Author: admin

June 18, 2020

01. Who Thought Trump’s Tulsa Rally Was a Good Idea?
02. No Heroes Here: Toppling Symbols of Colonialism and Racism
03. When Dangerous Rhetoric Turns to Action
04. New Poll: Americans Unhappiest They’ve Been In 50 Years
05. Celebrate Dad’s Greatest Gift to His Family
06. How Pro Athletes Can Lead in Police Reform
07. 5 Economic Trends That Will Impact Your Future
08. Combating the ‘Cult of Safety’
09. Is the Answer to a Less Chaotic World Right in Front of Us?
10. Is It Time to Sell Your Life Insurance Policy?
11. Are State School Tests Unintentionally Racist?
12. How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
13. Fitness and Nutrition Pro Says Motivation is Overrated!
14. For Pride Month: Love, Books and Young Adult LGBTQ Readers
15. Celebrate National Joy Day

1.==> Who Thought Trump’s Tulsa Rally Was a Good Idea?

There are numerous reasons that a large, indoor
campaign rally in the middle of a pandemic would be a
bad idea, but Ellis Cose cannot understand why anyone
would consider holding the event in Tulsa, the site of
one of the worst racial riots in American history.
While Trump and his administration claim there is no
systemic racism in America, Cose says, “There is a
certain irony in the Trump administration making that
argument at the very moment we are focused on the 1921
riot that serves as a textbook example of how systemic
racism works. If you wish to understand institutional
racism, read the story of Tulsa, then read the story of
Trump.” He’ll explain what was behind the Tulsa riot
and how it destroyed one of the most prosperous black
communities in America. Ellis Cose is the author of a
dozen books including “Democracy, If We Can Keep It:
The ACLU’s 100-Year Fight for Rights in America” and
“The Short Life and Curious Death of Free Speech in
America,” both due out this year. Contact him at
elliscose@gmail.com; @EllisCose

2. ==> No Heroes Here: Toppling Symbols of Colonialism and Racism

In Boston, Philadelphia and other cities around the
country, protesters continue to vandalize statues and
topple monuments. Historian Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz isn’t
surprised. “As the movement for black lives protests
against police violence … has spread to every part of
the United States and around the world, some have
turned to the glaring public symbols of the history
that empowers such violence — colonialism and slavery.
Statues celebrating Confederate officers and slavers
have come down, as well as those of Columbus, who is
best known for pioneering European colonialism in the
Western Hemisphere and genocide of the indigenous
Arawaks in the Caribbean; he also brought the
transatlantic African slave trade, as well as returning
to Spain with enslaved natives who were sold on the
European slave market.” Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz is an
activist, writer and historian. She is the author of
“An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States.”
Contact her at rdunbaro@pacbell.net; @rdunbaro

3. ==> When Dangerous Rhetoric Turns to Action

Communication expert Helio Fred Garcia says President
Donald Trump’s increasingly dangerous rhetoric, from
his campaign through the first 2-½ years in office, has
motivated some to commit violence. Invite the author of
“Words On Fire: The Power of Incendiary Language and
How to Confront It” to discuss the language President
Trump uses that conditions an audience to accept,
condone, and commit violence against a targeted group,
rival, or critic and the history of such rhetoric.
He’ll explain “lone-wolf whistle violence” — a term he
coined to describe rhetoric that provokes violence on
the model of “dog whistle” politics, where politicians
use coded language that conveys benign meaning to most
people, but a different meaning to members of a certain
group or followers of a certain ideology. Learn the
playbook of 12 forms of communication that typically
precede acts of mass violence and how civic leaders and
engaged citizens can hold leaders accountable to
prevent such harm. Helio Fred Garcia is president of
the crisis management firm Logos Consulting Group and
is on the adjunct faculties of New York University and
Columbia University. He is a senior fellow at the
Institute of Corporate Communication at Communication
University of China and a contract lecturer at the
Defense Information School and at the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania. Garcia’s previous books
include “The Agony of Decision: Mental Readiness and
Leadership in a Crisis” and “The Power of
Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty,
and Lead Effectively.” Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

4.==> New Poll: Americans Unhappiest They’ve Been In 50 Years

It’s been a rough year for the American psyche. Folks
in the U.S. are more unhappy today than they’ve been in
nearly 50 years. This bold — yet unsurprising —
conclusion comes from the COVID Response Tracking
Study, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago.
It finds that just 14% of American adults say they’re
very happy, down from 31% who said the same in 2018.
That year, 23% said they’d often or sometimes felt
isolated in recent weeks. Now, 50% say that. Invite
psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman to discuss the
survey, the current state of Americans’ mental health,
and how that affects everything from relationships to
jobs and even politics. Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H.,
is a board-certified psychiatrist, author and forensic
psychiatrist/expert witness who has appeared on Oprah,
Good Morning America and many other media outlets.
Contact Ryan McCormick at (516) 901-1103; (919)
377-1200 or ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

