01. Iran Is a Bigger Defeat Than Vietnam
02. Comedy Writer/Doctor on Stuttering, Humor and Challenging Beliefs
03. Do a Show on Unsung Heroes: Celebrate Lifesaving First Responders
04. Interview the Ultimate Patrick Swayze Authority
05. It’s Wedding Season: The Fight Every Newlywed Has
06. America at 250: Hidden US Travel Gems
07. Listeners Want Uplifting Stories: This Guest Has 80 of Them
08. From Overwhelmed to Action: Everyday People Making a Real Difference
09. The Money Talk Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Grad
10. America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis
11. The New Career Survival Skill Isn’t Hustle—It’s Recovery
12. Are You Sitting on a Nail? Stop Tolerating What Isn’t Working
13. The Nicest Person in the Room May Be the Most Dangerous
14. Ready for a Summer Health Detox? What to Cut First
15. Is "Good Vibes Only" Making Your Audience Worse Off?
1. ==> Iran Is a Bigger Defeat Than Vietnam
According to Paul Musgrave, Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran has turned into a strategic disaster for Washington. The associate professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar says, “At his second inaugural, U.S. President Donald Trump pronounced his hope ‘that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country.’ By losing his Gulf war, Trump has achieved that goal. His choice to launch a campaign against Iran was encouraged by others, but fully his own. It has led to a reversal that marks a strategic calamity far greater than the U.S. defeat in the Vietnam War.” Musgrave can explain why this defeat looks nothing like other U.S. military defeats and discuss the differences between this and the Vietnam War. Ask him about the effect of the war on U.S. leadership in the global system and the consequences that the U.S. will have to bear. Paul Musgrave is an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar. I specialize in the politics of U.S. foreign policy. He also writes a newsletter, Systematic Hatreds, about political science. He has appeared on radio and television networks including CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, CBC, ABC’s “The World” (Australia), and Al-Jazeera International. Contact him through the Georgetown University Communications Department at gucomm@georgetown.edu
2. ==> Comedy Writer/Doctor on Stuttering, Humor and Challenging Beliefs
Millions of Americans stutter and many are told they need to accept it. Dr. Jeffrey Gurian refused to. A New York-based former cosmetic dentist, clinical professor, and one of the most connected figures in American comedy, Gurian spent decades writing material for Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Andrew "Dice" Clay, and Phil Hartman while quietly battling the stutter that once made it impossible to say his own last name. When traditional speech therapy failed him, he built his own method. His approach is cognitive, a body, mind and spirit framework rooted in the idea that stuttering is situational and psychological rather than physical. If you can speak freely when alone but lock up in front of others, he argues, the problem is not in your body. It is in your belief system. And beliefs can change. Gurian has worked with Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, and Nick Kroll. His YouTube channel, Comedy Matters TV, features interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Carrey, and hundreds of others. He has also made numerous radio appearances throughout his career. He now offers group workshops, private sessions, and complimentary consultations to help others move past stuttering. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103
3. ==> Stories of Unsung Heroes: Celebrate First Responders
Every day across America, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, nurses, dispatchers, and ordinary citizens step forward in moments of crisis. Most never learn what happened after the ambulance left, the emergency room doors closed, or the CPR ended. Drawing on decades of emergency response experience and deeply personal survivor stories, veteran firefighter-paramedic Brad Newbury and his daughter, EMT Kiera Newbury, celebrate the extraordinary ripple effects that can result when someone acts in a critical moment. Through powerful real-life stories of cardiac arrest survivors, near-drowning rescues, firefighters saving fellow firefighters, and families forever changed by CPR and emergency intervention, they explain why saving a life is never just about restoring a heartbeat. It is about preserving future birthdays, weddings, graduations, friendships, and generations that otherwise might never have existed. Brad and Kiera Newbury are the authors of “The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Willing to Act.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell)
4. ==> Interview the Ultimate Patrick Swayze Authority
Just in time for the 40th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, Jennifer Grey will be back as ‘Baby’ Houseman in Dirty Dancing 2. The film is slated for release next summer, but will it be successful without its other beloved star, Patrick Swayze. Ask Sue Tabashnik, the ultimate Patrick Swayze authority. She can also speak about the remakes of other Patrick Swayze movies. Sue was a writer for Patrick's official fan club magazine. She met Patrick and some of his family several times, which changed her life forever. Ask her anything about Patrick Swayze: Is Dirty Dancing the only movie starring Patrick that will have a sequel or remake? Did Patrick use his dancing expertise in Dirty Dancing? How is Patrick still entertaining and inspiring millions of people? Sue Tabashnik is the author of five books about Patrick Swayze including “Patrick Swayze: The Dreamer” and “Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance.” Contact Sue Tabashnik at (248) 719-0326; stabashnik@msn.com
