July 21, 2020
01. The Politics of a COVID-19 Vaccine
02. Army COVID Planner: Texas is in Big Trouble
03. When Police Brutality Hits Home
04. Moral Injury and Anxiety are Crippling Police
05. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Facing Cancer With Joy
06. Gun Violence Surging: Tips to Survive an Active Shooter
07. COVID Has Laid Bare the Faults of America’s Higher Education
08. Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?
09. Good News for Wine Lovers, Courtesy of COVID-19
10. Watch Out, Democrats are Gaslighting Voters
11. The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One Another
12. Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the Election?
13. It Works for Your Computer – Start Using Binary Thinking!
14. Frozen Embryos are a Hot Topic
15. Why Women Should Submit and Obey Their Husbands
1.==> The Politics of a COVID-19 Vaccine
There are currently more than 100 efforts underway around the world to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, but Richard Haass warns that even when one or more vaccines emerge, the public-health problem won’t immediately be eliminated. “Who should receive the initial doses of any vaccine?” he asks. “Who determines who is allowed into the queue and in what order? What special advantages accrue to the country where a vaccine is developed? To what extent will wealthier countries crowd out poorer ones? Will countries let geopolitics intrude, sharing the vaccine with friends and allies while forcing vulnerable populations in adversary countries to the back of the line?” Haass says the current national approach to developing a vaccine is a recipe for disaster. “Only a handful of countries will be able to produce viable vaccines. The approach must be global. The reasons are not just ethical and humanitarian, but also economic and strategic, as global recovery requires collective improvement.” Dr. Richard Haass is a veteran diplomat and president of the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, publisher, and educational institution. Contact him at (212) 434-9540; president@cfr.org
2. ==> Army COVID Planner: Texas is in Big Trouble
Things are pretty bad right now in the Lone Star State, but Kris Alexander says the real pain is likely to come during hurricane season, when as many as 19 named storms are projected to hit. Alexander, a recently retired military COVID planner, says the biggest problems would come after emergency responders were exposed to the virus in the disaster zone. He says, “There are only a finite number of military medical personnel to go around, and many of them from places like Fort Carson, Colorado, are already deployed for COVID-19. And even if medical units were available, there is a good chance they would be exposed to the virus and bring it back home to find the doctors who normally work in the clinics and hospitals are gone.” He adds, “Patients needing COVID-19 ICU beds from a hurricane evacuation zone might have nowhere to go. Unchecked community spread could mean volunteer workers might get infected as they do their work, or worse, bring it with them to a shelter or feeding line.” Kris Alexander is a recently retired Army officer. He served everywhere from the 101st Airborne Division to the Defense Intelligence Agency. His most recent assignment was as a COVID-19 crisis planner at NORTHCOM in Colorado Springs. Contact him at kris.alexander@gmail.com; @kris_alexander
3. ==> When Police Brutality Hits Home
Experts have been warning about the dangers of domestic violence during the COVID-19 quarantines but according to Stacy Bannerman, the situation is especially concerning in homes where you might not expect it, behind the closed doors of police and military households. Research suggests that family violence is two to four times higher in the law-enforcement community than in the general population and in one recent survey some 40 percent of police reported having participated in domestic violence in the previous year. The author of “Homefront 911: How Families of Veterans Are Wounded by Our Wars” says, “The uniform has protected police abuse at the expense of the spouse and family. It is the same Code of Silence that ensures the women and children who are victims of veteran domestic violence are invisible collateral damage that America refuses to acknowledge or discuss.” Bannerman has written about the issue extensively and experienced it first-hand. Invite her on your show and learn how even officers who are found guilty of domestic violence are unlikely to be fired, arrested, or referred for prosecution and why that raises concerns that those who are tasked with enforcing the law cannot effectively police themselves. Contact Stacy Bannerman at stacy@stacybannerman.com; @StacyBannerman
4. ==> Moral Injury and Anxiety are Crippling Police
Amidst the growing demonstrations against police brutality and calls to defund police departments, what is the real sentiment amongst those that have sworn to serve and protect? We hear what they’re saying publicly, but what are they saying in private? Invite Pastor John Revell, who has served as chaplain to the police department in Stamford, Connecticut, for nearly a decade, to discuss the current cultural response towards law enforcement, the emotional and spiritual effect it’s having on the people who wear a badge, and how moral injury and anxiety are crippling police officers. John has more than 30 years’ experience in pastoral and church ministry and has helped first responders deal with various crises, including the Sandy Hook shootings; life-threatening job-related injuries; traumatic criminal investigations; and horrific accident scenes. Contact Jason Jones at jason@jonesliterary.com
