01. Why the Fed’s Inflation Fix is Wrong
02. Insurrection Hearings: The History of Congressional Investigations
03. Pulitzer Prize Winner on U.S.-Cuban History
04. It’s Wedding Season: 5 Tips for a Lifelong Love Story
05. The Worst Graduation Advice: Love What You Do
06. Father’s Day Is No Picnic for Estranged Dads
07. Fake News, Donald Trump and the Media
08. Hunted By the KGB, He Lives to Tell the Story: Russia, Ukraine and the KGB Banker
09. Why a Circus without Elephants Makes Sense
10. The Future of Affirmative Action
11. Entrepreneurs, Can You Hear Your Inner Voice?
12. Why Healthy Eating Is Cheaper
13. Is It too Late to Fix Our Broken Medical Model?
14. How Parents Drive Kids to Cults, Drugs, and Gangs
15. What’s Your Sunglasses IQ?
1.==> Why the Fed’s Inflation Fix is Wrong
With the U.S. facing its highest inflation in decades, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says his agency’s goal is “to get wages down and then get inflation down.” The labor market has indeed been tight, with wages rising at the highest pace in years, especially at the lower end of the wage distribution. But is this the major driving force of rising inflation? “As most Americans know from their own experience, wages are running well behind inflation and have been for many months,” says economist Pia Malaney. “What is skyrocketing is corporate profits. As numerous studies indicate, economic concentration in the U.S. has increased oligopoly power in several industries, allowing corporations to raise prices and profits. The latest flap about baby food is a perfect example. The industry is highly concentrated.” Malaney is a senior economist at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Contact her at pmalaney@ineteconomics.org; @piamalaney
2. ==> Insurrection Hearings: The History of Congressional Investigations
This week, public hearings by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection will attempt to answer the question of whether former President Donald Trump and his political allies broke the law in seeking to overturn the 2020 election results. Jennifer Selin says the hearings are a part of a long history of congressional investigation. She says the first congressional inquiry was held in the House in 1792 and the Senate conducted its first official investigation in 1818 with several noteworthy investigations since then from the Teapot Dome scandal to Watergate. “While the upcoming hearings of the House Jan. 6 investigative committee will be dealing with unprecedented events in American history, the very investigation of these events has strong precedent. Congress has long exercised its power to investigate some of the greatest problems facing the nation. In that way, the upcoming hearings fit squarely into the mainstream of American government oversight.” Jennifer Selin is co-director of the Washington office for the Carl Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University. Contact her at (614) 266-1860; jennifer.selin@wayne.edu
3. ==> Pulitzer Prize Winner on U.S.-Cuban History
Challenge your listeners’ long-held assumptions about Cuba when you invite Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ada Ferrer, Ph.D., to share the story of the island nation that became an obsession for many U.S. presidents and policymakers. Learn how Columbus “discovered” Cuba and how he and his men wiped out most of the Indigenous population and established a slave-based economy of sugar, tobacco, and rum that would decimate the island for centuries. Ferrer can discuss the decades of attempted revolts and revolutions and how the U.S. helped Cuba expel the Spanish, although she considers it a myth that the Americans won the island its independence from Spain. Ask her about the island’s relationship with the United States, the rise of Fidel Castro, and what she sees for the nation’s future. Ferrer, one of the world’s leading Cuban historians, has taught at New York University since 1995. Her latest book is “Cuba: An American History.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
4.==> It’s Wedding Season: 5 Tips for a Lifelong Love Story
It is the peak time of year for couples to exhaust themselves, and often their bank accounts, by investing in the “perfect” wedding day. But Karen Skerrett, Ph.D., says couples rarely invest the same level of time or resources to growing the marriage after they tie the knot. The psychologist and author of “Growing Married: Creating Stories for a Lifetime of Love,” says, “Unfortunately couples spend lots to marry, plan lots to retire and check out during the long in-between.” Skerrett pulls together cutting-edge thinking and research to offer practical strategies for newlyweds to have enduring marriages. She’ll share five pieces of advice to help couples flourish in every stage of their lives. Karen Skerrett, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and registered nurse. She is the co-author of “Positive Couple Therapy,” co-editor of “Couple Resilience,” and author of “Tell Me Again How I Know You?” Contact her at (630) 292-4108 (cell); (708) 579-5911 (office); karen.skerrett@gmail.com
5. ==> The Worst Graduation Advice: Love What You Do
In the past month, millions of college students have been donning caps and gowns and been told to “find what you love and love what you do.” Carolyn Chen says that was fresh advice 20 years ago, but not appropriate for today’s workers. The author of “Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley” says, “Today, professionals’ problems come not from failing to love work, but from loving work too much.” She adds, “Here’s what they don’t tell you in those graduation speeches: Your love and energy are limited, so you have to carefully choose your objects of devotion. American work culture wants you to ask whether you are doing what you love at work. But the real question to ask yourself is this: What do you love?” Carolyn Chen is an associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley and a co-director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion. Contact her at chen@berkeley.edu
