01. Bondi Beach Attack and the Rise of Antisemitism
02. Chatbots, Persuasion and Politics: For Better or Worse
03. Autopsy: How Democrats Lost the White House
04. New Report Finds Companies Are Overlooking Women
05. Telling Women to ‘Lean In’ Failed. What Works Now
06. Macro Strategist David Woo - 2026 Market Predictions
07. A Muslim Mayor in NYC: Will Mamdani’s Win Challenge Islamophobia or Intensify It?
08. Epstein Files Shine Light on Child and Sex Trafficking
09. How the Pursuit of “Great Again” Is Changing Faith and America
10. Why ‘Shop Local’ is More Important This Holiday
11. The Origins of Your Favorite Christmas Carols
12. Holiday Generosity Starts with Everyday Gratitude
13. Celebrate the Women Who Made Work-From-Home Mainstream
14. The Daily Email That Made the World Laugh for 30 Years
15. Think You’re Too Old for Big Goals? This Inspiring 87-Year-Old Aims for a World Record!
1. ==> Bondi Beach Attack and the Rise of Antisemitism
16 people are dead and more than 40 others injured after a father and son opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The terrorist incident comes amid a wave of antisemitic attacks in Australia over the past year. Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the nonprofit Jewish Council for Public Affairs, says, “Antisemitism isn’t just a threat to Jews — it’s a fundamental threat to democracy itself. When antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories take hold, they erode the norms and values that keep all of us safe. We are living in a very tumultuous time and people are looking for scapegoats. And it leads to what we’re now seeing.” Amy Spitalnick is former Executive Director of Integrity First for America, where she led the landmark lawsuit against the neo-Nazis and white supremacists responsible for the 2017 Charlottesville violence. She is a frequent national media commentator on extremism, antisemitism, and threats to democracy. Contact her at press@thejcpa.org; (212) 684-6950
2. ==> Chatbots, Persuasion and Politics: For Better or Worse
According to a new study, artificial intelligence chatbots are very good at changing peoples’ political opinions and are particularly persuasive when they use inaccurate information. The paper, published in the journal “Science,” found that AI chatbots were most persuasive when they provided study participants with large amounts of in-depth information, but the most persuasive models and prompting strategies tended to produce the least accurate information. The paper warns that in an extreme scenario, a highly persuasive AI chatbot “could benefit unscrupulous actors.” David Broockman, an associate professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley, who studies persuasion in campaigns, says that although the study found AI chatbots to be persuasive, he was reassured that the effect was not larger. “There are these doomsday scenarios in the world that say AI is going to hypnotize or brainwash us because it’s so much more persuasive than a human.” He says the study rebuts that and instead suggests that what humans find persuasive is large volumes of detailed information provided on demand — a positive sign for humanity. In a real-world scenario, “if you’ve got both sides of an issue using this, I would guess it would cancel out and you’re going to hear more persuasive arguments on both sides,” he says. Contact David Broockman at dbroockman@berkeley.edu
3. ==> Autopsy: How Democrats Lost the White House
The progressive group RootsAction is out with an “autopsy” on the 2024 presidential election and concludes that Vice President Kamala Harris lost because she was courting “moderate” Republicans rather than speaking to her core bloc: Democratic working-class, young, and progressive voters. The pivotal factor in her loss, the report suggests, was the drop in Democratic voter turnout, particularly among young voters. Study author Christopher Cook says, “This was a preventable disaster, but Harris and the Democratic Party leadership prioritized the agendas of corporate donors and gambled on a centrist path, while largely abandoning working-class, young and progressive voters.” He’ll discuss five “disastrous choices” Democrats made, from Biden’s decision to run for re-election to the war in Gaza, and notes that the Democratic National Committee itself has failed to address the issues or conduct any meaningful post-election analysis. Contact Christopher Cook at christopher-d-cook@hotmail.com or Sam Rosenthal, political director of RootsAction, at sam@rootsaction.org
4. ==> New Report Finds Companies Are Overlooking Women
A new report shows half of all companies are rolling back their commitments to women’s career advancements, part of a trend in declining commitment to gender diversity. That’s the finding of the annual Women in the Workplace report from Lean In and McKinsey & Company. Highlights of the report include a notable drop in women expressing interest in being promoted and senior-level women struggling with burn-out and a steep path to the top. Rachel Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Lean In says, “Only half of companies remain committed to women’s career advancement,” she says. “Our sense is women are feeling that. How couldn’t they be?” Thomas can discuss how this year’s report differs from previous ones, the “broken rung” on the corporate ladder at the first step up to manager and why women suffer due to flexibility bias. She’ll also share the ways diversity improves the workplace along with recommendations for improving fairness of opportunity and fostering an inclusive culture. Lean In is a non-profit organization founded by Sheryl Sandberg and Rachel Thomas to support women in the workforce. For interviews contact press@leanin.org
