“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” - W.E.B Dubois In this episode of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, teen host, Hannah Sahota, passionately discusses the Dobbs Decision's repeal of Roe v. Wade and its profound implications for women's bodily autonomy. Providing a historical backdrop, she underscores the significance of landmark cases that paved the way for reproductive rights The Roe v. Wade decision, a watershed moment in 1973, recognized the right to choose abortion as protected under the 14th Amendment's right to privacy. Hannah emphasizes the positive outcomes, including reduced maternal mortality and safer abortion practices. Transitioning to the Dobbs Decision of 2022, she vehemently criticizes the conservative justices involved and condemns the resulting abortion restrictions in various states. Hannah raises concerns about the negative consequences, such as a potential surge in rape-related pregnancies and the exacerbation of health inequalities. The host strongly challenges the pro-life stance, accusing conservative justices of prioritizing outdated ideals over women's rights. She advocates for comprehensive research on women's health and questions the empathy and understanding behind the pro-life position. Introducing The Hotseat to her segment, Hannah meticulously scrutinizes the backgrounds of Supreme Court Justices involved in the Dobbs Decision, exposing allegations, controversies, and potential conflicts of interest. The podcast also delves into the FBI's investigation into the People of Praise (PoP), revealing disturbing claims of abuse cover-ups within the Christian sect connected to Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Expressing frustration with the Dobbs Decision, Hannah calls for a reevaluation of the Supreme Court and urges the appointment of empathetic and transparent individuals to ensure a fair and unbiased justice system. This episode as voiced by a young woman serves as an earnest call to action for protecting women's autonomy, safety, and access to reproductive healthcare. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.“ - Tony Robbins What a fun topic for teens on Express Yourself! What is on your mind? Keerthi hosts and starts off the program with Nerd Extraordinaire’s alter-ego, British Keerthi, who works to convince everyone to become a debater. In segment two, Keerthi introduces our newest reporter, Saanvi, with her out-of-this-world segment, Space Spotlight. In today’s program, Saanvi talks about Starship by SpaceX. She dives into the latest achievements of this groundbreaking spacecraft. Fasten your seatbelts, as Express Yourself! blasts off into a world of innovation and space exploration! It’s the A.I. and Us segment with reporter Kevin as he investigates how A.I. can read our minds. It’s incredibly creepy to know that A.I. could be used by large corporations and companies to learn more about us and our entire lives, all for the sake of making more profit. Beware and Stay Alert! What is on your mind? Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Hosts Hannah and Julia with reporter, Kirpa, weigh in on peer pressure, which is defined as “a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them.” When peer pressure is encouraging you to engage in a dangerous or illegal proceeding, learn to say “no”. “No” is a complete sentence and it takes practice to stand up to negative influences. Find friends who have the same ethics and values and who motivate you to be a better person. That is positive peer pressure. It is human nature to want to be liked, accepted, and approved. Surround yourself with people whose behavior and moral code match your own. Be a leader, not a follower. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Host Hannah offers easy, smart tips to setting goals and resolutions and accomplishing them. The first step to developing a habit is setting specific guidelines for a goal you want to achieve. Don’t be vague in setting your goals, and don’t lie to yourself about how much you can achieve at the start - change comes in waves, not all at once. You shouldn’t shame yourself for not being able to achieve all your goals at the SAME time, because you’ll just end up overwhelmed and unmotivated, which is the opposite effect we want. In addition to maintaining clear goals with detailed, cue-based plans, flexibility is one of the most crucial aspects regarding goals and resolutions for success. Fostering flexibility allows someone to set aside time in their schedule for their desired activities so that their resolutions can actually get DONE. Tips to achieve your goals: with some ideas: • Journaling daily • Organizing a room, items, etc. • Develop self-confidence and contentment • Read more • Workout • Sleep • Develop a self-care routine • Procrastinate less • Do a digital detox • Start a new hobby You’ll also get relationship and self-care tips. You can reach your goals with dedication, purpose, and focus. YOU CAN DO IT! Happy New Year! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” - W. C. Jones Julia hosts a Christmas hour of joyful choral singing. She first talks with Milan about the history of the holiday, then she segues into the teen-led acapella group, the Waves. Their mission is to introduce choral music to a larger audience with pieces by Eris Essenvalds, Ericsson Hatfield, and Violeta Parra. Julia starts the program with a layered recording of The First Noel where she sings all the parts followed by three songs sung by The Waves, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Carol of the Bells, and Joy to the World. The featured performers in the teen acapella group, The Waves, include Cayden Sewell Naomi Coffman Maddie Garfinkel Julia Howe Aditi Shankar Lori Agbabian Lauren Thompson Miles Kaludzinski Lev Corliss Tarek Wilks Sarah Wolfe Claire Malaney-Lau Finally, Julia interviews Cayden, the leader of the Waves, to discuss the importance of singing, choirs, chorus, and caroling. They encourage everyone to share their voice! Sing along! Merry Christmas from everyone at Be the Star You Are!® charity and Express Yourself! Teen Radio! Good tidings we bring to you and your kin! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“But it is youth that must fight and die. And it is youth who must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war.” - Herbert Hoover On February 24th, 2022, the world changed drastically for the approximately 44 million people who were living in Ukraine. Vladamir Putin invaded their country, and the war grinds on. War is disastrous for every individual but how has it affected teens? Our talented reporters, Julia and Rory, weigh in on what life is like for youth in Ukraine. Rory talks about high school students who get three days of training before being dispatched to the front lines. He also provides information on what teens in the United States, as well as teens all over the world can do to provide comfort and support to our fellow teens who are living in Ukraine. Julia expresses the role social media has played in both positive and negative ways. Russia has utilized manipulated videos, fake accounts, and forged documents are part of the arsenal used to shape global perceptions in their effort to “strangle support for Ukraine.” Social media giants like Facebook and Microsoft have taken a stand against disinformation. Microsoft's June 2022 report revealed over 300 Russian-sponsored websites promoting conspiracy theories within two weeks of the invasion. As the conflict unfolds, remember that your voice matters. It's not just about hashtags and flags; it's about genuine connection and informed action. Support Ukraine, support its teenagers. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“There is no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.” - George H.W. Bush Keerthi brings humor to her Nerd Extraordinaire segment by discussing a topic dear to her heart: public speaking and its magical ability to turn even the most boring charity event into a blockbuster extravaganza. She elaborates on the power of persuasion. According to Keerthi, public speaking isn't just about talking; it's about hypnotizing your audience into believing that your cause is the most important thing since Wi-Fi. You want them to reach into their pockets and donate, not because they feel obligated, but because they can't resist the sheer force of your charisma. To her more about how to help charities, tune into Express Yourself! teen radio and while you are at it, dig into your pocket and make a donation to Be the Star You Are!® charity to help keep teens talking on the air. https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504 You can choose to make the donation using many different payment methods which may have fees via by Givebutter at https://givebutter.com/be-the-star-you-are-charity. Send checks to Be the Star You Are!®, PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556 Whatever you do, donate to your favorite charity this holiday season. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Not all screen time is bad, but it matters how much time we’re spending and what we’re gaining from the time.” - Ariene Pellicane Charvi and Keerthi host a fascinating program on how to manage screen time. Charvi states that in an era where our lives unfold increasingly on screens, the concept of screentime has become a ubiquitous and often debated facet of modern existence. As we navigate this digital age, understanding screentime is not just a matter of tracking minutes spent on devices; it's about unraveling the intricate tapestry of human behavior, societal norms, and the impact of technology on our well-being. Keerthi concludes that managing screen time is an epic adventure, a quest to reclaim lost minutes and conquer the digital dragons that threaten our productivity. Armed with the App-etizer, the Notification Hydra slayer, and the Unplug Amulet, you shall emerge victorious in this battle for time. Reporter Rory joins the conversation with his segment, The Breakdown to discuss how its challenging to manage social media when a student is forced to be on screen daily for schoolwork. Social media has affected young adults in many ways, and while it does offer more connectivity, it can lead to many mental and physical issues, such as problems with sleep as well as engaging in less physical activity, and harm the development of the brain indirectly or directly if teens use technology too much in place of real-life experience. He advocates asking parents for help in limiting the usage. For example, eliminate devices during mealtimes and sleep. Reporter of A.I. and Us, Kevin talks about how A.I. can help manage screen time and warns about the dangers of looking at a screen for too long as the blue light can damage eyes. A.I. can warn when screen time has gotten excessive on its own. A.I. can monitor health. A.I. can leverage gamification principles to make the process of managing screen time engaging and rewarding. If a particular approach to screen management proves ineffective for an individual, A.I. candynamically adjust its interventions. This adaptability ensures that solutions are not one-size-fits-all but are personalized to meet the unique needs and preferences of each user. A.I. becomes your own personal virtual doctor, making sure that you get whatever works for you. However you do it, make sure to limit your screen usage for improved health and socialization. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Children’s mental health is an evolving crisis that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts Julia and Keerthi dive into the mental crisis while interviewing teens. Kirpa talks about the factors that contribute to decreased mental stability including neglect, abuse, bullying, or trauma. In Connecticut, House Bill No. 5001 of 2022 is a crucial step in abating the issue. Teen guest, Nilan Kathir, has researched the bill, its provisions, public testimonies, amendments, and has spoken with state lawmakers and experts in the field. These efforts collectively reveal the politics involved in the bill’s passing, barriers of implementation, and effects of the bill in children’s mental healthcare. He shares his findings on Express Yourself! The Breakdown reporter, Rory, advocates for schools as the best place to teach children about mental health, self-awareness, and coping skills. He believes If we can help schools teach children and their families how to manage their emotions in a healthy way from a very young age, we can create safer communities that can help everyone feel their very best. Being there for a child means taking care of oneself first, demonstrating and modeling good self-care and mental health awareness. Positive reinforcement is important in building stronger capabilities to overcome challenges. “A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality and support.” Kate Middleton Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The history of the universe is, in effect, a huge and ongoing quantum computation. The universe is a quantum computer.” - Seth Lloyd Quantum computing is a budding field that has been receiving a lot of attention recently due its immense potential for solving complex, previously unsolvable problems at high speeds. At the quantum level, objects act differently: quantum objects can teleport, entangle, or occupy different spaces at the same time. Host Keerthi starts the program discussing qubits. These qubits can exist in multiple states at the same time, thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. She then interviews teen Adelina Chau, an active researcher in quantum machine learning for drug discovery with several published works, Adelina is excited to discuss what the field is all about, where its potential and applications lie, and what her work has been about. By sharing her experience in learning and researching quantum computing, she hopes to inspire other teenagers to explore this fascinating, growing field. In our final segment, Rory, who challenges us to consider the moral and ethical implications of technology, as well as the effects of technology upon our national security in the United States. One of the biggest concerns is that quantum computing can render all of our current cybersecurity and encryption useless. Quantum computing will be able to crack encryption on everything from banking transactions and confidential emails to things like blockchain. If you wonder if the risks outweigh the benefits, tune in for our discussion. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Host Keerthi invites interstellar explorers and cosmic philosophers, to embark on a journey to the stars, a voyage that's equal parts scientific discovery and philosophical wonderment in today’s program. Keerthi discusses the mind-boggling realm of exoplanets and how they inspire the deepest of philosophical questions. She then interviews teen Nairi Davidian, who has been researching exoplanets and joins the show to explain her exciting findings. Exoplanets have been found in a variety of creative ways, with each method being more effective in finding a certain type of planet. In terms of habitability, there are many factors that can influence a planet’s potential to host life. There are four general requirements for life to thrive. Firstly, there must be a solvent, such as water. The “habitable zone” is defined as the span of distance from a planet to its particular star that allows liquid water to exist. For life to thrive, living conditions must be relatively stable. There must also be energy available for an organism to use. In addition to these requirements, there must be a presence of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur, which compose most of the known biological molecules. Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.” - Socrates • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

We’re living at a time when attention is the new currency.” - Pete Cashmore, Founder of mashable.com Host Julia presents her Passion in Action to showcase how telling unique stories are the way to brand through social media. Having people associate you with a certain aesthetic, even certain words is worth any research or production effort. You can cut through the fluff on the internet, and connect with your customers, not just about what you’re selling, but the emotion and feeling going with it. Social media humanizes your brand. Stories are our lifeblood, and social media is our stage. Embrace the power of storytelling to connect, engage, and inspire. Kevin joins with his segment “A.I. and Us,” where he discusses how A.I. influences branding through social media. A.I. can help with branding on social media by performing data analysis of consumer habits, behavior, and preferences. Businesses can use these to fine-tune their advertising plans or products to make them more presentable and attractive to the general populace. Julia and Kevin have a conversation about ethics and integrity with A.I. as a tool. A.I.-powered fraud detection systems are instrumental in safeguarding a brand's reputation. Chatbots can also be a major point of assistance in advertising. They provide instant responses, tirelessly handle inquiries, and offer a seamless conversational experience. In the realm of branding through social media, chatbots serve as an invaluable tool for enhancing customer engagement. The synergy of these A.I. applications contribute to a positive brand image, fostering trust and loyalty in the digital age. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Until we get equality in education, we won’t have equality in society.” - Sonia Sotomayor Host Keerthi tackles educational inequalities and the rollercoaster of school funding in today’s program. She compares finding a balanced approach to cutting three cakes to ensure educational resources are allocated fairly, taking into consideration the unique circumstances and needs of each school district In the mission to tackle educational inequities. Doing this is not a one-size fits all. Keerthi interviews teen research, Ethan Zhang, who believes we must prioritize addressing disparities in school funding. Underprivileged communities often lack the necessary resources to provide quality education to their students. As a result, many students are denied the chance to participate in enriching extracurricular activities, receive individualized attention, and fully develop their academic and interpersonal skills. We must create a level playing field, guaranteeing each student an equal opportunity to unlock their complete academic potential and pave the way for a brighter future. Express Yourself!™ is excited to introduce a new reporter, Rory Cox, with his segment, The Breakdown, where he’ll talk about important issues affecting young people in the world. In today’s show, Rory discusses CTE in contact sports. CTE, which stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, is a type of dementia that comes from receiving hits to the head continuously over the course of your life. Because the cause of CTE comes from being hit repeatedly in the head, people who play contact sports such as football, boxing, Lacrosse, soccer, hockey, and wrestling, will have a higher risk of developing CTE in their brains. He proposes that the American Academy of Pediatrics creates a standard that during an annual visit Pediatricians ask their patients and their parents if they are engaging in contact sports. If the answer is yes, a certain protocol regarding the discussion of the risks and preventive measures for CTE should be put in place in conjunction with schools. Everyone deserves an adequate education and school policies that keep everyone safe, regardless of their zip code. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” - Doris Day Hosts Keerthi and Julia bark and howl about their love for our canine companions! Dogs, those lovable furballs of joy and chaos, teach us about life, love, and laughter. They interview Hersch Wilson with his newest book, Dog Lessons, Learning the Important Stuff from our Best Friends. Hersch shares his research and personal connection to the dogs he’s lived with, loved, and learned from. He talks about the importance of adopting dogs from shelters, how humans are guardians, not owners, how breeds are not indicators of behaviors, and the importance of grieving when a dog dies. Dogs are critical members of our family with lessons for living a full and joyful life. Keerthi zooms in on how dogs remind us that life is all about embracing the little things, finding joy in the simplest of pleasures. Julia shows us that dogs are more than just furry companions; they're entrepreneurial inspirations, business motivators, and sources of tail-wagging enthusiasm. In the complex maze of business strategies and endless meetings, dogs are the masters of embracing simplicity and practicing mindfulness. They remind us to take a pause, enjoy the journey, and sometimes, just roll with it. She suggests that dog lovers with a nurturing streak, can offer services such as pet-sitting, dog walking, and pet grooming combining a love for animals with a lucrative venture. Dogs are canine coaches, our teachers, our therapists, and our best friends. Rescue a dog and learn to love life with all its chaos. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Pop Culture Pop culture is a reflection of social change, not a cause of social change. - John Podhoretz Host Keerthi spearheads this hour about pop culture. What is it and how does it affect teens? Milan starts out with the history of pop culture and how it influences politics, technology, entertainment, fashion, games, and more. Kirpa discusses how pop culture spreads through commercial media, such as radio, television, movies, the music industry, publishers and corporate run websites and social media. Keerthi introduces our newest reporter, Charvi, with her segment Beauty on Trial. Charvi believes that each individual must be the star they were born to be. She dives into legal regulations on photoshopping and digital alterations, false advertising, deceptive marketing practices, impact of beauty standards on mental health, body dysmorphia and its connection to beauty standards, societal pressures and so much more. This is a pop culture power hour. Tune in and enjoy! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“The cancel culture is born of the inability of an opinion to withstand the scrutiny of thoughtful debate. - Craig D. Lounsbrough Does anyone understand what cancel culture means? Hosts Julia and Keerthi dive in to help us understand. Julia starts it off by talking about how technology is both perpetuating cancel culture and the solution to the issue. Social media is the ultimate gossip party where everyone's invited. That's where cancel culture got its full powers. Cancel culture thrives when we're surrounded by opinions that match ours, yet there's an entire world out there with different points of view. Keerthi weighs in on how cancel culture has the potential to inadvertently promote the very ideas it seeks to suppress. When you try to silence someone or something, it often draws even more attention to them. Cancel culture often neglects the possibility of redemption and personal growth. People can change, learn from their mistakes, and become better individuals. But in the court of cancel culture, once you're labeled, you're marked for life. The dark side of cancel culture with the false accusations and mob mentality can ruin innocent lives. It's a virtual version of the Salem Witch trials, where rumors and accusations c lead to real-world consequences without any concrete evidence. rumors and accusations can lead to real-world consequences without any concrete evidence. The line between justice and vigilantism becomes dangerously blurred. The hosts converse with their personal opinions about the shallowness of cancel and cringe culture. Cringe is like a crime…making fun of someone for being awkward or weird or alien. It’s a label for being different. Let’s not burn down bridges, let’s build them. Acknowledge that we live in a diverse world with different opinions. Let's CANCEL cancel culture together to embrace the complexity of human nature and strive for a more balanced and inclusive society! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Express Yourself!™ will catapult you to the stars as host Julia provides us with fabulous life lessons, both from her life and those from renowned individuals. Julia kicks off the show with 9 hilarious tips for surviving the school day. She gives her favorite back-to-school tips, from bathrooms to biology class. In segment two, Julia dives into the world of scientific research, explaining the concepts of grit and growth mindset. She reminds us that life lessons like perseverance and determination are powered by new, groundbreaking research. In the last segment, Julia gives us the life lessons of famous innovators, like what Steve Jobs did when he got fired from his own company or how Leonardo Da Vinci prototyped scuba gear 300 years before it was invented. For rocking, rolling, rollicking great time, tune in to Express Yourself!™ with host Julia! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian • https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/BetheStarYouAre

If you want to know what teens want, tune in to Express Yourself!™ with hosts Julia and Keerthi as they navigate adolescent behavior, high school, and media portrayals. Julia kicks off the show with her Passion in Action segment giving tips on how teens make social initiatives happen. From brainstorming to building a team, Julia offers concrete suggestions on generating ideas. In segment two, Keerthi states that teens want a bit of everything- the freedom to spread their wings, the canvas to paint their identity, the digital playground to showcase their uniqueness, an emotional safety net to cushion their fall, plus she encourages parents to be their guideposts. In our final segment Julia and Keerthi talk about the skewed portrayal of teens in movies and TV and how they would like to witness realistic characters. They agree that every teen is different with an individual personality, unique interests, and goals in life. Teens are complicated, smart, fascinating individuals who will determine the fate of the world! Stay tuned! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian • https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/BetheStarYouAre

As host Ruhani starts her first year at Cal Berkeley, she asks:“ Why is it important to have a refreshed, positive mindset?” A positive outlook can contribute to better mental and emotional health. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common challenges faced by many teenagers. Ruhani penned an original pen to express herself. When Vasavi Kumar talks about “saying it out loud,” she means it literally. After years of trying journaling, because she’d heard it was a great way to learn about herself, Kumar found that it wasn’t working for her. What did was talking to herself, aloud and with the compassion of a best friend. She talks to Ruhani about her newest book. Kevin shares how A.I. can help with having a positive mindset. A.I. can assist in cultivating healthy habits. It can track your daily routines, sleep patterns, and physical activities. If it detects irregularities or potential sources of stress, it can provide personalized recommendations for improving your lifestyle • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/cynthiabrian • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

The future of cities lies in their ability to harness the power of technology to solve complex urban issues and create sustainable, livable communities.” - Michael Bloomberg Join Keerthi as she takes us on an adventure through cities and technology! She introduces the show with a fascinating segment of Nerd Extraordinaire! She talks about how debate can build a community and bring people together. You trace the steps you would take if you were to make your opponent’s conclusions, and find the holes in those steps that you emphasize to the judge. So, whether you notice it or not, all debaters consider - even if it’s just for a moment - the possibility that they are wrong. This forms a seemingly alien form of empathy. In segment two, our guest, Vikram Anantha, shares his research about cities and highways. In the 1950s, President Eisenhower enacted a bill to construct the Interstate system to connect the United States. While it worked on a nation-wide scale, its main mistake was constructing it within the city, as it had disastrous effects. His paper describes how urban areas became polluted, divided, and desolate, and many of these effects had racist intentions. In recent years, many cities have begun to right these wrongs, with help from the Biden Administration, by deconstructing the highways and reclaiming their land. Keerthi and Vikram discuss the negative and positive effects the Interstate System had on cities. Keerthi ends the show with her third segment! She discusses how we can effectively use technology to improve quality of life. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/cynthiabrian • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

Join our nerd extraordinaire, Keerthi, as she hosts this fascinating show about social media and teens! In this digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with people, ideas, and cultures across the globe. It is crucial now, more than ever, to approach social media with mindfulness, consciously shaping our online experience to promote personal growth, empathy, and genuine connections. Social media seems to do as much good as it does harm. So, how can we prevent the disadvantages of social media? Are we doomed? Worry no more, because Keerthi, with her digital thinking cap on, is here to save the day! Join Keerthi, fellow netizens, as she goes on a journey of mindfulness. Remember, the power lies within us to create a mindful online world—one that reflects the best of humanity and fosters genuine connections. May your feeds be filled with unicorns, kittens, and all things delightfully mindful! Happy scrolling! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/CynthiaBrian • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

Hosts Keerthi and Julia spotlight disabilities and assistive devices in this very informational hour of Express Yourself!.. In Julia’s segment, Passion In Action, she shares innovative assistive devices to help you learn and also discusses how you can create your own, through the power of passion, innovation and entrepreneurship. In segment two, Julia and Keerthi interview Robert Chong from Shanghai about his research into low vision and 11 current state-of-the-art assistive devices for individuals with low vision. Robert compares all assistive devices and illustrates areas where devices could be improved on in future iterations to enhance user experience. He shares his critical findings that all assistive devices attempted to aid individuals either through enhancing their abilities to complete specific tasks, or daily tasks in general. Factors like high costs hinder accessibility. Lastly, apart from device functionalities, social implications such as social acceptance also affect user experience. In the third segment, our Nerd Extraordinaire, Keerthi discusses disabilities and diseases that require assistive devices and explains how assistive devices change the lives of people with disabilities and redefine normalcy. With the right assistive device, anything becomes achievable, and assistive devices aren't just objects: they're signs of unity and resilience. You have the power to shape the future and make a difference in people's lives! So, dream big, think boldly, and let your creativity guide you on this exciting journey. Be an innovator, ignite change, and together, we can transform the world for the better! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ https://twitter.com/cynthiabrian https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

What is a heritage language and how can we save them from extinction? Host Keerthi tells us that the first language in the world is considered to be Sumerian and the most spoken languages in the world are: English(over 1.4 billion speakers), Mandarin (1.1 billion + speakers), Hindi (602+ million speakers), Spanish (548+ million speakers), and French (280 million speakers). Keerthi then interviews teen Cooper Lender with his Heritage Language Story Project supporting heritage language speakers in recognizing the value of maintaining their home language. The project website (https://www.heritagelanguagestory.org/) provides resources for heritage language speakers and encourages them to share the story of their language experiences. Maintaining a heritage language can be difficult and many heritage languages are declining. The project’s goal is to have the stories shared on the website normalize the difficulty of maintaining a home language. support other heritage language speakers in finding ways to maintain their home language and highlight the important value of heritage languages. Kevin Choo provides a fascinating segment of A.I. and Us, where he shares two main ways A.I. can assist with overcoming language barriers; by either directly translating or assisting with language education. A.I.-based translators can learn from what people who are using the app are inputting themselves and can adapt to any specific language patterns or nuances that are often used but aren’t listed in any source documents. They aren’t useful for conversations. By combining translators with augmented reality, an automatic sight-translator can translate whatever you see. A.I. is a tool created to brighten the future of mankind, and it will be useful to maintaining and learning heritage languages. Bio: Cooper Lender Cooper Lender, a high school senior, is bilingual and passionate about language acquisition and maintenance. He speaks English, Spanish, and is learning Japanese. He loves learning about different languages and feels that learning a language is key to really understanding other cultures and histories. Cooper participated in the Reischauer Scholars program at Stanford University, where he learned more about Japanese culture and US-Japan relations. He started the Heritage Language Story Project (https://www.heritagelanguagestory.org/) that encourages heritage speakers to share their story about their experiences with their home language. He hopes to support heritage language speakers in seeing the value in maintaining their home languages. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/cynthiabrian • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America - Bill Clinton On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress, comprised of representatives from the thirteen American colonies, adopted the Declaration of Independence. This historic document, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, outlined the colonies' grievances against the British Crown and proclaimed their intention to establish a sovereign nation based on principles of liberty, equality, and self-governance. Host Sharanya shares a riveting original poem and discusses American patriot authors, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Maya Angelou. She then introduces the newest member of the Express Yourself! radio team, Julia Howe with her segment, Passion in Action. Julia is energy personified as she shows how teens can change the world, through passion, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She inspires listeners to take the initiative to start a teen business. In the third segment, Julia and Sharanya share information about themselves as well as their traditions for the 4th of July. Food, fireworks, friends, family, and fun! Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Celebrate America! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The violence involving deadly weapons such as firearms has become a more significant issue by the day in our world, and we continuously live in a world of fear that it can happen to us at any time. Hosts Sharanya and Hannah along with reporter, Nihal, discuss the severe problem of gun violence in America. In 2020, firearm-related deaths reached 45,222, an average of 124 per day. The number of mass shootings has risen exponentially since 2013, more than 303 since the beginning of 2023. Unregulated ghost guns and military style assault weapons are on the rise. Gun control is a pressing issue that demands attention in our society. In light of increasing gun violence incidents, it is crucial to explore ways to enforce stricter gun control measures. Sharanya penned a poem to end gun violence. The final two stanzas: “Let this poem resound, a call to unite, To end the senseless violence, to make things right. For in our shared humanity, we find the key, To heal the wounds of gun violence, and set hearts free. May this verse be a plea, a beacon of hope, That gun violence diminishes, like a darkened slope. With compassion as our weapon, let us unite, And in our unity, we'll conquer the night.”

Radio host Sharanya, honors her dad and all great fathers in this Father’s Day special. She reads an original poem, offers book suggestions, and tells inspirational stories of dads and their kids. Reporters Kirpa and Milan join the conversation to talk about the history of Father’s Day, movies reflecting daddy themes, memories of special times with their dads, and how they celebrate their dads and grandfathers on this special weekend. Here's to all the wonderful dads who love and care for the children. Happy Father’s Day • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Addiction begins with the hope that something ‘out there’ can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” -Jean Kilbourne Keerthi and Sharanya discuss the drug epidemic in America and how it affects teens. Keerthi provides an historical perspective to the plethora of drugs over the years including opioids, fentanyl, and heroin. Sharanya offers ways to help solve the drug epidemic by creating more positive campaigns. Successful campaigns touch the hearts of teens and trigger that sense of righteousness. She also reads her original poem about self-medication. In segment three, they have a conversation about drug abuse through prescription drugs and illegal street drugs. People will take drugs to make them feel better, but addiction makes people worse. Social media adds to the toxicity. Drugs may seem like an easy solution to your problems, but they just create new problems. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

When you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long.” -Hayley Williams Ruhani hosts a very important hour that focuses on teen suicide and suicide prevention. She interviews Elliot H Kallen, President of A Brighter Day, a 501 c3 that offers resources for teens to stop suicide. Ruhani emphasizes that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. She also shares poems and warning signs of possible suicide. If you're feeling lonely and experiencing suicidal thoughts, please consider the following steps: 1. Reach out to someone you trust. 2. Seek professional help. 3. Contact a helpline such as 741741 4. Create a safety plan: 5. Avoid isolation. 6. Reach out to online communities. 7. Take care of your physical health. 8. Remove or secure potential means of self-harm. Elliot discusses the various free programs that A Brighter Day offers. His 19-year-old son, Jake, took his life when he was depressed. Elliot is devoting his life to creating a brighter day for other teens. He is frank about the necessity to get positive programming to youth to alleviate the stress and depression young people feel today. Social media has caused an injustice for youth. A Brighter Day unites stress and depression resources with teens and their parents with the goal of stopping teen suicide. Life Can Be Hard as You Transition Into Adulthood. It’s okay to feel confused and lost. It’s okay to feel like you don’t have the emotional resources to deal with life’s challenges. It’s okay to be less than perfect. No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, you’ll always be able to make it through. If you are struggling: 24/7 TEXTLINE 741741 For resources, visit www.ABrighterDay.info • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Bullies are not born, they are made. Producer of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Cynthia Brian, hosts this program about bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying. The definition includes three core elements: • unwanted aggressive behavior • observed or perceived power imbalance • repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviors. Teen reporter, Kirpa, shares her insights on what bullying is and does, including cyber-bullying. If you see it happening, attempt to stop it. Bystanders, or those who see bullying, can make a huge difference when they intervene on behalf of someone being bullied. Studies also have shown that adults can help prevent bullying by talking to children about bullying, encouraging them to do what they love, modeling kindness and respect, and seeking help. Cynthia Brian reads from her new children’s book series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, and tells the backstory in her first book, No Barnyard Bullies, based on a true event about a re-homed pampered pig who bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella's barnyard where bullies are not tolerated, and inclusivity is the paramount number one rule. Through the book, children are encouraged to love themselves exactly the way they are while living in peace and harmony with a barnyard of many colors and beliefs. No bullies welcome. Be kind. Be inclusive. Proceeds from the sale of the books benefit the 501 c3 charity, Be the Star You Are!® empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy and positive media messages. www.BetheStarYouAre.org, Purchase the book at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” -Socrates British Keerthi and Keerthi host this hour of thoughts on philosophy and logic. British Keerthi takes us on a wild ride through logic and argumentation viewed through the lens of debate. The fundamentals of debate lie in logic. She instructs listeners to use propositional logic superpowers to have the best argumentation in debates! Nerd extraordinaire Keerthi introduces philosophy theory and the study of philosophy. The word philosophy translates to “love of wisdom.” Philosophy is the study of the world we live in, the fundamentals of ourselves, and the questions we ask. She gives an overview of the history of philosophy and stresses that the more we know, the more we know we don’t know. Kevin, our A.I. Specialist joins the discussion sharing how A. I. can and does affect our everyday lives. A.I. is extremely integrated into society and is expanding its influence at a rapid rate. What would transpire if A.I. became sentient? A.I. is one of the most innovative inventions of mankind in the modern age, alongside the exploitation of nuclear power. However, just like nuclear power, A.I. can be dangerous and have far-reaching ramifications. Buckle your seat belts! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Today’s show is all about Mother’s Day and appreciating our moms! Our Nerd Extraordinaire, Keerthi, hosts the program and provides a history lesson on the origins of Mother’s Day. We find out that the woman who created Mother’s Day in the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis, realized that American official holidays were widely centered around male achievements. She wrote to politicians and newspapers campaigning for a holiday honoring motherhood. She envisioned Mother’s Day as a personal celebration to honor the sacrifices that moms make for their children, not a commercialized day. She attacked First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for using Mother’s Day as an occasion to raise money for charity. Milan joins the conversation with information on two famous moms from history. In segment three, Kirpa shares ways Mother’s Day is celebrated and the challenges that animal mothers face. Just like us humans, animal mothers have the natural maternal instinct to protect their younger ones. Scientists have shown that this is a natural tendency, so it’s not just a fact. Maternal instincts are present in many animals, and in some cases, these instincts are even stronger than those of humans. Celebrating Motherhood around the world: • 103 countries celebrate Mother’s Day • 77 countries celebrate in May, 13 in March, and 13 in another month • Over 200 million people have a day off* • Singular (“Mother’s Day”) wins over plural (“Mothers’ Day”) by 78 countries to 22 Happy Mother’s Day to every Mom! You deserve a break today! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.” - Hubert H. Humphrey Host Keerthi announces “Salutations from your favorite nerd extraordinaire, where youth debaters unite!” This program focuses on public speaking and debate. Keerthi shares the history of debate and also ways to overcome the fear of speaking in public. She interviews teen Allen Tovmasyan as he discusses the reasons why every high school student should consider competing in Speech and Debate , Allen draws on his own experiences as a competitor, recalling the many rounds he’s competed in and talks about the skills he learned that translated to aspects of his life. Allen emphasizes the importance of being an effective communicator. Both Keerthi and Allen believe that Speech and Debate can be a pathway towards a healthier self-image and can allow for students to explore their creative interests while having an audience willing to listen to them. Allen emphasizes the many friendships and connections that he’s gained from his time as a competitor and believes that anyone looking for a community will feel welcomed by the Speech and Debate community. British Keerthi makes an appearance to give her input on how to poke holes and expose flaws in your opponent's arguments, • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Keerthi hosts a program focusing on dystopia, dystopian literature, and our views of the future. In segment one, Keerthi introduces us to dystopian literature. In segment two, she contemplates possible dystopian scenarios that can result in our world going in a downward spiral. In segment three, British Keerthi arrives with Nerd Extraordinaire providing tips on how to write dystopian fiction! Dystopia is a subgenre of science fiction. Science fiction is defined as fantasy that has supernatural, science-based elements in it. Soft science fiction focuses on social sciences, and hard science fiction focuses on the natural sciences. The dystopian genre is a prediction of life in the future, and it specifically is a negative prediction, basically portraying the future as this horrible, ruined, world plagued and bound by the restricting demands of society; essentially, the opposite of a utopia. Within the realm of fiction, it is always tempting to set one’s stories in a dystopian future, where all our misgivings about state power can be shown in full force.” - Anne Fortier • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Ruhani and Sharanya tackle the woke movement in the 21st century. Wokeness has brought greater attention to issues of social justice and inequality, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism. This has led to increased activism and advocacy for marginalized communities and has sparked important conversations about how to create a more equitable society. Wokeness has led to changes in how we talk about and represent different groups of people. This has included the adoption of more inclusive language, such as using “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun. Wokeness has also challenged traditional power structures, such as white supremacy and patriarchy, and has called for greater diversity and inclusion in all areas of society. This has led to increased scrutiny of institutions like the police, the government, and the media, and has sparked calls for reform and change. The rise of wokeness has also contributed to political polarization, with some people seeing it as a threat to traditional values and others embracing it as a necessary step towards progress. This has led to intense debates and disagreements about the role of government, the limits of free speech, and the future of democracy. An increased emphasis on the differences between Democrat vs. Republican is apparent. Both Ruhani and Sharanya share original personal poems. The woke movement is not what people think it is. It is not wokeness at all. Instead, it is a human society that has fallen into yet another pothole of both the ego and unconsciousness. - Teal Swan • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Sharanya Roy hosts a program profiling how the internet age has slowly transformed literature on her segment “The Scribble”. She delves deep into how memes are not only little funny tidbits lying on the corners of the internet, but how they depict a sense of community amongst writers. She also talks about the magic of Easter, and its importance in America. Hop, hop, hop! Easter is on its way! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Visit https://www.BethestarYouare.org for more information.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt What do you think life will look like in the future? Will humans be living on Mars? Beamed to alien locations? Will we live under the sea? Will robots rule the world? How will humans be schooled? Tune in to Express Yourself!™ with hosts Sharanya and Keerthi and reporters Kirpa and Kevin as they five into the future that they envision. A.I. is destined to design so much of tomorrow. Is this a positive or negative? Who is in charge? Will it be dystopian? Functional? Fun? Romantic? What kinds of foods will we eat and what will we drive? The future is for us to decide, and with how quickly the world is moving today, the future may not be so far away. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Salutations from American Keerthi with Nerd Extraordinaire and from the evil British Keerthi, who is also known as She Who Must Not Be Named! The duo discuss debate for governments. Policy debate, public forum debate, Parliamentary debate, and general debate are types of debates that can change laws. Be prepared for history about government, how debates decide laws, and plenty of humor from Keerthi! The government is what makes our society a cooperative one that allows innovation and ideas to flourish, while also allowing free speech and expression. “A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.” - Alexander Hamilton • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” - Albert Einstein Keerthi, both British and American, is our star host. Our show is all about teens making a difference in communities, and how you, as a teen, can make a difference. In segment one, British Keerthi, talks about how speech and debate can make an impact. In segment two, American Keerthi discusses teen leaders who have changed the world, and how you can learn from them. To make an impact as a teen, communication is essential. Participating in speech and debate can help teens make an impact on the world in several ways by developing communication skills, building confidence, encouraging critical thinking, and advocating for important causes. Use your debate skills to slingshot yourself through the world and solve the chess game of life! A few examples of teenagers who have made a significant impact on the world through their activism, bravery, and perseverance include Anne Frank, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Claudette Colvin, Jazz Jennings, and many more. Teens can change the world in many ways, including getting involved in your community, advocating for important causes, using social media to spread awareness, starting your own initiatives, and leading by example. Teens, find your passion, identify your strengths, and take action to make a positive change. Harness your will and your dreams to change the world! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ? Plato What is global music? Genres are constantly evolving and emerging. It includes the American Beatles’ rock music, the Korean K-Pop Bands, and every other series of sounds that releases dopamine to our brains. Estimates indicate that global music ranges from 50-1300 genres. British Keerthi hosts a program featuring reporters Milan and Kirpa while American Keerthi interviews Kevin. Milan and Kirpa agree that listening to music from other countries introduces the culture and sounds of areas unfamiliar. Kirpa gives info on the Grammy’s inclusion of world music. Kevin dives into artificial intelligence, finding A.I. amazing, terrifying, and admirable all at the same time for its endless possibilities and infinite uses. With the help of the Internet and A.I., users can download and switch between music of any nationality, language and type on the fly, whether that be American rap or Swiss yodeling. And A.I. is creating music! Music is one of the most powerful methods of communication. Global music builds mutual understanding, diversity appreciation, and fun. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” –Edgar Degas In this episode of Express Yourself!, host Ruhani deep dives into the world of modern art. In the first segment, she discusses the important basics — did you know much modern art influenced some of our favorite architectural feats? And that’s not all, because Ruhani shares the most interesting facts about the subject in segment two. Tune in to hear more about artist Joseph Beuys, who locked himself in a room with a coyote, and the most expensive auctioned painting in the world! Ruhani wraps up the show with poetry based on modern art, reading Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and herself! Ruhani’s work focuses on the study of art history, how humanity has always been humanity through self-expression. Art and poetry enrich our lives. Learn more! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need. There is a framework of ethics underlying our lives on a daily basis, helping us make decisions that create positive impacts and steering us away from unjust outcomes. Our ethics are fueled by our individual cultures, backgrounds and identities. In today’s broadcast, Hannah and Keerthi dive into the world of ethic with their personal research and present information from the notes of Rose, who was unable to participate. Hannah reflecting the prevalent topics of gene editing and animal testing in labs while Keerthi discusses ethics and debate with how they spar with impact and facts. All agree that students benefit from taking ethic courses as a method of empowering students to make ethical and moral decisions. Through studying society's past decisions, students can analyze and learn right and wrong decisions. Engaging with ethical problems builds lifelong thinking skills that are not taught nor developed in any other traditional class. “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” Potter Stewart • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Keerthi and Ruhani host a program on how to start and grow a small business. Milan suggests that youth can start a small business by using YouTube, Ebay, and other social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Even a garage sale or a lemonade stand is a business. In a discussion, Ruhani and Keerthi both agree that they enjoy the “coziness” and “personalization” of small businesses because small businesses get to know their customers wishes and desires more than a large company. To start a small business, you have to be organized, keep accurate accounts, and be passionate. Ruhani talks about the power of social media, especially Tik Tok, to grow your business. She would like to start a small bookstore/café in her neighborhood with weekly author events. Keerthi would like to start a music store that sells only sheet music that can be scanned to listen to the sound before buying. Kevin joins the conversation with information on CHATGPT and information on how AI could help individuals start a company or new business, especially through data entry and automation. Kevin would like to start a thrift store! “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” - T.S. Eliot • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” Estee Lauder Advocacy: any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. It’s encouraging when a man starts the conversation advocating for the rights and freedoms of women. Hosts Rose and Hannah, both female empowerment activists, interview Nihal who firmly believes that women should have equal rights to men in all areas of private and public life, including education, employment, and political participation. He donates money to a family in India to send a girl to school. Hannah puts women’s advocacy into context and offers methods to speak up and support women. She launched her own charitable organization, Hannah’s Project, which is dedicated to the empowerment, education, and equality of women through education and literacy. Rose was inspired by many courageous women including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Tarana Burke, and Masha Amini and offers a background on the movements formed around their advocacy.. Sharanya joins the conversation with a tribute to literary pioneers in feminism, Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath. She also sheds light on the horrific lobotomies that were performed on “hysterical” women, such as Rosemary Kennedy. Women and men are equals. It is the responsibility of every person in every nation to eradicate the patriarchy and embrace equality for all. “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” ? Rihanna • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Keerthi, our Nerd Extraordinaire, hosts and entertains this entire program focused on classic literature, favorite books, and debate. British Keerthi starts off the show with her regular humor and wacky ideas. She discusses George Orwell’s, Animal Farm, the story of the Russian Revolution, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey., and her favorite book of all-time, Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. In segment two, Keerthi analyzes, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, The Lion, the witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, and again her all-time favorite, Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. For the final segment, Keerthi launches into the benefits of creative writing in debate. Debates are often designed to test skills of critical thinking, analysis, and persuasive communication. It would be expected from debaters to be precise, accurate and factual in their arguments, instead of being only creative. That is why, striking a balance between being creative and being precise is important for any debater. Tune in for more Nerd Extraordinaire logic. Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become. - C.S. Lewis • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Family is not an important thing. It's everything.” – Michael J. Fox. Three family members, Nihal, Kirpa, and Milan come together to discuss the connection that family has with one another. Nihal hosts the program encouraging his sister and his cousin to share tidbits of fun and funny times. Milan lives in Chicago while Kirpa and Nihal are in California. They discuss their holidays, games, and movies they’ve enjoyed and the importance of supporting one another. We are also reminded that family can be friends and animals that are important to us. Cherish your loved ones as family. You could gather a million treasures You could search from coast to coast The most valuable thing you’ll find tis that family matters the most. Happy New Year!! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

As we begin a New Year, host British Keerthi provides a breakdown on the different types of debate styles. She then turns into American Keerthi to interview Ally and Emma Chen about NFTS. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, prove to be a more eccentric innovation than controversial Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Famous for its multimillion dollar sales in 2021, NFTs arose as the world shifted to virtual life, work, and school. Although simply a jpeg of digital art with so-called “copyrights” for the artist, the technology behind these codes with digital graphics have far more benefit for aspiring artists. Relying on the technology of cryptocurrency, NFTs provide ownership rights features allowing artists to make passive income off of their works. However, skeptics debate whether NFTs are simply an overrated fad or a prosperous invention for future generations. Before you form an opinion, tune in to learn about the technology behind NFTs and its future with teen artists. Keerthi talks about NFTS the benefit Be the Star You Are!® through the StarStyle® Community. By purchasing a NFT from www.StarStyleCommunity.com, you will be donating to Be the Star You Are!®. Each NFT is based on a character from Cynthia Brian’s new children's book, No Barnyard Bullies, illustrated by Jensen Russell. These NFTs are like baseball trading cards of yore! Check out the Roadmap for upcoming events just for StarStyle Community members where exclusive experiences are part of the package. Jump into the metaverse and buy our NFTS. https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com Happy New Year!! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart” — Washington Irving Merry, merry Christmas! Hosts Keerthi and Hannah celebrate large with an entire hour of history, festivity, humor, and fun. Santa, Sinterklaus, Father Christmas, Tomte, Saint Nicholas, the big jolly man in the red suit. Hannah discusses the different cultural celebrations and traditions from around the world, while Keerthi reminisces about Santa Day at 5A and the fun with helping children enjoy this festivity. Both Keerthi and Hannah discuss the consumerism, gift giving, internet shopping, holiday music and films, the magic, and the mystery. Will Christmas continue from generation to generation? Time will tell! Whatever you believe, celebrate peace, joy, and love. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

What is climate change and how is it affecting our world? Host Sharanya dives into the topic with reporters Kirpa, Kevin, and Milan. First, Sharanya discusses how teens are making a difference in the global conversation and how she is writing about climate change in her memoir. Kirpa talks about the causes and effects as well as devastation to our oceans. Kevin delves into how A.I. can help solve climate change and mitigate its side effects, especially how A.I. is able to predict certain natural disasters much more efficiently than normal, human-run programs can. Our newest reporter, Milan, shares how humans are affecting climate change and how he participated in a recycling program to do his part. Climate change is real. We have only ONE WORLD and it is up to us to save it. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Social media posts have made it “cool” to be negative and self-deprecating. But there is power in thinking and being positive. Teen hosts, Ruhani and Keethi interview author, publisher, producer, and literary agent, William Gladstone about the The Power of Positive Thinking – Interfaith 21st Century by Hasan Abdullah Ismaik for which Mr gladstone wrote the foreword. The book weaves spiritual wisdom from three different religions, bridging cultural beliefs and offering practical techniques to embrace optimism in a challenging world. Ruhani also discusses how positivity increases wellness, reduces stress, and contributes to a happy life. She even provides an homemade brownie recipe that will make you feel positively euphoric! Keerthi dives into the history of the original author of The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale, a revolutionary thinker, theologist, and religious leader. Believe in yourself, take control of your life, change your attitude to gratitude, and practice positive thinking. Think positive. Be positive. The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” - Norman Vincent Peale • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Host Keerthi launches the program with a description of intellectual disabilities. “According to the American Psychiatric Association, intellectual disabilities affect intellectual and adaptive functioning, which means that individuals with intellectual disabilities generally struggle with critical thinking and learning (the intellectual part) and living daily life as an independent human being (the adaptive part). Approximately 1% of the population is affected.” Down Syndrome is one of many genetic syndromes that cause intellectual disabilities. She interviews author Melissa Hart with her newest novel, Daisy Woodworm Changes the World, about a 13-year-old track star, Daisy, who decides to help her brother, Sorrel--who has Down syndrome and adores Special Olympics and men’s fashion--fulfill his dream of becoming a YouTube influencer. Melissa based parts of the book on her life with her brother and provides practical advice for young people to write and get published. Keerthi moves on to the topic of women’s health and empowerment with teen guest, Sanya Somani, an avid youth changemaker passionate about entrepreneurship and social advocacy. Sanya co-founded a nonprofit organization, HealthForHER, that is dedicated to helping provide necessary health and educational resources for underserved women and their families. Using our voices and actions, we learned that anybody, regardless of who they are, can make a difference in today's world. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

No matter what the situation is...close your eyes and think of all the things in your life you could be grateful for right now. — Deepak Chopra Is there any holiday better than Thanksgiving? Not only is it a time to eat all our favorite foods, but it is also a time to express our gratitude for living. Keerthi hosts this holiday favorite and surprisingly she is not a fan of Thanksgiving food because she is a vegetarian. But she is a believer in appreciation and thankfulness and offers several quotes to ignite our gratefulness. She interviews Kirpa and Nihal Gill who testify that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. They share their family traditions and meal preparations. Spending time with their extended family is the highlight. Kirpa provides some historical context to the holiday while Nihal encourages others to volunteer to help others less fortunate during the holiday season. Alix, our resident restaurant reviewer and foodie talks about the favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal…dessert and offers three places to buy the best pies and cakes. Alix makes our mouth water with her divine descriptions of the buttery crusts and creamy fillings. Keerthi is humorous, as always, with her wacky comments and fun improvisational tone. Remember to perceive the privilege you have this Thanksgiving, because someone out there will always have less than you! Be grateful! From all of us at Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, we wish you a very happy, healthy, and hearty Thanksgiving. We are GRATEFUL for you! Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective.— Germany Kent • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer. - Brenda Schoepp As humans we need to eat. What we eat can sustain us and provide ultimate enjoyment. Keerthi and Rose host this delicious program showcasing produce, farming, and food. Two foodie friends, Rose and Alix describe their tasting menu experience at Eleven Madison Park, a three Michelin star restaurant in Manhattan, that transformed its concept to a totally plant-based menu in 2021. They describe each item of the fifteen-course meal and the fascinating tour of the kitchen. The second guest is Cynthia Brian who grew up on a farm and still grows most of her own food. She talks about her newest book, No Barnyard Bullies, that chronicles true stories of her menagerie of adopted critters on her farm. (Available at www.CynthiaBrian.com) Cynthia responds to Keerthi’s questions about growing mushrooms and Rose’s questions about what vegetables can be planted now and what fruits are ripe. Our A.I. Reporter, Kevin Choo joins the team to offer his information on how A.I. both directly and indirectly benefits farmers. Modern drones and sensors can efficiently and quickly gather data about all the different factors that go into crop yield, ranging from simple things like the weather to more complicated and in-depth things like nutrient distribution in the soil, how much fertilizer has been given, and the moisture in the air and soil to give a probably precise measurement of how much you’ll get out of one harvest. If you love to eat, consider growing some of your food. It’s easy, healthy, and fun! Bon appetite!

“We are volcanoes. When we women offer our experience as truth, as human truth, all the maps change. There are new mountains.” — Ursula K. LeGuin The increase in technology and social media, has led to the rise of misogyny online - a dangerous, vile problem that has infiltrated almost every corner of the internet. Hannah and Keerthi host this program about equality for women. Hannah discusses a major problem that has infiltrated almost every corner of the internet…misogyny. She discusses the link between discrimination, violent extremism, and social inequity that arises as a result of misogyny, threats, and targeted violence online towards women from men. This program takes an in depth look at the hatred and resentment of women from many supremist-thinking males from all parts of the world who believe in rape culture and violence towards women. Keerthi lightens up the conversation as usual with humor and then segues into females in debate. Although subtle, female debaters are judged because of their gender. Debate, and speech in general, is male-dominated with male domination in politics. Restrictions on hate speech and violent content must be regulated. Speak up. Support women and women’s rights, and fight against misogyny. We are all human beings and deserve to be treated equally. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

It’s that time of year where children everywhere dress up in costumes and go door-to-door trick or treating in search of candy. Host Sharanya talks about her Halloween plans and shares one of her original poems. She then offers listeners a real treat when she introduces our newest reporter, Alix Erlij, who is a true teen foodie. Her new segment is called Diner’s on Board, where she will discuss restaurants and food from around the globe. Halloween was the beginning of Alix’s food journey and she skillfully provides suggestions for three fabulous restaurants in Los Angeles where the food is superb and the atmosphere is spooky, yet cozy. Your mouth will be watering with her descriptions of these beloved eateries. Alix and Sharanya also discuss their favorite candy as well as what candy is grossly overrated and underrated. With these fun and delicious description, flights may be full on Halloween to Los Angeles. Trick or Treat! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The midterm elections are approaching and our Express Yourself!™ teens, hosts Ruhani and Keerthi and reporter Kevin have important thoughts to be considered. Keerthi starts the segment in her usual humorous monologue talks about democracy and voting through the debate lens. Ruhani focuses on the 19th amendment and our rights to vote, giving us a history lesson worth listening to. Our A.I. afficionado, Kevin, discusses how A. I. plays a role in the voting process and candidates who have used A.I. to their advantage. None of the Express Yourself!™ teens are old enough to vote yet the are well-informed, do their research, and encourage everyone who is old enough to vote to register. Every vote counts. Make sure to study the ballot and vote for the people, policies, and programs that will benefit the majority of Americans, regardless of party affiliation. VOTE! Your vote matters. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

If you are working on college admissions or are interested in knowing what admissions officers at universities are seeking in a prospective student, this episode of Express Yourself!™ is a must listen. Ruhani, a high school senior, and Keerthi, an eighth grader, interview the eternally knowledgeable and down-to-earth Dr. Don Martin, former Dean of Admissions/Financial Aid, and Dean of Students at Columbia University, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Wheaton College. Dr. Don wrote the book Road Map for Graduate Study: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students and shares his years of experience and expertise with our hosts. He answers a plethora of questions ranging from what the biggest mistakes applicants make to when is the best time to start thinking about applying to colleges. Dr. Don emphasizes the importance of authenticity, truthfulness, and busts the myth about colleges looking for the “perfect” student. Ruhani peppers the conversation with questions every teen applicant wants to know such as how critical are SAT and ACT scores, the importance of recommendations, and how to write an excellent essay. Keerthi provides another humorous segment with Nerd Extraordinaire talking about facets of debate and how as a 13 year-old eighth grader she knows absolutely nothing about college admissions! Enjoy the show and learn! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Maggie hosts an hour of celebrating the arts with special guest artist and illustrator, Jensen Russell. Jensen illustrated the new children’s picture book authored by Cynthia Brian, No Barnyard Bullies and will be illustrating forthcoming books in the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures. (https://www.StarStyleStore.net) She says she has always been an artist beginning as a little girl doodling and encourages teens to pursue creative endeavors. After high school she took a gap year before deciding to attend art school at SCAD to follow her artistic passion. Being authentic, original, and using vivid colors are critical to her success. Based on characters in No Barnyard Bullies, Jensen created NFT art that is available through the StarStyle NFT Community. (https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com) Sharanya, the reporter for the Scribble which is focused on encouraging teens to be more interested in literature, shares different forms of literature including spoken word poetry and instapoetry. Nerd Extraordinaire Keerthi, continues the use of humor to encourage art forms through painting story. She discusses three of her favorite books that share the immortality of art. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

In today’s episode of Express Yourself!, hosts Hannah and Ruhani delve into serious topics such as feminism and misogyny. Hannah explains the rise of femicide and how sexist media has contributed to these rates. In the next segment, Ruhani goes into detail about the merger of publishing houses and how it can lead to limiting diverse voices in literature. Our hosts ran out of time before they can go more in depth about the rise of dangerous misogynistic podcasters, so stay tuned! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Why are the policies and ethics of business so important? What exactly goes into the products we are buying? Hannah Sahota, the 17-year-old founder of the charitable organization Hannah’s Project, passionate tutor and activist, and today’s host of Express Yourself! Teen Radio tackles the topic of corporate policy, promises, and their effects on our society. Unethical business practices have recently skyrocketed in the makeup, wig, and clothing industry, perpetuating child and slave labor worldwide. The lack of transparency makes it hard for ethical consumption in chain corporations, and this sentiment is similar for many recent climate claims. Hannah shows how many popular corporations may not be so “eco-friendly” or ethical as they appear. With recent data and studies, Hannah illustrates which companies are fulfilling their ambitious promises displayed to the public, and those who are just greenwashing: She also discusses gentrification, an ever-increasing economic issue contributing to classism and large corporations. Residents and small businesses are being forced out due to higher rent, coercion and bribery, and evictions in favor of their more affluent counterparts. We, as customers, deserve to know what we are buying, where it comes from, and how it affects us! It is our responsibility to fight against unethical business practices and claims as the consumer, so awareness is key! Advocate for more corporate transparency and public awareness, as it is becoming an ever-increasing necessity with recent events.

