01. Will SCOTUS Endorse Dangerous Election Theory?
02. Monkey Pox – Is it a Public Health Emergency?
03. True Crime – Mormons, Murder and Mexican Drug Lords
04. Interview Grammy Winner Ashanti
05. Are Fireflies Disappearing?
06. The Real Reason Behind America’s Mass Shootings
07. Interview a Former Pioneering Black Diplomat
08. How to Be Happy Right Now
09. Can You Be Allergic to a Spouse?
10. This Guest Landed Her Dream Job in Her 60s
11. How to Have a Better Brain This Summer
12. Is Adoption Always the Answer to Infertility?
13. How to Survive a Toxic Mother
14. Outrageous Stuff that Happens at Open Houses
15. Great White Worries – It’s Shark Season
1.==> Will SCOTUS Endorse Dangerous Election Theory?
On the heels of groundbreaking decisions on Roe v. Wade and gun rights, the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to take up another case with the potential to profoundly reshape American life – this time at the ballot box. Joshua Douglas can discuss Moore v. Harper and how it raises the question of whether there are any limits to the kinds of election rules that state legislatures may pass. He believes it could make it easier for political incumbents to entrench themselves in office and could even put the 2024 election in peril. “We already have a skewed democracy thanks to partisan gerrymandering and restrictive elections, which make it easier for incumbents to craft rules to help keep themselves in power. If the Supreme Court agrees with North Carolina Republicans in this new case, then our democracy will become even more tilted in favor of those powerful interests.” Joshua Douglas is a professor at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of “Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting.” Contact him at (859) 257-4935; joshuadouglas@uky.edu
2. ==> Monkey Pox – Is it a Public Health Emergency?
Seven weeks since the first monkeypox case was identified in the U.S., around 5,000 cases have been identified in 58 nations around the world. Late last month, the CDC announced its mass monkeypox vaccination plan but the World Health Organization has declined to declare monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), although much of the criteria for the category are already met. Some experts expressed surprise, calling it a “missed opportunity.” Gregg Gonsalves began writing about monkeypox more than a month ago for “The Nation.” It’s not getting better,” Gonsalves says. “There is the sense that many of the cases are undiagnosed,” he noted. Things are “much worse than they were a week ago.” The risks of not declaring a PHEIC, Gonsalves says, are that “frankly we won’t be able to contain it. The more cases you have, the harder it is to do cleanup.” Gregg Gonsalves is an expert in policy modeling on infectious diseases and substance use at Yale University. Contact him at gregg.gonsalves@yale.edu
3. ==> True Crime – Mormons, Murder and Mexican Drug Lords
On the morning of November 4, 2019, an unassuming caravan of women and children was ambushed by masked gunmen on a desolate stretch of road in northern Mexico controlled by the Sinaloa drug cartel. The attackers killed nine people and gravely injured five more. The victims were members of the LeBarón and La Mora communities—fundamentalist Mormons whose forebears broke from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church and settled in Mexico when the church outlawed polygamy in the late 19th century. Invite best-selling investigative journalist Sally Denton to discuss the still-ongoing case and why she believes it is a cautionary tale about the impending water wars in the U.S. Southwest, with a drying up water supply and armed violence. Her new book, “The Colony: Faith and Blood in a Promised Land,” begins as the story of a massacre and unfurls into the strange, violent history of the LeBaron clan in a land much stranger than fiction. Sally Denton has an extensive background in print and broadcast journalism, as well as magazine and book writing. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com
4.==> Interview Grammy Winner Ashanti
Anyone with an unusual name will be able to relate to Ashanti’s new book, “My Name Is A Story.” inspired by the Grammy-Award winner’s childhood experiences, it’s an empowering tale about a self-conscious young girl who learns to love her unique name. Ashanti can talk about why she chose to write a children’s book. Also ask her about her upcoming summer concerts and what else she’s working on now. “My Name Is A Story,” the debut picture book from singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist Ashanti, with illustrations by Monica Mikai, is currently available for purchase. For interviews, contact Michelle Huff Elliott at michelle@strategicheights.com
5. ==> Are Fireflies Disappearing?
