01. How ‘Imposter Christianity’ Is Threatening Democracy
02. Sharks Are Everywhere This Week
03. Heat Waves Can Impact Mental Health Too
04. Mormons, Murder and Impending Southwest Water Wars
05. Why You Should Care About Happy the Elephant
06. Air Travel Is a Disaster Right Now. Should You Cruise?
07. Former Mayor – How to Spot Local Government Corruption
08. Take the Higher Road. It’s Called Etiquette
09. Is It Possible to Live a Life without Regrets?
10. Why Too Many Entrepreneurs Put Their Health Last
11. How to Be Profitable in Any Economy
12. Inside a Wilderness Program for Digitally Addicted Teens
13. 3 Principles You Must Know to Thrive in Chaos
14. Do a Show on the Coolest Form of Adoption
15. Discover the ‘Hidden Figure’ Who Helped Develop GPS
1.==> How ‘Imposter Christianity’ Is Threatening Democracy
The U.S. is facing a crisis in the form of a growing White Christian nationalist movement that uses Christian language to cloak sexism and hostility to Blacks and non-white immigrants in its quest to create a White Christian America. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of the “New York Times” best-seller “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation,” says these beliefs, which some experts call “imposter Christianity,” have infiltrated the religious mainstream in America. “The ideas are so widespread that any individual pastor or Christian leader who tries to turn the tide and say, ‘Let’s look again at Jesus and scripture,’ are going to be tossed aside,” she says. How can White Christian nationalists who claim to follow Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” who renounced violence in the Gospels, support a violent insurrection? That’s because they follow a different Jesus than the one depicted in the Gospels, says Du Mez, who is also a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University — a Christian school — in Michigan. They follow the Jesus depicted in the Book of Revelation, the warrior with eyes like “flames of fire” and “a robe dipped in blood.” Du Mez can discuss key beliefs often tied to White nationalists including the falsehood that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Ph.D., has written for the “New York Times,” “Washington Post,” NBC News and “Christianity Today.” Contact her at kkd3@calvin.edu; @kkdumez
2. ==> Sharks Are Everywhere This Week
Dozens of Cape Cod shark sightings this weekend shut down beaches as temperatures soared and just as Discovery launched its annual “Shark Week” series. Why are there so many sharks this summer and where is it safe to go in the water? Greg Skomal, a state marine biologist in Massachusetts, advises beachgoers to be the 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
3. ==> Heat Waves Can Impact Mental Health Too
It’s been sweltering across much of the U.S. recently and a lot of attention has been on preventing heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other health problems. But Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., says prolonged, excessive heat waves can also aggravate mental health issues. Dr. Lieberman can discuss why anxiety, depression and bipolar symptoms may get worse when the temperature rises, specific signs someone is struggling and ways to help. Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H. is a board-certified psychiatrist and author. She was trained at NYU-Bellevue and at Anna Freud’s London Clinic and has served on the clinical faculty of UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute for years. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); mark@goldmanmccormick.com
4.==> Mormons, Murder and Impending Southwest Water Wars
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 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 LeBarón 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
5. ==> Why You Should Care About Happy the Elephant
Bronx Zoo resident Happy the elephant was recently in the news when the animal advocacy group the Nonhuman Rights Project filed a writ of habeas corpus to have her declared a person. Although Chief Judge Janet DiFiore acknowledged that elephants are intelligent and deserve compassion, she decided that they do not have the same rights as humans. Animal welfare activist Georja Umano disagrees. “Happy and other captive elephants don’t deserve this treatment,” she says. “They deserve to live in accredited sanctuaries where they have room to walk where they want, roll in mud, choose their own companions and have as much freedom as possible —given that they have lost their families, herds and homelands.” Georja spent two years living and working in Kenya. She is the author of “Terriers in the Jungle.” Contact her at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Air Travel Is a Disaster Right Now. Should You Cruise?
Traveling by air can be a nightmare today with flight delays and cancellations and luggage issues, but is cruising a good option for a relaxing vacation? Travel expert Cindy Bertram says it can be, but there are key things you should know before getting onboard. “You need to decide what port you want to sail from, how you are going to get there, what documents you need, determine the age groups that each line caters to, obtain travel insurance and know how to acquire a passport for overseas travel.” Cindy can share insider tips for smooth sailing. 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 her at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Former Mayor – How to Spot Local Government Corruption
As a former mayor, council member, planning commissioner, and an advocate for good government with a propensity for “telling it like it is,” Debbie Peterson spent years serving communities, seeing people’s needs go unmet because of gross misappropriation of funds. With her new book, “The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies and Suicide in a California Beach Town,” Peterson combines insider political analysis, breaking-news thrills, and a historical account into a true-crime story that follows determined citizens who worked out how local government corruption happens, how to spot it, and how to fix it. Peterson has been interviewed by everyone from the “Los Angeles Times” to the BBC and Scripps Networks. She is the former mayor of Grover Beach, Calif., and the host of the new weekly podcast “The Corruption Chronicles.” Contact Debbie Peterson at (805) 550-4490; DebbiePeterson805@gmail.com
8. ==> Take the Higher Road. It’s Called Etiquette
Most of us would agree that people seem to disrespect others more these days, leading to arguments, yelling, fighting and worse. It’s especially true when politics come up. Zane Carson Carruth, a certified etiquette business expert, reminds everyone there’s a way to approach these conversations by taking the high road. “While everyone’s entitled to their opinion, etiquette in conversation puts on pleasant restraints and safeguards so points of view don’t go too far off kilter or into damaging territory,” says Zane. She advises opponents to remove their war helmets and take a more cordial road to respecting others and not overstepping boundaries and says that proper etiquette is anything but weak. She says it shows even your staunchest adversaries you’re a decent human being who deserves equal respect. Zane Carson Carruth is an author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Contact Spencer Cowen at (845) 558 4321; spencercowen.transmediagroup@gmail.com
9. ==> Is It Possible to Live a Life without Regrets?
