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  • 9/2/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Dirty Jobs, Theranos Trial, Time Travel

    01. Labor Day: Essential Workers and Their Dirty Jobs
    02. Labor Shortage? Lure Back Baby Boomers
    03. Vaccine Mandates Are Working
    04. What to Expect from the Theranos Trial
    05. Interview Emmy-Nominated Stunt Actor
    06. 20th Anniversary of Attacks: How 9/11 Changed America
    07. September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story
    08. The Western Wildfires/COVID-19 Connection
    09. Does Your Pet Have Back-to-School Anxiety?
    10. The 6 Types of Men in Relationships
    11. Healing Secrets Already in Your Kitchen
    12. Character Flaw or Rare Genetic Condition?
    13. Young Pakistani American on 9/11, Discrimination and Tolerance
    14. How Reading Can Create More Caring Kids
    15. Let’s Talk Time Travel!

    1. ==> Labor Day: Essential Workers and Their Dirty Jobs

    The pandemic has drawn unprecedented attention to the country’s essential workers. Now, journalist Eyal Press is calling on us to look at that work — especially the difficult jobs society considers essential but morally compromised. Press says Americans have delegated society’s most unpleasant, morally troubling tasks to a separate, largely invisible class of dirty workers. He’ll describe a less familiar set of occupational hazards workers face including psychological and emotional hardships such as stigma, shame, PTSD, and moral injury, and how these burdens fall disproportionately on low-income workers, undocumented immigrants, women, and people of color. From slaughterhouse workers to prison guards, drone pilots and oil rig operators, he says workers often feel economically trapped in their jobs, morally compromised, and part of an invisible class of Americans. Journalist Eyal Press is a contributor to The New Yorker and the author of “Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188

    2. ==> Labor Shortage? Lure Back Baby Boomers

    The number of baby boomers who retired in 2020 was 3.2 million more than in 2019 and more than one million more than the average since 2011, according to Pew Research. Will the mounting labor shortage and a desire to accommodate flexibility and remote work demands lure back older workers? “Workers over the age of 55 are ideal candidates for many open positions right now. Many are vaccinated and willing to work in person at a time when employers are eager for workers to collaborate at the office,” says Andrew Challenger, senior VP at the global outplacement and coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “However, even before the pandemic, companies were realigning their workforces under the mistaken beliefs that older workers are not as tech-savvy as and are more expensive and demanding than their younger counterparts.” Challenger says employers desperate for talent should reevaluate their misguided bias. He’ll offer tips for older job seekers on updating a resume, staying current with technology, embracing LinkedIn and social media, and being open to positions that offer less money and a lower title. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (314) 807-1568 (cell); colleenmadden@challengergray.com

    3. ==> Vaccine Mandates Are Working

    With hospitals across the country filled with unvaccinated COVID patients and the FDA giving full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, health experts have been begging the unvaccinated to get the shot. But it appears employers hold more sway in changing reluctant people. According to a new Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus poll, workers are more likely to get vaccinated when their employers require them to. Eighty percent of respondents whose employers require a COVID-19 vaccine said they were already vaccinated and another 10% said they were likely to get a vaccine. In comparison, at employers with no vaccine requirement, 68% said they were already vaccinated and 6% were likely to get the vaccine. Pharmaceutical expert Dean Fanelli, Ph.D., can talk about vaccine hesitancy, booster shots, vaccine passports, herd immunity and much more. Fanelli is a partner in the intellectual property department of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Washington D.C. office. His focus is on pharmaceutical- and chemical-related technologies. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

    4. ==> What to Expect from the Theranos Trial

    The highly anticipated trial of ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes is underway in San Jose, California. The Stanford dropout who was once a Silicon Valley darling faces felony charges that she duped elite financial backers, customers and patients. Her startup, Theranos, promised to revolutionize the medical world by diagnosing diseases with just a few drops of blood — but the technology didn’t live up to expectations and may never have worked at all. Attorney Tom Lallas can discuss all aspects of the trial, which is expected to last three months and provide moments of high drama, with a star-studded cast of billionaire Theranos investors and influential figures that sat on the company’s board. A trial lawyer for more than 42 years, Tom Lallas has represented and tried cases for institutional clients, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, commercial lenders, and tech companies. He frequently appears in the media to comment on and explain legal issues. Contact Cherie Kerr at (714) 550-9900 (office); (714) 271-2140 (cell) or Cherie@kerrpr-execuprov.com

    5.==> Interview Emmy-Nominated Stunt Actor

    This year, for the very first time, the Television Academy will hand out an Emmy award for outstanding stunt performance. And although there are other women nominated as part of a team, Janeshia Adams-Ginyard is the only woman to receive a nomination as an individual for her work in the HBO series Lovecraft Country. Invite her on your show and find out what it’s like to work in the predominantly male field of stunt work as well as how she got into the business. An actress, stunt woman and professional wrestler, Janeshia has had major roles on commercial, television, and film projects and has worked alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest superstars. She is probably best known for her role as Nomble, one of the Dora Milaje, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther, and found out about her Emmy nomination while on the set of her latest project, an untitled Marvel Production. She is also the founder Hyphy 4 Christ, Inc., a faith-based entertainment organization. Contact Jerome Brooks at jerome@brookstm.com

    6. ==> 20th Anniversary of Attacks: How 9/11 Changed America

    On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft and crashed two of them into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania. It was the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. Invite Dr. Carole Lieberman to share how America was forever changed that fateful day. Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist and the author of “Coping with Terrorism: Dreams Interrupted” and “Lions and Tigers and Terrorists, Oh My: How to Protect Your Child from Terrorism.” She also hosts The Terrorist Therapist radio show. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com

    7. ==> September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story

    Invite 9/11 terrorist attack expert and author Dean Rotbart to share the behind-the-scenes story of how the Wall Street Journal published a Pulitzer Prize-winning edition on 9/12, even though its newsroom was destroyed the day before. The Journal staff’s response on 9/11 offers lessons for any organization, business, or individual confronted with an unexpected, large, setback and can either rebound or quit. Rotbart can share amazing, never-told 9/11 stories, as well as explain what anyone can learn from the experiences of the journalists who experienced it firsthand. Rotbart is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated former reporter and columnist for the Wall Street Journal and the host of MondayMorningRadio.com, a weekly business podcast. His new book is “September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story.” Contact him at dean.rotbart@september-twelfth.com

    8. ==> The Western Wildfire/COVID-19 Connection

    Thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in California, Oregon, and Washington between March and December 2020 may be attributable to increases in fine particulate air pollution from wildfire smoke, according to a new study co-authored by researchers at Harvard. “Clearly, we see that, overall, this is a very dangerous combination,” Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatistics at Harvard and one of the authors of the study, said of the interplay between smoke and COVID-19. “It’s a really scary thing as we continue to face these wildfires all around the world.” Researchers attributed 20,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 750 deaths to the wildfire pollution and found that health outcomes worsened as air quality deteriorated. “This study provides policymakers with key information regarding how the effects of one global crisis — climate change — can have cascading effects on concurrent global crises — in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dominici. Contact Francesca Dominici at fdominic@hsph.harvard.edu or Ted Datz at (617) 432-8413; tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu

    9. ==> Does Your Pet Have Back-to-School Anxiety?

    Family pets have gotten used to everyone being home this past year and a half, especially the ones adopted during the pandemic who know nothing else! How are they handling being left alone now that many pet owners are returning to school and work? Dr. Judy Morgan says animals that are not used to being alone can become destructive. She’ll discuss ways to help pets cope with being at loose ends for long periods, symptoms that indicate your pet is having separation anxiety, and natural ways to prepare your pet and protect your home. Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, specializes in integrative medicine, combining the best of both traditional and holistic veterinary care. She’s the founder and CEO of Naturally Healthy Pets and the author of several books including “Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs.” Contact her at (609) 202-0999; judy@drjudymorgan.com

    10. ==> The 6 Types of Men in Relationships

    Some women make the same dating mistakes over and over then wonder why they can’t find happiness. Author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran says that once a woman knows the six types of men, she can navigate her way to red hot romance. Invite him to share the secrets that can lead to relationship bliss. He can tell your audience the biggest mistakes women make when choosing a partner and the red flags women should watch out for. Goran has developed a method to reprogram yourself that was studied by the University of California, Irvine, and proven to be 100% effective. His latest program is HowToAttractYourSoulmate.com. Goran has been featured on radio and television nationwide. Contact him at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Healing Secrets Already in Your Kitchen

    Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., has health advice that will not only help your listeners lose weight and feel better, it’s also simple — and delicious! Invite him to share the secrets of the late Dr. Pankaj Naram, an internationally famous master healer with whom Dr. Clint trained. 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. He just released an audiobook of his best-selling “Ancient Secrets of a Master Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and Life’s Greatest Secrets.” Contact him at (914) 215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com

    12. ==> Character Flaw or Rare Genetic Condition?

    Have a coworker who doesn’t do much? A brother-in-law who is unable to hold down a job? Know someone who is young yet is always tired and lacking motivation? All three of these individuals might appear to be lazy but it is possible that what they have instead is a rare genetic brain disorder that is often missed by physicians who lack awareness of it themselves. Educate your audience by interviewing Ann S. Woodbury, who has become an expert on myotonic dystrophy (Dystrophia Myotonica, DM), a disease that is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Ann’s husband and four children have DM and it was through her search to get answers for their care that she became expert enough to share her knowledge of the disease and its treatment as the head of Utah’s DM support group and write “Surviving Myotonic Dystrophy.” She has been on this mission since their diagnoses in 1998. Contact her at (801) 554-1258; annswoodbury@gmail.com

    13. ==> Young Pakistani American on 9/11, Discrimination and Tolerance

    On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a new middle-grade novel confronts racial discrimination and encourages tolerance and understanding. Author Saadia Faruqi introduces the powerful and topical novel “Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero” about a small-town, Texas-born Muslim boy named Azeem whose only goal is to win the upcoming regional robotics competition. But because this year is the 20th anniversary of 9/11, racist and hateful comments are directed toward Azeem and the rest of his community. After reading his uncle’s journal during 9/11 he comes to understand the nation’s fear and anger and enacts a plan to confront his bullies with understanding, justice and love. Saadia Faruqi can discuss what the 9/11 20th anniversary means to her as a Pakistani American and what she hopes readers will take away from the new book. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com

    14. ==> How Reading Can Create More Caring Kids

    Does learning about cultural diversity and endangered animals at a young age result in more educated and caring kids? Ronald Meade believes it does. In “Travels with Pinky the Invisible Dragon,” a little girl who is lost in the forest meets a magical wizard who sends her, together with Pinky, the invisible dragon, on a journey of discovery to faraway places to learn about the beauty of different cultures as well as the plight of endangered animals such as pandas, albatrosses, and elephants. Meade can discuss why he wrote the book and what he hopes children will gain by reading it. Contact Ronald Meade at (970) 925-1235; meaderonnie@hotmail.com

    15. ==> Let’s Talk Time Travel!

    What if you could find out which professional football, baseball, and basketball teams were the greatest of all time? Well, in author Carl Tulee’s book, “Time Gamblers: Trilogy,” a group of time travelers does! Interview the author to hear more about the consequences of time travel and what inspired him to write about it. Contact Tulee at (734) 641-9935; carloannettem@gmail.com

  • 8/31/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Labor Day, Unruly Students, Happiness Myths

    01. Great Labor Day Show: Minimum Wage and Productivity
    02. The Harm the Fed Hopes to Avoid
    03. Who Profited from the War in Afghanistan?
    04. The Biggest Myths about Happiness
    05. Vacation Horror Stories: Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh
    06. Students Are Back and More Unruly than Ever
    07. Help for Stressed-Out, Anxious Students
    08. Emmy-Nominated Pro: Behind TV’s Best Visual Effects
    09. Life is Short: Tips from a Time Management Expert
    10. Bar Fights: New Podcast Takes on Sexual Abuse
    11. Are there New Rules for Job Hunting Now?
    12. How Your Dinner Plate Can Save the Planet
    13. Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope
    14. Nutritional Thieves in Your Medicine Cabinet
    15. Want to Pretend to Live on Mars for a Year?

    1.==> Great Labor Day Show: Minimum Wage and Productivity

    The latest calculations show the minimum wage in the U.S. today would be roughly $26 per hour if it had kept pace with productivity growth as it did for the first 30 years after a national minimum wage first came into existence in 1938, according to Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. As Baker explains, “The $26 an hour [figure] is useful as a thought experiment for envisioning what the world might look like today, but it would not be realistic as a policy for local, state, or even national minimum wage without many other changes to the economy. If the bottom half or 80 percent of the workforce got the same share they got 50 years ago we would have an enormous problem with inflation.” Baker can explain how our economy has been restructured in ways that ensure a disproportionate share of income goes to those at the top. Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot founded The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. CEPR conducts both professional research and public education. Contact Karen Conner at (202) 281-4159; conner@cepr.net

    2. ==> The Harm the Fed Hopes to Avoid

    Higher inflation has sparked a fierce debate among economists and generated enormous interest in the Fed’s response, which has far-reaching implications for the U.S. and global economies. Last Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the bank is in no rush to raise interest rates despite the recent inflation spike. Economist Roger Ferguson can discuss the Fed’s current policy, whether he believes the forces driving up inflation in recent months are transitory, and which economic indicators to watch and why. Roger W. Ferguson Jr. is the Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Ferguson is the immediate past president and CEO of TIAA. Contact him at rwferguson@cfr.org

    3. ==> Who Profited from the War in Afghanistan?

    The departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan is being called a disaster by much of the world, but Harper’s Magazine’s Andrew Cockburn says the war was a success for one group in particular, the American military and those who feed at its trough, with trillions of taxpayer dollars flowing through their budgets and profits for the past 20 years. Cockburn recently wrote the piece “How the U.S. military got rich from Afghanistan” for The Spectator. He is the author of the upcoming book, “The Spoils of War: Power, Profit and the American War Machine.” He also wrote the piece “The Long Shadow of a Neocon” about Zalmay Khalilzad, architect of the Doha agreement with the Taliban “who originally set up the Afghan ‘government’ to fail.” Contact Andrew Cockburn at amcockburn@gmail.com, @andrewmcockburn

    4.==> The Biggest Myths about Happiness

    You might be surprised to learn that despite a history of childhood sexual assault, institutional racism, domestic violence, divorce and single parenting, Trish Ahjel Roberts is a happiness expert. “One of the most common misconceptions about happiness is that it’s based on your situation,” she explains. Roberts, founder of Mind-Blowing Happiness LLC and Black Vegan Life™, can explain how your listeners can experience mind-blowing happiness no matter what’s going on in their world, or the world at large. The self-actualization coach says, “The trick is learning to find joy even when things aren’t going your way. That could be when the job, home, or relationship isn’t working out. For the country, that could be when we are experiencing trauma as a nation or not living up to our own ideals as Americans.” While Roberts’ business is focused on personal development, she has a diverse background including finance, economics, yoga and Buddhism. She is an MBA, certified life coach, and yoga and meditation instructor. Contact her at (917) 887-3689; hello@trishahjelroberts.com

    5. ==> Vacation Horror Stories: Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh

    Vacations are supposed to be our time to unpack, unwind and refresh, but trips don’t always go as planned. Author Mary Oves has tips and advice to travel safely, confidently and deal with the unexpected, all while keeping your sense of humor. As a woman who traveled with a sick husband for 25 years, she’s got plenty of stories and can share what she learned from her experiences, how that’s changed how she now prepares for a trip, and ways to make the best of a difficult situation while away from home. She says, “My friends used to show me their family vacation pictures in Disney parks, the Grand Canyon and Central Park. My family’s photo album also had those pictures, but also a different kind — pictures in front of wrecked rental cars, waiting in emergency rooms, and sitting in ambulances!” Oves’ writing has appeared in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, the Erma Bombeck Humor website and many other publications. She teaches English at Stockton University. She’s the author of “The Chrysalis Collective.” Contact Mary Oves at (609) 408-8762 (NJ); maryoveschrysaliscollective@gmail.com