Why is water so important? About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water. Water also exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers, and in humans and animals. Hosts Rose and Hannah talk with reporters Sharanya, Kirpa, and Nihal about the meaning of H2O. Sharanya reads an original poem, Kirpa discusses public health, Nihal reports on droughts and how to minimize water usage, while Rose and Hannah have a conversation about the extreme effects of climate change and global warming. No one can deny that our planet is warming and our glaciers, rivers, and lakes are diminishing. We must ALL do our part to save our world and all humanity. Without water, everything on Earth perishes. • Follow us: • https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Sharanya sits in the host chair to discuss the shock and sadness of terrorist attacks, especially that of 9/11/01. She wasn’t even born when it happened, but the aftereffects of that horrific day linger in the hearts and minds of Americans. The aftermath affected not only the survivors and the families of the fallen, but ordinary, law-abiding citizens whose skin color, religion, heritage, and customs were similar to that of the perpetrators. Immigrants became targets of hate crimes. Islamophobia, verbal and physical harassment, and detention became rampant as panic permeated. Peace is a five letter word with the ability to embrace individuals and their differences to create a safe atmosphere with no hostility. Peace is a choice that the world must choose. Sharanya, who is the teen chairperson for the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the September 24 Pear and Wine Festival in Moraga shares her admiration for the event, her love of pear pies, and encourages everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area to come celebrate this joyous occasion in a beautiful venue. Cynthia Brian will be selling and autographing her new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies, with proceeds benefiting BTSYA. Express Yourself!™ teen radio reporters and hosts will be in attendance for a meet and greet. It is going to be SO MUCH FUN with games, food, music, activities, art, wine, and inflatables for kids. And it’s all FREE. More information under Events at https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org On September 11, close your eyes with a moment of silence and think peaceful and loving thoughts. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Another scientific episode from our very intellectual teens at Express Yourself! In segment one, Keerthi humorously describes biotechnology. She looks at the advantages of biotech. Biotech can help produce healthier foods, since genetics can be altered through biotech, scientists can increase the amount of healthy nutrients in crops. Changing the genetic code of crops could also cause fewer pesticides to be used, more efficient farming, and higher output levels. Scientists could use biotech to modify the genetic code of humans by fixing genetic deficiencies and diseases. In segment two, host Ruhani tackles women in Stem and shares books she rates about women in biotech and science. In 1970, women only made up 7% of all STEM spaces, despite making up 38 percent of all US workers. In 2019, women comprised 48 percent of all US workers — and in 2022 they make up 27 percent of STEM spaces. Biotechnology is divided into five branches— human, environmental, industrial, animal and plant. These five branches help us fight hunger and disease, produce more safely, cleanly, and efficiently, reduce our ecological footprint and save energy. Women have played and currently play an important role in each but still do not hold enough CEO positions. In segment three, our A.I. expert, Kevin, shares A.I. and Us,” which talks about how A.I. can and does affect our lives. He discusses how A.I. plays a role in biotechnology and genetic modification. Biotechnology, while it sounds quite complex, is probably one of the earliest sciences used by man as it involves not just fancy machinery lasering tiny cells but also the general domestication of plants and animals. There are a multitude of ways that A.I. assists farmers, some of them predicting the crop yield of the harvest several weeks in advance and gauging the general market price of said crops. Of course, there is so much more, so tune in for the full report. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Nanotechnology refers to the branch of science and engineering devoted to designing, producing, and using structures, devices, and systems by manipulating atoms and molecules at the size of 100 nanometres (which is 100 millionth of a millimeter) or less. A very high-functioning microscope is necessary for viewing! Ruhani, Hannah, and Keerthi bring their knowledge and enthusiasm to the study of nanotechnology. Ruhani discusses its use for the treatment of cancer, Hanna shares her research of how nanotechnology can provide safer and more efficient applications for treating other human diseases and illness, and Keerthi takes a different direction talking about nanotechnology blurring the lines between reality and fantasy in science fiction. Nanotechnology is here. It’s the now and the future of our world. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ? Maya Angelou Hannah, Ruhani, Keerthi, and Sharanya stand up for all women. Keerthi offers an insightful, yet humorous take on creating interesting characters for fiction writing, especially for the female gender. Hannah dives into the dangerous effects of the recent overturning of Roe. v. Wade which took away women’s reproductive rights and jeopardizes female healthcare. Ruhani talks about the troubling truth - women only make up .5 percent of recorded history! That’s not entirely surprising, considering history is written by the victors, and in this patriarchal society, men have been victors since the beginning of time. Her original poem focuses on this disparity. Sharanya provides a literary history lesson about women pioneers in literature and how they changed the writing world. Since Mesopotamia,, male scholars dominated the arena. Sharanya reads her original poem, “Unnoticed”. More than ever, it is NECESSARY for young people to make their voices heard against oppression and discrimination of women and girls. Here are ways you can join the fight for women’s reproductive rights and empowerment: • Sign petitions against discriminatory and restrictive policies targeted towards women’s health (especially now, since the Supreme Court members have repeatedly stated their conservative and religious bias against other forms of healthcare such as contraceptives). • Join abortion rallies and protests, or even start your own with permission. • Spread the word to your friends and family! Discussing these issues with close individuals and your peers can have a significant positive impact on the movement. • VOTE. VOTE. VOTE! Vote like your life and rights depend on it. They do. Support candidates who unequivocally support women and abortion rights! • Donate to organizations and abortion funds, such as Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, National Women’s Health Network, and more! Stand up for Women! Get educated. Together the youth of America can take back the power of equality for all. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. Its inseparable from those from the get-go” – Anthony Bourdain Everyone loves to eat. But what is the cultural aspect of the foods we consume? Food culture is the practices, attitudes, and beliefs as well as the networks and institutions surrounding the production, distribution, and consumption of food. In this lively discussion about something every human on earth indulges in, host Rose invites Sharanya, guest Alix, and Nihal to the table. In her segment, The Scribble, Sharanya meshes two of her favorite things, writing and food, to create a cinquain poem about hot dogs. In the second segment, Rose and her long-time food sister, Alix, engage in a worldwide tour of great restaurants, the culture behind the food, and the importance of sitting down with family and friends to dish it up over delicious cuisine. Nihal shows us how the world is connected through the love of cooking and expressing culture through food, usually throughout generations. Are you hungry yet? Remember, you are what you eat. Bon Appetit!

Can summer vacation be over already? Yes, for most students, classes begin this week. No more sleeping late and going to bed whenever. It’s time to hit the books and make sure you make the bell. Producer, Cynthia Brian introduces Nerd Extraordinaire reporter, Keerthi, as she gives a humorous, yet impactful insight into debating. Host Hannah catches up with Rose in her segment Bite Share, focusing on the importance of urban food policy, food in schools, and food access. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, California will become the first state to implement statewide Universal Meals Programs in public schools. With the Scribble, Sharanya, looks forward to the writing assignments that going back to school will provide and shares ten words that will be part of her eighth grade lexicon. Get your backpacks ready, your pencils sharpened, and your laptops charged. School is back in session! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Ruhani, Sharanya, and Keerthi showcase a program about different types of journalistic endeavors. What is journalism? According to Britannica, journalism is “the collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through such print and electronic media as newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, social networking, and social media sites, and e-mail as well as through radio, motion pictures, and television.” Nerd Extraordinaire, Keerthi, provides a humorous, yet informative segment about debate and evidence. According to her, journalism is the life, the soul, the epitome, the substance, the essence, of a debater. In the Scribble, Sharanya, admits she likes being a detective to find the bias in journalism. She shares a short piece she wrote about the history of Roe versus Wade as an exhibit in bias. Ruhani has experience with journalistic writing for her school paper and one of her narratives was published by the New York Times. She tells us how to spot inaccurate information or “fake news”. Ruhani reads the review she wrote for Adele’s Album 30 as an example of writing with context and authenticity. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.” –Chris Colfer According to the CDCR, “LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that includes people of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies. While each letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for a specific group of people, the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities.” This group makes up millions of diverse individuals who makes up a significant portion of the population. Hosts Hannah and Ruhani provide in-depth information about the LGBTQIA+ community, about the rights that many states are attempting to limit, and about the importance of protecting those rights for the benefit of all. They give tips on how to support LGBTQIA and over insight to historical and famous figures of this community, many of whom had to stay in the closet to avoid persecution. Sharanya talks about the banning of books and encourages everyone to read books that focus on inclusivity. She reads her original poem in support of the trans community titled, She not He. At Express Yourself!™ and Be the Star You Are!® we support and embrace people of all genders, races, religions, and beliefs. Respect one another. If you are old enough to vote, vote for people who care about our privacy and personal well-being. We cannot have government officials dictating whom we can love. Be vigilant. Be inclusive. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

What is the metaverse? There are two types of metaverses. The one with a capital M is the Metaverse being created by Facebook, aka Meta. The metaverse without a capital “m” is a general term used to define a virtual reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users. Hannah and Sharanya host this program detailing the metaverse and have a discussion that covers numerous aspects of virtual reality and their opinions of how it will be utilized by teens. Sharanya shares how to write a dystopian novel and shares an original poem about dystopia. Nihal talks about how the metaverse may help teens be more socialized. He also shares the negatives of these connections. Kevin merges A.I. with the metaverse and indicates the importance of A.I. One of these roles will most likely be automatic language translation, a very necessary portion of international communication. Another way A.I. will become a massive part of the metaverse is through assisting those with disabilities so they can live without them, at least in the metaverse. .A.I. will be the god of the metaverse. It creates humanity through its digital avatars, gifts them communication via translating and sending out what they say, ensures that fairness is upheld through smart contracts, and records all that happens in ledgers and files. Hopefully, our A.I. god is a merciful one. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

The definition of energy healing is holistic practice that activates the body's subtle energy systems to remove blocks. By breaking through these energetic blocks, the body's inherent ability to heal itself is stimulated. . In India, the spiritual traditions of Energy Healing have existed for over 5000 years and been passed down from generation to generation. Sharanya, Ruhani, and Hannah provide information on the pseudoscience of energy healer and offer ways to incorporate energy healing into our everyday experiences. Best known as the Co-Writer, Director, and Producer of the hit film What The Bleep Do We Know?!!, Betsy Chasse, Producer/Director of Energy: The Ultimate Healer, a five-part docuseries on Bliss Up Now network, and Award-Winning Filmmaker, Best-Selling Author, Change-Maker, and Mom joins Ruhani and Sharanya for a discussion about energy, healing, filmmaking, and being a Mom to teens. Hannah also shares how Eastern traditions spread to the West, leading to a mixture of both medical and energy healing practices being used for patients and people suffering from symptoms. The main techniques include Reiki, light, acupuncture, reflexology, Thai massage, tapping, and sound. Heal thyself with energy. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Our Nerd Extraordinaire, Keerthi, provides an impromptu history class at peak summer break time, (just in case you are having too much fun)on the lead-up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence from the perspective of a debater. Her comical history lesson is fast, furious, and fabulous. Host, Ruhani, interviews author, Dorothea Jensen with her newest book, Liberty-Loving Lafayette: How America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman Helped Win Our Independence. Inspired by Hamilton, the Musical, this short, playful, rhyming history for teens can be read or performed in 20 minutes! This unique history includes a glossary, extensive endnotes, and classic pictures to supply further information about the historical figures and events mentioned in the poem. Dorothea adores Lafayette and reads several passages from the book. In the final segment, Ruhani, expresses her sadness and outrage about the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe versus Wade, a disastrous, regressive decision that will negatively affect millions of women and families. She provides information on where and how women can still legally get an abortion and believes that laws will be different and better when her generation (teens) finally get into office. Make sure to vote for pro-choice candidates and evict any politician who wants to restrict or revert the rights of any citizen. This is America. We are supposed to be the land of the free. Support democracy. Celebrate independence by making your voice heard. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“If it comes from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don’t!” Michael Pollan An allergy is when your immune system reacts to an allergen. The type of reaction that occurs can vary from mild to severe. Some of the most common allergies are nuts, pollen, and pets. Reporters on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Nihal and Kirpa Gill, provide information on allergies for both humans and pets. Allergies result from an overreaction of the immune system. The immune system has one very important job where it protects the body from viruses and other illnesses. Some common symptoms of allergies inhumans include allergies from dust, pollen, pet dander, certain foods, such as eggs and nuts, bee venom, medications, and latex. In pets, allergies include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and insect venom. You can tell if a pet has an allergy because the animal reacts the same way as humans with hives, itching, swelling, redness, etc. To identify the cause of an allergic reaction in humans, it is helpful to keep a food diary and work with a doctor. Anyone with a food allergy needs to take care to avoid the trigger food. If a severe reaction is likely, it is recommended carrying an epinephrine auto-injector. For pets, make an appointment with a veterinarian for care and treatment. Allergies cannot be cured, but the synonyms and reactions you have can be maintained. Be diligent! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

According to Express Yourself! host, Ruhani’s Spotify statistics, her most-listened to artists are Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Mitski. All amazing singers. But anyone who knows her knows that her favorite artist will forever be the first one on the list, the one and only Harry Styles. Ruhani shares her concert experience and the reasons he is her number one choice. A.I. And Us reporter, Kevin, explains artificial intelligence’s role in modern music. He talks about singing and using Autotune as well as the different apps that make a sound better. Will A.I. singers and musicians become the norm? What music are you listening to? What concerts have you attended? Tune in to Express Yourself! for a delightful romp through modern music described through the teen lens. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket” - Kellie Elmore School is out for the summer and it’s time to have fun, create memories, and discover new adventures. Sharanya co-hosts for the first time with Ruhani to discuss what’s on the agenda for the next three months. Since Ruhani is a rising senior, she intends to visit potential colleges and get a jumpstart on college apps while catching up reading the many books on her list. Sharanya plans to eat ice cream in the morning, write more poetry, and go on a road trip with her family. Going to the beach, getting some sun and R & R are also part of their plans. They interview Express Yourself’s newest reporter, Keerthi, who with her bubbling personality and humorous streak, is going to use summer time to become a better debater. Whatever you do this summer, have fun, relax, regroup, make a difference, and explore the world around you. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. All parts are interconnected.” - T. Collin Cambell Rose hosts a program about her favorite topic, food and nutrition. In her segment Bite share she discusses the importance of urban food policy, food access, and nutritional education. This show focuses on clean eating, organic food, and eating to optimize your body's functions. Nihal talks about how eating healthy is the best way to keep your body clean and ready for daily liviing. Eating organic and healthy fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, lean meats, and grains help you become more active and focused, especially when taking a test. He also gives information about the importance of vitamins and how eating well nourishes mental health. Sharanya joins the conversation by offering how to construct recipes that are healthy and delicious. She then reads an original poem she wrote, “Textures” about the beautiful food that Mother Nature provides. We are what we eat. Eat clean, eat smart, and eat for your brain. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Fraud is the daughter of greed” -John Grant Over 49 million people were victims of identity theft in 2020. This resulted in $13 billion in damages from “traditional” identity theft, i.e., people losing their info through data breaches and similar attacks. One of the strangest statistics is that the majority of the losses ($43 billion) stemmed from direct-interaction scams, such as phishing emails. Bad actors are getting bolder and are willing to target people directly. Hosts Ruhani and Hannah provide critical information on how to recognize scams and avoid them. A person becomes a victim of fraud every 14 seconds with those on social media targeted the most frequently. Find out how to protect yourself, freeze your financial records, and keep yourself safe. Tune in to Express Yourself! for this important broadcast that will safeguard your future. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela Why is education critical to success? The Express Yourself!™ teens have a lively discussion on various aspects of learning. In segment one, host Ruhani and reporter Maggie chat about ways to make a classroom more accessible for neurodivergent students. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. In segment two, A.I. reporter, Kevin, provides an in-depth look at how artificial contributes to education. Through the use of A.I., teachers are able to calculate the proficiency of a certain student in specific areas and thereby personalize their learning experience. For Scribble reporter, Sharanya, education instigates morals, discipline, and confidence. Education to many is assurance of their abilities of succeeding, and education helps everybody become the best version of themself. She reads her original poem, The Walls of Words. Never stop learning. Education will change the world. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Other than indigenous people, everyone in the US has immigrant blood. Yet immigration policy has been a heated political issue for decades. Hosts rose and Ruhani investigate the various aspects of immigration. Rose discusses how immigrants have limited access to healthy produce and how immigration has influenced the production of healthy foods. Ruhani shares the history of immigration in the United States. Immigrants come to the United States in the hope of finding a better life for themselves and their families, however, upon arrival, they lack essential services, healthcare, and resources. In California, immigrants make up more than 80 percent of the state's agricultural workforce. Other states like Washington State (72.6%), Florida (65.4%), and Oregon (60.7%), also have higher than average shares of immigrants in their agricultural workforce. The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 abolished an earlier quota system based on national origin and established a new immigration policy based on reuniting immigrant families and attracting skilled labor to the United States. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which took over many immigration service and enforcement functions formerly performed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Immigrants contribute to life in America and we need to embrace, support, and appreciate the positive impact immigrants bring to our country. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Host Rose Sarner is back with her segment bite share where she discusses urban food policy, the importance of food access, and nutrition in general. Enriching local communities is critical. Strengthening social connectedness develops one's sense of belonging in their community, positively impacting health and well-being. Enriching Communities establishes Social Innovation by creating moments of connection outside of individuals daily lives and the busyness of society. Rose encourages composting to divert waste from landfills which will minimize the release of methane gases while improving soil. She provides in depth details on how to create a compost pile or use a community compost bin. Food scraps make the soil richer with increased nutrients. Nitrogen, carbon, air, and water are components of composting. Green plant material contains nitrogen. Brown materials (carbon) include leaves and paper. The best location for a compost bin is in the shade. If you are interested in learning to compost and save our planet, Rose has the inside scoop you’ll want to know. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

What is public health? Public health is the science of and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized effort and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals. Public health protects and improves neighborhoods and communities by preventing epidemics and spreading illnesses and diseases. Public health encourages healthy lifestyles for children and families, protecting against dangers in homes, work, communities, and the environment. Host Rose Sarner talks about our rights to health care, food security, and shares simple recipes with fresh produce obtainable at Farmers Markets. Reporters Kirpa Gill and Hannah Sahuto add to the conversation with an in depth look at health for animals and how the pandemic has affected citizens around the world. We have a right to be healthy. Advocate for your health and wellness. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

The Earth. Our habitat. A place we cherish. The world honors Mother Earth on Friday, April 22, 2022 and we are celebrating by participating in the Earth Gratitude e-Festival. Be the Star You Are!® Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian, and two Be the Star You Are!® volunteers and Express Yourself! Teen Radio reporters, Ruhani and Sharanya have featured videos and poetry. The Earth Gratitude Project showcases sustainability tips from the most respected experts and visionaries on the planet. Ruhani hosts this program focused on supporting our planet and reads her poetry submission to the festival called Shall Grandma Tell You. She interviews co-founder of the Earth Gratitude Project, Natalie Pace, who discusses her worldwide ventures to meet people around the planet who are living differently to save our Earth. Her newest book, The Power of 8 Billion: It’s Up to Us, chronicles ways that we can all do our part. Natalie challenges everyone to reduce their carton footprint by 30% this year. Sharanya joins the conversation sharing her vision for honoring the Earth. She also reads her poem, A Token of Gratitude, that is featured in the Earth Gratitude e-Festival as well as a selection of her favorite poems focusing on nature. Ruhani and Sharanya converse about how teens can be proactive to nurture and restore. Celebrate with all of us on April 22-23, 2022 at the Earth Gratitude e-Festival at www.EarthGratitude.org. Register now for free gifts. Be grateful for our beautiful Mother Earth. Protect her for future generations. 1. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio 2. https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ 3. https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ 4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Are teenagers driving? What is their perspective about getting their driver’s license. Ruhani hosts this show about mobility for young people. In the first segment, Kevin Choo brings us a fascinating segment of A.I. and IS discussing how A.I. is a part of why Gen Z won’t get driver’s licenses and how they plan to get around instead. The current, most prominent generation, also called Gen Z, was born when the Internet and technology like iPhones and A.I. were very widespread. Many teens are quite unconfident and unable to trust themselves to get it right. Being put into a position of power and control, like the driver of a car, and being given the duty of making sure nothing goes wrong is the most terrifying thing for them. Enter self-driving cars and their six levels! A.I. is an amazing supplementary tool for many means of transport. In segment two, Ruhani provides startling statistics about young drivers such as 1. Teenagers are responsible for 500,000 car crashes in the US annually. (KBB) 2. In 2019, 52% of fatal motor vehicle crashes that included teens occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.(CDC) 3. More than 40% of fatal crashes involving teens occurred between 9 pm and 6 am in 2019. (CDC) 4. For 16-19-year-olds, the fatal crash risk per mile driven is three times higher than drivers aged 20+. (CDC) 5. In 2019, almost a quarter of drivers 15–20 who lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents had been drinking. (CDC) When it comes to teens and their phone addiction, teen driver accidents surveys find that over 55% of them can’t seem to shake it while driving and admit to talking on the phone while being behind the wheel. The minimum amount of attention a driver needs to text is five seconds, which is the same as driving past a whole football field with your eyes off the road. In the final segment, Ruhani, reads her original poetry. One is about driving past old sights and feeling nostalgia. A second poem was written on her recent 17th birthday, reflecting her dramatic side. The third poem is called The Fallen Tree about existence. She also wrote a special poem for her best friend to express gratitude for their friendship. Her final perfect poem is titled Yellow. Tune in to Express Yourself!™ to listen to this beautiful and informative program! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“If we change the criteria for purchasing all foods in public schools, and buy directly from the farmers and ranchers that are caring for the land regeneratively, we will address climate change and teach the next generation the values of nourishment, stewardship, and community.”- Alice Waters Rose and Ruhani host a program about limiting your food waste while learning how to use nutritious foods in new ways. Maggie reiterates the statistic according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the average American generated about 219 pounds (99 kg) of food waste and gives us her simple strategies to eliminate waste from a teen’s perspective. The hosts interview Marcela Tobal Benson who has published one of the most beautiful books we’ve ever seen. Love, Peace and Vegetables is the result of Marcela’s journey to realization, beginning as a child in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a mashup of Syrian and Israeli Jewish parentage, and the South American cosmopolitan upbringing of Buenos Aires, she was the embodiment of cross-cultural influences, embracing ritual, family, and culture of all. The book is filled with arresting art, poetry, spiritual inspiration, pristine eating food prep instruction, gorgeous photography of luscious dishes, and hundreds of yummy recipes that will entice the pallet. It is a guidebook for self-love and a manual for adding more love and peace into the world. Marcela unselfishly shares her secrets to optimum health and happiness through fresh, organic meals. In the final segment, Rose discusses how she learned about growing her own food and eating healthily through the Alice Waters Edible Schoolyard program offered at her school. Maintaining a school garden results in nutrition lessons that become a consistent, built-in part of students’ educational experience. When children spend days, weeks, and months growing their own food and maintaining a proper garden, they eat more healthily and feel empowered. Find peace and love with vegetables and healthy food. Treat your body with wellness. Bring your heart and soul into the kitchen. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Find Marcela's book: https://marcela.love/book/

“Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here.” —Kailash Satyarthi The internet is a powerful tool and an integral part of modern society. Living in a fast-paced digital world, individuals can contact others worldwide at the simple click of a button. Applications like social media and Google have created many benefits, such as staying up to date with important events and global news, increased interaction with other individuals, and increased accessibility to educational material. As of 2019, 59.5% of the worldwide population used some form of internet. That is 4.66 billion people, all interconnected through one single platform! However, with this increased communication and exposure to potential strangers and outsiders, internet safety is a top priority that should be taken seriously when searching and using the Internet and technology. The internet can be a dangerous place, prone to predators ready to pounce on innocent children and teens. Ruhani and Hannah highlight the isolation and loneliness that the pandemic has caused in young people and the exploitation that has resulted. • 10 is the average age of child being groomed online • 8 days is a how quickly a predator can groom andrecruit a child into sending nudes or leaving home tomeet a stranger • 98 is the percent increase in child online exploitation between 2020 and 2021 • 21.7 million reports of child sexual exploitation made to the CyberTipline in 2020 included 65.4 million images, videos, and other files. They each provide a powerful segment of advice from teens for teens to keep them safe and also converse with one another about personal experiences. HOW to STAY SAFE: • Keeping all information secure and private • Setting strong passwords and safeguards for all social medias and applications used • Double check and verify information and links sent to you, as it could possible be a scam • Be extremely careful when talking to strangers online • Using secure wifis and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to avoid getting hacked or having your IP address leaked They advise to never give out home or school addresses or send sexually explicit photos via the internet, even to a boyfriend or girlfriend as those could be used in a nefarious way. “Grooming” refers to when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with someone so they can manipulate, exploit and/or abuse them. They discuss catfishing, when someone claims to look like a specific person, but they may be using someone else’s profile. Now more than ever children are at risk for online child exploitation and it canhappen at home. Any child can be targeted and is susceptible. How to Get out/How to Get Help If you or someone you know is being trafficked, these organizations can help: National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 Shared Hope International: 866-457-5433 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 800-843-5678

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou Do you volunteer to help others? If not, why not? The paradigm of life is the more you help others, the more you help yourself. Hosts Rose and Ruhani share their experiences with being a volunteer. Rose talks about being a counselor at Camp Harmony where she was able to build relationships and have an impact on dozens of homeless and less fortunate children using her leadership skills. Ruhani believes that working with children is specifically fulfilling. Ruhani is currently volunteering teaching a Writing with the Stars FREE online writing workshop. (https://www.bethestaryouare.org/writing-with-the-stars-virtual-workshop) She also tutored for a program that taught children in India English. They discuss the importance of volunteering for nonprofits where you believe in the mission. Ruhani and Rose provide information on various opportunities and suggest people do a Google search to align passions with volunteer work including conservation, farm work, climate change, art, or working with the elderly. Kevin Choo, the newest reporter for Be The Star You Are!® launches his segment, “A.I. and Us,” to discuss the ramifications A.I. has and will have on different parts of our life. Art`ificial Intelligence is a complex field and Kevin knows his stuff. Stay tuned for more. If you are looking to volunteer with Be the Star You, please visit our websites at https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org, http://www.BTSYA.org, and www.StarStyleRadio.com We have numerous virtual opportunities that will help you grow as a leader. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. — Nelson Mandela. As spring begins, colleges send letters of rejection or acceptance to teenagers across the world. Hosts Sidney and Ruhani discuss the process in-depth on today’s show. They are joined by Dr. Don Martin, a successful college admissions coach with 28 years of experience. As he was a dean at many well-known schools across the nation and is currently a renowned counselor, Dr. Martin provides valuable information for any upcoming undergrad or grad school applicant. The three of them touch on relevant topics, such as the search for a college that is able to benefit you completely and the recent cut of UC Berkeley’s admitted class size — you don’t want to miss out! Sidney and Ruhani also talk to Diya during her segment Silver Lining. Diya, a senior in high school who has recently finished her college applications, provides first-hand advice on the process. It’s important to work on your end goal during each school year, but don’t stress too much, you got this! Sidney and Ruhani conclude the show by giving their own takes on the application and admissions process. Remember, education is key, and it’s extremely interesting (and useful) to see what these individuals have to say about college! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Would you like to be an entrepreneur or a leader? Host Diya Hituvalli brings her segment of Silver Lining talking about an social entrepreneurship initiative she developed called KeepMeSafe, a voice recognition technology to help the user in times of need. She discusses why and how she developed the KeepMeSafe app which is downloadable for FREE on the iOS App Store. (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/keepmesafe/id1510283747) Diya interviews author, Betsy Cerulo, with her book SKAKE IT OFF LEADERSHIP, that will empower any leader with the skills, wisdom, and strength to successfully create or grow a business, while insuring balance and personal fulfillment. As an LGBTQ business leader, she learned how to shake-off the slights, disappointments, and roadblocks in building a successful business—not just the issues related to discrimination, but with all of the gumption, wisdom and courage it takes to create a thriving enterprise, with quality, happy, engaged staff and curation of clients that are an asset to the business. In the final segment, Diya reads a piece penned by Rose Sarner, discussing influential women leaders who have paved the way and are paving the way for myself and other women, including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Amelia Earhart. In the world it is really important that young girls see themselves in positions of power and succeeding in life so they gave feel empowered to do so themselves! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Nonprofit organizations operate with the primary objective of benefiting society. Nonprofit organizations play a growing role in the social and economic well-being of the United States. They provide services, goods, and resources to meet community needs. Host Nihal Gill provides an overview of the important work that nonprofit organizations provide to the public. As a teen, Nihal started a non-profit to provide teens around the world the tools to learn STEM skills and further spark their interest in STEM fields. He then interviews Cynthia Brian, founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity to discover why she began the charity and discuss the challenges and triumphs. Nihal expressed his gratitude to Be the Star You Are!® for helping him to find his voice, confidence, and talents while sharing his opinions as a reporter and host of Express Yourself!™. The newest reporter of Pet Prescriptions, Kirpa Gill, is the younger sister of Nihal and makes her debut to talk about nonprofits that provide for and support animals. Their conversation revolves around help, volunteering, and making a difference. Get involved with a nonprofit that feeds your soul. Volunteer and donate. Nonprofits deserve our time, energy, and money. “To be a leader, you must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed. Communicate, collaborate, innovate!” Cynthia Brian, Founder, Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Hosts Rose and Ruhani interview astrologer/numerologist Jesse Kalsi, author of All About Numbers. No doubt you’ve heard about numerology, the study of the influence of numbers on your life and destiny. But chances are you’ve never heard about ASTRONUMEROLOGY! That is because it’s the discovery of Jesse Kalsi, a world-renowned counselor sought out by Hollywood and Bollywood stars, Silicon Valley billionaires, real estate moguls, entertainment companies and people just like you. Rose talks about how zodiac signs not only offer fun facts about your personality traits and love matches, but zodiac signs also reveal information about your skin's needs. She emphasizes the power of natural whole foods and the large impact they have because food is medicine. The use of fresh foods to create healthy beauty regimes have thrived since ancient times. For example, Cleopatra took milk baths. Ruhani announces her upcoming FREE writing workshop for kids ages 9-14, Writing with the STARS. Information: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/writing-with-the-stars-virtual-workshop Email: thestarsworkshop@gmail.com to Register for FREE. Ruhani, provides an in-depth explanation about the 12 zodiac signs including the dates and the characteristics of people born under each sign. If you wonder astrological signs of celebrities, Ruhani offers a names and dates for each month. Learn more about astrology and numerology not only for fun but for your success. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Happy Valentine’s Day! This is our Valentine’s Day Special. Our hosts Rose and Ruhani wrap this festive holiday with information on creative recipes and love movies and books. Rose gives great ideas on healthy eats to share with friends on Valentine’s Day. Ruhani follows up with fun films to watch with your yummy treats including For All the Boys I Loved Before, The Notebook, and maybe even Titanic. If you are looking for a good book, Ruhani provides a short list of page-turners like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Song of Achilles, or The Great Gatsby, In segment one, Diya gives us an historical reference for the creation of Valentine’s Day. Did you know that Cupid originated from the Greek god, Eros? Or that candy hearts started out as throat lozenges? To piggyback on the holiday history Diya presented, new reporter, Hannah Sahota takes us on a journey through a ride of traditions, executions, and (as expected) love! For those who are single, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to take time for yourself and practice self-care or enjoy time with friends, and even known as Galentine’s. Have a great Valentine’s Day (single or not) and have fun! Share the love.

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Albert Einstein Sidney and Rose take a deep dive into technology, the history and the future. In her segment, Breaking Boundaries, Sidney talks about how tech platforms are fueling political polarization. With the creation of technology and the rise of the digital age, a significant decline in investigative journalism has occurred as people turn to television and social media as their focus for news. While social media giants have gone out of their way to deny that their algorithms contribute to the promotion of disinformation and extremism, research says otherwise .Their teen guest, Varsha Shankar, presents an easy digestible description of CRISPR or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, a gene editing mechanism that can be thought of as a copy and paste for genes. CRISPR deploys an enzyme called Cas9 to cut and edit our DNA strands. Because of its wide range of abilities, CRISPR has had a significant impact on disease treatment and other medical innovations. The discussion included the new research in CRISPR’s potential to treat malaria and cancer patients. In Biteshare, Rose informs us about the small print on social media platforms such as Instagram that relinquish rights. Telehealth and telemedicine are positive aspects of technology as is the ability to order food for delivery, especially for those who do not have transportation or as a result of the pandemic. The health app on the Apple watch is one of her preferred ways to keep informed about her daily exercise, sleep patterns, and general health. Both hosts stress the importance of being aware of the issues surrounding social media. While it does have its benefits, there are also significant drawbacks to social media, especially if you use it as a news source. Make sure to fact check the information you’re receiving and try to actively seek out and consider viewpoints that may differ from your own. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

The New York Times announced that host of Express Yourself!, Ruhani Chhabra, was one of eight teens out of 11,000 worldwide submissions to win for her essay, T.S.A. and Cinnamon Buns, in the their 3rd Annual Personal Narrative Essay Contest. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/learning/the-winners-of-our-3rd-annual-personal-narrative-essay-contest-for-students.html Congratulations to our New York Times winner! Ruhani talks about the competition, then interviews Melissa Larsen for her debut novel, Shutter. The premise of Shutter showcases a young woman who agrees to star in a filmmaker's latest project, but soon realizes the movie is not what she expected. The two discuss the importance of literature, the writing process, the road to publishing, the challenges of being a writer, and offer advice to budding writers. One major piece of solid advice for future authors: Write the book you want to read. Sharanya Roy joins with her segment The Scribble, where she describes literature as a time machine. She then explains how to dissect a piece of literature starting with the basic four segments of literature: character, plot, setting, and theme. These ladies are all accomplished writers and this episode on literature is revealing and rewarding. Write on! Your words have power. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“The media is the most powerful entity on Earth. THey have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.” — Malcolm X 3.8 billion people are absorbing information daily through the media. Whether the media is television, radio, social media, newspapers, magazines, or online sites, the power to disseminate truth or falsehoods is immense. Hosts Ruhani and Rose dissect the various segments of media and talk about how the media affects them. From the plots of movies and TV shows, to posts on Twitter, our hosts tackle the challenging questions surrounding the media into today’s complicated world. Can we trust the media? It depends on where you are looking. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Everyone has read about the adventures and exploits of climbing the highest peak in the world above sea level, Mount Everest. Did you know that it takes approximately 40 days to summit Everest and that doesn’t count the time it takes to get to base camp? What most people don’t know is how the Sherpas, who do the most dangerous and heavy work are grossly underpaid and underappreciated. Ruhani gives the background of climbing Everest and then interviews Elisa Zoltick who in 2019 founded, All Sugared Up, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for the Apa Sherpa Foundation. The Apa Sherpa foundation was founded by Apa Sherpa, the world record holder for the most Everest summits. Apa Sherpa recognizes the lack of educational opportunities for the youth in Nepal, and therefore dedicates his organization to raising money to support education for the Sherpa kids in Nepal. All Sugared Up has currently raised over 3000 dollars and has baked over 6000 cookies to support the Apa Sherpa Foundation. Elisa is extremely knowledgeable about the plight of the Sherpas and offers insight into the dangers they face and the inadequate compensation for the work they perform. Ruhani finishes the hour by reading her original poetry honoring Mother Earth. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Happy New Year from Everyone at Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio! Have you written goals and resolutions to give you a roadmap for 2022? Hosts Maggie and Nihal provide their insights on how to set goals, be accountable, and accomplish them, step by step. Inspiration for a peaceful yet productive year is provided by world champion athlete, coach, professor, and guest bestselling author, Dan Millman with his newest book, Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit. Dan discusses his evolution from childhood dreamer to world-class athlete that catapults him, over a span of two decades, through mind-expanding experiences with four radically different mentors who prepare him for his calling as a down-to-earth spiritual teacher. For forty years, through books and seminars, Millman has shown how to live with a peaceful heart and a warrior’s spirit. The conversation between Maggie, Nihal, and Dan will give you the boost you need to jumpstart your dreams and live with a peaceful heart and warrior spirit. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Happy Holidays and 600 Radio Broadcasts from Express Yourself! This special holiday program is the 600th broadcast of Express Yourself!® Teen Radio and host Ruhani ushers in the celebration with grace and truths. She starts off the segment recapping her year of 2021, both the tragedies and the triumphs. In segment two, she brings on producer of Express Yourself!® and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!®, Cynthia Brian, for a conversation about goals and resolutions. As a New York Times best selling author, Cynthia offers tips from one of her books, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens on how to set S.M.A.R.T goals. Although the times are challenging at the moment with the Omnicron variant of Covid 19, both ladies are optimistic about the future and encourage others to be positive as well. Most of all, they encourage getting vaccinated and boosted to give yourself, your loved ones, and your community a chance to be healthy. Double mask, avoid crowds, and consider paring down your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Perhaps dress up, play games, watch movies, or just be content to be alive for another year. Rounding out the hour, poet Ruhani shares a few poems she has written over the years that clearly showcase her growth as a very aware woman who is destined to be a leader. Congratulations to all of the present and former hosts and reporters on Express Yourself!. This show is a winner giving youth a voice and a platform. Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy, and healing holiday season and a promising New Year!

• Do you feel tired all the time? Are you getting quality sleep? As a high school student with finals looming, host Ruhani empathizes. She interviews ABC News Anchor and former insomniac, Diane Macedo about her book, The Sleep Fix. Roughly thirty percent of the population is estimated to be living with insomnia, while many more unknowingly suffer from other sleep disorders. In The Sleep Fix, Macedo aims to change that with perspective-shifting research and easy-to-implement solutions based not just on science and experts, but also her own years-long struggle. As an early-morning reporter and overnight news anchor, Macedo learned the hard way how valuable sleep is, and how it affects everything from our heart to our brain to our immune system. Macedo—a busy, working mom—teaches us how to adjust and fit these solutions into our everyday lives. Ruhani then detours from fixing our sleep patterns to sharing her original poetry focusing on the challenges in America today. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

How much do you know about the White House? Ruhani takes us behind the scenes to inform us about fascinating and historical details that most Americans are unaware of. Dr. Jill Biden’s Christmas décor this year is inspired by the small acts of kindness and experiences that lifted our spirits throughout the pandemic, rooms throughout the White House are decorated to reflect the Gifts from the Heart that unite us all. After a tour of the building, she talks about the Paris Agreement and COP 26 Climate Change Conference. Co-host, Nihal, continues the conversation with information about renewable energy. Renewable Energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources such as water, sunlight, wind, tides, waves, and geothermal energy. Renewable energy plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using renewable energy can help to reduce energy imports and reduce fossil fuel use, which is the largest source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Nihal gives examples on how teens and young adults can reduce their carbon footprint. In segment three, our Express Yourself! poet, Sharanya shares her original poem called “The Wind, The Water, The Earth”. She compares becoming a competent writer to renewable energy. Renewable energy uses what the Earth has already provided to harvest energy. To become a better writer, the first step is to read or listen to pre-existing literary works. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Do you understand what it means to be an activist ? To promote social justice, one is aware of their community and their community's needs. An activist can be anyone who cares about a cause. Hosts Ruhani and Rose tackle these touchy topics. Ruhani reports on critical social justice and activism movements outside this country including the farmer’s movement in India, women’s right to drive in Saudi Arabia, Ni Una Menos in Argentina, fighting for democracy in Hong Kong, and several others. Rose shares details of her favorite activists in the healthy food movement, including chefs and farmers. They both interview budding pop/AC recording artist, Valentina, with her newest single, Lifted Me. The upbeat, positive song follows suit to reveal the eighteen-year-old as an accomplished stylist, songwriter and performer who is devoted to delivering music with heart and purpose, as introduced by her debut, There’s No Stopping Me Now. You’ll get to a sneak peek at these two empowering anthems. The three ladies believe in standing up for social justice. Enjoy the show! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • TWITTER • http://twitter.com/cynthiabrian • FACEBOOK • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/

It is the season of giving and gratefulness. Because of COVID-19 and the restrictions on travel last year, this thanksgiving has more significance than others in the past have had. Maggie and Rose co-host while sharing their individual thoughts on gratitude and their Thanksgiving traditions. They interview sixteen-year-old country music sensation, Mikayla Lane in a conversation about her music, career, and holiday habits. Mikayla is outgoing and effervescent as she describes her triumphant journey as well as introduces her tow holiday classics. Listeners will be treated to O Holy Night” followed by “Amazing Grace. Find out about a few delicious, healthy recipes from Rose and the backstory to Maggie’s “thankful quilt”. Whatever you do this holiday season, be grateful for your health, family, and friends. We here at Express Yourself!, Be the Star You Are!®, and Voice America, give thanks for you as our listeners. Enjoy the music! And make a donation for the holidays to help others to Be the Star You Are! at www.BetheStarYouAre.org. It is the season of giving. Happy Thanksgiving.

Are you vaccinated? If not, why not? Sidney hosts a program focusing on inoculations and interviews author Marisa Reichardt about her newest novel, A Shot at Normal. A Shot at Normal focuses around 16-year-old Juniper Jade who — after contracting the measles — sues her anti-vax parents for the right to be vaccinated. Written pre-pandemic, the book is a powerful and timely story about justice, family, and taking your shot, even when it seems impossible. With his segment, Innovation Nation, Arjin provides an historical tour of inoculations, dating back hundreds of years to Buddhist monks who drank snake venom to confer immunity to snake bite, and variolation, or the smearing of a skin tear with cowpox to give immunity to smallpox, practiced in 17th century China, and more. In Sharanya’s segment, The Scribble, she reads her original poem, called “The Vaccination Cure”, the segues into plagiarism. Like how the vaccination protects people, writers have something that protects their writing called Copyrights. In the United States, the moment you write something of your own, it is protected. Although plagiarism is not illegal, it is a serious offense in the academic world. The amount does not matter, if you copied a few lines or the entire text. Many people sue plagiarizers. Since plagiarism is so dishonorable, any amount copied is considered a misdeed. Get vaccinated and don’t plagiarize. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

It’s a haunted and ghostly Halloween on Express Yourself! with host Ruhani, and reporters Rose, and Sharanya. Ruhani starts off the hour of horror by sharing spooky two-line stories with surprise endings. She then gives us the origins of the Halloween tradition going back o the celebration of Samhain. Rose talks about letting kids have their one day, Halloween, to eat a large amount of their favorite candy, then the next day nourishing their bodies with fresh and healthy produce. Rose also offers substitutes for trick or treating, although admits that every kid really wants candy, not toothbrushes. Sharanya’s Halloween costume is inspired by one of her favorite books, Hunger Games, and the main character of Katniss, a strong literary character. Sharanya admits she is not a fan of Cinderella and recites her original poem, The Unhappy End to Cinderella. Ruhani and Sharanya have a lively discussion about other favorite characters from books and movies including Harry Potter, Marvel,and Beauty and the Beast.. What is your costume for Halloween? How scary are you? Happy Halloween and Trick or Treat! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Biology is the study of complicated things that have the appearance of having been designed with a purpose. Richard Dawkins Why is biology important? How can we understand genetics? Nihal hosts a program based on biology and genetics. He interviews teen author from New Zealand, Lucy Xu who wrote a creative and captivating retelling of the basic concepts of genetics through illustration and fantasy, The Scent of Genetics. It simplifies the complicated and technical scientific concepts for the layman or a younger audience. The graphic novel follows personified cells, proteins, and genes on their usual adventures. The cell is transformed into a kingdom, the nucleus becomes a castle, and all characters are ruled over by King Arthur. Lucy talks about her research and journey to publication. Newest reporter, Sharanya Roy joins the show with her segment, The Scribble. She shares her poem, Mirror Genes, that weaves the theme of genetics into her segment focusing on writing and poetry. Although many personality traits can be inherited from parent to offspring, writing isn’t one of them. The last stanza from her poem is In reality, I am 50% my mom, And 50% my dad, And 100% me. Her favorite poet is Sylvia Plath with her vivid imagery. Sharanya recalls a few lines from Tulips and compares it to what is happening wtth the pandemic. “The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here. Look how white everything is, how quiet, how snowed-in.” • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

What is misogyny and what determines sexual harassment? This is a serious topic that host Ruhani tackles along with reporter Rose. Both women are grateful that they are respected and taken seriously. Sexual misconduct is so ingrained in our society that many people, mainly women, feel unsafe in workplaces, doctor’s offices, and even places of worship. The media acts as a watchdog, exposing the government, individuals, and organizations who are abusing and taking advantage of the people's power.They interview Dr. Dravon James, author of Freedom is your Birthright. With tensions running high these days, many people are experiencing an influx of conflicts in previously low-maintenance relationships. This has become a deep source of frustration for many people, but with the right perspective, conflict can be an extremely valuable tool to grow yourself and your relationships. Listeners will learn valuable tools on how to handle sexual harassment. Respect one another. Make firm boundaries. Lean into conflicts. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Since host, Ruhani, was born on International Women’s Day, her family have always joked that she is a natural-born feminist. During these troubling times, it is critical to uplift women and broadcast every woman’s voice, so no one is left behind. In the segment, American Connection, Maggie says that “as a feminist, i want to make sure that my feminism includes all people, which is where intersectionality comes to play.” She and Ruhani have an in-depth conversation about the empowered women who are changing the way we view feminism and the benefits of intersectionality to the community. Rose joins with her segment, Bite Share talking about the importance of urban food policy, nutrition, and food access in our world today and the lack of access, food literacy, and nutritional foods to women of color or in lower income neighborhoods. Rose believes that attending an all-girls school has heightened her leadership skills and confidence and is thrilled to be helping elevate at-risk girls ages 11 to 21 in Haiti through the LIDÈ programs. Ruhani elaborates with statistics. According to UNESCO, 132 million girls are out of school with no access to education. Women throughout the globe suffer at a much larger scale than men. From sex-selective abortions to female genital mutilation, there are many cultural practices that discriminate against women. Every girl must have a right to education, and no woman must forced to conceive a child. Empower girls and women. Be a feminist. Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou

Students are back in school…in person. And it’s challenging and exhausting. Ruhani Chhabra hosts a program with back-in-school teens. In Teenship, she talks about the importance of mental health, getting enough sleep, and finding something that allows you to express yourself! Ruhani has found Express Yourself! Teen Radio as her megaphone! Our guest is a high school senior, Aprille J. Xi who has written a very fascinating book, A High Schooler’s Journal on Artificial Intelligence. In the book, Aprille discusses the background behind the importance of face-to-face communication and how emotions and ethics tie into Artificial Intelligence. Our newest reporter, Rose Sarner joins the conversation with her segment Bite Share, with a goal to educate listeners about urban food policy, nutrition, and food access in our world today. Since the pandemic she has been cooking daily for her family, sourcing fresh ingredients from the Farmer’s Market, and creating unique and delicious dishes. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible. Maya Angelou Diya Hituvali and Ruhani Chhabra confront racism with all its ugly ramifications on Express Yourself!™. Ignorance contributes to racism. It’s critical to educate yourself and be open to learning and listening about other cultures, perspectives, and traditions. Pay attention to communities and surround yourself with diversity to understand others. Rebuild your network, adjust your attitude, and be inclusive. Be wary of stereotypes and empathetic to representation. Racism is rampant in America and the USA is a melting pot of the world. We need to strive to understand one another and get along. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Have you ever felt frightened or intimidated when out walking alone? Have you ever wondered what you should do if approached by an attacker? Sadly, this is the society that we face where everyone, but mostly women, have to fear when going outside because of the horrible things that humans do to one another. Hosts Diya Hituvalli and Nihal Gill offer tips to keep you safe. Diya has created a FREE app called KeepMeSafe. It is a voice recognition technology to help the user in times of need. The user can simply press “Activate KeepMeSafe” when they feel unsafe. The voice recognition software will listen to the user, and if the user says “Help”, it will play a loud alarm sound to scare away the attacker Also, when “KeepMeSafe” is activated, the app will start tracking the user’s location, and if the user says “Help”, it will send a readymade text message to 911 with the user’s location. In addition, as an official NGO, KeepMeSafe is a coalition of youth and women fighting to empower women everywhere by providing them with tools and technologies which can be used to protect themselves in dangerous situations. Nihal continues the conversation with tips that women can use when they feel threatened. A few tips include practicing awareness, using your sixth sense, taking self-defense training, and always alerting a trusted friend or family member of your location. Make sure to download KeepMeSafe for FREE on the iOS App Store, it is the one with the pink logo. Also follow KeepMeSafe on Instagram @keepmesafecorp ! If you are interested in becoming a KeepMeSafe volunteer, email diya.hituvalli@keepmesafecorp.org. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Earth is in peril. Severe droughts parch some areas while torrential rains flood others; gargantuan wildfires consume whole territories while freakish ice storms crash city grids. These and other environmental stresses are flaming human conflict and inflaming our health and the wellbeing of the animal kingdom. Hosts Ruhani Chhabra and Diya Hituvalli interview environmentalist author, Andrew Michael, about his e-book, Arising Soul Pals: Keep Your Eyes on the Rise, to illustrate the environmental and cultural challenges facing Earth and its inhabitants and to posit a solution to those challenges- raising consciousness. He talks about the assistance his organization, Partnership For Change is doing to support the evacuations in Afghanistan and help young girls in peril in Northern India. Ruhani reads poignant poem that reflect the crises that our planet is enduring and in Teenship, and sheds light on other young people who are making a difference to protect the environment. Finally, she emphasizes that doing the little things like picking up trash and growing your own vegetables will help heal our world. Educate yourself, pay attention to what’s happening, get involved be mindful. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Sidney Suh and Diya Hituvalli host an informative program about ecology, healing with nature and environmental racism. In Innovation Nation, Arjin Claire talks about how healing with nature is the idea that the human body has an inherent ability to heal itself over time without using what we view today as true medicines or remedies. Ecology is a branch of biology that specifically deals with the relationships of organisms between one another and their physical surroundings. In Healing with Nature, Rochelle Calvert invites us to imagine nature as a container and support for healing. When we are with nature it allows us to feel more at ease, to feel relaxed, to feel a sense of safety, well-being, and connection. These experiences are antidotes to the support of healing trauma. Build your relationship ecosystem to be sustained and thrive. This may mean establishing boundaries by creating physical, emotional, or mental space around ourselves. Nature’s impulse is to thrive, to adapt to be resilient and heal. We are made of nature. Sidney tackles environmental racism in segment three as she explains the 1930s practice known as redlining. The federal government would create color-coded maps with red lines drawn around neighborhoods that were deemed to be risky for real estate investment. Predominantly black and immigrant communities were redlined, no matter the income level of the neighborhoods. Learn more about environmental racism by educating yourself to better understand its roots and how it impacts minority communities today. Stay informed about local environmental issues and hold your government representatives accountable. Heal Mother Earth!

Many children say that when they grow up they want to be an astronaut. Going into space as a regular citizen is not a distant fictional idea. Hosts Nihal and Diya talk with reporters Sidney and Ruhani about exploring space, the importance of STEM for women and minorities, NASA, the planets, galaxies, space tourism, and movies that have influenced their understanding of space. Space exploration teaches us about our role in the solar system, helps us form a bond with other nations, helps us learn about potential dangers that earth may encounter, such as asteroids, and most importantly addresses our curiosity about the universe in which we live. Fasten your seat belts. We are going to the STARS. Connect with us at https://www.ExpressYourselfTeenRadio.com • FACEBOOK • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Don’t use social media to impress people, use it to impact people” -Unknown If you want to know about working with social media for fun and for profit, our three teen social media gurus have the answers. In Teenship, Ruhani talks about using social media as a tool for social justice as well as for expressing one’s feelings. She has thousands of Tik Tok followers and has launched an Instagram for Express Yourself Teen Radio. https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ In Silver Lining, Diya gives us a step-by-step guide to being a micro-influencer with a smaller, yet more targeted audience. Many Micro influencers only talk about one or two topics — their niche — which allows them to organically grow on social media. Social influencers earn money and free goods when done properly. Diya is a micro influencer with fashion, and she developed a safety app, too, KeepMeSafe, available in App stores. In Breaking Boundaries, Sidney talks about how social media has changed the trajectory of scientific research. Through apps like Instagram and Twitter, scientists have developed the ability to extensively disseminate their findings. Scientific research has customarily been closed off to the public, however, with social media, research is available to a wider variety of people. She gets her news from social media and she is the co-founder of the teen online Humanities Plus Journal, an international platform for perspectives that transcend the divides between the Humanities and Stem. https://www.hplusjournal.com. Social media is a dynamic and effective way to interact with the world to make a difference when used politely, positively, and kindly. Join the conversation and follow us on social media • FACEBOOK • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Maggie and Diya host a program focused on performing and performances. In the segment, Teenship, Ruhani shares how leadership is about using your voice, talents, and performing in an artistic way. Singers, actors, and other celebrities use their creativity to shine light on important issues as well as philanthropic endeavors. In segment two, they interview 16-year-old Mikayla Lane who has been pursuing her dream since she was a child as a country singer. Mikayla’s Mom and Dad both rode rodeo so she wants to bring back authentic Western traditions to her music. She talks about her trajectory, the difficulties of being so bold at a young age, her inspirations and influences. There is no doubt that she not only admires but is living a traditional country music life. Two of her songs, Wild like the Wind and Come Home are featured during the hour. Sidney Suh wraps up the hour with her segment of Breaking Boundaries giving us a history lesson about the evolution of sound recording technology which began in 1857. There is some dispute about who is the originator. Tune in to make your decision. Follow Express Yourself! on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and only cease at death” Albert Einstein Host Andrea Smith and Express Yourself! welcome a new reporter today. Sidney Suh, who was originally a guest on our show. Sidney’s segment is called Breaking Boundaries. In today’s segment, she introduces us to women, past and present, who have been influential in spreading awareness about dyslexia. From the 1990s to 2021, women have continuously made advancements in public policy and scientific research when it comes to learning disabilities. While society still has a long way to go, it’s important to look back and celebrate how far we’ve come. In segment two, author Andrew M. Nehring talks about his struggles with dyslexia and how he wanted to write simple, fun easy-to-read books for all levels and make literature accessible to those with reading disabilities. His newest books is David Massey and the Quantum Flux. In her segment Teenship, Ruhani Chhabra chronicles prominent figures with learning disabilities including British novelist Agatha Christie, scientist Albert Einstein, America’s first President George Washington as well as actors, Olympians, and reporters. She also shares favorite films that showcase disabilities. We need to stop the stigma of learning disabilities. Having a disability will not limit your greatness. There are many ways to overcome them and thrive. Check out our new Express Yourself! Teen Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Dreams begin early for most everyone; but it takes passion, belief, and determination to turn a dream into a reality. Teen hosts Diya Hitvalli and Nihal Gill interview 14-year-old, Graciela, a visionary who possesses natural talent and a drive that is far beyond her years. Her upbeat mature, and insightful perspective and heart are qualities set her apart in her journey to achieve her goals. She talks about becoming a recording artist at a young age and the determination, passion, and hard work that being an entrepreneur entails. She just released her first single, Seize the Day, and credits her family for being her guiding light. Diya discusses the benefits of being a teen entrepreneur and outlines a road map for everyone to achieve their goals. She launched an app, KeepMeSafe. Nihal shares a favorite poem, Lessons of Entrepreneurship and provides ways for teens to start a business they’ll enjoy. Entrepreneurship is the ability to run and organize a business and make profit even if you face obstacles on the way. An entrepreneur is defined as a person who has a drive to establish a business that they can run and venture along with the risk. Be willing to work hard, avoid the naysayers, and follow your dream. Then Seize the Day! Carpe diem.

What qualities make a person a good leader? Hosts Andrea Smith and Maggie Campione investigate the traits that all empowering leaders possess. In Innovation Nation, Nihal Gill begins his segment with a favorite poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. The threesome discuss examples of leadership and the opportunities they have experienced in their own lives to be leaders. In segment three, Express Yourself!™ introduces our newest reporter, Ruhani Chhabra with her topic of Teenship, which encompasses teen leadership skills. Ruhani believes that this generation must stand up for what is right by using our voices. She discusses how teens can step up to lead in their schools and communities and how every person can make a difference. She also believes that social media connects us, amplifying our voices. It is critical to be mindful of spreading misinformation, which is why it’s always important to double check sources before posting. Leaders utilize communication, commitment and confidence. They have a vision and share that with others to encourage and lead by example. A great leader makes it easy to do the right thing and difficult to do the wrong thing. “Read, lead, succeed!” To be a leader, you must be a reader.” Cynthia Brian

It is a myth that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. The fact is that the official vote actually took place two days earlier, but the “Declaration” was published on July 4th in newspapers, where it gained recognition from the public. This is just one piece of American historical trivia that Diya Hituvalli brings to the airwaves for this 4th of July special focusing on Independence Day and poetry. She then interviews Meredith Heller, author of Write a Poem, Save Your Life. Meredith shares her teen struggles and how writing literally saved her life. She believes that poetry gives us a way to communicate with our deeper self. We can write things we wouldn’t dare or know how to say to anyone. In our writing, we find the words, images, and metaphors to name our feelings and suddenly what was overwhelming becomes clear and workable. Writing becomes a mirror, a companion, a place where we can be real with ourselves about how we feel, what hurts, and what we long for. Meredith has recently been awarded a grant to teach those who identify as female teens to write. If you are interested in joining her writing workshop, find information at her website www.MeredithHeller.com. Poetry can be a lifeline. Write it! Celebrate Independence Day safely and joyfully, Happy 4th of July!

