Category: Weekly Ezine Archives

01. What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town?
02. Priests for Peace Get Political
03. Medicare Fraud Alert: What You Need to Know Now
04. New Research Could Change How We Treat Trauma
05. Is AI Lightening Your Load or Frying Your Brain?
06. Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite
07. Not Your Usual Activist: He’s Leading an Advocacy Revolution
08. How Global Uncertainty Is Driving Economic Anxiety	
09. $100 Billion a Year: What Crime Is Really Costing Taxpayers—and What Actually Works
10. Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?
11. Laugh More, Hurt Less: Chronic Pain Survival Tips
12. The First Step to Rewrite Your Story: Stop Saying Everything’s OK
13. Why Top Students Know the Bible, Even if They Aren’t Religious
14. A College Promise Led This Surgeon to a Remote Pacific Island
15. From Birthdays to Business Names: The Energy Behind Your Numbers

1. ==> What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town?

Data centers are expensive, unpopular – and could be a tipping point in the upcoming midterm elections. Technology companies are building data centers across the U.S at an unprecedented pace. But the strain they place on the physical environment – from energy to the environment to aesthetics – has ignited fierce opposition in many communities. Ben Green, a professor at the University of Michigan and author of the report “What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town?” highlights rising utility costs, water strain, grid volatility, and the mismatch between promised jobs and actual economic benefit. He says consumer electric bills have doubled in some areas near data centers and that companies often secure tax breaks while providing few jobs. He can discuss the environmental and economic impacts of data centers, the infrastructure strain and community level consequences. He’ll also share policy solutions, including model laws, like the German Energy Efficiency Act. Ben Ford is assistant professor of information at the University of Michigan. Contact him at bzgreen@umich.edu

2. ==> Priests for Peace Get Political 

Italian priests took to the streets in Rome and other cities back in September under the banner Preti Contro il Genocidio (Priests Against Genocide). Since then, the movement has expanded and now includes more than 2,200 priests—among them, bishops and cardinals—in over 54 countries, including the United States. Fr. John Heagle, chair of Priests Against Genocide USA, recently issued a statement in support of Pope Leo’s calls for peace and his urging of citizens worldwide to contact their political leaders and congressmen to demand the end to escalating and unjust conflict. Heagle says, “Once again, the US Church finds itself at a ‘Catholic moment’-a graced opportunity to read the signs of the times, to listen, pray, and discern. By advocating for the oppressed and drawing on a foundation of Gospel nonviolence, this movement can become a prophetic voice in the ongoing struggle for human dignity and rights.”  Heagle can discuss two critical measures before U.S. lawmakers that would block the sale of bombs and bulldozers to Israel, and the increasing number of grassroots Catholic laity, faith leaders, and peace activists who are voicing opposition to current U.S. policies. Fr. John Heagle is the author of “Justice Rising.” Contact him at johnlheagle@gmail.com 

3. ==> Medicare Fraud Alert: What You Need to Know Now

Medicare fraud is surging nationwide, and more than 1.3 million Americans are now being issued new Medicare card numbers after their information was compromised. This fast-moving story has major implications for seniors and their families; many of whom may not even realize they’ve been affected. Medicare expert Toni King is sounding the alarm after seeing fraud firsthand, including over $9,000 in false medical claims tied to a single beneficiary. She explains how these scams are happening, why many victims don’t discover them until it’s too late, and what immediate steps people should take to protect themselves. On your show, Toni reveals how to spot red flags on Medicare statements, what to do if your number is compromised, and why even a small oversight can trigger major financial and healthcare consequences. She also shares simple, actionable steps listeners can take today to safeguard their coverage. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736 or tking@rtirguests.com

4. ==> New Research Could Change How We Treat Trauma

New research in neuroscience is challenging the widely held belief that trauma is stored in the body's cells. In a new paper, Steven Kotler, a leading researcher on flow and human performance, and Karl Friston, the most-cited neuroscientist in the world, argue that trauma is a brain loop - a frozen repeating, predictive loop in the brain. And they say that distinction changes everything about how trauma can be treated – because a loop can be broken. Current trauma therapy often includes body-based therapies like yoga and mindfulness to release stored trauma, in addition to talk therapy. But treatment for a repeating, predictive loop involves interrupting and retraining those patterns. Kotler will explain how peak performance states like flow can reset how the brain processes information. He says they are natural, drug-free and are already being used in veteran PTSD programs with documented results. Steven Kotler is the author of “We Are as Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office) (703) 400-1099 or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705

5. ==> Is AI Lightening Your Load or Frying Your Brain?

Researchers at Boston Consulting Group and the University of California, Riverside coined the term "AI brain fry" to describe “mental fatigue that results from excessive use of, interaction with, and/or oversight of AI tools beyond one's cognitive capacity.” In other words, doing too much with A.I. Psychologist Stephanie Johnson says, “In regard to AI, it’s just like the smartphones, right? You think smartphones would make people smarter. It’s not happening. Actually, the reverse is happening, right, because we’re leaning too much into somebody else just giving a quick answer and we’re not actually masterfully learning the information.” Ask her: If a person is engaging AI or a highly stimulated environment for 10 to 12 hours, are they actually learning? What is your recommendation for people who use AI? Are there certain hours of the day when the brain is in a better position to handle stimulation? Stephanie Johnson, PsyD, MSCP, is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 17 years of experience and serves as CEO and chief psychologist of Summit Psychological Services in California. Contact Ryan McCormick at Ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

6. ==> Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite

Before Netflix. Before YouTube. Before anyone could imagine watching the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall on demand, someone had to get that signal there—live, flawlessly, the first time. Bob Patterson was at the center of it. A pioneer in satellite broadcasting, Patterson helped deliver some of history’s most-watched moments, including major MLB, NBA, and NHL broadcasts, the first satellite news distribution service, and the world’s first international HDTV satellite transmission. On your show, he can take audiences behind the scenes of the moon landing and several other high-stakes, live television moments—where one failure could impact millions—and explain how those early breakthroughs shaped today’s always-connected world. Drawing from his book “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Patterson answers the question few think to ask: How did we go from limited signals to global, real-time connection? He’s a timely guest for shows on media, technology, innovation, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Contact Bob Patterson at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Not Your Usual Activist: He’s Leading an Advocacy Revolution

For the past 40 years, Sam Daley-Harris has been quietly leading a revolution in how ordinary citizens engage with democracy. Daley-Harris teaches transformational advocacy as opposed to transactional advocacy, which might involve signing a petition or writing a check. Instead, his method trains you to step outside your box and do things like meeting with a member of Congress about an issue. As a result, you see yourself differently. That's the transformation! “I want to show people a way out of their cynicism and hopelessness and a path toward making a difference beyond their wildest dreams. I want people to see that they don't have to give up and how to find organizations that will really empower them and don't just leave them signing meaningless petitions.” Sam Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS which has played a key advocacy role in reducing global child deaths by 66% over the last 40 years saving some 10 million lives a year. He is the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy.” Contact him at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com

8. ==> How Global Uncertainty Is Driving Economic Anxiety 

Global conflict, inflation headlines, shifting alliances, and nonstop market volatility are leaving Americans uneasy about their financial future. Economist Mitch Francis explains why today’s uncertainty feels different and why economic anxiety is becoming a defining stressor of 2026. He’ll discuss how fear-driven headlines influence spending, investing, and decision-making, often in ways that quietly undermine long-term stability. Francis also breaks down what actually matters amid the noise, helping listeners separate signal from panic and regain a sense of control. He’s a smart, grounded voice to help audiences process economic fear without political spin. Mitch Francis is an economist and systems strategist who studies how global forces, policy decisions, and human behavior shape financial outcomes. Contact him at (424) 380-4561; mfrancis@rtiguests.com

9. ==> $100 Billion a Year: What Crime Is Really Costing Taxpayers—and What Actually Works

Crime isn’t just a public safety issue—it’s a major financial burden. In fact, it costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $100 billion every year. Crime prevention consultant Stephanie Mann says most strategies focus on reacting after crimes occur rather than addressing the conditions that allow them to grow. Drawing from more than 40 years of experience, she explains why traditional enforcement-heavy approaches often fail to reduce long-term costs and what’s working instead. On your show, she’ll reveal how community-based strategies reduce crime, lower taxpayer expenses, and create safer neighborhoods without increasing budgets. She also explains why trust, local engagement, and prevention are more cost-effective than punishment alone. This is a practical, solutions-driven conversation that reframes crime as an economic issue and gives audiences a new way to think about where their tax dollars go. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?

More than two-thirds of American adults, and increasingly children and teenagers, consume caffeine every day, yet few consider it an addiction. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser says caffeine isn’t just in coffee. It’s in soda, energy drinks, green, black, and white teas, and even an increasing number of snacks. And it’s quietly shaping our brains, moods, sleep, and long-term health. Drawing on more than 45 years of research and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” Norbert challenges the belief that caffeine is harmless. He’ll explore how everyday use may contribute to anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, fertility issues, reduced gray brain matter, cognitive decline, and even harm to the unborn, while also explaining why most people never question its impact. Norbert will reveal what science is starting to show, why caffeine dependence has become socially acceptable, how to recognize addiction, and practical ways to reduce its hidden effects—without sacrificing energy or performance. He also shares great-tasting, caffeine-free alternatives to coffee. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Laugh More, Hurt Less: Chronic Pain Survival Tips

We’ve all heard the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Long-time chronic pain survivor Vita Oyler is living proof of that. When she was a young, highly athletic woman, she accidentally stepped on a rock, after which she developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a severe malfunction of the nervous and immune systems. This led to decades of excruciating pain and, ultimately, the amputation of her foot and part of her leg. But she has managed to survive, and thrive, via incorporating humor into her healing journey. “Laughter releases the body’s natural painkillers known as endorphins,” she says. “Researchers have found that humor can increase tolerance to pain.” Vita is a rehabilitation counselor and doctoral candidate at San Diego State University. She is the author of “Got Pain? Now What?” Contact Vita Oyler at (209) 255-2962; Voyler@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The First Step to Rewrite Your Story: Stop Saying Everything’s OK

Most people want the world to believe they’re strong—that they can push through, hold it together, and smile, completely unfazed by the weight they carry. But the truth is far more human. Many are terrified, overwhelmed, and quietly collapsing on the inside. For most of her adult life, author Kat Perkins lived this way too. She would always say, “It’s all good.” But after losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later facing breast cancer, things were anything but “all good.” One day, a friend told her, “You need to stop saying it’s all good. It’s not. And it’s okay to feel what you feel.” That moment something cracked open. Kat learned what no one teaches us: you cannot rewrite the meaning of your pain until you understand it—not avoid it, outrun it, or dress it up in strength. You have to face it. Drawing from her memoir, “Girls with Pearls Have Power,” Kat now teaches women how to turn setbacks into turning points, reclaim authorship of their stories, and rise with clarity and courage rather than fear or pretending. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Why Top Students Know the Bible, Even if They Aren’t Religious

Top students often excel due to their understanding of cultural references, and a surprising factor behind their success is knowledge of the Bible. Studies show that students with a strong knowledge of biblical references tend to score higher on standardized tests. Research indicates these students score 10-15% higher on SAT Critical Reading and AP English Literature exams compared to peers without this knowledge. Tamara Berkman, a Texas State Certified Teacher, created the “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP” curriculum to help students quickly grasp the Bible’s storyline. In just 20 short lessons, students improve their understanding of literature, identify cultural references, and sharpen critical thinking skills— key elements for academic success. Berkman’s book, “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP,” offers a fast, effective way for students and families to understand the Bible’s story while boosting academic performance and cultural literacy. Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 201-3160; tberkman@rtirguests.com

14. ==> A College Promise Led This Surgeon to a Remote Pacific Island

When told he'd never get into college after scoring a 7 on his ACT, Glen Robison didn't quit — he went to medical school without ever earning a bachelor's degree. But the moment that changed everything came when a Tongan friend helped him survive college academics, and Robison made a promise in return: one day, he'd go treat his people. Eleven years later, he kept it. What he found there — rare conditions, a boy whose limb he saved through improvised surgery — became the foundation of his book and his philosophy: when your desire is strong enough, step into the unknown anyway. Robison is a podiatric surgeon, 3x bestselling author, and the author of “Show Them: Stepping into the Unknown to Find the Answers.” Contact Glen Robison at (928) 351-0312; glrobison@rtirguests.com

15. ==> From Birthdays to Business Names: The Energy Behind Your Numbers

Most people would agree that we are in the midst of uncertain times, so is it really any wonder that so many are searching for ways to make sense of things? Ancient practices are getting a second look, including some surprising ones like numerology. Suzan Owens will explain how numbers that surround people in their everyday lives — from addresses and birthdays to business names — carry living energy that can influence success, relationships and overall well-being. A skilled numerologist, she’ll tell listeners how to work with these hidden numeric energies to influence their lives in positive ways. Whether you’re seeking advice about your career, relationships, or personal growth, Suzan will share a fresh perspective that can guide you toward your fullest potential. “Numerology helps us look beyond the surface, uncovering our deeper purpose and strengths,” Suzan explains. “It aligns us with who we truly are.” Suzan is the author of “Wisdom of Numerology.” Contact her at (509) 315-6515; Sowens@rtirguests.com

01. Do U.S. Catholics Need to Make a Choice?
02. Blocking the Strait of Hormuz: The High-Stakes Stand-Off
03. New Veterans Policy May Hurt Most Vulnerable 
04. Does Red Light Therapy Really Work? The Science Behind it
05. Interview the Godfather of Sports Talk
06. Does Your Boss Pay Less Taxes Than You? Why the System Favors Owners Over Employees
07. For 250th Anniversary: The Story of the American Revolution
08. 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word	
09. Bad at Math? This Guest Says You Were Just Taught Wrong
10. Shop Your Closet, Save Money and Look Amazing
11. What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
12. The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower
13. How to Balance Self-Improvement With Self-Acceptance
14. From Mormonism to Addiction and Self-Discovery: This Author Shares Her Wild Road to Redemption
15. Stars, Cards & Stones: Unlock Your Intuition with Ancient Tools

1. ==> Do U.S. Catholics Need to Make a Choice?

