01. Cheney’s Demise Was Set in Motion By her Father
02. The Latest Weather Threat to the West (It’s Not What You Think)
03. Get Dirty with Organic Gardening and Cannabis Expert
04. “If You See One, Squish it”
05. Back to School: A Guide for Parents of Teens
06. Educator Exodus: How to Fix the Teacher Shortage
07. How Sharp Are Our Aging Politicians?
08. The Abortion Ban Will Impact Foster Care
09. What Comes After ‘The Great Resignation?’
10. Naked Neighbors, Crazy Clients, Pesky Pets: True Stories from a High-End Realtor
11. Why Going Vegan Could be Disastrous for Your Health
12. September is Healthy Aging Month: This Athlete Began Sprinting at Age 61
13. How to Help Burned-Out Health Care Workers
14. Flip the Script: Why Rejection is a Gift
15. How to Boost Your Immun-a-Tea
1.==> Cheney’s Demise Was Set in Motion By her Father
Political journalist Dana Milbank sees a particular irony in Liz Cheney’s current predicament: “She is being undone by the very politics her father championed. Weaponizing patriotism? Abandoning the truth? Vice President Dick Cheney was a pioneer,” he says. In his new book, “The Destructionists: The Twenty-Five-Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party,” he traces the actions of GOP leaders who created the Trump era by removing the guardrails of our political system. He says Dick Cheney was one such leader. “Liz Cheney speaks rightly of the primacy of truth to a free people. But her father abandoned the truth in the most profound way, starting a war on the basis of lies. Liz Cheney denounces the evil of preying on patriotism. But her father was a key figure in a White House that politicized the 9/11 attacks and portrayed the administration’s opponents as traitors.” Dana Milbank is a political columnist for “The Washington Post” whose work is syndicated nationally. He has also been a contributor to CNN and MSNBC. Contact him at @Milbank or Penguin Random House publicity at penguinpublicity@us.penguingroup.com
2. ==> The Latest Weather Threat to the West: It’s Not What You Think
Megadrought may be the main weather concern across the West right now but a new study warns another crisis is looming in California: Megafloods. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the risk of floods that could submerge cities and displace millions of people. According to climate scientists, an extreme monthlong storm could bring feet of rain – in some places, more than 100 inches – to hundreds of miles of California. Similar storms have happened in the past, before the region was home to tens of millions of people, but now each degree of global warming dramatically increases the odds and size of the next megaflood, the study says. Co-author Daniel Swain says when floods hit a warmer planet, “the storm sequence is bigger in almost every respect. There’s more rain overall, more intense rainfall on an hourly basis and stronger wind.” The study also found that increased runoff could lead to devastating landslides. Daniel Swain, Ph.D., is a UCLA climate scientist. Contact him at dlswain@ucla.edu or David Colgan at (818) 203-2858; dcolgan@ioes.ucla.edu
3.==> Get Dirty with Organic Gardening and Cannabis Expert
Get down and dirty with Jeff Lowenfels, author of the longest running gardening column in North America and an expert in organic gardening and growing cannabis. In his latest book, “Teaming with Bacteria,” Lowenfels delves into what constitutes healthy soil focusing on the staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Lowenfels will show how, by working in conjunction with these microorganisms, gardeners of all skill levels can learn to improve their soil and cultivate its complex food web. In easy-to-understand language he’ll explain how this information applies to home gardeners, small-scale farmers, and cannabis growers looking to increase plant health and productivity. Jeff Lowenfels is a retired attorney and author. His books include “Teaming with Microbes,” “Teaming with Nutrients” and “Teaming with Fungi.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
4. ==> “If You See One, Squish it”
While it may sound harsh for bug lovers out there, experts say the spotted lanternfly is devastating to agriculture and they’re advising anyone who comes across one to go ahead and squish it. The invasive species originated in Asia but was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and soon after in other states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Julie Urban, associate research professor of entomology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will share the facts about the lanternfly and dispel myths surrounding this much-misunderstood insect. “The early lack of understanding about the spotted lanternfly, coupled with frustration, has led to the sharing of erroneous information, especially on social media,” she says. Listeners will learn what plants are most at risk for damage from the insect, where to look for the pesky bugs, what to do if you find a nest, and how you may unknowingly be contributing to the insect’s spread. Contact Julie Urban at (814) 863-4444; jmu2@psu.edu
5. ==> Back to School: A Guide for Parents of Teens
