01. US and Iran Edge Toward War Again43
02. Mitch McConnell and Congressional Health Transparency
03. A Death Sentence for Endangered Species
04. A Good Death: Why End-of-Life Healthcare Is So Difficult
05. The Florida Python Challenge is Back
06. Rethinking Europe This Summer? Best US Travel Spots
07. America, 250 Years Later: How to Reclaim Our Democracy
08. Love, Sex & Second Chances After 50
09. Why So Many Women Are Discovering Fertility Issues Too Late
10. What it’s Really Like to Run for Office in America Today
11. America is Bitterly Divided: Small Steps to Bridge Our Differences
12. The Trauma No One Talks About in American Healthcare
13. Is a Job the Only Path? What New Grads Should Consider
14. Seniors and Depression: It’s Not Just Old Age
15. Small Summer Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck
1. ==> US and Iran Edge Toward War Again
The ceasefire is over and the U.S. and Iran seem ready to resume their war after a weekend of attacks, incendiary rhetoric and President Trump saying he was reinstating the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Invite Middle East expert/historian Asaf Romirowsky to discuss the situation. Ask him: What is going on in the Strait of Hormuz? Who is running Iran right now? What are the chances of peace between the two sides? What would the U.S. consider a ‘win’ in this war? Asaf Romirowsky, PHD, is the executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. He is coauthor of “October 7: The Wars Over Words and Deeds.” Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com
2. ==> Mitch McConnell and Congressional Health Transparency
It took nearly a month for Senator Mitch McConnell to explain why he’s been hospitalized and absent from Congress. And he’s not the only lawmaker to mysteriously disappear this year. New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean was out for nearly four months while his staff shared almost nothing about his whereabouts. When he finally returned, he revealed he’d been hospitalized for depression. So, how much information do lawmakers owe the public? The litany of examples of officials not being forthright about health erodes trust in the institution, says Adam Enders, a University of Louisville political science professor who studies conspiracy theories. He says this is one reason the information void around McConnell and Kean sparked so many of them. Enders sees these conspiracies as less nefarious than other claims, like misinformation about stolen elections, though he says there is a fine line between conspiracy theories designed to advance an agenda versus the kind of skepticism that can be healthy in a democracy. “It’s not the worst thing in the world to have citizens that are monitoring the people who they’ve turned power to and hoping they’re doing the kinds of things they’re elected to do,” Enders says. Contact Adam Enders at adam.enders@louisville.edu
3. ==> A Death Sentence for Endangered Species
On Friday the Trump administration repealed a key part of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that will open habitats of imperiled wildlife to development, logging, mining and other uses. Experts fear the move could cause catastrophic damage to species already close to the brink. For the past 50 years, the landmark environmental law included a broader understanding of the word “harm”, which included protection of the places that are critical to endangered plants and animals’ survival. Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity, says the change will be “a death sentence for wolverines, monarch butterflies, Forida manatees and so many other animals and plants that desperately need our help.” The rescinded rules are part of a broad deregulatory effort by Donald Trump, who has made it his priority to dismantle endangered species protections to boost energy extraction and industrial access, even in the US’s most sensitive and vulnerable natural areas. The US public broadly supports species protections. A 2023 poll found 80% of registered voters favored full funding of the ESA. Contact Stephanie Kurose directly at (202) 849-8401, ext. 103 or Aaron Kunkler at (206) 949-5353; akunkler@biologicaldiversity.org
4. ==> A Good Death: Why End-of-Life Healthcare Is So Difficult
End-of-life healthcare decisions are difficult, even when families have planned ahead. Medical sociologist Karen Lutfey Spencer blames the problem on hidden defaults built into America's healthcare system and can explain why they so often lead families toward end-of-life care they never expected or wanted. Spencer argues that many of the most difficult decisions are shaped less by individual choice than by the structure of the healthcare system itself. Hear how insurance rules, physician incentives, fragmented care, institutional practices, and the simple momentum of medical treatment all quietly influence decisions before families even realize they're being guided. She says improving end-of-life care requires changing healthcare systems, not simply asking patients to plan better. Invite her to explore these hidden forces and offer practical guidance to help patients and families navigate one of life's most difficult transitions. Karen Lutfey Spencer, PhD, is a medical sociologist and professor at the University of Colorado Denver. Her new book is “Your Good Death: Why End-of-Life Healthcare Is So Difficult and How to Make It Work for You.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office) (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
