former leaders such as the United States, the numbers are likely to get worse before they get better.” Gavin was formerly the managing director of The Africa Center, a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to increasing understanding of contemporary Africa. Contact her at mgavin@cfr.org
4. ==> What Actually Survives Us? What Endures and What Vanishes
In an era when we’re told that “the internet never forgets,” Stanford historian Thomas Mullaney offers a bracing corrective. Invite the author of “How We Disappear: A Personal History of Information,” to discuss what happens to our memories and digital lives after we’re gone. He reminds us that information from printed photographs and family recipe cards, as well as digital files, emails, and social media accounts does not naturally endure. It requires constant care, labeling, and maintenance. He says without it, some of the most meaningful parts of our lives drift into obscurity. Mullaney can discuss how unlabeled family photos quickly become historical mysteries, what “original order” means — and why preserving context matters as much as preserving objects. Learn what happens to our online lives after death along with practical steps to protect photos, documents, and digital records. You’ll leave thinking differently about memory, legacy, and the meaning of preservation. Thomas Mullaney is professor of history at Stanford University and a leading scholar of the history of technology and information. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> Celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday
Marilyn Monroe would be 100 years on June 1st and the Hollywood Museum is celebrating! The museum is rededicating the Max Factor “Blondes Only Room” that houses many of her most personal items, and unveiling a special collection of never-before-published photos from George Barris’ legendary last photo sessions with the actress. Museum founder and president Donelle Dadigan says, “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone of one of Hollywood’s iconic film stars. The exhibit features the personal side of Marilyn, the side few knew and many loved.” Visitors can view her clothing, jewelry, shoes, and undergarments as well as her makeup chair and case. They’ll also get a glimpse of a million-dollar dress she wore on her honeymoon with Joe Dimaggio, another dress worn to her post-wedding party with Arthur Miller as well as gifts he gave her. Even her personal prescription bottles are on display! The Hollywood Museum is the official museum of Hollywood, highlighting 100 years of Hollywood history. Contact Harlan Boll at (323) 708-4172 (cell); harlan@bhbpr.com
6. ==> How New Grads Can Get—and Keep—a Job
Spring has historically been peak hiring season but in these uncertain times, companies are reassessing budgets, teams are restructuring and it seems nobody is hiring. So, what’s a new grad to do? Shawn Fry says most new grads (and job hunters in general) focus on the wrong things like having a slick résumé (which won’t get you very far.) After leading change initiatives in 60+ facilities across 17 countries, this business transformation expert found that the employees who advance in uncertain markets like the current one aren’t the busiest, they’re the most strategically visible, cross-functional, and solution-oriented. He’ll explain how that translates into getting hired, why new grads need to be more flexible than ever when looking for a job, and what savvy employees do once they’re on the job to stay promotable, valuable, and hard to replace. Contact Shawn Fry at (330) 422-4090; Sfry@rtirguests.com
7. ==> The Money Talk Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Grad
As new grads head out into the world they face a challenging economy and a changing world. Financial planner, entrepreneur, and author Tom Loegering says the best graduation advice any parent can give their young adult involves their finances. Loegering can discuss how to avoid credit card debt, put together a budget, choose the best student loan repayment plan, start an IRA, and more. He’ll also show how small adjustments, even when you’re strapped for cash, can create meaningful change. Tom Loegering is also the founder and CEO of Golf Program in Schools, a nonprofit that has helped more than 51,000 students prepare for their futures. Ask him: What’s the biggest mistake young people make with their finances? What can people in their 20s or 30s do today? Contact Tom Loegering at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Why Self-Awareness May Be a New Grad’s Most Important Skill
As millions of new graduates step into adulthood, many are navigating careers, independence, dating, and major life decisions without truly understanding themselves first. Author and speaker Charisse Walker says self-awareness may be the missing skill no one taught them. On your show, Walker explains how unresolved childhood patterns quietly influence confidence, communication, career choices, and even who we fall in love with—often leading young adults into unhealthy relationships, people-pleasing, burnout, or repeated emotional struggles. Walker believes that every person has hidden “icebergs” beneath the surface and those beliefs, fears, emotional wounds, expectations, and habits shape decisions without us realizing it. She’ll share why so many young adults confuse familiarity with compatibility, struggle to set boundaries, or lose themselves trying to build the “perfect” life after graduation. A former host on the Emmy-nominated national television show The American Dream, Walker now speaks nationally about self-awareness, relationships, and personal growth. She’s the author of “Flipping the Iceberg.” Contact Charisse Walker at (801) 251-6965; cwalker@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Is a Job the Only Path? What New Grads Should Consider
For decades, college graduates were told the formula for success was simple: earn a degree, land a job, climb the ladder. But with layoffs rising, AI reshaping industries, and many young professionals already questioning traditional career paths, franchise consultant and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Greg Mohr says graduates should pause before automatically sending out résumés. On your show, he’ll explain why entrepreneurship and business ownership are becoming more attractive to younger generations seeking flexibility, control, and long-term wealth-building opportunities. He’ll also break down the biggest misconceptions about franchising, why some grads are better suited for ownership than corporate life, and what questions families should ask before taking on years of career uncertainty or debt. Drawing from years helping professionals transition into franchise ownership, Mohr offers a practical, eye-opening conversation about rethinking success in today’s economy. Greg Mohr is the author of “Real Freedom.” Contact him at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why Many Grads Feel Like Frauds at Work
They earned the degree, landed the job, and checked all the right boxes, so why do so many new graduates still feel like they don’t belong? Studies show nearly 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point, especially during major life and career transitions. Leadership expert Mike Sealy says today’s high-achieving grads are entering workplaces feeling enormous pressure to prove themselves while quietly battling self-doubt, comparison, and fear of failure. On your show, he’ll explain why imposter syndrome often hits ambitious young professionals hardest, how social media and workplace culture intensify it, and what grads can do to build confidence without pretending to have everything figured out. Drawing from his own leadership journey across multiple industries, Sealy shares practical mindset tools that help young professionals shift from perfectionism to growth. Mike Sealy is the author of “Mindset Unlocked” and has spent decades helping leaders navigate personal and professional transformation. Contact Mike Sealy at (484) 477-4220; msealy@rtirguests.com
11. ==> New Grads Struggle to Focus—What’s Behind It?
