01. Is Trump’s China Policy His Biggest Failure?
02. Inside Cuba’s Mass Exodus
03. As Midterms Near, Can Americans Who Disagree Still Talk?
04. This El Nino Will Be a “Godzilla-Level” Phenomenon
05. It’s Fat Bear Week!
06. What Our Schools Forget to Teach About Democracy
07. How to Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
08. Do You Really Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?
09. The Hidden Health Risk in Your Car
10. Is Your Job Making Your Mental Health Worse?
11. Why So Many People Fail at Math and How to Fix It
12. Children's Books Are the Most Underrated Health Tools
13. The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams
14. When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First
15. What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
1. ==> Is Trump’s China Policy His Biggest Failure?
Chinese President Xi Jinping came to Washington on Wednesday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, but James Palmer says the summit’s pageantry should not obscure what might become a more consequential failure: Trump’s China policy. Many foreign policy experts believe the United States has let its most formidable geopolitical rival gain on nearly every front—from the economy and military balance to science, technology, and geopolitical influence. One area of particular concern is the Trump administration’s failure to maintain a once-sizable U.S. advantage over China in artificial intelligence. AI regulation is high on the agenda for this week’s summit, yet “the chances of productive alignment on AI safety are low,” according to Palmer. Trump’s sudden return to anti-China rhetoric isn’t helping matters, Palmer says. The U.S. president might believe that he can spread anti-China narratives at home and still cooperate with Beijing where it serves him, “but Chinese leaders may not be so keen.” James Palmer is a deputy editor at “Foreign Policy” and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Contact him at james.palmer@foreignpolicy.com
2. ==> Inside Cuba’s Mass Exodus
Cuba faces many challenges including an authoritarian government unwilling to undertake deep reform, an unproductive economy, and the constant pressure of U.S. sanctions. But another crisis has drawn less attention even as it could outlast the rest and prove even more irreversible—the largest outflow of people in Cuba’s history. “It began as a response to Cuba’s post-pandemic economic collapse and a renewed crackdown on dissent. But the latest emigration wave has become an engine of crisis in its own right, compounding other problems,” says Will Freeman, a Latin America studies fellow who traveled to Havana in June 2026. He says the scale of the exodus is unprecedented in Cuban history, with few modern parallels outside active war zones. Freeman can discuss what’s driving the once-in-a-generation outflow and what it means for the island’s future. Will Freeman is a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a leading writer on Latin American politics, democracy and organized crime, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Contact him at wfreeman@cfr.org; @WillGFreeman
3. ==> As Midterms Near, Can Americans Who Disagree Still Talk?
The political rhetoric is heating up as we head toward the November elections. Invite Dr. Catherine Meeks, a longtime racial healing leader who has spent more than 50 years studying and working with people across racial and cultural differences, to share how Americans can have meaningful conversations with people who don't look like them, live like them, or vote like them. At a moment when so much of the political conversation is about what divides Americans, Meeks believes we need to get better at talking about what connects us. That means creating conversations that can cross racial, political, geographic, and cultural lines and getting beyond labels long enough to talk about what people actually care about: their families, their communities, safety, opportunity, dignity, faith, education, and the kind of country they want their children to inherit. Meeks' message heading into the election is not that Americans need to agree on everything. It’s that we need to relearn how to see one another as human beings before we see one another as political, racial or cultural categories. Catherine Meeks is an award-winning author, speaker, and thought leader. Her latest book is “Bridging the Rivers of Difference: A Proclamation of Unity in Resistance.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
4. ==> This El Nino Will Be a “Godzilla-Level” Phenomenon
The jaw-dropping El Nino currently heating up the planet is likely to be the largest in at least 1,000 years and will pile extra heat into an atmosphere in which temperatures are already rising rapidly. The double whammy means 2027 is expected to “blow apart” previous records and with many places around the world seeing never-before-experienced heat extremes, with all their consequences on health, food security and water stress. “All effects from El Nino are magnified by global climate change,” says Professor Kevin Trenberth at the National Center of Atmospheric Research. “The northern summer of excess heat and wildfires in Europe, North America and Asia are but a sample of what is to come.” Experts predict more intense rains and flooding in the southern U.S. and a hot, dry southern hemisphere summer meaning greater wildfire risk and droughts in Australia and southern Africa. Kevin Trenberth is a distinguished scholar at the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder and an honorary academic in the department of physics at Auckland University in New Zealand. Contact him at trenbert@ucar.edu
5. ==> It’s Fat Bear Week!
Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive the winter. Fat Bear Week is the annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for hibernation. Bear fans around the world can view the participants and cast their vote online to decide which of Katmai’s brown bears has done the best job packing on the pounds for winter. “There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” says Park Superintendent Mark Sturm. “A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start. We’re excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai’s incredible ecosystem.” Fat Bear Week is a partnership between the National Park Service, Explore.org, and the Katmai Conservancy. It runs from Sept. 22-29 (no voting on the weekend). The champion will be crowned Sept. 29th. Check out the live webcams on explore.org and judge the bears for yourself and then cast your vote online at fatbearweek.org. For interviews contact NPS_Katmai_Communications@nps.gov. Keep in mind that approved interviews and inquiry responses will take place between 8am and 6pm Alaska time.
6. ==> What Our Schools Forget to Teach About Democracy
America's education debate usually focuses on test scores, funding, and curriculum. But Elissa Mohan believes we're overlooking a far more urgent issue: preparing young citizens for self-government. “Today’s fragmented education landscape leaves too many students unprepared to evaluate information, engage in civil discourse, and understand the Constitution,” she says. Drawing on her experience as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, homeschool parent, public school teacher, and educational psychologist, Elissa offers a bold blueprint for rebuilding education to meet the challenges of democracy in the AI age. She is the author of the forthcoming book “ENOUGH: Why America Is Failing at Education and What to Do About It.” Ask her: Why is civics education so important? How can young Americans learn how our government and democracy work to help better prepare them for the future? Contact Elissa Mohan at (405) 346-8358; emohan@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How to Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
Artificial intelligence is making scams faster, more convincing and more personal. Fraudulent messages can imitate family members, trusted companies or familiar voices, pressuring people to act before questioning what is happening. Jocelyn King says families do not need to become cybersecurity experts to protect themselves. They need practical habits for recognizing manipulation, verifying unexpected requests and limiting the personal information criminals can use against them. King is a Top 10 Woman in Cybersecurity, a 15-year Silicon Valley AI insider, CEO of Smarter Online Safety and author of the bestselling book “Digital Self-Defense in an AI World.” She’ll explain how AI is changing familiar scams, the warning signs families miss and the protective steps they can take now. Contact Jocelyn King (970) 514-5150; jking@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Do You Really Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?
Nearly one in five young people in the U.S. now turn to AI chatbots for mental health advice, and many adults get their health information from influencers rather than trained professionals. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores a question more people are starting to ask: in an age of algorithmic health advice, what is at stake when the conversation about our bodies and minds is no longer human? Marcel bridges real-life experience with a structured framework for a profound understanding of how stress, beliefs, and long-term internal pressure may show up in the body. His message is about reclaiming agency, asking deeper questions, and learning to listen to the body without abandoning medicine. This conversation offers a psychological-emotional approach to chronic illness, burnout, and emotional patterns – especially for those seeking authenticity in a landscape increasingly shaped by AI and unqualified influencers. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for The Key to Self-Liberation by Christiane Beerlandt. Contact him at mvogeli@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Hidden Health Risk in Your Car
You probably think about exhaust, fuel economy, and crash safety when choosing a car. But German inventor and health researcher Norbert Heuser wants people to ask another question: What electromagnetic radiation and magnetic field are we exposed to every time we get behind the wheel? Researchers have measured electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields inside gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles, with levels varying by vehicle type, equipment, and even where passengers sit. Norbert has spent more than 20 years investigating electromagnetic exposure and believes its potential effects on the human body deserve far more attention. Norbert has commissioned the BESA Institute in Austria to conduct scientific testing of gas-powered, hybrid, and electric vehicles. He says the results he just received raise major concerns—and that consumers have never been made aware of these potential dangers. The problem, he explains, is that these frequencies cannot be felt, smelled, or tasted, making the exposure largely invisible—much like Wi-Fi and mobile phone use. Norbert can explain where electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields inside cars come from, what existing research has found, what his findings suggest, and the precautions he believes drivers and passengers should consider. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Is Your Job Making Your Mental Health Worse?
