01. Democrats' Decorum Hits New Low for Trump Address
02. Everybody’s Got One: U.S. Opinions on Economy and More
03. Start Worrying About Social Security Cuts
04. Bird Flu, Measles: Are We Ready for the Next Public Health Threat?
05. Parades, Beads and Booze: The History of Mardis Gras
06. How the ‘China Shock’ Reshaped American Communities
07. How to Escape the Corporate Grind and Take Control of Your Life
08. The Shocking Truth about Modern Nursing
09. Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—How to Get It Back
10. Are You Feeling ‘The White Lotus’ Effect?
11. Pain Expert Shares How to Stay Alive and Thrive
12. Healing After Goodbye: Taking Care of Yourself When a Relationship Ends
13. Meet the Kick Ass 87-Year-Old Trying to Create a Guinness World Book Record
14. How a Former FEMA Spokesman Became an Internet Humor Sensation
15. Pastor Takes on the Mainstream Media's Lies about President Trump
1. ==> Democrats' Decorum Hits New Low for Trump Address
Presidential addresses were once used as an opportunity to promote national unity while highlighting policy differences. While that hasn’t been the case for quite some time, Trump’s address this week could be considered the most contentious in recent memory. Democrats protested throughout the speech as they laughed at the president’s talking points and wore T-shirts that said “Resist.” Derek Hunter says anyone watching had to be shocked by the way Democrats conducted themselves. “High school with paychecks is how I’d describe it,” says the conservative radio host. “Presidential addresses are beginning to resemble more the studio audience of “Let’s Make a Deal” than anything close to a dignified event.” Hunter admits Republicans have done their share of heckling but adds that decorum aside, the big takeaway from the speech is that Democrats have learned nothing. He currently hosts “The Derek Hunter Show" in Baltimore and “The Derek Hunter Podcast." Contact him at derek@wcbm.com; @derekahunter
2. ==> Everybody’s Got One: U.S. Opinions on Economy and More
After a whirlwind start to Donald Trump’s second term the Pew Research Center provides a nonpartisan yardstick of U.S. public opinion on key issues facing the country. According to a recent survey, 24% of U.S. adults say the economy is in excellent or good shape, while far more say it’s doing only fair (45%) or poor (31%). Looking ahead, partisans have very different predictions about what economic conditions will look like a year from now: 73% of Republicans say they’ll be better, and 64% of Democrats say they’ll be worse. Book a Pew expert to talk about Americans’ views on Trump, Ukraine, Elon Musk, religion, restrictions for transgender people and more. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. They do not take policy positions. For interviews contact the Pew Research Center at (202) 419-4372; info@pewresearch.org
3. ==> Start Worrying About Social Security Cuts
On the campaign trail and since taking office, Donald Trump has frequently insisted that he would not make cuts to Social Security, but Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Hiltzik says the slashing has begun. Last week the agency was ordered to cut 7,000 jobs to shrink a “bloated workforce.” Hiltzik says, “To anyone who knows anything about the Social Security Administration, calling its workforce “bloated” sounds like a sick joke. The truth is that the agency is hopelessly understaffed and has been for years.” Hiltzik adds, “The GOP brain trust has accepted the claim that Social Security is rife with fraud without a moment’s thought to it. They’re bound to learn, to the contrary, that there isn’t a federal program that Americans value more than Social Security. Are they dumb enough to try killing it? We shall see.” Michael Hiltzik has written for the Los Angeles Times for more than four decades. He’s the author of numerous books including his latest, “The Golden State,” a history of California. Contact him at info@michaelhiltzik.com
4. ==> Bird Flu, Measles: Are We Ready for the Next Public Health Threat?
