01. Jan. 6 Hearings Expose How Divided America Has Become
02. Juneteenth: How Far Have We Come with Equality?
03. What Happened to the Kids Separated at the Mex Border?
04. Estranged from Your Father? How to Heal and Reconcile
05. LGBTQ Enviro Activist: Growing Up Gay in Middle America
06. What Happened to Teens and Summer Jobs?
07. This Guest Landed Her Dream Job in Her 60s
08. Do a Show on the Ladies Who Run the Cruise Industry
09. Can You Be Allergic to a Spouse?
10. The Real Cost of Post-Disaster Clean-Up
11. Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
12. Do Successful People Make Healthier Choices?
13. 3 Antidotes for Teen Anxiety
14. Children’s Summer Reading: ‘Screen Boy’
15. Who Is Writing the Stories of the Pandemic?
1. ==> Jan. 6 Hearings Expose How Divided America Has Become
Is the nation as divided as it was in 1861 or even 1776, when most American colonists favored remaining part of Great Britain? Or is this phenomenon a consequence of social media and the ubiquitous coverage and sensationalism of the news cycle? Dr. Harlan Ullman says the answer is chilling. A foreign relations expert and former Pentagon advisor, Ullman can discuss the dangerous state of America today, how every issue has become a single massive attack of disruption, and why he believes the Jan 6th Commission has opened Pandora’s Box. Harlan Ullman’s career spans the worlds of business and government. Chairman of several companies and an advisor to the heads of major corporations and governments, he was the principal author of “Shock and Awe.” His latest book is “The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large.” Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
2. ==> Juneteenth: How Far Have We Come with Equality?
June 19 is Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. For many, that means celebrating Black culture but it can be more than that: it can be a time for the nation to examine how far we’ve come with race relations in the U.S., what we’ve done right and what still needs to be done. And that is a topic that former diplomat and life story writer Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans (pronounced Kray-gull-mans) can address. Judith says, “Since slavery, despite the setbacks of post- Reconstruction and Jim Crow, Blacks have made gains and held onto them even as they endured losses. They are at the forefront of the fight for America to realize her full potential. They are an iron-clad part of the many that make one.” Starting in 1975 and for the next 30 years, the former English major and Fulbright Scholar who grew up in the Jim Crow South was a diplomat in the Foreign Service in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Brussels, Libreville, Bujumbura, and Brazzaville. Her new memoir is “Chocolates for Mary Julia: Black Woman Blazes Trails as a Career Diplomat.” Contact Judith at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
3. ==> What Happened to the Kids Separated at the Mex Border?
The world looked on in horror when families emigrating to the U.S. from Mexico were separated at the border in 2017 and 2018. “This was because of the U.S. government’s ineptitude, losing contact with thousands of families and its faltering efforts at reunification for these families,” says Richard Villasana, founder of the nonprofit Forever Homes for Foster Kids. But thanks in part to his valiant efforts, 2,000 of those 5,000 kids have been reunited with their families. Richard is the author of the upcoming book “Do No Harm.” He is a former university professor who is a leading international authority on immigration and foster families. He has been featured on CNN International, ABC and many more. Contact him at (619) 648-4729; rvillasana@rtirguests.com
4. ==> Estranged from Your Father? How to Heal and Reconcile
Sunday may be Father’s Day, but what if you are one of the millions of families harboring an estrangement? Arguments, regrets, rivalries, miscommunication, avoidance and lack of forgiveness are sadly very common. After all, we often hurt the ones we love. So what does it take to heal such troubled family dynamics? Discuss reconciling and rebuilding family relationships with Peter Colman, Ph.D., a speaker, missionary and author of “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption.” Dr. Colman will explore why people often accuse those closest to them of mistreatment, hold grudges and drift apart. He’ll help family members understand each other and learn to lean on their shared faith and heritage to heal. Ask him: What’s the first step away from regrets and blame, toward forgiveness and healing? How do the effects of wartime service impact family relationships? What is sacred about family bonds, especially between a father and son? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 912-4481; jcolman@rtirguests.com
5. ==> LGBTQ Enviro Activist: Growing Up Gay in Middle America
Calling it the first environmental queer memoir from the Great Plains/Intermountain West, Taylor Brorby’s “Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land” brings new focus to an ignored region of the country whose rich resources—its land and its people—are often unappreciated. In his hometown of Center, North Dakota, there are no stoplights, grocery stores, or motels, just a few bars and churches, with pews filled on Sundays by men who will return to the coal mine or the power plant on Monday. He can discuss his experience growing up gay in rural America, his family’s multigenerational relationship with the fossil fuel industry, and his environmental education and activism including an arrest while living in the Bakken oil fields while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com
6. ==> What Happened to Teens and Summer Jobs?