A bad day at work is one thing. But what happens when chronic pressure, conflict, and financial fear keep you in survival mode long after you clock out? Darius Ross says sometimes the problem isn’t simply your workload; it’s what your workplace is triggering in you. Drawing on his experience overcoming homelessness, building businesses, and the principles in “Mastering the TPS Blueprint,” Ross reveals how unresolved trauma can collide with workplace stress, affecting trust, decision-making, and relationships. He’ll explain why high achievers may be especially good at hiding distress, how to recognize when “pushing through” is making things worse, and why changing jobs may not fix patterns you carry with you. Ask him: Can being great at your job hide a mental health struggle? Can quitting a toxic workplace actually follow you to your next job? Contact Darius Ross at (347) 801-7956; dross@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Why So Many People Fail at Math and How to Fix It
Craig Hane, Ph.D. — known to his students as Dr. Del — has spent decades studying why smart adults freeze up at basic math, and what actually fixes it. As founder of Triad Math, Inc., Hane has built a system that helps people move past math anxiety for good. He says most people are closer to "getting" math than they think — they've just never been taught it the right way. He's also offering free copies of his book to the first listeners who call in after the segment airs. Ask her: Why do smart adults still struggle with basic math? What's the biggest myth about who's naturally "good at math"? What's the first thing someone should do if they want to get better at math? Contact Craig Hane at (812) 408-8047; chane@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Children's Books Are the Most Underrated Health Tools
Most parents see children's books as entertainment. Kenneth Korber, a health literacy expert, believes they can also be powerful tools for improving children's health. After two decades as a clinician, he wrote and published “The Musical Adventures of Grace” series to extend the patient office visit into bedtime reading, helping families reinforce important health and wellness lessons at home. His engaging stories and characters transform complex medical topics into age-appropriate adventures that children enjoy. Ken’s approach encourages healthy habits, eases childhood anxiety and fears, and strengthens literacy at the same time. “Storytelling may be one of the most effective—and overlooked—ways to improve public health, empower families, and help children build lifelong healthy behaviors, one bedtime story at a time,” he says. Contact Kenneth Korber at (847) 238-8936; kkorber@rtirguests.com
13. ==> The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams
Why do smart, ambitious people procrastinate when it comes to the very things they care about most? Why do they freeze when it’s time to be seen, sabotage opportunities, overwork without moving forward, or endlessly wait for the ‘right time?’ “You’re not lazy, and you’re not lacking motivation,” says motivation breakthrough coach Lisa Morgan. “Your nervous system may be standing between you and the life you desperately want.” After more than 20 years exploring healing and transformation, she created the Freedom Body Blueprint©, which addresses the body/mind/nervous-system patterns behind resistance and “getting stuck,” and how to get unstuck. Ask her: How can one’s subconscious awareness block them from fulfilling their dreams? What are some specific ways that people can stop sabotaging themselves? Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
14. ==> When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First
When life turns upside down, “talk about your feelings” can be frustrating advice, especially when you don’t yet know what you’re feeling. Author and transformational life coach Karen Kay Smith says sometimes the words shouldn’t come first. Creativity should. On your show, Smith can demonstrate three simple ways to use creativity to explore emotions before trying to explain them. You don’t have to know what you’re feeling to begin expressing it. Sometimes your hands, body or eyes notice it before your words do. Smith connects these exercises to her three C’s—Communication, Connection, and Community—and her concept of life’s “waiting room seasons.” Her forthcoming book, “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room,” includes creative reflection activities designed to help readers process difficult seasons. Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com
15. ==> What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
Many Christians know what they believe but struggle to explain why they believe it. Texas-certified teacher Tamara Berkman says the problem is often not conviction, but preparation: people may know Bible stories without understanding how the Bible fits together. Berkman experienced this herself. She grew up learning individual lessons through Sunday school and sermons but only recognized what she had been missing when she taught the Bible’s complete storyline to her children. She later saw the same knowledge gap among her students. In response, Berkman created “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” a storytelling-based curriculum of 20 short lessons. She’ll discuss why Christians feel unprepared to answer questions about their faith and how understanding the Bible’s storyline can help families pass their beliefs to the next generation. Ask her: Why do Christians struggle to explain their beliefs? What is missed when Bible stories are taught separately? Does defending your faith require years of study? How can parents equip their children? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com
