01. The Korea Model: The Best Hope for Peace in Ukraine
02. The Greatest Gift of the Manhattan Project
03. Will Prager University Replace PBS?
04. The One, Big, Unanswered Question About Ozempic
05. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?
06. Great B-T-S Show: Why Most Kids Hate Math and How to Fix It
07. Is Protesting Enough? What Deeper Activism Looks Like
08. News Overload Is Quietly Breaking America's Mental Health
09. Have an End of Summer, Five-Figure Garage Sale
10. How to Accomplish the Impossible on a Regular Basis
11. Beyond the 9-to-5: Craft a Life of Purpose and Passion
12. How to Unlock Your Secret Genius
13. Your Life, in Numbers: What’s Your Numerology Blueprint?
14. ‘Psychedelics Changed My Life’—A Therapist Shares the Healing Power of Plants
15. Dog Trainer Turns Problem Pooches Into Perfect Pups
1. ==> The Korea Model: The Best Hope for Peace in Ukraine
As progress toward peace continues to stall in the Russia/Ukraine war, Carter Malkasian discusses a path that might just work. The 1953 Korean armistice, which brought an end to open hostilities between North and South Korea, offers a model for today, according to Malkasian. Although the agreement did not settle many points of contention between the belligerents, the peace it established has held for more than 70 years. A similar deal could now be the “least bad option” for ending bloodshed in Europe, Malkasian argues. “In Ukraine, as in Korea seven decades ago, a static battlefront and intractable political differences call for a cease-fire that would pause the violence while putting off thorny political issues for another day.” Carter Malkasian is Chair of the Department of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of “The Korean War, 1950–1953.” From 2015 to 2019, he served as Special Assistant for Strategy to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Contact him at mefreema@nps.edu
2. ==> The Greatest Gift of the Manhattan Project
The 80th anniversary earlier this month of the atomic bombings that helped end World War II came at a most peculiar time. Historian Garrett Graff says that’s because we can’t mark the anniversary without noting the Manhattan Project that built atomic weapons. Graff details the towering achievement as a great story of human effort and accomplishment but says the Trump administration is systematically dismantling the culture of research that propelled American prosperity. “At no other time in modern history has a country so thoroughly turned its back on its core national strengths,” he says. “What Americans may find is that we have squandered the greatest gift of the Manhattan Project – which in the end, wasn’t the bomb, but a new way of looking at how science and government can work together.” Garrett Graff is a journalist, a historian and author. His latest book is “The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb.” Contact him at (802) 448-0564; garrett.graff@gmail.com
3. ==> Will Prager University Replace PBS?
The White House has a preferred alternative to PBS and it’s already in countless classrooms across the country. Invite Boston University’s Joan Donovan to explain what you should know about the administration’s new educational partner, Prager University. “PragerU is not a university, but it is a very effective propaganda machine. It uses slick production and emotionally resonant storytelling to reframe conservative ideology as common sense,” she says. The nonprofit organization specializes in creating right-leaning educational short videos for adults and children. Donovan can discuss who’s behind the organization, how it started, which states are already partnering with PragerU, and what that means for students. Donovan is a leading scholar on the intersection of media, technology, and politics. Contact her at jdonovan@bu.edu
4. ==> The One, Big, Unanswered Question About Ozempic
Every day we hear more good news about Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, and millions more people will soon be taking them for a variety of health reasons. So, what’s the catch? Could this really be a magic bullet? “Well, there isn’t really bad long-term effects because some people have been taking it for diabetes for 10 years, and they don’t have bad effects,” says Kent Berridge, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Michigan. “But then 10 years isn’t 20 years or 30 years.” Experts wonder if the drugs work so well at curbing desire, will they change how we experience joy and pleasure? Berridge’s research has focused on the distinction between wanting something and liking it. He says if Ozempic can eliminate our unchecked wanting of bad things like fatty, processed foods or alcohol, but still maintain our enjoyment of it, that would suggest we’re not at risk of losing all of the pleasure in our lives. But, he says evidence right now is mixed, and research is needed to evaluate the emotional and behavioral changes while on the drugs. Contact Kent Berridge at (734) 763-4365; berridge@umich.edu
5. ==> What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?
