07/30/20 RTIR Newsletter: Hiroshima 75 Years Later, RVs Across America, Sunglass Myths

July 30, 2020

01. 75 Years Later: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
02. How to Recognize Propaganda
03. Kodak Stock Looking Good? Don’t Buy It!
04. The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class
05. Get Me Out of Here! Why RV Use Is Soaring
06. Can America’s Broken Higher Education System Be Fixed?
07. What the ‘War on Drugs’ Can Teach Us about Fighting COVID
08. Why Our Leaders Keep Disappointing Us
09. Get Ready for Contactless Horas and Tarantellas!
10. 6 Biggest Myths about Sunglasses
11. Sweet Summer Activities for Young Kids
12. ‘What I Learned from Living through a Parent’s Worst Nightmare’
13. What Really Happens When We Die?
14. How to Reduce Stress and Be More Productive
15. How Your Hobby Could Save Your Life

1.==> 75 Years Later: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and to this day remain the only uses of nuclear weapons in armed conflict. We offer several analysts and historians available for comment:
Peter Kuznick is professor of history and director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. He is the co-author (with Akira Kimura) of “Rethinking the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Japanese and American Perspectives,” and co-author (with Oliver Stone) of “The Untold History of the United States,” and author “The Decision to Risk the Future: Harry Truman, the Atomic Bomb and the Apocalyptic Narrative.” Contact him at pkuznick@aol.com

Gar Alperovitz is the author of “Atomic Diplomacy: Hiroshima and Potsdam” and “The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.” He is currently a principal of The Democracy Collaborative, an independent research institution in Washington, D.C. He was formerly a fellow of Kings College Cambridge, the Institute of Politics at Harvard, and Lionel Bauman Professor of Political Economy at the University of Maryland. Contact him at garalper@gmail.com

Martin Sherwin is a professor of history at George Mason University and the author of several books including “A World Destroyed: Hiroshima and Its Legacies,” and the upcoming “Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis.” Contact him at martysherwin@.com

2. ==> How to Recognize Propaganda

We’re all influenced by propaganda every day, especially in an election year. Learning to recognize techniques people use to influence your opinions and actions can help you evaluate the flood of information you get each day. Layman “Buzz” Allen will explain how learning to identify propaganda is as easy as playing an online game (the aptly named The Propaganda Game) and explain why propaganda can be a good thing. “The fascinating thing is that propaganda is used by all sides in most controversial issues. Our role in pointing out the actual mechanics is neutral as far as ideology is concerned. We are seeking to raise the level of discourse and appreciation for everyone involved,” Buzz says. Used in schools, The Propaganda Game was co-invented by Buzz’s late uncle, Robert W. Allen, and Bonanza actor Lorne Greene in the 1960s. Ask him: What are some of the 50 techniques explored in the game and which could help us in an election year? How did propaganda get a bad reputation during the Cold War? Why do you take a neutral attitude toward propaganda? What would people be surprised to know about Lorne Greene and comedian Leslie Nielsen? Contact Michael Clever at (515) 412-0419; MClever@rtirguests.com or lallen@rtirguests.com

3. ==> Kodak Stock Looking Good? Don’t Buy It!

Kodak stock has popped a whopping 575% between July 17 and pre-market trade on July 29. That’s because of news this week that the photography pioneer is borrowing money from the government to manufacture ingredients for generic drugs such as the malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine. Should you buy the stock today? Peter Cohan will explain three reasons why you shouldn’t. He’ll discuss the company’s financial performance and prospects, why the demand for generic malaria drug ingredients may be weak, along with the company’s long history of poor management. Peter Cohan runs his own management consulting and venture capital firm. He’s been a media/tech stock analyst for CNBC, Forbes and other outlets for more than 20 years and teaches business strategy and entrepreneurship at Babson College. Cohan is the author of more than a dozen books. Contact him at (508) 460-9348; (508) 361-3805 (cell); peter@petercohan.com

4.==> The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class

In the midst of a years-long debate about the state of today’s middle class, David Stebenne discusses the history of America’s 20th-century middle class: the policies that supported its growth in the first half of the century, the transformation it wrought on society, and the social, political, and economic forces of the 1960s that brought this period of expansion to an end. Learn how the American middle class began its ascent in the 1930s, with the progressive economic policies of the era — the New Deal, greater business and finance regulation, increased taxation — intended to bring an end to the Great Depression. Stebenne will explain how the military draft and GI Bill of World War II helped many Americans join the expanding middle class in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s so that by the 1960s the middle class was a potent political and cultural force. By the late 1960s however, social movements erupted in public protest, political policy changed, and the economy stagnated, and the middle class began to shrink, bringing attention to exactly who middle-class prosperity benefited. Where decades of growth had built wealth and power for white men and their families, women, people of color, and other marginalized groups were often left out. David Stebenne is a professor at Ohio State University and has written about New Deal liberalism, conservative thinking from the 1940s through the ‘60s, and suburbia. His new book is “Promised Land: How the Rise of the Middle Class Transformed America, 1929 – 1968.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; Jboyer@rtirguests.com

5. ==> Get Me Out of Here! Why RV Use Is Soaring

Many Americans, stuck at home for months now amid the COVID crisis, are eying safe ways to travel this summer and interest in RVs is soaring. Dealers across the country report a surge in demand, with manufacturers struggling to keep up production. RVs don’t come cheap; a new one will set you back anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, but you can rent one for a few days or weeks and try it out. For those with quarantine fatigue who don’t feel comfortable traveling by air or staying in a hotel right now, it may sound like a great alternative, but is it for you? Tim Winders and his wife are living the life many people dream of as they roll down the highway in the 39-foot RV they named Theo that serves as their home AND office. Tim can answer questions about living AND working in such small quarters, the benefits and drawbacks of having a home on wheels, and how RV living has changed during the pandemic. He’ll also explain how he came to live this more intentional lifestyle. He is so persuasive that his adult son also works and lives in his own RV. Tim has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders. He also hosts the SeekGoCreate podcast and is finishing his first novel. He and his wife have enjoyed the nomadic lifestyle in New Zealand, Australia and all across North America. Contact him at (310) 388-3854; twinders@rtirguests.com. Ask about last-minute availability

6.==> Can America’s Broken Higher Education System be Fixed?

As the pandemic continues to impact all facets of American life it’s a great time to talk about the failures of the U.S.’s higher education system and how they might be fixed. This issue is much larger than the much talked about one of whether institutions of higher learning should offer classes online or in-person and former college professor Glen Dunzweiler wants to have that discussion now. Glen says, “This virus is an opportunity for instructors and students to redefine what school is and how learning is achieved. I hope that our harsh realities on health complications and the sale of incomplete products (online classes) will inspire more to forge a thoughtful path but unfortunately, the reluctance for change, and the need for institutions to continue to make income will make the school experience limp along as people try to regain the glory of the university mythos.” Glen will explain why a traditional college education does not lead to a secure future for most students, why trade schools and work experience can be a better option and ways students can monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a former college professor, a documentarian, and the author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

7. ==> What the ‘War on Drugs’ Can Teach Us about Fighting COVID

Addiction is a serious health issue in the U.S., but government policies attempting to minimize drug use, addiction and overdose have resulted in over a trillion dollars in U.S. taxpayer money spent to “buy” the highest addiction rates, the highest overdose rates, and the highest incarceration rates in the world. Attorney Colleen Cowles notes that the government’s response to COVID-19 has many similarities to drug policy. Can lessons learned from failed drug policy help to avoid repeating history as pandemic policies are designed and enforced? Invite attorney Colleen Cowles, author of the book “War On Us: How the War on Drugs and Myths About Addiction Have Created a War on All of Us,” to discuss drug policy, its correlation to pandemic policy, and opportunities to use history to design rational responses to life-threatening health emergencies. Contact Colleen at (715) 828-0293; Colleen@WarOnUs.com

8. ==> Why Our Leaders Keep Disappointing Us

Have you ever wondered why the world’s leaders continue to let people down? Why chaos seems to be increasing? Or what happened to the age of peace, love, and understanding promised in the 1960s? If so, you’ll want to interview Sankarshan Das, a spiritual master who says, “Sadly, most of our leaders are not real leaders because they are unwilling to sacrifice everything for the common good.” Despite that, he says the knowledge exists to bring in a new era of unparalleled peace and prosperity to every town, village, city, and hamlet all over the world. Sankarshan Das is the author of the upcoming book “Conquer Your Mind and Deliver the World: Empowering You to Awaken Your Divine Consciousness and Create Global Happiness.” He is also a singer-songwriter who once appeared onstage between Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. His song, “The Peace Formula,” has been praised by Barack Obama. Contact him at (512) 643-6740; sdas@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Get Ready for Contactless Horas and Tarantellas!

Even in a pandemic people are still getting married and celebrating milestones, albeit with adjustments. Veteran event planner Lynne Goldberg can talk about what some of those changes are. For a fascinating interview, find out how brides and grooms are keeping their guests safe on the dance floor (would you believe touchless horas and tarantellas?), what a social distance concierge is, how to creatively serve food and drinks now, and what to write on an invitation to put guests at ease. Lynne Goldberg is the founder of Ms. Wedding Planner and Boca Entertainment; she has been in the business for two decades. Contact her at (561) 212-6024; Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com

10. ==> 6 Biggest Myths About Sunglasses

Wearing the right sunglasses is the best defense against short- and long-term eye damage from ultraviolet rays, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. Surprisingly, many people have no idea how to choose the right shades to keep them safe. Vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson will share the six biggest sunglass myths that could endanger your eyesight. Ask her: what two numbers should you look for on prospective sunglasses? Will polarized lenses that look cool keep out damaging UV rays? What style of sunglasses would be your best bet? Should children wear sunglasses? Do you need sunglasses on cloudy days? Linda knows not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact her at lthompson@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Sweet Summer Activities for Young Kids

Even with COVID-19, the summer is slipping away fast. But it’s not too late to make fun memories with young children. Jean Alfieri, author of “Zuggy the Rescue Pug,” can offer inexpensive ways to do that while sheltering in place. With the start of school (in whatever form it may take) just weeks away, Jean suggests parents and children try these activities: practice their best Harry Potter British accents by picking an exciting or funny scene from a new or favorite book and acting it out. Write their own rules and create a new card game that uses them. Be journalists for a day by creating a list of questions and interviewing a favorite grown-up about what it was like when they were a child. Go on safari by discovering five facts about their favorite zoo animals, then share the facts with grandparents and other adults via FaceTime or Zoom. Jean is a veteran of human resources and organizational development in both small and large companies who left the corporate world to pursue more personal projects. Contact Jean at (602) 397-1344; procoachjean@gmail.com

12. ==> ‘What I Learned from Living through a Parent’s Worst Nightmare’

No one wants to go through what Meghan Smith Brooks did. She not only lost her younger son, Justin, but had to cope with the knowledge that the 29-year-old father was murdered and experience the slowly moving justice system. Yet however horrible Meghan’s experience was, the ordained Unity Minister, licensed spiritual educator and certified grief coach has gained insights she wants to share with others who have lost loved ones to the pandemic and for other reasons. She is the author of the new book “Unraveling Grief: A Mother’s Spiritual Journey of Healing and Discovery.” Ask her: Why isn’t grief something to get over? Why must you feel to heal? Does it ever go away? Contact Rev. Meghan Smith Brooks at (816) 844-6783; mbrooks@rtirguests.com

13. ==> What Really Happens When We Die?

With so many people mourning COVID-19 victims, many wonder if we go to an afterlife after we take our last breath. While growing up in a Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an undertaker, Margo Lenmark learned the truth. “People send messages in death that are very clear,” she says. “Death is not the end. I have gotten messages from dead people that have helped me to live a better life.” She shares her fascinating experiences and insights in her book “Light in the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter.” The book has received glowing reviews from prominent authors and spiritual leaders including Deepak Chopra. Contact Margo at (828) 260-0873; MLenmark@rtirguests.com

14. ==> How to Reduce Stress and Be More Productive

Today our lives are overrun by stress. Stress affects our personal relationships and work lives. It negatively impacts us. Invite stress reduction and meditation expert Adam Weber to share his meditation method for relaxing and calming your mind anywhere, at any time of the day, even at work. He says that in only three to five minutes you can decompress and build a meditation practice that fits into your busy schedule. Weber is the author of “From Stress to Profit: How Meditation Helps the Corporate Warrior Survive, Thrive, and Profit in Our Stress-Filled World” and the forthcoming book “I Will Teach You to Meditate,” which reveals simple ways to start meditating. He is also the creator of the highly acclaimed online training program Easy to Meditate. He’ll answer all your meditation questions including: Is it hard to start meditating? Can you really relax your mind in a stressful place? Contact Adam Weber at (917) 779-8177; aweber@rtirguests.com

15. ==> How Your Hobby Could Save Your Life

Having a hobby or two is good advice for living a happier life. But did you know that it could also be lifesaving? This is particularly true for recent empty nesters, according to award-winning author Mary K. Savarese, whose own hobby — writing books — came after her last child left home and she overcame significant anxiety about her new family dynamic. Mary can talk about why it is important to find yourself, how anxiety can become your best friend and even how to find a new hobby (that could turn into a new career) that’s best for you. Mary has appeared in local publications and has been featured on Mindalia TV and an NBC affiliate. Her latest book is “Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume, (who knew!).” Contact Mary at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com

7/23/20 RTIR Newsletter: Authoritarian Troops, Fighting Wildfires, Marketing During Covid

July 23, 2020

01. Federal Troops: Authoritarian Performance?
02. What Would Happen If Trump Rejects Defeat?
03. U.S.’s Half-Hearted Reopening is a Psychological Morass
04. Unexpected Ways to Make Extra Money Right Now
05. Interview the Host of PBS’ ‘Simply Delicious Living’
06. Why We Think People are Lying When They’re Not
07. Marketing Tips for a COVID World
08. Tired of Quarantining? Book This Guest Now
09. How to Reinvent Your Life after COVID-19
10. Building Confidence is Key to Solving Inequality
11. As Wildfires Rage: Is There a Better Way to Fight Them?
12. Why More Women are Saying No to Motherhood
13. How a New Hobby Could Save Your Life
14. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Facing Cancer with Joy
15. How to Go with the Flow in the Middle of a Pandemic

1.==> Federal Troops: Authoritarian Performance?

Federal troops dressed in camouflage began arresting protestors in Portland, Oregon, last weekend and now President Trump says he’ll send more Homeland Security forces to other cities experiencing surges in violence. Journalist and historian Anne Applebaum calls the use of federal force in Portland “performative authoritarianism.” The goal, in part, is to generate TV pictures for pro-Trump shows like “Fox & Friends,” she says. “This is being done partly for the photographs. This is a way of messaging — that ‘we’re in charge, we’re doing something, we’re restraining these forces of violence.’ And that’s designed to appeal to a certain kind of voter who wants to see this control put onto contemporary events.” Ann Applebaum won the Pulitzer Prize in 2004 for “Gulag: A History.” She currently writes for The Atlantic and is a senior fellow of the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Her new book is “Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism.” Contact Helen Tobin at htobin@theatlantic.com

2. ==> What Would Happen If Trump Rejects Defeat?

