01. Vaccine Hesitancy in the U.S. Is a Peculiar Privilege
02. How to Stop Dangerous Spread of Vaccine Myths
03. The 4 Warring Tribes Tearing America Apart
04. Comedian and Netflix Host Desiree Burch
05. Dos and Don’ts of Selling Your Used Car
06. Child Tax Credit Checks: Will You Get One?
07. Fascinating Facts about New York No One Told You
08. What’s Driving Millions to Quit Jobs?
09. Why Countless Kids Fear the Post-Pandemic World
10. Why Not Live and Work in Paradise?
11. 7 In 10 Families Are Estranged
12. Missing This Health Task Could Be Deadly
13. Removing the Stigma of Alzheimer’s
14. Pets Need Protection from Summer Heat Too!
15. Why Isn’t This Guest an Addict or Hooker?
1. ==> Vaccine Hesitancy in the U.S. Is a Peculiar Privilege
As an immigrant to this country, Dr. Junaid Nabi finds himself in the uniquely painful position of witnessing two sides of the COVID vaccine story: friends and family here who are unwilling to get vaccines and loved ones in other countries who are desperately seeking a way out of the pandemic and are unable to get vaccines. He says, “This ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution crisis has revealed the core drivers of inequity in global health: People in rich countries do not recognize the universality of health care problems and often see infectious disease outbreaks as problems for “other people in other countries.” The major lesson of the pandemic — that infections do not respect national boundaries — is yet to be heeded.” And to those people who say they want to watch and wait before getting a vaccine, he says, “I would like to remind them that their vacillations are reckless and cruel. They upend the sacrifices we have all made together to end the pandemic. By not doing your part to reduce the risks, you increase the risks for all of us. And that’s a very peculiar response to this catastrophic pandemic.” Junaid Nabi is a physician, health systems researcher, and writer. He is an internationally recognized expert on health policy, digital health, and health-care strategy. He is a New Voices Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and serves on the Working Group on Regulatory Considerations for Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization. Contact him at @JunaidNabiMD
2. ==> How to Stop Dangerous Spread of Vaccine Myths
The White House is reportedly reviewing whether social media companies should be held legally accountable for the spread of misinformation on their sites by changing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects their ability to moderate users’ content. Kara Alaimo says Biden is right to question Section 230. “It does need to be updated. But the exceptions to this law need to be extremely narrow and focus on widespread misinformation that clearly threatens lives.” She believes there’s a way to protect the openness of the internet and the ability of social networks to operate while still cracking down on falsehoods that cause mass harm. “If tech companies can figure out how to remove clips that harm people’s commercial interests, surely they can also figure out how to take down posts that pose threats to our lives.” Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of public relations at Hofstra University and author. She was spokeswoman for international affairs in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration. Contact her at (516) 463-5208; Kara.S.Alaimo@hofstra.edu
3. ==> The 4 Warring Tribes Tearing America Apart
The challenges of 2020 exposed the nation’s underlying conditions —discredited elites, weakened institutions, blatant inequalities — and how difficult these problems are to remedy. Atlantic staff writer George Packer argues that warring tribes are tearing the country apart. On your show he’ll explain the four competing “narratives” of America: the “Free America” which imagines a nation of separate individuals and serves the wealthy and interests of corporations; the “Smart America” representing the worldview of Silicon Valley and the professional elite; the “Real America” who are the white Christian nationalists of the heartland; and the “Just America” or citizens as members of identity groups that inflict or suffer oppression. Packer believes none of these narratives or groups can sustain a democracy and that it’s Americans’ passion for equality that can help us move forward in a more hopeful way. An award-winning author, Packer’s new book is “Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188
4.==> Comedian and Netflix Host Desiree Burch
Stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and the hilarious and relatable narrator of the Netflix competition show “Too Hot to Handle,” Desiree Burch is taking over the entertainment scene. Put a smile on your listeners’ faces when you bring her on your show to talk about season two of the show and her future projects, including an upcoming turn as a contestant on the UK comedy game series “Taskmaster.” The award-winning comedian recently co-starred in Comedy Central UK’s series “Drunk History: Black Stories” and is also the host of Amazon’s official podcast “Escape the Underground Railroad,” based on the Amazon series “The Underground Railroad.” She’s appeared in dozens of comedy shows including “Live at the Apollo” (BBC), “The Jonathan Ross Show,” and the Comedy Central special “Desiree Burch Live.” Contact Whitney Peterson at (310) 749-0708 (cell) or Kelsea Knight at (661) 645-4739 (cell); agpr@andersongrouppr.com
5. ==> Dos and Don’ts of Selling Your Used Car
Used cars are selling for record-high prices, and that’s clearly good news for those looking to sell. So is now the time to sell or trade in your vehicle? Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader, can share five tips to make sure you’re getting top dollar for your sale. He’ll discuss which vehicles are getting top dollar right now, how to sell a car yourself, and whether now is a good time to flip your leased car. And if you’re looking to replace the car you’re selling, Moody says it’s a good idea to know what you’ll be driving after you get rid of the car you have now with both new and used cars in tight supply, which is a major factor in why prices for both have hit record levels. Brian Moody manages all of Autotrader’s editorial content. For interviews, contact Brenna Buehler at (949) 473-6595; brenna.buehler@coxautoinc.com
6. ==> Child Tax Credit Checks: Will You Get One?