5. ==> It’s Wedding Season: The Fight Every Newlywed Has
Roughly two million American couples will get married this year and the majority of them will walk down the aisle between now and October. The whole machine celebrates them right up until the reception ends. Then on Monday morning the two of them wake up in a quiet apartment with each other, a stack of thank-you notes, a sink full of dishes nobody officially agreed to do and the rest of their lives. Most marriage counseling comes once a couple is struggling, years into the marriage, but pastor Mike Novotny says newlyweds need guidance from the get-go. He’ll explain why what happens in the first twelve months tends to stick and the fight every newlywed has by the third month of marriage. He’ll discuss how to negotiate the first fight, the first chore conversation and the first money conversation and why the order in which that happens matters. Novotny is the lead speaker for Time of Grace, a global Christian media ministry. His latest book is “Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One.” Contact Marianna Gibson at marianna@jonesliterary.com
6. ==> America at 250: Hidden US Travel Gems
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, two travelers who have visited 90 countries, all 50 states, and seven continents say some of the most fascinating destinations are right here at home. Evelyn and Natalie Kelly reveal the overlooked places, quirky towns, remarkable people, historic sites, and cultural traditions that most Americans miss while dreaming of overseas travel. They’ll share why small-town America often tells the nation's biggest stories and explain how history comes alive through travel. You’ll leave this segment believing the USA may be the world's most underrated travel destination! Ask them: Why do you say America may be the best travel destination of all? What hidden gems, unusual attractions, and small towns should Americans visit during the nation's 250th birthday celebration? Contact Evelyn and Natalie Kelly at ekelly@rtirguests.com or (352) 661-2493
7. ==> Listeners Want Uplifting Stories: This Guest Has 80 of Them
After 56 years in the movie business, Dan Klusmann learned that audiences rarely remember explosions or special effects. They remember the stories that made them feel something. That realization inspired “Life Answers Back,” a collection of stories gathered over 15 years from more than 80 contributors. Klusmann can discuss why certain stories stay with us forever, what makes audiences emotionally connect to a story, and why uplifting storytelling is resonating again in today’s stressful and negative world. Drawing from decades spent studying audience reactions in the movie business, Klusmann shares how stories can inspire hope, create emotional connection, and help people feel understood, comforted, and less alone. Ask him: Why do certain stories stay with us forever? What did decades in the movie business teach you about emotional connection? Why are uplifting stories making a comeback right now? Can one simple story change the way someone sees life? Contact Dan Klusmann at (406) 578-7999; dklusmann@rtirguests.com
8. ==> From Overwhelmed to Action: Everyday People Making a Real Difference
Your audience isn't apathetic. They're exhausted, and there's a difference. Activist and author Sam Daley-Harris has spent decades studying why engaged, well-meaning people eventually go quiet, and what it actually takes to bring them back. His answer isn't a pep talk. It's a method. On your show, he'll introduce "transformational advocacy", a practical framework that moves people from paralyzed to participating without burning out in the process. He'll explain why dramatic gestures and viral moments rarely create lasting change, why small, consistent actions are disproportionately powerful, and how ordinary people with no political experience or large platforms have influenced real policy outcomes. This is the segment for the audience who cares deeply, feels completely stuck, and needs someone to show them the on-ramp — not just tell them it exists. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; sdaley@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Money Talk Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Grad
As new grads head out into the world they face a challenging economy and a changing world. Financial planner, entrepreneur, and author Tom Loegering says the best graduation advice any parent can give their young adult involves their finances. Loegering can discuss how to avoid credit card debt, put together a budget, choose the best student loan repayment plan, start an IRA, and more. He’ll also show how small adjustments, even when you’re strapped for cash, can create meaningful change. Tom Loegering is also the founder and CEO of Golf Program in Schools, a nonprofit that has helped more than 51,000 students prepare for their futures. Ask him: What’s the biggest mistake young people make with their finances? What can people in their 20s or 30s do today? Contact Tom Loegering at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com
