01. Netanyahu Warrant Boosts Dissonance Among American Jews
02. Reproductive Rights Are on the Ballot, Whether You See Them or Not
03. Summer Job Outlook
04. 5 Signs Bennifer Is on the Rocks
05. New Documentary Explores Modern Cajun Music Scene
06. Diddy Video: Let’s Talk About Domestic Violence
07. Why Is White-Collar Crime Still Tolerated?
08. The First Thing You Should NOT Do When Diagnosed With Cancer
09. Unlocking the Power of Giving Back
10. Social Anxiety Ruins Lives: Why Treatment Is Often an Afterthought
11. Bestie Bonds: A 40-Year Search for Her Childhood Friend
12. How to Take Your Yoga Practice Off the Mat
13. Your Spouse Cheated. Should You Stay?
14. ‘I Was Roofied by a Famous Athlete and Savaged on Social Media’
15. This Guest Knows What Takes Place in Spaceships
1.==> Netanyahu Warrant Boosts Dissonance Among American Jews
Will the decision of the International Criminal Court to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu create further cognitive dissonance among Jews in the United States? Abba Solomon, author of several books on Zionism in America believes it will. “Jews are going to have to make a painful reappraisal of the project that imposes a ‘Jewish’ state in Palestine.” He adds, “The essential fight against antisemitism cannot mean ongoing degradation and suppression of another people. After 75-plus years of violently taking, while piously talking of a desire for peace, the disconnect between that ostensible peace-seeking and the assertion of Zionist control of the land will need to be resolved. The key issue now is to demand the United States cease providing financing and arms that enable Israel’s continuing attacks on Arab civilians of Palestine.” Abba Solomon’s latest book is “The Miasma of Unity: Jews and Israel.” Contact him at abbasolomon@gmail.com
2. ==> Reproductive Rights Are on the Ballot, Whether You See Them or Not
No matter where or how you vote, abortion rights will be on your ballot in far more—and more consequential – ways this fall than in decades. “Ultimately, 2024 will likely be taken as critical evidence by both Democrats and Republicans about how much the abortion issue matters,” says Mary Ziegler, an expert on the law, history, and politics of reproduction, health care, and conservatism in the United States from 1945 to the present. Ziegler can discuss states with ballot initiatives on reproductive rights, how elected state Supreme Court elections will affect the issue, and why the stakes are far higher than the fight over ballot measures would suggest. Mary Ziegler is the Martin Luther King Jr., professor of Law at the University of California, Davis. She is the author of “Dollars for Life: The Antiabortion Movement and the Fall of the Republican Establishment” and “Roe: The History of a National Obsession.” Contact her at mziegler@ucdavis.edu
3. ==> Summer Job Outlook
Summer officially starts this weekend and labor expert John Challenger expects an uptick in teens looking for jobs, but will they have any luck? Challenger says it remains to be seen whether higher labor costs will deter employers from hiring this summer. Ask him: Why are more teens looking for work? Where should teens look for jobs? What’s the best time to apply? Challenger can also explain why few teens have been working in recent years and what’s driving the recent interest. Andrew Challenger is senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (314) 807-1568; colleenmadden@challengergray.com
4.==> 5 Signs Bennifer Is on the Rocks
Rumors are swirling that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Hollywood love story has hit the skids. After nearly two years of marriage, the “Maid in Manhattan” star and the Oscar winner are living apart, according to “Access Hollywood” and “People.” Dr. Carole Lieberman isn’t surprised. The psychiatrist has been saying the marriage was doomed from day one. “Nobody wanted to hear it because their reuniting, after having broken up years ago, is a feel-good romance story. It seemed like a happy ending that many hope will happen for themselves. Now it’s more obvious that the marriage is doomed.” Though the couple has been silent, Lieberman says body language speaks volumes. “Ben has been looking increasingly miserable in each photo with Jen he’s been in. Either he has irritable bowel syndrome giving him cramps on these occasions or he is feeling his dream girl slipping away.” Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows from “Oprah” to “Fox News.” 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
5. ==> New Documentary Explores Modern Cajun Music Scene
