October 15, 2019
01. Explainer: Who’s Who in Northern Syria?
02. American Eyewitness: Afghanistan During Soviet Occupation
03. WOW Women of Wrestling
04. Best Haunted Attractions in US
05. Answers to Your Most Terrifying Ghost Questions
06. Revelations of an Undertaker’s Daughter
07. 9 Ways to Decrease Halloween’s Sugar Load
08. Where Our Most Common Superstitions Come from
09. Mark the 7th Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy
10. Last Minute Road Trip: Go Ahead, Be a Peeper!
11. Secret Money Hiding in Your Insurance Policy
12. Why Do Our Best Students Feel Stupid?
13. Bye-Bye Birdies
14. It’s Northerners vs Southerners!
15. Is Food One of Our Best Weapons Against Cancer?
16. How to Start a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ for Dad-less Boys
17. How to Parent without Punishment
18. Develop Your Inner Bull***t Detector!
19. How the World Gets Better When You Love Yourself
20. Hey Boys, We Buzz. Get Over it
1.==> Explainer: Who’s Who in Northern Syria?
With Turkey’s latest military offensive, we need a
rundown of the different actors and interests in the
region. Invite Lindsay Maizland to help break it down
for your listeners—from Kurdish, Turkish and US forces
to Syrian rebels and the Syrian government, the Islamic
State, and civilians. Lindsay Maizland writes about
Asia for CFR.org. Before joining CFR, she covered
breaking news for TEGNA’s central digital team and
reported on world news for Vox. She holds a BA in
international relations and journalism from American
University. Contact her at @LindsayMaizland or (212)
434-9888; communications@cfr.org
2. ==> American Eyewitness: Life in Afghanistan During
Soviet Occupation
For most Americans, Afghanistan is a mysterious country
that surfaces in the news as the U.S. military talks
about removing its troops or the Trump administration
negotiates with the Taliban. Bring Cat Parenti on your
show to discuss her experiences in the country, where
she lived on and off for 20-years. Parenti survived the
political twists and turns of Afghan history from King
Zahir Shah through the rise of the Taliban and started
a successful business selling antique clothing and
jewelry to U.S. museums and museum shops. She’ll
discuss what it was like to be a woman traveling alone
through the war-torn country, the rise of resistance
fighters after the Soviet invasion—including female
fighters—and her work in the resistance movement, and
how the Taliban came to power. Cat Parenti has shared
her first-hand knowledge of Afghanistan in numerous
media interviews, in presentations on Afghanistan at
the U.N., and in several books including “Afghanistan:
A Memoir from Brooklyn to Kabul.” Contact Cat Parenti
at (520) 508-0211; cat.parenti@gmail.com
3. ==> WOW Women of Wrestling
Do your listeners love women’s wrestling? From the
outrageous names to the carefully curated back stories,
these ladies are quite the characters—in and out of the
ring. This Saturday, Psycho Sister Fury, accompanied by
Razor and Mezmeriah, will go up against Princess
Aussie, Siren the Voodoo Doll and Holidead on WOW Women
of Wrestling. Invite WOW creators Jeanie Buss and David
McLane on your show along with wrestling star Razor and
get a sneak peek at what’s coming up this Saturday and
the rest of the season. WOW is the leading women’s
professional wrestling organization. The show airs
Saturday nights on AXS TV. Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer
at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188.
4. ==> Best Haunted Attractions in US
Scary places may have gotten their start in ancient
times to keep people from unsettling the dead in the
pyramids, but today the United States has become the
epicenter of scaring entertainment since the launch of
commercial haunted attractions in the 1970s. Amber
Arnett-Bequeaith of Haunted Attractions cut her teeth
at her family’s haunted house that started in 1975.
