06/11/20 RTIR Newsletter: Dismantling the Middle Class, Quarantine Fatigue, Stimulus Stupidity

01. Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class
02. Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?
03. Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman
04. Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It
05. What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love
06. Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone
07. Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous
08. Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay
09. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
10. How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy Suddenly Learned to Read
11. Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays This Summer
12. How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire
13. The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad for You
14. Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2 Choices
15. Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

1. ==> Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class

Long before COVID-19 ravaged the economy, millions of
middle-class Americans were struggling with another
crisis — stagnant earnings, unaffordable health care
and the prospect of an impoverished retirement.
Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter James B. Steele says
this is no accident. Invite him on your show to share
human stories and authoritative, statistical findings
that illustrate how specific actions by Washington and
Wall Street are systematically dismantling the middle
class. He’ll discuss how government policies have
created the most unequal society in America in 100
years, why the wealth gap is widening and why more and
more Americans are trapped at the bottom, unable to
provide basic necessities for their families. Listeners
will hear the real reasons why the percentage of
Americans in the middle class is smaller today than at
any time in more than half a century. James B. Steele
and Donald L. Barlett are co-authors of the newly
updated and expanded New York Times #1 bestseller
“America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens.” Barlett
and Steele are the nation’s most honored investigative
reporting team. Their work has received two Pulitzer
Prizes, two National Magazine Awards and upwards of 50
other national journalism awards. They began working
together at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and their
writing has appeared in Time, Vanity Fair, the New York
Times and the Washington Post. The American Journalism
Review has called them “almost certainly the best team
in the history of investigative journalism.” Contact
Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099
(cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703)
646-5188

2. ==> Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?

Here in the U.S., a level of rage has arisen over the
brutal treatment and death of George Floyd that
intensifies the cauldron of anger already boiling in
African American communities. Now, many people from all
aspects of our society are finally “getting” the deep
realities of discrimination and brutal treatment
minorities, especially young black men, have endured at
the hands of rogue cops using their power and position
wrongly. Myke Merrill, (D-Minn.) says terror, rage and
exhaustion are not bad emotions, in and of themselves,
but are responses to how an individual, or a society,
perceives what is happening. Ask the author of “Why Do
People Act That Way? (And What Can I Do About It?)”:
What can be done about cultural foundations that run
hundreds of years deep? Especially when no one seems to
know exactly what courses of action might bring about
the desired changes? Dr. Myke will engage your audience
in the first clear step: finding the language to talk
and listen effectively about these strong emotions. The
author of 22 books, Dr. Myke was a panelist on the
national television show Ask the Pastor for 18 years.
Contact him at inquiries@drmyke.com or (585) 615-6383

3. ==> Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman

As recent protests over the police killing of George
Floyd grew, President Donald Trump belittled governors
for not cracking down on demonstrators hard enough.
Trump suggested calling in the military to help clear
cities of protesters and enlisted the National Guard to
disperse demonstrators in D.C. by throwing tear gas
into the peaceful crowd. But Stephen M. Walt says
Trump’s use of violence and division isn’t a signal of
his authority — it’s a sign of his desperation. He
says, “Indeed, Trump has every reason to want the level
of violence to get worse, both to distract us from his
other failures and to convince Americans that they are
facing a massive threat to public order and that any
and all measures are justified. It really is mind-
boggling: For the first time in U.S. history, an
American president may genuinely believe that openly
encouraging violence and disorder at home could benefit
him politically. Not even Richard Nixon went quite that
far.” Walt says while current protests are rightly
focused on racial inequality, they are also a
manifestation of mass political anger at a political
and economic elite that in recent years has done a
better job of enriching itself than addressing broader
social needs and is rarely held accountable. Stephen M.
Walt is the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of
international relations at Harvard University. Contact
him at (617) 495-5712; stephen_walt@hks.harvard.edu or
Leah Marshall at (617) 496-2737;
leah_knowles@hks.harvard.edu

4. ==> Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It

If you’ve found you’re not washing your hands as often
or you’re making trips outside more frequently, you’re
not alone. Behavioral scientists call the phenomenon
“caution fatigue” and say your brain is to blame. At
first, our brain’s alarm system goes off and we’re on
alert, but as time goes by our brains adjust the
perception of alarm to reduce stress and we begin to
relax our safety rules even though the threat remains.
Experts say caution fatigue can also be the result of
cognitive challenges. “Almost all of America is being
confronted with an ambiguous, complex problem-solving
situation,” says Eric Zillmer, a professor of
neuropsychology at Drexel University. “We’ve never been
through anything like this, so it’s ambiguous.” Zillmer
will discuss ways to overcome quarantine fatigue, how
to turn safety practices into habits by setting up
visual cues like putting a face mask on a table by the
door to remind you to put it on before you leave, and
ways to mitigate information overload to develop a
balanced viewpoint. Eric Zillmer Psy.D., is the Carl R.
Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel
University. Contact him at zillmer@drexel.edu; (215)
895.1977

5. ==> What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love

Mention the concept of self-love and guys will snicker,
their juvenile sense of humor trying to deflect their
discomfort at the idea that loving yourself is in any
way masculine. “Most men have been raised to push their
emotions down and those who are sensitive are told to
“man up” and “grow a pair.” It’s not surprising men
don’t embrace the idea of self-love,” says personal
growth expert and author Joffre McClung. “Women are
much more open to the concept, but men may actually
need it more.” McClung will share five easy things dads
can do to start or deepen their personal growth
journey, which she says everyone in the family should
support. “From opening up to their emotions to
separating their worth from their jobs, when men love
and support themselves they have more empathy and
compassion, which ripples outward into society.” Joffre
McClung has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs
including CBS TV-Austin Texas, Hay House Radio and The
Joe Franklin Show. A former media producer, independent
filmmaker, and author, Joffre’s latest book is “The
Heart of the Matter.” Contact her at (917) 994-0225;
JMcClung@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s
Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone

Father’s Day is an exceedingly difficult time for those
who have lost their dads. But undertaker’s daughter
Margo Lenmark offers comfort. While growing up in a
Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an
undertaker, Margo learned a lot about life from her
dad, before and after he passed away. “I can share
fascinating experiences of growing up around death and
dead people, and the messages I received from them,”
she says. “I have a lot to say about death and gifts
people give when they die.” Margo can reveal her
journeys to the Other Side, experiences she had in
dreams and the important messages she received about
life from the deceased. She is the author of “Light in
the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,”
which has received glowing reviews from Deepak Chopra
and others. Contact Margo at MLenmark@rtirguests.com;
(484) 928-7824

7. ==> Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous

Everyone wants to feel safe especially when a virulent
virus makes its way around the world. But safety has a
downside we don’t always think about … it can actually
be dangerous, says author and adventurer Sparrow Hart.
Invite him on your program to discuss why “safety-ism”
— valuing safety above everything else — runs counter
to both scientific research and ancient wisdom. You’ll
learn why safety is antithetical to passion and growth
and toxic to a life of adventure and meaning. Sparrow’s
varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate
of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse,
adventures in the Amazon jungle, and over 30 years of
leading workshops on shamanism, the heroic journey, and
vision quests in nature. He is the author of several
books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a
Dream Worth Living.” Contact him at (801) 516-0740;
SHart@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay

Going back to work in an office is scary — and in most
cases unnecessary. Work from home — or really work from
anywhere — is here to stay for a huge number of former
cubicle inhabitants. Companies have realized there’s no
need to spend an average of $18,200 to house a worker
in a corporate office anymore. For workers, the genie
is out of the bottle and they have finally adjusted to
remote work and are loving it — or will when they can
start living a social life after work! Invite Diane
Huth, the Accidental Career Coach, to discuss the post-
pandemic workplace, what types of jobs can be done
remotely, and how workers can hone their skills and
communication practices to participate fully in remote
work — so they can enjoy being untethered from the
corporate office forever. Diane Huth is the author of
two bestselling career guides and the creator of the
Secrets to Land Your Dream Job online masterclass.
Contact her at (210) 601-7852; DianeHuth@DianeHuth.com

9. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the
IRS!

It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and
chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-
experts” will be doing it until July. Plus, they have
already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says
former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard
Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity
he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for
sending out stimulus money, did you realize that
thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks
while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still
awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated
technology and data, is still sending double and even
triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken
payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever
get their money? Find out more when you interview Green
while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak.
Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer
his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues.
Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509;
rgreen@rtirguests.com

10. ==> How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy
Suddenly Learned to Read

A 17-year-old boy who could not read was able to do so
after a few sessions with Dr. Annalee Kitay, one of
fewer than 50 U.S. practitioners using a hands-on,
little known protocol called The Neural Organization
Technique. Coincidence? Miracle? Fluke? Amazing
science? You’ll decide when you interview Dr. Kitay for
Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, June 15 to 21.
Like that young man, 10 percent of children in the U.S.
or about 7 million U.S. schoolchildren have learning
disabilities that greatly impact their lives and that
of their parents. Invite Dr. Kitay on your program to
explain the protocol in layman’s terms and share other
success stories. The technique she uses can also help
people with immune issues, concussions, low back pain,
and more. By spreading awareness of the technique to
the general public, Dr. Kitay also hopes to motivate
more doctors to seek training. Dr. Kitay has researched
with Kessler Institute and also practiced with the late
Dr. (Robert) Atkins at his Center for Complementary
Medicine in New York City. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561)
462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays
This Summer

True or False: You can be born with cataracts. They are
the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
There is no way to protect yourself from getting them.
Black people and Hispanics are more likely to get them
than white people. The average age for cataract surgery
is 60. Find out which of these statements are true when
you interview vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson
for Cataract Awareness Month in June. Learn how to
protect yourself this summer and why you just might
want to wear better sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
as you spend time outdoors as well as gain information
on symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries and more. Linda knows
not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered
from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at
(914) 229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com

12. ==> How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire

Taking a walk every day seems like a great idea. How
could it possibly backfire? Interview exercise
physiologist and certified nutrition coach Kristen
Carter to find out. Kristen will talk about ways vowing
to take more walks, joining a gym, buying home exercise
equipment, and signing up for exercise classes can end
up fizzling, possibly making a person feel like a
failure for the umpteenth time. Kristen is the author
of “Lose Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So!
What to do when your doctor tells you to make changes
for your health Ask her: What makes developing an
exercise habit so elusive, even with the best of
intentions? How can the right preparation and mindset
make all the difference? Contact Kristen Carter at
(267) 930-2547; kacarter@rtirguests.com

13. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad
for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
book, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers Guide
to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,” published by
Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413) 225-4758;
elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Face Life after Coronavirus by Making Just 2
Choices

All things in life — our challenges, decisions, and
efforts — Involve making “Just 2 Choices.” Do we answer
yes or no? Do we move ahead or stay put? Do we like or
dislike something? Even as the pandemic forces many
changes on society, we can still be empowered and even
comforted by this binary concept. That’s the message of
radio host Rico Racosky, author of the bestselling book
“Just 2 Choices,” who will help your listeners navigate
today’s new reality. Whether he’s talking about moving
your life from uncertainty to clarity (When will it be
safe to go out? Will our jobs ever be the same?) or
replacing doubt with peace of mind (believing that
we’ll return to the familiar, the fun and the free)
rests with two options to choose from. Known as
America’s “New Story Guy,” Rico can also help listeners
obtain his free downloads that promote clear thinking.
Contact Rico at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

On March 26 Renae Baker was working as a Lyft driver
when she picked up Dr. Frank Gabrin after his shift at
East Orange Hospital in New Jersey. Five days later he
was dead from COVID-19, becoming the first ER doctor in
the country to die from the virus. Baker says they
talked the entire 35-minute ride to his home in New
York City and some of what they discussed may have
saved her own life in the following days. Dr. Gabrin
developed his first symptoms later that morning. Baker
developed hers shortly after and has since recovered.
She will reveal what Dr. Gabrin told her about life
inside the ER during this pandemic, the surprising
thing he and other doctors were seeing at the moment of
COVID-19 deaths, and why he thought this could be an
important spiritual moment in our history. Baker says
they discussed everything from morale among health-care
workers to what happened when nurses got sick and how
doctors were being treated by hospital administrators.
Renae Baker is an author and speaker who has managed a
professional caroling company for decades. She has been
featured on Fox News and many more media outlets.
Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

06/09/20 RTIR Newsletter: COVID and Home Ownership, National Joy Day, Stressed Out Parents

June 9, 2020

01. NY Urban League President: Why Black People Still Can’t Wait
02. America is Reopening: Will Liability Clauses Protect Employers?
03. COVID-19 Could Delay Millennial Homeownership for Years
04. Promised Land: The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class
05. Celebrate the All-Important Role of Single Dads for Father’s Day
06. How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons
07. For Pride Month: Love, Books and Young Adult LGBTQ Readers
08. How a Learning Disabled 17-Year-Old Suddenly Learned to Read
09. America Needs to Celebrate National Joy Day
10. Does Lack of Motivation Mean You’re Lazy?
11. What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know
12. What No One Tells Millennials about Being a Boss
13. The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving the Pandemic
14. 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents
15. Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

1.==> NY Urban League President: Why Black People Still Can’t Wait

Just as the country begins to recover from COVID-19 the
growing protests remind us of another disease that has
plagued America since its inception — racism. Arva
Rice, president and CEO of New York’s Urban League,
says what we are witnessing in cities across our nation
is both an awakening and a cry for a new social order.
“Many of those in the streets are young. They are
experiencing what my mother felt with Emmett Till, and
what I felt with Rodney King. It is the collective
anguish of a people who know that the justice system
works differently for people with one color of skin
than it does for another. Our country has a problem we
can only address by working in connection with others
to change laws, develop policy and change attitudes
that can lead to healing and greater levels of mutual
respect.” Invite Rice to discuss what’s needed from
police, white people and everyone else to help heal the
nation and move forward. The New York Urban League, an
affiliate of the National Urban League, is a civil
rights organization enabling African Americans and
other underserved ethnic communities to secure a first-
class education, economic self-reliance, and equal
respect of their civil rights through programs,
services, and advocacy. Contact Lisa Skriloff at (212)
242-3351; Lisa@multicultural.com

2. ==> America is Reopening: Will Liability Clauses Protect Employers?

As more businesses reopen across the country, some are
posting coronavirus disclaimers or requiring employees
and customers to sign waivers, but there’s a big
question mark regarding whether these will hold up in
court. Invite labor attorney Aaron Goldstein to discuss
the issue. He says, “Waiver agreements are terrible PR
for companies. Companies should be showing how they are
keeping their workers safe, not how they are trying to
avoid liability if their workers get sick.” Goldstein
adds, “Waiver agreements between employers and
employees are also generally unenforceable except under
extremely specific circumstances. Employees generally
cannot waive workers compensation, which is the primary
vehicle for addressing workplace injuries, such as a
claim that an employee contracted a disease because of
work. Some states, including California, have adopted a
presumption that employees who catch COVID-19 caught it
at work and are therefore covered by workers’
compensation.” Aaron Goldstein is a labor and
employment partner at the international law firm Dorsey
& Whitney. Goldstein has been advising businesses on
measures that should be taken since the COVID crisis
began. Contact Laura Kelley at (303) 704-5222;
laura@thesolutionpr.com

3. ==> COVID-19 Could Delay Millennial Homeownership for Years

With unemployment at record highs, many people are
being forced to dip into their savings to cover
everyday expenses and stay afloat. For the average
millennial, it will take nine months of saving to
recoup a single month’s worth of expenses, which could
delay their goals of homeownership until long after
coronavirus is under control, according to a new
analysis released by realtor.com. “Millennials may
largely escape the worst of COVID-19, but with an
unemployment rate of 13.4 percent, this age group is
not immune from the economic fallout. As they cobble
together money for expenses from unemployment benefits
and side-hustles, many will find that they need to dip
into savings to cover necessities from groceries to
rent. This could delay their home purchase by years,”
says realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale.
“Homeownership has already been delayed for many
millennials and the coronavirus could push the
timetable even further out for some.” Adding to
millennial home buyer challenges, some lenders are
tightening their lending criteria by requiring higher
credit scores and minimum down payments for some types
of loans. “Most young buyers purchase a home with much
less than a 20 percent down payment and while these
loans are still technically available, finding a lender
willing to make one may be more challenging. Rather
than saving for the extra years needed to buy into a
pricey city, millennials could turn to suburbs or more
affordable metro areas,” Hale notes. Operated by Move,
Inc., realtor.com offers a list of for-sale properties
along with information and tools for real estate buyers
and sellers. Contact Cody Horvat at
cody.horvat@move.com or Lexie Holbert at
lexie.puckett@move.com

4. ==> Promised Land: The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class

In the midst of a years-long debate about the state of
today’s middle class, David Stebenne discusses the
history of America’s 20th-century middle class: the
policies that supported its growth in the first half of
the century, the transformation it wrought on society,
and the social, political, and economic forces of the
1960s that brought this period of expansion to an end.
Learn how the American middle class began its ascent in
the 1930s, with the progressive economic policies of
the era — the New Deal, greater business and finance
regulation, increased taxation — intended to bring an
end to the Great Depression. Stebenne will explain how
the military draft and GI Bill of World War II helped
many Americans join the expanding middle class in the
1930s, 1940s, and 1950s so that by the 1960s the middle
class was a potent political and cultural force. By the
late 1960s however, social movements erupted in public
protest, political policy changed, and the economy
stagnated, and the middle class began to shrink,
bringing attention to exactly who middle-class
prosperity benefited. Where decades of growth had built
wealth and power for white men and their families,
women, people of color, and other marginalized groups
were often left out. David Stebenne is a professor at
Ohio State University and has written about New Deal
liberalism, conservative thinking from the 1940s
through the ‘60s, and suburbia. His new book is
“Promised Land: How the Rise of the Middle Class
Transformed America, 1929 – 1968.” Contact Johanna
Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