Chasing lightning bugs on a summer night has long been a rite of passage for many youngsters. But you may feel as if you are seeing fewer flashes across the night sky compared to when you were younger. Sérgio Henriques, the invertebrate conservation coordinator for the Indianapolis Zoo’s Global Center for Species Survival, can explain “little and easy” things listeners can do to help increase lightning bug populations including reducing lights at night, planting native species, installing a rain garden and reducing the chemicals you use on your yard or in your house. You’ll also learn how you can participate in Firefly Watch, an ongoing initiative to better survey and know the extent of lightning bug populations across the nation. “Fireflies are a privilege,” Henriques says. “It would be such a waste of a treasure if they were to decline or be gone.” Contact Kelly Griese at (317) 735-6381; kgriese@indyzoo.com or Judy Palermo at (317) 630-2010; jpalermo@indyzoo.com
6. ==> The Real Reason Behind America’s Mass Shootings
The world continues to watch the seemingly never-ending mass shootings in the U.S. − particularly in schools such as Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas − in shock and horror. While social observers remain baffled about the “whys” and “hows” of these horrific tragedies, renowned scholar Sousan Abadian, Ph.D., claims the reasons are shockingly simple. “It’s all about fear,” she says. ” All those people owning/carrying guns are the most frightened people around. How did they become so fearful, and how do we reassure them?” Dr. Sousan can discuss some of the reasons why American society may be so fear-based, including spiritual trauma, and that we are collectively suffering from the “trauma virus.” She has a Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University and conducts workshops on healing from spiritual trauma. Contact Sousan at (617) 860-2785; sabadian@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Interview a Former Pioneering Black Diplomat
Starting in 1975 and for the next 30 years, Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans lived her dream life. 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. Moreover, she did it as a Black single mother. If you have ever wondered what a diplomat does, what being in the Foreign Service is like, or what it was like to be stationed in a country where coups were commonplace, this is your chance to find out. Ask her: which place did you like best? How could you represent a country which didn’t always treat you fairly? Who were some of the famous people you met? What lessons have you learned that are applicable to others with big dreams? Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans’s new memoir is “Chocolates for Mary Judith: Black Woman Blazes Trails as a Career Diplomat.” She rose from the military equivalent of a first lieutenant to a major general. Contact Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How to Be Happy Right Now
A recent Gallup poll revealed that happiness in the United States is at an all-time low, with just 38% of Americans saying they’re satisfied. Millions are suffering from depression, anxiety, and a general sense of unhappiness that has caused many to lose hope for the future. Valerie Whetstone can help your audience turn things around and find the happiness that keeps eluding them. A best-selling author and life and wellness coach who has trained with Oprah Winfrey and Jack Canfield, she reveals five easy steps to being happy NOW that anyone can follow – no matter what kind of day (or life) they’re having! Ask her: What is the worst enemy of happiness that we all face? Why does she say that we have to slow down in order to speed up? How can we get rid of negativity when we’re surrounded by bad news every day? Contact Valerie Whetstone at (408) 752-5943; vwhetstone@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 the author of an upcoming book about toxic chemicals in products. Contact Zorica at (213) 616-7904; zdenton@rtirguests.com
10. ==> 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
11. ==> How to Have a Better Brain This Summer
What we eat is closely tied to brain (and heart) health. So what can you eat that will reduce inflammation and help you think better? Interview husband and wife duo Melissa and David Bernstein to find out. Melissa is an occupational therapist who specializes in working with patients with neurological disorders and their caregivers, and David is a board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics. Both of them are book authors. Learn why you should eat more of the condiment you may think only belongs on a hot dog, how to get more of your protein from vegetables, the best type of coffee to consume, what is meant by their Power of 5 lifestyle and more from these inspiring and upbeat guests. Contact David or Melissa at (813) 922- 2876; david@powerof5life.com or melissa@powerof5life.com
12. ==> Is Adoption Always the Answer to Infertility?