    6. ==> Students Are Back and More Unruly than Ever

    Educators knew they’d have to deal with academic gaps in the classroom when kids returned for in-person learning this year, but now they’re also discovering social and behavioral issues. “If you have a younger child, they’ve also missed out on crucial opportunities for the development of social skills, the ability to delay gratification, and emotional intelligence,” says child behavior expert and family coach Rebecah Freeling. “These latter skills are actually more important for kids this age, and the lost opportunities have a real impact!” She says even though it’s early in the year, some schools are already threatening to kick kids out because they’re not playing well with others. Freeling will explain what parents can do to help their child “catch up” and make a successful adaptation to the social demands of the classroom. As CEO of Wits’ End Parenting, Rebecah Freeling specializes in kids with problem behaviors. She’s the author of “Your Rules Are Dumb: How to Maintain Your Parental Authority While Creating a Partnership With Your Spirited Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com

    7. ==> Help for Stressed-Out, Anxious Students

    The back-to-school season always brings with it emotional stress and anxiety for children, but the uncertainty and constantly changing regulations due to COVID-19 are causing children even more stress than usual. Former teacher Peggy Sideratos will share seven simple strategies that adults can use with children to help them better handle emotional stress. She says, “Children are not inherently born with a skillset of knowing how to handle difficult emotions, they must be taught and modeled for them.” Your listeners can also download Sideratos’ advice to have on hand to help them create a positive shift in their kids’ mindsets and emotions and help support them through some of the most difficult challenges. Peggy Sideratos is the author of “The Light Giver Stories,” a series of children’s stories and corresponding lessons that reinforce the values of good character and self-esteem along with strategies to empower kids to better handle negative emotions. Contact Peggy Sideratos at (718) 833-3100 (until 9/8); (917) 715-8788 (after 9/8) or perdika1@yahoo.com

    8. ==> Emmy-Nominated Pro: Behind TV’s Best Visual Effects

    Ever wonder how they create the special effects on your favorite TV shows? Go behind the scenes with Emmy-nominated visual effects expert Ryan Freer from Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (MARZ). Freer is up for two Emmys next month for his work on visual effects on the shows WandaVision and The Umbrella Academy. He can discuss those projects and what he’s working on for the upcoming fall TV season. Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (MARZ) is a tech company and VFX studio that focuses exclusively on premium TV. Contact Virginia Chavez at (415) 939-8318 (cell)

    9. ==> Life is Short: Tips from a Time Management Expert

    We’re living on borrowed time. “The average human lifetime is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short,” says Oliver Burkeman. If we’re lucky enough to live until we’re 80, we get just four thousand weeks. The pandemic brought home how short life is and caused many of us to rethink how to better apportion our time between jobs, family, friends and community. Most time management gurus preach becoming more efficient and maximizing every minute. But Burkeman contends that approach doesn’t meet the post-pandemic moment and leaves us more stressed, anxious, and isolated from each other. Burkeman, author of the popular Guardian psychology column, “This Column Will Change Your Life,” proposes a blueprint for less stressful living: accept the truth of our finitude and make choices. He’ll invite listeners to drop the futile struggle to carry off the impossible and focus on what’s “gloriously possible” instead and share five questions to help them simplify and identify areas where they can let go. He says, “The last year left many of us feeling utterly unmoored from our familiar routines. As we re-emerge, we have a unique opportunity to reconsider what we’re doing with our time — to construct lives that do justice to the outrageous brevity, and shimmering possibilities, of our four thousand weeks.” Oliver Burkeman’s latest book is “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)

    10. ==> Bar Fights: New Podcast Takes on Sexual Abuse

    Sexual abuse attorney Sarah Klein’s new podcast “Bar Fights” tackles the truth about sexual abuse in candid conversations with survivors and high-profile change-makers. Klein is a former gymnast and the first identified victim of former Olympic women’s gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Her first guests include Olympian Jamie Dantsczher, New York Times best-selling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, U.S. Women’s National Team’s mental skills coach Dr. Colleen Hacker, and the first female analytics expert for NFL Media, Cynthia Frelund. Sarah Klein has become a leading voice on sexual abuse and other legal issues on television, radio, and in print media including ESPN, the “Today” show, “CBS This Morning,” “Dr. Oz,” NPR, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She also appears regularly as a legal analyst on Court TV. Contact Mara Quigley at mara@steveallenmedia.com

    11. ==> Are there New Rules for Job Hunting Now?

    Whether you’re looking to switch careers or you’re a recent college grad trying to land your first real job, nearly everyone could benefit from the straight-shooting career advice of Beverly Williams. She can explain how the pandemic has changed the job search process and share tips for everything from how to motivate yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally for a job search to why it isn’t always a good idea to answer every question honestly during a job interview. Ask her: How can watching ESPN or the Food Network help with your job search? What are some inconvenient truths job seekers need to hear? What can people learn from LeBron James’ career? Beverly is an employment professional, arbitrator, and speaker, and a former HR executive in both the private and public sectors. She also hosts the podcast Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams. Her book, “Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job,” contains 125 solid tips and more. Contact Beverly Williams at (973)769-7823; bwilliams99@comcast.net

    12. ==> How Your Dinner Plate Can Save the Planet

    The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a new report, and the message is clear: Deadly and irreversible effects of climate change are already here. Unlike previous assessments, the report also concludes it is “unequivocal” that humans have caused the climate crisis. Invite health coach Ximena Yanez Soto (pronounced He-men-a) to explain how our current diet and lifestyle have contributed to the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Ask her: Does eating organic produce really matter? Have we been manipulated about the importance of animal protein in our diets? What’s so bad about GMO ingredients? What should you include in every meal? How can we eat to save the planet? Ximena is the author of the upcoming book “Healthy Planet, Healthy You: Simple Habits to Create a Brighter Future” and the former CFO of an environmental fund. Contact her at (720) 277-8617; xiyaso@gmail.com

    13. ==> Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope

    Did you know that people as young as 30 can have Alzheimer’s, the memory-robbing disease we think only affects older people? Would you recognize the warning signs besides forgetfulness? Carlen Maddux’s very active wife was just days past her fiftieth birthday when she was diagnosed with the fatal disease with no cure. They were blindsided, but your audience doesn’t have to be. Carlen, a former reporter, will share his family’s 17-year coping journey with your audience that included becoming his wife’s caregiver while deep in his career and their children were young. Highly articulate, he has done dozens of interviews about this moving topic. Carlen is the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> Nutritional Thieves in Your Medicine Cabinet

    If you regularly take aspirin, Pepcid, or other common prescription medicines you may be causing some nutritional deficiencies you don’t know about. Here to enlighten you is health expert and senior advocate Linda Mac Dougall, who says taking any OTC or prescription drug may be akin to “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Invite Linda to share the supplements and foods you should be taking to compensate. For example, she’ll say that if you regularly take aspirin, you should know that it depletes your body of Vitamin C, iron, potassium and folic acid and will explain how to correct that shortfall. Linda has an M.A. in counseling psychology and has worked with hundreds of seniors through her business. She is the author of “The SPIRIT Method of Massage for Seniors.” Contact her at (805) 202-6379; speakerholistic@gmail.com

    15. ==> Want to Pretend to Live on Mars for a Year?

    Want to find your inner Matt Damon and spend a year pretending you are isolated on Mars? NASA has a job for you. To prepare for eventually sending astronauts to Mars, NASA is recruiting four people to live in Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot setting — made by an Icon 3D printer — located at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. The paid position entails taking part in a simulated Martian exploration mission complete with spacewalks, limited communications back home, restricted food and resources and equipment failures. Grace Douglas, lead scientist for NASA’s Advanced Food Technology research effort, says, “The analog is critical for testing solutions to meet the complex needs of living on the Martian surface.” She adds, “Simulations on Earth will help us understand and counter the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face before they go.” Applicants will need to hold a master’s degree in engineering, math, or computer science and have at least two years of pilot experience. For interviews and more information, contact Shaneequa Vereen at (281) 483-5111; (281) 792-7441 or shaneequa.y.vereen@nasa.gov

  • 8/26/2021 RTIR Newsletter: China and the Taliban, 9/11 Anniversary, Are You Too Comfortable?

    01. How Will China Deal with the Taliban?
    02. The Wealth-Income Gap Widens
    03. Help Wanted? Lure Back Older Workers
    04. Back to School, Back to Work: What about the Pets?
    05. 20 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed America
    06. September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story
    07. 60 Years Later: 1st White Graduate of All-Black College
    08. Grab a Big Glass for a Fun Wine Show
    09. Is Being Too Comfortable Killing Your Happiness?
    10. Immune-Boosting Tips to Stay Healthy this Fall
    11. Would You Adopt Somebody Else’s Embryo? Why People Do
    12. You’ve Probably Had a Concussion and Didn’t Know
    13. Advantages Self-Doubters Have That Self-Confident People Lack
    14. Is Mother’s Intuition Real?
    15. Where’s the Peace You’ve Been Looking for?

    1.==> How Will China Deal with the Taliban?

    China has been strengthening diplomatic ties with the Taliban, even hosting a delegation back in July, according to Ian Johnson. The China expert believes the country could become a crucial supporter of Taliban-led Afghanistan, building Beijing’s influence in South and Central Asia, as long as the regime in Kabul does not export extremism. He’ll explain the historical relationship between the two countries and what each expects to get from the other economically and politically. He can also discuss how China views the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and whether the two countries can work together to promote stability in the region. Ian Johnson is the Stephen A. Schwarzman senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). An expert on Chinese politics, society, and religion, he is the author of several books and a frequent contributor to media outlets. Contact him at ijohnson@cfr.org; @iandenisjohnson

    2. ==> The Wealth-Income Gap Widens

    Perhaps not surprisingly, the wealth-income gap among American communities is wider than ever. A new report by the Economic Innovation Group — which focused specifically on income from interest, stock dividends and rent — found that the gap between counties with the lowest and highest asset income per capita increased sixfold between 1990 and 2019. And asset income has become more geographically concentrated: It nearly doubled since 1990 in the top 10% of counties, but barely changed for the bottom 90% of counties. EIG Research Director Kenan Fikri points out that the pandemic in particular has “underscored the divide in financial security and well-being between the Americans who own assets and those who do not.” For more Americans to have a “seat at the table” of the economic system, the report concludes, “lawmakers should consider ways in which public policy can open up more pathways to asset ownership to a wider array of Americans.” EIG is a bipartisan public policy organization that combines research and data-driven advocacy to address America’s most pressing economic challenges. Contact Danielle Cassagnol at danielle@eig.org or media@eig.org

    3. ==> Help Wanted? Lure Back Older Workers

    The number of baby boomers who retired in 2020 was 3.2 million more than in 2019 and more than one million more than the average since 2011, according to Pew Research. Will the mounting labor shortage and a desire to accommodate flexibility and remote work demands lure back older workers? “Workers over the age of 55 are ideal candidates for many open positions right now. Many are vaccinated and willing to work in person at a time when employers are eager for workers to collaborate at the office,” says Andrew Challenger, Senior VP at the global outplacement and coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “However, even before the pandemic, companies were realigning their workforces under mistaken beliefs that older workers are not as tech-savvy as and are more expensive and demanding than their younger counterparts.” Challenger says employers desperate for talent should reevaluate their misguided bias. He’ll offer tips for older job seekers on updating a resume, staying current with technology, embracing LinkedIn and social media, and being open to positions that offer less money and a lower title. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (314) 807-1568 (cell); colleenmadden@challengergray.com

    4.==> Back to School, Back to Work: What about the Pets?

    Family pets have gotten used to everyone being home this past year and a half, especially the ones adopted during the pandemic who know nothing else! How will they handle being left alone when everyone returns to school and work? Dr. Judy Morgan says animals that are not used to being alone can become destructive. She’ll discuss ways to help pets cope with being at loose ends for long stretches of time, symptoms that indicate your pet is having separation anxiety, and natural ways to prepare your pet and protect your home. Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, specializes in integrative medicine, combining the best of both traditional and holistic veterinary care. She’s the founder and CEO of Naturally Healthy Pets and the author of several books including “Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs.” Contact her at (609) 202-0999; judy@drjudymorgan.com

    5. ==> 20 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed America

    On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from the Islamist extreme group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft and crashed two of them into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania. It was the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. Invite Dr. Carole Lieberman to share how America was forever changed that fateful day. Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist and the author of “Coping with Terrorism: Dreams Interrupted” and “Lions and Tigers and Terrorists, Oh My: How to Protect Your Child from Terrorism.” She also hosts The Terrorist Therapist radio show. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com

    6. ==> September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story

    Invite 9/11 terrorist attack expert and author Dean Rotbart to share the behind-the-scenes story of how the Wall Street Journal published a Pulitzer Prize-winning edition on 9/12, even though its newsroom was destroyed the day before. The Journal staff’s response on 9/11 offers lessons for any organization, business, or individual confronted with an unexpected, large, setback and can either rebound or quit. Rotbart can share amazing, never-told 9/11 stories, as well as explain what anyone can learn from the journalists who experienced it firsthand. Rotbart is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated former reporter and columnist for the Wall Street Journal and the host of MondayMorningRadio.com, a weekly business podcast. His new book is “September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story.” Contact him at dean.rotbart@september-twelfth.com

    7. ==> 60 Years Later: 1st White Graduate of All-Black College

    When Fred Engh enrolled at the all-black Maryland State College in 1961, his intention wasn’t to break any racial barriers or make any headlines. He simply wanted a better life for himself and his family as an accredited teacher. What he learned from attending the college, and becoming the first white graduate, was something he hadn’t expected. His new memoir, “Matchsticks: An Education in Black & White,” is the story of how he discovered his calling in life. Fred and his non-profit organization, NAYS —the National Association for Youth Sports — have positively affected the lives of millions of children throughout the country for decades. From baseball to soccer to golf, his mission is to let children choose to play the sport they love — no matter where they live or how well they play. Contact Anthony Pomes at (516) 535-2010, ext. 105; (631) 875-6075 (cell); sq1marketing@aol.com or apomes@squareonepublishers.com

    8. ==> Grab a Big Glass for a Fun Wine Show

    Don’t know the difference between a pinot grigio and a petite Syrah? Did your last wine come in a box? No matter your level of wine knowledge, you’ll enjoy talking with Andy Hyman. A tour guide in the Napa and Sonoma wine country, he shares his passion for wine with thousands of people from around the world and will reveal all you need to know about buying wine including how much to spend, how to get the most for your money, and how to find a wine that you’ll really enjoy. He can discuss 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. He is the author of “Snob-Free Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day.” Contact him at (415) 767-1441; andyhyman@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Is Being Too Comfortable Killing Your Happiness?

