01. New Year, New You, Old Self?
02. Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
03. New Year, New You Over 50: A Midlife Morning Makeover
04. How to Set Intentions for the New Year You Want
05. Master This Overlooked Habit to Make Change Stick
06. How to Have Fewer Days That Suck in 2026
07. How Bite-Sized Goals Can Help You Finally Succeed in 2026
08. Money Tips for the New Year
09. Smart Work Strategies for 2026
10. New Year, New You: Transform Your Style Without Buying Anything New
11. Accomplish the Impossible in the New Year
12. Are Psychedelics the Breakthrough You Need in 2026?
13. Go Beyond Resolutions: Clear Out Your Spiritual Clutter in 2026
14. Take Your Wig Off in 2026
15. How to Set Goals That Feel Peaceful, Not Pressured
1. ==> New Year, New You, Old Self?
For more than twenty years, University of Chicago professor J. Eric Oliver has taught a legendary course that students routinely describe as life-changing. His new book, “How to Know Your Self: The Art & Science of Discovering Who You Really Are,” brings the best of that classroom experience to anyone, anywhere. Starting with the premise that most of us move through life with a low hum of dissatisfaction, he shows how easily we adapt to the discomfort and call it normal. He then challenges that assumption by asking a simple but life-changing question: What if the real source of your suffering is not your circumstances, but your lack of understanding of your own inner workings? This is a great show for anyone hoping to enter the new year with more clarity, less self-sabotage, and a stronger sense of purpose. Oliver says It’s not about becoming a “new you.” It’s about finally meeting the you who has been there all along. J. Eric Oliver is professor of political science at the University of Chicago and host of the Knowing podcast. He is the author of five previous books on subjects ranging from the politics of obesity to magical thinking in American life. Contact Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 or Reigan Wright at (703) 646-5138
2. ==> Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
Every January, people vow to “try harder” and then feel like failures by February. Psychologist and resilience expert Dr. Stephen Sideroff says the problem isn’t willpower; it’s the system. He can explain why chronic stress sabotages resolutions, why big goals trigger hidden resistance, and how his “9 Pillars of Resilience” approach helps people bounce forward, not just back. He’ll share simple tools to find your “Stress Sweet Spot” so change feels energizing instead of exhausting, plus on-air micro-exercises to reset the nervous system in minutes. Dr. Sideroff is an internationally renowned psychologist, professor at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, and author of The 9 Pillars of Resilience: The Proven Path to Master Stress, Slow Aging and Increase Vitality. Contact Stephen Sideroff at (213) 660-4659; ssideroff@rtirguests.com
3. ==> New Year, New You Over 50: A Midlife Morning Makeover
While most New Year’s content focuses on gym memberships and diet trends, Dwayne J. Clark argues that for people 50+, the real “new you” starts with three things: how you wake up, how you care for yourself, and how prepared you are for a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Throw expensive treatments and endless supplements out the window; just ten intentional minutes in the morning are more impactful when it comes to adding to your longevity clock. Clark, a longevity expert and co-author of “The Miracle Morning After 50,” shares the science behind how your morning routine can rewire your brain, reduce stress hormones, and even slow the aging process. Dwayne will discuss the science of the first hour, why burnout accelerates aging and how purpose and presence protect health. Dwayne J. Clark has built one of the nation’s most respected senior housing and wellness companies—39 Aegis Living communities across the West Coast, by rethinking how environment, technology, and daily habits can extend healthy living. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (703) 400-1099 (cell)
4. ==> How to Set Intentions for the New Year You Want
What if you could step into the new year feeling aligned, supported, and clear? Intuitive professional and mind–body guide Kooch Daniels helps audiences set intentions that actually work by blending practical goal-setting with inner awareness. She shares why traditional resolutions fail, how to choose one meaningful focus for 2026, and why simple daily practices like using breathing rituals, journaling prompts, and symbolic “guiding cards” can help people stay emotionally grounded as they move toward change. Kooch can also explain how tuning into intuition strengthens confidence and decision-making so listeners feel more connected to the direction they’re choosing for their lives. With an MA in psychology and over four decades of experience teaching tarot, astrology, chakras, and transformational practices, Kooch offers a balanced, accessible approach to intention-setting for the new year. Contact Kooch at (707) 878-5039; kdaniels@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Master This Overlooked Habit to Make Change Stick
