Category: Humor

Why Humor Is the Only Topic That’s Never Untimely – From a Guy Who’s Been Proving It for 30 Years

Bill Williams has been sending daily humor emails for three decades. What started in the 1990s as a way to get his sales staff to read emails has grown into a beloved ritual for hundreds of subscribers globally—and he’s never made a dime doing it.

Drawing from 20 Years of Internet Humor … and Other Interesting Things, Williams explains why humor works in any news cycle, for any audience. Listeners will discover how he turned a workplace tool into a lifelong practice of spreading joy, and why his college friend John Denver influenced his view on taking creative risks.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
• You’ve done this for 30 years without making money—what keeps you going?
• You say humor is never untimely. What makes it work when other topics go stale?
• How did your friendship with John Denver shape your approach to life?

CONTACT: Bill Williams (419) 534-0399; wgwilliams@rtirguests.com

Why Humor Still Matters (Especially When the World Feels Like a Mess)

Is it possible to laugh and still take life seriously? W.G. (Bill) Williams says yes—and he’s been proving it for over 20 years. A former FEMA communications director, journalist, and daily email humorist, Williams believes humor isn’t just a luxury—it’s a survival tool. Now the author of “20 Years of Internet Humor…and Other Interesting Things” is sharing the wit and wisdom that helped thousands of readers get through tough days. Williams will explore the healing power of humor in an age of outrage and anxiety and explain why laughter is a powerful social glue, a stress reliever, and even a quiet form of rebellion. With stories from his government days to his decades-long tradition of daily jokes, he offers levity that goes deeper than punchlines—without ever losing the punch. Contact Williams at (225) 223-6102; bwilliams@rtirguests.com

Interview this Modern-Day Erma Bombeck

Brenda Prater Sellers has done it all: climbed Mt. Everest, chatted with celebrities, and written a book about her fabulous adventures. She’s slept in some of the craziest places and learned a lot of lessons about perseverance, mental health and supporting loved ones—all while inspiring others. Bring Brenda on your show to share her story, discuss her travels, and encourage readers to focus on what really matters in life. She is the author of “You Slept Where? Calamities of a Clumsy Businesswoman.” Contact her at (865) 344-1755; bsellers@rtirguests.com

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

Humorist Shares How to Find the Fortune in Misfortune

COVID-19 has taken a massive physical and mental toll on all aspects of our society. “Our ‘mental wealth’ has been depleted and needs to be replenished,” says former Miss America contestant, best-selling author and humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong.  Jane believes laughter is essential to reducing stress and helping us to heal, both physically and mentally. She is the author of four books including “Rhinestones on My Flip-Flops” and has recorded music CDs and personal growth and comedy DVDs. As a humorist, her comedy is featured on Sirius XM 97. Contact Jane at (803) 599-2941; JHerlong@rtirguests.com

Do a Funny Show on Caring for Aging Parents

In tough times, a laugh can help keep our spirits up. Kathleen Lenane is here to explore the humorous side of family caregiving. Yes, even in a pandemic. Kat is the creator of the hilarious website The Clueless Caregiver and blog. Expect to chortle and guffaw as she answers, in an entertaining Q&A format, questions like: How do I tell my 85-year-old father he shouldn’t be driving anymore? And: Where does Mom hide the hearing aids, iron supplements and medical alert pendant she should be using — but insists “she doesn’t really need”? Kat’s mix of wit and tips includes personal stories of, for instance, rounding up discarded hospital meal-tray bananas for a Super Bowl party her father threw in the Intensive Care Unit (way before COVID times). Kat has worked as a book ghostwriter and staff writer and editor for SELF andCosmopolitan— in addition to caring for two mischievous parents who refused to act old into their 90s. Contact Kat at (860) 500-1524; klenane@rtirguests.com

Flip-Flops for Winter? Yup!

Aside from being fun to wear, flip-flops can also help define us, and enable us to live our best lives. So says former Miss America contestant, author and humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong. “Since life has flipped on us, we need to survive with humor, productivity and occupying our minds in healthy ways,” she says.  “It’s okay to laugh!” Jane can reveal how to put rhinestones on your flip-flops, literally and metaphorically, in order to shine. She is the award-winning author of four books including “Rhinestones on My Flip-Flops,” and has recorded music CDs and personal growth and comedy DVDs. Her comedy is featured on Sirius XM 97. Contact Jane Jenkins Herlong at (803) 599-2941, JHerlong@rtirguests.com

You Won’t Believe What Happened to Him On the Job!

The first days on the job can be tough. But in Charles (Charlie) Gardner’s case, his first day started with a bang. Just 17 years old at the time and having driven through the night with a buddy to get to Houston, Charlie arrived on his first construction job in time to witness a woman pull out a 357 magnum and shoot her husband in the chest. While some people might have taken that as a bad omen, Charlie did not. He not only kept that job but has gone on to a 40-plus-year career in construction with a collection of weird and wonderful stories to show for it, stories his friends insisted belonged in a book he had to write. That memoir became “I Got This,” a collection of amazing, weird, and wonderful adventures from his life and career. On your show, he’ll share stories like what happened to a worker who fell into a tank of raw sewage, and the day he killed six poisonous snakes in the swamps of Louisiana. Contact Charlie Gardner at (650) 995-5626; charlesgardner@rtirguests.com