01. From Graduation to Retirement: The Life-Changing Burden of Student Debt
02. Why Is Caitlin Clark’s Salary So Low?
03. Let’s Talk Finance – From AI to Consumer Banking Tips
04. Skyrocketing Melatonin Use Spurs Call for Caution
05. Is Your Kid’s School Lunch Toxic?
06. Insider on Morgan Stanley and White-Collar Crime
07. How to Shut Down Your Crazed Liberal Relatives
08. Can Diversity Training Eliminate Biases?
09. ‘I Was Roofied by a Famous Athlete and Savaged on Social Media’
10. 5 Key Things Millennials Need to Know About Digital Preservation
11. Social Anxiety: Why So Many Wait So Long to Get Help
12. Can You Raise Confident Kids in a Chaotic World?
13. Could a Psychotherapist Hold the Key to Ending Religious Divisiveness?
14. Quick Tips for Better Sleep Tonight
15. How World War II Affected College Football
1. ==> From Graduation to Retirement: The Life-Changing Burden of Student Debt
According to the latest Gallup Lumina Foundation Cost of College report, nearly three out of four Americans who took out student loans say their debt has forced them to delay a major life event, like buying a house, having kids or getting married. “Attaining a college degree or credential should lead to a good job and living a good life; it’s that simple,” says Courtney Brown, Lumina vice president of impact and planning. “The fact that student debt is keeping them from that is a concern we need to take seriously,” she adds. Despite concerns over cost, the study shows that many Americans do not know the true cost of a degree. Among all adults, nearly half underestimate the cost of a bachelor’s degree by $5,000 or more, and an additional 31% overestimate costs by the same margin. Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Contact Courtney Brown at cbrown@luminafoundation.org
2. ==> Why Is Caitlin Clark’s Salary So Low?
It’s refreshing to see all the attention given to the WNBA draft this week, but the spotlight also highlights the problem the league has with pay equity. Despite her record-breaking performance in the NCAA and the energy that she’s generated for the sport, top pick Caitlin Clark will earn less than 1% of what her male counterpart will make in her first year. She’ll be able to supplement her salary through endorsements and marketing deals, but even with those, her estimated earnings will be lower than the base salary of a first-round NBA pick. Randy Albelda is a professor emerita at the University of Massachusetts Boston and a senior research fellow at the university’s Center for Social Policy. She can explain the forces at play that keep women’s wages low and whether the tide is turning when it comes to pay equality. Albelda is the co-author of several books including “Unlevel Playing Fields: Understanding Wage Inequality and Wage Discrimination” and the author of “Feminism and Economics: Disturbances in the Field.” Contact her at (617) 287-6963; randy.albelda@umb.edu
3. ==> Let’s Talk Finance – From AI to Consumer Banking Tips
Looking for insight on current financial topics? Finance expert Jared Dillian can talk about financial news and topics including AI, the overvalued U.S. dollar, the future of private equity and what’s going in in the energy sector. The author of “No Worries: How to Live a Stress-Free, Financial Life” can also share consumer banking tips like the most effective ways to use credit cards and smart ways to buy big-ticket items, from houses to cars. Jared Dillian is the editor of The Daily Dirtnap, a daily market newsletter for investment professionals, and the founder of Jared Dillian Money. A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, Dillian served in Coast Guard Intelligence before going to the University of San Francisco business school and becoming the head of an ETF trading desk. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188
4. ==> Skyrocketing Melatonin Use Spurs Call for Caution
Demand for melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness, has skyrocketed over the past decade. Now, manufacturers are being put on notice to voluntarily add child-deterrent packaging and improve cautionary language on labels. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, issued the request in response to a massive rise in accidental ingestions and an April 2023 study that found 25 products labeled as melatonin gummies contained dangerous levels of the hormone. “What’s significant here is that the industry recognizes that melatonin supplements do pose serious risks — particularly to children — and that the industry needs to do a much better job at ensuring the products are safe and well-manufactured,” says Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Somerville, Massachusetts, who authored the study on melatonin gummies. Dr. Pieter Cohen leads the Supplement Research Program at Cambridge Health Alliance. He practices internal medicine in Somerville and is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Contact media relations at Cambridge Health Alliance at (617) 591-4044; dcecere@challiance.org
5. ==> Is Your Kid’s School Lunch Toxic?
