01. The Super Bowl is Set – What About the Commercials?
02. RFK Jr. and Rural Public Health
03. What You Need to Know About Norovirus
04. True Crime: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins?
05. The Untold Story of the Birth of New York City
06. What History’s Most Notorious Leaders Can Teach Us About Success
07. From 'Deep Throat' to Karen Silkwood: What It's Like To Be A Whistleblower
08. Money Management Basics: No Matter How Much You Have
09. Downsize, Declutter and Make Money Doing it!
10. Want to Help LA Fire Victims? Choose the Right Charity
11. Why You Need to Tell Your Doctor About Your Cannabis Use
12. Common Misconceptions About Muslim Women
13. Why Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—and How to Get It Back
14. How Art Can Help You Find Your Purpose
15. 5 Ways to Make Your Life Easier This Year
1. ==> The Super Bowl is Set – What About the Commercials?
On Super Bowl Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. Millions of Americans will be watching, but for many, the highlight of the big game will be the commercials, with 30-second spots going for a reported $7 billion this year. Invite Charles Taylor, professor of marketing at the Villanova School of Business, to discuss what makes a great Super Bowl ad and share his predictions for this year’s crop of commercials. Who’s sitting out this year? Who are the newest advertisers to try to build awareness with the Super Bowl's massive reach? Is a Super Bowl ad worth the huge price tag? Charles Taylor is available before, during and after the big game. He is the author of the new book "Winning the Advertising Game: Lessons from the Super Bowl AD Champions (Business Guides on the Go.)" Contact Colleen Frerichs at cfrerichs@teamavoq.com
2. ==> RFK Jr. and Rural Public Health
Many public health experts have been highly critical of Donald Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. to become the country’s health czar, but those who are based in rural communities are focusing on the social and economic landscape that gave rise to RFK and extreme figures. Anne Sosin is a public health researcher and practitioner based at Dartmouth College. She says, “As someone who lives and works in a rural place, I understand why RFK Jr. holds appeal. But the answer isn’t to collaborate with RFK––it’s to listen deeply to communities and groups that find some of his ideas attractive and offer some kind of alternative. Public health communities focus on ‘finding the right message.’ We need less messaging, more listening.” Sosin also emphasizes that right now, “Bird flu is concentrated in rural places with limited healthcare infrastructure and increased immigration. If we see the dismantling of our threadbare infrastructure (as Trump has promised), we could see explosive conditions for an epidemic to take root.” Contact Anne Sosin at anne.n.sosin@dartmouth.edu
3. ==> What You Need to Know About Norovirus
Norovirus is surging across the country right now. It’s commonly known as the stomach flu, but it’s not caused by the influenza virus and it packs quite a punch. “Norovirus can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea at the same time, along with a fever. It will probably make you feel miserable for two or three days – but then everybody pretty much recovers,” according to Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. The highly contagious virus generally spreads via hand-to-mouth contact about 12 to 36 hours after exposure. Schaffner can discuss the symptoms of norovirus, how best to treat it, and the populations most vulnerable to this illness. He adds, the best defense against the illness is plain old handwashing, stressing that hand sanitizers do NOT kill the virus.” Contact Dr. William Schaffner at (615) 322-2037; william.schaffner@vumc.org
4. ==> True Crime: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins?
