Category: Problems Facing Our Nation

  • Will 2022 Be Even Worse for Wildfires?


    We’ve seen the photos of gigantic trees enveloped in “fireproof” wraps to protect them from the killer flames of wildfires in forested areas of California and Canada. Will that be enough to protect some of the largest and oldest lifeforms on Earth? What about protecting communities (some already decimated by wildfire), farms, homes, pets, wild animals and human lives in 2022? As climate change imperils the planet and leads to fires and other dangers that could make millions of acres uninhabitable, your audience will want to discuss this topic with wildfire expert James Moseley. Ask him about the latest actions and technologies that can save lives and property. Ask him: What connection could NASA have to the wildfires plaguing our drought-prone world? How can new technology be successful? What should everyone know, whether living in wildfire areas or not? Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com

  • How to Stem the Epidemic of Struggling Teens

    Last year was especially tough for teenagers whose lives typically include one challenge, change, and charged-up problem after another. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the proportion of mental health-related emergency room visits for adolescents jumped 31% during the pandemic. That’s why you’ll want to interview Paul Bernabei, an educator, trainer and author of the popular “Top 20” book series — including “Top 20 Teens” — who can discuss the many factors behind teens’ increasing anxiety and depression. He will explore what parents and mentors need to know as teens struggle amid the turmoil of adolescence. Ask him: What often takes the brightest teens off the path to excellence and on the road to poor behavior, disengagement in school, and even suicidal thoughts?  Which conversations, activities and programs help teens enjoy life and feel hopeful? Contact Paul Bernabei at (651) 470-3827; PBernabei@rtirguests.com

  • Why Is It So Dangerous to Give Birth in America?


    It’s shocking but true: the U.S. ranks dead last among developed nations when it comes to the safety of giving birth. The birth process in American has become so dangerous because of the huge increase in interventions in U.S. hospitals. C-sections are the most common operation done here. C-section statistics have gone through the roof and are now at about 30 percent of all births. Even well-staffed and well-equipped hospitals lose mothers and babies, and the best prenatal care cannot always prevent early labor, obstetrical dangers, long hospital stays, and high-risk pregnancies. What’s happening? And how can we protect pregnant women and their babies? How can we improve the statistics? Learn more from Dr. Alan Lindemann, who delivered 6000 babies without a single maternal mortality in 40 years. His upcoming book, “Pregnancy Your Way” and video course are designed to provide women with the tools they need to help steer their pregnancies into safe deliveries. Ask him: Why is giving birth in the U.S. so dangerous? How can C-sections be avoided? How has the pandemic impacted births? What happens when pregnant women live far away from clinics, midwives, doctors, and hospitals? Contact Alan Lindemann, M.D., at (701) 399-9556; ALindemann@rtirguests.com

  • Why Aren’t There More Black Doctoral Candidates?

    According to the National Science Foundation, African American doctoral candidates averaged a modest 5.4 percent during the last 20 years. According to Dr. Dorothy Kegler, Ed.D., the divide is cultural. “African Americans are exposed to sports and entertainment and other quick-money fields, not higher education,” she says. “There are also fewer African American doctors and lawyers because they aren’t exposed to these fields early enough in life.” The youngest of 10 children, Dorothy overcame a learning difficulty to earn a doctorate in higher education administration from Alliant International University in San Diego. She is the author of three books. Contact Dr. Dorothy at 619-679-9627;  dkegler@rtirguests.com

  • Are You a Carrier of the ‘Trauma Virus?’

    Trauma is embedded in institutions, in our collective stories, and passed down from generation to generation. Scholar and author Dr. Sousan Abadian says that even if you think you haven’t experienced trauma yourself, you can be a carrier of the “trauma virus.” She says, “We see trauma footprints today in the riots, insurrection, and rise of extremists and many of us are unaware of the ways we are carrying the trauma virus that can create fertile ground for radicalization to occur.” She’ll explain how we may be infected by trauma, or a carrier of trauma without being aware of it, because forms of trauma have come to feel ordinary. Dr. Abadian is the author of the forthcoming book “Free Me to Love,” based on her personal experience with “collective trauma” and healing. She has a Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University. Contact Sousan Abadian at (617) 860-2785; sabadian@rtirguests.com

