01. Former CIA Exec & 9/11 Presidential Briefer
02. For Grandparents Day: The Art of Being a Grandpa
03. Whistleblower: What’s Happening Inside Your Kid’s School
04. The Problem Parents Will Feel in the Classroom This Year
05. Are Schools Failing to Teach Democracy?
06. Erasing Black History Is Dangerous
07. Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems
08. The Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
09. The Confidence Crisis Affecting Today’s Kids
10. Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them
11. How to Be a Calmer, More Focused Parent
12. A 60-Second Reset to Calm Back-to-School Stress
13. Reset Your Energy for a Fall of Renewal: Chakra Balancing
14. Forty Years of Life Lessons from an Alaska Garden
15. Children's Books: The Most Underrated Health Tool
1. ==> Former CIA Exec & 9/11 Presidential Briefer
With the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks upon us, invite recently retired senior CIA executive and 9/11 presidential briefer Steve Hirsch on your show to share his experiences and what he sees at the biggest national security threats right now. During his CIA career, Hirsch served in senior leadership positions spanning counterterrorism, intelligence analysis, public affairs, workforce and organizational transformation, and the Agency’s business analytics modernization. Following 9/11, he served as a President’s Daily Briefer, briefing Cabinet-level officials as the intelligence community adapted to a dramatically different threat environment. Steve is able to explain how the intelligence community assesses threats and makes decisions, while staying firmly outside classified information. He can discuss the threats America may be underestimating, biological threats and food security, cyberattacks and critical infrastructure and the next national security crisis. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
2. ==> For Grandparents Day: The Art of Being a Grandpa
This Sunday is Grandparents Day, a celebration of the invaluable role grandparents play in our lives. What makes a great grandpa? Most men want to be one, but Nick Stevens says many don't know what that looks like beyond free babysitting and being a friend to the grandkids. From father-wounds to generational legacy, the author of the soon-to-be-released “The Art of Being Grandad” provides tools and ideas that grandfathers can use to establish identity in their grandkids and build a powerful legacy for their families. He says grandfathers have an unexplainable influence. “When Pawpaw speaks, everyone stops and listens!" Nick Stevens made a hobby of fatherhood and family until he lost a daughter to an avalanche in 2008. Since then he’s led men’s ministries and spoken publicly about fatherhood. Contact him at nick@nickstevensauthor.com; (970) 690-4790
3. ==> Whistleblower: What’s Happening Inside Your Kid’s School
An important conversation as a new school year begins, Karen Horwitz, an award-winning public-school teacher and whistleblower, will discuss what happens inside schools that parents never see, and then 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
4. ==> The Problem Parents Will Feel in the Classroom This Year
The teacher shortage isn't simply about finding enough people to fill classrooms. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the bigger problem is keeping great teachers from walking away. On your show, she'll reveal what is driving talented educators away, what could actually convince them to stay, and why rebuilding schools requires valuing the entire ecosystem supporting children, including principals, bus drivers, coaches, cafeteria workers, and paraprofessionals. She'll also share concrete steps communities and lawmakers can take to strengthen schools. With 26 years in the classroom plus experience as a school principal and university professor training future educators, Gilmore has seen the challenges facing schools from multiple perspectives. Her book, “There's a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard,” celebrates the people who make school communities work. Contact Deanna Gilmore at (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com
5. ==> Are Schools Failing to Teach Democracy?
America's education debate usually focuses on test scores, funding, and curriculum. But retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, educator, and education reform advocate Elissa Mohan believes we're overlooking a far more urgent issue: preparing citizens for self-government. In her forthcoming book, “ENOUGH: Why America Is Failing at Education and What to Do About It,” Elissa argues that today's fragmented education landscape leaves too many students unprepared to evaluate information, engage in civil discourse, and understand the Constitution. Drawing on her experience as a military leader, homeschool parent, public school teacher, and educational psychologist, she offers a bold blueprint for rebuilding education to meet the challenges of democracy in the AI age. Contact Elissa Mohan at (405) 346-8358; emohan@rtirguests.com
6. ==> 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. ==> 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
8. ==> The Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
Keeping teenagers safe isn't as simple as giving them more rules. After 40 years in crime and violence prevention, Stephanie Mann says the teens best equipped to navigate danger are the ones who develop their own inner strength. As students return to classrooms, sports, friendships, and greater independence, Mann will reveal how self-awareness, emotional strength, and a centered sense of identity can help young people navigate risky situations. She'll explain what can make teens vulnerable to gangs, toxic relationships, and other dangers, why tighter restrictions can create false security, and how parents can build genuine resilience instead. Her book, “Magical YOU! Empowering Teens to Stay Safe and Healthy in an Unsafe World,” gives families a different way to think about protection: empower teens rather than simply shelter them. After 40 years as a crime and violence prevention specialist, Mann brings decades of firsthand experience understanding the conditions that put young people at risk. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Confidence Crisis Affecting Today’s Kids