Arjin Claire launches Innovation Nation showing how innovation has impacted poetry. He takes us back to 2100BC to what is widely considered the first poem ever written: The Epic of Gilgamesh. Following that we journey to ancient Greece in the 8th century BC to learn more about Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey. He then interviews a rising young poet in 5th grade, Thanvi Voruganti, who penned a book of poems, FROM THE INSIDE: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet. The book is about thoughts, feelings, and emotions we all experience, struggle with, and that have been brought to the forefront by the current pandemic. There are eight categories, nature, loss and pain, bravery, memories, story in a poem, comedy, happiness, and dilemma. Thanvi reads two poems, Little Star and her favorite poem, Shattered Tears. She talks about her inspirations, struggles, and goals for the future. Diya Hituvalli spends the final third of the hour sharing her favorite poems, both classic and modern, reads the Gift of Gratitude from two of Cynthia Brian’s books in the Be the Star You Are!® series, and ends the show with the stunning poem read by Amanda Gorman, the nation's first-ever youth poet laureate, during the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. Poetry is the clear expression of mixed feelings. Express gratitude and appreciation for everything.

It’s a Father’s Day special on Express Yourself! as Diya Hituvalli and Nihal Gill celebrate their dads. They talk about all the special qualities that their dads bring to the family and share personal stories of experiences and funny situations. You’ll learn a little bit of the history of the holiday and get tips on how to pamper your pop. Happy Father’s Day from Be the Star You Are!® and all the of the Express Yourself! Radio team.

Did you watch a ton of movies during this past year? Diya Hituvalli and her family spent free tine during the pandemic enjoy a variety of films. Her favorites are rom-com and horror, but in this episode of Express Yourself!™ she details her favorite movie recommendations across all genres. In the second segment, Diya interviews science fiction author of the Exodus starship adventure series and Exodus Universe novels., Robert Stadnik. In his newest book, “Infinite Retribution” humanity is ready to extend its hand out into space after nearly a century of oppression. But what was to be a routine survey mission for the starship INFINITY turns ominous as humanity’s greatest enemy, thought extinct, is found hidden on a remote planet. Robert talks about how his travels and the people he encounters provide fodder for his novels. His dreams are the impetus for the fantasy and fiction that is created. Because he has developed so many characters and locations, he keeps copious notes of each person’s traits, experiences, travels, and more as he never knows who will pop up to be the main actor of his next installment. The interview is a very fun peak inside the mind of a prolific science fiction writer. Hopefully one of his books will be made into a streaming series soon, Escape into fiction and fantasy through books and movies.

Diya Hituvali hosts a program that focuses on hardships that people experience throughout life. In her first segment, Diya dives into domestic violence…what it is and how to get help. She then interviews Dr. Alexandra Chauran to find out ways to be positive and move forward after experiencing devastation. Hardship dictated the topic for Chauran’s latest book, Getting Through It: Reclaim & Rebuild Your Life Through Adversity, Change or Trauma., as in 2015 she was diagnosed with aggressive, Stage IIIC triple positive breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, her husband left near the end of her treatment, throwing her life into the turmoil of divorce. Having found her pain and her medicine, Chauran seeks to share fresh education from the school of hard knocks. In the final segment, Diya looks at the ways our lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Though no individual’s situation is the same, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a shared human experience of remarkable uncertainty, isolation, and hardship. Despite all the tragedies we have endured, we can get through it. Trauma will be a part of life but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

Nihal Gill and Diya Hituvalli cohost an hour of Indian happiness. They interview the dynamic new author Payal Doshi for her Middle Grade read, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, the story of 12-year-old Rea Chettri from Darjeeling, India, who goes off on a secret and thrilling quest as she portals into the magical realm of Astranthia to find her missing twin brother Rohan. Payal’s first draft of her book showcased Caucasian characters, locations, and elements. When her writing teacher asked why she hadn’t created Indian protagonists, she realized that South Asian characters are often portrayed in a stereotypical manner or under-represented completely. She pivoted to writing from the culture she knows and loves. The result is the first book in a captivating series for pre-teens. The interview is lively, upbeat, and full of joy. The Gift of Happiness from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 gifts for Living, Loving Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference ends the hour of happiness. Help each other to be happy. Never mind if help be small. Giving a little is far better Than giving none at all.

Nihal Gill and Diya Hituvalli cohost a program about the intersection of science and fiction. They interview the delightful storyteller, physician, and author, Dr. Susan McCormick about her newest book, The Antidote. With her unique perspective as a doctor, mother and writer, McCormick combines her knowledge of medicine and her storytelling skills to craft a one-of-a-kind adventure about disease, darkness, and deception. She intersperses Easter eggs about scientific facts throughout her fictional writings for young readers. Nihal talks about how we use science daily and how science benefits humanity. Diya focuses on good and evil while discussing the difference between a psychopath and a sensitive person. Science and fiction live on the same planet offering us superpowers. Trust the science. Enjoy the fiction.

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” Are you inspired by entrepreneurs and changemakers in today’s world who come from humble beginnings and through hard work, persistence, and sacrifice reach their dreams? Host Diya Hituvalli admires individuals who persevere against all odds and shares stories of a few remarkable people. Our guest is Jean Kanokogi,PHD who published her mother’s memoir post-humously about Rusty Kanaokogi, the Mother of Women’s Judo. The book, Get Up & Fight,follows the fifty-year uphill battle that Rusty waged on behalf of women’s rights on and off the mat, a journey that ultimately led her to the Olympics. Jean discusses her childhood and what it was like growing up and how her mon taught her to fight for what’s right. Jean emphasizes the importance of tenacity, dedication, diligence, and sacrifice to achieve any level of expertise. In the final segment, Diya reads The Gift of Persistence from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. The overall message is to never quit and to know that whatever you want in life you can have if you are willing to work long and hard to achieve it. “Persistence prevails when all else fails. Never ever give up on your dreams!”

Since childhood host, Andrea Smith, was drawn to the ocean. It’s mystical presence, its infinite size, its deep blue waters dazzling underneath the sun enchanted her. Oceans inhabit 72% of our Earth. The sea provides over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. It is home to over 230,000 species and scientists predict that there are up to two million species that we haven’t discovered as 80% of the oceans remain unexplored. Yet our oceans are in deep trouble. In segment two, she interviews attorney turned psychic Michelle Welch about her book, The Magic of Connection, which teaches how to embrace spiritual connection to live a more empowered life. In lively discussions, Michelle teaches us how empathic abilities can help you heal your inner wounds while staying connected to your community. She shares information of her time as an attorney and instructions for using crystals, meditations, and affirmations. In the final segment, we’ll find multiple ways to enjoy our oceans and feel connected to Mother Earth. Protect our oceans and connect to our soul.

Hosts Maggie Campione and Diya Hituvalli travel the world, sharing where they’ve been and where they want to go as soon as pandemic restrictions are lifted. The hosts interview Julie Lusk about her book, Yoga Nidra Meditations which offers deeply restorative rest and relaxation that feautres fourteen of the best Yoga Nidra experts in the world. Providing amazing insights on yogic sleep and how to build your own practice, Yoga Nidra Meditations helps you foster spiritual development, improve stress management, and enhance wellness. Yoga Nidra is an empowering meditation done lying down rather than sitting, and it gives you the calm and focus to work through a variety of physical, mental, and emotional issues. One of the techniques of Yoga Nidra is visualization which , with guided imagery, helps us travel mentally. The body can’t tell the difference! Decrease stress, become more balanced, and travel through yoga nidra! Where do you want to travel when restrictions are lifted?

Host Diya Hituvalli interviews Neale Lundgren, PhD about his fascinating life and new book, Meditations for the Soul. The book guides you on a journey through accessible meditations to help you experience the deep joy and fulfillment that comes when we live in the immediate now. Included are 30 awakening exercises designed to help you activate your soul’s senses, become more present to your life and learn to bring soulfulness to your relationships. During the interview, Dr. Lundgren helps you reconnect to your soul and strengthen your personal sense of purpose in life through breathing techniques, visualizations, and more. Diya expands on the benefits of meditation, a practice that originated in India and has expanded throughout the globe. Meditations connects us with nature and helps us to be healthier. Diya then shares her journey of developing the app, KeepMeSafe. The app, available for FREE in the iOS app store, incorporates voice-recognition with location tracking to offer assistance to women, children, or anyone who feels they are in danger. She is still working out the bugs and invites everyone to download KeepMeSafe and report any bugs. The app has already won several awards.

Diya Hituvalli and Siri Phaneedra host a fascinating program dedicated to technology and emerging technologies. Diya especially is fascinated by artificial intelligence with its unlimited possibilities to detect disease, eliminate world hunger, and make life easier through automation. She unveils the free app she developed, KeepMeSafe, a women's safety tool that utilizes voice recognition and location tracking to prevent sexual assault available in the iOS app store. The hosts interview author Michael C. Bland with his sci-fi title “The Price of Safety” which examines the dangers of data mining and the dark side of surveillance. An eerie depiction of the not-too-far future, the novel reveals humanity’s dependence on both technology and family, and asks the question, where do our allegiances truly lie? Siri shares her experience managing and facilitating an entrepreneurship course at UC Berkeley for student entrepreneurs, where she orchestrates fireside chats, panels, and keynote presentations with startup founders. She identifies emerging technologies, from blockchain to 5G, in several industries and pinpoints the forces driving their awareness and adoption.

Happy Easter and Passover! Andrea Smith hosts a special spring show that focuses on the outdoors and gardening. She reads Cynthia Brian’s Easter Parade article (https://blog.voiceamerica.com/2021/03/30/easter-parade/) that provides information on how to keep wildlife out of your garden. She then interviews Joann Calabrese with her book, Growing Mindful, a handbook on garden and green world mindfulness practices. It contains an abundance of activities rooted in sensing the wonder and magic of nature. Growing Mindful will help you deepen your spirituality and nurture a unique practice. (mindfulnessgardengames.com ) Andrea winds up the hour providing the health benefits of spending time in the natural world. Spending time walking among or simply looking at trees lowers blood pressure and reduces the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline. She shares her own meditative experiences as a surfer, swimmer, ocean lover, and forest bather. Be mindful, Get into Garden, Happy Easter and enjoy the outdoors!

“You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself, and see what happens” Louise Hay What does body image mean? Body image refers to a person’s perceptions, beliefs, and attitude of their own body. Your body image is what you think and how you feel when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. This includes how you feel about your appearance; what you think about your body itself, such as your height and weight; and how you feel within your own skin. Host Diya Hituvalli and Nihal Gill have a conversation about what body image means to them as individuals. They share experiences, triumphs, and struggles. Am I too fat? Is my nose to big? Do I have big muscles? Have you ever noticed at times that you have asked yourselves these questions? Many people have concerns about their body image. They also read from Cynthia Brian’s book, The Business of Show Business, a chapter called The Gift of Rejection which reflects on the life of an actor being told she is never right for the job. Diya and Nihal offer tips on how you can change your self-criticism into positive body affirmations. Be good to yourself. Compliment others. Know you are enough. Say thank you to your body for supporting you. You are beautiful just the way you are.

“Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart” Kahlil Gibran What do you consider beautiful? Dermatologist and author, Dr. Debbie Palmer, talks with hosts Andrea Smith and Maggie Campione about her book Mindful Beauty, the all-natural antioxidant skincare collection that she created, Replere, and about combining her work as a medical doctor and osteopath to discover root causes of skin ailments. She gives a glimpse of her day as a busy mom and physician and encourages short spurts of exercise, stress relief, and forest bathing to eliminate stress and maintain balance. The hosts read the chapter, The Gift of Beauty, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Laughing, Loving, and Learning to Make a Difference that points to the fact that beauty evolves from the inside out. In the final segment, Andrea and Maggie compare tips on make-up and skin care that as teens they are attracted to and enjoy experimenting with. When our souls, hearts, and minds are beautiful, that beauty will be expressed on the exterior where others can sense it. Authentic beauty, then, is our inner radiance shining outward. And when we have inner beauty, it opens our hearts to see more clearly, allowing us to observe the beauty all around us. Beauty is everywhere—in people and nature, in art, architecture, music, food, ideas, and in the world in general. You are beautiful.

What is your passion, and how can you access it? Your passion is unique to you. Andrea Smith and Diya Hituvalli host a program focused on finding our passion and storytelling. They launch the show with a reading of the Gift of Passion from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. They then interview Business Growth Strategist, Parul Agrawal, who discusses her teen years growing up in India, her arranged marriage, and how she found her passion to help people tell their stories by writing and publishing their books. Her Ted X talk, How to Engineer Your Passion, explains her journey and her process. Diya wraps up the broadcast with a reading of reading The Lion and the Mouse from Aesop’s Fables and a discussion about the power of storytelling. Don’t apologize for your God-given gifts. You are one of a kind, and your skills must be shared. Use your gifts in a life of passion.

Crystals harness the energy of the Sun, the Moon, and the Oceans. Humans connect to this energy. As long as we have existed as a species, we have had an affinity with stones and crystals. The use of talismans and amulets date back to the beginnings of humankind, although we have no way of knowing how the earliest of these objects were viewed or used. Host Andrea Smith interviews Hollywood producer, director, and author of Crystal Power, 12 Essential Crystals for Health and Healing, Kac Young, who presents numerous ways that crystals can improve every aspect of wellness. Kac explores the power of integrating crystals with archetypes to heal emotional wounds, explains how to clean crystals, and provides the many benefits of integrating with crystals. In Silver Lining, Diya Hitalli, provides her personal experience in using crystals and talks about how to use the powerful vibrations to manifest the energy you desire. She shares the history and how to shop for your special crystal. In the final segment, Andrea reads segments from Kac’s book, Crystal Power, to provide increased information about the amazing elements and powers of crystals.

Have you ever been so stressed that you have difficulty focusing on one task, and your heart and mind races? Have you caught yourself pacing back and forth? With school being virtual for many, unemployment being high, and our plans being altered monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily, anxiety and stress are affecting many people all over the world. It is at this time we look within ourselves and all around us and find our “calm place” or our “happy place”, somewhere that we can either physically go to or a place we can take our mind and thoughts too. Arjin Claire, Nihal Gill, and Diya Hituvalli provide the history and benefits of meditation. Arjin reads the two chapters, the Gift of Asking and the Gift of Surrender from Cynthia Brian’s award-winning book, Be the Star You Are! 99 gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. Set aside 10 to 20 minutes per day to calm your mind through meditation. Before embarking on important undertakings, sit quietly.

Today’s topic is perhaps one of the most important topics and often the least talked about. Mental health plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Host Maggie Campione converses with reporters Nihal Gill and Arjin Claire about their research with mental health. Spark the Interest reporter, Nihal, shares the statistic that one out six adolescents are affected by mental health conditions. If you have anxiety, depression, or phobias, although you may feel alone, you are not. The most important thing to do is speak up, talk to somebody, and get help. Arjin explores the role of artificial intelligence in his segment Innovation Nation. He talks about how in our modern, technology filled world, telehealth has become even easier and is popular with the younger population. In American Connection, Maggie declares that she is fascinated by the workings of the brain and the study of psychology. She shares her personal experience in going to therapy for anxiety issues. Get help if you struggle

Express Yourself!™ and host Andrea Smith welcome a new reporter, Diya Hituvalli with her segment, Silver Lining. Diya shares fun historical and trivia facts about Valentine’s Day, a celebration that began with the Romans who, on February 14th, executed clergyman Valentine who was performing banned marriages for soldiers. Diya offers facts and fiction with humor and wit. Both teens offer tips about how to celebrate during the pandemic, whether with a partner, friend, or family. “Galantine” gatherings are a favorite for girls. Try baking, giving (and eating) chocolate, hanging out, painting, listening to music, or watching a movie or the sunset. Andrea encourages self-care on Valentine’s by indulging in a face mask or bath bomb. Valentine’s is also a terrific time to improve your relationship with family and friends during this time of quarantine. Cook your Mom and Dad dinner, go on a family hike, create a bonding day. Whatever you do on Valentine’s Day, celebrate the love.

In this hour, teen host Andrea Smith brings to light a positive outlook on everything that is going on around COVID-19. Starting off with an update about COVID-19 and vaccines, Andrea explains what is important to know about the situation at hand right now. She then follows with a segment on mindfulness and self-love, two things that we all need right now. Finally, she wraps up the show with some of her favorites including ways to hang out safely with friends right now including social distanced picnics, parking lot get-togethers, and kayaking. She lets us in on the shows she loves to binge watch tonight, great books to read during this winter season, and so much more! If you’ve been sheltering-at-home, doing on-line school, and missing getting together with friends and family, Andrea spotlights how you make this time a very happy and exciting memory.

Do you know how to identify a life-threatening allergy to food or other substances? Hosts Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith take a deep dive into the real dangers of allergies. Arjin has had extreme food allergies to tree nuts, dairy, eggs, and peanuts since he was a child. He recalls an almost fatal encounter with a KIND bar as a teen and offers tips on how to recognize and avoid accidents that could be fatal by being honest and diligent. The duo take a break by offering a selection of Covid humor before Andrea discusses sinus allergies and what to do about them. An allergic reaction can happen at any time. It’s best to be informed and know when to head to the emergency room. A very informative program that could save your life.

“Alone we can do so little, together, we can do so much” • Helen Keller Host Maggie Campione talks about diplomacy and believes that there has never been a better, or worse, time to love politics. In the midst of political divide in our country, a global pandemic, a new administration, and the capitol riots that happened two short weeks ago, there are so many problems in our country that tensions are high and people are equipped with sources to have debates with family, friends, or acquaintances alike. She and co-host Andrea Smith interview former senior attorney adviser with the Justice Department, Katharine Manning discussing diplomacy and empathy in the workplace. Her book, The Empathetic Workplace teaches readers the five steps to respond to trauma at work. Andrea rounds out the hour with her insight on peace, sovereignty, justice, and international affairs. This is a fascinating hour of critical importance offering truth and information in today’s political climate.

At the beginning of each new year, many people make a commitment to health and wellness. Siri Phaneendra offers her personal tips to optimum health, including meditation. She interviews relational aggression expert, Cheryl Dellasega, author of Toxic Nursing, who has written many books about the issues facing women. Cheryl describes bullying behaviors, offers tools to diffuse conflict, and advises on how to make the workplace more tolerant, positive, and compliant. Toxic Nursing is a must-read for nurse managers, nurse preceptors, and new nurses. Cheryl also talks about Club and Camp Opheli where she works with girls to confront and overcome relational aggression. In the final segment, Siri reads a chapter from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers on the Gift of Health by Cynthia Brian. Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and happy 2021 from the STAR team at Express Yourself!

Bye, bye 2020 and thank you for being part of our Express Yourself! galaxy. Host Siri Phaneendra celebrates the beginning of 2021with reporter Nihal Gill who talks about his goals for 2021 plus an energetic and fun interview with pop star, dancer, and actress, Shevyn Roberts who presents a positive performance package. You’ll hear her remix, Runnin Outta Time and be awed by her energy, exuberance, and experiences. Shevyn offers advice on getting into the entertainment industry and the challenges encountered. Her message for 2021 is not to rely on other people for your happiness. Find your happy place, be positive, and stay upbeat. She says, “Relax your mind, you’ll be just fine!” Siri wraps up the hour by discussing the life lessons of 2020 and the transformations that transpired. Now is the time to follow your heart. Breathe in the positivity and exhale the negativity. Happy New Year! Celebrate 2021! Let’s make it a wonderful year!

It’s a wonderful time of the year! Despite the challenges of 2020, we have so much to be grateful for. Hosts Andrea Smith and Arjin Claire talk with reporter, Nihal Gill as he shares how, after their beloved dog was killed, they adopted a rescue puppy which brought them great joy. Dog trainer and author of 101 Rescue Puppies-One Family’s Story of Fostering Dogs, Love, and Trust, Kathy Callahan, describes the sheer bliss of being a foster family for dogs and puppies. Kathy offers great advice on how to help pandemic puppies get used to being alone sometimes. Because of stay-at-home mandates, dogs are accustomed to having their human packs with then 24/7. This energetic dog-lover guides us through the delicious family puppy connection. The hosts wrap up this entertaining episode with Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Giving from the book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference, which chronicles her family’s Christmas rescue pups.

Express Yourself!® teen radio host, Andrea Smith relives happy memories of Christmas’s past with traditions from her Argentinian and Scottish families. Christmas is her favorite time of the year and she shares her excitement with the world. The Gift of Magic from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! 999 Gifts of Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference, is read bringing the wonder and awe of this blessed season to life. Andrea is joined by reporter Jonathan Jackson in a lively conversation about the holiday, food, songs, family, customs, and gifts. As BTSYA’s kindness coordinator, Karen Kitchel says, “The gifts we tend to remember are those which are wrapped with love.” Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy, and memorable Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Giving you the gift of love! Wishing you a very Merry and Healthy Christmas from our Star Team.

Self-acceptance is recognizing who we are. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra talk with reporter Jack Pawlakos about refocusing thoughts and energy on our uniqueness, special skills, talents, and abilities to develop personal self-acceptance. The hosts interview publicist and author, Laura Segal Stegman with her middle grade debut novel, Summer of L.U.C.K. about three kids finding their way to self-acceptance with the help of a ghost who haunts a magical carnival. Laura shares the perseverance it took to bring this novel to publication during 18 years of creation. She was inspired by a few of her favorite books from middle school. The novel helps young people find their voices. A final discussion about self-esteem and the role of social media ensues. Be who you are. There is only one you. Be the Star you were born to be! “We accept the love we think we deserve.” Stephen Chbosky

Writing and journaling increases motivation and reduces stress. Host Andrea Smith and reporter Jack Pawlakos discuss the benefits of getting thoughts on the page. Andrea then interviews brother/sister founders of Humanities+, Ryan and Sidney Suh who have created an online journal that releases seasonal issues on a quarterly basis. The + symbol represents the foundational goal, which is to foster constructive discussions that transcend the traditional divides between the Humanities and STEM fields. Humanities+ serves as a destination for readers seeking integrity, quality, and global perspectives. The chapter, The Gift of Writing penned by author by Daniel M. Wong from Cynthia’ Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World ignites the reasoning that writing is an escape that heals the spirit and provides solace in the most unexpected ways.

If you enjoy fashion, modeling, acting, and comedy, this is the episode you won’t want to miss. Maggie Campione provides historical info on how fashion started as protection and can inspire systemic change and connection. Hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith discuss what fashion means to them and they interview Russian-American supermodel, actress, and comedian, Eugenia Kuzmina about her exciting life and career. Eugenia is energetic and engaging as she reminisces about world modeling tours, Paris Fashion Week, acting jobs, and her newest endeavor, stand-up comedy. Taking care of oneself, exercising, and eating correctly are critical elements to a life on the fast track. Eugenia offers career advice encouraging listeners to not listen to the naysayers and to express your inner dreams with authenticity and passion. To be successful, be grateful and be yourself. Wise words!

Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra offer an informative episode about education and careers. In Trends without Ends, reporter Jack Pawlakos provides essential tips for students who are doing online-learning. For remote learning, make sure to take control of what you are able. Be patient with teachers. The hosts interview Mark A. Herschberg, author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. Networking, negotiating, communicating, leading, career planning—all skills critical to your career success. But did anyone ever teach them to you? The Career Toolkit will help you master these skills and yield outsized returns for your career and your income. He also talks about why online voting will never be safe plus a discussion on streaming. Reporter Jay Jackson of Jays Sports World talks basketball and informs us how education leads to growth, knowledge, skill, perseverance, and success in all realms of life. Education teaches patience, wisdom, and intelligence.

“Be yourself, your only self, your greatest self! You already are a star!” Cynthia Brian Research shows that people do not become high performers by imitating others but by being themselves. Host Andrea Smith interviews author Fred Misurella for his fourth book, A Pontiac in the Woods, about a teen girl who lives alone and discovers her plans for her future. In Trends without Ends, Jack Pawlakos focuses on individuality and what trends are in relationship to expressing who we are individuals and how digitization has changed the world. The Gift of Individuality from the book, Be the Star You Are! for Teens by Cynthia Brian is read by Andrea. High performance occurs when a person goes beyond their own expectations in ways that are unique to them, consistently and repeatedly. In other words, state your plan, then exceed it in every way. Proclaim your vision and your mission. You don’t have to live in the woods to express your individuality, but you do need to claim your unique talent.

Halloween is going to be very different during Covid-19. Host Arjin Claire talks with teen reporters Maggie Campione and Nihal Gill to find out what plans they have to celebrate in a safe, yet fun environment. They discuss costumes, candy, alternative ways to trick or treat, and offer historical background to the Halloween holidays. Author of Tituba, The Intentional Witch of Salem, Dave Tamanini, provides the backstory of the tragic 1692 Salem Witch Trials while adding a bit of magic and intrigue to his historical fantasy novel. Tituba, winner of the 2020 Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society Fiction book award is about power, race, and morality. The villagers see witches and demons everywhere. Their ministers say the Devil has sent them to steal souls. With Dave’s guidance, we revisit Salem’s witch hunts in a provocative new retelling, just in time for a devilish, scary Halloween.

Halloween is going to be very different during Covid-19. Host Arjin Claire talks with teen reporters Maggie Campione and Nihal Gill to find out what plans they have to celebrate in a safe, yet fun environment. They discuss costumes, candy, alternative ways to trick or treat, and offer historical background to the Halloween holidays. Author of Tituba, The Intentional Witch of Salem, Dave Tamanini, provides the backstory of the tragic 1692 Salem Witch Trials while adding a bit of magic and intrigue to his historical fantasy novel. Tituba, winner of the 2020 Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society Fiction book award is about power, race, and morality. The villagers see witches and demons everywhere. Their ministers say the Devil has sent them to steal souls. With Dave’s guidance, we revisit Salem’s witch hunts in a provocative new retelling, just in time for a devilish, scary Halloween.

Perseverance is tenacity, persistence, better-than-average drive, holding firmly to beliefs, and never giving up. Host Andrea Smith reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Perseverance from her book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. Newest reporter Nihal Gill, encourages teens to turn off the screen, get up, and get moving. Even though it may be tempting to be a couch potato, it is very important to set up some sort of exercise regimen and always persevere and push yourself to feel great and healthy. Andrea interviews Judith Peck, an accomplished artist, sculptor, professor, and author of several books. They discuss two of her books, Sculpture as Experience, an excellent guide to creating sculpture and her new novel, Naked Under the Lights: A fascinating look at the world as artists perceive it—including the painful self-doubt and driving need to express the inexpressible. The takeaway.: Persistence prevails!

The political atmosphere couldn’t be more polarized or polluted. The first Presidential debate was painful to watch. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra delve into the world of public speaking as they interview author of Mastering the Art of Public Speaking, Michael J. Gelb. Mastering the Art of Public Speaking is a simple, powerful, practical approach to improving one’s public speaking in sales, leadership, and life. Michael said that the principles that help people be influenced by your words can be used for evil or good. There is a saying in Hollywood and Washington, D.C.: “Sincerity is the key to success. And once you can fake that you have it made.” The candidates could use Michael’s help in clarifying and shaping a positive message that citizens want to hear. Jack Pawlakos discusses the trends Generation Z is experiencing in the political world of 2020. As a generation, Gen Z are the most digitally connected, with about 60% getting their news through social media.

Who doesn’t LOVE theatre? Hosts Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith dive into the world of theatre, webseries, and multimedia with an energetic interview with Terrence Patterson who has created an entertaining web series, Half Past Jump Time. Recounting the real Roaring 20’s, Harlem Renaissance—Terrence recalls vivid memories of stories that painted an unforgettable picture by his beloved grandmother. He shares details of behind-the-scenes workings of producing and pitching with passion. Maggie Campione, theatre actor and our newest reporter, does a brilliant job of sharing the importance for society that theatre provides as people work with others from different perspectives for a common goal in her segment, The American Connection. Finally, Arjin Claire takes us back to the 5th century to highlight what has changed and what has stayed the same in live productions. Storytelling has evolved with modern innovations—internet, TV, and screens allowing us to experience the same theater anew.

Everyone loves to eat and how fun is it to have a show with a chef to the stars! Andrea Smith hosts and kicks off the program interviewing Trends without Ends reporter, Jack Pawlakos, about the food trends and influences for the year. Expect to devour crickets and also no waste wrappers. New Orleans celebrity chef Ryan Rondeno cooks up a feast of flavors while sharing his journey from culinary school to becoming a private chef for the rich and famous. His spices and menus are available for home delivery. Producer, Cynthia Brian, joins Andrea in the last segment to share the secret sugo from her family’s heirloom spaghetti. Cynthia encourages everyone to grow their own herbs and vegetables for the freshest, most delicious dishes. Are you hungry yet?

If you’ve been feeling down and out, this episode of Express Yourself! will get you up and going! What is resilience? Teen hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith interview Jack Pawlakos, Dr. Cecilia Aragon, and Henna Hundal to discover how we can face our fears, accept change, and fly free. In Trends without Ends, Jack talks about psychological resilience and how resilient people strive to find an opportunity to be positive, be connected, and concerned about others with a level of selflessness. The daughter of a Chilean father and a Filipina mother, Dr. Cecilia Rodriguez Aragon brings to life her exhilarating and inspiring journey from shy, fearful daughter of immigrants to champion pilot for the US Aerobatic Team in her memoir, Flying Free. Henna Hundal went into action to promote collaborative research between the leaders of various countries to evaluate their responses, successes, and failures by co-founding the Bridging Borders Project.Communicate, Collaborate, Innovate. Resilient!

Hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith welcome Trends without Ends reporter Jack Pawlakos with his riveting report on the healing trends for year, especially during Covid-19 including music therapy and timing of light and biology of the human body. In the face of spiraling rates of burnout amongst physicians and other health care professionals, Dr. Greg Hammer created GAIN, a four-step, proven path to personal resilience and happiness. He describes the GAIN method (an acronym for Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgment) and offers remedial therapies for burnout in his new book, GAIN without Pain: The Happiness Handbook for Health Care Professionals. Dr. Hammer emphasizes the importance of choosing optimism and positivity during these challenging days. The newest reporter to join the Express Yourself! team is Jay Jackson, a thirteen-year old athlete with his segment titled Jay’s Sports World. He discusses how professional basketball has returned in a bubble. Wear your masks!

Teen hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra are joined by ebullient and talented cast members from the new Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer) directed film, Mighty Oak: Tommy Ragen (his music inspired the screenplay), Gianna Harris, Rodney Hicks, and Ben Milliken. Mighty Oak is the story of a band manager who struggles after losing her brother/lead singer in a fatal car accident while traveling to a gig. A decade later, she meets a 10-year-old music prodigy named Oak, played by Tommy. The cast talks about the deep chemistry between the actors that evolved during shooting that was transformative and magical. The discussion includes views on reincarnation, music, high school experiences, and the business of acting. It’s a hopeful, healing, and touching movie for the entire family to enjoy…especially enchanting during this time of sheltering-at-home. Enjoy Tommy’s songs on this episode.. Blue Crush www.mightyoakthemovie.com Official Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ba40pACGBZ0

Most decisions we make are in fact centered on our finances. Katelyn Darrow and Andrea Smith host a program focused on financial literacy. Katelkyn shares her experience with getting her first credit card and student loans. She advocates to talk to elders to learn more about financial resources. Whitman Ochiai is the producer of the Money Ed Podcast, a financial literacy podcast aimed at young people that strives to impart valuable financial management skills. Whitman explains to Andrea and Katelyn that strong financial literacy can drastically improve one’s success in life and it is important to gain these financial skills at a young age. As a teen, one’s financial priorities should be establishing a Roth IRA, getting a job, and saving as much money as possible so that they can best take advantage of the power of compounding interest. The hosts read the chapter, The Gift of Financial Literacy by Heather Brittany from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens by Cynthia Brian.

Katelyn Darrow and Andrea Smith address climate change, Coviid-19, and the ecology effects of what’s happening in our world. Katelyn shares that a positive result of Covid-19 has been that nature is beginning to heal itself. Firefighter, storyteller, and author Hersch Wilson talks about how to stay safe during these horrendous fires and other disasters in the USA. His book Firefighter Zen tackles the value of life. Life is short, grab it, and live for today. He advises rising above the calamities to find joy in daily living because everyone suffers. Learn to be brave, asking oneself “what is the bravest thing we can do?” Hersch encourages us to stop the negative self-talk about failing. His mantra is to help people through the confusion and suffering. It is in service to others that we find fulfillment and inner peace. Andrea, a competitive swimmer and water baby, talks about how climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts.

Survival can be highly dramatic, worthy of the front pages. It can also be ordinary, something we do daily almost without taking notice. Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Siri Phaneendra tackle the topic of survival and wilderness training. Katelyn shares her experiences as a solo female backpacker. She advocates the importance of preparedness whether hiking, camping, or backpacking to thrive survive in the wilderness. Siri and Katelyn interview author Carren Strock about her middle grade chapter book, Secret Survivors, a gripping story about children trapped and struggling to stay alive when a blizzard hits the mountains of Colorado. This powerful story, showcases kids using their ingenuity and working together to survive during a treacherous storm. Carren also discusses writing and explains how she developed her other fascinating books. The hosts read, The Gift of Survival, from Cynthia Brian’s awarding-winning book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts about surviving a deadly historical firestorm.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “rise” more than 20 different ways, both as a verb and a noun. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra interview 16-year-old singer-songwriter-musician, Isolde Fair with her poignant new song nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award, “Rise.” A collaboration between Isolde and her multi-talented parents: her mother, the esteemed pianist and composer Starr Parodi, who co-wrote “Rise” with Isolde; and Jeff Eden Fair, Isolde’s father, who co-produced it with Starr. Andrea and Siri read The Gift of Community from Cynthia Brian’s award winning book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. To be served, we must first serve others. To belong, we must first accept. In the segment, In the Spotlight, Andrea highlights the courage and activism of John Lewis rising to build community. Look at the communities of your life. Are you adding to the brotherhood and sisterhood of society? RISE!

The root of conflict and distress starts with failed leadership. Recent high school graduate and host Siri Phaneedra was awarded UC Berkeley’s Leadership Award and became an Alumni Scholar at the Cal Alumni Association. She talks about her leadership roles as a teen and then interviews Joan Ramirez, author of Let it Go, Let if Flow Leadership. Joan states that the most important virtue for a leader is humility. Learn from mistakes. Her book will give those in search of leadership positions an insight into people who’ve earned their stripes. It will also teach them the most important step in moving forward: Letting go of past mistakes–at any age. In the Spotlight reporter Andrea Smith offers an inspiring segment focused on our inner leadership powers to increase love and kindness in our world. The key to being an effective leader starts deep within yourself. There are no limits to being human when we express our best versions of ourselves. Be a transformational, fearless leader.

Express Yourself!® ventures to the music mecca of Liverpool, England as Siri Phaneendra interviews actor and rap artist, Royzy Rothschild. His two new singles, Falling featuring Ettie Jayne and House of Cards featuring Lotty are played during the broadcast and available on all the streaming platforms. Royzy writes inspirational lyrics that were born from personal life experiences. He believes in helping people and shares his insights on what it takes to be a successful musician in a very difficult. He watches a motivational video before beginning each which is a lesson in discipline, passion, and purpose. A favorite memory is playing a concert where he forgot his lyrics, yet the entire audience remembered and sang to him. Also on the program, Siri discusses the various Indian musical modalities and reads The Gift of Music by Jack Pawlakos from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Great music

The history of the world is a result of storytelling over the ages. Long before the written word, oral histories were passed down through the generations. His story. Her story. Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith host this episode as part of Super Smart Sundays. They interview poet/speaker Traci Neal who shares her journey from bullying at school to discovering her abilities to inspire and motivate youth through her poetry and speaking. They also read the chapter, The Gift of Storytelling by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. In her segment, In the Spotlight, Andrea focuses on the positive aspects of this pandemic in the creativity it has evoked with writing, musical endeavors, and art. Both she and Arjin are discovering the time to be artists and storytellers. Every day offers opportunities to discover a new story. We are all the writers, producers, directors, and stars of our own lives.

Andrea Smith takes the helm of hosting Express Yourself! Teen Radio and begins by reading the chapter about Time from the book Be the Star You Are! For Teens. She then interviews author Deborah Dolan Hunt as part of our Super Smart Sundays program to give authors an opportunity to discuss their books during Covid-19. Deborah’s book, The Visitor from 4-D by Deborah Dolan-Hunt is a light-hearted science fiction novel geared for middle-graders that is based on the time travel experiments some people believe occurred at the former Montauk Air Force Station. Deborah also discusses her work as a nurse, professor, and the writing life since she is the author of several different books. Andrea finishes the show with her segment of In the Spotlight focusing on climate change. She recently was on a boat in the Channel Islands where a pod of 1000 dolphins were playing. World biodiversity is declining.The future of our planet greatly depends on us. If destroy our planet, there is no going back.

As part of our Operation Disaster Relief Outreach Program, Express Yourself! continues to feature Super Smart Sundays. Tech industry jobs are growing fast, offering great pay, career growth, and learning opportunities. Women of color, sadly, have not been able to fully participate in this boom. Women of Color in Tech is an indispensable resource for building a rewarding future in tech. Host Siri Phaneendra interviews author Susanne Tedrick about her practical guide that will help women develop the blend of knowledge and skills needed for getting into tech--and staying there. Siri discusses her start-up, drawmylove.com, a company that allows people to create physical, short-form books, professionally printed. In segment three, a new reporter, Andrea Smith, joins the STAR Team with her segment, In the Spotlight. She discusses the role social media plays on teen’s mental health in modern times. She contends that even though we are technically more connected, we are far apart.

Have you thought about your future career? What line of work will be most fulfilling to you? And most importantly – how and what do you need to do to get there? The American public and the world has seen healthcare heroes in action, saving lives in the wake of COVID-19. There are many heroes amongst us, those who go above and beyond to make this world a better place for others. Besides expressing appreciation for the health heroes on the front lines, radio host Siri Phaneendra interviews pharmacists, authors, and educators Drs. Mary Choy and Michele Kaufman from New York City to discuss the power of reading, networking, and careers. Their love of teaching, writing, and helping others led them to publish their first book, a healthcare career guide for youth, aptly titled, “Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide.” The duo tells us what it’s like to work in the healthcare profession and offer insights for youth to set personal goals that will benefit them for their future.

When you are resilient, you’ll laugh more, play more, and enjoy a higher quality of significance. Host Siri Phaneendra brilliantly shares how she bounced backed from adversity to develop strength through love and support of family. She orchestrates a fascinating interview with author of Everything is Not Fine, Sarah Carlson who advises to give oneself time to grieve, space to mourn when times are shattering. A short preview of her novel: High school senior Rose is a pro at using art to ignore her mom’s heroin addiction . . . until Mom almost dies of an overdose, leaving her family in ruin. In the aftermath, Rose no longer has the strength to pick up a paintbrush. But then she discovers the power of admitting everything’s not fine. Siri believes that loving oneself and sharing your love with others helps build inner strength that cannot be disturbed by any external circumstances. To be resilient means to bounce back . It is not what happens to us that matters, it is how we respond.

Host Rachel Glass begins by reading the chapter, The Gift of Youth by Victoria Whitebread from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. She also reads the chapter she wrote, The Gift of Self-Love and provides an update on how she has grown and changed since writing the chapter. Her chapter’s purpose is a call to action for people to individually look inward and be thankful. People across the country are facing real issues like hunger, poverty, and racism, and it’s not as simple as just staying positive and being thankful. We must help and love others. Author of For Teenagers Living with a Parent Who Abuses Alcohol/Drugs, Edith Lynn Hornik-Beer, is interviewed. Edith was inspired to write her book after she was approached by teens after they read her newspaper column, The Young World. Edith wants everyone to remember: You are not alone. You are not a prisoner. Establish a healthy lifestyle. There is help.

What does adventure mean to you? Veteran radio host and BTSYA volunteer, Rachel Glass spearheads this exciting program about experiences and adventures. As part of our Super Smart Sundays, Rachel interviews author C.R. Kahme about her Libbie Lyndton series. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has always been a retreat from the modern-day world. For C.R.’s main character, Libbie Lyndton, the Grand Hotel is far more than that - it was both a paradise for a horse-loving girl and a mystery that begged to be solved. C.R. is a great storyteller and fills us in on the joys and beauty of Mackinac Island. They also discuss dyslexia and how anyone with any disability can still do what she/he loves. Rachel also reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, the Gift of Adventure from the book Be the Star You Are! 99 gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. (www.StarStyleStore.net) To expand who you are, look for the adventure in all things. Life is an involuntary bungee jump. LIVE!

The climate revolution is the global transition to a clean energy, low-carbon future, saying “yes” to life. What’s good for our planet is also good for human beings—especially the smallest and most vulnerable ones. Host Arjin Claire interviews author Mary DeMocker about climate change and discusses her book, The Parents Guide to Climate Revolution. Mary advocates for blocking a new fracking operation which helps the climate, and also protects our kids’ drinking water from hundreds of chemicals that fracking injects into groundwater. Cultivating awe in nature makes children more likely to protect it, but it also makes them happier people. Reducing materialism is good for the planet and family budgets and closet-space. Arjin reads the chapter, The Gift of Nature by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, which offers ways we can save our planet and our population. Listen to scientists.

“The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.” - Host Siri Phaneendra interviews Nadalie Bardowell, Founder of It's All You Boo, a personal development blog, that helps you plan your goals and become a more positive, productive person. The duo discusses how to create colorful, imaginative vision boards to help you manifest your destiny and how to visualize your reality. Productivity is doing something in a timely manner. Contrary to popular belief, humans were not meant to multi-task but single-task. During Covid-19, set personal goals that will benefit you in the future. Read a book, journal, paint, cook, garden, clean, learn a language. Do things that will help you feel empowered. Focus on what is going to create growth and gives you a positive thought for the future. Siri shares her thoughts about the future and reads, The Gift of the Present, by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers reminding us to plan for the future, LIVE TODAY.

From veteran journalist, Yasin Kakande, expelled from two Middle East countries because of his daunting investigative reporting, comes the real story of why Africans flee their beloved homelands for unfamiliar and uncertain surroundings with his book, Why We Are Coming. Host Siri Phaneendra talks with Yasin about his amazing journey to combat corporate greed, exploitation, political greed, and the plight of migrants worldwide. Economic, social, and political conditions in his own country of Uganda made living there impossible. Yasin provides glimpse of the migrant crisis and asks us to acknowledge that migrants need to be allowed to live and work legally in a country to be productive citizens. Siri also offers a method to meditation and shares her family’s exodus from India and their struggle to become US citizens. Why We Are Coming is a book that sheds a light on a vulnerable population. Immigrants add value to the economy and culture of a country. Immigrants built the USA.

Host Siri Phaneendra was born into a very strict vegetarian family. With that mindset instilled from a young age, she found solace in gardening and nature. She talks about the nutritional value of eating a rainbow of vegetables and fruits. She interviews Lucia Rivera, an intern with The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and veganism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. Lucia talks about being a vegetarian Latina, the challenges for teens, and instructs us on the differences between being vegan, pescatarian, and vegetarian. Many people choose to be vegetarian to protest the abuse of animals, others choose this lifestyle for health reasons, or because they can’t afford meat or fish. Reporter Katelyn Darrow wraps up the show by focusing on being a vegetarian to save the environment. She states that her food choices are mostly plant based and exclude meat.

The healthier we are the more we can enjoy our elder years and the more we can pass down the wisdom that each one of us has gained over our lifetimes. How can an integrative approach to medicine help us age gracefully? Hosts Siri Phaneendra and Brigitte Jia join Dr. Bonnie McLean O.M.D., A.P., M.A., B.S.N, an award winning Doctor of Oriental Medicine and author of Integrative Medicine: The Return of the Soul to Healthcare, to find out how we can stay healthy through this Covid-19 crisis and beyond. Brigitte is studying to be a physician and shares her thoughts on the medical field. Siri talks about how virtual reality is playing a growing role in the healthcare industry. Virtual reality is a technology that creates a stimulated, artificial environment as it helps to diagnose diseases and treat illnesses. A salute to all healthcare workers as heroes for their selflessness and dedication. Thank you. “Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” Hippocrate

Host Arjin Claire reads Karen Kitchel’s chapter on mentorship from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World which asks us what we can offer someone who needs guidance. Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 has invited Authors Guild members with new books to be interviewed on our programs with Arjin interviewing Angie Rooker for her novel, Enchanted Sacred Garden: Dragon, a powerful story about being true to ourselves, self-acceptance, and illustrating how the choices we make impact the magic we wield. Angie discusses the power of art and writing to mentor others and discourage bullying behaviors. Katelyn Darrow chronicles her personal experiences indicating that mentors are incredibly important as they can help set you down a life path. She relates how mentors have assisted her with every aspect of her life including her career in journalism. Katelyn is giving back by being a mentor.. Share your talents. Be a Mentor.

After watching a series of brain-related TED Talks for her neuroscience class, host Brigitte Jia extracted fascinating facts about the brain and this new, exciting field of study. She shares her own experiences with neuroscience research and discusses the surprising science of happiness. Dallas Woodburn guests with her debut novel, The Best Week That Never Happened, a love story set in Hawaii, with a dash of mystery and magic, about living each day to the fullest. Kirkus Reviews raved, … captivating and moving. A dazzling, emotional story of love, loss, and living in the moment.” Dallas talks about writing as a form of self-car, a way to connect with oneself in a nurturing way in our chaotic lives. For those who want to write, she encourages writing for 30 minutes every day. And during this covid-19 lock-down, her respite is to go in nature because even if you can’t be with humans, you will be with living entities. Siri Phaneendra finishes with the best herbs and spice for the brain.

Brigitte Jia hosts a meditative hour that includes research on the neuroscience behind staying connected during the lockdown of the corona virus. Forced isolation studies conducted on animal species that have definitive social orders have returned results that evidence a hugely negative impact on subjects’ brains, cognition and physiological conditions that is replicable in human cohorts. Brigitte discusses long distance planning using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc. If you’re looking for activities to engage in with long-distance friends and family during the quarantine period, you can try some of the following: • Watching movies together via Netflix Party • Hosting weekly remote “book clubs” • Holding weekly art sessions • Cooking or baking together in a video call • Group study sessions for high school and college students • “Ordering” dinner together • If you’re a musician, playing duets and ensemble pieces over video Excerpts from Richard Wagamese's Embers, is read. Calm.

o Times of chaos and uncertainty bring out the best and worst in people. We believe in effective altruism and our hosts, Joven Hundal and Siri Phaneendra explain how scattering kindness and being altruistic is bringing people together during this Covid-19 pandemic. To bring a bit of light-heartedness and fun to the show, they interview author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong about her newest book, Pop Star Goddesses, a compendium of 35 incredible female popstars, whose energies, virtues, and vices make them our role models, whether we’re getting ready to walk onstage or into a meeting. With her energetic flair, Jennifer highlights Beyonce, Pink, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and more and matches them to revered mythic goddesses. Pop Star Goddesses explores the significance of 35 of music’s biggest goddesses and examines what they have represented through their lives and careers, as well as what they have meant to critics and fans. The human spirit is resilient. Tune in!

How do you connect with your friends, family, and colleagues during this time when we are sheltering at home? Veteran reporter and host, Rachel Glass, shares tips on the importance of staying in touch through text, phone, chat, video, and writing letters with hosts Arjin Claire and Siri Phaneendra. Author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and branding expert, Priya Florence Shah, joins the conversation from India to discuss happiness, women’s empowerment, climate change, journalism, and careers. Priya addresses fear and how to overcome it while imparting wisdom that people of all ages can utilize today. Arjin wraps up the hour with an installment of Innovation Nation discussing the role of non-profits and charities providing services to any population or people that might not have access to those services otherwise…the ultimate outreach. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill

Siri and Kenneth lead an informative and lively episode focusing on being an entrepreneur, experimenting, and start-ups. Siri shares her start-up of a digital build-a-book platform where a person designs a personalized, customized book for a special someone for a special occasion, Draw My Love.www.DrawMyLove.com . The teens interview Trevor Blake about his newest book, Secrets to a Successful Startup: A Recession-Proof Guide to Starting, Surviving, and Thriving in Your Own Venture. Trevor Blake built five successful startups and sold them for more than $300 million. He’s written a complete instruction manual that covers everything the budding entrepreneur or existing business owner needs to know to build the career or business of their dreams. Start with a winning idea. Technology has changed so much in the last twenty years that it can be overwhelming to contemplate starting an adventure. Start with the WHY. There is no failure, only lessons to be learned. Keep on going.

“-No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt The mega best-selling author and role model to millions, Dr. Bernie Siegel joins radio hosts Katelyn Darrow and Siri Phaneendra to discuss feeling proud of accomplishments and being the best “you” possible. Katelyn shares her struggle with “imposter syndrome” despite numerous awards and accolades offering tips on how to re-wire our thinking. Siri encourages us to walk in the woods, exercise, journal, and meditate to overcome self-doubt and become more centered. Dr. Bernie Siegel offers stories from his years as a medical professional as well as personal tales of trials and tribulations. Two new books will be published soon, No Endings, No Beginnings about mystery of life and a novel, Three Men, Six Lives focusing on past lives. Tune in to see why you’ll want Bernie to be your CD: Chosen Dad. Be proud of yourself. You are enough. You are a STAR!

Siri and Kenneth lead an informative and lively episode focusing on being an entrepreneur, experimenting, and start-ups. Siri shares her start-up of a digital build-a-book platform where a person designs a personalized, customized book for a special someone for a special occasion, Draw My Love.www.DrawMyLove.com . The teens interview Trevor Blake about his newest book, Secrets to a Successful Startup: A Recession-Proof Guide to Starting, Surviving, and Thriving in Your Own Venture. Trevor Blake built five successful startups and sold them for more than $300 million. He’s written a complete instruction manual that covers everything the budding entrepreneur or existing business owner needs to know to build the career or business of their dreams. Start with a winning idea. Technology has changed so much in the last twenty years that it can be overwhelming to contemplate starting an adventure. Start with the WHY. There is no failure, only lessons to be learned. Keep on going.

The word science derives from the Latin word scientia, meaning knowledge”. Host Kenneth Jeon opens this installment about science with an article written by Be the Star You Are!® volunteer and radio personality, Brigitte Jia where she describes neuroscience with the joint roles of depth and breadth in understanding how the brain creates the individual. He then interviews former attorney and current author of Earth Speaks Up, Mary McNerney, about to earth’s vibrations and energies that enable us each to re-awaken our skill and ability to listen to Earth and work together with her in a fundamental new way. We learn how each one of us can engage with Earth and work collaboratively to benefit not only our planet but ourselves. During the segment of 20/20 Vision, Kenneth discusses his perspective on science with the changes in science fiction since the “Golden Age” of Sci-Fi of the 1950s and 60s.

“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings.” Hippocrates Brigitte Jia recounts her teenage angst with body image and eating as she found a way to be healthy. She interviews author of The Clutter Remedy, Marla Stone, and asks her about ways we can organize our life to be happier, healthier, and clutter-free. There are many valid approaches to getting rid of stuff and creating neat and tidy spaces. But like many diets, most of these approaches fail long-term. That’s because lots of us like our stuff. Marla makes it clear that we should always keep the items we use and love and not worry about becoming a minimalist. She advocates organizing and de-cluttering that reflects and suits the individual, and not some “expert’s” ideal. In Innovation Nation segment, Arjin Claire challenges us to think about how innovation relates to healthy eating and healthy living. It is not just the food that has changed, but the concepts behind the food. Health=wealth!

While some people think of angels as being sweet, loving, heavenly beings who sit around singing and playing the harp, author of The Angel Experiment, Corin Grillo (http://www.CorinGrillo.com) assures listeners that angels are powerful allies who are always available to help them manifest the health, wealth, and life of their dreams. Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Siri Phaneendra talk to Corin about how to communicate with angels, and how to have angels help with our everyday lives. Katelyn shares the chapter she wrote, The Gift of Kindness, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, (https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books) and provided insight into the charity she founded when she was just eleven, Angels Community Outreach (https://angelsoutreach.org/). Siri reported on archangels and guardian angels and told a true story of a human angel coming into her life. Invite angels into your life for healing & support.

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment. Host Katelyn Darrow shares how to get clarity and peace of mind to ride oneself of anxiety, stress, and to help with connecting with others. An in-depth interview with Tom Voss and his sister, Rebecca Nguyen, authors of the book, Where War Ends, provides insight into moral injury and how mindfulness and meditation can alleviate the pain. Tom served as an infantry scout in the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment’s scout-sniper platoon. While deployed in Mosul, Iraq, he participated in hundreds of combat and humanitarian missions. Through a newfound interest in meditation, he gained understanding that eases the pain of the past and offers real hope for healing in the present. Simple breathing exercises gave Tom what medication, therapy, alcohol, and drugs couldn’t: the chance to heal a soul he didn’t even think he had anymore. He pursued meditation training and discovered breathing techniques that he teaches to veterans.

Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Kenneth Jeon discuss productivity and hindsight and how to get a clear vision in 2020. Katelyn shares her top tips to increase productivity which include starting with the most challenging tasks firsts, making lists, unplug, and taking breaks. The hosts interview author of Letters to Freedom, Dr. Patti Ashley who ascertains the best way to know what we want is to use a little hindsight to determine what it is that we don’t want. Patti talks about her familial relationships, how journaling helped her to write her book through her sorrow, healing shame, expressing grief, authenticity architecture, and creating vision boards for the future. Kenneth’s Hindsight 2020 takes us to the movies with the newfound recognition and status of foreign films, including Korean film Parasite that is sweeping the awards seasons.

Overwhelm has become a word that is foremost in every teen’s vocabulary. Katelyn Darrow hosts a critical program that will help all listeners to overcome feelings of overwhelm. Reporter Brigitte Jia launches this episode with personal stories and common obstacles of daily life. Finding support is essential. Resilience doesn’t mean putting on a strong front. Depression and mental illness don’t discriminate. Even in the most picture-perfect life, confusion and turmoil are often lurking beneath the surface. For a teenager in a world where anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are commonplace, life can sometimes feel impossible. Katelyn interviews author of Beneath the Surface, Kristi Hugstad, who provides information, encouragement, and tactical guidance If someone you love is suffering from any of these issues, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs of mental illness and know where to turn for help. Katelyn closes the show with journaling as stress relief.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ? Winston S. Churchill Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia interview Olympic Bronze Medalist, Kim Vandenburg focusing on the theme of success. Kim says that one has to fail to succeed and explains what she learned from her failures. Having fun is critical to success and she makes sure the students she teaches are happy, enjoying the process, and empowered. Giving 100% effort and learning from mistakes is the meaning of success for Kim. With swimming, she has made life-long friends from around the world. A chapter is read from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens by Dr. Bernie Siegel where he encourages readers to do what will make you happy and success will follow. Arjin Claire offers a segment of Innovation Nation where he explains why wars have helped nations overcome obstacles to survive including the telegraph, the first ambulance, the Space Age, Velcro, and vaccines. Failure is the best teacher to success.

Affirmation is a fundamental need of all humans. Brigitte Jia launches 2020 with an episode centered on affirmation. Affirmation is a doorway to the heart and the soul. Brigitte reads the chapter, the Gift of Affirmation, from Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. (https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) She then talks about when to affirm and when to offer emotional support in another form to others and offers stories from her own life about her struggles with self-esteem and being kind to herself. It is especially important to affirm those you love with a voice of truth, including yourself. The secret is to notice what is positive about others and then tell them about it. Become a cheerleader and cheer them on. It’s important to let people know that you appreciate them and care about them. Cherish them and praise them often. And praise yourself…you are worth it! Be your authentic self, always.

Those who do not volunteer believe that those who do are driven by warm-hearted intentions and pure purposes. However, people volunteer for hundreds of different reasons. Host Brigitte Jia reads The Gift of Volunteering by Katie Choo from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World,and offers her insights on personal volunteering experiences. She then engages in a riveting conversation with journalist Christina Adams about her book, Camel Crazy, and the effects of camel’s milk on autism. Adam’s excellent book makes the case for camel milk’s medicinal value and for treating camels with the respect, compassion, and even reverence that they deserve from humans. In the final segment, Arjin Claire talks about how innovation and volunteering work well together. Social media can be used as an outlet for volunteering in so many different ways—to document the progress, before and after.

