Author: admin

  • How to Reinvent Your Life after COVID-19

    The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in life-altering changes for many. Following a midlife divorce, ending her career as a veterinarian due to health issues and saving her family farm from financial ruin, Sandra Matheson has had to reinvent herself repeatedly. She can share how to survive this latest crisis. “Many people have been pushed to the limits of their social and financial comfort,” she says. “But discomfort has an upside. It helps us to make different choices, examine what is important to us, become more resilient and to grow.” Sandra is the author of the upcoming book “Thrive After 40 − How to Seize the Life of Your Dreams!” Contact Sandra at (360) 325-4221; smatheson@rtirguests.com

  • How to Attract Your Soul Mate

    Have you searched everywhere for your perfect match and had no luck? Author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran can reveal why most techniques to find the love of your life don’t work and how you can finally manifest your soul mate. 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 book is “The Answer: How to Change Your Life and Make Your Dreams Come True.” Contact him at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com

  • Would You Sacrifice Your Career for Your Child’s?

    How far should parents be willing to go to help grown children? Should they lend adult children money that they might need for retirement, raise their grandchildren due to addiction issues or move closer to their children to provide childcare? Oliver Akamnonu, M.D. went about as far as a parent could go, giving up his medical practice (as did his wife) to help his daughter Nena make it through medical school, childbirth, and early parenting while the latter’s husband was abroad. Was what Dr. Akanmnonu and his wife did excessive? Do they have any regrets? Would they encourage others to take the same path? Find out when you explore this heartwarming story told in “Little Baby Lydia, Grandma, Grandpa and Student Mom: Saga of Family Role Reversal and the New Times.” Contact Oliver Akamnonu at (413) 206-6753; oakamnonu@rtirguests.com

  • ‘This Is Us’… How Hollywood Depicts Memory Loss

    How accurate has the entertainment industry been when telling stories of forgetfulness, early-onset Alzheimer’s, and caregiving for loved ones with memory loss? On Tuesday, the new season of “This Is Us” debuted with a powerful storyline that tried to mirror real-life for millions of families stricken by Alzheimer’s. Interview Carlen Maddux for a reality check. His late wife Martha was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 50. Not unlike the characters in the popular “This Is Us” TV drama and the movie “Still Alice,” Carlen watched his spouse decline while in the prime of life. Ask this author of “A Path Revealed” for his insights about what it would take for Hollywood to portray memory loss accurately and how families can cope. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com

  • World Kindness Day Is More Important Than Ever

    With a contentious election to sort out, a pandemic to deal with and a general decline in civility, we could all use some gentle reminders to be kinder to our fellow human beings. World Kindness Day on November 13th might be just the thing to bring a divided nation and world together, according to former paraplegic Barry Shore. Invite the author/entrepreneur who has earned the sobriquet the Ambassador of Joy to discuss how to celebrate the holiday and share eleven ways to practice kindness. Listeners will learn how to become a joy generator in as little as 55 seconds and be encouraged to participate in Shore’s worldwide Keep Smiling Movement. Barry Shore is a successful serial entrepreneur who in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare disease. Over the past 16 years, he has worked to regain some of his functioning and has become an avid swimmer who logs two miles per day. A motivational, keynote speaker and host of the weekly radio show-podcast “The Joy of Living,” Shore is the founder of the JOY of Living Institute. He’s been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and MarketWatch. His upcoming book is “The JOY of LIVING: Healthier Wealthier You.” Contact Barry Shore at (310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

  • He Helped a First Lady Set an Underwater Speed Record

    Few of us have had close contact with a president and first lady the way Steven Mays did, and he has a great story to tell. Mays was serving on a nuclear submarine at the time when this particular president and first lady came aboard his “stinky, smelly, hot tube 400 feet below the water” to get a behind-the-scenes tour of what his high-tech vessel could do. On your show, Mays will share all the details: who the president and first lady were, the feverish preparations for their visit including the banning of some overweight crew members, what happened when the first couple visited his engine room, and how the first lady perked up when informed that she was the first female to break an underwater speed record. ” Mays is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines. He was also a mathematician, electrical engineer and nuclear engineer who worked in private industry and at the Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact Steven Mays at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

  • 10/29/20 RTIR Newsletter: Election Stress, Hospitals Brace, World Kindness Day

    01. Election Fears and Looming Lawsuits
    02. The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos: Who is Joe Biden?
    03. Are You Suffering Election Stress Disorder?
    04. Weeks Away: Hospitals Brace for Coming COVID Surge
    05. He Helped a First Lady Set an Underwater Speed Record
    06. World Kindness Day Is More Important Than Ever
    07. ’This Is Us’… How Hollywood Depicts Memory Loss
    08. Chill Out! Become a Wine Whiz in 15 Minutes
    09. This Neurologist Could Solve Football’s Concussion Problem
    10. Like the Stork Personified – ‘What I Learned from 6,000 Deliveries!’
    11. Would You Sacrifice Your Career for Your Child’s?
    12. Will Joe Biden Eliminate Single-Family Homes?
    13. Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the Election?
    14. When Abnormal Became the New Normal
    15. Just the Facts, Please

