01. Palace Bombshell or Royal Insult?
02. Got Your Vaccine? What You Can Do Now
03. Is it Finally Time to Fix the Filibuster?
04. The Phantom Stock Tax Worth Millions
05. Hollywood Legend on Alex Trebek, Betty White and More
06. Is Tiger Woods a Victim of Poor Pain Treatment?
07. Are Freedom Pods the Answer to the Radical Left?
08. Go Ahead, Get Involved: How to Change a Law
09. Need a New Job? Career-Switching Advice
10. How Social Media Can Raise the World Out of Poverty
11. Advantages Doubters Have that Self-Confident People Miss
12. COVID and the Rise in Angry Kids
13. Expert Reveals 6 Types of Men
14. How Can You Live an Ecstatic Life?
15. Don’t Forget Pets in Your Estate Plan!
1.==> Palace Bombshell or Royal Insult?
Many observers say Oprah Winfrey’s bombshell-heavy interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was like “a hand grenade” thrown at the British monarchy. In the interview the Duke and Duchess of Sussex opened up about their decision to leave their royal duties and the U.K. behind. The duchess, in particular, discussed her treatment by the British press and her desire to get mental healthcare, as well as the treatment of the couple’s son. Reaction to the interview has been intense and divided, with some taking sides with the couple, and others, like Nile Gardiner, viewing the interview as “a petty exercise in mean-spiritedness and spite, without an ounce of grace or humility from the former actress.” Gardiner calls the interview vindictive and disrespectful toward the royal family, and the queen, in particular. “Meghan does not appear to understand at all that being part of the royal family involves a life of duty and service to the British nation.” Sidestepping the issue of Harry’s participation, Gardiner says Meghan was once very popular in Britain but now seems dedicated only to herself, her career and her own ambitions. Nile Gardiner is Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation and a former aide to Margaret Thatcher. Contact him through the Heritage Foundation at (202) 675-1761; HeritagePress@heritage.org or follow him on Twitter @NileGardiner
2. ==> Got Your Vaccine? What You Can Do Now
Fully vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing, according to long-awaited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The recommendations also say that vaccinated people can come together in the same way with people considered at low risk for severe disease, such as in the case of vaccinated grandparents visiting healthy children and grandchildren. Invite pharmaceutical technologies expert Dean Fanelli to discuss the latest vaccine news and information. 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
3. ==> Is it Finally Time to Fix the Filibuster?
Things have changed in the U.S. Senate after the last election. Or have they? Invite former deputy chief of staff to Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Adam Jentleson to discuss how the Senate is operating under President Biden and Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer including whether we’ll see the end of the controversial filibuster. Jentleson traces the history of today’s partisan gridlock back to the early 20th century when southern senators fought to protect Jim Crow laws and instituted the filibuster. He’ll explain how the filibuster and entrenched party loyalties became a “kill switch” that cuts off broad-based solutions and shuts down our democratic process and ways to “fix” filibuster rules to allow real debate. Jentleson is the public affairs director at Democracy Forward, a columnist for GQ and a frequent political commentator on MSNBC. His new book is “Kill Switch The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com
4. ==> The Phantom Stock Tax Worth Millions
While most New Yorkers have never heard about it, once they do, they are overwhelmingly in favor of collecting a century-old phantom tax that could generate millions of dollars in new revenue. The tax on stock sales is still on the books as state law but isn’t being collected. It translates into a 5-cent tax per share every time a stock is sold, or about 8-dollars per average transaction. James Henry, Global Justice Fellow at Yale University, says lawmakers are now looking at reviving the tax, which could add $10-20 billion a year to state coffers. “Wall Street is really digging in especially because Gov. Andrew Cuomo is imperiled. They have systematically understated the Wall Street revenues that this tax would produce. … If the feds adopt a national financial transaction tax before New York State does then all the money would flow into the federal treasury. So there’s really no good argument for not doing this except that Wall Street is very nervous about this escalating into the first successful progressive tax reform in 50 years.” New York state lawmakers are taking up the issue this week. James Henry is managing director at the Sag Harbor Group. Contact him at jsh11963@gmail.com; @submergingmkt
5.==> Hollywood Legend on Alex Trebek, Betty White and More
Ruta Lee is Hollywood, both classic and contemporary. She’s worked with Frank Sinatra, Clint Eastwood and Robin Williams and has counted Lucille Ball, Betty White and Sally Field among her close friends. She also hosted the game show “High Rollers” with Alex Trebek in the 1970s and the two became good friends with him writing the forward to her memoir shortly before his death last year. Invite Ruta to share stories from her long career on stage and screen or ask her about being a young starlet who made international headlines when she convinced Nikita Khrushchev to release her 90-year-old grandmother from the Soviet Union. There’s plenty to talk about including Ruta’s work with The Thalians. The charity, which she co-founded with actress Debbie Reynolds in 1955, continues to work for mental health causes. Ruta’s memoir “Consider Your A** Kissed” will be released this spring. Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com
6. ==> Is Tiger Woods a Victim of Poor Pain Treatment?
