Author: admin

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

    June 9, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    6. ==> How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    June 4, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    1. ==> 5 Reasons to Go Consignment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    June 2, 2020

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

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

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

    1. ==> Vicarious Racism: Just Watching Hurts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    1. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 28, 2020

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

    1. ==> This Could End Political Gridlock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    7. ==> Weddings in the Age of Coronavirus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 26, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    5. ==> National Smile Day is Sunday 🙂

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 21, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    9. ==> Homeschooling Tips Parents Need Right Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 19, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 14, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    May 12, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 05/7/20 RTIR Newsletter: COVID and Marketing, Mail-In Voting, Self Love and Isolation

    May 7, 2020

    01. Trump, Stop Comparing Yourself to Lincoln!
    02. Reopening America: ‘Like Creating a Peeing Section in a Pool’
    03. Will COVID-19 Create New Social Policies?
    04. Mail-In Voting, Election Disinformation and Voter Confidence
    05. The Giant Killer: The Smallest Man to Serve in the U.S. Military
    06. This Doctor Challenges Moms to Just Say ‘No’ on Mother’s Day!
    07. Would the U.S. Be Better off If Mothers Ran It?
    08. Here’s How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19
    09. What No One Tells Millennials about Being a Boss
    10. How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage
    11. No Job? Broke? 4 Ways to Make Extra Money
    12. Make Your Own Happy During Pandemic Times
    13. Are You Suffering from ‘Corona-grief’?
    14. Self-Love for Surviving Social Isolation
    15. Weird Things That Happened on Construction Sites

    1.==> Trump, Stop Comparing Yourself to Lincoln!

    At a recent town hall event held at the Lincoln
    Memorial, President Donald Trump said the press treats
    him even worse than Abraham Lincoln. According to Brad
    Meltzer, history proves otherwise. He says Lincoln had
    his issues with the press but his character was
    demonstrated in his response to vitriol from his
    rivals. “He was humble, self-deprecating, and gracious
    to those who attacked him. He didn’t insult his
    opponents; he embraced them. He insisted he was
    president for all Americans, even at a time of
    division,” says Meltzer. His new book, “The Lincoln
    Conspiracy,” tells the story of a southern, secret pro-
    slavery group that planned to kill Lincoln on his way
    to the capital to take the oath of office. Meltzer will
    explain how Lincoln ultimately evaded the assassins and
    arrived safely in Washington, D.C., and why the
    Charleston Mercury newspaper called him cowardly and
    undignified for running from his own killers. Meltzer
    is the host of the History Channel shows Brad Meltzer’s
    Decoded and Brad Meltzer’s Lost History. He is the
    author of a dozen books. Contact John Angelo at
    john@premieretv.com

    2. ==> Reopening America: ‘Like Creating a Peeing
    Section in a Pool’

    More than half of the United States has started
    reopening, including many states that haven’t met White
    House guidelines on when to do so. According to the
    guidelines for “Opening Up America Again,” states
    should wait to reopen until they have a downward
    trajectory of positive cases in a 14-day period or a
    “downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of
    total tests within a 14-day period.” It would be smart
    for states to meet those guidelines first, says
    infectious disease expert Dr. Carlos del Rio, a
    professor of medicine and global health at Emory
    University. Otherwise, they risk a second wave of
    increased infections and deaths that could overwhelm
    hospitals. Even states that stick to their stay-at-home
    orders can be affected by neighboring states that lift
    their restrictions. “It’s like having a peeing section
    in a swimming pool,” del Rio says. “All the time, we’re
    crossing state lines.” He also warns that it will be
    several weeks before we know the effect of reopening
    because it takes time for individuals to infect others
    and for them to display symptoms. Carlos del Rio, M.D.,
    is chair of the Department of Global Health and a
    professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of
    Public Health and Professor of Medicine in the Division
    of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of
    Medicine in Atlanta. Contact him at (404) 727-1557;
    cdelrio@emory.edu

    3. ==> Will COVID-19 Create New Social Policies?