In 2005, Kim Crespi had what she later described as “the perfect life.” She and her husband, David, had five healthy, happy children. Less than a year later, Kim returned home from a haircut to find David had murdered their five-year-old twin daughters during a game of hide and seek. In the aftermath, family, friends, and even David had more questions than answers. Edward L. Jones III, author of “Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins,” will chronicle David Crespi’s struggles with insomnia and depression, the role SSRI antidepressants may have played in the killings, and Kim’s unimaginable journey of trauma, suffering, and eventual forgiveness. Along the way, he’ll take listeners on a journey into the dark heart of psychosis, of North Carolina’s penal and mental health systems, and of Big Pharma. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com
5. ==> The Untold Story of the Birth of New York City
While the 1626 Dutch purchase of Manhattan is widely remembered, the English seizure of the island and its transformation into New York remains a relatively overlooked moment in history. Historian Russell Shorto will reveal the founding of New York to be an invention, the result of creative negotiations that would blend the multiethnic, capitalistic society of New Amsterdam with the power of the rising English empire. But the birth of what might be termed the first modern city is also a story of the brutal dispossession of Native Americans and of the roots of American slavery. Shorto draws from newly translated materials and illuminates neglected histories—of religious refugees, Indigenous tribes, and free and enslaved Africans. Russell Shorto is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New York Historical Society and senior scholar at the New Netherland Institute. His latest book is “Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 400-1099; johanna@jrbpr.biz or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
6. ==> What History’s Most Notorious Leaders Can Teach Us About Success
The long-held conventional belief in the business world is that leadership can only be learned from positive role models. However, Steve Williams claims that we have it backward. "We can learn a lot about effective leadership from the likes of Atilla the Hun, Al Capone, and Genghis Khan," he says. "Although they were ruthless, they were some of the most brilliant leaders of all time." Steve can share the specific practices and tactics that made these infamous characters such effective head honchos, and how to apply these to one's own path to success. He is the author of six books including " Notorious: Leadership Lessons from History's Most Notorious Leaders," and a certified leadership coach and QMS expert. Contact Steve Williams at (920) 280-1068; swilliams@rtirguests.com
7. ==> From 'Deep Throat' to Karen Silkwood: What It's Like To Be A Whistleblower
Whistleblowers have changed the course of history. Karen Silkwood, a chemical technician and labor union activist, paid with her life when she exposed unsafe practices at Kerr-McGee Cimarron Fuel Fabrication Site in Oklahoma. Mark Felt, better known as "Deep Throat," helped to bring down Richard Nixon by uncovering the Watergate scandal. Both were featured in major movies. However, whistle blowing isn't always as intriguing and can be very frustrating. "While working as a broker at Morgan Stanley in the early 2000s, I was convinced that they were cheating clients," says author Dana de Wendt. 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. Dana is the author of "Checkmate: The Morgan Stanley Whistle Blower." Contact Dana de Wendt at (772) 773-6879; ddewindt@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Money Management Basics: No Matter How Much You Have
Think you don’t’ have enough money to warrant a financial strategy? Monique Gagné, “the Money Mom,” says if you’re currently living paycheck-to-paycheck, that’s exactly why you need a plan! Invite Gagné to share her top money tips to better manage your finances in today’s unpredictable economy. Her common sense advice is a must in a culture that encourages us to buy now and pay later. She’ll debunk common money myths and invite your audience to rethink their financial strategy with proven, transformative advice. Learn how to understand your spending habits and smart techniques to break free from debt, including how to embrace a 30-day plan. With a rich IT and fashion design background, and over two decades as a mortgage agent and financial coach, Monique has empowered thousands to reclaim their economic freedom. She is the author and creator of “The Power of Financial Happiness,” and the bestseller, “Who Took My Money?” Contact her at (343) 644-3121; mgagne@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Downsize, Declutter and Make Money Doing it!