Being earnest and being playful are not antonyms. To be successful, we need both traits. Host Kenneth Jeon interviews a former Express Yourself! Reporter, Isaiah Rankin, who is now the hip-hop musician known as Zaya. Zaya blends new school modern rap with his own San Francisco Bay Area local taste, delivering a sound that aims to immerse the audience through his lyrics. Drawing comparisons to West coast artist Lil Mosey from his hyper upbeat melody, Zaya even some echoes of Juice Wrld. Zaya is dedicated to his craft and strives to make the best music possible. Although he is in the infancy of his career, he advises others to follow their passion, work hard, and be dedicated so that life can be a play day. Kenneth reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Play, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, then discusses the evolution of entertainment with livestreaming. Take a break. It's recess time!

• For most of us, the holidays are a time to eat, drink and be merry with good friends and family. Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., joins host Kenneth Jeon to offer pet lovers tips to refresh your pet IQ and offers some helpful hints so the Yuletide traditions are as merry for you as they are for your pets. Dr. Carol wrote the book, Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats. Dr. Carol has the information on everything from homemade treats to making sure your pet is comfortable in inclement weather. (Info visit http://ChagrinFallsPetClinic.com)Kenneth reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter on The Gift of Nature from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (Shop books at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Kenneth also discusses environmentalism in political landscape and his dog shares a bark to wish everyone a happy holiday.

Brigitte Jia brings an hour of music appreciation and learning to Express Yourself!™ From the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, Brigitte reads The Gift of Music by Jack Pawlakos followed by interviews with four guests. Kia Portekas is the music teacher who introduces her young students, Ethan Dohrmann, Easha Ashraf, and Helena Häber. Kia’s book, Making Music with Your Child is designed for music and elementary teachers, parents, and children, and highlights simple, effective activities to build musical skills and awareness, while providing ways to encourage freedom, self-expression, and individuality. The teaching method helps cultivate in the whole child, unique forms of expression and communication. promotes the processes of thinking, creating, and reinforces self-esteem and the joy of learning. Listen to the sounds if the teens. Music truly is a gift to be shared. A gift, that keeps on giving.

Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia welcome the ebullient Dr. Tom Worthen, editor of the empowering book. I Am Me: Teen Artists and Writers Speak Out on Being Yourself . Award winning art is paired with poem, both created by teens, to help shake off negative influences and realize it is okay to be themselves. Each piece of art is skillfully matched with writing to reflect the attitude of a generation of teens who want to fit in, yet, feel inadequate due to societal pressures. The book is an optimistic look at the struggles that youth face and a creative way to express what they are feeling. The Gift of Optimism by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed as Kenneth and Brigitte share their views on how being more optimistic has impacted their lives. You don’t have to achieve “perfection” tp be “perfect!”

Henna Hundal reads The Gift of Mentoring by BTSYA volunteer Karen Kitchel from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. De La Salle High School junior varsity water polo coach and Founder of Green Air, an energy solutions company, Nicholas Donzelli, converses with Henna about his philosophy about the importance of mentoring. Henna interviews her personal mentor, Founder of Be the Star You Are!® and producer of Express Yourself!®, Cynthia Brian, to find out why mentors are necessary to success and how to establish a beneficial mutual relationship. Cynthia finds out more about Henna’s radio show where Henna is currently interviewing 2020 Presidential candidates. (www.thehennahundalshow.com) Both guests agree that to achieve your dreams and goals, it is essential to have a mentor to guide and ground you, holding you accountable, focused, and on the right path. Mentorship empowers us to accept the struggles.

“Let not the seasons, nor the sun nor the stars nor the moon, or planets make a timetable for your life.” Frank A. Carlyle Life expectancy has changed dramatically since the time of the Roman Empire when the average lifespan was 22-25. In 1900, the world average was 30. Fast-forward a hundred years where the average man is expected to live to 75 and woman to 80. Siri reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Brigitte and Siri introduce author of Earth Frequency Melissa Alvarez who explores unique locations that are overflowing with the positivity of the planet's energy. In her book you will discover visualizations and exercises designed to increase intuition and the dynamic power of a place. The hosts end this episode with personal expectations for longevity. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Host Siri Phaneendra began the show by reading The Gift of Literacy by Kimberly Morgan from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World available at www.StarStyleStore.net. Studies show that children who are read to during the first few years of their life have a larger vocabulary, score high on standard tests and have advanced mathematical skills. We listen to alternative pop artist, Kyle C. A.’s single, “Save Yourself”, a soulful, choral, alternative feeling composition relating to the tragedy of 9/11, an event that happened before Kyle was born. History is made as Kyle is the first guest to come into our studio! Siri asks Kyle questions about his rise in the music world. In Innovation Nation, Arjin Claire sheds light on literacy while taking us back to 1440, the Dark Ages, when few people could read or write then catapults us into the techno age of today where global literacy hovers at 86% of the population.

Asya, Siri, and Brigitte co-host a somber show that provides preventive awareness and critical information about human trafficking and suicide. Asya provides listeners with an in depth look at the horrors of modern day slavery. Human trafficking is a global crime worth about $150 billion dollars per year that is happening in our own communities with severe physical, psychological and social impacts on the trafficked person. Brigitte and Siri interview LeAnn Hull discussing the journey to create Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation after the suicide of her son. Her goal is to spare others the pain and anguish.Her book is How to Live when You want to Die. She advocates active listening as individuals may be crying our for help. Impacting many children, teens and adults, the Foundation talks about coping skills, triggers, and tools to use during difficult times, all with a “You Matter” approach. This interview is an informative, heart-felt conversation that will save lives. Tune in.

Katelyn Darrow and Brigitte Jia discuss the topic of language with Katelyn’s experience living in Japan. She was able to learn the basic phrases while struggling with pronunciation, grammar, sentence structure, because Japanese is vastly different from English! Despite her lack of verbal and written communication, Katelyn was struck by the ability to communicate in other ways and the eagerness that Japanese people had when corresponding with her. Brigitte reads The Gift of Language by Vann Ackerman in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World whereby Vann attempts to learn Russian so she can read Tolstoy’s War and Peace in its original language! As a neuroscience major, Brigitte gives us a glimpse into our brains and language from a neuroscience point of view. Language is a higher order function that requires multiple associations across various neocortical regions. Speak up, speak out, express yourself!

With two of our former longtime hosts, Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow back on this program to discuss kindness with Kenneth Jeon, a fun family reunion atmosphere permeates. Henna has recently graduated from Harvard, Katelyn is beginning her senior year at UCLA, and Kenneth is in the process of writing college applications in his final high school year. Katelyn reads her very moving chapter, The Gift of Kindness from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and gives us a glimpse of her time empowering teen girls in Japan this past summer. Kenneth and Henna interview twenty-one year old poet, Katherine A. Martinez, who wants to awaken others to their own inner power to accomplish their dreams with her book of poetry, The Awakening of the Subtle Flower. Katherine reads one of her intimate poems from her book. Kindness is about the small moments of listening, stopping, caring, and being in the moment.

Are you joyful?It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. Kenneth interviews ebullient, world-renowned Vincent Genna, a triple powered psychic, medium, and spiritual teacher to learn how he guides people to recognize what is preventing them from healing or attaining their dreams. Vincent combines his background as a professional actor and singer, a Masters in Clinical Social Work and his Hospice experience with his uncanny skills as a metaphysician to enlighten and assist. Kenneth also reads the chapter, The Gift of Joyfulness, by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and shares his personal experiences. Arjin Claire joins the conversation with Innovation Nation focusing on video games. Who would have thought that video games are no longer a simple pastime played only by teenagers but rather one of the largest e-sports in the world with purses in the millions. Spread the joy!

Although first responders would never say they are heroes, for those of us who experience their bravery and selflessness, we know they are filled with integrity. It is little surprise that soldiers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, emergency room nurses, and other first responders suffer immeasurably as a result of what they see and experience. Our hosts Kenneth and Siri interview Captain Dan Willis with his book of BULLETPROOF SPIRIT, the first book to offer assistance and support from a nondenominational spiritual perspective to first responders and their family and friends with a chapter on PTSD. Jack Pawlakos talks about current trends affecting and influencing integrity. “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you do not have integrity, nothing else matters.” Kenneth and Siri read Cynthia Brians chapter, The Gift of Integrity, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Walk your talk and respect first responders. Your life depends on them.

It is not often that you meet a pop star potential who is genuine, authentic, and looks at life with a positive viewpoint. Enter Canadian musical artist, Valdii with his international radio debut of two new songs, Toxic and Comfortable. Host Kenneth Jeon finds out how Valdii got started and how his music has evolved. When he was asked about what he would have done differently in hindsight, Valdii responded, “Nothing. I have no regrets. Everyone has a destiny to live.” Kenneth reads Courtney Chengs chapter, The Gift of Hindsight, and also Brigitte Jias article about the 20th anniversary of Be the Star You Are!® happening on September 9th. Jack Pawlakos closes out the hour with “Trends without Ends” talking about music, now and in the future! Global music is more accessible than ever before, as well as the ability to connect with local artists. It is an exciting time to listen to music Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Be the Star You Are® Donate to help: www.BetheStarYouAre.org

It may be possible to be happy without robust health, but why not enrich your body, mind, and spirit? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra interview crystal junkie Jolie DeMarco about her book High Vibe Crystal Healing. Jolie shares 11 crystals that bring optimum wellness. She explains how to harmonize our energy fields for whatever we need on a particular day. Kenneths 20/20 segment highlights the effects that various TV shows and movies have on our well being. The hosts read The Gift of Health by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Watch your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink water, exercise regularly, sleep and rest, reduce stress, shun fast foods, wear sunscreen, laugh a lot, and love more. Buy a few special crystals to enhance your frequencies and project positive, loving energy. You will only have one body in this lifetime. No replacements, no refunds. Rock it!

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” Albert Camus In the former USSR, personal freedom was not evident. As Americans, we often take our numerous freedoms for granted. Host Brigitte Jia reads The Gift of Freedom by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. She expands on what freedom means to her as a college student. After reading Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking in college,guest, Dr. Dravon James became a lifelong student of the power we all have to create the life we want and author of the book, Freedom is Your Birthright. She talks about personal freedom and inner peace, as defined as: Wholeness. Completeness. Nothing missing. Nothing broken. Totality. In World Watch, Joven explores the role of parenting in allowing children the freedom to explore passions and experiences while being aware of the outcomes. Believe you are free, and your chains will be broken.

Hosts Siri and Kenneth read and discuss The Gift of Grace from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Interviewed author, Priest, and empath .Raven Digitalis enriches our understanding of empathy with his new captivating guide, The Everyday Empath. Raven talks about what it means to experience high levels of empathy in daily life. He shares stories from his teen years, travels to India as well as information about working with Tarot cards. He believes in using our healing gifts with friends and family and serving others while maintaining a strong personal balance. Arjin joins the conversation with an enlightening glimpse on how grace and empathy are utilized by big companies like Ford, Amazon, and Disney for innovation. Empathizing with the end-users allows a company to comprehend what people really want and need, instead of what they think consumers want or need.

Do you know what “Giver’s Glow” is? It is the feeling of happiness that you experience after performing an act of generosity. This program will give you that glow when you hear the discussion between Billboards’ top dance club artist Inaya Day and host Kenneth Jeon. Her song One World debuts and she even sings a few bars from various hits. As a musician, her instrument of choice is her vocal chords and she directs a choir in Brooklyn, too. Kenneth Jeon reads Kateyln Darrow’s touching chapter, The Gift of Giving, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World that focuses on a magical holiday. Start giving to allow your brain to release dopamine and endorphins providing a sense of euphoria, tranquility, serenity, and inner peace. Let others know you truly appreciate even the smallest things about them. Make a donation to Be the Star You Are!. https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504 . Feel the glow!

Are you hard yourself? Does that little voice inside your head scream at you? It’s time to take a breath and be gentle with yourself. Host Brigitte Jia reads the chapter, The Gift of Genetlenss by Dallas Woodburn from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World followed by an interview with the author, writing coach, and new mom herself, Dallas Woodburn. As a Book Doula and founder of the 90-Day Book Breakthrough Program, Dallas offers many concrete suggestions for young writers on how to put pen to paper while being kind to oneself, even when juggling many responsibilities. Brigitte shares personal tips and tricks on how to stay calm and collected while learning to be gentle. How do you define self-love and self-care? Are you being compassionate and gentle with yourself? Let go of self-deprecating behavior and treat yourself with acceptance and kindness.

Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo know first hand about animal shelters, wildlife rescue centers, medical labs, and veterinary clinics. Brigitte worked at animal shelters both in Berkeley,California and Nashville, Tennessee and is able to compare the differences in how animals are treated. She also works with mice in a hospital training laboratory where she has gained a deep respect for the value that lab animals provide for human health and medical breakthroughs. Katie is studying animal behavior, evolution, and science in Texas and is working in veterinary hospitals, a wildlife rescue center, as well as animal shelters. She explains the difference between the human interactions in each of the settings. Brigitte reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Farming, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, providing more insight into the world of farming and caring for all creatures great and small.

The ebullient The Windy City Nanny, Florence Ann Romano, joins host Siri Phaneendra in a lively discussion about caring for children, what it takes to be a nanny and the importance of family relationships. Florence is the author of Nanny and Me, a sweet, educational story that helps families introduce a new caregiver to their home. Siri reads The Gift of Family by Asya Gonzalez from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and shares personal stories about her supportive family. Brigitte Jia and Kenneth Jeon shine in the 3rd segment talking about family movies, otherwise known as four-quadrant movies. Four-quadrant movies are called four-quadrant movies because they appeal to all four general movie-going audiences: men, women, under-25-year-olds, and over-25-year-olds. The duo appreciates the universal appeal of these movies while sharing some of their favorites.

With a name like “ExXxoticc” one would expect an unpredictable interview. You are in for a marvelous surprise when Brigitte and Siri interview this young rising rapper who is down-to-earth, approachable, and authentic. The conversation flows about how she began her career, identified her stage name, and what “escape” means to her. Opening her latest single with a plea to God, ExXxoticc captures her struggles in sound with a dark and dirty banger that stands out as one of 2019’s heaviest releases. Built on a snarling trap beat and a menacing piano riff that backs up her potent lyricism, ‘Die’ is living proof that ExXxoticc smacks harder than anyone else in the rap game. The chapter on Escape from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed while Brigitte explains how she escaped anxiety with the pressures of the first year at university. This is an evocative, thrilling hour of young expression.

Do you celebrate diversity? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia sparked a lively conversation reading Maria Wong’s chapter on diversity from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World as Maria described growing up Chinese Mexican. Award-winning voice actor and radio/TV producer, Marc Cashman, spark excitement as he discusses the numerous roles and opportunities for voice talent. When a spot needs a Thai speaker, unlike 20 years ago when casting would have to find someone that could hopefully fit the part here in America, because of technology today, talent can be booked and work directly from Thailand. When asked what his favorite jobs are, Marc immediately retorted that the jobs he is passionate about are the ones where he makes no money and instead is voicing a public service announcement for a worthy cause. Kenneth and Brigitte remind us not to forget ecological diversity as species on our planet are disappearing.

“Any instance of inequality is worth writing about, sighing about, crying about, even laughing about.” So writes teen Zahra Hasanain in her chapter on equality in the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, which is read and discussed by hosts Brigitte and Siri. Singer/songwriter Dylan Lloyd joins the conversation to talk about the back story of his new single, “If I can’t have you”. Dylan is contemplative, caring, and passionate about his work with influences that range from Michael Jackson to Elton John to Sting and many others. He is making an album that will feature his work solely on the piano. Dylan is a musical artist you’ll want to follow and support. Kenneth rounds out the hour with his 20/20 Vision segment focused on equality in films with the hot-button issue of minority representation in the entertainment industry. This is an hour that you won’t want to miss.

How do we define community? Is it a group of people coming together? Is it a place? Host Kenneth Jeon reads Joven Hundal’s chapter from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World that illustrates the value of being part of a community where we can learn, socialize, and grow. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth dissects the Hulu comedic sitcom, Community, where community college students come from a variety of lifestyles and backgrounds, each with their own distinct personality and create characters with a strong sense of kinship. Producer Cynthia Brian joins the conversation focusing on artists around the country who have flourished by establishing independent art organizations in downtrodden areas. By bringing artistic talent and opportunities to a neighborhood, the locals thrive and the investment in the community becomes a social and economic asset.

Do you meditate? What about bringing meditation into the classroom? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra interview William P Meyer about his transformative book, Three Breaths and Begin. Get a deeper awareness and move through feelings with meditation. A teacher can use meditation daily in the classroom, on field trips, for sports assemblies, and more to help students connect with themselves and their world. A small circle that starts with 8 people can grow to include an entire student body when youth recognize their power, express curiosity, and reflect through meditation in nature, journaling, creative writing, art, and music. The hosts read chapters on courage from two books in the Be the Star You Are!® series and Siri shares her personal experiences with daily meditations, including the fact that meditating has helped her be more successful on exams. Be intentional when creating your meditation space and enjoy the results. Slow down, take three breaths, and begin.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge.” Martin Luther King Jr. Conveniences of the past are not the conveniences we rely on today. Joven Hundal hosts with readings from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World plus a riveting exploration of global conveniences in his segment of World Watch. Surprisingly one of his most prized conveniences is keeping a journal, either on paper or digitally. Joining Joven is his cousin, Arjin Claire, reporter for Innovation Nation, where he chronicles innovations such as roller suitcases, metal water bottles, dishwashers, appliances, mobile phones, the internet, and the focus of his segment…food packaging. A fascinating portrayal of how far we have come with comfort and convenience! “Each one writes history according to his convenience.” - Jose Rival

It’s no surprise that art created today revolves around exploring the intricacies of communication. What does the film The Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Toro have to do with communication? Host Kenneth Jeon brings us a 20/20 Vision discussion of societal exploration and relationship-building while host Katie Choo shares the different communication challenges that living in Texas for her first year of college brought versus the four years of high school. A humorous dorm event at Rice is called “Screw Your Roommate” whereby dates are set-up by roommates for one another and a positive experience depends on the level of roommate connectivity and communication.The Gift of Communication by Courtney Cheng from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed with the takeaway that communication favors openness and honesty. Perhaps it is time to put less weight on digital mediums. Savor face-face!

“The more of me I be, the clearer I can see.” - Rachel Andrews Young people are under pressure to choose their careers and determine what they want to do with their lives. Brigitte Jia and Kenneth Jeon tackle the subject of clarity with Brigitte expressing her struggles with her first year of college choices. Even if things seem clear, they aren’t always right. Don’t be afraid to change. Shawn Anderson, Author, Speaker, and founder of The Extra Mile encourages us to not accept mediocrity. How do you determine when you are going in the right direction? . Clarity comes in the moment when you are honest with yourself. Open your eyes, ears, and heart. Debuting is reporter Arjin Claire with his segment Innovation Nation. Innovation is something that surrounds us, yet most of the time, we don’t even notice it unless it’s changing our experience. Innovation is an essential part of our lives - from the simple toothpick to the technically amazing computer. Be clear and innovate!

Rachel Glass hosst this inspirational and intuitive hour focusing on awareness. She interviews literary agents, publishers, producers, and authors Bill and Gayle Gladstone discussing how books lead to increased awareness. A critical take-away from the conversation is the importance of following one’s calling.Helping others and making a positive difference in the world is the priority. Making money is secondary. Rachel reads the chapter penned by Tristan Boardway titled The Gift of Awareness from the book published by Waterside and authored by Cynthia Brian with young contributors, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. When we are present, being in the moment, we will begin to be more consciously and instinctively aware. Awareness is trusting ourselves with our innate intuition. She also reads the insightful chapter she wrote on Self-Love. Accept and love yourself and you’ll have enough to share with others.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas Brigitte is Back! Resident BTSYA artist, Brigitte Jia co-hosts with Kenneth Jeon with lively discussions and in depth analysis on the meaning of art. Brigitte wrote the chapter, The Gift of Art in the new book by Cynthia Brian, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World which both hosts read aloud. Kenneth offers his 20/20 Vision segment relating his favorite films on how to see art as a way of tapping into the core of human existence. The hosts believe that art is a way to examine human emotions and thoughts without being bound by physical or even conceptual restrictions. Brigitte shares the inside scoop of her first year of college living in “the Art Dorm”. Both Brigitte and Kenneth are also musicians lending another nod to artistic endeavors and the value to individual joy. Brigitte and Kenneth are a dynamic duo of creative prowess! Live art!

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.” Mother Teresa The more we appreciate the little things in life, the more big things will appear that enhance and empower us. All three books in the Be the Star You Are! series boast a chapter on Appreciation. Kenneth Jeon kicks off this episode by reading Joven Hundal’s chapter on Appreciation from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World about his grandparents sacrifices, Kenneth then reads from the first book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts and interviews author and producer, Cynthia Brian who reads a heartwarming appreciation chapter from book 2, Be the Star You Are! for Teens. The take-away from this uplifting show is how powerful gratitude and appreciation are. Try it out. Give a compliment, smile more, write a letter, show your appreciation. Buy the trilogy of books with autographs at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store.

Dogs. Companion dogs. The best non judgmental, good listeners after a tough day at the office, great motivators to humans to get up off the couch and go to the park! Kenneth Jeon interviews Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce about their newest collaborative book, Unleashing your Dog. Unleashing Your Dog builds on the latest research in canine science and provides many practical ways that allow dogs to exercise their senses, in addition to exercising their brains and their muscles.They bust the myths, provide the science, and most of all share the happiness and joy that a dog brings. Kenneth reads the chapter, The Gift of Animals by Heather Brittany from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World to bring awareness about the importance of including animals in our lives. If you are an animal lover, you will love this broadcast! Tune in to walk your paws!

“You can't always measure the effects of activist work; you just have to wish and pray that the message gets through.” - Yoko Ono Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon spearhead an episode of Express Yourself! dedicated to activism. Besides discussing personal experiences, they read Brigitte Jia’s chapter from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, then introduce Pris-K, the French R & B singer songwriter with the release of her single, Know My Name. This song is inspired by female empowerment, and Pris-K’s observations on being a woman in today’s modern society. While she wants men to have agency, Know My Name explores, in Pris-K’s words,“how easily women can be judged or put in categories, because of the way they look.” The powerful anthem explores what it means to be beautiful and sends out a call to women everywhere to stand up and believe in themselves no matter what they’re up against!

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John Crosby Youth and mentoring…the two go together like bread and butter. Kenneth Jeon showcases these two chapters from the new anthology, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, before interviewing the internationally renowned electric dance music writer, producer, and artist SZABO. You’ll hear the new single he wrote and produced for the Russian singer Dila “Go Do You”, about a woman rising through adversity and doing what she wants and needs to do - while at the same time telling everyone else to quit judging her and to go and take care of themselves. So go do you.. I'll do me too. Szabo bridges the gap between dynamic club-ready sounds and chart-topping musicality. He has valuable advice for young people just starting out and is a mentor to artists. Check out his tracks and start dancing!

Have you always dreamed about writing a book? Meet a teen, Cassandra Sage Briskman who was published at age 16 and won numerous awards for her first book, “If you Wish”. Hosts Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon read the chapter on writing by author of Swearing off Stars, Dani Wong from the anthology, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, and interview Cassandra about her journey. Her main character, Ella is an ordinary teenage girl whose father just happens to be a rich and famous film director. Ella is miserable and life sucks. There are struggles and challenges along the way combined with surprises, rewards, and self-awareness. If You Wish confronts bullying, drug abuse, and LGBTG rights in a story that is anything but a fairy tale. Kenneth winds up this episode with a segment about screenwriting. Joven is also published and Kenneth is investigating the movie industry. These teens have bright futures! Write on!

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” - Muhammad Ali Are you looking to spread your wings and fly? Joven Hundal hosts an inspirational hour interviewing “WOW Mom” Ellen Mongan, contributor to the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. After reading her chapter, The Gift of Wings from the anthology, they discuss the power of faith, parenting, advice for teens, lessons learned, patience, and living in this fast paced modern world. Ellen is an authentic woman who cares about people, especially youth. In the last segment, Joven reads the Gift of Self Love by Rachel Glass. In order to fly, we have to love ourselves first. Make sure to pick up a copy of Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store with all proceeds benefitting Be the Star You Are!® charity. Get inspired with words of wisdom.

Volunteering and community service is often associated with directly helping others in dire need. Kenneth Jeon hosts and interviews Becca Tankersley and Dominic Maciel from LionsHeart, a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring teens to volunteer in their community, creating a new generation of leaders that are dedicated to positive social impact and providing needed resources for causes that ignite their passions. Katie Choo, author of the chapter on Volunteering in the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, joins Kenneth to discuss the importance of volunteer work. The importance of helping others without expecting anything in return can’t be stressed enough, however regardless of the reason why one volunteers is important to help others. Be the Star You Are! offers numerous volunteer opportunities, virtual and in person. Email info@bethestaryouare.org for more information.

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding” - Leonardo da Vinci “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment” – Buddha Kenneth Jeon and Joven Hundal tackle two big issues of today’s hectic lifestyle; being understanding and living in the present. They read two chapters on those topics from the anthology Be the Star You Are Millennials to Boomers, Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World followed by a lively discussion. In World Watch,J oven states that although our world is thriving, we have to address the challenges of demoralizing injustice across the globe, institutional racism, sexism, income inequality, and poverty if we want future generations to thrive. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth dives into the Audrey Hepburn 1961 Hollywood classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a film that envelopes the themes of the present and understanding.

Siri and Joven host this episode of Express Yourself! with a theme of Truth. They interview Marc Lesser, who blended his leadership experience running a Zen monastery kitchen, leading mindfulness trainings for Google engineers, and starting and running the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute to write the new book, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader, Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen. Marc shares experiences from his life while listening to what the teens have to say about theirs. The Gift of Truth by Henry Ammar from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read by the hosts and in the final segment, they share their definition of truth. An exhilarating hour of sharing and mindful training with an insightful, humble human.

Traveling is one of the most educational, informational, and entertaining methods to understand the cultures of the world. Kenneth Jeon interviews the effervescent Spanish musician, KUBO, who introduces her newest single ‘Tapitipita’. Kubo has lived in many countries, speaks many languages, and her interview showcases her vivacious personality and love of music. Speaking about her latest single, KUBO says “The ‘tapitipita’ effect is an indescribable feeling you get in moments when you feel love, excitement, desire, and happiness all at once…” Katie Choo offers an Aim to Shoot with careers that provide travel opportunities including teaching, photography, sports, writing, designing, bartending, airlines, and tour guiding. Finally, Kenneth reads the chapter The Gift of Travel by Elizabeth Aguilar from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Listen to Kubo’s music, watch her video, and start traveling!

Would you love your family to feel more relaxed, centered, and grateful? Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos interview Deborah Myers, an energetic Acupressurist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner who has taught thousands of adults and kids self-help acupressure. The Daily Clean Your House Flow is an easy to use flow that is effective for reducing stress, providing pain relief and strengthening the immune system. Deborah created an animated video of the Daily Flow to address a need for youth of all ages to enjoy more stress-free lives. www.deborahmyerswellness.com The Gift of Gratitude from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is read and discussed. Kenneth Jeon brings another installment of a film that exemplifies thankfulness.

“There’s only one story in the world and it’s your story.” Ray Bradbury Former teen host, Asya Gonzalez returns to Express Yourself! to co-host this fun program revolving around storytelling with producer, Cynthia Brian. We find out Asya’s “+ 21 story” since she’s been busy with college. Turns out besides studying communications, she has been focusing on painting cars. Check out instagram for her car story or to commission your own car creation at cakefaceandcars. The ladies read the chapters, The Gift of Storytelling by Cynthia and The Gift of Family by Asya, from their newly published anthology, Be The Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers: Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in A Changing Digital World, which is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store . Asya presents a segment centering on the principles of communication.Telling a story is an effective strategy in communication. Family is not an important thing, it is everything.” Michael J. Fox What’s your story?

Hosts Katie Choo and Kenneth Jeon investigate the arena of sports. Katie adds her own twist on the theme of Sports with an installation of her segment Aim to Shoot,” which will explore the various career options for sports-lovers, ranging from sports agents, to analysts, to many other professions. Kenneth looks at sports photography and the images conveyed in his segment “20/20 Vision.” They read and discuss the sports from a millennial viewpoint water polo player, Katie Lyons chapter, the Gift of Sports, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Play on!

“I’ve realized that most of my best ideas have followed a good night's sleep.” Thomas Edison Sleep is one of the most important things of which we have control that can enhance our mood, health, productivity, happiness, libido, and keep our weight in check. Lack of sleep can produce heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and heart attack. Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra host a program about the importance of sleep. David Lynch films with their dream sequences is the focus of Kenneth’s 20/20 Vision while Siri concentrates on the stages of sleep and the benefits of getting adequate “zzz’s”. Both read the chapter, The Gift of Sleep by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Start getting 7-9 hours of sleep daily and you’ll feel incredibly alive. You’ll be praising the benefits of sleep and looking forward to the restorative qualities.

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too. ~Anne Frank “Smiling is a critical component of happiness. It’s a natural response that reduces stress, makes us more attractive, lowers our blood pressure, and confirms our joy, love, and acceptance of others. Since the beginning of time, artists, musicians, authors, and activists have documented the power of a smile. Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra host a lively discussion on the benefits and importance of smiling. Kenneth focuses on visual significance of smiles and the science behind how and why people react when witnessing smiles. The feel-good neurotransmitters - dopamine, endorphins, serotonin all simultaneously release when we smile. Siri shares evidence that smiling helps us live longer, happier lives. The both read the chapter by Cynthia Brian on The Gift of Smiles from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store)

“To make an end is to make a beginning.”~T.S. Eliot As Express Yourself! enters its 8th year in weekly broadcasting, and Be the Star You Are!® celebrates 20th years as a 501 c3 literacy and positive media charity, Founder of Be the Star You Are!® and Creator/Producer of Express Yourself!™, Cynthia Brian, highlights the importance of service, volunteering, and the impact of radio with Jelina Liu and Henna Hundal, both college students and former hosts that began on this broadcast while in high school. Jelina Liu reads her chapter, The Gift of Service, Henna Hundal reads her chapter, The Gift of Radio, and Cynthia reads Katie Choo’s chapter, The Gift of Volunteering from their new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store Intentions, lists, and plans are recommended for designing achievable goals for this new year. What a great way to kick off 2019! Tune in.

In her American debut, English teen pop star, Lydia Singer, chats with Express Yourself! hosts, Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal about her journey into the music world. Inspired by the trials and tribulations of teenage-life, 16-year-old Lydia inspiringly put together this EP, Rebellious Teen, while studying for her exams, and sings about the roller coaster of feelings she has experienced. We listen to her single, Out of Control. Jack, an accomplished harmonica player, reads the chapter he wrote for the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, about his legendary performance at age 12 playing music with some of the world’s leading harmonica musicians at a mega event. Siri Phaneedra weighed in about the benefits of listening to music to distress, focus, and be healthier. Tune to listen to Lydia Singer as a young English chanteuse is born as a USA sensation. Express Yourself! launches a teen STAR in Lydia Singer.

Christmas is about community, friends, and family. Jack Pawlakos and Kenneth Jeon ring the Christmas bells and herald in the New Year. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth talks about how Christmastime provides an interesting setting for films. Besides the classics, he especially likes the special narrative elements of Home Alone, Gremlins, Batman Returns, and as a non-conventional Christmas movie, he recommends The Empire Strikes Back. Guest, Karen Ktichell, reads her chapter, The Gift of Adoption, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, relating the difficulties and joys of adopting a baby girl from Paraguay during the Christmas season. Karen shares tips on scattering kindness. Jack gives us the latest trends for Christmas and New Year’s including rainbow-hued trees. From all of us at BTSYA, we wish you a very happy holiday and bright New Year! CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM BTSYA: https://youtu.be/QnSRW7nDSUI

Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon discuss Self-Love. In 20/20 Vision Kenneth portrays self-love and growth through film and visual storytelling about montages in movies such as Rocky, Moonlight, La La Land, the Wolf of Wall Street, and other movies. English pop star, Jack Walton, guests to discuss his experience playing on the English X-Factor, the meaning of fame, the process of songwriting, and his newest single, Kept Me Safe. “This song is about love. When things are tough, love and support can really make the difference between survival and losing all faith in yourself.”With earnest lyrics and stunning vocal delivery, Jack weaves a story of passion around his heartfelt guitar playing, set on top of contemporary electronic beats and production. The American debut of the single is played between the segments! The gift of Self-Love by Rachel Glass from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed.

Teens have been given a bad rap throughout generations. But what do the teens themselves think of their portrayal in the media and the perception of their activities? Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal host an insightful program with reporter Kenneth Jeon to speak about their personal experiences. In general, entertainment is darker with more mental health issues profiled. According to a 2018 report from Mental Health America, the rate of youth with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93% to 12.63%. More awareness is being raised about the issue, and movies and shows have seemingly begun to reflect that awareness. Statistics are indicating the today’s youth bring more diversity, empathy, and inclusivity to their real lives, however, TV and movies don’t always show the positive sides, but instead, use dated stereotypes. Youth are globally connected today and tomorrow they will be the leaders of the world. Let’s show them respect!

Express Yourself! hosts and reporters, Siri, Joven, and Kenneth go into the lab to talk about science and the importance of continued research. Elizabeth Aquilar’s chapter, The Gift of Science, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, by Cynthia Brian is read and discussed. If you enjoy the science of science, you’ll be enraptured with this hour. “Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. Science is delving in.” Sally Ride

Responsibility connects your life to a bigger story. To gain responsibility is to gain awareness. Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon read chapters from Be the Star You Are!® (www.CynthiaBrian.com/books) and then interview the leading voice on the power of the “go the extra mile” message, Shawn Anderson. In 2009, in order to symbolize the go the extra mile message, Shawn Anderson (a non-bicyclist) pedaled 4,000 miles ocean-to-ocean, interviewed 200 people along the way whom had been identified as having gone the extra mile, and then gave $10,000 of his own money to the people and organizations whose stories most inspired him. The momentum of this unique day has continued to build each year since, and on November 1, 2018, 552 mayors and cities made the Extra Mile Day declaration and recognized the value of the extra-mile volunteers who were making a difference in their community. Be responsible for yourself and others and go the extra mile.

Would you love your family to feel more relaxed, centered, and grateful? Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos interview Deborah Myers, an energetic Acupressurist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner who has taught thousands of adults and kids self-help acupressure. The Daily Clean Your House Flow is an easy to use flow that is effective for reducing stress, providing pain relief and strengthening the immune system. Deborah created an animated video of the Daily Flow to address a need for youth of all ages to enjoy more stress-free lives. (www.deborahmyerswellness.com) The Gift of Gratitude from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed. Kenneth Jeon brings another installment of a film that exemplifies thankfulness. Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with joy, health, and gratitude. Thank you from the STAR Team at Express Yourself! and Voice America Kids network.

When Alise Cortez shares her information, the world is motivated! Jack Pawlakos and Siri Phaneendra host a program that begins with the Gift of Radio chapter by former Express Yourself! host, Henna Hundal from the book by show producer, Cynthia Brian, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers.(Buy copies with FREE shipping at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) Alise Cortez (www.alisecortez.com) enlightens audiences with her astute insight into building a life of purpose, at home, at play, and at work. The teens learn how to find their passion and purpose to be their best unique selves with guidance from coach Alise. Jack wraps up the hour with his Trends without Ends segment by talking about trends that can help us be more purposeful and productive such as implementing the “Two Minute Rule”. If you are looking to be inspired to find your passion and discover your purpose, you have come to the right place. Join our hour of power!

In her American debut, English teen pop star, Lydia Singer, chats with Express Yourself! hosts, Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal about her journey into the music world. Inspired by the trials and tribulations of teenage-life, 16-year-old Lydia inspiringly put together this EP, Rebellious Teen, while studying for her exams, and sings about the roller coaster of feelings she has experienced. We listen to her single, Out of Control. Jack, an accomplished harmonica player, reads the chapter he wrote for the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, about his legendary performance at age 12 playing music with some of the world’s leading harmonica musicians at a mega event. Siri Phaneedra weighed in about the benefits of listening to music to distress, focus, and be healthier. Tune to listen to Lydia Singer as a young English chanteuse is born as a USA sensation. Express Yourself! launches a teen STAR in Lydia Singer.

Joven Hundal, Jack Pawlakos, and Kenneth Jeon don their invisible cloaks to dive deeply into the motivations behind scary movies, Halloween history, and Trick or Treat trends. Kenneth Jeon brings us his 20/20 Vision with insight about Night of the Living Dead plus three funny, light-hearted films including Shaun of the Dead, What We Do in the Shadows, and TV show, Gravity Falls. In World Watch, Joven goes back in history to the origins of Halloween in Celtic Ireland where costumes were made out of animal skins and animal heads as masks. In Trends without Ends, Jack brings us the current Halloween costume trend: “Ugly Halloween Sweaters”, a one off of the “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” tradition. Halloween is big business with costumes, decor, anf candy. This year it is predicted 185 million people in the United States will be celebrating Halloween, and the total spending for decorations, costumes, and treats for this frightening fun ends up at a whopping nine billion dollars!!

With anything you attempt, you can become competent in as few as 20 hours, or achieve excellence in 10,000 with practice. Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal host an insightful program on the importance of positive practice. The chapter of The Gift of Practice by Brigitte Jia from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Brigitte recounts the consequences of not preparing for an important audition. Award winning author and nurturing writing coach Dallas Woodburn reads her chapter, The Gift of Gentleness, then offers advice for young aspiring writers as she shares personal experiences with being gentle and positive with creatives. Dallas helps people give birth to the books that are burning inside them through her acclaimed 90-Day Book Breakthrough Program (www.yourbookbreakthrough.com In Trends without Ends, Jack provides the research on the necessity of practice. The biggest hurdle to mastering any skill is yourself!

Work/life balance is the hot topic these days as so many working people burn out after years on a job they hate. What’s the answer? More play time! Hosts Jack and Siri read chapters from two books in the Be the Star You Are! series penned by Cynthia Brian that will pump your energy and get you singing happy times. In Trends without Ends, Jack shows us studies on play that offer six skills that are built when we play. Joven chimes in suggesting that our favorite ways to “play” could be in sync with a potential career option.Surround yourself with playful individuals who tap into their inner clown. Give yourself permission to invite leisure and purposeless pleasure into your routines. No matter how old you are, incorporate play as an integral part of your daily life, both at home and at work, and you’ll find yourself happier, healthier, and a beacon of positivity. Being earnest and being playful are not antonyms. To be successful, we need both traits. Take a break. It’s recess time.

Founding Express Yourself! host, Steven Zhou returns to co-host with Joven Hundal for a discussion on perseverance. Jack Pawlakos presents his segment Trends without Ends, suggesting that persistence can be learned. Perseverance has been rebranded as “grit”/! For the 25th anniversary of his book, The Life You Were Born to Live, Dan Millman joins the conversation sharing his knowledge where work reinvents the meaning of success, and outlines the path to a peaceful heart and warrior spirit — at work, at home, in everyday life. Dan tailored the content and language of this discussion to fit the needs, interests and themes of youth, offering insightful stories and inspiring wisdom for the ages. www.PeacefulWarrior.com. Steven and Joven end the show with a visualization from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers to assist us all with helping us achieve goals by mentally picturing them. www.CynthiaBrian.com/books

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill We can view our glass as half empty or half full. We will all have days that we just want to crawl under the covers and hide our heads. Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos set the tone by reading Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Optimism from the newly published book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers . Author Lehman Riley who writes books for kids to help them overcome difficult situations with his Papa Lemon series joins the conversation. A racially diverse group of caring kids travel back in time to learn about our nations heritage and their own importance in the world. Kenneth Jeon talks about optimism, in relation to one of his favorites movies: The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Accept the rockiness of life. Make the best of your happy moments and they will get you through as they replay in your mind. Smile and look up!

? Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.? Albert Einstein The choices each individual makes every day contribute to the health or the sickness of our earth. One of the most important things we can do for ourselves and for our children is to bring nature into our daily routines. hosts Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos read the Gift of Nature by Cynthia Brian from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating the Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. They then interview Day Schildkret, founder of Morning Altars to discuss the connection of nature with art. Day has built nature-based art installations at festivals and venues globally. He works weekly with teens and believes they are the most important generation and the most burdened. Kenneth Jeon looks at nature through the lens of a camera with informative tips on how to capture the emotion inside the photo. Nature is the way into the new world.

Hosts Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos launch the eye-opening third installment in the Be the Star You Are!® book series, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Cynthia Brian answers questions about how the book was created to bridge the gap in the generations. Joven reads the two chapters that he wrote for the book, The Gift of Appreciation and The Gift of Community. Jack reads his chapter, The Gift of Music. Kim Carlson, a contributor to Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS joins the group to read her chapter, The Gift of Re-Discovery. To hear each author read his/her chapter brings the words to life. Contributors to this book herald from many races, religions, regions, and political viewpoints. All believe that challenges lead to growth, Buy books now at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store with 100% of the proceeds outreach projects of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 including the radio broadcast, Express Yourself!

Is there a secret to longevity? Hosts Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos investigate how to live a long, meaningful life. They interview the award-winning author, Mack Borgen who talks about Volume I in his book series Dead Serious and Lighthearted -The Memorable Words of Modern America,1957 to 1976. The books will help lift the spirit of our country to lessen the discord and rancor of our national conversation.while enticing readers to study history. In the chapter on Longevity from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers we learn that, although there are no guarantees in life, by embracing a healthy lifestyle filled with love, laughter, hobbies, recreation, friends, and family we can decrease the cellular deterioration leading to premature aging caused by stress. In Trends without Ends, Jack looks at the aging population and prospects for the future with advances in gene therapy, technology, medicine, and artificial intelligence.

Increasing and improving literacy is a mission of Be the Star You Are!® Joven Hundal hosts this program launching the show with the chapter, The Gift of Literacy by Kimberly Morgan from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers (buy autographed copies at www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) 36-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 5-time GrandSLAM champion, bestselling author, and award-winning teacher, Matthew Dicks, provides perspective on the power of storytelling in his book,Storyworthy. Storytelling is a skill that helps us in every aspect of our lives. Matthew encourages finding a story in the simple moments of living. Reporter Kenneth Jeon talks about the importance of pictures and visuals to increase literacy as they are generally more accessible and easy to understand. He asserts that Videos and pictures provide an alternative, probably more appealing medium to which people can relate the words they read and from which people can practice their analytical skills.

Joven Hundal hosts a lively hour focused on leadership. He reads and dissects chapters on leadership from new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomer as well as the first book in the series, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. Father/daughter co-authors of two books, Dave and Jessie Gerber, offer insights on leadership strategies for all ages. Their goal is to help kids, parents, and families stay safe while having the ability to talk about a difficult subject with more ease…and see actually how to get it done! Leadership means being responsible for yourself and your charges. Successful leadership skills don't just happen; they come as a result of a determination to earn them. A leader's job is to inspire, to motivate, to make it easy to do the right thing. A good leader knows how to gather the most intelligent and knowledgeable people for the task at hand, then get out of their way and let them create magic.

Siri Phaneendra hosts this broadcast focusing on language. Language is how we communicate. Reporter of 20/20 Vision, Kenneth Jeon, reminds us that languages aren’t just limited to spoken or written words. He brings us examples of film language. Guest authors Wayne Kealohi Powell in Hawaii and Patti Miller in British Columbia, Canada cultivate the spirit of Aloha with their book Hawaiian Shamanistic Healing. Aloha refers to the divine spirit of love that flows through all things. Caitlin Sim offers that language is how we communicate with one another, and how we express our desires and wants. She dissects the 1960s, Flowers for Algernon, showing the struggle between intellect and emotion, between being considered “smart” and having meaningful relationships with others. “Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savour their songs” - Nelson Mandela

Host Katie Choo introduces our newest host, Siri Phaneendra who begins the show by talking about how kindness knows no boundaries. She gives examples how teens can offer acts of kindness in small ways to express gratitude and caring. The organization she began to help terminally ill children is called You and I Give. Guest author, Ann Todhunter Brode explains how to discover how to listen to, understand, respect, and work with our body’s innate wisdom in everyday living with A Guide to Body Wisdom. Learn how to deepen your intuition and spirituality, enhance your creativity and personal power, become more emotionally savvy, and heal old wounds. Joven Hundal rounds out the hour with a fascinating segment of World Watch focused on diplomacy Joven believes that diplomacy is analogous to kindness in that it is a way to promote peace, cooperation, respect, acknowledgment, and kindness. “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa

While maintaining a healthy diet and exercising is crucial to a healthy lifestyle, studies have proven that being joyful is just perhaps even more crucial. Not only does it reduce stress, but having a positive attitude actually makes you far more productive. Hosts Jack Pawlakos and Katie Choo discuss the difference between happiness and joyfulness, offering personal thoughts on how they find joy in their life. It can be playing with your dog, watching the stars, listening to crashing waves, baking a cake. The hosts read two chapters, the Gift of Joyfulness and the Gift of Integrity from the anthology, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World by Cynthia Brian. Siri Phaneendra shares how nature and meditation brings joy to our lives. We need to get away from social media and electronics to balance our daily life through allowing nature to be our teacher. Step outside and feel the joy!

Integrity is being honest and showcasing strong moral principles, even when no one is looking. Hosts Katie Choo and Jack Pawlakos interview reporter Siri Phaneendra and author Alice Boyes to delve into reality of having integrity. Siri believes that we must reflect on our behavior and speech every single day and be truthful. Dr. Alices Boyes offers simple strategies to get out of your own way and enjoy your life more with her newest book, The Healthy Mind Toolkit. She helps us overcome self-sabotaging habits in domains including thinking and self-talk. self-care, organization, money, work, and relationships. Jack ends the hour discussing the recent decline in people’s integrity attributed to increased usage of social media and electronics making it easier to get away with actions that are not moral. A positive example of integrity was with the recent rescue of the boys and coach trapped in a flooding cave in Thailand. Everyone worked together for the common benefit of all.

Is there a balance between foresight and hindsight. Are we stuck in the past? Can we learn from our mistakes, move on, and improve our futur? Hosts Katie Choo and Joven Hundal interview Jan Mundo who shares her powerful, personalized, comprehensive program to relieve migraines in The Headache Healer’s Handbook. In step-by-step instructions, she helps readers discover and prevent the triggers and patterns that perpetuate their headaches and migraines stop their pain and transform their lives. In her caring and compassionate voice, she makes her techniques accessible to both occasional headache sufferers and those who have long felt misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Reporter Siri Phaneendra provides insight into hindsight as an opportunity to get to know yourself, to be patient with yourself, and to ultimately love yourself. Debuting as a reporter, Kenneth Jeon brings a new segment called 20-20 vision by talking about the special way films provide an avenue for reflection.

Host Joven Hundal deals with the topics of Independence as well as Summer to celebrate both the beginning of summer as well as the Fourth of July. Joven reads the chapter by Express Yourself! producer Cynthia Brian and explores her journey to find the true meaning of freedom and as she goes behind the Iron Curtain in the USSR, Latvia, and Poland. Next, Joven interviews authors Helga Hedgewalker and Estelle Daniels, who have come out with the book Color a Magic Spell: 26 Picture Spells to Color and Manifest. They talk about what exactly magic and spells are, how similar they are to positive thinking and reinforcement, and how to best tailor your experience with their coloring book to improve your well-being. Finally, reporter Caitlin Sim brings back her segment Ode to Literature where she talks about the classic novel Their Eyes were Watching God. She discusses the themes behind the novel, the novel's relevance today, and the context in which it was first published.

Health is a diverse topic with many nuances to explore. Hosts Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos do just that in a Gift of Health edition of Express Yourself! The teens start the program with an edition of Jack's segment Trends without Ends, where they discuss both positive and negative health trends regarding teenagers and the general populace. They go on to interview HIIT pilates instructor and wellness coach Melanie Kotcher as she discusses her line of work and how she first got into it. They learn how pilates can affect all aspects of one's life, and how to improve their own well-being through different coaching processes that Kotcher champions. They also discuss how to best motivate people, especially teens, to exercise and yearn to improve themselves. Finally, Joven and Jack interview new reporter Siri Phaneendra about the art of meditation and how to best tailor one's own meditation experience to meet their desired needs.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” ― Francis of Assisi Sometimes our wishes and fate connect while the universe does the rest of the work. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal start the program by reading former host and multi-talented teen journalist’s chapter, The Gift of Giving from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, They share their experiences with being generous, giving, and helping the less fortunate. We then travel to Greece to hear of the synchronistic experiences of American novelist Alysia Helming as she unveils the first book in the Protogenesis Book Series. In Protogenesis: Before The Beginning, cultural fiction and ancient mythology converge in modern-day Greece. Before Alysia traveled to Greece for research she found a photo online of a man for whom who protagonist is modeled. Coincidently she meets the man, Kostas Martakis, an award-winning Platinum Greek Recording Artist.

“Grace is what picks me up and lifts my wings high above and I fly! ― C. JoyBell C. What is grace? Is it as the dictionary defines the noun as a smooth movement or goodwill? Is it politeness or a divine allotment of talent or blessing? Host Joven Hundal tackles this ethereal subject with grace! Brand new reporter, Siri Phaneendra describes her life with dancing the Bharatnatyam. She says that “with my hand gestures, I can depict anything from a lion to the feeling of superiority to a lotus or even an elephant.” Siri shares information about her nonprofit, You and I that provides services for terminally ill children and her A.I. app. Joven reads two chapters about grace, both written by Cynthia’s. Cynthia Cheong wrote a chapter for the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers, and Cynthia Brian wrote the chapter for the original book in the series, Everyday brings opportunities for grace — open your heart and let grace shine in.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” ― Francis of Assisi Sometimes our wishes and fate connect while the universe does the rest of the work. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal start the program by reading former host and multi-talented teen journalist’s chapter, The Gift of Giving from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, They share their experiences with being generous, giving, and helping the less fortunate. We then travel to Greece to hear of the synchronistic experiences of American novelist Alysia Helming as she unveils the first book in the Protogenesis Book Series. In Protogenesis: Before The Beginning, cultural fiction and ancient mythology converge in modern-day Greece. Before Alysia traveled to Greece for research she found a photo online of a man for whom who protagonist is modeled. Coincidently she meets the man, Kostas Martakis, an award-winning Platinum Greek Recording Artist.

When is being gentle a strength and when, if ever, is it a weakness. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo tackle this big question with reporters Joven and Henna Hundal. We hear the chapter, The Gift of Gentleness, by Dallas Woodburn from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers read by Brigitte and Katie who recall coaches who were critical and hurtful. Many times the tiny voice in our heads is cruel to ourselves. In World Watch, Joven focuses on the negativity we encounter daily from news sources and encourages us to subscribe to positive, truthful journalism. Henna recounts her volunteer work at a Children’s Hospital where it is critical to treat infants with tender care. We all need to embrace gentleness, compassion, and understanding while offering words of encouragement and support to others. And of course, give yourself the same courtesy and love.

If you ate today, you have a farmer to thank. As of the last census, only one percent of Americans are farmers. With the global population expected to exceed nine billion by 2050, farmers will have to grow sixty percent more food to feed the masses. Who and where will these additional farmers come from? From a farming family, Henna Hundal returns from Harvard University to co-host with Brigitte Jia about this crucial topic. The program begins with a reading from the forthcoming book, Be The Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers: Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices written by Cynthia Brian and continues with the thoughts of our hosts on the importance of re-introducing our technological society to the graces of an agrarian life. Farmers are disappearing. Henna was raised on an almond farm in central California and the pride that her family takes in feeding the world. Brigitte offers an insightful look at farming through Art Attack. If you want to eat, grow your own food!

Brigitte Jia hosts a fascinating episode focusing on the benefits of communication. Courtney Cheng’s chapter, The Gift of Communication from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers by Cynthia Brian sheds light on the challenges communicating via text, email, and other tech sources can be, especially when navigating relationships. Author of numerous books, Dr. Tina Tessina, plus the 4th edition of How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free, joins Brigitte for a fun discussion on how to create open and honest communications with others by first knowing exactly what you want out of every experience. Dr. Tessina encourages couples to work together to create a loving, sustainable, healthy, and equal partnership to be treasured. Brigitte ends the hour by offering tips on staying in touch with friends from school during breaks or after graduating through establishing connection networks, both social media and closed platforms. Cherish the face to face time and be real!

“The more of me I be, The clearer I can see.” Rachel Archelaus Do you have clarity of purpose and direction? Host Brigitte Jia launches the program with the chapter on Clarity pennedby Bud Bilanich from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers by Cynthia Brian. Your definition of success is what’s right for you – not anyone else. Bud advises to take time and think about your clarity of purpose. How do you define success for yourself? Keep that purpose and definition of success in mind as you make life and career decisions. The book “Bye, Bye Black Skin” by Janae Washington touches on the challenges young black women and girls have encountered and have to overcome. It’s an uplifting story about a young Black girl who goes to a predominantly other race school and is teased because she looks different. Her mother shows her how to overcome bullying and love herself and the skin she’s in. We may look different, but we are the same inside. Clarity is beautiful!

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal start the show with Zahra Hasanian’s Hope Heals segment to discuss her activism implementing diversity at her school through her EquiTeam program. Zahra works passionately to move the campus forward with a progressive empathetic vision. Author and blogger, Lee Wind joins the conversation with his soon-to-be published (October 2018) crowd funded book that was too controversial for traditional publishers, Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill. It’s the book Lee wanted to read when he was a teen. “To fix his life, a bullied and closeted 15-year old boy goes public with real historical evidence that Abraham Lincoln was in love with another guy—triggering a backlash and media firestorm that might destroy everything he cares about.” A snippet of Maria Wong’s chapter, the Gift of Diversity is read explaining how she grew up Chinese Mexican. Diversity is essential. Different passions, interests, and beliefs are what will make the world a better place

“When ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.” Anais Nin Joven Hundal hosts a fascinating program that speaks to the elements of escape. He reads Malika Demings chapter from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World where she writes about escaping from a turbulent childhood environment and her dreams of the future. J. Finn Wake joins Joven with her first novel, Cry of the Seals, which is all about communicating with our friends under the sea and how that would change our lives. Scientific research has recently been conducted on how dolphins speak to one another, and the idea of possibly communicating with these marine mammals is potentially transformative. In World Watch, Joven examines the plight of refugees as millions upon millions of people are displaced from their family homes. Be encouraged that escape is possible. Enjoy an escape under the sea.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” - Martin Luther King Jr “Any instance of inequality is worth writing about, sighing about, crying about, even laughing about,” writes Zahra Hasanian in the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers that host Joven Jundal reads and discusses in this important episode about equality. Joven interviews author Mary DeMocker about her book The Parent’s Guide to Climate Revolution, 100 ways to build a fossil-free future, raise empowered kids, and still get a good night’s sleep. Mary shares dozens of ideas and activities to be part of this necessary revolution to reduce impact on the earth. In Ode to Literature, Caitlin Sims talks about how people use books as a platform to convey a message about society, specifically exploring the social inequality in Harper E. Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Family IS everything! Today’s episode of Express Yourself! with hosts Joven Hundal and Katie Choo brings the importance of family to the forefront. They first read the chapter by former EY host Asya Gonzalez from Cynthia Brian’s forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are!-Millennials to Boomers Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World then interview the energetic award winning author of several books, Dorothea Jensen. Her newest book is A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE, and “buss” means a kiss from the historical figure Lafayette. Her first historical novel for kids, THE RIDDLE OF PENNCROFT FARM, is still being used in classrooms around the U.S. Dorothea regales listeners with fascinating stories of her life as a writer of fun family historical fiction. In the final segment Joven and Katiue read a heart wrenching story published by radio host Brigitte Jia about parents stratospheric expectations of their children and how children attempt to live up to them.

“There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid. “ L .Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Courage is not just physical bravery. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal launch this episode by reading the chapter, The Gift of Courage by Afsana Rahman from the forthcoming book, Be the Star you Are! Millennials to Boomers Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World by Cynthia Brian. Afsana writes about the courage of speaking up about any injustice. We cannot stay in silence. Author Rebecca Donovan guests to share her passion for writing for teens to give them a voice. Her newest stand-alone novel is What If. What if you had a second chance to meet someone again? What choice would you make? Rebecca Donovan advocates for young people to be able to express themselves with courage. There are different types of courage, ranging from physical strength and endurance to mental stamina and innovation. Be courageous!

“The vision is that people should have the ultimate in convenience. Being able to get the things they care about.” Bill Gates Millennials don’t remember a time without all of the tools of expediency. We are steeped in comfort and convenience while waiting anxiously for the next exciting invention that will enhance and augment expediency. Hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia read Cynthia’s Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Convenience form the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers and theyinterview dating and makeover expert Kim Seltzer to help people work on image, charisma, and flirting. Everyday is different as she works with clients to boost their self esteem. She does virtual makeovers helping men and women all over the world unveil their most attractive self. Whether it’s updating your image or transforming your dating life, her philosophy is simple… work from the inside-out to achieve your goals and boost your self-confidence.

