Weekly Ezine Archives -

10/27/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Election Integrity, Nursing Exodus and Cleaning the World

01. Could President Trump Intervene in the Midterms?
02. The Iran War Has Changed the World Forever
03. A Hotel Room, a Bar of Soap, a Global Mission
04. Small Businesses Are Struggling: Five Costly Mistakes and Fixes
05. An Illness Nearly Killed Him — Music Saved Him
06. Medicare Advantage Plans Are Ending: Could You Lose Your Doctors?
07. Nurses Are in High Demand. Why Do They Keep Quitting?
08. Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?
09. Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time
10. Franchising 101: The Step Most First-Timers Skip (And Regret)
11. Listen Up! Six Steps to Become a Persuasive Speaker
12. The 10 Biggest Threats to Democracy
13. What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
14. The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks
15. The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine

1. ==> Could President Trump Intervene in the Midterms?

The president has left open the possibility of declaring a national security emergency ahead of the midterms and the prospect raises questions about how much power the president and federal government have over elections. “There’s really no federal authority over determining the validity of an election,” says Derek Muller, an election law professor at the University of Notre Dame. “The federal government doesn’t run the election, it oversees it. It doesn’t really have any role in the process of tabulating votes, canvassing the votes, certifying the results. Federal officials are left out of that process.” Muller says declaring a national emergency doesn’t give the president new powers on its own. He says an administration could try to use other emergency powers to justify intervening in an election, but the Supreme Court has generally interpreted emergency powers narrowly. “I think voters need to know that there’s a lot of fearmongering out there with respect to the oversight and running of elections,” he says. “The results will be tabulated, we’ll have winners and we’ll move on to start thinking about the 2028 elections.” Derek Muller is a nationally recognized scholar in the field of election law and federal courts. He has published more than thirty academic works, and his op-eds have appeared in the “New York Times,” the “Los Angeles Times,” and the “Wall Street Journal.” Contact him at dmuller@nd.edu

2. ==> The Iran War Has Changed the World Forever

Many of the immediate consequences of the Israeli-American war with Iran are already clear—the further emergence of drones and missiles as dominant weapons of war, the danger to the global economy from the threats to vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the inadequacy of U.S. weapons procurement, to name a few. But Middle East expert Kenneth Pollack says the conflict could also have far wider and longer-term implications—changes that could be truly transformative for the Middle East region and the rest of the world. He says, “Decades from now, we might look back on this conflict as a watershed event that fundamentally reshaped what had been bedrock principles of modern geopolitics.” Pollack can discuss emerging trends including Gulf States that are shifting to offensive strategies—and more war, China’s role in the region and whether Iran will emerge stronger than ever after the conflict. Kenneth M. Pollack is the vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute. He is a former CIA Persian Gulf military analyst and a former director for Persian Gulf affairs at the National Security Council. His latest book, “The Iraq Wars,” will be published in February. For interviews contact the Middle East Institute at media@mei.edu

3. ==> A Hotel Room, a Bar of Soap, a Global Mission

In 2009, after countless nights spent in hotel rooms for work, Shawn Seipler wondered: What happens to all the leftover soap? When he discovered the hospitality industry was throwing away millions of usable soap bars each year, he turned his one-car garage in Orlando, Florida, into the epicenter of soap recycling, setting in motion a movement that would change lives and communities around the world. Today, Shawn is the CEO of Clean the World Global which has diverted over 25 million pounds of waste from landfills, donated over 80 million bars of recycled soap to global NGOs, such as The WASH Foundation and distributed more than 5 million hygiene kits to individuals in need. Shawn’s new book, “Clean the World” is the story of how he turned an idea most people might have dismissed into a movement with global reach. Contact Emily Willette at (347) 705-3294; emily@ascotmediagroup.com

4. ==> Small Businesses Are Struggling: Five Costly Mistakes and Fixes

Recent surveys find that small business owners are struggling these days citing inflation as a primary concern. Small business expert Kara Renninger can discuss how small businesses can protect profits, attract customers, and grow despite rising costs and economic uncertainty. She believes entrepreneurs need to work smarter, not longer, by rethinking how they price, sell, and operate. On your show, she’ll reveal five common mistakes and how to fix them. From underpricing services to confusing revenue with profit, hear why a business may look profitable, but isn’t generating income and why relying on referrals for new business is not a good strategy. Kara can also discuss AI's growing role in small-business success. Kara Renninger is the founder and CEO of Kara Renninger Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs and service-based businesses increase revenue, improve profitability, and build scalable operations. She has more than 15 years of experience building and scaling companies, including serving as COO of multiple businesses. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer

5. ==> An Illness Nearly Killed Him — Music Saved Him

Chris Risi was two days from dying of flesh-eating bacteria and sepsis — the first of four surgeries, with more to come. In his memoir, “Singing Through the Storm...Using the Power of Music to Heal, Survive, and Thrive,” Risi credits music, including a song that came to him in a dream during recovery, with keeping him alive and hopeful. His journey held more than illness — layoffs, business closures, coming out to his family, and bankruptcy all played a part. He turned it into a memoir blending humor and music, sharing his story to help others facing their own storms. Ask him: What went through your mind when doctors told you how close you came to dying? What was the song that came to you in a dream during recovery? What would you tell someone facing their own health crisis or life's disappointments? Contact Chris Risi at (772) 218-1902; crisi@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Medicare Advantage Plans Are Ending: Could You Lose Your Doctors?

What if your Medicare Advantage plan disappeared while you were undergoing cancer treatment? That's the frightening dilemma facing some enrollees as insurers terminate plans for 2027. According to a recent analysis of Medicare Advantage plans, UnitedHealthcare is exiting 228 counties while Humana is leaving 62 counties, making this Open Enrollment season especially critical for so many enrollees. Medicare expert Toni King will explain what termination notices mean, how to protect access to doctors and prescriptions, and why some people losing their plans may qualify to buy Medicare Supplement coverage without medical underwriting, even with preexisting conditions. She'll also clarify the December 7 enrollment deadline, special enrollment rights, and why newly negotiated prescription drug prices don't guarantee identical copays at every pharmacy. Author of “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced: Basics and Beyond,” King has helped more than 105,000 Americans navigate Medicare decisions. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736; tking@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Nurses Are in High Demand. Why Do They Keep Quitting?

America’s healthcare system is in crisis—but what’s often ignored is the trauma beneath the surface. Today, nurses are highly educated and can command six-figure salaries, yet they’re leaving the profession in droves complaining of burnout, understaffing and workplace violence. Kathy Allan, a board-certified holistic nurse with over two decades of experience in trauma recovery, says many nurses today are emotionally broken, betrayed by the very system they once trusted. Patients, too, are suffering from care that feels cold, rushed, and disconnected. In interviews, Allan reveals how this hidden trauma plays out, much like in the TV show, “The Pitt.” Drawing on her “12 Steps of Healing Care” and years as a healing touch instructor and somatic experiencing practitioner, Allan offers a spiritual and body-centered roadmap for transforming pain into purpose. Her stories and insights will resonate with nurses, healthcare workers, and anyone who’s ever felt harmed by the system that was supposed to help them. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; kallan@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?

You’ve saved. You’ve invested. You’ve planned for the day you can finally stop working. But have you thought about what will happen when the work stops? Retirement isn’t simply a financial transition, it’s also an emotional and psychological one. For many people, leaving a career can mean losing daily purpose, social connections, a sense of identity and the feeling that others depend on them. “The phone stops ringing; Monday morning arrives, and suddenly there’s nowhere you have to be,” says author Laura Essay. She explores the often-overlooked challenges of life after employment and stresses that retirement isn’t an ending. Hear how it can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with possibility, discovery, and fulfillment. Ask her: What are some of the biggest challenges retired people face? How can you mentally prepare for leaving the workforce? Laura Essay is the author of “Retirement Mindset.” Contact her at (402) 267-9988; lessay@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time

Audiences are growing tired of polished, AI-generated content — and they can spot it instantly. Lisa Rothstein, New Yorker cartoonist, former advertising creative, and Axiom Award-winning author of “Drawing Out Your Genius,” isn’t surprised. Her answer to businesses trying to make sense of their messages now: the messier and more human your communication, the more trusted you become. Rothstein will reveal why imperfect hand-drawn visuals are now outperforming slick presentations for buy-in, innovation, and team alignment — and why that gap is only widening. She'll share quick techniques anyone can use to tap their own visual thinking, simplify complex ideas, and stand out as authentically human in an AI-saturated world. Ask her: Why are audiences turning away from AI-generated content — and what do they want instead? How does drawing badly actually build more trust than a perfect presentation? Contact Lisa Rothstein at (310) 388-8093; Lrothstein@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Franchising 101: The Step Most First-Timers Skip (And Regret)

Greg Mohr has helped more than 250 people buy into over 500 franchise locations nationwide — and he says most buyers skip the one step that actually determines whether they'll succeed. In his “Wall Street Journal” bestseller, “Real Freedom,” Mohr lays out exactly what smart buyers investigate before they ever sign anything. He walks listeners through the red flags that separate a solid franchise opportunity from an expensive mistake, and what most first-time buyers get wrong before they even realize it. Ask him: What's the one thing most franchise buyers forget to investigate? What's a red flag that should make someone walk away from a franchise deal? Is financing a franchise more accessible than most people assume? What's the biggest myth people believe about buying a franchise? Contact Greg Mohr at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Listen Up! Six Steps to Become a Persuasive Speaker

Most people believe that persuasive speaking is a natural talent. But retired Army Colonel Larry Tracy says it's a skill that anyone can master. Drawing on decades of high-stakes experience briefing military leaders, defending U.S. policy before hostile audiences, and training professionals competing for multimillion-dollar government contracts, Larry developed an easy-to-follow 6-step system to help speakers communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility in any setting. Praised by President Ronald Reagan as "an extraordinarily effective speaker," Larry shows that persuasion isn't about charisma—it's about preparation. His battle-tested approach can help anyone influence audiences, overcome speaking anxiety, and deliver messages that truly change minds. Larry’s proven system is featured in his book “How to Bring Home the Bacon: Becoming a Persuasive Speaker.” Contact Larry Tracy at (571) 336-0507; Ltracy@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The 10 Biggest Threats to Democracy

James Therrell has spent 50 years as an active citizen, as a U.S. Senate aide, a history teacher and political consultant. He says America’s civic knowledge should alarm everyone: nine of 10 eighth graders aren't proficient in basic civics. His upcoming book, "American Goliaths: Ten Patterns that Threaten Democracy – and How to Defeat Them," describes the domestic threats most dangerous to our national survival and the American Dream. He says the fix isn't picking a side — it's using history and a "Middle Road" built on pattern recognition, establishing key priorities, civic engagement, and more. Ask him: Why do you believe our democracy is now like a train speeding into a concrete wall? What is the "Middle Road" you're proposing, and how does it work? What can be done to fix America’s lack of civic knowledge? Contact James Therrell at (512) 883-2969; jtherrell@rtirguests.com

13. ==> What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?

Many Christians know what they believe but struggle to explain why they believe it. Texas-certified teacher Tamara Berkman says the problem is often not conviction, but preparation: people may know Bible stories without understanding how the Bible fits together. Berkman experienced this herself. She grew up learning individual lessons through Sunday school and sermons but only recognized what she had been missing when she taught the Bible’s complete storyline to her children. She later saw the same knowledge gap among her students. That led Berkman to create “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” a storytelling-based curriculum of 20 short lessons. She can discuss why Christians feel unprepared to answer questions about their faith and how understanding the Bible’s storyline can help families pass their beliefs to the next generation. Ask her: Why do Christians struggle to explain their beliefs? What is missed when Bible stories are taught separately? Does defending your faith require years of study? How can parents equip their children? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com

14. ==> The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks

Doreen Mary Bray has spent 40 years as a naturopath and mystical guide, helping people move past a question most avoid their whole lives: who am I here to become? Her two books, “The Angel and the Avatar” and the upcoming “What Were You Meant to Be? The Embodied Life Your Soul Is Seeking,” both explore that question from different angles. On your show, she'll reveal that most people look outward for purpose, when the real work actually starts by turning inward. Ask her: Why do most people avoid asking who they're here to become? What does it mean to look inward for your purpose? What's one small way someone can start turning inward today? Contact Doreen Mary Bray at (438) 802-0280; dbray@rtirguests.com

15. ==> The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine

Dr. Glen Robison remembers a patient who was cleared by another doctor — but his gut said something was wrong. He sent the man to the ER and it turned out the man had a knee infection serious enough to cost him his leg, though the quick call saved his life. Robison also treated a man who struck out Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson, as well as a patient held in a Stalin-era work camp at age six, now 96. Invite Glen to talk about the patients who taught him more than medical school ever could and why he is a living testament to the power of stepping boldly into the unknown. Dr. Robison’s journey will uplift, challenge, and awaken the courage within you to find your own answers and show the world what’s possible. You can also ask him: What’s really in the COVID vaccine? What is the real cause of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia? How did you assist in open heart surgery without ever graduating from college? Dr. Glen Robison serves as Diplomate of the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He is a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and certified Myopractor and the author of several books including “Show Them: Stepping Into the Unknown to Find the Answers.” Contact him at (928) 351-0312; glrobison@rtirguests.com

10/22/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Ramaswamy, Real Courage and 11 Great Halloween Guests

01. Have Political Ads Crossed a New Line?
02. Trump’s New $25M Whistleblower Program
03. Why America Needs a New Understanding of Courage
04. Do We Have A Moral Obligation to Mother Nature?
05. Scariest Haunted Attractions in America
06. Last Minute Halloween Help
07. Is Halloween Harmless?
08. Are Ghosts Real? Priest Explains Encounters From the Other Side
09. This Psychic Solves Murder Cases & Finds Missing People and Lost Pets
10. Could Your Fears and Phobias Be Connected to a Past Life?
11. What Do Tarot and Numerology Say About Your Next Move?
12. Did Your Soul Choose This Life, Struggles and All?
13. Healthier Alternatives to Sugary Halloween Treats
14. You Slept Where? Inside America’s Most Haunted Places
15. Does Halloween Horror Make You Happy?

1. ==> Have Political Ads Crossed a New Line?

Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is doubling down on a controversial ad featuring his opponent's estranged mother with a $4 million buy. The ad features Amy Acton’s mother accusing her of lying about her upbringing. Acton hasn't spoken to her mother since 1978, when her stepfather was accused of sexually abusing her as a child and her mother left town with him before the rape case could be resolved. Have political attacks crossed a new line by using estranged family members and childhood trauma? Peter Loge can discuss where the line is between legitimate opposition research and exploiting trauma, whether campaigns have ethical obligations beyond what is legal, and how voters react when personal attacks become the story. Loge is the director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, the founding director of the Project on Ethics in Political Communication, and a strategic communication consultant. Over the past three-plus decades, Loges has served in senior positions for Senator Edward Kennedy, for three members of the US House of Representatives, and in the Obama administration. Contact Nadia Payne at nadia.payne@email.gwu.edu

2. ==> Trump’s New $25M Whistleblower Program

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have announced a $25 million program to encourage the public to blow the whistle on suspected fraud in the federal government. Under the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, anyone who submits a tip to fraud.gov that leads to a fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action is eligible to receive up to $30,000. For a unique perspective on the issue of fraud and organized crime, invite James McManus, a former associate of the Lucchese crime family (the organization famously depicted in Goodfellas) to share his firsthand experience observing organized fraud, financial schemes, and sophisticated scams. Now a New York/Connecticut based contractor, fraud expert, and regular media commentator, McManus brings a unique perspective to fraud, organized crime, financial deception, and the intersection of legitimate business and criminal activity. Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com

3. ==> Why America Needs a New Understanding of Courage

We celebrate courage in soldiers, first responders, and larger-than-life heroes. But what about the courage required to admit we're wrong, challenge conventional thinking, make difficult moral choices, or simply stand by our convictions when doing so comes at a personal cost? At a time when courage is often confused with confidence, defiance, or displays of strength, West Point professor Elizabeth D. Samet offers a more complicated and revealing understanding of this essential American virtue. She’ll discuss what courage really means in America today, why we so often misunderstand it, and why it matters in an age of political division, technological change, and uncertainty. Drawing on more than two decades of teaching literature to future military officers at West Point, as well as examples from American history, literature, film, and everyday life, Samet challenges the familiar stories we tell about bravery and explores why true courage is often quieter, less predictable, and more difficult to recognize than we imagine. Samet is the author of “Taking Courage: A New Look at an Old American Virtue.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

4. ==> Do We Have A Moral Obligation to Mother Nature?

For millennia, nature has provided spiritual experiences of wonder, gratitude, and peace. But in our current culture, nature is being burned, poisoned, and rendered extinct. Roger Gottlieb, author of “Nature Spirituality: Embracing a Sacred, Wounded Earth,” will clarify what spirituality is and why nature has played a central role in it for religious believers and non-believers alike. He examines the environmental crisis as a civilizational rupture that transforms hope, grief, meaning, and moral responsibility. Drawing on decades of original work in environmental ethics, religious environmentalism, and contemporary spirituality, Gottlieb explores how today’s ecological crisis reshapes spiritual life. Roger Gottlieb teaches philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is the author or editor of twenty-three books on religion, environmental ethics, and spirituality. Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; lissawarrenpr@gmail.com

5. ==> Scariest Haunted Attractions in America

Fear does not have just one face. For some thrill seekers, it is a dark corridor where something could be anywhere. For others, it is stepping into a world so detailed that reality and fiction begin to blur. It can be a creature, a character, a strange environment, a sudden shift in perspective, or the anticipation of what might be around the next corner. America Haunts, a national association of haunted attractions, ranked the Top 5 Scariest Haunted Attractions in the United States, recognizing five mega-haunts that have mastered very different approaches to creating the kind of fear thrill seekers actively seek. From Texas to Boston, to Cincinnati and Louisiana, Amber Arnett-Bequeaith can share the spookiest attractions in the nation, and some scary spots in your area. She’s share what it takes to make a great haunted attraction and how the business has changed in recent years. Amber Arnett-Bequeaith is the spokesperson for America Haunts. Contact her at (816) 842-4280; amber@fullmoonprod.com

6. ==> Last Minute Halloween Help

Are you still undecided on a Halloween costume? With a little over a week before the holiday, it’s ‘go time!’ If you’re looking for inspiration, the experts from Spirit Halloween have some great ideas. Whether you prefer a playful costume or a recognizable character, there are tricks to creating an outfit that’s recognizable. Hear this season’s most popular themes, the secret to creating a great costume and ways to save money and make your costume unique using items you already have. Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in North America with over 1,550 seasonal locations across North America. Contact Lori Tesoro at Lori.Tesoro@spirithalloween.com or M. Booth at
spirit@mbooth.com

7. ==> Is Halloween Harmless?

Halloween is one of the most popular American holidays with millions looking forward to dressing up and spooking out. But is all of it harmless? Derrick Warfel says it’s not black and white, but the origin of the holiday is genuinely dark. He’ll explain Halloween’s roots in an old European belief that on October 31 the veil between the physical and spiritual world went thin and the dead could cross over, and the trick-or-treat custom that grew out of leaving blood and food on the porch to bribe the spirits into passing you by. A treat, or you get a trick. Learn how the church has historically redeemed pagan dates, and what All Hallows' Eve, All Saints and All Souls actually mean. Hear his practical, non-alarmist take for parents and why he believes the costume and the conversation matter more than the candy itself. Derrick studied psychology at Princeton, earned his Master of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary and spent forty years working in Hollywood. He is the author of “UFOs: Revealing Deception and Truth Behind the Supernatural, Invisible War,” which argues that the thin-veil folklore is pointing at something real, an actual invisible spiritual war, and that our culture's whole fascination with the paranormal is part of that same story. Contact Mark Breta at mark@jonesliterary.com

8. ==> Are Ghosts Real? Priest Explains Encounters From the Other Side

Here’s a segment for anyone interested in hauntings, ghosts and spirits. Dominican priest Nathan Castle has helped hundreds of people process near-death and ghostly encounters and says ghost stories aren’t make-believe, they’re spiritual roadmaps. His work explores whether spirits reach out to us for healing and closure. Perfect for Halloween, Father Nathan offers a grounded, joyful take on life beyond the grave. Father Nathan Castle is a Dominican priest, retreat leader, and author of “Afterlife, Interrupted.” In his retreats, he guides people through Dorothy’s Yellow Brick Road with surprising parallels to grief, fear, and even ghostly encounters. Contact him at (480) 680-9985; ncastle@rtirguests.com

9. ==> This Psychic Solves Murder Cases & Finds Missing People and Lost Pets

Can psychic intuition help crack a murder case or locate someone who's vanished? Nancy Orlen Weber says she's done both. As Halloween approaches and fascination with the paranormal peaks, Weber offers a real-life mystery that sounds like a crime drama. She recounts working alongside detectives and federal agents on murder investigations, missing-person cases and searches for lost pets, using what she describes as intuitive abilities. On your show, she'll reveal how she receives information, what happens when investigators question her insights, and whether ordinary people can develop their own intuition. She'll also share memorable experiences from her work and explain why she believes psychic abilities deserve serious consideration. Her book, “Soul Detective,” explores her unusual experiences. A medium, animal communicator and holistic health educator with more than 45 years of experience, Weber has appeared in documentaries and on television programs including “Nancy Grace.” Contact Nancy at (973) 453-0906; nweber@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Could Your Fears and Phobias Be Connected to a Past Life?

What if your unexplained fear of water, heights or abandonment didn't originate in this lifetime? With Halloween bringing renewed fascination with the supernatural, therapist and author Alla Kaluzhny offers a provocative possibility: unresolved experiences from past lives may influence our fears, relationships and emotional patterns today. On your show, Kaluzhny will share stories from what she describes as her own past-life memories, explore why certain fears seem to have no obvious explanation, and discuss how reflecting on these experiences might offer a different perspective on personal struggles. She'll also explain why some relationships feel instantly familiar and why recurring emotional patterns can be difficult to understand. Her books, “Turning the Pages” and “Turning New Pages,” explore her experiences and spiritual journey. A licensed marriage and family therapist, spiritual psychologist and award-winning author, Kaluzhny brings a professional counseling background to her exploration of unconventional spiritual ideas. Contact Alla at (213) 459-3509; akaluzhny@rtirguests.com

11. ==> What Do Tarot and Numerology Say About Your Next Move?

Facing a major decision about your career, relationship or future? What if the answers could be found in a deck of Tarot cards or the numbers associated with your life? With Halloween approaching and curiosity about the supernatural in the air, certified metaphysician Dr. Dan Bartlett offers an unconventional way to explore what the future might hold. On your show, he'll explain how Tarot and numerology readings work, what he believes they can reveal about personal challenges, and why people turn to intuitive guidance when traditional decision-making leaves them feeling stuck. Rather than presenting readings as guaranteed predictions, Bartlett uses them as tools for reflection, perspective and exploring possibilities. Known for his Magical Intuitive Readings, Bartlett has spent more than 30 years practicing metaphysics and has worked with thousands of people seeking clarity in their personal and professional lives. Contact Dan at (480) 841-0984; dbartlett@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Did Your Soul Choose This Life, Struggles and All?

What if every challenge you've faced, from heartbreak to loss, was part of a journey your soul chose before birth? Mystical guide Doreen Mary Bray believes our lives aren't random. She teaches that souls deliberately choose their parents, circumstances and even the struggles they'll encounter before entering the physical world. It's a provocative perspective for anyone questioning why difficult things happen. On your show, Bray will explain what she believes happens before incarnation, why souls would willingly choose hardship, and how viewing life as a spiritual choice might transform our relationship with suffering. She'll also explore her belief that being human is a rare privilege rather than a burden to escape. Drawing from “The Angel and the Avatar,” she'll challenge audiences to reconsider whether life happens to us or carries a deeper purpose. A naturopath and mystical guide with more than 40 years of experience exploring spiritual traditions, Bray brings an unconventional perspective to life's biggest questions. Contact Doreen at (438) 802-0280; dbray@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Healthier Alternatives to Sugary Halloween Treats

Candy might dominate Halloween, but healthy alternatives can still delight. Wellness advocate Stacey Roberts, physical therapist to celebrities and pro athletes, shares how inflammation, not just sugar, is a hidden danger for kids and adults. She offers ideas for creative, health-conscious treats that won’t spook parents or derail wellness goals. Stacey is the perfect guest to share anti-inflammatory protocols and advanced therapies that help audiences overcome chronic pain and avoid unhealthy sugar crashes during one of the year’s most tempting seasons. Contact her at (414) 310-7845; sroberts@rtirguests.com

14. ==> You Slept Where? Inside America’s Most Haunted Places

Brenda Prater Sellers has checked into places where most people would never dare. She’s stayed at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, toured haunted prisons and asylums, and even braved the Villisca Axe Murder House and the infamous “Conjuring” home. Why? To face her fears, fuel her adventurous spirit, and collect stories that make audiences laugh and shiver in equal measure. Brenda, author of “You Slept Where? Calamities of a Clumsy Businesswoman,” brings humor and heart to every tale, proving that even the eeriest encounters can turn into unforgettable stories. She’s the perfect Halloween guest for shows that offer a mix of chills, laughs, and real-life adventure. Brenda is a speaker, philanthropist, and author whose travel memoir blends comedy, resilience, and adventures in the world’s most bizarre and haunted places. Contact her at (865) 344-1755; bsellers@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Does Halloween Horror Make You Happy?

Is it wrong that jump scares, candy binges, and costumes bring you joy instead of dread? Happiness expert Deborah Mallow encourages listeners to go with the horror flow if it makes them feel good. She says Halloween taps into play, nostalgia, and even healthy fear. They all release endorphins and reset our brains. Using her six-step mindset makeover, Mallow will show your audience how this holiday can be an antidote to gloom, teaching them to laugh at their fears while finding connection through fun. Deborah writes extensively on the topic of happiness, blending science-backed strategies with humor and warmth. She is the author of “6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck.” Contact Deborah at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com

10/20/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Bolsonaro and Brazil, How to Be a Super Ager and Do You Really Want Chatbot Medical Care?

01. Polarization and the Vicious Cycle Behind the Midterms
02. The Bolsonaro Family and the Battle for Brazil
03. 80-Year-Old Power Lifter Shares How to Be a ‘Super Ager’
04. Simple Temperature Trick for Better Sleep
05. Is Halloween Harmless?
06. The Life of a Political Candidate
07. What Happened to Learning Civics in School?
08. Biggest Mistakes When Caring for Aging Loved Ones
09. True Crime Story: One Man's Journey Through America's Underworld
10. Are You Sure You Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?
11. Your Job Could Be Making Your Mental Health Worse
12. What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?
13. The Most Underrated Tool to Teach Kids About Health
14. The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams
15. When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First

1. ==> Polarization and the Vicious Cycle Behind the Midterms

Pew Research reports that 84% of registered voters call the economy "very important" heading into the midterms, with healthcare close behind. So why does Washington keep fighting over affordability instead of solving it? Psychologist and author Scott Gibbs says the fight itself has become the problem, and that no election result, for either party, will end it on its own. Invite him to discuss how division in America takes hold, why it keeps intensifying, and what it would take to get past it. The author of “Toward the Turning: Rethinking the Meaning of 9/11, the Clash of Civilizations, and a Post-Modern World,” examines the psychological and cultural forces driving polarization in America and around the world. Gibbs, a psychotherapist who works with conflict in relationships and across groups, argues that "fighting" over practical problems undermines our ability to solve them. That failure intensifies the fight, deepens distrust, and fuels polarized populism on both the right and the left. In his words, fighting creates populism, which feeds more fighting. Drawing on clinical work, psychological research, and philosophy, Gibbs offers a timely and constructive perspective as voters head to the polls: meaningful progress is still possible, even when people hold fundamentally different beliefs and values. Scott Gibbs is a California-licensed psychotherapist in private practice. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

2. ==> The Bolsonaro Family and the Battle for Brazil

Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face each other in Brazil’s runoff election on October 25th to determine the leadership of Latin America’s largest democracy and biggest economy. Wendy Via, cofounder and CEO of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, can discuss the candidates and the choice in front of voters. She says some mainstream outlets, particularly international media, are portraying Bolsonaro as more moderate than his father. “In doing so,” she says, “they have helped soften his image. This framing downplays Flávio’s political agenda and full support for his father. He has pledged to pardon Jair Bolsonaro if elected and has said he wants his father to place the presidential band on him during his inauguration.” Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years for plotting a coup and seeking to end Brazilian democracy and is currently being held under house arrest. It is Brazil’s first presidential election since his supporters stormed and ransacked government buildings in the capital in January 2023, seeking to overturn the results of the 2022 vote that saw him narrowly defeated. Contact Wendy Via at wendy@globalextremism.org

3. ==> 80-Year-Old Power Lifter Shares How to Be a ‘Super Ager’

At 80, Barrie Zucal is still getting stronger. A global feminist, former marriage and family therapist, executive coach, and record-holding powerlifter, Zucal has spent decades investing in her physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being — embodying her belief that staying vital as we age requires much more than exercise. “I have consistently dedicated resources to my own development — healing myself emotionally, fueling my body with healthy foods, and understanding myself, others, and relationships,” Zucal says. “Then I’ve worked to understand the systems that perpetuate and support positive change, and those that destroy it.” Her formula for longevity dovetails naturally with her new book, “Bold: How Women Play Big by Leading Instead of Pleasing,” which challenges the conditioning that encourages women to put everyone else’s needs ahead of their own development and ambitions. A lifelong learner and fierce advocate for women’s rights worldwide, Zucal founded and led a global executive coaching firm operating in 75 countries. She’s served as a marriage and family therapist, a guidance counselor in war-torn Beirut, and even a nanny to the Jordanian Royal Family in her late 20s. At 70, Zucal walked into a gym, picked up a barbell, and went on to break Maryland State Records in both the deadlift and bench press. Contact Helen Cook at (903) 654-0938; hcook@ascotmediagroup.com

4. ==> Simple Temperature Trick for Better Sleep

You probably know that sleep is important for your health, but you may not know how important a certain type of sleep is. “Deep sleep is the most restorative stage of sleep,” says Dr. Andrea Matsumura, board-certified sleep medicine physician. “It’s when the brain clears waste, the body repairs tissues and key hormones that affect energy, metabolism and immunity are regulated.” She an discuss why many people miss out on deep sleep and how temperature is connected to the sleep cycle. She’ll explain how lowering your core body temperature helps enter deep sleep more easily and discuss five ways to use temperature to improve your sleep. Dr. Andrea Matsumura, also known as the Sleep Goddess, is an internationally recognized sleep and menopause expert. Contact her at info@andreamatsumuramd.com

5. ==> Is Halloween Harmless?

