01. For Father’s Day – Former Pro Wrestler and Pastor, ‘The Saint’
02. How Could an Olympian Die of Childbirth Complications?
03. Help Wanted: This Summer’s Hot Job Market for Teens
04. Top Psychic Reveals What’s in Store for Summer
05. Like Hulu’s ‘Flamin’ Hot’? This Family Invented Tater Tots
06. Congratulations and Goodbye: Advice for Parents of New Grads
07. Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Her Wrongful Conviction and More
08. Psychologist Reveals Why Traditional Talk Therapy Doesn’t Work
09. Why Do Women Feel Ashamed of Their Success?
10. Why You Have to Move On to Move Up
11. Is Happiness a Choice? This Expert Says Yes (and Shares How to Choose It!)
12. How to Trade Worry for Wonder and Joy
13. This Author Says God Bailed Her Out of Prison
14. How to Bounce Back from a Big Setback
15. Fun Show: Famous Faces and Their Furry Friends
1. ==> For Father’s Day – Former Pro Wrestler and Pastor, ‘The Saint’
Dr. Chris Whaley spent the 1980s as “The Saint,” competing with the biggest names in pro wrestling including “The Undertaker,” “The Freebirds,” “The Ultimate Warrior,” and more. But after a decade in the ring, Chris retired and stopped one battle and started another, fighting the good fight as a minister. Chris’ first book, “The Masked Saint” — based on a true story — was made into an award-winning movie and his second book, “Harold’s Heavenly Christmas” will be a Movie of the Week. Invite the grandfather to six for a fun and inspirational Father’s Day show where he’ll share why fathers are so important, ways every dad can be a hero, and what raising two daughters taught him about being a father. Ask him about his wrestling career (and whether pro wrestling is fake,) his 48-year marriage to his high school sweetheart, or what it’s like to see his books made into movies. Dr. Chris Walley has appeared on TV, radio and podcasts. Contact him at (407) 227-8781; themaskedsaint59@gmail.com
2. ==> How Could an Olympian Die of Childbirth Complications?
An autopsy report shows Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie, who was found dead in May, was eight months pregnant and in labor at the time of her death. She was an elite athlete and just 32 years old, so how could this happen? Experts say being Black, no matter what your fitness level or socioeconomic status, is one of the strongest predictors of developing birth complications that can lead to death. Dr. Alan Lindemann can explain the difference between pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, the risk factors, and the symptoms. He can also discuss “maternal deserts” and why childbirth has become so dangerous in the U.S. Lindeman practiced obstetrics for 45 years and delivered more than 6,000 babies and now devotes his time to reaching out to women about maternal health, especially those who may have limited access to care and information based on where they live. Contact Alan Lindemann M.D., at (701) 399-9556; ALindemann@rtirguests.com
3. ==> Help Wanted: This Summer’s Hot Job Market for Teens
For teens looking to make some money and get work experience, there are plenty of jobs this summer, according to Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “The jobs are there. Despite the potential for a recession on the horizon, inflation is easing and consumer spending has not fallen as much as some economists expected. Summer camps and community pools are up and running and need workers,” he says. With an estimated 2.4 million jobs currently available in the hospitality, retail and leisure industries, Challenger says, “This is a great time for teens looking for work. Amusement parks, pools and beaches, grocery stores, summer camps, zoos and museums, childcare facilities all need workers and offer great first jobs for teens.” Challenger can share tips for teen job seekers, unexpected places to find summer opportunities, and where to look for paid internships. Challenger, Gray and Christmas is a global outplacement and executive coaching firm. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074; (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
4. ==> Top Psychic Reveals What’s in Store for Summer
With the fun and sun of summer, moods are lifted across the board. It’s the perfect time to look toward the future — and you can find out what’s in store for you and yours when you talk to popular psychic Ann Johnson. Interview Ann for instant personality analysis, career and relationship advice, and much more. A frequent media guest and top psychic based in New York, Ann has been featured by top media outlets including “New York Magazine,” MTV Network, and “Rolling Stone.” She is the author of “Facing Forward: A Memoir About Choices, Intuition, and Insights in a Show Busy Life.” Ask her: What are the best ways to use psychic advice to improve our lives? How can we harness our own intuition to look and feel better at any age? What can we look forward to for the rest of 2023? Contact Ann Johnson at (516) 862-4405; ajohnson@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Like Hulu’s ‘Flamin’ Hot’? This Family Invented Tater Tots
Audiences are eating up the new hit movie “Flamin’ Hot” which tells the story of the Frito Lay janitor who invented the company’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Take a look at how another iconic food came to be when you interview cousins Les and Steve Grigg. They’ll share how visionary brothers Nephi and Golden Grigg created, promoted and established Ore-Ida and its iconic Tater Tots™ in the 1950s and eventually sold it to Heinz at a handsome profit. Hear fascinating Tater Tot™ facts — Americans consume more than 70 million of them a year — what the 20 most iconic American foods are and other cool stuff. Ask them: How did the Griggs manage to have Tater Tots™ make their debut at the newly constructed Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami? How did Ore-Ida get its name? How did thriftiness lead to the birth of Tater Tots™? Steve Grigg is Nephi’s son and Les is Nephi’s grandnephew. Contact Les Grigg at (208) 589-0065; griggnyle@gmail.com; available last-minute
