9/26/2025 RTIR Newsletter: Jimmy Carter Turns 100, Climate Week, Breaking Aging Stereotypes


01. Jimmy Carter Started the Free Market Revolution, Not Reagan
02. It’s Climate Week: What Does That Mean?
03. International Grief Expert David Kessler on Love, Life and Loss
04. The Truth About Old Age, Cognition and Wisdom
05. He Wrote the Book on Lucy, Ella and Ethel
06. Unconscious Bias and the Presidential Election
07. From ‘Deep Throat’ to Karen Silkwood: What It’s Like To Be a Whistle Blower
08. Help for Boomers Without a Nest Egg
09. 1 of 6 Children May Have It: How to Tell If Your Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder
10. What’s it Really Like to Live Under a Dictator? Ask this Refugee
11. What You Can Learn from Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett
12. How to Wisely Choose a Charity
13. Social Anxiety: Why So Many Wait So Long to Get Help
14. Turn Your Fear Into Fierce
15. Excommunicated Mormon Tells Her Harrowing Story


1. ==> Jimmy Carter Started the Free Market Revolution, Not Reagan

With Jimmy Carter turning 100 years old next week, invite David Gibbs, who has studied the Carter presidency for the past 15 years, to talk about his legacy and new evidence that shows America’s right turn in domestic and foreign policy really began during the Carter presidency, not — as is widely believed — during that of his successor, Ronald Reagan. “Evidence from newly opened archives show that Carter initiated the deregulation of U.S. industry and finance, reduced the power of organized labor, lowered taxes on business, and imposed austerity measures that intentionally raised unemployment among working people. Carter also augmented military spending for the first time in a decade, diverting resources from domestic programs, while increasing U.S. interventions overseas.” Gibbs says, “Carter should also be remembered for his support of racial justice and his many impressive achievements after he left the presidency. But we must not whitewash his central role in overturning FDR’s New Deal and concentrating wealth among the top 1 percent of the U.S. population.” Gibbs is a professor of history at the University of Arizona. He is the author of “Revolt of the Rich: How the Politics of the 1970s Widened America’s Class Divide.” Contact him at dgibbs@arizona.edu

2. ==> It’s Climate Week: What Does That Mean?

It’s UN Climate Week, the annual convocation of climate activists, scientists, academics, and business and political leaders. Alice Hill says the event that started in 2009 has ballooned over the years with organizers and attendees now calling it the “Burning Man for climate geeks” and the “Davos of climate.” But Hill says whether the event will yield measurable progress on climate remains an open question. “Despite all the Climate Week activities—the awards, speeches, panels, commitments, and even protests—the planet remains on course for catastrophic heating,” she says. Ask Hill: Do these mass convenings truly accomplish anything? How many of the commitments yield meaningful results? Do the outcomes justify the carbon emissions generated by participants’ international travel? Alice Hill is the David M. Rubenstein senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations. Contact her at (202) 509-8597; ahill@cfr.org

3.==> International Grief Expert David Kessler on Love, Life and Loss

When you experience grief, your world can feel overwhelming. It can be difficult to imagine a future. You feel lost and hopeless. David Kessler is one of the world’s foremost experts on grief, loss, and navigating life’s changes. His experiences with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a fulfilled life, even after life’s tragedies. Invite him on your show to discuss the many ways grief affects us, how to understand your unique and personal experience with grief, and ways to work through loss, release the hurt, and learn to grieve with more than pain. David’s personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey. He’s taught thousands of physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about the end of life, trauma, and grief. However, despite his vast knowledge, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his 21-year-old son. David Kessler has written six bestselling books and his advice has been featured by “The New York Times,” “Unlocking Us with Brene Brown,” NBC’s “Today,” and many other media outlets. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (o); (703) 400-1099 (c); johanna@jrbpr.biz or Reigan Wright at (703) 646-5188

4.==> The Truth About Old Age, Cognition and Wisdom

“The belief that aging is a steady downward slope and that all old people are doddering is a great misunderstanding,” says Laura Carstensen, founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. She says research highlights the fact that while a handful suffer dementia, many other seniors remain cognitively sharp, even if their bodies are slowing down. She’ll discuss research that finds many things actually improve with age including better decision-making and conflict resolution skills. Hear why aging is associated with more positive overall emotional well-being and the many ways we are in control of our old age. Laura Carstensen is professor of psychology at Stanford University and the author of “Long Bright Future: Happiness, Health, and Financial Security in an Age of Increased Longevity.” Contact Joleen Castro at (650) 725-0347; jpcastro@stanford.edu