Consumer Reports has found that Lunchables — those prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers — aren’t the healthiest option when it comes to picking snacks or lunches for kids, as they contain troublesome levels of lead and sodium. Zen Honeycutt isn’t surprised by the news. And, she says, Lunchables isn’t the only toxin-laden food served in school lunches and marketed to children. The founding executive director of the national nonprofit Moms Across America has been working for years to clean our food from toxins that have made their way into the food supply through agro-chemical farming. In 2014, these empowered moms initiated the first glyphosate testing in America and successfully petitioned Costco to remove Roundup from their shelves. Zen Honeycutt is the author of “Unstoppable: Transforming Sickness and Struggle into Triumph, Empowerment, and Celebration of Community.” Contact Mark at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com
6. ==> Insider on Morgan Stanley and White-Collar Crime
According to a report in the “Wall Street Journal,” multiple regulators are probing Morgan Stanley’s wealth arm over whether the bank has sufficiently investigated the identities of prospective clients, the sources of their wealth, and how it monitors their financial activity. It’s just the latest inquiry into the bank’s business dealings. When former Morgan Stanley financial advisor Dana de Windt uncovered the company’s practice of selling bonds that were actually unsecured surplus notes — which became worthless — he began a crusade to protect the firm’s clients, while trying to right the wrongs Morgan Stanley committed. “This was a classic David versus Goliath chess match,” he says. Dana can share how this match began, how he cleverly fought to corner the company and the convoluted events that transpired after he blew the whistle. This is just one of the shocking events he witnessed during his 30-plus years in the financial industry, and he can share how average investors can protect themselves from inappropriate investments. Dana is the author of “Checkmate: The Morgan Stanley Whistle Blower.” Contact him at (772) 773-6879; ddewindt@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How to Shut Down Your Crazed Liberal Relatives
We all have relatives who do not share our political views. Whether it’s your nut-job brother-in-law Connor, your Aunt Becky or Uncle Lou, or Cousin Stacey, remember that you can’t choose your family. So when you gather around the table or living room for a family celebration, fear not. Rodger Friedman, the well-spoken, soundbite-worthy, media-savvy expert who has earned a reputation as The Equal Opportunity Critic, is here to save your sanity. The perfect guest to have on your show during the heated political season, Rodger can present your audience with his list of 20 questions to ask crazed liberal relatives to gauge how far off the rails they are when they hold forth on the seven reasons massive illegal immigration is good for America. (Sample question: Do you believe “The New York Times,” “The Washington Post” and CNN are unbiased media outlets that always neutrally report the truth?) Rodger Friedman is a fiscally conservative financial professional and proud member of the Sons of the American Legion who sees America heading toward a one-party socialist future. The author of multiple books, he has extensive experience as a talk-show guest on a variety of topics. His book is “Erasing America: Broken Politics, Broken Country,” Contact Rodger Friedman at (813) 575-0862; Eocritic@protonmail.com
8. ==> Can Diversity Training Eliminate Biases?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI) have been in the news lately, due to the ongoing cultural biases that are permeating every aspect of life around the world. As a result, many companies and organizations are implementing diversity training to address the ways they treat marginalized groups. But does it work? Find out from author Sara Ting who says, “All humans have unconscious biases. I have a tool that takes 10 seconds or less to help cultivate a mindset to value all people and be aware of one’s unconscious bias without feelings of shame, judgment, or guilt.” Sara is a diversity and inclusion educator, speaker, consultant, and author of “Small Book with a Big Idea: 5 Minute Training to Empower You and Transform the World.” Contact Sara Ting at (508) 715-3370; Sting@rtirguests.com
9. ==> ‘I Was Roofied by a Famous Athlete and Savaged on Social Media’
Susie Bell was newly divorced, had just left the Mormon faith, and was working as a nurse in Las Vegas when she met a famous baseball player who would turn her life upside down. “He approached me at the gym and asked me to get together sometime,” she says. “I had tickets to the opening of a nightclub and invited him along. I had some wine and the room was spinning. I woke up at his house at 5 a.m. to him raping me.” While she reported the incident to authorities, they declined to seek criminal charges and the MLB star launched a public campaign of terror, repeatedly trashing her on social media. Susie can share the harrowing details, along with the challenges she faced after leaving Mormonism. She is the author of the upcoming book “A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine & Men.” Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com
10. ==> 5 Key Things Millennials Need to Know About Digital Preservation
For the first generation who grew up with cell phones, the internet, and digital cameras, the word “photo” invokes a collection of pixels rather than a physical object. It’s said that the internet is forever, but are all those digital memories truly safe? Professional archivist Rhonda Chadwick reveals why “storing and ignoring” can lead to a complete loss of digital content, and what we need to do to protect our cherished photos. She’ll also discuss why some file formats are better than others, how to guard against corporations pulling the plug on your digital storage, why you need to disaster-proof your photo collection and much more. The author of “Secrets from the Stacks: An Archivist Reveals How to Store, Digitize, and Preserve Documents to Create a Family Archive and Leave a Personal Legacy,” Rhonda holds a master’s degree in library science. Talk to this knowledgeable guest today, and help your listeners preserve their memories for generations to come. Contact Rhonda Chadwick at (401) 227-3306; rchadwick@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Social Anxiety: Why So Many Wait So Long to Get Help
Millions of teens and adults struggle with persistent fears of social situations because they believe they will be judged negatively or humiliated. Many avoid seeking help. “Less than half seek treatment; most seek treatment only after they have been suffering for 15 to 20 years,” says clinical psychologist and author Dr. Thomas E. Brown. “They feel embarrassed and ashamed.” Dr. Brown notes that social anxiety is associated with increased rates of school dropouts, unemployment, remaining single, and getting divorced. He can describe the causes and symptoms of social anxiety, the most effective treatment options, and how those suffering can reclaim their lives. Dr. Brown is a professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience at University of CA Riverside School of Medicine and the author of seven books including “Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults” and his forthcoming “Social Anxiety: Hidden Fears and Shame in Teens and Adults.” Contact Thomas E. Brown at (475) 405-3549; tbrown@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Can You Raise Confident Kids in a Chaotic World?