Most resolutions fail because people chase quick hits of pleasure instead of long-term payoff. Dr. Emilio Justo calls delayed gratification the “superpower” that makes every other goal possible. He’ll show your audience how one simple habit—pausing before they react—transforms health, money, relationships, and career. He can break down the science behind impulse control, why it predicts success better than IQ, and easy “micro-pauses” listeners can start using today. Fleeing Castro’s Cuba as a child, he became a physician at 23, a clinic founder at 27, and now a bestselling author and global TEDx speaker on delayed gratification and resilience. Contact Dr. Emilio Justo at (480) 992-6803; Ejusto@rtirguests.com
6. ==> How to Have Fewer Days That Suck in 2026
New Year, new mindset—without the toxic positivity. Happiness & Positive Energy Expert Deborah Mallow shows audiences how to upgrade their days with tiny, realistic shifts instead of overwhelming life overhauls. She can share why we get stuck in “sucky day spirals,” one 60-second reset anyone can do on-air, and how humor changes the brain’s stress response. Her “Daily Decisions™” framework gives listeners a simple way to choose better thoughts, habits, and reactions, even when life is messy. Deborah Mallow is the award-winning author of 6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, creator of The Daily Decisions™, and a lively guest on morning shows like Good Day New York, Good Day DC, and other lifestyle shows. Contact Deborah Mallow at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com
7. ==> How Bite-Sized Goals Can Help You Finally Succeed in 2026
Most people fail at resolutions because the goals are too big and the feedback is too slow. Productivity and project management expert Gerald J. Leonard shows listeners how to flip the script with “bite-sized goals” that fit into real life. He’ll share how to design daily, 15-minute “micro-commitments” that compound into major progress. He also explains why celebrating tiny wins rewires the brain for success. He even dives into how music, rhythm, and routines keep motivation going long after January. Gerald is a CEO, professional bassist, and project management expert whose latest book, A Symphony of Choices, turns corporate decision-making lessons into a relatable story for everyday achievers. Contact Gerald J. Leonard at (443) 703-2929; gleonard@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Money Tips for the New Year
If your audience is promising, “This year will be different with money,” financial coach Monique Gagné can help them make it true. She reveals how “silent thieves” like ghost subscriptions, tap-to-pay habits, and emotional spending quietly wreck New Year budgets, and revea;s how to plug those leaks fast. Monique shares simple weekly check-ins that keep resolutions on track, non-shaming ways couples can talk about money, and one powerful question to ask before any purchase. Her approach is warm, practical, and designed for people who hate traditional budgeting. Monique Gagné is a certified financial coach and author whose specialty is helping everyday families go from stressed and stuck to clear, confident, and in control of their cash flow. Contact Monique Gagné at (343) 644-3121; mgagne@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Smart Work Strategies for 2026
If your audience is exhausted from doing “all the things” and still not getting ahead, Shawn Fry shows them how to work smarter, not longer. He’ll reveal the 7M’s model he used to transform 60+ facilities in 17 countries. By aligning goals, culture, and habits, his strategies have helped companies boost sales, cut waste, and eliminate burnout. He is the perfect guest to help leaders and employees set realistic 2026 targets, create family-friendly success plans, and avoid the health crashes that come from nonstop hustle. A globally recognized change agent, Shawn has led radical turnarounds in automotive, aerospace, power generation, and defense, generating millions in savings while helping teams thrive at work and at home. Contact Shawn Fry at (330) 422-4090; sfry@rtirguests.com
10. ==> New Year, New You: Transform Your Style Without Buying Anything New
Before your audience spends money they don’t have on clothes they don’t need, invite fashion insider Gayla Bentley to show them how to “shop” their closets instead. She’ll reveal simple styling tweaks that instantly update a look, how to build outfits around 3 “power pieces,” and the mindset shift that turns a packed closet into a curated wardrobe. Gayla can also share how style impacts confidence, career, and dating—without pushing expensive trends. A celebrated designer and former Shark Tank guest, Gayla has spent decades helping women of all sizes dress the bodies they have now, not the ones they wish for, using real-world strategies that honor budget and self-esteem. Contact Gayla Bentley at (936) 261-7713; gbentley@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Accomplish the Impossible in the New Year
What if your 2026 goals sounded “impossible” but you hit them anyway? Media entrepreneur Al Parinello teaches audiences how to use his four-part “Uncommon Success” system to do just that. He’ll explain concepts like the PIX Factor and “speaking in the assumed tense,” showing listeners how to think like people who routinely beat the odds. Along the way, he shares behind-the-scenes stories from co-producing films and Broadway shows, running his own radio station, and interviewing 3,000 guests, from Jerry Lewis to Ted Turner, on success. Al is the author of Uncommon Success: How to Accomplish the Impossible on a Regular Basis and a veteran broadcaster, producer, and mentor who’s devoted his career to helping others discover their real potential. Contact Al Parinello at (201) 730-9769; aparinello@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Are Psychedelics the Breakthrough You Need in 2026?
