01. Labor Day Poll: Most Americans Support Unions
02. Former Ambassador on Gorbachev’s Legacy
03. Phil Gramm Believes American Inequality Is a Myth
04. 40% of Americans Think Religion Makes the Nation Stronger
05. Monkeypox and the Viral Underclass
06. Doc Reveals What Really Goes On in the ER
07. Blast-Off! Artemis Mission Inspires Girls
08. Stop Crying, Start Flying! Enjoy Your Empty Nest
09. What Your Teen Can’t Tell You
10. How to Be Happy in an Unhappy World
11. Cruise Trends to Float Your Boat
12. Great Autumn Wine Adventures
13. 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
14. The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health
15. Rewire Your Own Brain? How to Break Negative Patterns
1.==> Labor Day Poll: Most Americans Support Unions
According to Gallup’s annual Labor Day poll, 71% of Americans now approve of labor unions, the highest rate since 1965. The poll, according to Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), shows that “the overwhelming majority of Americans understand what unions bring to the table: higher wages, safer working conditions, lifesaving benefits, job security, dignity and respect. And they know that working people – the front-line heroes who brought our economy back from the brink – deserve a seat at the table.” Saunders says it’s time to organize and urges Americans to demonstrate their enthusiasm for workers’ rights on Election Day to ensure pro-worker legislation is passed at the local, state, and federal level. Saunders says “the fact is, too many employers still get away with vicious union-busting and silencing the voices of their workers. To change this, we must channel support for unions into votes for pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot.” Contact Nick Voutsinos at NVoutsinos@afscme.org
2. ==> Former Ambassador on Gorbachev’s Legacy
Mikhail Gorbachev’s death is being mourned by the United States and its allies as the loss of a champion of freedom who helped end the Cold War. But his legacy is very different at home, with many viewing him as the man responsible for the collapse of the Soviet Union — and the loss of global status and economic security that followed. James Matlock, the U.S. ambassador to the USSR from 1987 to 1991, says, “President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev, cooperating with presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, negotiated an end to the Cold War and tamed a dangerous arms race. He then liberated the Soviet Union from its Communist dictatorship, freeing its peoples to build a democratic future. He should be remembered for his achievements and not for the failures of his successors.” James Matlock is the author of the book “Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended.” Contact him at matlock@ias.edu
3. ==> Phil Gramm Believes American Inequality Is a Myth
Former Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) claims everything you know about income inequality, poverty, and other measures of economic well-being in America is wrong. He’s teamed up with fellow economists John Early and Robert Ekelund for a new book that challenges the prevailing consensus that income inequality is a growing threat to American society. In an interview, Gramm will explain why every measure of well-being is greater than official statistics show and argue that income inequality is lower today than at any time in post-World War II America. Graham says the facts reveal a very different and better America than the one that is currently described by advocates across much of the political spectrum. Phil Gramm served 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Economist John Early is a former senior leader at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Robert Ekelund is an author and professor of economics emeritus at Auburn University. Together they’ve written “The Myth of American Inequality: How Government Biases Policy Debate.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
4. ==> 40% of Americans Think Religion Makes the Nation Stronger