5. ==> Celebrate Dad’s Greatest Gift to His Family

Dads will get funny gifts and enjoy backyard BBQs for
Father’s Day this Sunday, but Robb Lucy says there’s
something dads should be sharing with their families.
The author of “How Will You Be Remembered?” says real
family history is more than pictures and genealogical
trees, it’s family stories, and now is the to collect
them, share them, and preserve them for future
generations. He’ll explain how and why to write a
legacy letter, ways to get family members to share
their stories, and how teens especially benefit from
hearing family stories. Robb will also share stories
submitted for a family legacy story contest, including
the winner, from a 94-year-old woman explaining why her
1947 wedding dress was made from a military parachute.
A journalist, writer and producer, Robb Lucy is the
author of the “How Will You Be Remembered? The
Definitive Guide to Creating and Sharing Your Life
Story.” Contact him at (604) 874-7700;
rlucy@createmylegacy.com

6. ==> How Pro Athletes Can Lead in Police Reform

While people around the world hope that better policing
will come with reforms to the system, Nita Wiggins is
working to reduce confrontations before they happen.
Wiggins’ incentive to bring out good behavior of law
enforcement officers is called #GoodCopsOnlyAtGame. The
former TV sports and news reporter focuses on athletes
to insist through their union that only officers with
no abuse accusations or convictions can work at their
games. Wiggins is appealing to pro athletes because, as
she witnessed as an interviewer, many of them come from
the same types of communities as the victims of today’s
police brutality. She’s the author of “Civil Rights
Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers
in American Journalism.” Contact Nita Wiggins at
NWiggins@rtirguests.com

7. ==> 5 Economic Trends That Will Impact Your Future

Do you know what the five biggest economic trends are
that will impact your listeners’ lives? And do you have
any idea of the challenges and opportunities they
represent and how you can capitalize on them? You will
after you interview Certified Financial Planner Lorri
Craig. In one or more segments, depending on how deep a
dive you wish to take, 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. 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
on the world. Contact Lorri Craig at (484) 453-1742;
LCraig@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Combating the ‘Cult of Safety’

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

9. ==> Is the Answer to a Less Chaotic World Right in
Front of Us?

Have you ever wondered why the world’s leaders continue
to let people down? Why chaos seems to be increasing?
Or what happened to the age of peace, love, and
understanding promised in the 1960s? If so, you’ll want
to interview Sankarshan Das, a spiritual master who
says, “Sadly, most of our leaders are not real leaders
because they are unwilling to sacrifice everything for
the common good.” Despite that, he says the knowledge
exists to bring in a new era of unparalleled peace and
prosperity to every town, village, city, and hamlet all
over the world. Sankarshan Das is the author of the
upcoming book “Conquer Your Mind and Deliver the World:
Empowering You to Awaken Your Divine Consciousness and
Create Global Happiness.” He is also a singer-
songwriter who once appeared onstage between Jefferson
Airplane and the Grateful Dead. His song, “The Peace
Formula,” has been praised by Barack Obama. Contact him
at (512) 643-6740; sdas@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Is It Time to Sell Your Life Insurance Policy?

Did you know that because of COVID-19 many life
insurance carriers have been forced to dramatically
raise their costs while lowering benefits? This affects
everyone’s life insurance policies and makes one thing
certain — every policy needs a review. “Life
settlements, a way to sell an existing policy, are a
smart financial option for many,” says David Kottler,
the Life Insurance Doctor™.  “Life settlements are
something to be aware of, as 90% of policies lapse
before maturity, which is a huge loss to consumers!”
David can explain what you need to ask to figure out
what your policy is worth. David is the author of “The
Best-Kept Secret in Your Insurance Policy.” Contact him
at (216) 532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Are State School Tests Unintentionally Racist?

Standardized testing is far worse than a necessary
evil; the way the test data is interpreted can also
harm the impoverished minority schools that most need
encouragement. So says Lee Jenkins, a former longtime
educator, and administrator in public schools and
universities. “Data from the tests is used to rank
schools and school districts and label them. So, no
matter what minority impoverished schools achieve, they
will almost always be labeled as ‘failures’ because it
is and always has been a ranking system. We survived
this spring because of the pandemic without these
damaging tests. Now is the time to devise a new system
that encourages everyone.” Jenkins is the author of the
just-released book, “How to Create a Perfect School,”
which contains a foreword by Jack Canfield. He can talk
about a better way to gather data to create more
perfect schools. Contact Lee Jenkins at (484) 306-8784;
LJenkins@rtirguests.com

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

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

13. ==> Fitness and Nutrition Pro Says Motivation is Overrated!

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

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

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

15. ==> Celebrate National Joy Day

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

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

June 2, 2020

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

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

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

1. ==> Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 28, 2020

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

1. ==> This Could End Political Gridlock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. ==> Weddings in the Age of Coronavirus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 21, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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