01. PR Fall Out from ‘The Slap Heard ‘Round the World’
02. Toxic Humor and the Case for Clean Comics
03. It Started With Jada’s Head: Let’s Talk About Women’s Hair Loss
04. Bernie Sanders, Up Close and Personal
05. Titanic Anniversary … Was Sinking an Accident?
06. The Cure for Tax Season Anxiety
07. Hiring Secrets: Why ‘Most Qualified’ Doesn’t Always Get the Job
08. The Future of Affirmative Action
09. The Unsung Heroine of the Underground Railroad
10. Is It too Late to Fix Our Broken Medical Model?
11. Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
12. The Best 5-Minute Way to Start Your Morning
13. How to Protect Buildings as Storms Get Stronger
14. Still Got ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Stuck In Your Head?
15. Interview Comedian on New TV Series, ‘DisLabeled’
1. ==> PR Fall Out from ‘The Slap Heard ‘Round the World’
Days later we are still talking about the Oscars and actor Will Smith’s slap attack on presenter Chris Rock. Bring reputation management expert Ryan McCormick on your show and discuss who the real winners and losers are in the aftermath of the Academy Awards show debacle. From the damage to Smith’s reputation to the Academy’s handling of the incident, McCormick can discuss the fallout and why the biggest loser may be comedy. “I think going forward most award shows and other national programs will be unimaginably bland. The precedent that has been set is that if you dare make a joke that someone doesn’t like, they can assault you and they’ll be cheered on for doing it.” A former CBS TV producer and editor for “Long Island Business News,” Ryan McCormick is co-founder and media relations specialist at Goldman McCormick, PR. Contact him at (516) 901-1103; ryan@goldmanmccormick.com
2.==> Toxic Humor and the Case for Clean Comics
One veteran of the comedy industry says the Oscar altercation is an example of how toxic some corners of comedy have become. Adam Christing, CEO of CleanComedians, says, “The problem isn’t Chris Rock or Will Smith. It’s a comedy culture issue. For years now, American comedians have confused comedy with being crass or cruel. But our history proves that humor can be playful instead of poisonous. Think Will Rogers, Betty White, Jim Gaffigan.” According to Christing, whose company requires its performers to avoid profanity, prejudice, and politics, “We need to remember that ‘fun’ is not a four-letter word. We can lift people and bring them together with positive humor.” Christing says his business is booming, especially with meeting planners who don’t want to embarrass people with foul or abrasive humor. Contact Todd Brabender at (785) 842-8909; toddb@spreadthenewspr.com
3. ==> It Started With Jada’s Head: Let’s Talk About Women’s Hair Loss
Hair loss can be an incredibly stressful phenomenon, especially for a woman. This week’s Oscar uproar started with a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, and now many people are learning about alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. But Dr. Karl Zarse says there are many reasons that women experience hair loss and thinning. Invite him on your show to discuss ways to deal with the problem, including supplements that can help to maintain healthy hair growth. Dr. Zarse will explain the role of immune function and hair loss and reveal which vitamins and minerals are vital to keeping your locks in top shape. Karl Zarse, M.D., is a spine, pain, and nutritional supplement specialist and the owner of Spine and Pain PLLC. Contact Adrienne Mazzone at (561) 908-1683; amazzone@transmediagroup.com
4. ==> Behind the Curtain: Bernie Sanders, Up Close and Personal
Bernie Sanders inspires fervent love and, even among his enemies, a measure of grudging respect — yet, curiously, we know little about who the man really is, with Sanders deliberately keeping the focus on his policies. Ari Rabin-Havt, former deputy campaign manager on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign, will take listeners where no profiles or televised interviews have been able to go. Rabin-Havt offers a behind-the-scenes account of Sanders’s run, including his heart attack in Las Vegas, his notorious debate encounter with fellow-progressive Elizabeth Warren, and a momentous conversation between Sanders and Barack Obama that has never been reported before. He’ll reveal Bernie Sanders when the cameras turn off: his dry sense of humor; his views of his young supporters; the pivotal role his wife, Jane, plays in every decision he makes; and more. Ari Rabin-Havt’s new book is “The Fighting Soul: On the Road with Bernie Sanders.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com
5. ==> Titanic Anniversary … Was Sinking an Accident?
