Express Yourself!

Overwhelm has become a word that is foremost in every teen’s vocabulary. Katelyn Darrow hosts a critical program that will help all listeners to overcome feelings of overwhelm. Reporter Brigitte Jia launches this episode with personal stories and common obstacles of daily life. Finding support is essential. Resilience doesn’t mean putting on a strong front. Depression and mental illness don’t discriminate. Even in the most picture-perfect life, confusion and turmoil are often lurking beneath the surface. For a teenager in a world where anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are commonplace, life can sometimes feel impossible. Katelyn interviews author of Beneath the Surface, Kristi Hugstad, who provides information, encouragement, and tactical guidance If someone you love is suffering from any of these issues, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs of mental illness and know where to turn for help. Katelyn closes the show with journaling as stress relief.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ? Winston S. Churchill Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia interview Olympic Bronze Medalist, Kim Vandenburg focusing on the theme of success. Kim says that one has to fail to succeed and explains what she learned from her failures. Having fun is critical to success and she makes sure the students she teaches are happy, enjoying the process, and empowered. Giving 100% effort and learning from mistakes is the meaning of success for Kim. With swimming, she has made life-long friends from around the world. A chapter is read from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens by Dr. Bernie Siegel where he encourages readers to do what will make you happy and success will follow. Arjin Claire offers a segment of Innovation Nation where he explains why wars have helped nations overcome obstacles to survive including the telegraph, the first ambulance, the Space Age, Velcro, and vaccines. Failure is the best teacher to success.

Affirmation is a fundamental need of all humans. Brigitte Jia launches 2020 with an episode centered on affirmation. Affirmation is a doorway to the heart and the soul. Brigitte reads the chapter, the Gift of Affirmation, from Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. (https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) She then talks about when to affirm and when to offer emotional support in another form to others and offers stories from her own life about her struggles with self-esteem and being kind to herself. It is especially important to affirm those you love with a voice of truth, including yourself. The secret is to notice what is positive about others and then tell them about it. Become a cheerleader and cheer them on. It’s important to let people know that you appreciate them and care about them. Cherish them and praise them often. And praise yourself…you are worth it! Be your authentic self, always.

Those who do not volunteer believe that those who do are driven by warm-hearted intentions and pure purposes. However, people volunteer for hundreds of different reasons. Host Brigitte Jia reads The Gift of Volunteering by Katie Choo from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World,and offers her insights on personal volunteering experiences. She then engages in a riveting conversation with journalist Christina Adams about her book, Camel Crazy, and the effects of camel’s milk on autism. Adam’s excellent book makes the case for camel milk’s medicinal value and for treating camels with the respect, compassion, and even reverence that they deserve from humans. In the final segment, Arjin Claire talks about how innovation and volunteering work well together. Social media can be used as an outlet for volunteering in so many different ways—to document the progress, before and after.

Being earnest and being playful are not antonyms. To be successful, we need both traits. Host Kenneth Jeon interviews a former Express Yourself! Reporter, Isaiah Rankin, who is now the hip-hop musician known as Zaya. Zaya blends new school modern rap with his own San Francisco Bay Area local taste, delivering a sound that aims to immerse the audience through his lyrics. Drawing comparisons to West coast artist Lil Mosey from his hyper upbeat melody, Zaya even some echoes of Juice Wrld. Zaya is dedicated to his craft and strives to make the best music possible. Although he is in the infancy of his career, he advises others to follow their passion, work hard, and be dedicated so that life can be a play day. Kenneth reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Play, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, then discusses the evolution of entertainment with livestreaming. Take a break. It's recess time!

• For most of us, the holidays are a time to eat, drink and be merry with good friends and family. Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., joins host Kenneth Jeon to offer pet lovers tips to refresh your pet IQ and offers some helpful hints so the Yuletide traditions are as merry for you as they are for your pets. Dr. Carol wrote the book, Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats. Dr. Carol has the information on everything from homemade treats to making sure your pet is comfortable in inclement weather. (Info visit http://ChagrinFallsPetClinic.com)Kenneth reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter on The Gift of Nature from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (Shop books at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Kenneth also discusses environmentalism in political landscape and his dog shares a bark to wish everyone a happy holiday.

Brigitte Jia brings an hour of music appreciation and learning to Express Yourself!™ From the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, Brigitte reads The Gift of Music by Jack Pawlakos followed by interviews with four guests. Kia Portekas is the music teacher who introduces her young students, Ethan Dohrmann, Easha Ashraf, and Helena Häber. Kia’s book, Making Music with Your Child is designed for music and elementary teachers, parents, and children, and highlights simple, effective activities to build musical skills and awareness, while providing ways to encourage freedom, self-expression, and individuality. The teaching method helps cultivate in the whole child, unique forms of expression and communication. promotes the processes of thinking, creating, and reinforces self-esteem and the joy of learning. Listen to the sounds if the teens. Music truly is a gift to be shared. A gift, that keeps on giving.

Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia welcome the ebullient Dr. Tom Worthen, editor of the empowering book. I Am Me: Teen Artists and Writers Speak Out on Being Yourself . Award winning art is paired with poem, both created by teens, to help shake off negative influences and realize it is okay to be themselves. Each piece of art is skillfully matched with writing to reflect the attitude of a generation of teens who want to fit in, yet, feel inadequate due to societal pressures. The book is an optimistic look at the struggles that youth face and a creative way to express what they are feeling. The Gift of Optimism by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed as Kenneth and Brigitte share their views on how being more optimistic has impacted their lives. You don’t have to achieve “perfection” tp be “perfect!”

Henna Hundal reads The Gift of Mentoring by BTSYA volunteer Karen Kitchel from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. De La Salle High School junior varsity water polo coach and Founder of Green Air, an energy solutions company, Nicholas Donzelli, converses with Henna about his philosophy about the importance of mentoring. Henna interviews her personal mentor, Founder of Be the Star You Are!® and producer of Express Yourself!®, Cynthia Brian, to find out why mentors are necessary to success and how to establish a beneficial mutual relationship. Cynthia finds out more about Henna’s radio show where Henna is currently interviewing 2020 Presidential candidates. (www.thehennahundalshow.com) Both guests agree that to achieve your dreams and goals, it is essential to have a mentor to guide and ground you, holding you accountable, focused, and on the right path. Mentorship empowers us to accept the struggles.

“Let not the seasons, nor the sun nor the stars nor the moon, or planets make a timetable for your life.” Frank A. Carlyle Life expectancy has changed dramatically since the time of the Roman Empire when the average lifespan was 22-25. In 1900, the world average was 30. Fast-forward a hundred years where the average man is expected to live to 75 and woman to 80. Siri reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Brigitte and Siri introduce author of Earth Frequency Melissa Alvarez who explores unique locations that are overflowing with the positivity of the planet's energy. In her book you will discover visualizations and exercises designed to increase intuition and the dynamic power of a place. The hosts end this episode with personal expectations for longevity. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Host Siri Phaneendra began the show by reading The Gift of Literacy by Kimberly Morgan from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World available at www.StarStyleStore.net. Studies show that children who are read to during the first few years of their life have a larger vocabulary, score high on standard tests and have advanced mathematical skills. We listen to alternative pop artist, Kyle C. A.’s single, “Save Yourself”, a soulful, choral, alternative feeling composition relating to the tragedy of 9/11, an event that happened before Kyle was born. History is made as Kyle is the first guest to come into our studio! Siri asks Kyle questions about his rise in the music world. In Innovation Nation, Arjin Claire sheds light on literacy while taking us back to 1440, the Dark Ages, when few people could read or write then catapults us into the techno age of today where global literacy hovers at 86% of the population.

Asya, Siri, and Brigitte co-host a somber show that provides preventive awareness and critical information about human trafficking and suicide. Asya provides listeners with an in depth look at the horrors of modern day slavery. Human trafficking is a global crime worth about $150 billion dollars per year that is happening in our own communities with severe physical, psychological and social impacts on the trafficked person. Brigitte and Siri interview LeAnn Hull discussing the journey to create Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation after the suicide of her son. Her goal is to spare others the pain and anguish.Her book is How to Live when You want to Die. She advocates active listening as individuals may be crying our for help. Impacting many children, teens and adults, the Foundation talks about coping skills, triggers, and tools to use during difficult times, all with a “You Matter” approach. This interview is an informative, heart-felt conversation that will save lives. Tune in.

Katelyn Darrow and Brigitte Jia discuss the topic of language with Katelyn’s experience living in Japan. She was able to learn the basic phrases while struggling with pronunciation, grammar, sentence structure, because Japanese is vastly different from English! Despite her lack of verbal and written communication, Katelyn was struck by the ability to communicate in other ways and the eagerness that Japanese people had when corresponding with her. Brigitte reads The Gift of Language by Vann Ackerman in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World whereby Vann attempts to learn Russian so she can read Tolstoy’s War and Peace in its original language! As a neuroscience major, Brigitte gives us a glimpse into our brains and language from a neuroscience point of view. Language is a higher order function that requires multiple associations across various neocortical regions. Speak up, speak out, express yourself!