Whether it’s your choice of a college major, that job you took that you’re stuck with now, a huge, missed opportunity, or the one that got away, everyone has regrets, and you just have to live with them — or do you? What if you could live your whole life and never regret a thing? Talk to Laura Brennan Ballet and learn how to do just that. The author of “The Science of Empowerment” and a life empowerment facilitator, Laura shares with your audience how to climb away from the chaos and drama to live the positive life you’ve always wanted, without regretting anything, and how you can connect with the people and experiences you’ve always wanted to discover. She’ll discuss how to turn your fears into advancement opportunities, a simple method for instantly replacing negative thoughts with happiness, how to become a force for greatness, and much more. Contact Laura Ballet at (860) 831-4435; lballet@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why Too Many Entrepreneurs Put Their Health Last
Being an entrepreneur is hard work. It takes dedication, perseverance and a commitment to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Unfortunately, for many that can mean working late into the night, grabbing unhealthy food on the go and not making time for exercise, relationships and fun. Invite Dr. Alvin Perry to share how he used the same resourcefulness and resiliency that made him successful in business to help him transform his health when he suddenly “discovered” he’d gained 70 pounds over ten years. You’ll hear how he created a system using three simple principles that changed the course of his life and pushed him onto the path of personal wellness. A successful entrepreneur, small-business expert and author, Alvin Perry, DBA, is also ISSA certified in personal training and nutrition. His latest book, “Just Fat!,” chronicles his 80-pound weight loss journey. Contact him at (678) 788-7529; aperry@rtirguests.com
11. ==> How to Be Profitable in Any Economy
Amidst global recession and money conflicts that continue to tear apart families and business relationships alike, Victoria Rader, Ph.D., insists there’s always a way to prosper. Invite her on your show to share the universal laws of money that work in any culture, language, and economy. Her simple, reliable formula for success has helped thousands bridge the gap from stressful lack to peaceful prosperity. Rader’s new book, “Prosper Me: the 35 Universal Laws to Make Money Work for You,” covers 35 empowering spiritual principles with practical applications to guide readers on the path of inner peace and financial stability and prosperity. Victoria is a frequent and popular podcast guest and a best-selling author in seven countries. Contact her at (703) 300-6866; vicarader@gmail.com
12. ==> Inside A Wilderness Program for Digitally Addicted Teens
As a police officer and entrepreneur in the 1980s Chicago area, Trace Embry never imagined that his path would lead him to start a place like Shepherd’s Hill Academy (SHA). Invite the host of the nationally syndicated radio program “License to Parent” and author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill” to discuss the unlikely 30-year odyssey that defied all odds and resulted in a globally recognized healing program that helps troubled teens and families. Embry can discuss parenting issues in our tech-driven society, the issue of digital addiction and teens and SHA’s wilderness-style therapeutic program in which teens undergo a one-year “digital detox” and live in a primitive environment without electricity or the internet. Shepherd’s Hill Academy is a Christ-centered therapeutic residential boarding school for teens in crisis. Contact Daniel Fazzina at (631) 463-7359; fazzinapr@use.startmail.com
13. ==> 3 Principles You Must Know to Thrive in Chaos
Perhaps the best word that describes present times is “chaotic.” A knee-jerk reaction might be to stay in bed with the blanket pulled over your head but that gets old fast. Instead, author and performance coach Tim Winders says it would be better to change your perspective by discovering the three timeless perspectives he will teach you. Winders, who has over 25 years of experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, utilizes these principles in his novel, “Coach: A Story of Success Redefined.” It tells the story of a man who had it all — money, a successful company, a beautiful wife — everything society considers successful but contemplates ending his life. 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. Contact Tim Winders at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com. Ask about last-minute availability
14. ==> Do a Show on the Coolest Form of Adoption
A few years ago, Nate Birt and his wife started thinking about adding another child to their family through adoption. They did their research and found what they believe is the coolest way to adopt: frozen embryo adoption. Learn how the Birts’ youngest child started her life as someone else’s frozen embryo that was implanted, carried and birthed by Nate’s wife. Their daughter is now a preschooler adored by her parents and siblings. Invite Nate to discuss what other people need to know should they be considering a similar journey or if they’re merely curious. Contact Nate Birt at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Discover the ‘Hidden Figure’ Who Helped Develop GPS
Those who saw the hit movie “Hidden Figures” are aware that women of color have made significant contributions to the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, for which they received little credit. According to former STEM teacher and current college professor Chris A. Goldberg, Ed.D., mathematician Dr. Gladys West − who helped develop the GPS model − is another unsung heroine of the STEM world. “She’s alive and well at 91,” Chris says. “No one knows that she’s a hidden figure; that’s how hidden she is.” Chris has established a professional friendship with Gladys’ family and can talk about her fascinating life and career. He is the author of the upcoming book “Aliyah and the STEMsational Problem-Solvers: What’s Cooking?” Contact Chris at (973) 576-5841; cgoldberg@rtirguests.com