  • Interview Ret. Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack

    What will happen now that the U.S. has physically departed Afghanistan? How will major nations including the United States, Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Turkey continue to grapple with serious Afghan-related challenges that extend beyond its borders? Ret. Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack, who served as the director of the Joint Intelligence and Operations Center in Afghanistan from 2008-2009, can discuss the forces at play in that country and the brutal history of the region while providing insight into the Afghani people beyond the usual clichés. Zwack’s new book, “Afghanistan Kabul Kurier,” provides an eyewitness account of the complexities of Afghanistan through a series of letters he wrote while serving as a U.S. top military intelligence officer on the ground during a particularly tumultuous period. He spent more than 34 years of U.S. military service in senior command and staff positions in Afghanistan, Germany, Kosovo, South Korea, and Moscow. He currently serves as a Wilson Center Global Fellow within the Kennan Institute and frequently discusses national security and leadership issues in the media. Contact Terri Beavers at (434) 979-7438; BG.PBZ.r@gmail.com

  • Chauvin Verdict Reaction

    Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted on all charges in the death of George Floyd. He’ll be sentenced in 8 weeks, and faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter. Attorney Nkechi (Nah – KEE – Chee) Taifa (Tah – EE – Fah) can discuss the trial and verdict, as well as what the slogan “defund the police” really means and why people shouldn’t be afraid of it. Taifa co-hosts the weekly Pacifica radio show “Crossroads” and tackles hot-button issues on numerous national radio and TV shows. An author, activist and academic, Nkechi Taifa, Esq. is CEO of The Taifa Group LLC, a social enterprise firm whose mission is to advance justice. Contact her at Memoir@BlackPowerBlackLawyer.com; nkechi@thetaifagroup.com

  • Are You a Carrier of the ‘Trauma Virus’?

    Trauma is embedded in institutions, in our collective stories, and passed down from generation to generation. Scholar and author Dr. Sousan Abadian says that even if you think you haven’t experienced trauma yourself, you can be a carrier of the trauma virus. She says we see trauma footprints today in the riots, insurrection, and rise of far-right extremists and white supremacists and that many of us are unaware of the ways we are carrying the trauma virus that can create fertile ground for radicalization to occur. She’ll explain how you may be infected by trauma or a carrier of trauma without being aware of it because forms of trauma have come to feel ordinary. Dr. Abadian is the author of the forthcoming book “Free Me to Love,” based on her personal experience with “collective trauma” and healing. She has a Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University. Contact Sousan Abadian at (617) 860-2785; sabadian@rtirguests.com

  • From Racism to a ‘Stolen Election’: How to Get Past Our National Grievances

    Both sides of the political divide have their grievances. The right contends they’ve been victimized by big government, oppressive regulations, liberal elites, socialists, illegal immigrants, etc. The left’s grievance list includes racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism, authoritarianism, capitalism, and more. What they have in common, says Sparrow Hart, is that each side claims someone else is to blame and needs to make restitution to them. Sparrow says the country’s healing requires paying attention, not to past grievances, but to the journey ahead. With over 30 years’ experience leading workshops on shamanism and the heroic journey, he knows the importance of hope, gratitude, and love in bringing the best parts of ourselves to our collective hero’s journey. “Traditionally, a ‘heroic journey’ calls people to find their best selves by leaving familiar territory behind and stepping outside their comfort zones … including the familiar comfort zone made up of people who agree with you, know they’re right, and feel morally superior to their adversaries.” Sparrow’s varied career also includes being a vision quest guide, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse, and adventures in the Amazon jungle. He is the author of several books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a Dream Worth Living. Contact Sparrow Hart at (801) 516-0740; SHart@rtirguests.com

  • Is the Concept of Race Racist?

    Is it possible to talk about racism without being racist? Without causing other people pain? Should the “what are you” question even be on the census form? Can we build enough trust to talk about race without judgment? Just as he does with his new YouTube series, “Difficult Questions with Glen Dunzweiler,” Glen Dunzweiler will engage your audience in a thoughtful discussion on the controversial and often divisive topic of racism. Ask him: As a white person, why do you identify with Black people? What are four possible ways to cope with racism? Dunzweiler is an independent filmmaker, a former college professor, and author of two books including “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com