01. The President and the Pope
02. Stop Comparing Iran War to 2003 Iraq Invasion
03. Orban is Out, Magyar is In: End of an Era in Hungary
04. The Most Common Tax Mistakes
05. U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low: Why it Matters
06. Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation
07. What ‘News Fatigue’ Does to Your Brain
08. America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis
09. Whistleblower Teacher Reveals What Happens Inside Schools
10. The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
11. Feeling Stuck? This Creative Shift Might Be the Breakthrough You Need
12. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
13. Why You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partner—and How to Break the Cycle
14. How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract
15. This Psychic Detective Solves Crimes, Finds Lost Pets and Teaches You to Tune In
1. ==> The President and the Pope
Who picks a fight with the pope? Donald Trump went on a late-night Truth Social tirade against the pontiff calling him “WEAK” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy. Among his rants was the claim that if he wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be at the Vatican. He then included an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus. The two men come from the same generation and share some common cultural roots, but theology professor Natalia Imperatori-Lee of Fordham University says they bring jarringly distinct approaches to their positions of vast power. “They’re two white guy boomers but they could not be any more different in their life experiences, in their values, in the way they have chosen to live those values,” she says. “This is a very stark contrast, and I think an inflection point for American Christianity.” While Trump criticizes the Pope for being political, experts on the Catholic Church emphasize that Leo’s opposition to the war reflects established church teachings, not the reflexive politics of the moment. The Trump administration, which has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders, has claimed “heavenly” endorsement for the war on Iran. Contact Natalie Imperatori-Lee at nimperatorilee@fordham.edu
2. ==> Stop Comparing Iran War to 2003 Iraq Invasion
As experts debate the war in Iran, Middle East history expert Samuel Helfont cautions we stop comparing the war to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and instead look to another Iraq war: Operation Desert Storm, the U.S-led campaign in early 1991 to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Helfont says the problem then was not the battlefield outcome but the failure to align policy and strategy. “Trying to contain Iran, as the United States did to Iraq in the 1990s, will undoubtably lead to repeated confrontations that tie up American forces and harm the international economy, eroding what little international support remains for U.S. policy in the region.” He says Washington should offer Tehran a path to diplomatic and economic normalization in exchange for compliance with a clear set of demands, including giving up weapons of mass destruction, limiting its missile program, and ceasing support for terrorist proxies. Samuel Helfont is an associate professor in the Naval War College Program at the Naval Postgraduate School and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is the author of “Iraq Against the World: Saddam, America, and the Post–Cold War Order.” Contact him at samuel.helfont@nps.edu; @HelfontSamuel
3. ==> Orban is Out, Magyar is In: End of an Era in Hungary
Europe’s longest-serving head of government, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was ousted in Hungary’s election this weekend. Invite Liana Fix to talk about the election, what Orban’s defeat means for the trend toward far-right populism, and why she believes Péter Magyar and his center-right Respect and Freedom Party’s platform resonated with Hungarian voters. Liana Fix is a historian and political scientist, and a leading authority on European security, transatlantic relations and Russia and Eastern Europe. She is a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Contact her at (202) 509-8484; lfix@cfr.org
4. ==> The Most Common Tax Mistakes
The deadline for filing taxes is here yet millions of Americans have yet to fill out their paperwork. The idea of making a mistake on your tax return may be daunting. After all, significant errors could lead to penalties or the dreaded audit. But there’s good news: The most common tax mistakes are simple fixes. Invite Dr. Caroline Bruckner to share last-minute tax tips and strategies that could save your money and hassle. She’ll discuss the most common mistakes and what to do if you need a tax extension. Caroline Bruckner, JD, is managing director of the Kogod Tax Policy Center at American University. She is an experienced media resource on tax issues and has been featured on CNBC’s “The Closing Bell,” Yahoo Finance, NPR, “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Washington Post.” Contact American University Media Relations at (202) 885-5950; aumedia@american.edu
5. ==> U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low: Why it Matters
The nation’s fertility rates hit record lows in 2025 as childbearing continues to shift toward older women, according to new federal data. For the first time birthrates for women in their late 30s exceeded those for women in their early 20s. Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri says this isn’t just a demographic dip. It’s a crisis with massive implications for the global workforce, elder care systems, and generational stability. This long-time OB/GYN will explain what’s really behind the fertility decline, and why most people are focusing on the wrong things. Drawing on 30+ years in practice and insights from her new book “Optimize Your Fertility Naturally,” she’ll also explain why lifestyle, not just age or IVF, plays a critical role in conception. Ask her: Which daily habits impact fertility most? Why are low birthrates more dangerous than most people think? Contact her at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation
From Gen Z’s exodus from church pews to viral TikToks calling out hypocrisy, one thing is clear: younger Americans are increasingly skeptical of evangelical Christianity. Former preacher Rick Patterson believes it’s not a loss of faith. It’s a loss of trust. Rick says that many churches have aligned themselves with power and culture wars instead of compassion and character. As a former ardent atheist who now holds master's and doctoral degrees in Christian Ministry, Rick has a rare insider-outsider perspective on how the pursuit of being “great again” has distorted the message of Jesus as well as why the next generation isn’t buying it. Rick blends theology, psychology, and real-world stories to help audiences understand why this credibility gap exists and what must change to close it. Ask him: What do younger generations find most hypocritical about today’s evangelical church? Can politics and faith ever mix without compromising the core of either? Rick’s thought-provoking new book is “The Matthew Challenge.” Contact him at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com
7. ==> What ‘News Fatigue’ Does to Your Brain
War coverage, geopolitical threats, and constant crisis alerts are taking a psychological toll on all of us, and often without us realizing it. Psychologist Dr. Stephen Sideroff explains how repeated exposure to conflict news activates the brain’s stress response, disrupts sleep, increases anxiety, and accelerates emotional burnout. He’ll help your audience understand why their nervous system treats nonstop headlines as personal danger and share practical ways to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Stephen Sideroff is a UCLA psychologist and author specializing in stress, resilience, and the biological impact of chronic anxiety. He can translate neuroscience into everyday language while offering calm, credible coping tools. Contact Stephen at (213) 660-4659; ssideroff@rtirguests.com
8. ==> America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis
Over 440,000 teaching positions are now filled by unqualified staff or sitting empty. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the only way to fix it is to make people fall in love with teaching again — and to pressure lawmakers to fund salaries that keep them there. A 26-year classroom veteran, former school principal, and university professor who trained the next generation of educators, Gilmore will share firsthand stories from teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and coaches to remind America what's at stake before it's too late. Ask her: With nearly half a million teaching positions unfilled, what happens to America's public schools? What concrete steps can communities and lawmakers take right now to stop the bleeding? How are school voucher programs making the teacher shortage even worse? Deanna Gilmore is the author of "There's a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard." Contact her at (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Whistleblower Teacher Reveals What Happens Inside Schools
Karen Horwitz, an award-winning public-school teacher and whistleblower, describes what happens when educators raise concerns inside their school districts. “Schools are often described as the foundation of democracy,” Horwitz says. “What I witnessed was how quickly that foundation cracks when people are afraid to speak.” Horwitz says the pattern she documented was consistent: teachers raised concerns internally, and instead of problems being addressed, they quietly lost their careers. After speaking publicly, she co-founded an organization to prevent teacher abuse and began hearing similar accounts from more than 2,000 educators who reported retaliation. She’ll explain how silence is enforced through fear, power imbalances, and institutional self-protection. Horwitz is the author of “A Graver Danger,” which draws directly from teacher whistleblowers to examine systemic failures. Contact Karen Horwitz at (312) 498-9074; khorwitz@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
Chronic illness is rising in America, and many patients leave medical appointments with prescriptions, but few answers about why their symptoms developed in the first place. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores how stress, emotional patterns, and long-term internal pressure may influence physical health. After eight years of intensive autoimmune treatments that managed symptoms but didn’t restore his life, Marcel began examining the deeper drivers behind his condition. He has been hospital-free since 2012. This is not about rejecting medicine. It’s about asking a broader question: why do two people with the same diagnosis often recover at different rates? Marcel discusses how understanding recurring symptoms, personal stress history, and emotional triggers may complement conventional care. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for “The Key to Self-Liberation” by the late Christiane Beerlandt, an encyclopedic work on the psychological and emotional roots of more than 1,000 diseases and symptoms. Contact him at Mvogeli@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Feeling Stuck? This Creative Shift Might Be the Breakthrough You Need
