01. Want Americans to Vote? Give Them the Day Off
02. Why You Should Be a Poll Worker This Year
03. This Protest Uses Trump’s Words Against Him
04. What is Life Like as a Hollywood Stuntman?
05. What Netflix’s ‘Indian Matchmaker’ Gets Right … and Wrong
06. What Happens in Vegas … Former Cop Tells All
07. How to Come Back from a 70% Revenue Drop
08. COVID’s Agonizing Effect on Chronic Pain
09. Gut Punch: Stress is Wreaking Havoc on Kids’ Stomachs
10. Take the ‘Before You Get Out of Bed’ Challenge
11. Why It’s Time to Admit We’re All Afraid
12. It’s a Tough Year — How a New Mindset Can Save You Now and Later
13. We’ve Forgotten How to Have Pleasant Conversation
14. No More Naked Audiences When You are the Speaker
15. We Need More Super Grandparents
1. ==> Want Americans to Vote? Give Them the Day Off
The 2020 elections face many unique challenges, but a growing number of businesses are promising to give employees the time and tools they need to vote. More than 700 large and small companies have joined Time to Vote, a business-led, nonpartisan coalition. “The need has never been greater for businesses to provide their employees dedicated time off to vote,” says Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal, one of the three companies that founded Time to Vote in 2018. “No American should have to choose between earning a paycheck and voting. Business leaders around the country must step up and do what’s needed to ensure all of their employees will have the opportunity to have their voices heard this November.” Time to Vote is asking more companies to join the movement and commit to giving employees the time and resources they need to vote. The goal is to have more than 1,000 companies – from a diverse set of industries representing every state – join the movement by November 3. Time to Vote was founded by Levi Strauss & Co., Patagonia and PayPal ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, when 411 companies joined. For interviews, contact Tiffany Peng at PayPal at tipeng@paypal.com, Corley Kenna at Patagonia at corley.kenna@patagonia.com or Kelly Mason at Levi Strauss & Co. at newsmediarequests@levi.com
2. ==> Why You Should Be a Poll Worker This Year
Want to know how you can help democracy run smoother this election? Volunteer to be a poll worker! Jonathon Diaz, legal counsel for voting rights at the Campaign Legal Center, says, “The chaos caused by a poll worker shortage isn’t some hypothetical problem; we saw the impact of shorthanded election offices in primary elections earlier this year in places like Georgia and Wisconsin. When states and counties don’t have enough volunteers to work the polls, they have to consolidate polling places, resulting in long lines, burdensome delays and crowded polling locations, which, during a pandemic, creates a greater risk of spreading disease.” Learn how elections officials have turned to unusual methods to recruit volunteers in response to this impending crisis and what voting advocates and nonprofit organizations are doing to boost recruitment efforts among young people to pick up the slack for older, vulnerable workers unable to participate this year. Becoming a poll worker isn’t difficult and in some places, poll workers are paid! Eligibility requirements and time commitments vary depending on where you live, but your state and county election officials should have all the information that you need to be able to sign up. There’s also an online tool to help figure it out. Jonathan Diaz is legal counsel for voting rights at the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. He is also a CNN election law analyst. Before joining CLC, Diaz worked in private legal practice in New York and at the National Hispanic Media Coalition in Washington, D.C. Contact him at (202) 856-7912; media@campaignlegal.org
3. ==> This Protest Uses Trump’s Words Against Him
Fueled by President Trump’s quote, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters,” the group behind a new protest project believes it’s time to use art to show Trump what losing voters actually looks like. The group #LouderThanHate is calling all artists, property owners and activists to join their unified artistic protest revolution by turning the tables on the derogatory, racist climate the current administration has created by using Trump’s words against him. Artists from around the country are being asked to interpret famous divisive words said by Donald Trump and depict what it means to them in their unique media. Examples include creating murals on buildings, 3D mapping on landmarks and billboard truck designs. Each piece of art will proudly display the hashtag #LouderThanHate. Not artistic, but fed-up with the toxic climate President Trump has created? You can contribute to a particular project via donations. All of the artwork will lead up to a public unveiling on October 24, the day of a March for All in our nation’s capital celebrating Free Speech Week. For interviews and information on participating in the project, contact Christopher Frendo at (313) 717-9257; team@louderthanhate.com
4. ==> What is Life Like as a Hollywood Stuntman?
