01. Retired General: Ukraine War, 6 Months Later
02. Wiping Out Student Debt Is Welfare for the Wealthy
03. Biden’s Debt Forgiveness Isn’t Enough
04. Dirty Talk: Organic Gardening Expert
05. Food is the Most Important School Supply
06. Just In Time for Back to School: How to Raise a Reader
07. How to Steer Your Kids to STEM (and a Good Career)
08. Former Mayor – How to Spot Local Government Corruption
09. Interview a Top 1% Business Coach
10. What No One Ever Tells You about Being an Entrepreneur
11. Can You Rewire Your Own Brain? How to Break Negative Patterns
12. Are Childless Couples Selfish?
13. COVID’s Toll on Alzheimer’s Patients
14. What’s Behind Love at First Sight?
15. Invasion of the Lanternflies
1.==> Retired General: Ukraine War, 6 Months Later
Timed to coincide with Ukraine’s independence day, the U.S. has announced nearly $3 billion in new military aid, with President Joe Biden saying the assistance aims to help the country defend against Russia’s invasion “over the long term.” Invite retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Peter Zwack, who served as a U.S. defense attaché to Russia, to discuss the situation in Ukraine six months into the war and how the battlefield has dramatically shifted. Zwack served as a senior defense official and attaché to the Russian Federation from 2012-2014 and can share insights from his time in the region. He is a global fellow at The Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and has recently appeared on CNN, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” The BBC, MSNBC, and in “The Washington Post” and “The Economist.” He can go further in-depth for long-form interviews. Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 409-5687; bg.pbz.r@gmail.com
2. ==> Wiping Out Student Debt Is Welfare for the Wealthy
Victor Joecks says President Joe Biden’s newly announced student loan forgiveness is just the latest example of how Democrats are now the party of the rich. “There are many problems with welfare, but at least the theory is defensible. No one wants people to starve. That’s not what’s at stake with loan forgiveness. It’s welfare for the wealthy. The people who would reap the vast majority of its benefits earn good salaries or will in the future,” he writes. “If you take out a loan, you’re responsible to pay it back. One would hope someone with a college education could figure that out.” Victor Joecks is an opinion columnist for the “Las Vegas Review-Journal.” Previously, he served as the executive vice president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, a limited government think tank. Contact him at (702) 383-4698; vjoecks@reviewjournal.com or @victorjoecks
3. ==> Biden’s Debt Forgiveness Isn’t Enough
NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson says Biden’s loan forgiveness plan will do little to help those who are hurting the most. “Black Americans have been disproportionately devastated by student loan debt. Four years after graduating, they hold an average of almost $53,000 in debt, almost double the $28,000 average White Americans hold,” says Johnson. He says Biden’s debt cancellation “is like pouring a bucket of ice water on a forest fire. It hardly achieves anything — only making a mere dent in the problem.” The NAACP had been calling for a minimum of $50,000 in student loan debt cancellation citing research that indicates that is what is necessary to make a meaningful difference. Derrick Johnson has served as NAACP president and CEO since October 2017. He is a veteran activist and is frequently featured on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC and many other media outlets. Contact Jonah Bryson at (443) 202-5188; jbryson@naacpnet.org; or NAACP media relations at (443) 608-2674; communications@naacpnet.org
4.==> Dirty Talk: Organic Gardening Expert
Get ready for some dirty talk with Jeff Lowenfels, author of the longest-running gardening column in North America and an expert on 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
5. ==> Food Is the Most Important School Supply
As kids across the country head back to the classroom, 1 in 6 are arriving hungry. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry national campaign aims to raise awareness that a healthy meal can be the missing link to help a child succeed in and out of the classroom. Founder Billy Shore can share startling statistics about childhood hunger and the importance of school meal programs to help struggling families. He’ll discuss the ways communities across the country are dealing with the issue of childhood hunger like in Massachusetts, where Governor Charlie Baker signed a budget that includes free meals for all students this school year. You’ll also hear how listeners can help ensure kids have access to the healthy food they need when they dine and shop with brands that support the No Kid Hungry campaign. Contact Adrienne Carter at acarter@strength.org
6. ==> Just In Time for Back to School: How to Raise a Reader (One Book at a Time)
Despite their hectic schedules and the distractions of social media and modern technology, parents can dramatically improve their children’s lives by setting aside time to read with them. “A relaxing reading ritual not only fuels your child’s reading journey, but it also builds a bond and creates memories that last,” says author and long-time educator Lori Lynn Ahrends. “The right books will not only be fun but will build your child’s self-confidence.” Lori Lynn is an award-winning educator and international speaker with a master’s in education; a singer/songwriter; creator of the Overall Buddies early childhood learning website and author of the children’s book “I’m a Pig.” Contact her at (402) 235-4292; lahrends@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How to Steer Your Kids to STEM (and a Good Career)
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills are very much in demand. With the start of the new school year upon us, educator and college professor Chris A. Goldberg advises that parents encourage their kids by engaging in STEM-related activities at home, to prepare them for bright futures. “Students can gain confidence in making a positive impact by learning to design and build drones and mini rockets, build using recyclable materials, code on educational websites and work in teams to solve problems that affect our environment,” he says. “Encouraging young children to get involved in making a difference at an early age is crucial to building their awareness and self-esteem in the surrounding community.” Chris can share fun, educational activities the whole family can share. He is the author of the soon-to-be-published book “Aliyah and The STEMsational Problem-Solvers: What’s Cooking?” Contact him at (973) 576-5841; cgoldberg@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Former Mayor – How to Spot Local Government Corruption