Nearly four out of 10 adults living in the U.S. believe religion makes the country stronger, while fewer than one in 10 believe it makes it weaker, according to a new poll by Ipsos and The Episcopal Church. By contrast, 28% of respondents said they believe religion in the U.S. “divides the country.” Invite Latoya Shea, a spiritual life coach, to discuss the ways faith can bring us together—and divide us. Ask her: How do you think nations with a shared faith differ from those that don’t? Do you think the civility and morality of a country are directly affected by how many citizens practice some type of religion/spirituality? On her own after being homeless at the age of 13, Latoya experienced and triumphed over many obstacles before becoming a spiritual life coach. A veteran and former nurse, she has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows sharing advice to help people live more fulfilling lives. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
5. ==> Monkeypox and the Viral Underclass
Steven Thrasher says the current monkeypox epidemic is, unfortunately, a perfect example of the dynamics of what he calls the viral underclass. “The only new dynamic monkeypox has raised for me is this is the second time –– COVID was the first –– that ‘rich’ countries have been hit the hardest,” he says. “These viruses are still pooling within the viral underclass of the United States. But before these last two viruses, pandemics used to pool more in poorer countries. Now, they’re pooling among the poor people inside of the richest countries in Europe and North America.” Thrasher can discuss the implications of this shift and who is stepping up to address the issue and fill the vacuum left by the Biden administration. Steven Thrasher is a professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a faculty member of Northwestern’s Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing. His new book is “The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide.” Contact him at (847) 467-1770; steven.thrasher@northwestern.edu or through his online form, viralunderclass.com/contact
6. ==> Doc Reveals What Really Goes On in the Emergency Room
When a patient comes into the hospital with cardiac arrest or a compound fracture, or even COVID or Monkeypox, doctors know what to do. Dr. Jay Baruch contends that the biggest challenge and the biggest part of an ER doctor’s work is often caring for people who come in with not just problems with their body, but also social issues, emotional issues, and substance use issues — and oftentimes all of them at once. The author of “Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER” will reveal the toughest part of an ER physician’s work and how your listeners can best navigate their own ER visits to minimize unneeded tests and shorten their stays. Dr. Jay Baruch is a professor of emergency medicine at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853 (cell); LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com or @lissa_warren
7. ==> Blast-Off! NASA’s Artemis Mission Aims to Inspire Girls
NASA’s rescheduled Artemis 1 mission will launch toward the moon on Saturday, if all goes according to plan. It will be quite an event, and not just for diehard space fans. NASA’s webcast will include celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer, as well as a special performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Josh Grobin and Herbie Hancock. Dr. Samantha Pillay hopes the fanfare and excitement surrounding the mission will encourage young females to dream about a career in science. She says, “There has never been a better time for encouraging STEM activities in girls in the lead-up to the first woman on the moon in 2024, fueling a well overdue focus on female STEM role models in the media.” Dr. Pillay can discuss space STEM activities to do with kids to immerse them in the excitement of this historic event. Dr. Pillay is a surgeon and the author of eight books. “When I’m a Surgeon” and “When I’m an Astronaut” are part of her “Inspiration Careers for Kids” series written to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Contact her at drssp@continencematters.com; @drsamantha_p
8. ==> Stop Crying, Start Flying! Enjoy Your Empty Nest
Millions of American parents dropped their kids off at college and returned home to a very different, very quiet house. For some empty nesters, the experience can be overwhelming and sad. Dr. Ellen Albertson will discuss how to deal with the grief that is so common when kids leave home and share how this transitional stage can be the starting point for exploring new passions and possibilities from changing careers, finding a new hobby, or elevating your fitness level to traveling the world. Ellen Albertson is a psychologist, well-being coach, radio show host, and author of “Rock Your Midlife: 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter.”