Professional golfer Tiger Woods’ history of injuries, surgeries, auto accidents and addiction treatment show a troubling pattern that may indicate that he has been harmed by his pain treatment, according to chronic pain expert Cindy Perlin. Perlin believes that many red flags were missed by Woods’ treatment providers and that he should have been directed to alternative forms of care. Perlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, chronic pain survivor, creator and CEO of the Alternative Pain Treatment Directory and the author of “The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free.” She is a seasoned radio guest who has appeared on dozens of radio shows. Contact her at (518) 439-6431; cindyperlin@gmail.com.
7. ==> Are Freedom Pods the Answer to the Radical Left?
Having lost the presidency, the House of Representatives and the Senate, what can Republicans and other concerned people do to restore the liberties lost in the process? Tom DeWeese, president of the American Policy Center, a grassroots action and education foundation dedicated to the promotion of free enterprise and limited government regulations, says they need to stop depending on one person — one icon — to lead them forward and take responsibility into their own hands by forming Freedom Pods in their communities. DeWeese will explain what a Freedom Pod is and why Republicans find themselves in this position. “For several decades the radical left has been dedicated in its efforts to organize at every level of government while advocates of limited government failed to do the required ‘dirty work’ of local organization and activism to protect our freedoms. We gave the left a pretty clear playing field to organize and seize control, and now we are suffering under the result.” DeWeese is the author of several books including “Sustainable, the WAR on Free Enterprise, Private Property, and Individuals.” A speaker and property rights advocate, he’s been featured by Fox News, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, and other media nationwide. Contact him at (540) 341-891; APCDeWeese@aol.com
8. ==> Go Ahead, Get Involved: How to Change a Law
Ever wonder why so many people say they want their voice to be heard, but politicians never listen? John Thibault can explain why and show you how to get past this frustrating hurdle. The founder of iLobby.co realized that ordinary people have championed legislation in their own communities following a tried-and-true formula that most people don’t know about. From an 86-year-old man to a 12-year-old girl, John will show you the principles that each used to get their voice heard and move an issue forward. Ask him: What are the six keys to policy success? Why do personal stories matter? Why doesn’t an argument have to raise your blood pressure? John worked in government affairs at MCA/Universal His new book is “How to Change a Law.” Contact John Thibault at (650) 490-0987; johnthib@gmail.com
9. ==> Need a New Job? Career-Switching Advice
Many people are thinking about switching careers right now. Maybe they were hit with furloughs or layoffs, company closings, job burnout, or just plain dissatisfaction. Others may have moved or finally finished schooling. As your guest, Geraldine Hogan can offer them hope and guidance. She has helped countless educators, business professionals and entrepreneurs explore new challenges and can offer tips for anyone who wants to apply their skills in a new direction. Hogan is the author of “Career Moves for Teachers and Other Professionals: Strategies for a Successful Job Change.” Ask her: What are the three simple, life-changing questions to ask yourself before making any career move? Should salary be your primary motivation? How do you overcome obstacles, hesitation and fear of the unknown? Contact Geraldine Hogan at (305) 902-3869; ghogan@rtirguests.com
10. ==> How Social Media Can Raise the World Out of Poverty
Nearly 36% of the world’s population, some 1.89 billion people, live in poverty, experiencing difficult, shortened lives characterized by hunger, malnutrition, and lost potential. But, as author and small business expert Howard Bronson will tell you, we have the means to end poverty right now by giving those in need the free small business-development tools to create an income. Bronson has appeared on “CBS This Morning” and NBC’s “Today” show and done more than 1,000 radio interviews. He’s the author of several books including “Free Enterprise: Real Systems for Creating Peace Through Global Commerce.” Ask him: What are some examples of small businesses that have taken people out of poverty? How can social media help? What is the relationship between free trade and world peace? Contact Howard Bronson at (802) 373-2921; howard_bronson@yahoo.com
