ProfNet Experts Available on Thanksgiving, Emotional Breakdowns, Politics and More

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network – it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/queryform.

EXPERT ALERTS

• A Feeling of Being Ignored Helped Fuel Trump's Victory Over Clinton
• Food Waste: A Big Issue on Thanksgiving
• How to Avoid Conflict During Thanksgiving/Holiday Gatherings
• How to Have Positive Family Interactions About the Political Climate/Election When Gathering for Thanksgiving
• Signs of a Serious Emotional Breakdown
• Can Detoxing From Social Media Improve Mental Health?
• World Chess Championship Will Introduce Sport to New Generation of Players

MEDIA JOBS

• Senior Reporter – Law360
• Reporter – Citywire Americas
• Senior Data Reporter – TheStreet, Inc.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Speaking on a Panel: Best Practices From the Pros
• Career Crossroads: BlogHer Co-founder on Shattering That Online Glass Ceiling
• 10 Top News Sites That Rock Their Music and Entertainment Coverage

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EXPERT ALERTS:

A Feeling of Being Ignored Helped Fuel Trump's Victory Over Clinton
Robin Johnson
Professor of Political Science
Monmouth College
"People feel left out, people feel left behind. It's a big repudiation to the establishment of both parties, and I think they need to start listening a little more to people and what's going on -- such as globalization and other issues, that are impacting people's daily lives." Johnson said that by leveraging feelings of isolation and disenfranchisement, especially among white working-class voters without college degrees, Trump won several Midwestern states that Democrats expected Clinton to win. "His path to the White House was through the Midwest. He generated a massive turnout of people, especially the white working-class vote, which is why he won states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and possibly even Michigan."
Johnson, a former campaign adviser who also hosts a radio political talk show, said that Tuesday's presidential election results also underscored the deep divisions in the American electorate. She is also able to discuss campaigns and elections, public policy, governmental reform and innovation, local government administration and finance. She is based in Monmouth, Ill.
Website: http://www.monmouthcollege.edu
Contact: RoseAnn Haedt, [email protected]

Food Waste: A Big Issue on Thanksgiving
John Mandyck
Chief Sustainability Officer
United Technologies Corp.
"If you're like me and the 88% of Americans celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family this year, you might already be loosening your belt in anticipation of next week's feast. When we waste less food, we say thank you to a planet that has provided us with the resources we need to live. Just remember: Wasted food equals wasted water."
Mandyck can talk about this hidden climate problem and a few easy steps people can take to reduce their waste. He says that nationally, we waste up to 40% of our food each year. If we waste 40% of our already large Thanksgiving meals, what are we really throwing away and what does it mean to the environment? Most people don't realize it, but wasted food has a huge impact on our environment. The amount of water required to produce the food for a Thanksgiving meal (based on average portion sizes and eight guests) takes a whopping 4,500 gallons. If we waste 40% of this food, we're wasting 1,800 gallons of fresh water -- something we have too little of on this planet. The turkey alone consumed 2,352 gallons of water before it became the guest of honor at your table. Wasting that much water is like waking up on Thanksgiving Day, turning on your bathroom faucet, and leaving it running for 15 hours.
Mandyck, author of "Food Foolish," is available for TV, radio and print interviews. He is located in central Connecticut and available to come to NYC on Nov. 21-22.
Contact: Josh Silverman, [email protected], or Casey Waldron, [email protected]

How to Avoid Conflict During Thanksgiving/Holiday Gatherings
Tim Muehlhoff
Professor of Communications
Biola University
"Should we discuss politics or religion this Thanksgiving between extra helpings of pie and watching football? Communication theorists would say it all depends on the communication climate that exits between family members and friends. If the climate is strong, then productive conversations about politics can occur. However, if the climate is potentially volatile, then such provocative topics should be avoided. In addition to assessing what stuffing to make, a host couple needs to assess the overall communication climate that will envelop the day's activities."
Dr. Muehlhoff is the author of multiple books, including "I Beg to Differ: Navigating Difficult Conversations With Truth and Love." He developed a method of encouraging civil dialogue and perspective-taking between groups who perceive themselves as morally opposed with no room for, or interest in, connection. Extending his thesis research, his dissertation focused on a performative approach to enriching marital communication. His research interests also include social justice, gender, family communication, interpersonal communication, and persuasion. He is based in Los Angeles.
Website: https://www.biola.edu/
Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]

