01. Are Russian Troops Losing the Will to Fight?
02. High Court, Affirmative Action and the Irony of Clyde Ferguson
03. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Israel
04. Why Does It Take So Long to Count Election Ballots?
05. Nearly Half of Americans Think U.S. Should Be a Christian Nation
06. Doc Reveals What Really Goes On in the Emergency Room
07. Rosa Parks, Emmitt Till: Retelling Civil Rights History
08. Secrets of the World’s Most Celebrated Brands
09. 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
10. Tired of Bad Service? Here’s How to Kiss It Goodbye
11. The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health
12. Cruise Trends to Float Your Boat
13. How to Be Happy in an Unhappy World
14. This Guest Reveals Why Rejection Is a Gift
15. What You Still Don’t Know about Monty Python
1. ==> Are Russian Troops Losing the Will to Fight?
Jeff McCausland, a combat veteran of the Gulf War and a visiting professor of international security studies at Dickinson College, says it’s become clear that the Russian army is poorly trained and supplied and that its soldiers in many cases have lost their will to fight against Ukraine. “Fear and panic are more infectious than COVID” for an army, says McCausland, co-author of “Battle Tested! Gettysburg Leadership Lessons for 21st Century Leaders.” Invite McCausland to discuss the reasons why armies lose the will to fight, examples of troops laying down their arms from military history, and his own experience with Iraqi soldiers surrendering during the Gulf War. McCausland is a retired U.S. army colonel and former dean of academics at the U.S. Army War College. He commanded a battalion in combat during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. He currently serves as a national security consultant for CBS radio and television. Contact him at mccauslj@dickinson.edu
2. ==> High Court, Affirmative Action and the Irony of Clyde Ferguson
Francis Boyle, a law professor at the University of Illinois, notes the irony of the Supreme Court targeting Harvard’s affirmative action program while the Harvard-based scholar Clyde Ferguson, his mentor, conceived of affirmative action. In 2019, Boyle warned that the Supreme Court was going to use the Harvard case to overturn affirmative action: “Obviously, this Harvard case has been deliberately and maliciously set up in order to bring affirmative action to the U.S. Supreme Court where the plaintiffs expect” the Federalist Society-backed members to overturn it. If so, this shall prove to be one of the greatest tragic ironies in the history of American jurisprudence, constitutional law, and international human rights law. Affirmative action was the brainchild of my teacher, mentor and friend, the late, great Clyde Ferguson, who was the first tenured African American full professor of law at Harvard Law School.” Boyle has been warning of the power of the Federalist Society for over 20 years. Boyle told “The Guardian” in 2018: “I think Kavanaugh was put on there to ensure Roe is overturned.” Francis Boyle’s books include “Tackling America’s Toughest Questions.” Contact him at fboyle@illinois.edu
3. ==> Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Israel
The United Nations General Assembly First Committee, which deals with disarmament and international security issues, just called on Israel to get rid of all its nuclear weapons in a 152 to 5 vote. Israel, unlike other countries in the Mideast, has refused to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Richard Silverstein, author of the progressive Jewish blog Tikun Olam, writes, “Latest exit polls show resounding victory for Netanyahu’s far-right coalition: anywhere from 61 to 62 seats. He will form the most extremist government in Israeli history. This means that his most violent allies, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, will demand ministerial posts. … A Netanyahu victory also will further erode Israel’s stature within American society. Anyone who previously viewed it as a liberal democratic state will no longer be able to hold such an illusion.” Silverstein’s writing has appeared in “Middle East Eye,” “The New Arab,” “Jacobin Magazine” and on Al Jazeera. Contact Richard Silverstein at richards1052@gmail.com; @richards1052
4.==> Why Does it Take So Long to Count Election Ballots?