    1.==> Election 2020: Voter Fears and Looming Lawsuits

    Americans are worried about this election. And who can blame them? Each day, a new story, whether true, false, or overblown, creates fresh anxiety about mail-in voting or polling places. A battleground-state survey conducted by the Stanford-MIT Healthy Elections Project shows that registered voters harbor worries about voting in this election that diverge in predictable ways, given their partisan affiliations. Invite Stanford Law School’s Nathaniel Persily to discuss voters’ fears as well as the status of the many lawsuits involving election rules during the pandemic. Persily says despite voter worries and confusion, most voters are confident that their ballots will be counted accurately. “Although partisans share some worries and diverge on others, we should be heartened by the overall confidence that people have that their vote will be counted. This goes against a larger narrative that suggests a widespread lack of trust that this election will be free and fair.” The Healthy Elections Project is led by Stanford Law School’s Nathaniel Persily and MIT’s Charles Stewart III. Contact Persily at (650) 725-9875; npersily@law.stanford.edu

    2. ==> The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos: Who is Joe Biden?

    Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden Jr. is no stranger to Americans; he has been a fixture in U.S. politics for more than 50 years. But what do your listeners know about the man running for the nation’s highest office? Evan Osnos has spent nearly ten years writing about the Democratic contender for The New Yorker. Invite him on your show to discuss Biden’s years in Congress, his role in the Obama administration and his role in previous foreign policy. You’ll also learn how the former vice president overcame a childhood stutter and how the memory of grade-school taunts still sensitizes him to embarrassment. Can Biden balance the demands of his party’s leftward shift with his own centrist leanings and those of moderate voters he will need to win? Are his instincts to build unity precisely what a divided country and legislature need in its next leader? Osnos’ new book “Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now” is based on his in-depth New Yorker interviews with Biden, and more than 100 other interviews with individuals including Barack Obama, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, John Kerry, advisors, family, and opponents. Evan Osnos has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com

    3. ==> Are You Suffering Election Stress Disorder?

    Nearly 70% of U.S. adults say the presidential election is a significant source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey this month, a dramatic increase from the 2016 election when 52% of Americans said the same. Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY), an author, certified exercise physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter, can share coping strategies to lesson election information overload. Odeh’s suggestions include reading the news instead of watching it, focusing on what’s going on in the moment instead of worrying about the future, and spending time on things you can control like your health and wellness. He’ll discuss the benefits of soaking in a little sunshine sans sunscreen and ways to keep active, no matter what your schedule or circumstance. You’ll also learn five daily steps everyone should take to train for living in these difficult, divided times. Odeh is the author of the three-volume series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770) 773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com

    4. ==> Weeks Away: Hospitals Brace for Coming COVID Surge

    Coronavirus cases have reached record highs across the nation and since hospitalizations lag a few weeks behind, hospitals are on edge in anticipation of what’s to come. “We may see a surge like we have not seen yet, and that is very troubling,” says Dr. Bruce Siegel, president of America’s Essential Hospitals, which represents more than 300 safety-net hospitals. With COVID rampant in the Midwest and rural areas, Siegel warns that some hospitals may have to ration health-care resources if the trend continues. “We’ll just have national shortages of everything and there’ll be no ability to backstop here and there — your emergency rooms will be overwhelmed, and your ICU will be overwhelmed.” The outlook sounds grim, but public health experts say there are steps people and policymakers can take that even now can help flatten the curve of new infections like wearing masks, social distancing and limiting gatherings. “These are simple things. And they may be inconvenient, but they can have just a world of difference,” Siegel says. “We still have some weeks where we could change this picture, where we can blunt it.” Contact Carl Graziano at (202) 585-0102; media@essentialhospitals.org

    5.==> He Helped a First Lady Set an Underwater Speed Record

    Few of us have had close contact with a president and first lady the way Steven Mays did, and he has a great story to tell. Mays was serving on a nuclear submarine at the time when this particular president and first lady came aboard his “stinky, smelly, hot tube 400 feet below the water” to get a behind-the-scenes tour of what his high-tech vessel could do. On your show, Mays will share all the details: who the president and first lady were, the feverish preparations for their visit including the banning of some overweight crew members, what happened when the first couple visited his engine room, and how the first lady perked up when informed that she was the first female to break an underwater speed record. ” Mays is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines. He was also a mathematician, electrical engineer and nuclear engineer who worked in private industry and at the Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact Steven Mays at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

    6. ==> World Kindness Day Is More Important Than Ever

    With a contentious election to sort out, a pandemic to deal with and a general decline in civility, we could all use some gentle reminders to be kinder to our fellow human beings. World Kindness Day on November 13th might be just the thing to bring a divided nation and world together, according to former paraplegic Barry Shore. Invite the author/entrepreneur who has earned the sobriquet the Ambassador of Joy to discuss how to celebrate the holiday and share eleven ways to practice kindness. Listeners will learn how to become a joy generator in as little as 55 seconds and be encouraged to participate in Shore’s worldwide Keep Smiling Movement. Barry Shore is a successful serial entrepreneur who in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare disease. Over the past 16 years, he has worked to regain some of his functioning and has become an avid swimmer who logs two miles per day. A motivational, keynote speaker and host of the weekly radio show-podcast “The Joy of Living,” Shore is the founder of the JOY of Living Institute. He’s been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and MarketWatch. His upcoming book is “The JOY of LIVING: Healthier Wealthier You.” Contact Barry Shore at (310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com;

