01. Are Influencers Becoming America's Political Kingmakers?
02. Election Anxiety and Divided Families: How to Move Forward
03. How Politics Plays Out in the Pews
04. A Plan to Reduce Your Grocery Costs by $1,000 a Year
05. Scariest Haunted Attractions in America
06. Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
07. Discover America on a Fall Getaway
08. Are Your Spending Habits Keeping You From Building Wealth?
09. The Most Important Conversation You Have Every Day
10. From Child Abuse to Witness Protection: This Guest’s Life Was a Real-Life Crime Thriller
11. What 8 Years of Traveling Alone Reveals About Real Happiness
12. Are You Chasing an Expired Version of Success?
13. From Heartache to Healing to Humor in 5 Steps
14. Can You Believe in Science and Still Believe in God?
15. Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14 From Astronaut’s Former Wife
1. ==> Are Influencers Becoming America's Political Kingmakers?
From YouTuber Jake Paul, who recently joined President Trump at a campaign rally in Ohio, to progressive streamer Hasan Piker, who has emerged as an ally of Democratic candidates, social media influencers are playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping political opinions ahead of the midterms. Their growing influence is reflected in a new Morning Consult survey, which found that one in four Americans (26%) say influencers have affected their voting decisions. The findings raise questions about whether social media personalities are beginning to replace traditional journalists as America's most influential political voices, particularly among younger voters. Romain Vakilitabar is founder of Pathos Labs, a nonprofit studying the influence of digital media on young people. He can discuss how influencers are shaping political opinions, why young Americans increasingly trust online personalities over traditional news organizations and the benefits—and dangers—of the shift. Romain Vakilitabar is the founder of Pathos Labs, a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring how entertainment and media can reshape harmful narratives and foster cultural change using technology and media to dismantle hatred and promote understanding. Contact Paul Clarke at
paul@newsworthypress.org
2. ==> Election Anxiety and Divided Families: How to Move Forward
As Americans prepare to vote on November 3, many are concerned about the direction of the country and the effect the outcome could have on their lives. But when the votes are counted, the disagreements and the relationships strained by them will remain. How do we move forward when people see the same election, and the future of the country, so differently? Psychotherapist Scott Gibbs says the starting point is understanding what happens when fear, uncertainty, and identity become tangled up in political conflict. He’ll explain how people become caught in a cycle: one person feels threatened and reacts defensively; the other feels attacked and responds in kind. Before long, each expects the worst from the other. Ask him: Why do elections feel so personal? Why won’t the election, no matter what the results, solve the problem? How can you talk to someone who voted differently from you? Is it possible to talk politics without arguing? Scott Gibbs is a California-licensed psychotherapist in private practice and the author of “Toward the Turning: Rethinking the Meaning of 9/11, the Clash of Civilizations, and a Postmodern World.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
3. ==> How Politics Plays Out in the Pews
It’s not just families and workplaces feeling the effects of political division, politics has a way of dividing even the church, pitting brother against sister, congregation against congregation, and conscience against conscience. Pastor Jeff Samelson, a former diplomat, says too many Christians have never stopped to ask why they engage with politics the way they do, or whether their approach actually reflects who they are. Invite him to help listeners ground their political engagement to align with their identity and offer a road map for thinking clearly, engaging faithfully, and walking with confidence in a fractured political age. Ask him: What does a pastor do the day after a contentious election? What is political idolatry and who is guilty of it? What does a former diplomat understand about a Christian’s “dual citizenship” that most of us miss? Before he was a pastor, Jeff Samelson was a U.S. Foreign Service officer, serving as vice consul at the U.S. Embassies in Singapore and Bogotá, Colombia. He’s the author of “Walk This Way: Political Engagement for Bible-Believing Christians.” Contact Mark Breta at mark@jonesliterary.com
4. ==> A Plan to Reduce Your Grocery Costs by $1,000 a Year
Voters have consistently cited the cost of groceries as their top economic concern but most of the ideas currently circulating as solutions would hardly make a dent in the issue. A new think tank called the Kitchen Table Project, run by a group of left-leaning economists and policy wonks, is floating a three-part plan that together would deliver savings of roughly $1,000 per year for a family of four with a median income and moderate grocery bills. It involves a public option for food purchasing, ending corporate pricing games and eliminating current tariffs, and former director of the National Economic Council and Federal Reserve vice chair, Lael Brainard, says together, the moves could bring real relief to families. “These plans are responsive to Americans on both sides of the aisle feeling this price squeeze and pass the test families gave us: savings large enough that you actually notice them in your household budget,” he says. “This isn’t one silver bullet: it’s using every lever available to make the grocery store work better for families.” He’ll discuss what’s involved in the proposals and what a recent poll found about Americans feelings about food prices and their access to affordable, healthy food choices. Through polling, listening sessions, and policy development, the non-profit Kitchen Table Project focuses on solutions that provide meaningful relief, resonate with the public, minimize fiscal burden, and address the underlying drivers of rising costs. Contact Natalie at natalie@thekitchentableproject.org
5. ==> Scariest Haunted Attractions in America
Fear does not have just one face. For some thrill seekers, it is a dark corridor where something could be anywhere. For others, it is stepping into a world so detailed that reality and fiction begin to blur. It can be a creature, a character, a strange environment, a sudden shift in perspective, or the anticipation of what might be around the next corner. America Haunts, a national association of haunted attractions, ranked the Top 5 Scariest Haunted Attractions in the United States, recognizing five mega-haunts that have mastered very different approaches to creating the kind of fear thrill seekers actively seek. From Texas to Boston, to Cincinnati and Louisiana, Amber Arnett-Bequeaith can share the spookiest attractions in the nation, and some scary spots in your area. She’s share what it takes to make a great haunted attraction and how the business has changed in recent years. Amber Arnett-Bequeaith is the spokesperson for America Haunts. Contact her at (816) 842-4280; amber@fullmoonprod.com
6. ==> 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
7. ==> Discover America on a Fall Getaway
Summer vacation may be over, and leaf-peeping season is about to end, but Evelyn and Natalie Kelly say November 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
8. ==> Are Your Spending Habits Keeping You From Building Wealth?
Before another holiday-shopping season begins, it may be time to ask where your money is really going. U.S. credit-card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Real-estate developer Dr. Janet Tonkins says redirecting even small amounts from lifestyle spending toward assets can begin changing your financial trajectory. Tonkins will explain how everyday consumers can start building wealth through real estate without perfect credit or huge amounts of capital. She’ll discuss first-time homebuyer programs, off-market deals and why she recommends automating even $5–$10 toward investments. Her book, “Purses, Heels, Houses—You Choose,” reinforces her message that wealth begins with different choices. Tonkins is a developer and private lender with 30+ years of experience, 900+ units and more than $900 million in transactions. Contact Janet at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com
9. ==> 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
10. ==> 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
11. ==> 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
12. ==> 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
13. ==> 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
14. ==> 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
15. ==> 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