With two of our former longtime hosts, Henna Hundal and Katelyn Darrow back on this program to discuss kindness with Kenneth Jeon, a fun family reunion atmosphere permeates. Henna has recently graduated from Harvard, Katelyn is beginning her senior year at UCLA, and Kenneth is in the process of writing college applications in his final high school year. Katelyn reads her very moving chapter, The Gift of Kindness from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and gives us a glimpse of her time empowering teen girls in Japan this past summer. Kenneth and Henna interview twenty-one year old poet, Katherine A. Martinez, who wants to awaken others to their own inner power to accomplish their dreams with her book of poetry, The Awakening of the Subtle Flower. Katherine reads one of her intimate poems from her book. Kindness is about the small moments of listening, stopping, caring, and being in the moment.

Are you joyful?It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. Kenneth interviews ebullient, world-renowned Vincent Genna, a triple powered psychic, medium, and spiritual teacher to learn how he guides people to recognize what is preventing them from healing or attaining their dreams. Vincent combines his background as a professional actor and singer, a Masters in Clinical Social Work and his Hospice experience with his uncanny skills as a metaphysician to enlighten and assist. Kenneth also reads the chapter, The Gift of Joyfulness, by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and shares his personal experiences. Arjin Claire joins the conversation with Innovation Nation focusing on video games. Who would have thought that video games are no longer a simple pastime played only by teenagers but rather one of the largest e-sports in the world with purses in the millions. Spread the joy!

Although first responders would never say they are heroes, for those of us who experience their bravery and selflessness, we know they are filled with integrity. It is little surprise that soldiers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, emergency room nurses, and other first responders suffer immeasurably as a result of what they see and experience. Our hosts Kenneth and Siri interview Captain Dan Willis with his book of BULLETPROOF SPIRIT, the first book to offer assistance and support from a nondenominational spiritual perspective to first responders and their family and friends with a chapter on PTSD. Jack Pawlakos talks about current trends affecting and influencing integrity. “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you do not have integrity, nothing else matters.” Kenneth and Siri read Cynthia Brians chapter, The Gift of Integrity, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Walk your talk and respect first responders. Your life depends on them.

It is not often that you meet a pop star potential who is genuine, authentic, and looks at life with a positive viewpoint. Enter Canadian musical artist, Valdii with his international radio debut of two new songs, Toxic and Comfortable. Host Kenneth Jeon finds out how Valdii got started and how his music has evolved. When he was asked about what he would have done differently in hindsight, Valdii responded, “Nothing. I have no regrets. Everyone has a destiny to live.” Kenneth reads Courtney Chengs chapter, The Gift of Hindsight, and also Brigitte Jias article about the 20th anniversary of Be the Star You Are!® happening on September 9th. Jack Pawlakos closes out the hour with “Trends without Ends” talking about music, now and in the future! Global music is more accessible than ever before, as well as the ability to connect with local artists. It is an exciting time to listen to music Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Be the Star You Are® Donate to help: www.BetheStarYouAre.org

It may be possible to be happy without robust health, but why not enrich your body, mind, and spirit? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra interview crystal junkie Jolie DeMarco about her book High Vibe Crystal Healing. Jolie shares 11 crystals that bring optimum wellness. She explains how to harmonize our energy fields for whatever we need on a particular day. Kenneths 20/20 segment highlights the effects that various TV shows and movies have on our well being. The hosts read The Gift of Health by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Watch your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink water, exercise regularly, sleep and rest, reduce stress, shun fast foods, wear sunscreen, laugh a lot, and love more. Buy a few special crystals to enhance your frequencies and project positive, loving energy. You will only have one body in this lifetime. No replacements, no refunds. Rock it!

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” Albert Camus In the former USSR, personal freedom was not evident. As Americans, we often take our numerous freedoms for granted. Host Brigitte Jia reads The Gift of Freedom by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. She expands on what freedom means to her as a college student. After reading Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking in college,guest, Dr. Dravon James became a lifelong student of the power we all have to create the life we want and author of the book, Freedom is Your Birthright. She talks about personal freedom and inner peace, as defined as: Wholeness. Completeness. Nothing missing. Nothing broken. Totality. In World Watch, Joven explores the role of parenting in allowing children the freedom to explore passions and experiences while being aware of the outcomes. Believe you are free, and your chains will be broken.

Hosts Siri and Kenneth read and discuss The Gift of Grace from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Interviewed author, Priest, and empath .Raven Digitalis enriches our understanding of empathy with his new captivating guide, The Everyday Empath. Raven talks about what it means to experience high levels of empathy in daily life. He shares stories from his teen years, travels to India as well as information about working with Tarot cards. He believes in using our healing gifts with friends and family and serving others while maintaining a strong personal balance. Arjin joins the conversation with an enlightening glimpse on how grace and empathy are utilized by big companies like Ford, Amazon, and Disney for innovation. Empathizing with the end-users allows a company to comprehend what people really want and need, instead of what they think consumers want or need.