5. ==> Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Facing Cancer With Joy
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has announced she is again being treated for cancer. It’s the fourth cancer fight for the 87-year old, but she’s got no plans to retire. Ginsberg has been working through the pandemic while undergoing chemotherapy, which she says is yielding positive results, so she’ll continue. Kipp Harris can relate to Ginsburg’s attitude and her struggles, himself battling cancer three times. Listeners will be inspired by his story. Hear how his cancer experiences taught him the importance of living fully, recognizing the many lives we touch each day, and even finding joy during chemotherapy. His upcoming book is “Improbable Joy: A 3-Time Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Finding Joy in Unexpected Places.” Contact Kipp Harris at (701) 638-4051; Kharris@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Gun Violence Surging: Tips to Survive an Active Shooter
Gun violence is on the rise in big cities across the country this summer, even in the middle of the pandemic. As parts of the country reopen and gatherings occur, how can we keep safe from violence AND the virus? What do we all need to know? Explore the vital answers with personal protection specialist Allen Banks, developer of Active Shooter Prevention and Workplace Violence Prevention Training, plus special programs for schools and other locations. Ask him: How should people observe, react, find safety, shield others, or fight back during an active shooting incident? Which survival tips work best in different settings? Allen Banks is CEO of Proactive Protection Agency. Contact him at (661) 417-0786; abanks@rtirguests.com
7. == > COVID Has Laid Bare the Faults of America’s Higher Education
As the pandemic continues to impact all facets of American life it’s a great time to talk about the failures of the U.S.’s higher education system and how they might be fixed. This issue is much larger than the much talked about one of whether institutions of higher learning should offer classes online or in-person and former college professor Glen Dunzweiler wants to have that discussion now. Glen says, “This virus is an opportunity for instructors and students to redefine what school is and how learning is achieved. I hope that our harsh realities on health complications and the sale of incomplete products (online classes) will inspire more to forge a thoughtful path but unfortunately, the reluctance for change, and the need for institutions to continue to make income will make the school experience limp along as people try to regain the glory of the university mythos.” Glen will explain why a traditional college education does not lead to a secure future for most students, why trade schools and work experience can be a better option and ways students can 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 at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?
In the middle of the coronavirus crisis, keeping your own medical records in order is more important than ever. In a medical emergency, anyone can be rattled enough to forget important details, finding themselves unable to answer physicians’ important questions about their health or that of a loved one. Anne McAwley-LeDuc, a retired nurse practitioner APRN), learned this the hard way after her husband fell down the stairs and showed signs of paralysis. At the hospital, physicians sought answers about his medical history, but she couldn’t answer vital questions. McAwley-LeDuc wants to help others — especially ordinary folks with no medical background — advocate for themselves and their loved ones for better and safer health care. She’ll discuss the role patients play in reducing medical errors, ways disorganized medical records can be deadly, and why so few patients keep good medical records or grasp the need to do so. Anne McAwley-LeDuc developed the “Personal Health Organizer” to keep essential medical information in one place and provide a snapshot of your health history. Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Good News for Wine Lovers, Courtesy of COVID-19
COVID-19 is killing the restaurant business and closing down a major market for many wineries. But is there a slice of silver in this cumulus of darkness? Something good, possibly, for the average wine consumer? It seems so, as many wineries now have far too much inventory and are taking extreme measures to unload it. Jim Laughren, CWE, will show your listeners how to take advantage of the situation and create a win-win outcome for all concerned. Ask him how can consumers find the best wine bargains? What are some of the extreme measures wine growers are taking? Will COVID-19 impact next year’s wines? Jim is the author of two popular wine books, “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine,” and a sparkling guest who has done many interviews. Contact Jim Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Watch Out, Democrats are Gaslighting Voters