Today she reigns over an entire district of haunted
houses, including the Beast, and entertainment in
Kansas City, as the Queen of Haunts. Invite her to talk
about the popularity of haunted attractions and how the
business has expanded to include escape rooms, mazes,
ghost tours and more. Hear about the best creepy venues
in your area and across the country, where they take
fright to a whole new level. America Haunts is a group
of some of the most the most successful and well known
Halloween Haunted Houses in the World. Contact Amber
Arnett-Bequeaith at (816) 842-4280;
amber@fullmoonprod.com
5. ==> Answers to Your Most Terrifying Ghost Questions
Dr. Susan Shumsky is a ghostbuster and perfect
Halloween guest who can tell you everything you ever
wanted to know about ghosts—but were too terrified to
ask. For example, what really happens to souls after
death? Is it possible to communicate with the dead? How
so? Why are some homes, cars, offices and other places
haunted? What are the 11 types of people most
susceptible to possession? What are the 15 reasons why
people become ghosts? Dr. Shumsky is no fly-by-night
author. She has 14 books in print and has been
published by Simon & Schuster. Open your phone lines
for listeners with haunted houses and Dr. Shumsky will
send the ghosts packing! Reach her at 917-336-7184;
SShumsky@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Great Halloween Show: Revelations of an
Undertaker’s Daughter
Most people don’t like to talk or even think about
death. But while growing up in a Midwestern funeral
home where her dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark
learned a lot about life from dead people. “I can share
fascinating experiences of growing up around death and
dead people, and the messages I received from them,”
she says. “I have a lot to say about death and gifts
people give when they die.” Margo can reveal her
journeys to the other side, experiences she had in
dreams and the important messages she received about
life from the deceased. She is the author of “Light in
the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,”
which has received glowing reviews from a number of
prominent authors and spiritual leaders including
Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at
MLenmark@rtirguests.com; (484) 928-7824.
7. ==> 9 Ways to Decrease Halloween’s Sugar Load
More people are starting to look for alternatives to
traditional Halloween candy, especially those who are
more aware of ingredients and concerned about what
children eat. To make it easier to “scare up” a list of
treats kids will adore, Nathalie Beauchamp, D.C.,
IFMCP, a doctor of chiropractic and certified
functional medicine practitioner with the Institute of
Functional Medicine, has nine fresh ideas to share. For
example, she’ll tell you why maple-syrup candies are a
healthful alternative as are Mini Cocoa Camino dark
chocolates. Dr. Beauchamp will also explore affordable
non-candy gifts most kids will enjoy. She has appeared
on numerous radio and TV programs and writes about
health and wellness for a variety of publications. She
has her own YouTube channel and is the founder of the
weekly “What the Hack?!” podcast. Dr. Beauchamp’s
latest book is “Hack Your Health Habits: Simple Action-
Driven, Natural Health Solutions for People On the Go!”
Contact her at (613) 852-1770;
drnathalie@drnathaliebeauchamp.com
8. ==> Where Our Most Common Superstitions Come from
Have you ever wondered why some hotels don’t have a
13th floor or why black cats are considered bad luck?
Or why we say “God bless you” when someone sneezes? And
how a broken mirror came to symbolize seven years of
bad times ahead? Or thought twice about opening an
umbrella in the house? All of these things are
superstitions, and they are powerful merely because we
believe them. Interview Wade Meadows who will share
some theories on why these superstitions have taken
root in popular culture and ways lives are sometimes
ruined because of them. Wade had the misfortune of
being born on a Friday the 13th to a mother who had
triskaidekaphobia, the name given to people who fear
the number 13. He spent many years being told that he
was cursed at birth but has managed to overcome that
false belief. He is the author of “Letters from the
Ashes” and “Ashes Forged into Manhood.” Contact him at
(225) 224-8697; WMeadows@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Mark the 7th Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy
One of the worst storms in recent memory, Hurricane
Sandy made landfall on Oct. 29, causing loss of power
to two million households, the destruction of more than
350,000 homes, the death of 37 people and $30 billion
in economic losses in New Jersey alone. Seven years
have passed but for many, the storm’s losses remain
raw. Melissa Lanza lost her home in Staten Island
during the storm but can talk about how she ultimately
emerged from the shock of Sandy’s devastation and from
having her faith tested as well as how we can all come
back from our own adverse events or Hurricane Sandys.
Melissa is a Nationally Board Certified Family Nurse
Practitioner with a family medical practice in Staten
Island. She is the author of “Experience God’s
Presence.” Contact her at (718) 980-6103;
MML314@aol.com.
10. ==> Last Minute Road Trip: Go Ahead, Be a Peeper!
