01. Putin and the Paradox of War
02. Is Joe Biden a Risky Candidate?
03. Shattering the Myth of Male Hunters, Women Gatherers
04. How to Protect Workers From Deadly On-the-Job Heat
05. What Really Happens to the Clothes You Donate?
06. Behind the ‘Doomsday Mom’ Murders
07. 4 Things Gen Zs Want in a Workplace
08. Why Python Hunters Are Flocking to Florida
09. 36 Years Ago This Summer – Why ‘Dirty Dancing’ Endures
10. FDA Approves First OTC Birth Control Pill
11. Life-Changing Moments Happen in Seconds
12. Self-Care for Caregivers: 10-Minute Rituals
13. When a Child Dies by Suicide: How to Break the Guilt Cycle
14. Why Are Women Afraid to Speak Up?
15. Where to Find the Healthiest Food in the Grocery Store
1.==> Putin and the Paradox of War
As the war in Ukraine drags on, it seems unlikely that Vladimir Putin can claim victory anytime soon, but it’s doubtful he’ll contemplate ending the conflict, regardless of the toll it is taking. Lawrence Freedman says, “It’s one of the paradoxes of war that even as its original objectives drift out of reach or are cast aside, the necessity of not being seen as the loser only grows in importance — such importance, in fact, that even if winning is no longer possible, governments will still persevere to show that they have not been beaten.” Freeman says losing goes beyond the failure of objectives or explaining the lives lost for little gain. “Loss casts doubt on the wisdom and competence of the government. Failure in war can cause a government to fall.” He adds that should there be another big win for Ukraine, Putin faces an unpalatable choice: he must either confirm that Russia is losing an unnecessary war or persist in waging an unwinnable war. Lawrence Freedman is a renowned British academic, military historian, foreign policy advisor and author. He is an emeritus professor of war studies at King’s College London. Contact him at lawrence.freedman@kcl.ac.uk; @LawDavF
2. ==> Is Joe Biden a Risky Candidate?
Many Americans dread the thought of a 2024 repeat match between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but others are worried the campaign could look more like the 2016 race that featured GOP claims of corruption against Hillary Clinton. The group Step Aside Joe warns that Biden is a “risky candidate” to defeat the GOP, issuing a statement that says in part, “Pro-Biden news outlets have so far generally played down the evidence, but during a very personalized, one-on-one Biden vs. GOP candidate race, we think that drumbeats about alleged corruption of Biden and his family would have significant impact on some swing voters.” RootsAction cofounder Jeff Cohen says, “Self-enrichment allegations against the Biden family reduce the effectiveness of Democratic attacks on Trump’s get-richer-quick hustles and GOP corruption in general.” But Cohen believes there are more profound and crucial problems with the Biden campaign than corruption. “We want a Democratic nominee who is progressive and dynamic – and can be a strong candidate against the Republican contender. Biden does not qualify.” Step Aside Joe is a project of RootsAction, a progressive coalition that works to defend the public interest and expand social justice. Contact Jeff Cohen at jeff@rootsaction.org or Sam Rosenthal at sam@rootsaction.org
3. ==> Shattering the Myth of Male Hunters, Women Gatherers
Historically, hunting has been thought to be solely a man’s domain. But researchers have found that women in foraging societies were often the ones bringing home the bacon (and other prey, too). According to a review of records from around the world and spanning the past century, women — young and old alike — hunted large game as well as small animals. They hunted in groups or alone, with their children and with hunting dogs, and wielded weapons like bows and arrows, knives and nets. Biological anthropologist and lead study author Cara Wall-Scheffler says, “Males were taught to hunt in a particular way and had a very particular tool type they would use,” while women chose whatever tool they wanted at the time, she said. Women also exhibited greater variety than men in their choice of hunting partners. “They would go with their husband, they would go with their friends, they would go with their sisters. Sometimes a grandma would go all by herself if she had a particular way of capturing certain prey,” according to Wall-Scheffler. The study was recently published in the journal “PLOS One.” Cara Wall-Scheffler is a professor and co-chair of biology at Seattle Pacific University. Contact her at cwallsch@spu.edu
4. ==> How to Protect Workers From Deadly On-the-Job Heat
Recent heatwaves have been brutal for anyone who works outside, but
worker health and safety advocate Juley Fulcher says everyone is in trouble. “When we look at heat stress deaths, there are more in Texas and California, but they happen all over the country. It’s not just outdoors; it’s indoors too. Extreme high temperatures outside often cause high temperatures inside.” She says, “It’s all about what the worker is acclimated to and used to.” She adds, “The majority of workplace heat deaths occur in the first couple days that someone starts a job. You need to get workers gradually used to working in the heat.” Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced a bill that would compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish a permanent federal standard to protect workers in outdoor and indoor heat. Contact Julie Fulcher is a worker health and safety advocate at Public Citizen. Contact her at jfulcher@citizen.org
5. ==> What Really Happens to the Clothes You Donate?