Looking for more Halloween guests? Thursday’s RTIR Newsletter will be filled with experts who tap into our love of the holiday. From the best haunted attractions to the truth about ghosts and a crime-solving psychic, you’ll find a variety of fascinating guests.

6. ==> The Life of a Political Candidate

With the midterm elections just weeks away, have you wondered what it’s like to be a candidate for office today? Rob Curnock knows. As a former TV political reporter, party leader, and unlikely congressional candidate, he’s seen the process from every angle. He pulls back the curtain on the physical exhaustion, emotional toll, family strain, and political hardball that define modern campaigns. After challenging and almost winning after running against an “unbeatable” incumbent, he discovered how power really works behind closed doors. “I experienced the often-brutal realities of running for office—and learned how ordinary citizens can shake up the system,” he says. Rob is a long-time broadcast journalist and the author of “Dead Man Running.” Contact Rob Curnock at (254) 822-3741; rcurnock@rtirguests.com

7. ==> What Happened to Civics Lessons in School?

America's education debate usually focuses on test scores, funding, and curriculum. But Elissa Mohan believes we're overlooking a far more urgent issue: preparing young citizens for self-government. “Today’s fragmented education landscape leaves too many students unprepared to evaluate information, engage in civil discourse, and understand the Constitution,” she says. Drawing on her experience as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, homeschool parent, public school teacher, and educational psychologist, Elissa offers a bold blueprint for rebuilding education to meet the challenges of democracy in the AI age. She is the author of the forthcoming book “ENOUGH: Why America Is Failing at Education and What to Do About It.” Ask her: Why is civics education so important? How can young Americans learn how our government and democracy work to help better prepare them for the future? Contact Elissa Mohan at (405) 346-8358; emohan@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Biggest Mistakes When Caring for Aging Loved Ones

The complexities of elder care can be overwhelming, especially for the sandwich generation taking care of kids … and parents. Debbie C. Miller has answers—and empathy. With over 30 years of experience working with senior care issues, Miller delivers practical, compassionate advice that empowers caregivers to make confident, informed decisions. She’ll discuss: The biggest mistakes families make when trying to care for aging loved ones, the most pervasive myths about elder care—and how they derail good intentions and how to plan ahead without panic, guilt or guesswork. You’ll also learn why “aging in place” is a deeply personal choice that requires smart strategy. Whether your audience is navigating a sudden crisis or planning for long-term care, Debbie offers a step-by-step approach that’s clear, actionable, and emotionally grounded. Her insights resonate with adult children, caregivers, and professionals alike. A Certified Senior Advisor® and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist®, Miller is the author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, & Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” a trusted guide for families facing the emotional and logistical maze of senior care. Contact Debbie Miller at (703) 844-4074; dmiller@rtirguests.com

9. ==> True Crime Story: One Man's Journey Through America's Underworld
What happens when an average Joe collides with America's criminal underworld? John Casey's extraordinary journey spans from childhood abuse and running away to prison, witness protection, and encounters with notorious criminals. At 17, he joined the Army, later crossed paths with escaped murderers, and was mentored by a Chicago mobster facing 103 federal indictments and three convictions. His former wife's connections to an outlaw motorcycle gang brought him dangerously close to a world of violence and fear. Now, John is ready to tell his story — not simply to reveal a life few could imagine, but to share hard-earned lessons about survival, starting over, and personal transformation. His message: your past doesn't have to dictate your future. He is the author of the forthcoming book “Unbreakable.” Contact John Casey at (219) 706-4134; Jcasey@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Are You Sure You Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?

Nearly one in five young people in the U.S. now turn to AI chatbots for mental health advice, and many adults get their health information from influencers rather than trained professionals. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores a question more people are starting to ask: in an age of algorithmic health advice, what is at stake when the conversation about our bodies and minds is no longer human? Marcel bridges real-life experience with a structured framework for a profound understanding of how stress, beliefs, and long-term internal pressure may show up in the body. His message is about reclaiming agency, asking deeper questions, and learning to listen to the body without abandoning medicine. This conversation offers a psychological-emotional approach to chronic illness, burnout, and emotional patterns – especially for those seeking authenticity in a landscape increasingly shaped by AI and unqualified influencers. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for The Key to Self-Liberation by Christiane Beerlandt. Contact him at mvogeli@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Your Job Could Be Making Your Mental Health Worse

A bad day at work is one thing. But what happens when chronic pressure, conflict, and financial fear keep you in survival mode long after you clock out? Darius Ross says sometimes the problem isn’t simply your workload; it’s what your workplace is triggering in you. Drawing on his experience overcoming homelessness, building businesses, and the principles in “Mastering the TPS Blueprint,” Ross reveals how unresolved trauma can collide with workplace stress, affecting trust, decision-making, and relationships. He’ll explain why high achievers may be especially good at hiding distress, how to recognize when “pushing through” is making things worse, and why changing jobs may not fix patterns you carry with you. Ask him: Can being great at your job hide a mental health struggle? Can quitting a toxic workplace actually follow you to your next job? Contact Darius Ross at (347) 801-7956; dross@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?

Many Christians know what they believe but struggle to explain why they believe it. Texas-certified teacher Tamara Berkman says the problem is often not conviction, but preparation: people may know Bible stories without understanding how the Bible fits together. Berkman experienced this herself. She grew up learning individual lessons through Sunday school and sermons but only recognized what she had been missing when she taught the Bible’s complete storyline to her children. She later saw the same knowledge gap among her students. In response, Berkman created “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” a storytelling-based curriculum of 20 short lessons. She’ll discuss why Christians feel unprepared to answer questions about their faith and how understanding the Bible’s storyline can help families pass their beliefs to the next generation. Ask her: Why do Christians struggle to explain their beliefs? What is missed when Bible stories are taught separately? Does defending your faith require years of study? How can parents equip their children? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com

13. ==> The Most Underrated Tool to Teach Kids About Health

Most parents see children's books as entertainment. Kenneth Korber, a health literacy expert, believes they can also be powerful tools for improving children's health. After two decades as a clinician, he wrote and published “The Musical Adventures of Grace” series to extend the patient office visit into bedtime reading, helping families reinforce important health and wellness lessons at home. His engaging stories and characters transform complex medical topics into age-appropriate adventures that children enjoy. Ken’s approach encourages healthy habits, eases childhood anxiety and fears, and strengthens literacy at the same time. “Storytelling may be one of the most effective—and overlooked—ways to improve public health, empower families, and help children build lifelong healthy behaviors, one bedtime story at a time,” he says. Contact Kenneth Korber at (847) 238-8936; kkorber@rtirguests.com

14. ==> The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams

Why do smart, ambitious people procrastinate when it comes to the very things they care about most? Why do they freeze when it’s time to be seen, sabotage opportunities, overwork without moving forward, or endlessly wait for the ‘right time?’ “You’re not lazy, and you’re not lacking motivation,” says motivation breakthrough coach Lisa Morgan. “Your nervous system may be standing between you and the life you desperately want.” After more than 20 years exploring healing and transformation, she created the Freedom Body Blueprint©, which addresses the body/mind/nervous-system patterns behind resistance and “getting stuck,” and how to get unstuck. Ask her: How can one’s subconscious awareness block them from fulfilling their dreams? What are some specific ways that people can stop sabotaging themselves? Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com

15. ==> When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First

When life turns upside down, “talk about your feelings” can be frustrating advice, especially when you don’t yet know what you’re feeling. Author and transformational life coach Karen Kay Smith says sometimes the words shouldn’t come first. Creativity should. On your show, Smith can demonstrate three simple ways to use creativity to explore emotions before trying to explain them. You don’t have to know what you’re feeling to begin expressing it. Sometimes your hands, body or eyes notice it before your words do. Smith connects these exercises to her three C’s—Communication, Connection, and Community—and her concept of life’s “waiting room seasons.” Her forthcoming book, “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room,” includes creative reflection activities designed to help readers process difficult seasons. Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@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

10/15/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Pope Leo, the Dark Origins of Pro-Natalism and Why You Should Stop Trying to Be Happy

01. Pope Leo Has Lung Cancer – What the Diagnosis Means
02. Tech Exec on Growing Pushback Against AI Data Centers
03. The AI Boom Looks a Lot Like the Dot-Com Bubble
04. Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia and the Origins of Pro-Natalism
05. How a Mother-in-Law Can Make or Break a Family
06. Midterm Madness: What’s it Like to Run for Office Today?
07. America is Bitterly Divided: Small Steps to Bridge Our Differences
08. Stop Trying So Hard to Be Happy
09. An Illness Nearly Killed Him. Music Saved Him
10. What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Meat?
11. Satellites, Cable and the History of Television
12. Beyond the Myths: What a Forensic Scientist Discovered While Exploring Ancient Sites
13. What Golf Teaches Kids That a Classroom Can’t
14. Helping People in Prison Makes the Rest of Us Safer
15. What Saying No to Billionaires Taught Her About Real Self-Worth

1. ==> Pope Leo Has Lung Cancer – What the Diagnosis Means

Pope Leo XIV had a cancerous tumor surgically removed from his right lung on Tuesday in a 90-minute operation described as "successful" by the Vatican. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the type of tumor removed from the Pope, generally comes from "a primary cancer," says Dr. Juanita Mora, a medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association. She says that "is a good thing" because it means the tumor is from lung cancer instead of generating from the spread of another cancer. "When we look at five-year survival rate from lung adenocarcinoma, and it's nicely localized, the rate is approximately 63 to 67 percent," Mora says. "But if we catch it early, it becomes 80 to 98%, especially after surgical removal." Mora can explain the different types of lung cancer, typical treatment options and the likely prognosis. Juanita Mora is the CEO of the Chicago Allergy Center and a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. For interviews contact (312) 801-7628; Media@Lung.org

2. ==> Tech Exec on Growing Pushback Against AI Data Centers

AI data centers are facing growing community pushback over power, water and infrastructure concerns, but Vertical Data CEO Deven Soni says the conversation is missing an important piece: how responsibly developed facilities can repurpose vacant properties, create jobs and help strengthen local infrastructure. Soni can discuss why not all data centers are created equal and what communities stand to gain when development is done thoughtfully. He believes the national conversation should move beyond a simple question of whether communities should accept or reject data centers. “Policymakers and developers should distinguish between projects that impose costs without meaningful local benefits and those that responsibly reuse existing infrastructure, create economic value and contribute to improvements in the communities and power systems they rely upon,” he says. Deven Soni is CEO and founder of Vertical Data, an AI infrastructure company providing GPU servers, data center colocation and GPU financing to enterprises scaling their compute capacity. Contact Alvina Alston at Alvina@MoreMediaHits.com; Moremediahits@gmail.com or (201) 618-7626 (cell)

3. ==> The AI Boom Looks a Lot Like the Dot-Com Bubble

Longtime Morgan Stanley veteran Tony Gallea has no interest in investing in AI. He thinks the AI boom looks a lot like the dot-com bubble and he is taking a pass with his investment dollars. But Tony argues that today’s narrow market leadership is not a signal to get out of stocks. As money pours into AI, he notes, about 42% of S&P 500 stocks are down this year, and big parts of the market are trading cheaply. That is where he is looking, including at small caps hit hard by rising rates, where he says investors should pick the names they have real conviction in rather than worry about what the market is saying right now. He also points to Berkshire Hathaway’s recent large position in Lennar as a sign of what others may see. Ask him: Where do you see bargains among the S&P 500 stocks that are down this year? What do the coming elections and a likely divided government mean for markets? You say you aren’t worried about the American consumer, but why are you keeping a close eye on consumer debt levels? After retiring from Morgan Stanley in 2025, Anthony Gallea (Tony) founded Working Profit, LLC, an independent investment research and market commentary company. He is also publisher of The Working Profit Investment Letter. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

4. ==> Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia and the Origins of Pro-Natalism

In late 2025, multiple news sources announced that the quest to create gene edited babies was getting “a reboot.” Elon Musk and other pro-natalist billionaires in Silicon Valley were pushing for people they consider superior to have more kids—and leading by example. Could this and other recent trends mean that eugenics is making a comeback in the United States—at a time when technologies such as CRISPR are making gene editing possible in a way it’s never been possible before? Unfortunately, yes says author Susanne Antonetta—and we should have seen it coming. Antonetta delves into the forgotten history of eugenics and its connection to present-day politics and mental health practices in the United States, showing how we can use our history to effect change. Susanne Antonetta writes for “Psychology Today,” “Slate,” “The New York Times” and other outlets. She is the author of “The Devil’s Castle: Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia, and How Psychiatry’s Troubled History Reverberates Today.” Contact Lissa Warren at (617) 233-2853; LissaWarrenPR@gmail.com

5. ==> How a Mother-in-Law Can Make or Break a Family

With National Mother-in-Law Day approaching on Sunday, October 25, psychotherapist and author Lesley Koeppel encourages us to move past the M-I-L jokes and rethink this important relationship. The author of “How to Be the “Perfect” Mother-in-Law: A Lighthearted Guide for Moms of Married Sons” believes it’s time to reevaluate one of the most stereotyped dynamics in a family unit. In an interview, Lesley can provide background on this unique yet potentially complicated relationship and share five tips for reframing it. She says a healthy mother-in-law relationship doesn’t require two people to become best friends or for a daughter-in-law to find a “second mother.” It requires something more realistic: mutual respect, healthy boundaries, and an understanding that everyone is trying to find their place in a new family dynamic. Lesley Koeppel, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate serious health challenges and life’s most complicated relationships. Contact Justin Loeber at (212) 260-7576; justin.loeber@mouthdigitalpr.com

6. ==> Midterm Madness: What’s it Like to Run for Office Today?

