01. World Cup Offers North America a Chance to Reconnect
02. New Documentary: ‘An Ordinary Insanity’
03. Former TV Exec Reveals Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
04. Thomas Jefferson, Democracy and National Identity
05. America, 250 Years Later: How to Reclaim Our Democracy
06. MAGA: What Does it Mean to Be ‘Great Again’?
07. The Backlash to AI Content Has Already Begun — What’s Next?
08. Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
09. The Biggest Financial Mistake New Grads Make
10. Medicare Fraud: What You Need to Know Now
11. What Most People Get Wrong About Healing
12. Small Summer Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck
13. A College Promise, a Surgeon, and a Remote Pacific Island
14. Get Real This Summer. You’re Not OK, and That’s OK
15. This Man Helped Shape Modern Satellite Broadcasting
1. ==> World Cup Offers North Americans a Chance to Reconnect
The World Cup, the most-watched event in global sports, is underway and fans are embracing. Co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States are grappling with economic and security tensions, but international trade expert Inu Manak says the tournament could be an opportunity to bridge divides. “At a time when the United States is threatening to dismantle the economic pact that undergirds North American global competitiveness—the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement—and negotiations to renew the deal remain tense, the upcoming festivities provide a moment to pause and reflect on the things that bind us rather than divide us.” She adds, “Cross-border trade is a staggering $1 trillion annually, with $4 billion passing through U.S. northern and southern land borders every day. Mexico is the top foreign travel destination for Canadian and U.S. travelers, and Mexicans choose the United States as their favorite vacation spot. Trade provides all three countries with fresh fruits and veggies year-round, supporting the exploration of diverse cuisines.” Inu Manak is an expert on U.S. trade policy who has written extensively on the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement. She is a senior fellow for international trade at the Council on Foreign relations. Contact her at imanak@cfr.org; @inumanak
2. ==> New Documentary: ‘An Ordinary Insanity’
The new documentary “An Ordinary Insanity” focuses on Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg’s calls to action about the global threat posed by nuclear weapons. In the film, Ellsberg, who died three years ago, says, “Can humanity survive the nuclear era? We don’t know. I choose to act as if we have a chance.” The film’s director Judith Ehrlich says young people know Daniel Ellsberg more often than you might expect and even she was surprised by how many of them want to talk about the issue. “The film is not about deifying Dan Ellsberg, but reinforcing his message that Earth is undergoing slow destruction by climate change or it can undergo a quick one with nuclear annihilation––which could happen any day and is a miracle it hasn’t happened so far. Ellsberg has been one of the most important voices on this subject for a long time.” Judith Ehrlich is a film director, writer and producer. “An Ordinary Insanity” follows her 2009 Oscar-nominated documentary “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” which won a Peabody Award. Contact her at ehrlich.judith@gmail.com
3. ==> Former TV Exec Reveals Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
Nearly half of Americans say they've had a spiritual experience they can't explain, yet most never talk about it. Former television executive Kim Bantle spent more than two decades working at Paramount, Viacom, and Group W Productions while keeping her own extraordinary experiences private. She says she could read minds, predict events, sense energy, and communicate with those who had passed; abilities that intensified after a near-death experience in college. On your show, Bantle explores why successful professionals often trust instincts they can't explain, why intuition remains one of society's least-discussed human experiences, and what the growing interest in spirituality says about a culture searching for meaning beyond traditional institutions. She also discusses dreams, signs, synchronicities, and why skeptics and believers may have more in common than they think. In her memoir, “Confessions of a Closeted Clairvoyant,” Bantle shares these experiences with honesty, humor, and self-awareness. Having spent 23 years producing content for mainstream audiences, she knows how to discuss extraordinary topics in a way that is thoughtful, relatable, and engaging. Contact Kim Bantle at ksbantle@gmail.com; (310) 418-5758
4. ==> Thomas Jefferson, Democracy and National Identity
As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, invite historians Peter S. Onuf and Francis D. Cogliano to discuss the question at the center of America's founding story - If Thomas Jefferson was wrong, was America wrong too? The authors of “Thomas Jefferson Survives: American Independence in His Time and Ours,” argue that Jefferson's greatest contribution was not a particular policy, speech, or political movement. It was his faith that each generation could preserve and strengthen the American experiment in self-government. Jefferson believed that every generation inherits a responsibility to protect, improve, and pass on the republic to those who follow. And whether America succeeds or fails depends on whether its citizens are willing to meet the challenges of their own time. Ask them: What should the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence mean in 2026? Why did Jefferson believe "the earth belongs to the living" and what does that mean for Americans today? How has Jefferson been repeatedly reinvented by different generations of Americans? Peter S. Onuf is one of the nation's leading Jefferson scholars and former Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor at the University of Virginia. Francis D. Cogliano is a leading historian of the American Revolution and the founding era. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> America, 250 Years Later: How to Reclaim Our Democracy
Millions of people have mixed feelings about celebrating America right now. They’re feeling tired of feeling helpless—or furious—about politics today. “Agonizing, protesting, and turning off the news” aren’t our only options according to Sam Daley-Harris, activist and author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy.” He offers a proven alternative: transformational advocacy, a form of advocacy where you work to change an issue and you are changed in the process. Daley-Harris will share stories of ordinary people who used transformational advocacy to go from feeling clueless about activism to feeling euphoric; from experiencing what they called ‘climate trauma’ to experiencing engagement as sacred and profound. Feeling fed up with what’s going on in the world isn’t a flaw, Daley-Harris says it’s fuel and he’ll show your audience how to use it. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com
6. ==> MAGA: What Does it Mean to Be ‘Great Again’?