How to Have Positive Family Interactions About the Political Climate/Election When Gathering for Thanksgiving
Joy Qualls
Professor of Communications
Biola University
"We as families and in our social communities should talk about politics over the dinner table. The table is a gathering place where we form our deep bonds and our sense of home/belonging. One of the things we are desperately missing is the space to have dialogue but also the space to listen. We may be more divided than ever, but it is because we are not gathered together doing the work of understanding."
Dr. Qualls earned her bachelor's, master's, and doctorate in communication studies, with research emphases in religious and political rhetoric. She is active in the National Communication Association and the Religious Communication Association. She is based in Los Angeles.
Website: https://www.biola.edu/
Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]

Signs of a Serious Emotional Breakdown
Chinwe Williams, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CPCS
Associate Professor
Argosy University, Atlanta
Dr. Williams is available to discuss telltale signs that someone is having a serious emotional problem, and the difference between someone being impassioned and someone actually having a mental health problem: "Signs of a serious emotional breakdown include the following: sleep problems, difficulty falling or staying asleep, sudden irritability or outburst of anger, difficulty with concentration, sometimes speech impairment (hyper or erratic speech), hyper-vigilance, and exhaustion. Breakdowns often result from a recent or unresolved trauma. It is important to note that signs of an 'emotional breakdown' are not always indications of a severe mental disorder, but perhaps more of an indication that an individual has reached his or her max, their resources have been depleted and they are desperately in need of a break. I often share with my clients that a breakdown can often lead to a breakthrough if managed properly (i.e., talking to loved ones, taking a break, and seeking professional consult)."
Website: https://www.argosy.edu/locations/atlanta
Contact: Carole Carr, [email protected]

Can Detoxing From Social Media Improve Mental Health?
Dr. Frieda Birnbaum
Research Psychologist, Psychoanalyst
A new university study shows that people who take time off from social media tend to be less stressed, have less worry, and greater life satisfaction immediately afterwards. They can also concentrate better. Said Dr. Birnbaum: "You may technically be 'friends' with people on Facebook; however, the reason many of these friendships are fake is because a friend is earned. Friendship becomes a reality after trust and likeability are established. Just sending someone an electronic message notifying them that you are either accepting or inviting them to connect with you in a virtual, cyber reality doesn't cut it. Real friends remember your birthday without Facebook, and they even call you to tell you happy birthday. Real friends have had firsthand experiences with you -- you've hugged them, played sports with them or had some form of physical connection."
Based in the New York metro area, Dr. Birnbaum is author of "Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves." She's an expert on depression, women's issues, and attaining happiness.
Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]

World Chess Championship Will Introduce Sport to New Generation of Players
Bruce Pandolfini
U.S. National Chess Master
Co-Founder, Chess in the Schools
"Today's digital world gives millions across the globe virtual access to the World Chess Championship, presenting a golden opportunity to capture the next generation's interest in playing the centuries-old game."
The 2016 World Chess Championship comes to New York City from Nov. 11-30 and expects to draw 100+ million followers. Pandolfini, portrayed by Sir Ben Kingsley in "Searching for Bobby Fischer," is available for interviews. He is also a brand ambassador for the QuickChess learning system.
Contact: Kaylyn Alexander, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Senior Reporter – Law360
• Reporter – Citywire Americas
• Senior Data Reporter – TheStreet, Inc.

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

• SPEAKING ON A PANEL: BEST PRACTICES FROM THE PROS. Not all media panels are created equal, but they're an important avenue for audiences to connect with you, beyond reading your stories and following on social media. Consumers want to learn about your experience in the media industry. And, as niche topics have increased, so has the demand for print journalists, bloggers, YouTubers, and influencers to share their stories. Here are some tips on what to do before, during and after a panel presentation: http://bit.ly/2fgPBwk

• CAREER CROSSROADS: BLOGHER CO-FOUNDER ON SHATTERING THAT ONLINE GLASS CEILING. Elisa Camahort Page, chief community officer of New York-based SheKnows Media and co-founder of BlogHer, shares her thoughts on the creation of BlogHer and shattering an online glass ceiling: http://bit.ly/2fxBqDd

• 10 TOP NEWS SITES THAT ROCK THEIR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT COVERAGE. The number of music and entertainment news sites today is endless. For journalists, the beat has become extensive, ranging from festival and concert coverage to the cultural impact of music. While some traditional publications have moved away from having music-specific reporters, others will do whatever it takes to keep these niche editors. Here are our 10 favorites, in no specific order, that help their audiences get their music fix: http://bit.ly/2eFWHhM

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