Contact her at (802) 497-7222; ellen@drellenalbertson.com
9. ==> What Your Teen Can’t Tell You
A lot of jokes are made about the difficulties of raising a teenager, but beneath the jokes, parents are hurting and feeling helpless, while their teens are navigating extraordinary cultural challenges unlike anything faced by previous generations. Teens are feeling more isolated, anxious and depressed, says longtime pediatric nurse practitioner Jessica Peck and parents don’t know how to communicate with them and help. Invite her to share ways parents can assess their teen’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health and share practical advice and tools to empower them to connect their teen to support and services. In the privacy of her exam room, Dr. Peck has treated teens with mental illnesses, responded to suicide attempts, treated self-harm wounds as well as the emotional trauma of cyberbullying, sexting, pornography addictions and numerous other issues. Jessica Peck has a doctor of nursing practice degree (DPN) and is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a clinical professor at Baylor University School of Nursing, and a former president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is the author of “Behind Closed Doors.” Contact Jason Jones at (512) 720-2996; jason@jonesliterary.com
10. ==> How to Be Happy in an Unhappy World
For people all around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced never-before-seen challenges that no one was prepared to meet, with disastrous consequences for not only our health, but our happiness and well-being. Even before the pandemic, people had overall been less happy year after year, and the unprecedented coronavirus crisis has only accelerated things. Is it possible to return to a pre-pandemic state of happiness? Author and mentor Mary Mitchell helps your audience learn how to break free of constant worry and anxiety over current events as well as personal problems, so you can rediscover joy no matter what’s happening — in your life, or in the world at large. An experienced media guest, Mary is the author of seven books and has received multiple awards for her work in environmental conservation and restoration. Contact Mary Mitchell at (530) 561-5945; mmitchell@rtirguests
11. ==> Cruise Trends to Float Your Boat
You’ll enjoy smooth sailing with tips from travel expert Cindy Bertram, who can share the hot new trends and destinations in the cruise travel industry. “With cruising, there are different options,” she says. “Some luxury cruise lines are launching very unique, ultra-luxury expedition ships to go to smaller places that larger ships can’t go to. River cruising has also been growing, including more options for people to go on diverse river cruises on U.S. waterways.” In addition, there are growing opportunities for women in the cruise industry, as everything from top executives to ships’ captains. Cindy is a communications, media and branding specialist who has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry. She’s the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact Cindy Bertram at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Great Autumn Wine Adventures
Looking to take a fall trip that combines the pleasures of wine and travel? Autumn is a great time for a wine adventure and expert guide Jim Laughren, CWE, can help listeners make the most of their trip with suggestions from how to enjoy local wineries to where in the world we can find the “wildest” wine vacations of all. Whether you’re looking for fabulous food, incredible scenery, or amazing hospitality, all to enjoy with some gorgeous wines, Jim can steer you in the right direction. Ask him: Why should people visit Mendoza, Argentina, the Republic of Georgia and the Napa Valley? Where can you not only tour 1,500 acres of grapes but also buy a piece of the vineyard AND return for the harvest to make your own wine? The author of two short eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine,” Jim has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” Contact Jim Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com
13. ==> 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
Are you worried about going out in public because you fear that other people will judge you? Do you struggle to interact with strangers? Have you avoided speaking up for yourself at work or home because you’re afraid that you won’t be liked enough to be taken seriously? You may be relieved to know that you’re not alone – and that you don’t have to struggle with these and other common symptoms of social anxiety. Collectively, our social anxiety has only gotten worse since the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview Lee Vallely, the author of “Kick the Sh*t out of Social Anxiety,” to help your audience ease the stress of social anxiety and start enjoying their lives. Ask him: What are four things you can do right now if you’re experiencing social anxiety? Why is “feel the fear and do it anyway” terrible advice? How can simple breathing help you overcome social anxiety? Contact Lee Vallely at (561) 658-1266 or lvallely@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health
You may see your doctor regularly, take your prescriptions, exercise, eat a good diet and avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking. But what else should you be doing to keep yourself and your family members healthy? Interview Anne McAwley-LeDuc to learn about the simple health-promoting activity most people ignore: keeping fully accurate records of medical histories, doctor visits, procedures and treatments, medications, vaccinations, and more for all family members. She’ll explain why keeping records is essential, especially during challenging times like COVID. Anne is a retired nurse practitioner (APRN) and the award-winning author of “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Rewire Your Own Brain? How to Break Negative Patterns
The feeling of being stuck in a rut or trapped by life’s circumstances is all too common, especially in the wake of a global pandemic that has left us with fewer choices than ever. Laura Brennan Ballet is here to help us break free of the negative patterns that keep us stuck in unhappy jobs, relationships, or situations – simply by changing the way we think. An experienced life coach and the author of “The Science of Empowerment,” Laura can teach your audience how to not just think differently, but to recalibrate your brain and move forward with intent, free of the negativity that’s been holding you back. Ask her: Is it possible to live without regrets? Why does she say that we all become algorithms of the people around us? How can we “think better”? Contact Laura Brennan Ballet at (860) 831-4435 or lballet@rtirguests.com
Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com