01. The Scramble for AI Dominance: The U.S.-China Race
02. Brazil’s 2026 Election: What to Know and What’s at Stake
03. The Dark Roots of Halloween
04. World Mental Health Day is October 10
05. What Online Dating Really Reveals About You
06. Conversations Every Boy Needs
07. Overwhelmed at Work? A 3-Part Plan to Take Back Control
08. Women Silently Pay an Invisible Tax at Work
09. Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
10. The Problem Parents Feel in the Classroom This Fall
11. Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
12. The Confidence Crisis Affecting Today’s Kids
13. Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide
14. Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: Energy Balance and Your Body
15. When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God
1. ==> The Scramble for AI Dominance: The U.S.-China Race
Several technology companies have recently held back their updated artificial intelligence models over safety concerns, yet the White House refuses to police the industry saying regulation risks China catching up on a thin U.S. lead in the AI race. Matt Sheehan, co-director of the Carnegie Endowments China AI Initiative, points out that Beijing actually takes the opposite approach and extensively regulates both AI development and deployment. He says despite regulation, Chinese companies are largely catching up with their American rivals anyway. He’ll discuss why the two AI superpowers govern the technology so differently and what the competition means for the future of geopolitics. Matt Sheehan is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on global technology issues, with a specialization in China’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. He is also co-director for the China AI Initiative. Contact him at sheehan@ceip.org
2. ==> Brazil’s 2026 Election: What to Know and What’s at Stake
Brazilians will vote in a runoff on October 25 after the first round of the country’s general election failed to see any candidate secure more than 50 percent of the vote. The winner of the runoff will determine the leadership of Latin America’s largest democracy and biggest economy. It’s Brazil’s first presidential election since supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked government buildings in the capital in January 2023, seeking to overturn the results of the 2022 vote that saw him narrowly defeated. Shannon K. O’Neil, a leading authority on global trade, supply chains, Mexico, and Latin America, can discuss the candidates, the issues for Brazilian voters, and how the election could reshape the country’s standing in the region. Shannon K. O’Neil is the Council on Foreign Relations senior vice president of studies and Maurice R. Greenberg chair and the author of “The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter.” Contact her at (212) 434-9632; soneil@cfr.org
3. ==> The Dark Roots of Halloween
Halloween is one of the most popular American holidays with millions looking forward to dressing up and spooking out. But is all of it harmless? Derrick Warfel says it’s not black and white, but the origin of the holiday is genuinely dark. He’ll explain Halloween’s roots in an old European belief that on October 31 the veil between the physical and spiritual world went thin and the dead could cross over, and the trick-or-treat custom that grew out of leaving blood and food on the porch to bribe the spirits into passing you by. A treat, or you get a trick. Learn how the church has historically redeemed pagan dates, and what All Hallows' Eve, All Saints and All Souls actually mean. Hear his practical, non-alarmist take for parents and why he believes the costume and the conversation matter more than the candy itself. Derrick studied psychology at Princeton, earned his Master of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary and spent forty years working in Hollywood. He is the author of “UFOs: Revealing Deception and Truth Behind the Supernatural, Invisible War,” which argues that the thin-veil folklore is pointing at something real, an actual invisible spiritual war, and that our culture's whole fascination with the paranormal is part of that same story. Contact Mark Breta at mark@jonesliterary.com
4. ==> World Mental Health Day is October 10
As World Mental Health Day approaches October 10, much of the conversation will focus on access to mental healthcare, but John Wayne Vogels, says an often-overlooked area of that care is grief support. In 2011, he lost his 3-year-old son in a drowning accident. Through his devastating loss Vogels came to understand that without a lifeline, the pain could unravel lives. “The heartbreak sets off a chain reaction—families are torn apart, careers and homes are lost and marriages break down. In their darkest moments, many face battles with homelessness, addiction, PTSD and depression.” Vogels founded the Martyred Angels Foundation to provide community support to families struggling after the tragic death of a child. Rather than relying solely on traditional support groups, the organization incorporates retreats and equine-assisted therapy into its programs designed specifically for grieving parents and siblings. Contact Troy at rapty@signalraptor.com
5. ==> What Online Dating Really Reveals About You
She went looking for something casual. She found herself. Bren Marrick's unconventional journey began with online dating but quickly became something much bigger: a reckoning with identity, desire, relationships, confidence, and the life she had built around other people's expectations. What happens when you stop asking "What should I want?" and finally ask "What do I want?" The author of “Dicks I've Met Online: How I Turned Casual Meetups into a Journey of Discovery” will share her candid, funny, and deeply honest story about waking up, questioning the rules you've lived by, and discovering that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date. Ask her: What happens when you realize you've lost yourself? Can desire be a catalyst for change? Why do we wait so long to question the life we've built? Contact Bren Marrick at (571) 317-1011; brenmarrick@gmail.com
6. ==> Conversations Every Boy Needs
