April 30, 2020
01. Look Up, America! Military Flyovers Raise Spirits
02. Pandemic Profiteering: Billionaires Getting Rich Off Virus
03. How to Adapt to Radically-Transformed Business Environment
04. All-Star Virtual Collaboration: That’s What Friends are For
05. Here’s a Fun Show for ‘Tiger King’ Fans
06. Why Navy Capt. Brett Crozier Should Not Get His Ship Back
07. How to Make Money in the Middle of a Pandemic
08. Schools are Closing Early: This Guest Says That’s OK
09. Why are Gun Sales Surging?
10. Grieving in Isolation: How Hypnosis Can Help
11. More Time on Devices Means More Eye Strain
12. While You’re Stuck at Home: Learn to Take Better Care of Yourself
13. How to Create Structure and Purpose in a Pandemic
14. This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID Complications
15. The Lincoln Conspiracy You’ve Never Heard About
1.==> Look Up, America! Military Flyovers Raise Spirits
A formation of U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds honored first responders on the frontlines
of the coronavirus pandemic by flying over multiple
U.S. cities Tuesday. The mission was one of many multi-
city flyovers both demonstration teams will conduct in
the next two weeks in areas of the country hit hardest
by the coronavirus. The military is calling the
collaborative salute “America Strong.” John Foley, a
former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, says, “This
is an important mission because awe is a powerful human
experience that unlocks a transformative state of mind.
I remember the feeling of hope, inspiration and
excitement that a flyover can bring to the crowds
below. Amid the current crisis, the team is standing
down from their normal show schedule, but they have
found a way to share their ‘purpose larger than self’
with a country in need.” John is a Sloan Fellow at
Stanford School of Business, a leadership keynote
speaker, gratitude guru and an expert in high-
performance teams. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516)
901-1103; (919) 377-1200; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
2. ==> Pandemic Profiteering: Billionaires Getting Rich
Off Virus
According to a new study, billionaires are getting even
richer from the coronavirus pandemic. The report,
“Billionaire Bonanza 2020: Wealth Windfalls, Tumbling
Taxes, and Pandemic Profiteers,” finds that between
January 1 and April 10, 34 billionaires increased their
wealth by tens of millions of dollars and eight have
seen their net worth surge by over $1 billion. Chuck
Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and
co-author of the report says no one has benefited as
handsomely as Jeff Bezos of Amazon, who has seen his
wealth skyrocket by $25 billion since January 1 as
homebound customers lean heavily on online shopping,
grocery delivery and streaming. “This wealth surge for
one individual — greater than the entire GDP of
Honduras — is unprecedented in the history of modern
markets,” says Collins. The report concludes that
without ambitious public policies aimed at reversing
inequality, the pandemic recovery will supercharge our
existing inequalities of income, wealth and
opportunity. IPS is a progressive think tank dedicated
to building a more equitable, ecologically sustainable,
and peaceful society. Contact Chuck Collins at
chuck@ips-dc.org or Bob Keener at bobk@ips-dc.org
3. ==> How to Adapt to Radically-Transformed Business
Environment
The entrepreneur behind the globe-spanning translation
company TransPerfect, Liz Elting, says the business
environment you remember back in January is dead.
Invite her on your show to discuss how business is
changing and how to adapt, both during and after the
pandemic. Elting is planning for a radically-
transformed business environment that will include:
shorter supply lines and increased domestic
manufacturing, the end of the “just-in-time” economy,
and the return of the labor movement as critical parts
of the economy return to work – with employees who
understand just how critical they are. Elting,
currently CEO of the Elizabeth Elting Foundation, has
also launched the Halo campaign, a multimillion-dollar
charitable initiative created to support comprehensive
pandemic relief efforts including funding for research,
frontline health-care workers, public health resources,
and direct support to the country’s most vulnerable and
underserved communities. Contact Magdalene Visaggio at
magdalene@erichopr.com
4. ==> All-Star Virtual Collaboration: That’s What
Friends are For
Host and pop culture commentator Jawn Murray has
assembled an all-star list of R&B, gospel and jazz
singers for an inspiring virtual collaboration remaking
the classic Dionne Warwick & Friends’ song, “That’s
What Friends Are For.” Murray says, “I had a vision to
create a movement that would inspire people during this
time, remind them of the importance of friendship and
connection, and just be a blessing as we live through a
moment in history where people are yearning for hope.”
Twenty-four singers are featured on the collaboration
including Yolanda Adams, Ruben Studdard, Michelle
Williams, Coko of SWV, Syleena Johnson, Major, Shirley
Murdock, CeCe Peniston, Angie Stone and Jeremiah Abiah.
