01. Deciphering the U.S.-Iran Deal
02. Beyond Red vs. Blue: The 9 American Political Types
03. How AI Could Shape the 2026 Election Season
04. Mexico May Be the World Cup’s Biggest Winner
05. FIFA and Work: The Cost to US Companies
06. How a Black Opera Singer Became a Civil Rights Hero
07. Strategies to Navigate a Difficult Work Environment
08. How to Stay Indispensable in an Unstable Job Market
09. Can a Bigger Paycheck Make Financial Anxiety Worse?
10. $100 Billion a Year: What Crime Is Really Costing Taxpayers—and What Actually Works
11. How to Stand for What You Believe Without Burning Bridges
12. Practical Ways to Balance Self-Improvement With Self-Acceptance
13. 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
14. From Mormonism to Addiction and Self-Discovery: This Author Shares Her Wild Road to Redemption
15. The Simple Key That Turns Trauma into Triumph
1. ==> Deciphering the U.S.-Iran Deal
A U.S.-Iran deal is scheduled to be inked on Friday. Details are scarce, but the announcement has already calmed oil markets and pushed stocks higher. But many experts note that any expectation that this agreement could lead to a lasting peace could be premature. “We have been here before only to discover the parties cannot bridge the remaining gaps,” says Steven Cook, a senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). “Negotiations on the outstanding issues, especially on Iran’s nuclear program, will be long and difficult.” Ask him: How will the two sides handle the nuclear issue? How will they spin victory to their respective domestic audiences, and who are the real winners and losers from the conflict? Cook, an expert on Arab and Turkish politics as well as U.S.-Middle East policy, is a columnist at “Foreign Policy” magazine and has also published widely in international affairs journals, opinion magazines, and newspapers. He is a frequent commentator on radio and television. Contact him at (202) 509-8620; scook@cfr.org
2. ==> Beyond Red vs. Blue: The 9 American Political Types
While U.S. politics is often portrayed as a battle between red and blue, the Pew Research Center’s latest report reveals a far more complex picture: nine distinct groups, each defined by its own mix of values, beliefs and experiences. They include four highly ideological and engaged groups – two on the right and two on the left – and five other groups in a large and messy political middle. Pew’s President Michael Dimock says the two most right-leaning groups and the two most left-leaning groups in this year’s typology are the “loudest voices in the room,” shaping how people experience politics day to day. Yet they do not represent the majority of Americans. That majority lies in the other groups, who are more politically mixed and not as attuned to politics. As a result, he says, they are also less visible in shaping it. Listeners can take a quiz to find out where they fit in the current political typology. The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan American think-tank based in Washington, D.C. Political typology was the idea that launched the center back in 1987. Contact Nida Asheer at (202) 419-4313; nasheer@pewresearch.org or DeVonte Smith at (202) 419-3644; dsmith@pewresearch.org
3. ==> How AI Could Shape the 2026 Election Season
As debates over election integrity continue to shape American politics, one question remains unresolved: how can citizens trust election results regardless of which candidate wins? Beth Simone Noveck argues that the future of election security will depend not only on laws and procedures but also on how governments use technology to strengthen transparency, accuracy, and public confidence. Drawing on examples from the United States and democracies around the world, Noveck explores how artificial intelligence can help election officials maintain accurate voter rolls, improve voter registration, combat misinformation, expand access for disabled voters, and provide citizens with reliable election information. She’ll examines both the risks and opportunities of emerging technologies, showing how AI can be used either to undermine trust or to reinforce it. Beth Simone Noveck, PhD is an AI and technology expert, a Northeastern University professor, and director of The Burnes Center for Social Change and The Governance Lab. Her new book is “REBOOT: AI and the Race to Save Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell)
