01. Why Won’t Dianne Feinstein Step Down?
02. You’d Have to Work 5 Lifetimes to Earn Your CEO’s Salary
03. Why a Pandemic Memorial Day Makes Sense
04. Belief in the Devil Is Down. What That Means
05. Consumer Alert: Growing Cyberattacks and Data Leaks
06. Do a Show for Fans of TV’s ‘Bones’
07. What Younger Workers Really Want From a Job
08. Stop Wasting Money on Health Insurance You Don’t Need
09. The Python Challenge Is Underway in Florida
10. Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Starting Over After Prison
11. What Really Happens to the Clothes You Donate?
12. Are Organic Foods Worth the Price?
13. How Kids Can Experience Less Stress During Back to School
14. Caregiving Is Hard: 10-Minute Self-Care Rituals
15. Want to Be a Mermaid? There’s a School for That
1. ==> Why Won’t Dianne Feinstein Step Down?
Dianne Feinstein has been under intense pressure to quit amid doubts about her mental and physical health and capacity to do her job in the Senate. Other than her family and close friends, few people have a longer history with or a better understanding of California’s 90-year-old ailing U.S senator than Jerry Roberts. The former political writer and newspaper editor first covered Feinstein nearly 50 years ago. In 1994 he published the biography “Dianne Feinstein: Never Let Them See You Cry.” Roberts can discuss Feinstein’s storied career, her personal history and why he believes she has so far, refused to step down. Jerry Roberts is the host of “Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts.” Contact him at (805) 451-2099; newsmakerswithjr@gmail.com
2. ==> You’d Have to Work 5 Lifetimes to Earn Your CEO’s Salary
CEOs have always made much more than their typical employee but just how much more may surprise you. According to the AFL-CIO’s annual Executive Paywatch report, the average CEO compensation among S&P 500 companies last year was $16.7 million. To put that in perspective, if you worked 45 years at an average pay of $75,000, you’d need to work more than five lifetimes to make what the average CEO receives in a single year. Among the biggest concerns raised in this year’s report is the way artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to benefit executives more than their employees. “If left unchecked, AI can increase economic inequality and undermine job security,” says the AFL-CIO’s Fred Redmond. “But it doesn’t have to be this way, and working people are starting to fight back,” he says, noting how AI has been a major sticking point in the Hollywood strike. Fred Redmond is the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. To arrange an interview, contact the press office at (202) 637-5018; press@pressclips@aflcio.org
3. ==> Why a Pandemic Memorial Day Makes Sense
The pandemic may be over and we may want to move on and forget that terrible time, but Kristin Urquiza says that people bereaved by COVID-19 still need the country to “mark its losses and remember what happened.” Urquiza is a disaster equity advocate and the co-founder of Marked By COVID, a community-led COVID justice movement. Her father, Mark Urquiza, died of COVID in June 2020. Marked By COVID is working to increase pandemic remembrance, including garnering support for a bill to designate the first Monday in March as a national holiday: COVID-19 Victims Memorial Day. They’re also working on plans for a permanent memorial space that would accommodate 1.1 million names. Urquiza says the memorial would be a hybrid, helping it serve “as a hallmark to the unique experience we had of living online, losing loved ones through FaceTime or Zoom, and attending Zoom funerals.” Contact Christine Keeves at Christine@MarkedByCovid.com
4. ==> Belief in the Devil Is Down. What That Means
Faith in the divine and organized religion has been in steady decline for decades, but a new poll finds that the devil is losing believers too. According to a new Gallup Poll, 58% of Americans believe God exists, down from 68% in 2001. Fewer than 60% say they believe in hell, down from 71% two decades ago. Meghan Henning, author of “Hell Hath No Fury,” can explain the consequences. While modern preachers often use the fear of hell to evangelize, Henning says that’s not exactly how early Christians used the idea of hell. “Early Christians — inspired by the horror of Roman jails — created images of hell and punishment to motivate people to do the right thing in this life. Fear of hell was used to motivate people to care for the poor or to live out the virtues of the Sermon on the Mount. That’s very different from how the fear of hell is used today, where failing to care for the poor is not one of the prime sins that Americans care about. That’s very different from the Bible’s teachings.” Meghan Henning is an associate professor of Christian origins at the University of Dayton. Contact her at (617) 599-9110 or Meagan Pant at mpant1@udayton.edu; (937) 212-2979 (cell) or mediarelations@udayton.edu
5. ==> Consumer Alert: Growing Cyberattacks and Data Leaks
You might think you’re most at risk of having your information hacked while shopping online or using an ATM, but you can be exposed just about anywhere, including the doctor’s office. Recently, two California plastic surgery practices faced cyberattacks that resulted in confidential patient data leaks across the internet, including photos and sensitive medical details. Those attackers were demanding money from affected parties, but cybersecurity expert Amir Sachs says in cyberattacks, not all calls received come from the actual hacker, some come from impostors falsely claiming to have stolen data to blackmail the victim. Amir will explain how listeners can identify hackers and ways they can protect themselves from misleading and potentially catastrophic cyberattacks. Amir Sachs is the founder of Blue Light IT. Contact Adrienne Mazzone at (561) 908-1683; amazzone@transmediagroup.com