Catholics are the single largest religious denomination in the United States, making up one-fifth of the population, according to the Pew Research Center. So how should American Catholics view the current kerfuffle between Donald Trump and the pope? Kelsey Reinhardt, president and CEO of CatholicVote, a political advocacy group, says “The Pope is not a politician, not a partisan operator, and not a rival to the President of the United States. He is the Vicar of Christ. His role is to speak moral truth, defend human dignity, and call leaders to pursue peace. The President needs to hear that in a way he understands.” She’s cautioning Catholics not to turn the public disagreement into a grand showdown. “Some of the Pope’s statements may sound out of step with the tone, assumptions, or priorities of American politics. Fine. That does not mean he is “anti-American.” It does not mean he is attacking the United States. And it certainly does not mean Catholics should be manipulated into choosing between the Church and their country.” She addsCatholicVote.org is a member-funded, layperson-led 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying organization with a connected political action committee called CatholicVote.org Political Action Committee. To arrange interviews contact CatholicVote.org at (317) 669-6127; mediarequests@catholicvote.org 

2. ==> Blocking the Strait of Hormuz: The High-Stakes Stand-Off

The Trump administration has declared a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, betting that Iran will buckle under economic pressure before the global energy crisis forces the United States to back down. National security expert Max Boot says the outcome is far from certain. “Iran and the United States are engaged in a high-stakes standoff to see which side blinks first. I wouldn’t bet against Iran.” He explains, “Iran is a dictatorship that has shown it can withstand years of harsh sanctions and brutally repress popular protests when they arise. The United States is a democracy where the rising price of gasoline is raising inflation and sabotaging the Republican Party’s chances in the upcoming midterm election. The Iran war is already unpopular with American voters, so how long can Trump keep exacerbating the energy crisis before being forced to execute a U-turn?” Max Boot is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Contact him directly at writetoboot@gmail.com or through the CFR Communications department at communications@cfr.org

3. ==> New Veterans Policy May Hurt Most Vulnerable

The Veterans Administration and the Department of Justice are touting a new agreement around guardianship and care for vulnerable veterans, saying it will help the most vulnerable veterans get the care they need. But advocates who work directly with homeless and disabled veterans worry is that the practical impact of the new policy could leave the nation’s most at-risk veterans with fewer safeguards around autonomy and due process. Specifically, those already navigating housing instability or disability-related support systems. Invite Benjamin Krause, a licensed attorney, investigative journalist, and longtime advocate for disabled veterans, to break down where policy intent and real-world outcomes may diverge, particularly for homeless veterans and those in guardianship proceedings. He can also speak to what advocates are watching as implementation rolls out. Krause is the founder of DisabledVeterans.org and is host of the Veteran Rights Podcast. Contact him at krause@armopress.com

4. ==> Does Red Light Therapy Really Work? The Science Behind it

Red light therapy is hot right now with wellness influencers touting it as a treatment for just about everything. So, what’s the science behind it? Invite Dr. David Ozog, a researcher and chair of dermatology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, to explain how it works. With hair and skin, he says it takes time to see the benefits and cautions that results won’t be dramatic. "It does help," Ozog says. But how much it helps depends on many factors, including how far along your hair loss is. "It's not going to take you from being bald to being a Chia pet and having abundant hair," Ozog says. As for other health claims, there's solid evidence that red light therapy is safe and effective for several medical uses, says Ozog. He was part of a panel of experts in various fields who wrote a 2025 consensus review that found the therapy works for treating pattern hair loss, ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, several types of ulcers and acute radiation dermatitis. There's also evidence the therapy can help reduce pain and modestly speed up healing from recurrent cold sores. For interviews contact Emily Linnert at wagnerem@msu.edu

5. ==> Interview the Godfather of Sports Talk

When Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle," he didn't call the major networks first—he called Harold Bell. As the "Godfather of Sports Talk" and the creator of the original “Inside Sports” in 1972, Bell didn't just report on the icons, he was their confidant. From his foundational reel-to-reel interviews with Ali to his mentorship of modern media giants like James Brown (CBS Sports), Michael Wilbon (ESPN), and Dave Aldridge, Bell’s influence is the literal DNA of every sports talk show on the air today. His latest project is anchoring the Digital Wing™ grid on Radio Soul 100 FM in Las Vegas. "The format hasn't changed," Bell says, "just the technology. But the truth is still undisputed." Invite him on your show to talk about his long career, how sports talk has changed through the years and share behind-the-scenes stories. Contact Arthur B. Smith at asmith@radiosoul100fm.com

6. ==> Does Your Boss Pay Less Taxes Than You? Why the System Favors Owners Over Employees

Your tax return may be filed, but the frustration lingers. If your audience is wondering why they owed so much (or got so little back), franchise consultant and “Wall Street Journal” bestselling author Greg Mohr has a pointed answer: the tax system isn't designed equally for everyone. W-2 earners typically have far fewer options to reduce taxable income than business owners do, and most people never realize it until after they've already paid. On your show, Greg will explain how business ownership changes the tax equation, why more professionals are reconsidering how they earn, and what the rules of the game actually look like for those who know how to play them. He'll also cut through common misconceptions about franchising, including who it's right for and who should steer clear. With tax pressure still fresh and economic uncertainty ongoing, this is the conversation your audience didn't know they needed. Contact Greg Mohr at (361) 204-5470; gmohr@rtirguests.com

Money topics are hotter than ever right now. Look for a special RTIR Money Matters issue in your mailbox this Friday, April 17th. Our featured experts will unpack the hidden wealth drains most people never catch, the Medicare mistakes that cost retirees thousands, and the counterintuitive ways that earning more can quietly increase financial pressure.

7. ==> For 250th Anniversary: The Story of the American Revolution

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, historian Robert G. Parkinson offers a strikingly different way to understand America’s founding document. Most Americans think of the Declaration through its famous preamble, “all men are created equal,” “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But those lines were not the main event for the people who wrote the document. What mattered most to the patriots in 1776 were the 27 grievances against King George III that make up the bulk of the Declaration and explain why the colonies believed independence had become unavoidable. Ask Parkinson: Why did the colonies declare independence when they did? What were their nonnegotiable demands? And which individuals and events convinced them that reconciliation with Britain was impossible? The stories behind those charges explain the political tensions, fears, and conflicts of the Revolutionary moment and show how the issues that alarmed colonists in 1776, including questions about executive power, civil authority, and the rule of law, still resonate today. Patterson’s new book is “Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705

8. ==> 47% of Women Experience Abuse — Why Few Ever Say a Word

Behind closed doors, abuse thrives in silence — and far more women experience it than most realize. Kit Filbey pulls back the curtain on the hidden reality of domestic abuse, revealing why so many women never speak up. Through a deeply personal story set in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin, Kit captures the confusion, denial, and emotional complexity that keep victims trapped. Her journey from self-sufficient homesteading to recognizing and escaping abuse offers rare insight into the psychology of silence. Kit’s story gives voice to millions, helping readers to see the signs, confront uncomfortable truths, and start conversations that could save lives. She is the author of the memoir “Cottage Test.” Contact Kit Filbey at (540) 501-7189; kfilbey@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Bad at Math? This Guest Says You Were Just Taught Wrong

Craig Hane spent decades teaching math, and he's identified why capable adults remain stuck in lower-paying jobs: childhood math trauma. He says thousands of high-tech positions go unfilled while qualified candidates avoid applying because job descriptions mention quantitative skills.
Hane can explain how adults can break free from math anxiety using his SPIKE methodology. He'll reveal which math skills actually matter for career advancement and how his six-tier online program helps adults master practical concepts in weeks. Listeners will learn they're not "bad at math” they were just taught wrong. Craig Hane is the author of "How & Why Public School Math is Destroying the USA." Contact him at (812) 408-8047; chane@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Shop Your Closet, Save Money and Look Amazing 

Everyone wants to look good, but being stylish can be expensive! Fashion expert Gayla Bentley shows your audience how to avoid unnecessary spending by “shopping your own closet” before hitting the stores. She explains how to uncover forgotten pieces, build fresh outfits from existing staples, and use simple tailoring or accessories to elevate looks without buying anything new. Bentley also reveals the emotional traps that push people toward impulse fashion purchases — and how a strategic closet edit can restore confidence while protecting your budget. Gayla Bentley is a renowned style strategist and advocate for smart, sustainable wardrobe planning. Contact her at (936) 261-7713; gbentley@rtirguests.com 

11. ==> What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
 
Most of us think forgiveness means turning the other cheek, something that requires approval, forgetting, and making yourself passive. But what if it's really about reclaiming your power? Taj Simrit spent 20 years backpacking across the globe, and the last eight years traveling solo full-time, immersing himself in spiritual traditions across cultures, searching for purpose. Through Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and healing, Simrit uncovered four simple principles that can dissolve resentment, restore inner peace, break addictions, tame the ego, and ultimately shape your destiny. Taj Simrit is the author of the Amazon bestseller “Behold My Soul.” Contact him at tsimrit@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Reason You’re Stuck Has Nothing to Do with Willpower

If willpower were enough, you'd already be free from negativity in your life. “What keeps people stuck isn’t a lack of motivation, it’s the nervous system holding unresolved survival responses from the past,” according to Lisa Morgan. “Real change happens when we work with the body, not against it.” Lisa’s world fell apart when panic and anxiety brought her to her knees. This became the foundation of her life’s work. Lisa is a master coach, intuitive guide, and soul-level healer who helps people break free from hidden blocks and rediscover who they truly are. Through her signature framework, Free Your Soul to Soar™, she bridges neuroscience and energy psychology to help people transform to reclaim their joy, worth, and wings. Contact Lisa Morgan at (314) 265-3491; lmorgan@rtirguests.com

13. ==> How to Balance Self-Improvement With Self-Acceptance

Millions of people are on a perpetual search for a new and better version of themselves, meantime research shows that perfectionism and self-criticism are rising and fueling burnout and anxiety, instead of change. Leadership coach and TEDx speaker Barbara Stone says the problem isn’t motivation, it’s identity. After 25 years hiding her alopecia under a wig and her voice behind corporate success, Barbara took the wig off onstage and discovered a surprising truth: real growth begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves. In this segment, she’ll share what shedding perfection taught her about self-worth and authenticity, and why flaws, not upgrades, are often the key to confidence. Whether your audience is hiding a condition, insecurity, or impossible expectations, Barbara offers practical ways they can stop performing and start living more honestly. Ask her: Can trying to “improve yourself” actually make you less confident? What did losing your hair teach you that success never did? Contact Barbara Stone at (315) 840-2845; bstone@rtirguests.com

14. ==> From Mormonism to Addiction and Self-Discovery: This Author Shares Her Wild Road to Redemption
 
What happens when a devout Mormon mother of five dares to question everything she’s ever known? Meet Susie Bell—a nurse practitioner who went from being excommunicated from the Mormon Church, a heart-wrenching divorce, and single motherhood in Las Vegas to self-made success. With honesty and grit, Susie recounts her journey through addiction recovery, being drugged and raped by a famous athlete who relentlessly harassed her, and even a surreal moment in the hospital room with the body of Tupac Shakur following his murder. Her story is not just about leaving religion—it’s about reclaiming power and purpose. She is the author of the memoir "A Piece of Me: Finding My Voice After Mormonism, Marriage, Medicine and Men." Contact Susie Bell at (213) 816-3622; sbell@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Stars, Cards & Stones: Unlock Your Intuition with Ancient Tools

Discover an untapped path to transform your life with Kooch Daniels, a renowned intuitive professional and author of “Stars, Cards, and Stones: Exploring Cosmic Connections Between Astrology, Tarot, and Runestones.” With over four decades of intuitive experience, Kooch can teach you to tap into ancient mystical tools to help you trust your intuition, manifest success and unlock your potential. Not only will Kooch reveal how the mystical can supercharge your goals, but she’ll also offer on-air intuitive readings—providing live insights into how these cosmic forces shape your life. With tens of thousands of successful readings under her belt, Kooch’s unique blend of practical wisdom and psychic ability sets the stage for an unforgettable experience that can help your audience unlock their best selves. Contact Kooch at kdaniels@rtirguests.com; (707) 878-5039

01. The President and the Pope
02. Stop Comparing Iran War to 2003 Iraq Invasion
03. Orban is Out, Magyar is In: End of an Era in Hungary
04. The Most Common Tax Mistakes
05. U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low: Why it Matters
06. Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation
07. What ‘News Fatigue’ Does to Your Brain
08. America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis	
09. Whistleblower Teacher Reveals What Happens Inside Schools
10. The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
11. Feeling Stuck? This Creative Shift Might Be the Breakthrough You Need
12. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
13. Why You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partner—and How to Break the Cycle
14. How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract
15. This Psychic Detective Solves Crimes, Finds Lost Pets and Teaches You to Tune In

1. ==> The President and the Pope

Who picks a fight with the pope? Donald Trump went on a late-night Truth Social tirade against the pontiff calling him “WEAK” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy. Among his rants was the claim that if he wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be at the Vatican. He then included an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus. The two men come from the same generation and share some common cultural roots, but theology professor Natalia Imperatori-Lee of Fordham University says they bring jarringly distinct approaches to their positions of vast power. “They’re two white guy boomers but they could not be any more different in their life experiences, in their values, in the way they have chosen to live those values,” she says. “This is a very stark contrast, and I think an inflection point for American Christianity.” While Trump criticizes the Pope for being political, experts on the Catholic Church emphasize that Leo’s opposition to the war reflects established church teachings, not the reflexive politics of the moment. The Trump administration, which has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders, has claimed “heavenly” endorsement for the war on Iran. Contact Natalie Imperatori-Lee at nimperatorilee@fordham.edu

2. ==> Stop Comparing Iran War to 2003 Iraq Invasion

As experts debate the war in Iran, Middle East history expert Samuel Helfont cautions we stop comparing the war to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and instead look to another Iraq war: Operation Desert Storm, the U.S-led campaign in early 1991 to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Helfont says the problem then was not the battlefield outcome but the failure to align policy and strategy. “Trying to contain Iran, as the United States did to Iraq in the 1990s, will undoubtably lead to repeated confrontations that tie up American forces and harm the international economy, eroding what little international support remains for U.S. policy in the region.” He says Washington should offer Tehran a path to diplomatic and economic normalization in exchange for compliance with a clear set of demands, including giving up weapons of mass destruction, limiting its missile program, and ceasing support for terrorist proxies. Samuel Helfont is an associate professor in the Naval War College Program at the Naval Postgraduate School and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is the author of “Iraq Against the World: Saddam, America, and the Post–Cold War Order.” Contact him at samuel.helfont@nps.edu; @HelfontSamuel

3. ==> Orban is Out, Magyar is In: End of an Era in Hungary

Europe’s longest-serving head of government, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was ousted in Hungary’s election this weekend. Invite Liana Fix to talk about the election, what Orban’s defeat means for the trend toward far-right populism, and why she believes Péter Magyar and his center-right Respect and Freedom Party’s platform resonated with Hungarian voters. Liana Fix is a historian and political scientist, and a leading authority on European security, transatlantic relations and Russia and Eastern Europe. She is a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Contact her at (202) 509-8484; lfix@cfr.org

4. ==> The Most Common Tax Mistakes

The deadline for filing taxes is here yet millions of Americans have yet to fill out their paperwork. The idea of making a mistake on your tax return may be daunting. After all, significant errors could lead to penalties or the dreaded audit. But there’s good news: The most common tax mistakes are simple fixes. Invite Dr. Caroline Bruckner to share last-minute tax tips and strategies that could save your money and hassle. She’ll discuss the most common mistakes and what to do if you need a tax extension. Caroline Bruckner, JD, is managing director of the Kogod Tax Policy Center at American University. She is an experienced media resource on tax issues and has been featured on CNBC’s “The Closing Bell,” Yahoo Finance, NPR, “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Washington Post.” Contact American University Media Relations at (202) 885-5950; aumedia@american.edu