Millions of American families have begun getting financial assistance this month. The expanded Child Tax Credit checks will run through the end of the year. They’re part of the American Rescue Plan and meant to get money to families who need it most. Sergio Mata-Cisneros, domestic policy analyst at Bread for the World, a Christian-based anti-hunger group, says, “I don’t think there has been any other policy in decades that will reduce poverty and hunger like this will.” Most parents don’t have to do anything to get the funds, but some of the neediest families don’t know they qualify for monthly payments. Bread for World works with 250,000 activists, some of whom plan to go door-to-door to educate families and show them how to apply. Contact Sergio Mata-Cisneros at @mata_sergio or Chris Ford at (202) 688-1077; (520) 904-0415 (cell) or cford@bread.org
7. ==> Fascinating Facts about New York No One Told You
Ever wonder what lays beneath the high-rise buildings of New York? Or the city’s role in finalizing and celebrating the Constitution? Did you know that New York was the first U.S. capital? Sasha Vosk can share fascinating facts about New York and discuss the role the city has played in the country from colonial times until today, for its cultural and financial influence and its popularity as a tourist destination. Vosk’s new book, “400 Years of New York History: A Pictorial Guide: Book 1: New York as New Amsterdam in the 1600s,” takes readers back in time to experience the sights of New York City’s past using photorealism, a technique that combines photography, 3-D modeling and painting. Sasha Vosk is a Brooklyn-based writer, director, and muralist who immigrated to New York 40 years ago from Russia. He has also been a stand-up comic, an Emmy-award-winning film producer (“Billy Crystal: A Midnight Train to Moscow”), Russian cultural festival promoter, and a producer of the Moscow Circus’ worldwide tours. He is a New York history buff and has more than 30 years’ experience using photorealism in illustration and mural work. Contact Sasha Vosk at (347) 225-2574; author@VoskTimeTravelGuide.com
8. ==> What’s Driving Millions to Quit Jobs?
As pandemic life recedes in the U.S., people are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time. Tim Winders can help your listeners figure out how to take advantage of this time to create the kind of life they’d like to have. The author and performance coach can offer three principles for hitting the reset button. Winders, who has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, utilizes these principles in his novel, “Coach: A Parable of Success Redefined.” Winders, who along with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while traveling around the country, survived several business failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts the “SeekGoCreate” podcast and is available last-minute. Contact Tim at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why Countless Kids Fear the Post-Pandemic World
For more than a year, kids have been facing the pandemic, feeling lonely and separated from friends, worried about disease, and struggling with online learning or homeschooling. Now many children are almost as fearful about the changes the post-COVID world will bring. You’ll want to speak with educator Barbara Daniels, author of the award-winning Timmy Teacup series, to help parents prepare their kids for post-pandemic normalcy. Ask her: What are the biggest challenges for post-pandemic life as we reopen schools, theaters, amusement parks, malls, and other places kids hang out? What steps can parents take if their child seems particularly reticent? Contact Barbara Daniels at (636) 220-5495; BDaniels@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why Not Live and Work in Paradise?