An asteroid killed the dinosaurs, right? You’d be forgiven if you thought that was what happened. The theory was published in “Science” back in 1980. But Gerta Keller has proven otherwise. Her discoveries in sedimentary and fossil records have proved what really wiped out the dinosaurs: greenhouse gases from volcanic eruptions in west-central India. But this story isn’t just about the death of the dinosaurs and the professor who exploded the extinction-by-asteroid myth. Keller’s conclusions stand as a powerful counterargument to leaders who deny climate change and create policy that accelerates it. They show that we must take greenhouse gasses seriously. What’s more, they paved the way for a generation of scientists who are embracing Keller’s Deccan volcanism theory as the most likely cause of four of Earth’s five mass extinctions and warning us we may become the dinosaurs of the sixth extinction. Gerta Keller is a professor of Paleontology and Geology Emeritus in the Department of Geosciences at Princeton University. Her new book is “The Last Extinction: The Real Science Behind the Death of the Dinosaurs.” Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com
6. ==> Great B-T-S Show: Why Most Kids Hate Math and How to Fix It
If your back-to-school coverage includes frustrated parents, overwhelmed teachers, or students dreading another year of math, this guest is a must. Dr. Craig Hane (aka Dr. Del) is the author of “Golden Rule Math for 21st Century Student,” says most kids don’t hate math—they hate confusion, boredom, and irrelevance. With a PhD in math and decades of experience teaching students who struggle, Hane shows how schools are often teaching the wrong content, in the wrong way, to the wrong kids. His fast, practical, and confidence-building method has helped thousands of learners go from “I’m just not a math person” to “I’ve got this!” Invite Craig Hane on your show and help parents, educators, and students kick off the school year with a fresh perspective on one of the most dreaded subjects in education. Contact Craig Hane at (812) 332-8179; craig@hane.com
Looking for more back-to-school guests? Check out our Special Back-to-School RTIR Newsletter
7. ==> Is Protesting Enough? What Deeper Activism Looks Like
Feeling fed up with what’s going on in the world isn’t a flaw—it’s fuel, and Sam Daley-Harris wants to show your audience how to use it. After decades coaching citizens to influence Congress, the media, and even international policy, Daley-Harris now teaches how to build real power through community, strategy, and courageous conversations. Forget performative outrage or political posturing: Daley-Harris, the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy” will explain what he calls transformational advocacy--a method that doesn't just push for change, it changes you in the process. If your audience is exhausted by polarization but still wants to make a difference, Daley-Harris delivers the tools, stories, and spark to help them take meaningful action—and rediscover their own agency along the way. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com
8. ==> News Overload Is Quietly Breaking America's Mental Health
We’re bombarded with chaotic news 24/7. According to psychiatrist Dr. Shila Patel, nonstop media noise fuels depression, fear, and division, which has resulted in an anxiety epidemic. Dr. Patel breaks down how we're absorbing trauma at a national level—and why most Americans don’t even realize it. The good news? She offers real tools to unplug, heal, and take back your peace of mind. “It’s not about ignoring the world—it’s about learning to survive it,” she says. “It’s time to reclaim your sanity.” Shila is a retired psychiatrist who spent her career focused on women's and children's issues, and the author of the three-book series "US Unhinged 1 and 2 and US Fractured." Contact Dr. Shila Patel at (229) 586-6190; spatel@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Have an End of Summer, Five-Figure Garage Sale
Downsizing and decluttering can be overwhelming, but what if you could turn the painful process into a money-making operation? You’ll look at your stuffed closets and basement boxes in a whole new light when you interview Aaron LaPedis, the Garage Sale Millionaire. Aaron’s journey as an entrepreneur started when he was 9 flipping coins, stamps and baseball cards. By 21 he was a millionaire. Invite him on your show and learn how to have a five-figure garage sale, how to buy and sell online marketplaces and eBay, and the five top scams people are losing money to while buying and selling online. Aaron had a TV show on PBS for many years and continues to be an expert for the FBI. With over 1,000 interviews on radio, podcasts, and TV and 40 years of experience, Aaron could be your next great interview! Contact him at alapedis@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How to Accomplish the Impossible on a Regular Basis