5. ==> U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low: Why it Matters

The nation’s fertility rates hit record lows in 2025 as childbearing continues to shift toward older women, according to new federal data. For the first time birthrates for women in their late 30s exceeded those for women in their early 20s. Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri says this isn’t just a demographic dip. It’s a crisis with massive implications for the global workforce, elder care systems, and generational stability. This long-time OB/GYN will explain what’s really behind the fertility decline, and why most people are focusing on the wrong things. Drawing on 30+ years in practice and insights from her new book “Optimize Your Fertility Naturally,” she’ll also explain why lifestyle, not just age or IVF, plays a critical role in conception. Ask her: Which daily habits impact fertility most? Why are low birthrates more dangerous than most people think? Contact her at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com

6. ==> Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation

From Gen Z’s exodus from church pews to viral TikToks calling out hypocrisy, one thing is clear: younger Americans are increasingly skeptical of evangelical Christianity. Former preacher Rick Patterson believes it’s not a loss of faith. It’s a loss of trust. Rick says that many churches have aligned themselves with power and culture wars instead of compassion and character. As a former ardent atheist who now holds master's and doctoral degrees in Christian Ministry, Rick has a rare insider-outsider perspective on how the pursuit of being “great again” has distorted the message of Jesus as well as why the next generation isn’t buying it. Rick blends theology, psychology, and real-world stories to help audiences understand why this credibility gap exists and what must change to close it. Ask him: What do younger generations find most hypocritical about today’s evangelical church? Can politics and faith ever mix without compromising the core of either? Rick’s thought-provoking new book is “The Matthew Challenge.” Contact him at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com

7. ==> What ‘News Fatigue’ Does to Your Brain

War coverage, geopolitical threats, and constant crisis alerts are taking a psychological toll on all of us, and often without us realizing it. Psychologist Dr. Stephen Sideroff explains how repeated exposure to conflict news activates the brain’s stress response, disrupts sleep, increases anxiety, and accelerates emotional burnout. He’ll help your audience understand why their nervous system treats nonstop headlines as personal danger and share practical ways to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Stephen Sideroff is a UCLA psychologist and author specializing in stress, resilience, and the biological impact of chronic anxiety. He can translate neuroscience into everyday language while offering calm, credible coping tools. Contact Stephen at (213) 660-4659; ssideroff@rtirguests.com

8. ==> America is Running Out of Teachers: How to Fix the Crisis

Over 440,000 teaching positions are now filled by unqualified staff or sitting empty. Deanna Gilmore, Ph.D., says the only way to fix it is to make people fall in love with teaching again — and to pressure lawmakers to fund salaries that keep them there. A 26-year classroom veteran, former school principal, and university professor who trained the next generation of educators, Gilmore will share firsthand stories from teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and coaches to remind America what's at stake before it's too late. Ask her: With nearly half a million teaching positions unfilled, what happens to America's public schools? What concrete steps can communities and lawmakers take right now to stop the bleeding? How are school voucher programs making the teacher shortage even worse? Deanna Gilmore is the author of "There's a Pig on the Playground: Memorable Stories from the Schoolyard." Contact her at (208) 285-7567; dgilmore@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Whistleblower Teacher Reveals What Happens Inside Schools

Karen Horwitz, an award-winning public-school teacher and whistleblower, describes what happens when educators raise concerns inside their school districts. “Schools are often described as the foundation of democracy,” Horwitz says. “What I witnessed was how quickly that foundation cracks when people are afraid to speak.” Horwitz says the pattern she documented was consistent: teachers raised concerns internally, and instead of problems being addressed, they quietly lost their careers. After speaking publicly, she co-founded an organization to prevent teacher abuse and began hearing similar accounts from more than 2,000 educators who reported retaliation. She’ll explain how silence is enforced through fear, power imbalances, and institutional self-protection. Horwitz is the author of “A Graver Danger,” which draws directly from teacher whistleblowers to examine systemic failures. Contact Karen Horwitz at (312) 498-9074; khorwitz@rtirguests.com

10. ==> The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness

Chronic illness is rising in America, and many patients leave medical appointments with prescriptions, but few answers about why their symptoms developed in the first place. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores how stress, emotional patterns, and long-term internal pressure may influence physical health. After eight years of intensive autoimmune treatments that managed symptoms but didn’t restore his life, Marcel began examining the deeper drivers behind his condition. He has been hospital-free since 2012. This is not about rejecting medicine. It’s about asking a broader question: why do two people with the same diagnosis often recover at different rates? Marcel discusses how understanding recurring symptoms, personal stress history, and emotional triggers may complement conventional care. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for “The Key to Self-Liberation” by the late Christiane Beerlandt, an encyclopedic work on the psychological and emotional roots of more than 1,000 diseases and symptoms. Contact him at Mvogeli@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Feeling Stuck? This Creative Shift Might Be the Breakthrough You Need

Nearly 60% of professionals report feeling stuck or disengaged, and many don’t realize the way forward may not be a big life change, but a small creative shift. Author and artist Edi Matsumoto shows how simple, low-pressure creativity can help people reset mentally and move forward. On your show, Matsumoto shares practical ways listeners can reconnect with creativity like her “60-second joy reset,” where even looking at something that makes you smile can calm the nervous system, or simple, no-pressure creative practices that reduce stress and spark clarity. She explains why creativity isn’t about talent. It’s about giving the mind a break from constant pressure. Drawing from her journey from healthcare to art, she offers gentle, manageable ways to reconnect with creativity in everyday life—as a form of stress relief, a joyful diversion, or even the beginning of a more creative path later on. Her book, “Otter Therapy,” reflects how small moments of joy can create real emotional impact. Through her work as both a healthcare professional and artist, Matsumoto brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how creativity can gently shift how we feel and how we move forward. Contact Edi Matsumoto at (831) 290-6491; ematsumoto@rtirguests.com

12. ==> America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life's Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation

America is facing what the U.S. Surgeon General recently called an epidemic of loneliness. Nearly half of adults say they feel isolated at times, and that isolation often deepens during life’s hardest moments: serious illness, caregiving, grief, infertility, or financial uncertainty. Author and loneliness coach Karen Kay Smith asserts these “waiting room seasons” can quietly push people away from the very support they need most. On your show, Smith explains why people often shift into “functioning versus feeling” during crises, how emotional suppression fuels loneliness, and why many struggle to communicate what they truly need. She offers practical, yet life-changing tools listeners can use immediately, including how a simple “breath prayer” can replace pressure-filled spiritual routines, why naming emotions out loud can be more healing than staying strong, and how her “3 C’s” framework—confidence, communication, and community—helps people rebuild connection step by step. Drawing from 15 years caring for her husband during his battle with multiple sclerosis, along with years in women’s ministry and training as a transformational life coach, Smith brings a rare blend of lived experience and practical guidance to conversations about loneliness and connection. She is the author of “Nearsighted: Choosing to See Eating Disorders Differently” and the upcoming “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room.” Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Why You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partner—and How to Break the Cycle

Nearly half of American marriages end in divorce, and many people say their next relationship feels eerily similar to the last. Author and speaker Charisse Walker says it’s not a coincidence. Most people enter relationships without understanding the deeper beliefs, experiences, and patterns quietly shaping their decisions. On your show, Walker introduces the powerful idea behind her book “Flipping the Iceberg”: every relationship has an iceberg. The small portion above the surface includes what we easily see—attraction, personality, and shared interests. But the much larger portion below the surface includes our beliefs about love, expectations, communication habits, past experiences, and values. Walker explains how these hidden influences shape who we trust, commit to, and ultimately marry. She shows audiences how greater self-awareness can help people stop repeating painful relationship patterns and make more intentional decisions about love and commitment. Charisse Walker is an entrepreneur, author, and former host of the Emmy-nominated national television show The American Dream. She now speaks about the importance of self-awareness and understanding the deeper dynamics that shape healthy relationships. Contact Charisse Walker at (801) 251-6965; cwalker@rtirguests.com

14. ==> How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract

We live in a world designed to hijack our attention. Author and senior UCLA mindfulness educator Mitra Manesh says this isn’t just a focus issue; it’s a crisis that’s quietly eroding our freedom to choose. On your show, Mitra will reveal why even intelligent, successful people often live in “survival mode,” how constant stimulation weakens our decision-making, and why reclaiming attention is the first and most important step toward true freedom. Drawing from her inspirational fiction, “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World”—a parable in the spirit of “The Alchemist”—she offers a transformative blend of storytelling and insight, packed with techniques and practices for improving attention as a transformative force in all aspects of life. This is a timely invitation to shift from reaction to creation, and a powerful case for why reclaiming attention may be the most radical act of personal power in our time. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com

15. ==> This Psychic Detective Solves Crimes, Finds Lost Pets and Teaches You to Tune In

Imagine a psychic with a detective’s badge. Nancy Orlen Weber has worked side-by-side with detectives and federal agents to solve murders, locate missing people and reunite families with lost pets—all using her intuitive gifts. She’s a sought-after medium, animal communicator and holistic health educator with over 45 years of experience and multiple books, documentaries and TV appearances. Nancy blends grounded wisdom with mystical insight—offering listeners simple, powerful ways to access their own inner guidance. She’s also a trauma survivor who shares how intuition helped her heal and thrive She’s the author of numerous books including “Soul Detective.” Contact Nancy Orlen Weber at (973) 453-0906; Nweber@rtirguests.com

01. Iran Ceasefire: What’s in the Deal?
02. Trump and the Madman Theory of Politics
03. What Leaders Need in the Age of AI
04. AI-Generated Ads Are Killing Your Brand
05. This Man Helped Shape Modern Satellite Broadcasting
06. The Surprising Signs Your Partner is a Narcissist
07. How to Protect Your Parents From Sophisticated Scams
08. Stop Avoiding the Hard Stuff: Three Habits That Defuse Conflict Anywhere	
09. Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs — But No One Teaches
10. Political Insider Reveals: What It’s Really Like to Run for Office
11. The Mental Health Cost of Building a Business from Scratch
12. Former Nurse and Stand-Up Comic Gets Serious About Healthcare's Darkest Secret
13. Joint Pain Isn’t ‘Just Menopause’- What’s Really Happening and What to Do
14.‘Out of the Chair’ Thinking to Help Kids Focus and Learn
15. Need Clarity and Direction? Interview This Certified Metaphysician 

1. ==> Iran Ceasefire: What’s in the Deal?

The United States, Israel, and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire Tuesday after nearly forty days of fighting. Pakistan helped mediate the ceasefire, which includes a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. Both the U.S. and Iran hailed the step as a victory, yet disagreements remain. President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Michael Froman, says, “This is an agreement to begin to talk…A ceasefire is better than no ceasefire. It’s good for the bombing to stop. It’s good for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, assuming that the Iranians actually follow through on that, but this is really just the beginning of a conversation about these fundamental issues where I think the U.S. and Iran are in really quite different positions.” Founded in 1921, CFR is a nonpartisan, independent national membership organization, think tank, educator, and publisher, including of “Foreign Affairs.” To arrange interviews, contact the CFR communications team at (212) 434-9888; Communications@cfr.org

2. ==> Trump and the Madman Theory of Politics

President Donald Trump triggered global headlines this week with an expletive laced threat to Iran. The latest diatribe wasn’t an isolated outburst, his use of profanity, both on social media and in public remarks, has been a recurring feature of his political persona, setting him apart from past presidents. What’s behind the crude behavior? Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy says, “I tend to read much of Trump’s bombast as his version of ‘madman doctrine’ signaling. In other words, an attempt to convince the other side that he is totally unpredictable and capable of extreme escalation.” When it comes to Trump’s threats, Toossi says, “He does sometimes follow through, but when he does it is often more limited than the rhetoric, or he ultimately pulls back, which has more often been the pattern.” Sina Toossi has a professional background in producing research and analysis on U.S.-Iran relations, U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, and nuclear policy issues. The Center for International Policy is a woman-led, progressive, independent nonprofit center for research, education, and advocacy working to advance a more peaceful, just, and sustainable U.S. approach to foreign policy. Contact Sina Toossi at stoossi@internationalpolicy.org; @SinaToossi


3. ==> What Leaders Need in the Age of AI

As AI accelerates and reshapes every industry, most conversations focus on the technology. Steven Kotler argues that’s the wrong focus. The real constraint is human performance. He’ll explain what happens when exponential technologies collide with a brain that evolved for a slower, simpler world and share strategies for how leaders can think, decide, and perform when the pace of change outstrips human cognition. Kotler is the founder of the Flow Research Collective and has trained executives at companies including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Audi, and Accenture, along with Navy SEALs and Olympic athletes. His work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, and high performance. Ask him: What is the biggest risk to organizations, AI or cognitive overload at the leadership level? In what ways is exponential technology outpacing human decision-making capacity? What does it take to lead effectively when the environment changes faster than strategy cycles? He says most organizations are structurally unprepared for exponential change and can discuss why high performers are burning out in an age of constant input. Kotler is coauthor, along with Peter Diamandis, of the new book, “We Are as Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell)

4. ==> AI-Generated Ads Are Killing Your Brand

More and more small businesses and marketers are using AI tools like ChatGPT to create ads and marketing materials, but experts warn there are downsides. Sophie Rhone, a digital PR specialist and founder of Cupid PR, says generic, AI-generated ads are weakening brand identity, reducing trust and hurting performance. She says over-reliance on AI-generated creative is leading to a wave of ads that fail to stand out, connect with audiences or drive meaningful results. “AI can make your ads look good, but it cannot make them feel original. When everything starts to look the same, your brand becomes easy to ignore.” She adds, “If your ad looks like something people have already scrolled past ten times, they will scroll past yours too.” Rhone can share the right way to use AI to build a brand and engagement. She says, “AI should support your marketing, not define it. The brands that win are the ones that feel distinct, not the ones that look efficient.” Cupid PR is a digital PR consultancy. Contact Sophie Rhone at sophie@cupidpr.com 

5. ==> This Man Helped Shape Modern Satellite Broadcasting

Before Netflix. Before YouTube. Before anyone could imagine watching the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall on demand, someone had to get that signal there—live, flawlessly, the first time. Bob Patterson was at the center of it. A pioneer in satellite broadcasting, Patterson helped deliver some of history’s most-watched moments, including major MLB, NBA, and NHL broadcasts, the first satellite news distribution service, and the world’s first international HDTV satellite transmission. On your show, he can take audiences behind the scenes of the moon landing and several other high-stakes, live television moments—where one failure could impact millions—and explain how those early breakthroughs shaped today’s always-connected world. Drawing from his book “Iconic Moments in Broadcast History: Live Via Satellite,” Patterson answers the question few think to ask: How did we go from limited signals to global, real-time connection? He’s a timely guest for shows on media, technology, innovation, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Contact Bob Patterson at (818) 210-4965; bpatterson@rtirguests.com