7. ==> America is Bitterly Divided: Small Steps to Bridge Our Differences

Most people aren't losing relationships over big ideological battles. They're losing them over Tuesday night dinners and team meetings — the small moments where someone says the wrong thing and the damage is done before anyone realizes it. Peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan says the problem is rarely what we believe. It's that nobody taught us how to say it. Drawing from years of training organizations, schools, and communities, Khan gives your audience something practical and immediately usable: specific language shifts that let people hold their ground without triggering defensiveness, avoid the two most common communication mistakes that escalate disagreements, and stay in relationships with people they fundamentally disagree with. This isn't conflict avoidance. It's conflict navigation. And in a climate where audiences are exhausted by division but don't know how to do it differently, Khan is the guest who hands them a tool, not just a talking point. Contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Stop Trying So Hard to Be Happy

Many people spend years trying to improve themselves, become more successful, gain approval or finally feel “good enough.” Gerard Wouters says all that effort can become part of the problem. In “How to Make Life Simple, Happy and Successful the Taoist Way,” Wouters explores how fears, performance pressure, overthinking, the need for control and other behaviors can be unconsciously learned from family, relationships, society and the media. He believes becoming more fully yourself may require less adding and more unlearning. On your show, Wouters will explain how to recognize the difference between your authentic nature and learned behavior, why constantly trying to prove yourself can create stress and dissatisfaction, and how Taoist principles can help people simplify their lives and let go of patterns that no longer serve them. Ask him: How can someone tell which behaviors are truly theirs? What behaviors do people commonly mistake for personality? What does Taoism teach about unlearning? Why do so many people struggle with feeling they aren't good enough? Contact Gerald Wouters at gwouters@rtirguests.com

9. ==> The Illness That Nearly Killed Him — And the Music That Saved Him

10. ==> What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Meat?

Dorothy Greet, author of “Go Veg With Class,” has watched plant-based eating transform the health of everyone from lifelong carnivores to her own students. She says the shift isn't about deprivation, it's about learning to eat differently, and watching decades-old health problems start to reverse. Greet teaches the "Going Veg With Class" approach as a practical, judgment-free path to better health, no extreme diet required — just a different way of thinking about food. Ask her: What does "going veg with class" mean in practice? What's the biggest misconception people have about switching to a plant-based diet? What specific health changes have you seen in your own students? Contact Dorothy Greet at (302) 314-6010; dgreet@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Satellites, Cable and the History of Television

Long before streaming put the world at our fingertips, Bob Patterson was helping beam television signals around the globe via satellite. He witnessed firsthand how innovations that once seemed like science fiction transformed what we watch today. Book Patterson for a fascinating trip behind the scenes of television history. Who really inspired the creation of CNN? How did one Major League Baseball game help launch the satellite era of professional sports? What did Patterson discover during a VIP tour of the first Space Shuttle that raised concerns about future missions? And how did early HDTV satellite demonstrations convince Congress that television’s future was digital? Drawing from his book “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Patterson shares this and more including the untold stories behind five decades of television innovation. Contact Bob Patterson at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Beyond the Myths: What a Forensic Scientist Discovered While Exploring Ancient Sites

Imogene Drakes spent decades trusting scientific evidence. Then, two days after retirement, an unexpected spiritual awakening sent her on a 42-day journey around the world to investigate ancient mysteries — and challenge assumptions she had held for a lifetime. After a career in forensic toxicology and clinical laboratory science, Imogene visited remarkable ancient sites, explored controversial theories about humanity’s origins, and confronted questions at the intersection of science and faith. She is the author of “Around the World in 42 Days: One Woman’s Journey Through Ancient Mysteries and Modern Questions,” which reveals what happens when a trained scientist follows her curiosity into unfamiliar territory. She answers the question: Can science and faith coexist—and what happens when we dare to ask? Contact Imogene Drakes at (845) 957-7896; idrakes@rtirguests.com

13. ==> What Golf Teaches Kids That a Classroom Can’t

Tom Loegering believes golf can teach lessons that have less to do with creating golfers and more to do with preparing young people for life. Loegering is founder and CEO of Golf Program in Schools (GPS), a free, curriculum-based program that has introduced more than 53,000 K–12 students to golf. Through the game, children learn perseverance, honesty, responsibility, self-confidence, decision-making and how to recover from mistakes. An entrepreneur, golf course owner, financial planner and the author of “Success or Failure: The Choice Is Yours,” Loegering offers an unexpected perspective on education. He’ll explain how golf can teach lessons that extend beyond the course while introducing students to core values including courtesy, honesty, respect, integrity, spirit and teamwork. Contact Tom Loegering at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Helping People in Prison Makes the Rest of Us Safer

What happens inside prisons doesn’t necessarily stay there. Many incarcerated people eventually return to their families and communities, and Kim Nugent says the programming available during incarceration can help prepare them for that transition. Nugent, author of “From Prison to Possibilities: Paving Your Path,” advocates for prison programming built around education, mentorship, life skills, purpose and preparation for release. She can discuss what effective prison programming looks like, why preparation for reentry should begin before release, and how mentorship can build accountability and practical skills that carry beyond prison walls. Ask her: What kinds of programming do people in prison need most? Why should reentry preparation begin before release? What role can mentorship play inside prisons? Why should people outside prison care about the programming available inside? Nugent is a certified Brave Thinking Mastery consultant who also holds an Inner Counselor certification. Contact her at (832) 240-7494; Knugent@rtirguests.com

15. ==> What Saying No to Billionaires Taught Her About Real Self-Worth

What if knowing your worth means being willing to say no to wealth, status, and powerful people? Ninotchka Manus says she turned down marriage proposals from billionaires and refused to compromise herself for wealthy, influential men, even while moving in some of the world’s most glamorous circles. Ninotchka lived a life many people only dream about: international travel, haute couture, luxurious homes, and a social circle that included billionaires, royalty, and celebrities from Aristotle Onassis and Princess Soraya to Diana Ross. But the author of “My Life You Would Not Believe” says maintaining her independence and integrity mattered more than being defined by the powerful men around her. She’ll share what those experiences taught her about self-worth, staying true to yourself, and creating a life on your own terms. Ask her: What surprised you most about the billionaires and celebrities you knew? Can pursuing a glamorous life actually make it harder to recognize your own worth? Contact Ninotchka Manus at (917) 534-0741 or nmanus@rtirguests.com

10/13/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Pete Hegseth, Public Executions and Three Questions to Ask Yourself

01. Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong
02. The History of Public Executions
03. Capital Punishment as Entertainment?
04. Should You Be Worried About Catching Measles?
05. It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
06. Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them
07. Do Kids Need to Be Taught How to Be Students?
08. Worried AI Will Replace You? Here’s How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable
09. Is Your Company Using an Outdated Leadership Playbook?
10. How Faith Carried a Visually Impaired Marathoner 26.2 Miles—Three Times
11. Feeling Disconnected? 3 Ways to Rebuild the Connections
12. Is Your Environment Secretly Working Against Your Health?
13. Searching for More? A Skeptic Says It’s Time to Rethink Faith
14. Three Questions You Never Ask Are Quietly Running Your Life
15. 72 Ways to Create Lasting Peace

1. ==> Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong

“Is there a single person who predicted that the secretary of defense would become one of the most influential—potentially even the most effective—senior officials within the Trump administration? I can’t find one, and that’s astounding,” asks “Foreign Policy” columnist Emma Ashford. Pete Hegseth has been a big surprise to most people. In May, the “Washington Post” described Pete Hegseth as an “emboldened, ascendant figure” within the Trump administration, while more recently the “Bloomberg” editorial board penned a piece on his “generational damage” to the U.S. military. Ashford can discuss how Hegseth has increasingly been able to impose his will on the institution, most notably in his success waging an internal culture war on the military’s diversity initiatives and his purge of around 10 percent of the military’s top officers. She says Hegseth’s influence and power may have taken everyone by surprise, but the results will not be pleasant and will last far longer than this presidency. Emma Ashford is a columnist at “Foreign Policy” and senior fellow with the Stimson Center’s Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University and the author of “Oil, the State, and War.” Contact her at eashford@stimson.org

2. ==> The History of Public Executions

Daniel LaChance, an associate history professor at Emory University, says Donald Trump’s efforts to turn the execution of Nidal Hasan into a public spectacle is out of line with decades of thinking on the issue, but in line with his own ethos about crime and punishment. “His whole brand is this kind of populist, anti-elitism. And when executions moved into the bowels of prisons in the early 20th century, they were really becoming bureaucratic affairs, run by experts, carried out in front of a small group of professionals and clergy,” LaChance says. “It was a denial of the public’s right to see a punishment that was carried out in their name, in part because there were elites who thought that the public couldn’t handle this kind of spectacle, that they were misbehaving, that it would generate more disorder when an execution is designed to do the exact opposite: to generate order.” Trump clearly thinks he is pushing back against elitism and expertise and giving people what they want, LaChance says, though the question many scholars have is whether doing so will “increase people’s bloodthirst” or force them to recoil — and ultimately decrease support for such punishments. Daniel LaChance is a legal scholar working at the intersection of American legal and cultural history, criminology, and literary studies. He is the author of several books including “Executing Freedom: The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment in the United States.” Contact him at dlachance@emory.edu; (404) 727-9855

3. ==> Capital Punishment as Entertainment?

Matthew Robinson, a criminal justice professor at Appalachian State University and author of a book on U.S. capital punishment titled “Death Nation,” says he is “appalled” by the administration’s plans for a public execution. “It strikes me as meant to be entertaining.” He says a student asked what would happen when children tune in to watch the execution, which Robinson says he believes they will do, as if it’s a video game. He says the idea was appalling — and not just to him. “I imagine the rest of the world, the civilized world, will see this and have the same response that I did,” he says. “They’ll respond with shock.” Matthew Robinson has been with the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University since 1997. He is the author of 30 academic books, has authored scores of op-eds in newspapers across the country and regularly appears in media stories of crime and criminal justice. Contact him at (828) 262-6560; robinsnmb@appstate.edu

4. ==> Should You Be Worried About Catching Measles?

Measles outbreaks have been reported in multiple states, with Pennsylvania cases accelerating to become the largest outbreak since 1991. Experts blame declining vaccination rates saying it’s made parts of the country vulnerable to surges of a disease that was eliminated more than two decades ago. “In January in Pennsylvania, they had 12 cases. Now we’re seeing 100 plus cases per week and over 1,000 cases,” says Patsy Stinchfieldd, executive director of the Measles Collaborative, a public health effort led by the National Infectious Diseases Foundation. “If Pennsylvania can see it spread that fast, that can happen in any state that has low immunization rates.” The recent surge has many wondering if they’re at risk. She says vaccination is the best defense against measles and can discuss what to do if you’re unsure of your own vaccination status or unable to get a vaccine. Patricia Stinchfield, MS, PNP is a widely recognized infectious diseases specialist. She is the executive director of the Measles Collaborative and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Contact Diana Olson at dolson@nfid.org

5. ==> It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams

Artificial intelligence is making scams faster, more convincing and more personal. Fraudulent messages can imitate family members, trusted companies or familiar voices, pressuring people to act before questioning what is happening. Jocelyn King says families do not need to become cybersecurity experts to protect themselves. They need practical habits for recognizing manipulation, verifying unexpected requests and limiting the personal information criminals can use against them. King is a Top 10 Woman in Cybersecurity, a 15-year Silicon Valley AI insider, CEO of Smarter Online Safety and author of the bestselling book “Digital Self-Defense in an AI World.” She’ll explain how AI is changing familiar scams, the warning signs families miss and the protective steps they can take now. Contact Jocelyn King (970) 514-5150; jking@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Why Pushing Your Kids Could Break Them

The school year is in full swing, with academics, sports, clubs and social pressures. While it’s great to keep kids busy and engaged, school can turn into a pressure cooker for kids when parents push too hard for high grades, top sports performance, or constant achievement. Former LPGA Tour Player and mindset coach Cindy Miller has seen how perfectionism, comparison and performance pressure can crush kids’ confidence. In this conversation, she shares what parents should (and shouldn’t) say after a bad grade or tough loss, why mistakes are essential for growth, and how to raise resilient kids without breaking their spirit. Her advice applies on and off the field, helping families set goals while keeping perspective. Cindy Miller is a Hall of Fame LPGA Professional and certified mindset coach with decades of experience developing confident young athletes. Contact her at (716) 670-5341; cimiller@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Do Kids Need to Be Taught How to Be Students?

Schools teach reading, math and science but award-winning teacher Karen Horwitz says one important lesson is often assumed: children already know how to be students. Horwitz says they don’t. In her classroom, she explicitly taught children what school was for, why their choices affected others and how to become part of a community. She told students, “School is your job,” and compared the class to a boat: everyone had to work together for smooth sailing. Horwitz can explain why belonging and responsibility aren’t extras, how teaching children the purpose of school can change classroom behavior and learning, and why these early lessons can help develop critical thinking and citizenship. Karen Horwitz is the author of multiple award-winning books. Contact her at (312) 471-9435; khorwitz@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Worried AI Will Replace You? Here’s How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable

AI anxiety is no longer hypothetical: through July, U.S. employers cited AI in 112,713 announced job cuts in 2026. But startup strategist and attorney Douglas Park says the answer isn’t trying to compete with machines at what they do best. It’s strengthening the human capabilities companies still need. On your show, Park will explain why judgment, creativity, collaboration and strategic thinking become more valuable as AI handles more routine work, and how employees can position themselves as people who know how to use technology rather than fear it. He’ll also reveal why companies that treat AI simply as a way to replace people may sacrifice the human insight that creates differentiation and long-term value. Park brings more than 25 years advising companies and developed the research-based 3P Framework—People, Product and Position—to help organizations build businesses that are adaptable, scalable and durable. His new book is “Starting Startups.” Contact Douglas at (650) 629-1424; dpark@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Is Your Company Using an Outdated Leadership Playbook?

