01. Can AI Safely Navigate Medicare? What's Next?
02. Who TrumpRX Really Benefits
03. How AI is Changing the Employment Process
04. Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14 From Astronaut’s Former Wife
05. The Best Fall Road Trips in America
06. Modern Money Advice for Gen Z
07. Are Uninformed Voters the Biggest Threat to Democracy?
08. From Child Abuse to Witness Protection: This Guest’s Life Was a Real-Life Crime Thriller
09. Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
10. Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems
11. The Most Important Conversation You Have Every Day
12. What 8 Years of Traveling Alone Reveals About Real Happiness
13. Are You Chasing an Expired Version of Success?
14. From Heartache to Healing to Humor in 5 Steps
15. Can You Believe in Science and Still Believe in God?
1. ==> Can AI Safely Navigate Medicare? What's Next?
President Trump launched a website Tuesday that uses artificial intelligence to help Americans navigate the federal government and find information and services. The website says that in early 2027, users will be able to complete forms, applications and renewals, like enrolling in Medicare and applying for a passport. Anmol Madan, founder and CEO of healthcare AI company RadiantGraph, can discuss the opportunities, risks and real-world challenges of using the technology and will explain what America.gov will need to get right when AI begins answering Medicare and healthcare questions for millions of Americans. He says healthcare AI must be built around accuracy, privacy, human oversight and clear escalation when AI gets something wrong. Ask him: Why is aligning financial incentives with patient outcomes essential if AI is going to reduce rather than accelerate healthcare spending? What happens as AI moves beyond answering questions and begins helping people make decisions and take actions involving their healthcare? Anmol Madan is the” author of The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)
2. ==> Who TrumpRX Really Benefits
TrumpRx, the Trump administration’s prescription-drug purchasing website, creates the appearance of lowering drug prices. But are there meaningful savings? Richard Escow says the initiative benefits Big Pharma by preserving companies’ pricing power. “Initial press coverage of ‘TrumpRx’ tended to repeat the administration’s claims that Donald Trump had conducted tough negotiations with drug manufacturers to ‘lower prices for Americans,’” But he says most media coverage has missed the story behind the story. “That story begins with the extensive ties that connect the GOP, Trump personally, and Big Pharma. It includes the fact that drug manufacturers were already likely to lower some drug prices and were already building their own ‘direct-to-consumer’ websites.” Escow says TrumpRx is designed to undermine public insurance. “That helps Big Pharma and serves Trump’s (and the right’s) ideological goals. ‘Lower prices’ were never the point. It’s a bait-and-switch scheme that works against the people’s best interests.” Richard Eskow is the host and managing editor of The Zero Hour. Contact him at richard@thisisthezerohour.com
3. ==> How AI is Changing the Employment Process
Recording, transcription, and AI-generated summaries are routine in business meetings, helping connect remote teams or loop in absent team members. However, the practice is also spreading to job interviews, changing not only how candidates are evaluated and how hiring decisions are made, but also how job seekers need to prepare for and show up to interviews. “The important change is not that more meetings are being recorded. Conversations that once disappeared after a meeting can now become permanent, searchable records that are stored, shared, and incorporated into other systems,” says John Challenger, Chief Executive Officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Challenger says that means job seekers need to understand they’re communicating with multiple audiences: the people conducting the interview live and the people or systems reviewing it afterward. He’ll discuss the best way to prepare for an interview, the danger of memorizing responses and why you should never treat any part of an interview as ‘off the record.’ Challenger, Gray & Christmas is a global outplacement and executive coaching firm. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com
4. ==> Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14 From Astronaut’s Former Wife