What does it really mean to be “great again”? And why is that phrase influencing everything from our politics to our pews? Rick Patterson, author of “The Matthew Challenge,” says the obsession with “greatness” has become a moral blind spot in American life. In his new book, the former evangelical preacher and adoptive father of four Black children, explores how this mindset has crept into churches, shaping alliances and behaviors that contradict the very faith they claim to uphold. With master’s and doctoral degrees in ministry and decades of experience in evangelical circles, Rick brings a powerful insider perspective to today’s spiritual and cultural divide. He makes the psychology behind it all practical and accessible, helping audiences understand how the need to feel “great” often strips us of the humility and compassion that make us human. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com
7. ==> The Backlash to AI Content Has Already Begun — What’s Next?
Audiences are growing tired of polished, AI-generated content — and they can spot it instantly. Lisa Rothstein, New Yorker cartoonist, former advertising creative, and Axiom Award-winning author of Drawing Out Your Genius, saw this coming. Her answer: the messier and more human your communication, the more trusted you become. In interviews, Rothstein will reveal why imperfect hand-drawn visuals are now outperforming slick presentations for buy-in, innovation, and team alignment — and why that gap is only widening. She'll share quick techniques anyone can use to tap their own visual thinking, simplify complex ideas, and stand out as authentically human in an AI-saturated world. Ask her: Why are audiences turning away from AI-generated content — and what do they want instead? How does drawing badly actually build more trust than a perfect presentation? Contact Lisa Rothstein at (310) 388-8093; Lrothstein@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
Artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries, leaving many workers wondering whether their careers will still exist a decade from now. But according to author and decision-making expert George Lee, some professions won't merely survive AI—they'll become even more valuable because of it. On your show, Lee will explain which careers are best positioned for long-term growth. He’ll discuss why creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability are becoming premium skills, and how young professionals can future-proof their careers before the next wave of disruption arrives. He’ll also talk about why many schools and workplaces continue preparing people for a world that no longer exists. Lee offers a practical roadmap for thriving in an AI-driven economy. With experience spanning law, neuroscience-informed decision-making, and cross-cultural education, Lee brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to the future of work. He’s the author of “SMART Parenting 5.0.” Contact George Lee at (604) 330-8697; glee@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Biggest Financial Mistake New Grads Make
Nearly half of Gen Z says they don’t feel financially prepared for adulthood, yet many graduates are already taking on credit card debt before building savings or assets. Real estate investor and wealth educator Janet Tonkins says the biggest financial mistake young adults make isn’t earning too little. It’s waiting too long to invest. On your show, she’ll explain how new graduates can begin building wealth with as little as $5 to $10 a month, why understanding assets matters more than chasing status symbols, and how first-time buyers can take advantage of overlooked grants and programs. She’ll also reveal why “perfect credit” is often overrated and how small financial decisions made in your 20s can shape your entire future. Drawing from themes in her upcoming book “Purses, Heels & Houses You Choose,” Tonkins helps audiences rethink spending, ownership, and generational wealth from day one. Beyond coaching investors nationwide, Tonkins develops affordable housing projects and mentors first-generation wealth builders through the Cashflow Diva Academy and TheCashflowDiva.com. Contact Janet Tonkins at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Medicare Fraud: What You Need to Know Now
Medicare fraud is surging nationwide. Earlier this year, more than 1.3 million Americans got new Medicare card numbers after their information was compromised and many seniors and their families still may not even realize they’ve been affected. Medicare expert Toni King is sounding the alarm after seeing fraud firsthand, including over $9,000 in false medical claims tied to a single beneficiary. She explains how these scams are happening, why many victims don’t discover them until it’s too late, and what immediate steps people should take to protect themselves. On your show, Toni reveals how to spot red flags on Medicare statements, what to do if your number is compromised, and why even a small oversight can trigger major financial and healthcare consequences. She also shares simple, actionable steps listeners can take today to safeguard their coverage. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736 or tking@rtirguests.com
