Most people know Patrick Swayze from the movies “Dirty Dancing” “Ghost” and “Road House.” They are aware that he often played heroes on screen but few know that he was a real-life hero too. Interview Sue Tabashnik, author of “Patrick Swayze: The Dreamer,” to share the many reasons he was and continues to be an inspiration to many, more than 20 years after his death. As she will explain, Patrick was one of the first celebrities to talk about battling pancreatic cancer. He advocated for more funding for research for better early detection and new treatment for pancreatic cancer, and by example showed more openness about discussing the cancer’s impact on lives. Ask her: What was it like to meet Patrick four times? Why do you consider him a hero? How can Patrick’s life be an inspiration to all of us? What can you tell us about his advocacy for dance, conservation, and traditional values? Contact Sue Tabashnik at (248) 617-0505; stabashnik@rtirguests.com
Category: Entertainment, Show Biz
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Interview Former NFL Player about Overcoming Obstacles
Back in the late 1980s, Keith Davis was living the dream: signed to play professional football for the New York Giants until a knee injury abruptly ended his career but led to a new one. Davis, who has appeared on ESPN and ABC and in USA Today, and Sports Illustrated, has overcome tremendous obstacles. The former NFL linebacker, Rose Bowl champion, and USC graduate surmounted reading difficulties to obtain a degree in business finance and before that, the loss of his father to drug addiction and suicide and a mother who suffered from addiction and abusive relationships. Davis uses all of his life experiences to inspire others to rise above their challenging circumstances. Ask him: How can people make a U-turn in their lives? How were you able to stay away from substance abuse? Contact Peggi Merkey at (281) 346-9528; pmerkey@rtirguests.com
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Interview Former Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams
The Harlem Globetrotters are basketball icons who perform all over the world entertaining audiences with their hoops skills, dunks, leaps, and comedic talents, sometimes to the whistled tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” It takes a special brand of athleticism and joviality to be a Globetrotter and Melvin Adams was lucky enough to be a member of the team for 4 years – including one year as “Mr. Globetrotter!” Invite Adams on your show to talk about life as a Globetrotter as well as how sports saved him when his father died when he was 13, leaving the family in financial peril. Adams is now a popular inspirational speaker. Ask him: How did you manage to make the pros when you are only 5 ft. 8? How does one become a Globetrotter? What advice do you have for coping with fatherlessness? ContactPeggi Merkey at (281) 346-9528; pmerkey@rtirguests.com
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Interview Hip-Hop Artist Austin Lanier
He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Quavo and Waka Flocka. But like many other hip-hop artists, Austin Lanier overcame a lot to get where he is, from trouble with the law beginning at age six to bullying, depression, anxiety, fatherlessness, drug addiction, and the loss of friends to suicide. Yet Austin’s story of finding his purpose and helping other people find theirs as a speaker in schools is the perfect, uplifting fit for the New Year. Ask him: How has fame changed you? What are some keys to finding purpose? What role has soccer played in your life? Contact Peggi Merkey at (281) 346-9528; pmerkey@rtirguests.com
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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
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What Really Happens When Celebs and Millionaires Go Househunting?
Selling real estate to the rich and famous can sometimes be crazy, often hilarious but never boring. Let top Realtor Valerie Fitzgerald, cohost of the new podcast Real Estate, Real Laughs, take your audience behind the scenes to hear some of the greatest stories never told before. While she can’t mention names, Valerie can dish on the unusual and sometimes embarrassing situations she and her peers have encountered (for example, showing a house while a naked couple were visible directly outside the window) and a whole lot more. Maybe you’ll hear about the role cats play in whether someone likes a house or not, celebrities who show up for appointments in disguise, or the fantastic perks the wealthiest potential buyers may be awarded to keep them happy. The former star of HGTV’s “Selling L.A,” former Ford model and TEDx speaker, Valerie Fitzgerald is one of Coldwell Banker’s Top 10 Agents, with $3 billion in sales. She has 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her new weekly podcast proves there is a side to real estate most people don’t know about: the fun side. Contact Valerie Fitzgerald at (310) 861-3238; vfitzgerald@rtirguests.com
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COVID Can’t Cancel Christmas Caroling!