Downsizing and decluttering can be overwhelming, but what if you could turn the painful process into a money-making operation? You’ll look at your stuffed closets and basement boxes in a whole new light when you interview Aaron LaPedis, the Garage Sale Millionaire. Aaron’s journey as an entrepreneur started when he was 9 flipping coins, stamps and baseball cards. By 21 he was a millionaire. Invite him on your show and learn how to have a five-figure garage sale, how to buy and sell online marketplaces and eBay, and the five top scams people are losing money to while buying and selling online. Aaron had a TV show on PBS for many years and continues to be an expert for the FBI. With over 1,000 interviews on radio, podcasts, and TV and 40 years of experience, Aaron could be your next great interview! Contact Mara at assistant@gsmpartnersinc.com
10. ==> Want to Help LA Fire Victims? Choose the Right Charity
Many people are quick to donate to charitable causes, especially during disasters like the California wildfires. But according to author and nonprofit expert Michele Whetzel, “It’s better to think with your head as opposed to your heart before turning over your hard-earned cash. Do your research first!” She’ll share what to look for in truly worthy charities and red flags to watch out for. And for those who want to do more than make a donation, she’ll share tips for starting your own nonprofit. 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
11. ==> Why You Need to Tell Your Doctor About Your Cannabis Use
Americans of all ages are embracing cannabis, whether they use it socially or medicinally. With recent polls showing that an overwhelming share of U.S. adults (60%-88%) believe marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use, Dr. Raymond Wiggins wants everyone to understand that today’s pot isn’t as harmless as many believe. “This is not your grandfather’s weed. At Woodstock in 1969, the average THC potency was 1-2%. Today the average is 22%,” he says, and will explain why that matters. Wiggins also says anesthesia is particularly tricky for patients who use pot, with some requiring more than 3X the normal dose to be fully sedated. “You have to let your doctor know so they can be better prepared. Also, you have a higher risk of heart attack the more recently you have used, so recent use with anesthesia is not good.” Raymond Wiggins, MD, is the author of “Weeding Out the Myths About Marijuana.” Contact him at (972) 525-5205; rw@drwiggins.com
12. ==> Common Misconceptions About Muslim Women
Invite Daisy Khan, author, women’s advocate, and social activist, to discuss topics central to peace over war, women’s rights in both America and Afghanistan, and much more. She’ll shed light on everything from Islamophobia to reproductive rights and female leadership. Her work is not just about women’s rights—it’s an urgent call to understand how the weaponization of religion disproportionately impacts women. It is a plea for a robust discussion to change the world’s current trajectory. Ask Daisy: What does the Qur’an say about sexual harassment? What is the Muslim view of the Roe v. Wade abortion debate? How can the transformative powers of female leaders be harnessed to solve our biggest social problems? Contact Daisy Khan at (212) 362 2242; daisy@wisemuslimwomen.org
13. ==> Why Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—and How to Get It Back
Why are parents losing the battle for their children’s attention and trust? Parenting expert Richard R. Ramos tackles this urgent issue in his book “Parents on a Mission,” revealing how to reclaim influence in an era where social media dominates teens’ lives and parental rights are being challenged in schools. Ramos has helped thousands of parents nationwide strengthen family bonds and prevent negative lifestyles like gangs and violence. His revolutionary “Home Field Advantage” strategy equips parents with tools to connect deeply with their kids and navigate today’s challenges with confidence. Book Ramos for your podcast, TV or radio show to inspire your audience with proven strategies that prioritize parenting over the outdated “it takes a village” mindset. Contact Richard Ramos at (805) 456-1407; rramos@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How Art Can Help You Find Your Purpose
Is art intended to be more than a wall decoration or enjoyable activity, or can it be used to light the path to wholeness? According to author and artist Lynette Watkins, "Art matters because it is a reflection of ourselves. It shows us who we are, and what we value. Using art as a communication tool can gently propel us in the discovery and expression of our innermost feelings leading us to a soul encounter. We were born on purpose for a purpose. Even looking at art can help us to find that purpose, activate our own creativity, and set us on a path of healing.” Lynette is an acclaimed artist, professor of art, writer, musician, and author of "Can It Be That Some Chains Are Mere Shadows? A Visual Journey From Darkness To Light." Contact Lynette Watkins at (575) 454-4635; lwatkins@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 5 Ways to Make Your Life Easier This Year
Although we’re all unique, we go through similar trials. Give your listeners a little ‘Ray of Sunshine’ this New Year with Deborah Mallow and her positive energy club that offers no nonsense, uncomplicated solutions to deal with difficult people and problematic situations. You’ll learn how to replace unhealthy habits with positive changes, declutter what’s blocking your way, and enjoy more while worrying less. Discover how to reshape your mindset, shift your energy and end self-sabotage with easy-to-implement strategies that will have a huge impact on your daily life. Deborah Mallow is a positivity expert, mindset coach and the author of “6 Steps to Fewer Days that Suck.” Contact her at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com