4. ==> Mexico May Be the World Cup’s Biggest Winner
The 2026 FIFA World Cup started this week with the U.S., Canada and Mexico cohosting the tournament. Foreign policy experts say current travel bans and aggressive immigration raids could negatively affect U.S. soft power, but Canada and Mexico may be able to reap soft power benefits from being on the world stage. Officials in both countries are playing up their embrace of diversity. Journalist Catherine Osborne says Mexico in particular—with its strong tradition of soccer and public festivals, plus its relatively low prices for tourists—has the building blocks for a great atmosphere. She can discuss how Mexicans are embracing the games—and tourists—and how the country is leveraging the World Cup to project openness, multiculturalism, and diplomatic flexibility, and how that contrasts with current U.S. border and visa policies. Catherine Osborne is a Brazil-based journalist and the author of Foreign Policy’s weekly newsletter covering Latin American politics, economics, culture, and environmental issues. She has reported for NPR, PRX’s “The World,” and “Foreign Affairs” and is frequently interviewed about Latin American politics. Contact her through her website at catherinecosborn.com or at @cculbertosborn
5. ==> FIFA and Work: The Cost to US Companies
The FIFA World Cup is in full swing for the next month in 11 American cities. It’s the first time the World Cup has been held in the U.S. in 32 years and fans are excited. But soccer's biggest stage is colliding head-on with the American workday, and employers should expect a productivity hit measured in the billions of dollars. “The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation moment for American fans, and matches falling squarely inside U.S. working hours will show up in absenteeism, in network traffic, and in the long lunch that becomes a long afternoon,” says Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas. He says, “Smart employers won't try to fight it. They'll build it into the schedule. The companies that turn this into a team-building moment, like providing a watch party, flexible hours, or brackets, will protect morale and probably get more real productivity out of the day than they would have otherwise.” Challenger will discuss how big a hit FIFA host cities will take in lost work time and why this tournament will cause so much disruption. Challenger, Gray & Christmas is a global, outplacement and executive coaching firm. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
6. ==> How a Black Opera Singer Became a Civil Rights Hero
Historian Emile Henwood invites your audience to rediscover a woman whose angelic voice once changed America and still echoes today. Learn how Anderson turned rejection into resilience with her 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert, an act of quiet defiance that helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement and inspire leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson. Though modern artists may not always name her directly, Henwood says Anderson’s legacy helped, through her quiet strength, make space for bold voices today. Her name now graces Philadelphia’s premier music venue, Marian Anderson Hall. Emile Henwood’s latest book is “Remembering a Great American Hero: Marian Anderson —The Lady From Philadelphia.” Contact Emile Henwood at (267) 358-6478; ehenwood@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Strategies to Navigate a Difficult Work Environment
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
8. ==> How to Stay Indispensable in an Unstable Job Market
With mass layoffs back in the headlines and economic anxiety rising, employees at every level are asking the same question: “How do I make sure I’m not next?” Business transformation expert Shawn Fry says the key isn’t working harder, it’s think¬ing differently. After leading organizational change in 60+ companies across 17 countries, Fry noticed a surprising pattern: the peo¬ple who kept their jobs during uncertainty weren’t the loudest or the busiest. They were the most focused, adaptive, and connected. Shawn will discuss why traditional goal-setting doesn’t work in today’s market and the counterintuitive steps employees can take to become indispensable, even when their company feels shaky. Contact him at (330) 422-4090; sfry@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Can a Bigger Paycheck Make Financial Anxiety Worse?
