Express Yourself!

What is a heritage language and how can we save them from extinction? Host Keerthi tells us that the first language in the world is considered to be Sumerian and the most spoken languages in the world are: English(over 1.4 billion speakers), Mandarin (1.1 billion + speakers), Hindi (602+ million speakers), Spanish (548+ million speakers), and French (280 million speakers). Keerthi then interviews teen Cooper Lender with his Heritage Language Story Project supporting heritage language speakers in recognizing the value of maintaining their home language. The project website (https://www.heritagelanguagestory.org/) provides resources for heritage language speakers and encourages them to share the story of their language experiences. Maintaining a heritage language can be difficult and many heritage languages are declining. The project's goal is to have the stories shared on the website normalize the difficulty of maintaining a home language. support other heritage language speakers in finding ways to maintain their home language and highlight the important value of heritage languages. Kevin Choo provides a fascinating segment of A.I. and Us, where he shares two main ways A.I. can assist with overcoming language barriers; by either directly translating or assisting with language education. A.I.-based translators can learn from what people who are using the app are inputting themselves and can adapt to any specific language patterns or nuances that are often used but aren't listed in any source documents. They aren't useful for conversations. By combining translators with augmented reality, an automatic sight-translator can translate whatever you see. A.I. is a tool created to brighten the future of mankind, and it will be useful to maintaining and learning heritage languages. Bio: Cooper Lender Cooper Lender, a high school senior, is bilingual and passionate about language acquisition and maintenance. He speaks English, Spanish, and is learning Japanese. He loves learning about different languages and feels that learning a language is key to really understanding other cultures and histories. Cooper participated in the Reischauer Scholars program at Stanford University, where he learned more about Japanese culture and US-Japan relations. He started the Heritage Language Story Project (https://www.heritagelanguagestory.org/) that encourages heritage speakers to share their story about their experiences with their home language. He hopes to support heritage language speakers in seeing the value in maintaining their home languages. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • https://twitter.com/cynthiabrian • https://substack.com/@cynthiabrian

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America - Bill Clinton On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress, comprised of representatives from the thirteen American colonies, adopted the Declaration of Independence. This historic document, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, outlined the colonies' grievances against the British Crown and proclaimed their intention to establish a sovereign nation based on principles of liberty, equality, and self-governance. Host Sharanya shares a riveting original poem and discusses American patriot authors, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Maya Angelou. She then introduces the newest member of the Express Yourself! radio team, Julia Howe with her segment, Passion in Action. Julia is energy personified as she shows how teens can change the world, through passion, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She inspires listeners to take the initiative to start a teen business. In the third segment, Julia and Sharanya share information about themselves as well as their traditions for the 4th of July. Food, fireworks, friends, family, and fun! Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Celebrate America! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The violence involving deadly weapons such as firearms has become a more significant issue by the day in our world, and we continuously live in a world of fear that it can happen to us at any time. Hosts Sharanya and Hannah along with reporter, Nihal, discuss the severe problem of gun violence in America. In 2020, firearm-related deaths reached 45,222, an average of 124 per day. The number of mass shootings has risen exponentially since 2013, more than 303 since the beginning of 2023. Unregulated ghost guns and military style assault weapons are on the rise. Gun control is a pressing issue that demands attention in our society. In light of increasing gun violence incidents, it is crucial to explore ways to enforce stricter gun control measures. Sharanya penned a poem to end gun violence. The final two stanzas: "Let this poem resound, a call to unite, To end the senseless violence, to make things right. For in our shared humanity, we find the key, To heal the wounds of gun violence, and set hearts free. May this verse be a plea, a beacon of hope, That gun violence diminishes, like a darkened slope. With compassion as our weapon, let us unite, And in our unity, we'll conquer the night."

Radio host Sharanya, honors her dad and all great fathers in this Father's Day special. She reads an original poem, offers book suggestions, and tells inspirational stories of dads and their kids. Reporters Kirpa and Milan join the conversation to talk about the history of Father's Day, movies reflecting daddy themes, memories of special times with their dads, and how they celebrate their dads and grandfathers on this special weekend. Here's to all the wonderful dads who love and care for the children. Happy Father's Day • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Addiction begins with the hope that something 'out there' can instantly fill up the emptiness inside." -Jean Kilbourne Keerthi and Sharanya discuss the drug epidemic in America and how it affects teens. Keerthi provides an historical perspective to the plethora of drugs over the years including opioids, fentanyl, and heroin. Sharanya offers ways to help solve the drug epidemic by creating more positive campaigns. Successful campaigns touch the hearts of teens and trigger that sense of righteousness. She also reads her original poem about self-medication. In segment three, they have a conversation about drug abuse through prescription drugs and illegal street drugs. People will take drugs to make them feel better, but addiction makes people worse. Social media adds to the toxicity. Drugs may seem like an easy solution to your problems, but they just create new problems. • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