5. ==> He Wrote the Book on Lucy, Ella and Ethel

Geoffrey Mark is a walking encyclopedia of show business history. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised all over the country, he worked as an actor, singer, stand-up comedian, radio host, and Grammy nominated writer. He writes and produces documentaries and reality shows for cable television and has written biographies of three of America’s favorite female entertainers: Lucille Ball, Ella Fitzgerald and Ethel Merman. On your show he’ll share behind-the-scenes stories involving Hollywood’s biggest stars and little-known details about their lives on- and off-screen. Geoffrey Mark interacted with Ella’s inner circle towards the end of her life, performing her songs with their original arrangements and telling insider stories. He currently hosts the radio show “Geoffrey Mark Plays Ella” and is finishing up his tell-all memoir, “The Devil was Born in Brooklyn.” Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757;
harlan@bhbpr.com

6. ==> Unconscious Bias and the Presidential Election

Vice President Kamala Harris stepped into the spotlight just weeks ago, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 election. Considering the rise in bigotry and misogyny in American society, how will the country feel about voting for a woman who is Black and Asian-American? “Many people have biases that they aren’t even aware of,” says author Sara Ting. She’ll discuss how Harris can turn the focus away from herself and onto what she can dop for all Americans. She adds that emphasizing diversity and inclusion across a broad spectrum of society will be the winning ticket. Sara is a diversity and inclusion educator, speaker, consultant, and author of “Small Book with a Big Idea: 5 Minute Training to Empower You and Transform the World.” Contact Sara Ting at (508) 715-3370; Sting@rtirguests.com

7. ==> From ‘Deep Throat’ to Karen Silkwood: What It’s Like To Be a Whistle Blower

Whistle blowers have changed the course of history. Karen Silkwood, a chemical technician and labor union activist, paid with her life when she exposed unsafe practices at Kerr-McGee Cimarron Fuel Fabrication Site in Oklahoma. Mark Felt, better known as “Deep Throat,” helped to bring down Richard Nixon by uncovering the Watergate scandal. Both were featured in major movies. However, whistle blowing isn’t always as intriguing and can be very frustrating. “While working as a broker at Morgan Stanley in the early 2000s, I was convinced that they were cheating clients,” says author Dana de Wendt. In 2007, Morgan Stanley and one of its senior traders agreed to pay $6.1 million in fines and restitution to settle allegations that the investment bank overcharged brokerage customers — one of whom was Dana’s then 87-year-old father — on 2,800 purchases of $59 million of bonds. But no criminal charges were ever pursued. Dana is the author of “Checkmate: The Morgan Stanley Whistle Blower.” Contact Dana de Wendt at (772) 773-6879; ddewindt@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Help for Boomers Without a Nest Egg

The largest segment of the U.S. population is rapidly approaching retirement age, yet more than half are worried they won’t have enough to retire – and 20% have no retirement savings at all. With rising inflation and a middling economy, is there any way to turn things around? Tom Loegering (pronounced “Lay-ger-ing”) reveals how baby boomers and anyone in the workforce can ensure a happy, well-funded retirement so they can enjoy their golden years. Learn how to develop “the business of you” and retire comfortably without sacrificing your goals and dreams along the way. A retired contractor and experienced speaker, Tom is the author of “Success or Failure: The Choice Is Yours,” a workbook to help anyone plan their perfect retirement. Contact him at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com

9. ==> 1 of 6 Children May Have It: How to Tell If Your Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder

According to the National Library of Medicine, sensory processing disorders (SPDs) can be described as difficulty detecting, modulating, interpreting, and/or responding to sensory experiences such as sound, touch, vision, and taste. This may include extreme aversion to loud noises, clothing sensitivity — which makes dressing very stressful — acute sensitivity to taste, whereby a child will only eat limited foods, and more. Behavioral science researcher Donna Redman founded the Secret Genius Project to use creativity to help children and adults better cope with SPD. “My research revealed irrefutable evidence of our connection to art, science, and nature and provides the path to reach down to the core of what compels us toward creativity and self- expression,” she says. Donna can share how to determine if your child has SPD, and how tapping into their creativity can help them to better navigate the world around them. Contact Donna Redman at (973) 876-5903; (973) 876-5903