On April 15, 1912, 110 years ago, the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic claiming the lives of some 1,500 people. The sinking still fascinates us as does the speculation that it may have been caused by something other than an iceberg. Loring Stead, M.D., author of the upcoming book “Sink the Unsinkable,” a retired physician and a descendant of first-class passenger W. T. Stead, will explain why the loss of the Titanic was no accident. Invite him on air to share the life of W.T., an expert on preventing child sex trafficking who was coming to America at the invitation of President Taft to give a talk on peace at Carnegie Hall. But, according to Dr. Stead, he planned to out wealthy, privileged child abusers. Ask Dr. Stead: Why does he believe W.T. and some others aboard the Titanic had to be silenced? How did business elites, the church, and politicians conspire to sink the ship? Loring Stead, M.D., has presented at hundreds of medical conferences and is a Titanic expert with previously unknown family stories to share. Contact him at (507) 358-2961; stead.loring@gmail.com
6. ==> The Cure for Tax Season Anxiety
It’s that time of year again, tax season. Just the thought of it sends millions of people into a state of mental and emotional anxiety and stress. But Jeff Levine says there are help and solutions no matter how severe your tax problems may be! Levine will share tips on finding the right tax expert and explain why you shouldn’t fear the IRS. “When it comes to taxes, how you play the game and position yourself to make taxes work for you instead of against you all depends upon your beliefs, perspective and mindset around money,” he says. Jeff Levin has been a financial consultant for 32 years. He is co-author of the book “The 13 Steps to Riches,” and author of the soon-to-be-published “Financial Freedom of a Lifetime.” Contact him at (518) 221-8043; jeff12levine@gmail.com
7. ==> Hiring Secrets: Why ‘Most Qualified’ Doesn’t Always Get the Job
The interview went well and your qualifications met the job description to a T. Despite your certainty that you were the most qualified candidate, you didn’t get the job. Why not? Get the surprising answer from Beverly Williams, the author of “Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job, and an employment professional, arbitrator, and former HR executive in both private and public sectors. She’ll explain why the most qualified person doesn’t always get the job and reveal the bigger picture that most of us miss when we are on the hunt for a new job so next time you’ll be better prepared. Williams is a partner at Wong Fleming PC in Princeton, N.J., where she specializes in labor and employment law. She also hosts the Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams podcast. Williams earned an M.P.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School. Contact Beverly Williams at (973) 576-5841; bwilliams@rtirguests.com
8. ==> The Future of Affirmative Action
Affirmative action came out of the civil rights movement as a means to address inequalities experienced by minorities. It became law through an executive order made by John F. Kennedy in 1961. With two upcoming cases challenging it before the Supreme Court, now is a good time to discuss affirmative action’s past and future with author Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans (pronounced Kray-gull-mans). Among the topics she can discuss are is affirmative action reverse discrimination? How effective has it been? Was it always controversial? Does it benefit everyone or just a few? Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans, a Fulbright Scholar, was one of the first Black women in the Foreign Service. A child of educators, she grew up in public housing in the Jim Crow South where Blacks were told they lived in a separate, but equal society. She is the author of “Flowers for Brother Mudd: One Woman’s Path from Jim Crow to Career Diplomat.” Contact Judith at (571) 568-8667; jmuddkrijgelmans@rtirguests.com
9. ==> The Unsung Heroine of the Underground Railroad
When you think of women who participated in the Underground Railroad the first name that comes to mind is Harriet Tubman. But there were others, of course, including Laura Smith Haviland, a petite, bonnet-wearing white Quaker who welcomed runaway slaves to her family farm in Michigan and was so successful at helping them reach freedom that she had a $3,000 bounty placed on her head. Interview Sheryl White, D.Min., an author and YouTube channel creator to find out more about Haviland’s life and the lessons we can learn from it that are applicable today. Dr. White’s work of historical fiction is “Underground Angel: The Life of Laura Smith Haviland.” Contact her at (620) 672-1596; sdw1001@gmail.com
10. ==> Is It too Late to Fix Our Broken Medical Model?