Just this week, when asked if he would commit to recognizing the outcome of the November election, the president refused to answer. How would Donald Trump react to an election defeat, especially a narrow one? Legal scholar Lawrence Douglas, author of “Will He Go? Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020,” envisions three possible scenarios based on historical precedent, where Trump would continue to consider himself president. Douglas says, “The best we can expect from President Donald Trump after an election defeat is self-pitying, peevish submission.” The worst case in Douglas’s scenarios would be a close or contested election that leads to a constitutional implosion and an explosion of violence. “This would represent a greater disaster for America than an outright victory by Trump,” he says. Lawrence Douglas is a legal scholar and professor at Amherst College. He is the author of seven books and two novels. His commentary and essays have appeared in Harper’s, The New York Times, the Washington Post and other publications. Contact him at (413) 542-7926; lrdouglas@amherst.edu

3. ==> U.S.’s Half-Hearted Reopening is a Psychological Morass

Reopening is a mess. As some states ease restrictions, Americans have been flocking to bars, returning to casinos and going to political rallies, many without masks. Why? Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, who studies the psychology of decision-making, says the lack of leadership on the issue means that people are now being asked to decide for themselves what chances they should take. She says, “Without clear rules, people must now engage in some of the most frustrating and confounding cost-benefit analyses of their life. If a business is open but you would be a fool to visit it, that is a failure of leadership. America’s half-hearted reopening is a psychological morass, a setup for defeat that will be easy to blame on irresponsible individuals while culpable institutions evade scrutiny.” Tess Wilkinson-Ryan is a professor of law and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Contact her at twilkins@law.upenn.edu or (215) 898-9216

4.==> Unexpected Ways to Make Extra Money Right Now

Many of your listeners have lost jobs — or taken salary and hours cuts — in recent months. With so many people unemployed and bills mounting up, there’s a lot of folks out there who want to know how they can make some extra money now. Patricia Davis, author of “Going Broke Is No Joke,” can provide some fresh ideas. She’ll talk about ways to bring in extra bucks by doing things like selling your cellphone images, agreeing to test websites and products, and selling your opinions to focus groups.  Patricia will also caution your audience about scammers and share ways to spot bogus job opportunities. She’ll also offer tips on what household goods can be sold for needed cash without being missed. An experienced guest, Patricia Davis holds an MBA from Stanford, a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Golden Gate University and a certificate from Georgetown University’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Finance. Contact her at (301) 517-6304; pdavis@rtirguests.com

5. ==> Interview the Host of PBS’ ‘Simply Delicious Living’

As the host of PBS-TV’s “Simply Delicious Living,” Maryann Ridini Spencer inspires her viewers to live their bliss and best life every day. Invite her to share her top mood-boosting solutions, simple strategies to get happier and healthier, and how to find balance in your life both personally and professionally. She can also share her top five tips for simply delicious living and how gratefulness can lead to happiness. She is a TV/film producer, screenwriter, and the author of the award-winning Kate Grace Mystery books, “Lady in the Window” and “The Paradise Table.” Her work has appeared on “Hallmark Hall of Fame” (CBS-TV), the Hallmark Channel, CNN, USA, SyFy, Showtime and many other outlets. Contact Maryann Ridini Spencer at (818) 492-9135; mspencer@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Why We Think People are Lying When They’re Not

The truth seems to be in short supply these days. But is it? “Most people accuse whoever is on the opposite side of a political debate with lying or dishonesty when an honest evaluation of the situation is that they disagree with their opinion about something,” says author and leadership expert Steven Mays. Mays can talk about why we toss around labels like “racist,” “tyrant,” “Nazi” and “Snowflake,” as a way of disavowing other people’s experiences and opinions and why poor leadership leads to catastrophic unintended consequences like riots and pandemics. Mays is the author of “Power of 3 Leadership, Lessons in Leadership.” A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines, he was a mathematician, electrical engineer, and nuclear engineer who worked in private industry and at the Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact him at (703) 552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Marketing Tips for a COVID World

How can our economy, the business world and everyone’s personal finances bounce back from the damage inflicted by the coronavirus and worldwide quarantining? What will motivate sellers and buyers in this new era? How will customers feel safe? What about getting the attention of customers, whether virtually or at a brick-and-mortar location? How important are first impressions, targeting the ideal customer, and communication styles? What motivates people to buy, and even have brand loyalty? And finally, how does one sell and deliver? Explore the answers and discover how to market and sell successfully (even in the tough months post-quarantine), when you interview marketing expert Steve McChesney. While sharing selling secrets that boost prospects and profits, Steve will also help buyers navigate the marketplace, so everyone is happier. Steve McChesney is the author of “Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing World” and a skilled copywriter and promoter. His ‘Rearranging Change Podcast’ is available on all major channels. Contact McChesney at (321) 414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Tired of Quarantining? Book This Guest Now

The country — and the world — has been in various stages of lockdowns and quarantines for months now and everyone is frazzled, irritable and itching to get out and get back to their old lives. But health officials say the pandemic isn’t over just yet, and to quell the spread we’ll need to keep up our guard and continue to be socially distant for the foreseeable future. We’re afraid, we’re frustrated and we’re feeling helpless. Nikki Nardizzi has been here before. After a double kidney and pancreas transplant in 2010, she was put on a three-month quarantine due to the anti-rejection medication that left her immune system extremely weak. Nikki experienced the same emotions we’re all facing now and says that experience has given her a different perspective and understanding of what’s currently going on. She’ll explain how she’s been approaching quarantine this time around, what she’s doing differently, and why. Listeners who are struggling with anxiety and fear will appreciate her perspective and suggestions for maintaining their sanity through these trying times. Nikki Nardizzi is the author of “BADASS grATTITUDE.” Contact her at (646) 872-9090; nbn@nikkinardizzi.com

9. ==> How to Reinvent Your Life after COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in life-altering changes for many. Following a midlife divorce, ending her career as a veterinarian due to health issues and saving her family farm from financial ruin, Sandra Matheson has had to reinvent herself repeatedly. She can share how to survive this latest crisis. “Many people have been pushed to the limits of their social and financial comfort,” she says. “But discomfort has an upside. It helps us to make different choices, examine what is important to us, become more resilient and to grow.” Sandra is the author of the upcoming book “Thrive After 40 ? How to Seize the Life of Your Dreams!” Contact Sandra at (360) 325-4221; smatheson@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Building Confidence is Key to Solving Inequality

Inequality issues in the U.S., once hidden, have been inescapably in public view lately. As we address them as a nation and as individuals, we need to keep in mind the role that confidence plays in leveling the playing field, says media veteran Raj Girn, head of the new Open Chest Confidence Academy. As an Asian immigrant, she grew up in England amid a lot of racial prejudice. “We do not place enough importance into building confidence, which is why the world is full of so much power inequality,” she says. Raj is also an expert on turning insecurities and other challenges into success stories. She can also discuss whether confidence can be taught, what the four “isms” are that people are pushing back against and her own challenges to success story. Raj is a well-known media personality in Canada and the subject of a feature-length documentary for Omni TV. She is a serial media entrepreneur who has worked in many communication-intensive industries with thought leaders, celebrities, and multinational corporations. Contact Raj Girn at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com

11. ==> As Wildfires Rage: Is There a Better Way to Fight Them?

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

12. ==> Why More Women Are Saying No to Motherhood

In 2018, the U.S. had the lowest number of births in 32 years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Increasingly, women are delaying childbirth into their late 30s or 40s. But a significant number are deciding they simply don’t want motherhood —despite the blowback they often receive from friends and loved ones. Single and happily childless, Tamara Lashchyk, a business consultant, career coach, bestselling author, and former Wall Street executive, says despite all the progress women have made toward equality, they still face intense pressure to marry and raise a family. She says, “I could literally tell my family I’d cured cancer and the conversation would still end with, ‘But are you dating anyone?’” Tamara is the author of “Lose the Gum: A Survivor’s Guide for Women on Wall Street.” Contact her at (848) 373-3543; TLashchyk@rtirguests.com

13. ==> How a New Hobby Could Save Your Life

Having a hobby or two is good advice for living a happier life. But did you know that it could also be lifesaving? This is particularly true for recent empty nesters, according to award-winning author Mary K. Savarese, whose own hobby — writing books — came after her last child left home and she overcame significant anxiety about her new family dynamic. Mary can talk about why it is important to find yourself, how anxiety can become your best friend and even how to find a new hobby (that could turn into a career) that’s best for you. Mary has appeared in local publications and has been featured on Mindalia TV and an NBC affiliate. Her latest book is “Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume, (who knew!).” Contact Mary at (860) 550-3344; maryksavarese@gmail.com

14. ==> Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Facing Cancer With Joy

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has announced she is again being treated for cancer. It’s the fourth cancer fight for the 87-year old, but she’s got no plans to retire. Ginsberg has been working through the pandemic while undergoing chemotherapy, which she says is yielding positive results, so she’ll continue. Kipp Harris can relate to Ginsburg’s attitude and her struggles, himself battling cancer three times. Listeners will be inspired by his story. Hear how his cancer experiences taught him the importance of living fully, recognizing the many lives we touch each day, and even finding joy during chemotherapy. His upcoming book is “Improbable Joy: A 3-Time Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Finding Joy in Unexpected Places.” Contact Kipp Harris at (701) 638-4051; Kharris@rtirguests.com

15. ==> How to Go with the Flow in the Middle of a Pandemic

With all that is going on in the world today, it’s no wonder so many people are fighting depression and anxiety. Invite clinical therapist Faust Ruggiero to share a simple way to become more objective, less emotional, and reach a more focused, peaceful place in life. Ruggiero calls it the Process Way of Life and says it helps you prioritize practical intellect over emotion and can be applied to any life situation. “Human beings are a product of nature. As such, we are governed by natural rules. These are called processes: deliberate and natural actions or steps that must be performed so that we can live in tune with our own natural flow,” Ruggiero says. During his tenure as the President of the Community Psychological Center in Bangor, Pennsylvania, Faust Ruggiero developed the Process Way of Life counseling program, and has adapted it into the book “The Fix Yourself Handbook.” Contact Claire Downing at (281) 333-3507; news@ascotmedianews.com

7/7/20 RTIR Newsletter: Science and Rock ‘n’ Roll, Anxiety and the New Normal, God, Trump and the 2020 Election

July 7, 2020

01. Trump-Connected Lobbyists Reap Windfall in COVID-19 Aid
02. Epstein and Maxwell: ‘One Nation Under Blackmail’
03. Will Putin Be President for Life?
04. Award-Winning Musician on God, Science and Rock ’n’ Roll
05. The Latest Post-Pandemic Wedding Trends and Tips
06. Surprising Ways to Lower Your Risk of Getting COVID-19
07. How to Help Teens Navigate Social Distancing Stress
08. Anxiety is Making Today’s New Normal Worse
09. Is the Answer to a Less Chaotic World Right in Front of Us?
10. Why We Need to Stop Saying ‘People of Color’
11. How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire
12. Learn Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better
13. ‘Blue’s Clues and You’ Actor Josh Dela Cruz
14. 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents
15. Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the 2020 Election?

1.==> Trump-Connected Lobbyists Reap Windfall in COVID-19 Aid

As the nation hunkered down to survive the coronavirus
this spring, members of Washington, D.C.’s lobbying
industry started getting busy. Federal lobbying
expenditures in the first quarter of 2020 roughly
equaled the all-time record for a single quarter, and
according to a new report by the consumer watchdog
group Public Citizen, the crisis offered an especially
lucrative opportunity for those who enjoy close ties to
President Donald Trump and his administration. The most
tangible benefits that the clients of Trump-connected
lobbyists received are grants and low-interest loans
from the federal government. “The swamp is alive and
well in Washington, D.C.,” says Mike Tanglis, one of
the report’s authors. “These (lobbying) booms that
these people are having, you can really attribute them
to their connection to Trump.” Tanglis will discuss the
report’s many findings, including 40 lobbyists with
ties to Trump who helped clients secure more than $10
billion in federal coronavirus aid, including five
former administration officials whose work potentially
violates Trump’s own ethics policy. Public Citizen is a
nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. Mike Tanglis
is a research director in the Congress Watch division.
Contact him at (202) 454-5183; @michaeltanglis or Mike
Stankiewicz at (202) 588-7779; mstankiewicz@citizen.org

2. ==> Epstein and Maxwell: ‘One Nation Under Blackmail’

Whitney Webb, the author of an upcoming book about the
Jeffrey Epstein scandal, has an interesting perspective
on the recent indictment of Epstein associate Ghislaine
Maxwell. After the arrest, the “One Nation Under
Blackmail” author tweeted: “They waited until after
Bill Barr fired (United States attorney for the
Southern District of New York Geoffrey) Berman” and
“They reportedly arrested her (in New Hampshire),
they’ve known where she is this whole time, waited till
now. Why now?” She also noted that the indictment
against Maxwell is “for only three victims — (from)
1994 to 1997 — and the indictment states that Maxwell
was involved in their sexual abuse directly (in terms
of the sex acts themselves) but NOT charged for that.”
Webb says, “A main goal of the Epstein-Maxwell
operation was to blackmail prominent individuals and
it’s important to mention that it was state-sponsored
and involved compromising politicians (and) individuals
so they would be supportive of policies pursued by that
state. Sexual blackmail by intelligence has a long
history, in the U.S. and elsewhere, and Epstein and
Maxwell were merely using that same playbook (on a
grand scale) for the benefit of their sponsors.” Webb
also authored “Mega Group, Maxwells and Mossad: The Spy
Story at the Heart of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal,”
which examines the role of Epstein’s main financial
patron for decades, billionaire Leslie Wexner. Whitney
Webb currently writes for The Last American Vagabond.
She has previously written for MintPress News and Ben
Swann’s Truth In Media. Her work has appeared on Global
Research, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire.
Contact her at wwebbmpn@protonmail.com or @_whitneywebb

3. ==> Will Putin Be President for Life?

Not long ago, many Russian observers said Vladimir
Putin was bored with being president. Now he seems to
want to rule forever. What changed? Stephen
Sestanovich, an expert on Russia, says a leading theory
is that Putin doubts he would be safe in retirement: a
new leader might seize his wealth or put him on trial.
Sestanovich can explain the recent Russian referendum
vote, a sweeping package of more than 200
constitutional amendments, the most important of which
exempts Putin from term limits and potentially allows
him to rule until 2036. He’ll explain what that means
for Putin, Russia and the rest of the world. Stephen
Sestanovich is the George F. Kennan senior fellow for
Russian and Eurasian studies at the Council on Foreign
Relations and the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis
professor of international diplomacy at Columbia
University’s School of International and Public
Affairs. He is the author of “Maximalist: America in
the World from Truman to Obama.” Contact him at (202)
509-8454; ssestanovich@cfr.org

4. == > Award-Winning Musician on God, Science and Rock ’n’ Roll

Dennis Marcellino is truly a Renaissance man. A former
member of many top bands including The Tokens (The Lion
Sleeps Tonight), Sly & The Family Stone, The Elvin
Bishop Group and more, Dennis’ musical biography reads
like a Who’s Who of multi-talented relatives and
showbiz awards. But interview this musician, vocalist,
composer and arranger and you’ll quickly learn that his
real passion involves something even more
inspirational; sharing scientific proof that God
exists, and Genesis is literally true. Dennis
Marcellino has an extensive history in the music
business. He has recorded more than a dozen albums,
scored and composed several songs for films, and is the
author of numerous political and inspirational books
including “THE PROOF that God Exists and the Bible is
True.” Contact Dennis Marcellino at
Dennis@PeaceAndClarity.com

5. ==> The Latest Post-Pandemic Wedding Trends and Tips

When everyone is afraid to leave their homes without a
mask and hugging is frowned upon, planning a fairytale
wedding can seem daunting. Luxury wedding and event
planner Lynne Goldberg says couples can still have
fabulous events even as they meet new planning and
etiquette challenges and shares the latest trends and
tips for doing so. Goldberg, the founder of Ms. Wedding
Planner and Boca Entertainment who appeared on the TV
show Party Mamas, can answer such questions as how can
couples ensure their wedding will be fabulous even with
social distancing? With small weddings trending, what
can couples do to give theirs a big impact? What
changes should there be on the dance floor? Is it still
OK to have a wedding cake? Goldberg’s clients include
celebrities, politicians, socialites, and sports
figures. Her work and commentary have been featured in
such publications as the New York Times, Washington
Post and the Wall Street Journal. Contact her at (561)
212-6024, Lynneggoldberg@gmail.com

6. ==> Surprising Ways to Lower Your Risk of Getting COVID-19

Things are opening up around the country after months
of stay-at-home restrictions, but COVID-19 is still out
there and it’s spreading in many areas. How can you
protect yourself when things like social distancing
either aren’t possible or aren’t being observed by
others? Invite author, surgeon, and pain expert Dr.
David Hanscom to share concrete steps you can take to
decrease your chances of becoming ill. He’ll also
explain why lowering your feelings of anxiety or threat
are critical to maintaining good health and how people
with chronic stress die seven years earlier. Learn how
your family can be harming your health and why
insecurity about your income and financial situation
can cause harmful inflammation that increases your risk
of deadly illness. Dr. Hanscom’s book, “Back in
Control,” reveals the latest developments in
neuroscience research and his own personal history with
pain. He’s been featured on Dr. Oz, NPR, CBS, ABC and
Fox as well as in Men’s Health, Psychology Today, and
many other media outlets. Contact Dr. Hanscom at (206)
890-1892; dnhanscom@gmail.com

7. ==> How to Help Teens Navigate Social Distancing Stress

Isolation caused by social distancing has been
difficult for most of us. But according to Steven Hall,
M.D., this has been especially hard on teens.
“Interacting with their peers is very important to
teenagers,” he says. “This is a normal stage of
development. The COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantines are
interfering with that and may be creating some
especially powerful feelings in teens.” Trained in
traditional Western medicine, Dr. Steven combines
alternative, integrative medicine into his practice to
simultaneously treat patients’ bodies, minds and
spirits. He can share simple yet powerful advice to
help your teen get through these challenging times. He
is the author of “The 7 Tools of Healing: Unlock Your
Inner Wisdom and Live the Life Your Soul Desires.”
Contact him at (425) 531-3684, shall@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Anxiety is Making Today’s New Normal Worse

The contentious presidential election, a pandemic,
debilitating unemployment, an education system in
chaos, financial upheaval, and the inability to travel,
socialize and run businesses are all contributing to a
spike in anxiety. No wonder your audience needs the
advice of anxiety warrior Elke Scholz. Bring this
outspoken psychotherapist on your show to help people
navigate one of the toughest years in modern memory.
Elke has written two “Anxiety Warrior” volumes and
operated a private therapy practice for 35 years.
She’ll reveal who is suffering most during this
difficult year and how to recognize anxiety triggers.
She’ll also recommend pro-wellness and anti-anxiety
measures to nourish a healthy mental attitude. Contact
Elke Scholz at (705) 710-4315; escholz@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Is the Answer to a Less Chaotic World Right in Front of Us?

