01. 911 First Responders: 25 Years Later, Still Struggling
02. How Israel’s Lobby Works Against American Interests
03. Democracy Is at Stake: Stop Waiting for a Savior
04. Medicare Fraud Is Surging: Protect Yourself and Your Parents
05. The Post Vacation Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed
06. Great B-T-S Show: Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems
07. Modern Money Advice for Today’s Young Adults
08. Can a Bigger Paycheck Make Financial Anxiety Worse?
09. Biggest Mistakes When Caring for Aging Loved Ones
10. Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?
11. Got a Problem Pup? Ask This Dog Behaviorist’s Advice
12. Humor Is Never Untimely – This Guest Has Been Proving It for 30 Years
13. The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower
14. You Can Rewrite Your Story: The First Step
15. The Real Cost of Your Perfectionism
1. ==> 911 First Responders: 25 Years Later, Still Struggling
As we approach the 25th anniversary of 911, new research finds that the brains of first responders may be aging faster than their bodies. Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai analyzed MRI scans from 99 World Trade Center responders, all in their mid-50s. Of that group, 47 had chronic PTSD and 52 did not. Responders with PTSD had brains that appeared, on average, about three years older than their chronological age. Responders without PTSD showed brain ages that were slightly younger than expected. Researchers also found that the longer a responder worked at Ground Zero, the stronger the link between PTSD and accelerated brain aging. Silvia Dutchevici, psychotherapist and founder and president of the Critical Therapy Institute was not involved in the study but says, "The research reflects what psychotherapists see every day in our consulting rooms. Working with first responders, veterans, and people who have lived through prolonged trauma, we experience how survivors remain stuck in a fight-or-flight state of being. The brain stays on high alert and cannot shut off. Trauma ages us.” She says the research offers fresh evidence that the effects of the attacks are still unfolding a quarter-century later. Contact Silvia Dutchevici at the Critical Therapy Institute at (646) 504-3230; info@criticaltherapy.org
2. ==> How Israel’s Lobby Works Against American Interests
Eli Clifton believes the greatest story in geopolitics and in American domestic affairs is how the far-right government of a small Middle Eastern country came to hold a controlling interest in United States foreign policy. He says the outsized influence of the Israel lobby “works against our national interests and threatens our freedom.” The co-author of “Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power,” can explain how shifts in global politics, Israel’s lurch to the extreme right, and the evisceration of American campaign finance laws make the influence of Israel’s lobby more costly and more dangerous today than it ever was before, why the lobby launched an antisemitism witch hunt to suppress opponents rather than attempt to defend Israel’s policies, and how the Lobby not only distorts American policy but helps make Israel a “crazy” state. Eli Clifton is cofounder and senior advisor at the Quincy Institute. Contact him at eliclifton@gmail.com or communications director Jessica Rosenblum at rosenblum@quincyinst.org
3. ==> Democracy Is at Stake: Stop Waiting for a Savior
Nearly seven in 10 Americans are dissatisfied with how our democracy is working. Many consume political news and engage on social media but Skye Perryman says that’s not how change happens. The president of Democracy Forward says change happens when ordinary citizens become participants rather than spectators in history. “I have seen firsthand the limits of our institutions and the urgent need for individual citizens to demand and achieve a reimagined democracy that works for us all.” She says, “Waiting for a savior has led many of us not to exercise the greatest power we have: our own. Nothing is handed down by political leaders without the people demanding it. We must do so again.” Democracy Forward is a nonprofit legal services and public policy research organization that exposes and litigates corruption in the U.S. government. In 2025, the organization filed over 150 lawsuits against the Trump administration. Contact Skye Perryman at skye@democracyforward.org; @skyeperryman
4. ==> Medicare Fraud Is Surging: Protect Yourself and Your Parents
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it stopped $5.7 billion in suspected fraudulent Medicare payments in 2025 alone. But here’s what Medicare enrollees and their families need to know: Medicare fraud could already be happening in your name without you realizing it. An unfamiliar charge on a Medicare Summary Notice may be the first clue. Medicare expert Toni King, author of “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced: Basics and Beyond,” will give your audience a practical fraud-protection checklist. She’ll explain why beneficiaries and caregivers should scrutinize Medicare Summary Notices for unfamiliar charges, guard Medicare numbers like credit cards, and hang up on unsolicited callers asking for personal information. Toni will also expose convincing scams, including callers falsely promising new plastic Medicare cards. With the government intensifying its fraud crackdown, Toni helps Medicare enrollees, their adult children, and caregivers recognize trouble before it threatens their money or healthcare. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736; tking@rtirguests.com
5. ==> The Post Vacation Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed
Vacations are supposed to help us recharge, yet many people arrive home feeling just as stressed as when they left! For others, the post-vacation high quickly settles back into the hectic, chaotic mess of everyday life. 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. ==> Great B-T-S Show: Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems
Parents want to help their children succeed, but stepping in too quickly may have an unintended consequence: kids who struggle to solve problems or trust themselves. Educator and author Dr. Dianne Olvera says one powerful shift can change that—stop telling and start asking. On your show, she'll reveal how thoughtful questions can help children think independently, regulate emotions, develop resilience, and take greater ownership of their choices. As families head back to school, she'll also explain why constantly rescuing kids from mistakes can undermine the confidence parents are trying to build. Her newly released “Helping Kids Take Ownership of Their Lives” gives parents practical strategies for replacing control with connection and encouraging capable, empathetic kids. A professor for four decades, board-certified educational therapist, and former U.S. Embassy professional, Olvera brings a uniquely education-focused perspective to helping children become independent thinkers. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Modern Money Advice for Today’s Young Adults