5. ==> Telling Women to ‘Lean In’ Failed. What Works Now
For decades, women were told to lean in, speak up, and push harder. Yet women in tech, finance, and other demanding fields are burning out and leaving leadership roles at record rates, with 43% of women leaders reporting burnout, compared to 31% of men. Master life coach and former banking executive Amanda Christian says the problem isn’t ambition. It’s the “translation tax” women pay in male-dominated workplaces when they’re constantly adjusting how they speak, lead, and make decisions in order to be taken seriously. Her book “The Skeptical Executive” outlines a research-backed alternative leadership approach that integrates mind, body, heart, and soul so high-achieving women can lead without burning out. Book her for a segment that shows why “lean in” backfired and what women and companies can do right now to stop losing their best female leaders. Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Macro Strategist David Woo - 2026 Market Predictions
Want to know what to expect in the global market in 2026? Invite American economist and investment strategist David Woo to share his insights and views on what is on the horizon. David is one of the rare analysts who can tell you what you don’t yet know — connecting the dots between economics, politics, geopolitics, and technology in ways that enlighten investors and policymakers alike. And his investment track record, from early Bitcoin coverage to sovereign currency shifts, shows a consistent ability to see turning points before others do. David is the founder of David Woo Unbound, a global macro research and advisory platform focused on decoding the intersection of markets, policy, and innovation for high-net-worth clients. He is a former Bank of America Head of Global Interest Rates, Foreign Exchange, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Strategy & Economics Research. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
7. ==> A Muslim Mayor in NYC: Will Mamdani’s Win Challenge Islamophobia or Intensify It?
For the first time in history, New York City is about to swear in a Muslim mayor. At the same time, anti-Muslim hate crimes have jumped 178% nationwide. Is this a turning point that will challenge bias, or a flashpoint that could inflame it? National Muslim leader, author, and peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan helps audiences make sense of this moment. She explains what Mamdani’s win really signals about American voters, why religious bias is spiking, and how backlash against Muslim leaders forms. She also shares practical steps communities, schools, hospitals, and workplaces can take right now to stop microaggressions, lower tensions, and rebuild trust across faith lines. This is a grounded, solutions-focused conversation that connects a headline story to everyday life. To book, contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829 or email dkhan@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Epstein Files Shine Light on Child and Sex Trafficking
Child trafficking is not confined to distant places like Epstein Island or unfamiliar faces—it’s happening everywhere, often hidden in plain sight. Susan Ernst, author of “Called to Serve: Standing with Survivors and Protecting Children Still at Risk,” offers an unflinching look at the realities of exploitation and survival strategies. Susan can share real stories from her experience volunteering at a rescue facility for trafficked and vulnerable children and discuss the complex issues that come with volunteering, particularly overseas. Susan Ernst is a lifelong advocate for the well-being of children. She is a contributing author to all three volumes of “Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Our Future World-Changers,” and a collaborating author in the recently released “Gifts of Wisdom: Practices for Healing and Empowerment.” Contact Laura Di Franco at (703) 915-3653; sernst992@gmail.com
9. ==> How the Pursuit of “Great Again” Is Changing Faith and America
What does it really mean to be “great again”? And why is that phrase influencing everything from our politics to our pews? Rick Patterson, author of “The Matthew Challenge,” says the obsession with “greatness” has become a moral blind spot in American life. In his new book, the former evangelical preacher and adoptive father of four Black children, explores how this mindset has crept into churches, shaping alliances and behaviors that contradict the very faith they claim to uphold. With master’s and doctoral degrees in ministry and decades of experience in evangelical circles, Rick brings a powerful insider perspective to today’s spiritual and cultural divide. He makes the psychology behind it all practical and accessible, helping audiences understand how the need to feel “great” often strips us of the humility and compassion that make us human. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why ‘Shop Local’ is More Important This Holiday