Have you ever wondered why the world’s leaders continue
to let people down? Why chaos seems to be increasing?
Or what happened to the age of peace, love, and
understanding promised in the 1960s? If so, you’ll want
to interview Sankarshan Das, a spiritual master who
says, “Sadly, most of our leaders are not real leaders
because they are unwilling to sacrifice everything for
the common good.” Despite that, he says the knowledge
exists to bring in a new era of unparalleled peace and
prosperity to every town, village, city, and hamlet all
over the world. Sankarshan Das is the author of the
upcoming book “Conquer Your Mind and Deliver the World:
Empowering You to Awaken Your Divine Consciousness and
Create Global Happiness.” He is also a singer-
songwriter who once appeared onstage between Jefferson
Airplane and the Grateful Dead. His song, “The Peace
Formula,” has been praised by Barack Obama. Contact him
at (512) 643-6740; sbridge@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Why We Need to Stop Saying ‘People of Color’

One of the issues the Black Lives Matter movement
addresses is how skin color plays a role in how people
are treated by police and society in general. According
to author, speaker, and retired neurosurgeon Sylvanus
Ayeni, society needs to stop focusing on skin color as
a way to define a person. He says the phrases “black
and brown people,” “white people,” and “people of
color” should be removed from our vocabulary. Why?
Because skin color is just the shade of a protective
superficial covering and that inside, we’re all the
same. Invite him to discuss why skin color has nothing
to do with the spirit and soul of an individual and why
“color coding of human beings is fundamentally flawed.”
Dr. Ayeni was born and raised in Nigeria and is the
president of Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch, Inc.
His latest book, “Rescue Thyself: Change in Sub-Saharan
Africa Must Come from Within,” has been described as “a
thoughtful, provocative, fascinating, literate, and
controversial examination of the poorest region on
earth,” by NPR’s Nina Totenberg. Contact him at (301)
812-4579; SAyeni@rtirguests.com

11. ==> How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire

Taking a walk every day seems like a great idea. How
could it possibly backfire? Interview exercise
physiologist and certified nutrition coach Kristen
Carter to find out. Kristen will talk about ways vowing
to take more walks, joining a gym, buying home exercise
equipment, and signing up for exercise classes can end
up fizzling, possibly making a person feel like a
failure for the umpteenth time. Kristen is the author
of “Lose Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So!  What
to do when your doctor tells you to make changes for
your health.” Ask her: What makes developing an
exercise habit so elusive, even with the best of
intentions? How can the right preparation and mindset
make all the difference? Contact Kristen Carter at
(267) 930-2547; kacarter@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Learn Why 50 Isn’t the New 30 … It’s Way Better

As we age, we may not realize that things should get
better. With awareness, maturity, experience and
motivation going for us, the second half of life offers
extraordinary opportunities and satisfaction. That’s
the message of Joe Swinger, a speaker, author and talk-
show guest who specializes in helping adults in midlife
enjoy the VIP life — one marked by greater vibrancy,
impact and purpose. Joe is the creator of the Silver
Linings Network, which he established to encourage
happiness, success and emotional health in midlife and
later years. Invite him on your show and learn what you
should be focusing on (besides money!) as you approach
and dive into retirement. He’ll share ideas for aging
boomers who want to make a difference, recreate
themselves and stay relevant, and explore ways to love
and embrace aspects of every age. Contact Joe Swinger
at (801) 865-7748: joeswinger@RTIRguests.com

13. ==> ‘Blue’s Clues and You’ Actor Josh Dela Cruz

When the original “Blue’s Clues” premiered in 1996, it
became one of the most popular kids’ shows of all time,
creating a more interactive way for young viewers to
watch TV. Now, Josh Dela Cruz is the host of
Nickelodeon’s successful new spinoff series, “Blue’s
Clues and You.” Josh, a New Jersey native who was
inspired by the original series to become an actor, can
discuss what’s coming up on “Blue’s Clues &
You”—including a special music-themed episode with
celebrity guest stars — why Blue remains an enduring
character in kids’ TV, and what parents and young
viewers and can learn from the show.  For interviews,
contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com

14. ==> 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

Parenting is never easy but being quarantined with
children while being unemployed or on the pandemic
frontline are making it even harder. Families will
welcome the creative suggestions of educator Laurie
Marshall, suggestions that will help everyone get along
better and safely blow off stress. She’ll share why
parents and kids should put paper bags over their heads
to convey emotions such as anger and silliness, why
families should make a practice of singing and dancing
together, and how taking three deep breaths when they
feel out of control can center parents and interrupt
impulsive behavior that can lead to harming family
members. Marshall is a bullying prevention expert and
the author of multiple books. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 bully-prevention, nature-based murals
with over 25,000 people in schools, nonprofits, and
government agencies (NASA, FEMA, U.S. Botanical
Gardens). Contact Laurie at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Will God Make Sure That Trump Wins the 2020 Election?

Even a famous Politico story contends that millions of
Americans believe God wanted Donald Trump to become
president. But is a second term in God’s plan?
Interview Patric Rutherford, Ph.D., who agrees that a
Trump White House was God’s permissive will. But find
out why he says God may not want Trump to serve two
terms. Originally from Jamaica, Dr. Rutherford has
studied politics, faith and human nature for decades.
He’s the author of the critically acclaimed book “God
and President Trump Plus the Rest of Us.” Ask him: Why
did many deeply committed Christians have no qualms
about electing a seemingly godless man? What does the
anti-Trump contingent get right and wrong? Why didn’t
he vote for Trump? How would God grade Trump’s first
term in office? Contact Patric Rutherford at (786)
201-6638; patricrutherford@gmail.com

07/02/20 RTIR Newsletter: Russian Bounty Hunting, Blessings of Covid, Stimulus Stupidity

July 2, 2020

01. Trump’s July 4th Scandal: Russian Bounty Hunting
02. The Story of WWII’s Flying Tigers
03. A Win for Weinstein Victims
04. Masking the Problem or Saving Your Life?
05. July is Bound to Be a Wiener!
06. Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It
07. Surprising Blessings of COVID-19
08. Life After COVID-19: What You’ll Need to Do
09. Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay
10. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
11. Leadership Expert Shares the Secret Skill Missing from Most Businesses
12. Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably Had One and Didn’t Know!)
13. How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage
14. The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One Another
15. A Show for Big Boys: Cranes, Snakes and Sewage

1.==> Trump’s July 4th Scandal: Russian Bounty Hunting

The Trump administration’s latest scandal involves Russian bounty hunting in Afghanistan. Moscow was reportedly giving Taliban and other terrorists bounties for killing U.S., UK and other NATO soldiers. But Stephen Blank, Ph.D. says the real scandal is the revelation that the intelligence community briefed the president and the White House in March about the bounty hunting, and since then, nothing has been done to punish Russia. “It’s evident that the national security policy process (and perhaps others) is now quite broken and will be for the duration of the Trump administration,” says Blank. “Our adversaries have long known this. Therefore, they are now exploiting this administration’s seemingly congenital ineptitude, ignorance and inability to recognize or speak the truth to attack our soldiers, our allies, our interests and our values globally.” Stephen Blank, Ph.D., is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He is a former professor of Russian National Security Studies and National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College. He is also a former MacArthur fellow at the U.S. Army War College. Blank is an independent consultant focused on the geopolitics and geostrategy of the former Soviet Union, Russia and Eurasia. Contact Michelle Reece at (215) 732-3774, ext. 109; mreece@fpri.org

2. ==> The Story of WWII’s Flying Tigers

Listeners may recall images of the shark-face nose art on the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, but they may not know the story behind the pilots who flew the iconic planes. Invite Samuel Kleiner to share the story of 300 American pilots who were secretly recruited to defend the nation’s desperate Chinese allies before Pearl Harbor and ended up on the front lines of the war against the Japanese in the Pacific. You’ll hear fascinating details of the mission, including how the group traveled to Burma in the fall of 1941 under false identities and trained with legendary general Claire Chennault with the idea that they would be supporting Chiang Kai-shek’s China in its battle with Japan. They were consequently in place when Pearl Harbor was bombed and the Flying Tigers began their first flights 12 days later, helping to keep the Japanese occupied as U.S. troops were built up. Samuel Kleiner is the author of “The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com

3. ==> A Win for Weinstein Victims

A number of women who were sexually abused and harassed by convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein while working for his production company are set to receive part of a $19 million payout. The payout is part of a deal brokered by the New York state attorney general’s office in its class action lawsuit against The Weinstein Company. Invite labor and employment attorney Jonathan Bell to discuss the agreement. In addition to the payout, the AG’s office says the agreement will wipe out any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements Weinstein’s victims signed with the company or any of its former reps. The deal still needs to be approved by the district court presiding over the case. Jonathan Bell is the founder of Bell Law Group, specializing in discrimination, wage Issues, sexual abuse and harassment and other work/employment issues. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988; mark@goldmanmccormick.com

4.==> Masking the Problem or Saving Your Life?

With the reopening of businesses, the return to public spaces, and the resurgence in coronavirus cases, the issue over wearing masks has become a red or blue political litmus test. People seem to be politically entrenched more than they are focused on their health and the safety of others. What can your audience learn from an American in Paris, France, who survived the 55 days of lockdown? What is her advice for navigating the thorny mask question while at work and while at play? Nita Wiggins worked 21 years on U.S. television, she now teaches journalism, and she’s the author of “Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism.” Contact Nita Wiggins at NWiggins@rtirguests.com

5. ==> July is Bound to Be a Wiener!

Whether one enjoys a frankfurter, frank, wiener, weenie, Coney, red hot or hot dog, July is bound to be a delicious month. This month marks National Hot Dog Month, a full thirty-one days that celebrate one of America’s most iconic foods. Hot dogs are part of American culture, summer celebrations, travel and grilling traditions. They are synonymous with our nation’s independence as Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs on July 4 alone. “Let me be frank. In a time when things feel uncertain, we can be sure of at least one thing,” says National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC) Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal. “Hot dogs make people happy and make us feel less socially distant, whether we are sitting six feet apart or meeting virtually.” Invite Eric on your show and discuss everything and anything about hot dogs including the biggest myths, fascinating trivia, and more. Hear the history of hotdogs and sausages, how they’re made and even a guide to hotdog etiquette. Throughout the rest of the summer and beyond, the NHDSC will highlight recipes on its social media channels using the hashtag #WienerWednesday and feature the best consumer-created recipes. Eric Mittenthal is president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Contact him at (202) 587-4238; (404) 808-8396 (cell) or emittenthal@meatinstitute.org

6. ==> Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It

If you’ve found you’re not washing your hands as often or you’re making trips outside more frequently, you’re not alone. Behavioral scientists call the phenomenon “caution fatigue” and say your brain is to blame. At first, our brain’s alarm system goes off and we’re on alert, but as time goes by our brains adjust the perception of alarm to reduce stress and we begin to relax our safety rules even though the threat remains. Experts say caution fatigue can also be the result of cognitive challenges. “Almost all of America is being confronted with an ambiguous, complex problem-solving situation,” says Eric Zillmer, a professor of neuropsychology at Drexel University. “We’ve never been through anything like this, so it’s ambiguous.” Zillmer will discuss ways to overcome quarantine fatigue, how to turn safety practices into habits by setting up visual cues like putting a face mask on a table by the door to remind you to put it on before you leave, and ways to mitigate information overload to develop a balanced viewpoint. Eric Zillmer Psy.D., is the Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel University. Contact him at zillmer@drexel.edu; (215) 895-1977.

7. ==> Surprising Blessings of COVID-19

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

8. ==> Life After COVID-19: What You’ll Need to Do

Yes, the day is coming when the pandemic will be behind us. But, according to Dr. Annalee Kitay, before we even have the chance to let out that big sigh of relief we should be aware of this truth: “A great number of people’s immune systems will be in a compromised state,” she says. And, she adds, even people who look healthy will still need to boost their immune systems. Invite Dr. Kitay to explain why this is so and offer some tips on what to eat and what supplements to take to get back to where you were before you knew what COVID-19 was. Dr. Kitay can also talk about the brain’s role in immune function as well as share information about the Neural Organization Technique that she practices and trains physicians in. Neural Organization Technique is one of health care’s best-kept secrets. She is one of fewer than 50 practitioners in the U.S., who are using the revolutionary proven natural technique to help people with everything from concussions to learning disabilities and low-back pain. Dr. Kitay did several guest spots with the late Dr. (Robert) Atkins. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561) 462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay

Going back to work in an office is scary — and in most cases unnecessary. Work from home — or really work from anywhere — is here to stay for a huge number of former cubicle inhabitants. Companies have realized there’s no need to spend an average of $18,200 to house a worker in a corporate office anymore. For workers, the genie is out of the bottle and they have finally adjusted to remote work and are loving it — or will when they can start living a social life after work! Invite Diane Huth, the Accidental Career Coach, to discuss the post-pandemic workplace, what types of jobs can be done remotely, and how workers can hone their skills and communication practices to participate fully in remote work — so they can enjoy being untethered from the corporate office forever. Diane Huth is the author of two bestselling career guides and the creator of the Secrets to Land Your Dream Job online masterclass. Contact her at (210) 601-7852; DianeHuth@DianeHuth.com

10. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!

It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-experts” will be doing it until July. Plus, they have already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for sending out stimulus money, did you realize that thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated technology and data, is still sending double and even triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever get their money? Find out more when you interview Green while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak. Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues. Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509; rgreen@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Leadership Expert Shares the Secret Skill Missing from Most Businesses

If leadership coach and expert Tim Winders had only one message to share right now — and he has many — it would be that businesses and organizations need to inject more love in their day-to-day operations to reduce racism, sexism, divisiveness, turnover, and productivity problems. Invite Winders, who has over 25 years’ experience as a coach for business owners, executives, and leaders, to share ways employers can utilize kindness and skillful communication to motivate employees to do better and increase the bottom line. Encouraging individuals and corporations to act out of love is one of the themes of Winders’ debut novel, “A Time To Act,” which tells the story of Cooper Travis, an executive who contemplates ending his life after personal failures and business problems that could potentially send him to jail; as the story unfolds, the executive learns three acts to gain clarity that can be useful and bring peace to anyone. Especially in the chaotic world that we live in today. Winders, who along with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while traveling around the country, survived several business failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts the “SeekGoCreate” podcast. Contact him at (404) 846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com. Ask about last-minute availability.

12. ==> Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably Had One and Didn’t Know!)