Why does political author and speaker Rick Elkin contend that one of our major political parties would gaslight American voters? Why does he say the same about our education system? Hear his arguments and what the voting public needs to know for the 2020 election. The author of “The Illusion of Knowledge: Why So Many Educated Americans Embrace Marxism and Trump’s Reckoning,” Elkin offers a radical new theory on why half the nation might jettison our Constitutional Republic for a Progressive Promised Land. Ask him: How and why did academia, union leaders, businesses and news and entertainment industry staffers become prisoners of Groupthink? Which issues are we being misled about? How can voters respond? Are Republicans doing any better? Contact Rick Elkin at (760) 877-1262; RElkin@rtirguests.com
11. ==> The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One Another
When was the last time you had a decent conversation? Particularly with someone who doesn’t think as you do. Today we find ourselves in an overly connected society that ironically experiences very little real connection between individuals. Why? “Much of this can be laid at the doorstep of technology that reinforces our desire for speed and availability over true connection – individual to individual, face to face,” says Ivan Obolensky. Deterioration in the art of communication can be seen across kitchen tables as well as across the country in race relations, political debates and late-night pundits. Interview Ivan to find out what your audience needs to know now to create meaningful conversations. We can start by being curious and interested instead of being interesting and learning what to avoid at all costs — (don’t commit “assumicide!”) Obolensky is an author and Renaissance man. His novel “Eye of the Moon” won “Best First Book (Fiction)” in the IndieReader Discovery Awards. Contact Ivan Obolensky at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the Election?
Even a famous Politico story contends that millions of Americans believe GOD wanted Donald Trump to become president. But is a second term in God’s plan? Interview Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., who agrees that a Trump White House was God’s permissive will. But find out why he says God may not want Trump to serve two terms. Originally from Jamaica, Dr. Rutherford has for decades studied politics, faith and human nature. His critically acclaimed book is “God and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him: Why did many deeply committed Christians have no qualms about electing a seemingly godless man? What does the anti-Trump contingent get right and wrong? Why didn’t he vote for Trump? How would God “grade” Trump’s first term in office? Contact Dr. Rutherford at (786) 201-6638; patricrutherford@gmail.com
13. ==> It Works for Your Computer – Start Using Binary Thinking!
We make thousands of decisions, moves and actions every day. And it’s time we start thinking like a computer! That’s the message of Rico Racosky, who advocates “binary thinking” and using his “Just 2 Choices” philosophy. Known as America’s New Story Guy, Rico will motivate everyone in your audience to appreciate and utilize the on-off, yes-no, stop-go of binary thinking that works so well in computing and artificial intelligence. Rico — author of “Just2Choices” — will reveal how we have the power to make choices (with two options at a time) to simplify, amplify, rectify and identify success at work or in relationships, health and even academia. He’ll answer: How do so many people sabotage themselves by not using the Just 2 Choices model? How does this uncomplicated binary thinking advice help create better habits? What’s the history of Just 2 Choices? Ask about his free downloads. Contact Rico Racosky at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Frozen Embryos are a Hot Topic
Recent news stories have explored the issue of frozen embryos caught in the crossfire of couples who have uncoupled. Fertilized during happier times, these embryos may remain in limbo forever and rack up storage fees if the couples cannot agree on their future. Or, as Nate Birt advises, the couple can agree to let the frozen embryo be adopted by someone else, a possibility they may not have considered. Learn more when you interview Nate, whose daughter began life as another couple’s frozen embryo. Nate is the author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption.” Ask him: What are some of the controversies that surround frozen embryos? Are fertilized embryos people or property? How costly is it to adopt such an embryo? Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Why Women Should Submit and Obey Their Husbands
Although it might seem counterintuitive and downright sexist in this modern age, Pastor Eric Hawthorne believes women should be deferential to their spouses in order to divorce-proof their marriages. “Even if the wife makes more money than her husband, it’s important to look up to the man to be the leader of the family,” he says. He claims that feminism may be one of the leading causes of divorce and that embracing traditional roles in a marriage can improve the health of a spousal relationship. Eric is the second-generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance Ministries in Richardson, Texas, and the author of the upcoming book “Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact Eric at (214) 225- 0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com