01. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author: The Real American Revolution
02. The Lost Story of President Madison’s Black Family
03. 10-Years Later: How Occupy Wall Street Ended
04. Opioid Dynasty: How the Sackler Family Pulled It Off
05. Clint Eastwood at 91 – How Does He Do It?
06. Do Vaccines Mandates Work?
07. Resignation Nation: Millions Reassess Work
08. If Kids Could Vote: The Growing Child Rights Movement
09. What We’re Learning about Pandemic Learning Gaps
10. Kids Are Anxious and Stressed about School
11. 60 Years Later: 1st White Graduate of All-Black College
12. Before You File a Lawsuit: What You Could Lose by Winning
13. From Living on the Streets to a Job with Apple
14. Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope
15. Sip Cilantro? Surprising Immunity Boosters
1. ==> Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author: The Real American Revolution
For more than two centuries, historians have debated the American Revolution, disputing its roots, its provenance, and above all, its meaning. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis, Ph.D., brings the story of the revolution to vivid life, with surprising relevance for our modern era. He’ll take listeners to the very heart of the American founding, telling the military and political story of the war for independence from the ground up, and from all sides: British and American, loyalist and patriot, white and Black. Countering popular histories that romanticize the “Spirit of ’76,” Ellis reveals how the rebels fought under the mantle of “The Cause,” a conveniently ambiguous principle that afforded an umbrella under which different, and often conflicting, convictions and goals could coexist, and how that allowed the twin tragedies of America’s founding — slavery and the Native American dilemma. Joseph Ellis is the author of 12 books including “The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773-1783.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)
2. ==> The Lost Story of President Madison’s Black Family
Many Americans know that Thomas Jefferson has Black descendants. Did you know that other presidents sired children with enslaved Africans too? Author and physician Dr. Bettye Kearse is the great-great-great-granddaughter of an enslaved woman and her enslaver (and half-brother!), President James Madison! Invite Dr. Kearse to discuss her perspective on being a descendant of both one of the Founding Fathers and also of a slave. She’ll share her complicated family story and explore the issues of legacy, race, and the powerful consequences of telling the whole truth. Bettye Kearse is the author of “The Other Madisons: The Lost Story of a President’s Black Family” and the subject of a documentary film. She presented her story at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and has been featured by NPR, podcasts, and radio stations across the country. Contact her at (617) 640 4803; bettye@bettyekearse.com
3. ==> 10-Years Later: How Occupy Wall Street Ended
In September 2011, the nonviolent Occupy Wall Street movement swept the nation, deploring policies that benefit the richest “one percent” and framed a public dialogue about priorities along the lines of “Wall Street vs. Main Street.” But what happened to the movement? Journalist Dave Lindorff can explain the reasons for the movement’s collapse and who was impressed by the efforts to disperse the protestors. Hear how Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr turned to the “Occupy model” to crush the 2020 protests against police brutality. He says, “Trump told the governors, many of whose states were experiencing massive protests against police brutality in the wake of the brutal videotaped police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, ‘This is like Occupy Wall Street. It was a disaster until one day somebody said, ‘That’s enough.’ And they just went in and wiped them out. And it’s the last time I heard the name Occupy Wall Street. …’” Dave Lindorff is an investigative reporter, a columnist for CounterPunch and a contributor to Businessweek, The Nation, Extra! and Salon.com. Contact him at dlindorff@gmail.com
4. ==> Opioid Dynasty: How the Sackler Family Pulled It Off
A federal bankruptcy judge recently approved a sweeping, potentially $10 billion plan submitted by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to settle a mountain of lawsuits over its role in the opioid crisis that has killed a half-million Americans over the past two decades. Under the settlement reached with creditors including individual victims and thousands of state and local governments, the Sackler family will give up ownership of the company and contribute $4.5 billion but will be freed from any future lawsuits over opioids. The crisis crushed the reputation of the Sackler family, major philanthropists whose name was once emblazoned on the walls of museums and universities around the world. But even with the settlement, family members who have owned the company will still be worth billions. Patrick Radden Keefe says the family has used its money and influence to play the system like a harp. Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of several books including the New York Times best-seller “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty.” Contact him at patrick@patrickraddenkeefe.com or @praddenkeefe or Michael Goldsmith at mgoldsmith@penguinrandomhouse.com
5. ==> Clint Eastwood at 91 – How Does He Do It?
