Morning Zoo Topics -

Stuck in a Funk? Small Mindset Shifts That Lead to Fewer Days That Suck

Most people assume feeling stuck means something is wrong with their life. Deborah Mallow likes to remind us that sometimes nothing is wrong, except the voice in our head that refuses to stop narrating everything like a dramatic movie trailer. Surveys support this: nearly 60% of adults say they feel emotionally burned out, even when nothing “major” is wrong. That’s proof that mindset, not circumstance, often drives our mood.

Deborah explains why advice like “just think positive” often backfires and how tiny mental shifts can change the trajectory of an entire day. She shares surprising tools that help audiences quiet their inner critic, break out of emotional autopilot, and find momentum without forcing motivation.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Can focusing less on goals and more on what truly matters actually make you happier? Why do so many people feel behind even when so much in their lives is actually working?

CONTACT: Deborah Mallow at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com

Help Your Audience Gain Clarity and Direction – Interview This Certified Metaphysician

Is your audience facing tough decisions, feeling stuck, or searching for a breakthrough? Dr. Dan Bartlett’s Magical Intuitive Readings help people gain the insight and clarity they need to move forward with confidence. A certified metaphysician and expert in Tarot and numerology, Dr. Dan has helped thousands transform confusion into clarity by offering practical guidance they can use immediately.

With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Dan combines intuition and compassion to help people overcome life’s curveballs, whether in career, relationships, or personal growth. Interview him to give your audience a new way to access answers, tap into inner wisdom, and start living with purpose and peace.

Contact: Dr. Dan Bartlett at (480) 841-0984 or dbartlett@rtirguests.com

What’s a Numerology Blueprint and What is Yours?

For anyone feeling like they’re at a crossroads, unsure of their next career move or just seeking clarity, Suzan Owens might offer some unique assistance. A skilled numerologist, she can quickly reveal key aspects of anyone’s numerology blueprint, answering two essential questions: What am I really good at? and What does my future hold? Whether you’re seeking advice about your career, relationships, or personal growth, Suzan will share a fresh perspective that can guide you toward your fullest potential. “Numerology helps us look beyond the surface, uncovering our deeper purpose and strengths,” Suzan explains. “It aligns us with who we truly are.” Suzan is the author of “Wisdom of Numerology.” Contact her at (509) 315-6515; Sowens@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

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

And You Thought the White House Couldn’t Get Any Weirder

Did you know James Monroe used to enjoy swimming nude in the Potomac River? Or that doctors once held a press conference to announce Dwight Eisenhower moved his bowels? Or that Calvin Coolidge often conferred with a raccoon? Or that First Lady Florence Harding gave press interviews in her negligee? Or that George H.W. Bush took showers with his dog? Author Hal Marcovitz can talk about the many strange stories that have been circulating around the White House since John and Abigail Adams occupied the Executive Mansion, including some very odd stories about the current occupant. Marcovitz, a longtime journalist, is the author of the novel “Painting the White House,” which tells the story of an ordinary house painter who finds himself at the center of White House intrigues and misadventures. Contact him at (215) 718-6807 or hmarcovitz@aol.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

Become a Wine Whiz in 15 Minutes

Wine sales have been climbing during the pandemic as people stuck at home turn to vino to lift their spirits. With heightened interest in wine, Jim Laughren, CWE, could be the perfect guest for COVID-19 times as he shares how to master the essentials of wine in 15 minutes. He can answer such questions as: why have COVID times been good for wine-drinkers and how important is the right glass? Jim is the author of two short new eBooks, “The 15-Minute Guide to Red Wine” and “The 15-Minute Guide to White Wine.” Jim has 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 Laughren at (954) 317-9623; JLaughren@rtirguests.com

Comedian Michael Ian Black on Raising Better Men

Michael Ian Black is many things: actor, comedian, screenwriter, award-winning children’s book author, essayist, memoirist, and podcaster. He is also a man and the father of a boy on the cusp of manhood himself. In his new book, “A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son,” Black offers a thoughtful and personal appraisal of the complicated meaning of masculinity in our times. Written in the form of a letter to his son as he gets ready to leave for college, the book is based on both personal experience and thoughtful observation of the rapid changes taking place in society. Black also shares stories of his complicated relationship with his own father, who died when he was a child, and his upbringing in an often-contentious lesbian household. Invite Black on your show to discuss coming-of-age in a time when boys were routinely told to “act like a man,” with no direction on how to do so — or even what those words meant; why we need to challenge the outdated assumptions our society continues to impose on boys about their place in the world; and how boys of the rising generation can navigate that change to become more evolved men. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com

Happy National Sausage Month! Tailgate at Home

Tailgating season is officially here and while fans may be missing from the parking lots and stands of their favorite stadiums, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) and National Pork Board have teamed up to share fun ways to recreate the experience at home. “The Ultimate Homegating Guide” is full of recipes for traditional grilling staples like bratwurst and Italian sausage, but it also includes some unexpected international flavors like Polish sausage and cabbage, and chorizo huevos rancheros. “Sausage works on the grill, in dips and especially for breakfast for those who love to get started early on game day,” says NHDSC president and Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal. He’ll explain this month’s #ShowUsYourSausage photo contest (no, not that kind of picture!) and how sharing photos of your homegate party and recipes could earn you a $100 gift card. Contact Eric Mittenthal at (202) 587-4238; (404) 808-8396 or emittenthal@meatinstitute.org