    The Great Depression of the 1930s led to President
    Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which created some of
    the United States’ most important public insurance
    programs including Social Security and unemployment
    insurance. Will the coronavirus crisis lead to
    similarly lasting advances in U.S. social policy? Lane
    Kenworthy says it’s unlikely. “The main reason crises
    don’t produce lasting change in social policy seems to
    be that people quickly forget or turn their attention
    elsewhere, so their beliefs and preferences snap back
    to where they were before the emergency,” explains
    Kenworthy. “In addition, economic downturns cause some
    people to worry about their own financial well-being
    rather than the welfare of others.” Kenworthy says
    historically, when public social programs have been
    enlarged for good, it tends to happen via the ballot
    box: progressive parties in government, not crises,
    make lasting social policy. He says if the pandemic
    does push us closer to social democracy, it will be
    because it boosts the electoral fortunes of the
    political party currently out of power, which happens
    to be one that’s already inclined to expand the social
    safety net. Lane Kenworthy is a professor of sociology
    at the University of California, San Diego. He is the
    author of “Social Democratic Capitalism.” Contact him
    at (858) 860-6124; lkenworthy@ucsd.edu or
    lane.kenworthy@gmail.com

    4.==> Mail-In Voting, Election Disinformation and Voter
    Confidence

    Even before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic arrived in
    the United States, close observers of American
    democracy worried about the public’s faith and
    confidence in the results of the upcoming November 2020
    U.S. elections. Last week a team of election law, media
    and technology experts led by University of California,
    Irvine, professor Richard Hasen, released a list of 14
    recommendations to ensure a fair election this fall.
    “The American election system is under tremendous
    stress, and if nothing is done we face a potential
    political crisis on top of the health and economic
    crises brought on by COVID-19,” Hasen says. He’ll
    explain the group’s specific recommendations to ensure
    election integrity, voter access and the public’s
    confidence in the system. A key recommendation is that
    the media educate the public about how election counts
    may take longer than past years and vote margins may
    change during the count as election officials process
    large numbers of mail ballots, especially in key
    battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan.
    Richard Hasen is the author of “Election Meltdown.”
    Contact Mojgan Sherkat at (949) 824-7937;
    msherkat@law.uci.edu

    5. ==> The Giant Killer: The Smallest Man to Serve in
    the U.S. Military

    Miami police officer David Yuzuk befriended Richard
    Flaherty when Flaherty was living on the streets. After
    15 years of friendship, Flaherty finally confessed,
    “It’s time I tell you who I really am.” Only ten days
    later Flaherty was killed in a mysterious hit and run.
    Invite Yuzuk to share the incredible true story of the
    smallest man to ever serve in the U.S. military —
    Green Beret Captain Richard J. Flaherty. “My three-year
    journey of discovery dragged me down the rabbit hole of
    CIA conspiracies and the hunt for stolen classified
    weapons — stretching from the bloody jungles of Vietnam
    to the dangerous streets of Iraq and Venezuela,” Yuzuk
    says. “He told me not to look into his undercover work,
    but I promised Richard before he was killed that I
    would get his story out to the world and my soul won’t
    rest until I do. He did good things, he did bad things,
    but his story needs to be told.” David Yuzuk made the
    award-winning documentary “The Giant Killer” in 2018.
    He and his son Neil have written a companion book with
    new facts and details. Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
    (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
    johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

    6. ==> This Doctor Challenges Moms to Just Say ‘No’ on
    Mother’s Day!

    Cooking, laundry, child-care, chauffeuring. Every day
    of the year, mothers put their families’ needs ahead of
    their own. It is only on Mother’s Day, May 10, that
    women are given permission to think of themselves first
    yet they still struggle to do so. Let Dr. Saundra
    Dalton-Smith explain why she is encouraging mothers to
    just say no to their crammed to-do lists. She’ll offer
    suggestions for what women can do to get the seven
    types of rest they need so they can hold the family
    together without burning themselves out. Dr. Saundra’s
    advice and expertise have been featured in Woman’s Day
    and Prevention magazines. She is the author of “Sacred
    Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore
    Your Sanity.” Contact Saundra at (256) 240-0564;
    Sdalton@rtirguests.com

    7. ==> Would the U.S. Be Better off If Mothers Ran It?