11. ==> Advantages Doubters Have that Self-Confident People Miss
In our culture, self-confidence is lauded as a virtue. So what happens when doubt creeps in? Does that mean you’re broken? Or could you have an advantage others lack? Invite leadership expert Marc A. Pitman to reveal why doubt can be a surprising gift that forces leaders to look inward to gain special insight. You’ll learn how words in your head can sabotage your efforts and why people who experience doubt are some of the strongest leaders. Pittman’s new book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a framework for leaders to move past feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively. Contact him at (317) 751-1610 (SC); mpitman@rtirguests.com
12. ==> COVID and the Rise in Angry Kids
This past year has been a tough one for everyone, but for special needs kids, COVID-19 has ramped up their challenging behaviors and things have gotten exponentially worse. Rebecah Freeling says, “More kids are anxious, depressed – and also very angry. Often the anger is extreme, including self-harm and physical violence. And parents are overwhelmed, not just by COVID, but by the increase in really challenging behavior.” Freeling, a family coach specializing in kids with highly challenging behaviors, says a lot of mainstream approaches don’t work depending on a child’s temperament or cognitive development. She’ll offer practical tips to help kids manage emotions and tools to help parents maintain a positive connection with their kids and coparents. “In the end,” she says, “if it’s a choice between missing out on math or reading and your family’s emotional well-being, make the family a priority. It’s a lot easier to catch up on reading than it is to fix a broken family.” Rebecah Freeling is the owner of Wits End Parenting. She also consults with schools and speaks on parenting issues. 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
13. ==> Expert Reveals 6 Types of Men
Some women make the same dating mistakes over and over then wonder why they can’t find happiness. Author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran says that once a woman knows the six types of men, she can navigate her way to red hot romance. Invite him to share the secrets that can lead to relationship bliss. Goran has developed a method to reprogram yourself that was studied by the University of California, Irvine, and proven to be 100% effective. His latest program is “How to Attract Your Soulmate.” Ask him: What are the biggest mistakes women make when choosing a partner? What are the red flags women should watch out for? Contact Goran at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How Can You Live an Ecstatic Life?
William Joseph Riegler has led an inspiring life marked by activism, promoting peace and educating children, and spending 44 years teaching English to students in Japan. He can talk about what it means to live an ecstatic life or how to recover one that has been lost, the subject of his book. He can also talk about organizing charity concerts and bringing relief supplies to Ghana, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Nepal, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda. He is the CMO of NPOWALK4PEACE in Japan and has traveled to 67 countries to promote peace. William’s project in Zimbabwe was entirely funded by sales from his book “Living My Ecstatic Life.” He also filmed mountain gorillas and has walked with lions! Contact William Joseph Riegler at +81 (090) 4711-4321; walk4peace@mac.com
15. ==> Don’t Forget Pets in Your Estate Plan!
Pets are members of the family, so it is important to consider how to provide for them in your estate plan just as you would the human family members. While we may think of pets as part of our family, the law considers them to be property. That means you can’t leave anything in your will directly to your favorite cat or dog, but attorney Louis Pierro says there are some things you can do to make sure your pet is protected. Pierro will discuss everything from designating a pet caretaker to creating a financial trust and share life-saving tips to make sure your pet doesn’t go unnoticed or become forgotten in the event of an emergency. Louis Pierro is the founder and principal of Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC which specializes in estate planning and elder and special needs law. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); mark@goldmanmccormick.com