July 16, 2020
01. Why Are We Pressuring Schools to Open Unsafely?
02. Can Coronavirus Linger in the Air? How to Protect Yourself
03. And You thought Ivanka Couldn’t Get More Out of Touch …
04. 75th Anniversary of Nagasaki: The Making of the Atomic Age
05. Why We Need to Stop Saying ‘People of Color’
06. Building Confidence is Key to Solving Inequality
07. How We Can Be the Change We Need Right Now
08. Masking the Problem or Saving Your Life?
09. How to Create a Fairytale Wedding in the Middle of a Pandemic
10. Start a Pandemic Journal Today
11. How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
12. How to Ensure Your Kid Earns a Living Wage
13. Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably Had One and Didn’t Know!)
14. Why Flip-Flops are a Metaphor for Life
15. Learn Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better
1. ==> Why Are We Pressuring Schools to Open Unsafely?
As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the United States, some public K-12 schools may be able to reopen safely but doing so won’t be cheap. The price tag for implementing CDC recommended safety protocols is an estimated $245 billion yet funding for public schools through the Cares Act is $13.5 billion. Sociologist Jennifer Calarco says many communities will be forced to make difficult choices. “Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is pressuring schools to open and threatening to cut off funds to public schools that don’t fully open in the fall. She has suggested that those federal funds could be diverted to families to help pay for private or religious education. It is hard to say with certainty why the secretary of education would put public schools in this difficult position. But Ms. DeVos is, in effect, promoting a new form of school choice: If your child’s school can’t afford to open safely, you need to find one that can — probably a private or charter school — or keep your child at home.” Jennifer Calarco is an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University and the author of two books including “Negotiating Opportunities: How the Middle Class Secures Advantages in Schools.” Contact her at jcalarco@indiana.edu; @JessicaCalarco or Barbara Brosher at (812) 855-1175
2. ==> Can Coronavirus Linger in the Air? How to Protect Yourself
Scientists now believe that aerosols — tiny microdroplets that hang in the air — may play a role in the spread of the coronavirus. While the greatest risk still appears to be from larger droplets, how can you protect yourself from airborne transmission? Flu transmission researcher Seema Lakdawala says one way to minimize your risk is to face away from people when you talk. “If there’s any scenario where I’m face-to-face with someone I move my head off-center so I’m no longer inhaling the direct plume of their breath.” Another tip, though it can be awkward, is to avoid direct eye contact. Lakdawala says other ways to minimize your risk is to increase indoor air ventilation and circulation by opening windows and putting on fans to keep air moving. From creating a buffer of personal space to limiting the amount of time you’re in close contact with people and making sure you wear your mask properly, Lakdawala says each precaution you take adds another layer of safety from aerosolized particles. Seema Lakdawala is an assistant professor in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department at the University of Pittsburgh. Contact her at (412) 383-4062; lakdawala@pitt.edu
3. ==> And You Thought Ivanka Couldn’t Get More Out of Touch …
Ivanka Trump announced a new ad campaign called “Find Something New,” which encourages the millions of unemployed in the U.S. to get new jobs by learning new skills. The website created for the effort contains a short list of jobs that are growing right now according to the U.S. Labor Department. Jobs include aerospace engineering and operations technician, broadcast and sound engineering technician, computer support specialist, and contact tracer. Heidi Shierholz, director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute and a former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor, says, “This is just terrible economics. It’s absolutely offensive. You have actual power to influence policy that could really make a difference in working people’s lives. To come up with this, which will not, is just a slap in the face.” “It just shows such a lack of understanding about running a government,” she adds. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that researches the impact of economic trends and policies on working people in the United States. Contact Kayla Blado at (202) 775-8810; news@epi.org
4. ==> 75th Anniversary of Nagasaki: The Making of the Atomic Age
This August 9 marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. Invite science writer Steve Olson to discuss the discovery and weaponization of plutonium, the unforeseen consequences of the nuclear arms race and the historical significance of the Hanford B Reactor, the first full-scale nuclear reactor in the world. Located in Hanford — south-central — Washington State, the reactor made the plutonium at the core of the nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal (and in the bomb dropped on Nagasaki) and all subsequent reactors have been based on the technologies developed there. Olson will share a history of how that happened and what it means. Hear how the site expanded from three to nine nuclear reactors during the Cold War and supplied most of the plutonium for the American nuclear arsenal, and why it is now the most contaminated nuclear site in the Western hemisphere. Steve Olson’s new book is “The Apocalypse Factory: Plutonium and the Making of the Atomic Age.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Why We Need to Stop Saying ‘People of Color’