6. ==> Father’s Day Is No Picnic for Estranged Dads
Father’s Day is a time when we consider the value fathers play in their children’s lives. But the holiday can also be a time of considerable pain for fathers suffering from parental alienation, a family dynamic in which a child has aligned with one parent and rejected the other for no legitimate reason. Currently, about 22 million parents in the U.S., both male and female, have been alienated from their children. Lynn Steinberg, Ph.D., can explain how this happens and why part of the U.S. Violence Against Women’s Act is likely to make the situation worse. The author of “You’re Not Crazy: Overcoming Parent/Child Alienation” will reveal the signs of parental alienation, effective intervention treatments for parents and children, and what’s wrong with Kayden’s Law and why it should be opposed. Lynn Steinberg is on the board of directors of The Parental Alienation Legislative Fund, whose mission is to pass legislation that would mandate training and reporting of parental alienation as child abuse. Contact Chloe Busch at (323) 449-2203; lynnsteinbergphd@gmail.com
7. ==> Fake News, Donald Trump and the Media
There’s no denying that Donald Trump changed the landscape of American politics and journalism. Some say he exposed a lack of ethics and objectivity in the media while others say he used the media to spread misinformation and lies. What is it about DJT that makes it impossible to look away? Are the media at fault? Did they create the monster they hate? Invite Dutch American journalist and media trainer Hans Izaak Kriek to share his independent, non-political observations. The author of “Trump’s Daily Domination of the News Media” can discuss how journalism changed with the Trump presidency and whether he or the media themselves are responsible for the moniker “fake news.” Ask him: Are Americans getting honest news from mainstream media? Are media owners pushing their own political agendas? What is so different about Trump’s relationship with the media? How can the public recognize fake news and framing? Do others besides politicians use fake news, and why? Hans Izaak Kriek is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Krieksmediaworld.com. He worked as an international political journalist for AVRO/TROS, the two largest Dutch National broadcasters. As a media trainer, he has coached and advised thousands of politicians and executives. Contact Hans Izaak Kriek at (561) 861-2974; jkriek@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Hunted By the KGB, He Lives to Tell the Story: Russia, Ukraine and the KGB Banker
Imagine what life would be like if the KGB was after you, threatening your life? And if you had no idea you were even taking them on at first? John Christmas does not have to imagine … he lived it. While heading up an international banking group, Christmas tried to expose fraud he uncovered without realizing that the bank in question was a KGB front. Fired for being a whistle-blower, he was threatened and terrorized and finally fled the country. Christmas is co-author of the geopolitical thriller “KGB Banker,” which was inspired by his story and takes place on the Russia/Ukraine border. Ask him: Why is your experience particularly relevant given today’s political environment? What happened to the players you exposed? Are you still in danger? Contact John Christmas at (514) 700-9015; jchristmas@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why a Circus without Elephants Makes Sense
After shutting down in 2017, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is planning its return next year, but with an elephant-sized caveat: The so-called “Greatest Show on Earth,” long celebrated for its animal performers, will now be sans any four-legged creatures. Animal/environmental advocate Georja Umano says that’s good news, particularly for pachyderms. “In the last century, elephant populations have plummeted by 90% due to trophy hunting, poaching, logging, zoos and circus captures,” she says. “There are alternate ways to enjoy elephants without stripping them of their natural habitats.” Georja spent two years living and working in Kenya and can share why it’s important to preserve elephants’ natural habitats, as well as how these lovable creatures positively impact global ecosystems. She is the author of “Terriers in the Jungle.” Contact her at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Future of Affirmative Action
Affirmative action came out of the civil rights movement as a means to address inequalities experienced by minorities. It became law through an executive order made by John F. Kennedy in 1961. With two upcoming cases challenging it before the Supreme Court, now is a good time to discuss affirmative action’s past and future with author Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans (pronounced Kray-gull-mans). Among the topics she can discuss are: Is affirmative action reverse discrimination? How effective has it been? Was it always controversial? Does it benefit everyone or just a few? Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans, a Fulbright Scholar, was one of the first Black women in the Foreign Service. A child of educators, she grew up in public housing in the Jim Crow South where Blacks were told they lived in a separate, but equal society. She is the author of “Flowers for Brother Mudd: One Woman’s Path from Jim Crow to Career Diplomat.” Contact Judith at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Entrepreneurs, Can You Hear Your Inner Voice?
