01. Why Central American Migrants Are Fleeing
02. How Postal Banking Could Save the USPS
03. Interview Young Star of Netflix’s ‘Selena: The Series’
04. How Lies Help Us: Deception’s Role in Human Success
05. Why Falling College Enrollment Is Good News
06. How Did You Become a Mom? Why It Doesn’t Matter
07. Is Mother’s Intuition Real?
08. Mom Said What? Funny Show on Caring for Aging Moms
09. Transforming Mother’s Day
10. The Truth about Black Women and Infertility
11. Why Is the U.S. C-section Rate So High?
12. More Women Freezing Eggs: What Happens Later?
13. Telemedicine Is Here to Stay: How to Use It Best
14. A Different Approach for Brain Issues
15. Help for Your Unfinished Home Projects
1.==> Why Central American Migrants Are Fleeing
Thousands of people are arriving at the U.S. southern border after fleeing the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Invite Paul Angelo to discuss the problems that are prompting them to migrate. “Economic precariousness, government corruption, crime, violence, and—increasingly—climate change are all driving migration,” he says. He’ll discuss what, if anything, governments in the area are doing to curb emigration and Biden’s policies toward the region. Paul J. Angelo is a fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He researches and writes on crime, violence, and insecurity in Latin America and U.S.-Latin American relations. Contact him at pangelo@cfr.org; @pol_ange
2. ==> How Postal Banking Could Save the USPS
Members of Congress are proposing a postal banking program to address inequalities and boost revenue for the U.S. Postal Service. Christopher Shaw says the USPS can serve as a solution to the 8 million households in the U.S. that currently lack bank accounts. “The Postal Service could offer a public option for banking, making essential financial services more available to low- and middle-income households at over 30,000 post offices nationwide.” He adds that there is an important historical precedent: postal banking operated for more than 50 years during the 20th century, when millions of Americans deposited billions of dollars in the postal bank. In an interview, he’ll explain how proposed programs in selected rural and urban areas would provide surcharge-free ATMs, wire transfers, check cashing, and bill payment and how expanding financial services at post offices would bring new revenues and help to revitalize the agency. Christopher Shaw is author of “Preserving the People’s Post Office” and recently wrote an article entitled “The U.S. Postal Service Was Designed to Serve Democracy” for Foreign Affairs. Contact him at christophershaw.ca@gmail.com; @chris_w_shaw
3. ==> Interview Young Star of Netflix’s ‘Selena: The Series’
As seen on “Access Hollywood,” Harper’s Bazaar, E!, and Oprah, musical prodigy and young Hollywood’s newest up-and-coming actress Madison Taylor Baez has drawn attention for her breakout performance as young Selena in Netflix’s original “Selena: The Series.” The coming-of-age story follows the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla’s journey to stardom. Madison’s life so far seems to mirror Selena’s. At only 10 years old, this superstar in the making is widely known as the “Anthem Girl” for her heartfelt stadium performances in front of thousands of people. Invite Madison on your show to talk about her breakout role as young Selena and her own growing music career. Madison can share stories about her recent visit to Corpus Christi where she met Selena’s family, and how her father credits Madison’s music with saving his life. Part 2 of “Selena: The Series” is currently streaming on Netflix. Contact Lilyan Park at (323) 655-1008; (323) 313-7144 (cell) or Edgar Deniz at (323) 360-3441 (cell)
4.==> How Lies Help Us: Deception’s Role in Human Success
Everyone agrees that lies and self-deception can do terrible harm to our lives, to our communities, and to the planet. But Shankar Vedantam argues that deceiving ourselves and others can also play a vital role in human success and well-being. Invite the New York Times best-selling author and host of the ‘Hidden Brain’ podcast on your show for a counterintuitive, thought-provoking look into deception’s role in human success. Shankar says, “The lies we tell each other and the lies that we tell ourselves sustain our daily interactions with friends, lovers, and coworkers. They explain why some people live longer than others, why some couples remain in love and others don’t, why some nations and tribes hold together while others splinter.” Shankar Vedantam’s new book is “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com and include two or three possible interview dates and times.