Is it possible to have a concussion and have no idea? “Absolutely!” says Paul Wand, M.D. “Sometimes symptoms relating to the concussion don’t show up until months or years later! And about 20% of people who actually do go to the Emergency Room for CT or MRI scans are told they are perfectly fine … when they aren’t.” This summer, as COVID-19 restrictions loosen up around the country, people are more eager than ever to get out and get going!  Which means more outdoor activities, leading to more concussion-related accidents. Interview Dr. Wand, a neurologist, to learn how your child, or you for that matter, could have a concussion and have no idea. Dr. Wand, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, will explain his unique protocol that enables doctors to do both faster and easier. Paul Wand, M.D., PA, has been a medical doctor for 35 years. He’s the author of “The Concussion Cure: Three Proven Methods to Heal Your Brain.” Contact him at (954) 743-5380; PWand@rtirguests.com

13. ==> How Parents Can Ensure Their Children Earn a Living Wage

Right now, college students are hunkered down at home taking online classes, most likely until the fall. But as former college professor Glen Dunzweiler will tell you, a return to “normal” is not going to cut it because the way things have been done does not lead to a secure future for most student’s post-graduation. Invite Glen to discuss ways educators, parents and others who care about the next generation have to teach every college student about entrepreneurship so they can hold their future in their own hands and earn a living wage. He’ll share why all students need an exit strategy and a clear idea of how they intend to monetize their skills once they graduate. Glen is a former college professor, a documentarian and the author of two books. His latest is “A Degree In Homelessness? Entrepreneurial Skills For Students.” Contact Glen Dunzweiler at (702) 703-2219; GDunzweiler@rtirguests.com

14. ==> The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One Another

When’s the last time you had a decent conversation? Particularly with someone who doesn’t think as you do. Today we find ourselves in an overly connected society that ironically experiences very little real connection between individuals. Why? “Much of this can be laid at the doorstep of technology that reinforces our desire for speed and availability over true connection – individual to individual, face to face,” says Ivan Obolensky. Deterioration in the art of communication can be seen across kitchen tables as well as across the country in race relations, political debates and late-night pundits. Interview Ivan to find out what your audience needs to know now to create meaningful conversations. We can start by being curious and interested instead of being interesting and learning what to avoid at all costs — (don’t commit “assumicide!”) Obolensky is an author and Renaissance man. His novel “Eye of the Moon” won “Best First Book (Fiction)” in the IndieReader Discovery Awards. Contact Ivan Obolensky at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com

15. ==> A Show for Big Boys: Cranes, Snakes and Sewage

Most of us love to watch new buildings going up. There’s something about the whole process and the cranes, earthmovers, and daredevil nature of scaffold climbing that appeals on a primal level. Particularly, to boys. That same fascination is likely to extend behind-the-scenes to the unusual things that actually happen on construction sites; particularly when matched with the storytelling skills of 40-year construction professional Charles (Charlie) Garner. He’ll entertain your audience with true stories from his career that began right after high school and literally started off with a bang. Ask him: Why was it necessary for you to kill six poisonous snakes a day in the swamps of Louisiana? What happened to the worker who fell into a tank of raw sewage? What strange incident occurred on the first day of your first job? Charlie is a senior project manager for a large construction company in Atlanta and is a civil engineer who has worked in heavy construction for 40 years. His memoir “I Got This” contains amazing adventure stories from his life and career. Contact Charlie at (650) 995-5626; charlesgardner@rtirguests.com

06/23/20 RTIR Newsletter: Racism in the Wine Industry, Pandemic Stress, Teens and Social Distancing

June 23, 2020

01. Amidst Record-Breaking Unemployment, Some are Thriving
02. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalists Profiled in New Vietnam Doc
03. ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ Actor Caz Anvar
04. Actor Nathalie Kelley on Cancellation of ‘The Baker and The Beauty’
05. Where are All the Minority Journalists? Racial Bias in Journalism
06. From ‘Snowflake’ to ‘Nazi’ and ‘Racist’ – How Generalizing Isolates Us
07. Time to Address Racism in the Wine Industry
08. Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays This Summer
09. How to Help Teens Navigate Social Distancing Stress
10. Love: Is That Really The Secret Most Leaders Are Missing?
11. How We Can Be the Change We Need Right Now?
12. What Jesus, Moses, Buddha and Muhammad Did That You Can Do Too
13. Fitness and Nutrition Pro Says Motivation is Overrated!
14. How to Deal with Pandemic Stress Better
15. Time for a Short, Safe, Summer Road Trip?

1. ==> Amidst Record-Breaking Unemployment, Some are Thriving

Three months after the viral outbreak shut down
businesses across the country, U.S. employers are still
shedding jobs at a heavy rate, a trend that points to a
slow and prolonged recovery from the recession. But
there’s one group of people in America who are making
more money than ever. U.S. billionaires saw their
wealth “increase by 20 percent, or $584 billion,
roughly since the beginning of the pandemic, as 45.5
million Americans lost their jobs and the economy
cratered,” according to a new report by Americans for
Tax Fairness (ATF) and the Institute for Policy Studies
— Program on Inequality. The report also finds the top
five billionaires — Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark
Zuckerberg, Warren Buffett and Larry Ellison — saw
their wealth grow by a total of $101.7 billion, or 26
percent. Chuck Collins, co-author of the study
“Billionaire Bonanza 2020: Wealth Windfalls, Tumbling
Taxes, and Pandemic Profiteers,” can explain the
findings, including the addition of 29 new billionaires
since March. “The last thing U.S. society needs is more
economic and racial polarization,” says Collins. “The
surge in billionaire wealth and pandemic profiteering
undermines the unity and solidarity that the American
people will require to recover and grow together, not
pull further apart.” Chuck Collins is program director
at the Institute for Policy Studies, a progressive
multi-issue think tank. Contact him at chuck@ips-dc.org
or Bob Keener at bobk@ips-dc.org

2. ==> Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalists Profiled in New Vietnam Doc

“Dateline-Saigon” tells the inspiring story of a small
group of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists — David
Halberstam, Neil Sheehan, Malcolm Browne, Peter Arnett,
and the photojournalist Horst Faas — reporting on the
Vietnam War. The film follows the group’s fight to
report the truth, which was vastly different than the
rosy version put forth by the White House during the
early years of the war … all as the American
government sought to discredit them. Director Tom
Herman can discuss the parallels between that turbulent
time in America and today, and the role of journalists
in serving society and shaping history. Narrated by Sam
Waterson, the film is set for on-demand and DVD release
July 14. Herman was a co-producer of the Emmy-award
winning feature film “Live from Baghdad” starring
Michael Keaton and Helena Bonham-Carter. Before that,
Herman was a freelance producer for CNN as well as a
correspondent for National Public Radio. When he’s in
between films, Herman practices law in Boston. Contact
Kelly Hargraves at Kelly.Hargraves@firstrunfeatures.com

3. ==> ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ Actor Caz Anvar

If you’ve been watching a lot of Amazon Prime while
social distancing you may recognize Caz Anvar as pilot
Alex Kamal from the network’s popular series “The
Expanse.” He also plays the love interest of Viola
Davis’ alter-ego, Annalise Keating on this season’s
“How To Get Away With Murder” on ABC, and there’s buzz
around Hollywood that he may take home Emmys for BOTH
shows! Invite Anvar to talk about shooting two shows at
the same time, what it was like playing opposite Davis
in the highly acclaimed ABC series, and why he thinks
his Amazon show has become a fan favorite. Contact
Monique Moss at (310) 858-8230; monique@integrated-
pr.com

4. ==> Actor Nathalie Kelley on Cancellation of ‘The Baker and the Beauty’

Fans of ABC’s “The Baker and The Beauty” are lobbying
hard and petitioning the network after it abruptly
canceled the show last week. The series about a hard-
working Cuban American family with strong values and
love for one another in the face of adversity won the
hearts of Latin and non-Latin viewers from Miami to
Melbourne. It also garnered critical praise, especially
for its positive portrayal of LGBTQ communities and
immigrant families. Nathalie Kelley, who plays Noa
Hamilton on the show, says “At a time when minorities
are marching in the streets demanding visibility, the
decision to cancel the show is a setback for diverse
and inclusive representation on television. I remain
hopeful that another platform will welcome the
opportunity to send the right message to our
communities that our stories do matter and deserve to
be told.” Fans are circulating an online petition
asking ABC to reconsider the cancellation. Ask Kelley
about the petition and why she believes fans feel so
connected to the show. Contact Jeff Gulko at (617)
304-7339; jeff@thegulkogroup.com

5. ==> Where are All the Minority Journalists? Racial Bias in Journalism

One issue being raised during the coverage of the Black
Lives Matter protests is where are the minority
journalists? During many discussions about “systemic
racism,” people of color are missing from the anchor
chair and the plum journalism jobs. How similar is
discrimination in hiring journalists of color to the
incendiary situation on the streets? Thirty years ago,
cub reporter Nita Wiggins won the RTNDF Michele Clark
Fellowship, given annually to a success-bound, up-and-
coming. minority journalist. What does Wiggins say
about equal opportunity in the media? What is the
career reality for people of color? She’s the author of
“Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and
Breaking Barriers in American Journalism.” Contact Nita
Wiggins at NWiggins@rtirguests.com

6. ==> From ‘Snowflake’ to ‘Nazi’ and ‘Racist’ – How Generalizing Isolates Us

The truth seems to be in short supply these days. But
is it? “Most people accuse whoever is on the opposite
side of a political debate with lying or dishonesty
when an honest evaluation of the situation is that they
disagree with their opinion about something,” says
author and leadership expert Steven Mays. Mays can talk
about why we toss around labels like “racist,”
“tyrant,” “Nazi” and “Snowflake,” as a way of
disavowing other people’s experiences and opinions and
why poor leadership leads to catastrophic unintended
consequences like riots and pandemics. Mays is the
author of “Power of 3 Leadership, Lessons in
Leadership.” A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at
Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines, he was a
mathematician, electrical engineer, and nuclear
engineer who worked in private industry and at the
Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact him at (703)
552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Time to Address Racism in the Wine Industry

People of color have long been shut out of the wine
industry. Even today, a black or brown face at a wine
tasting or wine seminar is an uncommon sight. Yet wine
has been part of the total human condition across
cultures and races for thousands of years. Join writer
Jim Laughren, CWE, for an honest assessment of the
current situation and some thoughts on how we can all
take a stand to turn the tide toward greater
inclusiveness. Jim is the author of two popular wine
books, “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

8. ==> Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays This Summer

True or False: You can be born with cataracts. They are
the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
There is no way to protect yourself from getting them.
Black people and Hispanics are more likely to get them
than white people. The average age for cataract surgery
is 60. Find out which of these statements are true when
you interview vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson
for Cataract Awareness Month in June. Learn how to
protect yourself this summer and why you just might
want to wear better sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
as you spend time outdoors as well as gain information
on symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries and more. Linda knows
not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered
from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at
(914) 229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com

9. ==> How to Help Teens Navigate Social Distancing Stress

Isolation caused by social distancing has been
difficult for most of us. But according to Steven Hall,
M.D., this has been especially hard on teens.
“Interacting with their peers is very important to
teenagers,” he says. “This is a normal stage of
development. The COVID-19 lockdown and quarantine is
interfering with that, and may be creating some
especially powerful feelings in teens.” Trained in
traditional Western medicine, Dr. Steven combines
alternative, integrative medicine into his practice to
simultaneously treat patients’ bodies, minds and
spirits. He can share simple yet powerful advice to
help your teen get through these challenging times. He
is the author of “The 7 Tools of Healing: Unlock Your
Inner Wisdom and Live the Life Your Soul Desires.”
Contact him at (425) 531-3684, shall@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Love: Is That Really The Secret Most Leaders Are Missing?

If leadership coach and expert Tim Winders had only one
message to share right now — and he has many — it would
be that businesses and organizations need to inject
more love in their day-to-day operations to reduce
racism, sexism, divisiveness, turnover, and
productivity problems. Invite Winders, who has over 25
years’ experience as a coach for business owners,
executives, and leaders, to share ways employers can
utilize kindness and skillful communication to motivate
employees to do better and increase the bottom line.
Encouraging individuals and corporations to act out of
love is one of the themes of Winders’ debut novel, “A
Time To Act,” which tells the story of Cooper Travis,
an executive who contemplates ending his life after
personal failures and business problems that could
potentially send him to jail; as the story unfolds, the
executive learns three acts to gain clarity that can be
useful and bring peace to anyone. Especially in the
chaotic world that we live in today. Winders, who along
with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while
traveling around the country, survived several business
failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts
the “SeekGoCreate” podcast. Contact him at (404)
846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com. Ask about last-
minute availability

11. ==> How We Can Be the Change We Need Right Now

The worst global pandemic in a century. Economic chaos
that echoes the Great Depression. Worldwide protests
due to police brutality against minorities. How do we
survive and even thrive in these perilous times? “To be
the change this world needs right now, we have to live
our truth,” says best-selling author and intuition
expert Kim Chestney. “Intuition is the key to that
truth; it shows us who we really are and what we stand
for in this world.” Kim can discuss how being true to
oneself is the greatest form of rebellion, and the only
way to bring about positive change in the world. Kim is
an international best-selling author and artist who
founded the popular CREATE! Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Her Intuition Masterclass is part of her global online
school, Intuition Lab. Her new book “Radical Intuition:
A Revolutionary Guide for Using Your Inner Power” will
be released on November 3. Contact her at (412)
214-9502; KChestney@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What Jesus, Moses, Buddha and Muhammad Did That You Can Do Too

Many world religions have had their core concepts
shaped by individuals that undertook one unusual
practice — a practice still available today. Can you
guess what it is? At a time when differences between
religious groups seem so wide, interview Sparrow Hart
to learn the impactful, life-changing events that link
these spiritual leaders together. Sparrow’s varied
career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of
Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse,
adventures in the Amazon, and over 30 years of leading
workshops on shamanism, conscious dreaming, and vision
quests in nature. He is the author of several books
including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a Dream
Worth Living.” Contact him at (801) 516-0740;
SHart@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Fitness and Nutrition Pro Says Motivation is Overrated!

Stop beating yourself up for not losing weight and
exercising more. Or for deciding that you will always
be someone who doesn’t feel like getting off the couch.
Motivation is overrated, says exercise physiologist and
certified nutrition coach Kristen Carter. “It is not
something that you either have or you don’t. And, it
doesn’t mean you have some sort of moral failing if you
can’t find it!” Kristen explains that motivation comes
in four varieties, each with their own unique solutions
to make them work for you. She is the author of “Lose
Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So! What to do
when your doctor tells you to make changes for your
health.” Ask her: What are the four varieties? What
simple solutions can you offer people who want to
change a few behaviors for healthier ones? Contact
Kristen Carter at (267) 930-2547;
kacarter@rtirguests.com

14. ==> How to Deal with Pandemic Stress Better

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in lockdown, these stresses can explode.
Leadership expert Marc A. Pitman can tell you why
people act the way they do. Using an easy-to-understand
system, he can provide insight into why your team,
staff, or family may be harder to live with right now.
He can explain the different ways people react to
stress and how to help you get through the pandemic and
come out even stronger than before. His forthcoming
book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a
framework for people to move past feeling like a fraud
and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman
at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Time for a Short, Safe, Summer Road Trip?

The Appalachian mountain range covers an area of
205,000 square miles and is home to more than 25
million Americans. Yet, the special culture of the
region is quite different from the image commonly
conveyed by the media. With families looking to
vacation safely this summer, Nancy Brown Diggs says the
region is a great option and just a car ride away for
many. Consider this: Appalachia encompasses all of West
Virginia, parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland and even
a small part of western New York State! Diggs, a
scholar and author of “In Search of Appalachia,” can
share great stories and suggestions for visitors this
summer, from historic spots to natural wonders and
more. Hear about former coal mine tours, a rock ledge
overhang thought to be the earliest site of human
habitation in North America, and the largest space
museum in the country. Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

 

06/16/20 RTIR Newsletter: – Summer Road Trips, Celebrating Dads, Defunding the Police

June 16, 2020

01. SCOTUS: Civil Rights Law Protects LGBTQ Workers Too
02. Community Control vs. Defunding the Police
03. New Environmental Disaster: Arctic Diesel Leak
04. Summer Road Trip: Appalachia’s Unexpected History and Beauty
05. How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons
06. Celebrate Single Dads This Father’s Day
07. Why We Think People are Lying When They’re Not
08. Love: Is That Really The Secret Most Leaders Are Missing?
09. He’s Proof: You Don’t Have to Be Guilty of a Crime to Be Convicted!
10. Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably Had One and Didn’t Know!)
11. The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One Another
12. Toast to Your Health as States Open Up After Lockdown
13. Why Netflix’s ‘Dead to Me’ Resonates
14. Talk to This Expert If You Think You Are Weird
15. Why Popeye Didn’t Get Cataracts

1. ==> SCOTUS: Civil Rights Law Protects LGBTQ Workers Too

Winnie Stachelberg of the Center for American Progress
calls yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling a watershed
moment for fairness and equality, particularly after
President Trump’s recent rollback of nondiscrimination
protections for LGBTQ people in health care, education,
and access to safe shelter. Stachelberg says, “This
ruling will allow millions of people to work with the
respect, dignity, and increased job security that they
deserve. The work is far from over, though. We need
Congress to catch up to the Supreme Court by passing
the Equality Act to ensure that all individuals receive
the full measure of equality guaranteed to them under
the Constitution.” Winnie Stachelberg is executive vice
president for external affairs at the Center for
American Progress, an independent nonpartisan policy
institute. Contact Adam Peck at
apeck@americanprogress.org

2. ==> Community Control vs. Defunding the Police

Authors of the upcoming book “Community Control Over
Police” write that it is “undeniable that policing in
the U.S. is out of control and outrageously overfunded.
Since 1977 crime has continued to fall, but police
budgets have almost tripled to a staggering $115
billion per year.” But, they argue, “Defunding the
police will not abolish the police. Far from purging
classism, racism and patriarchy from its ranks,
defunding the police is likely to bring them back in
their purest form and with a vengeance.” Max Rameau and
Netfa Freeman note that historically, “the shift from
private security to public utility created the
contradiction that allowed civil rights organizations
to fight for equal protection under the law, public
transparency and other reforms.” Rameau is a Haitian-
born Pan-African author and organizer with Pan-African
Community Action. Netfa Freeman is on the Coordinating
Committee of the Black Alliance for Peace and an
organizer in Pan-African Community Action. They
recently wrote the piece “Community Control vs.
Defunding the Police: A Critical Analysis” which was
published by Black Agenda Report. Contact Rameau at
afrimax@niainteractive.com or Freeman at netfa@ips-
dc.org; @Netfafree