What do Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey, and thousands of successful entrepreneurs have in common? According to media mogul Al Parinello, they all understood one thing: success rarely follows the rules. A seasoned Broadway and film producer, radio station owner, and host of over 3,000 interviews on success, Parinello has spent decades uncovering what separates the truly extraordinary from the merely capable. Parinello distills hard-won lessons into bold, counterintuitive strategies anyone can use to break through limitations. Invite him on your show to share the mindset and methods that helped him take on seemingly impossible goals—from producing legendary comedy acts to launching major media projects—and win. If your audience is stuck, stalled, or ready for more, Parinello delivers the insights they need to make the leap. Ask him: What’s the biggest myth most people believe about success—and how is it holding them back? You knew Andy Kaufman personally—what was he really like off stage, and how did that relationship shape your views on success and originality? Al Parinello is the author of “Uncommon Success—How to Accomplish the Impossible on a Regular Basis!” Contact him at (973) 390-9583; aparinello@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Beyond the 9-to-5: Craft a Life of Purpose and Passion
Stuck in a job that drains you? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay there. Greg Mohr, “Wall Street Journal” bestselling author of “Real Freedom,” walked away from the corporate grind and never looked back. Today, he helps others do the same by guiding them into franchise ownership that aligns with their strengths, values, and long-term goals. Mohr has already helped more than 250 people launch over 500 franchise locations—and he’s just getting started. His message? You don’t need a million-dollar idea to build a fulfilling life; you need the right model, mindset, and mentor. In interviews, Mohr shares how to identify the right business for you, how to escape the “golden handcuffs” of corporate life, and why the freedom you’re craving might be more attainable than you think. Contact Greg Mohr: (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com
12. How to Unlock Your Secret Genius
What if the key to health, happiness, and deeper relationships isn’t out there—but within your own sensory system? Donna Redman has created a groundbreaking program: The Secret Genius of Sensory Processing, in collaboration with renowned occupational therapist Cynthia Duffy. Backed by neuroscience, art therapy, and nature-based healing, this revolutionary program empowers parents, caregivers, and neurodivergent individuals to understand and leverage their sensory experiences to transform daily life. “When we understand the senses, we begin to understand ourselves,” she says. Whether it’s the chaos of school mornings, struggles with mealtime, or the heartbreak of misunderstood behavior—this program offers practical tools and deep insight that can change everything. Contact Donna Redman at (973) 876-5903; dredman@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Your Life, in Numbers: What’s Your Numerology Blueprint?
For anyone feeling like they’re at a crossroads, unsure of their next career move or just seeking clarity, Suzan Owens might offer some unique assistance. A skilled numerologist, she can quickly reveal key aspects of anyone’s numerology blueprint, answering two essential questions: What am I really good at? and What does my future hold? Whether you’re seeking advice about your career, relationships, or personal growth, Suzan will share a fresh perspective that can guide you toward your fullest potential. “Numerology helps us look beyond the surface, uncovering our deeper purpose and strengths,” Suzan explains. “It aligns us with who we truly are.” Suzan is the author of “Wisdom of Numerology.” Contact her at (509) 315-6515; Sowens@rtirguests.com
14. ==>‘Psychedelics Changed My Life’—A Therapist Shares the Healing Power of Plants
According to research presented at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, patients who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder experienced a dramatic decrease in depression after just one dose of psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Psychotherapist Anjalia McGoldrick is living proof of the power of plant-based psychedelics. “I got pregnant at 13, was in an abusive relationship at 14, and escaped with my life at 16,” she says. “Although I became a successful psychotherapist, I still carried deep wounds. Psychedelics absolutely changed my life.” Anjalia is the author of the critically-acclaimed memoir "The Child I Left Behind A Mother's Journey To Healing and Forgiveness." Contact Anjalia McGoldrick at (540) 616-3200; amcgoldrick@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Dog Trainer Turns Problem Pooches Into Perfect Pups
Whether your pup’s a chewer, a jumper, or just plain bad, author and dog trainer Kathleen Troy can share how to transform even the most unruly Rovers into well-behaved bowwows. Known as the Dear Abby of the canine world, Katheleen shares her doggone delightful tales of Dylan, a pooch she rescued from South Korea that was wildly destructive. With love and patience, not only did Kathleen bring Dylan’s behavior under control, she taught him sign language, how to count to 10, and dial 911! “There are no bad dogs, just bad owners,” she says. Kathleen is the author of the "Dylan’s Dog Squad" series, as well as a book about dog training. Contact Kathleen Troy at (714) 975-9807; ktroy@rtirguests.com