As a former mayor, council member, planning commissioner, and an advocate for good government with a propensity for “telling it like it is,” Debbie Peterson spent years serving communities, seeing people’s needs go unmet because of gross misappropriation of funds. With her new book, “The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies and Suicide in a California Beach Town,” Peterson combines insider political analysis, breaking-news thrills, and a historical account into a true-crime story that follows determined citizens who worked out how local government corruption happens, how to spot it, and how to fix it. Peterson has been interviewed by everyone from the “Los Angeles Times” to the BBC and Scripps Networks. She is the former mayor of Grover Beach, California, and the host of the new weekly podcast The Corruption Chronicles. Contact Debbie Peterson at (805) 550-4490; info@DebbiePeterson.com
9. ==> Interview a Top 1% Business Coach
Here’s why Steven Feinberg, Ph.D., stands out from all the business coaches you could interview: he’s considered one of the top 1% of executive coaches in the country who has advised Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Visa, Oracle, FedEx and more. He’s a neuro strategist who can talk about why the logical solution too often fails, how to develop a wisdom detector that lets you see things others fail to notice, and much more. Ask him: What is sagacity? How can you identify patterns others miss? How do you defy expectations? What is the No. 1 foe of leaders? What was it like growing up as the son of a big-time bookie? Dr. Feinberg taught for nearly 30 years at the University of San Francisco School of Management and leadership and has guest lectured at Stanford, Cal Poly, and at UC Berkeley Extension. His latest book is “Do What Others Say Can’t Be Done … Play The Meta-Game,” and features interviews he conducted with 50 world-class leaders and entrepreneurs. Contact Dr. Steven Feinberg at (650) 374-4540; sfeinberg@ rtirguests.com
10. ==> What No One Ever Tells You about Being an Entrepreneur
Being an entrepreneur is hard work. It takes dedication, perseverance and a commitment to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Unfortunately, for many that can mean working late into the night, grabbing unhealthy food on the go and not making time for exercise, relationships and fun. Invite Dr. Alvin Perry to share how he used the same resourcefulness and resiliency that made him successful in business to help him transform his health when he suddenly discovered he’d gained 70 pounds over ten years. You’ll hear how he created a system using three simple principles that changed the course of his life and pushed him onto the path of personal wellness. A successful entrepreneur, small-business expert and author, Alvin Perry, DBA, is also ISSA certified in personal training and nutrition. His latest book, “Just Fat!” chronicles his 80-pound weight loss journey. Contact him at (678) 788-7529; aperry@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Can You Rewire Your Own Brain? How to Break Negative Patterns
The feeling of being stuck in a rut or trapped by life’s circumstances is all too common, especially in the wake of a global pandemic that has left us with fewer choices than ever. Laura Brennan Ballet is here to help us break free of the negative patterns that keep us stuck in unhappy jobs, relationships, or situations – simply by changing the way we think. An experienced life coach and the author of “The Science of Empowerment,” Laura can teach your audience how to not just think differently, but to actually recalibrate your brain and move forward with intent, free of the negativity that’s been holding you back. Ask her: Is it really possible to live without regrets? Why does she say that we all become algorithms of the people around us? How can we “think better?” Contact Laura Ballet at (860) 831-4435 or lballet@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Are Childless Couples Selfish?
Does our society discriminate against the childless? Do we assume that everyone should have children and that those who don’t are selfish? Is it OK to ask strangers if they have children? Can most people truly understand the pain of being childless due to infertility? And finally, since children are so valued by U.S. society, should health-care plans cover IVF costs? Spark an enlightening discussion that may change minds when you interview Frances Jones, the author of “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility: Barren But Not Ashamed.” Her book tells the story of her over 20-year journey of never conceiving children and offers tips for couples traveling a similar journey. She’s a global women empowerment speaker, an advocate, and a transformational coach who has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox affiliates, in the “Los Angeles Tribune” and other media. Contact her at (901) 910-0915; fjones@rtirguests.com
13. ==> COVID’s Toll on Alzheimer’s Patients
Isolation was a huge issue for many during the COVID pandemic, but for those in memory care facilities suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s, the isolation triggered faster declines in cognitive health due to loneliness and not being connected. Lisa Skinner, a behavioral specialist, says she’s now seeing a shift in caring for Alzheimer’s patients, with more adult children caring for ailing parents in their homes. Lisa Skinner and Douglas Collins are the authors of “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces.” Singer/songwriter Phil Vassar shares his personal story in a chapter called “Bringing Mom Home” which details how his family was proactive during the course of Alzheimer’s disease and had a plan in place for each stage of it. Lisa Skinner has appeared on “CBS News,” “NBC News,” ”Fox News,” and “ABC News,” and in “USA Today,” “Health & Fitness,” and many other publications. Phil Vassar’s signature songs include 10 No. 1 singles and 26 Top 40 hits. Contact Dianemarie (DM) Collins at (775) 825-1727; DM@DMProductionsLLC.com or @DMCollins. Contact Phil Vassar by texting (615) 727-2323; or bqsdad@yahoo.com
14. ==> What’s Behind Love at First Sight?
If you haven’t experienced it yourself you’ve probably seen it portrayed in a movie: two people who have an instant attraction, a soul connection, and a feeling they belong together. Alicia McBride, an empath, psychic, and author of three books, can discuss the powerful emotions behind love at first sight. Whether they are believers or not, your audience will get a kick out of exploring this unusual topic. In an interview, Alicia will say that intense instant attraction may be the result of recognizing someone from a past life, or from one of the participants having psychic abilities even though they may be hidden. She’ll explain that what we think of as love at first sight may not last or even be mutual. Be sure to ask her what happened when she met a man she had pictured in her head for two years. Alicia McBride is the author of “The Empath Effect,” “I Feel Too Much” and “I Love You When.” Reach her at (484) 369-1464; Healinglightempath@gmail.com
15. ==> Invasion of the Lanternflies
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