6. ==> The Surprising Signs Your Partner is a Narcissist

While anyone can spot the loud, attention-seeking narcissist, it's the charming "nice guy" covert narcissists who cause the most damage—and Dr. Valerie Sussman should know. After 20 years trapped in a narcissistic marriage, this retired pediatrician traded her stethoscope for a paintbrush and became a certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist dedicated to helping others recognize these wolves in sheep's clothing. Sussman will reveal the "6 E's" that show your partner is a narcissist and explain why victims stay "hooked on hopium"—the dangerous hope that keeps them trapped. Drawing from her book “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” she'll share how to spot the charm-to-harm cycle before it's too late. Listeners will learn the red flags they're missing, why asking "Am I the narcissist?" means you're not, and how creativity can heal emotional wounds. Ask her: What's the difference between overt and covert narcissists—and why are covert ones more dangerous? You call it "hopium"—why is hope so toxic in these relationships? What are the "6 E's" and how do they reveal a narcissist? Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; Vsussman@rtirguests.com

7. ==> How to Protect Your Parents From Sophisticated Scams

Scammers are increasingly targeting parents and grandparents using sophisticated tactics. Many parents are conditioned to act quickly in emergencies and to help their children without hesitation, making them prime targets. From AI-cloned faces and voices that sound like loved ones to impersonation scams that mimic trusted companies, today’s threats are now past the ability for the human eye and ear to spot. Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of Smarter Online Safety, helps families understand why parents are targeted by scammers and what adult children can do to protect them. After becoming a victim of cybercrime herself, King joined forces with leading cybercrime fighters and learned cybersecurity, the Dark Web, and the business of cybercrime — and how to prevent becoming a victim. She was named a Top 10 Women in Cybersecurity and has helped millions become empowered and equipped to protect themselves in our AI world. Ask her: Why are parents such effective targets for modern scams? How is the new pandemic of AI voice cloning fooling families? What conversations should families be having before something happens? What’s the smartest first step when a call feels urgent but wrong? Contact Jocelyn King at (970) 762-7837; jking@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Stop Avoiding the Hard Stuff: Three Habits That Defuse Conflict Anywhere 

Tired of the conflict in your office, community, or even your own family? Dr. Dionne Poulton says building unity isn’t about avoiding tough topics. It’s about mastering three powerful habits: Decency, Excellence, and Integrity. She’ll reframe what it means to lead, communicate, and connect across differences without ever saying “DEI.” Her message? You don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need a standard. From how we treat others to how we hold ourselves accountable, Dr. Dionne shows how small shifts in behavior can transform relationships, rebuild trust, and prevent conflict before it starts. According to a recent study, 76% of people say they avoid hard conversations at work and home often out of fear, frustration, or not knowing what to say. Dr. Dionne’s framework helps audiences replace avoidance with practical strategies that foster trust and real connection. Ask her: What’s one habit that can instantly defuse rising tension? Can integrity really be taught, or is it innate? Dionne Poulton, Ph.D., is the author of “Excellence Without Exclusion.” Contact her at (404) 383-8924; dpoulton@rtirguests.com 

9. ==> Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs — But No One Teaches

Great leaders aren’t just decisive—they’re deliberate. “In high-stakes rooms where every word carries weight, success depends on skills rarely taught in business school: listening with precision, speaking with intention, and navigating conflict without escalating it,” says author and former diplomat Dianne Olvera. Drawing from real-world diplomacy and leadership experience, her approach reveals how to manage tough conversations, defuse tension, and influence outcomes without overpowering the room. It’s about knowing when to speak, when to pause, and how to choose language that builds trust instead of resistance. Dianne is a board-certified educational therapist and the author of “The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower.” She’s also a former diplomat and spy. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com


10. ==> Political Insider Reveals: What It’s Really Like to Run for Office

Most people think running for office is about speeches, slogans, and shaking hands. Rob Curnock knows better. As a former TV political reporter, party leader, and unlikely congressional candidate, he’s seen the process from every angle. As we head toward the midterm elections, he’ll pull 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.” Ask him: Are politics really as down and dirty as the media makes it out to be? What are some of your most challenging experiences while running for office? Contact Rob Curnock at (254) 822-3741; rcurnock@rtirguests.com

11. ==> The Mental Health Cost of Building a Business from Scratch

Nearly half of all entrepreneurs report chronic stress or burnout, but Darius Ross says the real danger isn’t the workload. It’s the unresolved trauma many carry into the grind. He says when you build a business from nothing, the survival mindset that once kept you alive can quietly start working against you as success grows. In this timely conversation, Ross explores how urban trauma, financial insecurity, and constant pressure quietly shape decision-making, relationships, and leadership. A former homeless teen turned entrepreneur and community leader, he explains why success can actually amplify anxiety, and why mindset, not hustle, determines who breaks through and who breaks down. The author of “Mastering the TPS Blueprint” offers street-tested insights on managing fear, stress, and self-sabotage while building something meaningful, especially for entrepreneurs who never had a safety net. Ask him: Can trauma make you successful and still destroy you later? Why do some entrepreneurs feel less safe as they earn more? Contact Darius Ross at (347) 801-7956; dross@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Former Nurse and Stand-Up Comic Gets Serious About Healthcare's Darkest Secret

Kathy Allan spent 20 years as a hospital nurse before witnessing something that changed everything: cleaning staff in scrubs discharging new mothers, while administrators threatened her for asking questions. She realized healthcare had become addicted to profits over patients. Her shocking revelation: nurses are 18% more likely to commit suicide than the general population. This Board-Certified Holistic Nurse and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner channeled her trauma expertise and comedy background into Gutsy Nurses—a program teaching nurses how to survive a broken system. Inspired by recovery principles, she developed the 12 Steps of Healing Care to beat the industry's profit addiction. Contact Kathy Allan at (619) 932-5206; Kallan@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Joint Pain Isn’t ‘Just Menopause’- What’s Really Happening and What to Do

Many women are told joint pain is simply part of getting older, especially during perimenopause and menopause. But according to Stacey Roberts, RN, PT, MSN, that explanation often misses what’s really happening inside the body. Invite Roberts to explain how declining estrogen reduces the body’s natural anti-inflammatory protection, making joints more sensitive to stress, movement patterns, and even food sensitivities. Over time, poor biomechanics and compensation after old injuries can quietly worsen inflammation, even without visible damage. “Pain isn’t just about wear and tear,” says Roberts. “It’s about how hormones, inflammation, and movement interact.” With more than 30 years of experience working with everyday women and professional athletes, Roberts helps patients address pain without surgery, injections, or long-term medication by restoring balance and mobility. Ask her: Why is joint pain so common during menopause? How do different hormones influence inflammation and pain? Why do women need to change the way they move during perimenopause and menopause? Contact Stacey Roberts (414) 522-6153; sroberts@rtirguests.com

14. ==> ‘Out of the Chair’ Thinking to Help Kids Focus and Learn

Think kids need to sit still to concentrate? Research says the opposite, and so does math educator Suzy Koontz. With screen time up and attention spans down, Suzy offers a powerful, practical solution: movement-based learning. Suzy is the creator of Math & Movement, a program used in schools nationwide to boost focus, memory, and academic performance through full-body learning. In her segment, she’ll explain how jumping, hopping, and dancing can help kids grasp math and reading faster—no tech required. She’ll also share simple, at-home activities parents can use to help restless kids refocus after school. Suzy has reached over 1 million students and authored 20+ books packed with easy, energizing takeaways your audience can use right away. Contact Suzy Koontz at (607) 366-9588; skoontz@rtirguests.com 

15. ==> Need Clarity and Direction? Interview This Certified Metaphysician 

Is your audience facing tough decisions, feeling stuck, or searching for a breakthrough? Dr. Dan Bartlett’s Magical Intuitive Readings help people gain the insight and clarity they need to move forward with confidence. A certified metaphysician and expert in Tarot and numerology, Dr. Dan has helped thousands transform confusion into clarity by offering practical guidance they can use immediately. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Dan combines intuition and compassion to help people overcome life’s curveballs, whether in career, relationships, or personal growth. Interview him to give your audience a new way to access answers, tap into inner wisdom, and start living with purpose and peace. Contact Dan Bartlett at (480) 841-0984 or dbartlett@rtirguests.com

01. Questions Linger About Operation Epic Fury
02. Medicare Fraud Alert: 1.3 Million Americans Are Getting New Cards—What You Need to Know
03. ‘AI Brain Fry’ is Changing How We Think
04. What Your 2-Day Shipping Costs the Environment
05. How the Songs That Transport You Change Your Brain
06. Longtime Activist: How to Make a Difference in the World and Yourself
07. Why Are So Many Female Leaders Bowing Out?
08. How to Talk Across Differences Without Burning Out or Blowing Up	
09. Is There a Way to Repair Slavery’s Lasting Wounds?
10. The Protein Myth That’s Keeping You Sick
11. How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Sons
12. Reduce Test Anxiety by Changing How Kids Think
13. It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Relationships
14. Stop Saying Everything’s OK When it’s Not
15. Is "Good Vibes Only" Making Your Audience Worse Off?

1. ==> Administration Lingering Questions About Operation Epic Fury

Poll after poll shows that Americans remain deeply skeptical about the Iran war’s merits and likely consequences. That skepticism has persisted despite the administration’s insistence that Operation Epic Fury is substantially degrading Iran’s military capabilities and will soon end. James Lindsay of the Council on Foreign Relations says that’s because of the many lingering questions, including: Can the United States keep Iran’s military capabilities degraded? If the United States has substantially degraded Iran’s ability to project power, why has Iran been able to close the Strait of Hormuz? And how will Trump square bombing Iran “back to the Stone Ages” and letting others re-open the Strait of Hormuz with his promise not to let U.S. Gulf allies “get hurt or fail in any way, shape, or form”? Lindsay says, “Until Trump and his advisers can answer these questions, it is hard to see how the Iran War will advance U.S. interests rather than set them back.” James Lindsay has written widely on various aspects of American foreign policy and international relations and he hosts the weekly podcast, The President’s Inbox, which examines the foreign policy challenges facing the United States. Contact him at jlindsay@cfr.org; @JamesMLindsay

2. ==> Medicare Fraud Alert: 1.3 Million Americans Getting New Cards—What You Need to Know 

Medicare fraud is surging nationwide, and more than 1.3 million Americans are now being issued new Medicare card numbers after their information was compromised. This fast-moving story has major implications for seniors and their families, many of whom may not even realize they’ve been affected. Medicare expert Toni King is sounding the alarm after seeing fraud firsthand, including over $9,000 in false medical claims tied to a single beneficiary. She explains how these scams are happening, why many victims don’t discover them until it’s too late, and what immediate steps people should take to protect themselves. On your show, Toni reveals how to spot red flags on Medicare statements, what to do if your number is compromised, and why even a small oversight can trigger major financial and healthcare consequences. She also shares simple, actionable steps listeners can take today to safeguard their coverage. Contact Toni King at (281) 677-3736 or tking@rtirguests.com

3. ==> ‘AI Brain Fry’ is Changing How We Think

Consultants at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have dubbed the phenomenon "AI brain fry," a state of mental exhaustion stemming "from the excessive use or supervision of artificial intelligence tools, pushed beyond our cognitive limits." These AI agents put users in the position of managing smart, fast digital workers rather than having to grind through jobs themselves. Psychologist Stephanie Johnson says, “In regards to AI, it’s just like the smartphones, right? You think smartphones would make people smarter. It’s not happening. Actually, the reverse is happening, right, because we’re leaning too much into somebody else just giving a quick answer and we’re not actually masterfully learning the information.” Ask her: If a person is engaging AI or a highly stimulated environment for 10 to 12 hours, are they actually learning? What is your recommendation for people who use AI? Are there certain hours of the day when the brain is in a better position to handle stimulation? Stephanie Johnson, PsyD, MSCP, is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 17 years of experience and serves as CEO and chief psychologist of Summit Psychological Services in California. Contact Ryan McCormick at Ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

4. ==> What Your 2-Day Shipping Costs the Environment

It’s great to place an online order and receive it the next day, but what most people don’t consider is the climate impact of that convenience. “If you have expedited shipping, then you are not actually able to consolidate packages,” says Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab. “As a result, you end up delivering less goods in a short period. You also end up visiting the same route, maybe multiple times the same day or consecutive days. So that actually results in very high emissions.” Rajagopalan, says how you order online can make a difference. “If the option is available, avoid same or next day delivery. Delaying a delivery by three to four days can reduce emissions from anywhere from 40% to 56%.” As she puts it: “It's important for us as consumers to sit back and think, ‘Do I really need this product tomorrow?’” Another smart shopping tip: Instead of placing small orders throughout the week or month, take time to consider your purchases and make them all at once. Sreedevi Rajagopalan is a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation and Logistics. Contact her at (617) 253-5768; sreedevi@mit.edu

5. ==> How the Songs That Transport You Change Your Brain

What if the moments when music “takes you somewhere” aren’t just emotional, but measurable brain events? A Princeton professor’s research reveals that songs can trigger more vivid and detailed memories than faces, food, or even television, and can pull listeners into shared imaginative experiences that feel deeply personal but are often patterned across people. Invite Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis, PhD, to explain how music doesn’t just accompany our thoughts; it actively shapes them. As director of Princeton’s Music Cognition Lab, her work bridges music, psychology, and neuroscience, using experiments and listening studies to track how people respond to sound, what they remember, how their attention shifts, and how music reshapes emotional experience in real time. Her research has been featured by NPR, the BBC, and on Netflix’s “Explained,” where she appears on camera explaining how music shapes memory, emotion, and perception for a broad audience. Her latest book is “Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705

6. ==> Longtime Activist: How to Make a Difference in the World and Yourself

Are you fed up with dysfunctional government? Tired of watching Congressional gridlock and partisan politics while your day-to-day life just keeps getting harder and more expensive? For the past 40 years, Sam Daley-Harris has been quietly leading a revolution in how ordinary citizens engage with democracy. Daley-Harris teaches transformational advocacy as opposed to transactional advocacy, which might involve signing a petition or writing a check. Instead, his method trains you to step outside your box and do things like meet with a member of Congress about an issue. As a result, you see yourself differently. That's the transformation! “I want to show people a way out of their cynicism and hopelessness and a path toward making a difference beyond their wildest dreams. I want people to see that they don't have to give up and how to find organizations that will really empower them and don't just leave them signing meaningless petitions.” Listeners who are disgusted by the current state of affairs in government will feel empowered as Daley-Harris offers them practical tools to move from anxiety to agency. Sam Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS which has played a key advocacy role in reducing global child deaths by 66% over the last 40 years saving some 10 million lives a year. He is the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy.” Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Why Are So Many Female Leaders Bowing Out?

For decades, women were told to lean in, speak up, and push harder. Yet women in tech, finance, and other demanding fields are burning out and leaving leadership roles at record rates, with 43% of women leaders reporting burnout, compared to 31% of men. Master life coach and former banking executive Amanda Christian says the problem isn’t ambition. It’s the “translation tax” women pay in male-dominated workplaces when they’re constantly adjusting how they speak, lead, and make decisions in order to be taken seriously. Her book “The Skeptical Executive” outlines a research-backed alternative leadership approach that integrates mind, body, heart, and soul so high-achieving women can lead without burning out. Book her for a segment that shows why “lean in” backfired and what women and companies can do right now to stop losing their best female leaders. Contact Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com

8. ==> How to Talk Across Differences Without Burning Out or Blowing Up 

Americans are talking more than ever, yet we are understanding each other less. Differences in politics, faith, and values are making even simple conversations feel risky. National Muslim leader and peacebuilding expert Daisy Khan explains that many well-meaning attempts to bridge differences actually make conflict worse. She’ll explain why facts alone rarely change minds, how silence and cancel culture fuel division, and how simple language shifts can de-escalate conflict in real time. Drawing on her work training schools, workplaces, and communities, Khan will reveal practical tools for confronting bias without escalating conflict and share insights from her book “30 Rights of Muslim Women,” which challenges common assumptions about faith, identity, and equality. Contact Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Is There a Way to Repair Slavery’s Lasting Wounds?