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina It’s a time of rebirth. A renaissance of nature. Winter has waned and spring has sprung. Cherry blossoms, daffodils, and warmer weather are finally here. Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal begin th program with Robert Frost’s poem, “A Prayer for Spring”. Then read Cynthia’ Brian’s newspaper article, “Spring Forward” as they converse about what springs means for them. They also discuss political events of spring and a world view of what’s occurring. Katie Choo brings “Aim to Shoot” talking about college visits during spring break, standardized school testing, stresses that await, and most of all what it means to her¬¬––archery season. Whatever springs means to you, listen to the croaking frogs, inhale the fragrant air, and take pleasure in this time of year! Pick up a copy of Cynthia Brian’s newest book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener for a happy dose of spring tips at http;//www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store

Do you live in a big city or a small town? Consider the constants in your life that are unique to your community. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo read and discuss Joven Hundal’s chapter The Gift of Community from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! for Millennials and Boomers. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a nation to build that village, and a world to found that nation. Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of numerous books, graces the broadcast with boundless amounts of humor, hope, and optimism as he retells stories of people warding off death and living fully. When you need inspiration, buy any of his books that reflect his love for people and animals. In the final segment, Katie suggests that the careers we choose and the work we do in our fields and jobs have a huge impact on community development and success. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measure by the compassionate actions of its members.” Coretta Scott King

By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive.” ― Pat Barker, The Ghost Road • Is post traumatic stress disorder really a disorder or is it an illness? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo interview Rosemary Sword, co-author of The Time Cure” to find out what PTSD is and what can be done to overcome the challenges. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects as many as 25 million Americans. Whether the scars come from living through war combat, a natural disaster, a tragic accident, or childhood abuse, people with PTSD struggle daily; and often, traditional therapies don't work. The exciting new approach detailed in The Time Cure, rooted in Dr. Philip Zimbardo's Temporal Theory and developed by Dr. Richard and Rosemary Sword, helps PTSD sufferers stop living in the negatives of the past, look forward to a more positive future, and enjoy the present.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt When you shut your eyes and ponder the future of our globe, what does it look like? Hosts Joven Hundal and Katie Choo investigate technology and trends that seem like science fiction today but could be reality tomorrow. Author of Monople, Bailey Stone Barnard, explores this theme metaphorically in the novel through the hero's persistence in building his machine, a monopolopic inductor able to send matter through space and time. He also explores the idea of being unable to hold onto life’s perfect moments while immersed in them, and the artist’s constant battle to balance contentment with fulfillment. If nothing else, writing the novel has taught the author to pick his battles carefully, so as not to let life’s perfect moments disappear. Brigitte Jia shares art attack with a look at the future of art.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” —Thomas Merton • What is art? Do you think of paintings, sculptures, animation, or museums? What about music, dance, acting, cooking, voice, nature? Culinary arts and performing arts are definitely forms of art. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal notice the small things influence what we all consider as art. Brigitte also reads from her chapter, The Gift of Art, from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are!® for Boomers and Millennials. Joven finds that history and art are connected. Brigitte recounts her phenomenal and unique experiences playing violin with Davies Symphony, touring in the UK and Chicago, playing alongside Ariel Horowitz and Amos Yang, recording for Torchlight, playing at Carnegie Hall, and more exciting artistic adventures. Appreciate art for what it is: creativity, skill, and expression. Yes, Express Yourself!

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Lao Tzu If love is all we need, then learning how to develop satisfying and enriching relationships needs to be at the top of our list. Host Brigitte Jia, a brilliant artist and violinist who has just returned from performing a concert in Carnegie Hall, (yes, the way to Carnegie Hall is practice, practice, practice!) interviews Dating and Relationship Expert and Coach, Christine Bumgartner on the intricacies of finding the perfect mate.. Christine offers concrete ways for online dating and mating while being honest and truthful. Brigitte reads the Gift of Love excerpted from Cynthia Brian’s best selling book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference (www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store)and entertains with a segment of Art Attack focused on an exhibition from the Summer of Love. As Goethe said, “Love is the reward of love.”

Are you aware of your world, the people, and the opportunities around you? Debut host, Jack Pawlakos, and host Katie Choo tackle the topic of awareness from many different perspectives. They read the chapters, The Gift of Awareness, from two Be the Star You Are!® books, both with varied takes on what awareness is and how we can see more clearly. From Cynthia Brian’s chapter in the book, Be the Star You are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference, (www.CynthiaBrian.com/books) they unveil the mysteries of the world around us and the enormity of the universe. From Tristan S.. Boardway’s chapter in the forthcoming Be the Star You Are!® for Boomers and Mlllennials, they look at awareness as being more in tune with telepathic energies in order to communicate. Katie uncovers unusual career opportunities in her Aim to Shoot segment and they also talk about social and political awareness, “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” ― Nathaniel Branden

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” ― Voltaire Through stories of their experiences, host Joven Hundal’s grandparents have instilled in him fundamental values. He is appreciative of all that his family has endured in order to make the lives of their children better. He reads his chapter The Gift of Appreciation from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are!® for Millennials. Energetic guest, Jennipher Walters, CEO and co-owner of Fit Bottomed World, was one of the first on-line companies to promote positive body image. Jennipher discusses her inspirations, struggles, and motivations with humor and simple tips for healthy living. Brigitte reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter on Appreciation from Be the Star You Are!® 99 gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. Both Brigitte and Joven consider themselves extremely lucky and privileged to be growing up in America with a strong support system. btsya.org

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” Immanual Kant Humans and animals are one family. Katie Choo brings us a plethora of information about the numerous careers available and they are not all vet related. In World Watch, Joven Hundal focuses on domestic wild animals such as sea otters, seals, and sea lions, cougars, bison, crocodiles, alligators, eagles and megafauna. Hosts Katie and Brigitte interview animal advocate, Heather Brittany, who wrote the chapter, The Gift of Animals, for the Be the Star You Are! for Millennials series. Heather reminds us that animals don’t judge, they love unconditionally, teaching us to be responsible, patient, and caring. Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened. ― Anatole France

“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” ― Denis Waitley Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo, both independent, creative, and confident teens, explore the importance of helping youth discover their own abilities and face their own struggles. Does independence suit some kids more than it does others? Do other cultures parent differently? Parents are a major influence in career development. The duo interview Dr. Donald Moses, co-author of the book, Raising Independent, Self-Confident Kids. Dr. Moses explains clearly the importance of allowing kids to fail as well as helping them develop skills that will assist them to be fully functional adults rather than resorting to self-destructive behaviors. He talks about drugs and salaries in a no nonsense manner. Every teen and every parent needs to tune in to this episode of Express Yourself! as challenges are always on the horizon and this conversation has lots of answers.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead Change comes only with the will of the people, and our actions as individuals contribute to the strength of a collective force that has the power to drive the world in a fresh new direction. Express Yourself! launches a new year with hosts and reporters Brigitte Jia, Joven Hundal, Henna Hundal, and Caitlin Sim conversing about what activism means to them and how they perceive it in their daily lives. Brigitte reads a chapter she wrote for the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! for Milliennials. Joven gives his perspective on what’s happening globally with World Watch, Henna recounts activities at Harvard with student activism, and Caitlin shares activism in literature. Activism is sticking up for anything that is unjust. Stand up for others. Show empathy. The voices of youth are strong and vibrant. Listen. Heed. Act.

For last year's words belong to last year's language / And next year's words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot Hello 2018! It’s a brand new year and we all get a fresh start. Hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia interview author Deborah Blake with her book, A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft, 366 Ways to Witchify Your Life. “Witchify” may not be a “real” word but her daily tips are fun, productive, and will easily make your life more magical today and every day of the year. Joven’s segment WorldWatch offers pointers on making and keeping New Year’s resolutions and Brigitte’s Art Attack segment encourages listeners to bring art into their everyday lives. Get your life on track with a bit of magic and mystery. Tune in to Express Yourself! and start your journey.

“Moon and stars are giving light. With gifts of nature’s giving, we complete the cycle of living. Let us give from our mind, hands, and heart to the world.” Chitrabhanu Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or nothing at all, December is a month of joyfulness. Host Brigite Jia doesn’t celebrate Christmas as her family honors the Chinese New Year. Past/Present Reporter Chelsea Pelchat admits that Christmas is her FAVORITE time of the year, and Hope Heals Reporter, Zahra Hasanian honors the lunar calendar so despite not celebrating December traditions, enjoys the light, love, happiness, good will, and yes, hope that prevails. Producer Cynthia Brian rings the bells of Christmas with fun ideas on how to decorate for any holiday with greenery or recycled items. It’s the day after Christmas, known as Boxing Day in merry ole’ England. Come party with us. Light up your celebration with hope and love! It's the season of giving. Give BIG. Donate to www.BetheStarYouAre.org

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” Immanual Kant Everyone needs to find a safe place and in today’s episode host Katie Choo interviews Marlene Richter, Executive Director of Noah’s Animal House, the first animal sanctuary to be built onsite with a domestic violence shelter in the United States located in Nevada. Noah’s Animal House allows victims of abuse to find shelter and protection while bringing their beloved pets with them. Noah’s Animal House is a model for what the world needs now…humans and their animal families sheltering together. Katie reads the chapter, The Gift of Animals by Heather Brittany from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! for Millennials and also offers intriguing careers for those interested in becoming a social worker or animal welfare coordinator. Noah’s Animal House shows us how unconditional love creates healing in the most broken situations. We all need to be protected.

“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.” ― Markus Zusak, I Am the Messenger Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian interview You Tube sensation, Chelsea Crocket who has written a book,Your Own Beautiful. In a culture where media is constantly telling young women they have to look a certain way to be beautiful, there is a lot of pressure to conform to the world’s skewed definition of beauty. Chelsea is one of the biggest names in social media today with more than 1.5 million subscribers on her popular YouTube channel, BeautyliciousInsider, which she started when she was only thirteen years old. In Your Own Beautiful Chelsea expands on the beauty tips and advice featured on her YouTube channel while tackling tough questions. Zahra Hasanian discusses the connection between hope and beauty, both elusive qualities yet attainable. Brigitte talks about make-up artists and make-up to express yourself as a way to be beautiful.

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” —Hippocrates If you could heal yourself from all ailments, would you? Host Brigitte Jia interviews healing medium, Anysia Marcell Kiel, author of Discovering the Healer Within: Use Chakras and Intuition to Clear Negativity & Release Pain. In the interview we discover ways to balance our physical health with our psyche health for a life of well being and centeredness. The healing method developed by Anysia at Soul-Centered Healing, LLC, identifies and clears the root causes and energetic imprints of illnesses, disease, trauma, and repetitive life patterns. Brigitte talks about medicinal innovations including the possibility of curing all cancers by 2050; rainforest plants, the antibiotics crisis, new strains of bacterial infections and viruses, plus the placebo effect! Chelsea Pelchat gives a medical historical perspective from the Middle Ages to the bacterial revolution that saved millions of lives.

Certified Relationship Coach & Award-Winning Diversity Advocate Chris Armstrong joins Brigitte Jia for a lively conversation on the meaning of communication and relationships. He speaks about the correlations between relationships and self-worth/self-esteem and the importance of teaching others about how you wish to be treated. Brigitte talks about the role of self-confidence and individuality in maintaining a good relationship, how to establish boundaries and consent. Zahra Hasanian shares excellent examples of stellar relationships throughout history including those of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as well as Catullus and Lesbia. When you want a positive, life affirming relationship, discover one in yourself first.

It’s hard to believe the Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio has been broadcasting every Tuesday at NOON PT on the Voice America Kids Network since its debut on November 21, 2011. Created by veteran radio host and producer, Cynthia Brian, the program began with two teen hosts and five teen reporters, all volunteers with Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 literacy and positive media message charity, who had zero on-air experience but a deep desire to get their thoughts and viewpoints across to the world. Since that time more than 38 teens have had the opportunity be reporters and many have moved into hosting positions with the privilege to interview authors, celebrities, Olympians, and experts in many fields from around the world. Today several of our hosts and former hosts share their experiences as radio personalities including Youngjoo Ahn, Henna Hundal, Brigitte Jia, Joven Hundal, and Zahra Hasanian. Also, what’s on the table for Thanksgiving? Gratitude! Thanks for 6 years of listens!

Did you love coloring as a kid? Well why limit your artistic talents to childhood? Hosts Katie Choo and Brigitte Jia interview author of Color and Conjure and Magical Destinations of the Northeast . The book is about manifesting your desires with magic and creativity. Combining simple spells with enchanting symbolic imagery, this innovative book provides 50 spells with colorable images for love, money, protection, health, and much more. Our BTSYA resident artists, Brigitte brings another exciting segment of “Art Attack” and in her segment “Aim to Shoot,” Katie provides insight into the key steps and strategies for manifesting one’s dream career. Manifest your destiny and start coloring!

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C. Clarke Discover the latest, greatest, and craziest advancements in technology with our Express Yourself! team of Brigitte, Joven, Jack, Chelsea, and Katie. Will cryptocurrency replace our current monetary system? Will self-driving cars be accident proof or prone? What are the newest and most lucrative careers in the fields of technology and digital? Want to know the history of the iphone? What is net neutrality and why do you need to care about it? The world of technology will have already changed by the time you listen! Tune in for the information that will benefit you today and tomorrow.

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal start off the show with Trends without Ends reporter Jack Pawlakos shares tricks, treats, and tips for a great Halloween. This year around 179 million Americans plan to dress up and celebrate Halloween,. spending will tally more than $9.1 billion! Chelsea Pelchat, reporter for Past Present, takes us on an historical tour of the origins of Halloween. The Celtic festival of Samhain, another word for summer’s end, meant people would light bonfires and wear costumes to scare off ghosts. This was the day which Irish farmers believed that the dead could rise up from underground and walk amongst the living. Glamorous witch, Deborah Castellano encourages listeners to be crafty, cunning, and unafraid to want something fiercely through her book Glamour Magic: The Witchcraft Revolution for Getting What You Want , Glamour is your secret weapon—your guide to finding what you want and getting it, whether it is Halloween or just an ordinary day. Happy Halloween!

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” ― J.K. Rowling What is it like to live in a haunted house? What if that house was actually a medieval prison that housed witches? Richard Estep and Vanessa Mitchell talk about their book, Spirits of the Cage with hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo covering the haunting of one of England’s oldest prisons for witches where Vanessa lived for three years until she couldn’t take it any longer and Richard’s subsequent investigation into the paranormal activities. Trends without ends reporter, Jack Pawlakos looks into the adventures of ghosting, ghost ships, and the tracking via smarkphones and apps of the paranormal. Brigitte wraps the hour with an Art Attack focusing on ghosts and spirits in art.

What does it mean to be connected? In today’s highly contentious and divided political climate, there’s an urgent need for people of all faiths and cultures to clarify, communicate, connect, and live our values into action. Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia interview author of the new book, The Forever Letter, Rabbi Elana Zaiman who works to bridge and heal the values divide by helping people of all faiths and cultures to acknowledge, celebrate, and communicate their values, wisdom and love in powerful and lasting ways with the people who matter to them most. Zahra offers insights on how hope and connecting are healing partners and Brigitte takes music to a new level to connect the world. Be the Star You Are!® is collecting donations to help with Operation Hurricane and Fire Disaster Relief. http://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-operation-hurricane-disaste

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”— Milton Berle A very special program with the debut novel, Swearing Off Stars from Danielle Wong who was a valued volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® charity as a teenager. This show focuses on career building and we honor Danielle for building her career to live her dreams of becoming a published author. Danielle shares her journey¬¬–¬¬the obstacles, and inspirations. Spread across time and place, the story of love found and lost is one of desire, adventure, and ultimately, devotion. Jack Pawlakos researched and divulged trends in careers, especially the innovations in technology than have enabled people to experience working for themselves. In the final segment, hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo read Danielle Wong’s chapter, The Gift of Faith, from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and talk about the trajectory from dreaming as a youth to doing as an adult. A very exciting and inspiration broadcast that you won’t want to miss.

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald • Literature is the mapping of our souls. It offers hope. Reporter Chelsea Pelchat starts off the show with a historical look at literature and its ramifications through the ages. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian discuss a warmhearted comedy of errors set in the world’s harshest place with author Ashley Shelby's South Pole Station, a wry and witty debut novel about the courage it takes to band together when everything around you falls apart. Our hosts later talk about the impact of literature in a personal introspective. What is function of literature in your life? Is it a tool for communication, source of entertainment, way to express oneself, method of creating art, or a way to gain knowledge? Think about it, then pick up a great book and dive in! Reading is power.

What is sexuality? Most people will assume we are talking about engaging in a sexual act, however, sexuality is not just about sex. From birth until death, every person is a sexual being. Sexuality defines our gender and can be a complex aspect of our personality. It is how we feel about ourselves, what you do, but who you are. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo interview Dr. Karen Rayne about her book, GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You , a growing-up guide for the 21st century by Karen Rayne, PhD—a nationally recognized educator, trainer, author, and expert in sexuality education. Inclusive of all self-identified girls, GIRL is uncensored, unbiased, and jam-packed with what today’s teenage girls want and need to know about healthy sexuality, loving relationships, and gender fluidity. The hosts also read The Gift of Sexuality by Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany from the book Be the Star You Arefor Teens and Katie gives insights about careers involving the study of sexuality.

““True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” How do you stay humble when you are great? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal tackle the virtue of humility by offering examples from their own lives as well as discussing famous people and how they are humble or boastful. When you allow the facts of a situation or experience do the talking, you don’t need to purposely be a show off to stand out. Employ trickle down humility. Find out what billionaires like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg do to stay humble while giving back to society. Katie Choo talks about how to be a humble leader. A few tips: a. Be Open to opinions b. Be considerate c. Admit mistakes d. Accept ambiguity e. Self-Reflect f.. Let others do their jobs g. Share the credit Be humble and you can be proud! More information about BTSYA Operation Disaster Relief Program is found here: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-operation-hurricane-disaste

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ---Leonardo Da Vinci With so much “fake news” and social media posts, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s really happening in the world. In this episode focusing on simplicity and journalism, hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia dissect journalism while focusing on the simple things. Brigitte brings another fascinating Art Attack segment discussing art, artists, and their simplicity. Gust author of Right Where You Left me, Calla Devlin, adds homage to the brave journalists who seek to report the truth, a mother and daughter struggle to build a connection in the wake of a father’s overseas kidnapping. Jack Pawlakos talks trends in digital journalism which is updated constantly. providing the latest information that influences decisions. Sophistication and simplicity are friends and real journalists are heroes.

Labor Day will have come and gone when you listen to our broadcast, but we feel that we all labor every day. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal with reporter Jack Pawlakos talk about the origins of a Labor Day holiday, what the trends are for celebrating, and what are the top destinations for this three day holiday. Donations are requested for the BTSYA Operation Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief. Visit www.BetheStarYouAre.org The conversation gets serious as our hosts discuss the history of workers in the United States and abroad, the terrible working conditions, the low pay, the brutality, and the plight of laborers worldwide. Be grateful that Americans have laws regulating how workers can be treated. What will Be the Star You Are!® teens being doing on Labor Day? Take a break from laboring and tune in.

If health is wealth, why aren’t we taking care of ourselves? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour discussing the elements of wellness, not only for our bodies, but for our minds, self-esteem, and spirits. Millennials have been given trophies and awards for participating in everything. Joven questions the benefits of such a practice as it does not encourage intrinsic motivation. Brigitte tackles defining physical and mental health. How do we maintain an active lifestyle, stay fit, get enough sleep, do homework, have a social life, and eat properly while managing stress, disappointments, anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion? They read and discuss the chapter, The Gift of Health, from Cynthia Brian’s award winning book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. The take away is that we have one life to live, in one body. Health is a life-long commitment. Being healthy has a profound effect on your happiness and quality of life.

Welcome to back to school! Can you believe summer is over? Are you ready for a new school year? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour with enlightening information to get you ready for this educational season. Sports reporter Katie Lyons asks a pertinent question: “What things am I going to do differently this year? Fortunately she also offers numerous suggestions to make the following year a great one. First time author, Fayth Thomas shares real life lessons on positive living including how to provide healthy back to school lunches and snacks with her book, Being the Best You! The book explores diabetes in a way for children to understand and inspires children to strive for career paths that make a difference. Brigitte gives a list of ways to be artistic with pencil cases, binders, collages, and more in Art Attack.

“Freedom lies in being bold.” ― Robert Frost Are you brave? Are you bold? Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia introduce medical practitioner turned retail entrepreneur, Lacy Blanc De Quattro who together with her sister took the bold leap to launch the unique mobile clothing store, Cowboy Nonie’s Boutique in honor of their mother. The store offers trendy, Wild West-inspired clothing for women and kids, sporting cute, high-quality jeans and shirts with cowboy slogans for every occasion produced in the USA. Our hosts also chat with reporter Caitlin Sim about the boldness portrayed in the books Odyssey, The Vindication of the Rights of Women, 1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm, Fahrenehit 451, Harry Potter, and other great reads. Brigitte brings another of her informative Art Attack segments discussing the braveness and boldness that artists must possess to exhibit their work. Life is short and we have the power to live our dreams as long as we are bold!

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian join with reporters Jack Pawlakos, Chelsea Pelchat, and newcomer Jelina Liu to celebrate and honor the importance of family. Jack offers stats on how technology has affected family time negatively.Studies indicate that over 75% of families agree they would rather spend time watching television and 80% would rather play with electronics than engage in a real family activity such as a board game. Chelsea takes us on a history lesson to the 16th century to enlighten about the precarious family ties of the Tudors. Brigitte appreciates the opportunities that her parents presented to her since immigrating to America at a young age. Thanks to her parents’ efforts and sacrifices she’s developed an interest in the humanities as well as a strong mathematics background, New Helping Hands reporter, Jelina Liu reviews the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman,the story an ethnic minority Hmong family fleeing Laos. Family Matters.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ― T. S. Eliot Much of the world was mapped between the 1440-1600’s because of the three “G’s”- God, gold, and glory. Past/Present reporter, Chelsea Pelchat, shares a history lesson on how nations across the world became an interconnected web of commerce and communication. New Reporter of Trends without Ends, Jack Pawlakos, reports on how recent innovations in technology with virtual reality allow us to explore the entire world without ever leaving our living room. Lifelong explorer and photographer, Greg DeBree, tells stories from his life of traveling, hunting, fishing, diving, climbing, and firefighting from Indiana to the Sonoran desert, from the Sea of Cortez to the California Sierras, from Hawaii to Antarctica. What's on your adventure bucket list?

The Gift of Dreams “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt Dr. Christopher Sowton, a naturopath and author of Dreamworking, joins hosts Katie Choo and Joven Hundal as they discuss the relevance and meaning of dreams. Do dreams provide guidance? Why are dreams chaotic and bizarre? Do we receive messages from our dreams?Christopher leads the team through a dreamworking session to find the meaning of a dream. Chelsea Pelchat offers views from history on the interpretations of dreams and Katie Choo discusses how dreams can be a pathway to careers. A fascinating program about a subject that most of us don’t understand while we are all dreaming. Check it out.

Teachers are some of the greatest people with whom we will ever cross paths. Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia interview triple threat actor, producer, and coach, Natalie Mitchell about her evolution from working as a child actor in the movie Jack with Robin Williams to becoming an acting coach, producer, director, and founder of her own production company, Emergence Films. Her insights on teaching and the entertainment industry are grounded in values and empowerment. Report of Music Magic, Seo Young Kim discusses how music fits as a unique type of strategy for teaching because it’s collaborative, offering the opportunity to express opinions and relate to the listener. First time reporter of Ode to Literature, Caitlin Sim shares a very point that not every book that teaches is a philosophical or a political book. Many fiction novels are more frequently read than “non-fiction” books. Several book are discussed including Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie. Teach On!

“Innovation is change that unlocks new value.” --Jamie Notter Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal brainstorm what innovation means to them and how innovations have changed our world. For example, can young people imagine a world without a smartphone? What about running water, electricity, or GMO’s? Chelsea Pelchat brings her interesting Past/Present segment starting with the advent of steam engines and railroads, which kick started the industrial revolution in the 18th century and brings innovations to today’s world with driverless automobiles and artificial intelligence. Brigitte showcases the influence of art in innovation and Joven talks about educational innovation and the philosophy of common core and the importance of being focused on putting kids in the school environments where they will excel. Without innovation we’d still be living in caves without fire. Push the boundaries. Innovate.

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal discuss Independence Days around the world, including what they enjoy on the 4th of July-BBQ’s, fireworks, parades, family, and freedom. They interview Dr. Eric Maisel, author of Overcoming Your Difficult Family, 8 Skills for Thriving in Any Family Situation. Dr. Maisel shows how to stay sane when family isn’t, providing practical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Overcoming Your Difficult Family is a “field guide” to common types of dysfunctional families, and a big helping of real life success stories that are dinner table tested and approved. You’ll learn to maintain inner peace in the midst of family chaos and maybe even create a better life for your whole family. Chelsea Pelchat talks about the historical significance of the 4th of July and some shocking statistics revolving around the birth of this great nation.

America is in love with their animals who are most like family. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal bring the life of our pawed, feathered, and finned friends to radio. Brigitte currently volunteers in an animal shelter and busts myths about a variety of household pets. All around us, animals are acting as our therapists, trainers, mentors, and gurus- but only if we pay attention. Through their “misbehaviors”, challenges, and unwavering love, animals are conscientiously guiding us to the next step in our personal journey. Animal Lessons, by Danielle MacKinnon, shows you how to understand and benefit from this incredible phenomenon. Our hosts engage in a lively and fun discussion on what it means to have animals as teachers. In the final segment, Joven describes the African Paradox revolving around megafauna and their disappearance from the Americas. If you are an animal advocate, you won’t want to miss this episode where the animals rule!

Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia host an informative program about sexual assault awareness and prevention among teenagers. From discussing the novel, Accused: A Retaliation Novel #2 by Yasmin Shiraz that focuses on the rampancy and consequences of sexual assault among teenagers on college campuses in Segment 1 to talking in depth about Brigitte Jia's article, Roots of the Juvenile Court System in Segment 2, Maria and Brigitte elicit and raise awareness of what sexual assault is, why it occurs, and college administrations's support towards sexual assault victims. In Segment 3 and 4, Javier Lopez, a preventive educator from the Community Violence Solutions and facilitator for the Male Ally Program, talks to Maria and Brigitte about preventive measures, the importance of consent, and educative programs for sexual assault awareness and prevention. Remember, if you are a victim of sexual assault, know that you are not to blame. Call 911 immediately.

Katie Choo and Brigitte Jia discuss how the meaning of “the end of school “changes as one grows older as well as summer plans, volunteering, road trips, and what the next year will be. Inspirational guest author, Emily Esfagabu Smith encourages cultivating purpose throughout one’s life by staying grounded and focused on strengths and talents. In a culture obsessed with happiness, her book, The Power of Meaning, points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life striking a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters. Joven Hundal debates whether a long summer break is the best course for parents, teachers, and students as research has shown that a full month of math prowess is lost. A rigorous year round school with one month interval breaks may be more productive for the student. Whatever you do this summer, get off the couch, turn off the gadgets, go outside, pick up a book, take a class, go to a seminar, relax and enjoy summer but do keep your mind on your education.

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” T.S. Elliot One thing is certain in life- no matter who you are, where you are from, or how much money you make, you will face challenges. How you overcome them is another matter. Hosts Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia interview best selling author, Ellen Hopkins about her newest book, The You I’ve Never Known. Ellen shares a personal snippet of how the book was based on an event in her life. Writing two books a year, Ellen is a master storyteller, unafraid to shed light on issues that matter. Brigitte and Maria read The Gift of Challenges from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference to showcase the generational differences of challenges. In segment four, Katie Choo tackles the challenges of choosing a career-how do you find it, receive guidance, and defeat fear of failure. Don't shy away from challenges. Be motivated to be the star you are!

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” ---John F. Kennedy. • To focus on the meaning of Memorial Day, host Brigitte Jia analyzes the meaning of The War Prayer by Mark Twain and discusses the over glorification of war in history. • She interviews award-winning author of Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin, a compelling coming-of-age novel with a trio of sisters at its center. Calla shares her journey of writing and how her childhood on road trips from San Diego to Ensenada inspired her novel. She began writing short stories that have a beginning, middle, end, and a point of transformation and graduated to novels. Celebrate our troops, be patriotic, and enjoy a great Memorial Day.

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” Shauna Niequist Rachel Glass returns to host with Brigitte Jia on the topic of growth. Personal growth and maturing go hand in hand at different life stages. Choices, decisions, situations, experiences, etc. provide important life lessons that we will remember. Author of Teach Me to Forget, Erica Chapman, writes dark, emotional novels with a burst of humor, and lighter contemporaries with smart-ass protagonists. Erica shares information about suicide prevention while talking about her life as a writer. Our purpose in discussing the topic of suicide in a segment on growth is to shine a light of awareness on the dangers and the struggles teens experience, mirroring the purpose of the novel in delving into these subjects. In Book Smart, Maria Wong reviews her favorite coming of age novel series, Jenny Han’s, To All the Boys I Ever Loved, where horizons are expanded through experiences.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. “Martin Luther King Jr Hosts Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia interview award winning author, Kathleen Rooney about her book Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk based on the true-life story of one of the most talented and successful ad women for R.H. Macy’s in the 1930s, Margaret Fishback. It took an immense amount of faith in herself and in humanity to be the plucky, outspoken and curious woman she was as she walked her way through New York. Maria and Brigitte also read Dani Wong’s touching and emotional chapter, The Gift of Faith, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. It is critical to have faith in oneself. When we stay positive, everything works out in time. Faith takes courage and determination to make the impossible possible. In life, faith helps us overcome the biggest obstacles. The sun is going to shine tomorrow.

“Of all of the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all” Anonymous • Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong host a program dedicated to the amazing women who give birth or raise children around the world, sacrificing of themselves to offer their children a better life. Special guest is author of We Were the Lucky Ones, Georgia Hunter, tracked her grandfather, his parents, and his siblings - a family of Polish Jews - as they scatter at the start of the Second World War, determined to survive - and to reunite. In 2000, a family reunion opened her eyes to the astounding war stories of her grandfather and his family. Brigitte Jia traces the importance of the Mother/Child relationship through art. In nature, the bond between mother and child is one of the strongest possible. Your mother brought you out into the world, and she defines it throughout your early years. A mother helps to shape the individual as a person. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s of the World!

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Thomas Aquinas Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong read the chapters on friendship from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference recounting her life-long friendship with an Irish penpal. (Buy books at www.StarStyleRadio.com/store) A discussion on the importance of friendship and how to be a friend ensues. In segment two and three, author of Young Knight’s of the Round Table, King’s Ransom, Cheryl Carpinello discusses her book and the themes of friendship and loyalty. The book focuses on three friends, three quests, and three mysterious predictions. Kids love Arthurian tales and her books show the importance of having a friend. (http://www.cherylcarpinello.com) To find friends, hosts advise being open, interested in others, empathetic. Share a smile “Earn a friend by being a friend” Cynthia Brian

What is morality and do countries value morals? Hosts Maria Wong and Joven Hundal explore the meaning of morality in our world as they look at history. They discuss the Nazi regime of Hitler and his complete disregard and persecution of the “degenerate races” that characterized his immoral rule devoid of values and humanity. Special guest author, Colonel Charles Causey, continues the theme with his work of nonfiction, The Lion and the Lamb: The True Story of A Powerful Nazi Leader and A Dutch Resistance Worker, focusing on the stories of Albert Speer and Corrie ten Boom in Nazi Germany. Their contrast of characters clearly indicates what morality is and is not. Joven wraps up the show with a fascinating look into GMO’s, biotechnology, and asteroid mining while asking the question “How do we regulate the moral issues revolving around technology and the exploration of space?” “Morality is the basis of things and truth is the substance of all morality.”Mahatma Gandhi

What are values? The dictionary states that values are the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. Or a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life. Host Maria Wong tackles the subject of values with personal perspectives as a teen who deciding on the next step towards college choices. Your values are things that you prioritize and think are important in defining your life and work. Maria interviews Robin Roe with her novel, A List of Cages, who has written a raw, emotional, powerful novel with a strong message of kindness. Robin discusses her writing process, how she writes, her love for her former students, and her upcoming novel. Maria provides a Book Smart segment about her all time favorite book, Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, a book that shaped many of her personal values and helps readers reflect on how experiences, family, culture, and location shape one’s value system.

Spring has sprung and a time to celebrate the re-birth of nature is upon us. Host Asya Gonzalez reads producer, Cynthia Brian’s article aptly titled Flower Fever that sets the tone for this program celebrating spring, empathy, and Easter. (http://www.cynthiabrian.com/gardening-articles) Author of There is No good Card for This, Kelsey Crowe adds to the conversation discussing her illustrated guide to effective compassion that takes you, step by step by step, past the paralysis of thinking about someone in a difficult time to actually doing something (or nothing) with good judgment instead of fear. Her empathy menu offers support with confidence, no matter the situation. In the final segment, Asya talks about her family traditions for spring including fun activities for an Easter or spring break filled with joy, adventure, and playfulness.

Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong host a lively discussion about our relationship with emotions. Technology has falsely convinced us that we are developing communication through apps, smartphones, and social media, when in fact to really express an emotion, face to face contact is necessary. Yoga instructor and competitive gymnastics coach, Catie Jarvis, joins the discussion with her first novel, The Peacock Room. The Peacock Room tells the coming of age story of Jonis and Lizzy: a young man with a mysterious medical condition that causes one leg to grow far too long, and the frustrated musical savant who falls in love with him. The novel inspires emotional responses. In our Book smart segment, Maria reviews The God of Small Things, a book that perfectly captures the Gift of Emotion because throughout the novel, the characters display a wide array of emotions ranging from jealousy, sadness, fear, and joy. Emotions make us human. Get emotional

“Thinking; the talking of the soul with itself.” ― Plato Odyssey of the Mind is an international, creative problem-solving competition. It has also been an intellectual quest that has challenged the creativity and sharpened the wit of host Maria Wong. Maria and co-host Asya Gonzalez discuss how young people’s participation in Odyssey of the Mind inspire creative solutions in school, at work, and at home. Collaborating promotes creative thinking. If you're looking for a do over in life, let motivational speaker and author, Shawn Anderson, coach you to go the extra mile with his book, Amicus, A Better Life: An Inspiring Story About Starting Over. Twenty-one powerful lessons reveal the secrets to starting your new life of purpose, passion, success, and vibrancy. Whatever you truly want, you can have. In Music Magic, Seo Young digs deeper into how certain lyrics can make one think. Music is a loyal best friend. The music is always there for you as you can make music yourself.

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison That’s why the hosts and reporters of Express Yourself!™ are writing a new book, Be the Star You Are!® for Millennials scheduled for release later this year! In the meantime, the team are busy interviewing, reporting, and gathering life skills. This week hosts Asya Gonzalez and Katie Choo interview seventeen year old award winning actress and screenwriter, Mandalynn Carlson about her meteoric career, her screenplays, and what she’s learned working in show business. Katie Lyons joins the conversation to share her love of writing indicating that she’s been crafting stories since before she could write. The young ladies greatly admire writer JK Rowlings who rose from homelessness to being the most famous writer in the world. The message is to believe in your dreams, work hard, never give up, and write on!

Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Do you speak another language? Is communicating important to you? Host Brigitte Jia leads a lively conversation with reporters Zahra Hasanian, Joven Hundal, and Katie Choo around the topic of the cultural connections of languages. Learning a second language is actually linked to various health benefits. For example, a study a few years back covered by National Geographic concluded that learning and speaking a second language can stave off Alzheimer's’ and dementia for four more years. Language gives people hope, whether for propaganda or poetry. Technology offers another hurdle as our communications are not face to face. Employers are looking for people who can not only speak English well, but also have a somewhat diverse knowledge of languages. Whether it’s sign, music, art, or dance, we are surrounded by language. How you communicate will determine how high you bounce in life.

New York Times and USA Today best selling author of Reign, An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, Chanda Hahn joins hosts Asya Gonzalez and Katie Choo for a lively conversation about flexibility. Chanda discusses her writing process and how she has several books in her writing queue simultaneously. Asya talks about how challenging it can be to be flexible as a regimented college student. Always have a Plan B she recommends. Katie’s Aim to Shoot segment focuses on how flexibility applies to one’s workplace, majors, and careers. Whatever you do in life, you need to be flexible because curve balls thrown your way will be a reality.

Albert Einstein said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Not that curiosity can make everyone 21st century Albert Einstein’s, but curiosity is a must for a successful life. Asya Gonzalez interviews bubbly debut novelist, Katherin Arden, author of The Bear and the Nightingale as she relates her journey from being a student living in France and Russia and her escape to Hawaii where she decided to write her first book. The praise for her book is ubiquitous and she has two more in the works. Joven Hundal focuses his segment on millennial curiosity, or the lack thereof, in the fields of politics and the sciences. Katie Choo shows us how curiosity plays a role in every career and life choice. how curiosity can play a role in your career or professional future. Keep asking “why” and “why not?”.

What is feminism? Does it refer to a diverse variety of beliefs, ideas, movements, and agendas for action? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian share their views on gender equality, the roles of parents in our shaping our viewpoints, and the importance of being true to yourself. Past Present Reporter Chelsea Pelchat gives us a historical perspective as she talks about history and society’s outlook on women through the ages, as well as their place in shaping our modern world. Best selling author and producer, Cynthia Brian, prefers to include both men and women in this narrative as we are all humans in training. Instead of employing labels, how about empowering one another to greatness regardless of gender, race, religion, politics, or other biases? Perhaps once we do that, we won’t need ‘isms!

Cupid is aiming his arrow your way and our Express Yourself!¡ teens have super ideas on how you can spend a stupendous Valentine’s Day, with or without a significant other. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Asya Gonzalez along with Maria Wong offer fun and inexpensive tips to have a memorable day of love. Open your heart to send a sweet thank you to our men and women in the armed forces. Or bring Valentine’s to shelters. Give the gift of books and homemade cookies, crafts, and caring other things. Tons of great creativity and love pour forth with this program along with links to websites to help you enjoy a special Valentine’s Day. Make a tax-deductible donation in the name of someone you love. Visit www.BetheStarYouAre.org. And don’t forget to love yourself first! “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance. - Oscar Wilde

Equality brings the passion out in our teen reporters and hosts. Asya Gonzalez focuses on women’s equality at home, in the workplace, and in society and doesn’t like the term “women’s lib” because it insinuates inequality. Brigitte wants to see more equality in entertainment with lead roles depicting people from all nations as well as in education. Zahra wants to see every individual treated with respect as she discusses equality versus equity, oppression versus privilege. Maria Wong concentrates on the book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” by Bryan Stevenson. highlighting the inequality in the Alabama justice system, and the need for equality -- which can be achieved through justice and mercy. Dictionary Reference defines Equality as “The state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability: promoting equality of opportunity in the workplace”. We all have red blood. Everyone is equal. Equality equals freedom.

Do you surround yourself with people who are just like you or are you are person open to the multiplicity of the world? Accepting differences and acknowledging the fact that we are all human is a critical point to living happily in this world no mater our race, sexual orientation, religion, culture, political awareness, or any other thing. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Asya Gonzalez passionately lead discussions with Hope reporter, Zahra Hasanian and Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong. Is diversity race, skin color, opinions, or viewpoints? Diversity encapsulates how we all are different even beyond the surface level whether it’s our different occupation, passions, or perspectives on life. Don’t worry about being politically correct. Be open to a global world. How do you relate to diversity? “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” -Dr. Seuss

“The world is but a canvas to our imagination..” Henry David Thoreau What is art? Why do we utilize art to express ourselves? What are careers in art? What is creativity? Can art be healing? Is art stress-relieving? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Asya Gonzalez, both artists, dig into their favorite subject as they share personal experiences and talk with reporters Henna Hundal and Katie Choo. Art is a powerful outlet to release anxiety and promote relaxation that can have untold health benefits. Art is a potent tool for finding, shaping, and sharing an identity. Art is fueled by our creative intellectual juices and interpretations of life. Whether you do art for a career or for a hobby, art is good for the soul. Start doodling!

What is perception? Perception comes from the Latin word “perceptio” which means receiving, collecting, an action of taking possession with the mind or senses. Perception is an intuitive understanding of something, the understanding of an impression. Or is it, as a Google definition proclaims, a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression?” Is “perception” synonymous with “judgment” or “belief”? Does it have an unmistakable subjective, even illusory, quality? Join Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Henna Hundal as they dissect, debate, and discuss this mode of communication. In Health Rap, Alex Pawlakos examines how a person’s perception of their own health and health risks has important implications for their actual health.

It’s a New Year and already we are stressed. Our Express Yourself!™ STAR team has you covered with tips for helping you sit back, take a breath, and find out how you can be more relaxed and calm. Hosts are Brigitte Jia and Henna Hundal who lead the conversations with our very chill reporter, Katelyn Darrow who talks about ways to relax; Health Rap Reporter, Alex Pawlakos, with evidence based science on the importance of sleep and relaxation, and our Lion Roar Reporter, Katie Lyons with her important information for athletes. And then of course, Henna shares her “Pomodoro” method that deserves your full attention. Don’t know what “Pomodoro” is? You’ll need to tune in to our Relaxation Show to start your 2017 in the right direction! Take a deep breath, exhale, and chant, “I am relaxed!”

“Be yourself; everyone else is taken” Oscar Wilde It’s challenging being a young person today. “Finding yourself” could become a national pastime. Maria Wong, Brigitte Jia, and Henna Hundal dive into what makes an individual unique, positive, and productive. Maria thoroughly enjoyed attending the Washington Journalism and Media Conference in Washington, D.C. as a national youth correspondent and encourages teens to step outside of their comfort zone to discover their dreams. Brigitte and Maria read the chapter, The Gift of You, by Cynthia Brian from the book Be the Star You Are!®, an inspiring push to embrace your originality and look at yourself as a gift. Henna encourages listeners to BE THE STAR YOU ARE, not the star that you could be, that you might be, but the star that you already are -- that light inside you that’s unlike any other. We each have a unique collection of talents and attributes that we can offer the world. Henna continues “It’s not selfish to be self-loving.”

Grab your bag of popcorn, find a seat, and enjoy an hour of movie magic with the Express Yourself!™ teens. Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia host this lively discussion with reporters Katie Lyons, Seo Young Kim, Katie Choo, Joven and Henna Hundal. Katie Lyons focuses on movies revolving around sports where we root for the underdog. Seo Young relates how music is really the driver for most movies, while Katie Choo gives us an inside look at careers in the film industry. Joven and Hunna Hundal indicate that movies have the ability to unify people towards a common, benevolent goal by drawing people’s attention to a pertinent issue. We all love films, so enjoy the movie mania!

Traditions allow us to go back to family memories and reminisce about the good ol’ days. Asya and Brigitte read a chapter from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be The Star You Are for Teens: Simple gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning and Leading. Asya discribes the unique traditions she’s celebrated with her family. While traditions fade, memories do not. Katie Choo gave us another Aim To Shoot segment talking about the differences of traditional and non-traditional careers and how they are both important. What will a traditional careers could look like in the future? Brigitte Jia provided an insightful segment of Art Attack expressing art as the embodiment of traditions and showing how art is produced from traditions themselves. “You are the reason for the season! Celebrate and honor your traditions.” Cynthia Brian

What do you think of when you hear the word “ingenuity”? For reporter, Joven Hundal, stars of the tech, gaming, motion pictures, and animation industry shine brightly. For Asya Gonzalez, she thinks about young teens who have become mega business successes. Brigitte Jia immediately conjures up images of the great artists of the world. The chapter, The Gift of Ingenuity, from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens sparks a lively conversation about ways to be inventive and creative. A good way to learn ingenuity is to imagine how life might be without certain things. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to think of more than one way to get something done.

Life is better when it’s simple. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia read Jacqueline Tao’s chapter from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens then interview Jacqueline about her views today on simplicity. Reporter Katelyn Darrow encourages a more minimalist lifestyle. Listen for tips to help you enjoy more balance. Take a moment and drop all the materials from your hands. Temporarily abandon your computer, smart phone, TV, iPod, etc. Go to an open space outside, and observe all the simple privileges and joys that are available to you: the fresh air, good weather, nice view, quietness/excitement, food to eat, and a place to call home. Relish nature. Take note of these things and learn to appreciate the simple things. Life is simply super when we eliminate the complexities and enjoy the simple gifts. “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hoffman

Did you know that music heals body, mind, and spirit? Health Rap reporter Alex Pawlakos talks with hosts Zahra and Brigitte about studies that show that music is more effective than drugs. Reporter Courtney Cheng’s chapter, The Gift of Music, from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. Seo Young Kim, our newest reporter on Express Yourself!™ begins a segment called Music Magic. Seo Young believes that music tells stories, relives memories, creates special moments in our lives. Did you know that it is known that by 4000 BCE the Egyptians had created harps and flutes, and by 3500 BC lyres and double-reeded clarinets were made? Asya Gonzalez is obsessed with music. The hosts and Asya have a lively conversation about their favorite artists and genres. Aim to Shoot Reporter Katie Choo provides a wide variety of careers available to everyone, ranging from singers and music producers to radio DJs and music directors. Turn on the music, grab your earbuds, sing, dance, and rock out. Music is life!

On this 242nd original radio program, the teen hosts and reporters of Express Yourself!™ celebrate FIVE years of weekly broadcasting on the Voice America Kids Network. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong share the stage with Katelyn Darrow who has been a host and reporter for four of the five years. Henna Hundal chimes in with her appreciation for the opportunities gained and World Watch reporter, Joven Hundal, speaks of the past year’s accomplishments of outstanding teens all around the world. All of the young adults express their sincerest gratitude to the Voice America Kids Network, Be the Star You Are!, Cynthia Brian, their radio colleagues, and the listeners around the world for the incredible growth experiences that being part of this stellar team have endowed upon them as individuals. Congratulations to the inspiring, engaged, and entertaining STARS of Express Yourself!™ on five years of excellence. Speak up, Speak out, and Be Heard at Express Yourself! ™ Teen Radio

Is gratitude a part of your daily life? Former Express Yourself!™ host and reporter, Katelyn Darrow returns to the program to challenge listeners to create a gratitude journal and offer thanks for the little things in life every day. Health Rap reporter Alex Pawlakos takes the opportunity to share tips for a safe Thanksgiving, including how to safely cook a turkey. Did you know that Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday of the year because of home fires? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia interview Christian author Lee Ann Mancini about her multiple award winning series of children’s books, the Adventures of the Sea Kids. It’s an hour of gratefulness in preparation for the big day of appreciation-Thanksgiving.

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hassanian as well as reporter Joven Hundal offer a full hour of youthful insights on today’s national election and how peace can be attained in the world. Joven provides an historical perspective on the political mudslinging of campaigns. Polls of millennials indicate disillusion with this “R-rated election.” An avid student of Latin, Zahra digs into the ancient wisdom of peace, providing correlations between the past and present. Artist Brigitte paints a picture of peace through the visuals of art, cartoons, and the Impressionist movement. It’s a lively, peaceful discussion with very bright and informed teens who care deeply about who is in power and how peace can be attained.

The Be the Star You Are!® teens are gifted writers as well as radio reporters. Hosts Zahra Hasanain and Brigitte Jia share their personal poems and essays as well as talk with reporters Maria Wong and Katie Choo about writing. As avid readers and writers, they the chapter on writing from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS by Cynthia Brian. With the enormous talent of our Express Yourself!™ Star Team, these reporters may soon be contributing to the next Be the Star You Are!® empowerment book bound for publication. Maria talks about the various ways to express oneself through writing via journaling, exhanging letters with penpals in foreign countries, or penning poems and songs. Katie discusses avenues to careers in writing which can begin with writing for the school newspaper, yearbook, designing a website, or blog then lead to jobs in the field. If you love to write, write on! It is a gift to all.

Halloween is THE favourite holiday for many teens and our hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia are among those who love October. Today they interview two fascinating authors around the theme of Halloween: the King of Witches, Devin Hunter, whose new book is The Witches Book of Power and Australian author and gamer, Brewin’ with his supernatural horror, The Dark Horde. Instead of being dark and frightening, Devin’s book empowers readers to ignite the fire within. He discusses the importance of being unique and reaching your magical potentials. Part thriller and part crime-fiction, Brewin’s, The Dark Horde tells of the return of an ancient evil that is neither stoppable nor comprehensible. Brewin’ is also the creator of the sci-fi games, Gamebooks Adventures. The hosts were very excited about downloading the series immediately to start playing. Both authors were questioned about their Halloween experiences and what they’ll be doing on this next hallowed eve. An entertaining hour of G ra.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Gandhi Hosts Brigitte Jia and Maria Wong along with reporters Asya Gonzalez, Katie Choo, and Joven Hundal talk about what volunteering means to them. They read the chapter, The Gift of Volunteerism, from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. Volunteering with Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ has been an amazing experience that benefits others and benefits the volunteers. Asya shares information on how to help stop human trafficking via volunteering, Katie offers job opportunities in non profits and Joven discusses how to help with the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. -Be the Star You Are!® has launched Operation Disaster Relief-Hurricane Matthew. Help the cause at www.BetheStarYouAre.org- Give of yourself and you will be rewarded. Volunteering offers you the opportunity to change people’s lives. 'The paradox of life is that the more we serve others, the more we serve ourselves.' Cynthia Brian

Do you believe that you are one of kind? If not you need to discover the star that shines brightly within. Hosts Maria Wong and Zahra Hasanian read the chapter on Uniqueness from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and have a lively discussion with Asya Gonzalez on the importance of being your best self. The discussion gets fascinating when author of more than 30 books, Nick Redfern joins the conversation with his newest book, Nessie, Exploring the Supernatural Origins of the Loch Ness Monster. Nick travels the world investigating the unique creatures and phenomena of the world. This is a fascinating journey into the paranormal, exploring ideas that go far beyond ordinary. Be unique!

Latin student and host Zahra Hasanian says condemnant quod non intellegunt 'They condemn because they do not understand' . First time host Maria Wong understands the importance of communication and is excited to host this program. Jack Pawlakos starts off the show with HealthRap as when it comes to your health, understanding of your medical condition or illness, and your understanding of the treatment for that condition is paramount. The fun begins when actor, director, and anime voice talent Chuck Huber visits with his numerous impressions, voices, and insights on working in films, TV, plays, voice-overs, video games, and Japanese anime. Despite his substantial contemporary works, he’s a big fan of Shakespeare. Reporter Joven Hundal shares fascinating facts about the many geniuses who weren’t understood during their time such as Vincent Van Gogh. Do you think there are many talented individuals living today who are not compensated but will one day be a legend?

“Do not trust the horse, Trojans! Whatever that is, I fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts.” Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia head up this installment of Express Yourself!™ about trust. Thirteen year old Jack Pawlakos debuts filling in for his older brother Alex in Health Rap relating the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. Cryptozoologist and field investigator for the Centre for Fortean Zoology, Ken Gerhard, lights up the airwaves with his true tales of A Menagerie of Mysterious Beasts, including Big Foot, Nessie, and more. Pat Present reporter, Chelsea Pelchat, compares Machiavelli with Richard III as we look at the past to understand today. Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong, looks at the book of a former guest Lies I Told by Michelle Zink to discuss the gift of trust. The take away from today’s program indicates that trust is a very crucial element of the human relationship but it is gift to be earned, not given.

“The difference between try and triumph is a little ‘umph’.” Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia host a triumphant show bringing us the tools to overcome adversity. The ladies discuss triumph over fears, negative experiences, stress, school, family and friend troubles. In Health Rap, Alex Pawlakos gives us the power to triumph over illness by building a strong immune system through exercise, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep. Our newest reporter is Chelsea Pelchat debuts her segment Past Present focusing on how our past contributes to the experiences of our present and future. Today she discusses her role as the Teen Event Coordinator for Be the Star You Are!®, the struggles and triumphs of learning to be a leader. In Aim to Shoot, Katie Choo gives us the steps to adopting a mindset for success. Spoiler alert-it helps to LOVE who you are and what you do. Take charge, go into action, and be triumphant.

Horace wrote “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero” which translates to “seize the day, and believe as little as possible in tomorrow.” Today’s show is all about today-the choices we make, the people we impact, the technology we employ. Hosts Brigitte and Zahra interview a most inspirational guest, former NFL football great Mike McMoy. McCoy’s passion is empowering youth and helping them develop a larger vision for their lives. Mike delivers a faith-based message of hope and encouragement to students that helps them make good decisions, overcome challenges and deal with peer pressure to develop the self-confidence to achieve true success. Faith, family, and friends are critical to happiness and decisions determine our destiny. World Watch reporter, Joven Hundal takes us on a journey of technological advances over the past 16 years showing us why we need to appreciate the gift of “today”. In Aim to Shoot, Katie Choo covers numerous opportunities for careers in a variety of fields

What a special broadcast this is! Who would have thought that in 1998 when Cynthia Brian was in the processing of founding Be the Star You Are!® charity, that this empowerment non-profit would be evolving and going strong in 2016? Be the Star You Are!® volunteers and radio personalities Alex Pawlakos, Asya Gonzalez, Brigitte Jia, Henna Hundal, and Joven Hundal talk about their involvement in BTSYA and how they have become better people because of the opportunities for personal growth offered by the charity and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. Alex discusses the health issues surrounding being 18 years old. Asya and Brigitte interview Founder of BTSYA, Cynthia Brian to find out how the non profit has grown and how it is making a difference in the world. Henna Hundal offers her gratitude to Cynthia Brian for being a mentor and guide to success, while Joven investigates the legitimacy of large non-profits while advocating support of small, grass root non profits. www.BetheStarYouAre.org

'The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.' Brigitte started off the show with another segment of Art Attack, explaining the connection between time and art. It takes time to create a work of art, and that art plays a major role in any piece. Asya and Brigitte then talk about the importance of time management and how to achieve a little organization. New fads are popping up all the time, but staying true to yourself is timeless as Asya and Brigitte discuss the new trends that pop up throughout generations. Maria Wong reviews 'Everything I Never Told You' by Celeste Ng. This suspenseful read shows that time heals all wounds. Ironically, our author guest had to postpone her appearance because of lack of time.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” --Nelson Mandela Brigitte Jia starts off the show with styling up your school supplies. Sharpies, pretty paper, and lyrics are your best friends as you incorporate art into your daily life. Host Asya Gonzalez provides positive tips on how to prepare for back to school without procrastination plus tons of success strategies that will help school and college be really fun and rewarding. Maria Wong, Book Smart Reporter, focuses on finding a good balance between focusing on books for school and also reading for fun. Reading is influential on how one views the world, thus choosing one’s own books offers a different perspective. World Watch Reporter, Joven Hundal talks about the importance of computer science in today’s world, and why we must increase our exposure of it to K-12 students. Joven advocates for coding to be an accepted foreign language for school credits. Good luck with the new school year!

'The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but the most difficult to play.' Are you a talker? Do you know how to communicate effectively? Veteran reporter of Health Rap, Alex Pawlakos, joins hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia about how important it is to communicate with your doctor. A doctor can correctly diagnose your symptoms, arrive at a conclusion and a course of treatment, but only if you TALK to him or her. In a world where actions speak louder than words, Artist Jenna Rose Simon proves that the healing act of art and the written word can speak volumes when seen through the eyes of those in need of healing. Jenna’s message is that even if you can’t change the world, you can help the life of one person. As an athlete, Reporter of Lion Roar, Katie Lyons considers talking and communicating to be one of the most important components of sports. Communication between athletes and coaches is necessary for improvement, feedback, and strategizing. Talk Back!

Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia welcome Health Rap Reporter, Alex Pawlakos and Book Smart Reporter, Maria Wong as well as special guest Dr. Kyra Mesich to talk about survival. Alex focuses on the health benefits of happiness, meditation, humor, support of friends, walking in nature, and prayer as part of survival strategies. After receiving her doctoral degree, Kyra Mesich, PsyD went on a quest to understand sensitivity from a truly holistic perspective leading her to study extensively in the field of integrative health. She is the author of The Strength of Sensitivity. Maria shares her favorite summer read, Lily King’s novel, Euphoria, which primarily focuses on the struggle to survive by three anthropologists in the 1930’s in Papua New Guinea. The standard dictionary definition of survival is the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. Trust your gut. Persevere. Bounce back. Be a survivor.