5. ==> Celebrate the All-Important Role of Single Dads for Father’s Day

Although moms head most single-parent households, dads
play an equally important role when it comes to raising
boys to be decent men. “There is a ‘dad deficit’ in
modern society,” says Pastor Eric Hawthorne, a divorced
father of two young boys. “That’s why it’s crucial that
boys have father figures who can be role models who
teach them how to treat women with respect, manage
money, set and achieve goals and be responsible, so
that they can grow up to be productive adults.” Eric is
the second-generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance
Ministries in Richardson, Texas, and the author of the
upcoming book “Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact
Eric at (214) 225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

6. ==> How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons

This Father’s Day many fathers and sons will not be
able to see each other due to social distancing. But
hiding behind the pandemic is another epidemic
afflicting men and boys — an invisible wound
experienced by males who have been abandoned by their
fathers; one that frequently manifests itself in anger,
violence, depression, and suicide. Sandy D. Kirk,
Ph.D., has 20-years of experience helping teens and
young adults heal from their father-wounds. Dr. Sandy
says, “No pain on earth crushes a boy more deeply than
being abandoned by his father.” She points out,
“Studies show that 63 percent of suicides among teens
are from fatherless boys and 82 percent of the boys who
shot up schools were fatherless. This is a problem of
epidemic proportions, and it explains why our broken
boys are so angry.” Dr. Sandy will reveal five powerful
steps to help fathers mend their broken sons, why one
of the greatest messages a son can receive from his dad
is “Son, you have become a real man!” and how asking a
son’s forgiveness and telling him your own father-wound
story can open his heart and restore mutual respect.
Dr. Sandy hosted her own radio show, has been a
contributing editor for Good News Magazine and has been
a guest on radio and TV programs. Her latest book is
“Reaching Your Son’s Heart: A Heartwarming Story of
Healing for Fathers and Sons.” Contact her at (251)
979-9068; drsandy.aam@gmail.com

7. ==> For Pride Month: Love, Books and Young Adult LGBTQ Readers

June is Pride Month, when the world’s LGBTQ communities
come together and celebrate the freedom to be
themselves. During this challenging time for our nation
when divisiveness, inequality and prejudice are sadly
all too common, four new YA novels remind us of
something we collectively share, the journey to find
ourselves and find love, regardless of gender or race.
Speak with the authors whose highly anticipated LGBTQ-
themed novels are sure to be among the summer’s most
popular reads. Dean Atta (“The Black Flamingo”), Ciara
Smyth (“The Falling in Love Montage”), Tobly McSmith
(“Stay Gold”) and Andrew Eliopulos (“The Fascinators”)
can discuss their new YA novels and the importance of
recognizing Pride Month — now more than ever.  Contact
John Angelo at john@premieretv.com

8. ==> How a Learning Disabled 17-Year-Old Suddenly Learned to Read

A 17-year-old boy who could not read was able to do so
after a few sessions with Dr. Annalee Kitay, one of
fewer than 50 U.S. practitioners using a hands-on,
little known protocol called The Neural Organization
Technique. Coincidence? Miracle? Fluke? Amazing
science? You’ll decide when you interview Dr. Kitay for
Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, June 15 to 21.
Like that young man, 10 percent of children in the U.S.
or about 7 million U.S. schoolchildren have learning
disabilities that greatly impact their lives and that
of their parents. Invite Dr. Kitay on your program to
explain the protocol in layman’s terms and share other
success stories. The technique she uses can also help
people with immune issues, concussions, low back pain,
and more. By spreading awareness of the technique to
the general public, Dr. Kitay also hopes to motivate
more doctors to seek training. Dr. Kitay researched
with Kessler Institute and practiced with the late Dr.
(Robert) Atkins at the Center for Complementary
Medicine in New York City. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561)
462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

9. ==> America Needs to Celebrate National Joy Day

With a pandemic, job loss, protests drawing tear gas,
looting and arrests, and an increasingly widening
social divide, joy may be the emotion least felt by
Americans right now. Barry Shore, who is known as The
Ambassador of Joy, recognizes that reality yet he still
believes joy is what will rescue us. A proponent of
National Joy Day on June 24, Shore says, “Joy is the
glue that binds us. Joy enables us to navigate troubled
seas [like police brutality, pandemics and
joblessness]. It is calming.” Shore wants to encourage
people to celebrate National Joy Day by building social
connections to counter the ill effects of social
distancing. Certainly, if there is anyone who knows how
to find joy amidst tough circumstances it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with two multimillion-
dollar exits and three issued patents who in 2004
became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare disease.
During the 16 years that followed, Shore has pushed
himself to regain some of his functioning even as he
inspires other people to see the joy in their lives.
Shore can share his 11 strategies for living in joy, an
internal process that emanates from within ourselves,
and the three aspects of building joy. He can also
explain ways people can bring more joy to others. Barry
Shore is a motivational, keynote speaker and the host
of the weekly radio show-podcast “The Joy of Living.”
He is the founder of the JOY of Living Institute and
has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and in O
Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-
Gazette, MarketWatch and more. His upcoming book is
“Stress Kills … Joy Heals.” Contact him at (310)
770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

10. ==> Does Lack of Motivation Mean You’re Lazy?

Stop beating yourself up for not losing weight and
exercising more. Or for deciding that you will always
be someone who doesn’t feel like getting off the couch.
Motivation is overrated, says exercise physiologist and
certified nutrition coach Kristen Carter. “It is not
something that you either have or you don’t. And, it
doesn’t mean you have some sort of moral failing if you
can’t find it!” Kristen explains that motivation comes
in four varieties, each with their own unique solutions
to make them work for you. She is the author of “Lose
Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So! What to do
when your doctor tells you to make changes for your
health.” Ask her: What are the four varieties? What
simple solutions can you offer people who want to
change a few behaviors for healthier ones? Contact
Kristen Carter at (267) 930-2547;
kacarter@rtirguests.com

11. ==> What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know

Most people buy insurance from a friendly agent for a
specific purpose and time frame. But did you know that
90 percent of all policies end up lapsing before
maturity? Or that when you don’t need your policy any
longer you could sell it for cash? Chances are you have
no idea about the hidden cash value of your policy or
that you are paying more than you should be for the
policy you have. Interview David Kottler, the Insurance
Doctor™, about these and other secrets insurance
companies don’t want you to know! He can explain what
you need to ask to figure out exactly what your policy
is worth. David is the author of “The Best Kept Secret
in Your Insurance Policy,” which details everything
people need to know to get the most value out of their
insurance policies. Contact David Kottler at (216)
532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What No One Tells Millennials about Being a Boss

Today’s millennials are 20-40 years old and are already
half of the country’s workforce. Many millennials are
ready to become managers and leaders within their
fields. But in many cases, they will be taking that
step without anyone having told them what to expect and
how to be successful, notes Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D.,
a clinical psychologist and consultant who spent two
decades working with students at Columbia University
and George Washington University. Invite her on your
show to share tips on preparing to become a manager or
leader, how to hire and mentor strong staffers, ways to
deal with challenging staff members, and how to handle
social media at work. Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D., MPH,
is the author of “Millennials’ Guide to Management and
Leadership,” and “Millennials’ Guide to Work.” Her
diverse career includes a stint in the U.S. military,
working with nonprofit health-care organizations, and
teaching in higher education. Contact her at (503)
484-5679; jennifer@leadwithwisdom.com

13. ==> The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving the Pandemic

As the world is rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, most
people are experiencing one overriding, debilitating
emotion. Fear is the biggest enemy in times of
uncertainty, says Kim Chestney. “Now, more than ever,
the most important thing we can do is to reconnect with
our inner power.” Let Kim tell you how as she explores
the role intuition can play in navigating stressful
times. She’ll teach you how to cut through the stress,
the BS and fake news, to get back to your center by
tuning in to your inner truth. Kim is an international
best-selling author and the founder of IntuitionLab.
Her new book “Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide
to Your Inner Power” releases in the fall from New
World Library. Contact her at (412) 214-9502;
KChestney@rtirguests.com

14. ==> 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

Parenting is never easy but after being quarantined
with children for months, things have gone a little
haywire in many households. Families will welcome the
creative suggestions of educator Laurie Marshall,
suggestions that will help everyone get along better
and safely blow off stress. She’ll share why parents
and kids should put paper bags over their heads to
convey emotions such as anger and silliness, why
families should make a practice of singing and dancing
together, and how taking three deep breaths when they
feel out of control can center parents and interrupt
impulsive behavior that can lead to harming family
members. Marshall is a bullying prevention expert and
the author of multiple books. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 bully-prevention, nature-based murals
with over 25,000 people in schools, nonprofits, and
government agencies (NASA, FEMA, U.S. Botanical
Gardens). Contact Laurie at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought anxiety and
uncertainty, but it’s also helped us define what is
most important in our lives. Robb Lucy, author of “How
Will You Be Remembered?” says many families, stuck in
the house together for weeks, have unearthed photos and
family memorabilia. Some even started searching for
family connections online. But real family history is
more than pictures and genealogical trees, it’s family
stories, and Robb says now is a great time to collect
them, share them, and preserve them for future
generations. He’ll explain how and why to write your
own legacy letter, ways to get family members to share
their stories, and how teens especially benefit from
hearing family stories. Robb will also share stories
submitted for a family legacy story contest, including
the winner, from a 94-year-old woman explaining why her
1947 wedding dress was made from a military parachute.
A journalist, writer and producer, Robb Lucy is the
author of the “How Will You Be Remembered? The
Definitive Guide to Creating and Sharing Your Life
Story.” Contact him at (604) 874-7700;
rlucy@createmylegacy.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

6/4/20 RTIR Newsletter: Protests and Healing, Father’s Day, Pandemic Miracles

June 4, 2020

  1. Reverend Graylan Hagler: Trump, Protests and Healing
  2. Why is America Burning? The Psychology of Mass Riots
  3. White Families Need to Talk about Racism An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics
  4. Why Everyone is Getting on Your Nerves
  5. How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
  6. What the Future of Work Will Look Like
  7. Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go Back to Work?
  8. Fun Father’s Day Show – Guys Love Cranes, Earth Movers and Bulldozers
  9. 5 Reasons to Go Consignment
  10. Bored at Home? Try Virtual Wine Tastings with Friends!
  11. The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad for You
  12. How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me Too’ Age
  13. Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories
  14. Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic

1.==> Reverend Graylan Hagler: Trump, Protests and Healing

Rev. Hagler is senior pastor of Plymouth United Church
of Christ in Washington, D.C. He’s also chairperson of
Faith Strategies, an interfaith coalition. He’s been
speaking out and tweeting about President Trump’s using
militarized forces to clear Lafayette Square so that he
could hold a Bible in front of a church, and about how
some esteem property over human life. On Sunday he
delivered a sermon, “Divided We Fall,” saying: “I can’t
stop thinking about where we are as a country because I
do not see this unity or this sacred essential purpose
in our existence as people in this America.” “The
problem with White America is the deluded and myth-
based thinking that they built this country and made it
wealthy. No, it’s wealthy because of exploited and
enslaved labor” concluding that “unless the nation can
confess … it will remain divided.” Contact Rev. Graylan
S. Hagler at gshagler@verizon.net; @graylanhagler

  1. ==> Why is America Burning? The Psychology of Mass
    Riots

According to psychologist Frank Farley, the psychology
behind the massive public demonstrations and rioting in
America is complicated, like a recipe with many
ingredients. He says racial injustice and the police
killing of George Floyd was simply the tipping point.
“America is going through a stress test of enormous
proportions, as is the world. There’s a piling-on of
uncertainty breeding fear. We’re afraid of the grim
reaper, who could be anyone we meet. We’re anxious.
We’ve been quarantined for months now, and millions are
out of work. Our personal and society safety nets are
failing, and it’s wreaking havoc with our emotional and
psychological lives. Add to this volatile mix an
outrageous injustice in the Floyd killing, and you may
be able to possibly understand, but certainly not
condone the rioting.” Farley can explain the
contributing factors that play into our current
national psyche including the upcoming election and the
emotional contagion among protesters in breaking the
COVID-19 mitigation rules and getting close with others
for a common, noble and over-riding cause of
racial/social justice. Frank Farley, Ph.D., is a
professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., a
former President of the American Psychological
Association, as well as the Society for the Study of
Peace, Conflict and Violence. He can be reached at
(215) 668-7581; frank.farley@temple.edu

  1. ==> White Families Need to Talk about Racism

As protests and riots continue across the country in
the wake of George Floyd’s death, parents across the
country are figuring out how to talk to their children
about the protests and about fighting racism. For
African American families, the discussions are likely
nothing new, but in white families, particularly those
who have tried to bring up children to be “colorblind,”
it can be particularly difficult. For white parents who
may not feel confident speaking with their children
about race, or who may not feel as if they have all the
answers, this can be an opportunity to learn with your
children, according to Margaret Hagerman, a sociologist
and the author of “White Kids: Growing Up With
Privilege in a Racially Divided America.” “In order to
understand the present, we have to understand the past,
and it might mean that you don’t know all the answers
and you don’t feel confident even talking about this
with your children. But that means that you could do
some work to learn the answers to these questions,” she
says. “You can take the time to read up on this and
this could be something even that you do with your
children.” Margaret A. Hagerman teaches sociology at
Mississippi State University She studies racial
socialization, or how kids learn about racism, racial
inequality, and racial privilege in the context of
their everyday lives. Contact Haberman at
mah1125@msstate.edu; @maggiehagerman

4.==> An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics

New York Times bestselling author Heather Lende has
been writing about her hometown —Haines, Alaska — and
about what community means since she published “If You
Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name” in 2006. The only way
to get to the breathtakingly beautiful town is by plane
or boat, and the nearest city, Juneau, is almost 100
miles away. After the 2016 elections, she was inspired
to take a more active role in politics and decided to
run for office in Haines. And … she won! Her new book,
“Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-
Town Politics,” is the funny and entertaining story of
her first term on her small-town assembly. Using her
trademark humor, wit, and compassion Lende shares how
the political, social, and environmental issues her
community faces are not so different from the issues
that are being played out on the national stage. She
says it’s been a learning experience of just how hard
it is to pass legislation, how intense political
divisions affect a community, and the vital importance
of a strong democracy. Heather Lende has contributed
essays and commentary to NPR, the New York Times, and
National Geographic Traveler, among other newspapers
and magazines, and is a former contributing editor at
Woman’s Day. A columnist for the Alaska Dispatch News,
she is the obituary writer for the Chilkat Valley News
in Haines. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703)
991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Why Everyone is Getting on Your Nerves

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in close quarters for weeks at a time,
these stresses can explode. Leadership expert Marc A.
Pitman can tell you why people act the way they do.
Using an easy-to-understand system, he can provide
insight into why your team, staff, or family may be
harder to live with right now. He can explain the
different ways people react to stress and how to help
you get through the pandemic and come out even stronger
than before. His forthcoming book, “The Surprising Gift
of Doubt,” provides a framework for people to move past
feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively.
Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610;
mpitman@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in
    Person

Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other people have
found themselves cut off from small children whom they
would be able to see were it not for the pandemic.
Phone calls and Zoom sessions are helpful but can still
leave a void, says Laurie Marshall, a longtime educator
and grandparent to 2-year-old Oliver who lives in a
different state. That is why Laurie created a special
book for Oliver to remind him of the experiences they
have already shared until they can see each other again
and as a permanent keepsake. “Now is the time to be
creative,” she says, “for sanity’s sake and to model
resourcefulness to children.” Laurie can explain how
she quickly and inexpensively put together “The
Adventures of Oliver the Penguin,” using a cutout of
Oliver’s face superimposed on a penguin and then took
photos of the cutout all over her home and added some
short descriptive sentences. She says anyone can do
something similar even if they think they aren’t
creative and can share resources for having your book
printed. Contact Laurie Marshall at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> What the Future of Work Will Look Like

The world of work will never be the same. The
coronavirus has fundamentally changed every aspect of
business — from our commute to our work environment to
how we interact with our colleagues. Invite Alexander
Alonso to share the many ways COVID-19 is reshaping and
reinventing the workplace. Alonso, chief knowledge
officer for the Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM), says telework is here to stay for many
businesses. Others, he says, will be scrapping open
concepts and shared spaces in favor of closed cubicles
and offices. From daily temperature screenings to
personal protective equipment, Alonso says HR and
business departments must now collaborate; instead of
showing an organization is recession-proof, an
organization must now prove it is “pandemic proof.”
Contact Cooper Nye at (703) 535-6447;
Cooper.nye@shrm.org

  1. ==> Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go
    Back to Work?