Where do young adults learn their financial skills? And in today’s economy, is yesterday’s financial advice outdated? No wonder nearly half of Gen Z says they don’t feel financially prepared for adulthood. Real estate investor and wealth educator Janet Tonkins says many graduates start taking on credit card debt before building savings or assets. She says the biggest financial mistake young adults make isn’t earning too little. It’s waiting too long to invest. She’ll explain how even new graduates can begin building wealth with as little as $5 to $10 a month, why understanding assets matters more than chasing status symbols, and how first-time buyers can take advantage of overlooked grants and programs. She’ll also reveal why “perfect credit” is often overrated and how small financial decisions made in your 20s can shape your entire future. Drawing from themes in her upcoming book “Purses, Heels & Houses You Choose,” Tonkins helps audiences rethink spending, ownership, and generational wealth from day one. Beyond coaching investors nationwide, Tonkins develops affordable housing projects and mentors first-generation wealth builders through the Cashflow Diva Academy and TheCashflowDiva.com. Contact Janet Tonkins at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com
8. ==> 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
9. ==> Biggest Mistakes When Caring for Aging Loved Ones
Is your audience overwhelmed by the complexities of elder care? Debbie C. Miller has the answers—and the empathy. With over 30 years of experience working with senior care issues, Miller delivers practical, compassionate advice that empowers caregivers to make confident, informed decisions. She’ll discuss: The biggest mistakes families make when trying to care for aging loved ones, the most pervasive myths about elder care—and how they derail good intentions and how to plan ahead without panic, guilt or guesswork. You’ll also learn why “aging in place” is a deeply personal choice that requires smart strategy. Whether your audience is navigating a sudden crisis or planning for long-term care, Debbie offers a step-by-step approach that’s clear, actionable, and emotionally grounded. Her insights resonate with adult children, caregivers, and professionals alike. A Certified Senior Advisor® and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist®, Miller is the author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, & Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” a trusted guide for families facing the emotional and logistical maze of senior care. Contact Debbie Miller at (703) 844-4074; dmiller@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?
More than two-thirds of American adults, and increasingly children and teenagers, consume caffeine every day, yet few consider it an addiction. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser says caffeine isn’t just in coffee. It’s in soda, energy drinks, green, black, and white teas, and even an increasing number of snacks. And it’s quietly shaping our brains, moods, sleep, and long-term health. Drawing on more than 45 years of research and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” Norbert challenges the belief that caffeine is harmless. He’ll explore how everyday use may contribute to anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, fertility issues, reduced gray brain matter, cognitive decline, and even harm to the unborn, while also explaining why most people never question its impact. Norbert will reveal what science is starting to show, why caffeine dependence has become socially acceptable, how to recognize addiction, and practical ways to reduce its hidden effects—without sacrificing energy or performance. He also shares great-tasting, caffeine-free alternatives to coffee. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Got a Problem Pup? Ask This Dog Behaviorist’s Advice
Author and longtime dog behaviorist Kathleen Troy answers real questions from dog owners with warmth, humor, and hard-earned experience. Dubbed the Dear Abby for dogs, Kathleen tackles everyday canine challenges while debunking one of the biggest myths of all: some dogs cannot be trained. She gets her inspiration from her remarkable rescue pup, Dylan, a former “problem dog” who went on to become a certified therapy and hospice service dog. She combines practical guidance with unforgettable stories. Audiences will learn how patience, consistency, and respect can transform both dogs and their humans. Kathleen is the author of the “Dylan’s Dog Squad” series, and a book about dog training. Contact Kathleen Troy at (714) 975-9807; ktroy@rtirguests.com
12. ==> Humor Is Never Untimely – This Guest Has 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
13. ==> The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower
If willpower were enough, you'd already be free from negativity in your life. “What keeps people stuck isn’t a lack of motivation, it’s the nervous system holding unresolved survival responses from the past,” according to Lisa Morgan. “Real change happens when we work with the body, not against it.” Lisa’s world fell apart when panic and anxiety brought her to her knees. This became the foundation of her life’s work. Lisa is a master coach, intuitive guide, and soul-level healer who helps people break free from hidden blocks and rediscover who they truly are. Through her signature framework, Free Your Soul to Soar™, she bridges neuroscience and energy psychology to help people transform to reclaim their joy, worth, and wings. Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com
14. ==> You Can Rewrite Your Story: The First Step
Most people want the world to believe they’re strong—that they can push through, hold it together, and smile, completely unfazed by the weight they carry. But the truth is far more human. Many are terrified, overwhelmed, and quietly collapsing on the inside. For most of her adult life, author Kat Perkins lived this way too. She would always say, “It’s all good.” But after losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later facing breast cancer, things were anything but “all good.” One day, a friend told her, “You need to stop saying it’s all good. It’s not. And it’s okay to feel what you feel.” That moment something cracked open. Kat learned what no one teaches us: you cannot rewrite the meaning of your pain until you understand it—not avoid it, outrun it, or dress it up in strength. You have to face it. Drawing from her memoir, “Girls with Pearls Have Power,” Kat now teaches women how to turn setbacks into turning points, reclaim authorship of their stories, and rise with clarity and courage rather than fear or pretending. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 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
