Express Yourself!

Even superheroes have flaws, even great literary characters have foibles. We have to learn to accept both our strengths and our weaknesses in order to live fulfilling lives. In this powerful show, hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez give you the tools you need to appreciate the gift of acceptance. The teens interview entrepreneur and actor Jake Johnson, who started his first family business venture at age eight. Now in high school, Jake was recently named the winner of Warren Buffett's Grow Your Own Business challenge. In addition, Diana Zimmerman, an author, businesswoman, humanitarian, and performer known as the World's Foremost Lady Magician, gives insight on how to break free of insecurities and embrace your uniqueness. With star guests and stimulating conversation, this show sheds light on the importance of knowing yourself, being yourself, and accepting yourself.

Beginning this week, Express Yourself!™ will bring you a stimulating program based on a chapter from our award winning book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. (http://starstyleradio.net/Store.html) This week's theme is The Gift of Ability where we examine ways to harness your potential to positively impact the world. We all have a talent. And when we use our abilities in ways that bring light to our lives and joy to others, we achieve our true purpose. Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez interview two talented teens starring in current hot TV series. Brooke Sorenson is a budding young actress and songstress who can bee seen on Modern Family, Disney XD's "Might Med," Disney's "Austin & Ally" and Nickelodeon's "Haunted Hathaways". She talks about how she got started what abilities she utilizes to grow. Gavin MacIntosh, a Tucson, Arizona native, is making waves as 'Connor' on the hit ABC Family series "The Fosters." He's also seen in "Parks and Rec" and numerous TV commercials. Although he loves acting, his dream is to go to dental school. The youngest reporter on Express Yourself!™, Sam Casey, joins the girls to talk about what abilities are necessary to play video games. Our talents are gifts and we have a responsibility to use our abilities to serve the world and ourselves.

Conversations are limitless. When two or more individuals get together, magic happens as they discuss the weather, sports, fashion, books, movies, school, challenges, and life in general. There is power in a conversation. The conversation flow freely in today's show as hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow interview two authors, Christy Whitman and Rachel Wilson. New York Times best-selling author of three books including Taming Your Alpha Bitch, Christy Whitman, just released her latest book, The Art of Having it All: A Woman's Guide to Unlimited Abundance. She is the CEO and founder of the Quantum Success Coaching Academy, a 12 month Law of Attraction coaching certification program, and the creator of the Enlightened Kid Program. With Christy, the conversation revolves around our belief systems and the choices we make to live the dream. From rising star Rachel M. Wilson comes a powerful, moving debut novel, Don't Touch, a tale of friendship and love. Originally from Alabama, Rachel received her MFA in writing for children and young adults and now teaches, acts, and writes in Chicago. She and the teen hosts converse about the creative writing process with tips on how teenagers with a goal of being a writer can get started. In today's program, Express Yourself!™ you'll understand how talking provides the power of true expression. Start a conversation!

Young or old, male or female, student or professional, if you've ever faced a deadline in your life, you know the allure of procrastination. Due dates always seem to defy clock, bombarding us relentlessly. The quest to use our time most effectively is a universal struggle. Hosts Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow with reporter, Asya Gonzalez lead a discussion on the necessity of time management. Some of their tips include: -Use an organizer -Know your deadlines -Learn to say "No" to some opportunities -Target to be punctual and early for your engagements -Find what distracts you and weed it out of your life -Don't fuss about unimportant details -Prioritize and delegate - "Work smarter, not harder" Henna and Katelyn also interview college student creative author, Pema Donyo who inspires us with her ability to balance school and publishing. You'll also meet the adorable star of the new Amazon series, "Just Add Magic", Olivia Sanabia. Olivia enchants us with her bubbly, positive outlook and very grown up ways in which she manages her time for acting, studying, and play. Make sure to vote before February 15th for Olivia and Just Add Magic at Amazon.com. Use your time wisely.

When we think of Valentine's Day, we think of hearts, red roses, cupid, and love. Love is magical, transformational, the essence of life itself. Hosts Henna Hundal and Youngjoo Ahn interview author and astrologer, Jessica Shepherd, about her books A Love Alchemist's Notebook: Magical Secrets For Drawing Your True Love Into Your Life and Venus Signs. Jessica advocates thinking bigger when it comes to love and soul mates. Singer/songwriter, Dylan Rouda, releases his new single, Polaroid Picture. Dylan calls his style "East Coast urban rock meets West Coast surf rock". Dylan's passion is writing lyrics and singing anywhere and everywhere. We get to hear his single, Polaroid Picture" which was recorded after a breakup. At her first year at Smith, Youngjoo talks about living on her own and how her relationship with her family has evolved in her absence. Reconnect with your inner gifts of passion, purpose, and most importantly, love with Express Yourself!