Tens of millions of Americans are out-of-work as a
result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout
the nation, but even as states begin to ease stay-at-
home measures and allow businesses to open up, some
workers remain hesitant to return to their jobs. Some
are worried about on-the-job safety issues or have a
vulnerable family member at home. Others, like some in
the service industry, can make more money on
unemployment right now. According to the Department of
Labor, a general fear of virus exposure is not a valid
reason to not return to work or quit your job and
obtain unemployment benefits. Workplace attorney
Jonathan Bell can discuss the issues involved and what
your listeners’ options and rights are. Jonathan Bell
is a labor and employment attorney and the founder of
Bell Law Group, PLLC in New York City. Contact Mark
Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text);
mark@goldmanmccormick.com

  1. ==> Fun Father’s Day Show – Guys Love Cranes, Earth
    Movers and Bulldozers

Most of us love to watch new buildings going up.
There’s something about the whole process and the
cranes, earthmovers, and daredevil nature of scaffold
climbing that appeals on a primal level. Particularly,
to boys. That same fascination is likely to extend
behind-the-scenes to the unusual things that actually
happen on construction sites; particularly when matched
with the storytelling skills of 40-year construction
professional Charles (Charlie) Garner. He’ll entertain
your audience with true stories from his career that
began right after high school and literally started off
with a bang. Ask him: Why was it necessary for you to
kill six poisonous snakes a day in the swamps of
Louisiana? What happened to the worker who fell into a
tank of raw sewage? What strange incident occurred on
the first day of your first job? Charlie is a senior
project manager for a large construction company in
Atlanta and is a civil engineer who has worked in heavy
construction for 40 years. His memoir “I Got This”
contains amazing adventure stories from his life and
career. Contact Charlie at (650) 995-5626;
charlesgardner@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> 5 Reasons to Go Consignment

Whether your audience members are buyers, sellers or
just interested in emerging trends, a story on the
booming clothing consignment business is sure to please
when lifestyle journalist Suzanne Wexler is your expert
(she was recently quoted in Reader’s Digest on this
topic). Suzanne will explain how gently used luxury
men’s and women’s clothing became an online super trend
and why Instagram enthusiasts were leading the charge.
Suzanne will offer five reasons why you should start
choosing consignment and will even let your listeners
know how they can select clothes in their closet for
consignment vs. donation, which they can drop off once
social distancing ends. This show idea works on
multiple levels: it’s timely, it’s green and it’s a way
to make money on clothing people no longer wear while
they remain stuck at home. Suzanne is published in the
Huffington Post, National Post, Bust.com and her work
has been syndicated throughout Canada. She’s been
quoted in Goodhousekeeping.com, and Prevention magazine
and provided commentary on CTV National and Virgin
Radio; she has been on more than 200 radio stations in
the U.S. and Canada. Contact her at (514) 704-0029;
suzannawexler@hotmail.com

  1. ==> Bored at Home? Try Virtual Wine Tastings with
    Friends!

Being at home doesn’t mean all the activities you enjoy
have to stop. Some innovative wineries are enabling
customers to continue to explore new wines with online
wine tastings. Andy Hyman is a tour guide in the Napa
and Sonoma wine country who has shared his passion for
wine with thousands of people from around the world.
Invite him to share information about wine clubs and
online wine tastings so you can get your friends
together for this fun activity. His book, “Snob-Free
Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day,” reveals
how to get the most out of a wine-tasting experience,
how wine is made, and general knowledge about wine.
Hyman has been featured by Sonoma Magazine, the Marin
Independent Journal, Napa Valley Register, North Bay
BIZ magazine, and other radio and print outlets
nationwide. Contact him at (415) 767-1441;
andyhyman@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad
    for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
eBook, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers
Guide to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,”
published by Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413)
225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me
    Too’ Age

As a single dad of two young boys, Pastor Eric
Hawthorne is especially aware of the pressures young
males face to be “one of the boys” when it comes to how
they treat girls. “That’s why it’s crucial for boys to
have dads and other strong male role models who set
examples about how to respect women,” he says. Pastor
Eric can share tips for how to raise boys to be
gentlemen in this complex modern age. He is the second-
generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance Ministries in
Richardson, Texas, and the author of the upcoming book
“Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact Eric at 214)
225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

This pandemic has brought anxiety and uncertainty, but
it’s also helping us define what is most important in
our lives. Robb Lucy, author of “How Will You Be
Remembered?” says many families, stuck in the house
together for weeks, have unearthed photos and family
memorabilia. Some even started searching for family
connections online. But real family history is more
than pictures and genealogical trees, it’s family
stories, and Robb says now is a great time to collect
them, share them, and preserve them for future
generations. He’ll explain how and why to write your
own legacy letter, ways to get family members to share
their stories, and how teens especially benefit from
hearing family stories. Robb will also share stories
submitted for a family legacy story contest, including
the winner, from a 94-year-old woman explaining why her
1947 wedding dress was made from a military parachute.
A journalist, writer and producer, Robb Lucy is the
author of the “How Will You Be Remembered? The
Definitive Guide to Creating and Sharing Your Life
Story.” Contact him at (604) 874-7700;
rlucy@createmylegacy.com

  1. ==> Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic

Despite the misery COVID-19 times have wrought, we need
to keep in mind that they have also been responsible
for some positive even miraculous things. Let Susan
Shumsky brighten your listeners’ days as she shares the
good things that occurred that we never would have
imagined. New-found respect for teachers and the role
they play in shaping young lives, an enhanced
appreciation for the elderly whose absence from our
lives is palpable, and a worldwide burst in creative
expression are just some of what Susan will talk about.
She’ll also touch on why the pandemic is forcing us to
be more introverted (and that’s good) and to re-
evaluate our priorities and why she says the world is
now operating on a higher vibrational level. Susan
Shumsky has 17 books in print and has proven to be an
enthralling guest during more than 1,200 media
appearances. Contact Susan Shumsky at (917) 336-7184;
SShumsky@rtirguests.com

06/02/20 RTIR Newsletter: Violence at Rallies, Covid and Sobriety, Clarity in a Pandemic

June 2, 2020

  1. Are Extremists Inciting Violence at Rallies? White Nationalists or Antifa?
  2. Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts
  3. ACLU Creates App to Help People Record Police Misconduct
  4. George Floyd’s Murder: Are We Ready to Listen?
  5. How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids about Racism
  6. Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf Whistle Violence
  7. ‘Why I Forgave My Son’s Murderers’
  8. Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and Sobriety
  9. The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives
  10. Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now
  11. How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage
  12. 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in Pandemic Times
  13. World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using Ingredients in Your Kitchen
  14. 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic Overload
  15. ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film and TV Series

1.==> Are Extremists Inciting Violence at Rallies? White Nationalists or Antifa?

As demonstrations over George Floyd’s death spread
across the country, many peaceful protests are turning
violent. Some say extremists are behind the mayhem, but
which ones? Some point to white nationalists but
others, like President Trump, blame a group called
Antifa. Short for anti-fascists, Antifa’s roots can be
traced to Nazi Germany and Anti-Fascist Action, a
militant group founded in the 1980s in the United
Kingdom. “Modern-day Antifa members have become more
active in making themselves known at public rallies and
within the progressive movement,” says Brian Levin,
director of the Center for the Study of Hate and
Extremism at California State University, San
Bernardino. “What they’re trying to do now is not only
become prominent through violence at these high-profile
rallies, but also to reach out through small meetings
and through social networking to cultivate
disenfranchised progressives who heretofore were
peaceful.” Levin says Antifa activists feel the need to
partake in violence because “they believe that elites
are controlling the government and the media. So, they
need to make a statement head-on against the people who
they regard as racist.” Brian Levin is a criminologist
and civil rights attorney who specializes in analysis
of hate crime, terrorism and legal issues. He has
appeared on every network and cable television evening
news broadcast and various network magazine shows on
the subjects of civil rights, criminal law, and
extremism. Contact him at (909) 537-7711;
Blevin8@aol.com

  1. ==> Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts

Watching the unsettling video of George Floyd crying
out for his mother while gasping for air is disturbing,
to say the least. So are the scenes from violent
protests around the country. Witnessing acts of racism
can produce fear, anger and outrage, but even those who
don’t take to the streets can experience significant
emotional distress. Experts call it “vicarious racism”
and say you can witness it in person or via video,
radio or social media. And you don’t have to be the
victim to be harmed. “I think of it as like a
secondhand racism, similar to secondhand smoke,” says
Chicago pediatrician Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, who chairs
the minority health, equity and inclusion committee of
the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Some people think
only black and brown folks who see themselves as
potential victims will identify and experience health
impacts,” Heard-Garris says. “But we have data that
shows despite color, if a person is exposed to racism,
it hurts them too. It really actually hurts all of us.”
Heard-Garris studies the impact of vicarious racism on
health, especially children’s health. She says
observing racism in the media or hearing about it from
friends may transmit trauma to children as they imagine
their parents, siblings or even themselves in place of
the target. “The biggest kind of health impacts are the
behavioral health issues,” Heard-Garris says. “Some
kids will show aggression and other negative behaviors.
Others will go within and be socially withdrawn, be
distant from others and not seek help when they really
need it.” Contact Jon Yates at (847) 491-4892;
jon.yates@northwestern.edu

  1. ==> ACLU Creates App to Help People Record Police
    Misconduct

The American Civil Liberties Union is encouraging
protesters and others to use the group’s Mobile Justice
app to document their interactions with police in case
the situation escalates. Marcus Benigno, a spokesperson
for the ACLU in Southern California, says it could come
in handy during ongoing protests over police
misconduct. “There is no doubt that moments like these
highlight the importance of the app,” Benigno says.
“Without a video of the unfortunate and tragic
incident, we probably wouldn’t even know George Floyd’s
name.” The ACLU first released the Mobile Justice app
in 2015. Videos are automatically uploaded to the
organization’s server to ensure they are saved even if
a phone is seized or destroyed. The American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization
founded in 1920 “to defend and preserve the individual
rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this
country by the Constitution and laws of the United
States.” Contact Marcus Benigno at (213) 977-5252;
communications@aclusocal.org

4.==> George Floyd’s Murder: Are We Ready to Listen?

In Minneapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and
other cities protestors have been taking to the streets
to ensure that George Floyd’s death is not forgotten.
Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed black man who died on
a Minneapolis street under the knee of a white police
officer, is the latest in an unending string of people
who were dehumanized and attacked for being black. As
anger and emotions run high across the country,
interview black journalist Nita Wiggins who says the
only way to turn down the heat is to Listen to Others
as we would have them listen to us. She’ll talk about
ways to accomplish that. An experienced interviewer and
professor of journalism, Nita is the author of “Civil
Rights Baby,” a book in which she describes the harm
she suffered when she was not heard on the job. Contact
her at nita@nitawiggins.com

  1. ==> How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids about
    Racism

As protests and riots continue across the country in
the wake of George Floyd’s death, parents across the
country are figuring out how to talk to their children
about the protests and about fighting racism. For
African American families, the discussions are likely
nothing new, but in white families, particularly those
who have tried to bring up children to be “colorblind,”
it can be particularly difficult. For white parents who
may not feel confident speaking with their children
about race, or who may not feel as if they have all the
answers, this can be an opportunity to learn with your
children, according to Margaret Hagerman, a sociologist
and the author of “White Kids: Growing Up With
Privilege in a Racially Divided America.” “In order to
understand the present, we have to understand the past,
and it might mean that you don’t know all the answers
and you don’t feel confident even talking about this
with your children. But that means that you could do
some work to learn the answers to these questions,” she
says. “You can take the time to read up on this and
this could be something even that you do with your
children.” Margaret A. Hagerman teaches sociology at
Mississippi State University She studies racial
socialization, or how kids learn about racism, racial
inequality, and racial privilege in the context of
their everyday lives. Contact Haberman at
mah1125@msstate.edu; @maggiehagerman

  1. ==> Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf
    Whistle Violence

For some Americans, President Trump’s language is
incendiary garbage. But does it actually elicit acts of
violence? While nobody would label Trump a gifted
orator, what he says has power and renowned
communication expert Helio Fred Garcia says his
dangerous rhetoric has motivated lone wolves to commit
violence. Invite the author of “Words On Fire: The
Power of Incendiary Language and How to Confront It” to
discuss the language President Trump uses that
conditions an audience to accept, condone, and commit
violence against a targeted group, rival, or critic and
the history of such rhetoric. He’ll explain “lone-wolf
whistle violence” — a term he coined to describe
rhetoric that provokes violence on the model of “dog
whistle” politics, where politicians use coded language
that conveys benign meaning to most people, but a
different meaning to members of a certain group or
followers of a certain ideology. Learn the playbook of
12 forms of communication that typically precede acts
of mass violence and how civic leaders and engaged
citizens can hold leaders accountable to prevent such
harm. Helio Fred Garcia is president of the crisis
management firm Logos Consulting Group and is on the
adjunct faculties of New York University and Columbia
University. He is a senior fellow at the Institute of
Corporate Communication at Communication University of
China and a contract lecturer at the Defense
Information School and at the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania. Garcia’s previous books
include “The Agony of Decision: Mental Readiness and
Leadership in a Crisis” and “The Power of
Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty,
and Lead Effectively.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

  1. ==> ‘Why I Forgave My Son’s Murderers’

In May it was seven years since Rev. Meghan Smith
Brooks lost her 29-year-old younger son. Justin’s body
was found in a river, wrapped in chains and weighed
down by a cinder block. Justin, the father of a five-
year-old, had been shot three times. It would take 18
months for two arrests to be made. Interview Meghan to
find out how she coped with the tragedy and why she was
able to forgive her son’s murderers. She can talk about
whether grief ever goes away and why forgiveness is so
important to moving forward as well as share tips other
people can use who are currently grieving. Meghan is an
ordained Unity Minister and certified grief coach. She
is the author of the upcoming book “Unraveling Grief: A
Mother’s Spiritual Journey After Losing Her Son.” She
was the keynote speaker at Missouri’s event
commemorating National Crime Victim Awareness Week in
April. Contact Meghan Smith Brooks at (816) 844-6783;
mbrooks@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and
    Sobriety

COVID-19 has caused numerous physical and mental health
issues and is creating special problems for addicts
trying to maintain sobriety during the pandemic. Even
though she’s 14 years sober, Jennifer Gimenez
recognizes the impact of isolation and stress from the
global health crisis as she works through her own
sobriety. Listeners will recognize Jennifer, a former
supermodel, from the VH1 reality television series
“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and as the sober living
house manager on the spinoff, “Sober House.” She also
appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and
in the film “Blow.” Invite Jennifer on your show to
share her story of sobriety during the coronavirus
crisis and create greater awareness about treatment
options and resources for addicts and those touched by
addiction. Jennifer Gimenez is regularly featured as an
addiction and recovery expert on numerous television
networks and social media platforms. Contact Clarissa
Ford at (646) 843-1828; cford@5wpr.com

  1. ==> The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives

It is something that anyone can do. It is free. It
doesn’t require special equipment. Even children can do
it. It can be done at work, in bed, on the floor or in
a chair. And it can be lifesaving. It is the daily
ritual that could save your life, yet most people do
not practice it. John Sambalino can explain how you can
make meditation the daily ritual that helps improve
your health, relationships, job performance and mood,
and how he has even used meditation to help prison
inmates avoid future crimes. John will also discuss how
its calmness reduces stress, helps you deal with
deadlines, leads to better sleep, and even boosts
memory. He is the author of “Is God in That Bottle Cap?
A Search for Truth.” Ask him: Why do so many
celebrities practice meditation? How has meditation
helped people face the coronavirus epidemic? What are
some common myths that keep people from trying
meditation? Contact John Sambalino at (856) 245-5062;
jsambalino@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

With schools closed, many parents are now their
children’s primary educators, a role for which they are
largely unprepared. Laurie Marshall, a career educator
and author of “Beating the Odds Now” and other books,
says parents can be highly effective at exposing their
children to the rich world around them by paying
attention to two questions whose answers will be
different for each of their children. What brings that
child joy? What fascinates them? Bring Laurie on your
program to hear creative ways parents can be memorable
homeschool teachers by zeroing in on who their child
is. Marshall is a project-based learning and arts
integration specialist who has worked with underserved
youth for over 30 years. Her partners include FEMA and
Project Drawdown, the World’s Leading Resource for
Climate Solutions. She has trained over 6,000 teachers
in project-based learning and facilitated 125 nature-
based murals with over 25,000 people in schools,
nonprofits, and government agencies. Contact Marshall
at (415) 360-3304; lmarshall@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a
    Living Wage

Right now, college students are hunkered down at home
taking online classes, most likely until the fall. But
as former college professor Glen Dunzweiler will tell
you, a return to “normal” is not going to cut it
because the way things have been done does not lead to
a secure future for most student’s post-graduation.
Invite Glen to discuss ways educators, parents and
others who care about the next generation have to teach
every college student about entrepreneurship so they
can hold their future in their own hands and earn a
living wage. He’ll share why all students need an exit
strategy and a clear idea of how they intend to
monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a
former college professor, a documentarian and the
author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In
Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.”
Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219;
GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in
    Pandemic Times