10. ==> What’s it Really Like to Live Under a Dictator? Ask this Refugee

As a young boy growing up in Hungary, author Laszlo (Les) Suhayda and his family experienced living under the brutal rule of a Soviet-backed authoritarian strongman, which led to their dramatic, often-harrowing escape from their homeland for the promise of safety in America. “I was only 5 when we escaped,” he says. “As I was thrashing through weeds in the forest, I fell on top of a young Hungarian man who was shot in the head by a Russian sniper. When we arrived in America, we were on deck of the (U.S. Navy transport ship) General Haan and passed the statue of liberty. My parents never allowed us to forget how lucky we were and all that happened to our family.” Laszlo is the author of the memoir “Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story,” and the inventor of the first wine slushee product in America. Contact Laszlo (Les) Suhayda at (314) 501-6838; Lsuhayda@rtirguests.com

11. ==> What You Can Learn from Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett

Taylor Swift and Warren Buffett are very different people. However, both are icons with advice your listeners can use to live happier, more fulfilling lives. Interview Detri McGhee to learn ways you can strive to be more like Swift or Buffett without having to be a Swiftee or making a single terrific financial investment. Detri is an emotional intelligence expert who says both Swift and Buffett recognize that EI (emotional intelligence) is more important than AI (artificial intelligence). Ask her: What surprising thing did Buffett say represents one’s best investment? What have Swiftees been told to never do? Why should one pay attention to criticism offered by an enemy? Detri is the author of the upcoming book “Criticism Management: The C-A-T That Tames the Dragon.” She is the president of Entrepreneurial Training and Marketing, LLC, a company that offers workshops and seminars on criticism management. Contact Detri McGhee at (870) 407-7523; dmcghee@rtirguests.com

12. ==> How to Wisely Choose a Charity

Giving back by way of donating to charities, volunteering in one’s community, or starting a nonprofit can be very rewarding. But how do you know if you’re actually making a significant difference? “Many people are compelled to give back on the basis of their own life experiences, such as personal tragedies, and passions,” says author and nonprofit expert Michele Whetzel. “While it’s great to follow your heart, you need to do your homework.” Michele is a veteran of the nonprofit arena, founder of Your 501 Guide consulting and author of the book “So, You Want to Start a Nonprofit, Now What?” Contact Michele Whetzel at (302) 407-0513; Mwhetzel@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Social Anxiety: Why So Many Wait So Long to Get Help

Millions of teens and adults struggle with persistent fears of social situations because they believe they will be judged negatively or humiliated. Many avoid seeking help. “Less than half seek treatment; most seek treatment only after they have been suffering for 15 to 20 years,” says clinical psychologist and author Dr. Thomas E. Brown. “They feel embarrassed and ashamed.” Dr. Brown notes that social anxiety is associated with increased rates of school dropouts, unemployment, staying single, and getting divorced. He can describe the causes and symptoms of social anxiety, the most effective treatment options, and how those suffering can reclaim their lives. Dr. Brown is a professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience at University of CA Riverside School of Medicine and the author of seven books including “Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults” and his forthcoming “Social Anxiety: Hidden Fears and Shame in Teens and Adults.” Contact Thomas E. Brown at (475) 405-3549; tbrown@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Turn Your Fear Into Fierce

Author and destiny coach Ariel Vox began her life in fear. She was 18-months-old when she was in a car accident with her mother, after which her mom was in a coma for months. “For the next 40 years, every major decision I made was driven by fear,” she says. “Whenever I felt threatened, my mind went blank, seeking comfort in the peace of my subconscious. It was my way of avoiding pain, but as a result, I grew up timid and unable to defend myself.” Thus, she decided to devote her life to “turning fear into fierce.” “Fear reveals our areas of self-doubt and low self-esteem. Fear and stress are our biggest allies for success.” Ariel can reveal her secrets to making fear work for us, and how she launched a business that sold for seven figures after two years. She is the author of “From Fear to Fierce: How to Turn Failure Into Success.” Contact Ariel Vox at avox@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Excommunicated Mormon Tells Her Harrowing Story

For the first half of her life, author Susie Bell knew nothing but the Mormon Church. She grew up, married, had six kids, and became a nurse while living as a practicing Mormon. But she began to question the religion and was excommunicated in 2012. “I realized that it’s a cult,” she says. “It ends up tearing a lot of families apart.” Her life became even more chaotic after her excommunication, which included a messy divorce, the loss of a baby, being drugged, raped, and publicly harassed by a famous athlete, struggles with substance abuse, and more. But Susie not only survived, she managed to thrive, and can share what really goes on in this mysterious faith. She is the author of the upcoming book, “A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine & Men.” Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com

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