5. ==> Why Falling College Enrollment Is Good News
For a variety of reasons, many colleges are still looking for students this fall, reasons that include COVID fears, international students whose families are afraid to send them, and fewer young students in the college-age group. While college administrators are worried about this trend former college professor Glen Dunzweiler is anything but. He says, Good!” Glen says it’s time to think about the value of a college education vs the debt it requires and whether a trade school or associate degree may be a better fit for young people contemplating their future. Glen can talk about how Gen Zs and their parents can plot a well-paying, satisfying future that puts their needs ahead of those of a future employer, college bursar, or loan officer. He will explain why a traditional college education does not lead to a secure future for most students, why trade schools and work experience can be a better option, and ways students can monetize their skills once they graduate. In addition to his former role as a college professor, Glen is a documentarian and the author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
6. ==> How Did You Become a Mom? Why It Doesn’t Matter
There are many ways for a woman to become a mother and just as many reasons to honor the strength, courage, and selflessness that goes into being a mother, whether by birth or by adoption. Mikki Shepard will discuss common myths about adoption and share her own adoption story spanning multiple generations. Listeners will learn why it doesn’t take biology to make a family as Mikki reveals lessons she learned from her father. Mikki Shepard is the author of “In a Heartbeat: The Miracle of a Family that Was Meant to Be.” Her diverse career spans multiple industries, successful entrepreneurship, and a strong background in speaking and real estate. Mikki has appeared on radio and in numerous publications. Contact her at (845) 733-8077; sea2sea@twc.com
7. ==> Great Mother’s Day Show: Is Mother’s Intuition Real?
People talk about mother’s intuition, but is it real or just a myth? Natalie Bonfig says it exists and that mothers should trust their intuition because they know their children better than anyone else, even doctors. Her upcoming book, “Everyday Self-Care and Your High Needs Child,” offers advice for parents, particularly of children with medical issues, on how to reduce stress and make their lives more joyful. She’ll discuss how parents can take care of their children and themselves without anyone losing out and share her No. 1 piece of advice for “medical moms.” Contact Natalie Bonfig at (651) 419-3137; nbonfig@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Mom Said What? Funny Show on Caring for Aging Moms
We love our mothers, but as they age our relationship can shift, especially if Mom needs assistance because of health problems or other circumstances. Kathleen Lenane is here to explore the humorous side of family caregiving. Kat is the creator of the hilarious website The Clueless Caregiver and blog. Expect listeners to giggle and relate as she answers, in an entertaining Q&A format, questions like: How do I tell my 85-year-old mother she shouldn’t be driving anymore? Or: Where does Mom hide the hearing aids, iron supplements and medical alert pendant she should be using — but insists “she doesn’t really need”? Kat’s mix of wit and tips includes personal stories of, for instance, rounding up discarded hospital meal-tray bananas for a Super Bowl party thrown in the Intensive Care Unit (way before COVID times). Kat has worked as a book ghostwriter and staff writer and editor for SELF and Cosmopolitan — in addition to caring for two mischievous parents who refused to act old into their 90s. Contact Kat at (860) 500-1524; klenane@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Transforming Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day can stir up all kinds of complicated emotions. The holiday can bring unhappy thoughts of mothers who are no longer living or present, babies who were never conceived, or mothers who were abusive or absent. When you invite the Rev. Meghan Smith Brooks on your program there will be an opportunity to transform the holiday into a time for releasing, renewing, replenishing, and relaxing. Meghan, who recently conducted a workshop on this topic, can share ways grief, pain, and loss offer a gift for healing and transformation and ways people can realize the power they have to choose how they want to live. Meghan is an expert on coping with grief whose son was murdered eight years ago this month. She is an ordained Unity Minister and certified grief coach. She is the author of the upcoming book “Unraveling Grief: A Mother’s Spiritual Journey After Losing Her Son.” Contact Meghan at (816) 844-6783; mbrooks@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Truth about Black Women and Infertility
It took almost 20 years for Frances Jones to heal the damage that being infertile had caused her and to put feelings of unworthiness behind her. She hopes to prevent other women, particularly women of color like herself, from viewing themselves as “damaged goods” because they cannot conceive and bear children. “Many people facing infertility battle with low self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. There are so many negative feelings including guilt, anger, resentment and blame as a result of fertility challenges,” Jones says. In her new book, “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility,” she discusses what fertile people don’t understand about those who are not, why her desire to conceive never went away despite having two adopted sons and a stepdaughter, and why we need to change the dialogue society has about fertility problems. Frances Jones co-authored the national and international best-seller “Girl on Fire! Fireproof” and is an executive channel producer for the TV network Women Wins. She recently appeared on TV on Fox Soul’s The Tammi Mac Late Show to discuss Black women and infertility. Contact her at (855) 738-5345; frances@heartdesirescoaching.com
11. ==> Why is the U.S. C-section Rate So High?