Life during the coronavirus pandemic has brought with
it accelerated change; jobs have been lost, hours have
been cut, relatives and neighbors have sickened and
died, and comfortable routines involving socializing,
entertainment, religious attendance and even grocery
shopping have been upended. And while no one ever knows
the future, for many it appears confusing, fuzzy and
scary but at the same time, it presents an opportunity
to regroup and focus on the next steps. Cindy Cipriani
offers tools for navigating through this unprecedented
period when life feels like it is spinning out of
control using her 5C solution. You’ll learn how your
hand can help you make wise choices in a moment of
chaos, three steps for gaining greater clarity in
deciding what you want and need and ways making
commitments can help you move from stuck to unstuck.
Cipriani will explain how to use the 5Cs in a range of
circumstances from adapting a business to breaking free
from domestic violence. Cindy Cipriani is an award-
winning business owner, keynote speaker, author and
clarity coach. The founder of the Clear Path Institute,
she helps individuals and families create healthy
relationships and trains business and sales teams to be
more successful. Her latest book is “The 5C Solution:
Discover Clarity & Confidence in Times of Change.”
Contact her at (856) 534-7070; cindycip1@gmail.com

  1. ==> World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using
    Ingredients in Your Kitchen

Before Clint Rogers, Ph.D. spent a decade traveling the
world with the legendary Indian master healer Dr.
Pankaj Naram, the university researcher was a skeptic
when it came to alternative medicine. But after
witnessing Dr. Naram in action and watching him cure
Dr. Clint’s father, the researcher’s attitude changed.
Dr. Naram, who counted among his patients the Dalai
Lama, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela as well as many
ordinary people, passed away on Feb. 19. Sharing Dr.
Naram’s wisdom with people all over the world is Dr.
Clint’s priority and “Ancient Secrets of a Master
Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and
Life’s Greatest Secrets” is his new book. On your show,
he’ll discuss how to boost your immune system with
things already in your home, instantly reduce anxiety
and release stress, and reduce blood pressure to normal
in minutes. Listeners will learn ways to ease arthritis
and joint pain with food, improve memory and focus by
pressing certain points on the body and achieve healthy
and lasting weight loss. Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., is a
university researcher whose TEDx talk on Dr. Naram has
been viewed by millions. Dr. Clint designed and taught
with Dr. Naram a university certification course in
Berlin, Germany, for doctors. Contact him at (914)
215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com

  1. ==> 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic
    Overload

More than two months into the COVID-19 pandemic people
are starting to get antsy for a return to normalcy.
Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY), an author, certified exercise
physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter,
has found that his corporate clients are now seeking
his advice on coping strategies they can offer their
employees to lessen information overload and feelings
of isolation. Odeh, who is also an on- and off-road
marathoner, says, “Surviving in the age of COVID-19 is
akin to running a marathon … and there are five daily
steps you can take to train for living in pandemic
times.” Odeh’s suggestions include reading the news
instead of watching it, focusing on what’s going on in
the moment instead of worrying about the future, and
spending time on things you can control like your
health and wellness. He’ll also discuss the benefits of
soaking in a little sunshine sans sunscreen and ways to
keep active, no matter what your schedule or
circumstance. Odeh is the author of the three-volume
series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770)
773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com

  1. ==> ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film & TV Series

You may have read the recent announcements in The
Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, The Wrap, etc.,
that the “Kung Fu” Movie is in the works! Universal has
optioned the 1970s martial arts western television show
and is developing it as a big-screen property with
director David Leitch. In addition, “Hobbs & Shaw”
filmmakers will also produce the adaptation of the ’70s
TV series over at Warner Bros. Radames Pera, who played
Caine “Grasshopper” throughout the series, is the only
remaining cast member alive. Invite him on your show to
discuss the series which ran from 1972 to 1975 and
starred David Carradine as a monk who came to the
American West in search of his half-brother. Kung Fu
gained a cult following and injected the phrase “young
grasshopper” into the pop culture lexicon via
flashbacks to Caine’s training as a teenager. Pera also
had a recurring role on “Little House on the Prairie”
and appeared on “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The
Waltons,” “Hawaii Five-O” and other TV shows. Radames
Pera is available via Skype or phone from France, where
he took his family when the COVID pandemic began.
Contact Harlan Boll at hboll@rtirguests.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

05/28/20 RTIR Newsletter: Political Gridlock, Self-Healing Success, Insurance Company Secrets

May 28, 2020

01. This Could End Political Gridlock
02. COVID: History will Judge U.S. Harshly
03. Fishermen: White House Exploiting COVID to Privatize Ocean
04. What the Future of Work Will Look Like
05. Need a Reason to Smile? One’s Coming This Sunday 🙂
06. Tigers Love Bubble Baths … More Than Murder
07. Weddings in the Age of Coronavirus
08. How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
09. From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-Healing Secrets
10. 5 Tips for Anyone Considering a Career Change
11. Gun Sales are Soaring – Safety and Self-Defense Tips
12. What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know
13. Fibro Lady Delivers You Pain-Free Living
14. This Sugar Witch Could Save Your Life
15. Use a Pencil, Crayon or Pen to Battle Anxiety

1. ==> This Could End Political Gridlock

Americans blame political dysfunction – federal, state, and local – for limiting and even holding back America’s competitiveness and our ability to strengthen the U.S. economy. But how do we break the partisan gridlock that threatens to unravel our democracy? The founder of The Institute for Political Innovation, Katherine Gehl, will share key areas of nonpartisan change, political innovation, and action that could improve America’s political system and ability to compete globally. She’ll explain how we can re-engineer our “elections machinery” by replacing single candidate voting, eliminate partisan control of House and Senate rules and processes, and end our current duopoly political process to force Democrats and Republicans to operate under the potential threat from competitors. Katherine M. Gehl is former CEO of Wisconsin’s Gehl Foods and the originator of Politics Industry Theory. She and Harvard economist Michael Porter are the authors of “The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

2. ==> COVID: History will Judge U.S. Harshly

John Barry, the author of a bestselling book about the 1918 pandemic, says the U.S.’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak will be remembered as “incomprehensively incoherent.” The historian and author of “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History,” will share lessons we can learn from that chapter in our history and explain why he gives Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis a 3.5 on a scale of 1-to-10. He’ll discuss the role that fear played in the 1918 pandemic, why it is known as the Spanish Flu even though it didn’t originate there, and how the virus swept through the country in waves, with the second one being the most deadly. John Barry is a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He recently wrote “Containing the coronavirus hasn’t worked. What do we do now?” for the New York Times. Contact Tulane University’s Faith Dawson at dawson@tulane.edu; (504) 247-1432 or Bari Bronston at bbronst@tulane.edu; (504) 314-7444

3. ==> Fishermen: White House Exploiting COVID to Privatize Ocean

Making a living from fishing was already difficult before the COVID-19 pandemic. Independent and small fishing operators rely on restaurants for up to 85% of their business so when lockdown measures began and restaurants shuttered, thousands of small fishing businesses faced bankruptcy. When President Trump announced a rollback on commercial regulations earlier this month many hoped it would bring relief, instead the order essentially opens federal waters to private companies farming fish in giant pens. “Aquaculture” is touted as an emerging industry, but environmentalists say the farms not only displace local fishermen, they disrupt the natural ecosystem, create pollution and could break the foundational links in food chains from the Gulf to Africa. “This is the nightmare scenario: Having all these factory fish farms offshore that are going to be breeding disease and causing pollution,” says Rosanna Marie Neill, policy counsel at the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, a group that advocates for fishermen. “That’s the last thing we need right now when we’re going through a pandemic.” Contact Neill at rosanna@namanet.org

4. ==> What the Future of Work Will Look Like

The world of work will never be the same. The coronavirus has fundamentally changed every aspect of business — from our commute to our work environment to how we interact with our colleagues. Invite Alexander Alonso to share the many ways COVID-19 is reshaping and reinventing the workplace. Alonso, chief knowledge officer for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), says telework is here to stay for many businesses. Others, he says, will be scrapping open concepts and shared spaces in favor of closed cubicles and offices. From daily temperature screenings to personal protective equipment, Alonso says HR and business departments must now collaborate; instead of showing an organization is recession-proof, an organization must now prove it is “pandemic proof.” Contact Cooper Nye at (703) 535-6447; Cooper.nye@shrm.org

5. ==> Need a Reason to Smile? One’s Coming this Sunday 🙂

The country could be forgiven if its citizens didn’t feel like smiling much these days; after all, people are sick and dying from a mysterious contagious disease and are prohibited from getting too close to each other, and unemployment is at record levels. Yet it is because we find ourselves in this dire situation that it is more important than ever to smile at one another — even from six-feet apart — says Barry Shore, who is known as The Ambassador of Joy. Shore will be celebrating National Smile Day on May 31 and wants everyone else to join him by starting the day with a big smile on their faces. Certainly, if there is anyone who knows how to smile through adversity it is Shore, a successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare disease. During the 16 years that followed, Shore has pushed himself to regain much of his functioning even as he inspires other people to see the joy in their lives. Shore can also talk about his Keep Smiling Movement which he co-founded with well-known celebrity photographer Ken Rochon. Barry hosts “The Joy of Living” podcast and is the founder of the JOY of Living Institute. He has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, MarketWatch and more. Contact him at (310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

6. ==> Tigers Love Bubble Baths … More Than Murder

With its tales of big cats and murder, “Tiger King” became one of the most talked-about shows streaming on Netflix during the coronavirus lockdown. Suddenly, tigers are hot! But, as award-winning author Mary K. Savarese will tell you, tigers have a softer, cooler side: they love bubble baths and lapping up Obsession perfume like a cocktail. Mary will explain that tigers are the only big cats that like water. They are also lazy and known to sleep away the day but will sit in a tub with bubbles forever. Mary can also talk about ways your audience can help the reserves that care for big cats and save their lives. It was at one such reserve that Mary, a mystery romance writer, got the idea for her latest book, “Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume.” That happened when she witnessed a 600-pound Siberian Tiger jump into a galvanized tank filled with bubble baths. Contact Mary at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com

7. ==> Weddings in the Age of Coronavirus

Couples spend months or even years planning their big day, but the coronavirus has put the kibosh on many upcoming ceremonies and events. What’s a couple to do? Invite wedding and event planner Lynne Goldberg to discuss how COVID has changed the wedding business and how couples are coping. She says some couples are postponing their event while others are going with a scaled-down virtual version. And others have canceled altogether. Goldberg can share tips for dealing with vendors, what to do with decorations and food and even how to notify your guests. Lynne Goldberg is the president of Boca Entertainment, a full-service wedding and event planning company that specializes in theme entertainment. She has appeared on reality TV and her work and commentary have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post and Wall Street Journal. Contact her at (561) 212-6024; Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com

8. ==> How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person 

Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other people have found themselves cut off from small children whom they would be able to see were it not for the pandemic. Phone calls and Zoom sessions are helpful but can still leave a void, says Laurie Marshall, a longtime educator and grandparent to 2-year-old Oliver who lives in a different state. That is why Laurie created a special book for Oliver to remind him of the experiences they have already shared until they can see each other again and as a permanent keepsake. “Now is the time to be creative,” she says, “for sanity’s sake and to model resourcefulness to children.” Laurie can explain how she quickly and inexpensively put together “The Adventures of Oliver the Penguin,” using a cutout of Oliver’s face superimposed on a penguin and then took photos of the cutout all over her home and added some short descriptive sentences. She says anyone can do something similar even if they think they aren’t creative and can share resources for having your book printed. Contact Laurie Marshall at (415) 360-3304; lmarshall@rtirguests.com

9. ==> From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-Healing Secrets

Countless people in your audience are dealing with diseases and health challenges they never expected, and which hit them seemingly out of the blue. What do you do when such life-impacting issues strike with little warning? First, you can feel confident and empowered that we humans have innate abilities to begin self-healing and strengthening. So says acclaimed physician and speaker Nelie Johnson, M.D., initiator of the forum It’s Time to Heal, which offers an integrative approach to treating illness. Invite this outspoken expert on-air to hear her advice for health and longer life. Learn why self-healing is so powerful and necessary, what kind of messages we receive from our bodies and the link between emotions and disease. Dr. Johnson’s latest book is “The Healing Message of Illness.” Contact Dr. Nelie Johnson at (604) 334-3853; njohnson@rtirguests.com

10. ==> 5 Tips for Anyone Considering a Career Change

You’ve heard that the average person will change careers five to seven times in their lifetime and that millennials are even more likely to do so. Some people will need to switch due to changing market conditions, while others will merely want to do something different. Geraldine Hogan can offer tips for anyone who wants to apply their skills in a new direction. She has already helped thousands of educators, business professionals and entrepreneurs explore new opportunities. She can talk about her own career journey as well. Learn three simple, life-changing questions to ask before making any career move, whether salary should guide your decision, and how to overcome obstacles, hesitation and fear of the unknown. Geraldine is a former educator, attorney and judge and the author of “Career Moves for Teachers and Other Professionals: Strategies for a Successful Job Change.” Contact Geraldine Hogan at (305) 902-3869; ghogan@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Gun Sales are Soaring – Safety and Self-Defense Tips

Gun sales have surged during the pandemic, with an estimated 1.9 million more guns sold in March and April than during the same period last year. Some people buying guns are old-hands worried that supplies might dry up, but many of these buyers are first-timers. Invite Chris Bird to educate your audience about gun safety and self-defense. A sought-after expert on gun rights and personal protection, Chris can answer: Why are gun sales skyrocketing? Do we really need guns more than ever? Why are methods of observation as important as one’s weapon? With 30-plus years of firearm safety experience, Chris Bird is the author of several books including “Surviving a Mass Killer Rampage,” “The Concealed Handgun Manual” and “Thank God I Had a Gun!” Have your listeners call in during the interview with their gun questions. Contact Chris Bird at (210) 686-4440; cbird@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know

Most people buy insurance from a friendly agent for a specific purpose and time frame. But did you know that 90% of all policies end up lapsing before maturity? Or that when you don’t need your policy any longer you could sell it for cash? Chances are you have no idea about the hidden cash value of your policy or that you are paying more than you should be for the policy you have. Interview David Kottler, the Insurance Doctor™, about these and other secrets insurance companies don’t want you to know! He can explain what you need to ask to figure out exactly what your policy is worth. David is the author of “The Best Kept Secret in Your Insurance Policy,” which details everything people need to know to get the most value out of their insurance policies. Contact David Kottler at (216) 532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Fibro Lady Delivers You Pain-Free Living

Every morning Leah McCullough appreciates that she no longer deals with life-impacting pain, fatigue and accompanying depression. But as the sought-after Fibro Lady, so named because she overcame intense fibromyalgia that pained her for decades, she’s on a mission to help other pain sufferers do the same. Invite this informative expert on-air to discuss secrets to upbeat mood and boundless energy as you recover. Leah is the author of “Freedom from Fibromyalgia: 7 Steps to Complete Recovery” and “Eat to Energize.” She also offers the online program Fibro Pain is a Pain (And What You Can Do About It.) Contact her at (859) 279-0413; LMcCullough@rtirguests.com.

14. ==> This Sugar Witch Could Save Your Life

How much sugar have you been eating and drinking? For most people, the answer is “too much” and includes hidden sugars they don’t even know about. These are the This Sugar Witch Could Save Your Life folks who need the good kind of witch — Sugar Witch Marsha Allen — to avoid the harmful effects of sugar overwhelm such as obesity and type-2 diabetes. Marsha will explain how her program can help anyone live a sweeter and longer life without sugar addiction. She’ll discuss how to recognize and avoid surprisingly super-sweet foods, embrace healthier snacks and treats, and prevent cravings that send you onto the sugar highway, keep kids from demanding sweets and more. Marsha is the host of Sugar Addicts on Crown City News TV. She is the author of “Spoiled Rotten on a Diet: Gluten, Sugar & Dairy Free Made Simple.” Contact her at (902) 906-5231; MAllen@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Use a Pencil, Crayon or Pen to Battle Anxiety

Most people today are feeling some degree of overwhelm as daily routines remain suspended and we work on our own versions of the new normal. But, according to Carol Edmonston, aka The Doodle Lady, there is a unique, simple and creative way to deal with this intense stress: take some paper, a pencil or pen and … doodle! The niece of the late cartoonist and children’s book author Syd Hoff, who wrote “Danny and the Dinosaur” and “Sammy the Seal,” among others, Edmonston says doodling is a fun form of mindfulness which allows our spirits to rest, recover and regroup. Edmonston, who attributes overcoming breast cancer twice to what she calls her doodling therapy, has just released the pioneering new book “The Healing Power Of Doodling: Mindfulness Therapy To Deal With Stress, Fear & Life Challenges.” Contact her at (714) 609-4654; carol.edmonston@gmail.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

05/26/20 RTIR Newsletter: Religious Teachings, COVID and Marketing, Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

May 26, 2020

01. Push to Open Churches Contradicts Religious Teaching
02. Would Earlier Intervention Have Saved Thousands of Lives?
03. Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and Sobriety
04. Veteran Journalist: The Kent State Shootings 50 Years Later
05. National Smile Day is Sunday 🙂
06. Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go Back to Work?
07. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
08. World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using Ingredients in Your Kitchen
09. This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID Complications
10. Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves
11. How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19
12. Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?
13. Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic
14. 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents
15. Why We Need to Save the United States Postal Service

1. ==> Push to Open Churches Contradicts Religious Teaching

Several faith leaders are speaking out against
President Donald Trump’s demand that governors allow
churches to reopen while the country still battles the
coronavirus pandemic. According to the activist Rev.
Dr. William Barber II, Trump’s push contradicts a
fundamental tenet of the president’s Christian faith ?
to love your neighbor as yourself. “It’s a violation of
loving your neighbor as yourself to do something that
you know could put your neighbor in harm’s way,” says
Barber. “That’s a fundamental violation.” Barber points
to scripture verses that lash out at people who cling
to religious customs while mistreating the poor,
immigrants and other marginalized people. Barber, co-
chairman of The Poor People’s Campaign, also says that
reopening the country too soon will be at the expense
of poor and low-income working people. “This false
choice, that you have to either open up or go to work
and possibly die, is a choice, it didn’t have to be
this way,” Barber says. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber
II is the president of Repairers of the Breach, co-
chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call
For Moral Revival; bishop with The Fellowship of
Affirming Ministries; visiting professor at Union
Theological Seminary; pastor of Greenleaf Christian
Church, Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, North
Carolina, and the author of four books. Contact him at
(919) 429-6080; (919) 432-4103 or @RevDrBarber

2. ==> Would Earlier Intervention Have Saved Thousands
of Lives?