Hurry up!! The leaves are popping right now across much
of the nation and it’s the perfect time for a road trip
to take in nature’s beauty. Jenni Raney Edwards, author
of “Bumping Down Highways: From Boardrooms to Back
Roads in an RV,” will share the most glorious fall
foliage drives across the country and explain why
autumn is one of the best times for a road trip. A
successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Jenni fell
in love with the open road while on a cross-country
drive in her SUV. She sold everything and hit the
highway to see the country full-time. She’ll share the
best places to stay and see in an RV and reveal the
biggest challenges — and misconceptions — about
RVing. Jenni is also the founder of Norsk Tiny Houses
and designed and built the first LEED Certified Tiny
House on Wheels in the world. Contact her at (904)
234-2891; jenni@bumpingdownhighways.com
11. ==> Secret Money Hiding in Your Insurance Policy
Many people today live paycheck to paycheck, in fear
that an accident or life-threatening illness could wipe
out whatever savings they have and create a financial
crisis they’re unable to overcome. Invite David
Kottler, aka the Insurance Doctor, to explain a little-
known secret that could turn an unneeded life insurance
policy into some much-needed cash! Listeners will learn
how to auction off a policy and get up to 75% of their
death benefits to pay medical bills, get out of debt,
or give to a non-profit or charity! David Kottler
combines his legal and business experience with a
passion for philanthropy. His book “The Best Kept Money
Secret in Your Insurance Policy” details everything
your audience needs to know about how to get an
insurance policy working for them! Contact David
Kottler at (216) 532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why Do Our Best Students Feel Stupid?
Students feel dumb when they cram for a test on
Thursday, get an A on Friday and forget it all by
Monday. Students feel smart when they remember and even
smarter when they use new, remembered knowledge to
solve problems in unique ways. Smart schools have
processes in place that make the “Cram Plan”
impossible. “Who has the most control over education?
The answer might surprise you… but almost everyone I
talk to agrees with my answer!” says Lee Jenkins,
educator, administrator and author. According to Lee,
it’s easier than you think to solve the educational
dilemma in this country… by getting rid of cramming,
once and for all! Lee shows your audience how! Lee
Jenkins is the author of “How to Create a Perfect
School,” foreword by Jack Canfield. He’s been an
educator and administrator in public schools and
universities. Contact Jenkins at (484) 306-8784;
LJenkins@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Bye-Bye Birdies
According to a new report by the Audubon Society, two-
thirds of North American birds could face extinction if
climate change is not addressed. Birds, it seems, are
early indicators of worsening environmental problems
and play important roles in insect control, plant
pollination and seed disbursement. Able to discuss this
breaking topic is Lynn Matsuoka, the author, and
illustrator of “Saving Our Seabirds.” Lynn can talk
about the thousands of species threatened by climate
change and share fascinating facts about such birds as
puffins, blue-footed boobies, and black-footed
albatrosses. Lynn can also share ways ordinary people
can help save the birds. She is donating part of the
sales for her adult coloring book to the Audubon
Society’s Project Puffin. Lynn is well-known
internationally for her drawings & paintings of Japan’s
Sumo wrestlers and her worldwide TV color commentary of
the sport. Contact her at (808) 479-5966;
artist@hamptonsartist.com
14. ==> It’s Northerners vs Southerners!
Even today, the big hair, big booted, Velveeta-eating
Southerners seem a world apart from the athleisure-
wearing, acai-bowl eating, self-actualization obsessed
Northerners. Suzanne Wexler, author of the upcoming
humorous memoir “Southern Grits for Northern Girls,”
will unite the country in laughter as she explains the
seven habits Southerners can teach Northerners. Suzanne
has lived in the North her whole life but visited her
Southern relatives from her maternal side often. She
knows what they get right—even if it took her years to
see! She says: “If there’s one thing North Americans
can use right now it’s a good laugh and a finer
appreciation of each other.” Suzanne is published in
the Huffington Post, National Post, Bust.com and her
work has been syndicated throughout Canada. She’s been
quoted in Goodhousekeeping.com and Reader’s Digest
magazine and provides commentary on TV and radio
throughout the U.S. and Canada. Contact her at (514)
704-0029; suzannawexler@hotmail.com
15. ==> Is Food One of Our Best Weapons Against Cancer?
