Category: Consumer Advice

  • Last Minute Holiday Wine Help

    The holidays give us much to toast but what should you put in your glass?  Certified Wine Educator Jim Laughren can share the latest insider tips and techniques to smart wine buying. Help your audience celebrate like never before by sharing his knowledge, fun facts, and favorite wine bargains. An appearance by Jim is every bit as entertaining as an in-person wine tasting. Jim is the author award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine,” as well as two short eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” Ask him: What wines are you most looking forward to imbibing this holiday? How about champagnes? Do you have some suggestions for gifting wine that will knock people’s socks off? Jim has appeared on radio and TV around the country and is always an excellent and entertaining guest. Contact Jim at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com

  • Why Your Laundry Detergent May Be as Bad for You as Smoking

    Your laundry may smell like a mountain breeze or fresh meadow after washing. But those seemingly delightful aromas may be as deadly as cigarettes. “Many household products contain fragrance,” says product expert Zorica Denton. “They may contain anywhere from 100 to 1,000 chemicals. But they don’t have to be listed due to trade secret policies.” Zorica should know.  She developed asthma, a gastric ulcer and other debilitating health problems as a result of working as a perfume model, and almost died. She is the founder of the natural personal care products company Zorica of Malibu, and author of an upcoming book about toxic chemicals in products. Contact Zorica at (213-616-7904); zdenton@rtirguests.com

  • Boost Your Immun-a-Tea to Get Through These Tough Months

    Since the coronavirus outbreak began, everyone has been talking about immunity. You’ll want to learn: How your body can be healthier to ward-off disease. How we can be wiser in what we eat and drink during every season. The best natural way to bring about strength, energy, healthier skin and ultimately longer life. For the facts, listen to Tilak Silva, an expert in nutrition and health research and the inventor of CilanTea, which helps people of all ages find their ideal path to a healthier life. You’ll learn what makes cilantro an unexpected health food, the best way to take advantage of its benefits and what commonly imbibed beverages you should watch out for since they decrease immunity, especially in these challenging times. Contact Tilak Silva at (310) 421-4680, tsilva@rtirguests.com

  • Telemed: How to Prepare for Your Appointment

    Telemedicine had already been around before COVID-19, but it took off by necessity once the pandemic shut down medical offices along with everything else. And while it’s not always the best way to treat health issues, telemedicine a safe option that will likely remain popular even after the COVID crisis. Invite Anne McAwley-LeDuc to discuss ways to make the most of and prepare for virtual appointments. From managing your time on the call to sharing information about your medical history, you’ll learn how to take more control of your health care to make sure you and your loved ones get proper treatment and stay safe. Anne is a retired registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (APRN) board certified in adult medicine, with 43 years of varied experience in the medical field. An experienced radio, TV and podcast guest, she is the author of “Personal Health Organizer.” Contact her at AMcAwley@rtirguests.com; (860) 300-1603

  • Book This Guest If You’ve Ever Bought Life Insurance

    Why is it that we trust experts to look over and review almost all of our legal documents … but we never think to have anyone review our life insurance policies? This, as it happens, can be a fatal financial mistake! And can lead to a huge financial loss in the long run. David Kottler, The Life Insurance Doctor™, can walk your audience through the benefits of regularly reviewing their insurance policies. He’ll start by sharing some powerful statistics. Did you know that 90% of life insurance policies lapse with no value before any death benefit is paid? That $700 billion worth of death benefits lapse or get surrendered each year? Or that 99% of lapsing policies could have delivered great value to the family before lapsing? 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

  • Tis the Season for Crooks: Biggest Holiday Scams

    Nothing can put a damper on your holiday spirit faster than getting tricked out of your hard-earned cash! This year experts say scammers are out in full force looking to fool you, steal your money and more! Invite William Francavilla to share the biggest scams this holiday season (yes, porch pirates are still stealing packages), how to spot a rip-off scheme, and who scammers target most and how they do it. From charity donations to online rip-offs and social media phishing scams, Francavilla will outline ways to make sure your information and your funds don’t fall into the wrong hands. Francavilla is the author of “The Madoffs Among Us: Combat the Scammers, Con Artists and Thieves Who Are Plotting to Steal your Money.” He’s a CFP and former senior vice president, and director of Wealth Management for Legg Mason who has extensive media experience. Contact him at (757) 870-4590; wmfrancavilla@gmail.com

  • Is Virtual Learning Better than YouTube?

