01. Qatar Post-World Cup – Everybody’s Gone but U.S. Troops and Support
02. Forensic Psychiatrist on Idaho Student Murders
03. Telehealth: How’s That Working Out?
04. From St. Nick to Santa: The Gospel of Santa Claus
05. Skol! How to Pick the Perfect Holiday Wine
06. Lighten-Up Your Holiday Food Favorites
07. Lights Out? Holiday Help for Tree Trimmers
08. New Year, New You: How Food Can Impact Mental Health
09. How to Have More Joy and Less Oy In 2023
10. Why You Should Practice Positive Peace This New Year
11. Have We Lost the Ability to Cope with Not Getting Our Way?
12. Why Your Next Cruise Should be a River Voyage
13. How Being a Loser Can Make You a Winner
14. Matthew Perry’s Opioid Addiction: Lessons for Us All
15. How to Live a Life without Regrets
1. ==> Qatar Post-World Cup – Everybody’s Gone but U.S. Troops and Support
The athletes and media have all packed up and left Qatar but David Vine says most Americans don’t realize U.S. troops remain there. “The issue of U.S. bases and troops in Qatar and U.S. support for the Qatari government was supremely overlooked during reporting on the World Cup. If this was a World Cup ‘soaked in blood,’ as many rightly said, what does it mean that the U.S. government has been one of the Qatari government’s biggest backers for decades? The presence of U.S. bases in Qatar means the U.S. government and U.S. taxpayers have been supporting and helping prop up the Qatari regime, including its undemocratic rule and human rights abuses including its systematic labor exploitation and discrimination against LGBTQ people.” He adds, “Holding the World Cup in Qatar was an outrage. Maintaining U.S. bases in Qatar is an even greater outrage. They should be closed and U.S. troops should come home.” Vine is a professor at American University in Washington, D.C. His books include “Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World.” Contact him at vine@american.edu
2. ==> Forensic Psychiatrist on Idaho Student Murders
More than a month after the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, the investigation continues, and still no suspect or person of interest has been identified. Carole Lieberman’s opinion, as a forensic psychiatrist and expert witness, is that the victims were targeted, and the murders were not random or the work of a serial killer. “The multiple stabbings and bloody mess are signs that it was personal and that the killer was enraged,” she says. “These four students were the epitome of good looks, success and self-confidence. At least that’s the way it seemed to their classmates and others in the town. So, there would have been a lot of envy and jealousy towards them.” Lieberman believes the killer could be an incel (involuntary celibate) who saw the female victims as “Stacy”s — a name they give girls they believe would look down on them and refuse to date or have sex with them. She says, “Incels can develop a lot of rage towards Stacys as they play their imagined rejection over and over in their mind.” Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., was trained at NYU-Bellevue and at Anna Freud’s London Clinic and has served on the clinical faculty of UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute for years. She is a best-selling author and a columnist for “Inside the Criminal Mind” in Front Page Detectives. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
3. ==> Telehealth: How’s That Working Out?
Telehealth exploded during the pandemic when health-care systems around the country overhauled their approach to deliver care by smartphone or computer as we all stayed apart and quarantined. Rules were relaxed from previous restrictions but are set to expire this spring. The Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank that has studied the use of telehealth during the pandemic, reports that many Medicare beneficiaries have turned to audio-only telehealth, with almost one out of every five visits being delivered by phone. But does that really provide good care and should we continue to embrace phone medicine? “Continuing to lean ‘all in’ on audio-only care before we understand the impact on access, quality, and cost has the potential to create a two-tiered system whereby some have access to higher quality, face-to-face or video interventions and others access health care via the telephone,” says the center’s associate director Julia Harris. “Alternatively, allowing most audio-only flexibilities to expire ignores the needs of some beneficiaries to access their health-care providers by phone.” Meantime, the global telehealth market shows no signs of slowing down and is projected to grow from $25.4 billion this year to $55.6 billion by 2025, and “The Wall Street Journal” recently reported that several telehealth companies are looking to go public or are exploring sales. Contact Jennifer Ruff at jruff@bipartisanpolicy.org or Luci Manning at Lmanning@bipartisanpolicy.org; @LuciKManning
4.==> From St. Nick to Santa: The Gospel of Santa Claus
Everyone is familiar with Santa Claus, with his big belly, white beard, pink cheeks and omnipresent sack of toys for children. Most people know that the inspiration for Santa was Saint Nicholas, a priest and bishop who lived in the third century A.D., but few know much about the real man in the red suit. Wayne Van Der Wal, a school psychologist and practicing Christian, wants to change that. Invite him on your show and hear how St. Nicholas overcame childhood tragedy, felt called by God to take a vow of poverty, endured horrific persecution for his religious faith, and went on to become one of the most beloved, generous, loving, and famous figures in human history. The author of the historical novel “The Gospel of Santa Claus” will fascinate your audience as he shares details of St. Nicholas’ extraordinary life and what Santa Claus has in common with St. Nick. He’ll also explain how writing the book changed the way he and his family celebrate Christmas each year and how anyone can have the best Christmas season ever, even on a limited budget. Contact Wayne Van Der Wal at (775) 338-4300; wav66@yahoo.com
5. ==> Skol! How to Pick the Perfect Holiday Wine
