He’s white. He’s a former evangelical preacher. He raises bulls for fun. And he’s “woke”—but not in the way you think. Rick Patterson is a former evangelical pastor turned corporate exec and father of four adopted Black children. Through that wild mix of identities, he’s learned what it really means to talk about race, masculinity, power and faith without blowing things up. In his interviews, Rick unpacks: How to lead with humility, how masculinity gets warped by shame and why the “culture wars” are failing us. With humor, honesty and a voice both sides can actually listen to, Rick shows how we can bridge divides and build something better. The author of “Shame Unmasked and The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth,” Rick is not here to play it safe—he’s here to get real. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; Rpatterson@rtirguests.com
Category: Current Events
Why Young Men Are Turning Right While Women Lean Left
Data from across Europe, the US and beyond show some remarkably consistent trends: young men are embracing the political right, while women lean increasingly progressive. What’s driving the divide? Psychiatrist and author Dr. Melvyn Lurie sees the split as more emotional than political. In his book “The Biology of Politics 2nd edition: So America Won’t Die,” he explains how men’s growing disconnection, insecurity and loss of identity may be pushing them toward more extreme ideologies. Dr. Lurie offers powerful insight into why many young men feel alienated in today’s society, and how unaddressed shame, not ideology, may be the real root of their rage. Contact Dr. Melvyn Lurie at (857) 376-6874; mlurie@rtirguests.com
Tune Out or Rage? Why Neither Will Fix Our Divided Politics and What to Do Instead
Millions of people are feeling tired of feeling helpless—or furious—about politics. “Agonizing, protesting, and turning off the news” aren’t our only options according to Sam Daley-Harris, activist and author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy.” He offers a proven alternative: transformational advocacy, a form of advocacy where you work to change an issue and you are changed in the process. Daley-Harris will share stories of ordinary people who used transformational advocacy to go from feeling clueless about activism to feeling euphoric; from experiencing what they called ‘climate trauma’ to experiencing engagement as sacred and profound. Feeling fed up with what’s going on in the world isn’t a flaw, Daley-Harris says it’s fuel and he’ll show your audience how to use it. Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com
Veteran Lawyer: The Myth of Equal Justice
For more than three decades, James Porfido has practiced criminal law from every angle—as a prosecutor and defense attorney. What he’s seen behind the scenes will challenge everything you think you know about justice in America. From disparities in sentencing to the role of wealth, race, and politics in determining outcomes, Porfido argues that the system often fails the very people it claims to protect. His message isn’t partisan—it’s human, and it’s urgent. Drawing from real cases (with identities protected), Porfido brings powerful, clear-eyed insights about how we can repair a system that too often rewards power over fairness. With his calm, credible voice and rare experience on both sides of the aisle, Porfido is the legal expert audiences will trust. Contact James Porfido: (973) 620-2157; jporfido@rtirguests.com
Why Are Young Men Turning Right While Women Lean Left?
