01. May the Fourth Be With You!
02. Why Cinco de Mayo Is a Very American Holiday
03. ¡Salud! Let’s Talk Tequila and Mezcal
04. Lights Out – Do It for the Birds
05. A Historic Road Trip with 4 American Legends
06. Why Aren’t Students Learning U.S. History?
07. Will the U.S. Lose its Technology Edge to China?
08. Female Olympic Coach on the History of Women in Sports
09. Hidden Patterns: How to See What Others Miss
10. How TikTok Helped Diagnose Her Autism at 31
11. Advantages Doubters Have That Self-Confident People Miss
12. The Dangerous Connection between Keeping Secrets and Getting Sick
13. Surviving Loss: The 5 HABITs of Grief
14. Pachyderm Power! How Elephants Can Reverse Climate Change
15. America’s Royal Western Couple – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
1.==> May the Fourth Be With You!
Nerd Alert! Star Wars Day, otherwise known as May the Fourth, is here. Regardless of whether you prefer “Star Wars” or “Star Trek,” or if you are even a sci-fi aficionado at all, the influence of George Lucas’ “Star Wars” on pop culture is undeniable. Invite Dan Zehr, a “Star Wars” expert and host of the podcast Coffee with Kenobi, to talk about anything and everything related to the franchise. Discuss the history of “Star Wars,” debate favorite films and characters, or talk about how something as simple and nerdy as Star Wars Day can help bring people together no matter what background they’re from. Dan Zehr is a feature blog contributor for StarWars.com, as well as a writer for IGN, and is a prominent expert in “Star Wars” fandom. He has appeared on “Good Morning America” and been interviewed in HuffPost, “Forbes” and Bloomberg and is co-author of “The Star Wars Book.” Contact him at danz@coffeewithkenobi.com; @MrZehr
2. ==> Why Cinco de Mayo Is a Very American Holiday
Cinco de Mayo may be best known as an overly commercial holiday, stripped of meaning and reliant on stereotypes about Mexico, at least for the majority of Americans toasting with margaritas. But Ruben Arellano reminds us that the holiday actually marks an important historical event, and for Mexican Americans, the celebration of victory at the Battle of Puebla has served as a reminder of their own resilience and survival. Arellano can share the history of the holiday, where the first celebrations began, and why Cinco de Mayo is truly an American holiday! Ruben Arellano is an Indigenous Chicano scholar, cohost of the Tales from Aztlantis podcast and professor of history at Dallas College, Mountain View Campus. Contact him at (214) 860-8566; rubenarellano@dallascollege.edu
3. ==> ¡Salud! Let’s Talk Tequila and Mezcal
You may have noticed more bars and restaurants adding tequila and mezcal-based cocktails to their menus. It’s the fastest-growing liquor category in the U.S., with Americans now spending more on mezcal and tequila than they do on whiskeys. What’s behind the trend? Invite liquor industry veteran Joey Angelo to provide a beginner’s guide to mezcal, discuss its relationship to tequila, and share some innovative new cocktails and a simple recipe or two to impress your friends! Joey Angelo is the founder of VIVA XXXII Tequila, MARGS canned margaritas, and Su Casa Mezcal. He has appeared on TV’s “Elevator Pitch” and NYC’s Z-100 FM. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com
4. ==> Lights Out – Do It for the Birds
City lights across the country will be dimmer than usual for the next few weeks to prevent millions of migrating birds from slamming into skyscrapers and crashing to the sidewalk. In Philadelphia, Bird Safe Philly was formed after a deadly mass collision in October 2020, when thousands of migratory birds were found on city streets after they became disoriented and flew into downtown buildings. Jason Weckstein, the associate curator of ornithology at Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences, says, “Conditions were perfect for a heavy migratory flight and imperfect given that there was a low ceiling of clouds and rain. That, in combination with Philly’s bright city lights, was a disaster for many fall migrant birds winging their way south.” Lights Out is a voluntary program to turn off or dim the lights on the top floors of city buildings from midnight to 6 a.m. from April through May and again in the fall. The National Audubon Society, along with its partners, established the first Lights Out program in 1999 in Chicago. Other participating cities include New York, Boston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Contact Jason Weckstein, Ph.D., at (215) 299-1023; jdw342@drexel.edu or Matt Smelser at the Audubon Society at matt.smelser@audubon.org
5. ==> A Historic Road Trip with 4 American Legends
For a fun show that paints a nostalgic portrait of rural America, invite writer, historian, and Yale University professor Wes Davis to share the story of historic road trips taken by four American legends in August 1918. Hear about the friendships that sprang up among automobile tycoon Henry Ford, naturalist John Burroughs, inventor Thomas Edison, and tire industrialist Harvey Firestone as they took road trips together in Ford’s miraculous vehicle, exploring parts of rural America that had been largely inaccessible. Learn how the relationship began in 1913 between Burroughs, then 75, and Ford, nearly 50, when Burroughs wrote in an article in “Atlantic Monthly” that the automobile “was going to kill the appreciation of nature.” In response, Ford sent him a new Model T, which indeed changed the old naturalist’s life by prompting him to set out on wide-ranging road trips beyond his Hudson River homestead. Wes Davis is the author of several books including his latest, “On the Road with Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
6. ==> Why Aren’t Students Learning U.S. History?