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumes his role as Secretary of Health and Human Services, invite health historian Ronald Gruner to talk about emerging threats and whether the COVID-19 pandemic prepared us for the next public health challenge. He’ll explain how science, policy, personal freedoms, and misinformation shaped America’s pandemic response, and explore the deep divisions. He’ll also provide several key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that could help the U.S. address new epidemics. Ronald Gruner had a forty-year career as the founder and CEO of three technology companies. His latest book is “COVID WARS: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedom.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 400-1099; johanna@jrbpr.biz or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> Parades, Beads and Booze: The History of Mardis Gras
Mardis Gras is the final day of Carnival and involves elaborate feasts and Bacchanalia, but beyond the big party, what do you know about the celebration that serves as preparation for the beginning of the Christian fasting season of Lent? Historian Alecia Long can explain the history of the tradition that originated in medieval Europe and came to the U.S. with French settlers in the late 17th century. Learn how the celebration evolved, how the tradition of throwing beads began and what the whole thing has to do with Jesus. Alecia Long is an associate professor of history at Louisiana State University. Contact her at (225) 578-4458; aplong@lsu.edu
6. ==> How the ‘China Shock’ Reshaped American Communities
A flood of Chinese imports started hitting America a quarter of a century ago and it radically altered the US economy. It upended manufacturing communities, hurt workers and their families, and sowed discontent with globalization. Some say it changed the nation’s politics and helped usher in Donald Trump’s first term. New research offers a shocking look at what really happened when the “China Shock” rippled through the Southeast and parts of the Midwest. “We were very, very startled by what we found. It was so different from what we expected,” says David Autor, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He says many of the places that were hit came back, but the people who got hit did not. The research examined employment and earnings records for nearly all American workers from 2000-2019. Among the findings were that manufacturing, as a sector, never really came back, and while retail and restaurants helped communities, it didn’t do much for former factory workers because the new jobs were filled with new workers, many of whom were young adults, legal immigrants and women. Contact David Autor at (617) 258-7698; dautor@mit.edu or Lauren Fahey at (617) 253-4669
7. ==> How to Escape the Corporate Grind and Take Control of Your Life
Many of your listeners feel stuck in dead end jobs but are unsure how to break free. They’re tired of having to be in the office all day long, having neither enough time for family nor money to do the things they enjoy. They’re looking to the future and not seeing where they want to be financially. Greg Mohr, franchise expert and bestselling author of “Real Freedom,” can help. A self-described "corporate refugee," Greg knows it's never too late to step off the corporate treadmill and onto a path of economic self-sufficiency. Greg is an engaging, media-savvy guest who has appeared on 120+ podcasts. He’ll deliver real, actionable advice, share success stories, and reveal common mistakes aspiring entrepreneurs make—all while keeping audiences hooked. Contact Greg Mohr at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com
8. ==> The Shocking Truth about Modern Nursing
Nurse Kathy Allan happened to look out the window of the hospital where she worked one day and saw a new mother and her infant being discharged – by a cleaning lady dressed in scrubs. The problem was, only nurses should wear scrubs and only nurses can discharge patients. When Allan began asking questions, the hospital administration threatened her job. “I knew then that the fix was in and the con was on,” Allan says. Invite her on your show and hear why she says our for-profit healthcare system betrays patients and abuses caregivers. Hear how nurses are overworked, exhausted, and are almost 20% more likely to die by suicide. As a 60-year nurse veteran, Allan not only knows all about these systemic ills, she can also discuss solutions which effectively address burnout and exhaustion, improve workplace relationships and professional boundaries, and strengthen policies that reduce the risk of medical errors. She is the founder of Gutsy Nurses, an organization dedicated to restoring the ethical practice of nursing. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; Kallan@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Parents Are Losing Influence Over Their Kids—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
10. ==> Are You Feeling ‘The White Lotus’ Effect?
