01. The Real Reason Donald Trump Was Indicted (Again)
02. The Theocratic Movement Coming for the U.S.
03. Could the U.S. Meat Supply Cause the Next Pandemic?
04. Oat, Almond, Coconut – Which Plant-Based Milk Is Best?
05. One Owl’s Outsized Influence On an Ecologist’s Life
06. What ‘Oppenheimer’ Leaves Out
07. ‘Dirty Dancing’s 36th Anniversary, Patrick Swayze’s Aug. 18 Birthday
08. How Pets at Work Make a Business Better
09. Why Tragedies Birth New Nonprofits (but Maybe Shouldn’t)
10. Women Hunted Too! The Hunter-Gatherer Myth
11. Why What You Think Will Make You Happy, Won’t
12. 10 Signs You’re Ready to Lose Weight
13. Why So Many Women Suffer from Imposter Syndrome
14. The Hidden Demons Returning Veterans Face
15. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hot Dogs
1.==> The Real Reason Donald Trump Was Indicted (Again)
Former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori says the Justice Department’s indictment of Donald Trump over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election is an important marker for history and presidential accountability in the country, but it was never a foregone conclusion. “The notion that (Joe) Biden or (Merrick) Garland was somehow determined to prosecute Trump relies on a serious distortion of the public record,” he says. “The two men seemed to be going out of their way for most of the first two years of the administration to avoid investigating and potentially prosecuting Trump.” What changed? Khardori believes the work of the House Jan. 6 committee spurred the Justice Department to action. “It remains to be seen how the prosecution will ultimately turn out – if Trump manages to win reelection, the case will almost certainly evaporate one way or another — but the effort likely would not have gotten this far without the considerable and public-minded work of the Jan. 6 committee.” Ankush Khardori is an attorney and former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Justice Department and a “Politico” magazine contributing writer. Contact him at ankush.khardori@gmail.com
2. ==> The Theocratic Movement Coming for the U.S.
Many Americans may not be aware of The New Apostolic Reformation movement, but journalist Frederick Clarkson says you should know about the religious group calling for a “kingdom revolution” led by an “army of believers.” A variant of evangelicalism, the GOP-linked far-right Christian movement rallies believers to take control of the economy, the government, the family, religion, media, education and arts. “They literally believe people are infested with demons, with Satanic agents … anybody who’s outside of their Christian community, outside of what they call the Kingdom, is potentially satanically inspired or influenced,” says Clarkson. He’ll explain why the movement is dangerous, its connection to the January 6th insurrection and Christian nationalism, and how it has attracted a following among both grassroots voters and politicians themselves including Rick Perry, Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz, who have all been associated with the movement. Frederick Clarkson is a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates. He has written about politics and religion for more than three decades and his work has appeared in a wide range of publications from “Mother Jones,” “Church & State,” and “Ms. Magazine” to “The Christian Science Monitor,” Salon.com and “Religion Dispatches.” Contact him at f.clarkson@politicalresearch.org
3. ==> Could the U.S. Meat Supply Cause the Next Pandemic?
According to a sobering new report, the next global pandemic could come from the United States. Researchers from Harvard Law School and New York University examined how humans, livestock and wild animals interact and found that a virus or other contagious bug could easily jump from animals to people in the U.S., sparking a deadly outbreak. “There really is this false sense of security and unfounded belief that zoonotic disease is something that happens elsewhere,” says Ann Linder, one of the report’s lead authors and an expert in law and animal policy. “In fact, I think we’re more vulnerable than ever in many ways.” From commercial farms to wild animal trade and the fur market, Linder says globalization has erased natural boundaries and we’re now mixing animals and pathogens across different continents and circulating at a dizzying and ever-increasing pace, all with little safety oversight. Ann Linder is associate director of policy and research with the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School. Contact her at alinder@law.harvard.edu
4. ==> Oat, Almond, Coconut – Which Plant-Based Milk Is Best?
