Category: Family Issues

  • What May Be the Real Cause of Disruptive Classroom Behavior?

    When kids act up and wreak havoc at school, are they just being bad? According to Donna Redman, they may actually be suffering from sensory processing disorders (SPDs), which cause difficulty in detecting, modulating, interpreting, and/or responding to sensory experiences such as sound, touch, vision, and taste. “Sensory processing disorder is a commonly overlooked and misunderstood challenge that often goes undetected, causing significant and unnecessary hardships for kids in the classroom, and adults,” she says. Donna is the founder of the Secret Genius Project, which integrates creativity into helping children and adults to better cope with SPD. “My research has revealed irrefutable evidence of our connection to art, science, and nature, and provides the path to reach down to the core of what compels us toward creativity and self- expression; self-expression is delivered through our senses.” she says. Contact Donna Redman at (973) 876-5903; dredman@rtirguests.com

  • How to Raise Resilient Kids in Scary Times

    Today’s kids have more stressors and fear triggers than ever, including constant exposure to social and other media, bullying, intense pressure to excel at everything, and more. In addition, modern society often sends the message that today’s kids are fragile. According to Jack Gindi, that is our biggest mistake. “Real resilience isn’t built by avoiding pain or by force and struggle,” he says. “It’s built by teaching them how to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and grace.” This led him to found the I Believe in Me program, which provides kids and parents with practical tools for building self-esteem, managing emotions, and setting achievable goals. Contact Jack Gindi at (719) 751-8807; jgindi@rtirguests.com

  • How Negative Self-Talk is Crippling Our Children

    Negative self-talk can creep up on anybody—especially kids. What if there were a way to identify this hidden habit in our children and give them the tools to defeat it? Armida Espinoza’s has a lifetime of experience in this area and will explain how kids aren’t as emotionally resilient as we might think. Invite Espinoza to discuss the long-term effects of negative self-talk and teach listeners how to turn this crippling outlook into a growth mindset. A retired bilingual elementary school teacher, Espinoza has helped thousands of kids, teachers, parents, and school administrators. She’s the author of “Brave Lolis Learns English,” an effective primer based on autobiographical experience. Contact Armida Espinoza at (559) 234-3516; aespinoza@rtirguests.com

  • Become a Better Parent in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

    AI is already a big part of our day-to-day lives. Should we be concerned that our kids have easy access to this powerful resource? Quite the opposite, argues thought leader Marc Prensky. He sees artificial intelligence and cell phones as young people’s passports to the future — new human capabilities they will use to better the world. Invite Prensky on your show to bust the myth that cell phones make kids lazy and explain why kids need to be taught the fundamental emotional skills of love, empathy, gratitude, and optimism. Prensky is the author of 12 books, most recently “Third Millenium Kids: A Hell Yes! Low Stress Guide for Everyone.” He’s also a public speaker who’s appeared in over 50 countries. Contact Marc Prensky at (516) 701-1440; mprensky@rtirguests.com

  • When Love Hurts: This Relationship Survived Addiction, Infidelity, and Child Suicide

    Diana and John Snowden’s marriage has spanned 50-plus years and has faced significant challenges, including addiction, infidelity, bankruptcy, and separation. Six years ago, a new period of being a couple developed. The tragic suicide of their younger son was devastating, and Diana remarked, “If we weren’t together when our son died I know we never would have gotten back together.” Her insight underscores how shared grief can unexpectedly forge deep connections. With over five decades of marriage wisdom, the Snowdens will share how to navigate both the good and bad times in a relationship. Their journey serves as a powerful reminder that love can endure even the most overwhelming trials, highlighting the potential for healing and resilience. Their story offers hope and perspective for couples facing their own challenges. Contact Diana and John Snowden at (705) 571-3864; jsnowden@rtirguests.com

  • Chiropractic Care for Pets? This Doc Says, “Yes!”

