Express Yourself!

Maggie and Diya host a program focused on performing and performances. In the segment, Teenship, Ruhani shares how leadership is about using your voice, talents, and performing in an artistic way. Singers, actors, and other celebrities use their creativity to shine light on important issues as well as philanthropic endeavors. In segment two, they interview 16-year-old Mikayla Lane who has been pursuing her dream since she was a child as a country singer. Mikayla's Mom and Dad both rode rodeo so she wants to bring back authentic Western traditions to her music. She talks about her trajectory, the difficulties of being so bold at a young age, her inspirations and influences. There is no doubt that she not only admires but is living a traditional country music life. Two of her songs, Wild like the Wind and Come Home are featured during the hour. Sidney Suh wraps up the hour with her segment of Breaking Boundaries giving us a history lesson about the evolution of sound recording technology which began in 1857. There is some dispute about who is the originator. Tune in to make your decision. Follow Express Yourself! on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and only cease at death" Albert Einstein Host Andrea Smith and Express Yourself! welcome a new reporter today. Sidney Suh, who was originally a guest on our show. Sidney's segment is called Breaking Boundaries. In today's segment, she introduces us to women, past and present, who have been influential in spreading awareness about dyslexia. From the 1990s to 2021, women have continuously made advancements in public policy and scientific research when it comes to learning disabilities. While society still has a long way to go, it's important to look back and celebrate how far we've come. In segment two, author Andrew M. Nehring talks about his struggles with dyslexia and how he wanted to write simple, fun easy-to-read books for all levels and make literature accessible to those with reading disabilities. His newest books is David Massey and the Quantum Flux. In her segment Teenship, Ruhani Chhabra chronicles prominent figures with learning disabilities including British novelist Agatha Christie, scientist Albert Einstein, America's first President George Washington as well as actors, Olympians, and reporters. She also shares favorite films that showcase disabilities. We need to stop the stigma of learning disabilities. Having a disability will not limit your greatness. There are many ways to overcome them and thrive. Check out our new Express Yourself! Teen Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Dreams begin early for most everyone; but it takes passion, belief, and determination to turn a dream into a reality. Teen hosts Diya Hitvalli and Nihal Gill interview 14-year-old, Graciela, a visionary who possesses natural talent and a drive that is far beyond her years. Her upbeat mature, and insightful perspective and heart are qualities set her apart in her journey to achieve her goals. She talks about becoming a recording artist at a young age and the determination, passion, and hard work that being an entrepreneur entails. She just released her first single, Seize the Day, and credits her family for being her guiding light. Diya discusses the benefits of being a teen entrepreneur and outlines a road map for everyone to achieve their goals. She launched an app, KeepMeSafe. Nihal shares a favorite poem, Lessons of Entrepreneurship and provides ways for teens to start a business they'll enjoy. Entrepreneurship is the ability to run and organize a business and make profit even if you face obstacles on the way. An entrepreneur is defined as a person who has a drive to establish a business that they can run and venture along with the risk. Be willing to work hard, avoid the naysayers, and follow your dream. Then Seize the Day! Carpe diem.

What qualities make a person a good leader? Hosts Andrea Smith and Maggie Campione investigate the traits that all empowering leaders possess. In Innovation Nation, Nihal Gill begins his segment with a favorite poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. The threesome discuss examples of leadership and the opportunities they have experienced in their own lives to be leaders. In segment three, Express Yourself!™ introduces our newest reporter, Ruhani Chhabra with her topic of Teenship, which encompasses teen leadership skills. Ruhani believes that this generation must stand up for what is right by using our voices. She discusses how teens can step up to lead in their schools and communities and how every person can make a difference. She also believes that social media connects us, amplifying our voices. It is critical to be mindful of spreading misinformation, which is why it's always important to double check sources before posting. Leaders utilize communication, commitment and confidence. They have a vision and share that with others to encourage and lead by example. A great leader makes it easy to do the right thing and difficult to do the wrong thing. "Read, lead, succeed!" To be a leader, you must be a reader." Cynthia Brian

It is a myth that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. The fact is that the official vote actually took place two days earlier, but the "Declaration" was published on July 4th in newspapers, where it gained recognition from the public. This is just one piece of American historical trivia that Diya Hituvalli brings to the airwaves for this 4th of July special focusing on Independence Day and poetry. She then interviews Meredith Heller, author of Write a Poem, Save Your Life. Meredith shares her teen struggles and how writing literally saved her life. She believes that poetry gives us a way to communicate with our deeper self. We can write things we wouldn't dare or know how to say to anyone. In our writing, we find the words, images, and metaphors to name our feelings and suddenly what was overwhelming becomes clear and workable. Writing becomes a mirror, a companion, a place where we can be real with ourselves about how we feel, what hurts, and what we long for. Meredith has recently been awarded a grant to teach those who identify as female teens to write. If you are interested in joining her writing workshop, find information at her website www.MeredithHeller.com. Poetry can be a lifeline. Write it! Celebrate Independence Day safely and joyfully, Happy 4th of July!

