Welcome to Let’s Just Talk! with Kathryn Raaker

Informing, Inspiring, and Entertaining Audiences for Over 30 Years!

Kathryn Raaker hosts Let’s Just Talk!, a nationally syndicated radio talk show that brings engaging conversations, expert insights, and timely information to listeners across the country.

With more than 30 years of broadcasting experience, Kathryn has built a reputation for connecting audiences with fascinating guests, industry experts, authors, and influential voices who share their knowledge and perspectives on the issues that matter most.

From the latest developments in technology, politics, healthcare, and business to lifestyle, entertainment, and current events, Let’s Just Talk! explores a wide variety of topics designed to educate, inspire, and entertain. Kathryn’s conversational interview style encourages open discussions, fresh perspectives, and meaningful exchanges that keep listeners informed and engaged.

Let’s Just Talk! reaches audiences nationwide through AM/FM radio, internet streaming, and digital platforms. The program is featured on the Wilkins Radio Network, Fairfax Public Radio, Dan Perkins Media Network, W4CY and W4VET Networks, and WCVG 1320 AM, “The Voice,” in Cincinnati.

Whether you’re listening live or catching up on your favorite interviews on demand, Kathryn brings you conversations worth hearing.

Tune in to Let’s Just Talk!—where interesting people, important topics, and great conversations come together!

W4CY 10-29-2026 and W4VET 11-01-2026

Thomas Kurtz Challenges Climate Change Claims in New Book, Why There Is No Climate Crisis

Thomas KurtzOn this episode of Let’s Just Talk, radio and television host Kathryn Raaker welcomes Thomas Kurtz to discuss his new book, Why There Is No Climate Crisis. Thomas Kurtz is the cofounder and former president of Advion Bio Services, a company known for scientific work in mass spectrometry and bioanalysis. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from UCLA.

The discussion begins with Thomas using climate data to challenge claims that the climate crisis is worsening. He says conflicting accounts of climate change prompted him to spend three years reviewing scientific literature. He cites research by a Colorado State scientist that, he says, shows hurricane numbers declined between 1990 and 2021.

Are Hurricanes Becoming Less Severe?

Thomas cites the Accumulated Cyclone Energy and Power Dissipation indexes as evidence that hurricane severity has declined over the past 40 years. He notes that global satellite coverage, available since 1990, has produced a more complete record of hurricane activity. He also points to evidence from ice cores and coastal sand dunes. In his account, storms were milder during the Medieval Warm Period, more severe during the Little Ice Age, and milder again during the modern warming period that began around 1850.

What History Reveals About Severe Storms –The conversation then turns to historical storm patterns. Thomas cites research suggesting that severe storms were more common during the Little Ice Age, particularly during the Maunder Solar Minimum in the late 1600s, when British naval records documented highly destructive storms. He explains that collisions between warm, moist air and cold air can generate the eddy kinetic energy that fuels severe weather. The discussion also covers tornado trends. Kurtz cites statistics he describes as declining, while Raaker shares her own severe-weather experiences.

How Much Warming Do Greenhouse Gases Cause? –Kathryn and Thomas examine the warming effects of greenhouse gases. He says that doubling atmospheric carbon dioxide from 400 to 800 parts per million would produce about 0.9 degrees of warming, and that burning all known fossil-fuel reserves would produce roughly 1 degree. He argues that estimates of an additional 2.2 degrees of warming from water vapor and melting ice caps rely on models rather than observational evidence. He also cites a Lancet study reporting that cold causes nine times as many deaths worldwide as heat.

 Climate History and What May Come Next –Thomas says past warm periods often coincided with prosperity and strong harvests, while colder periods were associated with hardship and the decline of civilizations. He predicts cooler temperatures after 2030, attributing the shift to an 80-year climate cycle and a weakening solar maximum.

Inside, Why There Is No Climate Crisis – Thomas says, Why There Is No Climate Crisis presents evidence readers can evaluate for themselves as they reconsider widely accepted climate narratives. The book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many bookstores.

For more information, visit www.whynoclimatecrisis.com.    Watch Kurtz’s appearance on the Tom Nelson Podcast.

 


Meta’s Muse AI for Small Business: Diana Doukas on Saving Time and Driving Growth

Diana DoukasOur second guest on today’s Let’s Just Talk is Diana Doukas, Meta’s U.S. Director of Economic Opportunity & Advocacy, who joins Kathryn Raaker to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the way small businesses operate.

For small-business owners juggling customer service, marketing, financial management, and daily operations, finding enough hours in the day can be a constant challenge.

Now, advances in artificial intelligence make it possible to move beyond answering questions to completing everyday business tasks, helping entrepreneurs save time and focus on growth.

Diana introduces Muse for Small Business, Meta’s personal AI agent, designed to help business owners manage responsibilities, organize projects, develop marketing strategies, and turn business goals into actionable plans. She also explains how Muse works alongside existing business applications, letting entrepreneurs manage multiple responsibilities without constantly switching between platforms.

How Muse AI Can Help Small Businesses

  • Save Valuable Time: Simplify routine responsibilities, plan social media content, prepare customer communications, and manage everyday business needs.

  • Turn Goals Into Action: Move from ideas to execution by developing marketing campaigns, identifying growth opportunities, and coordinating tasks across connected business tools.

  • Maintain Control: Business owners remain in charge. According to Meta, Muse requires approval before publishing content, sending messages, or making purchases.

  • Connect Existing Business Tools: Integrate familiar platforms, including Canva, Dropbox, Intuit QuickBooks, and Facebook and Instagram business accounts.

  • Make AI More Accessible: Muse is free for most common uses, with optional paid subscriptions offering additional capabilities.