C-sections have been known to save the lives of mothers and babies. But are they done too often, when vaginal deliveries would be even safer? Currently, one in three U.S. births happens by C-section. Why have rates risen so dramatically? Get the answers when you interview Alan Lindemann, M.D., who has delivered more than 6,000 babies in his 30-plus year career as an obstetrician. Ask him: Are such major operations often done for the convenience of parents and doctors? Which medical reasons rightly lead to a C-section birth? After having a cesarean birth can a woman’s next baby be delivered without one? Dr. Lindemann will also be happy to answer your listeners’ questions about childbirth. Contact Alan Lindemann, M.D., at (828) 818-8242; ALindemann@rtirguests.com
12. ==> More Women Freezing Eggs: What Happens Later?
In response to the COVID pandemic, more women felt the need to freeze their eggs to preserve their reproductive options for the future. In fact, some U.S. clinics reported a 40% increase in egg-banking. But what happens to those frozen eggs, including those that were fertilized before freezing, when the donors don’t plan to have more children? Or split from their partner who doesn’t want more kids? Or when something happens to the embryos’ parents and IFV becomes medically impossible? Expect controversy and heartwarming stories when you interview Nate Birt, author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption.” He will tell how he and his wife, like many other parents, sought embryo adoption, carried the baby to term and are now raising a healthy toddler daughter they adore. Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; NBirt@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Telemedicine Is Here to Stay: How to Use It Best
Telemedicine had already been around before COVID-19, but it took off by necessity once the pandemic shut down medical offices along with everything else. And while it’s not always the best way to treat health issues, telemedicine a safe option that will likely remain popular. Invite Anne McAwley-LeDuc to discuss ways to make the most of and prepare for virtual appointments. From managing your time on the call to sharing information about your medical history, you’ll learn how to take more control of your health care to make sure you and your loved ones get proper treatment and stay safe. Anne is a retired registered nurse and nurse practitioner board-certified in adult medicine, with 43 years of varied experience in the medical field. An experienced radio, TV and podcast guest, she is the author of “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com;
14. ==> A Different Approach for Brain Issues
Susana Stoica, a Ph.D. in computer engineering and a healer by birth, brings a scientist’s view to energy healing. She collaborates with medical doctors and has written nine books about physical and emotional healing, has spoken about brain trauma recovery at Harvard Medical School, trained medical and social work students in the use of energy healing, and helped people feel better all over the world. Susana’s gift is removing long-held emotional traumas from a person’s energy field. A survivor of two traumatic brain injuries, she helps people with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, ALS, Asperger’s, epilepsy, or brain trauma-induced illnesses like severe allergies that do not respond to accepted medical treatments. Ask her: What is medical intuition? Why is energy healing effective when allopathic medicine is stumped? What insights does she offer on COVID? Contact Susana Stoica at (248) 895-5784; healingbraininjury@gmail.com
15. ==> Help for Your Unfinished Home Projects
With everyone stuck at home this past year, a lot of people started home improvement projects. Unfortunately, a lot of those projects remain unfinished. “While the fabulous remodeling shows on TV transform a space from disaster to dream in under 30 minutes, in reality, there is much to consider when attempting this feat in your own home,” says Dawn Mahan, founder of PMOtraining.com, which teaches people the fundamentals of successful project management — whether that’s at the office or around the house. “People just want to jump in and get started, and then wonder why they find themselves at The Home Depot 47 times.” From major remodeling to redecorating and even landscaping, Dawn can share ways to prioritize, plan and get your project back on track and finally finished! She says using project management tools at home just makes sense. “That way, you can get what you want, when you want it, for a cost you are comfortable paying, all while keeping your blood pressure in check.” Dawn is a dynamic international speaker, a PMI-certified leader with extensive global experience, and the sole inventor of ProjectFlo. Contact her at (215) 756-1585 (cell); DMahan@PMOtraining.com
Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com