Lauraine White warns America’s reckoning with slavery can’t wait another generation. As President Trump’s non-inclusive politics fuel new battles over DEI, history standards and voting rights, she says the time for denial is over. With both enslaved and Confederate blood in her family line, White argues that real healing requires more than apologies. Her Freedom Wealth Fund lays out measurable steps that include erasing student-loan debt for descendants of slaves, free education, and rewriting U.S. history curricula to tell the full truth about the transatlantic slave trade. White insists this isn’t about relitigating the past—it’s a practical blueprint for a just future. With nearly 60% of Americans saying slavery still affects Black people’s position in society today (Pew Research), her plan will spark headlines, debate and the uncomfortable, but necessary, conversation America keeps postponing. Sample questions: Can a Confederate descendant credibly lead the call for reparations, or is that exactly why she should? Is student-debt forgiveness for descendants a fair, targeted form of reparations that taxpayers can accept? Contact lwhite@rtirguests.com (email preferred) or (770) 525-8743

10. ==> The Protein Myth That’s Keeping You Sick

A heart attack at age 70 forced Dorothy Greet to rethink everything she believed about nutrition, especially protein. After she and her 80-year-old husband ditched all animal products, their results were dramatic: normalized blood pressure and cholesterol, effortless weight loss, and energy levels they hadn't felt in decades. Now at 85, Greet is credentialed in plant-based nutrition from Cornell and ready to debunk the protein myth keeping millions sick. In interviews, Greet will reveal how Americans have been misled about protein requirements and why plant foods provide all the protein needed for optimal health. Drawing from her book “Go Veg with Class,” she'll share how two lifelong carnivores reversed heart disease through dietary change alone—and why it's never too late. Listeners will learn simple swaps to "ditch dairy" and "remove meat" while discovering how this shift could eliminate up to 80% of chronic diseases. Ask her: Where do you actually get your protein on a plant-based diet? You reversed heart disease at 70—what happened to your health markers? Why don't doctors tell patients about the power of dietary change? Contact Dorothy Greet at (302) 314-6010; dgreet@rtirguests.com

11. ==> How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Sons

In a world where boys are often taught to suppress their feelings, parenting expert and author C. Lynn Williams is changing the conversation. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for raising sons who are emotionally aware, resilient, and confident. “We need to focus on challenging outdated myths about masculinity and replace fear-based parenting with connection, communication, and trust,” she says. “When boys are given permission to feel, communicate, and be understood, they grow into healthier men and create stronger families and communities.” C. Lynn is the author of five parenting books including “Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen.” She’s an educator, speaker, and family dynamics strategist. Ask her: What challenges do boys face in modern society? How can parents raise sons who are strong without being aggressive? Contact C. Lynn Williams at (224) 357-6315; Cwilliams@rtirguests.com


12. ==> Reduce Test Anxiety by Changing How Kids Think

Most parents try to reduce test anxiety by pushing kids to study harder. Sharon Emily says that approach often backfires. When children feel pressured to perform, their brains shift into fear mode, which actually makes learning harder. A former counselor, Franklin Covey-trained facilitator, and educator, Sharon helps families understand how thoughts quietly shape behavior, confidence, and results. She teaches why creativity, repetition, and imagination can be more effective than checklists, rewards, or threats. Her book “Mirror of Myself” grew out of a simple insight: when kids learn to focus on possibility instead of fear, their choices change naturally. Sharon explains why positive thinking is not about ignoring reality, why mistakes can build confidence faster than success, and how the same mindset tools work across parenting, school, and life. Her approach gives families practical ways to calm anxiety and improve performance during high-stakes testing seasons. Contact Sharon Emily at (480) 470-3893 or semily@rtirguests.com

13. ==> It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Relationships

Every spring we declutter our homes, but what about our relationships and the emotional patterns we keep carrying? Many people swear, “This time will be different,” only to end up in the same kind of relationship. Sabrina Ciceri, author of “If It’s Not One Thing, It’s a Mother,” says partner choice is often driven by childhood conditioning, not logic. After growing up in deep family dysfunction (including her mother running off with her teenage boyfriend) Sabrina made a conscious decision to break the cycle. On-air, she explains why we’re drawn to what feels familiar (even when it hurts), how to recognize inherited relationship scripts, and the practical steps to choose differently. Contact Sabrina Ciceri at (352) 308-1596; sciceri@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Stop Saying Everything’s OK When it’s Not

Most people want the world to believe they’re strong—that they can push through, hold it together, and smile, completely unfazed by the weight they carry. But the truth is far more human. Many are terrified, overwhelmed, and quietly collapsing on the inside. For most of her adult life, author Kat Perkins lived this way too. She would always say, “It’s all good.” But after losing her mother at nine, surviving foster care, and later facing breast cancer, things were anything but “all good.” One day, a friend told her, “You need to stop saying it’s all good. It’s not. And it’s okay to feel what you feel.” That moment something cracked open. Kat learned what no one teaches us: you cannot rewrite the meaning of your pain until you understand it—not avoid it, outrun it, or dress it up in strength. You have to face it. Drawing from her memoir, “Girls with Pearls Have Power,” Kat now teaches women how to turn setbacks into turning points, reclaim authorship of their stories, and rise with clarity and courage rather than fear or pretending. Contact Kat Perkins at (404) 800-3916; kperkins@rtirguests.com

15. ==> Is "Good Vibes Only" Making Your Audience Worse Off?

As the season of renewal kicks off, millions of people are setting fresh intentions with vision boards in hand, but what if that relentless optimism is actually working against them? Author Lydia Samaniego is the guest your audience didn't know they needed. She brings a rare, refreshing honesty to a conversation that's long overdue: why positive thinking culture can quietly disconnect people from their own inner truth, and what to do instead. Spring is the perfect time to explore this. Audiences are already asking, "Why isn't this working for me?" Lydia helps them understand that real transformation isn't about thinking harder or "manifesting more." It's about listening to the quiet conflict between the mind and the heart, shedding inherited beliefs that no longer fit, and building an inside-out life. Contact Lydia Samaniego at (530) 443-5826; lsamaniego@rtirguests.com

01. U.S. is Cohosting World Cup But Much of World Can’t Attend
02. What the Media Isn’t Telling Americans About Voter Fraud
03. Democracy Isn’t Broken, it’s Behind the Times
04. Ask This Catholic Priest: Can Souls Get Stuck on Earth?
05. How Did Preserving Nature Become Political?
06. The Fleas Are Coming! The Fleas Are Coming!
07. How Global Uncertainty Is Driving Economic Anxiety
08. Spring Job Market: What Savvy Employees Are Doing	
09. Spring Health Detox: What to Cut First
10. Can’t Put Your Phone Down? How to Reclaim Your Attention
11. What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
12. Love Is in the Air: Tips for Dating After 50
13. Is Your Body Asking for Change This Season?
14. The Lifestyle Choices Quietly Undermining Fertility
15.The Biggest Myths About Healing

1. ==> U.S. is Cohosting World Cup But Much of World Can’t Attend

The 2026 men’s World Cup officially kicks off in June, with players from a record forty-eight national teams facing off in the first tournament hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But with geopolitical tensions surrounding many U.S. policies showing no signs of letting up, onlookers are questioning how this summer’s tournament—which is expected to attract more than one million international visitors—will actually play out. CFR immigration expert Ted Alden says Donald Trump’s most recent decree in January halts immigrant visa processing for seventy-five countries including four with teams in the tourney. “That shouldn’t stop fans from those countries from getting tourist visas,” Alden explains, “but you can certainly expect that anybody coming from those countries is going to face an extra level of scrutiny.” High costs, intense application processes, and bans aside, Alden suggests another barrier could be psychological: “Are people going to be scared to enter the United States?” Alden can discuss what role ICE agents could play if deployed and who is calling for a boycott of the games and whether that is likely to happen. Edward (Ted) Alden is senior fellow at the Council on Fore¬¬¬ign Relations (CFR), specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy. His latest book is “When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders,” co-authored with Laurie Trautman. Contact him at (202) 509-8474; ealden@cfr.org

2. ==> What the Media Isn’t Telling Americans About Voter Fraud

President Donald Trump has been calling voter fraud his top issue and claims that a majority of Americans support the SAVE Act, a wide-ranging set of policies that would make it harder for millions of people to vote. FAIR media analyst Julie Hollar argues that many mainstream media outlets have failed to properly cover the dangers of the SAVE Act or to debunk Republicans’ false claims about voter fraud. “The public is ill informed because of the years-long campaign by Donald Trump to misinform people about voter fraud. The SAVE Act is just the latest piece of that campaign.” The SAVE Act is likely not going to get through Congress. But Hollar emphasizes that it will “no doubt accomplish its goal to sow further doubt about elections and make it seem like Democrats are trying to commit fraud. Some of the damage is already done––and that’s from irresponsible media coverage that isn’t making clear to people what the Act actually does.” Since 1986, the national watchdog group Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) has been monitoring the media for inaccuracy, bias, and censorship. Julie Hollar is FAIR’s senior analyst and managing editor. Contact her at jhollar@fair.org 

3. ==> Democracy Isn’t Broken, it’s Behind the Times

At a time when trust is falling, elections are under pressure, and institutions are struggling to perform, a new book argues that democracy isn’t broken. It just hasn’t kept up with the times. Government tech expert Northeastern University professor Beth Simone Noveck believes artificial intelligence help can rebuild democracy. She argues that AI can serve as a new operating system for government, transforming it from a slow, reactive bureaucracy into a real-time, adaptive system. Drawing on decades of experience in the White House, 10 Downing Street, and state government, Noveck takes listeners inside real-world examples already working today. Hear how AI is helping to detect and counter disinformation in elections and how it can equip policymakers with real-time intelligence, as seen in New Jersey, where AI has been used to analyze thousands of public comments on environmental policy, turning public feedback into clear insights that shape decisions. Beth Simone Noveck is a professor and director of the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University. She leads The Governance Lab and InnovateUS, the fastest-growing AI learning community for public sector professionals. Previously, she served as Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey and has worked in the White House and 10 Downing Street, advising governments around the world on technology and policy. Her latest book is “Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at 

4. ==> Ask This Catholic Priest: Can Souls Get Stuck on Earth?
 
Christians are celebrating the promise of life after death this Easter, but can a soul get stuck here on earth after the body dies? For more than 25 years, Dominican priest Father Nathan Castle, O.P., has listened to stories from people who have died and come to him in dreams after accidents, violence, and suicide. On your show, he shares what these encounters reveal about shock after death, unfinished emotions, and why not everyone who dies suddenly gets “stuck.” With interest in near-death experiences and grief healing rising, Father Nathan offers counterintuitive insights that challenge fear-based views of the afterlife and highlight connection, compassion, and continuity. Listeners get a compelling conversation that blends spirituality, psychology, and real-life stories without preaching. Ask him: Do people who die suddenly know they’ve died? Can helping someone who’s died actually help the living heal? Father Nathan Castle is the author of “Afterlife, Interrupted” (Books 1-3) and host of The Joyful Friar podcast. Contact him at (480) 680-9985; ncastle@rtirguests.com

5. ==> How Did Preserving Nature Become Political?

The smell of spring’s first flowers blossoming, the sight of a tree-covered mountain, the sound of birdsong: These are things we all enjoy. So why does the preservation of nature sometimes seem like an issue that’s split down party lines? According to Benji Backer, it’s a matter of disconnection — or rather, disconnection from the outside world and hyper connection to the worlds within our devices. “We’ve become so digitally addicted, and we’ve allowed every issue to become a culture war issue, largely because of the algorithms and the news incentives,” he says, adding: “And the reality is the environment is more important than that.” Backer is the founder and CEO of Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit on a mission “to rebuild a durable conservation movement for the 21st century,” he says. He’ll discuss the organization’s mission and how listeners can get involved. Benji Backer is also the founder of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC), which he launched during his freshman year of college, and the author of “The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future.” Contact him at Media@natureisnonpartisan.org

6. ==> The Fleas Are Coming! The Fleas Are Coming!

It’s officially spring, and that means more time outdoors. As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, our furry friends become more exposed to fleas and ticks that can become intrusive and harmful if left untreated. Integrative veterinarian Carol Osbourne, DVM, has helpful advice and recommendations for holistic remedies that can keep pets safe. “Fleas love dogs and cats because they are simply easy targets,” says Dr. Carol.  “Fleas only jump on dogs, cats, and people long enough to get a meal, then drop down to the ground and lay more eggs.” She’ll discuss herbal remedies to eliminate fleas, holistic homemade edible solutions to stop itching, non-toxic alternatives to OTC flea medication and how to get rid of fleas in your carpet! Carol Osborne, DVM, is a practicing integrative veterinarian and a nationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of functional medicine. She is the founder and director of the Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic and an Emmy-nominated television journalist. She is the author of several books including “Naturally Healthy Dogs” and “Naturally Healthy Cats.” Dr. Carol is also a regular contributor to several television shows and networks including “Fox & Friends,” “Today,” Discovery’s Animal Planet and “Good Day LA.” Contact Mackenzie August at (661) 255-8283; mackenzie@steveallenmedia.com

7. ==> How Global Uncertainty Is Driving Economic Anxiety 

Global conflict, inflation headlines, shifting alliances, and nonstop market volatility are leaving Americans uneasy about their financial future. Economist Mitch Francis explains why today’s uncertainty feels different and why economic anxiety is becoming a defining stressor of 2026. He’ll discuss how fear-driven headlines influence spending, investing, and decision-making, often in ways that quietly undermine long-term stability. Francis also breaks down what actually matters amid the noise, helping listeners separate signal from panic and regain a sense of control. He’s a smart, grounded voice to help audiences process economic fear without political spin. Mitch Francis is an economist and systems strategist who studies how global forces, policy decisions, and human behavior shape financial outcomes. Contact him at (424) 380-4561; mfrancis@rtiguests.com

8. ==> Spring Job Market: What Savvy Employees Are Doing 

Spring has historically been peak hiring season but in these uncertain times, companies are reassessing budgets, teams are restructuring and employees everywhere are quietly asking: Am I positioned to grow, or at risk of being replaced? Business transformation expert Shawn Fry says most workers are focusing on the wrong thing. Updating your résumé and working longer hours won’t make you indispensable. After leading change initiatives in 60+ facilities across 17 countries, Fry found that the employees who advance in uncertain markets aren’t the busiest, they’re the most strategically visible, cross-functional, and solution-oriented. On your show, he’ll explain why traditional goal setting often backfires in volatile markets, and what savvy employees are doing instead to stay promotable, valuable, and hard to replace. Contact Shawn Fry at (330) 422-4090; Sfry@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Spring Health Detox: What to Cut First