In a study from Columbia University, disease modelers
found that if physical distancing measures in the U.S.
had begun on March 1, two weeks earlier than most
people started staying home, the vast majority of the
nation’s deaths — about 83 percent — would have been
avoided. Alison Galvani, director of the Center for
Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at Yale
University, says it’s undeniable that a more rapid
implementation of public health intervention would have
saved lives. “The non-linearity of epidemiological
dynamics means that the impact of early action or
inaction is amplified over time as an outbreak
progresses. The window of opportunity for the prompt
containment of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United
States closed while messages of denial were being
propagated by our president. Overall, we were
exceedingly slow to implement control strategies.”
Galvani believes the lifting of distancing measures is
being done prematurely and will “cost thousands upon
thousands of lives. I fear that still many more
Americans will die unless a more sustained and
concerted effort is made to overcome this pandemic.”
Contact Alison Galvani at alison.galvani@gmail.com

3. ==> Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and
Sobriety

COVID-19 has caused numerous physical and mental health
issues and is creating special problems for addicts
trying to maintain sobriety during the pandemic. Even
though she’s 14 years sober, Jennifer Gimenez
recognizes the impact of isolation and stress from the
global health crisis as she works through her own
sobriety. Listeners will recognize Jennifer, a former
supermodel, from the VH1 reality television series
“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and as the sober living
house manager on the spinoff, “Sober House.” She also
appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and
in the film “Blow.” Invite Jennifer on your show to
share her story of sobriety during the coronavirus
crisis and create greater awareness about treatment
options and resources for addicts and those touched by
addiction. Jennifer Gimenez is regularly featured as an
addiction and recovery expert on numerous television
networks and social media platforms. Contact Clarissa
Ford at (646) 843-1828; cford@5wpr.com

4. ==> Veteran Journalist: The Kent State Shootings 50
Years Later

Bob Giles was a young newspaper editor at the Akron
Beacon Journal on the day of the Kent State shootings
on May 4, 1970. Invite him on your show and hear the
story of how he and his staff painstakingly pursued the
truth of the shootings – a tragedy that has haunted the
nation for 50 years and significantly changed the
debate about the Vietnam War. He’ll describe the
turmoil and drama of the newsroom on that fateful day
and on the campus of Kent State University, where the
Ohio National Guard opened fire on students, killing
four and wounding nine others. You’ll hear how
reporters struggled to make sense of the situation and
sort fact from fiction for a horrified world wanting to
know “what” and “why.” After a 40-year newspaper
career, Giles became senior vice president of the
Freedom Forum, executive director of its Media Studies
Center, and curator of the Nieman Foundation for
Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of
“When Truth Mattered: The Kent State Shootings 50 Years
Later.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328;
jboyer@rtirguests.com

5. ==> National Smile Day is Sunday 🙂

The country could be forgiven if its citizens didn’t
feel like smiling much these days; after all, people
are sick and dying from a mysterious contagious disease
and are prohibited from getting too close to each
other, and unemployment is at record levels. Yet it is
because we find ourselves in this dire situation that
it is more important than ever to smile at one another
— even from six-feet apart — says Barry Shore, who is
known as The Ambassador of Joy. Shore will be
celebrating National Smile Day on May 31 and wants
everyone else to join him by starting the day with a
big smile on their faces. Certainly, if there is anyone
who knows how to smile through adversity it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who
in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare
disease. During the 16 years that followed, Shore has
pushed himself to regain much of his functioning even
as he inspires other people to see the joy in their
lives. Shore can also talk about his Keep Smiling
Movement which he co-founded with well-known celebrity
photographer Ken Rochon. Barry hosts “The Joy of
Living” podcast and is founder of the JOY of Living
Institute. He has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox
and in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, MarketWatch and more. Contact him at
(310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

6. ==> Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go
Back to Work?

More than 33 million Americans are out-of-work as a
result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout
the nation, but even as states begin to ease stay-at-
home measures and allow businesses to open up, some
workers remain hesitant to return to their jobs. Some
are worried about on-the-job safety issues or have a
vulnerable family member at home. Others, like some in
the service industry, can make more money on
unemployment right now. According to the Department of
Labor, a general fear of virus exposure is not a valid
reason to not return to work or quit your job and
obtain unemployment benefits. Workplace attorney
Jonathan Bell can discuss the issues involved and what
your listeners’ options and rights are. Jonathan Bell
is a labor and employment attorney and the founder of
Bell Law Group, PLLC in New York City. Contact Mark
Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text);
mark@goldmanmccormick.com

7. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the
IRS!

It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and
chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-
experts” will be doing it until July. Plus they have
already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says
former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard
Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity
he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for
sending out stimulus money, did you realize that
thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks
while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still
awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated
technology and data, is still sending double and even
triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken
payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever
get their money? Find out more when you interview Green
while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak.
Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer
his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues.
Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509;
rgreen@rtirguests.com

8. ==> World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using
Ingredients in Your Kitchen

Before Clint Rogers, Ph.D. spent a decade traveling the
world with the legendary Indian master healer Dr.
Pankaj Naram, the university researcher was a skeptic
when it came to alternative medicine. But after
witnessing Dr. Naram in action and watching him cure
Dr. Clint’s father, the researcher’s attitude changed.
Dr. Naram, who counted among his patients the Dalai
Lama, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela as well as many
ordinary people, passed away on Feb. 19. Sharing Dr.
Naram’s wisdom with people all over the world is Dr.
Clint’s priority and “Ancient Secrets of a Master
Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and
Life’s Greatest Secrets” is his new book. On your show
he’ll discuss how to boost your immune system with
things already in your home, instantly reduce anxiety
and release stress, and reduce blood pressure to normal
in minutes. Listeners will learn ways to ease arthritis
and joint pain with food, improve memory and focus by
pressing certain points on the body and achieve healthy
and lasting weight loss. Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., is a
university researcher whose TEDx talk on Dr. Naram has
been viewed by millions. Dr. Clint designed and taught
with Dr. Naram a university certification course in
Berlin, Germany, for doctors. Contact him at (914)
215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com

9. ==> This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID
Complications

You have probably heard that people with certain health
conditions are more likely to fare poorly if they
contract coronavirus. But did you know that among those
diseases is one that many people do not even know they
have? It’s true; more than 7 million people don’t know
they have diabetes out of the 30 million adults who
have the condition. That is why it is more important
than ever to educate the public about diabetes and how
to manage it with the expert guidance of Nadia Al-
Samarrie, a leading patient advocate in the diabetes
community. Nadia is editor-in-chief of Diabetes Health,
a 400,000-circulation magazine used in hospitals,
diabetes classes and doctors’ offices as an educational
resource for patients, and her AskNadia column is
ranked No. 1 by Google as her DiabetesHealth.com
website. Nadia is also the author of “Sugar Happy: Your
Diabetes Health Guide in Achieving Your Best Blood
Sugars” and “Letting Go of Your Diabetes Complication
Fears.” She has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and
other major cable networks. Contact her at (415)
741-3545; nalsamarrie@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in lockdown, these stresses can explode.
Leadership expert Marc A. Pitman can tell you why
people act the way they do. Using an easy-to-understand
system, he can provide insight into why your team,
staff, or family may be harder to live with right now.
He can explain the different ways people react to
stress and how to help you get through the pandemic and
come out even stronger than before. His forthcoming
book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a
framework for people to move past feeling like a fraud
and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman
at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

11. ==> How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19

Selling, buying, advertising, seeking or offering
deals. All these aspects of marketing are dynamic and
prone to rapid change. No wonder the effects of
COVID-19 are so powerful in today’s marketing arena.
Learn more from Steve McChesney, best-selling author of
“Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing
World.” He’ll explore with your audience his wide
knowledge of marketing facts and fallacies. Among the
many topics he can discuss are: how COVID-19 isolation
is changing our buying and selling habits; why Amazon
is a behemoth that cannot be ignored; and whether
America’s baby boomers have been replaced as the
generation with the most buying power. McChesney will
also explain how and why marketers should sell people
what they want but give them what they need.
McChesney’s new Rearranging Change Podcast is now
available on all major channels. Contact him at (321)
414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?

In the middle of a pandemic, keeping your own medical
records in order is more important than ever. In a
medical emergency, anyone can be rattled enough to
forget important details, finding themselves unable to
answer physicians’ important questions about their
health or that of a loved one. Anne McAwley-LeDuc, a
retired nurse practitioner (APRN), learned this the
hard way after her husband fell down the stairs and
showed signs of paralysis. At the hospital, physicians
sought answers about his medical history but she
couldn’t answer vital questions. McAwley-LeDuc wants to
help others — especially ordinary folks with no medical
background — advocate for themselves and their loved
ones for better and safer health care. She’ll discuss
the role patients play in reducing medical errors, ways
disorganized medical records can be deadly, and why so
few patients keep good medical records or grasp the
need to do so. Anne McAwley-LeDuc developed the
“Personal Health Organizer” to keep essential medical
information in one place and provide a snapshot of your
health history. Contact her at (860) 300-1603;
AMcAwley@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic

Despite the misery COVID-19 times have wrought, we need
to keep in mind that they have also been responsible
for some positive even miraculous things. Let Susan
Shumsky brighten your listeners’ days as she shares the
good things that occurred that we never would have
imagined. New-found respect for teachers and the role
they play in shaping young lives, an enhanced
appreciation for the elderly whose absence from our
lives is palpable, and a worldwide burst in creative
expression are just some of what Susan will talk about.
She’ll also touch on why the pandemic is forcing us to
be more introverted (and that’s good) and to re-
evaluate our priorities and why she says the world is
now operating on a higher vibrational level. Susan
Shumsky has 17 books in print and has proven to be an
enthralling guest during more than 1,200 media
appearances. Contact Susan Shumsky at (917) 336-7184;
SShumsky@rtirguests.com

14. ==> 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

Parenting is never easy but being quarantined with
children while being unemployed or on the pandemic
frontline is making it even harder. Families will
welcome the creative suggestions of educator Laurie
Marshall, suggestions that will help everyone get along
better and safely blow off stress. She’ll share why
parents and kids should put paper bags over their heads
to convey emotions such as anger and silliness, why
families should make a practice of singing and dancing
together, and how taking three deep breaths when they
feel out of control can center parents and interrupt
impulsive behavior that can lead to harming family
members. Marshall is a bullying prevention expert and
the author of multiple books. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 bully-prevention, nature-based murals
with over 25,000 people in schools, nonprofits, and
government agencies (NASA, FEMA, U.S. Botanical
Gardens). Contact Laurie at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Why We Need to Save the United States Postal
Service

House Democrats have included money for the U.S. Postal
Service in the latest $3 trillion stimulus package, but
it’s unclear whether the Senate will act on the
measure. Critics of the USPS say it’s a failing
business, but others, like Richard John, say it was
never meant to be a business. “The Founders intended
the Postal Service to be a pillar of the republic,
binding together millions of Americans, urban and
rural, for the common good. It therefore always had
congressional oversight limiting what management can do
to make a profit. Rather than being mismanaged, the
Postal Service is — and has long been — one of
America’s great successes,” says John, author of
“Spreading the News: The American Postal System from
Franklin to Morse.” Instead of privatizing it, he says
we should take inspiration from the Founders and re-
envision its mission for the 21st century. Some of his
suggestions include expanding the Postal Service to
include high-tech “last mile” capabilities,
reestablishing a low-cost consumer banking system, a
popular service the Postal Service maintained for much
of the 20th century, and rolling out low-cost municipal
broadband. “Rural electrification transformed vast
swaths of the hinterland; might not rural Postal
Services be configured as hubs for the digital economy
of tomorrow?” he asks. In the closer future, John
reminds us the Postal Service will play a crucial role
in ensuring trustworthy mail balloting, a major issue
in the age of COVID-19. Richard John recently wrote the
piece “The Founders never intended the U.S. Postal
Service to be managed like a business” for the
Washington Post. Contact him at rrj2115@columbia.edu

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

05/21/20 RTIR Newsletter: Black Hawk Down Legend, Mental Health Month, Food Shortages

May 21, 2020

01. Great Memorial Day Show: Black Hawk Down Legend
02. Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf Whistle Violence
03. Good News: Lawmakers Move to Protect Your Internet Rights
04. Stimulus Was Supposed to Protect Jobs — We Now Have Record Unemployment
05. Who Buys a Home During a Pandemic?
06. Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19
07. The Pandemic is About to Test Rural America
08. Are We Running Out of Food?
09. Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now
10. May is Mental Health Month: Coping During the Coronavirus
11. How the Pandemic Will Continue to Impact Your Health Once It’s Over
12. 5 Reasons to Go Consignment This Spring
13. Have Cabin Fever? Try Virtual Wine Tastings!
14. Interview a Real-Life ‘Death Whisperer’
15. May 31st is National Smile Day! Go Ahead and Grin

1.==> Great Memorial Day Show: ‘Black Hawk Down’ Legend

As we remember those who gave their lives in service to
our country this Memorial Day, consider a show with
Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Tom Satterly. Depicted in
the 2001 Oscar-winning film, “Black Hawk Down,”
Satterly led hundreds of critical military campaigns,
including Operation Red Dawn, which led to the capture
of Saddam Hussein. For 20-plus years a member of Delta
Force — the most elite and secretive special operations
force in all the U.S. military — he was the recipient
of 64 medals, including five Bronze Stars and two for
Valorous Acts. But the military hero says when he
finally got back home, he struggled to reclaim a life.
He and his wife, Jen, have spent many years in
counseling and therapy battling complex PTSD and are
now not only serving veterans, but first responders in
light of the COVID crisis. As millions of people begin
to emerge from their shelter in place orders and
advance back into what’s left of their dreams, careers,
plans, etc., Tom can share the most important steps in
assessing the damage, prioritizing recovery and moving
forward. Tom Satterly details his and other veterans’
desperate attempts to overcome PTSD, addiction and
other mental health issues in his book “All Secure: A
Delta Force Operator’s Fight to Survive on the
Battlefield and the Homefront.” Contact Jason Jones at
jason@jonesliterary.com

2. ==> Trump’s Incendiary Language and Lone-Wolf
Whistle Violence

For some Americans, President Trump’s language is
incendiary garbage. But does it actually elicit acts of
violence? While nobody would label Trump a gifted
orator, what he says has power and renowned
communication expert Helio Fred Garcia says his
dangerous rhetoric has motivated lone wolves to commit
violence. Invite the author of “Words On Fire: The
Power of Incendiary Language and How to Confront It” to
discuss the language President Trump uses that
conditions an audience to accept, condone, and commit
violence against a targeted group, rival, or critic and
the history of such rhetoric. He’ll explain ‘”one-wolf
whistle violence” — a term he coined to describe
rhetoric that provokes violence on the model of “dog
whistle” politics, where politicians use coded language
that conveys benign meaning to most people, but a
different meaning to members of a certain group or
followers of a certain ideology. Learn the playbook of
12 forms of communication that typically precede acts
of mass violence and how civic leaders and engaged
citizens can hold leaders accountable to prevent such
harm. Helio Fred Garcia is president of the crisis
management firm Logos Consulting Group and is on the
adjunct faculties of New York University and Columbia
University. He is a senior fellow at the Institute of
Corporate Communication at Communication University of
China and a contract lecturer at the Defense
Information School and at the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania. Garcia’s previous books
include “The Agony of Decision: Mental Readiness and
Leadership in a Crisis” and “The Power of
Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty,
and Lead Effectively.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

3. ==> Good News: Lawmakers Move to Protect Your
Internet Rights

Amid all the pandemic news you may have missed last
week’s congressional action to protect Americans’
privacy. Sean VItka, senior policy counsel at Demand
Progress, says the issue involved amendments to the USA
Patriot Act to address FISA surveillance. Vitka can
discuss the two amendments, why they are needed and why
10 Democrats sided with Attorney General Bill Barr and
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and voted
against protecting internet browsing and search
histories with a warrant. He says, “No committee of
jurisdiction marked up or passed the underlying
legislation. Instead, through a backroom deal between
Adam Schiff and Jim Jordan, leadership rammed the USA
FREEDOM Reauthorization Act through the House without
any chance to fix the glaring problems in the
underlying bill.” He adds, “The Lee-Leahy amendment
ensures an independent voice has access to and can
raise issues with FISA surveillance targeting religious
groups, political groups, and the media. The underlying
bill remains broken, but adoption of the Lee-Leahy
amendment represents a privacy victory well beyond what
many believed to be possible.” Demand Progress is an
online grassroots activist group that lobbies to change
policies related to the internet, censorship, civil
rights, freedom of speech, government reform and civil
liberties. The U.S. political action committee serves
as a progressive public advocate for issues and
decisions that impact the public. Contact Sean Vitka at
sean@demandprogress.org or @demandprogress

