01. Could President Trump Intervene in the Midterms?
02. The Iran War Has Changed the World Forever
03. A Hotel Room, a Bar of Soap, a Global Mission
04. Small Businesses Are Struggling: Five Costly Mistakes and Fixes
05. An Illness Nearly Killed Him — Music Saved Him
06. Medicare Advantage Plans Are Ending: Could You Lose Your Doctors?
07. Nurses Are in High Demand. Why Do They Keep Quitting?
08. Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?
09. Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time
10. Franchising 101: The Step Most First-Timers Skip (And Regret)
11. Listen Up! Six Steps to Become a Persuasive Speaker
12. The 10 Biggest Threats to Democracy
13. What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
14. The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks
15. The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine
1. ==> Could President Trump Intervene in the Midterms?
The president has left open the possibility of declaring a national security emergency ahead of the midterms and the prospect raises questions about how much power the president and federal government have over elections. “There’s really no federal authority over determining the validity of an election,” says Derek Muller, an election law professor at the University of Notre Dame. “The federal government doesn’t run the election, it oversees it. It doesn’t really have any role in the process of tabulating votes, canvassing the votes, certifying the results. Federal officials are left out of that process.” Muller says declaring a national emergency doesn’t give the president new powers on its own. He says an administration could try to use other emergency powers to justify intervening in an election, but the Supreme Court has generally interpreted emergency powers narrowly. “I think voters need to know that there’s a lot of fearmongering out there with respect to the oversight and running of elections,” he says. “The results will be tabulated, we’ll have winners and we’ll move on to start thinking about the 2028 elections.” Derek Muller is a nationally recognized scholar in the field of election law and federal courts. He has published more than thirty academic works, and his op-eds have appeared in the “New York Times,” the “Los Angeles Times,” and the “Wall Street Journal.” Contact him at dmuller@nd.edu
2. ==> The Iran War Has Changed the World Forever
Many of the immediate consequences of the Israeli-American war with Iran are already clear—the further emergence of drones and missiles as dominant weapons of war, the danger to the global economy from the threats to vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the inadequacy of U.S. weapons procurement, to name a few. But Middle East expert Kenneth Pollack says the conflict could also have far wider and longer-term implications—changes that could be truly transformative for the Middle East region and the rest of the world. He says, “Decades from now, we might look back on this conflict as a watershed event that fundamentally reshaped what had been bedrock principles of modern geopolitics.” Pollack can discuss emerging trends including Gulf States that are shifting to offensive strategies—and more war, China’s role in the region and whether Iran will emerge stronger than ever after the conflict. Kenneth M. Pollack is the vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute. He is a former CIA Persian Gulf military analyst and a former director for Persian Gulf affairs at the National Security Council. His latest book, “The Iraq Wars,” will be published in February. For interviews contact the Middle East Institute at media@mei.edu
3. ==> A Hotel Room, a Bar of Soap, a Global Mission
In 2009, after countless nights spent in hotel rooms for work, Shawn Seipler wondered: What happens to all the leftover soap? When he discovered the hospitality industry was throwing away millions of usable soap bars each year, he turned his one-car garage in Orlando, Florida, into the epicenter of soap recycling, setting in motion a movement that would change lives and communities around the world. Today, Shawn is the CEO of Clean the World Global which has diverted over 25 million pounds of waste from landfills, donated over 80 million bars of recycled soap to global NGOs, such as The WASH Foundation and distributed more than 5 million hygiene kits to individuals in need. Shawn’s new book, “Clean the World” is the story of how he turned an idea most people might have dismissed into a movement with global reach. Contact Emily Willette at (347) 705-3294; emily@ascotmediagroup.com
4. ==> Small Businesses Are Struggling: Five Costly Mistakes and Fixes
Recent surveys find that small business owners are struggling these days citing inflation as a primary concern. Small business expert Kara Renninger can discuss how small businesses can protect profits, attract customers, and grow despite rising costs and economic uncertainty. She believes entrepreneurs need to work smarter, not longer, by rethinking how they price, sell, and operate. On your show, she’ll reveal five common mistakes and how to fix them. From underpricing services to confusing revenue with profit, hear why a business may look profitable, but isn’t generating income and why relying on referrals for new business is not a good strategy. Kara can also discuss AI's growing role in small-business success. Kara Renninger is the founder and CEO of Kara Renninger Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs and service-based businesses increase revenue, improve profitability, and build scalable operations. She has more than 15 years of experience building and scaling companies, including serving as COO of multiple businesses. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer
5. ==> An Illness Nearly Killed Him — Music Saved Him
Chris Risi was two days from dying of flesh-eating bacteria and sepsis — the first of four surgeries, with more to come. In his memoir, “Singing Through the Storm...Using the Power of Music to Heal, Survive, and Thrive,” Risi credits music, including a song that came to him in a dream during recovery, with keeping him alive and hopeful. His journey held more than illness — layoffs, business closures, coming out to his family, and bankruptcy all played a part. He turned it into a memoir blending humor and music, sharing his story to help others facing their own storms. Ask him: What went through your mind when doctors told you how close you came to dying? What was the song that came to you in a dream during recovery? What would you tell someone facing their own health crisis or life's disappointments? Contact Chris Risi at (772) 218-1902; crisi@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Medicare Advantage Plans Are Ending: Could You Lose Your Doctors?