If watching “The White Lotus” has you thinking, “I should book a trip to Thailand,” you’re not alone. When the location of Season 3 was first announced, interest in travel to Thailand skyrocketed. The phenomenon has even been dubbed “the White Lotus effect.” Brenda Prater Sellers understands travel lust and encourages people to lean into their adventurous spirit. She’s climbed Mt. Everest, chatted with celebrities, slept in crazy places and learned a lot of lessons. Bring her on your show to share her story and discuss her travels. Hear about her experiences and mishaps in bizarre locations and staying at the world’s most unique places: an underwater hotel, an ice hotel, sleeping with polar bears, and sleeping in wigwams along Route 66. She’ll share cost-saving travel tips and provide insight into her adventures while encouraging listeners to create their own bucket lists! Brenda is the author of “You Slept Where? Calamities of a Clumsy Businesswoman.” Contact her at (865) 344-1755; bsellers@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Pain Expert Shares How to Stay Alive and Thrive
Vita Oyler is no stranger to debilitating pain. When she was a young, highly athletic woman, she accidentally stepped on a rock, after which she developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a severe malfunction of the nervous and immune systems. This led to decades of excruciating pain and, ultimately, the amputation of her foot and part of her leg. But not only did she manage to survive this, she learned how to thrive and live a full, rewarding life. She can share how she managed to stay positive and live a productive life following years of severe pain, and practical skills for people living with pain. Vita is a rehabilitation counselor and doctoral candidate at San Diego State University. She is the author of “Got Pain? Now What?” Contact her at (209) 255-2962; Voyler@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Healing After Goodbye: Taking Care of Yourself When a Relationship Ends
Breaking up is hard to do, but taking care of yourself afterward is even harder. Author and nurse practitioner Susie Bell has some great tips for dealing with the emotional pain, as well as practical steps to move forward when you know a relationship is over. "From setting boundaries to rediscovering yourself, I can talk about how to process the loss, avoid self-sabotage, and build a future that feels like yours again," she says. Susie should know. After being excommunicated from the Mormon Church, she underwent a messy, highly complicated divorce from her devout Mormon husband, struggled with being separated from her children, and substance abuse. She is the author of the book "A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine & Men." Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Meet the Kick Ass 87-Year-Old Trying to Create a Guinness World Book Record
Some people think that getting older means slowing down. Then there are other people, like David Selley, whose levels of ambition outmatch the most manic 20-year-old. In addition to launching his new “Famous 50” publishing series, Selley is on a quest to create a new Guinness World Record: Oldest Author to Publish the Most Books in One Year – and to do that he plans on publishing up to fifteen books by year’s end! (Four of which are already available on Amazon.) Selley is an entrepreneur through and through, having had success as a restauranteur, real estate developer, and in sales and senior management for companies like Revlon and Lancome. He is the founder of the International Entrepreneurs Association and continues to live up to his motto: “I Aspire to Inspire Before I Expire.” Contact David Selley at (808) 229-3985; Dselley@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How a Former FEMA Spokesman Became an Internet Humor Sensation
In terms of career reinventions, W.G. “Bill” Williams has been there and done that. He ran a consulting business in Washington, D.C. for twenty years, was a registered lobbyist, became the first director of News and Information for FEMA, and registered to become a financial advisor. Despite all that, Williams hopes he’s remembered for making people smile. “I started sending out a humorous daily email in the 1990s to get my sales staff to read their emails,” Williams says. “It worked.” Decades later, Williams has compiled thousands of these jokes and humorous stories, leading to his most recent book, “20 Years of Internet Humor…and Other Interesting Things.” Have Williams on for a fun show to discuss such quirky things as cat baptisms and the perils of AAADD: Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. He can even tell stories about his old college friend, who went on to become the famous musician, John Denver. Contact W.G. “Bill” Williams at (419) 534-0399; wgwilliams@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Pastor Takes on the Mainstream Media's Lies about President Trump
The mainstream media have repeatedly portrayed President Trump as a pathological liar and conman. But author and Christian pastor Frank Tull claims that the media are lying about his lies. "The Democrats and liberal media said Trump was lying when he claimed that the border was not secure and that millions of migrants were just entering our country," he says. "This turned out to be true. That's just one example among many." He can share, in his opinion, why the liberal media portray President Trump as a liar. He is the author of "Christians Must Vote," as well as the co-founder and senior pastor at the World Church in Texas. Contact Frank Tull at (469) 609-1385; ftull@rtirguests.com