Arjin Claire launches Innovation Nation showing how innovation has impacted poetry. He takes us back to 2100BC to what is widely considered the first poem ever written: The Epic of Gilgamesh. Following that we journey to ancient Greece in the 8th century BC to learn more about Homer's Iliad and The Odyssey. He then interviews a rising young poet in 5th grade, Thanvi Voruganti, who penned a book of poems, FROM THE INSIDE: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet. The book is about thoughts, feelings, and emotions we all experience, struggle with, and that have been brought to the forefront by the current pandemic. There are eight categories, nature, loss and pain, bravery, memories, story in a poem, comedy, happiness, and dilemma. Thanvi reads two poems, Little Star and her favorite poem, Shattered Tears. She talks about her inspirations, struggles, and goals for the future. Diya Hituvalli spends the final third of the hour sharing her favorite poems, both classic and modern, reads the Gift of Gratitude from two of Cynthia Brian's books in the Be the Star You Are!® series, and ends the show with the stunning poem read by Amanda Gorman, the nation's first-ever youth poet laureate, during the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. Poetry is the clear expression of mixed feelings. Express gratitude and appreciation for everything.

It's a Father's Day special on Express Yourself! as Diya Hituvalli and Nihal Gill celebrate their dads. They talk about all the special qualities that their dads bring to the family and share personal stories of experiences and funny situations. You'll learn a little bit of the history of the holiday and get tips on how to pamper your pop. Happy Father's Day from Be the Star You Are!® and all the of the Express Yourself! Radio team.

Did you watch a ton of movies during this past year? Diya Hituvalli and her family spent free tine during the pandemic enjoy a variety of films. Her favorites are rom-com and horror, but in this episode of Express Yourself!™ she details her favorite movie recommendations across all genres. In the second segment, Diya interviews science fiction author of the Exodus starship adventure series and Exodus Universe novels., Robert Stadnik. In his newest book, "Infinite Retribution" humanity is ready to extend its hand out into space after nearly a century of oppression. But what was to be a routine survey mission for the starship INFINITY turns ominous as humanity's greatest enemy, thought extinct, is found hidden on a remote planet. Robert talks about how his travels and the people he encounters provide fodder for his novels. His dreams are the impetus for the fantasy and fiction that is created. Because he has developed so many characters and locations, he keeps copious notes of each person's traits, experiences, travels, and more as he never knows who will pop up to be the main actor of his next installment. The interview is a very fun peak inside the mind of a prolific science fiction writer. Hopefully one of his books will be made into a streaming series soon, Escape into fiction and fantasy through books and movies.

Diya Hituvali hosts a program that focuses on hardships that people experience throughout life. In her first segment, Diya dives into domestic violence…what it is and how to get help. She then interviews Dr. Alexandra Chauran to find out ways to be positive and move forward after experiencing devastation. Hardship dictated the topic for Chauran's latest book, Getting Through It: Reclaim & Rebuild Your Life Through Adversity, Change or Trauma., as in 2015 she was diagnosed with aggressive, Stage IIIC triple positive breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, her husband left near the end of her treatment, throwing her life into the turmoil of divorce. Having found her pain and her medicine, Chauran seeks to share fresh education from the school of hard knocks. In the final segment, Diya looks at the ways our lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Though no individual's situation is the same, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a shared human experience of remarkable uncertainty, isolation, and hardship. Despite all the tragedies we have endured, we can get through it. Trauma will be a part of life but it doesn't have to be a life sentence.

Nihal Gill and Diya Hituvalli cohost an hour of Indian happiness. They interview the dynamic new author Payal Doshi for her Middle Grade read, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, the story of 12-year-old Rea Chettri from Darjeeling, India, who goes off on a secret and thrilling quest as she portals into the magical realm of Astranthia to find her missing twin brother Rohan. Payal's first draft of her book showcased Caucasian characters, locations, and elements. When her writing teacher asked why she hadn't created Indian protagonists, she realized that South Asian characters are often portrayed in a stereotypical manner or under-represented completely. She pivoted to writing from the culture she knows and loves. The result is the first book in a captivating series for pre-teens. The interview is lively, upbeat, and full of joy. The Gift of Happiness from Cynthia Brian's book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 gifts for Living, Loving Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference ends the hour of happiness. Help each other to be happy. Never mind if help be small. Giving a little is far better Than giving none at all.