The workplace is changing fast, but David Hampson says many companies are still rewarding an old model of leadership built around dominance rather than development. That may be especially shortsighted when Gallup reports that full-time working women currently show stronger employee engagement than men. Hampson will explain why qualities such as empathy, collaboration and long-term thinking can create stronger teams—and why organizations may undermine themselves when they overlook women who bring those strengths to leadership. He’ll challenge audiences to rethink what an effective leader looks like and explain why people-first leadership isn’t simply about fairness; he believes it can be a competitive advantage. Hampson is an entrepreneur, author and business advisory consultant who brings firsthand business experience to his call for rethinking leadership. He offers a different way to evaluate workplace success in his book “Rainbow Gold: Building A Business That’s Both the Journey and the Destination.” Contact David at (603) 605-8594; dhampson@rtirguests.com

10. ==> How Faith Carried a Visually Impaired Marathoner 26.2 Miles—Three Times

Brenda Knight had never run a marathon, and her vision impairment made it difficult to see and avoid obstacles. But she says God called her to run 26.2 miles, and she answered, completing what she considers a miraculous marathon. And she didn’t stop there, she kept running marathons, although faith didn't make every race easy. Months later, Brenda hit the dreaded "wall" and says she wasn't mentally prepared to push through. That failure became a lesson she would carry into two more successful marathons. On your show, Brenda will reveal how she learned to "fight the good fight of faith" when fear of hitting the wall returned and why she completed three marathons on a seven-day fast. She’ll also share how she survived an astonishing fall and why she believes an angel protected her from serious harm. The author of “Faith Runner,” Brenda combines firsthand experience overcoming vision-related barriers with hard-earned lessons about faith, failure and perseverance. Contact Brenda Knight at (859) 297-5395 or bknight@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Feeling Disconnected? 3 Ways to Rebuild the Connections

Fall brings people back to routines, but being surrounded by others doesn’t necessarily mean feeling connected. Karen Kay Smith says difficult “waiting room seasons”—including illness, caregiving, grief, infertility and financial uncertainty—can cause people to withdraw precisely when they need support most. On your show, Smith will reveal three ways to rebuild connection through her “3 Cs”: communication, connection and community. She’ll explain the difference between functioning and actually feeling, why suppressing emotions can deepen isolation, and how simple practices such as naming emotions and “breath prayers” can help people reconnect emotionally, spiritually and relationally. Her upcoming book, “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room,” draws on lessons from life’s uncertain seasons. Smith brings years of women’s ministry and life-coach training plus firsthand experience caring for her husband through 15 years of multiple sclerosis to this timely conversation about loneliness and connection. Contact Karen at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Is Your Environment Secretly Working Against Your Health?

Cell phones, Wi-Fi, smart watches and other wireless devices have become nearly impossible to avoid, but should we be paying more attention to our everyday exposure? The CDC confirms that cell phones emit radiofrequency radiation while noting that research has not definitively established whether long-term exposure causes health problems. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser believes electromagnetic radiation deserves greater scrutiny and may contribute to issues including sleep problems and fatigue. On your show, he’ll explain his concerns about EMR from phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters and emerging wireless technologies, what he believes developing research suggests, and practical ways people can reduce exposure without abandoning modern technology. Rather than encouraging fear, the conversation gives audiences questions to consider as they reassess the environments in which they live and work. Heuser has spent years researching environmental influences on health and brings that focus to examining the potential effects of our increasingly wireless world. Contact Norbert at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Searching for More? A Skeptic Says It’s Time to Rethink Faith

Nearly three in 10 Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, yet 43% say they’ve become more spiritual over their lifetimes. Author Gary Meisner believes that seeming contradiction points to a deeper search for meaning that doesn’t always fit neatly inside traditional religion. After more than two decades as a skeptical, materialist agnostic grounded in reason and evidence, an experience he couldn’t explain caused him to reconsider what he believed. Meisner will share what changed his mind, why skeptics may reject faith based on assumptions they’ve never examined, and how patterns he sees in nature led him to question whether design points to something more. His book, “Life Through a New Lens—Finding God Where Reason and Faith Meet,” explores that intersection. Known worldwide for his work studying patterns in nature, Meisner brings an unusual analytical perspective to questions of God, purpose and belief. Contact Gary at (615) 703-3637; gmeisner@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Three Questions You Never Ask Are Quietly Running Your Life

Are you safe? Do you belong? What choice do you have? Mitra Manesh says the questions we live by, often without realizing it, can determine whether we spend our lives reacting from fear or consciously choosing what comes next. On your show, Mitra will reveal how our most basic questions about safety and belonging can keep even successful people stuck in “survival mode.” The way out, she says, begins by changing the questions to: What are the facts? What choices do I have? What response serves me and the world around me? It’s a simple shift that can change how we approach everything from relationships and careers to uncertainty about the future. Mitra explores this progression from survival to conscious choice in her latest book, “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World.” A senior mindfulness educator at UCLA Mindful, she brings decades of mindfulness teaching to this practical framework. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com

15. ==> 72 Ways to Create Lasting Peace

Michael Riso didn't expect an unplanned hospital visit to change his life — until a shocking terminal cancer diagnosis led him to a level of inner peace he'd never known. In his upcoming book, “Finding Joy in Daily Living,” Riso translates that hard-won peace into 72 simple, teachable practices anyone can use. A former golf instructor of 38 years, Riso has spent decades helping people find clarity under pressure — on the course and off. His segments are ready-made: 35 filmed clips, one for nearly every chapter in the book. Ask him: What did a terminal diagnosis teach you that nothing else could? What's one of the 72 practices anyone could try today? How did teaching golf prepare you to teach people about peace? Contact Michael Riso at (727) 353-5109; mriso@rtirguests.com

10/8/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Scammers, Narcissists and America’s Best-Kept Holiday Travel Secrets

01. The Impossible Will Take a Little While
02. New Campaign Asks Americans to Rethink Solar and Wind Power
03. Forced Retirements: Could AI Compound Problem?
04. Autism Advocate Inspires Kids Who Feel Different
05. Why Smart, Successful People Fall for Narcissists
06. America’s Best-Kept Holiday Travel Secrets
07. Think You’re Too Savvy for a Scammer?
08. How to Harvest More Joy This Fall
09. Slumlord Tactics Destroy Communities: What Actually Works
10. Are You Chasing the Wrong Definition of Success?
11. Daily Spending Habits That are Quietly Keeping You Poor
12. The Workplace Skill AI Still Can’t Replace
13. Does Your Child Have School Anxiety?
14. A 60-Second Reset to Help You Get Inspired This Fall
15. We Need More Uplifting Stories Right Now

1. ==> The Impossible Will Take a Little While

“We live in a time fraught with bad news: assaults on democracy, climate disasters, crippling inequality, and an endless proliferation of lies,” says Paul Loeb. “Exhaustion and despair are understandable, so we need to learn from people who’ve acted in the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and persisted with courage, heart, and even joy.” Loeb’s new book, “The Impossible Will Take a Little While: Perseverance and Hope in Trouble Times,” offers stories of hope, inspiration, and raw courage from heroes of world-changing political movements. It features authors including include Nelson Mandela, Alexei Navalny, Heather Cox Richardson and many more and shows what it's like to go up against Goliath and win—on battlefields from the 2024 South Korean coup, Putin's prisons, South African apartheid, American slavery, and defeatism about climate change. Paul Loeb has spent fifty years researching and writing about citizen responsibility and empowerment asking what makes some people choose lives of social commitment, while others abstain. He has written numerous books, lectured at hundreds of colleges and universities and appeared more than 1,000 times on TV and radio. Contact Paul Loeb at paul@paulloeb.org

2. ==> New Campaign Asks Americans to Rethink Solar and Wind Power

What do actor John Cena, a wind-powered hang glider, an espresso-serving raccoon, a tug-of-war with grizzly bears, and a kitten perched on a velvet pillow have to do with clean energy? They’re all part of a new campaign that uses absurd humor to deliver a surprising message: wind and solar are producing a lot more power in America than many people realize. "Clean power is a major part of America's energy system, but public perception hasn't caught up to today's reality," says Laura Beane, chairman of Our Energy. Today, wind and solar account for 20% of America's electricity yet most people assume it’s far less. The campaign invites them to reconsider what they think they already know. "One of the goals is to shift the narrative around clean energy to one of abundance, about the energy we need as a nation to make us even more prosperous. It's about energy addition, not subtraction," she says, adding, “Reliable American energy is too important to be defined by division and political polarization. The most important thing is, it’s American energy!" Our Energy is a collaborative group focused on renewable energy and sustainability. Contact Stephen Power at spower@brunswickgroup.com

3. ==> Forced Retirements: Could AI Compound Problem?

Retirement doesn’t always happen because someone is ready to stop working, sometimes older Americans are pushed out of work before earlier or more completely than they’d prefer. “For some people, retirement follows a job loss and a search that never produces another suitable opportunity. The concern is that a temporary separation becomes a permanent exit,” according to workplace expert John Challenger. A recent AARP poll found that 22% of surveyed workers age 50-plus felt they were being pushed out of their jobs, while 64% had seen or experienced workplace age discrimination. As employers introduce artificial intelligence, Challenger says assumptions about older workers’ technological capabilities could become another barrier. “The risk is that employers mistake limited exposure to AI for limited ability to learn it. If experienced workers are excluded from training and then judged unprepared for redesigned jobs, the process can reinforce the assumption it started with,” he says. Challenger is CEO of the outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com

4. ==> Autism Advocate Inspires Kids Who Feel Different

Neurodiversity speaker and advocate Matthew Kenslow has spent years sharing what it’s like to grow up with autism. Now, he’s taken his real-life experiences and put them into a story designed to resonate with readers, particularly young autistic people. Like the protagonist in his new book “The Tireless Advocate: An Epic Journey of One Autistic Who Refused to Surrender,” Kenslow overcame bullying and ableism on his way to a career as an advocate and educator. Today, he promotes more awareness, acceptance and inclusion, crediting faith, family, friends and “that light at the end of the tunnel” with helping him persevere. Matthew Kenslow was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 6 years old. Today, he is an autism advocate, neurodiversity speaker and the author of three books. He is also a substitute teacher and digital creator with more than a million followers on Instagram and has appeared on television, radio and podcasts around the world. Contact Chloe Ferguson at news@ascotpr.com

5. ==> Why Smart, Successful People Fall for Narcissists

Dr. Valerie Sussman knows firsthand how convincing a narcissist's charm can be — she's seen smart, accomplished people blindsided by manipulation they never saw coming. In her book “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” Sussman breaks down why intelligence and success offer no protection, and why victims often blame themselves. She helps survivors move past the shame that keeps them silent, replacing self-blame with clarity about what actually happened — and how to spot it before it happens again. Ask her: What are the 6 red flags that you're sleeping with a wolf in sheep's clothing? Why is hope a deadly drug if you're with a narcissist? Why are narcissists known as emotional vampires, and how do you stop them? Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; vsussman@rtirguests.com

6. ==> America’s Best-Kept Holiday Travel Secrets

Dreaming of a European Christmas market? You may not need the passport, or the transatlantic airfare. After traveling to 90 countries and all 50 states, mother-daughter travel duo Evelyn and Natalie Kelly say some surprisingly European holiday experiences are hiding right here in America. They’ll take audiences from Carmel, Indiana’s German-style Christkindlmarkt to Christmas City in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and San Francisco’s Victorian Dickens fair. They’ll also reveal how to find festive small towns, avoid holiday crowds, and turn a simple seasonal getaway into an experience the whole family remembers. Their book, “Have a Love Affair with the USA,” uncovers these and other overlooked American adventures. Contact Evelyn and Natalie Kelly at (352) 661-2493; ekelly@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Think You’re Too Savvy for a Scammer?

Many successful people think they’re too smart to get scammed. Dentist and longtime investor Ed “Doc” Holliday thought so too until a sophisticated scheme cost him more than $200,000. The threat is growing: the FBI says Americans reported nearly $21 billion in cyber-enabled crime losses in 2025, with scammers increasingly using AI to make their approaches more convincing. Invite Holliday to share three practical ways audiences can protect themselves, including recognizing fear and urgency tactics, slowing down before responding, and independently verifying who is contacting them. He’ll explain how psychological manipulation can override rational thinking, the red flags he missed and why education or financial savvy doesn’t make someone immune. His book, “My 200K Nightmare: 10 Ways to Avoid Financial Scams I Wish I’d Known,” turns a devastating experience into practical warnings for others. Holliday brings the firsthand perspective of a scam victim who now teaches others how not to become one. Contact Ed at (662) 472-4980; eholliday@rtirguests.com

8. ==> How to Harvest More Joy This Fall

Autumn is a natural time to let go, and happiness expert Deborah Mallow says our mindset could use a little seasonal clearing too. Deborah shows audiences how to recognize the habits and thought patterns that can make life feel heavier, from worry and negativity to overthinking and a relentless inner critic. With humor, warmth, and practical, science-informed strategies, she’ll share simple Daily Decisions™ that can help viewers shift their perspective, build more positive patterns, and make room for greater joy, gratitude, and peace. Deborah’s uplifting fall segment reminds audiences that happiness doesn’t require pretending everything is perfect. Sometimes it starts with changing how we approach the day in front of us. Deborah is a former #1-ranked pharmaceutical sales rep and the author of “6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck.” Contact Deborah at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Slumlord Tactics Destroy Communities: What Actually Works

As America struggles with a housing shortage and growing affordability crisis, many communities face another challenge: neglected rental properties that drag down neighborhoods and limit opportunities. Real estate investors Frank and Ann Ewing argue that the solution isn’t simply building more housing—it’s restoring existing homes and creating places people are proud to live in. Frank and Ann are the founders of Better World Enterprises and the authors of “Housing into Homes: A Path to Millions and More for Fun, Profit and a Better World.” With more than two decades of experience transforming distressed properties, the Ewings show how thoughtful renovation, affordable hous¬ing, and long-term stewardship can strengthen neighborhoods while remaining profitable. Ask them: Why has housing become so prohibitively expensive in modern times? What advice would you give to people about restoring existing homes? Contact Ann and Frank Ewing at (731) 506-4586; fewing@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Are You Chasing the Wrong Definition of Success?

As 2026 enters its final months, many people will take stock of what they’ve accomplished—but what if they’ve been chasing the wrong things? Keith Ingersoll spent nearly a decade behind the scenes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, working around some of the biggest names in entertainment and professional sports. What he witnessed challenged the assumption that money, status and recognition automatically lead to fulfillment. Ingersoll will share surprising stories from his memoir, “Fame and Fortune,” and reveal what his encounters with celebrities taught him about the difference between looking successful and feeling fulfilled. He’ll challenge audiences to reconsider what they’re pursuing, why external validation can leave people wanting more, and what may matter more than achieving the next milestone. Ingersoll brings a rare insider’s perspective shaped by years observing fame and fortune up close rather than from the outside looking in. Contact Keith at (208) 812-5346; kingersoll@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Daily Spending Habits That are Quietly Keeping You Poor

Before another holiday-shopping season begins, it may be time to ask where your money is really going. U.S. credit-card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Real-estate developer Dr. Janet Tonkins says redirecting even small amounts from lifestyle spending toward assets can begin changing your financial trajectory. Tonkins will explain how everyday consumers can start building wealth through real estate without perfect credit or huge amounts of capital. She’ll discuss first-time homebuyer programs, off-market deals and why she recommends automating even $5–$10 toward investments. Her book, “Purses, Heels, Houses—You Choose,” reinforces her message that wealth begins with different choices. Tonkins is a developer and private lender with 30+ years of experience, 900+ units and more than $900 million in transactions. Contact Janet at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Workplace Skill AI Still Can’t Replace

AI can draft reports, analyze data, and automate tasks, but it still can’t replace our ability to navigate conflict with another human being. As workplaces race to embrace AI, global negotiation expert Samuel Bentil says the people who know how to communicate, collaborate, and resolve disagreements may become more valuable, not less. Drawing on lessons from high-stakes international projects, Samuel reveals how emotional intelligence, active listening, and trust can prevent everyday friction from becoming costly conflict. Author of “Avoid Construction Disputes,” he’ll show your audience why winning an argument can actually be a leadership failure, and how creating a win-win can strengthen teams, productivity, and relationships. Ask him: If AI handles more of our work, which human skills become more valuable? Why can trying to “win” a workplace disagreement make you less effective? Contact Samuel at (778) 656-0067; sbentil@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Does Your Child Have School Anxiety?

