01. What to Expect from the Next Jan. 6 Hearing
02. Will the Hearings Change Minds?
03. COVID Cases Are Rising: Should You Be Concerned?
04. Celebrate National Hot Dog Month
05. All-Female MMA – Invicta Fighting Championships
06. Frustrated Flyers Eye Cruises: Expert Shares Tips
07. Student Loan Forgiveness: Is This the Answer?
08. Abortion Ban Will Impact the Foster Care System
09. How Sharp Are Aging Politicians?
10. Hunted By the KGB, This Guest Lives to Tell the Story
11. Why Your Neighbors May Outlive You
12. 3 Surprising Ways to Lessen Pain
13. What’s Behind Love at First Sight?
14. Raise a Reader This Summer (One Book at a Time)
15. Why a Circus without Elephants Makes Sense
1. ==> What to Expect from the Next Jan. 6 Hearing
What should we expect next from the congressional panel looking into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol? This week’s proceedings focused on the violent extremist movement involved, and while political pundit Eleanor Clift says the committee is hot on the right trail, she also has a few suggestions on what it needs to do in the big finale. “The testimony from far-right extremists who had been taken under Trump’s cult-like spell is a fitting bridge to where the committee is headed next. And if the next hearing does prove to be the committee’s last — it’s up to Cheney and company to hit their marks and solidify the case that Donald Trump, alone, is responsible for Jan. 6 and the conspiracy that led to one of the darkest days in our nation’s history.” Clift hopes the committee digs into Trump’s dereliction of duty for the 187 minutes that he was AWOL and gets answers for why it took so long to send reinforcements to the U.S Capitol. She’s also looking for the panel to lay out who knew what (and when) about when the violent attack was coming. Eleanor Clift is an author, journalist and contributor to MSNBC and a blogger for The Daily Beast. She is probably best known as a regular panelist on “The McLaughlin Group” TV show. Contact her at info@eleanorclift.com; @eleanorclift
2. ==> Will the Hearings Change Minds?
As the Jan. 6 Commission continues its public hearings, it’s reasonable to wonder what effect they will have on the country. Sure, they represent 10 months of investigatory work, the collection of more than 130,000 documents, and testimony from more than 1,000 witnesses, but is the committee preaching to the choir? Is the committee guilty of demonizing Donald Trump without giving him the right to defend himself? Are the hearings dividing the country even more? Are they all about politics or should Trump be prosecuted and banned from running again? And what about the paradoxical way former Attorney General William Barr admitted that Trump’s claims of election fraud were “detached from reality” yet still said he would support him once again should he be the GOP nominee? Interview Sheryl White, DDiv, to discuss the questions on your listeners’ minds. A self-described independent conservative, White is a YouTube channel creator and the author of historical fiction based on the life of abolitionist and suffragist Laura Smith Haviland. Contact her at (620) 672-1596; sdw1001@gmail.com
3. ==> COVID Cases Are Rising: Should You Be Concerned?
Health officials are once again raising the alarm about the threat of a resurgence of COVID-19 infections across the country, as concerns grow about the new omicron subvariant, BA.5, which is now the dominant viral strain in the U.S. According to federal data, nearly three-quarters of the U.S. population is now living in a county with a high or medium community risk level for COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan, says, “BA.5 is everywhere and if you haven’t gotten it yet, the odds are pretty [good] that you will,” she reasons. “But, if you are up to date on vaccines, the illness should be mild and without major medical consequences.” While there is a “high risk of exposure” to this variant, she said there are also “lots of reasons to be hopeful.” Early treatment with Paxlovid is now free for all Americans who may need it. “With home testing and rapid connection to treatment (for those at risk of complicated infection), COVID is manageable,” Dr. Malani says. But she and other experts warn that unvaccinated Americans, especially older ones, could face more dire consequences if they contract the virus. Dr. Preeti Malani’s work focuses on infection control and prevention in older adults. Contact Preeti Malani, M.D., at pmalani@umich.edu or Kelly Malcom at kmalcom@umich.edu
4. ==> Celebrate National Hot Dog Month
Is a hot dog a sandwich? What’s the most popular topping for a frankfurter? And what are hot dogs really made from? Get your fill of hot dog and sausage facts, culture and history when you interview Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC). A wealth of information on anything and everything about this all-American food, the NHDSC has many resources for summer hot dog lovers including a full guide to regional hot dog styles, a list of the hot dogs found at Major League ballparks and tips on hot dog etiquette. Learn how your listeners’ can compete for the title of Hot Dog Ambassador! Contact Mittenthal at (202) 587-4238; (404) 808-8396 (cell) or emittenthal@meatinstitute.org
5. ==> All-Female MMA – Invicta Fighting Championships
The spotlight is on world-class female athletes, local stars, and talented up-and-comers in Invicta FC 48 — a hard-hitting fight card boasting exciting debuts, long-awaited returns, and a hotly-anticipated main event for the Bantamweight Title. Shannon Knapp is an industry trailblazer and the only female executive to lead a major combat sports organization. In 2012, she founded Invicta Fighting Championships — the world’s largest, all-women’s mixed martial arts organization, giving professional female athletes their first major platform to compete. Invite her to discuss the upcoming championship on July 20 in Denver, Colorado. Several athletes are available for interviews including Taneisha Tennant, Melissa Oddessa Parker, a military veteran and mother of two, and Isis Verbeek. Invicta FC 48 airs July 20 on AXS TV and Fight Network. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
6. ==> Frustrated Flyers Eye Cruises: Expert Shares Tips
Airline delays and cancellations are making a mess for summer travelers and many people are now looking at cruising as a vacation option. But before you book, talk to travel expert Cindy Bertram for little-known insider tips. “I recently went on a cruise, and the process has become much more efficient due to COVID protocols,” she says. “And there are new apps that you can download for everything from making advance dining reservations to ensuring hassle-free disembarking.” Cindy can also share why it’s crucial to obtain travel insurance, the special features of various cruise ship lines and more. 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
7. ==> Student Loan Forgiveness: Is This the Answer?