Just released national test scores show a marked drop in students’ knowledge of U.S. history, another sign of how education has suffered in recent years. The pandemic plunge in U.S. history accelerates a nearly decade-long downward trend and comes at a time when the subject itself has become increasingly politically divisive. Experts point to a continuing de-emphasis on social studies instruction since the implementation of No Child Left Behind in the early 2000s when states began testing students in reading and math. They say the pattern was amplified during the pandemic when schools had to triage academic losses. “It doesn’t bode well for the future of this country and for the future of democracy if we don’t start doing more instruction in social studies,” according to Kristin Dutcher Mann, a history professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, who helps train middle and high school social studies teachers. At one point, she says, older elementary school students in her community received an hour of social studies each day. Now, she says, “They will be lucky if they get 30 minutes for social studies twice a week.” Contact her at (501) 916-3236; kdmann@ualr.edu
7. ==> Will the U.S. Lose its Technology Edge to China?
Nationwide, undergraduate college enrollment dropped 8% from 2019 to 2022, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. The slide is the steepest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bring Alicia J. Moore on your show to explain why if the trend toward fewer college graduates continues the U.S. may lose its edge as the leading global innovator to China — in addition to creating worsening labor shortages and causing the American public to have an even more difficult time determining what is fake news. Moore is the author of “Crushing It in College: Your 7-Step Guide to an Awesome Adventure.” Moore talks to audiences at high schools and colleges across the country about why a college education is even more important today, despite the costs when it comes to future employment prospects and developing self-confidence and critical thinking. Contact Alicia J. Moore at (408) 569-1267; aliciajmoore@comcast.net
8. ==> Female Olympic Coach on the History of Women in Sports
Although things have improved since the late 1960s when Sue Humphrey began her athletic coaching career, there is still plenty of discrimination against women athletes, from grade-school competitions to the Olympic Games. With more than 50 years of experience, Sue has lived through the history of women in sports, beginning with the groundbreaking Title IX amendment that prohibited sex-based discrimination in athletics and other programs. Interview this author and seasoned media guest who has worked with sports legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Florence Griffith Joyner for an eye-opening look at sports discrimination and how today’s women (and future athletes) can best prepare for success. Contact Sue Humphrey at (512) 881-9648; shumphrey@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Hidden Patterns: How to See What Others Miss
Want to be savvier? More competitive? Wiser? Wish you could develop a wisdom detector that would let you see patterns others fail to notice? If this wish list sounds too good to be true that’s because you have yet to meet Steven Feinberg, Ph.D., a top 1% business coach in the country who has advised Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Visa, Oracle, FedEx and more. Steven is a neuro strategist who can talk about why the logical solution too often fails and share lessons he learned from his father, a big-time bookie who taught him how to deal with uncertainty. As a child, Feinberg slept on a fire escape because he didn’t have a bed. In his youth, he worked as a doorman, cab driver and carnival barker. His latest book “Do What Others Say Can’t Be Done … Play The Meta-Game” features interviews he conducted with 50 world-class leaders and entrepreneurs. Ask him: Why do so many people remain stuck? What three behaviors let you do what others say can’t be done? Contact Steven Feinberg at (650) 374-4540; sfeinberg@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How TikTok Helped Diagnose Her Autism at 31
Artist, poet and best-selling author Morgan Harper Nichols is making headlines after sharing her story about her late autism diagnosis at the age of 31. Doctors misdiagnosed her and told her that she was “perfectly normal,” but after seeing a TikTok video describing autism symptoms, Morgan was compelled to advocate for herself and seek help again. She can discuss what it’s like to be diagnosed with autism as an adult, how to advocate for yourself when you feel something is not right and don’t feel heard, and the positive connection between autism and art. An advocate for autism and mental health and wellness with nearly two million followers on Instagram, Morgan uses her art, her platform, and her experiences to connect with her followers. Her story and artwork have been covered on “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” and in “Cosmopolitan,” “Forbes,” Refinery29 and more. Her new book is “You Are Only Just the Beginning.” Contact Jesse Metres at jesse@strategicheights.com or