Psychic and author, Sherrie Dillard, joins host Asya Gonzalez to talk about getting support through any confrontation, situation, life journeys. In her book Discover Your Authentic Self, Sherrie shows you how to live more fully and according to your passions. Health Rap reporter, Alex Pawlakos offers powerful statistics on the importance of a support person for any person with an illness. People who did not have strong social support were 50 percent more likely to die from illness than those who had such support. The newest member of the Express Yourself! Radio Team, Joven Hundal brings his World Watch segment with the topic of the game that is taken the world by storm, Pokémon GO, next chapter of Nintendo’s wildly successful Pokémon franchise. The app has been widely acclaimed for encouraging fitness and offering support by requiring players to get up and walk around. Good luck in catching them all. Be supportive!

Have you always been interested in the entertainment industry? Did you know that acting happy will change your emotions to being more cheerful? Asya Gonzalez and Briggite Jia interview actor, producer, writer, and coach, Cynthia Brian, who offers strategies on avoiding scams and achieving success. Her book is The Business of Show Business, A Comprehensive Career Guide for Actors and Models. Eric Pawlakos provides an upbeat look at the relationship between acting and health in Health Rap. Science has proven that if we act happy, we will become happy because our body chemicals change. Career Reporter, Katie Choo gives a first rate synopsis of what it takes to be an actor. All acting is reacting, so get real and start acting as the star you are.

It’s summer, the busiest time of the year for traveling by air, sea, car, train, bike, and other modes of transportation. Health App Reporter Alex Pawlakos joins hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia for two segments to discuss the health hazards of travel with suggestions ion critical items to pack like your medical history and RX. Alex cautions us to use hand sanitizer as germs linger everywhere on airplanes and in hotel rooms, especially on tray tables, blankets, light switches and remote controls. In Art Attack, Brigitte explains how artists draw inspiration from travel sparking creativity while bringing back the sights, battles, and experiences from exotic lands. Asya testifies to road trips as being her favorite way to trade, offering tips on packing, phone charging, potty breaks, playlists, and more. Take advantage of the great exchange rates abroad, visit places you've only dreamed of, stay safe, healthy, and don’t forget the duct tape. Make memories. Happy Trails!

HealthRap’s Alex Pawlakos launches the program with a discussion of interesting and rewarding careers in sports medicine, nutrition, physical therapy, and more. Art Attack Reporter, Brigitte Jia delights in sharing the connection between sports and art. The beauty of the human body which has been the subject of artworks from the beginning of time, is exemplified in sports. Host Asya Gonzalez reads the chapter from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, The Gift of Sports, and with co-host Brigitte, talk about sports they love. Leadership and good sportsmanship are the themes for Lion Roars Katie Lyons. Sports help us learn valuable life lessons no matter what sport you choose. Participating in a sport increases self-confidence and selfworth, builds positive body images while decreasing racism and school drop out rates. Play ball!

Our Express Yourself!™ team are proud to be Americans as hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian celebrate freedom of speech and living in the USA. They interview best selling author, Mary Roach with her newest book, Grunt, discussing the military life not portrayed in movies. On a daily basis, soldiers fight more esoteric battles against less considered adversaries—exhaustion, shock, panic, disease, extreme heat, cataclysmic noise, gastrointestinal distress, and assorted waterfowl. In Health Rap, Reporter Alex Pawlakos celebrates America by taking a look at medical research accomplishments.When it comes to medical innovation, the United States is the world leader. “ Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” -inscription on the Statue of Liberty Happy 240th birthday America.

“Whatever you choose to do, we will support you!” How fortunate could a teen be than to hear these words every day? Asya Gonzalez interviews rising Canadian teen singer, Brettyn Rose about how the support she has received since she was five years old and discovered her love of music and singing. Brettyn has offered fans a taste of her voice by sharing a selection of cover-songs on her YouTube channel and you’ll hear her original single, Everything’s Fine, on this show. Lion’s Roar reporter, Katie Lyons talks about the necessity of support in sports. An athlete depends on support from coaches, parents, fans, friends, and team mates and without support, athletes can not thrive. Asya also shares the support she’s received from family as well as strangers when she launched her company, StinkyFeet Gurlz.com. Offer your support to others and you’ll be supported.

What is success and how do you define success for yourself? Are you happy with your life, your relationships, and your accomplishments? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia interview Margaret Ann Lembo-Author of The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing, Color Your Life with Crystals, and nine spoken audio CDs to discover her secret to success. We learn the significance of totems, crystals, and aromatherapy in helping us be happier and healthier. In Art Attack, Brigitte’s core message is that money doesn’t matter when we are talking art because if your goal is to really enjoy the art you create, then you can be successful no matter how much money you make. The hosts also read the chapter, The Gift of Success penned by Dr. Bernie Siegel, best selling author and founder of ECAP (Exceptional Cancer Patients) from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. If you want to be successful, find your purpose and be happy!

What is slam poetry? Meet four-time National Poetry Slam champion, Taylor Mali as he talks about falling in love with nouns to tell your truths with hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian. Mali says that we enter other’s people’s truths through the objects surrounding them and he gives real life examples from classes he is teaching. Taylor Mali is one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and one of the original poets to appear on the HBO series Def Poetry Jam. Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong, compares novels with poetry indicating that they both express something, often something meaningful, often sharing a new perspective with the reader or reinforcing values. Yet they are very different. Is poetry given attention in your school? Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.”~Edgar Allen Poe

What do zombies, hiphop, and sleep have in common? Hosts Asya and Brigitte were thrilled to welcome star of The Blind Side and The Walking Dead, IronE Singleton to Express Yourself!™ to share his inspirational rising, his message for teens, and a sneak preview of his new album, Hip Hopcrisy, a sixteen-track musical compilation infused with messages of hope, humor, and crafted life reflections. Health Heals reporter joins hosts Asya and Brigitte to discuss the importance of sleep from evidence and science based sources and Book Smart Reporter, Maria Wong, goes into depth on the role of sleep in the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Written in 1889, this novel has been regarded as one of the first feminist works of all time as it focuses on a housewife’s self liberation from a controlling marriage and societal constraints. The reason why we sleep is still unknown; however, scientific research has established that sleep is essential to a healthy life, and that inadequate sleep can cause.

What is sexuality? Most people will immediately assume we are talking about engaging in a sexual act, however, sexuality is not just about sex. From birth until death, every person is a sexual being. Host Asya Gonzalez interviews Christian author, Heather Letto, about her Ascension series first book, Impervious. The residents of Impervious survived the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners. This Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness—has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage. Sexuality is dealt with subtly and innocently in her novel. The Gift of Sexuality by Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany is read by Asya from the best seller, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and Asya also reads the review of Impervious.

Life is full of wonderful surprises! Hosts Brigitte Jia and Asya Gonzalez meet Japanese anime voice actor, Vic Mignogna as he discusses his serendipitous route to becoming an anime star after years of stage acting. Vic is also theexecutive producer of the award winning web series “Star Trek Continues”, where he is not only directing, but fulfilling a childhood dream of playing the iconic role of Captain Kirk. Health Rap reporter, Alex Pawlakos, shares serendipity in the medical field when a scientist is trying to discover a new medical treatment, then, unexpectedly, discovers something else that he wasn’t seeking that cures another disease. In Art Attack, Brigitte and Asya, both lovers of art talk about the inspiration that chance provides to artists. Serendipity happens when you least expect. Be aware of all the possibilities. Chance happens.

Deepen your spiritual connection to the earth and rejoin the community of nature when Asya and Zahra interview artist and author Lupa for her newest book, Nature Spirituality from the Ground Up. As she explores nature, Lupa risked all to keep grounded. The Gift of Risk penned by Libby Gill from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS, offers real life exercises to stretch and grow daily. Art Attack Reporter, Brigitte Jia brings another fascinating monologue on the risks that artists take to reveal their inner spirit with their works. Why did Andy Warhol paint tomato soup cans? “It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.”-Seneca

You are responsible for your behavior, actions, and results. After reading The Gift of Responsibility from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, hosts Asya and Zahra interview Diane Bush and Kiran Kaur about Safe Jobs for Youth Month. Diane Bush directs the Young Worker Project at the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at the University of California, Berkeley and Kiran is one of LOHP’s Teens Lead @ Work peer educators. The Labor Occupational Heath Program and California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety have projects dedicated to young workers with the goal of helping prevent California’s young workers from being injured or killed on the job. They work to train teens about their rights and responsibilities on the job and raise community awareness about child labor law protections and workplace health and safety issues. Be empowered, be responsible, know your rights.

Resilience is the key to a healthy life. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian talk with Health App reporter, Alex Pawlakos who provides studies and tips on how to be more resilient. From a health standpoint, the better you handle the pressures and stresses of life, the better off you will be physically, mentally, and emotionally. To be resilient means to bounce back quickly. Our hosts interview Mary O’Connor, an actor who lost her ability to walk after a devastating injury in 2014. With her optimistic and determined struggle to regain her ability to walk, she is on a mission to encourage the entertainment industry to cast disabled actors in projects. Mary recently studied with James Franco and was part of an independent film she and her classmates created with Mr. Franco. Asya and Zahra read a humorous story from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS that illustrates the importance of recovering from mishaps and turning negatives into positives to move forward.

“You’re too tall, you’re too short, you’re too pretty, you’re too ugly, you’re too young, you’re too old, your hair is too blonde, your hair isn’t blonde enough, your eyes are too blue, your eyes need to be brown, you have too much experience, you’re not experienced enough.” No matter who you are, you will face rejection in life so it’s time to embrace it and move forward. Asya Gonzalex hosts the program beginning with chapter, The Gift of Rejection” by Cynthia Brian from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens followed by a lively conversation with The New Yorker copy editor, Mary Norris. Norris expertly guides readers through the most common and confusing grammatical issues in her book, Between You and Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen. She reveals her rejections throughout her career and why it’s important to keep on keeping on. An informative and fun interaction with two women who love words and repel rejection.

“Reality is merely an illusion; albeit a very persistent one.” ~Albert Einstein Two fantastic guests are interviewed by host Asya Gonzalez in today’s program focusing on reality. Both guests have become accidental celebrities. Alice Abruzzini, AKA Nonie, and now referred to as Vanna 2, made TV history by being the first person other than Vanna White to share the stage with Pat Sajak as he ends Wheel of Fortune. At 87 years young, being “Vanna” on a reality game show was living her dream. Venezuelan born Michelle Poler began a school project of 100 Days without Fear that has become a life changing experience .. In efforts to become a braver person, Michelle completed a project where she faced one fear a day for 100 days. She recorded herself on each challenge and posted them daily to YouTube. What she didn’t expect was get 4.5 followers! Asya wraps up the show by discussing her charity, She is Worth It, and the efforts to stop the reality of sex trafficking in the United States.

”To be a leader, your must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed!” This is the motto of Be the Star You Are!® charity. Hosts Asya and Zahra talk with Book Smart reporter in NYC, Maria Wong about her love of reading and some of her favorite books for young adults. Multi-award winning author Geoffrey Saign joins the conversation with his book series, Whipeye Chronicles, thrillers about love, nature, wildlife, intuition, and trusting yourself. Aim to Shoot Reporter, Katie Choo discusses occupations that would involve reading or being part of publishing. A book is like a garden in your pocket. Pick up a book and find the wonder.

Do you believe in possibilities? Host Asya Gonzalez interviews the inspirational founder and member of the largest wheelchair dance group in the nation, recently seen on the Sundance TV show Push Girls” Chelsie Hill. At the age 17 Chelsie was tragically injured in a car accident leaving her T-10 Paraplegic. With the help of her dad, she launched a foundation, Walk and Roll, to educate others about the possibilities for a full life after an accident. Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong delves deeply into the young adult novel, You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis that focuses not only on the endless opportunities available in life but also on family life, secrets, and the glamour of NYC. Asya shares the story by T.J. Hoisington, The Gift of Possibiiity, from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens which encourages everyone that “YES, you CAN!”

Guest author of “How to Heal Yourself When No One Else Can”, Amy Scher, offers numerous tips on how to be calm, stress-free, and focused as well as healing yourself through positivity. Amy’s energy and enthusiasm sparked the admiration of hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia who chimed in with their personal experiences in how being positive boosted happiness. Health Rap Reporter, Alex Pawlakos offered scientific studies and examples indicating that positivity increases heart health, reduces pain, decreases crisis recovery time, and adds to general wellness. Asya read Ivan Burnell’s chapter, The Gift of Positivity, from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens encouraging everyone to say YES to life. Lower your blood pressure, heal your self, and be positive!

‘Tis a lesson you should heed. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.' Edward Hickson Two hosts who are currently attending Harvard join together for an exhilarating program celebrating the importance of perseverance. Henna Hundal and Ryan Sim are not only hosts and reporters on Express Yourself!, but, they have taken their experiences from Express Yourself!™ to launch a new talk show on Harvard radio and, in addition, Henna spins as a DJ for a program of blues. They read a chapter by Cynthia Brian from Be the Star You Are!™ for TEENS which illustrates the importance of never quitting. Today’s guest, exuberant Kamil McFadden, a Disney star on “K.C. Undercover”, inspires listener with his dedication to perseverance despite the odds, his belief that it is critical to be kind to everyone, and his gratitude for his mom, family, friends, TV colleagues, and everyone who has been a ladder in his life. “Paralyze resistance with persistence.” -Woody Hayes Never GIVE UP on your dreams!

We live in a disposable society and almost everyone collects too much junk. Rather than wearing things out, we either throw them away or jam them in a closet creating more clutter. Being unorganized creates a life of chaos. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Jennifer Lee tackle the bedlam. Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Organization, is read and discussed from the award winning book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens followed by energetic and enlightening conversations with Health Matters producer and host, Heather Brittany. Heather shares multiple tips on how we can all organize our lives and environments with small simple steps to clear the clutter and be more productive. The show ends with a soulful rendition of Rihanna’s “Stay” sung by our Express Yourself!™ teen host chanteuse, Jennifer Lee. Grab the broom and dustpan. Clear out your locker. Create space and a place for everything. Shine up your life by eliminating clutter. There is meaning in cleaning.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill Optimism doesn't mean life will be perfect, just that we can imagine positive outcomes. Given a choice, we all have the power to write our own personal happy ending. Dr. Bud Bilanich, the Common Sense Guy, leadership consultant, career success coach, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and influential blogger, joins hosts Asya Gonzalez and Jennifer Lee in an uplifting romp through the power of hopefulness. The program ends with Jennifer singing “Put Your Records On”. Be an optimist and take advantage of the opportunities to accomplish that which you thought you could not.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow’s a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why we call it “the present”! Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Caiseen Kelly focus on the now with an uplifting interview with author of A Short Path to Change, Jennifer Mannion, who found her passion when she healed herself from a chronic disease. The hosts also read the chapter, “The Gift of Now” by Davis Lunsford from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens emphasizing the importance of living in the present. Finally, our career reporter, Katie Choo, takes her Aim to Shoot segment to one of the top ten jobs of today, software analysis. Your preparation today leads to your success tomorrow. Be now.

Leaders are not born, they are made. It’s hard work and diligence that grows a leader. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian conduct a vivacious and impactful conversation on the meaning of leadership. They read the chapter by Sujin Park on Leadership from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, then spend two segments sharing their personal stories on how they are developing their leadership skills. The hosts talk about the importance of failure to learning to succeed. The issues about the Presidential election are discussed with the focus on the importance of electing a responsible leader. Reporter of Lion Roars, Katie Lyons, talks about leadership by offering quotes by the famous sports coach, Vince Lombardi. The leaders of the 50th SuperBowl with the Denver Broncos is also featured.Teamwork is essential to leadership and great leaders instill a sense of camaraderie. Leaders must motivate, know what they want, and make it happen.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace”-Jimi Hendrix Express Yourself!™ shares the love with hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanaian as they interview two authors who know a lot about amour. First up is Jennie Lee, healing yoga therapist and author of True Yoga, an inspirational guide through the Yoga Sutras outlining how to create enduring happiness, overcome life's challenges, and experience the Universal Love that is available through meditation. Numerologist Michelle Arbau, author of The Energy of Words, shows us how the numbers are never wrong as she offers predictions for 2016. Whatever your question, love is always the answer.

Nature photographer, Carol Freeman, joins Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia for a fascinating program on the passion of learning. Carol reveals how she never set out to be a photographer and how she learned to love the craft as she is happiest when she is outdoors, investigating prairies, wetlands, nature preserves, examining endangered species, and discovering new ways to make a difference. Her Walk in Beauty series educate, enlighten, and inspires people to connect with and learn to appreciate nature. the Asya shares the differences in learning applications that happen from high school to college. In Art Attack, Brigitte discusses the value that illustrators bring to visual learners. Immerse yourself in learning for life. and you’ll live your dreams.

Opportunities for laughter are everywhere, in everything, everyday. Laughing is a healing drug with no side effects. And it's free! Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia bring laughter to the show with a reading from the chapter The Gift of Laughter by Jill Byington from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. Zahra conveys her Hope Heals segment with a conversation on how genuine laughter can help hopelessness. Numerous medical studies indicate that the deep breaths we take and the chemicals our body releases when we laugh hasten healing and reinforce the body's immunity. In Art Attack, Brigitte shows how Manga artists use a variety of different techniques to make people laugh through their drawings. Asya Gonzalez joins the discussion with her view that spreading laughter is the same thing as spreading kindness, you are giving someone an experience that gives them joy. Make time to laugh every day. Humor is food for the soul. . You don't stop laughing because you grow old.

With the return of our host, Henna Hundal, who is currently going to Harvard, Express Yourself!™ boasts three fabulous hosts for this important show on tolerance, Asya Gonzalez, Zahra Hasanian, and Henna Hundal. Henna provides an update on her Harvard experiences and the new radio network she’ll be working with at the university as the ladies chat. The hosts also discuss their personal viewpoints of what tolerance and intolerance mean to them. Prolific author of YA novels, Paullina Simons brings her fascinating insights about tolerance and how she writes her characters. Paullina grew up in Russia where she never saw a person of another race or color. When she came to America, she went to a school that was 80% Latin and African American. She advocates defining what tolerance is to you and surround yourself with people who feel positive and have beliefs that are similar. Be open-minded. Be respectful. We may disprove of what someone says, but everyone has the right to say it.

Kindness is a gentle powerful act. It is the quality of being pleasant, friendly, and concerned for others. Hosts Courtney Cheng and Zahra Hasanian read Cynthia Brian’s Gift of Kindness from the book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. New reporter, Katie Choo joins the team with her segment, Aim to Shoot, focusing on college professors today. In Hope Heals, Zahra restores our trust and faith in humanity as she shares her experiences of kindness as courageous acts. Courtney brings us a recap of a best selling novel in her Book It segment revealing a character lacking kindness. We may not remember what people say to us in life. We will remember what they did to us and how they made us feel. Kindness is a virtue that manifests from our deepest being. It is who we are and what we become. Ask yourself what you can do to be kind today. Create peace on the planet through kindness and empathy. Do you dare to care?

Have a dream and follow it. Have a plan and stick to it. Have a goal and achieve it. Every January, people make resolutions to lose weight, earn more money, sleep more hours, travel to distant lands, and spend more time with loved ones. By the beginning of April, most of those great intentions have been long forgotten. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia show us how to create goals and make them achievable, whether it be in business, art, school, or relationships. Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong discusses the book, Willow, whose main character has the goal of stopping self-harm. Make a goal to be there for your friends. A new sports reporter is introduced today, Katie Lyons with her segment Lion Roars. Katie discusses setting specific goals as an individual and as a team and gives easy ways to do just that. Remember, don’t have to break records. Goals are best when they are challenging yet also achievable.

What do you hope for? What is hope? How can we instill more hope in ourselves and others? Asya Gonzalez, Katelyn Darrow, Maria Wong, Zahra Hasanain, and Brigitte Jia offer variations on the theme of hope. You’ll hear about how volunteering with a charity offers hope to those less fortunate, books with themes of hanging on to hope, how to heal from the inside out with hope, and the association of hope and art. Personal perspectives, youthful insights, and phenomenal passion is our gift of hope to you. Offer hope to others and you’ll find it in yourself.

Imagination is the inspiration for ingenuity. Asya Gonzalez and Katelyn Darrow host an invigorating conversation with author, lawyer, translator, and programmer, Ken Liu, about his debut novel, The Grace of Kings, the first in a silk punk epic fantasy series. Zahra Hasanian reads the chapter, The Gift of Imagination from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference to glean the importance of parents encouraging the wild imaginations of children. Brigitte Jia explores the links between art and imagination, specifically with abstraction. Don’t play it safe in life. Allow yourself the time to dream, to look up at the stars, and to believe in the unbelievable. We are never too old to invent a playful approach to living. Imagination is the beginning of reality.

You can dream, and you can plan, but faith is the crucial catalyst that creates the reality. Cynthia Brian brbr We can exist without faith, but we can’t live without it. What is faith? How do we find it? How do we keep it? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Gia discuss the gripping, coming of age, and engaging story in the book, Queen of Water, with Book Smart Reporter, Maria Wong. The conversation highlights how even through terrible, heart and spirit breaking conditions one can be faithful, strong, and survive. Dani Wong’s story, The Gift of Faith from Cynthis Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens is read and analyzed by Asya showing us how even in the darkest times, faith is a beacon of light. In Art Attack, the hosts tackle the role of faith in creating great art, despite setbacks and criticisms. br “Faith invigorates our souls, energizes our minds and shapes our dreams.” Dani Wong

Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Peanuts are alive and well! Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian interview Hadley Belle Miller, the voice of Lucy, in the new peanuts movie. br They also read Joel Goodman’s story, The Gift of Humor, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and talk about what constitutes humor. In Hope Heals, Zahra shows us the healing effects of laughter. Instead of from “grim and bear it” adopt an attitude of “grin and share it.” Laughter and humor are the best medicine. http://www.peanutsmovie.com/

Being a volunteer for Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 charity offers major benefits to the individual. Hosts Jennifer Lee, Zahra Hasanian and Courtney Cheng reminisce about how they have grown as people because of their involvement. As hosts and reporters of Express Yourself!™, they have learned to be spontaneous, timely, and prepared as they interview guests. You’ll hear about the early years of this teen radio broadcast, how to be grateful for all the little things in life, and plans for a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. Reporter Asya Gonzalez credits Express Yourself!™ with helping her to win her national award as one of America’s top teen entrepreneurs as she runs her design business, Stinky Feet Gurlz. Make a donation today to Be the Star You Are!® charity at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/donate.htm. It’s obvious that gratitude works. Be grateful and enjoy a happy Thanksgiving!

What is the meaning of care, and how do you heal both inside and out? Hosts Brigitte Zia and Zahra Hasanain read from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens the chapter, The Gift of Healing by prominent physical therapist, Arlyn Van Dyke about his childhood accident that lead to him becoming a healer. They then travel across the pond to the Emerald Isle with a fascinating interview with author of The Summer King, Orla Melling. Melling’s books of young adult fantasy weave spiritual themes with high adventure in the tradition of her favourite author, C.S. Lewis. Her bestselling series The Chronicles of Faerie was listed among the American Library Association’s Top Ten Fantasy Books for Youth and Top Ten Youth Books for the Environment. Art can be very calming and serene and in our last segment, Art Attack reporter, Brigitte shows us the power of healing art.Each and every one of us harbors a doctor within. Heal thyself!

What is the meaning of joy, and what is true happiness in life? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Caiseen Kelly investigate cheerfulness. They read the chapter, The Gift of Happiness by MJ Ryan from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS written by Cynthia Brian. Health Rap reporter Alex Pawlakos brings the research indicating that happiness strengthens our immune system, combats disease, disability, while reducing stress. Zahra Hasanaian, our Hope Heals reporter discusses the importance of passion for a truly happy life. If you want to live long and blissfully, think happy. Pharrell Williams has it right-happiness is the truth.

Skeletons, pumpkins, and ghosts! Oh my! It’s Halloween and the favorite holiday of our hosts Asya Gonzalez and Caiseen Kelly. After a fun discussion about creating costumes and childhood pranks, Art Attack Reporter, Brigitte Jia, takes us back in history to discover how Halloween came about. Special guest is Disney star, Sophie Reynolds. Sophie Reynolds is one of the newest members of the Disney family as the sweet and fun-loving ‘Ashley’ on “Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything” with Cameron Boyce. She also talks about her upcoming Halloween movie to be shot in Canada. Make this a spooktacular Halloween. Be safe and have a scary night!

Remember Kermit, the Frog moaning about the difficulty of being green? In today’s show, host Asya Gonzalez looks at what it means to be green in a variety of ways. She kicks off the program reading the chapter, The Gift of Green by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS and follows up with numerous ways to be pro-active stewards of our earth. Economics Tune-Up Reporter, Alex Pawlakos looks at being environmentally astute from the viewpoint of our wallets. Save the environment and save cash. “Go green to save green.” Our special guest, Good Morning America producer, Mary Pflum Peterson, shares her love of Kermit with her compassionate and eye opening memoir, White Dresses, an exploration of a complex family history. She discusses her deep bond with her intelligent mother, a former nun, and gives us a peek into the underlying ailment of hoarding. Every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”

Individuality is more important than imitation. But how can you express your individuality? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia talk about how teens can find their true identity. They read the chapter, the Gift of Individuality by Cynthia Brian, from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS which focuses on marching to the tune of your own drum. Author of more than 50 books, Elizabeth Lenhard is interviewed for her newest book, Flirt-Our Song. Elizabeth has always been a full-time writer starting at a newspaper then moving to ghost writing and her own books. She advises people who want to write to just write, be unique, and not worry about getting published. Brigitte excites us with her Art Attack segment focusing on amazing examples of individuality in the history of art, including The School of Athens and Rafael. Your actions and decisions are powerful, and impact both you and the people around you. Be proud of yourself and your individuality, and remember that you are a star!

What is friendship and how do we create life long relationships? Hosts Caiseen Kelly and Brigitte Jia discuss the meaning of real friendship. The Gift of Friends by Erica Miner from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens is read with tips on how to be a friend. The ladies then interview author, Erin Bow with her newest YA science fiction novel, The Scorpion Rules, that reveals how friends help one another survive. In Art Attack, Brigitte shares information on how movements in art were begun because of the friendship between friends, including Impressionism and Cubism. “Choose your friends wisely. Then be there for each other. That is a gift that has no price: the gift of a lifetime.”

What is fortitude and do you have the strength to keep on keeping on? New host Brigitte Jia examines fortitude for a full hour beginning with reading the Gift of Fortitude by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! for TEENS. In our 2nd and 3rd segment, Brigitte introduces Rachel Caine, the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 internationally bestselling author of more than 45 novels that span the categories of horror, suspense, urban fantasy, science fiction, media tie-in, historical, and young adult. Rachel discusses her first novel in The Great Library series, INK AND BONE, while giving insights on how to get started as a teen writer. In Art Attack, Brigitte profiles artists with immense courage, who faced obstacles and challenges to complete their works and maintain their craft. What does Fortitude mean? Fortitude entails strength, guts, resilience, courage, staying power, stamina, endurance, and determination.

When someone does you wrong, it can be hard to forgive. Without forgiveness, we can’t move on. Host Asya Gonzalez reads the chapter, The Gift of Forgiveness, from both books, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference where we learn that time spent blaming and complaining is totally wasted. We are the winners, not the losers, when we forgive and let go because it means that we can also forgive ourselves. Co-host Caiseen Kelly joins Asya to interview mega best selling author Mary Nethery about why she writes about forgiveness in her forthcoming novel, Nabbed in New Orleans. Mary Nethery deals with a band of friends on an adventure in post Katrina New Orleans in which they discover love, friendship, and find forgiveness. Finally, our teen hosts discuss how forgiveness has moved them forward in their own lives and how teens can embrace this virtue. Forgive and forge ahead.

What is financial literacy and why is it important to understand starting at a young age? According to the dictionary, financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works in the world; how you earn it, how you manage it, how you invest it, how you use it to help others aka donating. Producer, Cynthia Brian, sits in the hosting seat to interview teen reporters Zahra Hasanian, Eric Pawlakos, and Asya Gonzalez on what financial literacy means to them, how they are learning, and what are the benefits. The chapter on financial literacy penned by Heather Brittany is read from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens advocating the importance of earning a living to live a life. • • “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Benjamin Franklin

The word “work” often has a negative connotation. Hosts Caiseen Kelly and Asya Gonzalez look at the “whys” of working hard to achieve goals. They interview award -winning author Brooks Olbrys about his book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob. This colorful and inspiring early chapter book series provides young readers with an introduction to timeless principles of achievement. Brooks encourages us to follow our hearts and passions to discover our purpose, then, work will be fulfilling and joyful. Reporter of Book It!, Courtney Cheng, discusses the novel, Motherland, a story about a German mother caught in the middle of WWII and what working meant to her family. Having work could simply be your own way of keeping yourself busy, your mind sharp, your body active. Asya Gonzalez tells how she became a child entrepreneur and how the hard work led to her being awarded one of five top teen entrepreneurs of 2015 and winning the Dan Danner Leadership Award providing an additional $10,000

The word “work” often has a negative connotation. Hosts Caiseen Kelly and Asya Gonzalez look at the “whys” of working hard to achieve goals. They interview award -winning author Brooks Olbrys about his book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob. This colorful and inspiring early chapter book series provides young readers with an introduction to timeless principles of achievement. Brooks encourages us to follow our hearts and passions to discover our purpose, then, work will be fulfilling and joyful. Reporter of Book It!, Courtney Cheng, discusses the novel, Motherland, a story about a German mother caught in the middle of WWII and what working meant to her family. Having work could simply be your own way of keeping yourself busy, your mind sharp, your body active. Asya Gonzalez tells how she became a child entrepreneur and how the hard work led to her being awarded one of five top teen entrepreneurs of 2015 and winning the Dan Danner Leadership Award providing an additional $10,000

Encouragement is the gift of caring and kindness. Without encouragement and support from at least one dedicated cheerleader, it’s difficult to succeed in life. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez read The Gift of Encouragement penned by Billijo Doll from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! for Teens, then discuss how encouragement has made the difference in their lives. Katelyn Darrow shares how she began she charity, Angels of God Clothing Closet at age 12 with the encouragement of friends and family. Broadcast veteran Paul Sladkus joins the conversation from a Willy Nelson concert in Brooklyn to shed light on good news and peace. Paul is involved with sharing the Good of the people of the world. He created www.goodnewsplanet.com for people to share their stories and events in their lives. And he organized the www.peacedayparty.org to help strengthen the message of the United Nations for the International Day of Peace on September 21.

Knowledge is power. Information is food for the mind. Nourish yourself with education. Show hosts Henna and Asya read the chapter, The Gift of Education by Dr. Don Martin, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! for Teens then chat about their own journeys in their pursuit of education. They then welcome Aussie author of 21 books, Sue Lawson, who discusses the life of a writer and her new book Freedom Ride, based on true events. Asya wraps it up with the importance of educating on ourselves on numerous topics including child sex trafficking. She and Henna advise using education and your gut to keep safe. When you learn, you grow. An education is a treasure that pays big dividends for a lifetime. Educate yourself today!

The Gift of Dreams No matter who you are or where you come from, you have the power to dream. Imagine the life you want to live. Host Jennifer Lee jumpstarts our dreams with a rendition of “Imagine” followed with host Henna Hundal and Jennifer offering ways to do what you love and love what you do as they read the chapter, The Gift of Dreams from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. Why do we dream? HealthRap Reporter Alex Pawlakos sheds light on the science behind dreaming. Often the imagery in a dream may be connected to a real-life problem in a more visual way. In our REM dreams, we are re-processing emotional experiences that happen in our waking life. But, because of the reduced levels of stress chemicals, we are able to re-processing these experiences in a more stress-free environment. Ilana Harkavy, an LA-based recording artist/songwriter and entrepreneur with a passion for female empowerment debuts her first solo EP

You’re unique, one-of-a-kind, an original. The vitality of life springs forth when we learn to not only rejoice in our commonalities but also appreciate our differences. Hosts Jennifer Lee and Henna Hundal discuss different strokes for different folks with Express Yourself!™ reporters Courtney Cheng, Maria Wong and Zahra Hasanain. The chapter, The Gift of Differences penned by Anna Meyers from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens is read and talked about by the hosts followed by a conversation with Book It! reporter, Courtney about how internet sites can be both welcoming and alienating when it comes to being different. Maria Wong’s Book Smart segment focuses on social class inequalities in the Mombai centered characters of The Space Between Us. Hope Heals reporter, Zahra Hasanain, finds that · Conformity and differences are complementary. A world without uniformity and commonality would be chaos where no one could come to a consensus to agree about anything.

Do you often wonder what your future holds? What incredible things you stand to accomplish? Where you’ll end up in 10 or 15 years? The answers, as many would say, are in the stars. First time host, Jennifer Lee, joins experienced host Henna Hundal to sing the song “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson that says a lot about what destiny means. Following up on the topic, in Health with Henna, Henna offers concrete tips on how to create a healthy future through exercise. Both hosts read the chapter, The Gift of Destiny from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens which leaves us with the message that serendipitous opportunities seem to find us when we are making other plans. If you want to predict your future you have to create it yourself, however, keeping in mind that you can never push the river. It just flows. Art Attack reporter, Brigitte Jia illustrates how fate and destiny are two subjects that artists have struggled with for countless eras, spitting out in the process works

Can eating dark chocolate before going on a date help you be more relaxed? Find out in today’s Express Yourself!™ with hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez as they chat with regular reporters, Alex Pawlakos, Courtney Cheng, and Brigitte Jia. Alex offers many anxiety relief tips in his segment of Health Rap that will be helpful not only for dating opportunities but for all encounters. Courtney’s Book It! report explores the ups and downs of dating through two movies, The F Word and Everything Before Us that portray relationships between teenagers, young adults, and adults in a realistic manner. Asya and Henna engaged in a discussion about trust, connection, values, morals, and kindness regarding dating. The ebullient Brigitte’s report of Art Attack is specifically about her top five favorite art pieces created in the spirit of romance and passion. Let love reign.

What does it mean to be daring? It’s time to step out of your comfort zone, take on a new challenge, be bold, be strong, become the best you! Hosts Rachel Glass and Henna Hundal chat with author Lee Kelly, author of City of Savages, a former high profile attorney who dared to become a writer. After the Red Allies turn New York City into a POW camp, two sisters must decipher the past in order to protect the future in this action-packed thriller with a dual narrative. Rachel reads her chapter of Daring from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and shares how her daring adventures have evolved in the six years since her story was published. Reporter of Art Attack, Brigitte Jia, explores the boldness and tenacity of the French artists Monet, Renoir, Sisley, and Bazille who dared to explore the innovative style that began a new and vivid movement, impressionism.

The rich earth is filled with marvels in every nook and cranny. Don’t merely accept this grandeur, but rather seek it out. Strive to be curious. Host Henna Hundal discusses how being curious and creative sets us free and offers unlimited possibilities in all realms. Alex Pawlakos brings his new segment HealthRap to Express Yourself!™ with the curious and exciting happenings in the medical arena. Reporters and writers are high on the list of professionals who need to be curious. Former newspaper reporter turned travel guidebook writer, author, and radio host, Fran Silverman shares how curiosity has shaped her career. Co-host Asya Gonzalez talks about how curiosity leads to self-discovery and without curiosity nothing in life would be accomplished or achieved. Put on your thinking cap, view the world through an inquisitive lens. Your life will never be the same. Be curious. The Gift of Curiosity is based on a chapter from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS

Do you take your freedom for granted. Growing up in the free world, especially in the United States, it is easy to get complacent. As our day of independence approaches, our star hosts and reporters, Henna Hundal, Asya Gonzalez, Katelyn Darrow, and Brigitte Jia weigh in on what freedom means to them and what they are doing to celebrate this gift of life manifestation. Katelyn talks about her work with Amnesty International and the importance of participating in peaceful protests. Asya expresses her sincerest gratitude that she is able to freely discuss her thoughts and ideas on this uncensored, unedited teen forum of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. Just think how many people around the world have their voices squashed? Henna brings tips to graduates moving on to the next phase of their life with the freedom of choices while encouraging healthy habits. Brigitte looks at the true freedom art gives in the form of Art is so effective that it is restricted by some totalitarian governments who don’t believe in freedom of expression. Wake up, inhale the brilliant air. Do you feel that wonderful energy pumping through your veins? Today’s a new day. And you’re FREE to make the best of it. Freedom is a gift. Have you embraced your present yet? Express Yourself!

Communication is the key to effectively communicate our ideas, visions, and desires in order to reach a higher state of mutual understanding. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez interview relationship specialist Milton Quibner, host of the podcast Get Over Yourself! The Milt ‘n Mia Show! Milt is the author of How High Should I Jump: The Satirical Guide to Pleasing Today's Woman. He shares his philosophy on living life to the fullest with honest, straight forward communication skills. The newest member of our Express Yourself!™ crew, Maria Wong, begins a new segment called, Book Smart. She highlights the importance of communication through a discussion of the book, To All the Boys I Ever Loved by Jenny Han. Reporter for Art Attack, Brigitte Jia, shares how a picture really is worth a thousand words. Art says something to people, about people. The artist who’s created the work is sharing a message, and this message can be interpreted by others according to their emotions and backgrounds. Learning to communicate effectively is a gift and in today’s hour of Express Yourself!™, you’ll be introduced to novel ideas on how to engage.

Life is about choices. We can choose to be happy, we can choose to be sad. We have the power. Host Henna Hundal examines the benefits of choosing a life of integrity, honesty, bravery, and empowerment, while inspiring others to do the same. Henna interviews two thrilling authors, Natalie Richards and Anita Telle. Natalie is the author of the YALSA Teens’ Top Ten nominated psychological thriller, Six Months Later, and the newest thriller Gone Too Far. She discusses the choices she has made to live her passion as a writer and she encourages youth to go for their dreams.

Challenges are our greatest teachers. Out of each challenge you emerge a stronger, wiser, and more well-equipped human being. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez examine how you can embrace your struggles and see them as opportunities for growth. They interview world-renowned scientist of artificial intelligence, Dr. Steve Omohondro, a scientist, professor, author, software architect, and entrepreneur doing research that explores the interface between mind and matter. He published the book Geometric Perturbation Theory in Physics, designed the programming languages StarLisp and Sather, wrote the 3D graphics system for Mathematica, and built systems which learn to read lips, control robots, and induce grammars. Dr. Steve discusses the challenges humans will face in the next ten years as the world powers strive to be the first to control AI. Our Hope Heals Reporter, Zahra Hasanain encourages everyone to keep pushing because it is only through challenges that we grow as individuals. Challenges build character. Don’t be afraid to take on any curve balls you’re thrown…even if it’s a robot tossing the ball!

The cost of illiteracy to American taxpayers and businesses is 225 billion dollars for crime, loss of tax revenue due to unemployment wages, unemployment, welfare and other government assistance. In addition, low literacy adds 230 billion to the annual cost of delivering healthcare in the United States. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez investigate the growing epidemic of illiteracy causing irreparable damage to our society. They interview career strategist, Carol Christen, author of What Color is Your Parachute for Teens? to find out how young people can discover their strengths, design a promising future, and plan for a dream job. The 3rd edition of the book features fresh updates on the specific challenges of today’s job-market and advice on information interviewing, social media, internships, and more. Reading and researching are key ingredients to this success. Low literacy and communication skills have been identified in studies as major contributors to general conduct disorders, psychiatric disorders, criminal behavior, and adolescent suicide.

Building a beautiful life is all about building amazing memories. Memories are treasures. They’re moments of time that we tuck away safely in a little pocket of our hearts. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez spend three segments sharing the importance of remembering as they examine how to use memories as sweet reminders of the journey traversed through life. Art Attack reporter, Brigitte Jia brings her unique artistry to the conversation by illustrating how works of art are used to communicate the most ephemeral moments, fleeting snapshots frozen forever. Remembrance isn’t about fame. Remembrance is about connecting with the people around you. Live life fully, spreading love, creating memories. You might not be a household name, but celebrated Grandpa Joe gets as much love at the dinner table as Leonardo Da Vinci, if not more. Be a memory architect! “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” Gerard Way

What is beauty? Why is beauty such a concept that is so misunderstood? Could there be one absolute definition of beauty Billboards feature models with perfect, golden skin tone glows. Magazines sprawl open with images of stick thin celebrities without a blemish or flaw in sight. In a world that is so fixated on outer appearances, it’s time to redefine beauty and our teen hosts and reporters offer ways to make you feel beautiful from the inside out. Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez have lively conversations on the meaning of beauty and self confidence. They encourage listeners to tap into their inner beauty by smiling, standing up straight, thinking positive thoughts, and celebrating what you have instead of what you lack. Our talented singer and Back Story Reporter, Jennifer Lee, sings Carole King’s song, Beautiful which emphasizes that anyone is as beautiful as he/she feels. New reporter, Brigitte Jia, brings us her first segment of Art Attack, looking at the beauty of Japanese anime and manga. Be the Star You Are! and Express Yourself! congratulate Asya Gonzalez for being honored as one of five top teen entrepreneurs in the USA with her company Stinky Feet Gurlz. The quote by Roald Dahl sums up the theme of beauty, A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. Be Beautiful and remember you are a STAR! BE the STAR You Are!

Attitude, attitude, attitude. We decide whether it’s positive or negative and our choice affects everyone. Host Henna Hundal interviews two authors, Brooks Olbrys and Dani DePirro, dedicated to helping their readers enjoy a positive, uplifting attitude. As a lifelong student of achievement philosophies, Brooks Olbrys was inspired by his young son to empower children in a storybook series he created, called The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob. The series fuses both entertainment and education giving kids the valuable message that a great attitude and a great work ethic can lead to great achievement! Brooks also shares insights into writing his latest book in the series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob-A Challenging Series. Brooks is also a dedicated benefactor of Be the Star You Are!® charity, donating books to instantly help children affected by disasters. Dani DePirro joins Henna in a lively upbeat conversation about her inspirational book, The Positively Present Guide to Life which is an adjunct to her web site PositivelyPresent.com. The book provides specific, action-oriented advice for embracing positive thinking in everyday life to, create a nurturing home, build a fulfilling career, develop great relationships, appreciate true love, and embrace change. Join our power-packed discussion and shift your attitude to gratitude and positivity.

This week, we learn to ASK for what we want. Ask and you shall receive! Children are incredible with unquenchable curiosity. They inquire, about small things and big things, wanting to know more about the world around them. It’s time to be a child again, and bring back the ability to inquire. Hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow interview four authors in this broadcast. First up is author Michelle Zink who writes Young Adult Fiction, and is the award-winning author of six published novels and six novellas. Her first series, Prophecy of the Sisters, was one of Booklist’s Top Ten Debut Novels and a Booklist Top Ten YA novel. In segments two, three, and four, our hosts interview a trio of Christian ministers who are breathing new life into the importance of being a father with their book Daddy Look. Authors Reggie Watts, Todd Battle, and Darrell Sanders tackle weighty parenting questions in their tremendous book destined to change the lives and make a difference in the lives of all who read it. Daddy Look outlines how to become a godly father by focusing on five important virtues: -Being a Godly Man -Being a Man of Character -Being a Teacher -Being a Provider and -Being a Protector. Ask yourself-are you a Daddy that Looks? If not, why not? Start today. Ask and you shall receive!

With this week’s theme –– The Gift of Appreciation –– we here at Express Yourself!™ have a lot to appreciate! We have interviewed amazing guests, we have a first class crew, and we are a top rated program! In this program, we examine how you can recognize all the gifts that life affords you every day! Whether it’s having a new pair of shoes, a hot cup of coffee, a warm blanket, or a hug from a friend, we all have little things in our life to be thankful for. Never forget to let that gratitude show! Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez are honored to introduce an incredibly inspiring individual, Pulitzer Prize winner John McQuaid, with his newest book, Tasty. Tasty Explores how deliberate manipulation of flavor influences virtually every aspect of the human experience, from pleasure to pain, from joy to sorrow. John has written about topics such as city-destroying super-termites, the slow collapse of fishing communities, hurricane levee engineering, mountaintop removal coal mining, and the global flower business for major publications. Henna and Asya end the program with simple tips for everyone to be more appreciative by being grateful, performing kind acts, writing notes, and many other ways to show appreciation.

When the days get longer, the times get tougher, and life in general becomes stressful, finding little ways to amuse yourself is the key to being a happy you. Teen hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez help you release stress and follow your passions with their exciting guests. First up are the rocking Mother/Daughters country trio, Lucy Angel with Mom Kate and daughters Lindsay and Emily ! They star in the docu-series, “Discovering Lucy Angel” on AXS TV and their newest single “Crazy Too” airs on this program. Rocking writer, Mindee Arnett is next up with her two young adult series: The Arkwell Academy Series, a contemporary fantasy from Tor Teen (Macmillan), and Avalon, a sci-fi thriller from Balzer+Bray (HarperCollins). She talks about the fun as well as the heartaches of being a young writer. And finally, Game Boys reporter Sam and Eddie Casey talk about how they are hooked on video games and also love family time, especially the trips to their family cabin on a lake in Maine where they can boat and fish. Smile, Have Fun, and Be Wild and Crazy!!! That’s StarStyle® and Express Yourself!™ motto!

It’s important to feel validated and appreciated. Affirmation is a fundamental need of all humans. Hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow share their personal experiences and interview a former international model and actress turned sell-esteem magazine publisher. Detail Description It’s important to feel validated and appreciated. Affirmation is a fundamental need of all humans. Hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow share their personal experiences with ways they offer affirmation to themselves and others. They also interview CEO of BYOU Magazine, author of Beauty’s Secret, A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Beauty, and former international model and actress, Debra Gano. After a series of life-changing incidents, including a near-fatal car accident, Debra’s perspective shifted from one of superficial external-focus to a deeper inner awareness that it's what's inside that counts. As a single mother of a twelve-year-old daughter, Debra discusses her passion for helping females find and live their most authentic, empowered selves. Henna loves working with Be the Star You Are!® charity providing platforms for expression and promoting positive media. She says, “ we’re equipping young people with the confidence they need so that they can get out there and take the world by storm.” She also is a Teen Ambassador for You are Valued where the message is “Grant yourself permission. Give yourself affirmation and define yourself.” Besides volunteering with Be the Star You Are!®, Katelyn launched a new campaign with her charity, Angels of God, called Angel Deeds which encourages people to spread kindness and help others through every day, simple deeds. “Small actions make a big difference,” says Katelyn. The following is excerpted from the chapter, The Gift of Affirmation from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. “We underestimate how our own personal agenda affects people we know and don't know. Smiling is an incredibly effective affirmation. Even when you feel down, just making yourself smile will improve everyone's mood, including your own. “Help people notice the good in themselves. When they feel special, they will be special.” Cynthia Brian

Do you abide by the status quo? Do you live inside the box? Are you imprisoned by routine? Life’s too short to be trapped by the world’s expectations and our hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez invite you to find your own adventure! Meet sixteen year old founder of the lip balm company, Blamtastic, Lily Sandler, who has been on the adventure of a growing company while being a teen. Author of Even in Paradise, Chelsey Philpot, captures the intensity, the thrill, and the heartbreak of our too-brief friendships and loves in her stunning debut novel that is a cross of The Great Gatsby meets Looking for Alaska. Hope Heals reporter, Zahra Hasanain, shares tips on how to be adventurous with tips and strategies. As James Dean said, “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today. Go have an adventure and check off another item on your bucket list!

Life is full of conflict and challenges, yet we humans are full of resilience. Whenever we find ourselves in trying times, we grow, we change, we acclimate, we adapt. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez navigate the topic of adapting to change with Global Talk reporter, Ryan Sim who uses the current California drought as an example of adapting to different scenarios. Henna and Asya also interview author Sandy Goldsworthy with her books Aftermath and Aftershock, as she talks about how adaptation has registered in her writing and her personal life. Henna and Asya share an in-depth look at what it means to be ready and willing to accommodate new conflicts and challenges by offering concrete tips including: keep a gratitude journal pay attention to your life be a victor, not a victim choose positive attitudes and actions learn to relax and breathe set smart goals Change is important, it teaches us new lessons in life. How can we grow if we don't experience change? Strategies that allow us to adapt to change help us live happier, healthier lives. Give yourself the gift of adaptability.

Every week, Express Yourself! will bring you a stimulating program based on a chapter from our award winning book Be the Star You Are! for Teens. (http://starstyleradio.net/Store.html) Winning that football game after months of tough training. Advancing in the science fair after years of research. Earning a promotion at your part-time job. No achievement is insignificant. If you've worked hard for your success, you deserve to be proud. In this show about the gift of achievement, host Henna Hundal speaks with high school student Jennifer Lee, who sings a lovely rendition of Almost There. Natalie Alyn Lind, who shines on the hit ABC comedy series The Goldbergs, discusses her journey in acting and her commitment to making a difference in people's lives. Haley Tju, a star of Nickelodeon's Bella and the Bulldogs, speaks about her passion for her work and her desire to serve as a role model. With a line-up of sparkling guests, this show leads listeners through an exploration of what it truly takes to achieve our dreams.

Even superheroes have flaws, even great literary characters have foibles. We have to learn to accept both our strengths and our weaknesses in order to live fulfilling lives. In this powerful show, hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez give you the tools you need to appreciate the gift of acceptance. The teens interview entrepreneur and actor Jake Johnson, who started his first family business venture at age eight. Now in high school, Jake was recently named the winner of Warren Buffett's Grow Your Own Business challenge. In addition, Diana Zimmerman, an author, businesswoman, humanitarian, and performer known as the World's Foremost Lady Magician, gives insight on how to break free of insecurities and embrace your uniqueness. With star guests and stimulating conversation, this show sheds light on the importance of knowing yourself, being yourself, and accepting yourself.

Beginning this week, Express Yourself!™ will bring you a stimulating program based on a chapter from our award winning book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. (http://starstyleradio.net/Store.html) This week’s theme is The Gift of Ability where we examine ways to harness your potential to positively impact the world. We all have a talent. And when we use our abilities in ways that bring light to our lives and joy to others, we achieve our true purpose. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez interview two talented teens starring in current hot TV series. Brooke Sorenson is a budding young actress and songstress who can bee seen on Modern Family, Disney XD’s “Might Med,” Disney’s “Austin & Ally” and Nickelodeon’s “Haunted Hathaways”. She talks about how she got started what abilities she utilizes to grow. Gavin MacIntosh, a Tucson, Arizona native, is making waves as ‘Connor’ on the hit ABC Family series “The Fosters.” He’s also seen in “Parks and Rec” and numerous TV commercials. Although he loves acting, his dream is to go to dental school. The youngest reporter on Express Yourself!™, Sam Casey, joins the girls to talk about what abilities are necessary to play video games. Our talents are gifts and we have a responsibility to use our abilities to serve the world and ourselves.

Conversations are limitless. When two or more individuals get together, magic happens as they discuss the weather, sports, fashion, books, movies, school, challenges, and life in general. There is power in a conversation. The conversation flow freely in today’s show as hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow interview two authors, Christy Whitman and Rachel Wilson. New York Times best-selling author of three books including Taming Your Alpha Bitch, Christy Whitman, just released her latest book, The Art of Having it All: A Woman’s Guide to Unlimited Abundance. She is the CEO and founder of the Quantum Success Coaching Academy, a 12 month Law of Attraction coaching certification program, and the creator of the Enlightened Kid Program. With Christy, the conversation revolves around our belief systems and the choices we make to live the dream. From rising star Rachel M. Wilson comes a powerful, moving debut novel, Don’t Touch, a tale of friendship and love. Originally from Alabama, Rachel received her MFA in writing for children and young adults and now teaches, acts, and writes in Chicago. She and the teen hosts converse about the creative writing process with tips on how teenagers with a goal of being a writer can get started. In today’s program, Express Yourself!™ you’ll understand how talking provides the power of true expression. Start a conversation!

Young or old, male or female, student or professional, if you’ve ever faced a deadline in your life, you know the allure of procrastination. Due dates always seem to defy clock, bombarding us relentlessly. The quest to use our time most effectively is a universal struggle. Hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow with reporter, Asya Gonzalez lead a discussion on the necessity of time management. Some of their tips include: -Use an organizer -Know your deadlines -Learn to say “No” to some opportunities -Target to be punctual and early for your engagements -Find what distracts you and weed it out of your life -Don’t fuss about unimportant details -Prioritize and delegate - “Work smarter, not harder” Henna and Katelyn also interview college student creative author, Pema Donyo who inspires us with her ability to balance school and publishing. You’ll also meet the adorable star of the new Amazon series, “Just Add Magic”, Olivia Sanabia. Olivia enchants us with her bubbly, positive outlook and very grown up ways in which she manages her time for acting, studying, and play. Make sure to vote before February 15th for Olivia and Just Add Magic at Amazon.com. Use your time wisely.

When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of hearts, red roses, cupid, and love. Love is magical, transformational, the essence of life itself. Hosts Henna Hundal and Youngjoo Ahn interview author and astrologer, Jessica Shepherd, about her books A Love Alchemist’s Notebook: Magical Secrets For Drawing Your True Love Into Your Life and Venus Signs. Jessica advocates thinking bigger when it comes to love and soul mates. Singer/songwriter, Dylan Rouda, releases his new single, Polaroid Picture. Dylan calls his style “East Coast urban rock meets West Coast surf rock”. Dylan’s passion is writing lyrics and singing anywhere and everywhere. We get to hear his single, Polaroid Picture” which was recorded after a breakup. At her first year at Smith, Youngjoo talks about living on her own and how her relationship with her family has evolved in her absence. Reconnect with your inner gifts of passion, purpose, and most importantly, love with Express Yourself!

In our multifaceted, multidimensional world, complicated issues arise every day. With these problems often growing and intertwining with others, it’s important to probe all the linkages to develop effective solutions. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal provides a brief synopsis and history of HIV/AIDS and dispels common myths. Social Responsibility reporter, Asya Gonzalez offers a balanced insight on guns and violence. Both Henna and Asya interview filmmaker, author, and producer, Yasmin Shiraz who gives us a perspective on teens, guns, violence, and HIV/AIDS. Yasmin masterfully explores those societal issues that are eyesores-uncomfortable and inconvenient for us to address. But, instead of turning our heads away from the matter, Yasmin powerfully reminds us that we need to face these problems with courage and conviction. According to the CDC, almost 10,000 young people ages 13 to 24 in the United States had been diagnosed with HIV by the end of 2010. At the end of 2010, an estimated 1,144,500 persons aged 13 and older were living with HIV infection in the United States, including 180,900 (15.8%) persons whose infections had not been diagnosed. Gun violence is ubiquitous in teen gangs. Asya reminds us that guns are a tool not a toy and must be used responsibly and according to the law. More people are killed by cars than by guns. According to the FBI crime report 32,788 people died from automobile crashes in 2010. In that same year 8,775 people died from gun deaths. We don’t need to ban guns, we need to ban violence against humanity. Responsibility and respect are key. For an enlightening conversation around tough topics, tune into this episode of Express Yourself!

Taylor Swift, John Green, You Tube, Table 58. What do they have in common? Bold fashion styles. Beauty must-haves. The latest songs. The best new gadgets. Let’s face it: trying to stay informed about all the ever-evolving teen trends can be exhausting! Worry not, though – Express Yourself!™ is here to help keep you “in the know”! Under-recognized for their influence in the teen trend world, books are a huge part of young people’s lives, and they have the potential to catch on like wildfire, particularly when they become movies! Think Harry Potter, Twilight, the Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars. Whether we’re driving down the highways blaring the latest tunes from inside our cars, or whether we’re sitting in our rooms rocking out to beats from our iPods, music constitutes one of teens’ most valued art forms. It’s hard to imagine what our lives would be like without the solace of music and the influence of our favorite singers. Book It! Reporter, Courtney Cheng chats with our hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez about the importance and relevance of books and music for teens. DStar of Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr, twelve year old Grace Kaufman talks about her new Amazon series, “Table 58” about a geeky group of unpopular kidswho occupythe odd table in the lunchroom, made up of kids from all different cliques. Whatever trends are in or out, the Express Yourself!™ stars will keep you informed.