10. ==> 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
11. ==> The New Career Survival Skill Isn’t Hustle—It’s Recovery
For decades, professionals were told the path to success was simple: work harder and out-hustle the competition. Yet burnout is now affecting employees at younger ages than ever before, with some studies showing Gen Z workers reaching peak burnout by age 25. Executive coach and former Fortune 500 HR leader Lindsay K. Barnett says the most valuable career skill today isn't productivity, it's recovery. On your show, she'll explain why constant pressure is quietly eroding performance, how "the power of the pause" improves decision-making, and why sustainable success requires planning, pacing, and play. She’ll offer practical strategies for thriving without sacrificing health, relationships, or ambition. Having advised leaders and teams across industries worldwide, Barnett brings both executive-level insight and real-world solutions to today's workplace challenges. She is the author of “Working Hell to Working Well.” Contact Lindsay K. Barnett at (310) 340-2579; lbarnett@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Are You Sitting on a Nail? Stop Tolerating What Isn’t Working
What separates top performers from everyone else isn’t talent, it’s mindset. In her recent TEDx talk, former LPGA Tour player and Hall of Fame golf instructor Cindy Miller explains why most people stay stuck: they’re “sitting on a nail”, tolerating what isn’t working instead of changing it. On your show, she introduces her simple framework—the Nail, the Mirror, and the Seed—to help your audience identify what’s holding them back, take a hard look at their own role, and choose one small action to move forward. Drawing from decades in elite competition, Cindy breaks down why perfectionism kills performance, how self-doubt is learned, and why small shifts create lasting change better than big overhauls. Her book “Take Another Shot” reinforces these lessons through real stories of setbacks and comebacks. Ask her: Why do high achievers stay stuck longer than they should? Can doing less actually help you perform better? Contact Cindy Miller at (716) 670-5341; cimiller@rtirguests.com
13. ==> The Nicest Person in the Room May Be the Most Dangerous
Everyone knows how to spot the loud, self-centered narcissist. But it's the charming one — the helper, the listener, the one everyone adores — who causes the most damage. Dr. Valerie Sussman knows this firsthand. After 20 years in a covert narcissistic marriage, this retired pediatrician became a certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist dedicated to exposing what she calls the most dangerous predator hiding in plain sight. Sussman will reveal how covert narcissists use kindness as a weapon, why victims routinely doubt their own reality, and how to spot the warning signs before the damage is done. Drawing from her book “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” she offers survivors a path from confusion to clarity — and from self-doubt to self-trust. Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; Vsussman@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Ready for a Summer Health Detox? What to Cut First
Summertime can inspire a good detox, but before cutting sugar or starting a cleanse, what if the first habit to rethink is caffeine? More than two-thirds of American adults consume caffeine daily, often without considering whether they’re dependent on it. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser, drawing from over 45 years of study and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” says caffeine doesn’t truly create energy, it often masks withdrawal and disrupts the body’s natural balance. He explains how everyday caffeine use may contribute to anxiety, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, fertility challenges, and reduced gray brain matter while remaining culturally normalized. On your show, Norbert breaks down how caffeine dependency develops, what really happens during withdrawal, and how to reset your nervous system without sacrificing productivity. He also shares realistic strategies and satisfying alternatives for those ready to try a caffeine detox. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Is "Good Vibes Only" Making Your Audience Worse Off?
Millions of people who are struggling try to be positive by setting intentions and making vision boards, but what if that relentless optimism is actually working against them? Author Lydia Samaniego is the guest your audience didn't know they needed. She brings a rare, refreshing honesty to a conversation that's long overdue: why positive thinking culture can quietly disconnect people from their own inner truth, and what to do instead. Summer is the perfect time to explore this. Audiences are already asking, "Why isn't this working for me?" Lydia helps them understand that real transformation isn't about thinking harder or "manifesting more." It's about listening to the quiet conflict between the mind and the heart, shedding inherited beliefs that no longer fit, and building an inside-out life. Contact Lydia Samaniego at (530) 443-5826; lsamaniego@rtirguests.com
Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com