3. ==> New Environmental Disaster: Arctic Diesel Leak

Things must be bad if Russian President Vladimir Putin,
who doesn’t have a strong environmental track record,
has declared a state of emergency in the Arctic. A 5-
million-gallon diesel fuel spill from a power station
storage tank poses a deadly threat to the region’s
people, plants, and animals. Christopher Reddy, an oil
spill expert and scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution, can explain the unique dangers in the
Arctic and why the spill is a warning of a precarious
future that we are unprepared for. You’ll learn the
difference between a diesel fuel spill and a crude oil
spill and why the location of a spill is so important.
Hear about a 1969 diesel spill in Buzzards Bay,
Massachusetts, in bays that are similar to those found
along the Arctic coastline. Reddy says residents still
refer to the “Silent Autumn” that followed for the lack
of birdlife in the area that season. It took up to five
years for marsh grasses to grow back, and 50 years
later, grasses, crabs, and mussels in the area still
show detrimental impacts from the spill. Reddy expects
more spills in the Arctic and says strategies and
policies are desperately needed to prepare effective
responses before the next disaster happens. Contact
Christopher Reddy at (508) 289-2316; creddy@whoi.edu

4.==> Summer Road Trip: Appalachia’s Unexpected History
and Beauty

The Appalachian mountain range covers an area of
205,000 square miles and is home to more than 25
million Americans. Yet, the special culture of the
region is quite different from the image commonly
conveyed by the media. With families looking to
vacation safely this summer, Nancy Brown Diggs says the
region is a great option and just a car ride away for
many. Consider this: Appalachia encompasses all of West
Virginia, parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland and even
a small part of western New York State! Diggs, a
scholar and author of “In Search of Appalachia,” can
share great stories and suggestions for visitors this
summer, from historic spots to natural wonders and
more. Hear about former coal mine tours, a rock ledge
overhang thought to be the earliest site of human
habitation in North America, and the largest space
museum in the country. Contact Johanna Ramos Boyer at
(703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

5. ==> How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons

This Father’s Day many fathers and sons will not be
able to see each other due to social distancing. But
hiding behind the pandemic is another epidemic
afflicting men and boys — an invisible wound
experienced by males who have been abandoned by their
fathers; one that frequently manifests itself in anger,
violence, depression, and suicide. Sandy D. Kirk,
Ph.D., has 20 years of experience helping teens and
young adults heal from their father-wounds. Dr. Sandy
says, “No pain on earth crushes a boy more deeply than
being abandoned by his father.” She points out,
“Studies show that 63 percent of suicides among teens
are from fatherless boys and 82 percent of the boys who
shot up schools were fatherless. This is a problem of
epidemic proportions, and it explains why our broken
boys are so angry.” Dr. Sandy will reveal five powerful
steps to help fathers mend their broken sons, why one
of the greatest messages a son can receive from his dad
is “Son, you have become a real man!” and how asking a
son’s forgiveness and telling him your own father-wound
story can open his heart and restore mutual respect.
Dr. Sandy hosted her own radio show, has been a
contributing editor for Good News Magazine and has been
a guest on radio and TV programs. Her latest book is
“Reaching Your Son’s Heart: A Heartwarming Story of
Healing for Fathers and Sons.” Contact her at (251)
979-9068; drsandy.aam@gmail.com

6. ==> Celebrate Single Dads this Father’s Day

Although moms head most single-parent households, dads
play an equally important role when it comes to raising
boys to be decent men. “There is a ‘dad deficit’ in
modern society,” says Pastor Eric Hawthorne, a divorced
father of two young boys. “That’s why it’s crucial that
boys have father figures who can be role models who
teach them how to treat women with respect, manage
money, set and achieve goals and be responsible, so
that they can grow up to be productive adults.” Eric is
the second-generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance
Ministries in Richardson, Texas, and the author of the
upcoming book “Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact
Eric at (214) 225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Why We Think People are Lying When They’re Not

The truth seems to be in short supply these days. But
is it? “Most people accuse whoever is on the opposite
side of a political debate with lying or dishonesty
when an honest evaluation of the situation is that they
disagree with their opinion about something,” says
author and leadership expert Steven Mays. Mays can talk
about why we toss around labels like “racist,”
“tyrant,” “Nazi” and “Snowflake,” as a way of
disavowing other people’s experiences and opinions and
why poor leadership leads to catastrophic unintended
consequences like riots and pandemics. Mays is the
author of “Power of 3 Leadership, Lessons in
Leadership.” A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at
Annapolis who served on nuclear submarines, he was a
mathematician, electrical engineer, and nuclear
engineer who worked in private industry and at the
Nuclear Regulation Commission. Contact him at (703)
552-5672; smays@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Love: Is That Really The Secret Most Leaders Are
Missing?

If leadership coach and expert Tim Winders had only one
message to share right now — and he has many — it would
be that businesses and organizations need to inject
more love in their day-to-day operations to reduce
racism, sexism, divisiveness, turnover, and
productivity problems. Invite Winders, who has over 25
years’ experience as a coach for business owners,
executives, and leaders, to share ways employers can
utilize kindness and skillful communication to motivate
employees to do better and increase the bottom line.
Encouraging individuals and corporations to act out of
love is one of the themes of Winders’ debut novel, “A
Time To Act,” which tells the story of Cooper Travis,
an executive who contemplates ending his life after
personal failures and business problems that could
potentially send him to jail; as the story unfolds, the
executive learns three acts to gain clarity that can be
useful and bring peace to anyone. Especially in the
chaotic world that we live in today. Winders, who along
with his wife, lives and works in a large RV while
traveling around the country, survived several business
failures before finding a better path in life. He hosts
the “SeekGoCreate” podcast. Contact him at (404)
846-4639; twinders@rtirguests.com Ask about last-minute
availability.

9. ==> He’s Proof: You Don’t Have to Be Guilty of a
Crime to Be Convicted!

The old adage “you’re innocent until proven guilty” is
not necessarily true – especially in today’s crazy
cancel culture – where people, usually celebrities, are
called out and boycotted for actions they might have
done. In the eyes of society, they are guilty. Period.
Interview John Smith – an ordinary guy who unwittingly
got caught up in the 1980’s S&L crisis and found out
the hard way that you don’t have to commit a crime to
be convicted of one. His message: If it can happen to
him it can happen to you. John will tell your audience
what he had to go through to finally get his
Presidential Pardon, what General Flynn must be going
through, and what you need to know about the abuse of
Federal power… including the FBI. John Smith is an
author and a professional speaker who shares his
gripping story and the consequences of ethical and
unethical behavior. His book “Embracing the Abyss”
chronicles his amazing true story of unknowingly
becoming a part of a fraud scandal and finally
receiving a presidential pardon. Contact John Smith at
(214) 216-2199; JSmith@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Think You’re Concussion Proof? (You’ve Probably
Had One and Didn’t Know!)

Is it possible to have a concussion and have no idea?
“Absolutely!” says Paul Wand, M.D. “Sometimes symptoms
relating to the concussion don’t show up until months
or years later! And about 20% of people who actually do
go to the Emergency Room for CT or MRI scans are told
they are perfectly fine … when they aren’t.” This
summer, as COVID-19 restrictions loosen up around the
country, people are more eager than ever to get out and
get going!  Which means more outdoor activities,
leading to more concussion-related accidents. Interview
Dr. Wand, a neurologist, to learn how your child, or
you for that matter, could have a concussion and have
no idea. Dr. Wand, who specializes in the diagnosis and
treatment of concussions, will explain his unique
protocol that enables doctors to do both faster and
easier. Paul Wand, M.D., PA, has been a medical doctor
for 35 years. He’s the author of “The Concussion Cure:
Three Proven Methods to Heal Your Brain.” Contact him
at (954) 743-5380; PWand@rtirguests.com

11. ==> The Real Reason Americans Can’t Hear One
Another

When’s the last time you had a decent conversation?
Particularly with someone who doesn’t think as you do.
Today we find ourselves in an overly connected society
that ironically experiences very little real connection
between individuals. Why? “Much of this can be laid at
the doorstep of technology that reinforces our desire
for speed and availability over true connection –
individual to individual, face to face,” says Ivan
Obolensky. Deterioration in the art of communication
can be seen across kitchen tables as well as across the
country in race relations, political debates and late-
night pundits. Interview Ivan to find out what your
audience needs to know now to create meaningful
conversations. We can start by being curious and
interested instead of being interesting and learning
what to avoid at all costs (don’t commit “assumicide”).
Obolensky is an author and Renaissance man. His novel
“Eye of the Moon” won “Best First Book (Fiction)” in
the IndieReader Discovery Awards. Contact Ivan
Obolensky at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Toast to Your Health as States Open Up After
Lockdown

States are in various stages of opening up and people
have begun going to restaurants again. What better way
to celebrate your first night out in months than to
share a great bottle of wine and make a toast to good
health and good friends? To help you select the perfect
wine, invite Andy Hyman, a tour guide in the Napa and
Sonoma wine country who has shared his passion for wine
with thousands of people from around the world. He can
reveal what you need to know about how much to spend,
how to get the most for your money, and how to ensure
you buy a wine that you’ll really enjoy. His book,
“Snob-Free Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a
Day,” reveals how to get the most out of a wine-tasting
experience, 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. Contact him at (415) 767-1441;
andyhyman@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Why Netflix’s ‘Dead to Me’ Resonates

The critically acclaimed “Dead to Me,” in its second
season on Netflix, is well-acted and full of plot
twists. Both comedy and drama, the show starring
Christine Applegate, Linda Cardellini and James Marsden
is unusual in that it openly depicts characters
experiencing grief — the hit-and-run death of a spouse
and multiple miscarriages — and attending grief support
meetings. So why are we frequently unwilling to talk
about these important topics? And does talking about
them really help? Get some answers from Rev. Meghan
Smith Brooks, an ordained Unity Minister, licensed
spiritual educator, and certified grief coach whose
younger son was murdered. She is the author of the new
book “Unraveling Grief: A Mother’s Spiritual Journey of
Healing and Discovery.” Contact her at (816) 844-6783;
mbrooks@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Talk to This Expert If You Think You Are Weird

Elana Davidson works with weird people. People who
wonder what’s wrong with them because they feel so
different than everybody else. People for whom the
usual advice on being happy does not work. People like
herself. Elana has good news for those who struggle
with emotions and experiences they don’t understand.
“They may be incredibly empathic and not screwed up,”
she says. Ask her:  How can you tell if you’re
empathic? How does being empathic affect your mental
health? What tools can you offer to help? Elana is
giving away copies of her book, “Finding Your Own
Happy: The Soul-Searchers Guide to Peace and Happiness
in Everyday Life,” published by Morgan James. Contact
her at (413) 225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Why Popeye Didn’t Get Cataracts

True or False: You can be born with cataracts. They are
the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
There is no way to protect yourself from getting them.
Black people and Hispanics are more likely to get them
than white people. The average age for cataract surgery
is 60. Find out which of these statements are true when
you interview vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson
for Cataract Awareness Month in June. Learn how to
protect yourself this summer and why you just might
want to wear better sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
as you spend time outdoors as well as gain information
on symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries and more. Linda knows
not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered
from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at
(914) 229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

06/11/20 RTIR Newsletter: Dismantling the Middle Class, Quarantine Fatigue, Stimulus Stupidity

01. Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class
02. Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?
03. Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman
04. Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It
05. What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love
06. Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone
07. Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous
08. Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay
09. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
10. How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy Suddenly Learned to Read
11. Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays This Summer
12. How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire
13. The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad for You
14. Face Life After Coronavirus by Making Just 2 Choices
15. Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

1. ==> Pulitzer-Prize Winner: Washington and Wall Street are Dismantling the Middle Class

Long before COVID-19 ravaged the economy, millions of
middle-class Americans were struggling with another
crisis — stagnant earnings, unaffordable health care
and the prospect of an impoverished retirement.
Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter James B. Steele says
this is no accident. Invite him on your show to share
human stories and authoritative, statistical findings
that illustrate how specific actions by Washington and
Wall Street are systematically dismantling the middle
class. He’ll discuss how government policies have
created the most unequal society in America in 100
years, why the wealth gap is widening and why more and
more Americans are trapped at the bottom, unable to
provide basic necessities for their families. Listeners
will hear the real reasons why the percentage of
Americans in the middle class is smaller today than at
any time in more than half a century. James B. Steele
and Donald L. Barlett are co-authors of the newly
updated and expanded New York Times #1 bestseller
“America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens.” Barlett
and Steele are the nation’s most honored investigative
reporting team. Their work has received two Pulitzer
Prizes, two National Magazine Awards and upwards of 50
other national journalism awards. They began working
together at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and their
writing has appeared in Time, Vanity Fair, the New York
Times and the Washington Post. The American Journalism
Review has called them “almost certainly the best team
in the history of investigative journalism.” Contact
Johanna Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099
(cell); johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703)
646-5188

2. ==> Why is America So Angry, and What Can We Do About it?

Here in the U.S., a level of rage has arisen over the
brutal treatment and death of George Floyd that
intensifies the cauldron of anger already boiling in
African American communities. Now, many people from all
aspects of our society are finally “getting” the deep
realities of discrimination and brutal treatment
minorities, especially young black men, have endured at
the hands of rogue cops using their power and position
wrongly. Myke Merrill, (D-Minn.) says terror, rage and
exhaustion are not bad emotions, in and of themselves,
but are responses to how an individual, or a society,
perceives what is happening. Ask the author of “Why Do
People Act That Way? (And What Can I Do About It?)”:
What can be done about cultural foundations that run
hundreds of years deep? Especially when no one seems to
know exactly what courses of action might bring about
the desired changes? Dr. Myke will engage your audience
in the first clear step: finding the language to talk
and listen effectively about these strong emotions. The
author of 22 books, Dr. Myke was a panelist on the
national television show Ask the Pastor for 18 years.
Contact him at inquiries@drmyke.com or (585) 615-6383

3. ==> Donald Trump: The World’s Weakest Strongman

As recent protests over the police killing of George
Floyd grew, President Donald Trump belittled governors
for not cracking down on demonstrators hard enough.
Trump suggested calling in the military to help clear
cities of protesters and enlisted the National Guard to
disperse demonstrators in D.C. by throwing tear gas
into the peaceful crowd. But Stephen M. Walt says
Trump’s use of violence and division isn’t a signal of
his authority — it’s a sign of his desperation. He
says, “Indeed, Trump has every reason to want the level
of violence to get worse, both to distract us from his
other failures and to convince Americans that they are
facing a massive threat to public order and that any
and all measures are justified. It really is mind-
boggling: For the first time in U.S. history, an
American president may genuinely believe that openly
encouraging violence and disorder at home could benefit
him politically. Not even Richard Nixon went quite that
far.” Walt says while current protests are rightly
focused on racial inequality, they are also a
manifestation of mass political anger at a political
and economic elite that in recent years has done a
better job of enriching itself than addressing broader
social needs and is rarely held accountable. Stephen M.
Walt is the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of
international relations at Harvard University. Contact
him at (617) 495-5712; stephen_walt@hks.harvard.edu or
Leah Marshall at (617) 496-2737;
leah_knowles@hks.harvard.edu

4. ==> Quarantine Fatigue is Real: How to Overcome It

If you’ve found you’re not washing your hands as often
or you’re making trips outside more frequently, you’re
not alone. Behavioral scientists call the phenomenon
“caution fatigue” and say your brain is to blame. At
first, our brain’s alarm system goes off and we’re on
alert, but as time goes by our brains adjust the
perception of alarm to reduce stress and we begin to
relax our safety rules even though the threat remains.
Experts say caution fatigue can also be the result of
cognitive challenges. “Almost all of America is being
confronted with an ambiguous, complex problem-solving
situation,” says Eric Zillmer, a professor of
neuropsychology at Drexel University. “We’ve never been
through anything like this, so it’s ambiguous.” Zillmer
will discuss ways to overcome quarantine fatigue, how
to turn safety practices into habits by setting up
visual cues like putting a face mask on a table by the
door to remind you to put it on before you leave, and
ways to mitigate information overload to develop a
balanced viewpoint. Eric Zillmer Psy.D., is the Carl R.
Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel
University. Contact him at zillmer@drexel.edu; (215)
895.1977

5. ==> What Dad Needs: Some Serious Self-Love

Mention the concept of self-love and guys will snicker,
their juvenile sense of humor trying to deflect their
discomfort at the idea that loving yourself is in any
way masculine. “Most men have been raised to push their
emotions down and those who are sensitive are told to
“man up” and “grow a pair.” It’s not surprising men
don’t embrace the idea of self-love,” says personal
growth expert and author Joffre McClung. “Women are
much more open to the concept, but men may actually
need it more.” McClung will share five easy things dads
can do to start or deepen their personal growth
journey, which she says everyone in the family should
support. “From opening up to their emotions to
separating their worth from their jobs, when men love
and support themselves they have more empathy and
compassion, which ripples outward into society.” Joffre
McClung has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs
including CBS TV-Austin Texas, Hay House Radio and The
Joe Franklin Show. A former media producer, independent
filmmaker, and author, Joffre’s latest book is “The
Heart of the Matter.” Contact her at (917) 994-0225;
JMcClung@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Missing Dad on Father’s Day? The Undertaker’s
Daughter Reveals He’s Not Really Gone

