September 1, 2020
01. Best-selling Author Offers a Way Out for Republicans
02. Kenosha is No Stranger to Racist Policing
03. Journalist on Politics, Activism and Sports
04. What Happens in Vegas … No Longer Stays There
05. Former Stuntman Takes Listeners Behind the Scenes
06. Veteran Educator (and Charlotte Rae’s Son) on Back-to-School
07. Time to Switch Careers? 3 Questions to Ask
08. How to Come Back from a 70% Revenue Drop
09. Why Wildfires are So Devastating
10. Does Mother Nature Have It in for Us?
11. Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic
12. What He Learned from 100 First Dates in One Year
13. Social Isolation is Turning Us into Addicts!
14. Make Positive Changes and Choices During Negative Times
15. Comedian: Flip-Flops as a Metaphor for Life
1. ==> Best-selling Author Offers a Way Out for Republicans
Author Don Winslow has a suggestion for Republicans who are uncomfortable with President Donald Trump but don’t want to admit that they’re voting for former Vice President Joe Biden. Just don’t tell anyone. Winslow’s new video, “An Open Letter To Republicans,” calls out party members who continue to support the president in spite of the scandals, lies and botched response to the coronavirus pandemic. “How many times does a person have to lie to you before you stop listening to them?” the video asks. Then, Winslow offers a way out. “On Nov. 3, you could end the chaos,” the video suggests. “You can tell your friends and family that you voted for Trump even when you voted for Joe Biden. No one will ever know.” Winslow, a former private investigator and the author of multiple best-selling crime novels, has been a persistent Trump critic these past four years. After the 2019 release of his novel, “The Border,” he challenged Trump to a debate on the border wall. Trump did not respond. In more recent months, Winslow has stepped up his criticism with a series of videos aimed at helping to undermine Trump’s reelection efforts. Contact Don Winslow at @donwinslow or Shane Salerno at shanesalerno@yahoo.com
2. ==> Kenosha is No Stranger to Racist Policing
President Trump is scheduled to go to Kenosha, Wisconsin, today even though Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers urged him to reconsider. The city is grappling with racial unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Dennis Bernstein, executive producer and host of the investigative radio newsmagazine “Flashpoints,” says racism has long been a problem in the city. Bernstein can discuss Sheriff David Beth’s previous racist comments that called for the construction of “warehouses” to lock up “trash” people for life sentences for minor crimes like shoplifting. The American Civil Liberties Union has called for the immediate resignation of Beth and Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis, citing what they characterized as a “failed response” to Blake’s shooting and the expanding protests, including the alleged double murder by 17-year-old vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse. According to a press release from the ACLU, Sheriff Beth and his deputies “not only fraternized with the white supremacist counter-protesters on Tuesday but allowed the shooter to leave as people yelled that he was the shooter.” Dennis Bernstein is the recipient of a 2015 Pillar Award for his work as a journalist whistleblower. His latest book is “Special Ed: Voices from a Hidden Classroom.” He recently wrote the piece “Don’t Expect Justice for Black People in Kenosha if Sheriff Beth Has His Way.” Contact him at dennisjbernstein@gmail.com; @burn_stick
3. ==> Journalist on Politics, Activism and Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks shook the NBA when they refused to participate in a playoff game in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The walkout rippled throughout the NBA — several other games were canceled in solidarity — and ultimately across the sports world. While some say sports and entertainment figures should stay out of politics, Nita Wiggins says athletics and activism often go hand-in-hand. Invite the former sports and news journalist on your show to discuss the role of politics, activism and sports. For 21 years, Wiggins interviewed many athletes including high-profile superstars like Michael Jordan and Mohammed Ali, often focusing on athletes’ personal stories. She says many athletes come from the same types of communities as today’s victims of police brutality. Also ask her about, #GoodCopsOnlyAtGame, a campaign that urges athletes to insist through their union that only officers with no abuse accusations or convictions can work at their games. Nita Wiggins currently teaches journalism in Paris, France, and is the author of “Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism.” Contact Nita Wiggins at NWiggins@rtirguests.com
4. ==> What Happens in Vegas … No Longer Stays There
Las Vegas has earned its reputation as Sin City. And back in the early 1980s when Mark Rusin was a young police officer there, his job brought him face-to-face with some crazy situations which he’ll detail on your show. Ask him about the role his uniformed partner played in a bar’s wet T-shirt contest, about the time a john showed him what $70,000 in cash looked like, and about the “small” detail he missed while interviewing a stabbing victim. On a more serious note, he can also share the police call that has haunted him every day since he was called to the MGM Grand Hotel on Nov. 21, 1980. Rusin is a former ATF special agent who knows what “really” happened at Waco and has met several U.S. presidents while protecting them. Rusin has also been a consultant to CSI and other shows. He is the author of the upcoming book “METRO: Sin City Chronicles” and an earlier novel, “Justice For Dallas,” which was based on real events. Contact Mark Rusin at (520) 205-1113; msrusin@comcast.net