5. ==> The Florida Python Challenge is Back
Python hunters have descended on the Florida Everglades for the annual Florida Python Challenge. For 10 days, registered participants vie for a chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades and raising awareness about nonnative species. Deer, raccoons, possums and foxes once flocked to the area, but experts say it’s rare to see mammals there anymore. The Florida Python Challenge was created in 2013 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to help combat the state’s ecosystem issue. Last year’s participants removed a record 294 pythons during the challenge with 934 people from 30 states and Canada taking part. The participant who removes the most pythons this year will take home a grand prize of $10,000. Contact Ryan Sheets at (727) 282-7642; Ryan.Sheets@MyFWC.com or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission press office at (850) 488-4676; Media@MyFWC.com
6. ==> Rethinking Europe This Summer? Best US Travel Spots
Europe is stifling hot this summer with a stubborn heat dome causing record-breaking temperatures across the region. Many travelers are looking for other options for their end of summer trips and Evelyn and Natalie Kelly are fully prepared to share some ideas. These two mother/daughter travelers have visited 90 countries, all 50 states, and seven continents and say some of the most fascinating destinations are right here at home! They’ll 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, how history comes alive through travel, and why the USA may be the world's most underrated travel destination. Evelyn and Natalie Kelly are the authors of “Have a Love Affair with the USA.” Contact them at (352) 661-2493; ekelly@rtirguests.com
7. ==> America, 250 Years Later: How to Reclaim Our Democracy
Millions of people have mixed feelings about celebrating America right now. They’re feeling tired of feeling helpless—or furious—about politics today. “Agonizing, protesting, and turning off the news” aren’t our only options according to Sam Daley-Harris, activist and author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy.” He offers a proven alternative: transformational advocacy, a form of advocacy where you work to change an issue and you are changed in the process. Daley-Harris will share stories of ordinary people who used transformational advocacy to go from feeling clueless about activism to feeling euphoric; from experiencing what they called ‘climate trauma’ to experiencing engagement as sacred and profound. Feeling fed up with what’s going on in the world isn’t a flaw, Daley-Harris says it’s fuel and he’ll show your audience how to use it. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Love, Sex & Second Chances After 50
More than 37 million single adults over 50 are reentering the dating world and discovering it’s nothing like they remember. Known as the next “Dr. Ruth,” Dr. Victoria Vaughn brings candid, humorous insight into love, sex, and starting over later in life. She’ll share lessons from her own dating journey: spotting red flags like financial instability and emotional un-availability, avoiding the pressure to “settle,” and why loneliness often leads smart people to relationship mistakes. Her stories resonate with men and women, including same-sex couples, offering a practical “buyer beware” guide to dating after 50. Ask her: Why do smart people ignore red flags after 50? Is it really possible to have more than one true love? Vaughn is the author of “Oh the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince.” Contact her at (512) 585-1876; vvaughn@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why So Many Women Are Discovering Fertility Issues Too Late
More women are waiting longer to start families, but many are shocked to learn their fertility may have declined years earlier. OB/GYN Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri says the problem isn’t just age, it’s a lack of awareness about the early signals the body provides. She’ll explain why many women don’t discover issues until they’re struggling to conceive, how modern lifestyles may quietly accelerate fertility decline, and why relying on IVF as a backup plan can be misleading. Drawing on more than 30 years in women’s health she shares what women and couples should be tracking now—long before they’re ready for pregnancy. She’ll reveal fertility warning signs women are missing in their 20s and 30s and explain why so many women overestimate what IVF can actually do. Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri is the author of “Optimize Your Fertility Naturally.” Contact her at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com
10. ==> What it’s Really Like to Run for Office in America Today
Most people think running for office is about speeches, slogans, and shaking hands. Rob Curnock knows better. As a former TV political reporter, party leader, and unlikely congressional candidate, he’s seen the process from every angle. He pulls back the curtain on the physical exhaustion, emotional toll, family strain, and political hardball that define modern campaigns. After challenging and almost winning after running against an “unbeatable” incumbent, he discovered how power really works behind closed doors. “I experienced the often brutal realities of running for office—and learned how ordinary citizens can shake up the system,” he says. Rob is a long-time broadcast journalist and the author of “Dead Man Running.” Contact Rob Curnock at (254) 822-3741; rcurnock@rtirguests.com