    With U.S. college campuses dealing with COVID outbreaks and many classes taking place online the time is right to think about the value of a college education, the debt that is typically involved in acquiring one and whether a trade school or associate degree may be a better fit for high school seniors contemplating their future. Former college professor Glen Dunzweiler wants to help parents frame this discussion, thereby helping Gen Zs to plot a well-paying, satisfying future that puts their needs ahead of those of a future employer, college bursar or loan officer. Glen will explain why a traditional college education does not lead to a secure future for most students, why trade schools and work experience can be a better option and ways students can monetize their skills once they graduate. In addition to his former role as a college professor, Glen is a documentarian and the author of two books. His latest is “A Degree in Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills for Students.” Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

  • During Holiday Time, Don’t Spend Your Last Dime!

    These are difficult financial times for many. The pandemic has led to reduced work hours for some; has put many people out of work; and has led to a sense of financial angst. With the holiday season bearing down on us, Patricia Davis can talk about ways to avoid excessive holiday spending while still being generous. Filled to the brim with creative ideas, Davis will encourage listeners to substitute material gifts for gifts of their time such as running errands for friends, neighbors and family members and, where appropriate, re-gifting new unused items to others who will get more use from them. She’ll also share ways to raise cash that can be used for gifts by selling your opinions and selling items you no longer use or want on sites like Poshmark. The author of “Going Broke Is No Joke!,” Davis is an experienced guest with a B.S. from Howard University, an MBA from Stanford, an M.S. in personal financial planning from Golden Gate University, and a Diploma of Graduation from Georgetown University’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Finance. Contact Patricia Davis at (301) 517-6304; pdavis@rtirguests.com

  • Don’t Be a Turkey: How to Choose Holiday Wine

    It’s been an unconventional year and the holidays are sure to be the same. No matter what you’re roasting or who you’re with, there will likely be some adult beverages involved and Jim Laughren, CWE, can help your listeners figure out the perfect wine for the occasion, whether they’re looking for a comforting favorite or something out of the ordinary. He can also suggest creative gift ideas for the wine lovers on your shopping list like special glasses and accessories, wine club memberships and more. An encyclopedia of wine knowledge, Jim is the author of two short new eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” He’s appeared on radio and TV around the country and is also the award-winning author of “50 Ways to Love Wine More” and “A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Knowing and Enjoying Fine Wine.” Contact Jim Laughrenat (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com

  • Cheers! At Least We’ve Still Got Wine!

    You may or may not be going to your favorite restaurant or bar these days, but everyone can still enjoy wine at home! And many would say we need wine more than ever right now! Don’t know the difference between a pinot grigio and a petite Syrah? Did your last wine come in a box? No matter your level of wine knowledge, you’ll enjoy talking with Andy Hyman. A tour guide in the Napa and Sonoma wine country, he shares his passion for wine with thousands of people from around the world and will reveal all you need to know about buying wine including how much to spend, how to get the most for your money, and how to find a wine that you’ll really enjoy. He can discuss how to get the most out of a wine-tasting experience (whether in person or virtual), how wine is made, and general knowledge about wine. Hyman has been featured by Sonoma Magazine, the Marin Independent Journal, Napa Valley Register, North Bay BIZ magazine, and other radio and print outlets nationwide. He is the author of “Snob-Free Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day.” Contact him at (415) 767-1441; andyhyman@rtirguests.com