Cajun music’s contemporary scene in Louisiana has found mainstream success with Grammy Award nominations and wins, but shuttering venues and aging fans leave some questioning the music’s longevity. In their new documentary “Roots of Fire,” Abby Berendt Lavoi and Jeremey Lavoi honor the rich history and cultural legacy of Cajun music. Featuring electrifying performances from the Pine Leaf Boys, Feufollet, Jourdan Thibodeaux et Les Rôdailleurs, Bonsoir Catin, and more, the crowd-pleasing documentary explores how playing kick-ass music preserves Cajun tradition for future generations. “Roots of Fire” is currently available on streaming platforms.. For interviews with the directors and musicians, contact Kerry Hargraves at kelly.hargraves@firstrunfeatures.com
6. ==> Diddy Video: Let’s Talk About Domestic Violence
The recently-leaked video of Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his girlfriend is sparking discussions about domestic violence and abuse. The video garnered media attention but also serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of intimate partner violence. Phoenix Rose will discuss the unseen reasons women stay with those who hurt them, what domestic violence victims have in common with their abusers, why the occurrence of domestic violence spiked drastically during the pandemic, and much more. She’ll share her personal story of escaping a violent relationship and rebuilding her life, and offer real, actionable advice for people to help themselves or their loved ones do the same. Phoenix Rose is the author of “Walking in Aloha: 5 Steps to Living Your God Potential Life,” Contact her at (808) 201-2784 or prose@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Why Is White-Collar Crime Still Tolerated?
While working as a broker at Morgan Stanley in the early 2000s, Dana de Wendt witnessed a shocking series of events. “I was convinced that Morgan Stanley was cheating clients,” he says. Thus, Dana decided to blow the whistle. In 2007, Morgan Stanley and one of its senior traders agreed to pay $6.1 million in fines and restitution to settle allegations that the investment bank overcharged brokerage customers — one of whom was Dana’s then 87-year-old father — on 2,800 purchases of $59 million of bonds. But no criminal charges were ever pursued. That is just one of the shocking events he witnessed during his 30-plus years in the financial industry, and they are still happening. Dana can share why such white-collar crimes remain under the radar, and how companies continue to get away with them. Dana is the author of “Checkmate: The Morgan Stanley Whistle Blower.” Contact him at (772) 773-6879; ddewindt@rtirguests.com
8. ==> The First Thing You Should NOT Do When Diagnosed with Cancer
We all have a cancer story. With one in three Americans being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, it is a common thread in all our lives. However, with good information and proper guidance, these stories can have better endings – if we know what to do, and what not to do. Dr. Kerry Forrestal can help. An ER doctor for 20 years, Dr. Forrestal has worked with thousands of cancer patients. His expert advice can give your audience the best possible chance against cancer as well as tips for navigating your finances, relationships, and career post-diagnosis. Ask him: Why should newly diagnosed cancer patients absolutely not go online to research when they first receive their diagnosis? Why are most cases of cancer discovered in the ER? How have evolving treatments made it more likely than ever that patients will survive a cancer diagnosis? An experienced media guest, Forrestal is the author of “Crushing Cancer: A Patient’s Complete Guide to Managing a Cancer Diagnosis.” Contact him at (419) 780-3689; kforrestal@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Unlocking the Power of Giving Back
Giving back by way of donating to charities, volunteering in one’s community, or starting a nonprofit can be very rewarding. But how do you know if you’re actually making a significant difference? “Many people are compelled to give back on the basis of their own life experiences, such as personal tragedies, and passions,” says author and nonprofit expert Michele Whetzel. “While it’s great to follow your heart, you need to do your homework.” Michele is a veteran of the nonprofit arena, founder of Your 501 Guide consulting and author of the book “So, You Want to Start a Nonprofit, Now What?” Contact her at (302) 407-0513; Mwhetzel@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Social Anxiety Ruins Lives: Why Treatment Is Often an Afterthought
