01. The Danger of ‘Madman’ Politics Today
02. The Iran War Risk Wall Street Isn’t Watching
03. Do You Know the History of Mother’s Day?
04. Why Mothers and Daughters Clash — and the Shift That Heals
05. For Some, Mother’s Day is a Reminder of Infertility
06. How to Have a Mother’s Day That Doesn’t Suck
07. What if Your Mom Stole Your Boyfriend? How to Heal from a Toxic Parent
08. For Those Who Are Grieving Mom
09. What Your Past Lives Reveal About Your Relationship With Your Mom
10. 3 Million Mom-Owned Businesses Fuel the U.S. Economy
11. Whistleblower Teacher: What’s Happening Inside Your Kid’s School
12. Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite
13. Feeling Stuck? Try This 60-Second Trick
14. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
15. What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
1. ==> The Danger of ‘Madman’ Politics Today
Thomas Reifer believes we are drifting into an uncontained and potentially global war in which world leaders are deliberately acting mad. This “madman” approach is particularly dangerous in the nuclear age. Today, Reifer points out, “the number of armed conflicts around the world are higher than at any time since World War II.” One person speaking out against unjust wars, Reifer adds, is the Pope. “Even if the war ends tomorrow—which it won’t—costs are rising globally. We are in a stalemate. Trump’s maximalist aims are driven by a desire not to appear as though he is losing the war, which, in some sense, is already happening. The Iranians are unlikely to agree to Trump’s terms or enter negotiations, if they feel that as in the past, this is mere pretext for further attacks. This creates a serious dilemma, especially since President Trump appears impervious to the human suffering caused by the war, including the rising human and financial cost of the greatest energy shock in world history. The risk of escalation remains as long as the stalemate persists.” Reifer is a professor of sociology at the University of San Diego and an associate at the Transnational Institute (Amsterdam). Contact him at reifer@sandiego.edu
2. ==> The Iran War Risk Wall Street Isn’t Watching
Economic concerns about the spillovers from the Iran war have focused on the global flow and availability of critical materials. But Rebecca Patterson says there is another, much less appreciated war risk for the United States: the supply of dollars from the Gulf, especially to capital-hungry U.S. tech firms and their financial intermediaries. The globally recognized investor, and macroeconomic researcher can explain why some of the largest U.S. technology companies and investment managers are vulnerable if Middle Eastern sovereign capital shifts more towards domestic priorities in response to the Iran war, and how that could lead to potential spillover to broader U.S. financial markets. She says, “This Iran war-related risk is much less obvious than rising gasoline or fertilizer prices for the United States. It has the potential, however, to be significant and damaging—which will grow the longer the Strait of Hormuz is closed.” Rebecca Patterson is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and cohost of the podcast, The Spillover. Contact her at (917) 846-8565; rpatterson@cfr.org
3. ==> Do You Know the History of Mother’s Day?
Did you ever wonder how Mother’s Day came to be? From Anna Jarvis’s founding of the holiday to the commercialization battles that followed, Katharine Lane Antolini can discuss the political, religious, and cultural forces that shaped the holiday and share the story of how Mother’s Day became a national observance in 1914. Katharine Lane Antolini is an assistant professor of history and gender studies at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She is the author of “Memorializing Motherhood: Anna Jarvis and the Struggle for Control of Mother’s Day” and serves on the Board of Trustees of the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton, WV — the site of the first official Mother’s Day celebration. Contact the Press Office at West Virginia Wesleyan College at press@wvwc.edu or (304) 473-8117
4. ==> Why Mothers and Daughters Clash — and the Shift That Heals
The mother-daughter relationship can be notoriously complicated and while Mother’s Day is supposed to bring families together, for many it brings old wounds to the table. From silent treatments to sharp words, unresolved mother-daughter tensions often ripple through the whole household, turning what should be a day of love and appreciation into one of stress and strain. Bestselling authors Leslie and Lindsey Glass know this struggle all too well. Once estranged, the mother-daughter pair rebuilt their relationship from the ground up, and now they’re helping others do the same. Their book, “The Mother Daughter Relationship Makeover” was featured on Oprah’s Book Club. Their new, follow-up workbook offers practical tools designed to defuse conflict, rebuild trust and rekindle genuine connection. Leslie Glass says, “Repairing a mother-daughter relationship can have a ripple effect that transforms the entire family.” Contact Carrie King at (800) 854-1134; news@ascotpr.com
5. ==> For Some, Mother’s Day is a Reminder of Infertility
Images of Mother’s Day are full of beautiful families and smiling babies, but for women struggling to conceive, the holiday can be very triggering. Invite Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri to discuss the many issues that arise when you’re battling infertility. With more and more couples facing the issue, this long-time OB/GYN can explain what’s 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. ==> How to Have a Mother’s Day That Doesn’t Suck
Not everyone looks forward to Mother’s Day. For many, it brings pressure, awkward expectations, lonely moments, or memories they’d rather skip. But happiness and positive energy expert Deborah Mallow says you don’t have to love Mother’s Day, but you shouldn’t let it ruin an otherwise perfectly good day! She’ll explain how to get out of your own way, rediscover your true self, reshape your mindset, and get unstuck. "It’s not about forcing positivity or ignoring real problems; it’s about making the daily decision to approach life differently and find more joy in everyday living.” Deborah’s transformational approach is based on choosing positivity as a daily decision. She says the effects are transformative and will make you happier and healthier. Deborah is the author of "6 Steps To Fewer Days That Suck." Contact her at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com