One of the issues the Black Lives Matter movement addresses is how skin color plays a role in how people are treated by police and society in general. According to author, speaker, and retired neurosurgeon Sylvanus Ayeni, society needs to stop focusing on skin color as a way to define a person. He says the phrases “black and brown people,” “white people,” and “people of color” should be removed from our vocabulary. Why? Because skin color is just the shade of a protective superficial covering and that inside, we’re all the same. Invite him to discuss why skin color has nothing to do with the spirit and soul of an individual and why “color coding of human beings is fundamentally flawed.” Dr. Ayeni was born and raised in Nigeria and is the president of Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch, Inc. His latest book, “Rescue Thyself: Change in Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come from Within,” has been described as “a thoughtful, provocative, fascinating, literate, and controversial examination of the poorest region on earth,” by NPR’s Nina Totenberg. Contact him at (301) 812-4579; SAyeni@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Building Confidence is Key to Solving Inequality
Inequality issues in the U.S., once hidden, have been inescapably in public view lately. As we address them as a nation and as individuals, we need to keep in mind the role that confidence plays in leveling the playing field, says media veteran Raj Girn, head of the new Open Chest Confidence Academy. As an Asian immigrant, she grew up in England amid a lot of racial prejudice. “We do not place enough importance into building confidence, which is why the world is full of so much power inequality,” she says. Raj is also an expert on turning insecurities and other challenges into success stories. She can also discuss whether confidence can be taught, what the four “isms are that people are pushing back against” and her own challenges to success story. Raj is a well-known media personality in Canada and the subject of a feature-length documentary for Omni TV. She is a serial media entrepreneur who has worked in many communication-intensive industries with thought leaders, celebrities, and multinational corporations. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
7. == > How We Can Be the Change We Need Right Now
The worst global pandemic in a century. Economic chaos that echoes the Great Depression. Worldwide protests due to police brutality against minorities. How do we survive and even thrive in these perilous times? “To be the change this world needs right now, we have to live our truth,” says best-selling author and intuition expert Kim Chestney. “Intuition is the key to that truth; it shows us who we really are and what we stand for in this world.” Kim can discuss how being true to oneself is the greatest form of rebellion and the only way to bring about positive change in the world. Kim is an international best-selling author and artist who founded the popular CREATE! Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her Intuition Masterclass is part of her global online school, Intuition Lab. Her new book “Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide for Using Your Inner Power” will be released on November 3. Contact her at (412) 214-9502; KChestney@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Masking the Problem or Saving Your Life?
With the reopening of businesses, the return to public spaces, and the resurgence in coronavirus cases, the issue over wearing masks has become a red or blue political litmus test. People seem to be politically entrenched more than they are focused on their health and the safety of others. What can your audience learn from an American in Paris, France, who survived the 55 days of lockdown? What is her advice for navigating the thorny mask question while at work and while at play? Nita Wiggins worked 21 years on U.S. television, she now teaches journalism, and she’s the author of “Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism.” Contact Nita Wiggins at NWiggins@rtirguests.com
9. ==> How to Create a Fairytale Wedding in the Middle of a Pandemic
When everyone is afraid to leave their homes without a mask and hugging is frowned upon, planning a fairytale wedding can seem daunting. Luxury wedding and event planner Lynne Goldberg says couples can still have fabulous events even as they meet new planning and etiquette challenges and shares the latest trends and tips for doing so. Goldberg, the founder of Ms. Wedding Planner and Boca Entertainment who appeared on the TV show Party Mamas, can answer such questions as how can couples ensure their wedding will be fabulous even with social distancing? With small weddings trending, what can couples do to give theirs a big impact? What changes should there be on the dance floor? Is it still OK to have a wedding cake? Goldberg’s clients include celebrities, politicians, socialites, and sports figures. Her work and commentary have been featured in such publications as the New York Times, Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Contact her at (561) 212-6024, Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com
10. ==> Start a Pandemic Journal Today