Families across America are having heart-wrenching conversations about how to spend the upcoming holidays. People want to have their loved ones around them, but many recognize that gathering for this year’s holidays just isn’t safe. So how do we have meaningful, memorable, joyous celebrations together? Renae Baker says, “Traveling and gathering may be on hold for this December, but holiday spirit doesn’t have to be.” Affectionately known as Mrs. Christmas, Baker has managed a professional caroling company for decades and this year she’s bringing live carol sing-alongs to virtual holiday spaces. The “I’ll Be Zoom for Christmas” and “Zoom Gali” parties feature professional Broadway carolers taking real-time requests. Baker and her carolers have been featured on Fox News Chief Religion Correspondent Lauren Green’s “Mighty Christmas” special and many more media outlets. She’s the author of “Defeating Scrooge: How to Harness the Power of Christmas Carols to Revive Your Spirit Anytime of the Year” and the Defeating Scrooge Spirit Saver Calendar. Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.com
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December 8 – 40th Anniversary of John Lennon’s Murder
It’s hard to “Imagine” what John Lennon would be like as an 80-year-old. After all, he was only 40 when he was murdered by Mark David Chapman outside Lennon’s Manhattan apartment house 40 years ago, on Dec. 8, 1980. For a fascinating show that celebrates Lennon’s legacy invite Susan Shumsky to discuss John, the Beatles, and their relationship with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM.) You’ll hear why Lennon was the Beatles’ unofficial leader, leading the way in all things, including their love affair with psychedelics and their spiritual seeking. Learn the hidden significance of the Lennon-penned song “Across the Universe,” why Lennon fell out with Maharishi, and the devastating remark Maharishi made when he tried to reconcile. Susan spent 22 years in the ashrams and six years on the personal staff of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. She’s appeared on more than 1,200 programs and is the author of 18 books including “Maharishi & Me: Seeking Enlightenment with the Beatles’ Guru.” Contact her at (917) 336-7184; SShumsky@rtirguests.com
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Mourning Alex Trebek, Wishing Al Roker Well
As the nation was processing the election results word came that Alex Trebek, iconic “Jeopardy” host, had succumbed to pancreatic cancer while beloved TV weatherman Al Roker announced that he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. But even with this sad news, there are lessons to be had in how Trebek lived his life since his diagnosis last year and how Roker is living his, lessons understood by Kipp Harris, who has been struck by a rare form of cancer three times. With celebrity news bringing these issues to the fore and perhaps encouraging people to go for screenings, Kipp can share what he learned from his journey. Including the importance of living fully, recognizing the many lives we touch every day, and even finding joy during chemotherapy. Kipp’s latest book is “Improbable Joy: A 3-Time Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Finding Joy in Unexpected Places.” Contact Kipp at (701) 638-4051; Kharris@rtirguests.com
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‘This Is Us’… How Hollywood Depicts Memory Loss
How accurate has the entertainment industry been when telling stories of forgetfulness, early-onset Alzheimer’s, and caregiving for loved ones with memory loss? On Tuesday, the new season of “This Is Us” debuted with a powerful storyline that tried to mirror real-life for millions of families stricken by Alzheimer’s. Interview Carlen Maddux for a reality check. His late wife Martha was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 50. Not unlike the characters in the popular “This Is Us” TV drama and the movie “Still Alice,” Carlen watched his spouse decline while in the prime of life. Ask this author of “A Path Revealed” for his insights about what it would take for Hollywood to portray memory loss accurately and how families can cope. Contact Carlen Maddux at (727) 351-8321; CMaddux@rtirguests.com