Nearly 60% of professionals report feeling stuck or disengaged, and many don’t realize the way forward may not be a big life change, but a small creative shift. Author and artist Edi Matsumoto shows how simple, low-pressure creativity can help people reset mentally and move forward. On your show, Matsumoto shares practical ways listeners can reconnect with creativity like her “60-second joy reset,” where even looking at something that makes you smile can calm the nervous system, or simple, no-pressure creative practices that reduce stress and spark clarity. She explains why creativity isn’t about talent. It’s about giving the mind a break from constant pressure. Drawing from her journey from healthcare to art, she offers gentle, manageable ways to reconnect with creativity in everyday life—as a form of stress relief, a joyful diversion, or even the beginning of a more creative path later on. Her book, “Otter Therapy,” reflects how small moments of joy can create real emotional impact. Through her work as both a healthcare professional and artist, Matsumoto brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how creativity can gently shift how we feel and how we move forward. Contact Edi Matsumoto at (831) 290-6491; ematsumoto@rtirguests.com
12. ==> America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
America is facing what the U.S. Surgeon General recently called an epidemic of loneliness. Nearly half of adults say they feel isolated at times, and that isolation often deepens during life’s hardest moments: serious illness, caregiving, grief, infertility, or financial uncertainty. Author and loneliness coach Karen Kay Smith asserts these “waiting room seasons” can quietly push people away from the very support they need most. On your show, Smith explains why people often shift into “functioning versus feeling” during crises, how emotional suppression fuels loneliness, and why many struggle to communicate what they truly need. She offers practical, yet life-changing tools listeners can use immediately, including how a simple “breath prayer” can replace pressure-filled spiritual routines, why naming emotions out loud can be more healing than staying strong, and how her “3 C’s” framework—confidence, communication, and community—helps people rebuild connection step by step. Drawing from 15 years caring for her husband during his battle with multiple sclerosis, along with years in women’s ministry and training as a transformational life coach, Smith brings a rare blend of lived experience and practical guidance to conversations about loneliness and connection. She is the author of “Nearsighted: Choosing to See Eating Disorders Differently” and the upcoming “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room.” Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Why You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partner—and How to Break the Cycle
Nearly half of American marriages end in divorce, and many people say their next relationship feels eerily similar to the last. Author and speaker Charisse Walker says it’s not a coincidence. Most people enter relationships without understanding the deeper beliefs, experiences, and patterns quietly shaping their decisions. On your show, Walker introduces the powerful idea behind her book “Flipping the Iceberg”: every relationship has an iceberg. The small portion above the surface includes what we easily see—attraction, personality, and shared interests. But the much larger portion below the surface includes our beliefs about love, expectations, communication habits, past experiences, and values. Walker explains how these hidden influences shape who we trust, commit to, and ultimately marry. She shows audiences how greater self-awareness can help people stop repeating painful relationship patterns and make more intentional decisions about love and commitment. Charisse Walker is an entrepreneur, author, and former host of the Emmy-nominated national television show The American Dream. She now speaks about the importance of self-awareness and understanding the deeper dynamics that shape healthy relationships. Contact Charisse Walker at (801) 251-6965; cwalker@rtirguests.com
14. ==> How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract
We live in a world designed to hijack our attention. Author and senior UCLA mindfulness educator Mitra Manesh says this isn’t just a focus issue; it’s a crisis that’s quietly eroding our freedom to choose. On your show, Mitra will reveal why even intelligent, successful people often live in “survival mode,” how constant stimulation weakens our decision-making, and why reclaiming attention is the first and most important step toward true freedom. Drawing from her inspirational fiction, “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World”—a parable in the spirit of “The Alchemist”—she offers a transformative blend of storytelling and insight, packed with techniques and practices for improving attention as a transformative force in all aspects of life. This is a timely invitation to shift from reaction to creation, and a powerful case for why reclaiming attention may be the most radical act of personal power in our time. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Psychic Detective Solves Crimes, Finds Lost Pets and Teaches You to Tune In
Imagine a psychic with a detective’s badge. Nancy Orlen Weber has worked side-by-side with detectives and federal agents to solve murders, locate missing people and reunite families with lost pets—all using her intuitive gifts. She’s a sought-after medium, animal communicator and holistic health educator with over 45 years of experience and multiple books, documentaries and TV appearances. Nancy blends grounded wisdom with mystical insight—offering listeners simple, powerful ways to access their own inner guidance. She’s also a trauma survivor who shares how intuition helped her heal and thrive She’s the author of numerous books including “Soul Detective.” Contact Nancy Orlen Weber at (973) 453-0906; Nweber@rtirguests.com