5. ==> Former Stuntman Takes Listeners Behind the Scenes
Steve McChesney knows what it was like to put his life on the line for the sake of entertainment. As a Hollywood stuntman, actor, or extra he appeared in more than 350 TV shows and movies, Part of that time, Steve earned money by falling off of high places, being knocked off of walls, performing stunts in automobiles and other things designed to make the audience’s hearts race. To the delight of baby boomers and others who love classic TV and movies, he can talk about the work he did on “Star Trek 6,” the last movie with the show’s original cast, “Starsky and Hutch,” “Battlestar Galactica”, “Wonder Woman” and more, and why professional stunt people are the safest people to hang around with. Now a marketing expert, Steve McChesney has been on CBS, ABC, NBC, and other large media outlets. His new book is “Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing World” and his podcast with the same name is available on all major channels. He is available as a last-minute guest. Contact Steve McChesney at (321) 414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Veteran Educator (and Charlotte Rae’s Son) on Back-to-School
Considering his mother, Charlotte Rae, was arguably the quintessential TV educator as Mrs. Garrett on the hit series “The Facts Of Life,” it seems fitting that Larry Strauss pursued education as his career. The 30-year veteran inner-city high school teacher has worked with at-risk teens and first-generation college-bound students from distressed communities. An education writer and columnist, Larry can discuss the current debate about reopening schools, what type of distance learning works and what doesn’t, and what is happening with our most at-risk students during this time. Larry Strauss is a columnist for USA Today and has written for the Huffington Post and The Guardian. He is the author of more than a dozen books including “Students First and Other Lies.” Contact Harlan Boll at hboll@rtirguests.com
7. ==> Time to Switch Careers? 3 Questions to Ask
With millions of Americans out of work and others in professions that no longer serve them, your listeners will appreciate the advice of Geraldine Hogan. Hogan has helped thousands of educators, business professionals and entrepreneurs explore new challenges and can offer tips for anyone who wants to apply their skills in a new direction. Learn three simple, life-changing questions to ask before making any career move, whether salary should guide your decision, and how to overcome obstacles, hesitation and fear of the unknown. Geraldine, a former educator, attorney and judge, can talk about her own career journey as well. She’s the author of “Career Moves for Teachers and Other Professionals: Strategies for a Successful Job Change.” Contact Geraldine Hogan at (305) 902-3869; ghogan@rtirguests.com
8. == > How to Come Back from a 70% Revenue Drop
Because of the pandemic, the bottom has fallen out of many businesses, affecting not only their owners but also the employees who work for them who have been furloughed or had their hours cut. What are some specific things small businesses can do to recover? Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY) has answers culled from his experience bringing his personal training company back from a 70% drop in revenue that resulted from the 2008 recession. Invite Rami on your show to hear about the big risk he took that started his company’s return to healthy profitability and the importance of seeking help when you need it. The lessons Rami learned along the way are valuable to every business owner whether on the way up, the way down, plateaued, or trying to build a saleable business. Rami is an author, certified exercise physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter with dual master’s degrees in industrial psychology and exercise physiology. Rami is the author of the three-volume series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770) 773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com
9. ==> Why Wildfires Are So Devastating
Western states have seen an increase in large fires in recent years, sometimes with devastating losses of human life and massive economic damages. With dozens of blazes underway across western states, it’s time to invite wildfire expert James Moseley on your show to discuss the way we battle these wildfires and why they cause such widespread damage. Moseley can share what factors lead to wildfires and whether climate change is entirely to blame. You’ll learn why we may see new wildfire dangers in many states as well as how we can better protect firefighters and save lives. Moseley is the CEO of Sun FireDefense, a company that offers advanced fire defense and home wildfire protection products. Contact James Moseley at (818) 486-4662; jmoseley@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Does Mother Nature Have It in for Us?