Whether you’re celebrating Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza or New Year’s Eve, it’s highly likely there will be some adult beverages involved. Need a wine choice for dinner? Looking for something sparkly for a toast? Is it tacky to serve boxed wine to guests? Jim Laughren, CWE, can help your listeners figure out the perfect wine for the occasion, whether they’re looking for a comforting favorite, something out of the ordinary or a bargain too good to pass up. He can also suggest creative gift ideas for the wine lovers on your shopping list like special glasses and accessories, wine club memberships and more. An encyclopedia of wine knowledge, Jim is the author of two short eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” He has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” Contact Jim Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Lighten-Up Your Holiday Food Favorites
When you’re trying to shed some pounds or you’re working to be more health conscious, it can be tough to stay on track during the holiday season. Skip the calorie-loaded dishes and opt for a healthier holiday this year when you invite Paula Shoyer, aka the Kosher Baker, to share ways to lighten up your favorite family recipes. Whether you’re cooking Keto, Whole30 or are just trying to cut calories, Paula will help you make over your holiday table with dishes every generation will appreciate. She’ll also help you create a stress-free holiday with great ideas for room-temperature dishes and freezer-friendly make-ahead recipes. Paula Shoyer has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows and even competed on Food TV. A graduate of Ritz Escoffier Ecole de Gastronomie Francaise, she is the author of several cookbooks including “The Healthy Jewish Kitchen.” Contact her at (301) 404-8998; pshoyer@hotmail.com
7. ==> Lights Out? Holiday Help for Tree Trimmers
It’s the time of year when strings of twinkling lights are attached to anything and everything around us. Can you even picture a holiday season without them? John DeCosmo is a Christmas lights expert. For the past 15 years, his Chicago company, Ulta-Lit Tree Company, has been selling tools to fix broken Christmas tree lights. On your show, he’ll explain what to do now to make sure your holiday lights are working properly, the dos and don’ts of Christmas tree lights, and the difference between LED and incandescent lights and how to tell which is right for you. He’ll also introduce listeners to his version of the Butterball Turkey hotline that has answered more than 100,000 Christmas lights questions from frazzled tree trimmers since 2004. Contact Ivy Boomershine at ivy@lightspeedpr.com
8. ==> New Year, New You: How Food Can Impact Mental Health
Food has the power to nourish your mind, supporting emotional wellness through both nutrients and pleasure. “Washington Post” food expert Mary Beth Albright draws on cutting-edge research to explain the food/mood connection. She redefines “emotional eating” based on science and will reveal how eating triggers biological responses that affect humans’ emotional states both immediately and long-term. Albright can discuss recent studies from the new field of nutritional psychology and explain “what” to eat and “how” to eat it. Listeners will learn which foods help reduce the inflammation that can harm mental health, the critical relationship between the microbiome and the brain, and which vitamins help restore the body during intensely emotional times. Mary Beth Albright has broad experience, from food attorney to finalist on “Food Network Star,” where she competed on “Iron Chef America.” Her new book is “Eat and Flourish: How Food Supports Emotional Well-Being.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
9. ==> How to Have More Joy and Less Oy In 2023
If you want to have a happy New Year, start by ditching resolutions in favor of real solutions, says Ellen Albertson, a psychologist, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and board-certified health and wellness coach. “Make it a happy no year!” She’ll advise people to say no to the habits, behaviors, and relationships that drain them and yes to more of what brings them joy. Dr. Ellen says, “When we are happy and joyful we release serotonin and dopamine, which makes us more motivated to accomplish our goals. When we are happy, our brain is flooded with these feel-good hormones and we are much less likely to pour another glass of wine or have a threesome with Ben & Jerry’s to feel good.” Dr. Ellen can discuss what joy is, how it differs from happiness and ways joyfulness improves relationships and well-being, makes life more meaningful and even helps people to lose weight and be healthier. A best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and expert on women’s well-being, Dr. Ellen has appeared on “Extra,” the Food Network and “NBC World News” and has been quoted in “Psychology Today,” “Forbes,” “Eating Well” and “USA Today.” She has written for “SELF,” “Better Homes & Gardens” and “Good Housekeeping.” Her latest book is “Rock Your Midlife.” Contact Dr. Ellen at (802) 497-7222; tigerwellness1@gmail.com
10. ==> Why You Should Practice Positive Peace This New Year
A New Year is nearly here but how can we approach it when many of us have lingering anxiety from all that happened this year? Find out when you interview Miami public school teacher Sharon Wallen and she introduces you to the concept of positive peace. “We are all searching for answers to calm our troubled minds and soothe our anxious hearts,” Sharon says and she is sure to deliver on providing them. Learn what you can say to yourself to practice positive peace and discover how doing so can improve your relationships with people who are important to you. She is a National Board Certified Teacher with degrees in psychology, sociology, and elementary education. Wallen is the author of “Grateful Reflections Journal” and the new program “Pace Yourself for Personal Focus, Productivity and Victorious Living. Contact her at (786) 473-4026; solaceplace07@aol.com
11. ==> Have We Lost the Ability to Cope with Not Getting Our Way?