4.==> Stimulus Was Supposed to Protect Jobs — We Now
Have Record Unemployment

As lawmakers wrangle with details of a third stimulus
package to help the tanked economy, many, including
political scientist Thomas Ferguson, say we need a new,
more thoughtful strategy to move the country forward
and through the coronavirus crisis. He says, “We all
know that the U.S. response to COVID-19 has lagged far
behind other countries. But now a real trap is closing.
The public premise of the government stimulus programs
was that they would be needed only for a short period
and channeling aid to businesses would enable them to
retain workers on their payrolls. So vast sums were
handed out while the Federal Reserve intervened
massively in financial markets. But now unemployment is
soaring, in a country whose health insurance system is
keyed to the workplace. Small businesses are collapsing
and plainly never got much aid. Workers are also
dropping out of the workforce in enormous numbers while
a major health and safety crisis rages. Government
policy has got to address these issues before it’s too
late. It can’t simply grant blanket immunity to
businesses for the sake of a hasty, premature
reopening. A major recalibration of policy is in
order.” Thomas Ferguson is professor emeritus,
University of Massachusetts Boston and the author of
many books and articles on politics and economics,
often within a historical perspective. Contact him at
thomas.ferguson@umb.edu

5. ==> Who Buys a Home During a Pandemic?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, “For Sale” signs
started sprouting up in neighborhoods across the
country, but the virus has brought the real estate
industry to a screeching halt, like many other
businesses. Now that the country is starting to open up
again, will the market rebound? Real estate attorney
Ira Kaufman says according to one survey, up to 80% of
potential home buyers say they’ve postponed or stopped
their search altogether, citing employment concerns and
the inability to visit properties in person. Invite him
to discuss the current real estate market, what buyers
and sellers need to know right now, and whether the
pandemic has changed what buyers are looking for in a
home. Ira Kaufman is a New York-based real estate
attorney with 25 years of experience in leases,
purchase/sales, financing, and development. Contact
Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988; markgoldman73@gmail.com

6. ==> Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

On March 26 Renae Baker was working as a Lyft driver
when she picked up Dr. Frank Gabrin after his shift at
East Orange Hospital in New Jersey. Five days later he
was dead from COVID-19, becoming the first ER doctor in
the country to die from the virus. Baker says they
talked the entire 35-minute ride to his home in New
York City and some of what they discussed may have
saved her own life in the following days. Dr. Gabrin
developed his first symptoms later that morning. Baker
developed hers shortly after and has since recovered.
She will reveal what Dr. Gabrin told her about life
inside the ER during this pandemic, the surprising
thing he and other doctors were seeing at the moment of
COVID-19 deaths, and why he thought this could be an
important spiritual moment in our history. Baker says
they discussed everything from morale among health-care
workers to what happened when nurses got sick and how
doctors were being treated by hospital administrators.
Renae Baker is an author and speaker who has managed a
professional caroling company for decades. She has been
featured on Fox News and many more media outlets.
Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.com

7. ==> The Pandemic is About to Test Rural America

Since the novel coronavirus arrived in the United
States, it has ravaged mainly urban communities and
until very recently, rural America was mostly spared.
Epidemiologist Tara Smith says with their communities
still relatively undisturbed, it is little wonder that
so many rural dwellers remain skeptical of the virus’s
potential to upend their lives, but she warns the
pandemic has only just begun in rural America. Smith
explains how the virus will be slower moving and less
dramatic but will linger in the South and Midwest,
areas that have seen more than 120 hospital closures in
the past decade, leaving them woefully underprepared
for the epidemic. “The loss of hospitals often means
the loss of the medical providers these institutions
employed, leaving fewer health professionals to treat
rural residents, who tend to be in worse health overall
than their urban counterparts.” Tara C. Smith is a
professor of epidemiology at Kent State University in
Ohio. Her research focuses on disease transmission in
rural populations. Contact her at tsmit176@kent.edu;
(330) 672-3946 or @aetiology

8. ==> Are We Running Out of Food?

Grocery stores don’t look the same as they did a few
months ago. Besides one-way aisles, plexiglass barriers
and required mask-wearing, shoppers who venture out
after weeks of social distancing may likely find poorly
stocked shelves and shortages of basic goods. Invite
Maria Concepcion Powell, CEO and president of the U.S-
Women Grocers Association, to discuss what’s happening
with our supply chain and whether we should be worried
about a food shortage. She’ll discuss why millions of
Americans were going hungry before the coronavirus
crisis and offer insight into the role today’s business
and political leaders should play in reshaping our
post-COVID economy so that it serves everyone,
including the most vulnerable. The U.S.-Women Grocers
of America represents female grocers and other women
affiliated with the independent food industry. Maria
Concepcion Powell has over 40 years’ experience in the
food and pharmaceutical industries. Contact her at
(732) 875-6511 or uswga.corporation@gmail.com

9. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

With schools closed, many parents are now their
children’s primary educators, a role for which they are
largely unprepared. Laurie Marshall, a career educator
and author of “Beating the Odds Now” and other books,
says parents can be highly effective at exposing their
children to the rich world around them by paying
attention to two questions whose answers will be
different for each of their children. What brings that
child joy? What fascinates them? Bring Laurie on your
program to hear creative ways parents can be memorable
homeschool teachers by zeroing in on who their child
is. Marshall is a project-based learning and arts
integration specialist who has worked with underserved
youth for over 30 years. Her partners include FEMA and
Project Drawdown, the World’s Leading Resource for
Climate Solutions. She has trained over 6,000 teachers
in project-based learning and facilitated 125 nature-
based murals with over 25,000 people in schools,
nonprofits, and government agencies. Contact Laurie at
(415) 360-3304; lmarshall@rtirguests.com

10. ==> May is Mental Health Month: Coping During the
Coronavirus

According to the World Health Organization, one in
every four people suffers from mental health problems.
The coronavirus can significantly affect mental health
for everyone, but especially for those with mental
illness. Both the anxiety of contracting the disease as
well as the increase in loneliness and isolation can
worsen and trigger symptoms. Even those who don’t have
diagnosed disorders are experiencing sadness, anxiety,
loneliness, stress, and frustration like never before.
Invite psychotherapist Dr. Donna Marks to discuss how
to take this current crisis, when we feel the most
vulnerable, and learn to be as mentally healthy as
possible. “Mental health means balancing thoughts and
feelings, social and alone time, and having the
maturity to make good decisions even when we don’t feel
like it. We don’t have control over the virus, but we
do have control over how we react to external events,”
she says. “Mental health is the choice to work through
feelings and express them in productive ways. Pent-up
emotions can turn into anxiety, anger, depression, and
even suicidal states of mind. It’s also a choice to be
aware of thoughts and to act on the empowering messages
rather than self-destructive ones.” Dr. Donna Marks is
the author of two books: “Exit the Maze – One
Addiction, One Cause, One Cure,” and “Learn, Grow,
Forgive – A Path to Spiritual Success.” A consultant,
educator, public speaker, and instructor of A Course in
Miracles, she has served as an addiction counselor for
more than 30 years. Contact her at (561) 436-9360;
drdonnamarks@gmail.com

11. ==> How the Pandemic Will Continue to Impact Your
Health Once It’s Over

COVID-19 has been a game-changer especially when it
comes to public health. What are some of the likely
aftereffects your listeners should be aware of? Dr.
Annalee Kitay has already found that a great number of
people’s immune systems are compromised from the scare
of this pandemic. She adds, “People may appear healthy
on the outside but due to the incredible stress of this
pandemic, some will need to boost their immune system.”
Dr. Kitay will talk about our body’s systems and the
important communication role the brain plays with those
systems in immune function. She will share information
about the revolutionary protocol she practices and also
trains physicians in. This protocol is one of health
care’s best-kept secrets. She is one of fewer than 50
practitioners in the U.S., who are using Neural
Organization Technique, a proven noninvasive approach
to help people with everything from immune issues,
concussions to learning disabilities and low-back pain.
Dr. Kitay has done research with Kessler Institute and
also practiced with the late Dr. (Robert) Atkins at his
Center for Complementary Medicine in New York City.
Contact Dr. Kitay at (561) 462-4733;
akitay@rtirguests.com

12. ==> 5 Reasons to Go Consignment This Spring

Whether your audience members are buyers, sellers or
just interested in emerging trends, a story on the
booming clothing consignment business is sure to please
when lifestyle journalist Suzanne Wexler is your expert
(she was recently quoted in Reader’s Digest on this
topic). Suzanne will explain how gently used luxury
men’s and women’s clothing became an online super trend
and why Instagram enthusiasts were leading the charge.
Suzanne will offer five reasons why you should start
choosing consignment this spring and will even let your
listeners know how they can select clothes in their
closet for consignment vs. donation, which they can
drop off once social distancing ends. This show idea
works on multiple levels: it’s timely, it’s green and
it’s a way to make money on clothing people no longer
wear while they remain stuck at home. Suzanne is
published in the Huffington Post, National Post,
Bust.com and her work has been syndicated throughout
Canada. She’s been quoted in Goodhousekeeping.com, and
Prevention magazine and provided commentary on CTV
National and Virgin Radio; she has been on more than
200 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Contact her
at (514) 704-0029; suzannawexler@hotmail.com

13. ==> Have Cabin Fever? Try Virtual Wine Tastings!

Being stuck at home in lockdown doesn’t mean all of the
activities you enjoy have to stop. Wineries have
enabled customers to continue to explore new wines with
online wine tastings. Andy Hyman is a tour guide in the
Napa and Sonoma wine country who has shared his passion
for wine with thousands of people from around the
world. Invite him to share information about wine clubs
and online wine tastings so you can get your friends
together for this fun activity. His book, “Snob-Free
Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day,” reveals
how to get the most out of a wine-tasting experience,
how wine is made, and general knowledge about wine.
Hyman has been featured by Sonoma Magazine, the Marin
Independent Journal, Napa Valley Register, North Bay
BIZ magazine, and other radio and print outlets
nationwide. Contact him at (415) 767-1441;
andyhyman@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Interview a Real-Life ‘Death Whisperer’

While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home where her
dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark learned how to
communicate with the deceased. As a result, she
received many valuable lessons about living one’s best
life. “I’ve been called a ‘death whisperer’ because
death speaks to me in many ways,” she says. “People who
have passed over have given me important messages about
life that pertain to everyone. Naturally, as each
person is unique, his or her message is unique. But all
are universal, important and relevant.” Margo is the
author of the critically acclaimed book “Light in the
Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter.” The
book has received glowing reviews from a number of
prominent authors and spiritual leaders, including
Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at (484) 928-7824;
MLenmark@rtirguests.com

15. ==> May 31 is National Smile Day! Go Ahead and Grin

The country could be forgiven if its citizens didn’t
feel like smiling much these days; after all, people
are sick and dying from a mysterious contagious disease
and are prohibited from getting too close to each
other, and unemployment is at record levels. Yet it is
because we find ourselves in this dire situation that
it is more important than ever to smile at one another
— even from six-feet apart — says Barry Shore, who is
known as The Ambassador of Joy. Shore will be
celebrating National Smile Day on May 31 and wants
everyone else to join him by starting the day with a
big smile on their faces. Certainly, if there is anyone
who knows how to smile through adversity it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who
in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare
disease. During the 16 years that followed, Shore has
pushed himself to regain much of his functioning even
as he inspires other people to see the joy in their
lives. Shore can also talk about his Keep Smiling
Movement which he co-founded with well-known celebrity
photographer Ken Rochon. Barry hosts “The Joy of
Living” podcast and is the founder of the JOY of Living
Institute. He’s been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and
in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-
Gazette, MarketWatch and more. Contact him at (310)
770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

05/19/20 RTIR Newsletter: Media Scare Tactics, Confidence in a Pandemic, Respecting Women

May 19, 2020

01. Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19
02. ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film & TV Series
03. Former NYT Reporter: Media & Governors Trying to Scare Public
04. Doc Says It’s Too Late for Contract Tracing
05. Basics of the Payroll Protection Program Explained
06. How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage
07. Changing Careers Now: Tips from a Pro
08. The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives
09. 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in Pandemic Times
10. 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic Overload
11. From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-Healing Secrets
12. The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad for You
13. How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me Too’ Age
14. We All Need a Little Self-Love Right Now
15. Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better

1.==> Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

On March 26th Renae Baker was working as a Lyft driver
when she picked up Dr. Frank Gabrin after his shift at
East Orange Hospital in New Jersey. Five days later he
was dead from COVID-19, becoming the first ER doctor in
the country to die from the virus. Baker says they
talked the entire 35-minute ride to his home in New
York City and some of what they discussed may have
saved her own life in the following days. Dr. Gabrin
developed his first symptoms later that morning. Baker
developed hers shortly after and has since recovered.
She will reveal what Dr. Gabrin told her about life
inside the ER during this pandemic, the surprising
thing he and other doctors were seeing at the moment of
COVID-19 deaths, and why he thought this could be an
important spiritual moment in our history. Baker says
they discussed everything from morale among health-care
workers to what happened when nurses got sick and how
doctors were being treated by hospital administrators.
Renae Baker is an author and speaker who has managed a
professional caroling company for decades. She has been
featured on Fox News and many more media outlets.
Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.com

2. ==> ‘Kung Fu’ Cast Member on New Film & TV Series

You may have read the recent announcements in The
Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, The Wrap, etc.,
that the “Kung Fu” Movie is in the works! Universal has
optioned the 1970s martial arts western television show
and is developing it as a big-screen property with
director David Leitch. In addition, “Hobbs & Shaw”
filmmakers will also produce the adaptation of the ’70s
TV series over at Warner Bros. Radames Pera, who played
Caine “Grasshopper” throughout the series, is the only
remaining cast member alive. Invite him on your show to
discuss the series which ran from 1972 to 1975 and
starred David Carradine as a monk who came to the
American West in search of his half-brother. Kung Fu
gained a cult following and injected the phrase “young
grasshopper” into the pop culture lexicon via
flashbacks to Caine’s training as a teenager. Pera also
had a recurring role on “Little House on the Prairie”
and appeared on “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The
Waltons,” “Hawaii Five-O” and other TV shows. Radames
Pera is available via Skype or phone from France, where
he took his family when the COVID pandemic began.
Contact Harlan Boll at hboll@rtirguests.com

3. == > Former NYT Reporter: Media & Governors Trying
to Scare Public

Former New York Times reporter and author Alex Berenson
is taking a lot of heat for recent tweets and comments
about the coronavirus lockdowns. Berenson says he’s
been overwhelmed by emails. Some of them bash his view
that the pandemic shouldn’t be feared, but he says most
come from people who are sick of feeling mocked and
told they’re stupid for their sincere beliefs about the
dangers of the lockdowns. Berenson says the truth is in
data, facts and science. “The hysterics have been
wrong. They know it, whether they admit it or not.
Except for the most at-risk populations – who should be
the focus of our protective efforts – #COVID looks to
be a minor risk. And with every day that goes by, every
state and country that reopens without catastrophe, the
lockdowns appear more insane,” he says. “So, the media
(and the lockdown governors) are stretching further and
further to try to scare people – the recent pediatric
stuff being only the grossest example.” Alex Berenson
is a former New York Times reporter and the author of
“Tell Your Children: The Truth about Marijuana, Mental
Illness and Violence.” Contact him at
alexberensonauthor@gmail.com or
SSPublicity@simonandschuster.com

4.==> Doc Says It’s Too Late for Contract Tracing

Hoover Institution senior fellow Dr. Scott Atlas says
that using contact tracing as a prerequisite for
reopening U.S. cities forced into lockdown by the
coronavirus pandemic is “simply illogical.” “Contact
tracing is an important tool for public health
pandemics, but not now,” Atlas explains, “not in this
stage when millions and millions of people already have
the virus.” Atlas says, “It’s sort of a completely
illogical use of this very important tool. Contact
tracing is useful when a new pandemic starts very early
in a very focused small group like it did in South
Korea at the beginning of all this.” Contact tracing
has been a significant talking point in the debate
surrounding the reopening of many U.S. states, but
Atlas — the former neuroradiology chief at Stanford
Medical Center — called that debate “another example
of what’s happening in this whole narrative,” where
proposed actions are not proven effective by data.”
Atlas is the David and Joan Traitel Senior Fellow of
the Hoover Institution and a member of Hoover
Institution’s Working Group on Health Care Policy. The
Hoover Institution is an American public policy think
tank and research institution located at Stanford
University. Contact Dr. Scott Atlas at
swatlas@stanford.edu

5. ==> Basics of the Payroll Protection Program
Explained

Small business owners trying to take advantage of the
Payroll Protection Program (PPP) can find the process
and rules confusing. Invite L.A. tax attorney Dennis
Brager to discuss the Small Business Association’s
guidelines for forgiveness and the seven most important
rules. “The SBA has laid out its guidelines, but after
reviewing their Forgiveness Application, there may be
questions remaining,” explains Brager. “I’ve taken the
initiative of breaking down some of the highlights in
their document in an effort to help those who have been
granted assistance to understand the rules for paying
back the money.” Brager says the rules are changing
literally daily, and he suggests borrowers check
frequently for changes to the PPP forgiveness
guidelines since they are likely to shift frequently.
Dennis Brager is a California State Bar Certified Tax
Specialist, and a former senior trial attorney for the
Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel. He
has appeared on ABC Television’s “Good Morning
America,” “Fox Business News,” “TV One Access,” “KFWB
Money 101,” and KABC’s “The Larry Elder Show.” Contact
Cherie Kerr at cherie@kerrpr-execuprov.com; (714)
271-2140