The summer job has historically been a rite of passage for American teens, but in the last few decades, that has changed dramatically. In the summer of 1978, 60% of teens were working or looking for work. Last summer, just 35% were. And during the school year, even fewer teens hold jobs. Whether it’s because they’re studying or involved in sports or afraid of getting sick, life and business coach, corporate trainer, and interfaith minister Oreste D’Aversa says the result is that many young adults now enter the workforce unprepared for what is expected of them. Invite the author of “Life Beyond the Pandemic: A Practical New Journey Handbook” to discuss how to instill a strong work ethic in adolescents and why it’s more important than ever in today’s Digital Age. Ask him: Shouldn’t teens concentrate on school? What are the benefits of a part-time job? How can parents ensure their teens are prepared for the adult workplace? Contact Oreste D’Aversa at (201) 949-3002; daversa@rtirguests.com
7. ==> This Guest Landed Her Dream Job in Her 60s
Most people over 60 who wish to continue working fear age discrimination and a workforce that seems to favor younger employees. But Judy Balloff claims that’s nonsense. “I started a new career at age 64 in a job I had never done before, and I have made over half a million dollars at an age when many take social security,” she says. “Treat looking for a job like a job. Be open-minded about doing something with your skills that never occurred to you before.” Judy can share these and other tips for landing your dream job in your 50s, 60s, and beyond. She is a financial advisor and author of “365 Days of Abundance.” Contact her at (571) 568-8491; jballoff@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Do a Show on the Ladies Who Run the Cruise Industry
Most people think of cruise ship honchos as men. However, more and more women are manning the helm in the industry, and making waves. “Today, there are numerous women cruise line presidents and vice presidents, as well as the first and only American woman captain of a cruise ship for a well-known cruise line, and another woman who is a co-founder and co-owner,” says author and travel industry expert Cindy Bertram. Cindy can talk about the numerous women cruise line bigwigs who have sailed on to dazzling careers in an industry long dominated by men. She is a communications, media and branding specialist who has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry and is the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact Cindy at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Can You Be Allergic to A Spouse?