Back-to-school jitters can be normal, but for some kids, anxiety lasts well past the first weeks of class and can make it hard to focus or even walk through the school doors. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that up to 5% of children experience school-related anxiety. Sharon Emily says more studying and pressure may miss what kids need most: help changing the thoughts driving their fear. Sharon shows parents how imagination, repetition, and positive self-talk can help children shift from “What if I fail?” to picturing what they want to happen and taking steps toward it. Her children’s book, “Mirror of Myself,” grew from a song she created to make those mindset lessons memorable. Can imagining success really help a worried child? Could pushing harder actually make school anxiety worse? A former counselor and FranklinCovey-trained facilitator, Sharon has spent decades applying mindset principles to parenting, recovery, education, and personal growth. Contact Sharon Emily at (480) 470-3893; semily@rtirguests.com

14. ==> A 60-Second Reset to Help You Get Inspired This Fall

Feeling uninspired may not mean you need a vacation, a new job, or a major life overhaul. Sometimes you may simply need to create. Artist and former healthcare professional Edi Matsumoto says playful, low-pressure creativity can help people shift gears mentally and emotionally. On your show, Matsumoto will demonstrate her “60-second joy reset” and explain how simple creative shifts—from doodling to enjoying a silly painting—can help people pause, improve their mood and restore focus. No artistic talent required. She’ll show audiences how to weave small moments of creativity into everyday life when they feel stressed, stuck or uninspired. Matsumoto combines her healthcare background with her experience as an artist to explore creativity as an accessible tool for everyday well-being. Contact Edi at (831) 290-6491; ematsumoto@rtirguests.com

15. ==> We Need More Uplifting Stories Right Now

Bad news travels fast—but after years of doomscrolling, division and anxiety, could audiences be hungry for stories that actually make them feel better about the world? Dan Klusmann believes uplifting storytelling deserves a comeback. After 56 years in the movie business and collecting more than 80 true stories, he has seen how stories of kindness, resilience and human connection can affect the way people see themselves and others. On your show, Klusmann will share memorable stories that restore faith in people, explain why positive storytelling doesn’t require ignoring life’s difficulties, and reveal what decades in entertainment taught him about the kinds of stories audiences remember. His work offers producers an opportunity to counter the relentlessly negative news cycle with a conversation designed to leave viewers feeling hopeful rather than depleted. Klusmann brings more than five decades of entertainment-industry experience and an extensive collection of real-life uplifting stories to the discussion. Contact Dan at (760) 450-7012; dklusmann@rtirguests.com

10/6/2026 RTIR Newsletter: The US-China AI Race, What Your Online Dating Reveals About You and Halloween’s Dark Roots

01. The Scramble for AI Dominance: The U.S.-China Race
02. Brazil’s 2026 Election: What to Know and What’s at Stake
03. The Dark Roots of Halloween
04. World Mental Health Day is October 10
05. What Online Dating Really Reveals About You
06. Conversations Every Boy Needs
07. Overwhelmed at Work? A 3-Part Plan to Take Back Control
08. Women Silently Pay an Invisible Tax at Work
09. Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era
10. The Problem Parents Feel in the Classroom This Fall
11. Safety Skills Every Teen Needs
12. The Confidence Crisis Affecting Today’s Kids
13. Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide
14. Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: Energy Balance and Your Body
15. When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God

1. ==> The Scramble for AI Dominance: The U.S.-China Race

Several technology companies have recently held back their updated artificial intelligence models over safety concerns, yet the White House refuses to police the industry saying regulation risks China catching up on a thin U.S. lead in the AI race. Matt Sheehan, co-director of the Carnegie Endowments China AI Initiative, points out that Beijing actually takes the opposite approach and extensively regulates both AI development and deployment. He says despite regulation, Chinese companies are largely catching up with their American rivals anyway. He’ll discuss why the two AI superpowers govern the technology so differently and what the competition means for the future of geopolitics. Matt Sheehan is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on global technology issues, with a specialization in China’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. He is also co-director for the China AI Initiative. Contact him at sheehan@ceip.org

2. ==> Brazil’s 2026 Election: What to Know and What’s at Stake

Brazilians will vote in a runoff on October 25 after the first round of the country’s general election failed to see any candidate secure more than 50 percent of the vote. The winner of the runoff will determine the leadership of Latin America’s largest democracy and biggest economy. It’s Brazil’s first presidential election since supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked government buildings in the capital in January 2023, seeking to overturn the results of the 2022 vote that saw him narrowly defeated. Shannon K. O’Neil, a leading authority on global trade, supply chains, Mexico, and Latin America, can discuss the candidates, the issues for Brazilian voters, and how the election could reshape the country’s standing in the region. Shannon K. O’Neil is the Council on Foreign Relations senior vice president of studies and Maurice R. Greenberg chair and the author of “The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter.” Contact her at (212) 434-9632; soneil@cfr.org

3. ==> The Dark Roots of Halloween

4. ==> World Mental Health Day is October 10

As World Mental Health Day approaches October 10, much of the conversation will focus on access to mental healthcare, but John Wayne Vogels, says an often-overlooked area of that care is grief support. In 2011, he lost his 3-year-old son in a drowning accident. Through his devastating loss Vogels came to understand that without a lifeline, the pain could unravel lives. “The heartbreak sets off a chain reaction—families are torn apart, careers and homes are lost and marriages break down. In their darkest moments, many face battles with homelessness, addiction, PTSD and depression.” Vogels founded the Martyred Angels Foundation to provide community support to families struggling after the tragic death of a child. Rather than relying solely on traditional support groups, the organization incorporates retreats and equine-assisted therapy into its programs designed specifically for grieving parents and siblings. Contact Troy at rapty@signalraptor.com

5. ==> What Online Dating Really Reveals About You

She went looking for something casual. She found herself. Bren Marrick's unconventional journey began with online dating but quickly became something much bigger: a reckoning with identity, desire, relationships, confidence, and the life she had built around other people's expectations. What happens when you stop asking "What should I want?" and finally ask "What do I want?" The author of “Dicks I've Met Online: How I Turned Casual Meetups into a Journey of Discovery” will share her candid, funny, and deeply honest story about waking up, questioning the rules you've lived by, and discovering that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date. Ask her: What happens when you realize you've lost yourself? Can desire be a catalyst for change? Why do we wait so long to question the life we've built? Contact Bren Marrick at (571) 317-1011; brenmarrick@gmail.com

6. ==> Conversations Every Boy Needs

Our boys are in trouble. In a culture where boys are often taught to suck it up, suppress their feelings and be tough, award-winning parenting expert C. Lynn Williams says parents can help sons become emotionally aware, resilient, and confident by challenging outdated ideas about masculinity. On your show, Williams will explain why fear-based parenting should give way to connection, communication, and trust, and how giving boys permission to feel, communicate, and be understood can help them grow into healthier men. She'll also tackle a question many parents struggle with: How do you raise sons to be strong without teaching them to be aggressive? Williams is the author of five parenting books, including “Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen.” Williams is an educator, speaker, family dynamics strategist, and award-winning parenting expert. Contact her at (224) 344-3487; Cwilliams@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Overwhelmed at Work? A 3-Part Plan to Take Back Control

Gallup reports a quarter of U.S. employees feel overworked either very often or always. Executive coach Lindsay K. Barnett says high performers need to rethink how they manage their energy, not simply their calendars. Barnett will walk audiences through her three-part framework of Planning, Pacing and Playing, including why strategic pauses can improve decision-making and why making room for play isn't frivolous. She’ll explain how employees can regain a sense of control without quitting their jobs or abandoning ambition. She offers practical ways to create healthier, more sustainable success. Barnett is a former Fortune 500 HR leader and executive coach who has spent years working inside the organizations confronting these challenges. She’s the author of “Working Hell to Working Well.” Contact Lindsay at (310) 340-2579; Lbarnett@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Women Silently Pay an Invisible Tax at Work

Women have never been more represented in leadership, yet many still report higher levels of stress and exhaustion than their male counterparts. Why? After 33 years in global banking and technology, executive leader Amanda Christian says many women are paying an invisible tax: the constant pressure to adapt, translate, and reshape themselves just to be heard. On your show, she'll reveal how this hidden burden impacts confidence, performance, and well-being. She’ll also share why traditional leadership advice often falls short and what organizations can do to create more sustainable paths to success. Amanda offers a fresh framework for leading with authenticity rather than constant self-adjustment. Having built an executive career in industries where women remain underrepresented, Christian speaks from firsthand experience, not theory. She is the author of “SoulFIRE Leadership.” Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com

9. ==> The Careers That Will Thrive — Not Just Survive — in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries, leaving many workers wondering whether their careers will still exist a decade from now. But according to author and decision-making expert George Lee, some professions won't merely survive AI—they'll become even more valuable because of it. On your show, Lee will explain which careers are best positioned for long-term growth. He’ll discuss why creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability are becoming premium skills, and how young professionals can future-proof their careers before the next wave of disruption arrives. He’ll also talk about why many schools and workplaces continue preparing people for a world that no longer exists. Lee offers a practical roadmap for thriving in an AI-driven economy. With experience spanning law, neuroscience-informed decision-making, and cross-cultural education, Lee brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to the future of work. He’s the author of “SMART Parenting 5.0.” Contact George Lee at (604) 330-8697; glee@rtirguests.com

10. ==> The Problem Parents Feel in the Classroom This Fall

The teacher shortage isn't simply about finding enough people to fill classrooms. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the bigger problem is keeping great teachers from walking away. On your show, she'll reveal what is driving talented educators away, what could actually convince them to stay, and why rebuilding schools requires valuing the entire ecosystem supporting children, including principals, bus drivers, coaches, cafeteria workers, and paraprofessionals. She'll also share concrete steps communities and lawmakers can take to strengthen schools. With 26 years in the classroom plus experience as a school principal and university professor training future educators, Gilmore has seen the challenges facing schools from multiple perspectives. Her book, “There's a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard,” celebrates the people who make school communities work. Contact Deanna Gilmore at (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Safety Skills Every Teen Needs

Keeping teenagers safe isn't as simple as giving them more rules. After 40 years in crime and violence prevention, Stephanie Mann says the teens best equipped to navigate danger are the ones who develop their own inner strength. Mann will reveal how self-awareness, emotional strength, and a centered sense of identity can help young people navigate risky situations. She'll explain what can make teens vulnerable to gangs, toxic relationships, and other dangers, why tighter restrictions can create false security, and how parents can build genuine resilience instead. Her book, “Magical YOU! Empowering Teens to Stay Safe and Healthy in an Unsafe World,” gives families a different way to think about protection: empower teens rather than simply shelter them. After 40 years as a crime and violence prevention specialist, Mann brings decades of firsthand experience understanding the conditions that put young people at risk. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Confidence Crisis Affecting Today’s Kids

Social media addiction, disappearing family rituals, and a lack of stability can leave kids feeling disconnected and adrift. Jack Gindi, founder of the I Believe in Me program, says all three can also undermine something children desperately need: self-esteem. Drawing on his own difficult childhood and decades of experience as a father, grandfather, and mentor, Jack will show parents how to replace constant correction with confidence-building habits. He'll share practical ways to help children manage emotions, set achievable goals, and strengthen their belief in themselves in school and beyond. He’ll share how small, consistent actions can create lasting connection and trust, even through the teen years and tough conversations. Gindi focuses his work on giving families practical tools to strengthen children's self-esteem, emotional management, and goal-setting skills. Contact Jack Gindi at (719) 751-8807; jgindi@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Inside the Toxic Social Environment That Fuels Teen Suicide

In a world where suicide is now the leading cause of death for people ages 10-33, therapist Sally Raymond is on a mission to change the narrative. With over 33 years of experience, Sally’s deeply personal journey—shaped by the loss of her son to suicide—continues to fuel her de¬termination to help others avoid the same unnecessary and heartbreaking fate. Sally has worked tirelessly to uncover the toxic social forces that first took her own son to suicide and still work to demoralize today’s youth in ever-increasing numbers. In this powerful interview she’ll reveal the hidden factors contributing to the rising suicide rates, including bullying, social media pressures, and lack of emotional support. Sally’s message is clear: while we can’t always prevent suicide, we can always make life worth the living. Contact her at (805) 576-8640; sraymond@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: How Energy Balance Affects Your Body

When symptoms don’t respond to traditional approaches, Marilyn Mercado looks at energy. This energy practitioner and holistic wellness expert will explain how emotional stress and unresolved experiences can disrupt the body’s energy centers, often showing up as pain, fatigue, or recurring illness. Mercado helps audiences understand how chakra balance supports physical and emotional health and how simple awareness practices can restore flow. Her perspective offers an intriguing complement to conventional wellness conversations. Marilyn specializes in chakra balance and mind-body healing. Contact her at (805) 332-4863; mmercado@rtirguests.com

15. ==> When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God

Nancy Frecka brings a unique perspective as both a pastor and someone who has experienced extraordinary events. She shares insights about hearing God’s voice and trusting divine guidance in everyday life. Her two near-death experiences, encounters with Jesus, and the way God brought clarity and healing through moments of deep childhood trauma speak powerfully to the reality of surrendering to God’s will. When she slipped into death—twice—she never imagined what awaited her. Floating above her lifeless body, she watched nurses scramble, unable to find a pulse. Then came the divine encounter with Jesus Himself. Nancy is a speaker, pastor, and the author of “God Says, You Can Trust Me: Supernatural Encounters with God.” Contact Nancy Frecka at (330) 422-6955; nfrecka@rtirguests.com

10/1/2026 RTIR Newsletter: AI and Medicare, Off the Radar Road Trips and Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14

01. Can AI Safely Navigate Medicare? What's Next?
02. Who TrumpRX Really Benefits
03. How AI is Changing the Employment Process
04. Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14 From Astronaut’s Former Wife
05. The Best Fall Road Trips in America
06. Modern Money Advice for Gen Z
07. Are Uninformed Voters the Biggest Threat to Democracy?
08. From Child Abuse to Witness Protection: This Guest’s Life Was a Real-Life Crime Thriller
09. Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant
10. Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems
11. The Most Important Conversation You Have Every Day
12. What 8 Years of Traveling Alone Reveals About Real Happiness
13. Are You Chasing an Expired Version of Success?
14. From Heartache to Healing to Humor in 5 Steps
15. Can You Believe in Science and Still Believe in God?

1. ==> Can AI Safely Navigate Medicare? What's Next?

