College football is in full swing and it’s a great time to book Rich Cacioppe. The author of “Black Knights and Fighting Irish” will share the surprising story about the importance of college football in our country during World War II, and the lengths colleges went to preserve this American institution and keep morale high. West Point graduate, retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Vietnam veteran Rich Cacioppe gives your audience an in-depth look at college football in the crucial 1940s, as well as the unique cultural aspects that surrounded this tumultuous time. An experienced media guest, Rich gives the answers to fascinating questions like: Why was the 1946 Army-Notre Dame game considered “The Game of the Century?” What was the shocking connection between Notre Dame and a 1951 cheating scandal at West Point? How does WWII’s impact on college football make today’s unprecedented Transfer Portal issue seem benign by comparison? Contact Rich Cacioppe at (239) 420-7460; rcacioppe@rtirguests.com
Category: Pop Culture
With 1M YouTube Viewers, Middle-Aged Mom Proves You Can Do Social Media at Any Age
Most people associate YouTube with cool music, comedy, and how-to videos, as it’s primarily considered a bastion of young trendsetters. But author and English language educator Jennifer Lebedev is living proof that you don’t have to be a 20-something hipster to become a YouTube star. “I reached the 1 million subscriber mark on the channel when I was nearing 50,” she says. “I believe it’s important to step outside your comfort zone, especially in mid-life.” She can share how mid-lifers can successfully set and attain personal and professional goals, despite their hectic lives. Jennifer is a long-time educator and author of “Being a YouTuber: One Creator’s Bumpy Road to 1M Subscribers.” Contact Jennifer Lebedev at (617) 668-1804; jlebedev@rtirguests.com
Overcome With Post-Election Emotions?
A majority of Americans were stressed before Election Day, and now post-election, emotions are still running high for many across the country. Experts say Americans with varying political views may be overcome with emotion in the wake of the election results, from pride and optimism to disappointment, frustration and even fear. For many, these strong emotions reflect the heightened stakes of what has been called one of the most important elections in U.S. history, as people contemplate what the results mean for their values, communities and hopes for the future. Psychiatrist Melvyn Lurie can help explain why people take it so personally when their candidate doesn’t win. The author of “The Biology of Politics” says more is going on than you realize. He’ll discuss the many hidden drives that are a fundamental part of our nature and help your audience learn how to discuss and debate politics (or anything) with family and friends without resorting to anger, rage or name-calling. Dr. Lurie is an honors graduate of Harvard Medical School. He has practiced and taught medical students at Harvard and Tufts, has served as an expert witness, managed political campaigns and once even ran for political office. Contact him at (617) 510-8474; mlurie@post.Harvard.edu
Beyond ‘Dirty Dancing’ – Was Patrick Swayze a Hero?
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
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
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
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
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
Fun Valentine’s Day Show: Why Does My Partner Do That?
This Valentine’s Day can be a game-changer for the couples in your audience if you book clinical psychologist Dr. Stacy Dicker as soon as possible. That’s because Stacy can offer fresh insights using a combination of psychology and astrology that can bring couples closer no matter how long they’ve been dating or married. Want to know why your mate does what he or she does that drives you crazy? Hear ways that they are like you or different than you that you hadn’t considered? Find out from the author of “Psychstrology: Apply the Wisdom of the Cosmos to Gain Balance and Improve Your Relationships.” Stacy Dicker, Ph.D., is a psychologist who has been working with clients for 20 years using astrology as her secret sauce. She taught psychotherapy courses to upper-level psychology majors at the University of Colorado, Boulder, for nearly ten years. Contact her at (720) 327-1732; sldicker@yahoo.com
Award-Winning Medium Answers Your Questions
What does a medium really do? How can a psychic help people who are struggling in life? Find out when you bring Beth Lynch on your show. She’ll reveal how a deeper sense of spirituality can heal us at any age. Learn what’s missing in modern life, the surprising benefits of prayer and meditation, and spiritual-based remedies for anxiety and loss. Whether your show is about relationships, news, family, business, money, health, or the unexplained — there’s an audience for Beth Lynch! Ask her: What do dreams often signify? How do you strengthen your ideals in such a difficult year? How does spirituality enhance wellness, relationships, and even finances? What does it take to communicate with the afterlife? Beth Lynch has been practicing and teaching spiritual principles and meditation for over 25 years. She is a popular author, speaker and media guest. Contact Beth at (484) 705-2818; BLynch@rtirguests.com