6. ==> Do a Show for Fans of TV’s ‘Bones’
Kathy Reichs’ best-selling book series featuring Temperance “Bones” Brennan was the inspiration for Fox TV’s longest-running scripted drama. Bring the author and certified forensic anthropologist on your show and discuss “Bones,” how the series and forensic anthropology in general have changed over the past two decades, and what’s in store for Tempe in the 22nd installment, “The Bone Hacker.” The new book has a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and offers an electrifying tale of murder, intrigue, and cutting-edge technology. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188
7. ==> What Younger Workers Really Want From a Job
The Great Resignation isn’t going anywhere. More American businesses than ever are suffering from low employee engagement, high turnover rates, and a shortage of qualified staff. One of the biggest struggles is attracting Generation Z and millennials, who make up 46% of our current workforce and whose career ideals are vastly different from previous generations. Executive coach Susan Anderson will reveal how companies can not only appeal to the Gen Z and millennial workforce but also transform their employee practices to vastly improve engagement and decrease turnover — and by doing so, increase profits and revenue. Interview this passionate, motivational guest today to find out why Gen Z is less driven by money than any other generation (and what really gets them excited about a job), the real reason companies that prioritize employees are more profitable and much more! Susan Anderson is the author of “The Path to Servant Leadership: A 12-Month Guide to Implementation.” Contact her at (678) 999-8143; sanderson@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Stop Wasting Money on Health Insurance You Don’t Need
For many Americans, health insurance costs can range from a significant expense to an exorbitant cost they can’t afford. Even those with free or low-cost policies often end up paying a lot out of pocket for co-pays and specialized care. What if you could reduce what you pay for health care by 30% or more, as well as your reliance on health-care visits and pharmaceuticals? Dr. Dinesh Verma shows your audience how to integrate self-administered alternative therapies with modern medicine for incredible results. With more than 45 years as a doctor and 18 years of research and experience in integrative medicine, he delivers science-backed methods to heal faster and recover from even serious illness — so you’ll spend less money on health care and more time feeling great. Ask him: How did your mother miraculously recover from late-stage breast cancer? How does integrative medicine make modern treatments even more effective? What is the REMIM technique? Why did you write your latest book, “Ipsicura Effect?” Contact Dinesh Verma at (248) 817-8296; dverma@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Python Challenge Is Underway in Florida
Deer, raccoons, possums and foxes once flocked to the area of the Everglades National Park in South Florida. Nowadays, you’re lucky if you spot one mammal in the area, according to wildlife experts. What’s to blame for this decline in wildlife? Burmese pythons. Invasive animal biologist Michael Kirkland says that’s why hundreds of snake hunters gather each year for the Florida Python Challenge, created in 2013 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to help combat the state’s ecosystem issue. Kirkland says the pythons have been “decimating wildlife for years.” He says, “Human detection and removal are the most efficient and effective tools in the toolbox right now.” Kirkland said there has been up to a 90% decline in animals in the area due to pythons. The 10-day competition runs through August 14 and offers cash prizes of up to $30,000 for the most and longest pythons caught. Michael Kirkland is an invasive animal biologist at the South Florida Water Management District. Contact him at (561) 686-8800; mikirkla@sfwmd.gov
10. ==> Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Starting Over After Prison
Rita Ali was a distinguished Philadelphia socialite and among the few African American women boxing PR professionals who hobnobbed with such famous fighters as Muhammad Ali, Michael Spinks, and Mike Tyson, who is now her son-in-law. Then it all came crashing down when she was convicted and imprisoned for a crime she says she didn’t do. “I was convicted and sentenced three times on virtually the same charges for a crime I didn’t commit, which amounted to triple jeopardy.” After her release, Ali, along with Mike Tyson (who also served time in prison), founded the nonprofit We 2 Matter, which provides resources for previously incarcerated women. Ask her about her experience behind bars and how she has turned it into a cause for good. She is also the author of “Triple Jeopardy: 3 Strikes But Not Out.” Contact Rita Ali at (917) 243-9214; rali@rtirguests.com
11. ==> What Really Happens to the Clothes You Donate?