Father’s Day is an exceedingly difficult time for those
who have lost their dads. But undertaker’s daughter
Margo Lenmark offers comfort. While growing up in a
Midwestern funeral home where her dad was an
undertaker, Margo learned a lot about life from her
dad, before and after he passed away. “I can share
fascinating experiences of growing up around death and
dead people, and the messages I received from them,”
she says. “I have a lot to say about death and gifts
people give when they die.” Margo can reveal her
journeys to the Other Side, experiences she had in
dreams and the important messages she received about
life from the deceased. She is the author of “Light in
the Mourning: Memoirs of an Undertaker’s Daughter,”
which has received glowing reviews from Deepak Chopra
and others. Contact Margo at MLenmark@rtirguests.com;
(484) 928-7824

7. ==> Why a Too-Safe Life is Dangerous

Everyone wants to feel safe especially when a virulent
virus makes its way around the world. But safety has a
downside we don’t always think about … it can actually
be dangerous, says author and adventurer Sparrow Hart.
Invite him on your program to discuss why “safety-ism”
— valuing safety above everything else — runs counter
to both scientific research and ancient wisdom. You’ll
learn why safety is antithetical to passion and growth
and toxic to a life of adventure and meaning. Sparrow’s
varied career includes being a Phi Beta Kappa graduate
of Stanford, a brief stint working in a slaughterhouse,
adventures in the Amazon jungle, and over 30 years of
leading workshops on shamanism, the heroic journey, and
vision quests in nature. He is the author of several
books including “Letters to the River: A Guide to a
Dream Worth Living.” Contact him at (801) 516-0740;
SHart@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Work from Anywhere is Here to Stay

Going back to work in an office is scary — and in most
cases unnecessary. Work from home — or really work from
anywhere — is here to stay for a huge number of former
cubicle inhabitants. Companies have realized there’s no
need to spend an average of $18,200 to house a worker
in a corporate office anymore. For workers, the genie
is out of the bottle and they have finally adjusted to
remote work and are loving it — or will when they can
start living a social life after work! Invite Diane
Huth, the Accidental Career Coach, to discuss the post-
pandemic workplace, what types of jobs can be done
remotely, and how workers can hone their skills and
communication practices to participate fully in remote
work — so they can enjoy being untethered from the
corporate office forever. Diane Huth is the author of
two bestselling career guides and the creator of the
Secrets to Land Your Dream Job online masterclass.
Contact her at (210) 601-7852; DianeHuth@DianeHuth.com

9. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the
IRS!

It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and
chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-
experts” will be doing it until July. Plus, they have
already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says
former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard
Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity
he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for
sending out stimulus money, did you realize that
thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks
while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still
awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated
technology and data, is still sending double and even
triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken
payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever
get their money? Find out more when you interview Green
while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak.
Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer
his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues.
Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509;
rgreen@rtirguests.com

10. ==> How a 17-Year-Old Learning Disabled Boy
Suddenly Learned to Read

A 17-year-old boy who could not read was able to do so
after a few sessions with Dr. Annalee Kitay, one of
fewer than 50 U.S. practitioners using a hands-on,
little known protocol called The Neural Organization
Technique. Coincidence? Miracle? Fluke? Amazing
science? You’ll decide when you interview Dr. Kitay for
Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, June 15 to 21.
Like that young man, 10 percent of children in the U.S.
or about 7 million U.S. schoolchildren have learning
disabilities that greatly impact their lives and that
of their parents. Invite Dr. Kitay on your program to
explain the protocol in layman’s terms and share other
success stories. The technique she uses can also help
people with immune issues, concussions, low back pain,
and more. By spreading awareness of the technique to
the general public, Dr. Kitay also hopes to motivate
more doctors to seek training. Dr. Kitay has researched
with Kessler Institute and also practiced with the late
Dr. (Robert) Atkins at his Center for Complementary
Medicine in New York City. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561)
462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Another Reason to Protect Yourself from UV Rays
This Summer

True or False: You can be born with cataracts. They are
the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
There is no way to protect yourself from getting them.
Black people and Hispanics are more likely to get them
than white people. The average age for cataract surgery
is 60. Find out which of these statements are true when
you interview vision educator Linda Odubayo Thompson
for Cataract Awareness Month in June. Learn how to
protect yourself this summer and why you just might
want to wear better sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
as you spend time outdoors as well as gain information
on symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries and more. Linda knows
not to take her vision for granted; she has suffered
from glaucoma for more than 30 years. Contact Linda at
(914) 229-9184; lthompson@rtirguests.com

12. ==> How Deciding to Walk Every Day Can Backfire

Taking a walk every day seems like a great idea. How
could it possibly backfire? Interview exercise
physiologist and certified nutrition coach Kristen
Carter to find out. Kristen will talk about ways vowing
to take more walks, joining a gym, buying home exercise
equipment, and signing up for exercise classes can end
up fizzling, possibly making a person feel like a
failure for the umpteenth time. Kristen is the author
of “Lose Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So!
What to do when your doctor tells you to make changes
for your health Ask her: What makes developing an
exercise habit so elusive, even with the best of
intentions? How can the right preparation and mindset
make all the difference? Contact Kristen Carter at
(267) 930-2547; kacarter@rtirguests.com

13. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff You Know is Bad
for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
book, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers Guide
to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,” published by
Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413) 225-4758;
elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Face Life after Coronavirus by Making Just 2
Choices

All things in life — our challenges, decisions, and
efforts — Involve making “Just 2 Choices.” Do we answer
yes or no? Do we move ahead or stay put? Do we like or
dislike something? Even as the pandemic forces many
changes on society, we can still be empowered and even
comforted by this binary concept. That’s the message of
radio host Rico Racosky, author of the bestselling book
“Just 2 Choices,” who will help your listeners navigate
today’s new reality. Whether he’s talking about moving
your life from uncertainty to clarity (When will it be
safe to go out? Will our jobs ever be the same?) or
replacing doubt with peace of mind (believing that
we’ll return to the familiar, the fun and the free)
rests with two options to choose from. Known as
America’s “New Story Guy,” Rico can also help listeners
obtain his free downloads that promote clear thinking.
Contact Rico at (730) 572-1322; rracosky@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Lessons from First ER Doc to Die of COVID-19

On March 26 Renae Baker was working as a Lyft driver
when she picked up Dr. Frank Gabrin after his shift at
East Orange Hospital in New Jersey. Five days later he
was dead from COVID-19, becoming the first ER doctor in
the country to die from the virus. Baker says they
talked the entire 35-minute ride to his home in New
York City and some of what they discussed may have
saved her own life in the following days. Dr. Gabrin
developed his first symptoms later that morning. Baker
developed hers shortly after and has since recovered.
She will reveal what Dr. Gabrin told her about life
inside the ER during this pandemic, the surprising
thing he and other doctors were seeing at the moment of
COVID-19 deaths, and why he thought this could be an
important spiritual moment in our history. Baker says
they discussed everything from morale among health-care
workers to what happened when nurses got sick and how
doctors were being treated by hospital administrators.
Renae Baker is an author and speaker who has managed a
professional caroling company for decades. She has been
featured on Fox News and many more media outlets.
Contact her at (917) 509-9022; ismileny@gmail.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

06/09/20 RTIR Newsletter: COVID and Home Ownership, National Joy Day, Stressed Out Parents

June 9, 2020

01. NY Urban League President: Why Black People Still Can’t Wait
02. America is Reopening: Will Liability Clauses Protect Employers?
03. COVID-19 Could Delay Millennial Homeownership for Years
04. Promised Land: The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class
05. Celebrate the All-Important Role of Single Dads for Father’s Day
06. How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons
07. For Pride Month: Love, Books and Young Adult LGBTQ Readers
08. How a Learning Disabled 17-Year-Old Suddenly Learned to Read
09. America Needs to Celebrate National Joy Day
10. Does Lack of Motivation Mean You’re Lazy?
11. What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know
12. What No One Tells Millennials about Being a Boss
13. The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving the Pandemic
14. 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents
15. Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

1.==> NY Urban League President: Why Black People Still Can’t Wait

Just as the country begins to recover from COVID-19 the
growing protests remind us of another disease that has
plagued America since its inception — racism. Arva
Rice, president and CEO of New York’s Urban League,
says what we are witnessing in cities across our nation
is both an awakening and a cry for a new social order.
“Many of those in the streets are young. They are
experiencing what my mother felt with Emmett Till, and
what I felt with Rodney King. It is the collective
anguish of a people who know that the justice system
works differently for people with one color of skin
than it does for another. Our country has a problem we
can only address by working in connection with others
to change laws, develop policy and change attitudes
that can lead to healing and greater levels of mutual
respect.” Invite Rice to discuss what’s needed from
police, white people and everyone else to help heal the
nation and move forward. The New York Urban League, an
affiliate of the National Urban League, is a civil
rights organization enabling African Americans and
other underserved ethnic communities to secure a first-
class education, economic self-reliance, and equal
respect of their civil rights through programs,
services, and advocacy. Contact Lisa Skriloff at (212)
242-3351; Lisa@multicultural.com

2. ==> America is Reopening: Will Liability Clauses Protect Employers?

As more businesses reopen across the country, some are
posting coronavirus disclaimers or requiring employees
and customers to sign waivers, but there’s a big
question mark regarding whether these will hold up in
court. Invite labor attorney Aaron Goldstein to discuss
the issue. He says, “Waiver agreements are terrible PR
for companies. Companies should be showing how they are
keeping their workers safe, not how they are trying to
avoid liability if their workers get sick.” Goldstein
adds, “Waiver agreements between employers and
employees are also generally unenforceable except under
extremely specific circumstances. Employees generally
cannot waive workers compensation, which is the primary
vehicle for addressing workplace injuries, such as a
claim that an employee contracted a disease because of
work. Some states, including California, have adopted a
presumption that employees who catch COVID-19 caught it
at work and are therefore covered by workers’
compensation.” Aaron Goldstein is a labor and
employment partner at the international law firm Dorsey
& Whitney. Goldstein has been advising businesses on
measures that should be taken since the COVID crisis
began. Contact Laura Kelley at (303) 704-5222;
laura@thesolutionpr.com

3. ==> COVID-19 Could Delay Millennial Homeownership for Years

With unemployment at record highs, many people are
being forced to dip into their savings to cover
everyday expenses and stay afloat. For the average
millennial, it will take nine months of saving to
recoup a single month’s worth of expenses, which could
delay their goals of homeownership until long after
coronavirus is under control, according to a new
analysis released by realtor.com. “Millennials may
largely escape the worst of COVID-19, but with an
unemployment rate of 13.4 percent, this age group is
not immune from the economic fallout. As they cobble
together money for expenses from unemployment benefits
and side-hustles, many will find that they need to dip
into savings to cover necessities from groceries to
rent. This could delay their home purchase by years,”
says realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale.
“Homeownership has already been delayed for many
millennials and the coronavirus could push the
timetable even further out for some.” Adding to
millennial home buyer challenges, some lenders are
tightening their lending criteria by requiring higher
credit scores and minimum down payments for some types
of loans. “Most young buyers purchase a home with much
less than a 20 percent down payment and while these
loans are still technically available, finding a lender
willing to make one may be more challenging. Rather
than saving for the extra years needed to buy into a
pricey city, millennials could turn to suburbs or more
affordable metro areas,” Hale notes. Operated by Move,
Inc., realtor.com offers a list of for-sale properties
along with information and tools for real estate buyers
and sellers. Contact Cody Horvat at
cody.horvat@move.com or Lexie Holbert at
lexie.puckett@move.com

4. ==> Promised Land: The Story of America’s 20th-Century Middle Class

In the midst of a years-long debate about the state of
today’s middle class, David Stebenne discusses the
history of America’s 20th-century middle class: the
policies that supported its growth in the first half of
the century, the transformation it wrought on society,
and the social, political, and economic forces of the
1960s that brought this period of expansion to an end.
Learn how the American middle class began its ascent in
the 1930s, with the progressive economic policies of
the era — the New Deal, greater business and finance
regulation, increased taxation — intended to bring an
end to the Great Depression. Stebenne will explain how
the military draft and GI Bill of World War II helped
many Americans join the expanding middle class in the
1930s, 1940s, and 1950s so that by the 1960s the middle
class was a potent political and cultural force. By the
late 1960s however, social movements erupted in public
protest, political policy changed, and the economy
stagnated, and the middle class began to shrink,
bringing attention to exactly who middle-class
prosperity benefited. Where decades of growth had built
wealth and power for white men and their families,
women, people of color, and other marginalized groups
were often left out. David Stebenne is a professor at
Ohio State University and has written about New Deal
liberalism, conservative thinking from the 1940s
through the ‘60s, and suburbia. His new book is
“Promised Land: How the Rise of the Middle Class
Transformed America, 1929 – 1968.” Contact Johanna
Ramos Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell);
johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188

5. ==> Celebrate the All-Important Role of Single Dads for Father’s Day

Although moms head most single-parent households, dads
play an equally important role when it comes to raising
boys to be decent men. “There is a ‘dad deficit’ in
modern society,” says Pastor Eric Hawthorne, a divorced
father of two young boys. “That’s why it’s crucial that
boys have father figures who can be role models who
teach them how to treat women with respect, manage
money, set and achieve goals and be responsible, so
that they can grow up to be productive adults.” Eric is
the second-generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance
Ministries in Richardson, Texas, and the author of the
upcoming book “Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact
Eric at (214) 225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

6. ==> How Fathers Can Reconnect with Sons

This Father’s Day many fathers and sons will not be
able to see each other due to social distancing. But
hiding behind the pandemic is another epidemic
afflicting men and boys — an invisible wound
experienced by males who have been abandoned by their
fathers; one that frequently manifests itself in anger,
violence, depression, and suicide. Sandy D. Kirk,
Ph.D., has 20-years of experience helping teens and
young adults heal from their father-wounds. Dr. Sandy
says, “No pain on earth crushes a boy more deeply than
being abandoned by his father.” She points out,
“Studies show that 63 percent of suicides among teens
are from fatherless boys and 82 percent of the boys who
shot up schools were fatherless. This is a problem of
epidemic proportions, and it explains why our broken
boys are so angry.” Dr. Sandy will reveal five powerful
steps to help fathers mend their broken sons, why one
of the greatest messages a son can receive from his dad
is “Son, you have become a real man!” and how asking a
son’s forgiveness and telling him your own father-wound
story can open his heart and restore mutual respect.
Dr. Sandy hosted her own radio show, has been a
contributing editor for Good News Magazine and has been
a guest on radio and TV programs. Her latest book is
“Reaching Your Son’s Heart: A Heartwarming Story of
Healing for Fathers and Sons.” Contact her at (251)
979-9068; drsandy.aam@gmail.com

7. ==> For Pride Month: Love, Books and Young Adult LGBTQ Readers

June is Pride Month, when the world’s LGBTQ communities
come together and celebrate the freedom to be
themselves. During this challenging time for our nation
when divisiveness, inequality and prejudice are sadly
all too common, four new YA novels remind us of
something we collectively share, the journey to find
ourselves and find love, regardless of gender or race.
Speak with the authors whose highly anticipated LGBTQ-
themed novels are sure to be among the summer’s most
popular reads. Dean Atta (“The Black Flamingo”), Ciara
Smyth (“The Falling in Love Montage”), Tobly McSmith
(“Stay Gold”) and Andrew Eliopulos (“The Fascinators”)
can discuss their new YA novels and the importance of
recognizing Pride Month — now more than ever.  Contact
John Angelo at john@premieretv.com

8. ==> How a Learning Disabled 17-Year-Old Suddenly Learned to Read

A 17-year-old boy who could not read was able to do so
after a few sessions with Dr. Annalee Kitay, one of
fewer than 50 U.S. practitioners using a hands-on,
little known protocol called The Neural Organization
Technique. Coincidence? Miracle? Fluke? Amazing
science? You’ll decide when you interview Dr. Kitay for
Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, June 15 to 21.
Like that young man, 10 percent of children in the U.S.
or about 7 million U.S. schoolchildren have learning
disabilities that greatly impact their lives and that
of their parents. Invite Dr. Kitay on your program to
explain the protocol in layman’s terms and share other
success stories. The technique she uses can also help
people with immune issues, concussions, low back pain,
and more. By spreading awareness of the technique to
the general public, Dr. Kitay also hopes to motivate
more doctors to seek training. Dr. Kitay researched
with Kessler Institute and practiced with the late Dr.
(Robert) Atkins at the Center for Complementary
Medicine in New York City. Contact Dr. Kitay at (561)
462-4733; akitay@rtirguests.com

9. ==> America Needs to Celebrate National Joy Day

With a pandemic, job loss, protests drawing tear gas,
looting and arrests, and an increasingly widening
social divide, joy may be the emotion least felt by
Americans right now. Barry Shore, who is known as The
Ambassador of Joy, recognizes that reality yet he still
believes joy is what will rescue us. A proponent of
National Joy Day on June 24, Shore says, “Joy is the
glue that binds us. Joy enables us to navigate troubled
seas [like police brutality, pandemics and
joblessness]. It is calming.” Shore wants to encourage
people to celebrate National Joy Day by building social
connections to counter the ill effects of social
distancing. Certainly, if there is anyone who knows how
to find joy amidst tough circumstances it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with two multimillion-
dollar exits and three issued patents who in 2004
became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare disease.
During the 16 years that followed, Shore has pushed
himself to regain some of his functioning even as he
inspires other people to see the joy in their lives.
Shore can share his 11 strategies for living in joy, an
internal process that emanates from within ourselves,
and the three aspects of building joy. He can also
explain ways people can bring more joy to others. Barry
Shore is a motivational, keynote speaker and the host
of the weekly radio show-podcast “The Joy of Living.”
He is the founder of the JOY of Living Institute and
has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and in O
Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh Post-
Gazette, MarketWatch and more. His upcoming book is
“Stress Kills … Joy Heals.” Contact him at (310)
770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

10. ==> Does Lack of Motivation Mean You’re Lazy?