President Biden says he’s nearing a decision on broad student-loan forgiveness. Reports suggest Biden is considering $10,000 in relief for borrowers making under $150,000 a year. Millions of struggling student-loan borrowers are anxiously awaiting an announcement in the coming days, but is this the answer? According to former college professor Glen Dunzweiler, students should not waste their time thinking about loan forgiveness. “It’s a waste of energy,” he says, “because there is no incentive for anyone to forgive your debt. Instead, the discussion can provide an opportunity to figure out the leverage that individual students do have.” Glen is the author of two books including “A Degree in Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” He is an independent filmmaker and the host of the YouTube series Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler. His documentary, “yHomeless,” can be seen on Amazon Prime. Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Abortion Ban Will Impact the Foster Care System
With the recent, controversial Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the main focus has been on how this will impact women. According to Richard Villasana, founder of the nonprofit Forever Homes for Foster Kids, this will also have a profound impact on the already broken foster care system. “Hundreds of children die in foster care annually,” he says. “Tens of thousands of children are physically and sexually abused while in foster care. Foster care is not a safety net for more children. That net is in shreds and in crisis without adding children from forced pregnancies.” 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
9. ==> How Sharp Are Aging Politicians?
Today, you’re nobody in Washington unless you’re 80. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is 81 and her deputy, Rep. Steny Hoyer, is 82. The No. 3 Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, is 81 and Senator Bernie Sanders is 80. President Joe Biden, the oldest person to take office as president, will turn 80 this year as will Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. Behavioral specialist Lisa Skinner says with an aging herd of politicians making key decisions for America, it’s important to ask about the cognitive health and fitness of our country’s current leaders. We do ask candidates for the presidency to disclose their medical histories; however, we currently have no mechanism to evaluate their past and present mental health. In her book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces,” Skinner provides a roadmap to distinguish normal aging from something more troubling by identifying the common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Lisa Skinner has more than a quarter-century of experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She’s appeared on CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and ABC News, and in USA Today, Health & Fitness, and many other publications. Contact Dianemarie (DM) Collins at (775) 825-1727; DM@DMProductionsLLC.com or @DMCollins
10. ==> Hunted By the KGB, this Guest Lives to Tell the Story
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
11. ==> Why Your Neighbors May Outlive You
Most of us look at our neighbors and make silent comparisons. Some certainly look worse than we do, older, paunchier, and perhaps grayer. But we may concede that some look better, more active, upbeat, and healthier, making us wonder what they know that we don’t. You could ask them, but you probably won’t. Instead, why not ask nurse practitioner (APRN) Anne McAwley-LeDuc, an award-winning author? Anne says the healthiest people don’t just see physicians regularly, stick to a healthful diet and exercise program, take prescription medicines correctly and avoid bad habits. According to Anne, they also keep accurate health histories and records. She’ll reveal the importance of maintaining key information about every doctor visit, and all procedures, tests, treatments, vaccinations, and prescriptions for every family member. Anne is the creator of the “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
12. ==> 3 Surprising Ways to Lessen Pain
Living with chronic pain is no fun and was even less so during the pandemic when care was restricted and stress levels were through the roof. Why not help make listeners’ lives more comfortable by interviewing Trevor Campbell, M.D., who can share tips for controlling stress, managing negative thoughts, and paying attention to the story they tell their friends and family members about their illnesses, all things that can lead to lessening pain? Ask him how can what we are thinking affect our pain levels? How can people feel less stressed when they hurt? Dr. Campbell is a family physician who has worked in multidisciplinary pain management and opioid reduction programs and has served as a medical director for a leading pain management provider in Western Canada. He graduated from the University of Cape Town. He hosts the holistic “Healthscape” podcast. Dr. Campbell’s book is “The Language of Pain: Fast Forward Your Recovery to Stop Hurting.” Contact Trevor Campbell at (250) 217-7832; tcampbell@rtirguests.com
13. ==> What’s Behind Love at First Sight?
If you haven’t experienced it yourself you’ve probably seen it portrayed in a movie: two people who have an instant attraction, a soul connection, and a feeling they belong together. Alicia McBride, an empath, psychic, and author of three books, can discuss the powerful emotions behind love at first sight. Whether they are believers or not, your audience will get a kick out of exploring this unusual topic. In an interview, Alicia will say that intense instant attraction may be the result of recognizing someone from a past life, or from one of the participants having psychic abilities even though they may be hidden. She’ll explain that what we think of as love at first sight may not last or even be mutual. Be sure to ask her what happened when she met a man she had pictured in her head for two years. Alicia McBride is the author of “The Empath Effect,” “I Feel Too Much” and “I Love You When.” Reach her at (484) 369-1464; Healinglightempath@gmail.com
14. ==> Raise a Reader This Summer (One Book at a Time)
Despite their hectic schedules and the distractions of social media and modern technology, parents can dramatically improve their children’s lives by setting aside time to read with them this summer – and beyond. “A relaxing reading ritual not only fuels your child’s reading journey, it also builds a bond and creates memories that last,” says author and long-time educator Lori Lynn Ahrends. “The right books will not only be fun but will build your child’s self-confidence.” Lori Lynn is an award-winning educator and international speaker with a master’s in education; a singer/songwriter; creator of the Overall Buddies early childhood learning website and author of the children’s book “I’m a Pig.” Contact her at (402) 235-4292; lahrends@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 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