01. U.S. Life Expectancy Plunges
02. Cough! Cough! Why Wildfires Are Now Everyone’s Business
03. Father’s Day When You’re Estranged
04. Best and Worst Places to Raise a Family
05. Juneteenth: How Far Have We Come With Equality?
06. Pride Month: Parenting an LGBTQ+ Child
07. Summer Tips to Set Up a Successful College Start
08. This Guest Uncovers Your Unconscious Biases in 10 Seconds
09. Comedian Turned Animal Activist Shares Why Saving Elephants Is No Joke
10. Americans Are Wasting Millions on Health Insurance They Don’t Need
11. Can You Talk Yourself Out of Being Sick?
12. Do a Show on the Healing Power of Music
13. Is Life a Vacation from the Afterlife?
14. The Hidden Demons Returning Veterans Face
15. Should You View Foods You Eat as an Investment?
1. ==> U.S. Life Expectancy Plunges
Life expectancy in the U.S. last year saw the largest one-year drop since World War II. The study, published in the “American Journal of Public Health,” also shows more than 50 countries have surpassed the U.S. in life expectancy since the 1930s, and a handful of states may be partly responsible. “The scale of the problem is bigger than we ever thought … older than we thought, (and) the number of countries outperforming the United States is much larger than we thought,” says study author Dr. Steven Woolf. Experts say the findings offer a new perspective on U.S. life expectancy and shed light on how to reverse the trend. Dr. Steven Woolf is director emeritus of the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University. Contact him at (804) 628-2462; steven.woolf@vcuhealth.org
2. == > Cough! Cough! Why Wildfires Are Now Everyone’s Business
If you’re among the almost 58 million people in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., you’ve seen the unmistakable haze caused by 416 Canadian wildfires. The smoky pollution has been detected in many states, provinces and cities in the region, leaving little doubt that the damage from wildfires is affecting huge swaths of people. For a timely take on this, interview wildfire expert Jim Moseley, who will explain what this wildfire threat encompasses, and how we can protect ourselves. Jim has developed patented products and methods to ease the danger and even prevent wildfires. Invite Jim to discuss what causes the wildfire scourge, what we should be doing, which locations and populations are in the worst wildfire and polluting danger zones, and even how NASA is involved with fighting the war against wildfires. Contact Jim at (818) 217-1270; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
3. ==> Father’s Day When You’re Estranged
Sunday is Father’s Day when we celebrate dads, but for some, the holiday will be a sad reminder of a broken relationship. Is yours one of the millions of families harboring an estrangement? Arguments, regrets, rivalries, miscommunication, avoidance and lack of forgiveness are sadly, very common. After all, we often hurt the ones we love. So what does it take to heal such troubled family dynamics? Discuss reconciling and rebuilding family relationships with Peter Colman, Ph.D., a speaker, missionary and author of “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption.” Dr. Colman will explore why people often accuse those closest to them of mistreatment, hold grudges and drift apart. He’ll help family members understand each other and learn to lean on their shared faith and heritage to heal. Ask him: What’s the first step away from regrets and blame, toward forgiveness and healing? How do the effects of wartime service impact family relationships? What is sacred about family bonds, especially between father and son? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 912-4481; judykcolman@gmail.com
4.==> Best and Worst Places to Raise a Family
Families move often and for various reasons. In fact, the average American can expect to move an estimated 11.7 times in a lifetime. With families in mind, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 45 key metrics. Topping the list of best places are Fremont, California, Overland Park, Kansas, and Irvine, California. The worst cities for families, according to the study, are Cleveland, Ohio, Memphis, Tennessee and Detroit, Michigan. Does where you live really affect a family’s quality of life? What should families consider when choosing a place to set down roots? Ask Adrienne Duke, an associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Auburn University. She can discuss the most important steps parents can take to help their children grow up healthy, no matter where they live. Contact Adrienne Duke, Ph.D., at (334) 844-4091; amd0046@auburn.edu
5.==> Juneteenth: How Far Have We Come With Equality?
