Want to know what teens think about the 2024 elections and the nominees? Join hosts Julia and Hannah as they both provide election history as well as their personal thoughts. They interview guest teen Viranshi Vira who discusses the inequities in healthcare, specifically the disparity with racial maternal mortality. She and her peers organized a school walkout to protest the overturn of Roe v. Wade and advocate for reproductive rights. Hasini enters the conversation and states that even though young teens can’t vote yet, their interests must be taken into account. Policies on education, climate change, healthcare, and social justice directly affect their lives, both now and in the years to come. Knowledge about the political process now prepares teens to be responsible and informed voters when they reach voting age. It also empowers teens to participate in discussions, advocate for causes they care about, and support candidates who align with their values. Elections are the cornerstone of democratic governance, giving citizens the power to choose their leaders and influence the direction of their country. In 2024, the stakes are high. Do citizens want democracy or a dictatorship? Do Americans want a leader who has integrity and advocates for freedom or a convicted felon who seeks revenge and retribution? Whatever your age, your voice makes a difference. If you are old enough to vote, do your homework and choose the best candidate. The future of our world depends on it and every vote counts. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/

“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill Returning just hours before the broadcast from a phenomenal choral tour of South Africa, jet-lagged and seasoned teen host, Julia, enthusiastically talks about the new friends she made on her journey and welcomes three other teen reporters to discuss the joys of international travel. Two reporters, Diya and Armine, are making their debut segments. Diya shares the suspense she experienced in the cenotes of Mexico, Mayan ruins, and the awe of visiting the Taj Mahal. Armine encourages eco-traveling with simple tips on how to explore the world while keeping the health of the planet in mind. Hasini, another new reporter, reflects on last summer’s two-month internship at a hospital in Hyderabad in South India where she worked in a laboratory and enjoyed eating street food. She also waxed poetic about the history and magnificence of the Taj Mahal. Despite the challenges and exhaustion of flying, all the teens agree that traveling to a foreign land offers cultural awareness with distinctive perspectives. Making friends and bringing back memories tops the list of bonuses. Do your research, pack your bags, and get ready to fly. Remember wherever you travel, leave only footprints, and take only memories. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/

“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.”-John Ford Does your stomach turn into circles if you must give a speech? How do you react when you must debate someone? Our two teen hosts, Julia and Keerthi, are accomplished speakers and debaters and they have plenty of useful tips to keep you from “dying.” Julia recently gave a Tedx talk that had her jittering in her boots. Keerthi is spearheading the Be the Star You Are!® debate collaboration with Eloquence. Both advise you to stay confident in your knowledge and the importance of your message. Authenticity resonates with audiences more than perfection. Julia heads to the airport to catch a flight for South Africa where she is performing with her choral group while Keerthi introduces our newest reporter, Hasini Ramala with her segment Teen talk!. Hasini feels right at home on the radio talking about storytelling and the importance for teens to share their real lives. She suggests that you enjoy the process of speaking about your stories and express yourself! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.” – John Adams Our Express Yourself!® hosts are traveling, so producer, Cynthia Brian, is jumping behind the microphone to interview reporter, Kirpa about the meaning of freedom. Kirpa also offers what freedom means to her and how it relates to what is happening in the world today. Cynthia reads the Gift of Freedom chapter from her book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, reflecting on two months of a study program in the U.S.S.R. before 1991. Living behind the “Iron Curtain” was a wake-up call about the privilege of freedom. In segment three, Cynthia takes us into the garden to bring freedom and flowers together to help us plant a patriotic Independence Day design. Appreciate the complexities of the gift of freedom. America may not be perfect – no country is. America is a work-in-progress, a country constantly struggling to balance rights with responsibilities and to maintain a level of freedom and justice for all. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to be born in a land that allows us the ability to travel the world, witness the cultures and lifestyles of other nations, and then return to a country that welcomes our expression. Protect freedom as it is never free. Just living is never enough. Oscar Wilde may have said it best. He wrote, “With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” Celebrate the 4th of July and our freedom! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ • Buy books at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store • Proceeds benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501c3

