MIRACLE MOMENTS® “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison people because they are different from others.” President Lyndon B. Johnson https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/the-right-to-vote? A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN Cynthia Brian On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. The need for the law was explained in its full

https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/can-the-courts-save-democracy “Where you see wrong, inequality, or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy.” – Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Courts are one of the most important institutions protecting American democracy, but if our entire strategy for preserving democracy is basically, “Hopefully the Supreme Court figures it out,” then we have a much bigger problem. Keerthi Eraniyan hosts an impor

“August is one of the hottest months of the northern year…’twixt the flower and the fruit.” Hal Borland, Naturalist and Author It has been a warm summer, with August scheduled to bring on the heat. The hot days of this month showcase my seasonal favorite flowers. The Naked Ladies are back! When the calendar page flips to August and the days are long and hot, these gorgeous Amaryllis belladonnas shoot their bare stems skyward. Their fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in various

Issues Facing Teens “Ignore those who tell you which way to go without first understanding where you are.” - James Pierce Teens are facing numerous challenges, and in this episode of Express Yourself!™ host Diya and reporter Allison are talking about the issues surrounding academics, friendships, family, social media, A.I., and more! In Allison’s segment, The New Classroom, she shares that the U.S. is home to upwards of 5.3 million multilingual learner students, represent

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." – Benjamin Franklin Were you taught about finances when you were a teen? The majority of schools don’t teach financial literacy, which is a critical skill for life success. Host Julia Howe interviews teen, Sahishnu (Sai) Manivannan, who discusses how financial literacy, combined with early educational intervention and opportunity access, is the key individuals need to build stable financial habits to be passed down for g

https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/what-will-the-future-look-like "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." — Malcolm X Radio host Saanvi Phaneendra welcomes Express Yourself’s newest reporter, Allison Lu as they discuss what the future will look like. Saanvi talks about AI data centers in space in her segment Space Spotlight, while Allison discusses equality in educational systems in her segment, The New Classroom. Saanvi talks about the earliest chapter of what

What is the difference between arguing and negotiating? Host Keerthi, (our Be the Star You Are!® queen of debate) interviews Ryan Chang about how teens can learn to negotiate to better approach problems and collaborate for the best results. Negotiation is a commonly misunderstood idea. Most believe it is a method to win. But in reality, it is a mutually beneficial compromise made to resolve a conflict. When people change their mindset, negotiation becomes a vital asset in eve

“Summer afternoon -- summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Henry James With the 250th birthday of our nation in 2026, many gardens are cloaked in red, white, and blue. A top garden design trend this year is patio culture, and with the semiquincentennial front of mind, I call it star-spangled living. Most Americans love being outdoors, and summertime is our sandbox. Whether our patio is in the front, back, or side

In this episode of Express Yourself!, host Hannah Sahota reflects on a Fourth of July trip to San Francisco that sparked a deeper conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. After witnessing the city's streets overwhelmed with traffic, she explores how autonomous vehicles are transforming transportation and what that means for society. From safety and public health to privacy, employment, and the future of public transit, Hannah examines the opportunities and ch

Summer Trips, Crazy Dating Tune into the upbeat, positive lifestyle broadcast where producer and host Cynthia Brian showcases strategies for success on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®. Available wherever you listen to your favorite programs! Are you planning a road trip this summer? Where do you want to go and what do you want to see? National parks, famous stadiums, battlefields, concerts, a drive on Route 66? Tips on where to go and how to stay safe, healthy, and avoid the

The 250th Anniversary of America “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”. President John F. Kennedy The 4th of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in America. This year, the USA celebrates 250 years of this American experiment in democracy. Join host Hannah and reporters Jatin and Milan as they share historical and personal perspectives on this semiquincentennial event. Can democracy survive? Teens weigh

“There's a danger in the internet and social media. The notion that information is enough, that more and more information is enough, that you don't have to think, you just have to get more information - gets very dangerous.” Edward de Bono Imagine receiving a video message from a celebrity, politician, or even a family member. They look real. They sound real. They seem completely authentic. But what if it never happened? That’s the reality of deepfakes. Join host Kirpa and

“What is a weed? A flower whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”~ Emerson Because of the late-season rains, the weeds have been overwhelming. I have been pulling, cutting, smothering, and eliminating “these flowers whose virtues have not yet been discovered” since early March. I’m now on my third round of weeding. Yes, many of the weeds have pretty flowers, including vetch, bindweed, cut leaf geranium, Italian thistle, euphorbia, hemlock, and a plethora of grasses. Dand

https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/the-womens-reproductive-rights-in-the-united-states “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” - Michelle Obama In this episode of Empowerment and Equality, host Hannah Sahota examines the state of women's reproductive rights in America and the social forces shaping the national debate. Through historical context, policy analysis, and thoughtful commentary, the program explores how access to reproductive healthcare (including

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter” George Washington. Imagine if every time you wanted to say something, a tiny government elf popped up on your shoulder and said, “Hmm… approved… denied… or maybe rephrase that in a way that makes me emotionally comfortable.” Host, Keerthi, talks about the importance of free speech. With her naturally comedic flair, Keerthi examines a topic that is critical to democracy. Fre

Conservation “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” · Robert Swan Why is conservation critical? Host Diya asks us to imagine life without clean water or wildlife. Conservation is one of our strongest defenses against climate change. Forests, oceans, and wetlands absorb enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, helping regulate Earth’s temperature. The food we eat depends on healthy soil, clean water, pollinators like bees, and stab

On this episode of Express Yourself!, Hannah Sahota’s “Empowerment and Equality” segment explores the ever-changing relationship between social media, surveillance, and human dignity in the digital age. Using historical context, personal experience, political commentary, and social critique, the show traces the growth of social media from early internet communication systems to today’s hyperconnected platforms driven by algorithms, AI, and data collection. The episode examine

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” · Nelson Mandela The poverty-ridden country of Malawi was devastated by AIDS. Host Julia Howe interviews the founder of Jacaranda Foundation, Marie da Silva, a Malawian education activist with a powerful personal story. Auntie Marie was working as a nanny in the US when she heard the local school was closing in the midst of the brutal AIDS epidemic in Malawi. Marie lost more than a dozen fa

“If an herb looks nice in a border, then why not grow it there? Why not grow anything anywhere, so long as it looks right where it is? That is, surely, the art of gardening.” Vita Sackville-West If you have ever had the delight of visiting Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, you will have experienced one of the most romantic and influential gardens of England. Novelist and poet Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat, politician, and author husband, Sir Harold George Nicolson, designed

https://sites.libsyn.com/560220/voter-rights-and-voter-suppression“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.” - Christian Lange Are voter rights under attack in the United States? In her segment, Empowerment and Equality, Express Yourself!™ radio host, Hannah Sahota, leads us through the history of American democracy, showcased through voting in elections. Voting is one of the most important rights in a democratic society because it is the fundamental tool th