Problems Facing Our Nation -

What Our Schools Forget to Teach About Democracy

America’s education debate usually focuses on test scores, funding, and curriculum. But retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, educator, and education reform advocate Elissa Mohan believes we’re overlooking a far more urgent issue: preparing citizens for self-government. In her forthcoming book, ENOUGH: Why America Is Failing at Education and What to Do About It, Elissa argues that today’s fragmented education landscape leaves too many students unprepared to evaluate information, engage in civil discourse, and understand the Constitution.

Drawing on her experience as a military leader, homeschool parent, public school teacher, and educational psychologist, she offers a bold blueprint for rebuilding education to meet the challenges of democracy in the AI age.

Contact: Elissa Mohan at (405) 346-8358; emohan@rtirguests.com

Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About God?

A growing number of Americans are walking away from organized religion. Yet, many continue searching for meaning, purpose, and truth. Author Gary Meisner believes the problem may not be a lack of interest in God—but the questions we’re asking about God in the first place. After spending more than 20 years as a skeptical, materialist agnostic, Gary experienced something he could not explain through reason alone, prompting him to reexamine his assumptions.

Known internationally for his work on the golden ratio and patterns in nature, he now explores the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. In his book Life Through a New Lens—Finding God Where Reason and Faith Meet, Gary invites skeptics, agnostics, and seekers to consider whether their doubts may be based on misconceptions about what God is—or could be.

Contact Gary Meisner at (615) 703-3637; gmeisner@rtirguests.com

Let’s Unpack America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life’s Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation

America is facing what the U.S. Surgeon General recently called an epidemic of loneliness. Nearly half of adults say they feel isolated at times, and that isolation often deepens during life’s hardest moments: serious illness, caregiving, grief, infertility, or financial uncertainty. Author and loneliness coach Karen Kay Smith asserts these “waiting room seasons” can quietly push people away from the very support they need most.

On your show, Smith explains why people often shift into “functioning versus feeling” during crises, how emotional suppression fuels loneliness, and why many struggle to communicate what they truly need. She offers practical, yet life-changing tools listeners can use immediately, including how a simple “breath prayer” can replace pressure-filled spiritual routines, why naming emotions out loud can be more healing than staying strong, and how her “3 C’s” framework—confidence, communication, and community—helps people rebuild connection step by step.

Drawing from 15 years caring for her husband during his battle with multiple sclerosis, along with years in women’s ministry and training as a transformational life coach, Smith brings a rare blend of lived experience and practical guidance to conversations about loneliness and connection. She is the author of Nearsighted: Choosing to See Eating Disorders Differently and the upcoming Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room.

Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com

47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word

Behind closed doors, abuse thrives in silence — and far more women experience it than most realize. Kit Filbey pulls back the curtain on the hidden reality of domestic abuse, revealing why so many women never speak up.

Through a deeply personal story set in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin, Kit captures the confusion, denial, and emotional complexity that keep victims trapped. Her journey from self-sufficient homesteading to recognizing and escaping abuse offers rare insight into the psychology of silence. Kit’s story gives voice to millions, helping readers to see the signs, confront uncomfortable truths, and start conversations that could save lives. She is the author of the memoir “Cottage Test.”

Contact Kit Filbey at (540) 501-7189; kfilbey@rtirguests.com

The Backlash to AI Content Has Already Begun — Ask This Expert What Comes Next

Audiences are growing tired of polished, AI-generated content — and they can spot it instantly. Lisa Rothstein, New Yorker cartoonist, former advertising creative, and Axiom Award-winning author of Drawing Out Your Genius, saw this coming. Her answer: the messier and more human your communication, the more trusted you become.

In interviews, Rothstein will reveal why imperfect hand-drawn visuals are now outperforming slick presentations for buy-in, innovation, and team alignment — and why that gap is only widening. She’ll share quick techniques anyone can use to tap their own visual thinking, simplify complex ideas, and stand out as authentically human in an AI-saturated world.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

Why are audiences turning away from AI-generated content — and what do they want instead?
How does drawing badly actually build more trust than a perfect presentation?