    In our current uncertain world, many people gravitate toward safety in their lives, but according to author and adventurer Sparrow Hart, safety has consequences — an ever-growing store of regrets from living small — we don’t always think about. He’ll explain why “safety-ism” — valuing safe¬ty above everything else — runs counter to scientific research and ancient wisdom; is toxic to our dreams; and antithetical to a passionate pursuit of our best selves. Sparrow’s varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse, adven¬tures 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 Sparrow Hart at (801) 516-0740; SHart@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> Immune-Boosting Tips to Stay Healthy This Fall

    Thanks to the Delta variant, coronavirus cases are up all across the U.S., hospitals are filled to capacity and the staff is overwhelmed, exhausted and begging the public to stay home and healthy. Dr. Annalee Kitay has seldom-heard advice on how to keep your immune system boosted so that you don’t fall prey to viruses. If you’re looking for a guest who is timely, unusually candid and knowledgeable, you have found her. Dr. Kitay says, “With traditional medicine in a questionable state, not providing sound health care, and everything going on threatening our health, it is imperative to look at other natural choices that will boost your immune system.” She also trains other doctors in a revolutionary protocol that enables the body to achieve optimum wellness. Dr. Kitay worked with and did a radio show with the late Dr. Robert Atkins. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561) 462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Would You Adopt Somebody Else’s Embryo? Why People Do

    Most people think adoption means waiting until a baby is born to someone else and agreeing to care for and raise the child as their own. But there’s a different way to adopt that starts way before that, with a frozen fertilized embryo. And your audience is likely to have plenty of questions about it, questions that Nate Birt can answer. At the moment, the U.S. birth rate is declining but at the same time the number of women freezing their eggs has skyrocketed and, thanks to IVF, some of these eggs have been fertilized and are babies waiting for a womb. Nate and his wife adopted a frozen embryo, had it implanted in his wife’s body, enjoyed her pregnancy and birth experience, and are now the parents of a sweet toddler. Ask him: Where do you get the embryos to adopt? Are their risks involved? How much does it cost? What are the controversies, challenges and joys? Nate is the author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption.” Contact him at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> You’ve Probably Had a Concussion and Didn’t Know

    Is it possible to have a concussion and have no idea? “Absolutely!” says Paul Wand, M.D. “Sometimes symptoms relating to the concussion don’t show up until months or years later! And about 20% of people who actually do go to the emergency room for CT or MRI scans are told they are perfectly fine … when they aren’t.” Interview Dr. Wand, a neurologist, to learn how your child, or you for that matter, could have a concussion and have no idea. Dr. Wand, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, will explain his unique protocol that enables doctors to do both faster and easier. Paul Wand, M.D., PA, has been a medical doctor for 35 years. He’s the author of “The Concussion Cure: Three Proven Methods to Heal Your Brain.” Contact him at (954) 743-5380; PWand@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> Advantages Self-Doubters Have That Self-Confident People Lack

    In our culture, self-confidence is lauded as a virtue. So, what happens to self-doubters? Are they broken? Or could they have an advantage that others lack? Invite leadership expert Marc A. Pitman to reveal why doubt can be a surprising gift that forces leaders to look inward to gain special insight. He can reveal how the words in your head could be sabotaging your efforts and why people experiencing doubt are some of the strongest leaders. His book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a framework for leaders to move past feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> Is Mother’s Intuition Real?

    People talk about mother’s intuition, but is it real or just a myth? Natalie Brobin says it exists and that mothers should trust their intuition because they know their children better than anyone else, even doctors. Her book, “Everyday Self-Care and Your High Needs Child,” offers advice for parents, particularly of children with medical issues, on how to reduce stress and make their lives more joyful. She’ll discuss how parents can take care of their children and themselves without anyone losing out and share her No. 1 piece of advice for “medical moms.” Contact Natalie Brobin at (651) 419-3137; nbonfig@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> Where’s the Peace You’ve Been Looking For?

    Most of us eagerly awaited 2021, hoping for more peace and prosperity in our lives. Now that we’re more than halfway through the year, some may feel that things haven’t really changed much. Donna Melanson says big changes don’t occur without some practice. She says, “We get good at what we practice whether it is public speaking, riding a bike, or learning anything new. You don’t just wake up one day and become like the Buddha. Practicing peace needs to be a non-negotiable daily commitment, like brushing your teeth.” Invite her on your show and learn how to ground yourself wherever you are in any particular moment. She’ll also reveal what it means to “let yourself go” and why it might be the skill to master right now. An experienced yoga teacher, Donna Melanson is best known for her daily beach sunrise broadcast on Periscope.tv. She is the host of “The Silent Bit” podcast and the author of “A Yogi’s Path to Peace: My Journey to Self-Realization.” Contact her at (828) 215-1212; donna.melanson@gmail.com

  • 8/24/2021 RTIR Newsletter: ‘Jeopardy!’ ‘The Trial of George W. Bush,’ Time Management Guru

    01. Afghanistan and Beyond: Does NATO Just Make Things Worse?
    02. The Host ‘Jeopardy!’ Needs Now
    03. Crisis Management: Is ‘Jeopardy!’ in Jeopardy?
    04. Emmy-winning Producer on ‘The Trial of George W. Bush’
    05. Life is Short: Tips from a Time Management Expert
    06. Millennials Would Rather Work from Home
    07. What’s Next for the Housing Market?
    08. How NASA Research Can Help Fight Fires
    09. Want to Run Away? How to Live and Work in Paradise
    10. TV Host Shares Cool Tips for Savoring Last Bits of Summer
    11. Why We Need to Rethink ‘Senior Living’
    12. 7 in 10 Families Are Estranged
    13. This Guest Dispels the 5 Major Myths About Adoption
    14. Why Isn’t This Guest a Drug Addict, Hooker, or Alcoholic?
    15. ‘Life Lessons I Learned from the Dead’

    1.==> Afghanistan and Beyond: Does NATO Just Make Things Worse?

    NATO meets in an emergency session this week to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, but historian David Gibbs says the group’s record on global security has been disastrous, especially concerning its efforts at interventionism and regime change. “Its 1999 bombing of Serbia and Kosovo greatly augmented the scale of atrocities and ethnic cleansing. The 2011 NATO intervention in Libya was even more disastrous, triggering a generalized destabilization of the whole North African region. And more recently, NATO expansion into Eastern Europe has contributed to rising tensions between the West and Russia. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO’s principal legacy has been to generate global insecurity and destabilization — all at great expense to taxpayers.” Gibbs can also discuss the history of outside intervention in Afghanistan, including the little-known U.S., Pakistani and Iranian (under the Shah) operations in the early 1970s, which began Afghanistan’s instability. David Gibbs is a professor of history at the University of Arizona and has published extensively on foreign intervention in Afghanistan since the 1980s. Contact him at dgibbs@email.arizona.edu

    2. ==> The Host ‘Jeopardy!’ Needs Now

    The quiz show “Jeopardy!” is once again looking for a new host after Mike Richards stepped down from the gig amid a series of scandals. Journalist and historian David Perry thinks the show has a second chance to reinvent itself around its unique strengths and hopes the show takes some time to consider what exactly made Alex Trebek so special as a host. “It doesn’t have to find another Trebek — that’s not going to happen. But it does need to recognize that a show about knowing things, a show that is still watched by everyone from kids to elders, is special.” He says, “This is not a place for a bland game show host in a nice suit, but a real person with whom viewers can connect. It’s an opportunity to entertain, but also project the value of learning.” David Perry writes commentary features for CNN, The Nation and the Washington Post. He is a blogger and the author of several books including an upcoming history of the Middle Ages. Contact him at (612) 396-4837; lollardfish@gmail.com

    3. ==> Crisis Management: Is ‘Jeopardy!’ in Jeopardy?

    Crisis manager Tom Madden says having Mike Richards step down was the right decision for “Jeopardy!” But did the show go far enough? “The question now for Sony is whether to keep Alex Trebek’s erstwhile replacement as the beloved show’s executive producer. On that score, I would advise that since he was not fired after those inappropriate remarks surfaced, I’d let Mike keep that job as he’s undoubtedly learned a lesson and his now off-camera role is far less incendiary.” Madden says fans have good reason to be upset at Sony’s botched succession plan. “I’d have to agree with them as it’s devilishly dangerous to attempt to replace a saint with an unrepentant sinner,” he says. “Sony should have probed Richard’s background better instead of putting ‘Jeopardy!’ into such jeopardy.” Tom Madden is the founder and CEO of TransMedia Group and the author of five books including “Wordshine Man.” Contact Justin Baronoff at (561) 750-9800; justin@transmediagroup.com

    4.==> Emmy-winning Producer on ‘The Trial of George W. Bush’

    You may have read stories about former president George W. Bush painting portraits these days but seven-time Emmy award-winning
    producer/director Terry Jastrow still sees Bush as a criminal. “The decision to attack Iraq,” says Jastrow, “made back in 2002 by then-President Bush, was and remains a war crime. And we, the people, cannot afford to forget that fact.” Jastrow’s new novel, “The Trial of George W. Bush,” imagines a scenario wherein President Bush is kidnapped off a golf course in Scotland and transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands to stand trial at the International Criminal Court. Invite Jastrow on your show to discuss whether his work of fiction could turn into fact and why Americans should review the factual record of what George W. Bush said and did to cause the Iraq War. Terry Jastrow is a television producer, director, screenwriter, playwright and actor (as well as husband to Oscar-nominated actress Anne Archer.) Contact Anthony Pomes at (516) 535-2010, ext. 105; apomes@squareonepublishers.com

    5. ==> Life is Short: Tips from a Time Management Expert

    We’re living on borrowed time. “The average human lifetime is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short,” says Oliver Burkeman. If we’re lucky enough to live until we’re 80, we get just four thousand weeks. The pandemic brought home how short life is and caused many of us to rethink how to better apportion our time between jobs, family, friends and community. Most time management gurus preach becoming more efficient and maximizing every minute. But Burkeman contends that approach doesn’t meet the post-pandemic moment and leaves us more stressed, anxious, and isolated from each other. Burkeman, author of the popular Guardian psychology column, “This Column Will Change Your Life,” proposes a blueprint for less stressful living: accept the truth of our finitude and make choices. He’ll invite listeners to drop the futile struggle to carry off the impossible and focus on what’s “gloriously possible” instead and share five questions to help them simplify and identify areas where they can let go. He says, “The last year left many of us feeling utterly unmoored from our familiar routines. As we re-emerge, we have a unique opportunity to reconsider what we’re doing with our time — to construct lives that do justice to the outrageous brevity, and shimmering possibilities, of our four thousand weeks.” Oliver Burkeman’s latest book is “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)

    6. ==> Millennials Would Rather Work from Home

    Corporate America is making plans to get back to the office, with some companies requiring workers to start their commute again and go back to their cubicles. But many workers, especially younger ones, have grown accustomed to remote work and are balking at demands they be onsite five days a week. “Companies would be well served to be as flexible as possible,” says Rebecca Ray, executive vice president for human capital at the Conference Board, a non-profit business membership and research group. “Among the generations, millennials are the most concerned about their health and psychological well-being.” In a recent survey by the group, 5 percent of millennials (defined as people born between 1981 and 1996) questioned the wisdom of returning to the office. Among members of Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) 45 percent had doubts about going back, while only 36 percent of baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) felt that way. Rebecca Ray created the Human Capital Watch, a monthly webcast series that explores current issues, research, and practitioner successes in the field of human capital. Contact her at rebecca.ray@conferenceboard.org or Joseph DiBlasi at (781) 308-7935; Joseph.DiBlasi@conference-board.org

    7. ==> What’s Next for the Housing Market?

    When COVID-19 first hit, real estate watchers worried about a housing market collapse. But Ali Wolf, chief economist for Zonda, says instead, what unfolded was a transformation of the housing market, fueled by what she calls “migration mania.” But, she says, this is not an equal-opportunity boon. “The housing rebound has been fueled by buyers whose wealth allowed them to win bidding wars often with a high down payment and a bid over asking price.” She says those living on local incomes, which are often modest compared with relocating newcomers, are losing the ability to buy a home. Wolf can discuss ways to give locals a shot at homeownership and how to get builders and developers to focus on lower-priced, smaller homes. Ali is quoted frequently in national publications including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Yahoo! Finance, and has also appeared on national and international TV and radio programs such as Bloomberg TV and Marketplace. Zonda creates proprietary housing market research tools. Contact Ali Wolf at awolf@zondahome.com or Valerie Sheets at vsheets@zondahome.com

    8. ==> How NASA Research Can Help Fight Fires

    What connection could NASA have to fighting the wildfires that have increasingly plagued the drought-prone world? Find out from James Moseley, who will share how NASA research — which has already given the world memory foam, Tang and Dustbusters — has also had and will continue to have a major impact on firefighting. Using material found in high-temperature fire blankets designed to ease the re-entry of the Space Shuttles, Jim’s company, Sun FireDefense, has developed technology whose widespread use could save property and lives this wildfire season. Jim will discuss: How can this new technology protect homes? Why are the western U.S. and Canada so prone to damaging wildfires? How can new technologies protect wildlife, the environment and communities in wildfire areas? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Want to Run Away? How to Live and Work in Paradise

    After the past 18 months, who hasn’t thought about running away from home and living in paradise? With so many people now working from home, companies changing their remote work policies, digital nomads, and people reinventing their lives post-pandemic, what was once just a pipedream has become a possibility for many! Invite Diane Huth, author of “The Grown-Ups Guide To Running Away From Home: Earn Dollars. Spend Pesos. Escape to Paradise.” to discuss how much it really costs to live in paradise, medical and safety concerns about moving abroad, and how to fund your overseas dream life. Through her personal story of transformation from a burnt-out caregiver scraping by on Social Security to a joy-filled adventurer living her dream life on a white sandy beach in Mexico, she will show your listeners they too can do the same — more easily and affordably than they ever imagined possible. Contact Diane Huth at (210) 601-7852; Diane@DianeHuth.com

    10. ==> TV Host Shares Cool Tips for Savoring Last Bits of Summer

    With summer’s end at hand, how can you savor every sweet last moment? Invite award-winning TV and movie screenwriter/producer, novelist, lifestyle journalist, and host of PBS-TV’s “Simply Delicious Living,” Maryann Ridini Spencer, to share simple ways to relax and rejuvenate, create memorable entertaining experiences, and use these last days of downtime to recharge your life. She’ll also tell your audience how to keep your summer spirit going into the fall by creating a special dining or relaxing space inside or outside and reveal five tips to start your day to get the most out of it, no matter what the season. Author of the award-winning Kate Grace Mystery books, “Lady in the Window,” “The Paradise Table,” and “Secrets of Grace Manor,” Maryann’s work has appeared on Hallmark Hall of Fame (CBS-TV), the Hallmark Channel, CNN, USA, SyFy, Showtime, and many other outlets. Contact her at (818) 492-9135; mspencer@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Why We Need to Rethink ‘Senior Living’

    According to an AARP survey, 77% of people over 50 say they would like to “age in place” and health experts say it can afford them the greatest span of good health and quality of life. But Linda Mac Dougall’s experiences as a holistic health practitioner and certified massage therapist have opened her eyes to the unmet needs of older Americans. “I want things to change. Seniors don’t have to get so sick and die. We can live long and healthy lives. It is a waste of human potential and costs individuals and this country way too much in so many ways to keep doing what we are doing.” Mac Dougall will discuss the need for more in-home services and what those services might be, as well as creative ways to fill those jobs. Listeners will hear how seniors are often endangered and harmed by improperly fitted walkers, canes and wheelchairs and learn what senior living communities have in common with special needs populations and why a nursing plan alone is insufficient. Linda Mac Dougall’s new book is “The SPIRIT Method of Massage for Seniors: Raising the Bar.” Contact her at (805) 202-6379; speakerholistic@gmail.com

    12. ==> 7 in 10 Families Are Estranged

    Is there a troubling or even unspoken estrangement lurking in your family? Perhaps siblings who no longer communicate, or parents and adult children who avoid or even openly rebuke each other? Discuss these common family dynamics with author Peter Colman, Ph.D., whose book “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption” explores how fragile family relationships can be. Dr. Colman, an educator, will reveal truths and myths about why loved ones drift apart, the regrets both sides have but may not readily admit, the power of shared faith, and his personal insights. Many listeners are sure to identify with this topic and be moved. Ask him: How do forgiveness and healing begin? What is so sacred about the bond between father and son? How do the effects and memories of wartime service impact family relationships? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 469-1886; jcolman@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> This Guest Dispels the 5 Major Myths About Adoption

    Many childless couples and single people who wish to become parents opt to adopt. But they often find themselves navigating through a minefield of red tape, overwhelming expenses, complex laws and emotional turmoil. “Some people believe that the ‘waiting period’ between the time a birth parents’ rights have been terminated and the adoption is final is to allow the birth parents to change their mind,” Mikki Shepard says. “But it’s actually for the adoptive parents.” She adds, “Those who refer to putting a child up for adoption as ‘giving up a child’ are misinformed. It is the greatest gift a birth parent can give to a child when they feel they can’t take care of a baby at the time. It’s a rewarding gift of love to give a child life without second-guessing her decision forever. It creates a family based on love and respect.” As an adoptive mom who was adopted herself as a child, Mikki can also discuss laws regarding independent and international adoption, what expenses to expect, the “nature versus nurture” myth and more. Mikki is the author of “In a Heartbeat: The Miracle of a Family That Was Meant to Be.” Contact her at (938) 222-4650; mshepard@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> Why Isn’t This Guest a Drug Addict, Hooker, or Alcoholic?