Anita Mitchell offers a firsthand look back at the extraordinary era when her then-husband, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, became the sixth man to walk on the moon. Invite her on your show to share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of the people, pressures and improbable experiences surrounding America’s historic space program. You’ll hear anecdotes involving some of the most revered people of the day, from astronauts to actors, politicians to metaphysical gurus as she takes listeners back to a magical era in the history of humanity, when anything seemed possible, and when the world first saw the Earth from space — an awe-inspiring moment that transcended geographical, cultural and political boundaries. “It pulled the world together in a way nothing else ever has,” says the author of “You Don’t Look Like an Astronaut’s Wife!” “They sent back that incredible picture taken from the moon of Earth. We all saw our planet in a new way. No matter who you were, when you saw that tiny blue and white marble, knowing it was our home, it was humbling, and it united us.” Contact Helen Cook at (903) 654-0938; hcook@ascotmediagroup.com
5. ==> The Best Fall Road Trips in America
Summer vacation may be over, but Evelyn and Natalie Kelly say fall can be the perfect time to rediscover America, especially the places travelers often overlook. After exploring all 50 states together over three decades, the mother-daughter travel experts 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 Evelyn and Natalie Kelly at (352) 661-2493; ekelly@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Modern Money Advice for Gen Z
Where do young adults learn their financial skills? And in today’s economy, is yesterday’s financial advice outdated? Nearly half of Gen Z says they don’t feel financially prepared for adulthood. Invite real estate investor and wealth educator Janet Tonkins to reveal the biggest financial mistakes young adults make and how anyone can start building wealth with as little as $5 to $10 a month. Learn why understanding assets matters more than chasing status symbols and how small financial decisions made in your 20s can shape your entire future. Tonkins helps audiences rethink spending, ownership, and generational wealth. Beyond coaching investors nationwide, she also develops affordable housing projects and mentors first-generation wealth builders through the Cashflow Diva Academy and TheCashflowDiva.com. She’s the author of the upcoming book “Purses, Heels & Houses You Choose.” Contact Janet Tonkins at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Are Uninformed Voters the Biggest Threat to Democracy?
James Therrell has spent 50 years as an active citizen as a U.S. Senate history teacher and political consultant and he says the numbers on civic knowledge should alarm every American: 9-out-of-10 eighth graders aren't proficient in basic civics. In his upcoming book, “To Slay America's 10 Worst Goliaths,” Therrell describes the 10 domestic threats most dangerous to democracy and the American dream. He says the fix isn't picking a side, it's using history and a "Middle Road" built on pattern recognition, key priorities, and civic engagement. Ask him: Why do you believe our democracy is now like a train speeding into a concrete wall? What is the "Middle Road" you propose, and how does it work? What can be done to fix American's lack of civic knowledge? Contact James Therrell at (512) 883-2969; jtherrell@rtirguests.com
8. ==> From Child Abuse to Witness Protection: This Guest’s Life Was a Real-Life Crime Thriller
What if the most unbelievable crime thriller you've ever encountered was actually true? John Casey says his life has included surviving severe child abuse, running away from home, discovering his biological father, serving in the Army, encounters with organized crime, federal prison, and time in witness protection. His forthcoming memoir, “Of Deceit and Destiny,” recounts a lifetime of extraordinary twists that he says ultimately led to redemption rather than defeat. John also shares what he learned about resilience, overcoming trauma, rebuilding after prison, and refusing to let the past define the future. His story offers audiences an unforgettable conversation about survival, second chances, personal transformation, and why it's never too late to rewrite the ending of your own life. Contact John Casey at (219) 706-4134; Jcasey@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
Nearly half of Americans say they've had a spiritual experience they can't explain, yet most never talk about it. Former television executive Kim Bantle spent more than two decades working at Paramount, Viacom, and Group W Productions while keeping her own extraordinary experiences private. She says she could read minds, predict events, sense energy, and communicate with those who had passed – abilities that intensified after a near-death experience in college. On your show, Bantle explores why successful professionals often trust instincts they can't explain, why intuition remains one of society's least-discussed human experiences, and what the growing interest in spirituality says about a culture searching for meaning beyond traditional institutions. She also discusses dreams, signs, synchronicities, and why skeptics and believers may have more in common than they think. Having spent 23 years producing content for mainstream audiences, she knows how to discuss extraordinary topics in a way that is thoughtful, relatable, and engaging. Bantle shares her experiences with honesty, humor and self-awareness in her new memoir “Confessions of a Closeted Clairvoyant.” Contact Kim Bantle at ksbantle@gmail.com; (310) 418-5758