Stop beating yourself up for not losing weight and
exercising more. Or for deciding that you will always
be someone who doesn’t feel like getting off the couch.
Motivation is overrated, says exercise physiologist and
certified nutrition coach Kristen Carter. “It is not
something that you either have or you don’t. And, it
doesn’t mean you have some sort of moral failing if you
can’t find it!” Kristen explains that motivation comes
in four varieties, each with their own unique solutions
to make them work for you. She is the author of “Lose
Weight? Exercise More? I Don’t Think So! What to do
when your doctor tells you to make changes for your
health.” Ask her: What are the four varieties? What
simple solutions can you offer people who want to
change a few behaviors for healthier ones? Contact
Kristen Carter at (267) 930-2547;
kacarter@rtirguests.com

11. ==> What Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know

Most people buy insurance from a friendly agent for a
specific purpose and time frame. But did you know that
90 percent of all policies end up lapsing before
maturity? Or that when you don’t need your policy any
longer you could sell it for cash? Chances are you have
no idea about the hidden cash value of your policy or
that you are paying more than you should be for the
policy you have. Interview David Kottler, the Insurance
Doctor™, about these and other secrets insurance
companies don’t want you to know! He can explain what
you need to ask to figure out exactly what your policy
is worth. David is the author of “The Best Kept Secret
in Your Insurance Policy,” which details everything
people need to know to get the most value out of their
insurance policies. Contact David Kottler at (216)
532-1221; DKottler@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What No One Tells Millennials about Being a Boss

Today’s millennials are 20-40 years old and are already
half of the country’s workforce. Many millennials are
ready to become managers and leaders within their
fields. But in many cases, they will be taking that
step without anyone having told them what to expect and
how to be successful, notes Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D.,
a clinical psychologist and consultant who spent two
decades working with students at Columbia University
and George Washington University. Invite her on your
show to share tips on preparing to become a manager or
leader, how to hire and mentor strong staffers, ways to
deal with challenging staff members, and how to handle
social media at work. Jennifer P. Wisdom, Ph.D., MPH,
is the author of “Millennials’ Guide to Management and
Leadership,” and “Millennials’ Guide to Work.” Her
diverse career includes a stint in the U.S. military,
working with nonprofit health-care organizations, and
teaching in higher education. Contact her at (503)
484-5679; jennifer@leadwithwisdom.com

13. ==> The Most Important Trait You Have for Surviving the Pandemic

As the world is rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, most
people are experiencing one overriding, debilitating
emotion. Fear is the biggest enemy in times of
uncertainty, says Kim Chestney. “Now, more than ever,
the most important thing we can do is to reconnect with
our inner power.” Let Kim tell you how as she explores
the role intuition can play in navigating stressful
times. She’ll teach you how to cut through the stress,
the BS and fake news, to get back to your center by
tuning in to your inner truth. Kim is an international
best-selling author and the founder of IntuitionLab.
Her new book “Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide
to Your Inner Power” releases in the fall from New
World Library. Contact her at (412) 214-9502;
KChestney@rtirguests.com

14. ==> 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

Parenting is never easy but after being quarantined
with children for months, things have gone a little
haywire in many households. Families will welcome the
creative suggestions of educator Laurie Marshall,
suggestions that will help everyone get along better
and safely blow off stress. She’ll share why parents
and kids should put paper bags over their heads to
convey emotions such as anger and silliness, why
families should make a practice of singing and dancing
together, and how taking three deep breaths when they
feel out of control can center parents and interrupt
impulsive behavior that can lead to harming family
members. Marshall is a bullying prevention expert and
the author of multiple books. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 bully-prevention, nature-based murals
with over 25,000 people in schools, nonprofits, and
government agencies (NASA, FEMA, U.S. Botanical
Gardens). Contact Laurie at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought anxiety and
uncertainty, but it’s also helped us define what is
most important in our lives. Robb Lucy, author of “How
Will You Be Remembered?” says many families, stuck in
the house together for weeks, have unearthed photos and
family memorabilia. Some even started searching for
family connections online. But real family history is
more than pictures and genealogical trees, it’s family
stories, and Robb says now is a great time to collect
them, share them, and preserve them for future
generations. He’ll explain how and why to write your
own legacy letter, ways to get family members to share
their stories, and how teens especially benefit from
hearing family stories. Robb will also share stories
submitted for a family legacy story contest, including
the winner, from a 94-year-old woman explaining why her
1947 wedding dress was made from a military parachute.
A journalist, writer and producer, Robb Lucy is the
author of the “How Will You Be Remembered? The
Definitive Guide to Creating and Sharing Your Life
Story.” Contact him at (604) 874-7700;
rlucy@createmylegacy.com

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com

6/4/20 RTIR Newsletter: Protests and Healing, Father’s Day, Pandemic Miracles

June 4, 2020

  1. Reverend Graylan Hagler: Trump, Protests and Healing
  2. Why is America Burning? The Psychology of Mass Riots
  3. White Families Need to Talk about Racism An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics
  4. Why Everyone is Getting on Your Nerves
  5. How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in Person
  6. What the Future of Work Will Look Like
  7. Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go Back to Work?
  8. Fun Father’s Day Show – Guys Love Cranes, Earth Movers and Bulldozers
  9. 5 Reasons to Go Consignment
  10. Bored at Home? Try Virtual Wine Tastings with Friends!
  11. The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad for You
  12. How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me Too’ Age
  13. Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories
  14. Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic

1.==> Reverend Graylan Hagler: Trump, Protests and Healing

Rev. Hagler is senior pastor of Plymouth United Church
of Christ in Washington, D.C. He’s also chairperson of
Faith Strategies, an interfaith coalition. He’s been
speaking out and tweeting about President Trump’s using
militarized forces to clear Lafayette Square so that he
could hold a Bible in front of a church, and about how
some esteem property over human life. On Sunday he
delivered a sermon, “Divided We Fall,” saying: “I can’t
stop thinking about where we are as a country because I
do not see this unity or this sacred essential purpose
in our existence as people in this America.” “The
problem with White America is the deluded and myth-
based thinking that they built this country and made it
wealthy. No, it’s wealthy because of exploited and
enslaved labor” concluding that “unless the nation can
confess … it will remain divided.” Contact Rev. Graylan
S. Hagler at gshagler@verizon.net; @graylanhagler

  1. ==> Why is America Burning? The Psychology of Mass
    Riots

According to psychologist Frank Farley, the psychology
behind the massive public demonstrations and rioting in
America is complicated, like a recipe with many
ingredients. He says racial injustice and the police
killing of George Floyd was simply the tipping point.
“America is going through a stress test of enormous
proportions, as is the world. There’s a piling-on of
uncertainty breeding fear. We’re afraid of the grim
reaper, who could be anyone we meet. We’re anxious.
We’ve been quarantined for months now, and millions are
out of work. Our personal and society safety nets are
failing, and it’s wreaking havoc with our emotional and
psychological lives. Add to this volatile mix an
outrageous injustice in the Floyd killing, and you may
be able to possibly understand, but certainly not
condone the rioting.” Farley can explain the
contributing factors that play into our current
national psyche including the upcoming election and the
emotional contagion among protesters in breaking the
COVID-19 mitigation rules and getting close with others
for a common, noble and over-riding cause of
racial/social justice. Frank Farley, Ph.D., is a
professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., a
former President of the American Psychological
Association, as well as the Society for the Study of
Peace, Conflict and Violence. He can be reached at
(215) 668-7581; frank.farley@temple.edu

  1. ==> White Families Need to Talk about Racism

As protests and riots continue across the country in
the wake of George Floyd’s death, parents across the
country are figuring out how to talk to their children
about the protests and about fighting racism. For
African American families, the discussions are likely
nothing new, but in white families, particularly those
who have tried to bring up children to be “colorblind,”
it can be particularly difficult. For white parents who
may not feel confident speaking with their children
about race, or who may not feel as if they have all the
answers, this can be an opportunity to learn with your
children, according to Margaret Hagerman, a sociologist
and the author of “White Kids: Growing Up With
Privilege in a Racially Divided America.” “In order to
understand the present, we have to understand the past,
and it might mean that you don’t know all the answers
and you don’t feel confident even talking about this
with your children. But that means that you could do
some work to learn the answers to these questions,” she
says. “You can take the time to read up on this and
this could be something even that you do with your
children.” Margaret A. Hagerman teaches sociology at
Mississippi State University She studies racial
socialization, or how kids learn about racism, racial
inequality, and racial privilege in the context of
their everyday lives. Contact Haberman at
mah1125@msstate.edu; @maggiehagerman

4.==> An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics

New York Times bestselling author Heather Lende has
been writing about her hometown —Haines, Alaska — and
about what community means since she published “If You
Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name” in 2006. The only way
to get to the breathtakingly beautiful town is by plane
or boat, and the nearest city, Juneau, is almost 100
miles away. After the 2016 elections, she was inspired
to take a more active role in politics and decided to
run for office in Haines. And … she won! Her new book,
“Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-
Town Politics,” is the funny and entertaining story of
her first term on her small-town assembly. Using her
trademark humor, wit, and compassion Lende shares how
the political, social, and environmental issues her
community faces are not so different from the issues
that are being played out on the national stage. She
says it’s been a learning experience of just how hard
it is to pass legislation, how intense political
divisions affect a community, and the vital importance
of a strong democracy. Heather Lende has contributed
essays and commentary to NPR, the New York Times, and
National Geographic Traveler, among other newspapers
and magazines, and is a former contributing editor at
Woman’s Day. A columnist for the Alaska Dispatch News,
she is the obituary writer for the Chilkat Valley News
in Haines. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703)
991-8328; jboyer@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Why Everyone is Getting on Your Nerves

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in close quarters for weeks at a time,
these stresses can explode. Leadership expert Marc A.
Pitman can tell you why people act the way they do.
Using an easy-to-understand system, he can provide
insight into why your team, staff, or family may be
harder to live with right now. He can explain the
different ways people react to stress and how to help
you get through the pandemic and come out even stronger
than before. His forthcoming book, “The Surprising Gift
of Doubt,” provides a framework for people to move past
feeling like a fraud and manage teams more effectively.
Contact Marc Pitman at (317) 751-1610;
mpitman@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> How to Stay Close to Children You Can’t See in
    Person

Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other people have
found themselves cut off from small children whom they
would be able to see were it not for the pandemic.
Phone calls and Zoom sessions are helpful but can still
leave a void, says Laurie Marshall, a longtime educator
and grandparent to 2-year-old Oliver who lives in a
different state. That is why Laurie created a special
book for Oliver to remind him of the experiences they
have already shared until they can see each other again
and as a permanent keepsake. “Now is the time to be
creative,” she says, “for sanity’s sake and to model
resourcefulness to children.” Laurie can explain how
she quickly and inexpensively put together “The
Adventures of Oliver the Penguin,” using a cutout of
Oliver’s face superimposed on a penguin and then took
photos of the cutout all over her home and added some
short descriptive sentences. She says anyone can do
something similar even if they think they aren’t
creative and can share resources for having your book
printed. Contact Laurie Marshall at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> What the Future of Work Will Look Like

The world of work will never be the same. The
coronavirus has fundamentally changed every aspect of
business — from our commute to our work environment to
how we interact with our colleagues. Invite Alexander
Alonso to share the many ways COVID-19 is reshaping and
reinventing the workplace. Alonso, chief knowledge
officer for the Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM), says telework is here to stay for many
businesses. Others, he says, will be scrapping open
concepts and shared spaces in favor of closed cubicles
and offices. From daily temperature screenings to
personal protective equipment, Alonso says HR and
business departments must now collaborate; instead of
showing an organization is recession-proof, an
organization must now prove it is “pandemic proof.”
Contact Cooper Nye at (703) 535-6447;
Cooper.nye@shrm.org

  1. ==> Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go
    Back to Work?

Tens of millions of Americans are out-of-work as a
result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout
the nation, but even as states begin to ease stay-at-
home measures and allow businesses to open up, some
workers remain hesitant to return to their jobs. Some
are worried about on-the-job safety issues or have a
vulnerable family member at home. Others, like some in
the service industry, can make more money on
unemployment right now. According to the Department of
Labor, a general fear of virus exposure is not a valid
reason to not return to work or quit your job and
obtain unemployment benefits. Workplace attorney
Jonathan Bell can discuss the issues involved and what
your listeners’ options and rights are. Jonathan Bell
is a labor and employment attorney and the founder of
Bell Law Group, PLLC in New York City. Contact Mark
Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text);
mark@goldmanmccormick.com

  1. ==> Fun Father’s Day Show – Guys Love Cranes, Earth
    Movers and Bulldozers

Most of us love to watch new buildings going up.
There’s something about the whole process and the
cranes, earthmovers, and daredevil nature of scaffold
climbing that appeals on a primal level. Particularly,
to boys. That same fascination is likely to extend
behind-the-scenes to the unusual things that actually
happen on construction sites; particularly when matched
with the storytelling skills of 40-year construction
professional Charles (Charlie) Garner. He’ll entertain
your audience with true stories from his career that
began right after high school and literally started off
with a bang. Ask him: Why was it necessary for you to
kill six poisonous snakes a day in the swamps of
Louisiana? What happened to the worker who fell into a
tank of raw sewage? What strange incident occurred on
the first day of your first job? Charlie is a senior
project manager for a large construction company in
Atlanta and is a civil engineer who has worked in heavy
construction for 40 years. His memoir “I Got This”
contains amazing adventure stories from his life and
career. Contact Charlie at (650) 995-5626;
charlesgardner@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> 5 Reasons to Go Consignment

Whether your audience members are buyers, sellers or
just interested in emerging trends, a story on the
booming clothing consignment business is sure to please
when lifestyle journalist Suzanne Wexler is your expert
(she was recently quoted in Reader’s Digest on this
topic). Suzanne will explain how gently used luxury
men’s and women’s clothing became an online super trend
and why Instagram enthusiasts were leading the charge.
Suzanne will offer five reasons why you should start
choosing consignment and will even let your listeners
know how they can select clothes in their closet for
consignment vs. donation, which they can drop off once
social distancing ends. This show idea works on
multiple levels: it’s timely, it’s green and it’s a way
to make money on clothing people no longer wear while
they remain stuck at home. Suzanne is published in the
Huffington Post, National Post, Bust.com and her work
has been syndicated throughout Canada. She’s been
quoted in Goodhousekeeping.com, and Prevention magazine
and provided commentary on CTV National and Virgin
Radio; she has been on more than 200 radio stations in
the U.S. and Canada. Contact her at (514) 704-0029;
suzannawexler@hotmail.com

  1. ==> Bored at Home? Try Virtual Wine Tastings with
    Friends!