If you have never grappled with infertility you may wonder why infertile couples don’t simply adopt a child. You may even think it is OK to suggest this to couples who share their infertility issue with you. But as Frances Jones will tell you, the suggestion that such couples adopt may be considered insulting or insensitive. Bring Frances on your show to talk about infertility including what you should not say to couples who are not childless by choice. She’ll also explain why adoption is often not the answer and why the issues it raises are not just about having a child in the home. Frances Jones is the author of “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility: Barren But Not Ashamed,” a book that tells the story of her over 20-year journey of never conceiving children and offers tips for couples traveling a similar journey. Ask her how adopting two children affected the shame, hurt, and disappointment she experienced in not having biological children. How do well-intentioned people sometimes make infertility issues worse? She’s a global women empowerment speaker, an advocate, and a transformational coach who has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Soul’s “The Tammi Mac Late Show,” Fox affiliates, the “Los Angeles Tribune,” and other media. Contact Frances Jones at (901) 910-0915; fjones@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Survive a Toxic Mother
When a boy has a toxic mother — someone who is abusive, addicted to drugs, or mentally ill — he will have a difficult time as an adult. The early collateral damage he suffers is rarely discussed but likely will lead to difficulties with his spouse, lovers, and children. Guy Arcuri, Ph.D., who suffered for years as the son of a verbally, mentally, and emotionally abusive mother, is now a married father of two who trains other people to heal themselves. Ask him how and why do men shy away from addressing the deep wounds caused by growing up with a toxic mother? What are some of the ways the voices of the sons of toxic mothers are underrepresented in our culture? The author of “Toxic Mothers: A Son’s Guide to Healing and Moving On,” he is an educational consultant, author, trainer, coach, retreat provider, experienced talk show guest, and voiceover artist. Contact Guy at (336) 345-4891; drguyteacher@gmail.com
14. ==> Outrageous Stuff that Happens at Open Houses
An open house is supposed to induce sales, not mirth. But people sometimes do weird things at open houses and other showings, especially if they are looking at multimillion-dollar properties. Usually known only to real estate professionals, these zany stories can be yours when you interview top Realtor Valerie Fitzgerald, cohost of the new podcast “Real Estate, Real Laughs.” She can talk about people who show up to see luxurious manses in broken-down jalopies or on foot — somehow negotiating the freeway — the guy who wanted a limo to pick him up at a seedy motel where he was living, or the couple having sex in the backyard of a house that was being shown. The former star of HGTV’s “Selling L.A,” former Ford model and TEDx speaker, is one of Coldwell Banker’s Top 10 Agents, with $3 billion in sales. Valerie has 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her new weekly podcast proves there is a side to real estate most people don’t know about: the fun side. Contact Valerie Fitzgerald at (310) 861-3238; vfitzgerald@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Great White Worries – It’s Shark Season
It’s summertime and Americans are headed to the beach, but beware, especially if you’re on Cape Cod, there are sharks in the water. According to great white shark researchers on the Cape, early July coincides with warmer waters that lead into the primary shark sighting season from August through October. Greg Skomal, a state marine biologist in Massachusetts, advises beachgoers to be most vigilant when swimming off beaches where the shoreline quickly drops off into deeper waters to reduce the risks of bumping into a shark. “Sharks will come close to the shore when they have water depth,” Skomal says. Cape Cod is the only known place in the Northwest Atlantic where great white sharks are known to aggregate, and the number of sightings has likely increased as their primary prey species, the gray seal, began to recover. Gregory Skomal, Ph.D., heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program (MSRP) and is an adjunct scientist with the Center for Shark Research in Sarasota, Florida. Contact him at (508) 742-9745; gregory.skomal@mass.gov
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