    7. ==> ‘This Is Us’… How Hollywood Depicts Memory Loss

    How accurate has the entertainment industry been when telling stories of forgetfulness, early-onset Alzheimer’s, and caregiving for loved ones with memory loss? On Tuesday, the new season of “This Is Us” debuted with a powerful storyline that tried to mirror real-life for millions of families stricken by Alzheimer’s. Interview Carlen Maddux for a reality check. His late wife Martha was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 50. Not unlike the characters in the popular “This Is Us” TV drama and the movie “Still Alice,” Carlen watched his spouse decline while in the prime of life. Ask this author of “A Path Revealed” for his insights about what it would take for Hollywood to portray memory loss accurately and how families can cope. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Chill Out! Become a Wine Whiz in 15 Minutes

    Wine sales have been climbing during the pandemic as people stuck at home turn to vino to lift their spirits. With heightened interest in wine, Jim Laughren, CWE, could be the perfect guest for COVID-19 times as he shares how to master the essentials of wine in 15 minutes. He can answer such questions as: why have COVID times been good for wine-drinkers and how important is the right glass? Jim is 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

    9. ==> This Neurologist Could Solve Football’s Concussion Problem

    NFL, college and high school football are under attack. All because of the high risk of concussions and the resulting health consequences. But what if there was a way to make concussions a thing of the past? Or at least a way to diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) more easily and quickly? Interview Dr. Paul Wand to hear about the “Wand Protocol” that could do all that and more. He, along with other private practitioners, has created ways to diagnose and treat concussions which if put into place could save the NFL, as well as other sports where concussions happen regularly. Paul Wand, M.D., P.A., has been a medical doctor for 35 years, specializing in neurology and is the author of “The Concussion Cure: 3 Proven Methods to Heal Your Brain.” Contact Dr. Wand at (954) 743-5380; PWand@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> Like the Stork Personified – ‘What I Learned from 6,000 Deliveries!’

    If they are lucky, most people experience the birth of a couple of children. But Alan Lindemann, M.D., has experienced 6,000 births and has the stories to tell about them. He’s seen just about everything possible when it comes to childbirth including the birth of quadruplets. Dr. Lindemann is sure to be a favorite guest for anyone interested in pregnancy and childbirth, including expectant parents and the just-plain curious. He is a former clinical instructor and associate clinical professor at the University of North Dakota’s medical school. Among the topics he can address are: is there a COVID baby boom? Or, conversely, have couples been more birth-control minded as hospitals become COVID hotspots? Contact Alan Lindemann, M.D., at (701) 399-9556; ALindemann@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Would You Sacrifice Your Career for Your Child’s?

    How far should parents be willing to go to help grown children? Should they lend adult children money that they might need for retirement, raise their grandchildren due to addiction issues or move closer to their children to provide childcare? Oliver Akamnonu, M.D. went about as far as a parent could go, giving up his medical practice (as did his wife) to help his daughter Nena make it through medical school, childbirth, and early parenting while the latter’s husband was abroad. Was what Dr. Akanmnonu and his wife did excessive? Do they have any regrets? Would they encourage others to take the same path? Find out when you explore this heartwarming story told in “Little Baby Lydia, Grandma, Grandpa and Student Mom: Saga of Family Role Reversal and the New Times.” Contact Oliver Akamnonu at (413) 206-6753; oakamnonu@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> Will Joe Biden Eliminate Single-Family Homes?

    As Election Day approaches, some Americans are shocked to learn details of the Green New Deal embraced by many progressives in the Democratic party. Of particular concern is the plan’s policy to eliminate single-family home zoning, which some, like property rights advocate Tom DeWeese, say will destroy private property. Listeners will learn how several states are working to pass legislation to ban single-family home zoning and are instead promoting “smart growth” stack and pack high-rises while the mayor of Minneapolis calls single-family zoning racist, charging that homeowners self-segregate themselves. Tom DeWeese warns the final result of such a policy would eliminate private property, forcing all housing under government-control using the excuse of environmental protection. DeWeese, president of the American Policy Center, is the author of “Sustainable: The WAR on Free Enterprise, Private Property and Individuals.” He has been featured by Fox News, the New York Times, and the Washington Times, and other media nationwide. Contact him at (540) 341-8911; APCDeWeese@aol.com

    13. ==> Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the Election?

    A Politico story contends that millions of Americans believe God wanted Donald Trump to be president. But is a second term in God’s plan? Interview Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., who agrees that a Trump White House was God’s will. But find out why he says God may not want Trump to serve two terms. Originally from Jamaica, Dr. Rutherford has studied politics, faith and human nature for decades. His critically acclaimed book is “God and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him why did many deeply committed Christians have no qualms about electing a seemingly godless man? What does the anti-Trump contingent get right and wrong? Why didn’t he vote for Trump? How would God “grade” Trump’s first term in office? Contact Dr. Rutherford at (786) 201-6638; patricrutherford@gmail.com

    14. ==> When Abnormal Became the New Normal

    Mental health counselor Cheryl Powell combines research and statistics with personal knowledge and expertise when she talks about the pandemic and how it has changed our lives. Invite the health-care worker and author to share her experiences navigating the “new normal” as a professional and observer. She’ll discuss the mental health effects of COVID-19 both on herself and others, how future generations will view the pandemic, and how our species can emerge from this crisis stronger than before. Cheryl Powell, LMHC, is the author of “Pandemic 2020.” Contact her at (508) 360-6753; cgkyntamara@aol.com.