President Trump launched a website Tuesday that uses artificial intelligence to help Americans navigate the federal government and find information and services. The website says that in early 2027, users will be able to complete forms, applications and renewals, like enrolling in Medicare and applying for a passport. Anmol Madan, founder and CEO of healthcare AI company RadiantGraph, can discuss the opportunities, risks and real-world challenges of using the technology and will explain what America.gov will need to get right when AI begins answering Medicare and healthcare questions for millions of Americans. He says healthcare AI must be built around accuracy, privacy, human oversight and clear escalation when AI gets something wrong. Ask him: Why is aligning financial incentives with patient outcomes essential if AI is going to reduce rather than accelerate healthcare spending? What happens as AI moves beyond answering questions and begins helping people make decisions and take actions involving their healthcare? Anmol Madan is the” author of The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

2. ==> Who TrumpRX Really Benefits

TrumpRx, the Trump administration’s prescription-drug purchasing website, creates the appearance of lowering drug prices. But are there meaningful savings? Richard Escow says the initiative benefits Big Pharma by preserving companies’ pricing power. “Initial press coverage of ‘TrumpRx’ tended to repeat the administration’s claims that Donald Trump had conducted tough negotiations with drug manufacturers to ‘lower prices for Americans,’” But he says most media coverage has missed the story behind the story. “That story begins with the extensive ties that connect the GOP, Trump personally, and Big Pharma. It includes the fact that drug manufacturers were already likely to lower some drug prices and were already building their own ‘direct-to-consumer’ websites.” Escow says TrumpRx is designed to undermine public insurance. “That helps Big Pharma and serves Trump’s (and the right’s) ideological goals. ‘Lower prices’ were never the point. It’s a bait-and-switch scheme that works against the people’s best interests.” Richard Eskow is the host and managing editor of The Zero Hour. Contact him at richard@thisisthezerohour.com

3. ==> How AI is Changing the Employment Process

Recording, transcription, and AI-generated summaries are routine in business meetings, helping connect remote teams or loop in absent team members. However, the practice is also spreading to job interviews, changing not only how candidates are evaluated and how hiring decisions are made, but also how job seekers need to prepare for and show up to interviews. “The important change is not that more meetings are being recorded. Conversations that once disappeared after a meeting can now become permanent, searchable records that are stored, shared, and incorporated into other systems,” says John Challenger, Chief Executive Officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Challenger says that means job seekers need to understand they’re communicating with multiple audiences: the people conducting the interview live and the people or systems reviewing it afterward. He’ll discuss the best way to prepare for an interview, the danger of memorizing responses and why you should never treat any part of an interview as ‘off the record.’ Challenger, Gray & Christmas is a global outplacement and executive coaching firm. Contact Colleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074 (office); (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com

4. ==> Behind-the-Scenes of Apollo 14 From Astronaut’s Former Wife

Anita Mitchell offers a firsthand look back at the extraordinary era when her then-husband, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, became the sixth man to walk on the moon. Invite her on your show to share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of the people, pressures and improbable experiences surrounding America’s historic space program. You’ll hear anecdotes involving some of the most revered people of the day, from astronauts to actors, politicians to metaphysical gurus as she takes listeners back to a magical era in the history of humanity, when anything seemed possible, and when the world first saw the Earth from space — an awe-inspiring moment that transcended geographical, cultural and political boundaries. “It pulled the world together in a way nothing else ever has,” says the author of “You Don’t Look Like an Astronaut’s Wife!” “They sent back that incredible picture taken from the moon of Earth. We all saw our planet in a new way. No matter who you were, when you saw that tiny blue and white marble, knowing it was our home, it was humbling, and it united us.” Contact Helen Cook at (903) 654-0938; hcook@ascotmediagroup.com

5. ==> The Best Fall Road Trips in America

Summer vacation may be over, but Evelyn and Natalie Kelly say fall can be the perfect time to rediscover America, especially the places travelers often overlook. After exploring all 50 states together over three decades, the mother-daughter travel experts say some of America’s greatest experiences are tucked away in small towns, scenic byways, and overlooked attractions that most travelers drive right past. From breathtaking natural wonders to charming Main Streets and unforgettable local eateries, they’ll share ten hidden gems perfect for families, couples, retirees, and adventure seekers looking to skip the crowds and discover something new. They’ll also reveal simple ways to plan a more meaningful vacation without spending a fortune. Their book, “Love Affair with the USA,” celebrates the people, places, and stories that make America worth exploring one road trip at a time. Contact Evelyn and Natalie Kelly at (352) 661-2493; ekelly@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Modern Money Advice for Gen Z

Where do young adults learn their financial skills? And in today’s economy, is yesterday’s financial advice outdated? Nearly half of Gen Z says they don’t feel financially prepared for adulthood. Invite real estate investor and wealth educator Janet Tonkins to reveal the biggest financial mistakes young adults make and how anyone can start building wealth with as little as $5 to $10 a month. Learn why understanding assets matters more than chasing status symbols and how small financial decisions made in your 20s can shape your entire future. Tonkins helps audiences rethink spending, ownership, and generational wealth. Beyond coaching investors nationwide, she also develops affordable housing projects and mentors first-generation wealth builders through the Cashflow Diva Academy and TheCashflowDiva.com. She’s the author of the upcoming book “Purses, Heels & Houses You Choose.” Contact Janet Tonkins at (410) 421-0930; jtonkins@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Are Uninformed Voters the Biggest Threat to Democracy?

James Therrell has spent 50 years as an active citizen as a U.S. Senate history teacher and political consultant and he says the numbers on civic knowledge should alarm every American: 9-out-of-10 eighth graders aren't proficient in basic civics. In his upcoming book, “To Slay America's 10 Worst Goliaths,” Therrell describes the 10 domestic threats most dangerous to democracy and the American dream. He says the fix isn't picking a side, it's using history and a "Middle Road" built on pattern recognition, key priorities, and civic engagement. Ask him: Why do you believe our democracy is now like a train speeding into a concrete wall? What is the "Middle Road" you propose, and how does it work? What can be done to fix American's lack of civic knowledge? Contact James Therrell at (512) 883-2969; jtherrell@rtirguests.com

8. ==> From Child Abuse to Witness Protection: This Guest’s Life Was a Real-Life Crime Thriller

What if the most unbelievable crime thriller you've ever encountered was actually true? John Casey says his life has included surviving severe child abuse, running away from home, discovering his biological father, serving in the Army, encounters with organized crime, federal prison, and time in witness protection. His forthcoming memoir, “Of Deceit and Destiny,” recounts a lifetime of extraordinary twists that he says ultimately led to redemption rather than defeat. John also shares what he learned about resilience, overcoming trauma, rebuilding after prison, and refusing to let the past define the future. His story offers audiences an unforgettable conversation about survival, second chances, personal transformation, and why it's never too late to rewrite the ending of your own life. Contact John Casey at (219) 706-4134; Jcasey@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Life As A Closeted Clairvoyant

Nearly half of Americans say they've had a spiritual experience they can't explain, yet most never talk about it. Former television executive Kim Bantle spent more than two decades working at Paramount, Viacom, and Group W Productions while keeping her own extraordinary experiences private. She says she could read minds, predict events, sense energy, and communicate with those who had passed – abilities that intensified after a near-death experience in college. On your show, Bantle explores why successful professionals often trust instincts they can't explain, why intuition remains one of society's least-discussed human experiences, and what the growing interest in spirituality says about a culture searching for meaning beyond traditional institutions. She also discusses dreams, signs, synchronicities, and why skeptics and believers may have more in common than they think. Having spent 23 years producing content for mainstream audiences, she knows how to discuss extraordinary topics in a way that is thoughtful, relatable, and engaging. Bantle shares her experiences with honesty, humor and self-awareness in her new memoir “Confessions of a Closeted Clairvoyant.” Contact Kim Bantle at ksbantle@gmail.com; (310) 418-5758

10. ==> Stop Trying to Solve Your Kids’ Problems

Parents want to help their children succeed, but stepping in too quickly may have an unintended consequence: kids who struggle to solve problems or trust themselves. Educator and author Dr. Dianne Olvera says one powerful shift can change that—stop telling and start asking. She'll reveal how thoughtful questions can help children think independently, regulate emotions, develop resilience, and take greater ownership of their choices. She’ll also explain why constantly rescuing kids from mistakes can undermine the confidence parents are trying to build. Her newly released “Helping Kids Take Ownership of Their Lives” gives parents practical strategies for replacing control with connection and encouraging capable, empathetic kids. A professor for four decades, board-certified educational therapist, and former U.S. Embassy professional, Olvera brings a uniquely education-focused perspective to helping children become independent thinkers. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com

11. ==> The Most Important Conversation You Have Every Day

Dr. Erika Horwitz has spent 35 years as a psychologist studying the conversation most people never think to examine: the one they have with themselves. She says the constant inner critic — the voice questioning whether you're good enough — shapes daily life more than almost anything else, yet almost no one is taught how to manage it. Horwitz, an award-winning mental health advocate and director of public affairs for the BC Psychological Association, says the fix isn't silencing that voice, but learning the psychological tools to work with it. Ask her: What does the average person's inner conversation actually sound like, and why does it matter? What's one tool people can use today to quiet their inner critic? Why do you say "feelings are not facts"? Contact Erika Horwitz at (778) 200-7492; ehorowitz@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What 8 Years of Traveling Alone Reveals About Real Happiness

Taj Simrit spent 20 years backpacking the globe — the last 8 of them entirely alone. He’ll share what he learned wandering solo through cultures shaped by Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity, and what real happiness actually looks like once the noise of everyday life falls away. He says solitude taught him something most people spend their lives avoiding: that happiness was never something to chase in the first place. Ask him: What made you decide to travel completely alone for 8 years? What did immersing yourself in different religious traditions teach you about happiness? What's the biggest misconception people have about needing other people to be happy? Taj Simrit is the author of “Behold My Soul.” Contact him at tsimrit@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Are You Chasing an Expired Version of Success?

Chad Betz was sitting alone in a parking garage after work, convinced he was a failure. Despite working hard, building a career, and doing everything society dictated he should do, he did not feel successful. This led him on a journey to reinvent himself and help others who find themselves stuck, even after years of success. Chad says you don’t have to start over to create a successful next chapter and will help your listeners redefine success. He’ll also help them tackle the hidden forces behind their stagnation, like outdated definitions of success and beliefs that age limits future opportunity. Ask him: What is sunk-cost thinking and how can it sabotage careers? What is the Frustration Energy Cycle? What's one sign someone's chasing an expired version of success? Chad Betz is a leadership coach and black belt in three martial arts. He is the author of “An Authentic Success: You Aren't Too Old and It's Not Too Late!” Contact him at (203) 439-3564; cbetz@rtirguests.com

14. ==> From Heartache to Healing to Humor in 5 Steps

Nikki Goldman, Ph.D., spent decades labeled as a lazy learner before discovering her undiagnosed dyslexia and turning that heartache into two rewarding careers. As an award-winning author, Goldman tells her story in “Lunacy is in My Family's DNA,” where she explores how humor evolved from her hurts and helped her find a more peaceful heart. In her hypnotherapy practice, she teaches a five-step HEART program for overcoming sorrow and living a happier life that involves honoring reality, embracing empathy, altering your perspective, recognizing gifts and tickling your funny bone. Ask her: During the holidays and other gatherings, what causes people to trigger old family hurts — and how can we stop reenacting the outdated drama? Can something be both painful and hilarious without diminishing how much it hurt? Is acceptance giving up, or finally putting down the rope in the tug-of-war? Contact Nikki Goldman at (858) 544-6899; ngoldman@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Can You Believe in Science and Still Believe in God?

Can a person trained to trust hard scientific evidence also embrace faith in God? Imogene Drakes believes the answer is yes, and her remarkable journey offers a fascinating perspective on the question. After decades working in forensic toxicology and clinical laboratory science, Imogene retired and embarked on a six-week journey around the world to explore ancient sites, enduring mysteries, and questions about human origins and meaning. Rather than seeing science and faith as opposing forces, she believes scientific inquiry can deepen our understanding of creation and even strengthen spiritual curiosity. She is the author of “Around the World in 42 Days: One Woman’s Journey Through Ancient Mysteries and Modern Questions.” Contact Imogene Drakes at (845) 957-7896; idrakes@rtirguests.com

9/29/2026 RTIR Newsletter: Trump TV, Persuasive People and What Makes a Good Mother-in-Law?

01. Trump TV Slammed as State-Run Media
02. Iran’s Approach to Diplomacy Explained
03. The Call to Slow AI is Really a Sales Pitch
04. Business is Moving Fast. People Need More Time
05. Celebrate National Mother-in-Law Day
06. Medicare Fraud Is Surging: Protect Yourself and Your Parents
07. What it’s Really Like to Run for Office in America Today
08. Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time
09. The Trauma No One Talks About in American Healthcare
10. Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?
11. Franchising 101: What Smart Buyers Investigate Before They Invest
12. Want People to Listen? Six-Steps to Be a Persuasive Speaker
13. Heroes’ Day is Oct. 8; Be the Hero of Your Own Story
14. The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine
15. The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks

1. ==> Trump TV Slammed as State-Run Media

Amid a legal battle over President Donald Trump‘s press ban against news outlets and the subsequent boycott by television networks, the White House’s newly launched “Trump TV” is raising eyebrows. To many observers a sitting U.S. president refusing access to news organizations while trumpeting his own branded TV platform in their place feels a lot less like the democracy the United States has been for more than two centuries. “Trump TV is the latest instance of authoritarianism,” says Dr. Marcus Board, Jr., who compares the media ecosystem around Trump to state run TV in Russia and China. The associate professor of political science at Howard University says this mirrors the classic authoritarian model: control the message, delegitimize independent media, and replace journalism with leader centric propaganda. Reflecting on the concept of Trump TV, he adds, “It’s also embarrassing to be 80 years old and still think you’re a pageant queen.” Marcus Board, Jr., Ph.D., is the author of “Invisible Weapons: Infiltrating Resistance and Defeating Movements.” His research engages social movements, radical Black feminist theories of power, and public opinion. Contact him at (202) 250-6062 or the media relations department at Howard University at (202) 288-7071; mediarelations@howard.edu.

