01. Is the US About to Spark a Middle East Nuclear Arms Race?
02. The Return of the Great American Stomachache?
03. 10 Things Every Family Should Know in a Medical Emergency
04. Road Trip! 10 Hidden Gems to Visit This Summer
05. Stressed AFTER Vacation? How to Recharge Anytime, Anywhere
06. How Erasing Black History Is Dangerous
07. The Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs (But Few Have)
08. The Real Cost of Your Perfectionism
09. Can a Bigger Paycheck Make Financial Anxiety Worse?
10. Humor Is Never Untimely – From a Guy Who's Been Proving It for 30 Years
11. Why You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partner—and How to Break the Cycle
12. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
13. 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
14. When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God
15. Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: How Energy Balance Affects Your Body
1. ==> Is the US About to Spark a Middle East Nuclear Arms Race?
President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could lead to the kingdom enriching its own fuel for civilian reactors without adopting the "gold standard" of international oversight. Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association regularly briefs Congress and the media on 123 Agreements, proliferation risks, and Middle East nuclear dynamics. She can explain how this deal deviates from the “gold standard” and why that matters for regional stability. Davenport provides commentary for NPR, CNN, ABC, Fox News, and al-Jazeera. She is one of the leading experts on Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. diplomatic efforts to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. She also analyzes North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and tracks emerging proliferation risks in the Middle East and East Asia. Contact her at (202) 463-8270, ext. 102; kelsey@armscontrol.org
2. ==> The Return of the Great American Stomachache?
As states continue to face a large and growing outbreak of severe gastrointestinal illness caused by cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh food or water, Health Secretary RFK Jr. says the source has been identified and the outbreak is under control. Who doesn’t have questions about the safety of our food supply right now? Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer prize-winning science journalist and author of six books including “The Poison Squad,” a history of food safety in the United States. She’ll can explain how the Food and Drugs Act and the Meat Inspection Act were passed in 1906 creating the framework for a federal system to test ingredients, inspect food factories and recall unsafe products. While the system has been criticized as seriously underfunded and often overcautious, Blum says, “It has prevented a return to the fraudulent and poisonous food supply of the 19th century, which one historian called the ‘century of the great American stomachache.’ That is, until recently, when the Trump administration began to unravel that safety net.” She’ll explain the effect of shuttering food safety programs and terminating thousands of federal health workers and why experts believe food poisoning outbreaks will continue to spread farther and last longer. Connect with Deborah Blum via her website at deborahblum.com/contact/
3. ==> 10 Things Every Family Should Know in a Medical Emergency
If someone you loved suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest, began choking, or stopped breathing, would your family know what to do before first responders arrived? Fire captain, paramedic, EMS educator Brad Newbury and emergency medical technician Kiera Newbury say preparedness is one of the greatest gifts you can give the people you love. With more than 40 years of emergency medical experience, the pair will share what to do in the heat of the moment like when to call 911 (immediately, don’t wait for things to get better!) and why you should put the call on speakerphone, unlock the front door, and send someone outside to meet emergency responders. They’ll also share essential steps listeners should take now to prepare for future emergencies including learning CPR, compiling medicine lists and creating a family emergency plan. Brad and Kiera’s new book, “The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Ready to Act,” features remarkable, true stories that illustrate why saving one life is really about preserving an entire family. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
4. ==> Road Trip! 10 Hidden Gems to Visit This Summer
Millions of Americans are hitting the road this summer, but many of the country’s most memorable destinations aren’t the ones topping travel lists. After exploring all 50 states together over three decades, mother-daughter travel experts Natalie and Evelyn Kelly say some of America’s greatest experiences are tucked away in small towns, scenic byways, and overlooked attractions that most travelers drive right past. From breathtaking natural wonders to charming Main Streets and unforgettable local eateries, they’ll share ten hidden gems perfect for families, couples, retirees, and adventure seekers looking to skip the crowds and discover something new. They’ll also reveal simple ways to plan a more meaningful vacation without spending a fortune. Their book, “Love Affair with the USA,” celebrates the people, places, and stories that make America worth exploring, one road trip at a time. Contact them at (352) 661-2493; ekelly@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Stressed AFTER Vacation? How to Recharge Anytime, Anywhere
Vacations are supposed to help us recharge, yet many people arrive home feeling just as stressed as when they left! Artist Edi Matsumoto believes joy isn’t something we find after everything slows down. It’s something we can practice in the middle of everyday life. She’ll introduce her simple 60-second Joy Reset, a creative mindfulness technique that helps people pause, reconnect with the present moment, and experience more gratitude wherever they are. Through heartwarming stories, playful exercises, and lessons inspired by her beloved otter paintings, Edi shows that even the busiest lives have room for wonder. It’s a refreshing reminder that happiness often begins with noticing what’s already around us. Edi Matsumoto is an award-winning artist and internationally collected painter. She wrote “Otter Therapy” to help people cultivate more joy every day. Contact her at (831) 290-6491; ematsumoto@rtirguests.com
6. ==> How Erasing Black History Is Dangerous