Jawn Murray arranged and produced the video with
producer/musician Phil Walker. The Washington, D.C.-
based Murray is available for interviews to talk about
this endeavor, the importance of finding unique ways to
connect with friends, and ways to hone your creativity
during this time. Jawn Murray has hosted specials for
Travel Channel, NFL Network and EPIX and was an on-air
personality on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner
Morning Show. Contact Simone Smalls at
simone@strategicheights.com
5.==> Here’s a Fun Show for ‘Tiger King’ Fans
With its tales of big cats and murder, “Tiger King” is
one of the most talked-about shows streaming on
Netflix. Suddenly, tigers are hot! But, as award-
winning author Mary K. Savarese will tell you, tigers
have a softer, cooler side: they love bubble baths and
lapping up Obsession perfume like a cocktail. Mary will
explain that tigers are the only big cats that like
water. They are also lazy and known to sleep away the
day but will sit in a tub with bubbles forever. Mary
can also talk about ways your audience can help the
reserves that care for big cats and save their lives.
It was at one such reserve that Mary, a mystery romance
writer, got the idea for her latest book, “Tigers Love
Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume.” That happened when
she witnessed a 600-pound Siberian Tiger jump into a
galvanized tank filled with bubble baths. Contact Mary
at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com
6. ==> Why Navy Capt. Brett Crozier Should Not Get His
Ship Back
The Navy seems poised to decide the fate of Capt. Brett
Crozier, former captain of the U.S.S. Roosevelt, who
was removed from the ship’s command by the former
acting secretary of the navy after a letter he wrote
about his coronavirus threatened ship was leaked to the
press. While your audience is sure to have an opinion
on Crozier’s actions, Steven Mays, a graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear
submarines and is now a business leadership expert, has
the knowledge to make them see all the issues involved.
Invite Mays on your show to discuss ways the rules
differ for military leadership vs. civilian, what
Crozier’s firing has in common with those of Douglas
McArthur and Stanley McChrystal and why whatever
decision the Navy makes regarding Capt. Crozier is sure
to send shock waves throughout the service. Mays is the
author of “The Power of 3, Lessons in Leadership.”
Contact him at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How to Make Money in the Middle of a Pandemic
(and Afterward)
Many of your listeners have lost jobs — or taken
salary and hours cuts — as a result of COVID-19
measures. With so many people unemployed and bills
mounting up, people are anxious to hear about ways they
can make money now and continue to do so once stay-at-
home restrictions are lifted. Patricia Davis, author of
“Going Broke Is No Joke,” wants to help with fresh
ideas. She’ll talk about ways to bring in extra bucks
by doing things like selling their cellphone images,
agreeing to test websites and products, and selling
their opinions to focus groups. Patricia can also
prepare your audience for spotting scammers trying to
temp them with bogus job opportunities and offer tips
on what household goods could be sold for needed cash
without being missed. An experienced guest, she holds
an MBA from Stanford, a master’s degree in personal
financial planning from Golden Gate University and a
certificate from Georgetown University’s Stonier
Graduate School of Banking and Finance. Contact her at
(301) 517-6304; pdavis@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Schools are Closing Early: This Guest Says
That’s OK
Some school districts are giving up on remote learning
and ending the academic year early, after concluding it
was too cumbersome for teachers, students and parents.
The pandemic set the entire world into a tailspin,
including education. Millions of children have been
home-schooled for weeks now and parents and educators
are concerned with how the disruptions will affect
their children’s academic progress. “What we fail to
realize is that children are learning invaluable life
skills right now that will likely be more relevant and
impactful for them than some of the academic lapses
they may be experiencing,” says Peggy D. Sideratos, a
former teacher and author of “The Light Giver and Other
Stories to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children.” From
learning how to budget to recognizing the difference
between wants and needs, Peggy will discuss eight
invaluable life lessons kids are learning while in
quarantine. An elementary school teacher for more than
a dozen years in New York City, Peggy D. Sideratos
studied social-emotional learning and character
development at Rutgers University. Contact her at (917)
715-8788 or peggy@thelightgiverstories.com
9. ==> Why are Gun Sales Surging?
The coronavirus has a lot of people scared,
particularly residents in states where the virus is
gaining the most ground. While some people buying guns
are old-hands worried that supplies might dry up, many
of these buyers are first-timers. Invite Chris Bird to
educate your audience about gun safety and self-
defense. A sought-after expert on gun rights and
personal protection, Chris can answer: Why are gun
sales skyrocketing? Do we really need guns more than
ever? Why are methods of observation as important as
one’s weapon? With 30-plus years of firearm safety
experience, Chris Bird is the author of several books
including “Surviving a Mass Killer Rampage,” “The
Concealed Handgun Manual” and “Thank God I Had a Gun!”