Do you sneeze uncontrollably whenever your wife or hubby tries to hug you? Do you wake up with a headache after sleeping next to your other half? According to products ingredients expert Zorica Denton, you may be allergic to the fragrances in their soap, body lotion or something else they use, and not even know it. “Products with fragrances may contain anywhere from 100 to 1,000 chemicals,” she says. “But they don’t have to be listed due to trade secret policies.” Zorica developed asthma and other long-term, debilitating health problems as a result of working as a perfume model, and almost died. She is the founder of the natural personal care products company Zorica of Malibu and author of an upcoming book about toxic chemicals in products. Contact Zorica at (213) 616-7904; zdenton@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Real Cost of Post-Disaster Clean-Up
Disasters cause catastrophic damage, but they also leave behind pulverized toxic debris that can cause further environmental and health damage when it’s released during clean-up. Building, solid hazardous material and coating expert George Keefe says exposure to the toxic debris has been linked to illnesses like the recently classified “Tornado cough” and other respiratory conditions. He’ll discuss ways to contain and minimize exposure to toxic debris during disaster cleanup and how to fortify buildings before disaster strikes. George Keefe was brought in to make recommendations and help with the lockdown and control of radioactive debris from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in Japan. A consultant, contractor and coach, Keefe wrote “Just Encase They Think You’re Stupid” to demystify the complicated issues of solid hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead-based paint in buildings. Contact Lydia Ng’etich at (800) 228 5507; ask@encasementguy.com
11. ==> Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
The ravages of Alzheimer’s are not limited to the aged. In fact, thousands of relatively young people and their families will be affected by early-onset Alzheimer’s this year alone. Interview Carlen Maddux, author of “A Path Revealed,” about the journey he took with his late wife, Martha, after she was diagnosed at 50. Carlen has many insights to share about the first signs of the disease, and ultimately on caregiving, single parenting, learning about a memory-robbing illness with no cure, and what lifestyle changes and treatments gave his spouse additional quality years. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Do Successful People Make Healthier Choices?
According to author Rico Racosky, the world’s most successful people know that whatever they do, buy, develop, interact with or say can impact their physical, emotional, mental, relational and financial health. In fact, Rico says these people (who have achieved great accomplishments in life) are part of something he calls a Healthy Choice Revolution that’s amazingly simple, surprisingly obvious, and profoundly practical. Anyone is capable of embracing this, with all their choices going forward. Rico’s popular book is “Just 2 Choices” and he can instantly teach your audience some of the choice-making skills contained in that book and his online classes that we all need for greater happiness and wellness. Contact him at (720) 572-1321; RRacosky@rtirguests.com
13. ==> 3 Antidotes for Teen Anxiety
Teen anxiety has been on the rise since the turn of the century, and it has accelerated in recent years, especially during the pandemic. When Clint Rutledge heard the staggering statistics, the author and father of teens decided to do something to help families fight the growing epidemic. Clint’s new book, “Strong and Courageous,” shares three biblical secrets to help teens protect themselves. Invite him on your show and learn how parents can empower their teens to stand strong in their convictions, overcome discouragement, and become leaders others want to follow. Discover the activity parents can do with their teens to improve decision-making, the key to controlling focus and overcoming discouragement, and how stories are the secret weapon for teaching a lesson. Clint Rutledge is a keynote speaker and author. He has worked with thousands of teens, coaches, and teachers over the last 20 years. Contact him at (830) 660-1052; clint@clintrutledge.com
14. ==> Children’s Summer Reading: ‘Screen Boy’
School is out and screens are on. Invite author Matthew Patrick Gallagher to discuss his new children’s book, “Screen Boy,” about a young man who gets caught up in the world of technology and gaming and loses his friends, his athleticism, and his priorities. With the help of his trusty dog, he realizes that something needs to change and makes a goal to fix the situation. Gallagher says the book is relevant to anyone wondering about the possible consequences of children spending so much time lost in screens and virtual reality and what parents can do to help their kids. Contact Matthew Patrick Gallagher at (770) 349-9480; mattgallagherga@yahoo.com
15. ==> Who Is Writing the Stories of the Pandemic?
Though the 1918 flu killed between 50 million and 100 million people worldwide, it disappeared from our collective memory and the historical record. It eventually became what historian Alfred Crosby called “America’s Forgotten Pandemic.” Theater historian Debra Caplan calls Crosby’s 1989 book a cautionary tale of what happens when people decide to return to “normalcy” before a public health crisis is over and has issued a call to writers, artists, and the media. “We need collective storytelling about this cataclysmic event to process what happened and figure out where to go next.” She adds, “We need to publicly grieve the one million Americans we lost and make plans to try to prevent any more casualties. We need to tell the stories of Long Haulers and survivors.” Debra Caplan is an associate professor of theater at Baruch College, CUNY. Contact her at debra.caplan36@login.cuny.edu, @debra_caplan