    15. ==> Just the Facts, Please

    Tired of listening to politicians and officials spinning numbers, making things up and downright lying? What does the data say about COVID-19 and the economy? How many Americans are living without health insurance? How often do police use excessive force in arrests? USAFacts’ “Change the Story” campaign demonstrates how decisions grounded in real data can allow Americans to make informed choices. The nonpartisan civic initiative provides a data-driven portrait of the population, government’s finances, and government’s impact on society. According to Steve Ballmer, founder of USAFacts and former CEO of Microsoft, “As we head into the election, our nation’s citizens are looking to inform their vote based on the facts.” 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. Contact Lisa Conquergood at (425) 332-4196; lisac@usafacts.org;

  • 10/27/20 RTIR Newsletter: Halloween is Here, COVID Safety App, Be the Change

    01. What’s Safe Right Now? There’s an App for That
    02. Election 2020: The End of Voter Apathy Among the Young?
    03. Joe Biden’s Big Leadership Fail
    04. Best (Safe) Haunted Houses in the U.S.
    05. Tricks Instead of Treats This Halloween
    06. Undertaker’s Daughter Shares Messages from the Dead
    07. This Halloween Discover Why Spirits Aren’t Scary
    08. Answers to Your Most Terrifying Ghost Questions
    09. Growing Up with Spirits … and Their Stories
    10. Unequal Impact: 5 Economic Trends That Affect Women More
    11. How to Meditate Anywhere
    12. You Can Be the Change We Need Right Now
    13. Post-Pandemic Health Impacts
    14. 2020 Stinks — A New Mindset Can Save You
    15. Politics Aside … What’s Behind Biden’s Aviators?

    1. ==> What’s Safe Right Now? There’s an App for That

    Should you take your kids out trick-or-treating? How safe is eating indoors at a local restaurant? How do you know what’s safe right now? Given the information vacuum, researchers and some public-health workers have launched their own efforts to help people decide what types of social activities are safe, based on where they live. The Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health has developed a free app called My COVID Risk. “Given the lack of clear national guidelines on what’s safe and not safe, our hope is that this will fill a void for the average American who’s really struggling to judge the safety of various activities,” says Megan Ranney, M.D., M.P.H. The app allows users to input the type of activity they want to do, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, how many people will be there, what protective measures they’ll take, and where they live, along with other factors. The app generates a relative risk of catching the coronavirus during that activity — from “very low” to “very high” — using community-level data from The New York Times’ coronavirus map. People can modify their risk level by reducing the number of people, for example, or adding a mask requirement. Ranney is a practicing emergency physician and researcher focused on the intersection between digital health, violence prevention, and public health. She is the founder and director of The Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health. Contact her at Megan_Ranney@brown.edu; (401) 863-6262 or media_relations@brown.edu

    2. ==> Election 2020: The End Voter Apathy Among the Young?

    Will millennials and Generation Zs go to the polls next Tuesday? Have they already cast their ballots? Historically, younger Americans haven’t voted as much as older generations, but in a year like 2020, it’s hard to predict anything, let alone the behavior of young people. What we do know, is that if they vote, millennials and Gen Zs could make a difference in this election’s outcome. Invite Jeremy Levin and Jennifer P. Wisdom, to discuss the reasons younger Americans haven’t voted in the past and what it will take to get them to the polls this year. The authors of “Millennials’ and Generation Z Guide to Voting” will share the basics of the voting process, discuss political parties and how they’ve changed over time, and reveal the long history of voter suppression in America. Jeremy Levine, M.A., is an adjunct professor at multiple universities in New Jersey and New York. Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D., M.P.H., has worked in complex health care, government, and educational environments for 25 years. She’s the author of the best-selling “Millennials’ Guides” series. Contact her at (503) 484-5679; Jennifer@leadwithwisdom.com

    3. ==> Joe Biden’s Big Leadership Fail

    Joe Biden has been dodging the question of whether he would pack the Supreme Court were he to be elected; the most he has said was that he was “not a fan” of expanding the Supreme Court to offset the impending Conservative majority. Although he stated he does not “want to get into it,” by not doing so, Biden has failed the courage test, says author and leadership expert Steven Mays, who will explain his reasoning on your show; he can also discuss the other hallmarks of good leadership besides courage. Mays is the author of “Power of 3 Leadership, Lessons in Leadership.” A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines, he was a mathematician, electrical engineer and nuclear engineer who worked in private industry and at the Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact Steven Mays at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

    4.==> Best (Safe) Haunted Houses in the U.S.

    2020 has the best haunted attractions honing their operations to reduce the chance of spreading anything but fear. “Missing the Halloween season is not an option,” says Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, also known as the Queen of Haunts. “So many people have anxiety and sadness or stress with the new challenges we face. Scaring is a proven science to help give some release to these pressures. We are keeping the scary arts alive during these frightful times.” Invite the Queen of Haunts to share which attractions make the most of haunting and safety as she lists the top 13 terror-ific haunts in the country. Amber Arnett-Bequeaith grew up in the haunt business and is the mastermind behind some of the most well-known haunt attractions and events including The Edge of Hell and The Beast Haunted House in Kansas City. Contact her at (913) 406-7833 or (816) 842-4280