Traditional self-help hasn’t healed everyone. Could carefully guided psychedelic work help some people finally move forward? Trauma survivor and psychotherapist Anjalia McGoldrick can unpack the hype and reality around plant medicine, ayahuasca, and psychedelic-assisted healing. She’ll share how one powerful journey helped her process decades of abuse, shame, and parental wounds. She honestly dives into why this approach is not a quick fix or for everyone. She can also offer accessible tools for listeners who’ll never touch psychedelics but still need deep emotional healing. Anjalia is a licensed psychotherapist, successful entrepreneur, and author of The Child I Left Behind: A Mother’s Journey to Healing & Forgiveness, blending lived experience with clinical training and spiritual insight. Contact Anjalia McGoldrick at (540) 616-3200; amcgoldrick@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Go Beyond Resolutions: Clear Out Your Spiritual Clutter in 2026
Many people declutter closets in January, but drag old fears, patterns, and past-life baggage into every new year. Alla Kaluzhny helps audiences understand and clear “spiritual clutter” so their resolutions finally have room to grow. She can explain how unfinished emotional business shows up as repeating relationship drama, health issues, and stuck habits, and how exploring past lives can offer unexpected insight and relief. She’ll share grounded tools for forgiveness, intuition, and everyday spiritual hygiene. Born in the former Soviet Union and now a U.S. citizen, Alla is a licensed marriage and family therapist with multiple master’s degrees and the author of the memoirs Turning the Pages and Turning New Pages about reincarnation and soul journeys. Contact Alla Kaluzhny at (213) 459-3509; akaluzhny@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Take Your Wig Off in 2026
In a world obsessed with “looking perfect,” coach and author Barbara Stone literally takes off her wig on stage to make a point: perfectionism is stealing our joy. On your show, she’ll use her journey with alopecia, grief, and reinvention—plus the life lessons from her four Great Danes—to help your audience drop the masks that keep them anxious and exhausted. She can share practical ways to face change, release old identities, and build real confidence at any age. Barbara is a former senior manufacturing leader turned certified coach and author of So Much to Drool About – Lessons for Living Large, a feel-good collection of resilience stories for audiences from 5 to 95. Contact Barbara Stone at (315) 840-2845; bstone@rtirguests.com
15. ==> How to Set Goals That Feel Peaceful, Not Pressured
If traditional goal-setting makes your listeners feel anxious or “never enough,” mindset coach Sharon Emily offers a gentler path. She’ll show parents and adults how to set “peaceful goals” rooted in values, gratitude, and self-compassion instead of perfectionism. Sharon can share how simple mindset tweaks help kids handle school stress, how families can make goals together, and a powerful self-talk exercise your audience can try on-air. Her children’s song-turned-book Mirror of Myself gives families an easy way to talk about confidence, resilience, and worth. Sharon is a former counselor, FranklinCovey-trained facilitator, and mother of four who’s helped her own children thrive—including a son who became a millionaire before 30 and a daughter living joyfully with autism. Contact Sharon Emily at (480) 470-3893; scarstens@rtirguests.com
