Express Yourself!

"That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." ― F. Scott Fitzgerald • Literature is the mapping of our souls. It offers hope. Reporter Chelsea Pelchat starts off the show with a historical look at literature and its ramifications through the ages. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian discuss a warmhearted comedy of errors set in the world's harshest place with author Ashley Shelby's South Pole Station, a wry and witty debut novel about the courage it takes to band together when everything around you falls apart. Our hosts later talk about the impact of literature in a personal introspective. What is function of literature in your life? Is it a tool for communication, source of entertainment, way to express oneself, method of creating art, or a way to gain knowledge? Think about it, then pick up a great book and dive in! Reading is power.

What is sexuality? Most people will assume we are talking about engaging in a sexual act, however, sexuality is not just about sex. From birth until death, every person is a sexual being. Sexuality defines our gender and can be a complex aspect of our personality. It is how we feel about ourselves, what you do, but who you are. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo interview Dr. Karen Rayne about her book, GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You , a growing-up guide for the 21st century by Karen Rayne, PhD—a nationally recognized educator, trainer, author, and expert in sexuality education. Inclusive of all self-identified girls, GIRL is uncensored, unbiased, and jam-packed with what today's teenage girls want and need to know about healthy sexuality, loving relationships, and gender fluidity. The hosts also read The Gift of Sexuality by Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany from the book Be the Star You Arefor Teens and Katie gives insights about careers involving the study of sexuality.

""True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." How do you stay humble when you are great? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal tackle the virtue of humility by offering examples from their own lives as well as discussing famous people and how they are humble or boastful. When you allow the facts of a situation or experience do the talking, you don't need to purposely be a show off to stand out. Employ trickle down humility. Find out what billionaires like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg do to stay humble while giving back to society. Katie Choo talks about how to be a humble leader. A few tips: a. Be Open to opinions b. Be considerate c. Admit mistakes d. Accept ambiguity e. Self-Reflect f.. Let others do their jobs g. Share the credit Be humble and you can be proud! More information about BTSYA Operation Disaster Relief Program is found here: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-operation-hurricane-disaste

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ---Leonardo Da Vinci With so much "fake news" and social media posts, sometimes it's hard to tell what's really happening in the world. In this episode focusing on simplicity and journalism, hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia dissect journalism while focusing on the simple things. Brigitte brings another fascinating Art Attack segment discussing art, artists, and their simplicity. Gust author of Right Where You Left me, Calla Devlin, adds homage to the brave journalists who seek to report the truth, a mother and daughter struggle to build a connection in the wake of a father's overseas kidnapping. Jack Pawlakos talks trends in digital journalism which is updated constantly. providing the latest information that influences decisions. Sophistication and simplicity are friends and real journalists are heroes.

Labor Day will have come and gone when you listen to our broadcast, but we feel that we all labor every day. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal with reporter Jack Pawlakos talk about the origins of a Labor Day holiday, what the trends are for celebrating, and what are the top destinations for this three day holiday. Donations are requested for the BTSYA Operation Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief. Visit www.BetheStarYouAre.org The conversation gets serious as our hosts discuss the history of workers in the United States and abroad, the terrible working conditions, the low pay, the brutality, and the plight of laborers worldwide. Be grateful that Americans have laws regulating how workers can be treated. What will Be the Star You Are!® teens being doing on Labor Day? Take a break from laboring and tune in.

If health is wealth, why aren't we taking care of ourselves? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour discussing the elements of wellness, not only for our bodies, but for our minds, self-esteem, and spirits. Millennials have been given trophies and awards for participating in everything. Joven questions the benefits of such a practice as it does not encourage intrinsic motivation. Brigitte tackles defining physical and mental health. How do we maintain an active lifestyle, stay fit, get enough sleep, do homework, have a social life, and eat properly while managing stress, disappointments, anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion? They read and discuss the chapter, The Gift of Health, from Cynthia Brian's award winning book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. The take away is that we have one life to live, in one body. Health is a life-long commitment. Being healthy has a profound effect on your happiness and quality of life.

Welcome to back to school! Can you believe summer is over? Are you ready for a new school year? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour with enlightening information to get you ready for this educational season. Sports reporter Katie Lyons asks a pertinent question: "What things am I going to do differently this year? Fortunately she also offers numerous suggestions to make the following year a great one. First time author, Fayth Thomas shares real life lessons on positive living including how to provide healthy back to school lunches and snacks with her book, Being the Best You! The book explores diabetes in a way for children to understand and inspires children to strive for career paths that make a difference. Brigitte gives a list of ways to be artistic with pencil cases, binders, collages, and more in Art Attack.

"Freedom lies in being bold." ― Robert Frost Are you brave? Are you bold? Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia introduce medical practitioner turned retail entrepreneur, Lacy Blanc De Quattro who together with her sister took the bold leap to launch the unique mobile clothing store, Cowboy Nonie's Boutique in honor of their mother. The store offers trendy, Wild West-inspired clothing for women and kids, sporting cute, high-quality jeans and shirts with cowboy slogans for every occasion produced in the USA. Our hosts also chat with reporter Caitlin Sim about the boldness portrayed in the books Odyssey, The Vindication of the Rights of Women, 1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm, Fahrenehit 451, Harry Potter, and other great reads. Brigitte brings another of her informative Art Attack segments discussing the braveness and boldness that artists must possess to exhibit their work. Life is short and we have the power to live our dreams as long as we are bold!

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian join with reporters Jack Pawlakos, Chelsea Pelchat, and newcomer Jelina Liu to celebrate and honor the importance of family. Jack offers stats on how technology has affected family time negatively.Studies indicate that over 75% of families agree they would rather spend time watching television and 80% would rather play with electronics than engage in a real family activity such as a board game. Chelsea takes us on a history lesson to the 16th century to enlighten about the precarious family ties of the Tudors. Brigitte appreciates the opportunities that her parents presented to her since immigrating to America at a young age. Thanks to her parents' efforts and sacrifices she's developed an interest in the humanities as well as a strong mathematics background, New Helping Hands reporter, Jelina Liu reviews the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman,the story an ethnic minority Hmong family fleeing Laos. Family Matters.

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ― T. S. Eliot Much of the world was mapped between the 1440-1600's because of the three "G's"- God, gold, and glory. Past/Present reporter, Chelsea Pelchat, shares a history lesson on how nations across the world became an interconnected web of commerce and communication. New Reporter of Trends without Ends, Jack Pawlakos, reports on how recent innovations in technology with virtual reality allow us to explore the entire world without ever leaving our living room. Lifelong explorer and photographer, Greg DeBree, tells stories from his life of traveling, hunting, fishing, diving, climbing, and firefighting from Indiana to the Sonoran desert, from the Sea of Cortez to the California Sierras, from Hawaii to Antarctica. What's on your adventure bucket list?