Spring has a way of inspiring a good detox, but before cutting sugar or starting a cleanse, what if the first habit to rethink is caffeine? More than two-thirds of American adults consume caffeine daily, often without considering whether they’re dependent on it. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser, drawing from over 45 years of study and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” says caffeine doesn’t truly create energy, it often masks withdrawal and disrupts the body’s natural balance. He explains how everyday caffeine use may contribute to anxiety, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, fertility challenges, and reduced gray brain matter while remaining culturally normalized. On your show, Norbert breaks down how caffeine dependency develops, what really happens during withdrawal, and how to reset your nervous system without sacrificing productivity. He also shares realistic strategies and satisfying alternatives for those ready to try a spring caffeine detox. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Can’t Put Your Phone Down? How to Reclaim Your Attention 

Americans check their phones an average of 90+ times a day. Many admit they feel distracted, anxious, and mentally scattered, but can’t seem to stop scrolling. Author and consciousness teacher Mitra Manesh says this isn’t a willpower problem. It’s an attention crisis, and most of us don’t even realize how deeply it’s shaping our lives. On your show, Mitra explains how constant digital stimulation quietly trains the brain to live in “survival mode,” why even successful people struggle to focus, and how reclaiming attention can restore clarity, calm, and real choice. Drawing from her book “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World,” she’ll share practical ways people can interrupt distraction patterns and begin leading their lives rather than reacting to them. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com

11. ==> What an Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practice Can Teach Us About Modern Forgiveness
 
Most of us think forgiveness means turning the other cheek, something that requires approval, forgetting, and making yourself passive. But what if it's really about reclaiming your power? Taj Simrit spent 20 years backpacking across the globe, and the last eight years traveling solo full-time, immersing himself in spiritual traditions across cultures, searching for purpose. Through Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and healing, Simrit uncovered four simple principles that can dissolve resentment, restore inner peace, break addictions, tame the ego, and ultimately shape your destiny. Taj Simrit is the author of the Amazon bestseller “Behold My Soul.” Contact him at tsimrit@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Love Is in the Air: Tips for Dating After 50

For millions of single Americans over 50, Spring brings renewed hope for love. But dating later in life comes with risks many smart, successful women still overlook. Dr. Victoria Vaughn says experience doesn’t always protect against blind spots. In fact, loneliness, optimism, and the belief that “time is short” can make red flags easier to ignore. On-air, she reveals the warning signs mature singles often miss—from fast-forward romance and financial fog to charming manipulators who feel exciting but unstable. She explains why women (and men) sometimes settle after 50, how to spot emotional unavailability early, and why the biggest myth about love later in life may be the most damaging: that there’s only one soulmate. Blending humor with hard-earned insight from her memoir “Oh the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince,” Dr. Vaughn offers practical, buyer-beware guidance for anyone navigating the dating world. Contact Dr. Victoria Vaughn at (512) 580-8531; vwiesen@rtirguests.com

13. ==> Is Your Body Asking for Change This Season?

Six in 10 U.S. adults live with chronic disease and many Spring health resets often focus on surface fixes. But what if lasting improvement requires looking beyond symptoms and asking what the body may be responding to beneath the surface? On this timely Spring show, Marcel Vögeli explores how long-term stress, suppressed conflict, and emotional overload can influence physical health, and why two people with the same diagnosis can heal at very different rates. After eight years of intensive autoimmune treatment that managed symptoms but didn’t restore his life, Marcel began examining deeper stress patterns in his own story. He has been hospital-free since 2012. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for The Key to Self-Liberation by the late Christiane Beerlandt. Contact Marcel Vögeli at Mvogeli@rtirguests.com

14. ==> The Lifestyle Choices Quietly Undermining Fertility

Fertility challenges are rising, and Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri says lifestyle factors are often overlooked. She explains how nutrition, stress, toxins, and daily habits affect reproductive health long before conception. Her insights help audiences understand fertility as a whole-body issue, not just a medical one. Dr. Marina is a fertility and women’s health expert focused on optimizing reproductive outcomes through lifestyle and preventative care. Contact her at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com

15. ==> The Biggest Myths About Healing

Healing is not neat, inspiring, or Instagram-ready, and pretending it is leaves people feeling broken. Avonley Lightstone can explain why healing often looks messy, slow, and unresolved, and why lingering pain does not mean failure. She’ll challenge the belief that healing requires closure and reframe progress as something that can happen even when wounds remain. Lightstone speaks from lived experience. After losing her mother in a childhood house fire and facing abandonment soon after, she learned that healing comes in small, honest steps, not sudden breakthroughs. She is the author of “Strength of Scars,” a memoir on resilience and faith, and her story has gained media attention as it moves toward a potential film or television adaptation. Contact Avonley Lightstone at (801) 980-0447; alightstone@rtirguests.com

01. What Will Trump Do if He Loses in Iran?
02. AI Scholar Puts High Probability on an AI Doomsday
03. Fed Up With Dysfunctional Government? Turn Your Frustration Into Fuel
04. How We Disappear Over Time
05. It’s Yard Sale Season! Interview The Garage Sale Millionaire
06. How to Stay Indispensable in an Unstable Job Market
07. Will Franchise Owners Survive the New Economy?
08. The Risks of Being a Whistleblower: Speaking Up Is Dangerous
09. How to Protect Your Parents From Today’s New AI Scams
10. Why Old School Parenting Fails in a High Tech World
11. Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation
12. Birthrates are Plunging. Why You Should Care
13. The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness
14. Stuck in a Funk? Small Mindset Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck
15. When Faith Defies Fear: Miraculous Encounters with God

1. ==> What Will Trump Do if He Loses in Iran?

If all goes his way, President Trump may pull off a feat that is lauded by geopolitical analysts as advancing U.S. interests and justifying the human, economic, and political costs of the war in Iran. But as Trump finds himself in an increasingly tight corner, Suzanne Nossel says we should anticipate how he might react to the specter of failure in Iran—and prepare for the possibility that his response could make the conflict even more dangerous. “A consummate survivor, he has a well-worn playbook of strategies for when he is on the ropes. These involve bullying subordinates, blame-casting, suppressing facts, and doubling down on fruitless strategies,” she says. “If Trump handles the prospect of being outflanked in Iran as he has setbacks in other arenas, then the consequences could be grave. The ripple effects would go far beyond the president’s self-image, reputation, or fortune—or those of his acolytes. Military morale, alliances, and Washington’s global standing are all at stake in how Trump navigates the bind.” She adds, “As early optimism about the war has faded, Trump and his associates have already begun to enact elements of his old playbook.” Suzanne Nossel is a fellow for U.S. foreign policy and international order at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a columnist at “Foreign Policy.” For interviews contact the Chicago Council on Global Affairs at communications@globalaffairs.org

2. ==> AI Scholar Puts High Probability on an AI Doomsday

Bhaskar Chakravorti says a convergence of technological, economic, geopolitical, and institutional risks have ratcheted up recently, suggesting that we are lurching toward an “AI doomsday”; that is, a situation in which, despite its many benefits, the technology can make society significantly worse overall. The dean of global business at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy says this isn’t due to one single force, but what he calls “the seven horsemen of a possible AI apocalypse” which includes job displacement, infrastructure chokepoints and a dearth of leadership. “We have invested over $1 trillion in building the Ferrari. We have neglected the roads,” he says. “The moment now requires shifting priorities to building trust architectures, governance frameworks, and coordination mechanisms. Whether the opportunity window remains open depends on choices being made now in boardrooms, legislatures, and even AI summits, where the people responsible for one of the most powerful technologies in history cannot even agree to hold hands.” Bhaskar Chakravorti is the author of “Defeating Disinformation.” Contact him at (617) 627-4965; bhaskar.chakravorti@tufts.edu

3. ==> Fed Up With Dysfunctional Government? Turn Your Frustration Into Fuel

Are you tired of watching Congressional gridlock and partisan politics while your day-to-day life just keeps getting harder and more expensive? Higher gas prices and growing polarization don’t have to mean rising blood pressure. While headlines scream division and despair, Sam Daley-Harris is quietly leading a revolution in how ordinary citizens engage with democracy. The activist and author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy,” will share stories of everyday citizens discovering their political power. He’ll explain how feeling overwhelmed isn’t weakness—it’s the starting point for meaningful change. Daley-Harris teaches “transformational advocacy”—where working to change an issue transforms you in the process. His approach has helped people move from political paralysis to powerful action. Hear his own journey from musician to activist, and how he now guides others through civic engagement, with many calling the experience “sacred and profound.” Listeners who are disgusted by the current state of affairs in government will feel empowered as Daley-Harris offers them practical tools to move from anxiety to agency. Ask him: What is transformational advocacy and how does it differ from traditional activism? What hope do you see around people making a difference? Contact Sam Daley-Harris at (202) 804-2504; Sdaley@rtirguests.com

4. ==> How We Disappear Over Time

In the public imagination, we’re living in an era of permanent memory: everything is stored, searchable, and retrievable, especially now, as AI systems ingest vast archives of human speech, images, and text. But Stanford University Professor Thomas Mullaney tells a more unsettling truth: information doesn’t naturally endure. It breaks down, scatters, becomes unaffordable to recover, and far more often than we admit, simply vanishes. Mullaney can discuss what today’s AI debates miss about memory, archives, and loss, why “permanent data” is a cultural myth—and what’s actually at risk, and how preservation really works (and why it so often fails). In an age of AI anxiety, deepening debates about surveillance and data ownership, and growing questions about digital legacy, what happens to our voices, photos, and identities after death, Mullaney offers a bracing reframe. Rather than treating permanence as the default and loss as a bug, he shows that disappearance is the baseline condition of information itself. Thomas Mullaney is the author of several books on the global history of technology and information including his latest, “How We Disappear: A Personal History of Information.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell) or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705

5. ==> It’s Yard Sale Season! Interview The Garage Sale Millionaire

Lots of people are out and about enjoying garage sales this time of year, but what if you could actually make money off other people’s trash? Whether it’s for a side-hustle or your full-time job, Aaron LaPedis, the Garage Sale Millionaire, will share all the need-to-know information and insider tips you’ll need to have a definite advantage over your competition in buying, valuing, and selling your items for substantial profits! Learn how to spot treasures at garage sales, storage unit auctions, secondhand stores and estate sales and then flip them for cold hard cash. Find out the key to having a killer garage sale, how to spot a real treasure from a fake, and the best ways to use the internet to research, buy and resell items. Aaron LaPedis’ expertise ranges from helping the FBI solve cases to helping produce TV shows, and he’s appeared on PBS, the Discovery Channel, and The Hallmark Channel. His latest book is “The Ultimate Secrets of The Garage Sale Millionaire,” a personal finance book that talks about garage sales, estate sales, online auctions, downsizing, and how to make money doing it all. To arrange interviews contact him at alapedis@rtirguests.com

6. ==> How to Stay Indispensable in an Unstable Job Market

With mass layoffs in the headlines and economic anxiety rising, employees at every level are asking the same question: How do I make sure I’m not next? Business transformation expert Shawn Fry says the key isn’t working harder, it’s thinking differently. After leading organizational change in 60+ companies across 17 countries, Fry noticed a surprising pattern: the people who kept their jobs during uncertainty weren’t the loudest or the busiest. They were the most focused, adaptive, and connected. Shawn will share why traditional goal-setting doesn’t work in today’s market and the counterintuitive steps employees can take to become indispensable, even when their company feels shaky. Ask him: Is visibility more important than performance in times of layoffs? What’s one daily habit that protects your job better than your resume? Contact Shawn Fry at (330) 422-4090; sfry@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Will Franchise Owners Survive the New Economy?

Greg Mohr predicts franchise owners will not only survive the current economic wave, they’ll thrive in the new economy! Invite him on your show and hear how franchising has become a reliable pathway to financial independence during uncertain markets. He’ll reveal how proven systems reduce startup risk while delivering scalable income opportunities for everyday investors. Mohr’s strategic guidance can prepare those considering business ownership. Greg Mohr is a franchising consultant and author specializing in business ownership strategy, investment planning, and income growth models. Contact him at gmohr@rtirguests.com or (361) 204-5470

8. ==> The Risks of Being a Whistleblower: Speaking Up Is Dangerous

Karen Horwitz, an award-winning public-school teacher and whistleblower, describes what happens when educators raise concerns inside their school districts. “Schools are often described as the foundation of democracy,” Horwitz says. “What I witnessed was how quickly that foundation cracks when people are afraid to speak.” Horwitz says the pattern she documented was consistent: teachers raised concerns internally, and instead of problems being addressed, they quietly lost their careers. After speaking publicly, she co-founded an organization to prevent teacher abuse and began hearing similar accounts from more than 2,000 educators who reported retaliation. She’ll explain how silence is enforced through fear, power imbalances, and institutional self-protection. Horwitz is the author of “A Graver Danger,” which draws directly from teacher whistleblowers to examine systemic failures. Contact Karen Horwitz at (312) 498-9074; khorwitz@rtirguests.com

9. ==> How to Protect Your Parents From Today’s New AI Scams

Scammers are increasingly targeting parents and grandparents using sophisticated tactics. Many parents are conditioned to act quickly in emergencies and to help their children without hesitation, making them prime targets. From AI-cloned faces and voices that sound like loved ones to impersonation scams that mimic trusted companies, today’s threats are now past the ability for the human eye and ear to spot. Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of Smarter Online Safety, helps families understand why parents are targeted by scammers and what adult children can do to protect them. After becoming a victim of cybercrime herself, King joined forces with leading cybercrime fighters and learned cybersecurity, the Dark Web, and the business of cybercrime — and how to prevent becoming a victim. She was named a Top 10 Women in Cybersecurity and has helped millions become empowered and equipped to protect themselves in our AI world. Ask her: Why are parents such effective targets for modern scams? How is the new pandemic of AI voice cloning fooling families? What conversations should families be having before something happens? What’s the smartest first step when a call feels urgent but wrong? Contact Jocelyn King at (970) 762-7837; jking@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Why Old School Parenting Fails in a High Tech World

George Lee, lawyer and award-winning author of “SMART Parenting 5.0,” is helping parents prepare their children for a future defined by AI, automation, and constant change. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and technology research, Lee distills decades of teaching into 10 practical “future-readiness” keys that schools often overlook—like creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and financial literacy. With experience spanning Eastern and Western education systems, he helps families nurture adaptable, confident, and compassionate kids ready to thrive in the modern world. Lee will reveal how to replace outdated parenting myths with science-based strategies for the digital age— because the best way to prepare children for the future is to raise them to think for themselves. Ask him: What are the most important skills kids will need to succeed in the AI era? Why do traditional parenting and education models no longer work? Contact George Lee at (604) 330-8697; glee@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation

From Gen Z’s exodus from church pews to viral TikToks calling out hypocrisy, one thing is clear: younger Americans are increasingly skeptical of evangelical Christianity. Former preacher Rick Patterson believes it’s not a loss of faith. It’s a loss of trust. Rick says that many churches have aligned themselves with power and culture wars instead of compassion and character. As a former ardent atheist who now holds master’s and doctoral degrees in Christian Ministry, Rick has a rare insider-outsider perspective on how the pursuit of being “great again” has distorted the message of Jesus as well as why the next generation isn’t buying it. Rick blends theology, psychology, and real-world stories to help audiences understand why this credibility gap exists and what must change to close it. Ask him: What do younger generations find most hypocritical about today’s evangelical church? Can politics and faith ever mix without compromising the core of either? Rick’s thought-provoking new book is “The Matthew Challenge.” Contact him at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com

12. ==> Birthrates are Plunging. Why You Should Care

Births are falling, and fast. In 2026, France reported more deaths than births for the first time since WWII. China’s birthrate just hit a historic low despite massive financial incentives to have more children. Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri says this isn’t just a demographic dip. It’s a crisis with massive implications for the global workforce, elder care systems, and generational stability. This long-time OB/GYN will explain what’s really behind the fertility decline, and why most people are focusing on the wrong things. Drawing on 30+ years in practice and insights from her new book “Optimize Your Fertility Naturally,” she’ll also explain why lifestyle, not just age or IVF, plays a critical role in conception. Ask her: Which daily habits impact fertility most? Why are low birthrates more dangerous than most people think? Contact her at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com

13. ==> The Hidden Meaning Behind Your Pain and Illness

Chronic illness is rising in America, and many patients leave medical appointments with prescriptions, but few answers about why their symptoms developed in the first place. On this show, Marcel Vögeli explores how stress, emotional patterns, and long-term internal pressure may influence physical health. After eight years of intensive autoimmune treatments that managed symptoms but didn’t restore his life, Marcel began examining the deeper drivers behind his condition. He has been hospital-free since 2012. This is not about rejecting medicine. It’s about asking a broader question: why do two people with the same diagnosis often recover at different rates? Marcel discusses how understanding recurring symptoms, personal stress history, and emotional triggers may complement conventional care. Marcel Vögeli is spokesperson for “The Key to Self-Liberation” by the late Christiane Beerlandt, an encyclopedic work on the psychological and emotional roots of more than 1,000 diseases and symptoms. Contact him at Mvogeli@rtirguests.com

14. ==> Stuck in a Funk? Small Mindset Shifts for Fewer Days That Suck

Most people assume feeling stuck means something is wrong with their life. Deborah Mallow says sometimes nothing is wrong, except the voice in your head that refuses to stop narrating everything like a dramatic movie trailer! Surveys support this: nearly 60% of adults say they feel emotionally burned out, even when nothing “major” is wrong. That’s proof that mindset, not circumstance, often drives our mood. So what to do? Deborah says advice like “just think positive” often backfires, but tiny mental shifts can change the trajectory of an entire day. She’ll share surprising tools that will help listeners quiet their inner critic, break out of emotional autopilot, and find momentum without forcing motivation. Ask her: Can focusing less on goals and more on what truly matters actually make you happier? Why do so many people feel behind even when so much in their lives is actually working? Contact Deborah Mallow at (516) 613-5359; dmallow@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

 

 

01. ICE Agents at the Airport: Know Your Rights
02. Women’s History Month: Hospitality’s Huge Gender Pay Gap
03. How AI Can Fix Our Broken Healthcare System
04. The Church Is Using AI to Help Parishioners in Pain
05. Brewery Doubles Down on Free Beer Offer After Trump’s Mueller Post
06. The Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs — But No One Teaches
07. Can’t Put Your Phone Down? Simple Ways to Reclaim Your Attention
08. Spring Health Detox: What to Cut First
09. Love Is in the Air: Re-Entering the Dating Pool After 50
10. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life’s Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation
11. Will You Work Past Retirement Age?
12. The Biggest Myths About Healing
13. How to Use Your Body as a Gateway to Higher Consciousness
14. Blocked Chakras, Blocked Health: How Energy Balance Affects Your Body
15. What You Don’t Know About Yoga Could Hurt You

1. ==> ICE Agents at the Airport: Know Your Rights

Federal immigration agents are being deployed to 14 major airports across the country to assist overburdened TSA agents who have been working without pay for weeks due to the partial government shutdown. Details remain sketchy about what the ICE agents will be doing, but Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for immigration at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says, “This is the exact opposite of what the American people are clamoring for, which are real, enforceable changes to rein in ICE and Border Patrol’s cruel deportation and detention obsession.” As for what this means for travelers, she advises those travelling domestically or internationally to know their rights when doing so. She’ll discuss US citizens’ rights at the airport, residents’ and non-citizens’ rights, and what to do if an agent asks for your phone. Shah also suggests having an attorney’s contact on standby – preferably on an easily accessible piece of paper – which could be useful if passengers feel their rights are being violated. Civil rights advocates caution that as the shutdown continues and ICE deployment begins, travelers could be entering an uncertain legal landscape. The ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project is dedicated to expanding and enforcing the civil liberties and civil rights of immigrants and to combating public and private discrimination against them. To arrange interviews, contact the ACLU media department at (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

2. ==> Women’s History Month: Hospitality’s Huge Gender Pay Gap

Women make up 53.3% of food service workers and 57.8% of hotel staff, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. They are not, however, getting paid like it. National hospitality job platform OysterLink analyzed earnings data and found a persistent and in some roles widening gender wage gap across hospitality industries. “Hospitality has always had this image of being a place where hustle matters more than background,” says Milos Eric, GM at OysterLink. “And at the entry level, that’s largely true — the gap for dishwashers and fast-food workers is minimal. But the further up the career ladder you go, the wider the gap gets. Women are doing the work of running this industry and not seeing it reflected in their paychecks.” Male bartenders earn significantly more than their female counterparts but even more concerning to Eric is that women earn just 72.8 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make in the same food management role. “You can rationalize some of the front-line differences through tip variability or hours. You can’t rationalize a $17,680-a-year gap between male and female food service managers doing the same job. That’s a structural problem,” he says. Contact Ana Demidova at ana@oysterlink.com

3. ==> How AI Can Fix Our Broken Healthcare System

Dr. Robin Blackstone has spent her career in healthcare as a surgeon, healthcare executive, and former global medical director at Johnson & Johnson. She says artificial intelligence and systems redesign could fundamentally restructure American healthcare, not by replacing clinicians, but by correcting structural failures that science alone cannot solve. Invite her to discuss why she believes that America’s healthcare crisis is not due to a lack of scientific advancement; it is due to misaligned incentives, fragmented data systems, administrative overload, and institutional mistrust. Despite leading the world in biomedical research and spending, the United States ranks near the bottom among developed nations in health outcomes, a gap Dr. Blackstone argues is structural, not scientific. Her new book, “Doctor AI: Reimagining Healthcare, Rebuilding Trust, Delivering Health 4.0.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137 (office); (703) 400-1099 (cell)

4. ==> The Church Is Using AI to Help Parishioners in Pain

America is suffering from a mental health crisis and many are desperate for help but don’t know where to turn or are afraid to be judged. As a growing number of people turn to AI with their deeply personal questions about mental health, relationships, grief, anxiety and spiritual struggles, there’s a new online platform that provides Scriptural guidance on over 100 life topics. Built on June Hunt’s “Keys for Living Library,” the platform is a partnership between Hope for the Heart and Pray.com. Dr. Eric Scalise, a longtime counselor, president of Hope for the Heart and one of the key voices behind the new initiative, can discuss where biblical counseling fits in today’s culture and how technology can serve — not replace — sound, Scripture-centered care. He’ll speak to the mental health crisis, the lingering stigma surrounding mental health that keeps people from seeking treatment and why private access matters. Contact Mark Breta at mark@jonesliterary.com

5. ==> Brewery Doubles Down on Free Beer Offer After Trump’s Mueller Post

Back in January a little brewery in Wisconsin made headlines for offering free beer, all day long, on the day that Donald Trump dies. The Minocqua Brewing Company took some heat for the promotion but stuck to their guns and even offered Trump voodoo dolls that it openly hoped might be able to assist in getting to the day quicker. So, it probably should not be surprising that the brewery did not stay quiet when Trump celebrated the death of former FBI Director, Marine and Purple Heart winner Robet Mueller over the weekend. The brewery posted on social media a message to critics: “Our notorious offer of free beer when ‘he’ dies is still on the table, and for all those who thought that internationally viral post was a little too dark or ‘classless,’ here’s exhibit ‘A’ on what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” Kirk Bangstad started selling #progressivebeer after being forced to sell his brewpub during the pandemic. He created the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC, which he calls “Dark Money Meant for Good,” and sponsors the weekly Up North Podcast in partnership with Up North News. Contact Kirk Bangstad at kirk@minocquabrewingcompany.com or info@minocquabrewingcompany.com

6. ==> The Diplomatic Skills Every Leader Needs — But No One Teaches

Great leaders aren’t just decisive, they’re deliberate. “In high-stakes rooms where every word carries weight, success depends on skills rarely taught in business school: listening with precision, speaking with intention, and navigating conflict without escalating it,” says author and former diplomat Dianne Olvera. Drawing from real-world diplomacy and leadership experience, this approach reveals how to manage tough conversations, defuse tension, and influence outcomes without overpowering the room. “It’s about knowing when to speak, when to pause, and how to choose language that builds trust instead of resistance,” she says. Dianne is a board-certified educational therapist and the author of “The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower.” She’s also a former diplomat and spy. Contact Dianne Olvera at (805) 779-3558; dolvera@rtirguests.com

7. ==> Can’t Put Your Phone Down? Simple Ways to Reclaim Your Attention

Americans check their phones an average of 90+ times a day. Many admit they feel distracted, anxious, and mentally scattered, but can’t seem to stop scrolling. Author and consciousness teacher Mitra Manesh says this isn’t a willpower problem. It’s an attention crisis, and most of us don’t even realize how deeply it’s shaping our lives. On your show, Mitra explains how constant digital stimulation quietly trains the brain to live in “survival mode,” why even successful people struggle to focus, and how reclaiming attention can restore clarity, calm, and real choice. Drawing from her book “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World,” she’ll share practical ways people can interrupt distraction patterns and begin leading their lives rather than reacting to them. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com

8. ==> Spring Health Detox: What to Cut First

Spring has a way of inspiring a good detox, but before cutting sugar or starting a cleanse, what if the first habit to rethink is caffeine? More than two-thirds of American adults consume caffeine daily, often without considering whether they’re dependent on it. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser, drawing from over 45 years of study and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” says caffeine doesn’t truly create energy, it often masks withdrawal and disrupts the body’s natural balance. He explains how everyday caffeine use may contribute to anxiety, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, fertility challenges, and reduced gray brain matter while remaining culturally normalized. On your show, Norbert breaks down how caffeine dependency develops, what really happens during withdrawal, and how to reset your nervous system without sacrificing productivity. He also shares realistic strategies and satisfying alternatives for those ready to try a spring caffeine detox. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Love Is in the Air: Re-Entering the Dating Pool After 50

For millions of single Americans over 50, Spring brings renewed hope for love. But dating later in life comes with risks many smart, successful women still overlook. Dr. Victoria Vaughn says experience doesn’t always protect against blind spots. In fact, loneliness, optimism, and the belief that “time is short” can make red flags easier to ignore. On-air, she reveals the warning signs mature singles often miss—from fast-forward romance and financial fog to charming manipulators who feel exciting but unstable. She explains why women (and men) sometimes settle after 50, how to spot emotional unavailability early, and why the biggest myth about love later in life may be the most damaging: that there’s only one soulmate. Blending humor with hard-earned insight from her memoir “Oh the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince,” Dr. Vaughn offers practical, buyer-beware guidance for anyone reentering the dating world this spring. Contact Dr. Victoria Vaughn at (512) 580-8531; vwiesen@rtirguests.com

10. ==> America’s Loneliness Epidemic: Why Life’s Hardest Moments Push Us Into Isolation

America is facing what the U.S. Surgeon General recently called an epidemic of loneliness. Nearly half of adults say they feel isolated at times, and that isolation often deepens during life’s hardest moments: serious illness, caregiving, grief, infertility, or financial uncertainty. Author and loneliness coach Karen Kay Smith asserts these “waiting room seasons” can quietly push people away from the very support they need most. On your show, Smith explains why people often shift into “functioning versus feeling” during crises, how emotional suppression fuels loneliness, and why many struggle to communicate what they truly need. She offers practical, yet life-changing tools listeners can use immediately, including how a simple “breath prayer” can replace pressure-filled spiritual routines, why naming emotions out loud can be more healing than staying strong, and how her “3 C’s” framework—confidence, communication, and community—helps people rebuild connection step by step. Drawing from 15 years caring for her husband during his battle with multiple sclerosis, along with years in women’s ministry and training as a transformational life coach, Smith brings a rare blend of lived experience and practical guidance to conversations about loneliness and connection. She is the author of “Nearsighted: Choosing to See Eating Disorders Differently” and the upcoming “Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room.” Contact Karen Kay Smith at (256) 812-5106; ksmith@rtirguests.com

11. ==> Will You Work Past Retirement Age?