    5. ==> Tricks Instead of Treats This Halloween

    With health officials warning of current virus spikes across the country Halloween is in danger of becoming another 2020 COVID cancellation for kids. Brian South can share ways that parents can make the holiday magical by teaching kids some professionally designed magic tricks! The magician and cofounder of Discover Magic says kids as young as six can easily learn tricks, and some are even suitable for three-year-olds. He’ll explain his one-of-a-kind program created by educators and top magicians to instill confidence and character-building traits in kids and his mini-magic kits which include eight tricks tied to one of eight traits of a true magician. The tricks include kids learning to make an elephant disappear, using superhero socks to predict the future and cracking the secret behind the incredible shrinking dog. Contact Brian South at (801) 916-2442; 257375@email4pr.com

    6. ==> Undertaker’s Daughter Shares Messages from the Dead

    Many people wonder what happens after we take our last breath. While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home with an undertaker as her father, Margo Lenmark learned the truth. “People send messages in death that are very clear,” she says. “Death is not the end. I have gotten messages from dead people that have helped me to live a better life.” She shares her fascinating experiences and insights in her book “Light in the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter.” The book has received glowing reviews from a number of prominent authors and spiritual leaders including Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at (828) 260-0873; MLenmark@rtirguests.com

    7. ==> This Halloween Discover Why Spirits Aren’t Scary

    Halloween conjures up thoughts of scary ghosts that haunt the living, but what if you discovered that we could have meaningful connections with those who have passed on? TV host and award-winning author Maryann Ridini Spencer says that our lost loved ones are always with us. She asserts that our loved ones live on and we can get guidance from them by paying attention to energy, synchronicity and prayer. She is a TV/film producer, screenwriter, and the author of the award-winning Kate Grace Mystery books, “Lady in the Window” and “The Paradise Table.” Her work has appeared on “Hallmark Hall of Fame” (CBS-TV), the Hallmark Channel, CNN, USA, SyFy, Showtime and many other outlets. Contact Maryann Ridini Spencer at (818) 492-9135; mspencer@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Answers to Your Most Terrifying Ghost Questions

    Dr. Susan Shumsky is a ghost whisperer and perfect Halloween guest who can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about ghosts — but were too terrified to ask. For example, what really happens to souls after death? Is it possible to communicate with the dead; how so? Why are some homes, cars, offices, and other places haunted? What are the 11 types of people most susceptible to possession? What are the 15 reasons why people become ghosts? Dr. Shumsky is no fly-by-night author. She has 18 books in print, is published by major publishers Simon & Schuster and Random House Penguin, and has enthralled listeners with over 1,200 media appearances. Open your phone lines for listeners with haunted houses and Dr. Shumsky will send the ghosts packing! Contact her at (917) 336-7184; SShumsky@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Growing Up with Spirits … and Their Stories

    What’s it like growing up in family homes surrounded by spirits and their stories? Interview Ivan Obolensky and find out! Ivan’s rich personal history includes his grandfather Serge, the famed “Prince of New York,” and his grandmother Alice (of the famed Astor family) who died holding an “Egyptian Book of the Dead” on her chest. Convinced that people lived on after death, she proved it by scaring off governesses and attracting a large number of black cats that kept returning to her home on 61st Street in New York City, even after extermination was tried. The family home was finally exorcised. Alice’s husband, Serge, had ghost stories of his own to tell including one of a captain reportedly recovering from TB in the Crimea appearing to Serge’s mother and a butler at the family country home many miles away … and then vanishing before their eyes! They learned later the soldier had died before his appearance. Ivan Obolensky is a true Renaissance man in his own right and the author of “Eye of the Moon.” Contact Ivan at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> Unequal Impact: 5 Economic Trends That Affect Women More

    As a group, American women are having to bear the brunt and the hits keep on coming. Already behind before the pandemic and more likely to be economic victims of its fallout, women also face an unequal impact from the five biggest economic trends that are affecting Americans’ futures, according to Certified Financial Planner Lorri Craig. Lorri can detail the significant economic impacts of COVID-19, lower interest rates, climate change, the U.S.’s declining global power, and baby boomer’s inability to retire and why women are more affected than men. Lorri has a master’s degree in finance and is a subject matter expert for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. She offers an Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investment platform on her website for socially conscious investors who want to make a positive impact. Contact Lorri at (484) 453-1742; LCraig@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> How to Meditate Anywhere

    Who isn’t stressed out these days? Life has become unpredictable and chaotic and the stress is affecting everything from our personal relationships to our work lives. And not in a positive way. Invite stress reduction and meditation expert Adam Weber to share his meditation method for relaxing and calming your mind anywhere, at any time of the day, whether you’re working at home with kids underfoot, or standing in line at a supermarket where people aren’t socially distancing. Weber says that in only three to five minutes you can decompress and build a meditation practice that fits into your busy schedule. Adam Weber is the author of “From Stress to Profit: How Meditation Helps the Corporate Warrior Survive, Thrive, and Profit in Our Stress-Filled World” and the upcoming book “I Will Teach You to Meditate,” which reveals simple ways to start meditating. He is also the creator of the highly acclaimed online training program Easy to Meditate. He’ll answer all your meditation questions such as is it hard to start meditating? Can you really relax your mind in a stressful place? Contact Adam Weber at (917) 779-8177; aweber@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> You Can Be the Change We Need Right Now