Fatima Bustos-Choy believes we all have an inner voice that guides us to our true north, but that many entrepreneurs can’t hear the voice. She says, “Believing that answers come from the outside, we’ve learned to not trust ourselves and our answers from within. The inner voice has become fainter and fainter, almost negligible. We have become deaf to our own inner voice.” To research her new book, “More Than Money: Five Paths to Abundance and Success for Inner-Centered Entrepreneurs,” Bustos-Choy interviewed 30 entrepreneurs to understand their minds and hearts, their joys and sorrows, wins and losses, and whether an inner voice spoke to them. She’ll share what she discovered, including the five ways the inner voice comes through. Fatima Bustos-Choy, Ph.D., is president of R&F Holistic Services and Gaia Flow Consulting. She has more than 30 years of frontline and senior leadership positions in the financial services, aerospace and nonprofit industries. Contact her at (818) 209-3775; fbustoschoy@gmail.com
12. ==> Why Healthy Eating Is Cheaper
With the sharply rising costs of groceries, it may seem as though eating healthier is more expensive than ever. But, as health coach, fitness, and weight-loss expert Stavros Mastrogiannis will tell you, that isn’t so. As counterintuitive as it may sound, he’ll explain that eating for good health can be cheaper than just grabbing anything. In fact, he’ll explain how his clients manage to slash nearly $60 off their weekly food bills, all while eating better. He’ll also talk about why so many of us eat for entertainment and not because we are hungry and that the extra money we can save by healthy eating can be used to spend on more appropriate entertainment needs. Also, be sure to ask what he learned when he recreated Morgan Spurlock’s experiment about eating McDonald’s food (burgers, fries and Cokes) that became the basis of the 2004 movie “Super Size Me.” In 2011, Stavros did the same thing but unlike Spurlock, Stavros’ blood work was just as good as it had been before he spent two months working and exclusively eating at McDonald’s. Stavros is the creator of The Stavros Method: Practical Wellness through 5 Ancient Habits. Contact him at (203) 733-0109; stavros@liveyourwaythin.com
13. ==> Is It too Late to Fix Our Broken Medical Model?
How flawed is the traditional medical model in the U.S.? Can we depend on it to keep us well or is that wishful thinking? Dr. Annalee Kitay minces no words: “If you are smart, you’ll stop relying on a system that is failing everyone. Instead, you’ll learn how to tap into your body’s amazing healing properties through noninvasive modalities.” Dr. Kitay can tell your audience how to do just that. Ask her: Did medicine fail us doing the pandemic? What can people do to protect themselves against communicable and other illnesses? Dr. Kitay has been in private practice for 30 years and trained in alternative protocols that aid the body in its natural recovery. She is one of the top practitioners of Neural Organization Technique and teaches the hands-on protocol to other doctors. She is a frequent guest on talk shows. Contact Annalee Kitay at (561) 462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How Parents Drive Kids to Cults, Drugs, and Gangs
No parent consciously decides to raise children who will get involved in gangs, cults, or drug use. Yet the families of children who take these paths share common traits that can be identified and, more importantly, used to prevent kids from sustaining injury, a criminal record and more. Interview Pat Tamakloe, Ph.D., author of the upcoming book “Finding Your O: Four Stages to Self-Discovery from Adolescence to Adulthood” to find out more. Pat Tamakloe was born in New York City, raised in West Africa, Southern Africa, and England and became independent of his parents at age 20. An expert on the existing gaps between adolescence and adulthood, he spent 23 years in military service rising from enlisted to a commissioned officer in the U.S. before switching to his passion, helping young adults reach their potential. Ask him: What are the indicators that a child will become involved in drugs, cults, or gangs? What are the four O’s in your book title? What are some of the mental health challenges some adolescents have that prevent them from finding productive occupations? Contact Dr. Pat Tamakloe at (757) 210-7903; ptamakloe@rtirguests.com
15. ==> What’s Your Sunglasses IQ?
Do you know how to pick a pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes and not just look good? Do you know when to wear them and why? Many people have no clue about just how important protecting their eyes from the sun’s UV rays is, missing out on a simple way to help ensure that they keep their vision for life. But as vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson will tell you, “the eyes are porous and the optic nerve is a direct extension to the brain. So, it stands to reason that eye protection should be added to the virus protection mix, especially for children,” she says. “Add to that protection against cataracts while looking totally cool, and you have a potent reason not to leave the house without them.” Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Ask her why aren’t sunglasses just for summer? Why do you need them on cloudy days? Should you also wear a hat? What does she have in common with Bono? Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com