11. ==> America is Bitterly Divided: Small Steps to Bridge Our Differences
Most people aren't losing relationships over big ideological battles. They're losing them over Tuesday night dinners and team meetings — the small moments where someone says the wrong thing and the damage is done before anyone realizes it. Peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan says the problem is rarely what we believe. It's that nobody taught us how to say it. Drawing from years of training organizations, schools, and communities, Khan gives your audience something practical and immediately usable: specific language shifts that let people hold their ground without triggering defensiveness, avoid the two most common communication mistakes that escalate disagreements, and stay in relationships with people they fundamentally disagree with. This isn't conflict avoidance. It's conflict navigation. And in a climate where audiences are exhausted by division but don't know how to do it differently, Khan is the guest who hands them a tool, not just a talking point. Contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Trauma No One Talks About in American Healthcare
America’s healthcare system is in crisis—but what’s often ignored is the trauma beneath the surface. Kathy Allan, a board-certified holistic nurse with over two decades of experience in trauma recovery, says many nurses today are emotionally broken, betrayed by the very system they once trusted. Patients, too, are suffering from care that feels cold, rushed, and disconnected. In interviews, Allan reveals how this hidden trauma plays out, much like in the TV show, “The Pitt.” Drawing on her “12 Steps of Healing Care” and years as a healing touch instructor and somatic experiencing practitioner, Allan offers a spiritual and body-centered roadmap for transforming pain into purpose. Her stories and insights will resonate with nurses, healthcare workers, and anyone who’s ever felt harmed by the system that was supposed to help them. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; kallan@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Is a Job the Only Path? What New Grads Should Consider
For decades, college graduates were told the formula for success was simple: earn a degree, land a job, climb the ladder. But with layoffs rising, AI reshaping industries, and many young professionals already questioning traditional career paths, franchise consultant and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Greg Mohr says graduates should pause before automatically sending out résumés. On your show, he’ll explain why entrepreneurship and business ownership are becoming more attractive to younger generations seeking flexibility, control, and long-term wealth-building opportunities. He’ll also break down the biggest misconceptions about franchising, why some grads are better suited for ownership than corporate life, and what questions families should ask before taking on years of career uncertainty or debt. Drawing from years helping professionals transition into franchise ownership, Mohr offers a practical, eye-opening conversation about rethinking success in today’s economy. Greg Mohr is the author of “Real Freedom.” Contact him at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Seniors and Depression: It’s Not Just Old Age
Seven and a half million American seniors are living with depression — and most of them will never be diagnosed, never be treated, and never hear from a doctor that what they’re feeling isn’t just “getting old.” James B. Flaherty is 90, and he has something to say about that. A former Madison Avenue advertising executive, innkeeper, and author of five books written in his 80s — with a fifth one just published — Flaherty has built a second life devoted to proving that the final decades can be the richest ones. In inter-views, he’ll share what he’s learned about purpose, connection, and the daily choices that keep a 90-year-old not just alive — but genuinely thriving — and why the antidote to senior depression is simpler than anyone thinks. Ask him: Why are 7.5 million depressed seniors being ignored — and who’s responsible? What’s the single most important choice a senior can make to stay vital? Contact James Flaherty at (914) 326-2697; jflaherty@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Small Summer Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck
Feeling tired and stuck and in need of a vacation from life? Whether you’re headed out to the beach or you’re staying close to home, Deborah Mallow has some summer suggestions to help you figure out what’s making you feel so cranky. Deborah will explain why the best ‘summer vacation’ is the one we take in our brains when we stop narrating everything like a dramatic movie trailer. Deborah believes advice like “just think positive” often backfires and says simply making tiny mental shifts can change the trajectory of an entire day. She’ll share surprising tools that will help your listeners quiet their inner critic, break out of emotional autopilot, and find momentum without forcing motivation. Ask her: Can focusing less on goals and more on what truly matters actually make you happier? Why do so many people feel behind when much of their life is actually working? Contact Deborah Mallow at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com