Steve McChesney knows what it was like to put his life on the line for the sake of entertainment. As a Hollywood stuntman, actor, or extra he appeared in more than 350 TV shows and movies, Part of that time, Steve earned money by falling off of high places, being knocked off of walls, performing stunts in automobiles and doing other things designed to make the audience’s hearts race. To the delight of baby boomers and others who love classic TV and movies, he can talk about the work he did on “Star Trek 6,” the last movie with the show’s original cast, “Starsky and Hutch,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Wonder Woman” and more, and why professional stunt people are the safest people to hang around with. Now a marketing expert, Steve McChesney has been on CBS, ABC, NBC, and other large media outlets. His new book is “Rearranging Change: How You Market to an Ever-Changing World” and his podcast with the same name is available on all major channels. He is available as a last-minute guest. Contact Steve McChesney at (321) 414-2147; smcchesney@rtirguests.com
5. ==> What Netflix’s ‘Indian Matchmaker’ Gets Right … and Wrong
Netflix’s popular docu-series “Indian Matchmaker” has a lot of people talking this summer. In the show, a matchmaker guides clients in the U.S. and India through the arranged marriage process. While many find the show entertaining, it’s also controversial. Raj Girn encourages people to watch the show because of the inequalities it exposes. Raj, who was once in an unsuccessful arranged marriage, can talk about why she finds “Indian Matchmaker” horrifying for its depiction of the rampant prejudice that exists in the Indian community, which she says is akin to systemic racism experienced in the Black community. She can also talk about ways the show relates to her own disastrous arranged marriage, shedding light on what for most Americans is a foreign culture. Raj is a well-known media personality in Canada and a serial media entrepreneur who has worked in many communication-intensive industries with thought leaders, celebrities, and multinational corporations. Contact her at (647) 490-3158; Rgirn@rtirguests.com
6. ==> What Happens in Vegas … Former Cop Tells All
Las Vegas has earned its reputation as Sin City. And back in the early 1980s when Mark Rusin was a young police officer there, his job brought him face-to-face with some crazy situations which he’ll detail on your show. Ask him about the role his uniformed partner played in a bar’s wet T-shirt contest, about the time a john showed him what $70,000 in cash looked like, and about the “small” detail he missed while interviewing a stabbing victim. On a more serious note, he can also share the police call that has haunted him every day since he was called to the MGM Grand Hotel on Nov. 21, 1980. Rusin is a former ATF special agent who knows what “really” happened at Waco and has met several U.S. presidents while protecting them. Rusin has also been a consultant to “CSI” and other shows. He is the author of the upcoming book “METRO: Sin City Chronicles” and an earlier novel, “Justice For Dallas,” which was based on real events. Contact Mark Rusin at (520) 205-1113; msrusin@comcast.net
7. ==> How to Come Back from a 70% Revenue Drop
Because of the pandemic, the bottom has fallen out of many businesses, affecting not only their owners but also the employees who work for them who have been furloughed or had their hours cut. What are some specific things small businesses can do to recover? Rami Odeh (Oh-DAY) has answers culled from his experience bringing his personal training company back from a 70% drop in revenue that resulted from the 2008 recession. Invite Rami on your show to hear about the big risk he took that started his company’s return to healthy profitability and the importance of seeking help when you need it. The lessons Rami learned along the way are valuable to every business owner whether on the way up, the way down, plateaued, or trying to build a saleable business. Rami is an author, certified exercise physiologist, personal trainer and corporate presenter with dual master’s degrees in industrial psychology and exercise physiology. Rami is the author of the three-volume series “Quiet The Noise.” Contact him at (770) 773-6970; rami@quietthenoisebook.com
8. ==> COVID’s Agonizing Effect on Chronic Pain
At least a quarter of your audience suffers from chronic pain, with their agony worsened by changes in health care that were associated with COVID-19. That’s one issue family physician Trevor Campbell, M.D., can address but there’s one that is even more important: even before the pandemic, he says treatments for chronic pain have relied too much on temporary measures like medications and injection therapies that are easily billable for doctors while neglecting the essential and affordable missing piece in chronic pain, the psycho-social elements that reverse its causes and triggers. For many listeners and their families, this could be a game-changing interview. Trevor studied medicine at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, before immigrating to Canada. His new book is “The Language of Pain: Fast Forward Your Recovery to Stop Hurting.” Contact Trevor Campbell at (250) 217-7832; tcampbell@rtirguests.com
9. ==> Gut Punch: Stress is Wreaking Havoc on Kids’ Stomachs
Stress is the main trigger for irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, and digestive issues in children, adolescents, and adults. These problems occur in 14% of children, 35% of adolescents, and 15% of adults and lead to absenteeism in school and the workplace. There are no medications that are helpful for these problems. And this makes the problem vexing to both parents and patients. For a look at why that number is so high and what patients and parents can do, interview Stanford-trained pediatrician Jeff Lazarus, M.D. He has developed the “Controlling Your Gut Feelings” program using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, medical hypnosis, and motivational interviewing techniques to assist young patients and adults. Ask him: How serious are gastrointestinal problems in children? What are the typical symptoms? Is diet ever a culprit? Will these problems persist for life? What can you do to help your child? Contact Dr. Lazarus at (216) 202-3112; jlazarusmd@rtirguests.com