As battles intensify over DEI rollbacks, book bans, and the removal of Black history references from schools, museums, and national parks, Lauraine White warns America is repeating one of its oldest mistakes: erasing the truth to avoid accountability. White—whose ancestry includes both enslaved people and Confederate slaveholders—says today’s political climate mirrors earlier attempts to sanitize slavery, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement from public memory. Drawing from her genealogical research and themes in her book “A Daughter of the Confederacy,” she explains why recording history honestly is essential to healing racial division today. White argues when a nation edits its past, it shapes who has power, whose pain matters, and what future generations are allowed to understand. Ask her: Why do you believe current efforts to limit Black history education are dangerous to all Americans—not just Black communities? Can acknowledging painful history unite people rather than divide them? Contact Lauraine White at lwhite@rtirguests.com (email preferred) or (770) 525-8743
7. ==> The Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs (But Few Have)
Great leaders aren’t just decisive—they’re deliberate. “In high-stakes rooms where every word carries weight, success depends on skills rarely taught in business school: listening with precision, speaking with intention, and navigating conflict without escalating it,” says author and former diplomat Dianne Olvera. Drawing from real-world diplomacy and leadership experience, this approach reveals how to manage tough conversations, defuse tension, and influence outcomes without overpowering the room. “It’s about knowing when to speak, when to pause, and how to choose language that builds trust instead of resistance,” she says. Dianne is a board-certified educational therapist and the author of “The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower.” She’s also a former diplomat and spy. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com
8. ==> The Real Cost of Your Perfectionism
Millions of people are on a perpetual search for a new and better version of themselves, meantime research shows that perfectionism and self-criticism are rising and fueling burnout and anxiety, instead of change. Leadership coach and TEDx speaker Barbara Stone says the problem isn’t motivation, it’s identity. After 25 years hiding her alopecia under a wig and her voice behind corporate success, Barbara took the wig off onstage and discovered a surprising truth: real growth begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves. In this segment, she’ll share what shedding perfection taught her about self-worth and authenticity, and why flaws, not upgrades, are often the key to confidence. Whether your audience is hiding a condition, insecurity, or impossible expectations, Barbara offers practical ways they can stop performing and start living more honestly. Ask her: Can trying to “improve yourself” actually make you less confident? What did losing your hair teach you that success never did? Contact Barbara Stone at (315) 840-2845; bstone@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Can a Bigger Paycheck Make Financial Anxiety Worse?
Most financial guests talk about how to make more money. Darius Ross talks about why making more money can make things harder, and why that's something your audience may already be living but has never heard named out loud. Drawing from his own journey out of homelessness to business ownership, Ross explains how a "survival mindset" doesn't disappear when the money arrives. Fear of loss, the pressure to sustain success, and the weight of responsibility can quietly hijack decision-making and drive anxiety even at six figures. On your show, he'll unpack how past financial trauma shapes behavior long after circumstances improve — and what it actually takes to build peace of mind, not just a bigger bank account. This isn't a budgeting conversation. It's a psychology-of-money conversation, with a guest who lived it before he learned to explain it. Contact Darius Ross at (347) 801-7956; dross@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Humor Is Never Untimely – From a Guy Who's Been Proving It for 30 Years
Bill Williams has been sending daily humor emails for three decades. What started in the 1990s as a way to get his sales staff to read emails has grown into a beloved ritual for hundreds of subscribers globally—and he's never made a dime doing it. Drawing from "20 Years of Internet Humor ... and Other Interesting Things," Williams explains why humor works in any news cycle, for any audience. Listeners will discover how he turned a workplace tool into a lifelong practice of spreading joy, and why his college friend John Denver influenced his view on taking creative risks. Ask him: You've done this for 30 years without making money, so what keeps you going? You say humor is never untimely. What makes it work when other topics go stale? How did your friendship with John Denver shape your approach to life? Contact Bill Williams at (419) 534-0399; wgwilliams@rtirguests.com
11. ==> 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
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. ==> 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word
Behind closed doors, abuse thrives in silence — and far more women experience it than most realize. Kit Filbey pulls back the curtain on the hidden reality of domestic abuse, revealing why so many women never speak up. Through a deeply personal story set in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin, Kit captures the confusion, denial, and emotional complexity that keep victims trapped. Her journey from self-sufficient homesteading to recognizing and escaping abuse offers rare insight into the psychology of silence. Kit’s story gives voice to millions, helping readers to see the signs, confront uncomfortable truths, and start conversations that could save lives. She is the author of the memoir “Cottage Test.” Contact Kit Filbey at (540) 501-7189; kfilbey@rtirguests.com
14. ==> When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God
Nancy Frecka brings a unique perspective as both a pastor and someone who has experienced extraordinary events. She shares insights about hearing God’s voice and trusting divine guidance in everyday life. Her two near-death experiences, encounters with Jesus, and the way God brought clarity and healing through moments of deep childhood trauma speak powerfully to the reality of surrendering to God’s will. When she slipped into death—twice—she never imagined what awaited her. Floating above her lifeless body, she watched nurses scramble, unable to find a pulse. Then came the divine encounter with Jesus Himself. Nancy is a speaker, pastor, and the author of “God Says, You Can Trust Me: Supernatural Encounters with God.” Contact Nancy Frecka at (330) 422-6955; nfrecka@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: How Energy Balance Affects Your Body
When symptoms don’t respond to traditional approaches, Marilyn Mercado looks at energy. She explains how emotional stress and unresolved experiences can disrupt the body’s energy centers, often showing up as pain, fatigue, or recurring illness. Mercado helps audiences understand how chakra balance supports physical and emotional health and how simple awareness practices can restore flow. Her perspective offers an intriguing complement to conventional wellness conversations. Marilyn is an energy practitioner and holistic wellness expert specializing in chakra balance and mind-body healing. Contact her at (805) 332-4863; mmercado@rtirguests.com