You probably feel pretty good about cleaning out your closet and donating your cast-offs, but do you know what happens after you drop off that bag? Oliver Franklin-Wallis points out that many of us spend a lot of time thinking about where things come from, but rarely consider where they go after we’re done with them. Invite the author of “Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters” to share what happens to our stuff after we throw it “away” – the places it goes, and the people who deal with it when it gets there. He’ll share stories from around the globe that took him inside dumpsters and mountainous landfills, to super-sewers, ghost towns, and the largest nuclear waste store in Europe. Oliver Franklin-Wallis is a contributing editor at “WIRED.” His work has appeared in many publications including “British GQ,” “The Guardian,” “The New York Times,” “The Times Magazine,” and “The Sunday Times Magazine.” Contact Jayme Boucher at jayme.boucher@hbgusa.com
12. ==> Are Organic Foods Worth the Price?
While growing up on his family’s organic farm on the idyllic Caribbean island of Dominica, which has the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world, master herbalist Gladstone Etienne rarely got sick or went to a conventional doctor. “My mother was a traditional island herbalist, who used herbal remedies to treat everything from the flu to sprains and cuts,” he says. At 16, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to share his wisdom with Americans. “Many people see food as an expense,” he says. “Instead, we should look at it as an investment in your body.” He also believes that herbal teas should be a cornerstone of health and wellness. He is the founder of the ZABIOLife herbal tea company. Contact Gladstone at (301) 820-7656; Getienne@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How Kids Can Experience Less Stress During Back to School
With all the news stories about curriculum changes in Florida, it is apparent that what children are learning in school has become even more of interest to adults than before. But what people should be talking about as the new school year starts are ways to help kids learn to accept and understand each other’s differences and embrace what makes them who they are. Bring Arlene Hemingway, a former music educator in Long Island schools, on your show to explain why fourth- through twelfth-grade students would gain tremendous advantages from learning something called Drabble. She’ll reveal that when kids handwrite 100-word Drabbles that tell a complete story they experience less stress and more creativity, calmness, self-understanding, and empathy for others. Drabble has changed her life, too. As Arlene will say, “As the only person of color on the faculty in my school district, I saw that discrimination from parents and teachers was experienced almost daily. But after crafting Drabbles for some time, I discovered a way to address my problems, keeping me calm and in balance. This changed the nature of my dealing with life challenges considerably and continues to do so at present for me and the students whose lives I touch.” Hemingway teaches Drabble at Blue Bridge Community College in Flat Rock, North Carolina. She is the author of “A Twist of Lemon: 100 Curious Stories in Exactly 100 Words” and has a master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Contact Arlene at (828) 684-9840; adh7@att.net
14. ==> Caregiving Is Hard: 10-Minute Self-Care Rituals
There are currently over 50 million people providing unpaid care to a sick or aging loved one in the United States and studies show that at least 40% to 70% of family caregivers report symptoms of anxiety or depression. That’s a whole lot of stressed-out caregivers! As the primary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, Alexandra Free suffered from daily panic attacks and depression. One particularly bad day, she decided something had to change and she started putting self-care at the top of her caregiving to-do list. Alexandra can discuss the importance of self-care for caregivers and share simple 10-minute rituals she created to help caregivers (and non-caregivers) create some peace in the middle of whatever chaos life is throwing at them. Alexandra is a self-care advocate, caregiving expert, and the author of “From Zero to Zen: A Guide to Help You Thrive as a Caregiver.” Contact Alexandra Free at (310) 922-5637; lex@alexandrafree.com
15. ==> Want to Be a Mermaid? There’s a School for That
Mermaids have always fascinated us but Disney’s recent remake of “The Little Mermaid” has “mermaiding” (the art of swimming with mermaid fins and tails) growing in popularity across the globe. Marielle Hénault of Montreal says it’s a fun activity for everyone. “When you put your mermaid tail on at the beach or pool, you become a superstar,” she says. “Kids and adults — everybody’s happy to see a mermaid!” A love of “mermaiding” led to Henault’s opening the AquaMermaid School in 2015. Today it’s the world’s largest mermaid swimming school with over 10 locations across Canada and the U.S. The school offers mermaid swim lessons, certification, mermaid tail rentals, mermaid apparel (seashell bras, silicone and fabric tails, monofins and T-shirts) and mermaid performer bookings. Hénault can discuss the lore of mermaids, and what’s involved in mermaid training, and share real behind-the-scenes mermaid stories. Contact Marielle Chartier Hénault at (514) 601-2808; info@aquamermaid.com