    The worst global pandemic in a century. Economic chaos that echoes the Great Depression. Worldwide protests due to police brutality against minorities. How do we survive and even thrive in these perilous times? “To be the change this world needs right now, we have to live our truth,” says best-selling author and intuition expert Kim Chestney. “Intuition is the key to that truth; it shows us who we really are and what we stand for in this world.” Kim can discuss how being true to oneself is the greatest form of rebellion and the only way to bring about positive change in the world. Kim is an international best-selling author and artist who founded the popular CREATE! Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her Intuition Masterclass is part of her global online school, Intuition Lab. Her new book “Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide for Using Your Inner Power” will be released on November 3. Contact her at (412) 214-9502; KChestney@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> Post-Pandemic Health Impacts

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

    14. ==> 2020 Stinks — A New Mindset Can Save You

    Sad to say, societal problems are on the rise. To prevail and build a better present and future, even as we face political upheaval and diseases attacking us, we must change. So says Reverend Arthur Mackey, a prolific author, focused researcher, respected pastor and sought-after media guest. He’ll show your audience how to develop a mindset that makes positive change possible and saves lives in the process. Mackey is the author of “Overcoming the Spirit of Depression.” He’ll inspire audiences as he explores everything from family and workplace influences to health/social services, faith-based resources and education programs worth knowing. Ask him: Why is it never too late to change or improve your surroundings, relationships, mood and ideals? What are the four most effective ways to change your mindset, minus the stress? Does healing always require medicine? What’s the role of prayer for navigating a happier, healthier lifestyle? Contact Reverend Arthur Mackey at (516) 219-8392; AMackey@rtirguests.com

    15. ==> Politics Aside … What’s Behind Biden’s Aviators?

    Joe Biden has been wearing aviator sunglasses for most of his life. Some might say he looks cool. But putting style and politics aside, Joe may be onto something. Wearing wraparound aviator sunglasses (but not necessarily pricey Ray-Bans can help you protect your health, especially during COVID-19, reports vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson. As Linda will tell your listeners, “The eyes are porous, and the optic nerve is a direct extension to the brain. So, it stands to reason that eye protection should be added to the virus protection mix, especially for children,” she says. Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda Odubayo Thompson at (914) 944-1474; lthompson@rtirguests.com

  • 10/22/20 RTIR Newsletter: Dolly’s New Single, Analyzing Trump’s Tweets, Biden’s Big Fail

    01. #StayStrongStaySafe – Campaign Tackles COVID & Violence
    02. Political Comedian on Ending Toll-Free Phone Numbers
    03. Behind Dolly Parton’s New “Pink” Single
    04. Campaign Guru Analyzes Trump Tweets in Real Time
    05. Joe Biden’s Big Leadership Fail
    06. Saving Halloween for Pediatric Patients
    07. Everything You Were Too Terrified to Ask about Ghosts
    08. Growing Up with Ghosts … and their Stories
    09. Would You Know What to Do if Shots Erupted?
    10. How to Get Tuned-Out Students to Tune In
    11. Saving Your Career is as Simple as Answering Yes or No
    12. How to Win Big at Public Speaking Every Time!
    13. What’s It Like to Care for a Spouse with Early Onset Alzheimer’s?
    14. Why Would God Want a Trump Presidency?
    15. A Near-Death Experience You Won’t Forget

    1. ==> #StayStrongStaySafe – Campaign Tackles COVID & Violence

    Comedian Tracy Morgan and actress Rosario Dawson are teaming up with New York City community and civic leaders for a citywide digital campaign called “Stay Strong, Stay Safe” to support communities hardest hit by rising rates of violence and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both celebrities are using their platforms to spread awareness and encourage New Yorkers to take care of themselves and their communities amid the public health crises posed by both Coronavirus and gun violence. Videos and shareable content on the website have received more than 1 million views, and targeted messages from the campaign are visible on digital kiosks and screens citywide. “Stay Strong, Stay Safe” features the voices and experiences of New Yorkers on the frontlines of the Crisis Management System (CMS), New York City’s neighborhood-based Cure Violence model that invests resources in communities impacted by increased gun violence. CMS deploys local partners to mediate conflicts on the street and connect high-risk individuals to services, which include a year-round employment program, mental health services, and trauma counseling. They’ve also handed out approximately 50,000 hand sanitizers, 65,000 protective gloves, and 285,000 masks in some of the communities hit hardest by COVID-19. Contact Simone Smalls at (212) 634-7176; media@strategicheights.com

    2. ==> Political Comedian on Ending Toll-Free Phone Numbers

    Political comedian, author and host Tim Young notes that some of the most overlooked negative impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns have been mental health, drug abuse and domestic violence. That’s why he’s railing against government moves to chip away at services that could help those who find themselves in a hopeless or dangerous place. He says, “Right now, the Federal Communications Commission is considering a move to eliminate the toll-free number — the aspects of which could be devastating to many underprivileged Americans who struggle mentally with drug abuse or suffer from domestic violence.” He says many of the top 100 toll-free numbers used include services that people need more than ever now: State unemployment agencies, poison control centers, veteran crisis hotlines, sexual assault hotlines, mental health hotlines, suicide hotlines — you get the point. Tim Young has appeared on stages across the country and hundreds of radio and TV shows. He writes the popular “On The Road” series for the Washington Times and is the author of several books including “I Hate Democrats, I Hate Republicans.” Contact him at tim@timyoung.com