A lot of jokes are made about the difficulties of raising a teenager, but beneath the jokes, parents are hurting and feeling helpless, while their teens are navigating extraordinary cultural challenges unlike anything faced by previous generations. Teens today are feeling more isolated, anxious and depressed says longtime pediatric nurse practitioner Jessica Peck, and parents don’t know how to communicate with them and help. Invite her to share ways parents can assess their teen’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health and share practical advice and tools to empower them to connect their teen to support and services. In the privacy of her exam room, Dr. Peck has treated teens with mental illnesses, responded to suicide attempts, treated self-harm wounds as well as the emotional trauma of cyberbullying, sexting, pornography addictions and numerous other issues. Jessica Peck has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DPN) and is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), a clinical professor at Baylor University School of Nursing, and a former president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is the author of “Behind Closed Doors.” Contact Jason Jones at (512) 720-2996
6. ==> Educator Exodus: How to Fix the Teacher Shortage
A nationwide teaching shortage is forcing some districts to take drastic measures like moving to four-day school weeks and offering hefty sign-on bonuses to new hires. The stakes are incredibly high, says Laura Boyce, executive director of Teach Plus Pennsylvania, an education nonprofit working with the state of PA on recruitment strategies. “These shortages cause a vicious cycle that makes conditions for the educators who are there untenable,” she says. She’ll explain how the issue has been looming for years (even before the pandemic) and discuss the real reason teachers have been leaving the profession in record numbers. She can also talk about ways to solve the problem, including Pennsylvania’s ramped up effort to recruit new and diverse teachers. Teach Plus Pennsylvania is an education non-profit that empowers excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. Contact Laura Boyce at lboyce@teachplus.org
7. ==> How Sharp Are Our Aging Politicians?
Look around Capitol Hill and you’ll see a sea of white-haired politicians. Look closer and you’ll notice those with the most power have reached octogenarian status or are within striking distance. Nancy Pelosi is 81. Bernie Sanders is 80 and Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell will both hit the milestone this year. Behavioral specialist Lisa Skinner says with this aging herd of politicians making key decisions for America, it’s important to ask about the cognitive health and fitness of our country’s current leaders. We do ask candidates for the presidency to disclose their medical histories; however, we currently have no mechanism to evaluate their past and present mental health. In her book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces,” Skinner provides a roadmap to distinguish normal aging from something more troubling by identifying the common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Lisa Skinner has more than a quarter-century of experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She’s appeared on CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and ABC News, and in USA Today, Health & Fitness, and many other publications. Contact Dianemarie (DM) Collins at (775) 825-1727; DM@DMProductionsLLC.com or @DMCollins
8. ==> The Abortion Ban Will Impact Foster Care
With the recent, controversial Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the main focus has been on how this will impact women. According to Richard Villasana, founder of the nonprofit Forever Homes for Foster Kids, this will also have a profound impact on the already broken foster care system. “Hundreds of children die in foster care annually,” he says. “Tens of thousands of children are physically and sexually abused while in foster care. Foster care is not a safety net for more children. That net is in shreds and in crisis without adding children from forced pregnancies.” Richard is the author of the upcoming book “Do No Harm.” He is a former university professor who is a leading international authority on immigration and foster families. He has been featured on CNN International, ABC and many more. Contact him at (619) 648-4729; rvillasana@rtirguests.com
9. ==> What Comes After ‘The Great Resignation?’
When unhappy workers started quitting their jobs in unprecedented numbers the phenomenon was dubbed “The Great Resignation,” but Oreste D’Aversa says yet another shift is occurring as aging baby boomers leave the workforce. “I view this ‘perfect storm’ as creating not so much a revolution, but more of an evolution of the way business needs to hire, retain, and motivate employees so everyone can be content, productive, and prosperous.” Invite the author of “Life Beyond the Pandemic: A Practical New Journey Handbook” on your show and learn how to navigate this evolving world of work. He’ll share his revolutionary step-by-step blueprint to reinvent your life and thrive, explain what people get wrong about happiness and money, and help listeners get unstuck, define their life’s purpose, and be more prosperous in every aspect of life. Oreste D’Aversa is a life and business coach, corporate trainer and all-faith minister. Contact him at (201) 949-3002; odaversa@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Naked Neighbors, Crazy Clients, Pesky Pets: True Stories from a High-End Realtor
Selling real estate to the rich and famous can sometimes be crazy, often hilarious but never boring. Let top Realtor Valerie Fitzgerald, cohost of the new podcast “Real Estate, Real Laughs,” take your audience behind the scenes to hear some of the greatest stories never told before. While she can’t mention names, Valerie can dish on the unusual and sometimes embarrassing situations she and her peers have encountered (for example, showing a house while a naked couple were visible directly outside the window) and a whole lot more. Maybe you’ll hear about the role cats play in whether someone likes a house or not, celebrities who show up for appointments in disguise, or the fantastic perks the wealthiest potential buyers may be awarded to keep them happy. The former star of HGTV’s “Selling L.A,” former Ford model and TEDx speaker, Valerie Fitzgerald is one of Coldwell Banker’s Top 10 Agents, with $3 billion in sales. She has 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her new weekly podcast proves there is a side to real estate most people don’t know about: the fun side. Contact Valerie Fitzgerald at (310) 861-3238; vfitzgerald@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Why Going Vegan Could be Disastrous for Your Health