The plant-based milk market is exploding, offering beverages made from seeds, nuts, legumes, grains and blends of those ingredients, often marketed as ready replacements for cow’s milk. But are they as nutritious? Registered dietician Abigail Johnson says it depends on which one you choose. Johnson led a study analyzing nutrition labels and ingredients for 233 plant-based milk products from 23 different manufacturers and found only 28 had as much or more protein, vitamin D and calcium as cow’s milk. Johnson says, “I’m not seriously concerned about this as it’s easy to get these nutrients from other sources, and cow’s milk certainly isn’t perfect and infallible. But if a consumer thinks plant-based milks are a one-to-one substitution for dairy, many of them are not.” Learn which type of plant-based milk has the most health benefits, what sneaky ingredients to look for on a label, and how to incorporate plant-based milks into a healthy diet. Abigail Johnson is assistant professor and associate director of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health Nutrition Coordinating Center in Minneapolis. Contact her at abbyj@umn.edu
5. ==> One Owl’s Outsized Influence On an Ecologist’s Life
When ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in a near-death baby screech owl, they expected that, like other wild orphans they’d rescued, she’d be a temporary presence. But Alfie required prolonged care and as she healed, she became a part of the family, making a home for herself in the backyard. Invite the author of “Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe” to share the remarkable impact this little owl had on their lives. Hear how the relationship continued through the COVID-19 pandemic when she was set free, but stayed in the yard to raise her own wild brood. With Carl and Patricia and the rest of the world confined, they witnessed the fine details of their feathered friend’s life which offered a view of existence from Alfie’s perspective. Carl Safina has written for the “New York Times,” “Time,” the “Guardian,” and “National Geographic.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188
6. ==> What ‘Oppenheimer’ Leaves Out
Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” is a huge hit, doubling box office projections for its opening weekend. The movie is based on the life of the controversial “father of the atomic bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer. Thomas Reifer says the film raises many important issues, none more urgent than the vast increase in destructive power that came with the making of atomic and then thermonuclear weapons. “Unfortunately, the film doesn’t take the time to go into the period of U.S. testing of the H-Bomb, which along with the earlier atomic explosions, spread radioactive waste, and led to the infamous Lucky Dragon incident.” Invite Reifer on your show and hear how the latter hydrogen bombs were 1,000 times more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, what happened when the U.S. exploded an H-bomb at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific, and why the powers that be went ahead with the bomb project, despite concerns that it might ignite the atmosphere and destroy the world. Reifer is a professor of sociology at the University of San Diego and an associate fellow at the Transnational Institute. Contact him at reifer@sandiego.edu
7. ==> ‘Dirty Dancing’s 36th Anniversary, Patrick Swayze’s Aug. 18 Birthday
Although he died at age 57 of pancreatic cancer, actor and dancer Patrick Swayze and perhaps his best-known movie, 1987’s “Dirty Dancing,” continue to be extremely popular as we approach Aug. 18, his 71st birthday. Bring Sue Tabashnik, the author of four books about Swayze, his choreographer mother, and “Dirty Dancing” on your program to learn what’s behind Swayze’s continued popularity in the U.S. and abroad. Sue can talk about the film’s enduring themes of the power of love, the universal language of dance, and class differences, as well as the festivals that entice thousands of fans to gather to celebrate the film and its iconic soundtrack, and the “Dirty Dancing” sequel scheduled to be released next year. Sue has done extensive research on “Dirty Dancing” and can share insider information. Ask her: What was it like meeting Patrick Swayze and his mother? What are some things that people may not know about “Dirty Dancing”? What happens at “Dirty Dancing” festivals? She was the special guest speaker at a major festival. She met Swayze multiple times and his mother once. Among her books are “Patrick Swayze: The Dreamer” and “Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance.” Contact Sue Tabashnik at (248) 617-0505; stabashnik@rtirguests.com
8. ==> How Pets at Work Make a Business Better
Has your workplace gone to the dogs? Maybe it should! Some of the most successful companies in the world welcome therapy dogs on their premises, like Google, Amazon and Ben & Jerry’s. Then there’s Build-a-Bear Workshop, which has Milford the chief dog, and P&G Petcare, which “employs” Euka as vice president of canine communications. Larry Grogan helps companies implement full-time pet therapy programs. He says it’s good for employees and business. “Pet therapy has been medically proven to reduce blood pressure, lower heart rates, reduce anxiety and increase mental alertness all at the same time,” he says. “It also increases productivity, boosts morale and encourages teamwork.” An author and pet therapy advocate, Grogan founded Delta Omega Gamma to help companies utilize pet therapy properly. Grogan has seen firsthand how pets can work wonders for people struggling with mental and physical health issues. He and his tiny dog Scrappy were a pet therapy team for eight years at a children’s hospital where they worked with thousands of children. Contact him at (423) 557-1908; larrygrogan5@gmail.com
9. ==> Why Tragedies Birth New Nonprofits (but Maybe Shouldn’t)
Tragic events like school shootings and natural disasters often lead everyday people to start nonprofits. But while this may be a noble endeavor, it’s not right for everyone. “Starting and running a new nonprofit is hard, so maybe people should think about doing something else with their passion project,” says author and nonprofit consultant Michele Whetzel. “Consider that there may be a way to have a successful program to fulfill your charitable ambition without all that is required to start and run a stand-alone public charity.” Michele can offer invaluable advice about how to pursue your passion project, without the headaches. She is a veteran of the nonprofit arena, founder of Your 501 Guide consulting and author of the upcoming book “So, You Want to Start a Nonprofit, Now What?” Ask her: What are examples of good nonprofits? What are some better alternative projects? Contact Michele at (302) 407-0513; Mwhetzel@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Women Hunted Too! The Hunter-Gatherer Myth