Have your listeners call in during the interview with
their gun questions. Contact Chris Bird at (210)
686-4440; cbird@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Grieving in Isolation: How Hypnosis Can Help
Grief is never an easy process, but when you add the
coronavirus and not being allowed to be with your loved
one as they pass, loss has been brought to an entirely
new level. Traditional funerals, wakes and shivas add
comfort and surround you with support but they’re now
off-limits too, leaving mourners feeling totally alone
and on their own. Mary Beth Battaglia, a hypnosis and
sound practitioner, will share hypnosis techniques that
can help with the grieving process and explain how the
relaxed hypnotic state helps release sadness, loss,
pain and guilt. She’ll also reveal how hypnosis helped
her heal and move forward after her own personal
losses. Mary Beth Battaglia has appeared on Fox News
and offers hypnosis tips on the show Conversations with
Joan. She is the author of “Transformation Through
Hypnosis: Relax, Clear Your Mind And Step Into Your
Power.” Contact her at (201) 477-0265;
marybethpeace@gmail.com
11. ==> More Time on Devices Means More Eye Strain
From cellphones to tablets to TV screens and laptops,
more of us are spending additional hours staring at
screens, risking eye strain, and worse. How can we
protect our vision now to avoid problems later? In the
blink of an eye, get the answer from vision educator
Linda Odubayo Thompson. Just in time for Healthy Vision
Month in May, she can talk about everything from
artificial tears to resting your eyes, to cutting down
on screen time and when to see an eye doctor. She can
also debunk five misguided myths about eyesight. As the
child of visually impaired parents, Linda knows not to
take her vision for granted; she has suffered from
glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at (914)
229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com
12. ==> While You’re Stuck at Home: Learn to Take
Better Care of Yourself
As a nation, we have been sheltering in place for more
than a month, waiting out the coronavirus pandemic. As
individuals, we have been using that time to read,
think, and self-improve when we aren’t curled up on the
couch eating snack foods. With no real end in sight,
physical therapist Laura Di Franco says there’s no
better time to learn ways to take better care of
yourself. DiFranco can discuss more than two dozen
healing modalities listeners can learn to use at home
including essential oils, energy healing, sound
healing, trigger-point release, breathwork, stress
relief, intuition, myofascial release and
consciousness. She says, “One thing I know for sure is
there are as many ways to heal as there are people on
the planet. Each person needs a unique blend or
combination of tools.” Laura Di Franco is one of 25
healing professionals to share advice in the new book,
“The Ultimate Guide to Self-Healing Techniques.”
Contact her at (703) 915-3653; bewarriorlove@gmail.com
13. ==> How to Create Structure and Purpose in a
Pandemic
There is a heaviness that seems to have descended on us
as we wait out the storm of COVID-19. Millions of us
are staying home and finding ourselves without a
schedule or a place to go. We can get up any time we
want (assuming we don’t have pets or little children
clamoring for our attention) and in addition to lack of
income, many of us are feeling lethargic. Bary Fleet, a
retired minister and psychologist, says one of the best
things we can do for ourselves is to create a
structure. “The night before, make a plan for the next
day. Get up at the same time each day; eat at scheduled
times, and perhaps most importantly, set goals for
yourself. Identify a project to tackle. Giving
ourselves structure and purpose on a daily basis is
critical in these uncertain times to avoid depression
and lethargy.” Bary Fleet is the author of “Move into
Your Magnificence: 101 Invitations to a Life of Passion
and Joy.” Contact him at (410) 301-8240;
Bary@DrBaryFleet.com
14. ==> This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID
Complications
You have probably heard that people with certain health
conditions are more likely to fare poorly if they
contract coronavirus. But did you know that among those
diseases is one that many people do not even know they
have? It’s true; more than 7 million people don’t know
they have diabetes out of the 30 million adults who
have the condition. That is why it is more important
than ever to educate the public about diabetes and how
to manage it with the expert guidance of Nadia Al-
Samarrie, a leading patient advocate in the diabetes
community. Nadia is editor-in-chief of Diabetes Health,
a 400,000-circulation magazine used in hospitals,
diabetes classes and doctors’ offices as an educational
resource for patients, and her AskNadia column is
ranked No. 1 by Google as her DiabetesHealth.com
website. Nadia is also the author of “Sugar Happy: Your
Diabetes Health Guide in Achieving Your Best Blood
Sugars” and “Letting Go of Your Diabetes Complication
Fears.” She has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and
other major cable networks. Contact her at (415)
741-3545; nalsamarrie@rtirguests.com
15. ==> The Lincoln Conspiracy You’ve Never Heard About
Invite Brad Meltzer of the History Channel on your show
for a fascinating discussion about a secret society
that plotted to kill Abraham Lincoln right after he was
elected. Meltzer will share the real-life story that
few people know. You’ll learn about the work of a famed
detective and one of the first female private
detectives in America and how strong leadership during
a time when the nation was divided by the Civil War
helped thwart the plot and unite a nation — drawing
parallels to the divisions that exist in the U.S.
today. Meltzer is the host of the History Channel shows
“Brad Meltzer’s Decoded” and “Brad Meltzer’s Lost
History.” Meltzer is the author of a dozen books
including his latest, “The Lincoln Conspiracy.” Contact
John Angelo at john@premieretv.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
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