Express Yourself!

The political atmosphere couldn't be more polarized or polluted. The first Presidential debate was painful to watch. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra delve into the world of public speaking as they interview author of Mastering the Art of Public Speaking, Michael J. Gelb. Mastering the Art of Public Speaking is a simple, powerful, practical approach to improving one's public speaking in sales, leadership, and life. Michael said that the principles that help people be influenced by your words can be used for evil or good. There is a saying in Hollywood and Washington, D.C.: "Sincerity is the key to success. And once you can fake that you have it made." The candidates could use Michael's help in clarifying and shaping a positive message that citizens want to hear. Jack Pawlakos discusses the trends Generation Z is experiencing in the political world of 2020. As a generation, Gen Z are the most digitally connected, with about 60% getting their news through social media.

Who doesn't LOVE theatre? Hosts Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith dive into the world of theatre, webseries, and multimedia with an energetic interview with Terrence Patterson who has created an entertaining web series, Half Past Jump Time. Recounting the real Roaring 20's, Harlem Renaissance—Terrence recalls vivid memories of stories that painted an unforgettable picture by his beloved grandmother. He shares details of behind-the-scenes workings of producing and pitching with passion. Maggie Campione, theatre actor and our newest reporter, does a brilliant job of sharing the importance for society that theatre provides as people work with others from different perspectives for a common goal in her segment, The American Connection. Finally, Arjin Claire takes us back to the 5th century to highlight what has changed and what has stayed the same in live productions. Storytelling has evolved with modern innovations—internet, TV, and screens allowing us to experience the same theater anew.

Everyone loves to eat and how fun is it to have a show with a chef to the stars! Andrea Smith hosts and kicks off the program interviewing Trends without Ends reporter, Jack Pawlakos, about the food trends and influences for the year. Expect to devour crickets and also no waste wrappers. New Orleans celebrity chef Ryan Rondeno cooks up a feast of flavors while sharing his journey from culinary school to becoming a private chef for the rich and famous. His spices and menus are available for home delivery. Producer, Cynthia Brian, joins Andrea in the last segment to share the secret sugo from her family's heirloom spaghetti. Cynthia encourages everyone to grow their own herbs and vegetables for the freshest, most delicious dishes. Are you hungry yet?

If you've been feeling down and out, this episode of Express Yourself! will get you up and going! What is resilience? Teen hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith interview Jack Pawlakos, Dr. Cecilia Aragon, and Henna Hundal to discover how we can face our fears, accept change, and fly free. In Trends without Ends, Jack talks about psychological resilience and how resilient people strive to find an opportunity to be positive, be connected, and concerned about others with a level of selflessness. The daughter of a Chilean father and a Filipina mother, Dr. Cecilia Rodriguez Aragon brings to life her exhilarating and inspiring journey from shy, fearful daughter of immigrants to champion pilot for the US Aerobatic Team in her memoir, Flying Free. Henna Hundal went into action to promote collaborative research between the leaders of various countries to evaluate their responses, successes, and failures by co-founding the Bridging Borders Project.Communicate, Collaborate, Innovate. Resilient!

Hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith welcome Trends without Ends reporter Jack Pawlakos with his riveting report on the healing trends for year, especially during Covid-19 including music therapy and timing of light and biology of the human body. In the face of spiraling rates of burnout amongst physicians and other health care professionals, Dr. Greg Hammer created GAIN, a four-step, proven path to personal resilience and happiness. He describes the GAIN method (an acronym for Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgment) and offers remedial therapies for burnout in his new book, GAIN without Pain: The Happiness Handbook for Health Care Professionals. Dr. Hammer emphasizes the importance of choosing optimism and positivity during these challenging days. The newest reporter to join the Express Yourself! team is Jay Jackson, a thirteen-year old athlete with his segment titled Jay's Sports World. He discusses how professional basketball has returned in a bubble. Wear your masks!

Teen hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra are joined by ebullient and talented cast members from the new Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer) directed film, Mighty Oak: Tommy Ragen (his music inspired the screenplay), Gianna Harris, Rodney Hicks, and Ben Milliken. Mighty Oak is the story of a band manager who struggles after losing her brother/lead singer in a fatal car accident while traveling to a gig. A decade later, she meets a 10-year-old music prodigy named Oak, played by Tommy. The cast talks about the deep chemistry between the actors that evolved during shooting that was transformative and magical. The discussion includes views on reincarnation, music, high school experiences, and the business of acting. It's a hopeful, healing, and touching movie for the entire family to enjoy…especially enchanting during this time of sheltering-at-home. Enjoy Tommy's songs on this episode.. Blue Crush www.mightyoakthemovie.com Official Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ba40pACGBZ0

Most decisions we make are in fact centered on our finances. Katelyn Darrow and Andrea Smith host a program focused on financial literacy. Katelkyn shares her experience with getting her first credit card and student loans. She advocates to talk to elders to learn more about financial resources. Whitman Ochiai is the producer of the Money Ed Podcast, a financial literacy podcast aimed at young people that strives to impart valuable financial management skills. Whitman explains to Andrea and Katelyn that strong financial literacy can drastically improve one's success in life and it is important to gain these financial skills at a young age. As a teen, one's financial priorities should be establishing a Roth IRA, getting a job, and saving as much money as possible so that they can best take advantage of the power of compounding interest. The hosts read the chapter, The Gift of Financial Literacy by Heather Brittany from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens by Cynthia Brian.

Katelyn Darrow and Andrea Smith address climate change, Coviid-19, and the ecology effects of what's happening in our world. Katelyn shares that a positive result of Covid-19 has been that nature is beginning to heal itself. Firefighter, storyteller, and author Hersch Wilson talks about how to stay safe during these horrendous fires and other disasters in the USA. His book Firefighter Zen tackles the value of life. Life is short, grab it, and live for today. He advises rising above the calamities to find joy in daily living because everyone suffers. Learn to be brave, asking oneself "what is the bravest thing we can do?" Hersch encourages us to stop the negative self-talk about failing. His mantra is to help people through the confusion and suffering. It is in service to others that we find fulfillment and inner peace. Andrea, a competitive swimmer and water baby, talks about how climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts.

Survival can be highly dramatic, worthy of the front pages. It can also be ordinary, something we do daily almost without taking notice. Hosts Katelyn Darrow and Siri Phaneendra tackle the topic of survival and wilderness training. Katelyn shares her experiences as a solo female backpacker. She advocates the importance of preparedness whether hiking, camping, or backpacking to thrive survive in the wilderness. Siri and Katelyn interview author Carren Strock about her middle grade chapter book, Secret Survivors, a gripping story about children trapped and struggling to stay alive when a blizzard hits the mountains of Colorado. This powerful story, showcases kids using their ingenuity and working together to survive during a treacherous storm. Carren also discusses writing and explains how she developed her other fascinating books. The hosts read, The Gift of Survival, from Cynthia Brian's awarding-winning book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts about surviving a deadly historical firestorm.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word "rise" more than 20 different ways, both as a verb and a noun. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra interview 16-year-old singer-songwriter-musician, Isolde Fair with her poignant new song nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award, "Rise." A collaboration between Isolde and her multi-talented parents: her mother, the esteemed pianist and composer Starr Parodi, who co-wrote "Rise" with Isolde; and Jeff Eden Fair, Isolde's father, who co-produced it with Starr. Andrea and Siri read The Gift of Community from Cynthia Brian's award winning book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. To be served, we must first serve others. To belong, we must first accept. In the segment, In the Spotlight, Andrea highlights the courage and activism of John Lewis rising to build community. Look at the communities of your life. Are you adding to the brotherhood and sisterhood of society? RISE!