While most actors and directors would have hung up their acting and directing “saddle” by age 65 or 70, at that age Clint Eastwood was re-hitting his prime! One has to wonder how the now 91-year-old found the stamina to film his new movie, “Cry Macho.” Dr. Max Fuhrmann can discuss the single most important trait Eastwood possesses to enable him to keep producing and performing, how his adaptability and creativity have increased with age, and the relationship between retirement and aging well. Invite this licensed clinical psychologist and host of the podcast “Age Well with Dr. Max,” on your show and take listeners’ questions about all types of aging issues. He’ll discuss creative and resilient ways older adults have dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as issues adult children have when caring for aging parents. A frequent media guest and the author of several books on aging issues, Max Fuhrmann, Ph.D., ABPP, teaches gerontology and psychology courses at California State University and the University of Southern California. Contact Cherie Kerr at (714) 550-9900 (office); (714) 271-2140 (cell) or Cherie@kerrpr-execuprov.com
6. ==> Do Vaccines Mandates Work?
With hospitals across the country filled with unvaccinated COVID patients and the FDA giving full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, health experts have been begging the unvaccinated to get the shot. But it appears employers hold more sway in changing reluctant people. According to a new Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus poll, workers are more likely to get vaccinated when their employers require them to. Eighty percent of respondents whose employers require a COVID-19 vaccine said they were already vaccinated and another 10% said they were likely to get a vaccine. In comparison, at employers with no vaccine requirement, 68% said they were already vaccinated and 6% were likely to get the vaccine. Pharmaceutical expert Dean Fanelli, Ph.D., can talk about vaccine hesitancy, booster shots, vaccine passports, herd immunity and much more. Fanelli is a partner in the intellectual property department of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Washington D.C. office. His focus is on pharmaceutical- and chemical-related technologies. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
7. ==> Resignation Nation: Millions Reassess Work
The pandemic has reset expectations of what work life is like for many people and millions are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time. Tim Winders can help your listeners figure out how to take advantage of this time to create the kind of life they’d like to have. The author and performance coach can offer three principles for hitting the reset button. Winders, who has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, utilizes these principles in his novel, “Coach: A Parable of Success Redefined.” 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 and is available last-minute. Contact Tim at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com
8. ==> If Kids Could Vote: The Growing Child Rights Movement
America is deeply divided right now. Politics has crept into all areas of society from science to education as we fight everything from how to end the pandemic to global warming and social issues. But amid the yelling and calls for individual freedoms, there is one group of citizens being forgotten; the powerless children who are affected now and who stand to inherit the consequences of today’s warring adults. Social change and human rights expert Yvonne Vising, Ph.D., will explain the child rights movement and discuss current events, the growing number of young activists, and why it may be time to lower the voting age. Hear ways to teach kids the difference between what’s right and what’s alt-right, why migrant and unaccompanied youth are our hope for the future, and how parents and the community can help and hurt traumatized kids. Yvonne Vissing, Ph.D., is a pediatric and community sociologist and children’s human rights expert. A professor and founding director of the Center for Childhood and Youth Studies at Salem State University. Dr. Vissing is the author of more than 13 books. Contact her at (978) 542-6144; yvissing@gmail.com
9. ==> What We’re Learning about Pandemic Learning Gaps
Educators knew they’d have to deal with academic gaps in the classroom when kids returned for in-person learning this year, but they’re also discovering social and behavioral issues, especially in the early grades. “If you have a younger child, they’ve also missed out on crucial opportunities for the development of social skills, the ability to delay gratification, and emotional intelligence,” says child behavior expert and family coach Rebecah Freeling. “These latter skills are actually more important for kids this age, and the lost opportunities have a real impact!” She says even though it’s early in the year, some schools are already threatening to kick kids out because they’re not playing well with others. Freeling will explain what parents can do to help their child “catch up” and make a successful adaptation to the social demands of the classroom. As CEO of Wits’ End Parenting, Rebecah Freeling specializes in kids with problem behaviors. She’s the author of “Your Rules Are Dumb: How to Maintain Your Parental Authority While Creating a Partnership With Your Spirited Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