When you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long." -Hayley Williams Ruhani hosts a very important hour that focuses on teen suicide and suicide prevention. She interviews Elliot H Kallen, President of A Brighter Day, a 501 c3 that offers resources for teens to stop suicide. Ruhani emphasizes that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. She also shares poems and warning signs of possible suicide. If you're feeling lonely and experiencing suicidal thoughts, please consider the following steps: 1. Reach out to someone you trust. 2. Seek professional help. 3. Contact a helpline such as 741741 4. Create a safety plan: 5. Avoid isolation. 6. Reach out to online communities. 7. Take care of your physical health. 8. Remove or secure potential means of self-harm. Elliot discusses the various free programs that A Brighter Day offers. His 19-year-old son, Jake, took his life when he was depressed. Elliot is devoting his life to creating a brighter day for other teens. He is frank about the necessity to get positive programming to youth to alleviate the stress and depression young people feel today. Social media has caused an injustice for youth. A Brighter Day unites stress and depression resources with teens and their parents with the goal of stopping teen suicide. Life Can Be Hard as You Transition Into Adulthood. It's okay to feel confused and lost. It's okay to feel like you don't have the emotional resources to deal with life's challenges. It's okay to be less than perfect. No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, you'll always be able to make it through. If you are struggling: 24/7 TEXTLINE 741741 For resources, visit www.ABrighterDay.info • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Bullies are not born, they are made. Producer of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Cynthia Brian, hosts this program about bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying. The definition includes three core elements: • unwanted aggressive behavior • observed or perceived power imbalance • repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviors. Teen reporter, Kirpa, shares her insights on what bullying is and does, including cyber-bullying. If you see it happening, attempt to stop it. Bystanders, or those who see bullying, can make a huge difference when they intervene on behalf of someone being bullied. Studies also have shown that adults can help prevent bullying by talking to children about bullying, encouraging them to do what they love, modeling kindness and respect, and seeking help. Cynthia Brian reads from her new children's book series, Stella Bella's Barnyard Adventures, and tells the backstory in her first book, No Barnyard Bullies, based on a true event about a re-homed pampered pig who bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella's barnyard where bullies are not tolerated, and inclusivity is the paramount number one rule. Through the book, children are encouraged to love themselves exactly the way they are while living in peace and harmony with a barnyard of many colors and beliefs. No bullies welcome. Be kind. Be inclusive. Proceeds from the sale of the books benefit the 501 c3 charity, Be the Star You Are!® empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy and positive media messages. www.BetheStarYouAre.org, Purchase the book at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

The only thing I know is that I know nothing." -Socrates British Keerthi and Keerthi host this hour of thoughts on philosophy and logic. British Keerthi takes us on a wild ride through logic and argumentation viewed through the lens of debate. The fundamentals of debate lie in logic. She instructs listeners to use propositional logic superpowers to have the best argumentation in debates! Nerd extraordinaire Keerthi introduces philosophy theory and the study of philosophy. The word philosophy translates to "love of wisdom." Philosophy is the study of the world we live in, the fundamentals of ourselves, and the questions we ask. She gives an overview of the history of philosophy and stresses that the more we know, the more we know we don't know. Kevin, our A.I. Specialist joins the discussion sharing how A. I. can and does affect our everyday lives. A.I. is extremely integrated into society and is expanding its influence at a rapid rate. What would transpire if A.I. became sentient? A.I. is one of the most innovative inventions of mankind in the modern age, alongside the exploitation of nuclear power. However, just like nuclear power, A.I. can be dangerous and have far-reaching ramifications. Buckle your seat belts! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Today's show is all about Mother's Day and appreciating our moms! Our Nerd Extraordinaire, Keerthi, hosts the program and provides a history lesson on the origins of Mother's Day. We find out that the woman who created Mother's Day in the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis, realized that American official holidays were widely centered around male achievements. She wrote to politicians and newspapers campaigning for a holiday honoring motherhood. She envisioned Mother's Day as a personal celebration to honor the sacrifices that moms make for their children, not a commercialized day. She attacked First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for using Mother's Day as an occasion to raise money for charity. Milan joins the conversation with information on two famous moms from history. In segment three, Kirpa shares ways Mother's Day is celebrated and the challenges that animal mothers face. Just like us humans, animal mothers have the natural maternal instinct to protect their younger ones. Scientists have shown that this is a natural tendency, so it's not just a fact. Maternal instincts are present in many animals, and in some cases, these instincts are even stronger than those of humans. Celebrating Motherhood around the world: • 103 countries celebrate Mother's Day • 77 countries celebrate in May, 13 in March, and 13 in another month • Over 200 million people have a day off* • Singular ("Mother's Day") wins over plural ("Mothers' Day") by 78 countries to 22 Happy Mother's Day to every Mom! You deserve a break today! • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate." - Hubert H. Humphrey Host Keerthi announces "Salutations from your favorite nerd extraordinaire, where youth debaters unite!" This program focuses on public speaking and debate. Keerthi shares the history of debate and also ways to overcome the fear of speaking in public. She interviews teen Allen Tovmasyan as he discusses the reasons why every high school student should consider competing in Speech and Debate , Allen draws on his own experiences as a competitor, recalling the many rounds he's competed in and talks about the skills he learned that translated to aspects of his life. Allen emphasizes the importance of being an effective communicator. Both Keerthi and Allen believe that Speech and Debate can be a pathway towards a healthier self-image and can allow for students to explore their creative interests while having an audience willing to listen to them. Allen emphasizes the many friendships and connections that he's gained from his time as a competitor and believes that anyone looking for a community will feel welcomed by the Speech and Debate community. British Keerthi makes an appearance to give her input on how to poke holes and expose flaws in your opponent's arguments, • Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ NFTs: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com