Category: Women’s Issues

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

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

Why Women Often Make Better Leaders—And What Companies Miss 

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, companies say they value strong leadership, but often overlook one of their greatest untapped assets: women. Research and real-world results consistently show that women tend to lead with empathy, collaboration, and long-term vision—qualities that drive stronger teams and more sustainable growth. Yet many organizations still default to outdated leadership models that reward dominance over development.

Entrepreneur and author David Hampson argues that businesses miss the mark by failing to fully empower female leaders, especially in cultures that prioritize short-term wins over people-first strategies. If companies want better outcomes, it’s time to rethink leadership itself—and recognize that elevating women isn’t a trend, but a competitive advantage. David is the author of Rainbow Gold: Building A Business That’s Both the Journey and the Destination, and a business advisory consultant.

Contact him at (603) 605-8594; dhampson@rtirguests.com

Why the Nicest Person in the Room May Be the Most Dangerous

Everyone knows how to spot the loud, self-centered narcissist. It’s the charming one — the helper, the listener, the one everyone adores — who causes the most damage. Dr. Valerie Sussman knows this firsthand. After 20 years in a covert narcissistic marriage, this retired pediatrician became a certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist dedicated to exposing what she calls the most dangerous predator hiding in plain sight.

In interviews, Sussman will reveal how covert narcissists use kindness as a weapon, why victims routinely doubt their own reality, and how to spot the warning signs before the damage is done. Drawing from her book Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The A-Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse, she offers survivors a path from confusion to clarity — and from self-doubt to self-trust.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

  • What makes a covert narcissist so much more dangerous than the obvious kind?
  • How do narcissists make their victims doubt their own reality?
  • What’s the first sign someone is dealing with a covert narcissist rather than just a difficult person?

CONTACT: Valerie Sussman at (805) 407-5635; Vsussman@rtirguests.com

Why Low Birthrates Might Be the Biggest Story of 2026

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. OB/GYN 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 stabilit

She joins your show to 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.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

  • Can your daily habits really impact fertility more than your age?
  • Why are low birthrates more dangerous than most people think?

CONTACT: Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri at (613) 800-9412; msuri@rtirguests.com

Hidden Red Flags You’re Dating 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 at 50 and became a certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist dedicated to helping others recognize these wolves in sheep’s clothing.

In interviews, Sussman will reveal the “6 E’s” that determine if 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.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: 

  • 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

The Invisible Leadership Tax Women Pay to Be Taken Seriously

For years, women were told to lean in, speak up, and push harder. Yet senior women in finance, technology, and other high-pressure fields are leaving leadership at record rates—not because they lack ambition, but because of a hidden cost few organizations recognize.

Former banking executive and master life coach Amanda Christian calls it the translation tax: the constant, invisible labor women perform to adjust how they speak, decide, and lead in male-dominated systems. Over time, that tax drains clarity, energy, and confidence long before performance ever declines.

In her book The Skeptical Executive, Christian reframes the leadership crisis leaders keep misdiagnosing and offers a research-backed alternative that helps high-achieving women lead with authority and without burning out.

Book her for a segment on:

  • Why “lean in” backfired
  • Early signs of leadership strain
  • What organizations must change to retain top talent

CONTACT: Amanda Christian at (704) 610-1637; achristian@rtirguests.com

How to Talk Across Differences Without Burning Out or Blowing Up Relationships

Americans are talking more than ever, yet 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 explains 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 reveals practical tools for confronting bias without escalating conflict. She also shares insights from her book 30 Rights of Muslim Women, which challenges common assumptions about faith, identity, and equality.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Can avoiding controversial topics actually fuel extremism? Why do attempts at empathy sometimes backfire in cross-cultural conversations?

CONTACT: Daisy Khan at (917) 905-7829; dkhan@rtirguests.com

3 Million Mom-Owned Businesses Are Fueling the U.S. Economy

Why the Mompreneurs Work-From-Home Age Is Now

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 is encouraging motivated mompreneurs to claim their 20th century history while building a New Age WFH Empowerment Movement.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: 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

Why Joint Pain Isn’t Just “Aging” for Menopausal Women: 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.

Roberts explains that 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.

Sample Questions:
Why is joint pain so common during menopause? How do different hormones influence inflammation and pain? Do movement patterns need to be changed during perimenopause or menopause?

CONTACT: Stacey Roberts (414)522-6153; sroberts@rtirguests.com