7. ==> What if Your Mom Stole Your Boyfriend? How to Heal from a Toxic Parent
What would you do if your own mother ran away with your boyfriend? Author Sabrina Ciceri faced this ultimate betrayal—but refused to let it define her. In “If It’s Not One Thing, It’s a Mother,” she shares how she broke free from generational dysfunction, turned trauma into strength and built the loving family she never had. With raw honesty and humor, Sabrina reveals how anyone can escape toxic relationships, set firm boundaries and heal—even when forgiveness feels impossible. As a mother of six, grandmother of five and former nurse turned health advocate, she offers an inspiring take on resilience, self-care and rewriting your story. Book her for an unforgettable conversation about breaking cycles and creating the life you deserve. Contact Sabrina Ciceri at (352) 308-1596; Sciceri@rtirguests.com
8. ==> For Those Who Are Grieving Mom
Loss changes how people experience love, but it doesn’t end the story. After losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later overcoming breast cancer, author Kat Perkins understands how grief reshapes identity, relationships, and emotional resilience. She shares why healing isn’t about “moving on,” how vulnerability can rebuild connection, and why many people discover deeper meaning and love after heartbreak. Her message resonates with anyone navigating grief, major life setbacks, or emotional reinvention. Kat Perkins is a speaker and author who inspires audiences with her story of resilience, healing, and redefining life and hope after loss. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com
9. ==> What Your Past Lives Reveal About Your Relationship With Your Mom
Do you feel like you’ve known your mother forever? Could you have been together in a past life? And can your past lives explain a difficult relationship? Alla Kaluzhny—licensed therapist, hypnotherapist, and author of two thought-provoking reincarnation memoirs including “Turning New Pages,” uncovers the hidden ways your soul’s journey shapes love, habits and decisions. With vivid memories of her own past lives and spiritual expertise, Alla delivers insight that will inspire your audience to rethink their connections and choices. During this one-of-a-kind show, Alla will share her most unforgettable past-life experiences and explain how past lives influence love, friendships, and behaviors. Contact Alla Kaluzhny at (213) 459-3509; akaluzhny@rtirguests.com
10. ==> 3 Million Mom-Owned Businesses Fuel the U.S. Economy
Last year, mom-owned businesses generated more than $1.8 trillion in revenue, but this powerhouse movement didn’t start with TikTok side hustles. It began a century ago, in kitchens, basements, and living rooms, led by women with big ideas and little recognition. Roy Martin, Nashville Women’s Entrepreneur Coach and founder of the WFH Empowerment Academy, is spotlighting these early pioneers and empowering post-COVID mompreneurs to follow in their footsteps. His upcoming book, “But She Can’t Vote,” draws a direct line from women like Jean Nidetch (Weight Watchers) and Tupperware trailblazer Brownie Wise to today’s online work-from-home moms. Roy encourages motivated mompreneurs to claim their 20th century history while building a New Age WFH empowerment movement. Ask him: What can today’s moms learn from the original work-from-home pioneers? How can women start a purpose-driven home business in 2026? Contact Roy Martin at (629) 265 0570; rmartin@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Whistleblower Teacher: What’s Happening Inside Your Kid’s School
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
12. ==> Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite
Before Netflix. Before YouTube. Before anyone could imagine watching the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall on demand, someone had to get that signal there—live, flawlessly, the first time. Bob Patterson was at the center of it. A pioneer in satellite broadcasting, Patterson helped deliver some of history’s most-watched moments, including major MLB, NBA, and NHL broadcasts, the first satellite news distribution service, and the world’s first international HDTV satellite transmission. On your show, he can take audiences behind the scenes of the moon landing and several other high-stakes, live television moments—where one failure could impact millions—and explain how those early breakthroughs shaped today’s always-connected world. Drawing from his book “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Patterson answers the question few think to ask: How did we go from limited signals to global, real-time connection? He’s a timely guest for shows on media, technology, innovation, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Contact Bob Patterson at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Feeling Stuck? Try This 60-Second Trick
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 just 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
14. ==> 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
15. ==> What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
Most of us think forgiveness means turning the other cheek, something that requires approval, forgetting, and making yourself passive. But what if it's really about reclaiming your power? Taj Simrit spent 20 years backpacking across the globe, and the last eight years traveling solo full-time, immersing himself in spiritual traditions across cultures, searching for purpose. Through Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and healing, Simrit uncovered four simple principles that can dissolve resentment, restore inner peace, break addictions, tame the ego, and ultimately shape your destiny. His memoir, “Behold My Soul,” became a #1 Amazon bestseller in both Religious Travel and Humanistic Psychology. Contact Taj Simrit at tsimrit@rtirguests.com