    Veterinarians often treat animals with the same meds and treatments used on humans. Bill Ormston, DVM, who incorporates holistic remedies into his practice, takes things one step further by adding chiropractic care. “It can treat everything from range of motion issues in senior pets to injury recovery, behavior issues caused by medical issues, and more,” he says. Dr. O can share how this approach works, and its many benefits for animals. Dr. O. has been a vet for more than 36 years, has been adjusting animals for more than 26 years, and is a member of the elite Animal Chiropractic Hall of Fame. He is the author of “Yes! It’s Really a Thing: An Informative Guide to Animal Chiropractic.” Contact Dr. Bill Ormston at (469) 833-2378; bormston@rtirguests.com

  • An ‘Insider’s Guide’ to Caring for Aging Loved Ones

    Caring for a loved one is stressful. There are new situations, new issues, and new decisions to make. When you don’t know what to expect or what questions to ask or who to call, it can be a frustrating feeling, and your emotions often affect your decisions. Debbie Miller can help. Debbie is the author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, and Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” which is full of information she has collected over 30 years’ of working with seniors, including several of her own relatives. She’ll share 40+ questions to ask an assisted living facility, must-have information you need from your loved ones before they become incapacitated or die, and how to figure out what to sell, donate or give away when downsizing a parent’s home. Debbie Miller is The Retiree’s Home Transition Expert, a Certified Senior Advisor, and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. Contact her at (703) 328-0143; debmillr@hotmail.com

  • Why Black Dads Get a Bad Rap

    Historical stereotypes perpetuated by American culture claim that Black men are absent from the home and are bad dads because of it. Author Damon Grayson says: “Imprisonment has taken many Black fathers away from the family, which results in a lack of the male figure in the home. Plus, the media often portray Black men in a negative way.” Damon is a hands-on single dad of three sons who overcame growing up on the mean streets of Compton, Calif., to become a successful DJ, entrepreneur and acclaimed author of “When His Ways Meet Yours: When You Love You He Will Follow Suit.” Contact Damon Grayson at (760) 490-0656; dgrayson@rtirguests.com

  • Signs Your Spouse May Be Bipolar

    For nearly 20 years, Shelly Sood lived with a man who suddenly morphed from a picture-perfect spouse into a “cold, vengeful, monster.” Unbeknownst to them, he had bipolar disorder, and, as Shelly will point out, 90 percent of marriages involving a bipolar spouse end in divorce. Shelly separated from her banker husband for nearly two years but never lost hope that the man she fell in love with would re-emerge. She has remained in the marriage, resolved to be his advocate, and helped save his life: “I am victim of his disorder, not his abuse. If he couldn’t fight for himself, I would fight for him,” she vowed. Her message to anyone coping with a similar spouse is simple: “Never give up or let anyone tell you it is hopeless.” She can discuss the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder and why the mental illness is often misdiagnosed. She is the author of the upcoming memoir, “Untethered,” a mother of three children, and a founding partner of GIOSTAR Chicago, a company that offers regenerative medicine therapies. Her memoir is being modified for film by Hollywood producers. She has an MS in information systems from DePaul University in Chicago. Contact Shelly at (312) 401-3495; shelly@giostarchicago.com

  • Why are So Many Families Reeling from Estrangement?

    According to research from Cornell University, one out of four people are estranged from their families, destined to begin the year with bad memories, hurt feelings, and the prospect of yet more separation and misunderstandings. What can they do to find forgiveness? To begin a new era of communication, sharing, understanding and family affection?   Discuss the negative effects of estrangement, and how it is possible to heal, when you interview author and educator Peter Colman, Ph.D. In an ideal segment for this time of year, Dr. Colman will reveal what can be done to change family dynamics and save often-fragile relationships. Invite callers to share and explore (even anonymously) their own family challenges.  Ask him: Why do relatives often drift apart? How can family healing begin and last? What is so sacred about the bond between father and son? How does wartime service impact family relationships? What is so powerful about saying you’re sorry? Contact Judith Colman at (847) 912-4481; jcolman@rtirguests.com