Express Yourself!

Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known. -Carl Sagan

As humanity ventures deeper into space, a big challenge has become the effects of space debris. Saanvi Phaneendra discusses what space debris is and why it is so dangerous. What is space debris? Simply put, it's any man-made object in orbit that no longer serves a purpose. This includes everything from old satellites and discarded rocket stages to tiny fragments created by collisions and disintegrations.

How does all this junk end up in space? Every time a spacecraft is launched, bits and pieces of the rocket are left behind in orbit. As more missions take place, the number of debris steadily increases. Collisions between objects—whether they’re active satellites or fragments of debris—only add to the mess, creating even more fragments. Saanvi then interviews her sister, Siri Phaneendra, a former radio host who recently graduated from UC Berkeley in Business and Data Science. Siri was a project manager for one of UC Berkeley’s data science consulting organizations. Siri led a project with DataGood, a consulting organization that focuses on projects with a social impact. Their project aimed to analyze data from a dataset operated by the U.S. Strategic Command, to understand space debris better and find ways to reduce its risks. Tune in to find out more about working with the stars to clean up space debris and keep our planet safe..

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“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today.” – Barack Obama

Julia and Keerthi host this election episode to discuss how teens influence election outcomes.

Julia focuses on the new media company Jubilee, which is shaking up political discourse online and inspiring a new level of engagement among young people. Through debates on hot-button issues, like abortion restrictions, gun control, the 2024 election, Jubilee’s “Middle Ground” series draws millions of viewers. Youth reporter Milan, talks about the Republican and Democratic parties and who is running for office. Democracy means that we the people, get to vote and choose our president or any other elections. Keerthi says that teens may not be voting, but they are shaping elections with their views. This election is about the future—teens future.

So how can we, the “too-young-to-vote” crowd, make waves in 2024?

Get Informed

Start Conversations:

Use Your Platforms

Volunteer and Participate

Remember Teen Voices Are Powerful

The future is powered by the teen generation, so speak up in the election!

Watch out world!

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“Technology, like art, is a soaring exercise of the human imagination” - Daniel Bell

Saanvi Phaneendra, host for today’s AI presentation , is the founder of Galactic Getaway, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring curiosity and passion for space exploration. Galactic Getaway brings hands-on learning experiences and new-generation interactive rocket model displays to communities, helping youth engage with STEM and imagine their future in space technology. Saanvi discusses how AI isn’t just supporting space missions—it’s becoming a crucial partner. From rovers on Mars to managing satellites orbiting Earth, AI is making space missions smarter and more autonomous. One of the big challenges of space is the time delay in communications, especially for missions far from Earth. AI solves this by making real-time decisions when human intervention isn’t possible, and this is helping push space exploration to new heights.

Saanvi then introduces a special guest, Siri Phaneendra, who is not only her older sister, but explores the fascinating technology of Generative AI. GenAI, refers to AI systems that are capable of creating new content—whether that’s text, images, music, or even complex code. What makes it different from traditional AI is that it doesn’t just analyze data; it uses that data to generate something new. Think of it like a digital artist or writer. Siri also discusses the challenges and ethical concerns that come with GenAI, the importance of regulations, and its most impactful applications.

Everything you wanted to know about AI and didn’t know who to ask! Tune in!

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Hosts Julia, Keerthi, and Sharanya, along with volunteers Ella and Sean star in this special edition of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio as they reminisce about the extraordinary celebration in which they participated on September 28, 2024: the Parade and Pear Festival hailing the 50th anniversary of the Town of Moraga and the 25th anniversary of Be the Star You Are!® charity. It was a day beyond everyone’s wildest expectations and so much fun. The chairperson of the parade, Ella, wrangled her wonderful and generous parents into renting a truck which they decorated with stars, banners, and balloons. Volunteers marched with banners and balloons chanting “Read, lead, succeed!” as Madeleine cookies were thrown to the crowds. Keerthi and Sharanya chaired the Pear Festival booth, Julia cooked up delicious treats for the 25th-anniversary party, and Sean, the official BTSYA videographer ran around shooting stills and videos. Children planted seeds to take home as part of the Plant the Seeds of Literacy program, books were read to enthralled children, many freebies were distributed, and the sweet sensations of being part of a vibrant, inclusive community were in the air. When the volunteers were recognized on stage as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year, Ella gave a beautiful speech acknowledging the accomplishments of the volunteers, supporters, and everyone who donates their expertise to make this a better world. The Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon cutting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of BTSYA’s service, which was a very special event for the teens. Praise for the positive outreach programs, radio broadcasts, and community service of Be the Star You Are!® was recognized and most of all, everyone declared it was a day to remember in posterity!

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Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. – Joshua J. Marine

Host, Saanvi Phaneendra with reporters Diya and Hasini tackle a topic that every teen can relate to: challenges. Challenges come in all shapes and sizes, from small daily struggles to monumental obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. But here’s the thing about challenges: they’re not just roadblocks; they’re stepping stones.

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to become stronger than before. Whether it’s in our personal lives, our careers, or even in the vast and mysterious expanse of space, challenges push us to innovate, adapt, and keep moving forward. They remind us that nothing worth achieving comes easy, and that persistence is the key to success.

As the Space Spotlight reporter, Saanvi discusses one of NASA’s most ambitious endeavors: the Artemis Mission. It’s not just a return to the Moon; it’s a mission that aims to pave the way for future human exploration of Mars. The Artemis program is daring, groundbreaking, and yes, full of enormous challenges.

The next time you face a challenge, no matter how big or small, don’t shy away from it. Face it. Embrace it. See it for what it is – an opportunity. An opportunity to push your boundaries, to find new solutions, and to emerge stronger and wiser than before.