How flawed is the traditional medical model in the U.S.? Can we depend on it to keep us well or is that wishful thinking? Dr. Annalee Kitay minces no words: “If you are smart, you’ll stop relying on a system that is failing everyone. Instead, you’ll learn how to tap into your body’s amazing healing properties through noninvasive modalities.” Dr. Kitay can tell your audience how to do just that. Ask her: Did medicine fail us doing the pandemic? What can people do to protect themselves against communicable and other illnesses? Dr. Kitay has been in private practice for 30 years and trained in alternative protocols that aid the body in its natural recovery. She is one of the top practitioners of Neural Organization Technique and teaches the hands-on protocol to other doctors. She is a frequent guest on talk shows. Contact Annalee Kitay at (561) 462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Will Someone You Love Get Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?
The ravages of Alzheimer’s are not limited to the aged. In fact, thousands of relatively young people and their families will be affected by early-onset Alzheimer’s this year alone. Interview Carlen Maddux, author of “A Path Revealed,” about the journey he took with his late wife, Martha, after she was diagnosed at 50. Carlen has many insights to share about the first signs of the disease, and ultimately on caregiving, single parenting, learning about a memory-robbing illness with no cure, and what lifestyle changes and treatments gave his spouse additional quality years. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com
12. ==> The Best 5-Minute Way to Start Your Morning
Life has been tough for most of us lately and our collective mental health is showing the strain. Those are reasons enough to start every day off with the five-minute routine Rick Mc Daniel uses to begin each of his mornings. Invite Rick to share the one thing you need to do during this time and best of all, it requires little expense and no special expertise, or equipment. He’ll explain the simple concept anyone can embrace and answer any questions you have about it. Rick Mc Daniel is a writer, the host of the Point of Impact podcast, and the author of eight books. His latest is “This Is Living: Daily Inspiration to Live Your Faith.” Contact Rick at (804) 387-8321; rick@rickmcdaniel.com
13. ==> How to Protect Buildings As Storms Get Stronger
Scientists have been predicting stronger, deadlier storms for years and now recent weather patterns appear to be playing out the scenario. These catastrophic events are becoming more frequent and causing extensive damage to homes and property. Building expert George C. Keefe says there are ways to protect buildings — old and new — to help them withstand Mother Nature’s increasing fury. Invite Keefe to discuss how to fortify roofs and building exteriors and why strengthening exteriors before disaster strikes can not only save lives but also time and money spent on repairs. Keefe will share simple, effective methods of protecting people, buildings and the environment. George C. Keefe is a building consultant, author and contractor with over 40 years of experience. Contact Lydia Ng’etich at (800) 228-5507; ask@encasementguy.com
14. ==> Still Got ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Stuck In Your Head?
Have you ever wondered why you can’t get some songs out of your head? They become iconic earworms, like the Lin-Manuel Miranda-penned song from the Disney movie “Encanto.” Interview songwriter-pianist Dave Combs, who has written more than 120 songs including the earworm-worthy “Rachel’s Song,” and put out 15 albums. Combs’ can talk about why certain songs get stuck in our heads, and why so many of them are instrumental TV themes for such beloved shows as “Hawaii 5-0,” “The Office,” and “Jeopardy.” Combs’ compositions have been played millions of times on radio, satellite, and internet streaming media. He is the author of “Touched By the Music: How the Story and Music of Rachel’s Song Can Change Your Life.” Contact him at (336) 655-8320; dave@combsmusic.com
15. ==> Interview Comedian on New TV Series, ‘DisLabeled’
A few years ago, comedian Brian McCarthy’s eyesight suddenly started to fail. He rapidly lost most of his central vision and, along with it, a lifestyle he never thought to question. During this major personal upheaval, he poured his angst and triumphs into creating “DisLabeled,” a television series that follows Brian in his quest to understand and navigate his new reality. Brian brings his humor and edge to encounters with a broad range of disabled designers, activists, and technologists who share their innovative approaches to surviving and thriving in an ableist society while advocating for a more just and accessible future. “DisLabeled” airs on BRIC TV, an Emmy-winning, nonprofit cable television channel and digital network. Contact Jesse Metres at (646) 286-6589; jesse@strategicheights.com