Simone Smalls at simone@strategicheights.com
11. ==> Advantages Doubters Have That Self-Confident People Miss
In our culture, self-confidence is lauded as a virtue. So what happens when doubt creeps in? Does that mean you’re broken? Or could you have an advantage others lack? Invite leadership expert Marc A. Pitman to reveal why doubt can be a surprising gift that forces leaders to look inward to gain special insight. His book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a framework for leaders to move past feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively. Ask him: How could the words in your head be sabotaging your efforts? Why are doubters some of the strongest leaders? Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Dangerous Connection between Keeping Secrets and Getting Sick
We all know that keeping secrets can be stressful. But what most people don’t know is that it can also lead to illnesses (including cancer), especially if you keep secrets from your doctor. Attorney, author and cancer survivor Francine Tone can discuss the worst things to keep to yourself that can lead to sickness, suffering and even loss of life. Among the secrets are the pains, lumps, moles, nagging symptoms and other experiences you never mention to your doctor. Worse yet would be missing important screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies — and lying about it. Francine will also warn about keeping it to yourself when you consume the wrong foods, drink or smoke to excess, use illicit drugs, don’t exercise, or hide domestic violence. Francine is a sought-after guest on legal matters and overcoming everything from abuse to debilitating accidents. She’s the author of the best-selling book, “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know.” Contact her at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Surviving Loss: The 5 HABITs of Grief
The death of a loved one can be a crippling blow from which you never seem to recover, especially since most people have no idea how to deal with such a loss. Frank DiMaio has been there. After losing his wife to breast cancer, he found there was no real support or guidance for surviving husbands — so he set out to change that. Now, Frank shares insights from his journey of healing with your audience. He can help anyone say NO to defeat and move forward from being emotionally stuck, whether through the loss of a loved one or grief stemming from major life changes, through his system of positive HABITs. Frank’s new book is “A Promise Made, A Promise Kept: A Husband’s Journey Through Journaling to Heal the Loss of His Spouse.” Ask him: What does HABITs stand for, and how does it help people to deal with grief? Why did you sail to Bermuda following your wife’s passing? What is the best way to address survivor’s guilt after losing a loved one? Contact Frank DiMaio at (401) 205-3325; fdimaio@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Pachyderm Power! How Elephants Can Reverse Climate Change
People the world over have a deep affection for elephants. But did you know that they could help save the planet? “Not only are elephants adorable, super-loving and brilliant, they are also important ecosystem engineers,” says author and animal/environmental advocate Georja Umano. “They are so large that rain in an elephant’s footprint can create a microsystem that can provide a home for tadpoles and other organisms. The effects of their movements in both savannahs and forests help restore and maintain the balance of nature.” Georja can share why it’s so important to protect this endangered species, and other fascinating pachyderm facts, as well as her experiences living in Kenya. She is the author of “Terrier in the Jungle.” Contact her at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
15. ==> America’s Royal Western Couple – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
They were one of the most famous couples in Western film and television history, but to her, they were just Grandma and Grandpa. Invite Julie Rogers Pomilia to share a different view of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the Brad and Angelina of the ‘50s, before it was in vogue. The youngest daughter of Dale Evans’ only biological son, Julie reveals little-known facts and unique insights into her grandparents including their adoption of five children from different walks of life and cultures. In fact, Grandma and Grandpa were seldom photographed by the press without their brood of nine kids, usually all lined up in little matching Western outfits. Julie Rogers Pomilia’s new book is “Your Heroes, My Grandparents.” Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com