    Talk to Francine Tone and you’ll be surprised that her life turned out so successful and positive. She is an accomplished attorney, author, speaker and devoted mother. But things weren’t headed that way in her youth. After loss and abandonment as a child, she was molested before age 6 by her adoptive father and she contemplated suicide nightly as a teen. Francine also suffered a near-fatal car accident, went through a troubling divorce, got cancer and then dealt with a traumatic injury to her only son. But she never gave up. Now she is prepared to tell others how they, too, can overcome adversity and get their lives in order despite the worst of the worst happening. Ask Francine about the difference between learning to accept trouble and turning challenges into motivation for healing; how a TV show helped save her; and what advice she has for young people who are being victimized. Francine is the author of “What Every Good Lawyer Wants You to Know.” Contact Francine Tone at (531) 208-1297; FTone@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> ‘Life Lessons I Learned from the Dead’

    While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark learned about the mysteries surrounding death. “People are always taking in ‘prana,’ or life force,” she says. “Exactly six months before we die, we start letting go of our life force. If we could know that exact moment we start letting go, we would know the moment we are going to die.” She adds, “There are veils that hide things in the physical world that are no longer there when the body dies. That’s why it’s natural that when someone dies, you realize just how much they mean to you.” She can provide fascinating answers to the age-old questions: What really happens after we die? Is death really the end of life? Margo can also delve into other mystifying questions, with astonishing insight. She is the author of “Light in the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,” which has received glowing reviews from prominent authors and spiritual leaders including Deepak Chopra. Contact her at Margo at (828) 260-0873, MLenmark@rtirguests.com

  • 8/19/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Afghan War Profiteers, Shark Sightings, Vacation Tips

    01. Who Profited from the War in Afghanistan?
    02. Wildfire Pollution Fueled COVID-19 in West
    03. The Census Headline You’re Not Seeing
    04. All Your Shark Questions Answered
    05. Ahmed Zappa on New Rock Memorabilia Show
    06. Kids Are Stressing Out Over Back-to-School
    07. Pandemic Fallout: Kids’ Social and Behavior Skills
    08. Are Newly Hired Grads Being Set Up for Failure?
    09. What You Can Learn from Your Incompetent Boss
    10. Vacation Tips: Traveling with Health Issues
    11. Expert Reveals the 6 Types of Men
    12. 5 Major Myths About Adoption
    13. 3 Diet Changes That Can Save the Planet
    14. Missing This Health Task Could Be Deadly
    15. Great Summer Show: Calling All Leonard Cohen Fans

    1.==> Who Profited from the War in Afghanistan?

    The departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan is being lamented and called a defeat by much of the world, but Harper’s Magazine’s Andrew Cockburn says the war was a success for the American military and those who feed at its trough, with trillions of taxpayer dollars flowing through their budgets and profits for the past 20 years. Cockburn recently wrote the piece “How the U.S. military got rich from Afghanistan” for The Spectator. He is the author of the upcoming book, “The Spoils of War: Power, Profit and the American War Machine.” He also wrote the piece “The Long Shadow of a Neocon” about Zalmay Khalilzad, architect of the Doha agreement with the Taliban “who originally set up the Afghan ‘government’ to fail.” Contact Andrew Cockburn at amcockburn@gmail.com, @andrewmcockburn

    2. ==> Wildfire Pollution Fueled COVID-19 in West

    Thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in California, Oregon, and Washington between March and December 2020 may be attributable to increases in fine particulate air pollution from wildfire smoke, according to a new study co-authored by researchers at Harvard. “Clearly, we see that, overall, this is a very dangerous combination,” Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatistics at Harvard and one of the authors of the study, said of the interplay between smoke and COVID-19. “It’s a really scary thing as we continue to face these wildfires all around the world.” Researchers attributed 20,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 750 deaths to the wildfire pollution and found that health outcomes worsened as air quality deteriorated. “This study provides policymakers with key information regarding how the effects of one global crisis — climate change — can have cascading effects on concurrent global crises — in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dominici. Contact Francesca Dominici at fdominic@hsph.harvard.edu or Ted Datz at (617) 432-8413; tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu

    3. ==> The Census Headline You’re Not Seeing

    New U.S. census data is out and so far, the media have focused almost exclusively on the country’s declining white population. Peniel Joseph says those headlines feed white fear, anxiety and anti-immigrant loathing and obscure the real story of what’s happening in the U.S. “More Americans than ever identify as multiracial, making headlines about the loss of white identity less of the proper focus than one about a 21st-century multiracial democracy.” He adds, “Rather than changing the rules of the game to ensure perpetual white domination, Americans should welcome increasing racial diversity as a sign of growing strength rather than a circumstance that elicits fear and loathing. Transforming the racist narrative of the changing demographics in the U.S. will be key to saving American democracy from some of its worse impulses.” A frequent radio and TV commentator on issues of race, democracy and civil rights, Dr. Joseph is the Barbara Jordan Chair in ethics and political values and the founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is also a professor of history. Contact Peniel Joseph at (512) 471-4263; peniel.joseph@austin.utexas.edu

    4. ==> All Your Shark Questions Answered

    A quick internet search for “sharks” will pull up a multitude of headlines of recent sightings from California to New York. If there seem to be more shark sightings than ever, it may be thanks to drones. “The technology has really revolutionized and given us a completely different view of sharks,” says Dr. Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach. Lowe’s research team is combing through about 700 hours of drone footage that they’ve either taken themselves or received from others to study shark behavior and how they react to people. While their research isn’t finished or published yet, Lowe has a cursory analysis: “It looks like so far, the sharks don’t care. They treat people as if they’re flotsam, just floating debris on the surface.” The sharks generally ignore people unless they’re being chased or harassed. That’s a relief given that human and shark interactions appear to be on the rise. Dr. Chris Lowe has appeared on numerous media outlets including the PBS/BBC special “Big Blue Live,” NBC’s “Today,” “Al Jazeera America,” “CBC News”, KNX Radio and more. Contact him at (562) 985-4918; chris.lowe@csulb.edu

    5. ==> Ahmed Zappa on New Rock Memorabilia Show

    For music memorabilia fans, AXS-TV’s new show could rock your world. “Rock My Collection,” hosted by Ahmet Zappa, showcases unique items ranging from weird and rare to deeply personal and possibly even priceless. What kind of stuff? Picture an Italian roadmap signed by guitar great Jimi Hendrix, love letters written by Axl Rose, and Stevie Nicks’ stage microphone, complete with lipstick smears! Through a unique auction partnership, viewers can bid on the pieces via the show’s website, with proceeds going to the National Independent Venues Foundation (NIVF) which benefits small music venues and personnel who have been impacted by COVID. The show features collectors’ personal acquisition stories while an appraiser shares the unique history of the items and their potential value. Musical guests include Alice Cooper, Nancy Wilson, Gavin Rossdale and Todd Rundgren. Ahmet Zappa is the late Frank Zappa’s son and runs his estate. He is also an entrepreneur, author, screenwriter, director, producer, musician, inventor and host of “Rocktails” on SiriusXM. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)

    6. ==> Kids Are Stressing Out Over Back-to-School

    The back-to-school season always brings with it emotional stress and anxiety for children, but the uncertainty and constantly changing regulations due to COVID-19 is causing children even more stress than usual. Former teacher Peggy Sideratos will share seven simple strategies that adults can use with children to help them better handle emotional stress. She says, “Children are not inherently born with a skillset of knowing how to handle difficult emotions, they must be taught and modeled for them.” Your listeners can also download Sideratos’ advice to have on hand to help them create a positive shift in their kids’ mindsets and emotions and help support them through some of the most difficult challenges. Peggy Sideratos is the author of “The Light Giver Stories,” a series of children’s stories and corresponding lessons that reinforce the values of good character and self-esteem along with strategies to empower kids to better handle negative emotions. Contact Peggy Sideratos at (718) 833-3100 (until 9/8); (917) 715-8788 (after 9/8) or perdika1@yahoo.com

    7. ==> Pandemic Fallout: Kids’ Social and Behavior Skills

    Educators knew they’d have to deal with academic gaps in the classroom when kids returned for in-person learning this year, but now they’re also discovering social and behavioral issues. “If you have a younger child, they’ve also missed out on crucial opportunities for the development of social skills, the ability to delay gratification, and emotional intelligence,” says child behavior expert and family coach Rebecah Freeling. “These latter skills are actually more important for kids this age, and the lost opportunities have a real impact!” She says even though it’s early in the year, some schools are already threatening to kick kids out because they’re not playing well with others. Freeling will explain what parents can do to help their child “catch up” and make a successful adaptation to the social demands of the classroom. As CEO of Wits’ End Parenting, Rebecah Freeling specializes in kids with problem behaviors. She’s the author of “Your Rules Are Dumb: How to Maintain Your Parental Authority While Creating a Partnership With Your Spirited Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com

    8. ==> Are Newly Hired Grads Being Set Up for Failure?

    New grads are entering an unprecedented market and many of them aren’t prepared for the new world of work, according to Dawn Mahan, CEO of PMOtraining, LLC, a consulting and talent development firm. “COVID-19 changed the way many professionals work. More than ever, businesses need people who are able to take an idea without a lot of information, effectively collaborate with colleagues and deliver results with a positive attitude.” But she says many employers aren’t ready for onboarding newly hired grads. “Many employers that are hiring grads are already running leaner than usual and it may be the first time that they are onboarding grads virtually. It’s likely to be a bit of a bumpy ride.” Mahan can share insights about COVID-19’s impact on the future of work and tips for grads to shine on the job and become valued contributors, including the No. 1 skill every ambitious young professional needs to succeed and why. Dawn Mahan is author of the upcoming book “Welcome to Projectland: The Project Gurus’ Ultimate Guide for Beginners.” Contact Elizabeth Collins at (877) PMO-7070, (ext. 4); ECollins@PMOtraining.com

    9. ==> What You Can Learn from Your Incompetent Boss

    Is your boss completely useless and blocking your way to advancement at work? While you’re looking for your next job, you can be gaining an advantage by learning important lessons from your incompetent boss. Invite leadership expert Marc A. Pitman to reveal what you can gain by observing your boss and how you can use this information to become an even better leader yourself. His new book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a framework for leaders to move past feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> Vacation Tips: Traveling with Health Issues

    It’s prime vacation season and everyone wants to get out and get away but traveling with health issues (or someone else who has them) can make things tricky and trips don’t always go as planned. Author Mary Oves has tips and advice to travel safely and confidently with a health-compromised family member. As a woman who traveled with a sick husband for 25 years, she’s got plenty of stories and can share what she learned from her experiences, how to prepare for a trip and ways to make the best of a difficult situation while away from home. She says, “My friends used to show me their family vacation pictures in Disney parks, the Grand Canyon and Central Park. My family’s photo album also had those pictures, but also a different kind — pictures in front of wrecked rental cars, waiting in emergency rooms, and sitting in ambulances!” Oves’ writing has appeared in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, the Erma Bombeck Humor website and many other publications. She teaches English at Stockton University. She’s the author of “The Chrysalis Collective.” Contact Mary Oves at (609) 408-8762 (NJ); maryoveschrysaliscollective@gmail.com

    11. ==> Expert Reveals the 6 Types of Men

    Some women make the same dating mistakes over and over then wonder why they can’t find happiness. Author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran says that once a woman knows the six types of men, she can navigate her way to red hot romance. Invite him to share the secrets that can lead to relationship bliss. He can tell your audience the biggest mistakes women make when choosing a partner and the red flags women should watch out for. Goran has developed a method to reprogram yourself that was studied by the University of California, Irvine, and proven to be 100% effective. His latest program is HowToAttractYourSoulmate.com. Goran has been featured on radio and television nationwide. Contact him at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> 5 Major Myths About Adoption

    Many childless couples and single people who wish to become parents opt to adopt. But they often find themselves navigating through a minefield of red tape, overwhelming expenses, complex laws and emotional turmoil. “Some people believe that the ‘waiting period’ between the time a birth parents’ rights have been terminated and the adoption is final is to allow the birth parents to change their mind,” Mikki Shepard says. “But it’s actually for the adoptive parents.” She adds, “Those who refer to putting a child up for adoption as ‘giving up a child’ are misinformed. It is the greatest gift a birth parent can give to a child when they feel they can’t take care of a baby at the time. It’s a rewarding gift of love to give a child life without second-guessing her decision forever. It creates a family based on love and respect.” As an adoptive mom who was adopted as a child, Mikki can also discuss laws regarding independent and international adoption, what expenses to expect, the “nature versus nurture” myth and more. Mikki is the author of “In a Heartbeat: The Miracle of a Family That Was Meant to Be.” Contact her at (938) 222-4650; mshepard@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> 3 Diet Changes That Can Save the Planet

    The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just released a new report, and the message is clear: Deadly and irreversible effects of climate change are already here. Unlike previous assessments, the report also concludes it is “unequivocal” that humans have caused the climate crisis. Invite health coach Ximena Yanez Soto (pronounced He-men-a) to explain how our current diet and lifestyle have contributed to the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Ask her: Does eating organic produce really matter? Have we been manipulated about the importance of animal protein in our diets? What’s so bad about GMO ingredients? What should you include in every meal? How can we eat to save the planet? Ximena is the author of the upcoming book “Healthy Planet, Healthy You: Invest Now in the Transformational Change That Will Ensure Our Future” and the former CFO of an environmental fund. Contact her at (720) 277-8617; xiyaso@gmail.com

    14. ==> Missing this Health Task Could Be Deadly

    You don’t want to ignore your medical records! After all, the smartest patients (and those most likely to live healthier and longer lives) never overlook the details about their family’s medications, vaccinations, doctor visits, or previous surgeries/procedures. Learn more from retired nurse practitioner (APRN) Anne McAwley-LeDuc, who advocates full and accurate record-keeping even for ordinary patients. She warns that having disorganized personal health histories can be dangerous and threaten lives. Ask her: Where should you keep and maintain essential medical records? What inspired her to create the Personal Health Organizer that provides a life-saving snapshot of one’s health history? What do doctors, school nurses and emergency departments need to know when treating your kids — and how can you help? How did COVID-19 make this issue even more important? Contact McAwley-LeDuc at (860) 300-1603; AMcAwley@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> Great Summer Show: Calling All Leonard Cohen Fans

    In 1973, at the age of 27, Judy Scott embarked on a trek through Europe — and wound up spending the entire summer on the Greek island of Hydra. The spot had become a destination for many celebrities over the years including John and Yoko Lennon, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. When Judy arrived for the first time it had become an artists’ colony of sorts where she met iconic singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen and his lifelong muse, a beautiful blonde Norwegian woman named Marianne Ihlen. In the new book, “Leonard, Marianne, and Me: Magical Summers on Hydra,” Judy chronicles her affair with not only Hydra but with Cohen and, especially, Marianne, who lived with Cohen, on and off, for 11 years — much of it on the island — and remained soulmates with him until their death just months apart in 2016. Cohen fans will love the rare insight Judy can share into the meaning behind the lyrics of some of his most famous songs including “So Long, Marianne,” “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong,” and the much-revered “Hallelujah.” Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853 (cell); LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com

  • 8/17/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Biden’s Afghan Stain, Workplace Vaxx Issues, What’s On the Grill?