2. ==> Iran’s Approach to Diplomacy Explained

Iran’s foreign minister said this weekend that Tehran is "fully prepared for the war to be resumed," and also for the possibility of renewed diplomacy, and it's "up to President Trump to choose." Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, can explain Iran’s strategy to end the current war and the country’s postwar approach to diplomacy. “Negotiations remain desirable, but they must be conducted while Iran retains the capacity and willingness to impose costs. Rather than de-escalating first to create space for diplomacy, Tehran now seeks to use coercive leverage to shape the terms of diplomacy and ultimately convert that leverage into a durable favorable settlement.” She adds, “Tehran appears determined not to repeat what it sees as the central mistake of the June ceasefire: reaching an agreement and de-escalating first, before Washington had demonstrated that it would follow through on its commitments. Its immediate objective is therefore less a wholly new agreement than full and proper U.S. implementation of the June MOU: the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to the wider regional war, lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, and recognition of the Iran-Oman transit arrangement through Hormuz. Tehran also increasingly appears to be seeking a new governance arrangement for Bab al-Mandeb.” Contact Sina Toossi at stoossi@internationalpolicy.org

3. ==> The Call to Slow AI is Really a Sales Pitch

Amodei, Altman, and Musk are all calling for government regulation to slow the pace of AI innovation. But Shelly Palmer points out that “they own Big AI, and they can slow down the pace at any time, without asking anyone's permission.” He adds, “The media would have us believe that AI is on track to end humanity. That sounds like science fiction, but very smart people are saying it. On top of that, governments around the world are actively weaponizing AI.” Is there really a danger? If there is, what should we do about it? Palmer believes the call for a slowdown is actually a sales pitch and can offer a few different ways to frame the issue. Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group. He is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Contact him at sp@shellypalmer.com; info@shellypalmer.com or (212) 532-3880

4. ==> Business is Moving Fast. People Need More Time

Companies are moving faster than ever, rolling out AI, restructuring teams, and introducing new systems at scale. Yet many of these efforts stall after launch. Steve Reiner says the issue isn’t strategy or technology, it’s leadership. He says most organizations fail because they don’t close the gap between how quickly business evolves and how slowly people adapt. “Business can change overnight, but people need time, clarity, and support to change with it. When that gap is ignored, even well-designed initiatives fail.” While the common belief is that employees resist change, in Reiner’s experience, resistance is usually a leadership failure, not a people problem. He’ll discuss why most change initiatives fail after rollout, the gap between business speed and human adaptation and why “people don’t like change” is the wrong diagnosis. He says, “Companies don’t fail because they move too fast. They fail because they don’t bring people with them.” Steve Reiner is a leadership expert and the author of “Business Changes Fast, People Change Slow: A Leadership Guide to Accelerating Organizational Change and Building Competitive Advantage.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

5. ==> Celebrate National Mother-in-Law Day

There are a million jokes about them, but there’s likely plenty of reasons to celebrate the woman who raised your spouse, if only on the fourth Sunday of October. Whether you’ve got a great relationship with your M-I-L, or admit there is room for improvement, National Mother-in-Law Day is an opportunity to recognize the important role a mother-in-law can play while also acknowledging that the healthiest relationships are built, not assumed. Psychotherapist Lesley Koeppel, author of “How to Be the “Perfect” Mother-in-Law: A Lighthearted Guide for Moms of Married Sons” says, “A great mother-in-law doesn’t try to become the most important woman in her child’s life. She learns how to become an important woman in the life of the family her child has created.” Koeppel can share five tips that work for honoring a mother-in-law while building a relationship with her. Lesley Koeppel, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate serious health challenges and life’s most complicated relationships. Contact Justin Loeber at (212) 260-7576; justin.loeber@mouthdigitalpr.com

6. ==> Medicare Fraud Is Surging: Protect Yourself and Your Parents

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it stopped $5.7 billion in suspected fraudulent Medicare payments in 2025 alone. But here’s what Medicare enrollees and their families need to know: Medicare fraud could already be happening in your name without you realizing it. An unfamiliar charge on a Medicare Summary Notice may be the first clue. Medicare expert Toni King, author of “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced: Basics and Beyond,” will give your audience a practical fraud-protection checklist. She’ll explain why beneficiaries and caregivers should scrutinize Medicare Summary Notices for unfamiliar charges, guard Medicare numbers like credit cards, and hang up when unsolicited callers ask for personal information. Toni will also expose convincing scams, including callers falsely promising new plastic Medicare cards. With the government intensifying its fraud crackdown, Toni helps Medicare enrollees, their adult children, and caregivers recognize trouble before it threatens their money or healthcare. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736; tking@rtirguests.com

7. ==> What it’s Really Like to Run for Office in America Today

8. ==> Why Messy, Human Content Beats AI Every Time

9. ==> The Trauma No One Talks About in American Healthcare

America’s healthcare system is in crisis—but what’s often ignored is the trauma beneath the surface. Kathy Allan, a board-certified holistic nurse with over two decades of experience in trauma recovery, says many nurses today are emotionally broken, betrayed by the very system they once trusted. Patients, too, are suffering from care that feels cold, rushed, and disconnected. In interviews, Allan reveals how this hidden trauma plays out, much like in the TV show, “The Pitt.” Drawing on her “12 Steps of Healing Care” and years as a healing touch instructor and somatic experiencing practitioner, Allan offers a spiritual and body-centered roadmap for transforming pain into purpose. Her stories and insights will resonate with nurses, healthcare workers, and anyone who’s ever felt harmed by the system that was supposed to help them. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; kallan@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Part?

You’ve saved. You’ve invested. You’ve planned for the day you can finally stop working. But have you thought about what will happen when the work stops? Retirement isn’t simply a financial transition, it’s also an emotional and psychological one. For many people, leaving a career can mean losing daily purpose, social connections, a sense of identity and the feeling that others depend on them. “The phone stops ringing; Monday morning arrives, and suddenly there’s nowhere you have to be,” says author Laura Essay. She explores the often-overlooked challenges of life after employment. Her message is: Retirement isn’t an ending. It can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with possibility, discovery, and fulfillment. Ask her: What are some of the biggest challenges retired people face? How can you mentally prepare for leaving the workforce? Laura Essay is the author of “Retirement Mindset.” Contact her at (402) 267-9988; lessay@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Franchising 101: What Smart Buyers Investigate Before They Invest

12. ==> Want People to Listen? Six-Steps to Be a Persuasive Speaker

13. ==> Heroes’ Day is Oct. 8; Be the Hero of Your Own Story

Why do so many successful people still feel something is missing? What if the real measure of a heroic life isn't achievement, status, or recognition, but fulfillment? For National Heroes' Day, October 8, author, educator, and facilitator Susan R. Rich explores why so many people spend years pursuing someone else's definition of success only to discover it doesn't fit. Rich believes fulfillment comes from living in alignment with your values, strengths, and purpose rather than others' expectations. Listeners will discover why life's unexpected transitions often become turning points, why purpose begins with the question "Who am I?" and why becoming the hero of your own life story isn't extraordinary, it's essential. Rich is the author of the new book, “Becoming the Hero of Your Own Life Story: 14 Secrets to Empower Your Journey.” Ask her about the book’s public livestream launch coinciding with Heroes’ Day featuring guests who chose fulfillment over convention and pursued lives that truly fit who they are. Contact Susan R. Rich at susan@lifestoryhero.com; (571) 451-7935

14. ==> The Unlikely Patients Who Changed How This Doc Sees Medicine

15. ==> The Question Every Spiritual Seeker Eventually Asks

9/24/2026 RTIR Newsletter: A ‘Godzilla-Level’ El Nino, Cuba’s Mass Exodus and It’s Fat Bear Week!

01. Is Trump’s China Policy His Biggest Failure?
02. Inside Cuba’s Mass Exodus
03. As Midterms Near, Can Americans Who Disagree Still Talk?
04. This El Nino Will Be a “Godzilla-Level” Phenomenon
05. It’s Fat Bear Week!
06. What Our Schools Forget to Teach About Democracy
07. How to Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
08. Do You Really Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?
09. The Hidden Health Risk in Your Car
10. Is Your Job Making Your Mental Health Worse?
11. Why So Many People Fail at Math and How to Fix It
12. Children's Books Are the Most Underrated Health Tools
13. The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams
14. When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First
15. What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?

1. ==> Is Trump’s China Policy His Biggest Failure?

Chinese President Xi Jinping came to Washington on Wednesday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, but James Palmer says the summit’s pageantry should not obscure what might become a more consequential failure: Trump’s China policy. Many foreign policy experts believe the United States has let its most formidable geopolitical rival gain on nearly every front—from the economy and military balance to science, technology, and geopolitical influence. One area of particular concern is the Trump administration’s failure to maintain a once-sizable U.S. advantage over China in artificial intelligence. AI regulation is high on the agenda for this week’s summit, yet “the chances of productive alignment on AI safety are low,” according to Palmer. Trump’s sudden return to anti-China rhetoric isn’t helping matters, Palmer says. The U.S. president might believe that he can spread anti-China narratives at home and still cooperate with Beijing where it serves him, “but Chinese leaders may not be so keen.” James Palmer is a deputy editor at “Foreign Policy” and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Contact him at james.palmer@foreignpolicy.com

2. ==> Inside Cuba’s Mass Exodus

Cuba faces many challenges including an authoritarian government unwilling to undertake deep reform, an unproductive economy, and the constant pressure of U.S. sanctions. But another crisis has drawn less attention even as it could outlast the rest and prove even more irreversible—the largest outflow of people in Cuba’s history. “It began as a response to Cuba’s post-pandemic economic collapse and a renewed crackdown on dissent. But the latest emigration wave has become an engine of crisis in its own right, compounding other problems,” says Will Freeman, a Latin America studies fellow who traveled to Havana in June 2026. He says the scale of the exodus is unprecedented in Cuban history, with few modern parallels outside active war zones. Freeman can discuss what’s driving the once-in-a-generation outflow and what it means for the island’s future. Will Freeman is a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a leading writer on Latin American politics, democracy and organized crime, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Contact him at wfreeman@cfr.org; @WillGFreeman

3. ==> As Midterms Near, Can Americans Who Disagree Still Talk?

The political rhetoric is heating up as we head toward the November elections. Invite Dr. Catherine Meeks, a longtime racial healing leader who has spent more than 50 years studying and working with people across racial and cultural differences, to share how Americans can have meaningful conversations with people who don't look like them, live like them, or vote like them. At a moment when so much of the political conversation is about what divides Americans, Meeks believes we need to get better at talking about what connects us. That means creating conversations that can cross racial, political, geographic, and cultural lines and getting beyond labels long enough to talk about what people actually care about: their families, their communities, safety, opportunity, dignity, faith, education, and the kind of country they want their children to inherit. Meeks' message heading into the election is not that Americans need to agree on everything. It’s that we need to relearn how to see one another as human beings before we see one another as political, racial or cultural categories. Catherine Meeks is an award-winning author, speaker, and thought leader. Her latest book is “Bridging the Rivers of Difference: A Proclamation of Unity in Resistance.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705 (office)

4. ==> This El Nino Will Be a “Godzilla-Level” Phenomenon

The jaw-dropping El Nino currently heating up the planet is likely to be the largest in at least 1,000 years and will pile extra heat into an atmosphere in which temperatures are already rising rapidly. The double whammy means 2027 is expected to “blow apart” previous records and with many places around the world seeing never-before-experienced heat extremes, with all their consequences on health, food security and water stress. “All effects from El Nino are magnified by global climate change,” says Professor Kevin Trenberth at the National Center of Atmospheric Research. “The northern summer of excess heat and wildfires in Europe, North America and Asia are but a sample of what is to come.” Experts predict more intense rains and flooding in the southern U.S. and a hot, dry southern hemisphere summer meaning greater wildfire risk and droughts in Australia and southern Africa. Kevin Trenberth is a distinguished scholar at the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder and an honorary academic in the department of physics at Auckland University in New Zealand. Contact him at trenbert@ucar.edu

5. ==> It’s Fat Bear Week!

Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive the winter. Fat Bear Week is the annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for hibernation. Bear fans around the world can view the participants and cast their vote online to decide which of Katmai’s brown bears has done the best job packing on the pounds for winter. “There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” says Park Superintendent Mark Sturm. “A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start. We’re excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai’s incredible ecosystem.” Fat Bear Week is a partnership between the National Park Service, Explore.org, and the Katmai Conservancy. It runs from Sept. 22-29 (no voting on the weekend). The champion will be crowned Sept. 29th. Check out the live webcams on explore.org and judge the bears for yourself and then cast your vote online at fatbearweek.org. For interviews contact NPS_Katmai_Communications@nps.gov. Keep in mind that approved interviews and inquiry responses will take place between 8am and 6pm Alaska time.

6. ==> What Our Schools Forget to Teach About Democracy

7. ==> How to Defend Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams

8. ==> Do You Really Want a Chatbot Advising You on Your Health?

9. ==> The Hidden Health Risk in Your Car

You probably think about exhaust, fuel economy, and crash safety when choosing a car. But German inventor and health researcher Norbert Heuser wants people to ask another question: What electromagnetic radiation and magnetic field are we exposed to every time we get behind the wheel? Researchers have measured electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields inside gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles, with levels varying by vehicle type, equipment, and even where passengers sit. Norbert has spent more than 20 years investigating electromagnetic exposure and believes its potential effects on the human body deserve far more attention. Norbert has commissioned the BESA Institute in Austria to conduct scientific testing of gas-powered, hybrid, and electric vehicles. He says the results he just received raise major concerns—and that consumers have never been made aware of these potential dangers. The problem, he explains, is that these frequencies cannot be felt, smelled, or tasted, making the exposure largely invisible—much like Wi-Fi and mobile phone use. Norbert can explain where electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields inside cars come from, what existing research has found, what his findings suggest, and the precautions he believes drivers and passengers should consider. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Is Your Job Making Your Mental Health Worse?

11. ==> Why So Many People Fail at Math and How to Fix It

Craig Hane, Ph.D. — known to his students as Dr. Del — has spent decades studying why smart adults freeze up at basic math, and what actually fixes it. As founder of Triad Math, Inc., Hane has built a system that helps people move past math anxiety for good. He says most people are closer to "getting" math than they think — they've just never been taught it the right way. He's also offering free copies of his book to the first listeners who call in after the segment airs. Ask her: Why do smart adults still struggle with basic math? What's the biggest myth about who's naturally "good at math"? What's the first thing someone should do if they want to get better at math? Contact Craig Hane at (812) 408-8047; chane@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Children's Books Are the Most Underrated Health Tools

13. ==> The Invisible Blocks Standing Between You and Your Dreams

14. ==> When You Don’t Have the Words Yet: Let Creativity Go First

15. ==> What Happens When Christians Can’t Defend Their Faith?

Many Christians know what they believe but struggle to explain why they believe it. Texas-certified teacher Tamara Berkman says the problem is often not conviction, but preparation: people may know Bible stories without understanding how the Bible fits together. Berkman experienced this herself. She grew up learning individual lessons through Sunday school and sermons but only recognized what she had been missing when she taught the Bible’s complete storyline to her children. She later saw the same knowledge gap among her students. In response, Berkman created “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” a storytelling-based curriculum of 20 short lessons. She’ll discuss why Christians feel unprepared to answer questions about their faith and how understanding the Bible’s storyline can help families pass their beliefs to the next generation. Ask her: Why do Christians struggle to explain their beliefs? What is missed when Bible stories are taught separately? Does defending your faith require years of study? How can parents equip their children? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com