Many people wonder why counting ballots takes so long these days. R. Michael Alvarez, a professor of political and computational social science at CalTech, says the technology and procedures that make it easier for us to vote also pose challenges to an already complicated process. Invite him to explain what happens once you cast a ballot and why you may not see a winner declared on Election Night. He says many ballots are tabulated on Election Day, but not all. He says, “If you voted in person on Election Day or earlier, your vote is probably going to be tabulated that night or early the next day. However, mail-in ballots that arrive later, or ballots that are cast provisionally on Election Day, will take longer to count.” He’ll explain the increasingly common phenomenon known as “blue shift,” when vote totals shift in favor Democratic candidates after polls close, in part, because Democratic-leaning voters are likelier to vote by mail and to cast provisional ballots. He also says it’s not unusual to see final results change, sometimes significantly, as legitimate ballots continue to be counted after Election Night. Contact Deborah Williams-Hedges at 626-395-3227 (office); (626) 840-1565 (cell) or debwms@caltech.edu
5. ==> Nearly Half of Americans Think U.S. Should Be a Christian Nation
Forty-five percent of Americans believe the U.S. should be a “Christian nation,” one of several striking findings from a sweeping September Pew Research Center survey examining Christian nationalism. But researchers say respondents differed greatly when it came to outlining what a Christian nation should look like, suggesting a wide spectrum of beliefs. According to the survey, 60% of Americans believe the U.S. was originally intended to be a Christian nation, but only 33% say it remains so today. Spiritual life coach Latoya Shea can discuss the role Christianity has played in shaping America, how nations that share a faith differ from those that don’t, and whether she believes the civility and morality of a country are directly affected by how many citizens practice some type of religion/spirituality. A veteran and former nurse, Latoya Shea has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows sharing advice to help people live more fulfilling lives. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103
6. ==> Doc Reveals What Really Goes On in the Emergency Room
When a patient comes into the hospital with cardiac arrest or a compound fracture, or even COVID or Monkeypox, doctors know what to do. Dr. Jay Baruch contends that the biggest challenge and the biggest part of an ER doctor’s work are often caring for people who come in with not just problems with their body, but also social issues, emotional issues, and substance use issues — and oftentimes all of them at once. The author of “Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER” will reveal the toughest part of an ER physician’s work and how your listeners can best navigate their own ER visits to minimize unneeded tests and shorten their stays. Dr. Jay Baruch is professor of emergency medicine at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853 (cell); LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com or @lissa_warren
7. ==> Rosa Parks, Emmitt Till: Retelling Civil Rights History
The new Peacock documentary “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” and the just-released movie “Till,” about Emmitt Till, are shining a light on America’s civil rights struggles. Both movies are generating a lot of buzz and revealing to some Americans unknown and painful chapters. Author Nita Wiggins contends that many Black Americans have long known about the kidnapping and lynching of the teenaged Till. Wiggins interviewed Rosa Parks, Muhammed Ali and many other prominent Black figures and athletes during her career as a pioneering female sports broadcaster. The author of “Civil Rights Baby” can discuss how telling these stories might affect the civil rights climate and why they were buried for decades. Wiggins is a former news and sports journalist who currently teaches journalism in Paris, France. Contact her at nita@nitawiggins.com or request an interview via text or a phone call to Nita’s WhatsApp number + 336 72 97 31 62
8. ==> Secrets of the World’s Most Celebrated Brands
Would your listeners like to know how celebrities create world-class brands so they can do it too? Raj Girn, an internationally celebrated brand authority and the creator of “The 6-Step Guide That Celebrities Use to Guarantee World-Class Brand Presence,” is prepared to offer the same fantastic tips to your audience that she has passed on to executives at L’Oréal Paris, Estée Lauder, Johnnie Walker, Cîroc, Sheraton and Fairmont Hotels and people like Priyanka Chopra, Hannah Simone, Robin Sharma and Freida Pinto. Ask her: What are the four biggest myths that prevent brands from taking off? What are the six steps to creating a world-class brand that anyone can dial in, no matter what their size or budget? A media celebrity in Canada who has been featured in “The Wall Street Journal” and “Globe and Mail,” and on FOX and CBS, Raj is a regular contributor to Entrepreneuer.com, ThriveGlobal.com and Medium.com and an internationally best-selling author whose blog attracts 500,000 unique monthly visitors. She also publishes a weekly newsletter with over 100,000 subscribers and has a combined social media network of over 1 million. She runs The Open Chest Confidence Academy. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
9. ==> 4 Ways to Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb
Are you worried about going out in public because you fear that other people will judge you? Do you struggle to interact with strangers? Have you avoided speaking up for yourself at work or home because you’re afraid that you won’t be liked enough to be taken seriously? You may be relieved to know that you’re not alone – and that you don’t have to struggle with these and other common symptoms of social anxiety. Collectively, our social anxiety has only gotten worse since the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview Lee Vallely, the author of “Kick the Sh*t out of Social Anxiety,” to help your audience ease the stress of social anxiety and start enjoying their lives. Ask him: What are 4 things you can do right now if you’re experiencing social anxiety? Why is “feel the fear and do it anyway” terrible advice? How can simple breathing help you overcome social anxiety? Contact Lee Vallely at (561) 658-1266 or lvallely@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Tired of Bad Service? Here’s How to Kiss It Goodbye
Ask anyone and you are sure to hear some version of “customer service stinks” as well as the details of the latest incident in which they were treated as though their patronage didn’t matter. Your audience would love to hear how they can benefit from receiving A-1 service instead of mediocre service and Tawn Holstra Auston has the answers. She can offer some tips on what you can do to receive excellent service every time by being a better customer! Tawn has been advising small business owners for a decade and is working on a book that will tentatively be titled “Changing Gears: What It Takes to Make Huge Life Changes with Confidence and Grace.” Contact Tawn at (206) 495-6505; tauston@rtirguests.com
11. ==> The Best Way to Improve Your Family’s Health
You may see your doctor regularly, take your prescriptions, exercise, eat a good diet and avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking. But what else should you be doing to keep yourself and your family members healthy? Interview Anne McAwley-LeDuc to learn about the simple health-promoting activity most people ignore: keeping accurate records of medical histories, doctor visits, procedures and treatments, medications, vaccinations, and more for all family members. She’ll explain why keeping records is essential, especially during challenging times like COVID. Anne is a retired nurse practitioner (APRN) and the award-winning author of “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Cruise Trends to Float Your Boat
You’ll enjoy smooth sailing with tips from travel expert Cindy Bertram, who can share the hot new trends and destinations in the cruise travel industry. “With cruising, there are different options,” she says. “Some luxury cruise lines are launching very unique, ultra-luxury expedition ships to go to smaller places that larger ships can’t go to. River cruising has also been growing, including more options for people to go on diverse river cruises on U.S. waterways.” In addition, there are growing opportunities for women in the cruise industry, as everything from top executives to ship captains. Cindy is a communications, media and branding specialist who has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry. She’s the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact Cindy Bertram at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How to Be Happy in an Unhappy World
For people all around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced never-before-seen challenges that no one was prepared to meet, with disastrous consequences for not only our health, but our happiness and well-being. Even before the pandemic, people had overall been less happy year after year, and the unprecedented coronavirus crisis has only accelerated things. Is it possible to return to a pre-pandemic state of happiness? Author and mentor Mary Mitchell helps your audience learn how to break free of constant worry and anxiety over current events as well as personal problems, so you can rediscover joy no matter what’s happening — in your life, or the world at large. An experienced media guest, Mary is the author of seven books and has received multiple awards for her work in environmental conservation and restoration. Contact Mary Mitchell at (530) 561-5945; mmitchell@rtirguests.com
14. ==> This Guest Reveals 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 doctorate 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. ==> What You Still Don’t Know about Monty Python
Whether you know Monty Python best from their “Flying Circus” TV show, their movies (“And Now for Something Completely Different,” “Life of Brian,” “The Meaning of Life”), their Broadway play “Spamalot) or their comedy albums, there’s probably still something you don’t know about the irreverent comedy team of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam. Interview retired teacher Arlene Duane Hemingway to learn how a joke in the group’s “Big Red Book” spawned a literary art form called Drabble. Learn what drabbling is, why she is so passionate about it and why your audience can gain increased problem-solving abilities, clarity, and relaxation by practicing this concise form of writing that uses just 100 words to tell a story. Arlene will be happy to share some of her drabbles with your audience leading to their better appreciation of the empowerment of 100 words. She is the author of “A Twist of Lemon: 100 Curious Stories in Exactly 100 Words” and has a master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. She was a respected piano and vocal music teacher in a Long Island public school system and a professional organist, choir director, and vocalist. She performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Radio City Music Hall and launched a composer’s original work at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Contact Arlene at (828) 684-9840; adh7@att.net