What if your Medicare Advantage plan disappeared while you were undergoing cancer treatment? That's the frightening dilemma facing some enrollees as insurers terminate plans for 2027. According to a recent analysis of Medicare Advantage plans, UnitedHealthcare is exiting 228 counties while Humana is leaving 62 counties, making this Open Enrollment season especially critical for so many enrollees. Medicare expert Toni King will explain what termination notices mean, how to protect access to doctors and prescriptions, and why some people losing their plans may qualify to buy Medicare Supplement coverage without medical underwriting, even with preexisting conditions. She'll also clarify the December 7 enrollment deadline, special enrollment rights, and why newly negotiated prescription drug prices don't guarantee identical copays at every pharmacy. Author of “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced: Basics and Beyond,” King has helped more than 105,000 Americans navigate Medicare decisions. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736; tking@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Nurses Are in High Demand. Why Do They Keep Quitting?
America’s healthcare system is in crisis—but what’s often ignored is the trauma beneath the surface. Today, nurses are highly educated and can command six-figure salaries, yet they’re leaving the profession in droves complaining of burnout, understaffing and workplace violence. Kathy Allan, a board-certified holistic nurse with over two decades of experience in trauma recovery, says many nurses today are emotionally broken, betrayed by the very system they once trusted. Patients, too, are suffering from care that feels cold, rushed, and disconnected. In interviews, Allan reveals how this hidden trauma plays out, much like in the TV show, “The Pitt.” Drawing on her “12 Steps of Healing Care” and years as a healing touch instructor and somatic experiencing practitioner, Allan offers a spiritual and body-centered roadmap for transforming pain into purpose. Her stories and insights will resonate with nurses, healthcare workers, and anyone who’s ever felt harmed by the system that was supposed to help them. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; kallan@rtirguests.com
8. ==> Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?
You’ve saved. You’ve invested. You’ve planned for the day you can finally stop working. But have you thought about what will happen when the work stops? Retirement isn’t simply a financial transition, it’s also an emotional and psychological one. For many people, leaving a career can mean losing daily purpose, social connections, a sense of identity and the feeling that others depend on them. “The phone stops ringing; Monday morning arrives, and suddenly there’s nowhere you have to be,” says author Laura Essay. She explores the often-overlooked challenges of life after employment and stresses that retirement isn’t an ending. Hear how it can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with possibility, discovery, and fulfillment. Ask her: What are some of the biggest challenges retired people face? How can you mentally prepare for leaving the workforce? Laura Essay is the author of “Retirement Mindset.” Contact her at (402) 267-9988; lessay@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time
Audiences are growing tired of polished, AI-generated content — and they can spot it instantly. Lisa Rothstein, New Yorker cartoonist, former advertising creative, and Axiom Award-winning author of “Drawing Out Your Genius,” isn’t surprised. Her answer to businesses trying to make sense of their messages now: the messier and more human your communication, the more trusted you become. Rothstein will reveal why imperfect hand-drawn visuals are now outperforming slick presentations for buy-in, innovation, and team alignment — and why that gap is only widening. She'll share quick techniques anyone can use to tap their own visual thinking, simplify complex ideas, and stand out as authentically human in an AI-saturated world. Ask her: Why are audiences turning away from AI-generated content — and what do they want instead? How does drawing badly actually build more trust than a perfect presentation? Contact Lisa Rothstein at (310) 388-8093; Lrothstein@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Franchising 101: The Step Most First-Timers Skip (And Regret)
Greg Mohr has helped more than 250 people buy into over 500 franchise locations nationwide — and he says most buyers skip the one step that actually determines whether they'll succeed. In his “Wall Street Journal” bestseller, “Real Freedom,” Mohr lays out exactly what smart buyers investigate before they ever sign anything. He walks listeners through the red flags that separate a solid franchise opportunity from an expensive mistake, and what most first-time buyers get wrong before they even realize it. Ask him: What's the one thing most franchise buyers forget to investigate? What's a red flag that should make someone walk away from a franchise deal? Is financing a franchise more accessible than most people assume? What's the biggest myth people believe about buying a franchise? Contact Greg Mohr at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Listen Up! Six Steps to Become a Persuasive Speaker