We don’t typically think of food as medicine, but
according to physician Ed Dodge, food is enormously
important as one of our best available weapons against
cancer as well as other chronic diseases such as type 2
diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Invite Dr. Dodge
to tell your audience why certain nutrient-rich,
cancer-fighting foods are so underutilized and how to
start easily working them into your diet. His latest
book is “Family: A Family Doc’s Memoir of Life in
Africa and the US.” Ask him: Which foods are the best
cancer-fighting weapons? What evidence is there that
these foods are effective? Are there foods that should
be avoided because they help cancer grow? Contact Ed
Dodge at (484) 259-9887 (TX); edodge@rtirguests.com
16. ==> How to Start a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ for Dad-less
Boys
As the divorced father of two sons, Pastor Eric
Hawthorne knows the struggles that young boys who grow
up without dads face. “A lot of boys don’t know how to
become men due to that lack of role models. We need
programs through which men can help them to learn
manhood. It will impact society for the long haul and
keep boys out of trouble.” The program the Gentleman’s
Club launched by South Carolina elementary school
teacher Raymond Nelson is one great example. Such
programs help to install boys with confidence, self-
respect and respect for others. Pastor Eric can share
how to mentor young fatherless boys to help them to
become great men. He is the second-generation pastor of
Daystar Deliverance Ministries in Richardson, Texas,
and the author of the upcoming book “Are You Ready for
Marriage?” Contact Eric at EHawthorne@rtirguests.com;
(214) 225-0769.
17. ==> How to Parent without Punishment
Parenting is one of the most important jobs anyone will
ever have. But is it possible to raise a child to be a
productive, independent adult without ever having to
spank or take away that child’s privileges? Absolutely,
says media veteran and child-rearing expert Emily
Slingluff, who wrote the book on the topic, “Parenting
without Punishment.” Emily will explain why there is
never a reason to punish children. Good parent-child
communication works so much better. Moreover, punishing
children teaches them mean and uncomfortable behavior.
It is even possible that it will lead to insecurity,
confusion, depression, and unhappiness with life. She
studied psychology and has a degree in government and
economics from Sweet Briar College and was an assistant
editor at The Virginia-Pilot. Contact her at (757)
800-0246; eslingluff@rtirguests.com
18. ==> Develop Your Inner Bull***t Detector!
Fake news. False social media propaganda. Government
officials and leaders who lie, lie, lie. No wonder
modern people feel so anxious, angry and disconnected
from reality. Author Kim Chestney has the simple yet
powerful solution: Intuition! “Intuition is the most
important, yet least understood faculty of human
consciousness.” Kim says. “Getting your ego out of the
way and developing your inner voice is a great bull***t
detector. It can also facilitate well-being and growth
in all aspects of your life.” Virtually every
successful person including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos,
Oprah Winfrey and more also possesses this trait. Kim
is an international best-selling author and intuition
expert who founded the popular CREATE! Festival in
Pittsburgh, Pa. and the global online Intuition school,
IntuitionLab. Contact Kim at KChestney@rtirguests.com;
412-214-9502
19. ==> How the World Gets Better When You Love
Yourself
Whether it’s the man in the White House or customers in
line at the grocery story, treating people with respect
and kindness appears to have gone the way of the rotary
phone, eight-track tapes and cursive handwriting.
What’s fueling this rise in rude, boorish behavior?
Joffre McClung believes it’s something very basic but
profound. “Self-love, or the lack of self- love,
determines not only how we see ourselves but how we
experience the world around us. It’s the prism through
which we see and define all things,” explains Joffre.
Listeners will hear how a lack of self-love manifests
and impacts our lives and learn simple ways to
encourage self-appreciation and gratitude. Joffre
McClung has appeared on dozens of radio and TV
programs. She’s a former media producer, independent
filmmaker, and the author of “The Heart of the Matter.”
Contact Joffre McClung at (917) 994-0225 (TX);
JMcClung@rtirguests.com
20. ==> Hey Boys, We Buzz. Get Over it
Katherine Webster believes whether you have a regular
partner or not, there are benefits to having a ‘secret’
sex life that’s yours alone… wink, wink. Buzz, buzz.
But why does it make guys so jittery? “Maybe buzzing is
the last feminist tool in the arsenal. Something at
once bewilders and threatens the average Joe,” says
Katherine. “But sometimes a woman needs to take matters
into her own hands, in and out of bed.” Hear what men
get wrong about women and sex toys, the benefits of
buzzing, and why women need to get out of their comfort
zones. Katherine is a designer and the author “Becoming
Madam Widow,” about creating a new life after the
sudden death of her husband and business partner.
Contact Katherine Webster at KWebster@rtirguests.com;
(416) 921-2084.