    Mother’s Day is a time to honor the women who hold our
    world together. But it can also serve as a reminder
    that the same qualities moms use — empathy,
    collaboration, reason, and fact-gathering to name but a
    few — could also be put to greater use in running the
    country. From the boardroom to the White House, women
    will continue to make their mark just as they are doing
    around the world (i.e. think New Zealand Prime Minister
    Jacinda Ardern and German Chancellor Angela Merkel,
    both of whom have been praised for their country’s
    handling of the coronavirus). Lorri Craig is a
    Certified Financial Planner, developer of the Wake the
    Warrior Woman platform and author of an upcoming book
    on how to shape a culture that embraces more creative,
    collaborative, and receptive feminine energy that
    benefits both women and men. Bring her on-air to
    discuss what the country is likely to gain
    economically, socially, and militarily by harnessing
    the power of mothers. Contact her at (484) 453-1742;
    LCraig@rtirguests.com

    8. ==> Here’s How Marketing Will Change Thanks to
    COVID-19

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

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

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

    10. ==> 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 students 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

    11. ==> No Job? Broke? 4 Ways to Make Extra Money

    Many of your listeners have lost jobs — or taken
    salary and hours cuts — as a result of COVID-19
    measures. With so many people unemployed and bills
    mounting up, people are anxious to hear about ways they
    can make money now and continue to do so once stay-at-
    home restrictions are lifted. Patricia Davis, author of
    “Going Broke Is No Joke,” wants to help with fresh
    ideas. She’ll talk about ways to bring in extra bucks
    by doing things like selling their cellphone images,
    agreeing to test websites and products, and selling
    their opinions to focus groups. Patricia can also
    prepare your audience for spotting scammers trying to
    tempt them with bogus job opportunities and offer tips
    on what household goods could be sold for needed cash
    without being missed. An experienced guest, she holds
    an MBA from Stanford, a master’s degree in personal
    financial planning from Golden Gate University and a
    certificate from Georgetown University’s Stonier
    Graduate School of Banking and Finance. Contact her at
    (301) 517-6304; pdavis@rtirguests.com

    12. ==> Make Your Own Happy During Pandemic Times

    It’s hard to remember a time when life was as hard as
    it is now for so many people. And being happy may seem
    to be taking a backseat to keeping your head above
    water. But happiness and mental health coach Elana
    Davidson says you can start your journey to happiness
    now even if you have tried hard and failed at it
    before. That pretty much describes Elana’s own journey
    despite decades of exploration and study in the fields
    of consciousness, psychology, personal development and
    kinesiology. For anyone who has wondered why other
    people are happier than they are or what is wrong with
    them, Elana can be the perfect balm. She’s the author
    of the eBook, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-
    Searchers Guide to Peace and Happiness in Everyday
    Life,” published by Morgan James, which she is making
    available to your audience for free. Contact Elana at
    (413) 225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

    13. ==> Are You Suffering from ‘Corona-grief’?

    Missing your old life and the people who used to
    populate it? Saddened by the growing list of people who
    have passed away from COVID-19? Unable to help those
    who mourn grieve properly because of social distancing?
    Unsure what life will be like once the pandemic is
    over? If you are, you are probably suffering from
    “corona-grief,” says Rev. Meghan Smith Brooks, an
    expert on recognizing and moving through all types of
    loss. Rev. Meghan will explain why a willingness to
    feel the pain is required to heal as is permitting
    yourself to reach out for support and to be gentle with
    yourself. Rev. Meghan can also share some of the tools
    that helped her after her son was murdered seven years
    ago this May. She 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.”  Contact Meghan at (816)
    844-6783; mbrooks@rtirguests.com

    14. ==> Self-Love for Surviving Social Isolation

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

    15. ==> Weird Things That Happened on Construction
    Sites

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

    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