You probably feel pretty good about cleaning out your closet and donating your cast-offs, but do you know what happens after you drop off that bag? Oliver Franklin-Wallis points out that many of us spend a lot of time thinking about where things come from, but rarely consider where they go after we’re done with them. Invite the author of “Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters” to share what happens to our stuff after we throw it “away” – the places it goes, and the people who deal with it when it gets there. He’ll share stories from around the globe that took him inside dumpsters and mountainous landfills, to super-sewers, ghost towns, and the largest nuclear waste store in Europe. Oliver Franklin-Wallis is a contributing editor at “WIRED.” His work has appeared in many publications including “British GQ,” “The Guardian,” “The New York Times,” “The Times Magazine,” and “The Sunday Times Magazine.” Contact Jayme Boucher at jayme.boucher@hbgusa.com
6. ==> Behind the ‘Doomsday Mom’ Murders
A judge in Boise, Idaho has sentenced the so-called “Doomsday Mom,” Lori Vallow Daybell, to life in prison without parole. The 49-year-old mother of three was convicted earlier this year of murdering two of her children and conspiring to kill her husband’s first wife. Vallow Daybell’s religious beliefs about zombies and the end of the world were cited as partial motives for the murders. Invite forensic psychiatrist and expert witness Dr. Carole Lieberman to discuss how those beliefs factored into the case as well as the role of money, and what Vallow Daybell’s body language in the courtroom during the trial and sentencing revealed. Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., frequently appears in the media commentating on news headlines from a psychological and socio-political point of view. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103
7. ==> 4 Things Gen Zs Want in a Workplace
The Great Resignation isn’t going anywhere. More American businesses than ever are suffering from low employee engagement, high turnover rates, and a shortage of qualified staff. One of the biggest struggles is attracting Generation Z and millennials, who make up 46% of our current workforce and whose career ideals are vastly different from previous generations. Executive coach Susan Anderson will reveal how companies can not only appeal to the Gen Z and millennial workforce but also transform their employee practices to vastly improve engagement and decrease turnover — and by doing so, increase profits and revenue. Interview this passionate, motivational guest today to find out why Gen Z is less driven by money than any other generation (and what really gets them excited about a job), the real reason companies that prioritize employees are more profitable and much more! Susan Anderson is the author of “The Path to Servant Leadership: A 12-Month Guide to Implementation.” Contact her at (678) 999-8143; sanderson@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Why Python Hunters Are Flocking to Florida
Deer, raccoons, possums and foxes once flocked the area of the Everglades National Park in South Florida. Nowadays, you’re lucky if you spot one mammal in the area, according to wildlife experts. What’s to blame for this decline in wildlife? Burmese pythons. Invasive animal biologist Michael Kirkland says that’s why hundreds of snake hunters gather each year for the Florida Python Challenge, created in 2013 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to help combat the state’s ecosystem issue. Kirkland says the pythons have been “decimating wildlife for years.” He says, “Human detection and removal are the most efficient and effective tools in the toolbox right now.” Kirkland said there has been up to a 90% decline in animals in the area due to pythons. The 10-day competition begins this Friday and runs through August 14 and offers cash prizes of up to $30,000 for the most and longest pythons caught. Michael Kirkland is an invasive animal biologist at the South Florida Water Management District. Contact him at (561) 686-8800; mikirkla@sfwmd.gov
9. ==> 36 Years Ago This Summer – Why ‘Dirty Dancing’ Endures
Everyone could use a shot of hope and optimism these days. Sue Tabashnik is just the person to supply it as she takes your audience back in time to relive the movie magic of “Dirty Dancing.” The quintessential summer movie that starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey centers on a Catskills resort in which there is a coming-of-age tale intertwined with a love story. Invite Sue to talk about the film’s enduring themes and the festivals that entice thousands of fans to gather to celebrate the film and its iconic soundtrack. She can also talk about the “Dirty Dancing” sequel scheduled to be released next year. Sue has done extensive research on “Dirty Dancing” and was the special guest speaker at a major “Dirty Dancing” festival. She met Swayze multiple times and his mother once. Among her books are “Patrick Swayze: The Dreamer” and “Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance.” Contact Sue Tabashnik at (248) 617-0505; stabashnik@rtirguests.com
