#StartWithaSmile

2 min

The Importance of Water

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 rep

Terrorist Attacks, Remembering 9/11, and Finding Peace

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Terrorist Attacks, Remembering 9/11, and Finding Peace

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/139230/terrorist-attacks-the-horror-of-911-and-finding-peace 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,

Biotechnology/Genetic Modification and Ethics

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Biotechnology/Genetic Modification and Ethics

Biotechnology/Genetic Modification and Ethics 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 fa

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology: You may not know what it is, but our Express Yourself! teens, Ruhani, Hannah, and Keerthi are ready to provide the intel. Tune in: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/139018/nanotechnology 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-functi

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality

“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 f

Cynthia Brian

2 min

The culture of food

“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 live

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Back to School

Back to School 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

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Journalism

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 Extr

Cynthia Brian

3 min

LGBTQIA+

“There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.” –Chris Colfer https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/138495/lgbtqia 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 gende

Cynthia Brian

2 min

The Metaverse

The Metaverse 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

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Energy Healing

Sharanya, Ruhani, and Hannah talk about the pseudoscience of energy healing. Producer of the hit film What The Bleep Do We Know?!!, Betsy Chasse, joins for a discussion about energy, healing, filmmaking, and being a Mom to teens. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/138260/energy-healing 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 abilit

Celebrate the 4th with Express Yourself! Teen Radio

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Celebrate the 4th with Express Yourself! Teen Radio

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/138160/independence-day-and-liberty-loving-lafayette · Independence Day and Liberty-Loving Lafayette 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 Je

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Allergies in Humans and Pets

“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 o

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Modern Music

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/137969/modern-music 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, expla

Connection the Brain and the Dinner Plate

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Connection the Brain and the Dinner Plate

“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 f

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Identity Theft and Fraud

“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. Host

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Education

“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 d

Enriching Urban Communities through Composting

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Enriching Urban Communities through Composting

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 en

Cynthia Brian

2 min

Public Health

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/137150/public-health 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

Cynthia Brian

3 min

Earth Day Celebrations

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/136919/earth-day 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 sustainabi

Passion, Purpose, & Possibility Producer

Cynthia Brian

Empowerment Architect