CONTACT: Lisa Rothstein at (310) 388-8093; Lrothstein@rtirguests.com

America Is Running Out of Teachers — And This Ph.D. Wants to Do Something About It

Over 440,000 teaching positions are now filled by unqualified staff or sitting empty. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the only way to fix it is to make people fall in love with teaching again — and to pressure lawmakers to fund salaries that keep them there. A 26-year classroom veteran, former school principal, and university professor who trained the next generation of educators, Gilmore wrote There’s a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard to do exactly that — sharing firsthand stories from teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and coaches to remind America what’s at stake before it’s too late.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

With nearly half a million teaching positions unfilled, what happens to America’s public schools?
What concrete steps can communities and lawmakers take right now to stop the bleeding?
How are school voucher programs making the teacher shortage even worse?

CONTACT: Deanna Gilmore: (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com

Award-Winning Parenting Expert Shares How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Sons

In a world in which boys are often taught to suppress their feelings, award-winning parenting expert and author C. Lynn Williams is changing the conversation. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for raising sons who are emotionally aware, resilient, and confident. “We need to focus on challenging outdated myths about masculinity and replace fear-based parenting with connection, communication, and trust,” she says. “When boys are given permission to feel, communicate, and be understood, they grow into healthier men and create stronger families and communities.” She explores how parents can raise sons who are strong, without being aggressive. C. Lynn is the author of five parenting books including “Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen,” an educator, speaker, and family dynamics strategist.

Contact: C. Lynn Williams at (224) 357-6315; Cwilliams@rtirguests.com

Political Insider Reveals What No One Tells You About Running for Office

Most people think running for office is about speeches, slogans, and shaking hands. Rob Curnock knows better. As a former TV political reporter, party leader, and unlikely congressional candidate, he’s seen the process from every angle. He pulls back the curtain on the physical exhaustion, emotional toll, family strain, and political hardball that define modern campaigns. After challenging and almost winning after running against an “unbeatable” incumbent, he discovered how power really works behind closed doors. “I experienced the often brutal realities of running for office—and learned how ordinary citizens can shake up the system,” he says. Rob is a long-time broadcast journalist and the author of “Dead Man Running.”

Contact: Rob Curnock at (254) 822-3741; rcurnock@rtirguests.com

In a Season of Political Chaos, This Activist is Focused on Planting Hope

While headlines scream division and despair, Sam Daley-Harris is quietly leading a revolution in how ordinary citizens engage with democracy. The activist and author of Reclaiming Our Democracy, Daley-Harris teaches “transformational advocacy”—where working to change an issue transforms you in the process. His approach has helped people move from political paralysis to powerful action.

Invite Daley-Harris on your show to hear stories of everyday citizens discovering their political power. He’ll explain how feeling overwhelmed isn’t weakness—it’s the starting point for meaningful change. From his own journey as a musician-turned-activist to guiding others through civic engagement some call “sacred and profound,” Daley-Harris offers practical tools for anyone ready to move from anxiety to agency.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: What is transformational advocacy and how does it differ from traditional activism? How did you go from performing music to teaching people to reclaim their democracy?

CONTACT: Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com

Former Nurse and Stand Up Comic Gets Serious About Healthcare’s Darkest Secret

Kathy Allan spent 20 years as a hospital nurse before witnessing something that changed everything: cleaning staff in scrubs discharging new mothers, while administrators threatened her for asking questions. She realized healthcare had become addicted to profits over patients.

This Board Certified Holistic Nurse and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner channeled her trauma expertise and comedy background into Gutsy Nurses—a program teaching nurses how to survive a broken system. Inspired by recovery principles, she developed the 12 Steps of Healing Care to beat the industry’s profit addiction. Her shocking revelation: nurses are 18% more likely to commit suicide than the general population.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
• You say healthcare is addicted to profits—what does that look like from inside a hospital?
• How does your stand-up comedy background help you discuss such dark topics?
• What are these 12 Steps of Healing Care, and how do they protect nurses?

CONTACT: Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; Kallan@rtirguests.com