Plant-based eating is all-the-rage and touted as the “healthiest” but what if your genes have issues converting nutrients from plants? You could wind up with severe and catastrophic nutrient deficiencies. Take if from licensed dietitian Kristina Hess, who didn’t know her genetic profile when she went vegan 15 years ago and wound up with fractured bones and reduced bone density. Keto is all the rage too, but some people don’t feel good with this type of plan for a reason. Kristina can talk about the little-known field of nutrigenomics that can provide you with the right strategy and eating plan for your genetic blueprint, and help you optimize your health and longevity. Kristina Hess is a premier health coach and licensed dietitian-nutritionist with a functional and integrative approach. She is the co-founder of the first-of-its kind Keto Symposium to be held in the New York tri-state area on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24, at the New York Library Performing Arts at Lincoln Center — Bruno Walter Auditorium. Contact her at (203) 984-7989; kristinaihess@gmail.com
12. ==> September is Healthy Aging Month: This Athlete Began Sprinting at Age 61
Exercising is one of those things that we all know we should be doing, and yet we can find endless reasons not to. The issue can be even harder to tackle for those over 40 because many people believe that the older you get, the more pointless it is to try getting into shape. National champion senior athlete John Hurd is here to tell your audience that it’s never too late and motivate them to reclaim their physical health at any age. John began training on his own to run competitively at the age of 61, and holds a total of 162 gold medals, is a 15-year undefeated Florida State Sprint Champion in three separate events, and a two-time National Senior Olympic Sprint Champion. The author of “Johnny Run Lately” and “A Sprint to the Gold,” John shares his success story with your audience as well as a simple-to-use spreadsheet that works better than fitness apps to help anyone achieve their exercise goals, and much more. Interview this inspiring guest who puts young couch potatoes to shame. Contact John Hurd at (850) 367-8411 or jhurd@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Help Burned-Out Health Care Workers
Hospitals across the U.S. are facing workforce shortages, some so severe that they have had to scale back on the services they offer. This is not surprising given that 22 million U.S. healthcare professionals and another 38 million around the world had nearly every aspect of their lives negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, as Katherine Kelly, Ph.D., M.S.P.H, says, making them whole again will require more than offering higher wages and signing bonuses. Dr. Kelly says, “Like individuals, healthcare organizations are struggling because they’ve lost touch with who they are. Until that is repaired the problems will persist.” She’ll explain what healthcare leaders need to know about leading in post-COVID times, five vital steps to revitalizing the “soul” of healthcare organizations, and six ways to make healthcare workers whole again. Dr. Katherine T. Kelly, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., is a clinical health psychologist, former director of behavioral science in family medicine and medical school professor, best-selling author, speaker and consultant. Her latest book is “The Healer’s Path to Post-COVID Recovery: A Restorative Journey for Healthcare Workers.” Contact her at (336) 659-3923; (336) 406-8431 (cell) or kkelly@drkatherinetkelly.com
14. ==> Flip the Script: Why Rejection is a Gift
Dr. Carl Barnes began to experience rejection before he was even born! His single, unwed teenage mother almost aborted him. Then he went on to experience years of academic, professional and personal rejection, including a painful divorce. “I applied to several positions in the Navy, but repeatedly got rejected,” he says. “I had a difficult time continuing my education, because I wasn’t a good test taker.” He eventually overcame the odds and went on to a 35-year career in the military, ultimately becoming a Navy chaplain; and earned five degrees, including a Doctor of Ministry in leadership. He can share the one trait that led to his success: resilience. Carl is the author of “Resilient Sailing: 10 Lessons to Persevere in Life’s Stormy Seas,” and conducts life coaching workshops and online courses. Contact him at (407) 809-8047; cbarnes@rtirguests.com
15. ==> How to Boost Your Immun-a-Tea
Are you looking for ways to boost your immunity, stay healthy and ward off disease? Invite Tilak Silva to share new ways we can be wiser in what we eat and drink. He’ll discuss the best natural ways to create strength, energy, healthier skin and ultimately longer life. You’ll learn about unexpected health foods and how to take advantage of their benefits, as well as which commonly imbibed beverages can decrease your immunity. Tilak Silva is an expert in nutrition and health research and the inventor of CilanTea, based on a 3,000-year-old recipe from Sri Lanka. Contact Tilak Silva at (310) 421-4680, tsilva@rtirguests.com