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” - Coco Chanel We all know the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but does that truly describe the meaning of true beauty? Host Charvi shares how our perceptions of beauty change as we grow older, amplified by social media, celebrities, and marketing companies in segment two. She first interviews reporter, Kevin Choo, with his segment “A.I. and Us,” which talks about how A.I. can and does affect our lives. He discusses the use of A.I. in the field of art and asks several questions. Is A.I. art beautiful? Is A.I. art meaningful? Can A. I. evoke emotions? Charvi continues with how social media has significantly affected the concept of beauty and body image by propagating unrealistic beauty standards, such as the hourglass figure, fair skin, perfect facial features, and lean body shapes. Marketing companies and celebrities reinforce these ideals, impacting cognitive and behavioral aspects of body image. This has led to increased body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and mental health issues like depression and suicidal ideation among women worldwide. The images portrayed on social media often do not reflect reality, exacerbating insecurities and promoting a damaging comparison culture. Beauty can be found in A.I. but the most important lesson for humans to love ourselves and know that we are beautiful just the way we are! Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Sharanya and Keerthi host a program about a critical topic that affects Americans: gun control. Reducing gun violence is challenging because of the polarization around the issue. Keerthi talks about advocating for the Second Amendment while also requiring safety for gun storage. They interview teen activist, Amelia Vander May, who led a youth team to successfully lobby an ordinance in Santa Barbara that requires firearms to be stored in a locked container and disabled by a trigger lock. Amelia spearheaded the Santa Barbara Youth Council initiative to write and lobby for a safe storage ordinance aimed at preventing youth gun deaths. For a year, she gathered public support for the ordinance, worked with city advisory groups and nonprofits, and presented to the city council. The ordinance, which requires firearms in residences and vehicles to be stored in a locked container and disabled by a trigger lock, was passed into law and became effective in April 2024. Created to reduce gun violence, the Safe Storage Ordinance prevents unauthorized access to firearms, lowering the risk of unintentional injury, mass shootings, and gun suicides. She talks about how teens must get involved, even though many adults don’t take young people seriously. She suggests that teens be professional, do the research, get involved, and have those difficult conversations. Make others aware that guns are dangerous. Banning guns is not a feasible solution. We need bipartisan support and community outreach. Background checks, safe storage methods, services for mental health, addressing racial disparity, and healthy discussions are avenues for creating a safer environment. Sharanya shares a history of firearms and the U.S. grappling with the high rates of gun violence. What are the root causes? Tune in for an educational conversation about reducing gun violence. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”- J.K. Rowling Teen host Sharanya shines light on substance abuse. Addressing teen substance abuse requires a collective effort to raise awareness, promote prevention strategies, and provide support for those affected. Education campaigns aimed at dispelling myths surrounding substance use, promoting healthy coping mechanisms, and fostering resilience can empower teens to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure. Sharanya introduces famous writers who were addicted to drugs or alcohol, yet emerged victorious, using their struggles as fodder for creativity and inspiration. Through their struggles and triumphs, these authors have not only confronted their own demons but also inspired readers around the world to confront their own challenges with courage and perseverance. Getting help for addiction is a courageous and transformative journey that requires commitment, perseverance, and support. With determination, resilience, and the support of others, individuals can overcome addiction and build a brighter, sober future. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates Host Julia is a fifteen-year-old female teen athlete, competing nationally in multisports including triathlon and aquathlon. She offers tips on personalizing one’s eating habits to stay healthy. There is no one-size-fits-all. Diet trends and fads don’t last, but our body is with us to the end. Julia interviews author, Sandy Robertson, with the 2nd edition of her book, Why Am I Eating This? Is This the Nourishment I Need? +*Sandy informs us that it takes 20 minutes for our brain to register that we have consumed enough. We need to slow down and pause. Gratitude and self-care are part of loving ourselves and nourishing ourselves. Stop rushing. Take the time to savor each bite. Emotions affect our eating habits. When we are stressed, we tend to try to self-soothe. Food is comfort. Pay attention to our patterns so that we don’t let our emotions govern what and how much we eat. Eating disorders of eating too much or too little are prevalent today. Talk to an expert and get support if your eating routines are out of whack. Keep a food or self-care journal. Ask yourself if you are physically hungry. Do you have fun in your life? Are you sleeping enough? Be mindful when eating. Pay attention to the colors, textures, and tastes. What makes us unique is that everybody is different. Perfection is not possible. It’s not the goal. Love yourself. Eat mindfully! Eat healthily. We only have one body. Be kind to it. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Today we bring you a very special program celebrating the win of Be the Star You Are!® as the Top NONPROFIT of the YEAR. Hosts Sharanya, Keerthi, Saanvi Phaneendra, and Julia all had the honor of being in attendance at the awards ceremony where the mayor, Town Council, Chamber, and County Supervisors presented Be the Star You Are!® with several plaques and proclamations. The four hosts share their experiences with volunteering for Be the Star You Are!® and being radio reporters/hosts on this international radio broadcast, Express Yourself!™. Julia and Sharanya read speeches that they presented at the awards ceremony, which brought tears to everyone. Keerthi and Saanvi Phaneendra talked about what inspired them to join Be the Star You Are!® and why they adore participating. Finally, two prominent volunteers who also attended the awards ceremony, Ella and Sean joined the conversation. Ella was the chairperson for the incredibly successful shoe drive, and she’ll chair the upcoming 25th-anniversary celebration at the Pear and Wine Festival on September 28.

Sean is the photographer and videographer for Be the Star You Are!®. You can check out his videos at www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare

Watch the video of the Nonprofit of the Year celebration at https://youtu.be/KyWkVnLp-Zg

Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio

• https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/

• https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Today we bring you a very special program celebrating the win of Be the Star You Are!® as the Top NONPROFIT of the YEAR. Hosts Sharanya, Keerthi, Saanvi Phaneendra, and Julia all had the honor of being in attendance at the awards ceremony where the mayor, Town Council, Chamber, and County Supervisors presented Be the Star You Are!® with several plaques and proclamations. The four hosts share their experiences with volunteering for Be the Star You Are!® and being radio reporters/hosts on this international radio broadcast, Express Yourself!™. Julia and Sharanya read speeches that they presented at the awards ceremony, which brought tears to everyone. Keerthi and Saanvi Phaneendra talked about what inspired them to join Be the Star You Are!® and why they adore participating. Finally, two prominent volunteers who also attended the awards ceremony, Ella and Sean joined the conversation. Ella was the chairperson for the incredibly successful shoe drive, and she’ll chair the upcoming 25th-anniversary celebration at the Pear and Wine Festival on September 28.

Sean is the photographer and videographer for Be the Star You Are!®. You can check out his videos at www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare

Watch the video of the Nonprofit of the Year celebration at https://youtu.be/KyWkVnLp-Zg

Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio

• https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/

• https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/