After the past year, who hasn’t thought about running away from home and living in paradise? With so many people now working from home, companies changing their remote work policies, digital nomads, and people reinventing their lives post-pandemic, this is a hot topic! Invite Diane Huth, author of “The Grown-Ups Guide To Running Away From Home: Earn Dollars. Spend Pesos. Escape to Paradise.” to discuss how much it really costs to live in paradise, medical and safety concerns about moving abroad, and how to fund your overseas dream life. Through her personal story of transformation from a burnt-out caregiver scraping by on Social Security to a joy-filled adventurer living her dream life on a white sandy beach in Mexico, she will show your listeners they too can do the same — more easily and affordably than they ever imagined possible. Contact Diane Huth at (210) 601-7852; Diane@DianeHuth.com
11. ==> 7 In 10 Families Are Estranged
Yours may be one of the millions of families harboring an estrangement. Arguments, regrets, rivalries, miscommunication, avoidance and lack of forgiveness are sadly quite common. After all, we often hurt the ones we love. So what does it take to heal such troubled family dynamics? Discuss reconciling and rebuilding family relationships with Peter Colman, Ph.D., a speaker, missionary and author of “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption.” Dr. Colman will explore why people often accuse those closest to them of mistreatment, hold grudges and drift apart. He’ll help family members understand each other and learn to lean on their shared faith and heritage to heal. Ask him: What’s the first step away from regrets and blame, toward forgiveness and healing? How do the effects of wartime service impact family relationships? What is sacred about family bonds, especially between father and son? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 912-4481; jcolman@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Missing This Health Task Could Be Deadly
You don’t want to ignore your medical records! After all, the smartest patients (and those most likely to live healthier and longer lives) never overlook the details about their family’s medications, vaccinations, doctor visits, or previous surgeries/procedures. Learn more from retired nurse practitioner (APRN) Anne McAwley-LeDuc, who advocates full and accurate record-keeping even for ordinary patients. She warns that having disorganized personal health histories can be dangerous and threaten lives. Ask her: Where should you keep and maintain essential medical records? What inspired her to create the Personal Health Organizer that provides a life-saving snapshot of one’s health history? What do doctors, school nurses and emergency departments need to know when treating your kids — and how can you help? How did COVID-19 make this issue even more important? Contact McAwley-LeDuc at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Removing the Stigma of Alzheimer’s
When Tony Bennett announced he had it, Alzheimer’s disease made the news. But this memory-robbing disease affects 6.2 million Americans whose families find that it’s not easy to talk about a loved one’s diagnosis because of the stigma surrounding the disease. As a devoted caregiver and husband of someone who was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s in her fifties, Carlen Maddux can discuss what it’s like to have a loved one who fades away even as they continue to live. He can share early warning signs and treatment options along with the biggest challenges for loved ones and tips for caregivers. Maddux has appeared on numerous shows. He’s the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Pets Need Protection from Summer Heat Too!
Sure, the heat affects people, but Dr. Judy Morgan reminds us that pets can suffer in extreme heat too! Do you know which food and treats can help your pets deal with extreme heat? Is it safe to exercise your pet in the summer? Dr. Morgan will share ways to keep your pets cool while traveling, how to keep them active without overheating, and other summer safety tips. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, specializes in integrative medicine, combining the best of both traditional and holistic veterinary care. She’s the founder and CEO of Naturally Healthy Pets and the author of several books including “Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs.” Contact her at (609) 202-0999; judy@drjudymorgan.com
15. ==> Why Isn’t This Guest an Addict or Hooker?
Talk to Francine Tone, and you’ll be surprised that her life turned out so successful and positive. She is an accomplished attorney, author, speaker and devoted mother. But things didn’t look that way in her youth. After loss and abandonment as a child, she was molested before age 6 by her adoptive father, and she contemplated suicide nightly as a teen. Francine also suffered a near fatal car accident, went through a troubling divorce, got cancer and then dealt with a traumatic injury to her only son. But she never gave up. Now she is prepared to tell others how they, too, can overcome adversity and get their lives in order despite the worst of the worst happening. Ask Francine the difference between learning to accept trouble and turning challenges into motivation for healing; how a TV show helped save her; and what advice she has for young people who are being victimized. Among Francine’s successful projects is the best-seller “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know.” Contact Francine Tone at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com