It’s not easy being a kid in the age of social media, facing bullying, the post-pandemic pressure to catch up in school, and other, unprecedented stressors. In fact, the American Psychological Association reports that suicide among teens and adolescents has doubled within the last decade. According to author Patricia Wilson, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to navigating the youth mental health crisis. “What children need is a sense of self-worth, and an appreciation of the gift of life,” she says. Patricia can share her experience of working with a suicidal 13-year-old girl, and some simple, yet powerful exercises that can help parents to raise confident kids. She has taught children from grades K-12 and counseled kids for more than 30 years. She is the author of numerous best-selling books including “My Magical Night Mare,” “I Am Amazing” and “When Grandma Giggled.” Contact Patricia Wilson at (778) 561-4603; pwilson@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Could a Psychotherapist Hold the Key to Ending Religious Divisiveness?
What if we could stop every disagreement over religion, from fighting with your uncle at Thanksgiving to full-scale holy wars? Author and psychotherapist Joe Masterleo reveals the universal constant that not only encompasses all religions but also bridges the gap between spirituality and science. Until now, he says, the only “solution” we’ve found is to agree to disagree – a theory not everyone subscribes to, and one that only puts off arguments rather than ending them. Ask him: How can God be everywhere at once? Why do you say that heaven is real? What is the all-inclusive theory that unites nature and religion? Are dogs a reflection of God? A psychotherapist for over 50 years, Joe has worked with hundreds of people to help them reconcile their inner conflicts and contradictions along mental-spiritual lines. Joe’s commentaries have appeared in the “Syracuse Post Standard.” He is the author of ” The Ambient Christ: The Untold Story of God in Science, Scripture and Spirituality.” Contact Joe Masterleo at (315) 509-3740 or jmasterleo@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Quick Tips for Better Sleep Tonight
According to the CDC, one in three Americans doesn’t get enough sleep; being sleep-deprived affects your cognitive functioning and emotional resilience, leading to even more stress and the creation of a vicious circle. For some great ideas on how to sleep better that you can use right away, interview Edie Summers, the author of “The Memory of Health” and a corporate wellness advisor for a tech-health startup. Knowledgeable about the latest sleep research, Edie can help your listeners learn the answers to such questions as what time should you stop drinking caffeinated beverages (it’s earlier than you think), why should you go to bed early if you have a lot to do, what food eaten at bedtime helps you sleep, and what type of bed works best for couples troubled by their partner’s tossing and turning. Edie has been featured in “Entrepreneur” and many podcasts. Contact Edie Summers at (503) 487-0058; esummers@rtirguests.com
15. ==> How World War II Affected College Football
The football season may be over but there are still great stories out there for football fans who miss the regular gridiron action. One of them has to do with the surprising importance of college football to the country during World War II and the lengths colleges went to preserve this American institution and keep morale high. West Point graduate, retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Vietnam veteran Rich Cacioppe gives your audience an in-depth look at college football in the crucial 1940s, as well as the unique cultural aspects that surrounded this tumultuous time. The author of “Black Knights and Fighting Irish” and an experienced media guest, Rich provides the answers to fascinating questions like: Why was the 1946 Army-Notre Dame game considered “The Game of the Century?” What was the shocking connection between Notre Dame and a 1951 cheating scandal at West Point? How does WWII’s impact on college football make today’s unprecedented Transfer Portal issue seem benign by comparison? Contact Rich Cacioppe at (239) 420-7460 or rcacioppe@rtirguests.com
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