Millions of adults and teens suffer from social anxiety disorder, yet many refrain from seeing treatment. Why? “Many young people and adults struggle with this privately, because they are fearful of what others might think of them,” according to clinical psychologist Dr. Thomas E. Brown. For those with the condition (also known as social phobia), everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment because they fear being scrutinized or judged negatively by others. Invite Brown to dispel the myths about the disorder, explain the difference between being shy and having social anxiety, and share treatment options that can help. Thomas E. Brown is professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine. He is the author of seven books including “Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD” and the forthcoming “Social Anxiety: Hidden Fears and Shame in Teens and Adults.” Contact Dr. Thomas E. Brown at (475) 405-3549; tbrown@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Bestie Bonds: A 40-Year Search for Her Childhood Friend
Since 1980, many civilians have died in war-torn Afghanistan, but Masuda Rahmati was determined to find her childhood best friend, whom she last saw more than 40 years ago when they were 11 years old. The two were separated when Masuda and her family fled Afghanistan before the Taliban took over and the girls never said goodbye or spoke again. Invite Masuda to share why it was so important for her to find her friend, how her famous father helped her in the search, details about their planned reunion and the different directions the two families took. You’ll also hear how Masuda drew the Taliban’s ire in 2005 when she became the first woman to represent Afghanistan in the Mrs. World International Beauty Competition. Masuda Rahmati’s upcoming book is “Almost Killed by the Taliban: How I Stood Up for the Women and Girls of Afghanistan.” A media veteran, she has been interviewed by the international media and has been recognized by Congress. Contact her at (831) 298-8335; mrahmati@rtirguests.com
12. ==> How to Take Your Yoga Practice Off the Mat
Approximately 300 million people around the world practice yoga including about 35 million here in the U.S. Invite Nicole Byars to explain exactly what yoga is—and isn’t—and how you can practice it while folding yoga or riding a bike without yoga pants, a mat, or twisting yourself into a pretzel. Nicole says, “Yoga literally means being in the present moment. Let’s say you are folding the laundry and as you do it, you are really present. Feeling the ground supporting your feet, the clothes on your hands as you fold. Most people plow through the most mundane tasks completely robotic, and all up in their heads (the average person has 40,000 negative thoughts in a day). Anyone can do yoga. If you are present, breathing, and in the moment, that is doing yoga.” Nicole owns the Honest Yoga Studio in Plymouth, Minn., and is the author of “Living Yoga Beyond the Mat.” Contact Nicole Byars at (612) 414-9198; nicole@thehonestyoga.com
13. ==> Your Spouse Cheated. Should You Stay?
Infidelity is a leading cause of divorce in the U.S. But while many marriages do not survive such betrayal, author and marriage therapist Marsha Means claims that there is hope. “In a number of cases, cheating is a result of sex addiction,” she says. “The problem is the same with any form of addiction, be it sex, heroin, or alcohol, which often is the result of unresolved childhood trauma.” Marsha can share how to address past trauma to break sex addiction for good, and how couples can survive the pain. She is the author of the critically acclaimed books “Learn Empathy: Help Your Betrayed Wife Heal” and “From Betrayal Trauma to Healing & Joy: A Workbook for Partners of Sex Addicts.” Contact Marsha Means at (520) 341-6002; mmeans@rtirguests.com
14. ==> ‘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
15. ==> This Guest Knows What Takes Place in Spaceships
Alien abduction has long been the stuff of science fiction, but according to author and long-time licensed hypnotherapist, Kryste Andrews, such occurrences are real. While relaxing into the hypnotic state of consciousness called theta, some of Kryste’s clients have reported interacting with life on other planets. “Thousands of people are certain they’ve been abducted by aliens,” she says. “I’ve worked with a few who have ‘beamed up’ to a spaceship during our sessions and reported details about what goes on there.” Her upcoming book, “31 Conversations With an Alien,” is based on a recent client’s extraordinary life and reveals the living room chats between Kryste and an extraterrestrial named Fred. Contact Kryste Andrews at (201) 801-4551; Kandrews@rtirguests.com