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“Where words fail, music speaks.” - Hans Christian Andersen

Music has a unique power to tap into our emotions in a way that almost nothing else can. Hasini hosts a program focusing on the positive impact music has on our lives. Music transports us and changes our emotions. Hasini is a singer and also plays a traditional Indian instrument, the veena. She finds playing music meditative. Studies have shown that listening to music can drastically reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, the hormone related to stress. Playing an instrument can boost your brainpower. Music gives you a voice. Reduce stress, improve your emotions, and connect with yourself and others through the melodies of music. Tune out and tune in.

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Parade, Party, Pear and Wine Festival

Keerthi hosts this program with Be the Star You Are!® to discuss the parade, Pear and Wine Festival on September 28. Sean, our videographer joins Keerthi to talk about why he became the photographer and videographer for BTSYA. He is excited to create more media at the parade and festival. Ella is chairing the parade entry and the 25th-anniversary party to be held at the booth later. Her excitement is overflowing for these fun events and she is organized and ready to party. This is the second year that Keerthi and Sharanya are the chairpersons for the BTSYA booth. Sharanya talks about what it takes t to be a great chairperson and how to prepare for an event.

The town of Moraga is turning 50. Be the Star You Are!® is celebrating 25 years of volunteer service to the world and being honored as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year.

SCHEDULE for Saturday, September 28, 2024

10 am: Parade

11-4pm: Come to our BTSYA booth Plant the Seeds of Literacy project, a reading circle, book giveaways, and book signings, plus more, will be offered. Expect lots of freebies, too.

1 pm: Volunteer recognition on the stage for winning the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year award.

2 pm. Ribbon Cutting

2:30 pm: Party

Thank you to our sponsors, The Lamorinda Weekly, MB Jessee Painting, and StarStyle® Productions, LLC.

The Moraga Commons Park

1425 St Mary’s Rd,

CA 94556,

The event is FREE, and the festival is fabulous! Let's party! See you there!

https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2024-pear-and-wine-festival

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“Story, as it turns out, was crucial to our evolution -- more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.” - Lisa Cron

He sued Donald Trump and won? So begins the conversation teen host, Julia, has with the best-selling author and winner of numerous Moth GrandSLAM Championships, Matthew Dicks as they discuss his newest book with strategies to grow business and brands, Stories Sell. Matt shares how being a storyteller and a math teacher to ten-year-olds catapulted him into becoming a sought-after consultant to major corporations. He offers many techniques, including his Homework for Life, that helps create stories that stick. Reporter Hasini believes it is important for teens to share stories to help with connection. Sharing stories gives teens a voice to express themselves authentically. Storytelling sparks conversations and challenges perspectives. Modern technology has completely changed storytelling. With social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, teens share experiences instantly.

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Grandparents are both our past and our future. In some ways, they are what has gone before, and in others, they are what we will become. —Fred Rogers

Hosts Julia and Keerthi talk about the superpowers of grandparents. They possess the unique ability to turn every mundane event into an epic adventure. Each one is a treasure trove of adventure, mystery, and, quite often, questionable fashion choices from their youth. They’ve seen it all—wars, moon landings, and the evolution of the telephone from rotary to touch. Keerthi’s grandparents are Indian and don’t speak English, so they couldn’t be on the show today. But Keerthi shares how much she loves hanging out with them on their coconut farm when she visits India. One set of her grandparents is from the same village where Kamala Harris' mom grew up! Julia introduces us to her two amazing and accomplished grandpas.

Yukon joined Julia and Keerthi for a lively discussion about how he came to America from China and became a renowned economist, not seeing China again until he became the World Bank's country director for China with an office in Beijing. His stories and advice will have listeners craving more. Unfortunately, Julia’s grandfather on her dad’s side was unable to come on the program but she interviewed him about his life earlier. Jonathan Howe is a retired four-star United States Navy admiral, who worked at the White House with Henry Kissinger and President Nixon. He was the Special Representative for Somalia to United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. He met his future wife at age 13 and the rest is history. Both grandpas have Wikipedia pages.

Yukon Huang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukon_Huang

Jonathan Howe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Howe

This show honors grandparents everywhere! Grandparents are the heart of our history, the soul of our future. Celebrate your grandparents.

Happy Grandparents Day!

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“The cinema has no boundary; it is a ribbon of dream.” - Orson Welles

Are teens accurately represented in films and TV shows? Host Keerthi and reporter Hasini don’t think so. They tackle this issue and agree that teens are often written by adults who have forgotten their teen years and played by older adults. There is a focus of focus on stereotypes (like the nerd, the jock, the mean girl), but not enough on the complexities and nuances that reel teens experience. Filmmakers forget that real teenagers are mostly just trying to figure out how to get a good grade while avoiding their parents’ endless “life lesson” conversations. Teens are still depicted as either effortlessly cool or hopelessly awkward. It’s like directors have a script that says, “Let’s make the teen either an Instagram influencer who has their entire life figured out or someone who doesn’t understand the concept of a phone charger.” There’s rarely an in-between. Hasini thinks that, Euphoria, has done a great job of reflecting the real world. The show addresses issues like mental health, addiction, gender identity, and trauma, and it doesn't shy away from showing the raw, messy realities that many teens face. The characters are complex, flawed, and very real, which makes them relatable. Keerthi notes that cinematic portrayals are like candy—deliciously sweet but not very nutritious. They offer an escape from reality and a chance to dream about lives more glamorous, dramatic, or adventurous than our own. In conclusion, let’s celebrate the diversity of teenage experiences in cinema. Let’s have characters who are awkward, unsure, and who occasionally wear the same clothes three days in a row. Every teenager deserves to see themselves represented in a way that’s as real as their struggle to keep their room clean.

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