Most people believe that persuasive speaking is a natural talent. But retired Army Colonel Larry Tracy says it's a skill that anyone can master. Drawing on decades of high-stakes experience briefing military leaders, defending U.S. policy before hostile audiences, and training professionals competing for multimillion-dollar government contracts, Larry developed an easy-to-follow 6-step system to help speakers communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility in any setting. Praised by President Ronald Reagan as "an extraordinarily effective speaker," Larry shows that persuasion isn't about charisma—it's about preparation. His battle-tested approach can help anyone influence audiences, overcome speaking anxiety, and deliver messages that truly change minds. Larry’s proven system is featured in his book “How to Bring Home the Bacon: Becoming a Persuasive Speaker.” Contact Larry Tracy at (571) 336-0507; Ltracy@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The 10 Biggest Threats to Democracy
James Therrell has spent 50 years as an active citizen, as a U.S. Senate aide, a history teacher and political consultant. He says America’s civic knowledge should alarm everyone: nine of 10 eighth graders aren't proficient in basic civics. His upcoming book, "American Goliaths: Ten Patterns that Threaten Democracy – and How to Defeat Them," describes the domestic threats most dangerous to our national survival 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, establishing key priorities, civic engagement, and more. Ask him: Why do you believe our democracy is now like a train speeding into a concrete wall? What is the "Middle Road" you're proposing, and how does it work? What can be done to fix America’s lack of civic knowledge? Contact James Therrell at (512) 883-2969; jtherrell@rtirguests.com
13. ==> What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
Many Christians know what they believe but struggle to explain why they believe it. Texas-certified teacher Tamara Berkman says the problem is often not conviction, but preparation: people may know Bible stories without understanding how the Bible fits together. Berkman experienced this herself. She grew up learning individual lessons through Sunday school and sermons but only recognized what she had been missing when she taught the Bible’s complete storyline to her children. She later saw the same knowledge gap among her students. That led Berkman to create “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” a storytelling-based curriculum of 20 short lessons. She can discuss why Christians feel unprepared to answer questions about their faith and how understanding the Bible’s storyline can help families pass their beliefs to the next generation. Ask her: Why do Christians struggle to explain their beliefs? What is missed when Bible stories are taught separately? Does defending your faith require years of study? How can parents equip their children? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com
14. ==> The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks
Doreen Mary Bray has spent 40 years as a naturopath and mystical guide, helping people move past a question most avoid their whole lives: who am I here to become? Her two books, “The Angel and the Avatar” and the upcoming “What Were You Meant to Be? The Embodied Life Your Soul Is Seeking,” both explore that question from different angles. On your show, she'll reveal that most people look outward for purpose, when the real work actually starts by turning inward. Ask her: Why do most people avoid asking who they're here to become? What does it mean to look inward for your purpose? What's one small way someone can start turning inward today? Contact Doreen Mary Bray at (438) 802-0280; dbray@rtirguests.com
15. ==> The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine
Dr. Glen Robison remembers a patient who was cleared by another doctor — but his gut said something was wrong. He sent the man to the ER and it turned out the man had a knee infection serious enough to cost him his leg, though the quick call saved his life. Robison also treated a man who struck out Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson, as well as a patient held in a Stalin-era work camp at age six, now 96. Invite Glen to talk about the patients who taught him more than medical school ever could and why he is a living testament to the power of stepping boldly into the unknown. Dr. Robison’s journey will uplift, challenge, and awaken the courage within you to find your own answers and show the world what’s possible. You can also ask him: What’s really in the COVID vaccine? What is the real cause of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia? How did you assist in open heart surgery without ever graduating from college? Dr. Glen Robison serves as Diplomate of the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He is a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and certified Myopractor and the author of several books including “Show Them: Stepping Into the Unknown to Find the Answers.” Contact him at (928) 351-0312; glrobison@rtirguests.com