Bullying, mocking, deriding, disparaging, taunting, ridiculing, name calling describe exactly the type of social and emotional pain that many kids endure every day. The time is now to nip this negativity in the bud. Our empowered hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez interview Matt Cubbler, owner of MaxOut Strength Studio that works to create leaders by building the inner strength of its teen clients as well developing their physical strength. The hosts also interview creative writing teacher from Minnesota State, Geoff Herbach, award winning author of the Young Adult novels, Stupid Fast, Nothing Special, I’m With Stupid, and Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders, all listed in the year’s best by the American Library Association, The American Booksellers Association, and many state library associations. The Gift of Giving reporter, Katelyn Darrow, talks about why it’s important to choose benevolence amid bullies and always live by the Golden Rule. Our program winds up with a stellar rendition of Taylor Swift’s song “Mean” sung by our own Be the Star You Are!® chanteuse and Back Story Reporter, Jennifer Lee. Today’s program encourages us all to choose kindness and never be a name caller. It doesn’t pay to be MEAN. “I bet you got pushed around Somebody made you cold But the cycle ends right now 'Cause you can't lead me down that road And you don't know, what you don't know... Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city And all you're ever gonna be is mean Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me And all you're ever gonna be is mean Why you gotta be so mean?” By Taylor Swift

Each day brings an opportunity to enliven, inspire, and elevate other people’s lives. The question is, how are you going to find the big and small ways to be caring and helpful? Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez explore what it means to act with altruism, to fulfill our civic virtues, to be our neighbor’s keeper, and to be our most benevolent selves. The Gift of Giving reporter, Katelyn Darrow, shares stories from her life that inspired her to create Angels of God charity and encourages acts of kindness every day. For a fresh perspective on the topic, the youngest person ever to audition for be a reporter on Express Yourself!™, ten-year-old Sam Casey along with his cousin, Eddie, join the ladies with a new segment called Game Boys. Whether playing on-line games is helpful is debatable, so we’ll wait to hear from you. Be helpful. Care, share, and be fair.

A new year brings a new attitude! As we dash hard and strong into 2015, we have the chance to begin another chapter of our lives -- a fresh start. The question is,how will you make the most of this opportunity for renewal? Our hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez believe in understanding oneself first and foremost and with their positive outlooks interview two fascinating guests. Author of On the Road to Find Out, Rachel Toor, uses scenarios from her own life to help teens become more aware. Astrologer Paul Bogle, demystifies divination tools in down-to-earth language to help all of us enjoy our best year ever with a little guidance from the celestial stars. Reporter Zahra Hasanian encourages us to use smart goals to achieve our resolutions. Dream, hope, believe, and aspire to be your best self in 2015 with the assistance of our stellar Express Yourself!™ teen team. Shoot for the stars and expect to land on them!

Rejoice! It is the season to be filled with gratitude, merriment, and mirth. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez have created a fun and festive program sharing creative ways to make this holiday as joyous as possible. Baking, praying, decorating, giving, laughing, and donating are all part of our December offerings. Father of five children, award winning author, Jeff Gunhus thrills our hosts with his books that feature his children as characters. His first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born starring his other children. What would Christmas be without caroling? Our chanteuse reporter, Jennifer Lee, enlivens the discussion with the funny back stories as well as her vocal versions of two favorite holiday songs, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Baby. As part of our Express Yourself!™holiday gift to you, Be the Star You Are!® charity is offering three of its signature books for sale for the holidays at a discount of 55%. Buy Be the Star You Are!®, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, or The Business of Show Business for the ULTRA DISCOUNT (55% off) PRICE of $9.99 plus shipping through December 31. Buy ONLY at our STORE and ask for personalized inscriptions. http://starstyleradio.net/Store.html. All monies benefit the charity. Have yourself a holly jolly holiday and may all your dreams for a successful and healthy New Year come true. Celebrate now! keywords: #jack templar, jack templar, Jeff gunhus, holiday celebrations, Christmas, have a merry christmas #express yourself teen radio, express yourself radio, #kidstar, kidstar, #voice America kids network, voice America kids network, #starstyle productions, starstyle productions, #be the star you are, be the star you are charity,

Our most formative years are between birth and the time we leave home around age 18. Young people are impressionable, soft clay ready to be molded. We heed the signposts, mentally taking note about how to navigate our world. It’s during this time that we can learn to acquire the tools, tips, and tricks needed to live a virtuous and successful life. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez share the skills they’ve learned and how they want to embrace life as adults and interview two amazing guests. Author of Bird Face, Mississippi’s Cynthia Toney talks about her admiration for teenagers and the importance of being supportive while gleaning as much proficiency in what matters as possible. Ricky Roberts III is the author of four books, including YOU, What Really Matters. He is a youth advocate, speaker, and visionary who believes that everyone matters and deserves to know it. He is the creator of You Are Valued, a nonprofit organization that inspires youth to see the value in who they are, and appreciate the same in others. As we say at Be the Star You Are!®, “Everyone counts, especially YOU!” Learn something new every day. Having a skill set in whatever is important to you makes a difference in your quality of living.

How do young people launch a business or a non-profit? Entrepreneurial hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez discuss their personal journeys into the business world and give credit to their guides and mentors behind the scenes. Asya’s mom and dad, Tamie and Julian Gonzalez join the ladies, providing a parents perspective on how to support and enrich a child who wants to launch a business in childhood. Margaux Froley, author of Hero Complex and Escape Theory, works in Hollywood with TV networks including TLC, MTV, HGTV, and CW, CMT, and the Travel Channel. Margaux encourages young people to not fear going after their dreams. Become the CEO of your own life. It’s never too early!

On behalf of the entire Express Yourself!™ radio team, we are grateful to be celebrating our third-year anniversary of weekly broadcasts! It’s been a humbling, awe-inspiring, transformational journey filled with teen reporters from across the United States, guests from around the world, and a production team dedicated to making a difference in the world. It is also the season of Thanksgiving as Hosts Henna Hundal and Caiseen Kelly talk with Social Responsibility Reporter, Asya Gonzalez about gratitude. The first Express Yourself!™ teen host and show administrator, Steven Zhou, returns to reminisce about the impact being part of this positive radio program has had on his college life, and our hosts interview the star of Amazon’s new series, “Gortimer Gibbon’s life on Normal Street”, Sloane Morgan Siegel. Tune in for an uplifting hour of Thanksgiving, entertainment, and Anniversary Celebration. For what are you grateful?

Empathy is a form of positive communication. To aid us in cultivating empathetic attitudes, hosts Henna Hundal and Caiseen Kelley welcome three YA authors onto the program who have empathy as a foundation of many of their stories. Social Responsibility reporter Aysa Gonzalez gives us her take on living a nonjudgmental life with examples from her experiences. She also encourages empathy for victims of sexual slavery. Rebecca Serle is the author of When You Were Mine, The Edge of Falling and her new teen series, Famous in Love. She is an obsessive lover of all things pop culture. She blogs about The Vampire Diaries for New York magazine’s Vulture. Mary Elizabeth Summer has a BA in creative writing from Wells College. Her debut novel -- Trust Me, I’m Lying -- centers around teenage Julep Dupree, a con artist and a master of disguise who finds empathy in unexpected circumstances. Denise Jaden’s novels have been shortlisted or received awards through the Romance Writers of America, Inspy, and SCBWI. Her novels include Never Enough and Foreign Exchange. She discusses her Just-Get-To-The-End fast-drafting process. Be kind, be empathetic. Care, share, and be fair.

Domestic violence happens to men and women, straight, gay, and transgender of all ages. Domestic violence has reached epidemic status in America with teen abusive relationship incident rates rising. Our star hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez want the nation to rally together against this abusive crime to save one another. According to the Bureau of Justice statistics from the year 2003 to 2012 domestic violence accounted for 21% of all violent crimes with 960,000 occurrences reported annually. Every year, more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes. Why is domestic violence so rampant in the United States? What are the signs? What are the solutions? What do we all need to know? Tune in for an eye-opening hour that could save your life and the life of those you love. Are you in an abusive relationship right now? Don’t wait. Help is available. Please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-32

The season of screams and scares is officially here! Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s time to embrace your inner ghoul. For a skelton’s spooktacular holiday inspiration, Express Yourself!™ gets you into the spirit of Halloween faster than you can say BOO! We celebrate Halloween traditions from around the world with hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow as they pepper our trick or treat show with tips on how to enjoy haunted attractions, create gory decorations, carve peculiar pumpkins, cook monster mash, and don unique costumes. Rising star on Nickelodeon’s “Henry Danger”, hilarious and fun loving Sean Ryan Fox, talks about his love of superheroes, superpowers, and his similarities to his crazy character, Jasper. Debuting reporter of Hope Heals, Zahra Hasanain, delves into the history of Halloween while offering the best places and ways to trick or treat. As the chairperson of Be the Star You Are!®’s Trick or Treat for Literacy Campaign, Zahra as well as hosts Henna and Katelyn encourage donations to http://www.bethestaryouare.org/donate.htm to give books instead of candy. No matter what your age, as the skies darken and jack-o-lanterns glow, get your goosebumps on for a walking dead scary Halloween!

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a group of small, thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Red Ribbon Week was the brainchild of the National Family Partnership in1985 in an attempt to increase drug awareness among Americans. Today the Red Ribbon symbolizes communities mobilizing to educate youth and encourage involvement in drug prevention activities. Host Henna Hundal with Social Responsibility Reporter, Asya Gonzalez, shine the light on ways to stay drug, alcohol, and tobacco free through personal insights, scientific research, parental tips, and peer to peer pacts. Henna offers tips for teens to refrain from getting involved in risky behavior and how to be confident in the conviction to stay clean. Take the Red Ribbon Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America. WHAT'S THE PLEDGE ABOUT? 1. As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse. 2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs. 3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription. 4. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected. 5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse. I PLEDGE TO SET GUIDELINES TO HELP CHILDREN GROW UP SAFE, HEALTHY AND DRUG-FREE.

No matter how old are, how big you are, or how brave you are, we all have our fears. Some fears we outgrow, but others stay with us for years -- housed in the corners of our minds and the nerve endings of our bodies. Fear come in all shapes and sizes from debilitating fears dominating our daily lives to insignificant qualms that simply make us uneasy. Being scared may be rational or irrational, originating from past experiences, the anticipation of future catastrophes or mere figments of our imagination. What is fear? What makes some of us afraid and others not? To get some answers to these questions our hosts Henna Hundal and Caiseen Kelley have in depth conversations with reporters Katelyn Darrow and Asya Gonzalez. Katelyn discusses Universal Studios terrifying haunted houses, Asya reveals personal secret fears, Caissen delves into the fears surrounding technology, and Henna relates fears in the writing of her new book. Whether your fear is real, imagined, physical, or emotional, you’ll emerge a bit more courageous after listening to our talented teens converse. As Mark Twain said, “Courage is the resistance to fear, not the absence of fear.”

Whether you are young or old, the sky is a source of wonder. The burning ball of fire that lights up our solar system, the moon that casts shadows on a calm, dark night, the heavens are majestic. People often conflate astrology and astronomy, and in today’s show, our hosts, Henna Hundal and Caiseen Kelley, explain the differences and importance of each field with the assistance of our guest astrologer, Jamie Kahl Miller, and aspiring astronomer, teen Shawn Honaryar. Astronomy is the scientific stuffy of stars, planets, and objects in outer space whereas Astrology is the study of how the positions of the stars and movements of the planets influence lives, events, and behaviors. Techy Talk Reporter, Caiseen, also shares the coolest apps for observing the night sky. Express Yourself!™ shoots for the stars and lands on them with this stellar show focusing on Astrology and Astronomy.

Science is everywhere. From the stars that light the night sky to the intricate patterns on a butterfly’s wings, science is at play in all parts of our world and is continually making our lives so great. Hosts Henna Hundal and Courtney Chung discuss how science shapes our perspective on life from cell phones to lawn mowers, from cures for diseases to prosthetic limbs. Global Youth Talk reporter, Ryan Sim, talks about science careers in the United Nations, and how this international community is looking at science innovation to create solutions for the next generation. Special guest Dr. Jonathan Eisen,a Full Professor at the University of California, Davis, with appointments in the UC Davis Genome Center, the School of Medicine, and the College of Biological Sciences focuses on communities of microbes and how they provide new functions - to each other or to a host. Dr. Eisen is entertaining with his study systems of boiling acid pools, surface ocean waters, agents of many diseases, and the microbial ecosystems in and on plants and animals. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal reports on how we can prevent the negative effects of prolonged sitting. It’s important to take those “stretch breaks” every hour. Whether it’s writing scientific articles, thoughtful science reporting, or even talking about science on the radio, integrating humanities with science is key to reaching a mass audience.

Do you have a Model United Nations at your school? After listening to our hosts/resporters, Ryan Sim, Katelyn Darrow, and Henna Hundal discuss this simulation of the United Nations, you’ll want to find out how to bring MUN to your area. Students in all age groups spanning all seven continents go to conferences, where they represent their countries crafting solutions to real-life problems like Women’s Rights in the Middle East or HIV in Africa. Teens learn to think and speak in the moment. MUN effectively prepares youth for the real world while teaching communication, research, writing, and speaking skills. You develop research skills and hone your writing abilities. Ryan is President of MUN at his school and he says it becomes a way of life. Listen to the conversation to determine if you have the skills to be a United Nations negotiator.

It's time to go back to school! Our Express Yourself!™ hosts, Courtney Cheng and Henna Hundal along with our reporters, Caiseen Kelley and Asya Gonzalez provide everything you need to rev up the excitement for a new year of learning. They’ll share their bright ideas and personal experiences about getting organized, color coding, finding new apps, staying healthy, shopping for supplies, finding friends, gaining teacher’s respect while balancing school and fun. Back to school can be stressful, but we are looking on the bright side of it all. Whether you’re an anxious student just about to transition into a new school, a high school senior struggling with senioritis already, or stepping into your first days of college, our Express Yourself!™ teens provide the answers you need to calm your back to school jitters. Tune in!

When it comes to thinking about college it is pressure cooker stress time! Whether you’re a high school senior getting ready to fill out those college apps, or whether you’ve still got some time on your hands, our hosts, Asya Gonzalez and Henna Hundal, along with our savvy reporters, Caiseen Kelley, Nicole Eubanks, and Caie Kelley guide you smoothly through the challenges. Techie Caiseen helps you navigate the juggling act with apps for your phone and computer. Health Beat reporter, Nicole, tackles stress and eases your frustrations with the information that there is something for everyone, so just chill. Veteran of the application madness, Caie Kelley, is on her way to Harvard this fall. She provides inside tips on how to just be your best self, write great essays, choose an appropriate school that fits who you are, consider the location, weather, courses taught, and, in the end, know that everything is going to turn out all right. Henna spent six weeks at the University of California at Davis this past summer living in the dorm while taking college classes so she feels prepared to leave the nest, although wonders if her parents are ready for the change. Asya’s dream college would be Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles, but she lives in Colorado and wonders if she can juggle her company, Stinky Feet Gurlz, from California. Lots of food for thought with a talented group of young ladies on the verge of the next chapter in their young lives. Think College-Wise! And congratulations to everyone involved with Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity. Today, September 9th, is our 15th Anniversary. Find out more at http://www.BetheStarYouAre.org.

As we celebrate the 104th birthday of Mother Teresa, it’s appropriate to broadcast a program that focuses on the wisdom of kindness. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez with reporter Ryan Sim serve up simple ways to show you care such as · Compliment three people. · Write a hand-written note. · Say good morning to everyone. · Pick up litter. · Place uplifting notes in library books, on restroom mirrors, on someone's locker, or on their computer screen. · Dedicate 24 hours to spreading positivity on social media. · Hold up inspiring signs during rush hour. · Leave a generous tip. · Send flowers to a friend. .Cook dinner for your family. .Help a friend move or clean. .Volunteer at a convalescent hospital .Pamper yourself! Read uplifting, inspiring books, a short chapter at a time such as Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference, or Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS. After a healthy dose of opportunities for acts of kindness, Henna and Asya interview ten-year-old actress, Ella Anderson, starring as Piper in the Nickelodeon series, Henry Danger. Ella began acting professionally at age five and has worked with Kurt Russell, James Franco, Vince Vaughn, and more. Her two dogs keep her kind and grounded.

As Eleanor Roosevelt commented, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We are positively or negatively affected by the people around us. It makes sense to choose our friends wisely so that we maintain a high energy level. Hosts Henna Hundal and Ryan Sim interview Social Responsibility reporter, Asya Gonzalez for a riveting report on the importance of upbeat, life affirming relationships. Recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant and a two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program, author Tracy Clark unveils her mystical magical book, Scintillate. Dubbed the teen Katy Perry by the UK press, Temara Melek debuts her hit single and video, “Fingerprints” . Temara opened for Demi Lovato’s “Neon Lights Experience.” For a buoyant, empowering, optimistic, yes I can program, tune in to value your worth.

Are you a day tripper? Summer is almost over, but there is still enough time to find a really fun excursion for a day. Our hosts Henna Hundal and Caiseen Kelley each share their takes on fun day trips. Caiseen introduces a new APP that plans a great day for you, while Henna reveals research indicating the benefits of just getting up and going out. Social Responsibility reporter Asya Gonzalez talks about lucky she is to have a family that loves to have fun and adventures on the spur of the moment as she gives us an inside peek at some of their unexpected day trips. Asya also advocates being aware of your surroundings to stay safe in any new venue. Katelyn Darrow, the Gift of Giving Reporter encourages listeners to get involved for just a day with a local charity to make a difference. Soon her charity, Angels of God Clothing Closet will be hosting a day of donating free back packs stuffed with back to school necessities. With all these tips of our young adventurers, you are set for a day of tripping! Have fun!

It’s a trip down memory lane to the days of our childhood with hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez plus an interview with Joey’s daughter on the TV series, Melissa and Joey. The Gift of Giving Reporter, Katelyn Darrow kicks off the show with her summer edition of suggestions for kids to have fun while making a difference. On a more somber note, Global Youth Reporter, Ryan Sim exposes the poverty of over 600,000 people living in the favelas of Brazil within kicking distance of the World Cup and the plight of children forced to survive through prostitution. Spunky pint size actress, Jada Facer talks about her role on the new TV series as well as how she likes to spend her extra time on and off the set. Harken back to the good ole days of your youth and be the kid you always wanted to be!

Two energetic and enthusiastic young ladies, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez star in this one hour program highlighting exciting summer activities. Henna broadcasts from the campus of UC Davis where she is enrolled in a fascinating scientific program. Asya shares her love of Pinterest and the fascinating projects she has gleaned from the site that she encourages anyone to try. The teens discuss making homemade ice cream, lemonade stands, creative businesses, and fun adventures that cost nothing to very little. The sedentary lifestyle of kids and the ubiquitous use of technology is leading to obesity, diabetes, and other diseases and our girls are adamant about changing that scene. They advocate getting up, getting out, and getting active. Ride bikes, hike, walk, run, throw Frisbees, swim, surf, skate! The fragrance of flowers fills up the expanse to the bright blue sky. The grass glistens at the touch of flickering sunbeams. A light breeze blows gently past. It’s an opportunity for enjoying something fresh and different. It’s summertime. Go outside and play!

Is being busy a good or bad thing? Our teens believe that being overwhelmed is bad while doing what you love is great-even if it means being super busy. How do we find the time to do it all? Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Clare Durant lead the discussion on our American obsession with constantly “doing and being so busy!” Techie Talk reporter, Caiseen Kelley shares two apps that have helped her family, friends, and self keep on task while eliminating the stress of a hectic schedule. In The Big Picture, Clare reminds us about the importance of play to avoid burn out. Special guest, six year old actress and rising star, Alyvia Alyn, is excitedly juggling several movies, TV shows, interviews, and home schooling with her passion for her family, dog, singing, dancing, and karate. Catch her in her latest film, Blended, as well as her TV series, Revenge, and daytime soap, The Young and the Restless. Alyvia’s enthusiasm is contagious! Book It! Reporter, Courtney Cheng admits that she is a list maker who writes a list reminding her to write a list, yet she is working on seven habits to be more effective. Remember you are in control of the way you feel and by incorporating enjoyable activities into your life, you will feel more energized. Get busy being alive! Play and do what you love!

Crafting and Scrapbooking seem to be favorite pastimes of young people. Now that summer is here and teens have more time to be imaginative, it may be time to hit the craft stores for a little artistic therapy. Hosts Henna Hundal and Courtney Cheng have different ways of being creative. Courtney’s creativity manifests with music, reading, journaling, writing and making photo chains while enjoys chronicling a healthy lifestyle. The Gift of Giving reporter, Katelyn Darrow provides ways to make original and beautiful masterpieces, including hosting a scrapbook party with friends to share materials and the fun. Joseph Reilly, a Starshine Academy high school senior, chats with our hosts about his plans to join the military following in the footsteps of his father who also was a radio DJ after he graduates and is married. His creativity is exhibited as he dabbles as a Tv/radio reporter and producer covering school events. Whether you scrapbook, photograph, craft, draw, paint, write, or play music, be your innovative, original self. In other words, always be the star you are and shine!

High school and college are times full of new experiences and discoveries and there are ways to have fun yet stay safe. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Clare Durant interview award winning author, director, and producer, Yasmin Shiraz, to find out ways that young people can avoid danger while enjoying themselves. Yasmin writes and produces content that deals with serious issues in an entertaining way because ultimately, it may save a few lives. In her new book Accused, Yasmin focuses on the prevalence of date rape and sexual assaults on campus offering numerous ways to be alert and protect yourself as well as the important steps to immediately take if you suspect you’ve been drugged or assaulted. In her new segment, The Big Picture, Clare explains the new bill passed in California’s legislature that gives colleges legal grounds to address and handle reports of sexual assaults through an “affirmed consent” clause. Nicole Eubanks opens our eyes in Health Beat with alternative ways to drinking, driving, drugging, and participating in other risky behavior. The take away is that it is possible to celebrate safely. Be aware!

Special guest is 14 year-old Mandalynn Carter, an actor, singer sassy stand-up comedian, and an outspoken advocate for anti-bullying. She stars in the feature film debuting this summer, A Horse for Summer with Dean Cain. Mandalynn also starred as Annie in The Dead Kid, which tells a bullying story from her perspective, a film currently on the world film festival circuit. She travels extensively for her work as an actor and was the series lead in Brenda Forever, a guest star on Scandal, a co-star on CSI-NY, a recurring character on Totally, as well as a supporting role in Machine Gun Preacher. She is touring Southern California schools with the troupe from Music is My Language promoting anti-bullying and her favorite place to work is Arizona. Summertime is here and that means traveling. It’s time to leave your comfort zone, explore, experiment, and enjoy exciting new destinations. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Henna Hundal talk about their summer travel plans while offering tips and tricks for a healthy, happy vacation, whether it be to a foreign country or around the block. Health Beat Reporter, Nicole Eubanks, couldn’t be on the show but she gave her helpful trip tips to the hosts to share. Whatever your summer plans, make sure to add travel to your itinerary. Discover new atmospheres find yourself in new adventures. Not only will your body get to enjoy a fresh and healthy change in scenery, but you’ll find yourself having a really awesome experience as well.

Summertime is here and that means traveling. It’s time to leave your comfort zone, explore, experiment, and enjoy exciting new destinations. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Henna Hundal talk about their summer travel plans while offering tips and tricks for a healthy, happy vacation, whether it be to a foreign country or around the block. Health Beat Reporter, Nicole Eubanks, couldn’t be on the show but she gave her helpful trip tips to the hosts to share. Special guest is 14 year-old Mandalynn Carter, an actor, singer sassy stand-up comedian, and an outspoken advocate for anti-bullying. She stars in the feature film debuting this summer, A Horse for Summer with Dean Cain. Mandalynn also starred as Annie in The Dead Kid, which tells a bullying story from her perspective, a film currently on the world film festival circuit. She travels extensively for her work as an actor and was the series lead in Brenda Forever, a guest star on Scandal, a co-star on CSI-NY, a recurring character on Totally, as well as a supporting role in Machine Gun Preacher. She is touring Southern California schools with the troupe from Music is My Language promoting anti-bullying and her favorite place to work is Arizona. Whatever your summer plans, make sure to add travel to your itinerary. Discover new atmospheres find yourself in new adventures. Not only will your body get to enjoy a fresh and healthy change in scenery, but you’ll find yourself having a really awesome experience as well.

June heralds in the last days of school and for high school seniors, graduation. It is a bitter-sweet time as friends part for the summer while embarking on new adventures. Our Express Yourself!™ teens, Youngjoo Ahn, Jane Fessenden, Henna Hendal, and Asya Gonzalez and high school senior guest, Amelia Glass, share their school experiences, friendships, goals, dreams, and fears. You’ll also hear about the summer learning loss that transpires during the long break with tips on how to keep mentally astute for the Fall semester. In addition, the girls discuss blossoming friendshps and how to maintain them with all ages throughout high school and into college. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors. Hats off!

Everyone has to eat, but not everyone knows how to cook. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Asya Gonzalez are kids in the kitchen as they interview a young baker/candle maker, LAFD firefighter/cook, and Health Beat Reporter, Nicole Eubanks. Nicole admits to always being starving when she gets home from school and dishes up simple ways to cook up batches of nutritious, delicious foods to have ready to munch. Asya’s youngest brother, Nolan, loves to bake and prefers to be in the kitchen making his Chum Bucket Candles or baking cookies instead of being on the radio talking about cooking. Los Angeles Firefighter, Brian Rankin, serves hot ideas from the fire station grill while encouraging the teens to start flaming the fires of their cooking desires. It’s a tasty show and you’ll be hungry. Time to cook up some fun and channel your inner chef.

This show is unique and informative on Instagram , Justine Bieber and YouTube.

There is no question that YouTube and Instagram are two of the most popular programs today, especially for teens. YouTube has launched careers (think Justin Bieber and contestants on The Voice) and created online celebrities who have gone one to create companies based on their videos. If you own an ipad, iphone, ipod touch, or any smart phone, Instagram is a fast, beautiful, easy and FREE way to share your pictures and life with your friends and family. You can take a picture or video, post to Instagram, and then share to Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, and more! And with 150 million monthly users, it’s a whole new way to see the world! Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Asya Gonzalez talk about their favorite people, channels, topics, mentors, and influences. Techie Talks reporter Caiseen Kelley explains how ordinary folks become YouTube stars and how they monetize their concepts as YouTube partners. Health Beat reporter, Nicole Eubanks likes the health, fitness, and beauty channels in her quest to live a healthier lifestyle and recommends helpful videos. Youngjoo likes to blog and shoot photos but she doesn’t make her own videos yet. Artistic Asya is in the process of developing a unique teen advice column and welcomes an Instagram following at CityRouge. All agree that both YouTube and Instagram are mainstays in their every day life as their source of information, entertainment, advice, and fun insights. Visit the Be the Star You Are!® YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare

Teens are super savvy when it comes to the internet. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow chat with Techie Talks Reporter, Caiseen Kelley and Social Responsibility Reporter, Asya Gonzalez who offer a plethora of ideas for successful web building and social media connecting for non profits, causes, businesses, students, and personal use. The discussion includes information on HTML, coding, brand awareness, browsers, scheduling posts, consistency, creativity, and connecting. With proper web site development and informative, entertaining blogs and posts, these Be the Star You Are!® ladies believe that relationships are formed and bonds enhanced. For four different yet complimentary opinions on how to be successful with internet marketing, tune in to this episode of Express Yourself.

The word “hero” conjures up images of daring, real-life superheroes putting themselves in harms way for the protection of innocent bystanders or civilians. Todays programs honors the everyday heroes living amongst us. Can you imagine living through the Holocaust? Survivor of the horrendous Nazi death camps of World War II, Anita Schorr, shares her stories with our hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Henna Hundal as she advocates the importance of standing up to injustice, not tolerating bullying, or abuse. Anita’s experience is chronicled in the book, Be a Hero, Anita’s Piano by Marion Stahl. Techie Talks reporter Caiseen Kelley encourages girls to be leaders in science and technology with her report on how women are breaking the barriers. In Health with Henna, you’re given the power to be a hero of your own health, a hero for yourself, a hero who honors your own body by making smart and healthy lifestyle choices. As Anita Schorr states, “Step in. Don’t stay silent. Speak out. Be a Hero”

A common thread with the teens of Be the Star You Are! and Express Yourself! Teen Radio is that they CARE-for themselves, for each other, and for total strangers. Co-hosts Alex Lee and Henna Hundal along with reporters Katelyn Darrow and Asya Gonzalex offer numerous tips on how everyone can show kindness every day in small ways. In the Giving of Giving, Katelyn gets excited about “Angel Deeds”, doing special things anonymously “just because”. Social Responsibiity Reporter, Asya Gonzalez is passionate about visiting nursing homes to give the elderly a listening ear. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal shares research on the benefits to oneself for being a caring, compassionate, kind individual. Great tips on how to write special encouraging notes, be fair and considerate in on-line conversations, and ways to volunteer with organizations that help you step out of yourself and into another’s shoes. The paradox of life is that the more we care for others, the more we care for ourselves. Like happiness, kindness is a choice. Pay it Forward.

Dividing, labeling, and categorizing, in other words, stereotyping. We know it’s rude; we know it’s insulting; and we know it creates embarrassment. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Henna Hundal dive deeply into this hurtful, prejudice-driven act. Social Responsibility Reporter Asay Gonzalez advocates for the youth sex slaves that are stereotyped as prostitutes. Educator and the 10th annual Be the Star You Are!® essay contest winner, Pamela Lewis reads her award winner Being American: A Hard-Won Identity while she discusses the brutal road that Afro-Americans have traveled via stereotyping, the ugly offspring of ignorance and close mindedness. Best selling author of forty books, Lisa T. Bergren explores the issue in relation to her fictional character, Andriana, in her newest YA novel, Remnants, while discussing how we can all learn acceptance from reading fiction. In Health with Henna, we discover the negative effects that stereotyping has on our health and well being including higher levels of aggression, a greater lack of self-control, a difficulty thinking rationally, and a tendency to over-eat. It is time that we accept people for who they are, instead of automatically resorting to disrespectful and damaging stereotypes based on color, race, religion, sex, culture, or occupation.

When you hear the words “spring break”, lounging on warm beaches and raucous youth comes to mind. Students around the world look forward to this final break before the summer vacation. What is done with this free time is the topic by our Express Yourself!™ teen ladies. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow interview reporters Courtney Cheng and Asya Gonzalez for an entertaining, fascinating, and shocking look at what, how, where, and when we celebrate. Courtney kicks off the show with Book It! taking time to relax, hike, read, watch movies, and enjoy a concert with friends. Katelyn, our Gift of Giving reporter, advocates an alternative spring break of helping others and volunteering locally or abroad. Our Social Responsibility Reporter, Asya, warns us about the dangers lurking when we lose control or trust strangers. More people are abducted in human sex trafficking ventures during spring break than any other time. Youngjoo lightens the load with her Artsy Gift segment on fun activities, including creating poetry T-shirts, experimenting with new food, and even shopping for furniture. Have fun during your break but be safe and constructive.

Being young doesn’t exempt you from stress. Between rigorous academics, extracurricular exercises, homework, family, friends, and other activities, teens are not living life on easy street. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Alex Lee lead a discussion about how young people can find relief from everyday school pressures. Hear about stress in the life of celebrities with our What’s Poppin' reporter, Caie Kelley, about the stress technology causes with our Techie Talks reporter, Caiseen Kelley, and the statistics about the deterrent to our health induced by stress when we talk with Henna Hundal, our Health contributor. The teens offer tips to manage the tough times and reduce social anxiety with stress from school and life. No matter who you are or how much money you have, stress knows no boundaries but with mindfulness, it can be controlled. Relax, Sit Back, Breathe

What is cultural diversity and how do you define it? Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Ryan Sim explore the multicultural experience through Ryan’s Global Youth Talk report based on data analysis of the multicultural map of the world. The teens engage in an exciting interview with international best selling prolific YA Seventeen Magazine Summer Club author, Amalie Howard who grew up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, lived in five other countries, and travels the world searching for stories. Amalie discusses her newest novel Alpha Goddess as well as her other books, all with a global influence of integrated cultures. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal reveals that when a person’s sense of human dignity is violated, there are physiological consequences, especially in the teen years. Embrace the cultural diversity around us and celebrate all cultures on the planet. By enjoying our differences we realize our sameness. We are all one. Rejoice!.

One thing is for sure–today’s teens are jugglers. They have so much on their spinning plates that they are rapidly learning to prioritize, make lists, eliminate some activities, and constantly be vigilant on the stress meter. Rachel Glass and Youngjoo Ahn co-host this very informative segment on balancing school and life. This is a coveted peek inside the chaotic and busy schedules of today’s youth. Book It! Reporter Courtney Cheng is sure that she’s read a book or seen a movie that relates to what she is experiencing, but then again, perhaps her life is a film! Social Responsibility reporter, Asya Gonzalez juggles being an entrepreneur with school, sports, and being the founder of a charity that protects girls. Youngjoo compares her life to a circus and Rachel indicates that after years of working out the kinks, she is now ahead of her goals of being to top of things. All of our reporters share important tips and tricks to living healthily and happily as a teen while keeping all the balls in the air.

What do you do to have fun with your family? What kinds of activities do you enjoy? Does spending time together create lasting memories and strong bonds? Host Youngjoo Ahn interviews teens Caie Kelley, Hannah Li, Hart Main, and Henna Hundal to get the inside scoop on the value of familial adventures . What’s Poppin reporter, Caie, communicates on celebrity families, Fashion Forward guru, Hannah, shares her experiences having fun when parents are divorced, while athletic Hart hones in on sports as an important family time. Health with Henna hinges on the heart to heart conversations that are critical to relationships to maintain wellness and positivity. One thing is certain, whether you play games, go for walks, cook together, or just relax in the sunshine, our families are our teachers and having a good time together is essential for happiness.

How do you keep active in winter. Do you snowboard, ski, ice skate, snow mobile, bob sled, play basketball, do yoga or pilates. Do splash in mud puddles or sit on the couch and watch TV. Studies show that we burn more brown fat in cold weather. In fact, 15 minutes of outdoor exercise in cold temperatures utilizes calories equivalent to one hour of an indoor work out. Hosts Rachel Glass and Youngjoo Ahn interview Henna Hundal about the health benefits of winter exercise while sports reporter Hart Main discloses the cities who may compete for the Winter Olympics in 2022. In eight years these teens will be adults well on their way to successful careers. Don’t pass up the opportunity to work out during wintertime! There are so many ways to engage in fun wintertime activity, from building snow men to surfing to just taking a walk outside. Put down the popcorn, get off the couch, and try anything that keeps you up and out when the cold weather hits. If you want to shave off some extra calories, its time to give winter exercise a shot.

The 2014 Olympic Winter Games awed the world February 7 -23, 2014. This was the first time that the Russian Federation played host to an Olympic event. The Soviet Union hosted the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow. Winter Olympics XXII in Sochi, Russia, boasted 87 countries and featured 12 new events in addition to the skating, skiing, bob sleighing, luge, curling, ice hockey, and biathalon. Host Youngjoo talks about indulging in regional foods and saving souvenirs, Sports Reporter Hart Main provided the back story on how countries and cities are chosen, Nerd Word Reporter Jane Fessenden looks at the history of the Olympics beginning in Greece, and Katelyn Darrow discusses her admiration for the Olympics in spreading joy, peace, and a united world. No matter what country you rooted for, every individual athlete is to be applauded for the dedication, hard work, and athletic prowess brought to the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympics is a time for the globe to celebrate our shared humanity alongside a healthy competitive spirit.

It’s time to get healthy, get in shape, and our teen reporters don’t disappoint. At a time when about 12.5 million American kids are dealing with obesity, and schools' physical education programs are being eliminated, the Center for Disease Control released findings that less than 25% of America’s youth ages 12-15 are getting even 30 minutes of exercise a day. Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn gets us ready for balanced eating and exercising regimes. Katelyn, who is an advocate of volunteerism, discovered a fantastic app called Charity Miles that helps you stay on task while earning money for specific charities. New health and fitness reporter, Henna Hendal encourages everyone to find an activity that is enjoyable and stick with it…dancing, skating, jogging…anything that gets you moving. Rachel Glass is getting toned and healthy with her pescatarian diet and regular exercise. Health Beat reporter, Nicole Eubanks doesn’t eat cafeteria food and warns about the high amounts of fat, sugar, and oils in pre-packaged and fast food meals. It’s a new year and health is wealth. Get up, get out, and be healthy.

If you are like most of us, you have asked yourself this inevitable question: “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass discuss their interests, their curriculum paths, and their dreams of professions. Teen writer and health advocate, Henna Hundal, talks about her desire to help young people lead healthy, happy lives while they are considering their options for their future work experiences. Caie Kelley, the What’s Poppin’ reporter, gives insights into celebrities who took a risk to become the stars they are. The girls chat about their classes, goals, and how they can get real world experience while they are still young. What will you be and do when you grow up?

February is the month of love and Americans buy 58 million pounds of chocolate to flaunt their cupids. The Express Yourself!™ hosts and reporters, Youngjoo Ahn, Rachel Glass, Caisseen Kelley, Hanna Li, and Nicole Eubanks share their ideas on successful dating. Topics covered included how to staying connected via social networking, impressing by dressing appropriately and authentically, embracing healthy eating and exercise habits, going on active excursions, and crafting original artsy gifts. When not in a romantic relationship, it’s important to savor happy platonic relationships with friends and family. The girls bring a refreshing slant to young love and they all agree loving and being loved makes us glow from the inside out. And that is a reason to get up in the morning! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Advertisers pay over $4 million for a 30 second spot. Approximately $400 million is added to the host city coffers. And 4 ½ million pizzas are ordered from pizza chains. What's the big event? The Super Bowl, of course, where players from The American Football Conference vie with players from the National Football Conference to become the champions of the National Football League. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow learn from sports reporter, Hart Main, notable events from past Super Bowls, while social media reporter Alex Lee recalls famous tweets and posts. In Economic Tune-Up, Alex Pawlakos puts a dollar value on the game and Book-It Reporter, Courtney Cheng offers ways for football widows to enjoy the day without watching the tube. It’s an American tradition but not every teen is tuned in.

Human trafficking is a $32 billion industry annually, second only to drugs. The perpetrators are violent kidnappers and pimps who steal children, sometimes from their front years, and force them into sex slavery. Most of these children are never recovered. Host Youngjoo Ahn interviews Asya Gonzalez, teen creator of She Is Worth It, a Preventative Awareness campaign against Child Sex Trafficking and backlogged rape kits. Asya shares pertinent information on this tragic epidemic-the who, what, where, and how. New Techie Talks reporter, Caiseen Kelley, reveals how seemingly safe popular teen apps such as Snapchat could put youth in danger, and What’s Poppin’ reporter, Caie Kelley talks about the celebrities who make headlines with their efforts to combat human trafficking. America needs to take a stand against sex slavery. Human trafficking is happening in the USA at truck stops, in neighborhoods, and major venues such as the Super Bowl, Olympics, and sporting events. Tune in to find out how to recognize and stop forced sexual slavery. Our children depend on us for protection against predators.

Do you listen to audio books? The growing audio books industry offers unique rewards and challenges for performers. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow interview critically acclaimed narrator of over 700 audio books, Simon Vance. Simon is the winner of forty-seven AudioFile Earphones Awards, and a ten-time Audie Award recipient including the 2012 Audie Award for Best Solo Male Narration. The brother,sister duo Becca and Alec King of This Boy That Girl are on the show have been storming through Hollywood and blazing up Indie radio stations coast to coast with their hit single Music is My Language! Their music already scored 9 Indie Music Channel 2013 Nominations including… Best Teen Band, Best Teen Recording, Best Teen Pop Song, Best Teen Wrap song. Book It Reporter, Courtney Cheng chimes in with her reading/listening favorites as the three girls discuss what’s on their reading and listening lists for 2014

Every one has faced a challenge in life from moving to an entirely new place, making new friends, overcoming health issues, conquering that impossible class, or even picking out which shade of nail polish would look best with that pair of shoes. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Ryan Sim interview Book It! reporter, Courtney Cheng who has suffered from scoliosis, twins Jamala and Jasmine Davis who were diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as kids, and teen heart throb, Matt Ryan King who had surgery for a heart defect at age three. Each individual is an inspiration as they strove to overcome any roadblock to being the stars they were born to be. Courtney is an accomplished musician, book review coordinator with Be the Star You Are!, and student at CAL Berkeley. Twins, Jamal and Jasmine Davis launched a movement to flaunt your illness called ChronicGirlz and IllnessGang. On their 21st birthday they met with the OMG Girlz Whatever your obstacle, you can overcome it. Remember everything is a blessing and a lesson if we grow and learn from it. Here’s to Being the Star You Are!

Happy New Year! Can you believe that we already are in 2014? Youngjoo Ahn and Alex Lee co-host a program filled with great ideas for making goals and completing your resolutions. Guests include teen authors/entrepreneurs, Jordan Williams and Brandon Iverson who wrote Who Needs an Allowance? A Teens Guide to Starting Their Own Business. They started their first company at age 15 and encourage teens to become business oriented. Hart Main, our newest sports reporter, interviewed personal trainer, Nichelle Harris. He shares tips on how to exercise and stay healthy. Finally, Book It! reporter, Courtney Cheng, discusses the movie New Year’s Eve, and shares resolutions.

When talk centers around the holiday season, teens get excited. Christmas, Channukah, Winter Solstice, New Year, Kwanza-whatever the celebration, youth around the world are participating. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Alex Lee mingle with reveler reporters Jane Fessenden, Asya Gonzalez, and Sara Trail in this Yuletide extravaganza. You’ll learn about the history of the various traditions, both religious and secular, the favorite moments, tree decorations, home made gifts, yummy treats, and the special family traditions that make holiday festivities unique. The New Year is upon us and as the ball drops in Time Square, what will you be doing and thinking? Deck the halls, grab a cup of hot cocoa, jingle the bells, and join our party! Happy Holidays to one and all. Ho, ho, ho!

Teens have been talking and expressing their viewpoints for 100 shows on Express Yourself! Teen Radio. Two original reporters, Rachel Glass and Courtney Cheng describe the importance of a platform for allowing young people to speak, debate, and express themselves. Co-hosts for our 100th program celebration, Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass interview thirteen-year-old actor and philanthropist, Jonathan Morgan Heit who has starred in Shawn Levy’s Date Night, Garry Marshall’s Valentine's Day and Adam Shankman’s Bedtime Stories” as well as Disney's feature The Search for Santa Paws” and “Super Buddies”. In TV, Jonathan played the lead role in “Granite Flats” and guest starred in Nickelodeon’s “Deadtime Stories”. Other TV credits include Monk, How I Met Your Mother, ER, General Hospital and Close to Home. His voice over roles include Cubby in Jake and the Never Land Pirates, “Escape from Planet Earth” and over 20 “Family Guy” episodes, among others.

Are you grateful for what you have or are you someone who complains about what you don’t have? Are you a bully or have you ever been bullied? Today host, Youngjoo Ahn speak with outstanding teens making a difference in different arenas about their views on gratitude–country music star, Josie Milner; founder of an anti-bullying social network, Connor Finley; and a Girl Scout Gold award winner, Jane Fessenden also on the show she nominated for Most Promising Youth Artist at the 2013 Independent Country Music Association awards, Josie Milner is a teen country music artist, national honor student, and anti-bullying advocate standing up for what she believes in, and delivering her message to the world via country music.

Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley reminisce about the last two years while discussing how they have changed and grown as reporters, hosts, and individuals because of their participation. Two original reporters, Rachel Glass and Courtney Cheng, as well as a recent addition to the team, Alex Pawlakos round out the show with their thoughts about technology, Be The Star You Are, Voice America Kids, and being part of the journalistic community.

Are you ever too young to be an entrepreneur? Not according to our co-hosts Younghoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow and their special teen guest, Hart Main. Katelyn explains how she founded The Angels Clothing Closet charity at age 12 and it’s going stronger than ever. Hart Main, currently age 16 began his successful company, Man Cans at age 13, making candles that have scents that are interesting to men. All of the candles are made inside a recycled soup can; the can is first purchased by the business and donated to soup kitchens and homeless shelters across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and into West Virginia. Hart has been able to donate 65,000 cans of soup, expand his product line of scents, hire three part time employees besides himself, and expand his sales from online to 130 stores, catalogs, fundraisers and corporate marketing merchandise. He’s been on several TV shows and the subject of much media publicity, including receiving a commendation letter from Mrs. Obama.

In the 1970’s, Do It Yourself projects for teens and young adults were all the rage from making bead necklaces, tie-dyed clothes, and more. Lots of parents called these creative kids “hippies”. Today, DIY is considered hip, cool, and one of the great ways to be a success. Our two teen hosts, Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley interview two ultra successful entrepreneurial teens who are also making a difference for other young people. Sara Trail is a sophomore at University of California Berkeley majoring in social welfare and a nationally published author of two titles, Sew with Sara and Cool Stuff to Sew with Sara, she is a licensed designer for Simplicity Patterns, Inc. and Fabri-Quilt Fabrics with her patterns, fabrics and books are sold worldwide. Sara is featured in a 90-second program on The Disney Channel where she teaches a recycled denim clothes project. SewSaraSew.com Stinky Feet Gurlz© was established in 2010 by 13 year old designer (now 16), Asya Gonzalez.

We discuss journeys and also interview major players who are doing exactly what they want to do. First up is Kimmy Veklero, a sophomore at Cal Berkeley who writes a blog, Murmurs from the Bathroom Wall for the Daily Californian that has been called the coolest blog in college media by College Media Matters, an official partner of the Associated Collegiate Press. Former beauty editor for the New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl!, and Seventeen., Melissa de la Cruz, talks about her journey from being a journalist to becoming a NY Times best selling author of numerous adult and YA novels including the Blue Bloods series (with three million copies in print), the Au Pairs series, the Ashleys series, and more. Her Witches of East End series has just been made into a TV series on the Lifetime Channel and she released her newest fantasy thriller for teens, Frozen.

What are your plans for your future? Where do you see yourself in five years? If you fail to plan you plan to fail. Veteran host Youngjoo Ahn welcomes #Hashtag reporter, Alex Lee, to the co-hosting chair on this episode of Express Yourself!™. Both hosts discuss their differing future dreams and aspirations. The duo interview fifteen year old entrepreneur, speaker and nationally recognized expert in youth entrepreneurship, Lily Sandler who founded Blamtastic, When Lily was just 10 years old, she was having trouble finding her lip balm. She said, Mom, where's my lip blam? Lip BLAM? Brilliant. Lily's mom said that would make a great name for a lip balm company. BLAMtastic® was born. Nerd Word reporter, Jane Fessenden joins the conversation with information on the possibility of teleportation. If you are a Star Trek fan, you’ll love what she has to say. Go back to the future and let your imagination soar with possibilities on this episode of Express Yourself!™.

Have you ever stopped to really think about what it means to be an American? The 10th Annual National Essay contest from Be the Star You Are!® charity is focused on this theme so the teens of Express Yourself!™ decided to expound on the idea by listening to the thoughts of other young people following their American dreams. You’ll hear from Keenan Todd, a San Francisco State University student. spoken word artist, poet, and entrepreneur who founded the clothing company, CaliExclusive as well as a sophomore at Cal Berkeley, Valerie Cordier Rice who is studying to be an astrophysicist with a goal of working with NASA. Nature Calls Reporter, Isaiah Rankin recounts his vision of what America represents to him by explaining the history of the national animal, the regal Bald Eagle. Co-hosts Caie Kelley and Youngjoo Ahn lead the discussions and also converse about their Asian heritage and how being American offers the resources to carve one’s own identity while still sharing values and tolerating differences.

The best gift you can give to another is a wonderful relationship with yourself! When you love yourself, you have the capacity to love others. The Express Yourself!™ teen team brings different perspectives on relationships with hosts Caie Kelley and Youngjoo Ahn as they talk with reporters and a track star. Caie talks about how every person has a different need for connection while Youngjoo emphasizes the importance of being yourself. #Hashtag reporter, Alex Lee denounces posting relationship status on social media and Book it reporter, Courntey Cheng discusses different types of relationships including romantic, familial, and friendship correlating each with a specific book. The featured guest is Jasiri Black, a scholarship awarded college track star from “the hood” of Richmond, California who offers hope and inspiration as she sets goals and develops connections through education. A great relationship with the world begins with yourself! Are you ready to love and be loved?

What is responsibility and how do we interpret it? Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow believe that being responsible means being dependable, accountable, having integrity, walking your talk, and exhibiting the authority to act. Global Youth Reporter, Ryan Sim talks about the international security and human rights norms known as the “Responsibility to Protect” or “R2P” with the moral responsibility to prevent and stop genocides, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. #Hashtag reporter Alex Lee, talks about the physical, mental, and sociological responsibility that individuals of being a social networker. Our youth hosts interview our special guest, 17 year old recording artist, Roxie Bardo, who shares her discipline and responsibility ways of doing business in the recording world. Originally from Tennessee, currently residing in Los Angeles, Roxie is a professional songwriter as well as the owner of Roxie Bardo Entertainment (P) 2013.

It’s a delicious show on Express Yourself!™ when our hosts and reporters talk about their favorite foods, food experiences, and food plans. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass welcome back former host, Steven Zhou, who talks about what it’s like to eat at college. Chef and Let’s Eat Reporter, Tanner O’Dell, gives a lively break down on America’s favorite dishes as well has his newest healthy living company, Kor 180. Steven interviews college student and culinary artist, Yuki Siegrist, a sushi chef with years of cooking experience at the upscale Marin County restaurant, Sushi 69. From pizza, mac ‘n cheese, to burgers, bites, hemp seed, sushi, or spirulina, you’ll want to get into the kitchen (or school cafeteria), and chow down!

School is back in session and students return with that new school year, new you cool…new haircuts, a different wardrobe, flashy backpacks, or totally different looks and goals. Everyone wants to re-define themselves. Our teen hosts and reporters have lots to report on staying healthy, making a difference, getting the right supplies, managing time appropriately, joining clubs, prioritizing homework assignments, getting enough sleep, finding the best apps for honor roll style, and much more. Rachel Glass, Youngjoo Ahn, and Katelyn Darrow host, report, and converse with Nerd Word reporter Jane Fessenden offering insights into great cool tools that you may never have heard about but will definitely want to implement. Floridian Health Beat reporter couldn’t be on the program but sent in her tips on organizing your day and getting enough sleep. If you want to major in success, you want to tune in to today’s Express Yourself!™ and get ready for some team spirit. ,

Depression/Anxiety Over 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide According to the World Mental Health Survey conducted in 17 countries, 20 people have reported episode of depression in the previous year. Depression leads to mental deterioration, and, at its worst, can cause individuals to commit suicide, which result in an estimated 1 million deaths every year. Our teen reporters and hosts share information, tips, and more that help us recognize depression and reduce our stress. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow lead the discussions with Global Youth Reporter, Ryan Sim tells us to reach out for help. #Hashtag reporter, Alex Lee, believes that social networking leads to increased depression and encourages listeners to distance themselves from technology more often. Special guest is the 19 year old You Tube rising star, Joshelyn Smith, who writes songs on her guitar and piano and posts about life, beauty, fitness & wellness, motivation, and anything that tickles her fancy.

The parents of teens today didn’t grow up with cell phones, and although we seem to not be able to live without them, there are risks involved. Hosts for today’s program are Rachel Glass and Katelyn Darrow who interview others with differing opinions. The Health Beat reporter in Florida, Nicole Eubanks provides startling statistics: each month, girls send on average 4050 texts and boys send 2539! Car accidents have risen and radiation from cell phones can cause brain tumors, sleep disorders, and more. Katelyn shares the upsides of the smart phone apps that can help others through volunteering in her Gift of Giving segment. Youngjoo Ahn talks about apps that boost creativity to help people write, draw, photograph, and play. She says she can’t live without them. Social Networking reporter, Alex Lee loves his IPHONE 5 but cautions listeners that although it can do many things, it is still a phone, meant to be used for interaction with other humans, and not through Facetime.

Is it right to keep secrets? Is it wrong to blab about something that was told in confidence? Privacy is critical to confidence and sometimes being too truthful can be hurtful. In today’s Express Yourself!™ our teen hosts, Courtney Cheng and Rachel Glass delve into the dark shadows of secret keeping. What’s Poppin’ Reporter, Caie Kelley shares a few not so secret secrets concerning celebrities, Rachel talks about the importance of trust, integrity. and being able to not be a blabbermouth, and Courtney reviews a magical book, Dragon Drop that deals with keeping important secrets and being a true friend. A special guest joins the teens, fourteen-year-old Sierra Ackerman, daughter of the late Jerry Ackerman, author of the young adult novel, Dragon Drop. Jerry wrote the character of Lily based on his daughter and today Sierra channels Lily, inhabiting the life of the heroine of the book as she invites a dragon named Py into her home.

Are you an optimist or pessimist? Do you find yourself being up or down? Positivity is a choice. We have the power to be happy or the power to make ourselves sad. Positive people lead happier lives and research indicates they live longer as well. In Express Yourself!™ today, hosts Rachel Glass and Hannah Li focus on the ability to bring more positivity into our daily routine. Rachel talks about the importance of looking at our glass as half full as opposed to half empty. Hannah dresses in bright colors and expresses the idea that wardrobe is important to creating an optimistic mood. What’s Poppin’ reporter, Caie Kelley, offers up quotes from famous people who have been instrumental in turning bad situations into wins and New York Times best selling author and radio producer, Cynthia Brian shares her optimistic viewpoint on how to become the positive star you were meant to be.If you’ve been down lately, this program will up your happiness and positivity quotient.

No matter who you are or where you are going to school, college is a scary thing. Transitioning to university life is a huge stepping stone to becoming an adult . Hannah Li co-hosts for the first time with college student and segment one co-host, Rachel Glass, who offers simple tips from her own experience about preparing for life after high school. Caie Kelley joins Hannah in co-hosting in segment two by interviewing Artsy Gifts reporter, Youngjoo Ahn, with her creative suggestions on home made care packages for your college colleagues. Segment three tackles the SAT’s as both Hannah and Caie offer helpful tips about this stressful test. New reporter, Jennifer Lee, joins the girls in segment four with Backstory, a fun segment of interesting facts from behind-the-scenes stories concerning songs, movies, and other trivia. If you or someone you know is headed to college, this is program will inspire, comfort, and motivate.

Summer is what you make it. It’s your choice whether you have a fun, productive summer, or three months of absolute boredom. From catching up on pop culture to health and exercise, summer is a great time to do the things you never seem to have time for during a busy school year. Our hosts Caie Kelley and Youngjoo discuss what has kept them energized and excited this summer from traveling to work. Book It! reporter, Courtney Cheng talks about making a summer reading list as well as catching up on movies and TV series that are missed during the school year. Rachel Glass gives examples of how to use summer to do positive things for your self such as exercising, flossing, chilling, and getting healthier. Katelyn Darrow catches us up on all of her traveling, conferences, and preparation for the new school year. A wide array of fabulous fun pportunities for entertainment are available including lots of freebies for students.

What is peer pressure and how does it affect us? Peer pressure is the influence of the social group on an individual. If you have ever felt like someone was trying to get you to do something that you didn’t want to do, you have experienced peer pressure. Peer pressure is JUST THAT-pressure. Just because “everyone else” is doing it, is not a reason to do “it”. In fact, lots of things people say they are doing, they really aren’t. They are just bragging and trying to get others pressured into doing something. On Express Yourself!™ today, our co-hosts Caie Kelley and Rachel Glass interview four reporters with various viewpoints pertaining to peer pressure. Isaiah Rankin, reporter for Nature Calls, shares the delicacy of eating tarantulas in Cambodia, also #Hashtag and information on the social networking buzz plague, #YOLO. Bruce Lee was right when he said, “I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.”

In our Going GREEN program we feature four fabulous teen hosts and two amazing guest stars from around the country who are truly living eco. In segments one and two, hosts Katelyn Darrow (New Jersey) and Caie Kelley (California) interview Mario Jr. (Florida),the first President of KidsStar and host of the Voice America Kids Radio show, Mario Jr. Alive and Green. In segments three and four, Youngjoo Ahn (California) and Clare Durant (Indiana) go on an exciting journey with Alison Teal (Hawaii) adventurer and film maker of the series, Alison’s Adventures. As an environmental activist, he is President of TEAM ECO JR a non-profit providing opportunities to kid's of all backgrounds. Alison travels the world looking into the secrets to survival, sustainability, and happiness. Alison Tealcan be seen on a brand new Discovery Channel series Naked & Afraid where Alison's survival skills are tested.

The relationship between age and driving behavior has interested highway safety researchers and administrators for many years. It is generally acknowledged that the greatest risk of traffic crashes is among teenage drivers. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers across the United States. For both men and women, drivers aged 16 to 19 years of age have the highest average annual crash and traffic violation rates of any other age group. In this episode of Express Yourself!™ our teens, Youngjoo Ahn, Katelyn Darrow, Nicole Eubanks, Caie Kelley, and Steven Zhou chime in with their personal experiences with learning to drive.