Many Americans worry they are already too far behind to retire comfortably. Tom Loegering explains why so many people end up working longer than planned and why it is rarely too late to change direction. Research from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College shows nearly half of working households risk falling short in retirement, often because they believe missed opportunities cannot be fixed. Loegering is a financial planner, entrepreneur, and author who shows how small adjustments, even later in life, can create meaningful change. He is also the Founder and CEO of Golf Program in Schools, a nonprofit that has helped more than 51,000 students prepare for their futures. Ask him: Why do so many Americans assume it’s too late to fix retirement plans? What’s the biggest mistake people make when working longer feels inevitable? What can people in their 50s or 60s still do today? Contact Tom Loegering at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com

12. ==> The Biggest Myths About Healing

Healing is not neat, inspiring, or Instagram-ready, and pretending it is leaves people feeling broken. Avonley Lightstone can explain why healing often looks messy, slow, and unresolved, and why lingering pain does not mean failure. She’ll challenge the belief that healing requires closure and reframe progress as something that can happen even when wounds remain. Lightstone speaks from lived experience. After losing her mother in a childhood house fire and facing abandonment soon after, she learned that healing comes in small, honest steps, not sudden breakthroughs. She is the author of “Strength of Scars,” a memoir on resilience and faith, and her story has gained media attention as it moves toward a potential film or television adaptation. Contact Avonley Lightstone at (801) 980-0447; alightstone@rtirguests.com

13. ==> How to Use Your Body as a Gateway to Higher Consciousness

Doreen Mary Bray, who has worked between worlds for over 40 years as a naturopath and mystical guide, carries a radical message: your body isn’t a vehicle you’re trapped in—it’s what your soul longed for and chose. She teaches that souls wait lifetimes for the privilege of embodiment, selecting parents, place, and form to walk on beaches, feel touch, and experience love. In interviews, Bray will reveal how souls choose incarnation and what that means for how we live. She’ll explain why anxiety and depression may be your soul’s language trying to break through and why learning to honor the body as sacred—not fix or transcend it—is the awakening our time demands. Listeners will discover practices for hearing their soul’s voice and understanding embodiment as the miracle it truly is. Doreen Mary Bray is the author of “The Angel and the Avatar.” Contact Doreen Bray at (438) 802-0280; Dbray@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. She explains 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 is an energy practitioner and holistic wellness expert specializing in chakra balance and mind-body healing. Contact her at (805) 332-4863; mmercado@rtirguests.com

15. ==> What You Don’t Know About Yoga Could Hurt You

Some people think of yoga as a type of stretching. Others see it as a stress reliever. But Joann Lutz says that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what yoga has to offer. Invite this trauma therapist and yoga expert to reveal the deeper healing secrets of yoga. No matter what your body type or health challenges, Joann says there’s a good chance that doing the right yoga practices will help you live a better life. Unfortunately, people often choose the wrong practice for them. Joann will describe which yoga practices are the best ones for each person and reveal why some popular yoga styles can make your symptoms worse. Joann Lutz has been blending yoga, somatic psychotherapy and neuroscience for more than 20 years. Her new book is “Trauma Healing in the Yoga Zone.” Contact her at jlutz@rtirguests.com; (413) 340-5056

01. How Trump Wins the Iran War
02. What Joe Kent’s Resignation Means About the Iran War
03. New Report: Tariffs Instead of Taxes is a Terrible Idea
04. March Madness Could Cost Employers $12.1 Billion: Why Bosses Should Embrace It Anyway
05. Interview EDM Artist Ashley Paul
06. Spring Clean Your Love Life (and Stop Repeating Mistakes)
07. The Protein Myth That Keeps Americans Sick
08. Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?	
09. Joint Pain Isn’t ‘Just Menopause’: It’s Inflammation, Hormones, and How You Move
10. Sneaky Signs Your Partner Is a Narcissist
11. The Woman Behind ‘Neighborhood Watch’ Now Takes on Gangs
12. What No One Tells You About Running for Office
13. 3 Million Mom-Owned Businesses Fuel the U.S. Economy
14. How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract
15. ‘Out of the Chair’ Thinking to Help Kids Focus and Learn


1. ==> How Trump Wins the Iran War

Can Washington translate its military campaign against Iran into a desirable political outcome? Charles Kupchan says, “The way this war ends will ultimately determine whether Trump’s decision to attack Iran goes down in history as a rash act of folly or a courageous strategic success.” He says, “Trump has two options. The less risky option is to refrain from dismantling the regime and instead aim to put in place the Islamic Republic 2.0.” He says Trump’s other option is to attempt to topple the Iranian government. “A grassroots revolution in Iran sounds attractive, but it’s far too risky. The likely outcome of dismantling the Islamic Republic is not stable democracy, but state fracture, political chaos, and radiating instability. Washington should instead aim for a defanged Islamic Republic.” Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University. His new book is “Bringing Order to Anarchy: Governing the World to Come.” To arrange interviews contact (212) 434-9888; Communications@cfr.org

2. ==> What Joe Kent’s Resignation Means About the Iran War

Top national security official Joe Kent resigned this week over his opposition to the Iran War. Matthew Hoh can relate. In 2009, after being appointed to the Foreign Service, he resigned his post in Afghanistan over the Obama administration’s escalation of the Afghan War. He says, “The reality is that for every person like Joe Kent, who speaks out and resigns over policy, many do not. Kent’s criticism that the war on Iran is an unnecessary war driven by Israeli interests is a view that many within the U.S. government likely hold as well. It certainly is a view held by many commentators, many of them former U.S. military officers, diplomats or intelligence officials.” He adds, “Whether Israel is the direct cause of this war, or the cause is the more general systematic reality of the American empire, the importance to the American people is that their interests are not being included in the decisions to start and sustain this war.” Hoh is a disabled Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War and former Afghan War State Department Officer. He is now an analyst and commentator on foreign and military policy issues as a senior fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. Contact him at matthew.hoh@icloud.com

3. ==> New Report: Tariffs Instead of Taxes is a Terrible Idea

One year after implementing sweeping taxes on imported goods, President Trump says he wants to replace income taxes with tariffs. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) says that’s a terrible idea. A new report from the group shows the plan would raise taxes on people with incomes in the bottom 20 percent by $4,000, while wealthy households would receive a $337,000 windfall. The report also shows how tariffs have harmed the economy thus far and calls on policymakers to abandon them and pursue more efficient and equitable revenue-raising policies. CBPP analysts say, “Raising the corporate tax rate — which Republicans slashed in 2017 — would raise substantial revenue.” They calculate that raising the rate to 28 percent — halfway between the current rate and the pre-2017 tax rate — would generate around $1 trillion over ten years — enough to replace about two-thirds of the current tariffs. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that works to promote federal and state policies that will build a stronger, more equitable nation and fair tax policies. For an interview with a CBPP expert contact Nanci Flores at nflores@cbpp.org or Jacob Kaufman-Waldron at jkaufmanwaldron@cbpp.org

4. ==> March Madness Could Cost Employers $12.1 Billion: Why Bosses Should Embrace It Anyway

Each year American companies lose billions of dollars because of lost productivity during March Madness and this year the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an especially high price-tag of $12.1 billion—a $2.4 billion dollar increase from 2025. “Some workers report spending up to two hours watching games on the days when afternoon games are played,” says workplace expert Andrew Challenger. And although it may hit them in the pocketbook, he believes employers should embrace the games as an opportunity for human connection. “It wouldn’t be shocking to hear that morale is low in any given organization,” he says. "March Madness offers the chance for camaraderie that can revive the workplace. Office pools, watch parties, and department bracket challenges can not only create in-office excitement for fans, but can also connect remote workers with their colleagues. Add in lunch and coffee, and employers can make it a reason workers will want to come to the office.” He advises companies to set up dedicated spaces where employees can watch games, discuss brackets, create competitions with meaningful prizes to drive participation, and invite staff to show off their team pride through their attire. Andrew Challenger is chief revenue officer at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a global outplacement and executive coaching firm. Contact Coleen Madden Blumenfeld at (312) 422-5074; (314) 807-1568 (cell) or colleenmadden@challengergray.com

5. ==> Interview EDM Artist Ashley Paul 

Named an artist to watch by “NY Weekly” and “LA Weekly,” international dance pop/EDM artist Ashley Paul broke out with the dance hit “When Boys Cry” back when she was a teen. Today she’s building a growing fan base for her dance floor gems including “Bingo Baby” (which has well over a million streams) and her newest single “Finding Rhythm,” both of which are in regular rotation on Sirius-XM’s BPM and Utopia. Ashley can discuss her new music — she’s had successful collabs with Lucas Marx (who wrote for Katy Perry & Carrie Underwood) and Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer Joel Diamond — her live performances, as well as her enduring career. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com

6. ==> Spring Clean Your Love Life (and Stop Repeating Mistakes)

Every spring we declutter our homes, but what about our relationships and the emotional patterns we keep carrying? Many people swear, “This time will be different,” only to end up in the same kind of relationship. Sabrina Ciceri, author of “If It’s Not One Thing, It’s a Mother,” says partner choice is often driven by childhood conditioning, not logic. After growing up in deep family dysfunction (including her mother running off with her teenaged boyfriend) Sabrina made a conscious decision to break the cycle. She’ll explain why we’re drawn to what feels familiar (even when it hurts), how to recognize inherited relationship scripts, and the practical steps to choose differently. Contact Sabrina Ciceri at (352) 308-1596; sciceri@rtirguests.com

7. ==> The Protein Myth That Keeps Americans Sick

A heart attack at age 70 forced Dorothy Greet to rethink everything she believed about nutrition, especially protein. After she and her 80-year-old husband ditched all animal products, their results were dramatic: normalized blood pressure and cholesterol, effortless weight loss, and energy levels they hadn't felt in decades. Now at 85, Greet is credentialed in plant-based nutrition from Cornell and ready to debunk the protein myth keeping millions sick. In interviews, Greet will reveal how Americans have been misled about protein requirements and why plant foods provide all the protein needed for optimal health. Drawing from her book “Go Veg with Class,” she'll share how two lifelong carnivores reversed heart disease through dietary change alone—and why it's never too late. Listeners will learn simple swaps to "ditch dairy" and "remove meat" while discovering how this shift could eliminate up to 80% of chronic diseases. Ask her: Where do you actually get your protein on a plant-based diet? You reversed heart disease at 70—what happened to your health markers? Why don't doctors tell patients about the power of dietary change? Contact Dorothy Greet at (302) 314-6010; dgreet@rtirguests.co

8. ==> Are You Addicted to Caffeine—and Don’t Even Know It?

More than two-thirds of American adults, and increasingly children and teenagers, consume caffeine every day, yet few consider it an addiction. Health researcher and author Norbert Heuser says caffeine isn’t just in coffee. It’s in soda, energy drinks, green, black, and white teas, and even an increasing number of snacks. And it’s quietly shaping our brains, moods, sleep, and long-term health. Drawing on more than 45 years of research and insights from his book “Coffee Addiction & Caffeinism,” Norbert challenges the belief that caffeine is harmless. He’ll explore how everyday use may contribute to anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, fertility issues, reduced gray brain matter, cognitive decline, and even harm to the unborn, while also explaining why most people never question its impact. Norbert will reveal what science is starting to show, why caffeine dependence has become socially acceptable, how to recognize addiction, and practical ways to reduce its hidden effects—without sacrificing energy or performance. He also shares great-tasting, caffeine-free alternatives to coffee. Contact Norbert Heuser at (727) 261-2313; nheuser@rtirguests.com

9. ==> Joint Pain Isn’t ‘Just Menopause’: It’s Inflammation, Hormones, and How You Move

Many women are told joint pain is simply part of getting older, especially during perimenopause and menopause. But according to Stacey Roberts, RN, PT, MSN, that explanation often misses what’s really happening inside the body. Invite Roberts to explain how declining estrogen reduces the body’s natural anti-inflammatory protection, making joints more sensitive to stress, movement patterns, and even food sensitivities. Over time, poor biomechanics and compensation after old injuries can quietly worsen inflammation, even without visible damage. “Pain isn’t just about wear and tear,” says Roberts. “It’s about how hormones, inflammation, and movement interact.” With more than 30 years of experience working with everyday women and professional athletes, Roberts helps patients address pain without surgery, injections, or long-term medication by restoring balance and mobility. Ask her: Why is joint pain so common during menopause? How do different hormones influence inflammation and pain? Why do women need to change the way they move during perimenopause and menopause? Contact Stacey Roberts (414) 522-6153; sroberts@rtirguests.com

10. ==> Sneaky Signs Your Partner Is a Narcissist

While anyone can spot the loud, attention-seeking narcissist, it's the charming "nice guy" covert narcissists who cause the most damage—and Dr. Valerie Sussman should know. After 20 years trapped in a narcissistic marriage, this retired pediatrician traded her stethoscope for a paintbrush and became a certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist dedicated to helping others recognize these wolves in sheep's clothing. Sussman will reveal the "6 E's" that show your partner is a narcissist and explain why victims stay "hooked on hopium"—the dangerous hope that keeps them trapped. Drawing from her book “Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse,” she'll share how to spot the charm-to-harm cycle before it's too late. Listeners will learn the red flags they're missing, why asking "Am I the narcissist?" means you're not, and how creativity can heal emotional wounds. Ask her: What's the difference between overt and covert narcissists—and why are covert ones more dangerous? You call it "hopium"—why is hope so toxic in these relationships? What are the "6 E's" and how do they reveal a narcissist? Contact Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; Vsussman@rtirguests.com

11. ==> The Woman Behind ‘Neighborhood Watch’ Now Takes on Gangs

Stephanie Mann was abandoned in Mexico City at age 15 and survived through community connection—now this crime prevention consultant with 40 years of experience knows exactly why gangs flourish. The answer: social isolation and fear, and the result costs taxpayers $100 billion annually. Mann will reveal why traditional policing fails and how her low-cost Neighborhood Safety Expert program succeeds. She'll explain how trained community members who look like and speak the language of residents build trust where police cannot, why drug dealers often control neighborhoods through gifts and favors, and how connected neighbors eliminate the isolation that drives kids to gangs. Stephanie Mann coauthored the book “Alternative to Fear: Guidelines for Safer Neighborhoods,” which helped establish the national Neighborhood Watch program in the 1960s. She went on to write numerous crime prevention books and founded the National Safe Kids Now Network. Contact her at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

12. ==> What No One Tells You About Running for Office

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

13. ==> 3 Million Mom-Owned Businesses Fuel the U.S. Economy

Last year, mom-owned businesses generated more than $1.8 trillion in revenue, but this powerhouse movement didn’t start with TikTok side hustles. It began a century ago, in kitchens, basements, and living rooms, led by women with big ideas and little recognition. Roy Martin, Nashville Women’s Entrepreneur Coach and founder of the WFH Empowerment Academy, is spotlighting these early pioneers and empowering post-COVID mompreneurs to follow in their footsteps. His upcoming book, “But She Can’t Vote,” draws a direct line from women like Jean Nidetch (Weight Watchers) and Tupperware trailblazer Brownie Wise to today’s online work-from-home moms. Roy encourages motivated mompreneurs to claim their 20th century history while building a New Age WFH empowerment movement. Ask him: What can today’s moms learn from the original work-from-home pioneers? How can women start a purpose-driven home business in 2026? Contact Roy Martin at (629) 265 0570; rmartin@rtirguests.com

14. ==> How to Reclaim Attention in a World Built to Distract

We live in a world designed to hijack our attention. The average adult now spends over seven hours a day on screens, yet many feel more scattered, reactive, and stuck than ever. Author and senior UCLA mindfulness educator Mitra Manesh says this isn’t just a focus issue; it’s an attention crisis quietly eroding our freedom to choose. On your show, Mitra will reveal why even intelligent, successful people often live in “survival mode,” how constant stimulation weakens our decision-making, and why reclaiming attention is the first and most important step toward true freedom. Drawing from her inspirational fiction, “The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World”—a parable in the spirit of “The Alchemist”—she offers a transformative blend of storytelling and insight, packed with techniques and practices for improving attention as a transformative force in all aspects of life. This is a timely invitation to shift from reaction to creation, and a powerful case for why reclaiming attention may be the most radical act of personal power in our time. Contact Mitra Manesh at (310) 807-3031; mmanesh@rtirguests.com

15. ==> ‘Out of the Chair’ Thinking to Help Kids Focus and Learn

Think kids need to sit still to concentrate? Research says the opposite, and so does math educator Suzy Koontz. With screen time up and attention spans down, Suzy offers a powerful, practical solution: movement-based learning. Suzy is the creator of Math & Movement, a program used in schools nationwide to boost focus, memory, and academic performance through full-body learning. In her segment, she’ll explain how jumping, hopping, and dancing can help kids grasp math and reading faster—no tech required. She’ll also share simple, at-home activities parents can use to help restless kids refocus after school. Suzy has reached over 1 million students and authored 20+ books packed with easy, energizing takeaways your audience can use right away. Contact Suzy Koontz at (607) 366-9588; skoontz@rtirguests.com