6. ==> Congratulations and Goodbye: Advice for Parents of New Grads
Whether your kid is heading to college, starting a job, taking a gap year or whatever else awaits in the next phase of life, this is a big moment — for them — and you! “No matter what kind of parent you’ve been — attached, detached, tiger mom, baseball dad — the dynamic between you and your child changes now, forever,” says Mary Laura Philpott. When she was left with an unexpected hole in her life when her son went off to college, Philpott was surprised at her reaction. She’ll share the lessons she learned from the experience, why she’ll do things differently when her daughter leaves the nest, and what soon-to-be empty nesters can do now to ease their transition. She’ll explain what a “planned breather” is and why you should plan one now to begin immediately after your teen departs. Mary Laura Philpott’s books include “I Miss You When I Blink” and “Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives.” Her writing has been featured in the “New York Times,” “Washington Post,” and “The Atlantic,” among many other publications. She is a cohost of “A Word on Words” on Nashville Public Television. Contact Falon Kirby at falon.kirby@simonandschuster.com
7. ==> Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Her Wrongful Conviction and More
Rita Ali was a distinguished Philadelphia socialite and among the few African American women boxing PR professionals who hobnobbed with such famous fighters as Muhammad Ali, Michael Spinks, and Mike Tyson, who is now her son-in-law. Then it all came crashing down when she — along with her daughter and son — was wrongly convicted and imprisoned for allegedly funneling public funds through a partnership between the Sister Clara Muhammad School and the Community College of Philadelphia. The indictment alleged that the defendants profited off of a ghost employee scam to provide adult education classes. “I was convicted and sentenced three times on virtually the same charges for a crime I didn’t commit, which amounted to triple jeopardy,” she says. She is the author of “Triple Jeopardy: 3 Strikes But Not Out,” a life coach, and founder of the nonprofit We 2 Matter, which provides resources for previously incarcerated women. Contact Rita Ali at (917) 243-9214; rali@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Psychologist Reveals Why Traditional Talk Therapy Doesn’t Work
Conventional mental health professionals have long maintained that talk therapy is the panacea to healing the mind. But Adriana Popescu Ph.D., claims that true healing comes from also treating the body and spirit. “I specialize in using some of the most powerful, effective holistic healing techniques to radically shift limiting feelings and beliefs,” she says. “These may include meditation, nutritional supplements and all kinds of mind-body healing techniques.” Adriana is a licensed clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, speaker, thought leader and empowerment coach, and author of the critically acclaimed book “What If You’re Not as F***ed Up As You Think You Are? How We Come to Believe Lies About Ourselves and What We Can Do to Change Them.” Contact Adriana at (415) 707-5054; Apopescu@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why Do Women Feel Ashamed of Their Success?
Why do women so often feel unworthy, even ashamed, of their success? And why do so many brilliant, talented women hold themselves back from being, achieving, and having their best lives? Just as she does in her new book, “In High Heels on a Ladder: The 7 Power Tools for Designing Your Life,” life coach and speaker Tonya Comer, will explore the answers to those questions and more on your program. She’ll also share her compelling life story: Raised in the projects of Pittsburgh, Pa., Tonya has been named one of the top 20 African American Interior Designers in the United States. Although she has held her own among A-listers and power players, like so many other women, Tonya was beset by doubts and insecurities that made her feel like a fraud until she did the work she needed to become the confident person she had only pretended to be. Tonya Comer holds an MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management and a B.A. from Duquesne University. She studied interior design at London Metropolitan University. Tonya formerly worked in broadcasting, and in sales, marketing, advertising, and consulting for corporate America. Contact Tonya at (215) 667-8464 trc@tonyacomer.com
10. ==> Why You Have to Move On to Move Up
Are you ready to take the journey from poverty to prosperity? Sylvia O’Connor, the ‘Moving On Expert,’ did and says if you believe it, you can achieve it! Invite Sylvia to share her personal story of overcoming poverty and how listeners can do the same. You’ll learn why you have to move on in life to move up, the power of the gift of goodbye and how to discover opportunities and successes available by moving on. Sylvia grew up poor in a small town in Louisiana but shed the seeming restraints that held her back and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and succeeded in a 30-year career in the health-care industry while also being an adjunct professor. Proving that it is never too late, she has now ventured into entrepreneurship by forming her own company. Contact Sylvia O’Connor at (225) 916-3588; sdanielrich@yahoo.com
11. ==> Is Happiness a Choice? This Expert Says Yes (and Shares How to Choose It!)