A new “Vox” article reveals a striking trend: young men worldwide are embracing the political right, while women lean increasingly progressive. What’s driving the divide? Psychiatrist and author Dr. Melvyn Lurie sees the split as more emotional than political. In his book “The Biology of Politics 2nd edition: So America Won’t Die,” he explains how men’s growing disconnection, insecurity and loss of identity may be pushing them toward more extreme ideologies. Dr. Lurie offers powerful insight into why many young men feel alienated in today’s society, and how unaddressed shame, not ideology, may be the real root of their rage. Contact Dr. Melvyn Lurie at (857) 376-6874; mlurie@rtirguests.com
How To Be a Peacebuilder During Nationwide Unrest
On Saturday, Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day, thousands of troops, tanks and artillery launchers will roll over the streets of Washington, including Constitution Avenue, for a massive military parade. Meanwhile, across the country, organizers will be staging protests that could dwarf the parade in size. A coalition of pro-democracy, labor, and liberal activists are arranging a full day of counterprogramming to make the case that Trump is hijacking the Army celebration to venerate himself. Retired American diplomat and professional peacebuilder Danielle Reiff lived and worked in authoritarian environments throughout her career. She can discuss how political unrest in LA and across the country represent authoritarian overreach and how Americans can be peacebuilders during this volatile time. She can also discuss the rising civic renewal movement in the U.S. and a project to counter rising threats to our democracy with a plan to refresh the U.S. Constitution and build a more inclusive, participatory, and deliberative democracy than the U.S. has ever known. Reiff brings a lifetime of experience to this task. She started her career in the Peace Corps and worked for the United Nations before serving two decades as a democracy and peacebuilding officer for USAID, the US Agency for International Development. She now runs Peacebuilders, an initiative to promote nonviolence and unity in diversity and mitigate political violence in the U.S. Contact Danielle at (202) 499-7256; dreiff@rtirguests.com
Legal Analyst Weighs in on Diddy Trial, Celebrity, Money and Justice
When celebrity and money collide with the law, does true justice stand a chance? James Porfido—former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and Court TV analyst—has decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom. He’s provided courtroom analysis and weighed in on high-profile trials from Michael Jackson to Harvey Weinstein, and now he’s watching the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs unfold with a critical eye. “When justice depends on how much money you have, it stops being justice. It becomes a transaction,” says Porfido. “The Diddy case is just the latest example.” Porfido is the author of “Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales,” a searing look at how wealth, politics and power distort outcomes in American courtrooms. Book him to discuss the deeper implications of celebrity trials and what it means for everyday Americans. Contact James Porfido at (973) 620-2157; jporfido@rtirguests.com
Surviving Communism, Fighting for Faith: A Firsthand Story of Religious Persecution and Freedom
Laszlo (Les) Suhayda risked everything for freedom as a child, escaping Communist Hungary through a minefield with his family. His book, “Twelve Bells to Freedom,” tells the harrowing true story of how communism sought to destroy faith—banning religion, imprisoning clergy, and forcing families to inform on each other. Laszlo shares why religious freedom is still under threat and why history’s lessons must not be forgotten. His gripping firsthand account will captivate listeners, from history buffs to those passionate about faith, freedom, and resilience. In addition to being an author, Les is a successful businessman and the inventor of the first wine slushee product in America. Contact Laszlo (Les) Suhayda at (314) 501-6838; Lsuhayda@rtirguests.com
What it Means to Be Great (Again)
Rick Patterson thinks a lot of Americans are confused about the meaning of greatness. A corporate leader, former Evangelical minister who launched his own church, and cattle rancher, Rick can discuss what real greatness looks like when you are following Christ compared to the definition of greatness used in the world, our addiction to greatness and the role of shame, and the choice we have between self-preservation and self-sacrifice. He’ll also discuss what is currently driving the church and the Christian nationalism movement. Rick calls his new book, “The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth: Rediscovering What it Means to Be Great (Again),” a biblical rebuke to the religious right and redemption for the religiously wronged. His previous book, “Shame Unmasked: Disarming the Hidden Source of Destructive Decisions,” offers ways to pivot your thinking to make decisions that are less destructive to yourself and others. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; Rpatterson@rtirguests.com
Former USAID Diplomat: What the U.S. Needs in These Divisive Times
President Trump fired thousands of employees with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on the advice of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Retired American diplomat Danielle Reiff served with USAID for 20 years and believes this was a big mistake. She’ll clear up the misconceptions about the agency and explain what it actually did as well as why it was so vital to America’s “soft” international political power. Beyond that, Reiff is a self-described peacebuilder, dedicated to building consensus-based self-governance through dialogue, collaboration, information resilience, and unity in diversity. In addition to her service as a diplomat, Reiff is also a violence prevention expert and the founder of the Peacebuilders Initiative, a group created to inspire and support citizens to come together across historic divides. Ask her: How did your experience at USAID prepare you for becoming a peacebuilder? How do you propose bridging the gaps that divide this country? Contact Danielle Reiff at (202) 499-7256; dreiff@rtirguests.com