6. ==> How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a
Living Wage

Right now, college students are hunkered down at home
taking online classes, most likely until the fall. But
as former college professor Glen Dunzweiler will tell
you, a return to “normal” is not going to cut it
because the way things have been done does not lead to
a secure future for most student’s post-graduation.
Invite Glen to discuss ways educators, parents and
others who care about the next generation have to teach
every college student about entrepreneurship so they
can hold their future in their own hands and earn a
living wage. He’ll share why all students need an exit
strategy and a clear idea of how they intend to
monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a
former college professor, a documentarian and the
author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In
Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.”
Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219;
GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Changing Careers Now: Tips from a Pro

Millions of Americans are now out of work. Some won’t
have a job to return to after the pandemic, while
others may find their previous career no longer serves
their needs. Geraldine Hogan will offer tips for anyone
who wants — or needs — to apply their skills in a new
direction. She has already helped thousands of
educators; business professionals and entrepreneurs
explore new opportunities. She can talk about her own
career journey as well. Learn three simple, life-
changing questions to ask before making any career
move, whether salary should guide your decision, and
how to overcome obstacles, hesitation and fear of the
unknown. Geraldine is a former educator, attorney and
judge and the author of “Career Moves for Teachers and
Other Professionals: Strategies for a Successful Job
Change.” Contact Geraldine Hogan at (305) 902-3869;
ghogan@rtirguests.com

8. == > The Simple Daily Ritual That Saves Lives

It is something that anyone can do. It is free. It
doesn’t require special equipment. Even children can do
it. It can be done at work, in bed, on the floor or in
a chair. And it can be lifesaving. It is the daily
ritual that could save your life, yet most people do
not practice it. John Sambalino can explain how you can
make meditation the daily ritual that helps improve
your health, relationships, job performance and mood,
and how he has even used meditation to help prison
inmates avoid future crimes. John will also discuss how
its calmness reduces stress, helps you deal with
deadlines, leads to better sleep, and even boosts
memory. He is the author of “Is God in That Bottle Cap?
A Search for Truth.” Ask him: Why do so many
celebrities practice meditation? How has meditation
helped people face the coronavirus epidemic? What are
some common myths that keep people from trying
meditation? Contact John Sambalino at (856) 245-5062;
jsambalino@rtirguests.com

9. ==> 5 Ways to Find Clarity and Confidence in
Pandemic Times

Life during the coronavirus pandemic has brought with
it accelerated change; jobs have been lost, hours have
been cut, relatives and neighbors have sickened and
died, and comfortable routines involving socializing,
entertainment, religious attendance and even grocery
shopping have been upended. And while no one ever knows
the future, for many it appears confusing, fuzzy and
scary but at the same time, it presents an opportunity
to regroup and focus on the next steps. Cindy Cipriani
offers tools for navigating through this unprecedented
period when life feels like it is spinning out of
control using her 5C solution. You’ll learn how your
hand can help you make wise choices in a moment of
chaos, three steps for gaining greater clarity in
deciding what you want and need and ways making
commitments can help you move from stuck to unstuck.
Cipriani will explain how to use the 5Cs in a range of
circumstances from adapting a business to breaking free
from domestic violence. Cindy Cipriani is an award-
winning business owner, keynote speaker, author and
clarity coach. The founder of the Clear Path Institute,
she helps individuals and families create healthy
relationships and trains business and sales teams to be
more successful. Her latest book is “The 5C Solution:
Discover Clarity & Confidence in Times of Change.”
Contact her at (856) 534-7070; cindycip1@gmail.com

10. ==> 5 Realistic Tips for Coping with Pandemic
Overload

More than two months into the COVID-19 pandemic people
are starting to get antsy for a return to normalcy.
Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY), an author, certified exercise
physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter,
has found that his corporate clients are now seeking
his advice on coping strategies they can offer their
employees to lessen information overload and feelings
of isolation. Odeh, who is also an on- and off-road
marathoner, says, “Surviving in the age of COVID-19 is
akin to running a marathon … and there are five daily
steps you can take to train for living in pandemic
times.” Odeh’s suggestions include reading the news
instead of watching it, focusing on what’s going on in
the moment instead of worrying about the future, and
spending time on things you can control like your
health and wellness. He’ll also discuss the benefits of
soaking in a little sunshine sans sunscreen and ways to
keep active, no matter what your schedule or
circumstance. Odeh is the author of the three-volume
series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770)
773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com

11. ==> From Viruses to Migraines and Beyond – Self-
Healing Secrets

Countless people in your audience (and studio) are
dealing with diseases and health challenges they never
expected, and which hit them seemingly out of the blue.
What do you do when such life-impacting issues strike
with little warning? First, you can feel confident and
empowered that we humans have innate abilities to begin
self-healing and strengthening. So says acclaimed
physician and speaker Nelie Johnson, M.D., initiator of
the forum It’s Time to Heal, which offers an
integrative approach to treating illness. Invite this
outspoken expert on-air to hear her advice for health
and longer life. Learn why self-healing is so powerful
and necessary, what kind of messages we receive from
our bodies and the link between emotions and disease.
Dr. Johnson’s latest book is “The Healing Message of
Illness.” Contact Dr. Nelie Johnson at (604) 334-3853;
njohnson@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad
for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
eBook, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers
Guide to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,”
published by Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413)
225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

13. ==> How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me
Too’ Age

As a single dad of two young boys, Pastor Eric
Hawthorne is especially aware of the pressures young
males face to be “one of the boys” when it comes to how
they treat girls. “That’s why it’s crucial for boys to
have dads and other strong male role models who set
examples about how to respect women,” he says. Pastor
Eric can share tips for how to raise boys to be
gentlemen in this complex modern age. He is the second-
generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance Ministries in
Richardson, Texas, and the author of the upcoming book
“Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact Eric at 214)
225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

14. ==> We All Need a Little Self-Love Right Now

Social distancing may help slow the spread of the
coronavirus, but it has left many people feeling
isolated and lonely. We crave the comfort of friends
and family during difficult times, yet we can’t embrace
them right now, which can be distressing and
disorienting. “It’s hard to stay grounded when the
world seems to be spinning out of control,” says Joffre
McClung. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to
be kind to yourself and practice habits that support
you and promote a positive outlook.” Whether you’re an
essential worker on the frontlines, holed up with kids
and a spouse, or you’re quarantined alone, Joffre can
share tips to practice self-love during this pandemic.
Learn ways to incorporate meditation into your daily
life, how to get to know yourself better, and why
having fun and experiencing joy should be considered
life-sustaining needs right now. Joffre McClung has
appeared on numerous radio and TV programs. She’s a
former media producer, independent filmmaker, and the
author of “The Heart of the Matter.” Contact Joffre
McClung at (917) 994-0225; JMcClung@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better

As we get older, we may not realize that things should
get better. With awareness, maturity, experience, and
motivation going for us, the second half of life offers
extraordinary opportunities and satisfaction. That’s
the message of Joe Swinger, who specializes in helping
adults in midlife enjoy the VIP life — one marked by
greater vibrancy, impact and purpose. He’ll discuss
what you should focus on (besides money) as you
approach and dive into retirement and offer ideas for
aging boomers who want to make a difference, recreate
and stay relevant. Joe created the Silver Linings
Network to encourage happiness, success and emotional
health in midlife and later years. Contact Joe Swinger
at (801) 865-7748: joeswinger@RTIRguests.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

5/14/20 RTIR Newsletter: Saving the Post Office, National Smile Day, Grieving in Isolation

May 14, 2020

01. Why We Need to Save the United States Postal Service
02. Avoid These Places to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
03. Can You Collect Unemployment if You Refuse to Go Back to Work?
04. Lessons on Isolation and Humanity in a Family’s Letters from Hiding
05. National Smile Day! You Know You Need it!
06. How to Help Kids and Teens Cope with COVID-19
07. Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves
08. M.D. Shares 7 Essential Tools to Survive the Pandemic
09. How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19
10. The Millennial’s Guide to Being a Better Boss
11. Have Cabin Fever? Try Virtual Wine Tastings!
12. More Time on Devices Means More Eye Strain
13. Grieving in Isolation: How Hypnosis Can Help
14. Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2 Choices
15. When Exes Fight Over a Frozen Embryo

1.==> Why We Need to Save the United States Postal Service

House Democrats have included money for the U.S. Postal
Service in the latest $3 trillion stimulus package, but
it’s unclear whether the Senate will act on the
measure. Critics of the USPS say it’s a failing
business, but others, like Richard John, say it was
never meant to be a business. “The Founders intended
the Postal Service to be a pillar of the republic,
binding together millions of Americans, urban and
rural, for the common good. It therefore always had
congressional oversight limiting what management can do
to make a profit. Rather than being mismanaged, the
Postal Service is — and has long been — one of
America’s great successes,” says John, author of
“Spreading the News: The American Postal System from
Franklin to Morse.” Instead of privatizing it, he says
we should take inspiration from the Founders and re-
envision its mission for the 21st century. Some of his
suggestions include expanding the Postal Service to
include high-tech “last mile” capabilities,
reestablishing a low-cost consumer banking system, a
popular service the Postal Service maintained for much
of the 20th century, and rolling out low-cost municipal
broadband. “Rural electrification transformed vast
swaths of the hinterland; might not rural Postal
Services be configured as hubs for the digital economy
of tomorrow?” he asks. In the closer future, John
reminds us the Postal Service will play a crucial role
in ensuring trustworthy mail balloting, a major issue
in the age of COVID-19. Richard John recently wrote the
piece “The Founders never intended the U.S. Postal
Service to be managed like a business” for the
Washington Post. Contact him at rrj2115@columbia.edu

2. ==> Avoid These Places to Protect Yourself from
COVID-19

As people start heading back out into a world where the
coronavirus lurks invisibly, many wonder where they can
safely roam. Where are you most at danger of
contracting COVID-19? The supermarket? The subway? What
about in an office? University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth biology professor Erin Bromage says five main
sources account for 90 percent of all transmission: the
home, workplace, public transportation, social
gatherings and restaurants. So, what makes those places
dangerous? Bromage says they are all enclosed places
with poor air circulation. He says if you find yourself
in a spot that makes you feel uncomfortable, spend as
little time as you can there, or walk away, preferably
outside. He says people should be particularly aware of
the noise level where they go. Studies have found that
when someone speaks loudly, more virus gets into the
air and it travels farther, making noisy, crowded spots
particularly dangerous right now. Contact Erin Bromage
at erin.bromage@umassd.edu or (508) 999-8218

3. ==> Can You Collect Unemployment if You Refuse to Go
Back to Work?

More than 33 million Americans are out-of-work as a
result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout
the nation, but even as states begin to ease stay-at-
home measures and allow businesses to open up, some
workers remain hesitant to return to their jobs. Some
are worried about on-the-job safety issues or have a
vulnerable family member at home. Others, like some in
the service industry, can make more money on
unemployment right now. According to the Department of
Labor, a general fear of virus exposure is not a valid
reason to not return to work or quit your job and
obtain unemployment benefits. Workplace attorney
Jonathan Bell can discuss the issues involved and what
your listeners’ options and rights are. Jonathan Bell
is a labor and employment attorney and the founder of
Bell Law Group, PLLC in New York City. Contact Mark
Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text);
mark@goldmanmccormick.com

4.==> Lessons on Isolation and Humanity in a Family’s
Letters from Hiding

For an interesting perspective on our pandemic
predicament where millions of people are isolating and
in fear for their lives, invite Daphne Geismar on your
show and hear what her family’s experience hiding in a
church attic for two years during the Holocaust can
teach us about isolation and humanity. Geismar says an
extraordinary cache of letters and documents from her
family’s ordeal reveals experiences of isolation, fear
and uncertainty that, although incomparable, have
particular resonance today. “While the experiences of
my family, and the others who were persecuted across
German-occupied Europe, are unparalleled, their fears
and struggles nonetheless anticipate aspects of our
lives amid the global pandemic. They also provide a
moral compass and reference point for understanding the
suffering in this moment,” she says. Daphne Geismar is
a teacher, researcher, and book designer. She is the
author of “Invisible Years: A Family’s Collected
Account of Separation and Survival during the Holocaust
in the Netherlands.” Contact Lissa Warren at (617)
233-2853 (cell); LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com or
@Lissa_Warren

5. ==> National Smile Day! You Know You Need it!

The country could be forgiven if its citizens didn’t
feel like smiling much these days; after all, people
are sick and dying from a mysterious contagious disease
and are prohibited from getting too close to each
other, and unemployment is at record levels. Yet it is
because we find ourselves in this dire situation that
it is more important than ever to smile at one another
— even from six-feet apart — says Barry Shore, who is
known as The Ambassador of Joy. Shore will be
celebrating National Smile Day on May 31 and wants
everyone else to join him by starting the day with a
big smile on their faces. Certainly, if there is anyone
who knows how to smile through adversity it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who
in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare
disease. During the 16 years that followed, Shore has
pushed himself to regain much of his functioning even
as he inspires other people to see the joy in their
lives. Shore can also talk about his Keep Smiling
Movement which he co-founded with well-known celebrity
photographer Ken Rochon. Barry hosts “The Joy of
Living” podcast and is founder of the JOY of Living
Institute. He’s been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and
in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-
Gazette, MarketWatch and more. Contact him at (310)
770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

6. ==> How to Help Kids and Teens Cope with COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis is causing a rise in mental health
issues for adults, but teens are also suffering.
Instead of experiencing formative coming-of-age moments
like prom and graduation, some young people find
themselves grappling with issues like anxiety,
substance abuse and eating disorders. And for those who
already have mental health issues or special needs, the
pandemic is bringing new challenges to treatment.
Jenney Wilder is the founder of AllKindsOfTherapy.com,
an online resource that helps families research,
compare and evaluate various treatment programs
available for children and teens. A former therapy
consultant, Jenney has visited and evaluated hundreds
of programs and can offer advice to parents of children
and teens who may be struggling with stress, anxiety or
other mental health issues due to COVID-19.
AllKindsofTherapy.com is an independent, comprehensive
directory that compares treatment options. Contact John
Angelo at john@premieretv.com

7. ==> Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in lockdown, these stresses can explode.
Leadership expert Marc A. Pitman can tell you why
people act the way they do. Using an easy-to-understand
system, he can provide insight into why your team,
staff, or family may be harder to live with right now.
He can explain the different ways people react to
stress and how to help you get through the pandemic and
come out even stronger than before. His forthcoming
book, ” The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a
framework for people to move past feeling like a fraud
and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman
at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

8. ==> M.D. Shares 7 Essential Tools to Survive the
Pandemic

Are the “what-ifs” of the current COVID-19 pandemic
driving you crazy? Steven Hall, M.D., can share the
keys to physically and mentally surviving these scary
times. “When life becomes uncertain, it’s easy to
become undone,” he says. “With everything that is going
on in the world right now, it’s understandable how our
emotions get the better of us.” Dr. Steven can guide
audiences through seven simple yet powerful tools that
can keep them safe, sane, and resilient, even in the
most difficult times. He has been practicing family
medicine since 1985. He is the co-creator of the online
class Fostering Resilience in Uncertain Times and the
author of “The 7 Tools of Healing: Unlock Your Inner
Wisdom and Live the Life Your Soul Desires.” Contact
Dr. Steven at (425) 531-3684; shall@rtirguests.com

9. ==> How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19

Selling, buying, advertising, seeking or offering
deals. All these aspects of marketing are dynamic and
prone to rapid change. No wonder the effects of
COVID-19 are so powerful in today’s marketing arena.
Learn more from Steve McChesney, best-selling author of
“Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing
World.” He’ll explore with your audience his wide
knowledge of marketing facts and fallacies. Among the
many topics he can discuss are: how COVID-19 isolation
is changing our buying and selling habits; why Amazon
is a behemoth that cannot be ignored; and whether
America’s baby boomers have been replaced as the
generation with the most buying power. McChesney will
also explain how and why marketers should sell people
what they want but give them what they need.
McChesney’s new Rearranging Change Podcast is now
available on all major channels. Contact him at (321)
414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com

10. ==> The Millennial’s Guide to Being a Better Boss

Today’s millennials are 20-40 years old and are already
half of the country’s workforce. Many millennials are
ready to become managers and leaders within their
fields. But in many cases, they will be taking that
step without anyone having told them what to expect and
how to be successful, notes Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D.,
a clinical psychologist and consultant who spent two
decades working with students at Columbia University
and George Washington University. Invite her on your
show to share tips on preparing to become a manager or
leader, how to hire and mentor strong staffers, ways to
deal with challenging staff members, and how to handle
social media at work. Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D., MPH,
is the author of “Millennials’ Guide to Management and
Leadership,” and “Millennials’ Guide to Work.” Her
diverse career includes a stint in the U.S. military,
working with nonprofit health-care organizations, and
teaching in higher education. Contact her at (503)
484-5679; jennifer@leadwithwisdom.com

11. ==> Have Cabin Fever? Try Virtual Wine Tastings!