11. ==> What Most People Get Wrong About Healing
Healing is not neat, inspiring, or Instagram-ready, and pretending it is leaves people feeling broken. Avonley Lightstone can explain why healing often looks messy, slow, and unresolved, and why lingering pain does not mean failure. She’ll challenge the belief that healing requires closure and reframe progress as something that can happen even when wounds remain. Lightstone speaks from lived experience. After losing her mother in a childhood house fire and facing abandonment soon after, she learned that healing comes in small, honest steps, not sudden breakthroughs. She is the author of “Strength of Scars,” a memoir on resilience and faith, and her story has gained media attention as it moves toward a potential film or television adaptation. Contact Avonley Lightstone at (801) 980-0447; alightstone@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Small Summer Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck
As we move into the summer months, Deborah Mallow says it’s a good time to look at what’s making us feel so tired and stuck. Deborah will explain why the best ‘summer vacation’ is the one we take in our brains when we stop narrating everything like a dramatic movie trailer. Surveys support this: nearly 60% of adults say they feel emotionally burned out, even when nothing “major” is wrong. That’s proof that mindset, not circumstance, often drives our mood. Deborah believes advice like “just think positive” often backfires and says simply making tiny mental shifts can change the trajectory of an entire day. She’ll share surprising tools that will help your listeners quiet their inner critic, break out of emotional autopilot, and find momentum without forcing motivation. Ask her: Can focusing less on goals and more on what truly matters actually make you happier? Why do so many people feel behind when much of their life is actually working? Contact Deborah Mallow at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com
13. ==> A College Promise, a Surgeon, and a Remote Pacific Island
When told he'd never get into college after scoring a 7 on his ACT, Glen Robison didn't quit — he went to medical school without ever earning a bachelor's degree. But the moment that changed everything came when a Tongan friend helped him survive college academics, and Robison made a promise in return: one day, he'd go treat his people. Eleven years later, he kept it. What he found there — rare conditions, a boy whose limb he saved through improvised surgery — became the foundation of his book and his philosophy: when your desire is strong enough, step into the unknown anyway. Robison is a podiatric surgeon, 3x bestselling author, and the author of “Show Them: Stepping into the Unknown to Find the Answers.” Contact Glen Robison at (928) 351-0312; glrobison@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Get Real This Summer. You’re Not OK, and That’s OK
“I’m fine.” “It’s all good.” “I’ve got this.” Most people say these words automatically, even when they’re barely holding it together. Author Kat Perkins says that habit of pretending we’re okay is often what keeps us from truly healing. After losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later facing breast cancer, Kat became skilled at smiling through pain. “It’s all good,” she would often say, even when it wasn’t. Everything shifted when someone finally gave her permission to admit the truth: it wasn’t all good, and she didn’t have to carry it alone. In this timely Summer conversation about renewal and emotional reset, Kat explains why acting okay can delay real healing, how unprocessed pain quietly shapes relationships and identity, and why understanding your story is the first step toward rewriting it. Drawing from her memoir “Girls with Pearls Have Power,” she shares how setbacks can become turning points, and why this season may be the perfect time to stop surviving and start rising. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Man Helped Shape Modern Satellite Broadcasting
Before Netflix. Before YouTube. Before anyone could imagine watching the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall on demand, someone had to get that signal there—live, flawlessly, the first time. Bob Patterson was at the center of it. A pioneer in satellite broadcasting, Patterson helped deliver some of history’s most-watched moments, including major MLB, NBA, and NHL broadcasts, the first satellite news distribution service, and the world’s first international HDTV satellite transmission. On your show, he can take audiences behind the scenes of the moon landing and several other high-stakes, live television moments—where one failure could impact millions—and explain how those early breakthroughs shaped today’s always-connected world. Drawing from his book “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Patterson answers the question few think to ask: How did we go from limited signals to global, real-time connection? He’s a timely guest for shows on media, technology, innovation, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Contact Bob Patterson at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com