Being at home doesn’t mean all the activities you enjoy
have to stop. Some innovative wineries are enabling
customers to continue to explore new wines with online
wine tastings. Andy Hyman is a tour guide in the Napa
and Sonoma wine country who has shared his passion for
wine with thousands of people from around the world.
Invite him to share information about wine clubs and
online wine tastings so you can get your friends
together for this fun activity. His book, “Snob-Free
Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day,” reveals
how to get the most out of a wine-tasting experience,
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. Contact him at (415) 767-1441;
andyhyman@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> The Real Reason You Do Stuff Knowing It’s Bad
    for You

We do things we shouldn’t … from eating too much fast
food to smoking cigarettes and dating unsuitable
people. We know these things are wrong for us, but we
do them anyway, often not knowing why. Elana Davidson
is a happiness and mental health coach who can tell you
how to figure out why your subconscious is getting in
your way and how to talk it down. Elana’s professional
training spans decades of exploration and study in the
fields of consciousness, psychology, personal
development and kinesiology. Elana will tell your
audience members how they can get a free copy of her
eBook, “Finding Your Own Happy: The Soul-Searchers
Guide to Peace and Happiness in Everyday Life,”
published by Morgan James. Contact Elana at (413)
225-4758; elanadavidson@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> How to Raise Boys to Respect Women in the ‘Me
    Too’ Age

As a single dad of two young boys, Pastor Eric
Hawthorne is especially aware of the pressures young
males face to be “one of the boys” when it comes to how
they treat girls. “That’s why it’s crucial for boys to
have dads and other strong male role models who set
examples about how to respect women,” he says. Pastor
Eric can share tips for how to raise boys to be
gentlemen in this complex modern age. He is the second-
generation pastor of Daystar Deliverance Ministries in
Richardson, Texas, and the author of the upcoming book
“Are You Ready For Marriage?” Contact Eric at 214)
225-0769; EHawthorne@rtirguests.com

  1. ==> Don’t Let the Pandemic Steal Your Stories

This pandemic has brought anxiety and uncertainty, but
it’s also helping us define what is most important in
our lives. Robb Lucy, author of “How Will You Be
Remembered?” says many families, stuck in the house
together for weeks, have unearthed photos and family
memorabilia. Some even started searching for family
connections online. But real family history is more
than pictures and genealogical trees, it’s family
stories, and Robb says now is a great time to collect
them, share them, and preserve them for future
generations. He’ll explain how and why to write your
own legacy letter, ways to get family members to share
their stories, and how teens especially benefit from
hearing family stories. Robb will also share stories
submitted for a family legacy story contest, including
the winner, from a 94-year-old woman explaining why her
1947 wedding dress was made from a military parachute.
A journalist, writer and producer, Robb Lucy is the
author of the “How Will You Be Remembered? The
Definitive Guide to Creating and Sharing Your Life
Story.” Contact him at (604) 874-7700;
rlucy@createmylegacy.com

  1. ==> 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

05/26/20 RTIR Newsletter: Religious Teachings, COVID and Marketing, Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

May 26, 2020

01. Push to Open Churches Contradicts Religious Teaching
02. Would Earlier Intervention Have Saved Thousands of Lives?
03. Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and Sobriety
04. Veteran Journalist: The Kent State Shootings 50 Years Later
05. National Smile Day is Sunday 🙂
06. Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go Back to Work?
07. Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the IRS!
08. World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using Ingredients in Your Kitchen
09. This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID Complications
10. Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves
11. How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19
12. Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?
13. Miraculous Things to Come out of the Pandemic
14. 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents
15. Why We Need to Save the United States Postal Service

1. ==> Push to Open Churches Contradicts Religious Teaching

Several faith leaders are speaking out against
President Donald Trump’s demand that governors allow
churches to reopen while the country still battles the
coronavirus pandemic. According to the activist Rev.
Dr. William Barber II, Trump’s push contradicts a
fundamental tenet of the president’s Christian faith ?
to love your neighbor as yourself. “It’s a violation of
loving your neighbor as yourself to do something that
you know could put your neighbor in harm’s way,” says
Barber. “That’s a fundamental violation.” Barber points
to scripture verses that lash out at people who cling
to religious customs while mistreating the poor,
immigrants and other marginalized people. Barber, co-
chairman of The Poor People’s Campaign, also says that
reopening the country too soon will be at the expense
of poor and low-income working people. “This false
choice, that you have to either open up or go to work
and possibly die, is a choice, it didn’t have to be
this way,” Barber says. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber
II is the president of Repairers of the Breach, co-
chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call
For Moral Revival; bishop with The Fellowship of
Affirming Ministries; visiting professor at Union
Theological Seminary; pastor of Greenleaf Christian
Church, Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, North
Carolina, and the author of four books. Contact him at
(919) 429-6080; (919) 432-4103 or @RevDrBarber

2. ==> Would Earlier Intervention Have Saved Thousands
of Lives?

In a study from Columbia University, disease modelers
found that if physical distancing measures in the U.S.
had begun on March 1, two weeks earlier than most
people started staying home, the vast majority of the
nation’s deaths — about 83 percent — would have been
avoided. Alison Galvani, director of the Center for
Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at Yale
University, says it’s undeniable that a more rapid
implementation of public health intervention would have
saved lives. “The non-linearity of epidemiological
dynamics means that the impact of early action or
inaction is amplified over time as an outbreak
progresses. The window of opportunity for the prompt
containment of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United
States closed while messages of denial were being
propagated by our president. Overall, we were
exceedingly slow to implement control strategies.”
Galvani believes the lifting of distancing measures is
being done prematurely and will “cost thousands upon
thousands of lives. I fear that still many more
Americans will die unless a more sustained and
concerted effort is made to overcome this pandemic.”
Contact Alison Galvani at alison.galvani@gmail.com

3. ==> Reality TV Addiction Expert on COVID and
Sobriety

COVID-19 has caused numerous physical and mental health
issues and is creating special problems for addicts
trying to maintain sobriety during the pandemic. Even
though she’s 14 years sober, Jennifer Gimenez
recognizes the impact of isolation and stress from the
global health crisis as she works through her own
sobriety. Listeners will recognize Jennifer, a former
supermodel, from the VH1 reality television series
“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and as the sober living
house manager on the spinoff, “Sober House.” She also
appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and
in the film “Blow.” Invite Jennifer on your show to
share her story of sobriety during the coronavirus
crisis and create greater awareness about treatment
options and resources for addicts and those touched by
addiction. Jennifer Gimenez is regularly featured as an
addiction and recovery expert on numerous television
networks and social media platforms. Contact Clarissa
Ford at (646) 843-1828; cford@5wpr.com

4. ==> Veteran Journalist: The Kent State Shootings 50
Years Later

Bob Giles was a young newspaper editor at the Akron
Beacon Journal on the day of the Kent State shootings
on May 4, 1970. Invite him on your show and hear the
story of how he and his staff painstakingly pursued the
truth of the shootings – a tragedy that has haunted the
nation for 50 years and significantly changed the
debate about the Vietnam War. He’ll describe the
turmoil and drama of the newsroom on that fateful day
and on the campus of Kent State University, where the
Ohio National Guard opened fire on students, killing
four and wounding nine others. You’ll hear how
reporters struggled to make sense of the situation and
sort fact from fiction for a horrified world wanting to
know “what” and “why.” After a 40-year newspaper
career, Giles became senior vice president of the
Freedom Forum, executive director of its Media Studies
Center, and curator of the Nieman Foundation for
Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of
“When Truth Mattered: The Kent State Shootings 50 Years
Later.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 991-8328;
jboyer@rtirguests.com

5. ==> National Smile Day is Sunday 🙂

The country could be forgiven if its citizens didn’t
feel like smiling much these days; after all, people
are sick and dying from a mysterious contagious disease
and are prohibited from getting too close to each
other, and unemployment is at record levels. Yet it is
because we find ourselves in this dire situation that
it is more important than ever to smile at one another
— even from six-feet apart — says Barry Shore, who is
known as The Ambassador of Joy. Shore will be
celebrating National Smile Day on May 31 and wants
everyone else to join him by starting the day with a
big smile on their faces. Certainly, if there is anyone
who knows how to smile through adversity it is Shore, a
successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who
in 2004 became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare
disease. During the 16 years that followed, Shore has
pushed himself to regain much of his functioning even
as he inspires other people to see the joy in their
lives. Shore can also talk about his Keep Smiling
Movement which he co-founded with well-known celebrity
photographer Ken Rochon. Barry hosts “The Joy of
Living” podcast and is founder of the JOY of Living
Institute. He has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox
and in O Magazine, Forbes, Daily Herald, Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, MarketWatch and more. Contact him at
(310) 770-4685; barry@barryshore.com

6. ==> Can You Collect Unemployment If You Refuse to Go
Back to Work?

More than 33 million Americans are out-of-work as a
result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout
the nation, but even as states begin to ease stay-at-
home measures and allow businesses to open up, some
workers remain hesitant to return to their jobs. Some
are worried about on-the-job safety issues or have a
vulnerable family member at home. Others, like some in
the service industry, can make more money on
unemployment right now. According to the Department of
Labor, a general fear of virus exposure is not a valid
reason to not return to work or quit your job and
obtain unemployment benefits. Workplace attorney
Jonathan Bell can discuss the issues involved and what
your listeners’ options and rights are. Jonathan Bell
is a labor and employment attorney and the founder of
Bell Law Group, PLLC in New York City. Contact Mark
Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text);
mark@goldmanmccormick.com

7. ==> Stimulus Stupidity and Tax Blunders! Blame the
IRS!

It’s bad enough that the IRS creates so much waste and
chaos during tax season. This year our tax “non-
experts” will be doing it until July. Plus they have
already been messing up the stimulus packages. So says
former Internal Revenue Service tax agent Richard
Green, who will shock audiences with the IRS stupidity
he has observed firsthand. With the IRS responsible for
sending out stimulus money, did you realize that
thousands of foreigners have been sent $1,200 checks
while countless deserving U.S. citizens are still
awaiting their money? And the IRS, using outdated
technology and data, is still sending double and even
triple checks to individuals. Will such mistaken
payments ever be recouped? Will the right people ever
get their money? Find out more when you interview Green
while COVID-19-related controversies are at their peak.
Green, author of “Agents of Deceit,” is ready to offer
his expert advice on whether we can fix these issues.
Contact Richard Green at (909) 570-1509;
rgreen@rtirguests.com

8. ==> World-Famous Natural Healer’s Secrets Using
Ingredients in Your Kitchen

Before Clint Rogers, Ph.D. spent a decade traveling the
world with the legendary Indian master healer Dr.
Pankaj Naram, the university researcher was a skeptic
when it came to alternative medicine. But after
witnessing Dr. Naram in action and watching him cure
Dr. Clint’s father, the researcher’s attitude changed.
Dr. Naram, who counted among his patients the Dalai
Lama, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela as well as many
ordinary people, passed away on Feb. 19. Sharing Dr.
Naram’s wisdom with people all over the world is Dr.
Clint’s priority and “Ancient Secrets of a Master
Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and
Life’s Greatest Secrets” is his new book. On your show
he’ll discuss how to boost your immune system with
things already in your home, instantly reduce anxiety
and release stress, and reduce blood pressure to normal
in minutes. Listeners will learn ways to ease arthritis
and joint pain with food, improve memory and focus by
pressing certain points on the body and achieve healthy
and lasting weight loss. Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., is a
university researcher whose TEDx talk on Dr. Naram has
been viewed by millions. Dr. Clint designed and taught
with Dr. Naram a university certification course in
Berlin, Germany, for doctors. Contact him at (914)
215-4792; DrClint@MyAncientSecrets.com

9. ==> This Silent Disease Puts You at Risk for COVID
Complications

You have probably heard that people with certain health
conditions are more likely to fare poorly if they
contract coronavirus. But did you know that among those
diseases is one that many people do not even know they
have? It’s true; more than 7 million people don’t know
they have diabetes out of the 30 million adults who
have the condition. That is why it is more important
than ever to educate the public about diabetes and how
to manage it with the expert guidance of Nadia Al-
Samarrie, a leading patient advocate in the diabetes
community. Nadia is editor-in-chief of Diabetes Health,
a 400,000-circulation magazine used in hospitals,
diabetes classes and doctors’ offices as an educational
resource for patients, and her AskNadia column is
ranked No. 1 by Google as her DiabetesHealth.com
website. Nadia is also the author of “Sugar Happy: Your
Diabetes Health Guide in Achieving Your Best Blood
Sugars” and “Letting Go of Your Diabetes Complication
Fears.” She has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and
other major cable networks. Contact her at (415)
741-3545; nalsamarrie@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Discover Why Everyone Is Getting on Your Nerves

People’s differences can create stress at the best of
times. Living in lockdown, these stresses can explode.
Leadership expert Marc A. Pitman can tell you why
people act the way they do. Using an easy-to-understand
system, he can provide insight into why your team,
staff, or family may be harder to live with right now.
He can explain the different ways people react to
stress and how to help you get through the pandemic and
come out even stronger than before. His forthcoming
book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt,” provides a
framework for people to move past feeling like a fraud
and manage teams more effectively. Contact Marc Pitman
at (317) 751-1610; mpitman@rtirguests.com

11. ==> How Marketing Will Change Thanks to COVID-19

Selling, buying, advertising, seeking or offering
deals. All these aspects of marketing are dynamic and
prone to rapid change. No wonder the effects of
COVID-19 are so powerful in today’s marketing arena.
Learn more from Steve McChesney, best-selling author of
“Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing
World.” He’ll explore with your audience his wide
knowledge of marketing facts and fallacies. Among the
many topics he can discuss are: how COVID-19 isolation
is changing our buying and selling habits; why Amazon
is a behemoth that cannot be ignored; and whether
America’s baby boomers have been replaced as the
generation with the most buying power. McChesney will
also explain how and why marketers should sell people
what they want but give them what they need.
McChesney’s new Rearranging Change Podcast is now
available on all major channels. Contact him at (321)
414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Could Sloppy Record-Keeping Cost You Your Life?

In the middle of a pandemic, keeping your own medical
records in order is more important than ever. In a
medical emergency, anyone can be rattled enough to
forget important details, finding themselves unable to
answer physicians’ important questions about their
health or that of a loved one. Anne McAwley-LeDuc, a
retired nurse practitioner (APRN), learned this the
hard way after her husband fell down the stairs and
showed signs of paralysis. At the hospital, physicians
sought answers about his medical history but she
couldn’t answer vital questions. McAwley-LeDuc wants to
help others — especially ordinary folks with no medical
background — advocate for themselves and their loved
ones for better and safer health care. She’ll discuss
the role patients play in reducing medical errors, ways
disorganized medical records can be deadly, and why so
few patients keep good medical records or grasp the
need to do so. Anne McAwley-LeDuc developed the
“Personal Health Organizer” to keep essential medical
information in one place and provide a snapshot of your
health history. Contact her at (860) 300-1603;
AMcAwley@rtirguests.com

13. ==> 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

14. ==> 5 Simple Tools for Stressed-Out Parents

Parenting is never easy but being quarantined with
children while being unemployed or on the pandemic
frontline is making it even harder. Families will
welcome the creative suggestions of educator Laurie
Marshall, suggestions that will help everyone get along
better and safely blow off stress. She’ll share why
parents and kids should put paper bags over their heads
to convey emotions such as anger and silliness, why
families should make a practice of singing and dancing
together, and how taking three deep breaths when they
feel out of control can center parents and interrupt
impulsive behavior that can lead to harming family
members. Marshall is a bullying prevention expert and
the author of multiple books. She has trained over
6,000 teachers in project-based learning and
facilitated 125 bully-prevention, nature-based murals
with over 25,000 people in schools, nonprofits, and
government agencies (NASA, FEMA, U.S. Botanical
Gardens). Contact Laurie at (415) 360-3304;
lmarshall@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Why We Need to Save the United States Postal
Service

House Democrats have included money for the U.S. Postal
Service in the latest $3 trillion stimulus package, but
it’s unclear whether the Senate will act on the
measure. Critics of the USPS say it’s a failing
business, but others, like Richard John, say it was
never meant to be a business. “The Founders intended
the Postal Service to be a pillar of the republic,
binding together millions of Americans, urban and
rural, for the common good. It therefore always had
congressional oversight limiting what management can do
to make a profit. Rather than being mismanaged, the
Postal Service is — and has long been — one of
America’s great successes,” says John, author of
“Spreading the News: The American Postal System from
Franklin to Morse.” Instead of privatizing it, he says
we should take inspiration from the Founders and re-
envision its mission for the 21st century. Some of his
suggestions include expanding the Postal Service to
include high-tech “last mile” capabilities,
reestablishing a low-cost consumer banking system, a
popular service the Postal Service maintained for much
of the 20th century, and rolling out low-cost municipal
broadband. “Rural electrification transformed vast
swaths of the hinterland; might not rural Postal
Services be configured as hubs for the digital economy
of tomorrow?” he asks. In the closer future, John
reminds us the Postal Service will play a crucial role
in ensuring trustworthy mail balloting, a major issue
in the age of COVID-19. Richard John recently wrote the
piece “The Founders never intended the U.S. Postal
Service to be managed like a business” for the
Washington Post. Contact him at rrj2115@columbia.edu

Don’t see any guests or topics for your show? Search
through past RTIR Newsletters and find hundreds of show
ideas and possible guests at www.rtironline.com