Our boys are in trouble. In a culture where boys are often taught to suck it up, suppress their feelings and be tough, award-winning parenting expert C. Lynn Williams says parents can help sons become emotionally aware, resilient, and confident by challenging outdated ideas about masculinity. On your show, Williams will explain why fear-based parenting should give way to connection, communication, and trust, and how giving boys permission to feel, communicate, and be understood can help them grow into healthier men. She'll also tackle a question many parents struggle with: How do you raise sons to be strong without teaching them to be aggressive? Williams is the author of five parenting books, including “Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen.” Williams is an educator, speaker, family dynamics strategist, and award-winning parenting expert. Contact her at (224) 344-3487; Cwilliams@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Overwhelmed at Work? A 3-Part Plan to Take Back Control
Gallup reports a quarter of U.S. employees feel overworked either very often or always. Executive coach Lindsay K. Barnett says high performers need to rethink how they manage their energy, not simply their calendars. Barnett will walk audiences through her three-part framework of Planning, Pacing and Playing, including why strategic pauses can improve decision-making and why making room for play isn't frivolous. She’ll explain how employees can regain a sense of control without quitting their jobs or abandoning ambition. She offers practical ways to create healthier, more sustainable success. Barnett is a former Fortune 500 HR leader and executive coach who has spent years working inside the organizations confronting these challenges. She’s the author of “Working Hell to Working Well.” Contact Lindsay at (310) 340-2579; Lbarnett@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Women Silently Pay an Invisible Tax at Work
Women have never been more represented in leadership, yet many still report higher levels of stress and exhaustion than their male counterparts. Why? After 33 years in global banking and technology, executive leader Amanda Christian says many women are paying an invisible tax: the constant pressure to adapt, translate, and reshape themselves just to be heard. On your show, she'll reveal how this hidden burden impacts confidence, performance, and well-being. She’ll also share why traditional leadership advice often falls short and what organizations can do to create more sustainable paths to success. Amanda offers a fresh framework for leading with authenticity rather than constant self-adjustment. Having built an executive career in industries where women remain underrepresented, Christian speaks from firsthand experience, not theory. She is the author of “SoulFIRE Leadership.” Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
Artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries, leaving many workers wondering whether their careers will still exist a decade from now. But according to author and decision-making expert George Lee, some professions won't merely survive AI—they'll become even more valuable because of it. On your show, Lee will explain which careers are best positioned for long-term growth. He’ll discuss why creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability are becoming premium skills, and how young professionals can future-proof their careers before the next wave of disruption arrives. He’ll also talk about why many schools and workplaces continue preparing people for a world that no longer exists. Lee offers a practical roadmap for thriving in an AI-driven economy. With experience spanning law, neuroscience-informed decision-making, and cross-cultural education, Lee brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to the future of work. He’s the author of “SMART Parenting 5.0.” Contact George Lee at (604) 330-8697; glee@rtirguests.com
10. ==> The Problem Parents Feel in the Classroom This Fall
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
11. ==> 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. 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
12. ==> 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, founder of the I Believe in Me program, says all three can also undermine something children desperately need: self-esteem. Drawing on his own difficult childhood and decades of experience as a father, grandfather, and mentor, Jack will show parents how to replace constant correction with confidence-building habits. He'll share practical ways to help children manage emotions, set achievable goals, and strengthen their belief in themselves in school and beyond. He’ll share how small, consistent actions can create lasting connection and trust, even through the teen years and tough conversations. 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
13. ==> Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide
In a world where suicide is now the leading cause of death for people ages 10-33, therapist Sally Raymond is on a mission to change the narrative. With over 33 years of experience, Sally’s deeply personal journey—shaped by the loss of her son to suicide—continues to fuel her de¬termination to help others avoid the same unnecessary and heartbreaking fate. Sally has worked tirelessly to uncover the toxic social forces that first took her own son to suicide and still work to demoralize today’s youth in ever-increasing numbers. In this powerful interview she’ll reveal the hidden factors contributing to the rising suicide rates, including bullying, social media pressures, and lack of emotional support. Sally’s message is clear: while we can’t always prevent suicide, we can always make life worth the living. Contact her at (805) 576-8640; sraymond@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: How Energy Balance Affects Your Body
When symptoms don’t respond to traditional approaches, Marilyn Mercado looks at energy. This energy practitioner and holistic wellness expert will explain 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 specializes in chakra balance and mind-body healing. Contact her at (805) 332-4863; mmercado@rtirguests.com
15. ==> 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
