Express Yourself!

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...

'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...

"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 strateg...

'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, b...

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 que...

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 w...

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 P...

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...

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...

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, diseas...

"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 chan...

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...

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 f...

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. Hea...