    01. Afghanistan: This Preventable Disaster Is on Biden
    02. Can Afghanistan Rebuild and Reconcile?
    03. Bar Fights: New Podcast Takes on Sexual Abuse
    04. September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story
    05. Cuba: An American History
    06. Will Your Boss Want You Vaxxed?
    07. Calming Kids’ Back-to-School Fears
    08. Do a Show on the NASA-Wildfire Connection
    09. Secrets of the World’s Most Celebrated Brands Revealed
    10. It’s Grill Time: Don’t Forget the Dogs!
    11. Character Flaw or Rare Genetic Condition?
    12. World-Famous Healer’s Secrets Already in Your Kitchen
    13. Doc Reveals Why Babies Should Decide When to Be Born
    14. How This Retired Hospice Nurse Knows There Is an Afterlife
    15. Frontline Barbies Honor Real-Life Heroes

    1. ==> Afghanistan: This Preventable Disaster Is on Biden

    Historian Max Boot says the calamity in Afghanistan is the result of the past four administrations, but he puts the blame for the current disaster squarely on Joe Biden’s shoulders and says the situation will leave an indelible stain on his presidency. “Biden cannot claim ignorance of what was to come. He was amply warned by the U.S. intelligence community,” Boot says. “The only thing I did not anticipate — no one did — was how rapidly the unraveling would occur. Even last Monday, the U.S. military was warning that it would be 30 to 90 days before Kabul fell. Now, six days later, it has fallen, and Biden will spend the rest of his presidency grappling with the tragic consequences of this preventable disaster.” Max Boot is a historian, best-selling author, columnist, and foreign-policy analyst. He is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow in national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a columnist for the Washington Post. Contact him at communications@cfr.org

    2. == > Can Afghanistan Rebuild and Reconcile?

    Matthew Hoh is hopeful things will get better in Afghanistan. “With the Taliban taking power, primarily through deals with warlords in the government, we may now witness a significant reduction in the cycle of violence,” he says. “Perhaps with violence coming to an end, or even just declining, Afghanistan can have a chance to rebuild and reconcile.” He calls “concern” from politicians, pundits and media in the U.S. over the fate of the Afghans hollow and hypocritical. Hoh raises issues regarding the nature of deal-making between the Taliban and the U.S. government, issues surrounding the drug trade and how surveillance using Pegasus is being used in Afghanistan. Hoh resigned in protest from his State Department position in Afghanistan in 2009 over the escalation of the Afghan War by the Obama administration. He recently wrote the pieces “What critics of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan get wrong” for CNN and “A Cruel and Unjust Peace for Afghanistan” for Newsweek. Contact Matthew Hoh at matthew_hoh@riseup.net, @MatthewPHoh

    3. ==> Bar Fights: New Podcast Takes on Sexual Abuse

    Sexual abuse attorney Sarah Klein’s new podcast “Bar Fights” tackles the truth about sexual abuse in candid conversations with survivors and high-profile change-makers. Klein is a former gymnast and the first identified victim of former Olympic women’s gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Her first guests include Olympian Jamie Dantsczher, New York Times best-selling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, U.S. Women’s National Team’s mental skills coach Dr. Colleen Hacker, and the first female analytics expert for NFL Media, Cynthia Frelund. Sarah Klein has become a leading voice on sexual abuse and other legal issues on television, radio, and in print media including ESPN, the “Today” show, “CBS This Morning,” “Dr. Oz,” NPR, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She also appears regularly as a legal analyst on Court TV. Contact Mara Quigley at mara@steveallenmedia.com

    4. ==> September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story

    Invite 9/11 terrorist attack expert and author Dean Rotbart to share the behind-the-scenes story of how the Wall Street Journal published a Pulitzer Prize-winning edition on 9/12, even though its newsroom was destroyed the day before. The Journal staff’s response on 9/11 offers lessons for any organization, business, or individual confronted with an unexpected, large, setback and can either rebound or quit. Rotbart can share amazing, never-told 9/11 stories, as well as explain what anyone can learn from the experiences of the journalists who experienced it firsthand. Rotbart is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated former reporter and columnist for the Wall Street Journal and the host of MondayMorningRadio.com, a weekly business podcast. His new book is “September Twelfth: An American Comeback Story.” Contact him at dean.rotbart@september-twelfth.com

    5. ==> Cuba: An American History

    What do you and listeners know about Cuba? NYU award-winning historian Ada Ferrer, Ph.D., will share the story of the island from the era of Columbus to the present day — linking the joint history of Cuba and the U.S. Ferrer — a Cuban-born, American-raised daughter of immigrants —uses the unusually complex relationship between the United States and Cuba to frame and reframe more than five centuries of the island’s history. Hear how Columbus came ashore in Cuba and wiped out most of the Indigenous population, establishing a slave-based economy of sugar, tobacco, and rum that would decimate the island for centuries. Learn about the decades of attempted revolts and revolutions, how the U.S. helped Cuba expel the Spanish (although Ferrer considers it a myth that the Americans won the island its independence from Spain), the island’s relationship with the United States, the rise of Fidel Castro, and how a distinct Cuban identity was forged over the centuries. Ada Ferrer is one of the world’s leading historians of Cuba, a history professor at NYU and the author of several books including her latest, “Cuba: An American History.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188

    6. ==> Will Your Boss Want You Vaxxed?

    The federal government, along with some of the nation’s largest corporations, have recently announced requirements that employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and that could cause a cascade of private company vaccine mandates, according to one workplace authority. “Certainly, companies nationwide will follow the lead of some of these major employers. Time will tell if it will increase vaccination rates among the holdouts,” says Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “Workers are pushing back on coming back into the office in person and many companies are having trouble finding workers, especially for in-person roles. Knowing their colleagues are vaccinated may give many significant peace of mind and bring some people back to the workforce,” he adds. According to a recent Challenger survey, 81% of companies are experiencing pushback from their teams to the return to in-person work and 85% report having trouble filling open positions. Nearly 24% cited COVID concerns specifically as a reason workers are leaving jobs. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (314) 807-1568 (cell); colleenmadden@challengergray.com

    7. ==> Calming Kids’ Back-to-School Fears

    For more than a year, kids have been facing the pandemic, feeling lonely and separated from friends, worried about disease, and struggling with online learning or homeschooling. Now many children are almost as fearful about going back to school. You’ll want to speak with educator Barbara Daniels, author of the award-winning Timmy Teacup series, to help parents prepare their kids for the new school year. Ask her: What are the biggest challenges as we reopen schools, theaters, amusement parks, malls, and other places kids hang out? What steps can parents take if their child seems particularly reticent? Contact Barbara Daniels at (636) 220-5495; BDaniels@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Do a Show on the NASA-Wildfire Connection

    What connection could NASA have to the wildfires that have increasingly plagued the drought-prone world? Find out from James Moseley, who will share how NASA research — which has already given the world memory foam, Tang and Dustbusters — has also had and will continue to have a major impact on firefighting. Using material found in high-temperature fire blankets designed to ease the re-entry of the Space Shuttles, Jim’s company, Sun FireDefense, has developed technology whose widespread use could save property and lives this wildfire season. Jim will discuss:
    How can this new technology protect homes? Where might wildfires be most damaging in the U.S. and Canada? What about technologies that protect wildlife, the environment and communities in wildfire areas? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Secrets of the World’s Most Celebrated Brands Revealed

    Would your listeners like to know how celebrities create world-class brands so they can do it too? Raj Girn, an internationally celebrated brand authority and the creator of “The 6-Step Guide That Celebrities Use to Guarantee World-Class Brand Presence,” is prepared to offer the same fantastic tips to your audience that she has passed on to executives at L’Oréal Paris, Estée Lauder, Johnnie Walker, Cîroc, Sheraton and Fairmont Hotels and people like Priyanka Chopra, Hannah Simone, Robin Sharma and Freida Pinto. Ask her: What are the four biggest myths that prevent brands from taking off? What are the six steps to creating a world-class brand that anyone can dial in, no matter what their size or budget? A media celebrity in Canada who has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and Globe and Mail, and on FOX and CBS, Raj is a regular contributor to Entrepreneuer.com, ThriveGlobal.com and Medium.com and an internationally best-selling author whose blog attracts 500,000 unique monthly visitors. She also publishes a weekly newsletter with over 100,000 subscribers and has a combined social media network of over 1 million. She runs The Open Chest Confidence Academy and a masterclass she created on celebrity brand secrets sold out immediately. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> It’s Grill Time: Don’t Forget the Dogs!

    You can have hamburgers and chicken, corn-on-the-cob and potato salad, but Americans agree that for a cookout to be complete there’s gotta be some hot dogs on the grill! That is, according to a recent survey by the National Hot Dot and Sausage Council (NHDSC). The group says between now and Labor Day Americans will eat more than 7 billion hot dogs! Invite NHDSC Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal to talk about regional hot dog styles, what Major League Baseball stadiums are serving this year, and even the proper hot dog eating etiquette! Who knew? And Mittenthal says while the pandemic might have canceled a lot of things last year, sales of hot dogs were up 20%. Established in 1994 by the American Meat Institute, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council serves as an information resource to consumers and media on questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages. Contact Eric Mittenthal at (202) 587-4238; (404) 808-8396 (cell) or emittenthal@meatinstitute.org

    11. ==> Character Flaw or Rare Genetic Condition?

    Have a coworker who doesn’t do much? A brother-in-law who is unable to hold down a job? Know someone who is young yet is always tired and lacking motivation? All three of these individuals might appear to be lazy but it is possible that what they have instead is a rare genetic brain disorder that is often missed by physicians who lack awareness of it themselves. Educate your audience by interviewing Ann S. Woodbury, who has become an expert on myotonic dystrophy (Dystrophia Myotonica, DM), a disease that is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Ann’s husband and four children have DM and it was through her search to get answers for their care that she became expert enough to share her knowledge of the disease and its treatment as the head of Utah’s DM support group and write “Surviving Myotonic Dystrophy.” She has been on this mission since their diagnoses in 1998. Contact her at (801) 554-1258; annswoodbury@gmail.com

    12. ==> World-Famous Healer’s Secrets Already in Your Kitchen

    Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., has health advice that will not only help your listeners lose weight and feel better, it’s also simple — and delicious! Invite him to share the secrets of the late Dr. Pankaj Naram, an internationally famous master healer with whom Dr. Clint trained. 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. He just released an audiobook of his best-selling “Ancient Secrets of a Master Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and Life’s Greatest Secrets.” Contact him at (914) 215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com

    13. ==> Doc Reveals Why Babies Should Decide When to Be Born

    Due dates. Planned C-sections. Induced labor. Medicines to prevent premature birth. Nowadays it seems that most babies are scheduled to arrive, and not always for a medical reason. Sometimes births are timed for the convenience of the mother and her doctor. Many parents even plan their pregnancies so they’ll have a holiday baby, or so their child‘s birth won’t interrupt vacation time. But OB/GYN Alan Lindemann will reveal why the vast number of births should happen when the baby is truly ready. Ask Dr. Lindemann: Why were so many C-sections done? How are mothers and babies safer when nature takes its course? What are the only acceptable reasons to hurry or delay a birth? How has birthing changed? Dr. Alan Lindemann has delivered more than 6,000 babies. He is the author of “Modern Medicine When You’re Dying to Know.” Contact him at (828) 818-8242; ALindemann@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> How This Retired Hospice Nurse Knows There is an Afterlife

    As someone who has been with many patients as they faced the end of their lives, retired hospice nurse Jean Keegan Daly knows that some people wonder, worry, or feel afraid about an afterlife. The incidents she has witnessed coupled with her own profound near-death experience have led her to conclude that there truly is life after death, angels are real, and departed loved ones are still paying attention to our lives. Invite Jean on your program to hear some of her amazing stories including the one about 9-year-old Diane who, after her death, appeared to and spoke to Jean. Ask Jean: What lessons did her first hospice patient teach her? What encounters did she have with angels? Why does she believe that all of us have a soul and a purpose for what we are supposed to do in this life? Jean has written her memoir, “Reflections of a Seasoned Soul,” which reveals her journey to understanding life here and beyond. She has appeared on local television and taught at community colleges, organizations, and hospitals. Contact Jean Keegan Daly at (609) 912-3778; Jkeegandaly@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> Frontline Barbies Honor Real-Life Heroes

    Continuing its #ThankYouHeroes program, Mattel’s Barbie line of dolls is spotlighting six women who are real-life heroes of the pandemic and honoring each of them with a one-of-a-kind doll made in their likeness. Among the women being honored are two from the U.S.: Amy O’Sullivan, an emergency room nurse who treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn, and Audrey Sue Cruz, a frontline worker from Las Vegas, who worked with other Asian American physicians to fight anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. Mattel’s Lisa McKnight says, “To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back. Our hope is to nurture and ignite the imaginations of children playing out their own storyline as heroes.” The company will also donate $5 for each Barbie doctor, nurse or paramedic doll sold at participating Target locations during August to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), benefiting the children of first responders. Contact Devin Tucker at Devin.Tucker@Mattel.com

  • 8/12/2021 RTIR Newsletter: GOP Gerrymandering, COVID & Kids, Females & Fairy Tales

    01. Pediatrician Answers Back-to-School Mask Questions
    02. Kids, COVID-19 and Rare MIS-C Syndrome
    03. The GOP’s Gigantic Gerrymander Grab
    04. Constitutional Scholar on Supreme Court and Racist Policing
    05. Behind TV’s Best Visual Effects
    06. Make these 3 Diet Changes to Help Save the Planet
    07. Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope
    08. Would You Adopt Somebody Else’s Embryo?
    09. Child Tax Credit Checks: Are You On the List?
    10. I Quit! Why Millions Are Leaving Jobs
    11. Expert Reveals the 6 Types of Men in Relationships
    12. Do Fairy Tales Disempower Young Girls?
    13. How to Raise a Self-Motivated Child
    14. What’s in Your Cup? Will it Boost or Bust Your Health?
    15. Who Knew? Fascinating Facts about NYC

    1. ==> Pediatrician Answers Back-to-School Mask Questions

    As the number of pediatric COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the United States, parents are adding face masks to the top of their back-to-school shopping lists. For the 2021-2022 school year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends all students ages 2 and older wear face masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of nearly 70,000 pediatricians, has also called on schools to enforce universal masking mandates. Dr. Richard Malley, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital, can break down what parents need to know about masking up their kids this fall. Ask him: What’s the best mask for kids? Do N95 or KN95 masks provide more protection? What about cloth masks? Can kids get sick from wearing a mask? Contact Richard Malley, M.D., at (617) 919-2900; (617) 730-0255 or richard.malley@childrens.harvard.edu

    2. ==> Kids, COVID-19 and Rare MIS-C Syndrome

    Children are not immune to COVID-19. They’re getting infected with the disease and can spread it, but they usually don’t get as sick as adults. But some kids and adolescents can have long-term complications, even those who initially had mild or no symptoms.
    Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says in rare cases children develop a condition called MIS-C, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome that can affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal organs. “Usually children are picked up incidentally as having (coronavirus). Someone in the family was infected, a friend was infected, so they got a PCR test. And they’re found to be positive. And they’re fine,” Offit says. “Then a month goes by, and they develop a high fever. And evidence of lung, liver, kidney or heart damage. That’s when they come to our hospital.” More than 4,000 cases of MIS-C have been reported since February 2020, including 37 deaths. Offit says experts still don’t know much about the syndrome, including why these symptoms are appearing in kids, and how that relates to COVID-19. Paul A. Offit, M.D., is the director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Contact Joey McCool Ryan at (267) 426-6070; mccool@email.chop.edu

    3. ==>The GOP’s Gigantic Gerrymander Grab

    According to a new Associated Press analysis, Republican politicians, fresh off their electoral wins a decade ago, used census data to draw voting districts that gave them a greater political advantage in more states than either party had in the past 50 years. The GOP’s power will be put to the test when the U.S. Census Bureau releases 2020 population data this week, kicking off the next round of the once-a-decade redistricting process. Because of recent redistricting reforms, it could be more difficult for Republicans to maintain their advantage in some states. But in an era of increased political polarization among voters, the past decade shows that it’s “really hard for one party to win when the other party has designed the maps,” says Chris Warshaw, a political scientist at George Washington University who analyzes election data. Warshaw can discuss how gerrymandering affects elections, where it has had the most impact, and why it continues. Contact Chris Warshaw at (202) 994-9233; warshaw@gwu.edu; @cwarshaw