Rodger Friedman says holiday shopping decisions are quietly shaping America’s economic future. Consumers may be focused on price and convenience, but he’ll reveal why buying American-made products strengthens supply chains, protects jobs, and reduces dependence on unstable global networks. Friedman connects everyday purchases to tariffs, reshoring, and national resilience and will explain why he believes consumers have a responsibility to buy locally. Rodger Friedman is a nationally recognized wealth advisor and economic strategist specializing in domestic manufacturing, financial sustainability, and long-term wealth protection planning. Contact Friedman at RFriedman@rtirguests.com; (301) 327-2255
11. ==> The Origins of Your Favorite Christmas Carols
Behind every Christmas carol lies a story — of faith, hope and the enduring power of music. Physician, photographer, musician and author Dr. Olapeju Simoyan, invites listeners to rediscover the music of Christmas through the fascinating true stories behind its most treasured carols. Simoyan explores the history and inspiration behind classics like “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” Delving into the lives of the lyricists and composers, revealing the moments of faith, hope and perseverance that gave birth to these timeless melodies. From enduring hymns to modern favorites like “Feliz Navidad,” She traces how carols have transcended time and culture — uniting generations through shared expressions of joy, peace and love. Dr. Simoyan’s new book is “I Played My Best for Him!: The Inspiring Stories Behind The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites.” Contact Veronica Gillies at (800) 854-1134; news@ascotpr.com
12. ==> Holiday Generosity Starts with Everyday Gratitude
Doreen Mary Bray redirects the holiday narrative from pressure to purpose by showing how gratitude creates emotional and financial clarity. She’ll explore how intentional mindfulness reduces spending stress and promotes smarter financial decisions. Her uplifting message is grounded in emotional well-being and prosperity mindset. Doreen Mary Bray is an inspirational author and spiritual coach renowned for her work on gratitude, intention, and abundance-based living principles. Contact her at dbray@rtirguests.com; (438) 802-0280
13. ==> Celebrate the Women Who Made Work-From-Home Mainstream
Long before Zoom meetings and side hustles, women were quietly building businesses from their kitchens, living rooms and basements, perfecting the work-from-home model long before it had a name. Motivational speaker and WIP Empowerment founder Roy Martin shines a light on these overlooked pioneers and connects their legacy to today’s thriving mompreneur movement. Roy will reveal why the term “Work From Home” is more than a post-pandemic trend, it’s a 120-year evolution led by women. He’ll share surprising historical examples (including how a divorced secretary helped Tupperware make its mark), explore the economic and cultural forces driving moms to entrepreneurship and explain how his WIP Empowerment initiative is helping modern women build passive income and flexible business success from home. Contact Roy Martin at (629) 265-0570; rmartin@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Daily Email That Made the World Laugh for 30 Years
Before TikTok, before memes, before “going viral,” there was W.G. “Bill” Williams—a FEMA spokesman-turned-humorist whose daily “Thought for the Day” emails made people around the world laugh for decades. What began as a creative way to get his sales team to read their messages grew into one of the internet’s longest-running humor traditions, inspiring a loyal following from Ohio to Australia. Now author of “20 Years of Internet Humor … and Other Interesting Things,” Williams shares his favorite stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and reflections on the healing power of humor in a serious world. Ask him: How did a daily office email become a worldwide humor phenomenon? Why does laughter matter now more than ever? Contact W.G. “Bill” Williams at (419) 534-0399; wgwilliams@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Think You’re Too Old for Big Goals? This Inspiring 87-Year-Old Aims for a World Record!
Meet the octogenarian putting us all to shame. David Selley is rewriting the rules of aging — and the publishing world. With four books already out and ten more planned this year, Selley is on a mission to become the oldest person to publish the most books in a single year, and he’s not stopping there. Backed by a 65-year marriage, three citizenships, and decades of entrepreneurial wisdom, this globe-trotting powerhouse is also launching a global initiative to empower over 700 million aspiring entrepreneurs— proof positive that ambition doesn’t retire. Contact David Selley at (808) 229-3985; dselley@rtirguests.com