Unhappiness is rampant among the American population. From the general barrage of bad news to personal problems in careers, finances, and relationships, there’s plenty of unhappiness to go around. For most people, the answer is to suck it up and move on — but what if you didn’t have to? Author, parenting expert, and certified life coach Jennifer Hughes is here to tell you that you can choose to be happy … and the right choices aren’t what you think! Jennifer reveals how many people deliberately and unknowingly choose to be unhappy, and how you can turn that around and live your best life. A frequent media guest who’s worked with Jack Canfield of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” fame, Jennifer is the author of “Be This, Not That: Your Pocket Guide for Choosing Happiness.” Interview this eye-opening guest to find out why avoiding criticism, discomfort, rejection, and even failure is the wrong way to reach happiness, how doing whatever you want can actually make your life worse, why focusing on yourself is counterproductive to happiness, and how being late can make you happy! Contact Jennifer Hughes at (480) 745 2113; jhughes@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Trade Worry for Wonder and Joy
Everyone struggles with worry and stress on a day-to-day basis. What if you could let go of the burden of worry and enjoy peace every day, regardless of what’s happening in your life? Certified life coach and author Valerie Galloway can help your audience stop worrying and start living. Valerie empowers you to tap into your own internal resources and trade worry for wonder and joy. Learn how to accomplish personal goals, improve relationships, and move forward with confidence! A certified ICF coach with a bachelor’s in community health and a master’s in social science, Valerie is the author of “Steal, Kill & Destroy: A Spiritual Guide to Overcoming Addiction and Loss.” Contact Valerie Galloway at (917) 994-8841; vgalloway@rtirguests.com
13. ==> This Author Says God Bailed Her Out of Prison
As a single teenage mother who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for conspiracy to sell drugs and money laundering, Tressa Mitchener seemed like a lost cause. But thanks to her strong faith, her sentence was miraculously reduced to five years. She went on to earn a B.A. in psychology, become a respected Christian counselor and best-selling author, and marry the man of her dreams. “While I was in prison, I was strongly focused on God,” she says. “He was giving me instructions and guiding me. My mind began to change.” She is the author of “Looking Out from the Inside: The United States v. Tressa Oliva Parker.” Contact Tressa at (919) 582-5992; Tmitchener@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How to Bounce Back from Big Setbacks
Are you prepared for the major problems life can throw at you? When you suffer a serious setback, whether it’s a divorce, losing a job, surviving a disaster such as a house fire, ending a relationship, or struggling with life-altering health issues, dealing with grief is a huge part of the process. Unfortunately, the majority of advice for conquering the aftermath of life’s worst curveballs does not address grief at all. Frank DiMaio can help your audience recover from the big things and find ways to enjoy life. He developed a way to help anyone move forward from being emotionally stuck in grief. Frank’s new book is “A Promise Made, A Promise Kept: A Husband’s Journey Through Journaling to Heal the Loss of His Spouse.” Contact Frank DiMaio at (401) 205-3325; fdimaio@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Fun Show: Famous Faces and Their Furry Friends
People are their most genuine selves when they’re with their pets, even celebrities. For a fun show, book photographer Johanna Siegmann, whose new book, “In Good Company,” features portraits of notable people with their pets. “No matter how experienced or nervous someone is about being photographed, interviewed or even in crowds, as soon as they are with their pets, everything changes,” Siegmann says. Unlike traditional pet portraits, these unique images depict the relationship between people and their beloved pets and portray everyday moments between them, which are intimate and mundane, often humorous, whimsical, or touching, and always genuine. Participants include the late Ed Asner, Ed Begley Jr., Richard Karn, Norman Lear, Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and many others from a wide range of fields including the arts, science, literature, performance and music. A portion of the book’s profits will go to support Apex Protection Project, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to save wolves through education, rescue and advocacy. Contact Harlan Boll at harlan@bhbpr.com