Express Yourself!

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal start the show with Zahra Hasanian's Hope Heals segment to discuss her activism implementing diversity at her school through her EquiTeam program. Zahra works passionately to move the campus forward with a progressive empathetic vision. Author and blogger, Lee Wind joins the conversation with his soon-to-be published (October 2018) crowd funded book that was too controversial for traditional publishers, Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill. It's the book Lee wanted to read when he was a teen. "To fix his life, a bullied and closeted 15-year old boy goes public with real historical evidence that Abraham Lincoln was in love with another guy—triggering a backlash and media firestorm that might destroy everything he cares about." A snippet of Maria Wong's chapter, the Gift of Diversity is read explaining how she grew up Chinese Mexican. Diversity is essential. Different passions, interests, and beliefs are what will make the world a better place

"When ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls." Anais Nin Joven Hundal hosts a fascinating program that speaks to the elements of escape. He reads Malika Demings chapter from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World where she writes about escaping from a turbulent childhood environment and her dreams of the future. J. Finn Wake joins Joven with her first novel, Cry of the Seals, which is all about communicating with our friends under the sea and how that would change our lives. Scientific research has recently been conducted on how dolphins speak to one another, and the idea of possibly communicating with these marine mammals is potentially transformative. In World Watch, Joven examines the plight of refugees as millions upon millions of people are displaced from their family homes. Be encouraged that escape is possible. Enjoy an escape under the sea.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr "Any instance of inequality is worth writing about, sighing about, crying about, even laughing about," writes Zahra Hasanian in the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers that host Joven Jundal reads and discusses in this important episode about equality. Joven interviews author Mary DeMocker about her book The Parent's Guide to Climate Revolution, 100 ways to build a fossil-free future, raise empowered kids, and still get a good night's sleep. Mary shares dozens of ideas and activities to be part of this necessary revolution to reduce impact on the earth. In Ode to Literature, Caitlin Sims talks about how people use books as a platform to convey a message about society, specifically exploring the social inequality in Harper E. Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Family IS everything! Today's episode of Express Yourself! with hosts Joven Hundal and Katie Choo brings the importance of family to the forefront. They first read the chapter by former EY host Asya Gonzalez from Cynthia Brian's forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are!-Millennials to Boomers Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World then interview the energetic award winning author of several books, Dorothea Jensen. Her newest book is A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE, and "buss" means a kiss from the historical figure Lafayette. Her first historical novel for kids, THE RIDDLE OF PENNCROFT FARM, is still being used in classrooms around the U.S. Dorothea regales listeners with fascinating stories of her life as a writer of fun family historical fiction. In the final segment Joven and Katiue read a heart wrenching story published by radio host Brigitte Jia about parents stratospheric expectations of their children and how children attempt to live up to them.

"There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid. " L .Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Courage is not just physical bravery. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal launch this episode by reading the chapter, The Gift of Courage by Afsana Rahman from the forthcoming book, Be the Star you Are! Millennials to Boomers Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World by Cynthia Brian. Afsana writes about the courage of speaking up about any injustice. We cannot stay in silence. Author Rebecca Donovan guests to share her passion for writing for teens to give them a voice. Her newest stand-alone novel is What If. What if you had a second chance to meet someone again? What choice would you make? Rebecca Donovan advocates for young people to be able to express themselves with courage. There are different types of courage, ranging from physical strength and endurance to mental stamina and innovation. Be courageous!

"The vision is that people should have the ultimate in convenience. Being able to get the things they care about." Bill Gates Millennials don't remember a time without all of the tools of expediency. We are steeped in comfort and convenience while waiting anxiously for the next exciting invention that will enhance and augment expediency. Hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia read Cynthia's Brian's chapter, The Gift of Convenience form the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers and theyinterview dating and makeover expert Kim Seltzer to help people work on image, charisma, and flirting. Everyday is different as she works with clients to boost their self esteem. She does virtual makeovers helping men and women all over the world unveil their most attractive self. Whether it's updating your image or transforming your dating life, her philosophy is simple… work from the inside-out to achieve your goals and boost your self-confidence.

"Spring is the time of plans and projects." - Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina It's a time of rebirth. A renaissance of nature. Winter has waned and spring has sprung. Cherry blossoms, daffodils, and warmer weather are finally here. Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal begin th program with Robert Frost's poem, "A Prayer for Spring". Then read Cynthia' Brian's newspaper article, "Spring Forward" as they converse about what springs means for them. They also discuss political events of spring and a world view of what's occurring. Katie Choo brings "Aim to Shoot" talking about college visits during spring break, standardized school testing, stresses that await, and most of all what it means to her¬¬––archery season. Whatever springs means to you, listen to the croaking frogs, inhale the fragrant air, and take pleasure in this time of year! Pick up a copy of Cynthia Brian's newest book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener for a happy dose of spring tips at http;//www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store

Do you live in a big city or a small town? Consider the constants in your life that are unique to your community. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo read and discuss Joven Hundal's chapter The Gift of Community from the forthcoming book, Be the Star You Are! for Millennials and Boomers. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a nation to build that village, and a world to found that nation. Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of numerous books, graces the broadcast with boundless amounts of humor, hope, and optimism as he retells stories of people warding off death and living fully. When you need inspiration, buy any of his books that reflect his love for people and animals. In the final segment, Katie suggests that the careers we choose and the work we do in our fields and jobs have a huge impact on community development and success. "The greatness of a community is most accurately measure by the compassionate actions of its members." Coretta Scott King

By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive." ― Pat Barker, The Ghost Road • Is post traumatic stress disorder really a disorder or is it an illness? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo interview Rosemary Sword, co-author of The Time Cure" to find out what PTSD is and what can be done to overcome the challenges. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects as many as 25 million Americans. Whether the scars come from living through war combat, a natural disaster, a tragic accident, or childhood abuse, people with PTSD struggle daily; and often, traditional therapies don't work. The exciting new approach detailed in The Time Cure, rooted in Dr. Philip Zimbardo's Temporal Theory and developed by Dr. Richard and Rosemary Sword, helps PTSD sufferers stop living in the negatives of the past, look forward to a more positive future, and enjoy the present.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt When you shut your eyes and ponder the future of our globe, what does it look like? Hosts Joven Hundal and Katie Choo investigate technology and trends that seem like science fiction today but could be reality tomorrow. Author of Monople, Bailey Stone Barnard, explores this theme metaphorically in the novel through the hero's persistence in building his machine, a monopolopic inductor able to send matter through space and time. He also explores the idea of being unable to hold onto life's perfect moments while immersed in them, and the artist's constant battle to balance contentment with fulfillment. If nothing else, writing the novel has taught the author to pick his battles carefully, so as not to let life's perfect moments disappear. Brigitte Jia shares art attack with a look at the future of art.