June 19 is Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. For many, that means celebrating Black culture but it can be more than that: it can be a time for the nation to examine how far we’ve come with race relations in the U.S., what we’ve done right and what still needs to be done. And that is a topic that former diplomat and life story writer Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans (pronounced Kray-gull-mans) can address. Judith says, “Since slavery, despite the setbacks of post- Reconstruction and Jim Crow, Blacks have made gains and held onto them even as they endured losses. They are at the forefront of the fight for America to realize her full potential. They are an iron-clad part of the many that make one.” Starting in 1975 and for the next 30 years, the former English major and Fulbright Scholar who grew up in the Jim Crow South was a diplomat in the Foreign Service in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Brussels, Libreville, Bujumbura, and Brazzaville. Her memoir is “Chocolates for Mary Julia: Black Woman Blazes Trails as a Career Diplomat.” Contact Judith at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Pride Month: Parenting an LGBTQ+ Child
All parents want what’s best for their kids. But providing support isn’t always easy — especially if you are the parent of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning/queer (LGBTQ) child. In many ways no different from their peers, LGBTQ youth face some unique challenges that parents often feel unprepared to tackle. Invite Rebecah Freeling to discuss the many issues involved from how to respond to a child’s coming out to navigating your own personal feelings and beliefs. Both liberal and conservative listeners will benefit from Freeling’s advice as she shares tips on how to respond to family or friends who are unsupportive and discusses ways to support your child without imposing your own values on them. Rebecah Freeling is the owner of Wits End Parenting. In addition to working with individual families, she also consults with schools and speaks on parenting issues. Her book is “Your Rules Are Dumb: Parenting Your Strong-Willed, Oppositional or Defiant Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
7. ==> Summer Tips to Set Up a Successful College Start
For high school graduates who plan to attend college this fall, this summer is the time to check off last-minute items to prepare for the journey and set things up to start strong. Invite college readiness coach Alicia J. Moore to share concrete tips to “Get Ready. Get Set. And Go!” and start your college career off right. She’ll explain why it’s important for high school grads to set a college mindset and expand their “adulting” skills this summer, why they should take time to envision their college journey and plan their course route, and the importance of creating a successful environment from the get-go. Moore is the author of “Crushing It in College: Your 7-Step Guide to an Awesome Adventure.” Moore talks to audiences at high schools and colleges across the country about why a college education is even more important today, despite the costs, when it comes to future employment prospects, and developing self-confidence and critical thinking. Contact Alicia J. Moore at (408) 569-1267; aliciajmoore@comcast.net
8. ==> This Guest Uncovers Your Unconscious Biases in 10 Seconds
Everybody has biases, even the best among us, many without realizing it. Author Sara Ting has made it her life’s mission to help people overcome this and will help your listeners identify their biases in just 10 seconds. As a first-generation Asian American woman, she frequently experienced the insidious effects of discrimination. Then one day she experienced an epiphany while riding a bus that led her to write “The Sun Poem” for a campaign to promote racial and ethnic harmony. Sara is a diversity-and-inclusion educator, speaker, consultant and author of “Small Book with a Big Idea: The Key to a Fulfilling Life—Self-Awareness.” She is also the founder and president of World Unity, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the elimination of all forms of bigotry. Contact Sara at (508) 715-3370; Sting@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Comedian Turned Animal Activist Shares Why Saving Elephants Is No Joke
Former standup comedian Georja Umano loved to make audiences laugh. But after adopting a dog in 1997, her passion turned to animal and environmental activism, with a particular focus on saving endangered elephants. “Elephants are crucial to the health of our environment and ecosystems, and are sadly endangered because of poaching, trophy hunting and habitat loss due to land development,” she says. Georja is the author of the book “Terriers in the Jungle.” She has lived in Kenya and is in the process of launching a nonprofit called the Elephant Matriarch Project to educate and train young, underprivileged African woman and girls for careers in wildlife conservation. Contact Georja at (213) 568-1764; gumano@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Americans Are Wasting Millions on Health Insurance They Don’t Need
For many Americans, health insurance costs can range from a significant expense to an exorbitant cost they can’t afford. Even those with free or low-cost policies often end up paying a lot out of pocket for co-pays and specialized care. What if you could reduce what you pay for health care by 30% or more, as well as your reliance on health-care visits and pharmaceuticals? Dr. Dinesh Verma shows your audience how to integrate self-administered alternative therapies with modern medicine for incredible results. With more than 45 years as a doctor and 18 years of research and experience in integrative medicine, he delivers science-backed methods to heal faster and recover from even serious illness — so you’ll spend less money on health care and more time feeling great. Ask him: How did your mother miraculously recover from late-stage breast cancer? How does integrative medicine make modern treatments even more effective? What is the REMIM technique? Why did you write your latest book, “Ipsicura Effect?” Contact Dinesh Verma at (248) 817-8296; dverma@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Can You Talk Yourself Out of Being Sick?