Social media addiction, disappearing family rituals, and a lack of stability can leave kids feeling disconnected and adrift. Jack Gindi says all three can also undermine something children desperately need as they return to school: self-esteem. On your show, he'll share practical ways parents and teachers can help children manage emotions, set achievable goals, and strengthen their belief in themselves as a new school year begins. Gindi focuses his work on giving families practical tools to strengthen children's self-esteem, emotional management, and goal-setting skills. Contact Jack Gindi at (719) 751-8807; jgindi@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them
School can turn into a pressure cooker for kids when parents push too hard for high grades, top sports performance, or constant achievement. Former LPGA Tour Player and mindset coach Cindy Miller has seen how perfectionism, comparison and performance pressure can crush kids’ confidence. In this conversation, she shares what parents should (and shouldn’t) say after a bad grade or tough loss, why mistakes are essential for growth, and how to raise resilient kids without breaking their spirit. Her advice applies on and off the field, helping families set goals while keeping perspective. Cindy Miller is a Hall of Fame LPGA Professional and certified mindset coach with decades of experience developing confident young athletes. Contact her at (716) 670-5341; cimiller@rtirguests.com
11. ==> How to Be a Calmer, More Focused Parent
Back-to-School season can be a whirlwind of social plans, family commitments and career demands. Dr. Dan Bartlett knows that staying centered during this busy time takes intentional effort. As a Certified Metaphysical Practitioner and author of “Six Easy Secrets to Psychic Success,” he teaches practical techniques to reduce stress and cultivate calm. From intuitive breathing exercises to guided visualizations, Dr. Dan’s methods help you make empowered choices, no matter how hectic life gets. Known for his dynamic presentations as a Magical Mentalist, he also demonstrates how tapping into your intuition can transform your mindset. This fall, help your audience embrace a calmer, more resilient version of themselves with his practical insights. Contact Dr. Dan at (480) 841-0984; dbartlett@rtirguests.com
12. ==> A 60-Second Reset to Calm Back-to-School Stress
New schedules. Earlier mornings. Homework. Activities. The return to school can make family life feel hectic almost overnight. Artist and former healthcare professional Edi Matsumoto offers a surprisingly simple reset: get creative. On your show, she'll demonstrate her "60-second joy reset," a quick technique audiences can try live, and explain how small "creative shifts" can reduce stress, improve mood, and restore focus. Even playful activities like doodling or looking at her silly otter paintings can help calm the nervous system, she says. Best of all, no artistic talent is required—just a willingness to pause and engage. Her book, “Otter Therapy,” and her own transition from healthcare to art inform an approachable conversation about incorporating creativity into everyday life when family routines become hectic again. Matsumoto brings together her experience as a former healthcare professional and working artist to offer an unconventional approach to mental and emotional resets. Contact Edi Matsumoto at (831) 290-6491; ematsumoto@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Reset Your Energy for a Fall of Renewal: Chakra Balancing
Autumn is the perfect time to revitalize your energy and let go of the blockages holding you back. Kooch Daniels, renowned intuitive expert and author of “Stars, Cards, and Stones: Exploring Cosmic Connections between Astrology, Tarot, and Runestones,” reveals how chakra balancing can be your gateway to a transformative fall. In this eye-opening interview, Kooch will show you how simple yet powerful energy work can bring balance, clarity and renewal. From absolute beginners to seasoned energy workers, Kooch’s expert guidance can empower anyone to reset their energy and step into a vibrant, more fulfilled version of themself. Contact Kooch at kdaniels@rtirguests.com; (707) 878-5039
Looking for more experts to help turn the page from summer to fall? Stay tuned for a special Fall Reboot edition of the Newsletter next Thursday, September 17th. You’ll find timely experts with fresh ideas to help your audience rethink what isn’t working, get unstuck, reconnect with what matters or simply finish 2026 on a stronger note.
14. ==> Forty Years of Life Lessons from an Alaska Garden
With over 71 million U.S. households tending gardens, it remains America's top outdoor hobby. Marion Owen has spent 40 years gardening in Kodiak, Alaska, and built her career on one idea: the garden is a place of healing, not just a hobby. On your show, she’ll reveal life lessons we can all learn from tending the earth, including gratitude, patience, and slowing down in an increasingly hectic world. Ask her: Why do you call the garden "a place of healing" instead of just a hobby? How did a single plant help a hospitalized veteran move for the first time in years? What's one gardening myth you wish would finally die? Marion Owens is the “New York Times” bestselling co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul” and is now writing “Cultivating Joy Through Gardening: 365 Daily Meditations.”
Contact Marion Owen at (907) 891-7980; mowen@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Children's Books: The Most Underrated Health Tool
Most parents see children's books as entertainment. Kenneth Korber, a health literacy expert, believes they can also be powerful tools for improving children's health. After two decades as a clinician, he wrote and published “The Musical Adventures of Grace” series to extend the patient office visit into bedtime reading, helping families reinforce important health and wellness lessons at home. His engaging stories and characters transform complex medical topics into age-appropriate adventures that children actually enjoy. Ken’s approach encourages healthy habits, eases childhood anxiety and fears, and strengthens literacy at the same time. “Storytelling may be one of the most effective—and overlooked—ways to improve public health, empower families, and help children build lifelong healthy behaviors, one bedtime story at a time,” he says. Contact: Kenneth Korber at (847) 238-8936; kkorber@rtirguests.com