In our multifaceted, multidimensional world, complicated issues arise every day. With these problems often growing and intertwining with others, it's important to probe all the linkages to develop effective solutions. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal provides a brief synopsis and history of HIV/AIDS and dispels common myths. Social Responsibility reporter, Asya Gonzalez offers a balanced insight on guns and violence. Both Henna and Asya interview filmmaker, author, and producer, Yasmin Shiraz who gives us a perspective on teens, guns, violence, and HIV/AIDS. Yasmin masterfully explores those societal issues that are eyesores-uncomfortable and inconvenient for us to address. But, instead of turning our heads away from the matter, Yasmin powerfully reminds us that we need to face these problems with courage and conviction. According to the CDC, almost 10,000 young people ages 13 to 24 in the United States had been diagnosed with HIV by the end of 2010. At the end of 2010, an estimated 1,144,500 persons aged 13 and older were living with HIV infection in the United States, including 180,900 (15.8%) persons whose infections had not been diagnosed. Gun violence is ubiquitous in teen gangs. Asya reminds us that guns are a tool not a toy and must be used responsibly and according to the law. More people are killed by cars than by guns. According to the FBI crime report 32,788 people died from automobile crashes in 2010. In that same year 8,775 people died from gun deaths. We don't need to ban guns, we need to ban violence against humanity. Responsibility and respect are key. For an enlightening conversation around tough topics, tune into this episode of Express Yourself!

Taylor Swift, John Green, You Tube, Table 58. What do they have in common? Bold fashion styles. Beauty must-haves. The latest songs. The best new gadgets. Let's face it: trying to stay informed about all the ever-evolving teen trends can be exhausting! Worry not, though – Express Yourself!™ is here to help keep you "in the know"! Under-recognized for their influence in the teen trend world, books are a huge part of young people's lives, and they have the potential to catch on like wildfire, particularly when they become movies! Think Harry Potter, Twilight, the Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars. Whether we're driving down the highways blaring the latest tunes from inside our cars, or whether we're sitting in our rooms rocking out to beats from our iPods, music constitutes one of teens' most valued art forms. It's hard to imagine what our lives would be like without the solace of music and the influence of our favorite singers. Book It! Reporter, Courtney Cheng chats with our hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez about the importance and relevance of books and music for teens. DStar of Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr, twelve year old Grace Kaufman talks about her new Amazon series, "Table 58" about a geeky group of unpopular kidswho occupythe odd table in the lunchroom, made up of kids from all different cliques. Whatever trends are in or out, the Express Yourself!™ stars will keep you informed.

Bullying, mocking, deriding, disparaging, taunting, ridiculing, name calling describe exactly the type of social and emotional pain that many kids endure every day. The time is now to nip this negativity in the bud. Our empowered hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez interview Matt Cubbler, owner of MaxOut Strength Studio that works to create leaders by building the inner strength of its teen clients as well developing their physical strength. The hosts also interview creative writing teacher from Minnesota State, Geoff Herbach, award winning author of the Young Adult novels, Stupid Fast, Nothing Special, I'm With Stupid, and Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders, all listed in the year's best by the American Library Association, The American Booksellers Association, and many state library associations. The Gift of Giving reporter, Katelyn Darrow, talks about why it's important to choose benevolence amid bullies and always live by the Golden Rule. Our program winds up with a stellar rendition of Taylor Swift's song "Mean" sung by our own Be the Star You Are!® chanteuse and Back Story Reporter, Jennifer Lee. Today's program encourages us all to choose kindness and never be a name caller. It doesn't pay to be MEAN. "I bet you got pushed around Somebody made you cold But the cycle ends right now 'Cause you can't lead me down that road And you don't know, what you don't know... Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city And all you're ever gonna be is mean Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me And all you're ever gonna be is mean Why you gotta be so mean?" By Taylor Swift

Each day brings an opportunity to enliven, inspire, and elevate other people's lives. The question is, how are you going to find the big and small ways to be caring and helpful? Hosts Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez explore what it means to act with altruism, to fulfill our civic virtues, to be our neighbor's keeper, and to be our most benevolent selves. The Gift of Giving reporter, Katelyn Darrow, shares stories from her life that inspired her to create Angels of God charity and encourages acts of kindness every day. For a fresh perspective on the topic, the youngest person ever to audition for be a reporter on Express Yourself!™, ten-year-old Sam Casey along with his cousin, Eddie, join the ladies with a new segment called Game Boys. Whether playing on-line games is helpful is debatable, so we'll wait to hear from you. Be helpful. Care, share, and be fair.

A new year brings a new attitude! As we dash hard and strong into 2015, we have the chance to begin another chapter of our lives -- a fresh start. The question is,how will you make the most of this opportunity for renewal? Our hosts, Henna Hundal and Asya Gonzalez believe in understanding oneself first and foremost and with their positive outlooks interview two fascinating guests. Author of On the Road to Find Out, Rachel Toor, uses scenarios from her own life to help teens become more aware. Astrologer Paul Bogle, demystifies divination tools in down-to-earth language to help all of us enjoy our best year ever with a little guidance from the celestial stars. Reporter Zahra Hasanian encourages us to use smart goals to achieve our resolutions. Dream, hope, believe, and aspire to be your best self in 2015 with the assistance of our stellar Express Yourself!™ teen team. Shoot for the stars and expect to land on them!