Being stuck at home in lockdown doesn’t mean all the
activities you enjoy have to stop. Wineries have
enabled customers to continue to explore new wines with
online wine tastings. Andy Hyman is a tour guide in the
Napa and Sonoma wine country who has shared his passion
for wine with thousands of people from around the
world. Invite him to share information about wine clubs
and online wine tastings so you can get your friends
together for this fun activity. His book, “Snob-Free
Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day,” reveals
how to get the most out of a wine-tasting experience,
how wine is made, and general knowledge about wine.
Hyman has been featured by Sonoma Magazine, the Marin
Independent Journal, Napa Valley Register, North Bay
BIZ magazine, and other radio and print outlets
nationwide. Contact him at (415) 767-1441;
andyhyman@rtirguests.com

12. ==> More Time on Devices Means More Eye Strain

From cellphones to tablets to TV screens and laptops,
more of us are spending additional hours staring at
screens, risking eye strain, and worse. How can we
protect our vision now to avoid problems later? In the
blink of an eye, get the answer from vision educator
Linda Odubayo Thompson. Just in time for Healthy Vision
Month in May, she can talk about everything from
artificial tears to resting your eyes, to cutting down
on screen time and when to see an eye doctor. She can
also debunk five misguided myths about eyesight. As the
child of visually impaired parents, Linda knows not to
take her vision for granted; she has suffered from
glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at (914)
229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Grieving in Isolation: How Hypnosis Can Help
Help

Grief is never an easy process, but when you add the
coronavirus and not being allowed to be with your loved
one as they pass, loss has been brought to an entirely
new level. Traditional funerals, wakes and shivas add
comfort and surround you with support but they’re now
off-limits too, leaving mourners feeling totally alone
and on their own. Mary Beth Battaglia, a hypnosis and
sound practitioner, will share hypnosis techniques that
can help with the grieving process and explain how the
relaxed hypnotic state helps release sadness, loss,
pain and guilt. She’ll also reveal how hypnosis helped
her heal and move forward after her own personal
losses. Mary Beth Battaglia has appeared on Fox News
and offers hypnosis tips on her show Conversations with
Joan. She is the author of “Transformation Through
Hypnosis: Relax, Clear Your Mind And Step Into Your
Power.” Contact her at (201) 477-0265;
marybethpeace@gmail.com

14. ==> Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2
Choices

All things in life—our challenges, decisions, and
efforts—involve making “Just 2 Choices.” Do we answer
yes or no? Do we move ahead or stay put? Do we like or
dislike something? Even as the pandemic forces many
changes on society, we can still be empowered and even
comforted by this binary concept. That’s the message of
radio host Rico Racosky, author of the bestselling book
“Just 2 Choices,” who will help your listeners navigate
today’s new reality. Whether he’s talking about moving
your life from uncertainty to clarity (When will it be
safe to go out? Will our jobs ever be the same?) or
replacing doubt with peace of mind (believing that
we’ll return to the familiar, the fun and the free)
rests with two options to choose from. Known as
America’s “New Story Guy,” Rico can also help listeners
obtain his free downloads that promote clear thinking.
Contact him at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests.com

15. ==> When Exes Fight Over a Frozen Embryo

Recent news stories have explored the issue of frozen
embryos caught in the crossfire of couples who have
uncoupled. Fertilized during happier times, these
embryos may remain in limbo forever and rack up storage
fees if the couples cannot agree on their future. Or,
as Nate Birt advises, the couple can agree to let the
frozen embryo be adopted by someone else, a possibility
they may not have considered. Learn more when you
interview Nate, whose daughter began life as another
couple’s frozen embryo. Nate is the author of “Frozen,
But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide
to Embryo Adoption.” Ask him: What are some of the
controversies that surround frozen embryos? Are
fertilized embryos people or property? How costly is it
to adopt such an embryo? Contact Nate Birt at (417)
221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

05/12/20 RTIR Newsletter: Rural America and the Pandemic, Industry of Politics, Combating Disease Dread

May 12, 2020

01. The Pandemic is About to Test Rural America
02. Are We Running Out of Food?
03. The Dangers of Reimagining Education after the Pandemic
04. The Industry of Politics: Is it Possible to Break Partisan Gridlock?
05. 5 Reasons to Go Consignment This Spring
06. Tigers Love Bubble Baths … More Than Murder
07. Your Smartphone, Bathroom Scale and Other Ways to Teach Kids Math at Home
08. How the Pandemic Will Continue to Impact Your Health Once It’s Over
09. Why Churches Are More Important Than Ever During COVID-19
10. The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving the Pandemic
11. 5 Easy Ways to Combat Eco-Anxiety and Disease Dread
12. The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad for You
13. Interview a Real-Life ‘Death Whisperer’
14. Become an Author While Sheltering in Place
15. How to Be an Astrologer: Everything You Need to Know

1. ==> The Pandemic is About to Test Rural America

Since the novel coronavirus arrived in the United
States, it has ravaged mainly urban communities and
until very recently, rural America was mostly spared.
Epidemiologist Tara Smith says with their communities
still relatively undisturbed, it is little wonder that
so many rural dwellers remain skeptical of the virus’s
potential to upend their lives, but she warns the
pandemic has only just begun in rural America. Smith
explains how the virus will be slower moving and less
dramatic but will linger in the South and Midwest,
areas that have seen more than 120 hospital closures in
the past decade, leaving them woefully underprepared
for the epidemic. “The loss of hospitals often means
the loss of the medical providers these institutions
employed, leaving fewer health professionals to treat
rural residents, who tend to be in worse health overall
than their urban counterparts.” Tara C. Smith is a
professor of epidemiology at Kent State University in
Ohio. Her research focuses on disease transmission in
rural populations. Contact her at tsmit176@kent.edu;
(330) 672-3946 or @aetiology

2. ==> Are We Running Out of Food?

Grocery stores don’t look the same as they did a few
months ago. Besides one-way aisles, plexiglass barriers
and required mask-wearing, shoppers who venture out
after weeks of social distancing may likely find poorly
stocked shelves and shortages of basic goods. Invite
Maria Concepcion Powell, CEO and president of the U.S-
Women Grocers Association, to discuss what’s happening
with our supply chain and whether we should be worried
about a food shortage. She’ll discuss why millions of
Americans were going hungry before the coronavirus
crisis and offer insight into the role today’s business
and political leaders should play in reshaping our
post-COVID economy so that it serves everyone,
including the most vulnerable. The U.S.-Women Grocers
of America represents female grocers and other women
affiliated with the independent food industry. Maria
Concepcion Powell has over 40 years’ experience in the
food and pharmaceutical industries. Contact her at
(732) 875-6511 or uswga.corporation@gmail.com

3. == > The Dangers of Reimagining Education after the
Pandemic

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has tapped a second
billionaire to “reinvent” education in New York State
after the pandemic. Cuomo reportedly sees distance
learning as “the wave of the future,” and has enlisted
Bill Gates and Eric Schmidt of Google as his advisers.
Diane Ravitch, a historian of education at New York
University, says it’s a huge mistake. “Parents want to
return to work, students want to see their teachers and
their friends, and they want to return to their
activities and sports. Teachers want to see their
students. No one but Cuomo—and probably Bill Gates and
Eric Schmidt—wants remote learning to become
permanent.” She adds, “Why doesn’t Gov. Cuomo listen to
parents and teachers and students, who will tell him to
reinvent schools by fully funding them? They want
smaller class sizes, well-maintained facilities,
experienced teachers, a well-stocked library with a
librarian, programs in the arts, a nurse and social
worker and guidance counselor in every school.” Diane
Ravitch is the author of several books including “Reign
of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and
the Danger to America’s Public Schools.” Contact her at
gardendr@gmail.com; @DianeRavitch

4. ==> The Industry of Politics: Is it Possible to
Break Partisan Gridlock?

No one would argue that today’s political climate
doesn’t serve us very well as Americans. Discuss the
industry of politics and how political innovation can
break partisan gridlock with Harvard economist Michael
Porter and former CEO Katherine Gehl. The pair can
discuss key areas of nonpartisan change, political
innovation, and action that could improve America’s
political system and ability to compete globally. From
improving how we hold elections to changing legislative
rules and ending the current duopoly of political
parties, Porter and Gehl say Democrats and Republicans
need to operate under a potential threat from
competitors. Katherine M. Gehl was president and CEO of
Gehl Foods, a $250 million, high-tech food
manufacturing company in Wisconsin. She’s a business
leader, writer, speaker, and political innovation
activist. Michael E. Porter is the Bishop William
Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business
School and the author of 19 books. Together they’ve
written “The Politics Industry: How Political
Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our
Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703)
646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or
Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

5. ==> 5 Reasons to Go Consignment This Spring

Whether your audience members are buyers, sellers or
just interested in emerging trends, a story on the
booming clothing consignment business is sure to please
when lifestyle journalist Suzanne Wexler is your expert
(she was recently quoted in Reader’s Digest on this
topic). Suzanne will explain how gently used luxury
men’s and women’s clothing became an online super trend
and why Instagram enthusiasts were leading the charge.
Suzanne will offer five reasons why you should start
choosing consignment this spring and will even let your
listeners know how they can select clothes in their
closet for consignment vs. donation, which they can
drop off once social distancing ends. This show idea
works on multiple levels: it’s timely, it’s green and
it’s a way to make money on clothing people no longer
wear while they remain stuck at home. Suzanne is
published in the Huffington Post, National Post,
Bust.com and her work has been syndicated throughout
Canada. She’s been quoted in Goodhousekeeping.com, and
Prevention magazine and provided commentary on CTV
National and Virgin Radio; she has been on more than
200 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Contact her
at (514) 704-0029; suzannawexler@hotmail.com

6. ==> Tigers Love Bubble Baths … More Than Murder

With its tales of big cats and murder, “Tiger King” is
one of the most talked-about shows streaming on
Netflix. Suddenly, tigers are hot! But, as award-
winning author Mary K. Savarese will tell you, tigers
have a softer, cooler side: they love bubble baths and
lapping up Obsession perfume like a cocktail. Mary will
explain that tigers are the only big cats that like
water. They are also lazy and known to sleep away the
day but will sit in a tub with bubbles forever. Mary
can also talk about ways your audience can help the
reserves that care for big cats and save their lives.
It was at one such reserve that Mary, a mystery romance
writer, got the idea for her latest book, “Tigers Love
Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume.” That happened when
she witnessed a 600-pound Siberian Tiger jump into a
galvanized tank filled with bubble baths. Contact Mary
at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com

7. ==> Your Smartphone, Bathroom Scale and Other Ways
to Teach Kids Math at Home

Many parents now face the scary reality that they are
in charge of their kid’s education for the rest of the
school year. Is it possible to enjoy this time and feel
confident that your children won’t fall behind?
“Absolutely!” says educator and school administrator
Lee Jenkins. According to Lee, it’s easier than you
think to create a fun, creative learning environment at
home … using many of the same principles he teaches to
teachers and administrators in schools. Lee will share
simple strategies like why your child should draw a
picture before they write a story, why you should just
spell a word for a child when they ask, how your
smartphone, your bathroom scale and a measuring cup are
all it takes to teach some math, and why you should
never use a red pen when editing your child’s work (and
what to use instead). Lee Jenkins is the author of “How
to Create a Perfect School,” with a foreword by Jack
Canfield. He has been an educator and administrator in
public schools and universities. Contact Lee Jenkins at
(484) 306-8784; LJenkins@rtirguests.com

8. ==> How the Pandemic Will Continue to Impact Your
Health Once It’s Over

COVID-19 has been a game-changer especially when it
comes to public health. What are some of the likely
aftereffects your listeners should be aware of? Dr.
Annalee Kitay has already found that a great number of
people’s immune systems are compromised from the scare
of this pandemic. She adds, “People may appear healthy
on the outside but due to the incredible stress of this
pandemic, some will need to boost their immune system.”
Dr. Kitay will talk about our body’s systems and the
important communication role the brain plays with those
systems in immune function. She will share information
about the revolutionary protocol she practices and also
trains physicians in. This protocol is one of health
care’s best-kept secrets. She is one of fewer than 50
practitioners in the U.S., who is using Neural
Organization Technique, a proven noninvasive approach
to help people with everything from immune issues and
concussions to learning disabilities and low-back pain.
Dr. Kitay has done research with Kessler Institute and
also practiced with the late Dr. (Robert) Atkins at his
Center for Complementary Medicine in New York City.
Contact Dr. Kitay at (561) 462-4733;
akitay@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Why Churches Are More Important Than Ever During
COVID-19

Like many other businesses and institutions, the
COVID-19 pandemic social distancing mandate has
presented great challenges for houses of worship that
are dedicated to helping the most vulnerable among us.
“When the motto of the day becomes, ‘Stay at home and
save a life,’ we become insular,” says Rev. Raleigh
Sadler. Raleigh can share safe, creative ways to
identify and aid the most vulnerable, without putting
others and ourselves at risk. He’ll explain how we can
safely help local nonprofits working with vulnerable
populations, how to stay connected via video chats
through Zoom or FaceTime, how to aid elderly neighbors,
and more. Raleigh is founder of the human trafficking
awareness group Let My People Go, and author of
“Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.” Contact
Raleigh at (917) 341-6758; RSadler@rtirguests.com

10. ==> The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving
the Pandemic

As the world is rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, most
people are experiencing one overriding, debilitating
emotion. Fear is the biggest enemy in times of
uncertainty, says Kim Chestney. “Now, more than ever,
the most important thing we can do is to reconnect with
our inner power.” Let Kim tell you how as she explores
the role intuition can play in navigating stressful
times. She’ll teach you how to cut through the stress,
the BS and fake news, to get back to your center by
tuning in to your inner truth. Kim is an international
best-selling author and the founder of IntuitionLab.
Her new book “Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide
to Your Inner Power” releases in the fall from New
World Library. Contact Kim at (412) 214-9502;
KChestney@rtirguests.com

11. ==> 5 Easy Ways to Combat Eco-Anxiety and Disease
Dread

It’s impossible to ignore the climate crisis with
headlines focusing on the increase in carbon dioxide
emissions, warming of the oceans and climate disasters.
While we want to be aware of environmental issues, it
is not uncommon for these events — and contagious
disease outbreaks — to trigger anxiety, helplessness,
sadness, and fear for future generations. Registered
psychotherapist Elke Scholz can explore on-air such
topical questions as what is the cost of eco-anxieties
and health worries on our well-being? How is all this
affecting today’s youth? Why should listeners pay
attention to such topics? Elke will recommend five tips
to alleviate stress while acknowledging your
discomfort; including, how to recognize where the
anxiety is coming from and how to make safer, greener
choices. Elke has two books on anxiety, “Anxiety
Warrior Vol. One and Vol. Two.” She also offers anti-
anxiety and pro-wellness kits for employees, at-risk
youth and seniors. For over 35 years, Elke has run a
private therapy practice. Contact Elke Scholz at (705)
710-4315; escholz@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad
for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
eBook, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers
Guide to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,”
published by Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413)
225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Interview a Real-Life ‘Death Whisperer’

While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home where her
dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark learned how to
communicate with the deceased. As a result, she
received many valuable lessons about living one’s best
life. “I’ve been called a ‘death whisperer’ because
death speaks to me in many ways,” she says. “People who
have passed over have given me important messages about
life that pertain to everyone. Naturally, as each
person is unique, his or her message is unique. But all
are universal, important and relevant.” Margo is the
author of the critically acclaimed book “Light in the
Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter.” The
book has received glowing reviews from a number of
prominent authors and spiritual leaders, including
Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at (484) 928-7824;
MLenmark@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Become an Author While Sheltering in Place

You’ve wanted to write a book for years but never found
the time. Now that you’re sheltering in place at home,
this is the perfect time to begin writing. Author Andy
Hyman can tell your audience how to get started and
stay on track to complete their first book. He says
that by scheduling time every day, you can finally get
your book going. Invite him to reveal how to overcome
distractions and competing priorities, and even how to
get writing done when your kids are home and how to get
feedback on your manuscript.  His book, Snob-Free Wine
Tasting Companion, reveals how to get the most out of a
wine-tasting experience, how to match foods with
specific wines, and how wine is made. Hyman has been
featured by Sonoma Magazine, the Marin Independent
Journal, Napa Valley Register, North Bay BIZ magazine,
and other radio and print outlets nationwide. Contact
him at (415) 767-1441 (CA); andyhyman@rtirguests.com

15. ==> How to Be an Astrologer: Everything You Need to
Know

Why go to an astrologer when you can be an astrologer?
From horoscopes to compatibility breakdowns, astrology
is everywhere. But how do you figure out what it all
means? And how can it help you better understand
yourself and the world around you? Invite astrologer
Constance Stellas on your show to share relatable
advice to anyone interested in learning more about
astrology, getting to know themselves through the
zodiac, and providing accurate readings for others. She
can also do the astrological charts of your show host
and crew, revealing their personalities, life’s
purpose, and future! Constance Stellas has appeared on
several New York TV morning shows and national radio
programs. Constance is the astrologer for Huffington
Post and a regular contributor to Thrive Global. She is
also the author of several books including “How to Be
an Astrologer: Everything You Need to Interpret
Anyone’s Birth Chart for a Complete, Accurate, and
Revealing Astrological Reading.” Contact Ryan McCormick
at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or
ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com