10. ==> Take the ‘Before You Get Out of Bed’ Challenge
Do this one little thing before you get out of bed each day, and you will experience more joy, confidence and productivity. It only takes 2-3 minutes and has been proven to help people dramatically shift their lives. It’s not mediation, visualizing or goal setting. Cathleen Lamberton, a coach and emotional fitness trainer, gives this powerful challenge to her clients and it has revolutionized their lives. Invite her on your show and learn how writing ten things you’re grateful for before your feet even hit the floor can make a huge difference in your life. She’ll explain what else you can do each morning, for ten days, to completely shift your perspective and your feelings, and share tips and tools to help anyone experiencing sudden and unexpected loss. Cathleen will explain why her simple exercise is so powerful (especially during this challenging year), offering specific examples of how it’s transformed people from all walks of life, from a woman in a miserable marriage to a veteran suffering from PTSD. Cathleen’s new book is “Shattered Together.” Contact Cathleen Lamberton at (802) 613-0678; clamberton@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Why It’s Time to Admit We’re All Afraid
Pandemic. Wildfire. Tornado. Earthquake. Hurricane. Tsunami. When it comes to inspiring fear, Mother Nature can sure dish it out. No one knows that better than Sana Brauner, who nearly died in a tsunami that came out of nowhere, claiming her mother and young daughter. In the 16 years since then, Sana has learned a lot about facing sudden, unexpected events and the fear they engender and can share lessons we need as we face the continued disruption of our lives from COVID-19. She can inspire audience members to see the future and create the life they need to get there. She is the author of “The Borrowed Daughter.” Contact Sana Brauner at s.brauner@ihr-einkauf.at Skype: sanabr
12. It’s a Tough Year — How a New Mindset Can Save You Now and Later
Sad to say, societal problems are on the rise. To prevail and build a better present and future, even as we face political upheaval and diseases attacking us, we must change. So says Reverend Arthur Mackey, a prolific author, focused researcher, respected pastor and sought-after media guest. He’ll show your audience how to develop a mindset that makes positive change possible and saves lives in the process. Mackey is the author of “Overcoming the Spirit of Depression.” He’ll inspire audiences as he explores everything from family and workplace influences to health/social services, faith-based resources and education programs worth knowing. Ask him: Why is it never too late to change or improve your surroundings, relationships, mood and ideals? What are the four most effective ways to change your mindset, minus the stress? Does healing always require medicine? What’s the role of prayer for navigating a happier, healthier lifestyle? Contact Reverend Arthur Mackey at (516) 219-8392; AMackey@rtirguests.com
13. ==> We’ve Forgotten How to Have Pleasant Conversation
When is the last time you had a conversation that didn’t end up feeling like a negotiation, or worse, a fight? “It’s probably been a while since a simple conversation was just that,” says Ivan Obolensky. “It’s become nearly impossible not to talk about emotionally charged topics … because that’s all we’ve got!” Interview Ivan about the art of conversation during COVID-19. He will show your audience how to set better boundaries around who they are talking to and what they are talking about, so that simple conversations don’t feel like negotiations that need to be won! Ask him about the four N’s of negotiating that can help conversations become a win-win! Ivan is an author and Renaissance man. His novel “Eye of the Moon” won “Best First Book (Fiction)” in the IndieReader Discovery Awards. Contact Ivan Obolensky at (818) 495-8731; IObolensky@rtirguests.com
14. ==> No More Naked Audiences When You are the Speaker
When speaking in front of a group, whether in-person or virtually on-screen, you need to get over your nerves and apprehension. First of all — you do NOT need to imagine your audience naked! That old chestnut never works. You’ll want your presentation, confidence and message to wow everyone instead. So says communications and leadership expert Jill Jaysen, who will reveal how we’ve been taught all wrong when it comes to public speaking and reveal five myths that threaten your speaking prowess! You’ll learn why gimmicks like practicing in the mirror and videotaping yourself create mediocre speakers at best. Contact Jill Jaysen at (203) 442-9301; jjaysen@rtirguests.com
15. ==> We Need More Super Grandparents
Who doesn’t appreciate grandparents, whether our own, our children’s, a friend’s or even a stranger’s? Some of those grandparents may even be “super grandparents.” Find out what that means by interviewing Dr. Oliver Akamnonu who can answer questions like: How do super grandparents teach and guide? What sacrifices do super grandparents make? And, if appropriate, could you be a super grandparent? Dr. Akamnonu will discuss why he and his wife left high-powered careers to help their daughter and new grandchild, and why today’s grandparents often go beyond offering financial support, childcare and parental advice to make a difference in their family’s lives. The Akamnonus authored “Little Baby Lydia, Grandma, Grandpa and Student Mom: Saga of Family Role Reversal and the New Times.” Contact Oliver Akamnonu at (413) 206-6753; oakamnonu@rtirguests.com