Today if you lose an election, you may simply contest the results and not even bother to concede. That’s one example of failing to cope with unpleasant realities. Another example is the mass shooter who, along with ready access to high-capacity rifles and magazines, has a sense of entitlement, difficulty managing strong feelings and a belief that someone must pay for the wrongs they have suffered. Elizabeth Power says, “You can stop the manufacture of guns, melt every one you can seize, make proper ownership incredibly expensive, and it won’t stop mass murder.” What we need more than gun control, she’ll say, are ways to help people deal with their inability to cope with not getting their way. She’ll explain how adults can learn this skill and why mass shootings are the result of a learning deficit, not a mental illness. Elizabeth is the founding director of The Trauma-Informed Academy and the author of “Healer: Reducing Crises,” which offers everyday actions people can take to recover from traumatic experiences and be more resilient in the face of stress and discomfort. She is an adjunct instructor in psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center and has been on “NBC News,” NPR, and in the “Wall Street Journal.” Contact her at (615) 903-0906; epower@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Why Your Next Cruise Should be a River Voyage
If you’re thinking of booking a cruise, travel marketing expert and author Cindy Bertram can share the wonders of traveling on rivers throughout the U.S. and Europe, versus ocean voyages. “The ships are much smaller, with fewer guests,” she says. “Most are all-inclusive. They also offer immersive excursions and special interest tours. It’s a beautiful way to explore the wonderful areas of Europe and the U.S. in a more seamless way.” Cindy is a communications, media and branding specialist who has spent many years in the travel and cruise industry and is the author of “How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today” and “Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans.” Contact her at (219) 775-6488; cbertram@rtirguests.com
13. ==> How Being a Loser Can Make You a Winner
The majority of people perceive losing as derogatory. But Dr. Carl Barnes disagrees. “Not only can losing teach us valuable life lessons, it can also teach us how to win,” he says. “Losing actually allowed me to win in the end. The key is developing resilience.” Carl faced a lifetime of rejection. He was almost aborted by his single teenage mom, was rejected by the military and numerous colleges and went through a painful divorce. 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. 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
14. ==> Matthew Perry’s Opioid Addiction: Lessons for Us All
Matthew Perry recently opened up about his 20-year, $9 million opioid addiction that started when he was prescribed painkillers for a jet skiing injury. Perry puts a familiar face to a story playing out in families all across the country as just one of the millions who’ve become addicted after receiving a prescription for opioids to treat pain from an injury or illness. Cindy Perlin is passionate about educating patients about safer and more effective treatments for acute and chronic pain and can educate your audience so they can avoid Perry’s fate. Perlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified biofeedback practitioner, chronic pain survivor, and the author of “The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free.” She created the “Alternative Pain Treatment Directory” and is a seasoned radio guest who has appeared on dozens of radio shows and podcasts. Contact her at (518) 439-6431; cindyperlin@gmail.com
15. ==> How to Live a Life without Regrets
Whether it’s your choice of a college major, that job you took that you’re stuck with now, a huge, missed opportunity, or the one that got away, everyone has regrets, and you just have to live with them — or do you? What if you could live your whole life and never regret a thing? Talk to Laura Brennan Ballet and learn how to do just that. The author of “The Science of Empowerment” and a life empowerment facilitator, Laura shares with your audience how to climb away from the chaos and drama in order to live the positive life you’ve always wanted, without regretting anything — and how you can connect with the people and experiences you’ve always wanted to discover. She’ll discuss how to turn your fears into advancement opportunities, a simple method for instantly replacing negative thoughts with happiness, how to become a force for greatness, and much more. Contact Laura Ballet at (860) 831-4435; lballet@rtirguests.com