    4. ==> Constitutional Scholar on Supreme Court and Racist Policing

    Police are nine times more likely to kill African American men than they are other Americans—in fact, nearly one in every thousand will die at the hands of an officer. Constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky argues this is no accident, but the horrific result of an elaborate body of court decisions that allow the police and the courts to undermine constitutional protections against self-incrimination and unreasonable searches and seizures. Invite Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley, School of Law, to reveal how the Supreme Court has enabled racist policing and sanctioned law enforcement excesses through its decisions over the last half-century. Hear how an unprecedented series of landmark rulings in the mid-1950s and 1960s allowed the pro-defendant Warren Court to impose significant constitutional limits on policing. But Chemerinsky says the fleeting liberal era ultimately concluded with Nixon’s presidency and the ascendance of conservative and “originalist” justices, whose rulings have sanctioned stop-and-frisks, limited suits to reform police departments, and even abetted the use of lethal chokeholds. Erwin Chemerinsky’s latest book is “Presumed Guilty: How the Supreme Court Empowered the Police and Subverted Civil Rights.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188

    5. ==> Behind TV’s Best Visual Effects

    Ever wonder how they create the special effects on your favorite TV shows? Go behind the scenes with Emmy-nominated visual effects expert Ryan Freer from Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (MARZ). Freer is up for two Emmys later this month for his work on visual effects on the shows WandaVision and The Umbrella Academy. He can discuss those projects and what he’s working on for the upcoming fall TV season. Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (MARZ) is a tech company and VFX studio that focuses exclusively on premium TV. Contact Virginia Chavez at (415) 939-8318 (cell)

    6. ==> Make these 3 Diet Changes to Help Save the Planet

    The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just released a new report, and the message is clear: Deadly and irreversible effects of climate change are already here. Unlike previous assessments, the report also concludes it is “unequivocal” that humans have caused the climate crisis. Invite health coach Ximena Yanez Soto (pronounced He-men-a) to explain how our current diet and lifestyle have contributed to the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Ask her: Does eating organic produce really matter? Have we been manipulated about the importance of animal protein in our diets? What’s so bad about GMO ingredients? What should you include in every meal? How can we eat to save the planet? Ximena is the author of the upcoming book “Healthy Planet, Healthy You: Simple Habits to Create a Brighter Future” and the former CFO of an environmental fund. Contact her at (720) 277-8617; xiyaso@gmail.com

    7. ==> Alzheimer’s at 30, 40, or 50? What to Look for, How to Cope

    Did you know that people as young as 30 can have Alzheimer’s, the memory-robbing disease we think only affects older people? Would you recognize the warning signs besides forgetfulness? Carlen Maddux’s very active wife was just days past her fiftieth birthday when she was diagnosed with the fatal disease with no cure. They were blindsided, but your audience doesn’t have to be. Carlen, a former reporter, will share his family’s 17-year coping journey with your audience that included becoming his wife’s caregiver while deep in his career and their children were young. Highly articulate, he has done dozens of interviews about this moving topic. Carlen is the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Would You Adopt Somebody Else’s Embryo? Why People Do

    Most people think adoption means waiting until a baby is born to someone else and agreeing to care for and raise the child as their own. But there’s a different way to adopt that starts way before that, with a frozen fertilized embryo. And your audience is likely to have plenty of questions about it, questions that Nate Birt can answer. At the moment, the U.S. birth rate is declining but at the same time the number of women freezing their eggs has skyrocketed and, thanks to IVF, some of these eggs have been fertilized and are babies waiting for a womb. Nate and his wife adopted a frozen embryo, had it implanted in his wife’s body, enjoyed her pregnancy and birth experience, and are now the parents of a sweet toddler. Ask him: Where do you get the embryos to adopt? Are their risks involved? How much does it cost? What are the controversies, challenges and joys? Nate is the author of “Frozen, But Not Forgotten: An Adoptive Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide to Embryo Adoption.” Contact him at (417) 221-9045; Nbirt@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Child Tax Credit Checks: Are You On the List?

    Millions of American families started getting some extra cash from Uncle Sam. Expanded Child Tax Credit checks will run through the end of the year. They’re part of the American Rescue Plan and are meant to get money to families who need it most. Sergio Mata-Cisneros, a domestic policy analyst at Bread for the World, a Christian-based anti-hunger group, says, “I don’t think there has been any other policy in decades that will reduce poverty and hunger like this will.” Most parents don’t have to do anything to get the funds, but some of the neediest families don’t know they qualify for monthly payments. Bread for World works with 250,000 activists, some of whom plan to go door-to-door to educate families and show them how to apply. Contact Sergio Mata-Cisneros at @mata_sergio or Chris Ford at (202) 688-1077; (520) 904-0415 (cell) or cford@bread.org

    10. ==> I Quit! Why Millions Are Leaving Jobs

    As pandemic life recedes in the U.S., people are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time. Tim Winders can help your listeners figure out how to take advantage of this time to create the kind of life they’d like to have. The author and performance coach can offer three principles for hitting the reset button. Winders, who has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, utilizes these principles in his novel, “Coach: A Parable of Success Redefined.” Winders, who along with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while traveling around the country, survived several business failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts the “SeekGoCreate” podcast and is available last-minute. Contact Tim at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Expert Reveals the 6 Types of Men in Relationships

    Some women make the same dating mistakes over and over then wonder why they can’t find happiness. Author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran says that once a woman knows the six types of men, she can navigate her way to red hot romance. Invite him to share the secrets that can lead to relationship bliss. He can tell your audience the biggest mistakes women make when choosing a partner and the red flags women should watch out for. Goran has developed a method to reprogram yourself that was studied by the University of California, Irvine, and proven to be 100% effective. His latest program is HowToAttractYourSoulmate.com. Goran has been featured on radio and television nationwide. Contact him at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> Do Fairy Tales Disempower Young Girls?

    Do fairy tales teach young girls that success can only be achieved with the arrival of a man? Single mother by choice Louisa Pateman believes so. In her memoir, “Single, Again, and Again, and Again…,” she describes how she felt like a failure when she couldn’t achieve her happily-ever-after as defined by fairy tales and society. “We need to start empowering young girls to believe that they don’t need to wait for their Prince Charming, that they can live an extraordinary life just on their own,” Louisa says. Louisa will discuss the pressure she felt from family, friends, and society to find a man and get married, her struggles as a single woman, her decision to become a single mother by choice, and how there is more than one path to a happy ending. Contact Louisa Pateman at LouisaPateman@gmail.com; +61 (0) 414 096 016

    13. ==> How to Raise a Self-Motivated Child

    As back-to-school nears, will the parents in your audience soon be tired of nagging their kids to study, clean their rooms, pick up their socks or get better grades? If so, Pete Andersen, Ph.D., author of “The 3 Secret Skills of Top Performers,” a father of six college graduates and a former school superintendent, is on hand to give the success secrets they need to raise go-getters instead of excuse-makers. He’ll explain why early discipline in the home is key to future success, top students set low positive goals, why parents should wear college sweatshirts and T-shirts, and much more. Dr. Pete has served as an assistant high school principal, high school principal, and licensed school superintendent. Contact him at (858) 886-9820; drpete@The3SecretSkillsofTopPerformers.com

    14. ==> What’s in Your Cup? Will it Boost or Bust Your Health?

    Since the pandemic began, everyone has been talking about immunity. Invite Tilak Sikva on your show and learn how your body can be healthier to ward off disease, how we can be wiser in what we eat and drink during every season and the best natural way to bring about strength, energy, healthier skin and ultimately longer life. Sikva will reveal which commonly imbibed beverages decrease immunity, especially in difficult times, and share which ones are healthiest and why. You’ll also hear about the unexpected health benefits of herbs like cilantro, and how to get the most out of them. Tilak Sikva is an expert in nutrition and health research and the inventor of CilanTea. Contact him at (310) 421-4680, tsilva@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> Who Knew? Fascinating Facts about NYC

    Ever wonder what lays beneath the high-rise buildings of New York? Or the city’s role in finalizing and celebrating the Constitution? Did you know that New York was the first U.S. capital? Sasha Vosk can share fascinating facts about New York and discuss the role the city has played in the country from colonial times until today, for its cultural and financial influence and its popularity as a tourist destination. Vosk’s new book, “400 Years of New York History: A Pictorial Guide: Book 1: New York as New Amsterdam in the 1600s,” takes readers back in time to experience the sights of New York City’s past using photorealism, a technique that combines photography, 3-D modeling and painting. Sasha Vosk is a Brooklyn-based writer, director, and muralist who immigrated to New York 40 years ago from Russia. He has also been a stand-up comic, an Emmy-award-winning film producer (“Billy Crystal: A Midnight Train to Moscow”), Russian cultural festival promoter, and a producer of the Moscow Circus’ worldwide tours. He is a New York history buff and has more than 30 years’ experience using photorealism in illustration and mural work. Contact Sasha Vosk at (347) 225-2574; author@VoskTimeTravelGuide.com

  • 8/10/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Activist or Terrorist? Ahmet Zappa, Live Like a Big Shot

    1. Is an Environmental Activist a Terrorist?
    2. The Pandemic Divide Explained
    3. U.S. Comes in Last in Health Care Rankings
    4. Ahmet Zappa on New Rock Memorabilia Show
    5. Want to Pretend to Live on Mars for a Year?
    6. 3 Diet Changes That Can Save the Planet
    7. Are Americans Selfish? Independence vs Common Good
    8. What the Far-Right Has in Common with the Far-Left
    9. How to Live Large on a Small Budget
    10. Wine Destinations: Plan Your Next Trip
    11. Do a Show on Family Estrangement
    12. The Truth about Black Women and Infertility
    13. The 3 Most Toxic Things for Your Health
    14. This Therapist Says Racism is a Mental Illness
    15. Will Trump Be Remembered as the Worst President?

    1.==> Is an Environmental Activist a Terrorist?

    Just as the U.N. releases a report on the danger that human-caused climate change poses to the world, a longtime environmental activist is heading to prison. A federal judge sentenced 39-year-old Jessica Reznicek to eight years behind bars after she pleaded guilty to a single count of damaging equipment at the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa. Her lengthy sentence was based in part on a domestic terrorism claim and her prior criminal history related to activism. Environmentalists are outraged over the sentence and say the fossil fuel companies who knowingly caused the climate emergency are the real criminals who should be held to account. Alex Cohen, part of the SupportJessicaReznicek.com coalition, criticizes the dangerous legal precedent of applying domestic terrorism enhancement to Reznicek’s case. He says, “The terrorism enhancement doubled Jessica’s sentence and unless changed could have frightening consequences for anyone seeking to protect the environment from corporate destruction.” Contact him at freejessicareznicek@gmail.com; @freejessrez

    1. ==> The Pandemic Divide Explained

    A new Pew Research Center study reveals pronounced ideological divides between those on the left and right over the level of restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19’s spread. The degree of division is greatest in the United States, with fully half of right-leaning Americans (52%) objecting to lockdowns and other measures introduced in 2020 and 2021. That compares with just 7% of those on the left of the political spectrum who criticize COVID-19 restrictions as too harsh. James Bell says the ideological divide over how far countries should go in stemming the spread of the coronavirus is evident among many of the publics polled, including in Australia, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. He says, “Americans may be more emphatic about the societal divisions sown since the pandemic’s outbreak, but they are far from alone in thinking COVID-19 has done more to divide than unite society.” James Bell is vice president of global strategy at the Pew Research Center. Contact Stefan Cornibert at scornibert@pewresearch.org; (202) 419-4517 or Gar Meng Leong at gleong@pewresearch.org; (202) 419-4354

    1. ==> U.S. Comes in Last in Health Care Rankings

    The U.S. once again ranks last in access to health care, equity and outcomes among high-income countries, despite spending a far greater share of its economy on health care, a new report finds. The nation has landed in the basement in all seven studies the Commonwealth Fund has conducted since 2004 and is the only one of the 11 countries surveyed not to have universal health insurance coverage. U.S. health insurance does not provide enough protections, which compromises Americans’ health and finances, according to David Blumenthal, president of the Commonwealth Fund. “In no other country does income inequality so profoundly limit access to care as it does here,” he says. “Far too many people cannot afford the care they need and far too many are uninsured, especially compared to other wealthy nations.” In addition to lower access to care, the U.S. also ranked poorly on maternal mortality, infant mortality, life expectancy at age 60, and deaths that were potentially preventable with timely access to care, the survey found. The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation whose mission is to promote a high-performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, and people of color. Contact David Blumenthal at (212) 606-3825; db@cmwf.org

    4.==> Ahmet Zappa on New Rock Memorabilia Show

    For music memorabilia fans, AXS TV has a new show that may rock your world. “Rock My Collection” is hosted by Ahmet Zappa and showcases unique Items ranging from weird and rare to deeply personal and possibly even priceless. What kind of stuff? Picture an Italian roadmap signed by guitar great Jimi Hendrix, love letters written by Axl Rose, and Stevie Nicks’ stage microphone, complete with lipstick smears! Through a unique auction partnership, viewers can bid on the pieces via the show’s website, with proceeds going to the National Independent Venues Foundation (NIVF) which benefits small music venues and personnel who have been impacted by COVID. The show features collectors’ personal acquisition stories while an appraiser shares the unique history of the items and their potential value. Musical guests include Alice Cooper, Nancy Wilson, Gavin Rossdale and Todd Rundgren. “Rock My Collection” launches August 15. Ahmet Zappa is the late Frank Zappa’s son and runs his estate. He is also an entrepreneur, author, screenwriter, director, producer, musician, inventor and host of “Rocktails” on SiriusXM. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)

    1. == > Want to Pretend to Live on Mars for a Year?

    Want to find your inner Matt Damon and spend a year pretending you are isolated on Mars? NASA has a job for you. To prepare for eventually sending astronauts to Mars, NASA is recruiting four people to live in Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot setting — made by an Icon 3D printer — located at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. The paid position entails taking part in a simulated Martian exploration mission complete with spacewalks, limited communications back home, restricted food and resources and equipment failures. Grace Douglas, lead scientist for NASA’s Advanced Food Technology research effort, says, “The analog is critical for testing solutions to meet the complex needs of living on the Martian surface.” She adds, “Simulations on Earth will help us understand and counter the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face before they go.” Applicants will need to hold a master’s degree in engineering, math, or computer science and have at least two years of pilot experience. For interviews and more information, contact Shaneequa Vereen at (281) 483-5111; (281) 792-7441 or shaneequa.y.vereen@nasa.gov

    1. ==> 3 Diet Changes That Can Save the Planet

    The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just released a new report, and the message is clear: Deadly and irreversible effects of climate change are already here. Unlike previous assessments, the report also concludes it is “unequivocal” that humans have caused the climate crisis. Invite health coach Ximena Yanez Soto (pronounced He-men-a) to explain how our current diet and lifestyle have contributed to the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Ask her: Does eating organic produce really matter? Have we been manipulated about the importance of animal protein in our diets? What’s so bad about GMO ingredients? What should you include in every meal? How can we eat to save the planet? Ximena is the author of the upcoming book “Healthy Planet, Healthy You: Invest Now in the Transformational Change That Will Ensure Our Future” and the former CFO of an environmental fund. Contact her at (720) 277-8617; xiyaso@gmail.com

    1. ==> Are Americans Selfish? Independence vs Common Good

    Glen Dunzweiler is an independent filmmaker, former college professor, and author who specializes in raising and debating difficult questions. For example, are Americans more inclined to fight each other than to fight the COVID-19 virus? Is the rugged independence the U.S. is known for a handicap when it comes to getting people to buy into doing what is best for the common good? How can we deal with the deeply ingrained pushback we have for authority? Just as he does with his new YouTube series, “Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler,” Glen will engage your audience in a thoughtful discussion on ways to use “good old American innovation” to turn COVID mania into something good. Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