Most financial guests talk about how to make more money. Darius Ross talks about why making more money can make things harder, and why that's something your audience may already be living but has never heard named out loud. Drawing from his own journey out of homelessness to business ownership, Ross explains how a "survival mindset" doesn't disappear when the money arrives. Fear of loss, the pressure to sustain success, and the weight of responsibility can quietly hijack decision-making and drive anxiety even at six figures. On your show, he'll unpack how past financial trauma shapes behavior long after circumstances improve — and what it actually takes to build peace of mind, not just a bigger bank account. This isn't a budgeting conversation. It's a psychology-of-money conversation, with a guest who lived it before he learned to explain it. Contact Darius Ross at (347) 801-7956; dross@rtirguests.com
10. ==> $100 Billion a Year: What Crime Is Really Costing Taxpayers—and What Actually Works
Crime isn’t just a public safety issue—it’s a major financial burden. In fact, it costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $100 billion every year. Crime prevention consultant Stephanie Mann says most strategies focus on reacting after crimes occur rather than addressing the conditions that allow them to grow. Drawing from more than 40 years of experience, she explains why traditional enforcement-heavy approaches often fail to reduce long-term costs and what’s working instead. On your show, she’ll reveal how community-based strategies reduce crime, lower taxpayer expenses, and create safer neighborhoods without increasing budgets. She also explains why trust, local engagement, and prevention are more cost-effective than punishment alone. This is a practical, solutions-driven conversation that reframes crime as an economic issue and gives audiences a new way to think about where their tax dollars go. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com
11. ==> 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 relationships 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
12. ==> Practical Ways to Balance Self-Improvement With Self-Acceptance
Millions of people are on a perpetual search for a new and better version of themselves, meantime research shows that perfectionism and self-criticism are rising and fueling burnout and anxiety, instead of change. Leadership coach and TEDx speaker Barbara Stone says the problem isn’t motivation, it’s identity. After 25 years hiding her alopecia under a wig and her voice behind corporate success, Barbara took the wig off onstage and discovered a surprising truth: real growth begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves. In this segment, she’ll share what shedding perfection taught her about self-worth and authenticity, and why flaws, not upgrades, are often the key to confidence. Whether your audience is hiding a condition, insecurity, or impossible expectations, Barbara offers practical ways they can stop performing and start living more honestly. Ask her: Can trying to “improve yourself” actually make you less confident? What did losing your hair teach you that success never did? Contact Barbara Stone at (315) 840-2845; bstone@rtirguests.com
13. ==> 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
Behind closed doors, abuse thrives in silence — and far more women experience it than most realize. Kit Filbey pulls back the curtain on the hidden reality of domestic abuse, revealing why so many women never speak up. Through a deeply personal story set in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin, Kit captures the confusion, denial, and emotional complexity that keep victims trapped. Her journey from self-sufficient homesteading to recognizing and escaping abuse offers rare insight into the psychology of silence. Kit’s story gives voice to millions, helping readers to see the signs, confront uncomfortable truths, and start conversations that could save lives. She is the author of the memoir “Cottage Test.” Contact Kit Filbey at (540) 501-7189; kfilbey@rtirguests.com
14. ==> From Mormonism to Addiction and Self-Discovery: This Author Shares Her Wild Road to Redemption
What happens when a devout Mormon mother of five dares to question everything she’s ever known? Meet Susie Bell—a nurse practitioner who went from being excommunicated from the Mormon Church, a heart-wrenching divorce, and single motherhood in Las Vegas to self-made success. With honesty and grit, Susie recounts her journey through addiction recovery, being drugged and raped by a famous athlete who relentlessly harassed her, and even a surreal moment in the hospital room with the body of Tupac Shakur following his murder. Her story is not just about leaving religion—it’s about reclaiming power and purpose. She is the author of the memoir "A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine and Men." Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com
15. ==> The Simple Key That Turns Trauma into Triumph
Lisa Morgan’s world fell apart when panic and anxiety brought her to her knees. What began as her “dark night of the soul” became the foundation of her greatest breakthrough—and her life’s work. “Healing isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about remembering who we truly are,” she says. “When we learn to befriend anxiety, and in turn befriend ourselves, we come home to the heart where self-acceptance and self love await.” Lisa is a master coach, intuitive guide, and soul-level healer who helps people break free from hidden blocks and redis¬cover who they truly are. Through her signature framework, Free Your Soul to Soar™, she bridges neuroscience, energy psychology, and soul wisdom to help clients transform pain into purpose and reclaim their joy, worth, and wings. Contact her at (314) 207-0680; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