10. ==> Kids Are Anxious and Stressed about School
A new school year always brings with it emotional stress and anxiety for children, but the uncertainty and constantly changing regulations due to COVID-19 are causing children even more stress than usual. Former teacher Peggy Sideratos will share seven simple strategies that adults can use with children to help them better handle emotional stress. She says, “Children are not inherently born with a skillset of knowing how to handle difficult emotions, they must be taught and modeled for them.” Your listeners can also download Sideratos’ advice to have on hand to help them create a positive shift in their kids’ mindsets and emotions and help support them through some of the most difficult challenges. Peggy Sideratos is the author of “The Light Giver Stories,” a series of children’s stories and corresponding lessons that reinforce the values of good character and self-esteem along with strategies to empower kids to better handle negative emotions. Contact Peggy Sideratos at (917) 715-8788 or perdika1@yahoo.com
11. ==> 60 Years Later: 1st White Graduate of All-Black College
When Fred Engh enrolled at the all-Black Maryland State College in 1961, his intention wasn’t to break any racial barriers or make any headlines. He simply wanted a better life for himself and his family as an accredited teacher. What he learned from attending the college, and becoming the first white graduate, was something he hadn’t expected. His new memoir, “Matchsticks: An Education in Black & White,” is the story of how he discovered his calling in life. Fred and his nonprofit organization, NAYS —the National Association for Youth Sports — have positively affected the lives of millions of children throughout the country for decades. From baseball to soccer to golf, his mission is to let children choose to play the sport they love — no matter where they live or how well they play. Contact Anthony Pomes at (516) 535-2010, ext. 105; (631) 875-6075 (cell); sq1marketing@aol.com or apomes@squareonepublishers.com
12. ==> Before You File a Lawsuit: What You Could Lose by Winning
Talk about initiating a lawsuit and most people think: Hefty settlement! Getting justice! (Or retribution.) Healing and starting over. But legal trouble is stressful and expensive, and lawsuits can last years, taking more out of you than you gain. So warns attorney Francine Tone, who’s been educating the public for years about getting the right legal help, asking prudent questions, making wise decisions, and proceeding with caution as legal challenges unfold. Invite her to explore realities about suing and being sued, myths and truths about the law, and how even winning lawsuits can jeopardize your business, marriage or health. Francine is the author of “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know.” Contact Francine Tone at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com
13. ==> From Living on the Streets to a Job with Apple
Feeling down or discouraged by pandemic life? Diana Grippo has an inspiring life story to lift your spirits as she shares her journey from living homeless on the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin to her present job in marketing and sales for one of the country’s most coveted employers: Apple. She’ll share how tough street life was — the assaults and encounters with police and why she believes if she were Black she would have a police record — and how she learned to deal with the bipolar disease that has dominated her life for 34 years. She’ll reveal the three things she did to cope with the mania and depression that come with the disease, explain why it is hard for people to recognize their own mania, and will serve as a compassionate resource for families coping with this prevalent mental health issue. Diana is the author of “Bipolar Chronicles: From Crazed to Content.” Contact her at (650) 417-1242; dianagrippo@gmail.com
14. ==> Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope
Did you know that people as young as 30 can have Alzheimer’s, the memory-robbing disease we think only affects older people? Would you recognize the warning signs besides forgetfulness? Carlen Maddux’s very active wife was just days past her fiftieth birthday when she was diagnosed with the fatal disease with no cure. They were blindsided, but your audience doesn’t have to be. Carlen, a former reporter, will share his family’s 17-year coping journey with your audience that included becoming his wife’s caregiver while deep in his career and caring for young children. Highly articulate, he has done dozens of interviews about this moving topic. Carlen is the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Sip Cilantro? Surprising Immunity Boosters
Since the pandemic began, everyone has been talking about immunity. Invite Tilak Sikva on your show and learn how your body can be healthier to ward off disease, how we can be wiser in what we eat and drink during every season and the best natural way to bring about strength, energy, healthier skin and ultimately longer life. Sikva will reveal which commonly imbibed beverages decrease immunity, especially in difficult times, and share which ones are healthiest and why. You’ll also hear about the unexpected health benefits of herbs like cilantro and how to get the most out of them. Tilak Sikva is an expert in nutrition and health research and the inventor of CilanTea. Contact him at (310) 421-4680, tsilva@rtirguests.com`