    1. ==> What the Far-Right Has in Common with the Far-Left

    Both sides of the political divide have their grievances. The right contends they’ve been victimized by big government, oppressive regulations, liberal elites, socialists, illegal immigrants, etc. The left’s grievance list includes racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism, authoritarianism, capitalism, and more. What they have in common, says Sparrow Hart, is each side claims someone else is to blame and needs to make restitution to them.
    Sparrow says the country’s healing requires paying attention, not to past grievances, but to the journey ahead. With over 30 years’ experience leading workshops on shamanism and the heroic journey, he knows the importance of hope, gratitude, and love in bringing the best parts of ourselves to our collective hero’s journey. “Traditionally, a ‘heroic journey’ calls people to find their best selves by leaving familiar territory behind and stepping outside their comfort zones … including the familiar comfort zone made up of people who agree with you, know they’re right, and feel morally superior to their adversaries.” Sparrow’s varied career also includes being a vision quest guide, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse, and adventures in the Amazon jungle. He is the author of several books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a Dream Worth Living. Contact Sparrow Hart at (801) 516-0740; SHart@rtirguests.com

    1. ==> How to Live Large on a Small Budget

    The world may be opening up again, but just about everything is more expensive, and many people are struggling financially. How can you get out and enjoy things without breaking the bank? Bring Marilyn Anderson on your show to share her unique yet practical advice on how to save money while still enjoying life to the max! The author of “How to Live Like a Millionaire When You’re a Million Short!” will explain how to go through your closet and come out with cash, where to find money you never knew you had, and how to redo a room to look like a million bucks without spending a dime. She’ll also share six easy ways to make money from home and even how to go to Harvard or Yale for free! This money-saving expert, speaker and TV and film writer is an experienced guest with a breezy, fun style. Contact Marilyn Anderson at (310) 502-4047; mandersoncapnews@gmail.com

    1. ==> Wine Destinations: Plan Your Next Trip

    As we begin moving about once again, combining the pleasures of wine and travel is becoming a possibility. Helping audiences make the most of their wine adventures is expert guide Jim Laughren, CWE, with suggestions from how to enjoy local wineries, to where in the world we can find the “wildest” wine vacations of all. Whether you’re looking for fabulous food, incredible scenery, or amazing hospitality, all to enjoy with some gorgeous wines, Jim can steer you in the right direction. Ask him: Why should people visit Mendoza, Argentina, the Republic of Georgia and the Napa Valley? Where can you not only tour 1,500 acres of grapes but also buy a piece of the vineyard AND return for the harvest to make your own wine? The author of two short new eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine,” Jim has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” Contact Jim Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com

    1. ==> Do a Show on Family Estrangement

    Is there a troubling or even unspoken estrangement lurking in your family? Perhaps siblings who no longer communicate, or parents and adult children who avoid or even openly rebuke each other? Discuss these common family dynamics with author Peter Colman, Ph.D., whose book “The Prodigal Father: A Son’s Hope-Filled Story of Love, Reconciliation and Redemption” explores how fragile family relationships can be. Dr. Colman, an educator, will reveal truths and myths about why loved ones drift apart, the regrets both sides have but may not readily admit, the power of shared faith, and his personal insights. Many listeners are sure to identify with this topic and be moved. Ask him: How do forgiveness and healing begin? What is so sacred about the bond between father and son? How do the effects and memories of wartime service impact family relationships? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 469-1886; jcolman@rtirguests.com

    1. ==> The Truth about Black Women and Infertility

    It took almost 20 years for Frances Jones to heal the damage that being infertile had caused her and to put feelings of unworthiness behind her. She hopes to prevent other women, particularly women of color like herself, from viewing themselves as “damaged goods” because they cannot conceive and bear children. “Many people facing infertility battle with low self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. There are so many negative feelings including guilt, anger, resentment and blame as a result of fertility challenges,” Jones says. In her new book, “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility,” she discusses what fertile people don’t understand about those who are not, why her desire to conceive never went away despite having two adopted sons and a stepdaughter, and why we need to change the dialogue society has about fertility problems. Frances Jones co-authored the national and international best-seller “Girl on Fire! Fireproof” and is an executive channel producer for the TV network Women Wins. She recently appeared on TV on Fox Soul’s “The Tammi Mac Late Show” to discuss Black women and infertility. Contact her at (855) 738-5345; frances@heartdesirescoaching.com

    1. ==> The 3 Most Toxic Things for Your Health

    Patients are subjected to all manner of advice about their health. Just when it seems like we have heard it all, along comes family physician Trevor Campbell who discusses the three most toxic things to avoid at all costs especially for people who have chronic illnesses like chronic pain. Sharing information you are unlikely to hear from your doctor, Campbell will talk about ways to reduce chronic daily stress, negative ways of looking at your illness and the nasty habit of catastrophizing things that go slightly wrong, the trio he dubs “the Bermuda Triangle of Health.” With a charming South African accent, Campbell specializes in helping people achieve the fullest lives possible by minimizing their chronic aches and pain. His book is “The Language of Pain: Fast Forward Your Recovery to Stop Hurting.” Contact him at (250) 217-7832; tcampbell@rtirguests.com

    1. ==> This Therapist Says Racism is a Mental Illness

    Are hate crimes a mental health problem? How about the behavior of those who make racist comments? Explore this timely controversial issue with Howard Bronson, a marriage and family therapist and author of 16 books. Bronson says we already have the means to end racist thinking through sensitivity training, but we need to coordinate. Ask him: How did we get to this place where gossip and divisiveness have gotten so out of hand? What is gossip and what is its relationship to racism? With over 40 years of therapy experience, Howard Bronson has appeared on “CBS This Morning” and NBC’s “Today” show and done more than 1,000 radio interviews. His new book is “Speak Up: How Gossip Has Transformed Racism and Misinformation into a Primary Mental Illness.” Contact him at (802) 373-2921; howard_bronson@yahoo.com

    1. ==> Will Trump Be Remembered as the Worst President?

    Donald Trump considers himself to have been America’s “best-ever commander-in-chief.” He even compared himself to Abraham Lincoln and other greats immortalized on Mount Rushmore. But will he be remembered as the worst? Expect intense discussion when you interview Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., about this controversy, and why he is certain that God did not want Trump to serve a second term. Dr. Rutherford has studied politics, faith, and human nature for decades and is the author of “God and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him: Why do you believe God allowed Trump to be elected the first time? How would God grade Trump’s years in office? What does the anti-Trump contingent get right and wrong? What five aspects of the Trump presidency, beyond even his two impeachments, ensure that Trump will get the lowest marks of anyone to occupy the White House? Contact Patric Rutherford at (786) 591-0091; prutherford@rtirguests.com

  • 8/5/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Cuomo Brothers, Barbie Heroes, Summer Pet Safety

    01. The Cuomo Brothers Must Both Resign
    02. Why Your Boss Wants You Vaxxed
    03. Americans’ Piggybanks Are Getting Fuller
    04. 20 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed America
    05. Frontline Barbie: Dolls Honor Real-Life Heroes
    06. Don’t Be an August Statistic: Lifesaving Swim Tips
    07. When You Want Facts and Only Facts
    08. Critical Race Theory -What it Is and Why it Matters
    09. Why We Love Bennifer 2.0
    10. The Gas We Pass: The Truth about Aging and Flatulence
    11. Make the Second Half of Your Life the BEST Half
    12. Summer Can Be Ruff on Pets!
    13. Where’s the Peace You’ve Been Looking For?
    14. Achieve Joy, Purpose, and Fulfillment after a Disastrous Year
    15. Interview Emmy-Nominated Actress Carolyn Hennesy

    1.==> The Cuomo Brothers Must Both Resign

    President Joe Biden has called on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after an explosive report concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. The report also includes information about journalist Chris Cuomo working behind the scenes to help his brother respond to the allegations and Laura Bassett says he too should resign or be fired. “It’s extremely inappropriate and unethical for a journalist to advise and craft the statements of a politician, regardless of family relation,” she says. “New Yorkers deserve better than a lying, harassing, misogynistic creep presiding over the state. And CNN’s viewers deserve better than a news anchor who is working on behalf of a politician he covers and helps to manipulate public opinion of him. Both Cuomo brothers have amassed massive power and influence, while betraying public trust. And both brothers must go.” Laura Bassett writes about gender, culture and politics. Her bylines have appeared in GQ, Elle, The Washington Post, New York Magazine and elsewhere, and she consulted on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated docuseries “The Keepers.” Previously, she was a senior politics reporter at HuffPost for nearly a decade. Contact her at bassett.laura@gmail.com; @LEBassett

    2. ==> Why Your Boss Wants You Vaxxed

    The Federal government, along with some of the nation’s largest corporations, have recently announced requirements that employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and that could cause a cascade of private company vaccine mandates, according to one workplace authority. “Certainly, companies nationwide will follow the lead of some of these major employers. Time will tell if it will increase vaccination rates among the holdouts,” says Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “Workers are pushing back on coming back into the office in-person and many companies are having trouble finding workers, especially for in-person roles. Knowing their colleagues are vaccinated may give many significant peace of mind and bring some people back to the workforce,” he adds. According to a recent Challenger survey, 81% of companies are experiencing pushback from their teams to the return to in-person work and 85% report having trouble filling open positions. Nearly 24% cited COVID concerns specifically as a reason workers are leaving jobs. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (314) 807-1568 (cell); colleenmadden@challengergray.com

    3. ==> Americans’ Piggybanks Are Getting Fuller

    One important item in the GDP report released this week that received little attention, is that Americans’ saving rate is still well above the pre-pandemic level. Economist Dean Baker says there are two reasons this rise in the saving rate is a big deal. “The first is that it indicates that the money the government paid out over the course of the pandemic is not now leading to a big surge in spending, as some had predicted.” He adds, “A higher than normal saving rate also implies that there will be a gap in demand that needs to be filled by some other component of GDP, such as increased government spending, if the economy is to operate at close to its full employment level of output. In this context, a large government deficit may be essential for supporting demand.” Baker is co-founder of The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR). He’s the author of several books including “Rigged: How Globalization and the Rules of the Modern Economy Were Structured to Make the Rich Richer.” Contact him at baker@cepr.net; @DeanBaker13

    4.==> 20 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed America

    On the morning of September 11th, 2001, 19 terrorists from the Islamist extreme group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft and crashed two of them into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania. It was the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. Invite Dr. Carole Lieberman to share how America was forever changed that fateful day. Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist and the author of “Coping with Terrorism: Dreams Interrupted” and “Lions and Tigers and Terrorists, Oh My: How to Protect Your Child from Terrorism.” She also hosts The Terrorist Therapist radio show. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com

    5. ==> Frontline Barbie: Dolls Honor Real-Life Heroes

    Continuing Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program, Barbie is spotlighting six women who are modern real-life heroes of the pandemic and honoring each of them with a one-of-a-kind doll made in their likeness. Among the women being honored are two from the U.S.: Amy O’Sullivan, an emergency room nurse who treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn, and Audrey Sue Cruz, a frontline worker from Las Vegas, who worked with other Asian American physicians to fight anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. Mattel’s Lisa McKnight says, “To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back. Our hope is to nurture and ignite the imaginations of children playing out their own storyline as heroes.” The company will also donate $5 for each Barbie doctor, nurse or paramedic doll sold at participating Target locations during the month of August to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), benefiting the children of first responders. Contact Devin Tucker at Devin.Tucker@Mattel.com

    6. ==> Don’t Be an August Statistic: Lifesaving Swim Tips

    Tragically, approximately 4,000 Americans drown each year. This August, the lure of lakes, rivers, pools and the ocean is likely to attract toddlers, children and adults who may fall or jump in. Save lives by interviewing Dr. Pete Anderson, one of the world’s top swimming instructors, who can explain everything you need to know to safely enjoy the water. He’ll share the ten common errors that lead to drowning, the best age to teach children how to swim (it’s younger than you’d think), why “certified swimming instructors” are overrated and how to choose a good instructor, and his Top 10 tips for swimming safely, whether at the lake or the community pool. Listeners can also download a free copy of his book “Teach Yourself (or Your Children) to Swim at Home Without a Pool.” Dr. Pete Andersen is a behaviorist, author, speaker, and coach. He has published 14 e-books and paperback books under his brand “Teach Yourself to Swim” and based on his credentials with a Ph.D., 55-plus years of experience, Masters Swimming World and National Records, and 25 Senior Olympic National Championships Gold Medals. Contact him at (858) 886-9820; drpete@The3SecretSkillsofTopPerformers.com

    7. ==> When You Want Facts and Only Facts

    Tired of listening to politicians and officials spinning numbers, making things up and downright lying? Skeptical about the news media? Americans need unbiased information and facts to make informed decisions. What’s in the latest coronavirus relief package? How many Americans are currently vaccinated against COVID-19? Where are the current hot spots right now? How much of the country is suffering from a drought? Which states have added the most jobs in recent months? USAFacts is a nonpartisan civic initiative that provides a data-driven portrait of the population, government’s finances, and government’s impact on society. USAFacts presents metrics on all U.S. governments, from federal records to a growing collection of state and county data, including coronavirus data. It provides vital spending, revenue, demographic, and performance information as a free public service and commits to maintaining and expanding their available data in the future. For interviews, contact Lisa Conquergood at (425) 332-4196; lisac@usafacts.org

    8. ==> Critical Race Theory -What it Is and Why it Matters

    When America’s children return to the classroom in the fall, will they be taught that white people are oppressors, and that America is a systemically racist country? Are these really tenets of Critical Race Theory and if so, what organization is behind the push to indoctrinate school children in it? At least six states introduced bills that aim to place limitations on lessons about race and inequality being taught in American schools; should more states follow? Discuss this timely topic with Tamara Lashchyk and Jacqueline Toboroff, hosts of “The Bo Peep Podcast,” which probes the answers to questions that we are afraid to ask. Their podcast has already tackled this topic. Tamara Lashchyk has been interviewed by the BBC and featured in Huffington Post. A career coach, author, and former Wall Street executive, she recently ran for the New York State Assembly. Jacqueline Toboroff is a candidate for New York City Council (D1) and a parent and life-long resident of Manhattan. Contact Tamara Lashchyk at (848) 373-3543; TLashchyk@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Why We Love Bennifer 2.0

    It’s Instagram official and we can’t get enough! The internet exploded when JLo’s social media featured sexy shots of her and Ben Affleck aboard a yacht in St. Tropez celebrating her 52nd birthday. We could be interested because the rekindled romance comes 17 years after the pair’s famous split, just days before their wedding. We could also hate how fabulous they both look and envy their extravagant ways, but we love them and we’re eating it up! Why? Lifestyle blogger and author Mary Oves says Bennifer 2.0 is a lot like homemade macaroni and cheese. “We all have our favorite outfits that are not only comfortable, but they also look good and make us feel great. The same is true for food … and relationships! These two feel like our gorgeous mom and buff dad who divorced, dated other people for almost 20 years, and are now back together! Who wouldn’t be happy about that?” Oves can talk with candor and humor about everything from suddenly finding yourself single and switching careers midlife to surviving hot flashes in the middle of a heatwave and posting drunk comments on social media! Oves’ writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Erma Bombeck Humor Website and many other publications. She teaches English at Stockton University and blogs at ChrysalisCollective.org (formerly not-the-it-girl.org) Contact Mary Oves at (609) 408-8762 (NJ); Mary@chrysaliscollective.org

    10. ==> The Gas We Pass: The Truth about Aging and Flatulence

    Whether you call it breaking wind, cutting the cheese, tooting, or something else, flatulence is part of the human condition. But did you know that as we age, we are more likely to emit more gas or that there just may be a way to have fewer embarrassing incidents? Find out more with a playful interview with health expert and senior advocate Linda Mac Dougall. Linda will explain how our ability to break down food declines, leading to more gassiness and less absorption of important nutrients. She’ll also share some tips on what to do about it. Linda has worked with hundreds of seniors through her business, has an M.A. in counseling psychology, and is the author of “The SPIRIT Method of Massage for Seniors.” Contact her at (805) 202-6379; speakerholistic@gmail.com

    11. ==> Make the Second Half of Your Life the BEST Half

    As we age, some things deteriorate, and many aspects of life can get harder. However, it’s also true that plenty of things get better. 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. Joe is the creator of the Silver Linings Network, which he established to encourage happiness, success, and emotional health in midlife and later years. Invite him on your show to learn what you should focus on (besides money) as you approach and dive into retirement years. Ask him: What helps aging boomers recreate themselves, make a difference, and stay relevant — especially during challenging years like 2021? What skills and qualities (in addition to awareness, maturity, experience and motivation) can bring new opportunities and satisfaction in the second half of life? How can people love and appreciate life at every age? Contact Joe Swinger at (385) 425-6705; joeswinger@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> Summer Can Be Ruff on Pets!