    3. ==> Behind Dolly Parton’s New “Pink” Single

    Dolly Parton is joined by some famous friends for a new charity single to raise money for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization. The country music icon has teamed up with Monica, Jordin Sparks, Rita Wilson and Sara Evans for “Pink,” a new single released this week for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The song was produced and co-written by Victoria Shaw, the singer/songwriter/producer behind such hits as Garth Brooks’ “The River,” Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera’s “Nobody Wants to be Lonely” and others. Invite Shaw on your show to talk about the project, the influence behind the song, and what it was like working with Parton and company. Contact Aaron Crisler at (615) 474-8673; aaron@conduitmediaemail.com

    4. ==> Campaign Guru Analyzes Trump Tweets in Real Time

    Over the past few years we’ve gotten used to hearing about (or reading) Donald Trump’s lengthy tweetstorms, but do we ever really know what he’s talking about? And why does he use so many caps? Is he yelling? The new website Twitterism.com analyzes the tone of Trump’s tweets in real time using artificial intelligence. Ravi Singh, Ph.D., who formerly founded ElectionMall.com, is available to debunk the popular media narratives that Donald Trump’s tweets often come across as harsh or negative using quantitative scientific study. Dr. Singh identifies himself as a conservative turban-wearing Ph.D. holding a master’s degree in political science, a master of science in social media, and one of the first in the academic world to achieve a doctor of philosophy degree specializing in social media and technology. Contact Jenny Kefauver at (703) 850-3533; jenny@jkpublicrelationsdc.com

    5. ==> Joe Biden’s Big Leadership Fail

    Joe Biden has been dodging the question of whether he would pack the Supreme Court were he to be elected; the most he has said was that he was “not a fan” of expanding the Supreme Court to offset the impending Conservative majority. Although he stated he does not “want to get into it,” by not doing so, Biden has failed the courage test, says author and leadership expert Steven Mays, who will explain his reasoning on your show; he can also discuss the other hallmarks of good leadership besides courage. Mays is the author of “Power of 3 Leadership, Lessons in Leadership.” A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines, he was a mathematician, electrical engineer and nuclear engineer who worked in private industry and at the Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact Steven Mays at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

    6. ==> Saving Halloween for Pediatric Patients

    Halloween will look a lot different this year, but the Spirit of Children is focused on making sure the holiday isn’t canceled for kids already battling health issues in the hospital. The charity is delivering one-of-a-kind care packages to more than 140 pediatric hospitals across the U.S. and Canada filled with costumes, activity books, crayons and treat bags. Child life specialists will “reverse trick-or-treat” with the children by delivering the packages individually to patients’ rooms and many hospitals will also create video conferencing parties for contactless celebrations. Spirit of Children was started in 2006 by Spirit Halloween, the nation’s largest Halloween retailer. President and CEO Steven Silverstein says, “We are honored to bring a sense of normalcy to some of the toughest times a family and child go through, and that dedication doesn’t stop in a pandemic. We are determined, now more than ever, to bring the magic of Halloween to pediatric patients, even if we can’t be there in person this year.” Contact Erin Springer at 609) 645-5619;
    Erin.Springer@SpiritHalloween.com

    7. ==> Everything You Were Too Terrified to Ask about Ghosts

    Dr. Susan Shumsky is a ghost whisperer and perfect Halloween guest who can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about ghosts — but were too terrified to ask. For example, what really happens to souls after death? Is it possible to communicate with the dead; how so? Why are some homes, cars, offices, and other places haunted? What are the 11 types of people most susceptible to possession? What are the 15 reasons why people become ghosts? Dr. Shumsky is no fly-by-night author. She has 17 books in print and has been published by Simon & Schuster. Open your phone lines for listeners with haunted houses, and Dr. Shumsky will send the ghosts packing! Contact her at (917) 336-7184; SShumsky@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Growing Up with Ghosts … and their Stories

    What’s it like growing up in family homes surrounded by ghosts and their stories? Interview Ivan Obolensky and find out! Ivan’s rich personal history includes his grandfather Serge, the famed “Prince of New York,” and his grandmother Alice (of the famed Astor family) who died holding an “Egyptian Book of the Dead” on her chest. Convinced that people lived on after death, she proved it by scaring off governesses and attracting a large number of black cats that kept returning to her home on 61st Street in New York City, even after extermination was tried. The family home was finally exorcised. Alice’s husband, Serge, had ghost stories of his own to tell including one of a captain reportedly recovering from TB in the Crimea appearing to Serge’s mother and a butler at the family country home many miles away … and then vanishing before their eyes! They learned later the soldier had died before his appearance. Ivan Obolensky is a true Renaissance man in his own right and the author of “Eye of the Moon.” Contact Ivan at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com

    9. ==> Would You Know What to Do if Shots Erupted?