10. ==> FDA Approves First OTC Birth Control Pill
The FDA recently approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill. It marks the first hormonal birth control to be available without requiring a visit to the doctor. Who will benefit from OTC birth control pills? Are they safe? Who should avoid taking them? Invite longtime obstetrician Alan Lindemann to explain the new birth control option. 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
11. ==> Life-Changing Moments Happen in Seconds
Life could change, or end, in a matter of seconds. As a long-time nurse and health-care provider, Allen Daugherty has witnessed what happens when people take safety for granted. “In our society, life is so fast-paced and hectic that people often don’t pay attention to safety or preventative health care,” he says. “This could range from texting while driving to neglecting to receive routine, yet life-saving health tests and screenings.” Allen can address why America is the unhealthiest developed nation in the world, and how we can collectively change our mindset to improve our health and well-being. Allen has worked in the medical field for almost 50 years, first as a U.S. Air Force medic then as an RN and certified dialysis nurse. He is the author of “An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth More Than You Can Imagine.” Contact Allen at (540) 712-8704; adaugherty@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Self-Care for Caregivers: 10-Minute Rituals
There are currently over 50 million people providing unpaid care to a sick or aging loved one in the United States and studies show that at least 40% to 70% of family caregivers report symptoms of anxiety or depression — that’s a whole lot of stressed-out caregivers! As the primary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, Alexandra Free suffered from daily panic attacks and depression. One particularly bad day, she decided something had to change and she started putting self-care at the top of her caregiving to-do list. Alexandra can discuss the importance of self-care for caregivers and share simple 10-minute rituals she created to help caregivers (and non-caregivers) create some peace in the middle of whatever chaos life is throwing at them. Alexandra is a self-care advocate, caregiving expert, and the author of “From Zero to Zen: A Guide to Help You Thrive as a Caregiver.” Contact Alexandra Free at (310) 922-5637; lex@alexandrafree.com
13. ==> When A Child Dies by Suicide: How to Break the Guilt Cycle
Few things could be as painful as losing a child no matter what the cause, but when the death is due to suicide, feelings of parental guilt can perpetually percolate just below the surface. “As a parent, we want to think that we could have saved them, we could have protected them, it could have turned out different. And there’s no answer to that. And I think that’s part of the torture of when you have a child die by suicide is you just don’t know,” says Christina Liparini, a licensed psychologist and volunteer at Good Grief, a nonprofit group that serves families that have experienced the death of a parent or child. She says, “I hate the idea of closure when we talk about grief, anyway, but there truly is no closure. There are no answers for parents.” Liparini says parents can pick up the pieces though. She’ll share how to break the constant “why?” rumination and explain how good can come out the grief in the form of post-traumatic growth. Christina Liparini heads the counseling psychology Ph.D. program at St. Elizabeth University. Contact Christina Liparini at (973) 290-4111; cliparini@steu.edu
14. ==> Why Are Women Afraid to Speak Up?
It’s no secret that women struggle to be heard. Society teaches girls to be polite and agreeable and not make a fuss, even when a situation is challenging — or just plain wrong. If your audience is looking to reclaim their power in the workplace, at home, and beyond, you need to hear from Francesca Burack. The author of “Women Are Special: 123 Reasons Why” can share advice, tips, and encouragement to help women find, own, and use their voices with confidence. Ask her: What can women do to speak up in one-sided relationships, whether it’s at work or with family? How can women approach difficult conversations in the workplace, such as asking for raises, promotions, or benefits? An author, entrepreneur, educator, and popular speaker, Francesca Burack has been featured on major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News. Contact her at (516) 823-4003; fburack@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Where to Find the Healthiest Food in the Grocery Store
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., 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 the ZABIOLife herbal tea company. Contact Gladstone at (301) 820-7656; Getienne@rtirguests.com
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