Six months into the coronavirus pandemic and life is still far from normal. The COVID-19 virus is leaving crashing waves of stress and anxiety in its wake. Health-care workers, essential, furloughed, and laid-off employees and others are battling to overcome the trauma. Is journaling a possible solution? Jean Alfieri, the author of the new guided journal, “Blessed to be Me,” makes the case for why free-form writing should be in most people’s self-care toolboxes and is prepared to take on any skeptics who question how writing could improve their overall health. She would tell them, “When you are tense and feeling jumbled, writing about it helps clarify your thoughts and puts things in better perspective. It allows you to reconnect to your true self and what’s important. For those who are angry or frustrated with recent events, writing is an argument-free way of expressing yourself. So, get out the pen and paper and get going!” Alfieri is a former human resource and organizational development executive turned author and speaker, and a veteran of local television and news programs. Jean Alfieri is the author of “Blessed to be Me: Celebrate the Stories of Your Life,” a self-guided journal offering over a dozen major and minor prompts, inspiring quotes, and coloring pages. Contact her at (602) 397-1344; Jean@BlessedtobeMe.com
11. ==> How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other people have found themselves cut off from small children whom they would be able to see were it not for the pandemic. Phone calls and Zoom sessions are helpful but can still leave a void, says Laurie Marshall, a longtime educator and grandparent to 2-year-old Oliver who lives in a different state. That is why Laurie created a special book for Oliver to remind him of the experiences they have already shared until they can see each other again and as a permanent keepsake. “Now is the time to be creative,” she says, “for sanity’s sake and to model resourcefulness to children.” Laurie can explain how she quickly and inexpensively put together “The Adventures of Oliver the Penguin,” using a cutout of Oliver’s face superimposed on a penguin and then took photos of the cutout all over her home and added some short descriptive sentences. She says anyone can do something similar even if they think they aren’t creative and can share resources for having your book printed. Contact Laurie Marshall at (415) 360-3304; lmarshall@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Ensure Your Kid Earns a Living Wage
Some colleges will continue online-only classes this fall, while others will try to get at least some students back on campus. The coming academic year will be anything but normal, and former college professor Glen Dunzweiler says that’s not all bad. He says a return to “normal” is not going to cut it because the way things have been done doesn’t lead to a secure future for most students, post-graduation. Invite Glen to discuss ways educators, parents and others who care about the next generation must teach every college student about entrepreneurship so they can hold their future in their own hands and earn a living wage. He’ll share why all students need an exit strategy and a clear idea of how they intend to monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a former college professor, a documentarian and the author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably Had One and Didn’t Know!)
Is it possible to have a concussion and have no idea? “Absolutely!” says Paul Wand, M.D. “Sometimes symptoms relating to the concussion don’t show up until months or years later! And about 20% of people who actually do go to the Emergency Room for CT or MRI scans are told they are perfectly fine … when they aren’t.” This summer, as COVID-19 restrictions loosen up around the country, people are more eager than ever to get out and get going! Which means more outdoor activities, leading to more concussion-related accidents. Interview Dr. Wand, a neurologist, to learn how your child, or you for that matter, could have a concussion and have no idea. Dr. Wand, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, will explain his unique protocol that enables doctors to do both faster and easier. Paul Wand, M.D., PA, has been a medical doctor for 35 years. He’s the author of “The Concussion Cure: Three Proven Methods to Heal Your Brain.” Contact him at (954) 743-5380; PWand@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Why Flip-Flops are a Metaphor for Life
Aside from being fun to wear, flip-flops can also help define us, and enable us to live our best lives. So says former Miss America contestant, author and humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong. “Since life has flipped on us, we need to survive with humor, productivity and occupying our minds in healthy ways,” she says. “It’s okay to laugh!” Jane can reveal how to put rhinestones on your flip-flops, literally and metaphorically, in order to shine. She is the award-winning author of four books including “Rhinestones on My Flip-Flops,” and has recorded music CDs and personal growth and comedy DVDs. As a humorist, her comedy is featured on Sirius XM 97. Contact Jane at (803) 599-2941; JHerlong@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Learn Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better
As we age, we may not realize that things should get better. With awareness, maturity, experience and motivation going for us, the second half of life offers extraordinary opportunities and satisfaction. That’s the message of Joe Swinger, a speaker, author and talk-show guest who specializes in helping adults in midlife enjoy the VIP life — one marked by greater vibrancy, impact and purpose. Joe is the creator of the Silver Linings Network, which he established to encourage happiness, success and emotional health in midlife and later years. Invite him on your show and learn what you should be focusing on (besides money!) as you approach and dive into retirement. He’ll share ideas for aging boomers who want to make a difference, recreate themselves and stay relevant, and explore ways to love and embrace aspects of every age. Contact Joe Swinger at (801) 865-7748: joeswinger@RTIRguests.com
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