Historically, hunting has been thought to be solely a man’s domain. But researchers have found that women in foraging societies were often the ones bringing home the bacon (and other prey, too). According to a review of records from around the world and spanning the past century, women — young and old alike — hunted large game as well as small animals. They hunted in groups or alone, with their children and with hunting dogs, and wielded weapons like bows and arrows, knives and nets. Biological anthropologist and lead study author Cara Wall-Scheffler says, “Males were taught to hunt in a particular way and had a very particular tool type they would use,” while women chose whatever tool they wanted at the time, she said. Women also exhibited greater variety than men in their choice of hunting partners. “They would go with their husband, they would go with their friends, they would go with their sisters. Sometimes a grandma would go all by herself if she had a particular way of capturing certain prey,” according to Wall-Scheffler. The study was recently published in the journal “PLOS One.” Cara Wall-Scheffler is a professor and co-chair of biology at Seattle Pacific University. Contact her at cwallsch@spu.edu
11. ==> Why What You Think Will Make You Happy, Won’t
Unlock the hidden secrets of happiness and discover five things you think will make you happy but actually won’t when you interview this dynamic guest! Jennifer Hughes is on a mission to help people choose happy. Most people get it backward, avoiding things that will make them happy while actively choosing things that end up disappointing them. A certified life coach, trainer of The Success Principles, and author of “Choose Happy: Be This, Not That,” Jennifer can help your audience strengthen their relationships, achieve their dreams, and skyrocket their happiness to new levels. Ask her: What are the five unexpected things people believe will make them happy but actually won’t? Why is it so important to take responsibility for our own happiness, and how can we do that? What would you say to someone who doesn’t believe that happiness is a choice? Contact Jennifer Hughes at (480) 745-2113; jhughes@rtirguests.com
12. ==> 10 Signs You’re Ready to Lose Weight
Weight gain is something that can creep up on you, especially as you age. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. As a woman who dropped 80 pounds later in life, Laura Pickett is living proof that weight loss can happen at any age. Using a combination of honest talk, encouragement and humor, Laura can help audience members who have all but given up on taking off those last five or ten pounds or more. Ask her: What is the role forgiveness plays in weight loss? What are the 10 signs that you are ready to lose weight? Why does she say that changing your eating habits is not the be-all and end-all of weight loss? Laura is the author of “Get Over Weight (12 Steps to Finally Win the Weight Battle and Win at Life)” and the creator of a coaching and membership program on the topic. She has spent more than 30 years in the ministry and made multiple appearances on TBN’s national and local network (in Atlanta), and WATV. Contact her at (404) 856-5781; lpickett@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Why So Many Women Suffer from Imposter Syndrome
They may look perfectly put together on the outside but inside many successful women suffer from feelings of not being good enough — despite all they have accomplished. What can they do to feel as good inside as they appear to be on the outside? Interview Tonya Comer to find out. The author of “In High Heels on a Ladder,” this life coach and speaker can share the seven power tools she used to rise above her own shame and self-doubt that kept her from fully enjoying her success as one of the Top 20 African American Interior Designers in the country. Raised in the projects of Pittsburgh, Pa., Tonya has held her own among A-listers and power players, surviving the sexism, ageism, and stereotyping of designers commonly held by people in the construction trades. She holds an MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management and a B.A. from Duquesne University. She studied interior design at London Metropolitan University. Tonya formerly worked in broadcasting, and in sales, marketing, advertising, and consulting for corporate America. Contact Sudanna Morris at (215) 667-8464; info@tonyacomer.com
14. ==> The Hidden Demons Returning Veterans Face
Although they risk their lives to protect our country, returning veterans are often under-served and neglected by society. Former Navy chaplain, author and life coach Carl Barnes is all too aware of the challenges vets encounter. ” “What’s crucial is being resilient in transitioning out of the military, continuing to find purpose, seeking community and, most importantly, keeping your mental health at the forefront,” he says. “If overlooked, this can become overwhelming if you don’t seek professional help.” Carl is the author of “Resilient Sailing: 10 Lessons to Persevere in Life’s Stormy Seas” and conducts life coaching workshops and online courses. Contact Carl at (407) 809-8047; cbarnes@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hot Dogs
Is there any more iconic American summer food than a hot dog? But we have so many questions! Is a hot dog a sandwich? What’s the most popular topping for a frankfurter? And what are hot dogs really made from? Get your fill of hot dog and sausage facts, culture and history when you interview Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC). A wealth of information on anything and everything about this all-American food, the NHDSC has many resources for summer hot dog lovers including a full guide to regional hot dog styles, a list of the hot dogs found at Major League ballparks and tips on hot dog etiquette. Contact Mittenthal at (202) 587-4238; (404) 808-8396 (cell) or emittenthal@meatinstitute.org
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