    We all know that summer weather can cause health problems in some people, but Dr. Judy Morgan reminds us that animals can suffer in extreme heat too! Do you know which food and treats can help your pets deal with extreme heat? Is it safe to exercise with your dog in the summer? Dr Morgan will share ways to keep your furry friends safe and comfortable while traveling, how to keep them active without overheating, and other summer pet tips. Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, specializes in integrative medicine, combining the best of both traditional and holistic veterinary care. She’s the founder and CEO of Naturally Healthy Pets and the author of several books including “Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs.” Contact her at (609) 202-0999; judy@drjudymorgan.com

    13. ==> Where’s the Peace You’ve Been Looking For?

    Most of us eagerly awaited 2021, hoping for more peace and prosperity in our lives. Now that we’re more than halfway through the year, some may feel that things haven’t really changed much. Donna Melanson says big changes don’t occur without some practice. She says, “We get good at what we practice whether it is public speaking, riding a bike, or learning anything new. You don’t just wake up one day and become like the Buddha. Practicing peace needs to be a non-negotiable daily commitment, like brushing your teeth.” Invite her on your show and learn how to ground yourself wherever you are in any particular moment. She’ll also reveal what it means to “let yourself go” and why it might be the skill to master right now. An experienced yoga teacher, Donna Melanson is best known for her daily beach sunrise broadcast on Periscope.tv. She is the host of “The Silent Bit” podcast and the author of “A Yogi’s Path to Peace: My Journey to Self-Realization.” Contact her at (828) 215-1212; donna.melanson@gmail.com

    14. ==> Achieve Joy, Purpose, and Fulfillment after a Disastrous Year

    What happened to Trish Ahjel Roberts two years ago may very well help people coping with the lingering effects of the pandemic. When Roberts’ VW was hit by a truck, the collision changed her life. Invite her on your show and hear how she was able to use the accident as a catalyst to redefine herself, reclaim her life and create her dream business, and how those struggling right now can do the same. Learn the biggest misconception about happiness and why it endures, how to stop worrying about the future, and the difference between being outraged and enraged and why it matters. A former sales exec and financial advisor, Trish Ahjel Roberts is a self-actualization coach, blogger, freelance writer and yoga and meditation instructor. She’s the founder of HoneyButterflyz LLC and Black Vegan Life™ and the author of several books including of “12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness: A Journal of Insights, Quotes & Questions to Juice Up Your Journey.” Contact Trish Ahjel Roberts at (917) 887-3689; trish@mindblowinghappiness.com

    15. ==> Interview Emmy-Nominated Actress Carolyn Hennesy

    From an Oscar-winning Hollywood family to her own Emmy Gold, Carolyn Hennesy has created characters that fans love to hate, on both the big and small screen. One of the more recognizable is Diane Miller on General Hospital, recently celebrating her 500th episode on the hit series. As the daughter of an Academy Award-winning father, Carolyn is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Her long list of credits includes TV appearances in Dawson’s Creek, True Blood, and the Disney Channel’s Jessie. She’s been seen on the big screen in Legally Blonde 2 and Terminator 3, and even voiced Princess Leia in Lego Star Wars. Throw in her work as a New York Times best-selling author and her podcast focusing on global animal advocacy issues, and you’ve got one fun and interesting show. Contact Harlan Boll at (626) 296-3757; harlan@bhbpr.com

  • 8/3/2021 RTIR Newsletter: Back to the Office? No Thanks, Savor Summer, Super Stargazing

    01. Vaccine Push Grows: New Rules for Federal Workers
    02. Return to the Office Hits a Snag: Millennials
    03. Look Up! A Stellar Month for Stargazers!
    04. TV Host: Cool Tips to Savor Last Weeks of Summer
    05. Housing Mania Explained
    06. How to Get the Most Money for Your Used Car
    07. Savvy Career Advice
    08. Want to Run Away? Live and Work in Paradise
    09. How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen
    10. Calming Kids’ Back-to-School Fears
    11. What You Don’t Know about Living with Bipolar Disorder
    12. Got Unfinished Home Projects?
    13. Sharing Spaces: How Neatniks and Slobs Can Coexist
    14. Energy Healing for Trauma, COVID and Brain Issues
    15. What’s On Your Travel Bucket List?

    1.==>Vaccine Push Grows: New Rules for Federal Workers

    President Joe Biden is set to announce a requirement that all civilian federal employees and contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be required to submit to regular testing and mitigation requirements. Biden is also expected to lay out a series of new steps, including incentives, in an attempt to spur new vaccinations as the Delta variant spreads rapidly throughout the country. Federal employment attorney Jonathan Bell can discuss the issue and how it will affect federal employees and those who work in the private sector. Bell has appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, WPIX-11, and many other media outlets. Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919) 377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

    2. ==> Return to the Office Hits a Snag: Millennials

    Corporate America is making plans to get back to the office, with some companies requiring workers to start their commute again and go back to their cubicles. But many workers, especially younger ones, have grown accustomed to remote work and are balking at demands they be onsite five days a week. “Companies would be well served to be as flexible as possible,” says Rebecca L. Ray, executive vice president for human capital at the Conference Board. “Among the generations, millennials are the most concerned about their health and psychological well-being.” In a recent survey by the Conference Board, 55 percent of millennials, defined as people born between 1981 and 1996, questioned the wisdom of returning to the office. Among members of Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, 45 percent had doubts about going back, while only 36 percent of baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, felt that way. Rebecca Ray is executive vice president at The Conference Board where she created the Human Capital Watch, a monthly webcast series that explores current issues, research, and practitioner successes in the field of human capital. Contact her at rebecca.ray@conferenceboard.org or Joseph DiBlasi at (781) 308-7935; Joseph.DiBlasi@conference-board.org

    3.==> Look Up! A Stellar Month for Stargazers!

    August will be a big month for anyone interested in celestial summer fun! From the upcoming blue moon to Jupiter and Saturn appearing bigger and brighter than usual, there are lots of reasons to look skyward in the coming weeks. Invite Shannon Schmoll on your show and find out what’s going on in the heavens! You’ll learn when the Perseid meteors will perform this month, why people wait all year for the show, and the best time to catch these fast-shooting stars. Shannon Schmoll is the director of the Abrams Planetarium in the department of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Contact her at (517) 355-4676; schmolls@msu.edu

    4. ==> TV Host: Cool Tips to Savor Last Weeks of Summer

    It’s already August and in just a few weeks we’ll be getting back to school and work! Invite Maryann Ridini Spencer to help your listeners savor these last weeks last of summer. The award-winning TV and movie screenwriter/producer, lifestyle journalist and host of PBS-TV’s Simply Delicious Living, can share simple ideas to relax and rejuvenate, ways to create memorable entertaining experiences, and how to use downtime to recharge your life. Learn to easily create a special dining or relaxing space inside or outside and get five tips to start your summer day (and every day) to get the most out of it. The author of the “Kate Grace Mystery” books, Maryann’s work has appeared on Hallmark Hall of Fame, the Hallmark Channel, CNN, USA, SyFy, Showtime and many other outlets. Contact her at (818) 492-9135; mspencer@rtirguests.com

    5. ==> Housing Mania Explained

    When COVID-19 first hit, real estate watchers worried of a housing market collapse. But Ali Wolf, chief economist for Zonda, says instead, what unfolded was a transformation of the housing market, fueled by what she calls “migration mania.” But, she says, this is not an equal-opportunity boon. “The housing rebound has been fueled by buyers whose wealth allowed them to win bidding wars often with a high down payment and a bid over asking price.” She says those living on local incomes, which are often modest compared with relocating newcomers, are losing the ability to buy a home. Wolf can discuss ways to give locals a shot at homeownership and how to get builders and developers to focus on lower-priced, smaller homes. Ali is quoted frequently in national publications including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Yahoo! Finance, and has also appeared on national and international TV and radio programs such as Bloomberg TV and Marketplace. Zonda creates proprietary housing market research tools. Contact Ali Wolf at awolf@zondahome.com or Valerie Sheets at vsheets@zondahome.com

    6. ==> How to Get the Most Money for Your Used Car

    Used cars are selling for record-high prices, and that’s clearly good news for those looking to sell. So is now the time to sell or trade in your vehicle? Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader, can share five tips to make sure you’re getting top dollar for your sale. He’ll discuss which vehicles are getting top dollar right now, how to sell a car yourself, and whether now is a good time to flip your leased car. And if you’re looking to replace the car you’re selling, Moody says it’s a good idea to know what you’ll be driving after you get rid of the car you have now with both new and used cars in tight supply, which is a major factor in why prices for both have hit record levels. Brian Moody manages all of Autotrader’s editorial content. For interviews, contact Brenna Buehler at (949) 473-6595; brenna.buehler@coxautoinc.com

    7. ==> Savvy Career Advice

    Whether you’re looking to switch careers or you’re a recent college grad trying to land your first real job, nearly everyone could benefit from the straight-shooting career advice of Beverly Williams, whose book, “Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job,” contains 125 solid tips and more. She can explain everything from how to motivate yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally for the job search to why it isn’t always a good idea to answer every question honestly during a job interview. Ask her: How can watching ESPN or the Food Network help with your job search? What are some inconvenient truths job seekers need to hear? What can people learn from LeBron James’ career? Beverly is an employment professional, arbitrator, and speaker, and a former HR executive in both private and public sectors. She also hosts the podcast Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams. She 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)769-7823; bwilliams99@comcast.net

    8. ==> Want to Run Away? Live and Work in Paradise

    After the past year, who hasn’t thought about running away from home and living in paradise? With so many people now working from home, companies changing their remote work policies, digital nomads, and people reinventing their lives post-pandemic, this is a hot topic! Invite Diane Huth, author of “The Grown-Ups Guide To Running Away From Home: Earn Dollars. Spend Pesos. Escape to Paradise.” to discuss how much it really costs to live in paradise, medical and safety concerns about moving abroad, and how to fund your overseas dream life. Through her personal story of transformation from a burnt-out caregiver scraping by on Social Security to a joy-filled adventurer living her dream life on a white sandy beach in Mexico, she will show your listeners they too can do the same — more easily and affordably than they ever imagined possible. Contact Diane Huth at (210) 601-7852; Diane@DianeHuth.com

    9. ==> How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen

    Communicating with kids can be difficult, especially during childhood’s most challenging moments. Since 1980, millions of parents have relied on Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish’s timeless “How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” for practical advice on communicating effectively and empathetically with children. Adele’s daughter, Joanna Faber, along with Julie King, continues the family tradition of applying the same trusted techniques to the particular challenges of parenting young children today. On your show, Faber and King can apply the ‘How To Talk’ communication strategies to some of the most difficult challenges of raising children including, tantrums, technology, homework hassles and sibling squabbles. Building on core themes of mutual respect, Faber and King will offer listeners thoughtful, constructive, and sympathetic alternatives to yelling or punishment. Johanna Faber and Julie King are the authors of the best-selling “How to Talk So LITTLE Kids Will Listen,” and their latest, “How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Briana Caywood at (703) 646-5188 (office)

    10. ==> Calming Kids’ Back-to-School Fears

    For more than a year, kids have been facing the pandemic, feeling lonely and separated from friends, worried about disease, and struggling with online learning or homeschooling. Now many children are almost as fearful about the changes the post-COVID world will bring. You’ll want to speak with educator Barbara Daniels, author of the award-winning Timmy Teacup series, to help parents prepare their kids for post-pandemic normalcy. Ask her: What are the biggest challenges for post-pandemic life as we reopen schools, theaters, amusement parks, malls, and other places kids hang out? What steps can parents take if their child seems particularly reticent? Contact Barbara Daniels at (636) 220-5495; BDaniels@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> What You Don’t Know about Living with Bipolar Disorder

    Invite longtime bipolar patient Diana Grippo to share the three-pronged approach that helped her cope with the mental disorder that at one point led her to a harsh life on the streets in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. Using candor and humor, Grippo will discuss how the combination of taking a spiritual path, employing music therapy and participating in Dialectical Behavior Therapy made all the difference, allowing her to better cope with the bipolar disease that has ruled her life for 34 years. Ask her: What do loved ones need to know about bipolar disease? What signs should they look for in those they suspect of having it? Why is it difficult for people to recognize their own mania? A former high school English teacher and marketing and sales professional who now works for Apple, Diana is the author of “Bipolar Chronicles: From Crazed to Content.” Contact her at (650) 417-1242; dianagrippo@gmail.com

    12. ==> Got Unfinished Home Projects?

    We all spent a lot of time in our homes last year and many people started projects that had long been put on hold. Unfortunately, a lot of those projects remain unfinished. “While the fabulous remodeling shows on TV transform a space from disaster to dream in under 30 minutes, in reality, there is much to consider when attempting this feat in your own home,” says Dawn Mahan, founder of PMOtraining.com, which teaches people the fundamentals of successful project management — whether that’s at the office or around the house. “People just want to jump in and get started, and then wonder why they find themselves at The Home Depot 47 times.” From major remodeling to redecorating and even landscaping, Dawn can share ways to prioritize, plan and get your project back on track and finally finished! She says using project management tools at home just makes sense. “That way, you can get what you want, when you want it, for a cost you are comfortable paying, all while keeping your blood pressure in check.” Dawn is a dynamic international speaker, a PMI-certified leader with extensive global experience, and the sole inventor of ProjectFlo. Contact her at (215) 756-1585 (cell); DMahan@PMOtraining.com

    13. ==> Sharing Spaces: How Neatniks and Slobs Can Coexist

    Whether it’s teens sharing a bedroom, a couple cohabitating or officemates in a common workspace, Katie and Kelly McMenamin know that it’s sometimes tough to share space with others without changing who you are. The sisters will discuss ways to be more organized, less stressed, and happier using simple strategies for your specific personality. Whether you’ve got OCD or you’re a little less fastidious, Katie and Kelly will identify different organizational styles and then offer advice on solving strife between the different personalities. Learn why organizing isn’t “one size fits all,” how to change absolutely nothing yet feel more organized, and why a lot of messy people are actually very organized. Katie and Kelly McMenamin are sisters, professional organizers, personality-type experts, and founders of PixiesDidIt! Their book, “Organize Your Way,” offers personality-based solutions for your entire home. Contact them at (917) 860-8581; info@pixiesdidit.com

    14. ==> Energy Healing for Trauma, COVID and Brain Issues

    Susana Stoica, a Ph.D. in computer engineering and a healer by birth, brings a scientist’s view to energy healing. She collaborates with medical doctors and has written nine books about physical and emotional healing, has spoken about brain trauma recovery at Harvard Medical School, trained medical and social work students in the use of energy healing, and helped people feel better all over the world. Susana’s gift is removing long-held emotional traumas from a person’s energy field. A survivor of two traumatic brain injuries, she helps people with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, ALS, Asperger’s, epilepsy, or brain trauma-induced illnesses like severe allergies that do not respond to accepted medical treatments. Ask her: What is medical intuition? Why is energy healing effective when allopathic medicine is stumped? What insights does she offer on COVID? Contact Susana Stoica at (248) 895-5784; healingbraininjury@gmail.com

    15. ==> What’s On Your Travel Bucket List?

    Are you ready to hit the road and travel again? As the world reopens after the pandemic, where should you go next and what should you expect? Invite travel expert Estee Gubbay to discuss how to plan your next trip along with updates on the travel industry and the changes that could benefit you. You’ll hear the latest trends in travel, why now is the best time to plan your next adventure, and how to reap the benefits of travel while never leaving the house. A professional travel agent and writer, Estee will share tips for making the most of any journey. “Your Travel Bucket List: The Ultimate Guide to Enrich Your Life with Great Adventures and Unforgettable Memories” is her new book. Contact Estee Gubbay at (858) 381-7713; Estee@LuxuristTravel.com