New grads are entering adulthood in a world of nonstop notifications, algorithm-driven distraction, and rising anxiety about the future. Studies show the average person checks their phone nearly 100 times a day, while employers increasingly report concerns about focus, resilience, and emotional overwhelm among younger workers. Author and mindfulness educator Mitra Manesh says the issue isn’t laziness or lack of ambition. It’s that many young adults are living in “survival mode” without realizing it. On your show, Mitra explores how constant scrolling, comparison culture, fear about the future, and pressure to succeed quietly shape attention, self-worth, and decision-making. She’ll explain how reclaiming attention can help young adults move from fear and reactivity to clarity, confidence, and intentional living. Mitra Manesh is a senior mindfulness educator who has spent decades teaching and guiding individuals and organizations in attention, consciousness, and personal transformation. She is the author of the novel “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World.” Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com
12. ==> America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis
Over 440,000 teaching positions are now filled by unqualified staff or sitting empty. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the only way to fix it is to make people fall in love with teaching again — and to pressure lawmakers to fund salaries that keep them there. A 26-year classroom veteran, former school principal, and university professor who trained the next generation of educators, Gilmore will share firsthand stories from teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and coaches to remind America what's at stake before it's too late. Ask her: With nearly half a million teaching positions unfilled, what happens to America's public schools? What concrete steps can communities and lawmakers take right now to stop the bleeding? How are school voucher programs making the teacher shortage even worse? Deanna Gilmore is the author of "There's a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard." Contact her at (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com
13. ==> From Overwhelmed to Action: How Everyday People Are Making a Real Difference
Your audience isn't apathetic. They're exhausted, and there's a difference. Activist and author Sam Daley-Harris has spent decades studying why engaged, well-meaning people eventually go quiet, and what it actually takes to bring them back. His answer isn't a pep talk. It's a method. On your show, he'll introduce "transformational advocacy", a practical framework that moves people from paralyzed to participating without burning out in the process. He'll explain why dramatic gestures and viral moments rarely create lasting change, why small, consistent actions are disproportionately powerful, and how ordinary people with no political experience or large platforms have influenced real policy outcomes. This is the segment for the audience who cares deeply, feels completely stuck, and needs someone to show them the on-ramp — not just tell them it exists. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; sdaley@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How to Stand for What You Believe Without Burning Bridges
Most people aren't losing relationships over big ideological battles. They're losing them over Tuesday night dinners and team meetings — the small moments where someone says the wrong thing and the damage is done before anyone realizes it. Peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan says the problem is rarely what we believe. It's that nobody taught us how to say it. Drawing from years of training organizations, schools, and communities, Khan gives your audience something practical and immediately usable: specific language shifts that let people hold their ground without triggering defensiveness, avoid the two most common communication mistakes that escalate disagreements, and stay in relationship with people they fundamentally disagree with. This isn't conflict avoidance. It's conflict navigation. And in a climate where audiences are exhausted by division but don't know how to do it differently, Khan is the guest who hands them a tool, not just a talking point. Contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Real Change Starts Locally – How Communities Are Taking Back Control
When problems feel too big to solve, many people assume change has to come from the top. Crime prevention expert Stephanie Mann says real, lasting change often starts at the community level. Drawing from decades of experience, she explains how local engagement, trust-building, and neighbor-to-neighbor connection can reduce crime and strengthen communities in measurable ways. On your show, she’ll share why traditional top-down approaches often fall short and how grassroots efforts create safer, more resilient neighborhoods. She also reveals the specific strategies communities can use to take ownership of their environment and reduce dependence on reactive systems. This is a practical, empowering conversation that shows your audience how meaningful change can begin right where they live. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com