Being healthy is harder than ever. In the United States, nearly half of the population — around 133 million people — suffer from a chronic condition or serious illness, and almost 50 million people undergo surgery each year. Combine that with a resource-strained health-care industry, and you have millions living with poor health on a daily basis. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Stan Munslow shows your audience how to take control of their healing and recoveries. The author of “Get Weller Sooner: 12 Powerful, Proven Ways to Speed and Improve Your Recovery from Illness or Surgery,” Stan reveals 12 powerful ways your audience can enhance their professional medical care and feel better, faster — with less pain, less time in the hospital, lower costs, and much more. Ask him: How did you help your father beat 30% survival odds and fully recover from Stage 4 lymphoma? Why does being the “perfect patient” help you shorten and improve a hospital experience? How can we optimize the mind-body connection for better health? Contact Stan Munslow at (401) 337-7436; smunslow@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Do a Show on the Healing Power of Music
Music is a huge part of every culture the world over. Beyond providing entertainment, music can instantly affect our moods — but did you know that music can also heal? John Campbell talks about the tremendous power of music to soothe us body and soul. He’ll share examples from personal experiences of Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers responding to music, tips and advice on choosing the best music for healing, unconventional ways to bring healing music into your life, and more. An entrepreneur and songwriter, John is the author of four books. His latest, “Beyond the Fading Memories: Guiding Words for Dementia Caregivers,” includes stories, advice, and lessons learned from six years as the primary caregiver for his mother after she was diagnosed with dementia. Ask him: How does music help your mind and body heal? Why are old songs so ingrained in our brains? What can caregivers do to help patients or loved ones (and themselves) during difficult times? Contact John Campbell at (608) 975-2714; jcampbell@rtirguests.com
13. == > Is Life a Vacation from the Afterlife?
According to psychic medium June Edward, no matter how tough your present life may seem, it represents a vacation from what happens after you die. As June will explain, having a body that can taste, smell and have sex — among other things — is a treat because those senses will not be present after death; that is why people who have passed on live vicariously through us. With June as your guest, you can have a fascinating discussion about what your life circumstances may be trying to teach you, what the Other Side is like, the difficult process involved before being reborn and more. June is a psychic medium who passed to the Other Side during surgery at the age of 27 and came back by choice. She fully embraced her gifts at 52 and has since worked on missing person cases and consulted with many well-known paranormal groups and authors. She is the author of “The 5 Love Lessons” and other books. Ask her: Can you tell us about the spirit who showed up in your shower? Are angels a separate race? Can people who passed away see everything we do? Are jerks still jerks in the afterlife? Contact June Edward at (508) 259-1231; juneedward111@gmail.com
14. ==> The Hidden Demons Returning Veterans Face
Although they risk their lives to protect our country, returning veterans are often underserved and neglected by society. Former Navy chaplain, author and life coach Carl Barnes is all too aware of the challenges veterans encounter. “What’s crucial is being resilient in transitioning out of the military, continuing to find purpose, seeking community and, most importantly, keeping your mental health at the forefront,” he says. “If overlooked, this can become overwhelming if you don’t seek professional help.” 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 Carl at (407) 809-8047; cbarnes@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Should You View Foods You Eat as an Investment?
While growing up on his family’s organic farm on the idyllic Caribbean island of Dominica, which has the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world, master herbalist Gladstone Etienne rarely got sick or went to a conventional doctor. “My mother was a traditional island herbalist, who used herbal remedies to treat everything from the flu to sprains and cuts,” he says. At 16, he traveled to Washington, D.C., in order to share his wisdom with Americans. “Many people see food as an expense,” he says. “Instead, we should look at it as an investment in your body.” He also believes that herbal teas should be a cornerstone of health and wellness. He is the founder of ZABIOLife herbal tea company. Contact Gladstone at (301) 820-7656; Getienne@rtirguests.com