10. ==> 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. She'll reveal how thoughtful questions can help children think independently, regulate emotions, develop resilience, and take greater ownership of their choices. 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
11. ==> The Most Important Conversation You Have Every Day
Dr. Erika Horwitz has spent 35 years as a psychologist studying the conversation most people never think to examine: the one they have with themselves. She says the constant inner critic — the voice questioning whether you're good enough — shapes daily life more than almost anything else, yet almost no one is taught how to manage it. Horwitz, an award-winning mental health advocate and director of public affairs for the BC Psychological Association, says the fix isn't silencing that voice, but learning the psychological tools to work with it. Ask her: What does the average person's inner conversation actually sound like, and why does it matter? What's one tool people can use today to quiet their inner critic? Why do you say "feelings are not facts"? Contact Erika Horwitz at (778) 200-7492; ehorowitz@rtirguests.com
12. ==> What 8 Years of Traveling Alone Reveals About Real Happiness
Taj Simrit spent 20 years backpacking the globe — the last 8 of them entirely alone. He’ll share what he learned wandering solo through cultures shaped by Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity, and what real happiness actually looks like once the noise of everyday life falls away. He says solitude taught him something most people spend their lives avoiding: that happiness was never something to chase in the first place. Ask him: What made you decide to travel completely alone for 8 years? What did immersing yourself in different religious traditions teach you about happiness? What's the biggest misconception people have about needing other people to be happy? Taj Simrit is the author of “Behold My Soul.” Contact him at tsimrit@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Are You Chasing an Expired Version of Success?
Chad Betz was sitting alone in a parking garage after work, convinced he was a failure. Despite working hard, building a career, and doing everything society dictated he should do, he did not feel successful. This led him on a journey to reinvent himself and help others who find themselves stuck, even after years of success. Chad says you don’t have to start over to create a successful next chapter and will help your listeners redefine success. He’ll also help them tackle the hidden forces behind their stagnation, like outdated definitions of success and beliefs that age limits future opportunity. Ask him: What is sunk-cost thinking and how can it sabotage careers? What is the Frustration Energy Cycle? What's one sign someone's chasing an expired version of success? Chad Betz is a leadership coach and black belt in three martial arts. He is the author of “An Authentic Success: You Aren't Too Old and It's Not Too Late!” Contact him at (203) 439-3564; cbetz@rtirguests.com
14. ==> From Heartache to Healing to Humor in 5 Steps
Nikki Goldman, Ph.D., spent decades labeled as a lazy learner before discovering her undiagnosed dyslexia and turning that heartache into two rewarding careers. As an award-winning author, Goldman tells her story in “Lunacy is in My Family's DNA,” where she explores how humor evolved from her hurts and helped her find a more peaceful heart. In her hypnotherapy practice, she teaches a five-step HEART program for overcoming sorrow and living a happier life that involves honoring reality, embracing empathy, altering your perspective, recognizing gifts and tickling your funny bone. Ask her: During the holidays and other gatherings, what causes people to trigger old family hurts — and how can we stop reenacting the outdated drama? Can something be both painful and hilarious without diminishing how much it hurt? Is acceptance giving up, or finally putting down the rope in the tug-of-war? Contact Nikki Goldman at (858) 544-6899; ngoldman@rtirguests.com
15. ==> Can You Believe in Science and Still Believe in God?
Can a person trained to trust hard scientific evidence also embrace faith in God? Imogene Drakes believes the answer is yes, and her remarkable journey offers a fascinating perspective on the question. After decades working in forensic toxicology and clinical laboratory science, Imogene retired and embarked on a six-week journey around the world to explore ancient sites, enduring mysteries, and questions about human origins and meaning. Rather than seeing science and faith as opposing forces, she believes scientific inquiry can deepen our understanding of creation and even strengthen spiritual curiosity. She is the author of “Around the World in 42 Days: One Woman’s Journey Through Ancient Mysteries and Modern Questions.” Contact Imogene Drakes at (845) 957-7896; idrakes@rtirguests.com