During the conversation, Diana explains how small-business owners can give Muse a goal, such as attracting new customers, planning a month of social media content, or reviewing business performance, and have the AI agent help carry out the necessary steps.

She also discusses how Muse works alongside existing business applications, allowing entrepreneurs to manage multiple responsibilities without constantly switching between platforms.

Can AI really help small-business owners work smarter, save time, and compete more effectively? Tune in to Let’s Just Talk as Kathryn Raaker and Diana Doukas explore the opportunities, practical applications, and importance of maintaining human oversight as AI becomes an increasingly valuable business tool.

For More Information, Visit: www.Muse.ai/business


Dr. Yael Varnado Shares Proactive Health and Wellness Tips for Cold and Flu Season

Dr. Yael VarnadoOur final guest on Let’s Just Talk is Dr. Yael Varnado, a practicing physician at Johns Hopkins, also known as Dr. V.

On today’s broadcast, Dr. Varnado shares practical health and wellness tips to help individuals and families prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season. She emphasizes getting adequate sleep, staying physically active, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, and listening to your body’s needs.

Dr. Varnado encourages a return to these essential health habits, noting that many people underestimate stress’s impact on overall well-being. She also highlights several products designed to support everyday health, wellness, and self-care.

Recommendations for Health and Wellness

  • DenTek Dental Guards: Designed to protect teeth from nighttime grinding, which can be linked to stress and busy schedules.
  • LifeZoom’s Vera Red Light Therapy: Features a 3-in-1 design intended to support muscle recovery and improve skin appearance. The device also includes audio features for meditation and relaxation.
  • Campbell’s Protein Soups: A convenient nutritional option that provides 20 grams of protein per can, helping individuals add more protein to their daily diets.
  • Eucerin Radiant Tone Face and Body Collection: Formulated with Thiamidol to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and promote a more even-looking skin tone.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Varnado reminds listeners that maintaining good health doesn’t always require complicated routines. Small, consistent lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference in supporting overall wellness.

Dr. V’s message is simple: Take a proactive approach to your health! Prioritize healthy habits, listen to your body’s signals, and make time for self-care year-round.

For more information and additional wellness tips, visit TipsOnTV.com.


Listen Now

WELP Greenville SC 1360AM & 104.3 FM 10-29 2026

Mark McWaters Wins 2026 Writers of the Future Contest With “Ghost Dog”

Our first guest on Let’s Just Talk is Mark McWaters, an author from Mount Dora, Florida, and a 2026 winner of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.

Hollywood honored Mark for his short story “Ghost Dog,” featured in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42. Following a weeklong industry master class, Mark joined his fellow winners at the April 16 awards ceremony. The anthology was released on April 28.

Mark’s love of storytelling began with the adventures of The Hardy Boys and Doc Savage before he discovered science fiction. Authors including Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz later became lasting influences on his writing.

He earned an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and built an award-winning career in advertising before turning his attention to writing full-time.

The inspiration for “Ghost Dog” began with a playful question: if houses, dolls, and cars can be haunted, why not dogs? Bentley, Mark’s West Highland White Terrier, who often rests beneath his desk while he writes, seemed to offer the perfect inspiration.

Mark has also earned multiple Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Awards and has sold more than 100 books through Barnes & Noble signing events.

Now in its 43rd year, the Writers of the Future Contest continues to recognize emerging talent in speculative fiction and illustration, with entries judged by leading professionals in the field.

For more information or to enter the contest, visit writersofthefuture.com.


Meta’s Muse AI for Small Business: Diana Doukas on Saving Time and Driving Growth

Diana DoukasOur second guest on today’s Let’s Just Talk is Diana Doukas, Meta’s U.S. Director of Economic Opportunity & Advocacy, who joins Kathryn Raaker to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the way small businesses operate.

For small-business owners juggling customer service, marketing, financial management, and daily operations, finding enough hours in the day can be a constant challenge.

Now, advances in artificial intelligence make it possible to move beyond answering questions to completing everyday business tasks, helping entrepreneurs save time and focus on growth.

Diana introduces Muse for Small Business, Meta’s personal AI agent, designed to help business owners manage responsibilities, organize projects, develop marketing strategies, and turn business goals into actionable plans. She also discusses how Muse works alongside existing business applications, allowing entrepreneurs to manage multiple responsibilities without constantly switching between platforms.

How Muse AI Can Help Small Businesses

  • Save Valuable Time: Simplify routine responsibilities, plan social media content, prepare customer communications, and manage everyday business needs.

  • Turn Goals Into Action: Move from ideas to execution by developing marketing campaigns, identifying growth opportunities, and coordinating tasks across connected business tools.

  • Maintain Control: Business owners remain in charge. According to Meta, Muse requires approval before publishing content, sending messages, or making purchases.

  • Connect Existing Business Tools: Integrate familiar platforms, including Canva, Dropbox, Intuit QuickBooks, and Facebook and Instagram business accounts.

  • Make AI More Accessible: Muse is free for most common uses, with optional paid subscriptions offering additional capabilities.

During the conversation, Diana explains how small-business owners can give Muse a goal, such as attracting new customers, planning a month of social media content, or reviewing business performance, and have the AI agent help carry out the necessary steps.

She also discusses how Muse works alongside existing business applications, allowing entrepreneurs to manage multiple responsibilities without constantly switching between platforms.

Can AI really help small-business owners work smarter, save time, and compete more effectively? Tune in to Let’s Just Talk as Kathryn Raaker and Diana Doukas explore the opportunities, practical applications, and importance of maintaining human oversight as AI becomes an increasingly valuable business tool.

For More Information, Visit: www.Muse.ai/business


 

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