The most common scams are probably still computer hacking, there are a lot of types ranging in seriousness. Veteran host Youngjoo Ahn welcome first time co-host, Clare Durant, as they interview Global Youth Talk reporter Ryan Sim with his information on scholarship fraud and author Ashley Elston with her book The Rules for Disappearing that discusses fake identities and the Witness Protection Program. The hosts also offer tips on how to protect yourself from internet stalking as well as other scams. Whether it be a friend hacking your Facebook for fun or a thief stealing your social security ID or someone in a foreign country trying to get access to your credit cards or bank accounts, scams are on the rise. Some of the most common scams according to the FBI include the Nigerian Letter, telemarketing fraud, identity theft, advanced fee schemes and health care fraud.

What do cobra snakes and brain waves have in common? Both are affected by music. In today’s Express Yourself!™ hosts Katelyn Darrow and Caie Kelley learn the scientific research behind the music that can help us study, be happy, or sad with Health Beat reporter, Nicole Eubanks. We travel to India and Eypgt in segment two with Isaiah Rankin as he charms cobras with the sounds of a wind instrument in Nature Calls. (Well actually he doesn’t do the hypnotizing, but he shares his knowledge of the art.) Our first teen host and radio administrator, Steven Zhou, returns for a behind the scenes tour of being a sound engineer. Steven wrote the Express Yourself!™ theme song and played the guitar. Our East Coast/West Coast hosts wind up the hour with their personal favorite music, bands, and tips for concert essentials. It’s an hour of rocking fun and rolling infotainment. Tune in for a bit of music madness!

There is no doubt that people in America pamper their pets. Pet services is one of the fastest growing industries with gourmet treats, spas, pet hotels, designer clothing, massage therapists, and fancy retirement homes. Our Express Yourself!™ teens share animal tales of how their four legged, feather, furred, finned, slithery and shelled pets impact their lives. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow are joined by Nature Calls reporter, Isaiah Rankin and What’s Poppin’ reporter, Caie Kelley. Isaiah loves his reptiles and Caie gives us the scoop on celebrity pets. Katelyn discusses animal adoptions and fostering to save the five to seven million pets in shelters each year. It’s a pet party today and you can join our barking, cooing, meowing and other animal sound fun.

Summertime and the living is easy! Summer can be a time of kicking back or revving up and our Express Yourself!™ teen reporters have a variety of ideas of how to spend the summer. Youngjoo Ahn, Katelyn Darrow, Hannah Li, Caie Kelley, and Courtney Cheng offer suggestions from volunteering to studying abroad to being major productive to doing absolutely nothing and taking a break. One thing is for sure-warm weather, swimming pools, and barbecues are on the agenda! What are your plans?

This broadcast is our 75th consecutive broadcast of Express Yourself!™ and in honor of this momentous occasion we are dreaming BIG! People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state. Without dreams and goals, we can never achieve anything. Our hosts, Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn, are living their dreams by being part of this radio broadcast. Book It Reporter, Courtney Cheng (who helped launch this show and was on our first show) looks into the big dreams of Rapunzel in the movie, Tangled, and says that Express Yourself!™ is a dream come true. Our youngest reporter, twelve-year-old Isaiah Rankin brings us a BIG Nature Calls with his report on the Komodo dragon. Our special guest is Jamie Charoen, an artist on the rise of Thai and French descent whose music signifies the importance of empowering women and never giving up on a dream.

Blogging is the newest form of self-expression available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Our Express Yourself!™ teens are avid bloggers and have tons of information to share with Voice America Kids Network listeners! Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn discuss their blogs as well as tips and techniques on how to start a blog, how to keep it going, writing etiquette, whether to keep it private or public, how to get followers, how to vlog, (video blogging), and more. Courtney Cheng discusses the movie Easy A with Stone Emma then talks about her blog on Tumblr. Hannah Li writes a lifestyle blog with four other contributors which takes about two hours a week to accomplish and talks about the rewards of collaborating. It’s a fun show that will get you started writing your own blog. And don’t forget that writing is a reflection of your thinking. Be clear, succinct, and convincing and you will differentiate yourself from the masses and become a valuable asset to the world of blogs and vlogs.

Every day teens are making an impact in the world as they grow to become our future leaders. Besides programs like Express Yourself!™ where teens get to work as writers, hosts, and reporters, many young people develop leaderships at youth conferences. I developed many of my leadership skills at youth conferences. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn talks about her experience at the national High School Journalism Convention and co-host Katelyn Darrow shares her numerous involvement at conventions and conferences, most notably the Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC. Reporter Ryan Sim develops solutions for world problems as part of the MUN Youth Conference, Model United Nations. Sixteen-year-old Indiana guest, Lora Margerum, has participated in six conferences from the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. All agree that being a representative at a conference or convention is an opportunity for learning, growth, and real world experience.

In today’s Express Yourself!™ our hosts, Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow interview two award winning authors, Soman Chainani and Joanne Rocklin of young adult fiction. In our first segment, Youngjoo shares her childhood favorite books and characters. Soman Chainani is a graduate of the MFA Film Program at Columbia University, and the recipient of the school’s top prize, the FMI Fellowship. His films have played over 150 international film festivals, won over 30 jury and audience awards, racked up over 1,000,000 YouTube hits, and secured distribution in over 100 territories. In addition, his writing awards include honors from Sun Valley Writer’s Fellowship, and the coveted $100,000 Shasha Grant, awarded by a jury of international film executives. His first book in his epic fantasy series is The School for Good and Evil.Joanne Rocklin is the author of many middle grade novels, including the award-winning One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street.

Express Yourself’s theme today is a nod to that wonderful woman who gave us life, hosted by Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow. Our Economics Tune Up reporter, Alex Pawlakos will give an economic look at how American’s show their appreciation to their moms on this Mother's Day by spending more than $84 million. Health Beat reporter, Nicole Eubanks brings us low key, fun, and healthy ways to show our love. Youngjoo celebrates the homemade gift idea for those personal touches, especially on a budget. Katelyn’s mom plays the part of both mom and dad in the household, so Katelyn and her sisters serve up unusual and abundant treats not only to their mom, but to abused women in a shelter. To round out the show, we have a special audition with our youngest new reporter, Isaiah Rankin who brings us into the wild with his segment, Nature Calls. An old proverb says, “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.” Amen! Mothers deserve a special day every day!

Choosing a college is definitely one of the most significant life events that a teen will encounter. All the work accomplished through the beginning of senior year including grades, extracurriculars, volunteering, sports, music - everything leads up to this important decision. Express Yourself!™ teen hosts, Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow, who are juniors and sophomores, speak with experienced teens-high school senior, Lora Galoyan and college teens Courtney Cheng and Alex Pawlakos. Lora discusses her current application, Courtney shares college admissions from the viewpoint of movies and TV ((High School Musical, Glee, and Legally Blonde) from her dorm room at CAL Berkeley, and Alex talks about the financial ramifications for college applicants.

Express Yourself

Sibling rivalry is very common in families. Statistics show that we spend over thirty percent of our time with our siblings, and during that time, we don’t want to be constantly calling each other names, wrestling, or plotting revenge. Today on Express Yourself!™ our teen reporters examine their experiences in dealing with brothers and sisters. Host Youngjoo Ahn is an only child without siblings so she hosts solo today for the first time joined by reporters Courtney Cheng sharing sibling characters from books and movies, Clare Durant provides dating advice, and Lora Galoyan talks about the cultural differences in families. Producer Cynthia Brian, who grew up in a family of seven, offers tips on how to get along and develop better relationships. We are all family and blood is thicker than water...or so it’s said!

Superheros exist beyond the comic books and movies. Many of us consider sports figures, celebrities, or rescue workers in our list of heroes. But there are heroes amongst us…everyday people who go above and beyond to make this world a better place for others. We encounter them every single day! From our parents and school teachers, to firemen and police force - heros come in many different ways. In today’s Express Yourself!™ program, teens Youngjoo, Katelyn, Lora, Caie, and Mason tell us what it is to be a hero and offer insights into the unheralded good works of ordinary individuals who are truly champions and deserve to be recognized. Many teens are truly unsung super heroes. Find out how and why!

What does it take to be a professional model? How do celebrities make fashion choices? Does blogging influence the modeling and fashion world? Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow are joined by reporters Caie Kelley and Hannah Li to delve into the glamour, glitz, ups, downs, and “photoshopping” of models as well as the fashion blogs that are providing ordinary individuals an opportunity to shine. UK fashion sensation and Elton John protégée, Tallia Storm is the special guest from Scotland talking about her unique fashion choices styled by her sister that are landing her on the cover of major magazines worldwide. Tallia is turning the world of fashion upside down and literally taking the teen styles by storm. From Cynthia Brian’s book, The Business of Show Business, you’ll learn some concrete tools that are required for the modeling profession.

Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow are feminists believing that both genders are equal and deserve to be treated equally in every situation. The male-female pay gap is still unequal with women earning 72 cents for every dollar that a man earns doing the exact job. Reporter Alex Pawlakos suggests that more women ar being recognized in the economic arena today. You Can! Reporter, Lora Galoyan gives an historical perspective asking if Gender roles are reconstructed by society itself, or are they a biological construction? In our final segment a big surprise appearance by the Sir Elton John’s prodigy rising super star, Tallia Storm. Dubbed ‘Tiny Chancer’ by the UK press, Tallia Storm had been singing for some 3 years when she was propelled to the international limelight last year when Sir Elton asked her to open his concert in Falkirk Football Stadium to a sold out audience of 17,000 people at the tender age of 13 yrs.

Stress is something we all experience, but in today’s fast paced techno-centered world, teens are topping the charts with stress levels. In a study conducted in Baltimore, Maryland, the top five sources of stress for teens were: school work, parents, romantic relationships, friends' problems, and younger siblings. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Courtney Cheng tackle the stressors with hands on, practical ways to reduce this epidemic. Reporter Rachel Glass adds her personal experiences from the University of Oregon in Eugene, and high school junior, Hannah Li chimes in on the stresses of summer. Do young adults ever get a break? Tune in to Express Yourself!™ for remedies, true tales, and plain old common sense from young people who are living in the now! Breathe…tomorrow is another day!

What do Ferragamo, Guess, Prada, Louis Vitton, Fendi,Chanel, Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Valentino, and many more have in common? If you said they are all high profile fashion designers, you’d be right. Fashion is a favorite topic at Express Yourself!™, and today’s entire show is focused on the trends. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow speak with a real fashion designer, Brittany M. Davidson from BM Designs. Katelyn talks about her press junket to NYC for Fashion Week where she met Kendell and Kylie Jenner as well as many models and designers. Caie Kelley’s What’s Poppin’ brings us an inside look at the fashions of celebrities, award ceremonies, fashion magazines, and the impact these personalities and icons bring to the trends of teens. Both Katelyn and Youngjoo debate the catwalk, runways, and fashion on campus. A fun, flirty, fashion forward hour!

Have you ever been to the zoo? Have you ever wondered why male peacocks have such pretty feathers? Why the male birds sing with a special oomph? As humans, we have our ways of showing interest but they’re a little more complicated. If you are interested in dating, this episode of Express Yourself!™ will tickle your senses. Co-hosts Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn interview young adult author, Lauren Bjorkman with her novel, Miss Fortune Cookie, about a teenage advice columnist. Youngjoo uncovers a very alarming web site and app that rates guys, and reporter Clare Durant launches a new segment, Dump ‘Em or Date ‘Em!

Since the dawn of cinema, there has always been pressure for movie stars to project the right image, especially women, but in the last quarter century the demand to look great at Hollywood Red Carpet events, premiers, and award shows has become almost a full time job. TV is littered with award shows showcasing outrageous fashions and fabulous faces. Our hosts, Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow take a look behind the scenes of the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Oscars, Grammies, and more to see what designers don the red carpet and what’s in the goody bags. Talent manager, Alexis Reusser, who has major stars on GLEE, CSI, House and more, gives us an inside tour of back stage Hollywood. Invoke your golden goddess or glamour god and keep your eyes on the Prize with this episode of Express Yourself!™

Ryan Sim and Youngjoo Ahn co-host a program centering on lessons of success and courage. First up is Economics Tune Up reporter Alex Pawlakos who talks about the economics of success with the concept of opportunity cost. International best selling author and motivator T.J. Hoisington, of If You Think, You Can! Thirteen Laws that Govern the Performance of High Achievers, If You Think You Can! for Teens, and The Secret of the Slight Edge shares success strategies that stick. One of the teens favorites is that achieving success is not a matter of “if” but “when”. Author of Merminia, Emm Cole talks about creating courageous and powerful female characters in her books. Ryan launches his Global Youth Talk segment with a story centering around the brave fifteen year old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai , who was shot in the head for wanting an education. If you are looking for success tips, have the courage to tune in and be inspired.

Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow bring Green and Peace to Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio with their enticing segments plus interviews with two extraordinary guests. At age 12, Charles Orgbon, founded Greening Forward, a non profit offering mini-grants, recognition, civic engagement curricula, skill-building workshops, and an online platform for idea sharing for other young environmental change makers.

A common and disturbing issue that happens with teenagers concerns addictions and self-harm. According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which often leads to self-harm and addiction. According to the National Institute of Mental Health eighteen million of these cases are happening in the United States and are rising. Co-hosts Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn along with reporters Rachel Glass and Caie Kelley tackle these tough subjects while discussing personal stories as well as those of celebrities. Caie talks about Justin Bieber and Demis Lovato. Celebrities can play a big role in stopping cutting, addictions, and other self harm by immediately speaking out about these inappropriate dangerous actions.They interview two special guests, Dr. Steven Farber, author of As Sick as our Secrets who discusses recovery from addictions and fifteen year old author of All that is Red, Anna Caltabiano.

Whether you love the idea of Prom or Senior Ball or not, it’s almost a high school rite of passage. For girls, maybe the most anticipated thing is either dolling up or getting asked by some special guy. Girls start thinking about prom months and years in advance, planning dresses, hair, make-up, and dates. Most guys seem to take it less seriously. They say they follow a routine of getting flowers, find a tux to match whatever color their date wants, book a limo, and have fun. Our hosts Courtney Cheng and Youngjoo Ahn as well as field reporters Rachel Glass and Youngjoo Ahn bring us every detail about preparing for prom from how to creatively ask a person to go with you, what to wear, when to shop, and how to have the night of your life. The girls survey two of our male reporters for their opinions and it’s fascinating how everyone has a different experience. Are you going to Prom or Senior Ball this year? Tune in for the tips about everything for Prom or Senior Ball.

Be the Star You Are!® Operation Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief. Special thanks goes out to members of Club Be the Star You Are!® and the Leo Club for collecting dollars and books to give to individuals, shelters, and families. Economics reporter, Alex Pawlakos, looks at the economic damages that were incurred by the hurricane, as well as the costs to repair those damages. Hurricane Sandy has left behind at least $65.6 billion worth of damage in her wake. Book It! Reporter, Courtney Cheng talks about how celebrities made a difference in the recovery effort. To get everyone's mind off such disasters, On the Ball reporter Mason Windatt reports on the Super Bowl possibilities, including the fun and great TV commercials surrounding this very touted sports event. Be the Star You Are!® is continuing to accept donations for Operation Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief. Donate Today at www.BTSYA.org

Be the Star You Are!® six most prolific public speakers share their expertise, stories, and experiences with our radio friends on Express Yourself!™ Youngjoo Ahn and Steven Zhou co-host with Katelyn Darrow from New Jersey, Caie Kelley and Lora Galoyan from California, and Tanner O’Dell from Nebraska, via Texas. Topics include speaking at TedX, how to craft a presentation, how to get rid of nerves and fear, as well as information on celebrities who started public speaking as teens. For anyone who wants to be able to present themselves with passion and clarity, this is an awesome insight into what’s available for teens around the country

Living and studying in a foreign country is a highly recommended endeavor by our guest experts and hosts on Express Yourself!™ Today Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley take us on a trip around the world touching down in Norway, Ireland, England, Belgium, France, Holland, Hong Kong, and Korea. Special guests include Irish born, Nora Nordan in Norway, Eileen Goodis who studied in France, and Cynthia Brian who was an exchange student to Mexico and teen ambassador to Holland. Caie shares stories of her parent’s adventures from Hong Kong and Youngjoo describes growing up in Korea and the differences encountered living in America. This is a traveler’s dream show and a great impetus for all young people to apply to live and study abroad

Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Youngjoo Ahn are joined by reporters Caie Kelley and Rachel Glass discussing the incredible influence women have whether a mom, a celebrity, or company CEO. President of Starstyle® Productionss, LLC, Founder of Be the Star You Are!® charity, and producer of Express Yourself!™, Cynthia Brian (www.Star-Style.com) is interviewed by the teens. Katelyn also talks about the super woman of the New Jersey Assembly, Pamela Lampitt. Girls of all ages have the ability and strength to influence society around the globe. Empowering females to reach for the stars is the goal of Be the Star You Are!® Women Rule

Happy 2013! Another year, another resolution. Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass celebrate New Year’s Day with fellow teen reporters who offer their individual takes on what goals to set for 2013. Although Floridian teen, Nicole Eubanks says she has never fully succeeded in achieving her New Year goals, she does have some very excellent health tips. University of Oregon co-ed Rachel Glass stresses the importance of living in the moment and making the most of each day, while Stanford student encourages, Jacqueline Tao encourages everyone to take more “me” time, reach out to family and friends, and connect the dots using Steve Jobs recipe. A new audition from Armenian born, Lora Galoyan empowers us to be the talented, beautiful person we were born to be. Happy New Year and may your life be happy, prosperous, and exciting! Make your dreams come true

It’s Christmas Day around the world and our Express Yourself!™ teens have a special program bringing joy and good cheer to all our listeners. Hosted on the West Coast by Youngjoo Ahn and on the East Coast by Katelyn Darrow, you’ll be treated to Caie Kelley’s Christmas traditions in What’s Poppin’, the music of a fifteen year old singer/songwriter from Long Island, Jillian Rae, Katelyn’s Gift of Giving for the season of giving, and holiday quips from Campus Calling’s, Jacqueline Tao. Jillian Rae, the 15 year old singer and songwriter from Long Island, has been writing lyrics since she was seven and has been playing the acoustic guitar for two years. Jillian was a finalist on the NBC TODAY Show kids edition of The Voice. Jillian sings Mistletoe by Colbie Caillat live. DONATE TO OPERATION HURRICANE SANDY DISASTER Relief at http://www.btsya.com/hurricane_sandy_relief.html The Ninth Annual National Essay Contest is underway. Enter today! http://www.BTSYA.org

It’s teen tech talk today on Express Yourself!™ as our tech savvy hosts and reporters discuss technology and social networking. Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow co-host as well as report. Katelyn talks about how we can use social networking for the social good. Youngjoo launches her Platform for Good technology blog by embracing the technological revolution. Economic Tune-Up Reporter, Alex Pawlakos shows us how technology and economics are related while our pop culture pro, Caie Kelley brings blogging and participation from Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook, and You Tube to What’s Poppin’. Read the Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio technology blog at http://www.aplatformforgood.org/teens/blog/entry/express-yourself-where-teens-talk-and-the-world-listens. Check out the new Express Yourself!™ blog at http://btsya.tumblr.com

Dogs may be man’s best friends but too many of our furry friends go into shelters and never come out. Hurricanes are considered Acts of God, and today our co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow talk to two passionate animals lovers who founded the non profit, An Act of Dog. Katelyn reports on safety for pets during disasters in her Gift of Giving segment. Reporter Izzy Fasheh shares a fascinating look at French Realist Artist, Rosa Bonheur who painted animals. Mark Barone and Marina Dervan founded An Act of Dog to protect the lives of animals by ensuring that all of America’s shelters adopt the “No Kill Equation”. Using art for social change, Mark is painting 5500 shelter dogs. These ambassadors strive to raise $20 million to create a Memorial Museum to those animals who are euthanized. They have been featured in USA TODAY, OPRAH’S Magazine “O,” FOX, ABC, HUFFINGTON POST, as well as many other publications, and will be featured in a new book by National Geographic.

Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelly interview Russian Artist, Vladimir Kush whose credo is “To reflect the world in the mirror of the metaphor.” We’ll journey with Vladimir around the world as hereflects the complexities of modern life through his paintings. New audition by Isabella Fasheh who will discuss the life of Frido Kahlo in her segment “An Artist a Week!” Veteran radio host, Steven Zhou returns with his artistic viewpoints. Vladimir Kush was born in Russia, in a one-story wooden house near the Moscow forest-park Sokolniki. At the age of seven Vladimir began to attend art school until late evening where he became acquainted with the works of great artists of the Renaissance, famous Impressionists, and Modern Artists. Artist, Vladimir Kush, is the founder of Metaphorical Realism, his goal … to reflect the world in the mirror of the metaphor.

BangIt’s Game Day on Express Yourself!™. Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Darrow interview the World and US Champion Scrabble player, Conrad Bassett Bouchard. In the first segment, the ladies talk about intolerance in organizations and share support for the Moraga Boy Scout, Ryan Andresen who was denied his Eagle Award because of being gay. Reporter, Ryan Sim interviewed California’s State Champion Chess Player, Benjamin Tong and brings us highlights of his championship strategies. Although Conrad Bassett Bouchard began playing scrabble with his family at age 3, he began tournament playing at 14. He found it fun and rewarding and by age 17 was in the top 20 in the US and by 21 in the top five. He first played a tournament abroad in November 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand where he beat the current National/World Champ Nigel Richards in the finals ranking Conrad number one in the World English Scrabble Players Association.

WOW! Thanksgiving Day, November 22, is the anniversary of our first broadcast of Express Yourself!™so we decided to bring our original reporters back for a Thanksgiving Anniversary Reunion. Hosted by our first lead host of Express Yourself!™, Steven Zhou, and our current main host, Youngjoo Ahn, this is a celebration of gratitude and frivolity as our veteran teens share stories of the past 365 days and talk about how being a reporter on Express Yourself ™ has impacted their lives. Joining Youngjoo and Steven are Book It! reporter, Courtney Cheng, currently at CAL Berkeley; Making a Difference Reporter Rachel Glass at University of Oregon in Eugene; Say What? reporter, Vivien Lee, also at CAL Berkeley singing Dream a Dream from Les Miserables; and winding up our fun-filled hour is Campus Calling Reporter, Jacqueline Tao at Stanford. Smart savvy teens making a difference-that’s a year of Express Yourself.

Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley interview author and self-publisher, Sheri McGuinn who writes about resilient people who are dealing with major crises, hopefully worse problems than the average reader will ever have to encounter. Youngjoo shares her fascinating experiences in becoming a writer, reporter, and President of Club Be the Star You Are!® in high School. Tanner O’Dell, our Texas Teen Chef brings us more of his tantalizing treats and helps us create individual homemade cookbooks

It’s an election year and the Express Yourself!™ teens may be too young to vote, but they certainly have opinions on what they would like to see happen in our country. In our ELECTION special, Pro Parlay Reporter, Ryan Sim joins host Youngjoo Ahn with a discussion on the state of the union. Our fun What’s Poppin/ reporter, Caie Kelly shares interesting historical perspectives on the election process. Auditioning as our economic reporter, Alex Pawlakos discusses outcomes for the economy based on the voters. And what would politics be without a victory meal? Teen Chef Tanner O’Dell cooks up the perfect celebratory feast for our newly elected officials.

Enjoying the beauty of the autumn season, the On-Air STAR team is live at the Pear and Wine Festival thanks to sponsorship of The Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper with a history lesson about the celebration and superstitions surrounding Halloween. They interview two little girls who are experiencing the festivities and having a great time preparing their costumes for trick or treating. Sisters Vivien and Jennifer Lee sing a charming duet and Steven Zhou stops by to say hello. Fall tradition is the topic for Caie’s What’s Poppin’ segment as the girls share stories of family fun surrounding this favorite holiday. Singer and volunteer Lora Galoyan stops by to talk about adventures in voice training, growing up in Armenia, and offers a touching tribute to a beloved local teen, Bret Olson. Get ready to carve a pumpkin, paint your face, and be thrilled and chilled by the BTSYA Halloween Spooktacular!

The on-air team of Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ set up a remote radio tent at the Pear and Wine Festival. Co-hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley introduce a Club BTSYA school President, Lora Galayon who sings Adele's Rolling in the Deep plus I Give My Love. Lora grew up in Armenia and talks about the differences in cultures. Robbie Sadre plays a mean guitar and shares how he conceived of the idea to create Club Be the Star You Are!® in high schools. Fourteen year old Jennifer Lee sings Call Me Maybe and If I Die Young by the Band Perry. Jennifer is the enthusiastic new event coordinator for the BTSYA organization. Yougjoo discusses the variety of activities and opportunities that Club BTSYA offers to anyone who wants to be creative and become a leader. Everyone has a terrific time at the festival with the food, booths, and one another. It's a bright autumn day with plenty of pears, singing, music, and expression!

Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley offer a living organically episode. The Gift of Giving Reporter from New Jersey, Katelyn Eystad shares ideas on how to help feed the hungry and our hosts audition a new reporter from Texas, Tanner O’Dell with his segment, Live to Eat-Happy, Healthy, and Hungry Reporting. Tanner will tell us why eating fresh and organic is better. Celebrity hairstylist, Kate Pierovich, shares how she became a success in Hollywood working with the stars of GLEE, Teen Wolf, MTV, and awards shows, then left the red carpet world to live clean and green in Oregon. It’s a healthy, hearty, heartwarming show on Express Yourself!™

Host Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley interview Ellen Hopkins, the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of eight young adult novels, including Crank, Glass, Fallout, and Perfect, as well as the adult novel Triangles. Hopkins’ second adult novel Collateral will be published in November 2012. Ellen Hopkins currently lives with her family in Nevada. Be sure to visit her online at ellenhopkins.com; myspace/com/ellenhopkins; and twitter.com/ellenhopkinsYA. Pro Parley Reporter interviews a librarian for his segment, and Youngjoo talks about making homemade books in Artsy Gifts

Hosts Youngjoo Ahn and Katelyn Eystad interview the magical lady who invented illusions for David Copperfield and Lance Burton, Diana Zimmerman, author of Kandide.Vanishing avocados, mega-million dollar conferences, haute couture jewels, and enigmatic beings, all part of Diana S. Zimmerman’s amazing life. Like her best selling, award winning fantasy adventure novel, “Kandide and the Secret of the Mists,” her role in the performing arts, as well as the business world, transcends the ordinary. She has been a performer, entrepreneur, and businesswoman since the age of eight when she invested all of her resources into a small magic trick. With a total capital outlay of 47 cents, she parlayed her investment into a spectacular 25-year stage and television career as the World’s Foremost Lady Magician.”

Youngjoo Ahn and Caie Kelley interview Dr. Don Martin to get a first person glimpse of the admission process to college and grad school and his take on going to community colleges. Road Map for Graduate Study: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students, by Dr. Donald C. Martin, is the first comprehensive book about graduate school. A career insider, Dr. Martin takes readers from A to Z with respect to the Graduate School experience. He starts with doing research on graduate programs/institutions, then covers the application process, and ends with how to succeed once enrolled. A must read for anyone thinking about earning a masters or doctoral degree. This fall, Idealist is bringing hundreds of graduate schools to 17 cities across the country. If you’ve been thinking of applying, this is a great opportunity to meet in person with admissions staff from a variety of programs.

Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass co-host the fourth episode in our Tough Talk Series in collaboration with Youth Voice in San Diego. Braving Gravity Reporter from Indiana, Today’s subject is peer abuse, peer pressure, and teen bullying with 17 year old guest, Joseline Suarez, a peer educator for Gang Reduction, Intervention & Prevention. Joseline was one of three young ladies honored in San Diego county as a positive role model. Clare Durant, reports on peer pressure and her first days of college in Indiana. When peers abuse their peers, the damage is long lasting and deeply impactful. With the many layers of Peer Abuse via technology, emotionally, verbally, physically, and sexually, the FEAR in a youth's reality can affect their relationships on many levels, including their peers, families, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and inhibit their capacity to heal.

Co hosts Steven Zhou and Youngjoo Ahn along with reporters Katelyn Eystad in New Jersey and Rachel Glass in Oregon welcome actor, musician, skydiver, and philanthropist Justin Tinucci to Express Yourself!™ Justin Tinucci is a thirteen-year-old actor, musician, and philanthropist. He became interested in acting after appearing on TV shows for a unique sport he is involved in – indoor skydiving. He and his sister, Kayla, were the first kid indoor skydiving team in the world to compete against adult skydivers in wind tunnels, sparking national media attention. He is known for his roles on popular television shows Big Love and iCarly, plus The Muppet Movie. He is passionate about volunteering and helping kids not as fortunate as he is to help make a difference in their lives. In the Gift of Giving, Katelyn offers great ideas to get teens involved with causes, and in Making a Difference, Rachel shares views on the fun and connections of volunteering and the importance of giving back.

Our talented teen co-hosts, Youngjoo Ahn and Steven Zhou, are not only great at broadcasting and writing, they are caring individuals who give back to the world. This past summer both donated their time to teach English in Korea and China. A full hour of their travels, experiences, funny stories, and ticklish banter will entertain and motivate. Steven and Youngjoo discuss their adventures as well as the challenges of living and working in another country. There were language barriers, weird food, hilarious videotaping, crazy clothing, sleeping on the floor, broken rules, and fascinating excursions. They bonded with their students and staff and both agreed that teaching is really difficult, yet completely rewarding.

Mega author superstar, Meg Cabot joins hosts Steven Zhou, Youngjoo Ahn, and field reporters Clare Durant and Caie Kelley to give her take on the college campus hijinx and the perils of pop. Meg Cabot is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of books for both adults and tweens/teens. Meg wrote the Princess Diaries series, which was made into two hit movies by Disney, sold over 20 million copies, and has been translated into 38 languages. After working for ten years as an assistant residence hall director at New York University (an experience from which she occasionally draws inspiration for her Heather Wells mystery series. First there was SIZE 12 IS NOT FAT ?Then, there was SIZE 14 IS NOT FAT EITHER ?You demanded BIG BONED… ?And now, Meg Cabot makes a triumphant return to her reader-favorite “Heather Wells” mystery series with… ?SIZE 12 AND READY TO ROCK.

Up and coming stars in music, cosmetics, and broadcasting are the focus of today’s Express Yourself!™ with co-hosts Courtney Cheng in California and Rachel Glass in Oregon. Clare Durant, a broadcast hopeful going to university in Indiana, auditions as a reporter for Braving Gravity, a newly launched Iowa band currently on a US tour and playing in New York City, We Are Jocelyn debuts their original music, and a new make-up artist for film, art, and fashion from Boston, Alexandra Angelone, jump off the Express Yourself!™ launch pad.

Co-hosts Vivien Lee and Courtney Cheng bring author and editor, C. Hope Clark on Express Yourself!™ to discuss how to make money writing and what it takes to pen both fiction and non-fiction books. New Jersey reporter, Katelyn Eystad offers her Gift of Giving with her newest service project, “Be a Backpack Angel.” Courtney and Vivien discuss famous authors who were rejected nunerous times before being published in Book It! and Say What? C. Hope Clark is founder of FundsforWriters, awarded Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers for the past 12 years. Her newsletters centered around markets and funding opportunities for writers, reach 44,000 readers each week. She is also a mystery novelist, with a recent release of Lowcountry Bribe, A Carolina Slade Mystery and author of the non-fiction, The Shy Writer. She lives in central South Carolina where she pens her mysteries and works on a new nonfiction book for writers.

It’s a mash up as co-hosts Courtney Cheng and Vivien Lee welcome the New York rock band, Honor Society, named one of the breakout bands to watch by Rolling Stone Magazine and identified as a Buzzworthy band by MTV. They chat about their upcoming tour. Radio personality and recent college grad, Heather Brittany shares tips on how to be successful and enjoy your first weeks of university life. Health Beat Reporter, Nicole Eubanks offers stress busters for back to school and Caie Kelley, What’s Poppin’ reporter talks about the effects of TV and pop culture on educational pursuits.

Hosted by Youngjoo Ahn and Courtney Cheng, today focuses on the impact of drunk driving and underage drinking. Reports include Ryan Sim with Pro Parley, Artsy Gifts with Youngjoo, and Book It with Courtney. Joseline Suarez, a teen from Youth Voice in San Diego shares personal experiences and information to prevent teens from drinking. Alcohol related accidents kill someone every 30 minutes and injure someone every two minutes. Nearly one-third (31%) of driver deaths ages 16-20 were drinking drivers. Joseline discusses drinking promotions, how teen drinking affects relationships, and what can be done to curb this epidemic of underage drinking. Weeping Willows is a true story about a young girl's journey after tragically losing one of her siblings from a drunk driver when she was 15. Written by twenty-something Michelle Scavarda of Yorktown Heights, New York, this beautifully written and poignant story tells about how one young girl struggled through an unspeakable tragedy

Hosted by Youngjoo Ahn and Rachel Glass, this episode focuses on the impact of violence in teen relationships and audition two new reporters, Katelyn Eystad from New Jersey(The Gift of Giving) and Caie Kelley from California (What’s Poppin’?)Teenage Relationship Violence impacts millions of youth globally. With the three types of abuse (emotional, verbal, and sexual), one in five will experience teenage relationship violence. Research shows 80% of these individuals remain in abusive relationships. Awareness and community education are critically important.Eighteen-year-old Itza Perez, a leader with Youth Voice in San Diego is passionate about social justice and human rights and driven by her experiences and community outreach. Itza has been a Youth Voice member for several years and was the Founder and President of Hoover Dreamers at her high school. Sharing her original poetry, she impacts audiences with her passionate resolve to create a better world.

YA Best Selling Author Talks Writing & Publishing Hosted by Steven Zhou and Youngjoo Ahn with Youngjoo’s Artsy Gifts segment and a farewell to Steven as he leaves to work in China. Our hosts audition a new field reporter, Ryan Sim, presenting interviews from professionals with a segment called Pro Parlay. Move over, zombies, vampires, and werewolves, and make way for witches. Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs and Blue Bloods series. Today she releases, The Serpent’s Kiss, the newest novel in the New York Times bestselling Witches of East End. Melissa has worked as a fashion and beauty editor for The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

This episode of Express Yourself is hosted by Youngjoo Ahn and producer, Cynthia Brian with teen reporter Nicole Eubanks talking about culture and food in Health Beat and Youngjoo offering Artsy Gifts from our heritage. President Obama changed the immigration laws on June 15th to allow individuals thirty and under who meet certain criteria to get their Green Card and eliminate deportation. A young teen leader with Youth Voice from San Diego, California, Elia Ramirez shares her experiences on how immigration issues have impacted her life, what she is doing to help other kids, and how this new law will impact the young immigrants. Youth Voice members are peer educators by sharing imperative knowledge in their community. Elia Ramirez has been a youth leader for several years. Part of Youth Voice Ensemble, Elia has presented at Gang Summits, Teenage Relationship Violence, Graffiti Paint-Outs, and Civic Engagement opportunities.

Everyone fantasizes about being BFF with the pretty girl next door. But in the case of up-and-coming Hollywood based pop/rock trio Y i Yell, it actually came true.Y i Yell consists of brothers Michael and Demitri Lerios and their literal girl-next-door neighbor/frontwoman Gaby Symons. If you're looking for a comparison, Gaby's voice is a dead ringer for Gwen Stefani during her early No Doubt days, with a dash of Hayley Williams from Paramore and Gracer Slick from Jefferson Airplane thrown in for good measure. Guitarist Michael and drummer Demitri (who was in elementary school when they began!) provide a tight backdrop for Gaby's infectious vocals. Y i YELL ! is on a mission to define the expression of a young generation. They sing TWO songs LIVE on the program! `Find at more and watch videos at their web site.

Live broadcast from the Moraga Faire featuring Steven Zhou, Vivien Lee, Youngjoo Ahn, producer Cynthia Brian, sponsors, and guests. Our show features passerby's from the local Moraga Fair as they discuss their experiences at the fair, the various booths featured, and their opinions. At the same time, we take advantage of the portable sound studio set up at our booth to do professional-quality music and commercial recordings. This week's show features Joe Torbatt of Orinda Auto Detail, sponsor of BTSYA at Moraga Fair, Sal Captain winemaker at Captain Vineyards, and Ellen Beans Founder of the Moraga Faire and Moraga Citizen of the Year. LIVE performances by the musical stars on our Teen Radio team with Steven Zhou on guitar and Vivien Lee's vocals driving the force behind these recordings. Tune in for LIVE fun at the Moraga Fair! Thanks to the sponsors of the Faire booth, Orinda Auto Detail, Minute Man Press and Keigan Productions.

When Diane Ferlatte arrives on stage, you can’t help but be carried along with her charismatic style of telling that includes music, sign-language, movement, humor and song. She carries a stick and a treasure trove of stories, some with homespun wisdom, some with rhythm and rhyme, all with heart and life. Diane tells true-life personal & historical stories, as well as folktales, legends, myths, and fables. Besides passing on history & culture, Diane believes that storytelling helps to promote reading-readiness, visual imagery, imagination, and character/moral development. She has performed in virtually every state in the U.S. & has toured internationally many times. All of her recordings have won honors including awards from Parents’ Choice, American Library Association, National Parenting Publications, Storytelling World, iParenting Media, as well as a Grammy Nomination. Steven Zhou and Courtney Cheng host this storytelling hour.

Many of our teen reporters are graduating high school this June. We’ll find out how it feels to be at the end of a high school career and what’s next. Graduating senior, host Steven Zhou co-hosts with sophomore Youngjoo Ann. Youngjoo interviews Steven Zhou about his favorite things in life, putting him on the other side of the microphone for a change. Nicole Eubanks brings us a Health Beat party and Youngjoo’s Artsy Gifts celebrates graduation. Let’s get the party started! Woo Hoo

Live broadcast from the Moraga Faire featuring Steven Zhou, Vivien Lee, Mason Windatt, Youngjoo Ahn, producer Cynthia Brian, sponsors, and guests. Our teens interview a cross section of people of all ages to talk about their summer plans, dreams, hopes, and travels.Hear what people have to say about summer vacation. The Express Yourself!™ booth is sponsored by Orinda Auto Detail, Minuteman Press, and Keigan Productions

What is it like to be in the Olympics and have a Disney blockbuster movie about your Olympic exploits? Steven Zhou and Youngjoo Ahn interview Devon Harris, Captain of the legendary Jamaican Bobsled Team that captured the hearts of the world at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Cool Runnings was based on the amazing story. At the heart of Devon’s message are the lessons of the power of persistence over obstacles in order to live one's best life. His mission is to bring this message of how everyone can keep on pushing and working for their dreams every day of their lives. The Keep On Pushing Foundation which he founded in 2006 aims to support and enhance the education of kids in disadvantaged communities around the globe. He is the author of the motivational children’s book, Yes, I Can! and Keep On Pushing: Hot Lesson From Cool Runnings. Field Reporters Youngjoo Ahn and Mason Windatt bring their savvy insights to this Olympic presentation

Co-Hosts Steven Zhou and Jacqueline Tao bring a show about technology and change through interviewing the two first place winners of the 8th Annual National Be the Star You Are!® Essay Contest. Health Beat Reporter, Nicole Eubanks and Book It! reporter, Courtney Cheng add their excellent technology research to the program. The judges have made their decisions and the winners of the 8th Annual National Essay Contest sponsored by US Bank are announced with the first place winning entries read by the authors. The topics this year included “The World at Your Fingertips” and “Hear me Out!”. The first place winners are Pamela Lewis from New York and Dana Allen from California! Tune in to hear their essays read and meet these lovely ladies. Second place went to Carl David with Honorable Mention awared to Elizabeth Mroz and Miss Mary Sue Wickham. Congrats

Steven Zhou and Jacqueline Tao host this program all about being positive. Youngjoo Ahn, our Artsy Gifts reporter, gives us a segment on how to create a positively fun container for ourselves. Mason Windatt puts a positive spin on his sports segment, On the Ball. Our guest is Mr. Positive, AKA, Ken Bossone, President of the World Positive Thinkers Club. He tells us how positive living makes for a happy and fulfilled life and gives teens an inspirational push to surround themselves with upbeat people

Express Yourself!™ delves into the creative world of art with renowned fine artist and computer games specialist, Armand Cabrera currently living and working in Virginia and Leslie Swartz, a California resident who began her art career in South Africa which teaching children. Field reporter Nicole Eubanks discusses the benefits of art for healthy living in her segment, Health Beat. Reporter Rachel Glass talks about the various types of creativity that can make a difference. Hosted by Steven Zhou and Jacqueline Tao, you’ll learn how art is within all of us.

It’s a dream song fest on Express Yourself!™ today. Hosts Steven Zhou and Courtney Cheng are serenaded by the two winners of The First Annual South Bay Teen Idol competition as well as our own Express Yourself!™ chanteuse, Vivien Lee. Artsy Gifts reporter, Youngjoo Ahn crafts unique gifts for the musicians in your life and Courtney Cheng morphs nto Radio Junkie with insights into the American Idol contestants. Performing live, Casey Rico, the first place winner sings a riveting rendition of “It will Rain” by Bruno Mars and Sanjana Shukla sings “Sway” by The Pussycat Dolls. Express Yourself!™ reporter, Vivien Lee croons “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. Tune in, sing along, applaud, or just be WOWed by the star teen talent.

Courtney Cheng and Vivien Lee co-host a girls rule program with an interview with New York Times best selling YA author of the Gallagher Girls, Ally Carter whose books have sold more than 1.8 million copies in fifteen territories worldwide. Our hosts also interview a teen concert promoter of heavy metal bands, Victoria Payne, who has been going to concerts since the age of 12 and talked her way into a promotion job. Youngjoo Ahn, a teen prospective field reporter auditions for her place on the Star team with her segment, Artsy Gifts. Jacqueline Tao explains how dorm rooms are allocated at Stanford University in Campus Calling.

Express Yourself!™ embarks on global teen travel treat. Host Steven Zhou welcomes Hong Kong born, Henry Eu, Vice President of Educational Services International. He recruits young people to teach conversational English in eleven countries.New field reporter, Mason Windatt, shares his segment On the Ball to talk about how sport teams travel. Health Beat reporter Nicole Eubanks gives us the six top reasons that teens should travel, and Rachel Glass reports on Making a Difference in the world through experiencing other cultures and being an ambassador of peace. Henry came to Boston from Hong Kong for high school via Europe at 16. He attended Stanford University for his undergraduate and UCLA for his MBA. His goal is to help young adults travel with passion and purpose. He frequently travels to England, Singapore, and Honolulu to visit his family. www.teachoverseas.org. If a picture is worth a thousand words, traveling is worth a thousand memories.

Around the world with Express Yourself!™ Hosts Steven Zhou and Courntey Cheng travel across the big POND to interview London’s entrepreneur, Danny Tyler, who launched Tyler Tours with his brother for visitors to see an inside look at the city. They’ll continue across the Channel to France to meet global nomad, Saturn Range in Paris to learn about her gypsy lifestyle living in many cities and learning new cultures. Eric Pawlakos brings us a travel emergency app for our smart phones and Vivien Lee entertains with her comical customs travel segment, Say What?

All girls for a full hour. Vivien Lee co-hosts with Chan Dara Paschal plus field reporters Courtney Cheng with her review of The Hunger Games in Book It! and Jacqueline Tao talks about females being objectified in Campus Calling. The girls introducie and audition thirteen-year old Nicole Eubanks from Florida who is interested in becoming a health field reporter on Express Yourself!™. Nicole believes that healthy choices in food and lifestyle are critical to the lives of teens. Her audition segment is called Health Beat. Vivien has been performing for several days in a big musical production and sings her solo, On My Own, from Les Miserables. The team bids farewell to Chan Dara as she relinquishes her hosting posting to move on to full time college courses and full time working. An hour of girl power with book reviews, health, song, fun, and goodbyes.

OPINIONS DURING THIS SHOW DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF VOICE AMERICA AND OR WORLD TALK RADIO PLEASE CONSULT A CRISIS PROFESSIONAL. Every fifteen minutes someone commits suicide. Suicide claims more than a million lives each year and leaves more than five million to mourn them. Its victims are drawn by drugs, depression, disease, sexual confusion, bullying, peer pressures, feelings of desperation. The only way to thwart this unforgiving beast is to confront it by raising levels of awareness Talking about teen suicide in youth is a necessity in order to stop it. Steven Zhou hosts our show focusing on these tough issues with award winning essay writer and author, Carl David, whose mission is to save lives. His latest book, Bader Field; How My Family Survived Suicide is the emotional story of our family's struggle to survive after his older brother at age 22 took his life. Courtney Tran and Rachel Glass share personal experiences with Radio Junkie and Making a Difference.

Be the Star You Are!® is a literacy charity dedicated to empowering women, families, and youth. Express Yourself!™ is committed to developing opportunities and showcasing young people who are bringing the gift of reading and writing to others. In today’s show, our hosts Steven Zhou and Chan Dara Paschal introduce us to thirteen year old Megan Mettler who created a program to bring books to low income communities and Tony Award Wiinner, Beau Sia, who discuses his work as a poet, and how he believes that teens should be able to express their feelings and emotions through writing. Our field reporter, Courtney Cheng, shares reviews of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie and the Inkheart series by Caroline Funke in Book It and Oregon co-ed, Rachel Glass talks about giving back.

The Brits are back! Steven Zhou interviews British teen living in Italy, Joeleen, with her new CD, Welcome to My World and both Steven and Chan Dara Pashal talk with London/Lagos raised poetry/hip hop star, Karl Nova. Reporters Jacqueline Tao and Eric Pawlakos chime in with Campus Calling and The App Rap. Watch Joeleen: http://joeleenworld.com/Home.html. Watch Karl Nova: http://www.youtube.com/KarlNova JOELEEN, was born in the east end of London, and spent most of her teenage years in Swansea (Wales). She moved to ITALY and worked as a singer, songwriter for various Recording Studios and Record Companies such as: DB One music, Disco Più, and Five Records. Having fallen in love with poetry and Hip Hop at a young age, Karl Nova delivers poetic lines in his unique, witty and energetic style. Born and raised in London and Lagos, whether it’s in rap format or spoken word poetry Karl Nova seeks to give voice to the search for meaning.

Chan Dara Paschal and Courtney Cheng host today’s music program featuring band major, Mackenzie Dimler. Radio Junkie Reporter, Courtney Tran offers more musical commentary. In the Tough Talk segment, Chan Dara and Courtney discuss the prevalence of kids being forced to sing, dance, and perform. Mackenzie Dimler has been playing music since he was in the 4th grade. He plays the clarinet, the bass clarinet, the guitar, the bass guitar, the trumpet, and the drums, but his main instruments are the bassoon and the contra bassoon. He is in the Young People's Symphony Orchestra and has been for nearly three years. He plans on majoring in musical performance and education at a major university .

Reproductive health professional, Heather Brittany joins our hosts Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou to discuss teen sexuality. Field reporters, Vivien Lee and Courtney Cheng add their research and opinions on the subject with Say What? and Book It! Heather Brittany is a reproductive health professional specializing in teen sexuality. Heather has been bringing her research, enthusiasm, and healthy living tips to millions since 2004. With a passion to help young adults make informed decisions, Heather co-wrote the chapter on Sexuality with author Cynthia Brian in the best selling book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS. Heather offers advice on communication, resources, birth control, HIV and disease prevention, and being in control of your own body. Get informed, get the correct knowledge. Heather's goal is to get parents and teens talking honestly and frankly about that scary three-letter word- S-E-X.

Hollywood’s celebrity numerologist, Glynis McCant, joins our hosts Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou for our Valentine’s Day Love Special. Teen field reporters, Courtney Tran, Courtney Cheng, and Jacqueline Tao bring their unique voices to the topic of relationships with their segments of Radio Junkie, Book It, and Campus Calling. Lots of humor, singing, joking, and numerology on this Valentine’s Day Love Special. Celebrity Numerology Glynis McCants helps you discover your true desires when it comes to love, and gives you advice on how to attract a healthy, loving relationship. As seen on Dr. Phil, The Today Show, and in People Magazine, Glynis will teach us what our Life Path Numbers are, and what Personal Year Cycles we have entered into this New Year 2012. Visit http://www.Numberslady.com.

PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED Gender Issues As part of our Tough Talks series, our hosts, Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou interview experts on gender issues including health educator from the University of California at Berkeley, Sarah Gamble and Orange County/Long Beach Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League and GLSEN, Kevin O’Grady. Topics discussed include gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual topics as well as discrimination and ways to eliminate it. The Live Your Legacy campaign continues with a reading of Playing for Change, a story about bringing peace to the world through music as a universal language. Teen reporter, Rachel Glass, comes to us from Oregon with simple small tips to helping you make a difference in the lives of those around you. Tech personality, Eric Pawlakos, discovers a running app in App Rap to help us get outside and get moving

Most youth have aspirations of being in the spotlight, whether it’s as a sports figure, politician, or movie star. Hollywood acting dreams is the focus of Express Yourself!™ Courtney Cheng reviews the acting bible, The Business of Show Business in Book It! Sarah Jean Allen, a 21 year-old actor from San Jose, has been on stage since the age of six, currently studying Theater Arts in college. What sets Sarah apart from other actors is her 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and weaponry expertise. Her makeup business is Purrfect Airbrush Makeup. With a unique voice, thirteen-year old Erin Greider from Los Angeles, has been acting and performing for seven years. Erin works on-camera and in print and has found a love for theater with Magic Mirror Productions. She studies voice-over, singing, dancing, and continues to attend acting classes. Chan Dara Paschal offers a Tough Talk segment on issues that are challenging for teens in the entertainment industry.

Jacqueline Tao co-hosts with Chan Dara Paschal as Steven Zhou is playing prosecutor in a mock trial. Bullying is the most common form of violence in our society. Our two guests, Helice Bridges and Roberto de la Pena bring us the facts about bullying-the causes, effects, and ways to eradicate it. Our segment Radio Junkie with Courtney Tran presents musicians including Pink and Taylor Swift, who sing about bullying, differences, and discrimination through the lyrics in their popular songs. Helice “Sparky” Bridges is the founder of Difference Makers International, a non profit organization and creator of the “Who I am Makes a Difference® Blue Ribbon Acknowledgment System. Roberto De La Pena is a warrior in the fight against bullying. He was elected president of High Tech High School based on a platform of unconditional love. Also Eric Pawlakos with his Shake It- App Rap.

Hosts Chan Dara Pascal and Steven Zhou focus on the game that is uniquely American-football. They interview two stars-one a high school senior, Mason Windatt whose underdog Campolindo Courgars went all the way to the state championships and a professional, multi million dollar earning football player, defensive lineman, Demetric Evans who played for the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49’ers, and the Washington Red Skins. Both advocate dedication, hard work, putting in the time, showing up, and getting the good grades to be successful. Cynthia Brian shares powder puff football and cheerleading memories while Say What! field reporter, Vivien Lee has us laughing in the stadium with her football trivia and funny facts on the sport. How many pigs does it take to make a pigskin? Come play a game with us, find out, and get inspired, too!

Happy 2012 and welcome to an hour of stimulating teen talk as co-hosts Steven Zhou and Chan Dara Paschal introduce the stellar team of Express Yourself!™. Meet a sampling of our field reporters as producer and creator of Express Yourself! TEEN Radio, Cynthia Brian introduces Courtney Cheng, Vivien Lee, Eric Pawlakos, and Jacqueline Tao. Cynthia Brian is also the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!™ 501 c3 charity and host of Starstyle®-Be the Star You Are!® Radio heard on sister network, World Talk Radio. She will discuss the path she as taken to being a teen advocate via being an actor and New York Times best selling author.

Every teen needs to know how to manage money. In our show today, our hosts Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou interview two experts plus two teen field reporters with big dollar news. Eric Pawlakos shares two great apps in The App Rap with Borrowing for College and the Student Loan Calculator. If you are on your way to university, you need to hear this segment. Ron Melvin, Manager of US Bank in Lafayette, California, gives practical tips on managing finances, opening bank accounts, and putting away pennies in that piggy bank. Bare Bones Biz President, Ellen Rohr lights up the airwaves with super simple strategies to prosperity and wealth. Her book, “Where Did the Money Go?” is a great guide for youth to start saving. University of Oregon freshman field reporter, Rachel Glass talks about fundraising for charity and the importance of putting money where your mouth is.

Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou interview a renowned hip hop orchestra conductor, a radio program director/former DJ, and hear from two field reporters. Welcome to our newest on-air field reporter, Courtney Tran who presents an inside look at the music of Glee Courtney is also the beautiful voice behind our theme song for Express Yourself!™ The award-winning documentary “Hip Hop Maestro” is the behind the scenes story of Double GG, AKA Geoff Gallegos, and daKahas they went from the street to symphony hall. GG is a fascinating guest as he talks about beginning his professional career at 15, attending Berklee College of Music, and gigging his way around the world. Perry Damone is the Program Director for Voice America Kids Network. He grew up in the entertainment biz, first in Italy with his mother, actress Pier Angeli, then moved to Beverly Hills with singer father Vic Damone. He is the founder of KidStar, an organization that has empowered youth through radio since 1987

What is branding and how can it help you launch your products, services, and self? Our hosts, Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou interview experts on branding. Jacqueline Tao brings us the latest news from life at Stanford University with Campus Calling. Co-chair of the Orinda Teen Advisory Council and a competitive speaker, Alex Glazer, is a high school senior who wants to pursue a career in communications and business. /Alex discusses her 5 day intensive camp where she and three other teens learned to create, launch, and brand a business called Juice Box. The stars are the limit with Cynthia Brian’s Starstyle®. Stars are the brand as Cynthia talks about how she came upon her slogan of “Be the Star You Are!®” and how she is known as The Star Lady, branding Starstyle® and Be the Star You Are!® charity with stars

How do you find your purpose in life? Do you know how to identify your special gifts? Chan Dara Paschal and Steven Zhou interview experts on the subject. Courtney Cheng, field reporter for Book It! shares the latest good read by Mary e. Pearson. Brooks Olbrys, author of the children’s picture book series, Blue Ocean Bob, provides insights on how children and youth find their purpose and their passions.from dramatic performances to video production, which is what Donna Zilka, Director of College Services at Aristotle Circle, an education consulting service talks about working with students to discover what path will be best for them. Vivien Lee, field reporter of Say What? has the team laughing with her funny facts and finds.

Music through ages in today’s show plus tech field reporter, Eric Pawkalos, shares a great free app for music lovers, Soundhound. Dana Messing, founding member and the only “original” member of The Fabulous Cruisetones shares his band career beginning in the 1960’s through today. He has appeared in concert with War, Muddy Waters, Flash Cadillac & the Continentral Kids, the Tubes, Sugarloaf, Bo Diddley, Delbert McClinton, the Drifters, Stephanie Teel & Maria Muldair to name a few. Daniel Kriozere, who goes by DJ, is a high school senior part of the leading student band at the school. He and his band mate, Bryant Chow talk about having a high school band. Courtney Tran, the star singer of the theme song for Express Yourself!™ joins Steven Zhou, who wrote the theme music to talk about being a singer. She sings a verse a cappella for us followed by Steven sharing his love of studio time.

Co-hosts Steven Zhou and Chan Dara Paschal broach the subject of what life is like after high school. Field reporter, Jacqueline Tao will chronicle what her first few weeks have been like attending Stanford University as a freshman with Campus Callling. Rachel Glass, field reporter in Eurgene, Oregon, shares her impressions of college, sororities, and activities at the University of Oregon. Michael Chickering is a special guest who attends Interlochen Arts Academy all the way in Michigan. This prestigious private boarding school specializing in the arts.

Welcome to the first hour of stimulating teen talk as co-hosts Steven Zhou and Chan Dara Paschal introduce the world to Express Yourself!™. You’ll meet the five field reporters who will be providing exciting content that entices teens everywhere. Courtney Cheng: Book It! Rachel Glass: Making a Difference Vivien Lee: Say What! Eric Pawlakos: The App Rap Jacqueline Tao: Campus Calling In addition, Courtney Tran is the teen voice on our theme song that was written and composed by host Steven Zhou. Special guest is creator and producer, Cynthia Brian, who is also the founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!™ 501 c3 charity and host of Starstyle®-Be the Star You Are!® Radio heard on our sister network, World Talk Radio. Cynthia will share her journey from being an actor and acting coach to becoming a New York Times best selilng author and teen advocate. Come Express Yourself!™-an on-air global community where teens talk and the world listens.