Express Yourself!

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 outlo...

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...

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...

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 dis...

"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 pow...

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" synon...

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 scien...

"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 e...

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...

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 segm...

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 Y...

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 compu...

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 m...

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,...

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 i...

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...

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!™...

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 fri...

"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 e...

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 Redf...

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 treat...

"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 Fo...

"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 ea...

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 develo...

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...