    Few of us expect we’ll be in a public place when someone begins shooting. Yet as we know, people going about their daily lives in schools, workplaces, concert halls, religious institutions, shopping malls, and even on their front stoops have found themselves under fire. What if it happened to you? How can you and your loved ones remain safe when shots ring out? Would you be able to react, escape, find cover, seek help, or shield others? Would you notice dangers before they put anyone at risk? What actions should you always take or never take? Explore the vital answers with personal protection specialist Allen Banks, CEO of Proactive Protection Agency. He’s the developer of Active Shooter Prevention and Workplace Violence Prevention Training, plus special programs for schools and other locations. Contact Allen Banks at (661) 417-0786; abanks@rtirguests.com

    10. ==> How to Get Tuned-Out Students to Tune In

    Countless students across America are feeling disengaged and uninspired. Their schools are not deliberately creating a negative, tune-out atmosphere. So what’s happening and how can educators, administrators, coaches and parents help our centers of learning improve? Educator and author Paul Bernabei is spearheading a movement to encourage and benefit students, which ultimately boosts our nation’s future. Ask him: What has become seemingly invisible for school students these days? How has an epidemic of “I’m neither good enough nor smart enough” started attacking student populations nationwide? What easily-implemented strategies will create a safe environment for students, especially during stressful times? Bernabei is the author of “Why Students Disengage in American Schools and What We Can Do About It.” Contact him at (651) 470-3827; PBernabei@rtirguests.com

    11. ==> Saving Your Career is as Simple as Answering Yes or No

    Should you go on that job interview? Or accept that offer? Are you feeling comfortable enough to sign that contract or take that promotion? Are you ready to quit your current job? Go part-time? Or finally retire? Just like every other move you make in your personal or professional life, you have “Just 2 Choices.” That’s the message of Rico Racosky, who has already gained a substantial following with his “Just 2 Choices” book, speaking engagements, webinars and radio program. Ask Rico: Why do people make their career moves far more complicated than necessary? What fears keep many people from moving up? How can the “Just 2 Choices” strategy strengthen someone’s situation, even during a pandemic? Rico can help your listeners navigate their careers and reach their goals with a yes or no answer! Contact him at (730) 572-1322; Racosky@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> How to Win Big at Public Speaking Every Time!

    Public speaking is considered the #1 fear. And while most of us will never have to debate someone in a national forum (think the 2020 election debates), we’re now challenged with audiences who are spread out, behind masks, and even virtual. Moreover, many people would rather quit their job than speak on stage, be interviewed on camera, or present on Zoom. A groundbreaking approach could change all that, and Jill Jaysen has one. She’ll identify the five biggest public speaking blunders and replace them with five strategic power-up principles. Not only will your audience feel transformed, but they will also finally believe they can win big (consistently) at public speaking! Contact Jill Jaysen at (203) 442-9301; jjaysen@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> What’s It Like to Care for a Spouse with Early Onset Alzheimer’s?

    A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is devastating within any family. Often patients are elderly, or past retirement age. But what if the afflicted is someone much younger — still raising children, perhaps involved in a successful career, and looking forward to many more years with a loving partner? Find out from Carlen Maddux how he cared for his wife Martha after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 50. Carlen’s powerful insights will inspire audiences everywhere, as he shares how demanding the condition can be, and what he advises for the thousands of spouses who might face such a challenge. Carlen can discuss caregiver burnout, communicating with the kids, and what to look for as a loved one’s health, mood and memory decline. Carlen Maddux is the author of “A Path Revealed.” Contact him at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> Why Would God Want a Trump Presidency?

    After years of being a casino owner, billionaire businessman, reality TV star and tabloid target, Donald Trump gained enough fame to be elected the 45th president. And he may win a second term in a few weeks. According to Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., it was God’s will that put Trump in the White House. Why? Did God approve of Trump’s fame? His business skills? His lifestyle? His ability to attract loyal followers? Or Trump’s desire to be in charge? Explore Trump’s amazing political journey when you interview Dr. Rutherford, author of “God and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him: Were Christians who saw President Trump as a divine deliverer justified in their support for him? Why has President Trump never pivoted to acting presidential? Did anything justify the divisiveness and hate that the Trump presidency has engendered? How would God grade Trump’s presidency? Contact Dr. Patric Rutherford at (786) 201-6638; patricrutherford@gmail.com

    15. ==> A Near-Death Experience You Won’t Forget

    Sure, near-death experiences are fairly common, but Charles (Charlie) Gardner’s experience may take the cake when it comes to pathos, humor, and life lessons. Nine years ago when he developed sepsis while recovering from the flu, Charlie spent six weeks in a coma, suffered 13 strokes and major organ failure. In the near-death experience that accompanied that ordeal, Charlie had the requisite out-of-body experience but the bright light he saw was a green disco ball! Charlie can relate what happened including how one day before his family planned to pull the plug on him his 14-year-old daughter’s words brought him back to his body. He can talk about the difference between Heaven time and Earth time, the angels he met and why he believes he was spared to tell other people about the miracles he has experienced and serve as an example of how to appreciate the life you have even if it isn’t the one you expected. Charlie tells his inspiring story in “Always Remember This Moment.” Contact Charlie Gardner at (650) 995-5626; charlesgardner@rtirguests.com

  • What Makes 2020’s Wildfires the Worst in Modern Memory?

    Changing temperatures, rogue winds, drought, and human actions. Are those the reasons for the devastating wildfires across the West that have been killing people and animals, destroying homes, paralyzing the wine industry, and decimating millions of acres in California alone? What can be done to stop or even prevent such destruction? James Moseley, CEO of Sun FireDefense, may be the most impressive wildfire expert you’ll ever interview. His California-based company defends life and property from wildfire every year. Ask him: What keeps so many wildfires burning with such intensity? What role does climate change play? What can people do to protect themselves and bounce back? How can we save firefighters’ lives? Is wildfire season winding down? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com