Pandemic. Wildfire. Tornado. Earthquake. Hurricane. Tsunami. When it comes to inspiring fear, Mother Nature can sure dish it out. No one knows that better than Sana Brauner, who nearly died in a tsunami that came out of nowhere, claiming her mother and young daughter. In the 16 years since then, Sana has learned a lot about facing sudden, unexpected events and the fear they engender and can share lessons we need as we face the continued disruption of our lives from COVID-19. She can inspire audience members to see the future and create the life they need to get there. She is the author of “The Borrowed Daughter.” Contact Sana Brauner at s.brauner@ihr-einkauf.at Skype: sanabr
11. ==> Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic
Despite the misery COVID-19 times have wrought, we need to keep in mind that they have also been responsible for some positive even miraculous things. Let Susan Shumsky brighten your listeners’ days as she shares the good things that occurred that we never would have imagined. New-found respect for teachers and the role they play in shaping young lives, an enhanced appreciation for the elderly whose absence from our lives is palpable, and a worldwide burst in creative expression are just some of what Susan will talk about. She’ll also touch on why the pandemic is forcing us to be more introverted (and that’s good) and to re-evaluate our priorities and why she says the world is now operating on a higher vibrational level. Susan Shumsky has 17 books in print and has proven to be an enthralling guest during more than 1,200 media appearances. Contact Susan Shumsky at (917) 336-7184; SShumsky@rtirguests.com
12. ==> What He Learned from 100 First Dates in One Year
Every time you go on a date you learn something but imagine how much you could learn if you went on 100 first dates in just one year! That’s what author, speaker, and personal transformation expert Arnoux Goran did in his quest to learn what women really want and what makes relationships work. He can reveal what he discovered and the techniques to help you find your perfect match. Invite him to share what red flags to look for on a first date, what really impresses women, and how you can make sure you get a second date. Goran has developed a method to reprogram yourself that was studied by the University of California, Irvine, and proven to be 100% effective. His latest program is HowToAttractYourSoulmate.com. Goran has been featured on radio and television nationwide. Contact him at (878) 203-8231; AGoran@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Social Isolation is Turning Us into Addicts!
Recent studies have indicated an alarming trend of dramatically increased alcohol and drug consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Addiction is a disease of isolation, which COVID-19 is only making worse,” says addiction treatment specialist and author Isaac Alexis, M.D. “Mental illness and substance abuse, which occur simultaneously, are worsening with social distancing.” Dr. Isaac can share how to avoid the pitfalls of addiction during these alarmingly stressful times. He completed an internship in trauma surgery at Cornell University at New York Hospital of Queens and served as medical director at the Department of Justice, among other distinguished roles. He is the author of “Life and Death behind the Brick and Razor-Code Red Diamond” and the upcoming “The Seductive Pink Crystal.” Contact Dr. Isaac Alexis at (315) 935-6348; IAlexis@rtirguests.com
14. ==> Make Positive Changes and Choices During Negative Times
Remember when you used to dread rush-hour traffic, thought how sweet it would be to stay home instead of going to work, or dreamed about taking a sick day? Times have changed. Now many of us wish we didn’t have to stay at home and long to have more choices. But, as former radio host and award-winning author Rico Racosky will tell you, we all have the power to change our life stories and form new habits even during the most trying times. Known as the New Story Guy, Rico can share his “Just 2 Choices” concept with your listeners. In addition to his work in radio, this upbeat guest is a keynote speaker and thought leader on overcoming personal and work-related obstacles. Ask about his free downloads for clear thinking. Contact Rico at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests
15. ==> Comedian: Flip-Flops as a Metaphor for Life
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. As a humorist, her comedy is featured on Sirius XM 97. Contact Jane at (803) 599-2941; JHerlong@rtirguests.com