Express Yourself!

Do you know what “Giver’s Glow” is? It is the feeling of happiness that you experience after performing an act of generosity. This program will give you that glow when you hear the discussion between Billboards’ top dance club artist Inaya Day and host Kenneth Jeon. Her song One World debuts and she even sings a few bars from various hits. As a musician, her instrument of choice is her vocal chords and she directs a choir in Brooklyn, too. Kenneth Jeon reads Kateyln Darrow’s touching chapter, The Gift of Giving, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World that focuses on a magical holiday. Start giving to allow your brain to release dopamine and endorphins providing a sense of euphoria, tranquility, serenity, and inner peace. Let others know you truly appreciate even the smallest things about them. Make a donation to Be the Star You Are!. https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504 . Feel the glow!

Are you hard yourself? Does that little voice inside your head scream at you? It’s time to take a breath and be gentle with yourself. Host Brigitte Jia reads the chapter, The Gift of Genetlenss by Dallas Woodburn from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World followed by an interview with the author, writing coach, and new mom herself, Dallas Woodburn. As a Book Doula and founder of the 90-Day Book Breakthrough Program, Dallas offers many concrete suggestions for young writers on how to put pen to paper while being kind to oneself, even when juggling many responsibilities. Brigitte shares personal tips and tricks on how to stay calm and collected while learning to be gentle. How do you define self-love and self-care? Are you being compassionate and gentle with yourself? Let go of self-deprecating behavior and treat yourself with acceptance and kindness.

Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo know first hand about animal shelters, wildlife rescue centers, medical labs, and veterinary clinics. Brigitte worked at animal shelters both in Berkeley,California and Nashville, Tennessee and is able to compare the differences in how animals are treated. She also works with mice in a hospital training laboratory where she has gained a deep respect for the value that lab animals provide for human health and medical breakthroughs. Katie is studying animal behavior, evolution, and science in Texas and is working in veterinary hospitals, a wildlife rescue center, as well as animal shelters. She explains the difference between the human interactions in each of the settings. Brigitte reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Farming, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, providing more insight into the world of farming and caring for all creatures great and small.

The ebullient The Windy City Nanny, Florence Ann Romano, joins host Siri Phaneendra in a lively discussion about caring for children, what it takes to be a nanny and the importance of family relationships. Florence is the author of Nanny and Me, a sweet, educational story that helps families introduce a new caregiver to their home. Siri reads The Gift of Family by Asya Gonzalez from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and shares personal stories about her supportive family. Brigitte Jia and Kenneth Jeon shine in the 3rd segment talking about family movies, otherwise known as four-quadrant movies. Four-quadrant movies are called four-quadrant movies because they appeal to all four general movie-going audiences: men, women, under-25-year-olds, and over-25-year-olds. The duo appreciates the universal appeal of these movies while sharing some of their favorites.

With a name like “ExXxoticc” one would expect an unpredictable interview. You are in for a marvelous surprise when Brigitte and Siri interview this young rising rapper who is down-to-earth, approachable, and authentic. The conversation flows about how she began her career, identified her stage name, and what “escape” means to her. Opening her latest single with a plea to God, ExXxoticc captures her struggles in sound with a dark and dirty banger that stands out as one of 2019’s heaviest releases. Built on a snarling trap beat and a menacing piano riff that backs up her potent lyricism, ‘Die’ is living proof that ExXxoticc smacks harder than anyone else in the rap game. The chapter on Escape from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed while Brigitte explains how she escaped anxiety with the pressures of the first year at university. This is an evocative, thrilling hour of young expression.

Do you celebrate diversity? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Brigitte Jia sparked a lively conversation reading Maria Wong’s chapter on diversity from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World as Maria described growing up Chinese Mexican. Award-winning voice actor and radio/TV producer, Marc Cashman, spark excitement as he discusses the numerous roles and opportunities for voice talent. When a spot needs a Thai speaker, unlike 20 years ago when casting would have to find someone that could hopefully fit the part here in America, because of technology today, talent can be booked and work directly from Thailand. When asked what his favorite jobs are, Marc immediately retorted that the jobs he is passionate about are the ones where he makes no money and instead is voicing a public service announcement for a worthy cause. Kenneth and Brigitte remind us not to forget ecological diversity as species on our planet are disappearing.

“Any instance of inequality is worth writing about, sighing about, crying about, even laughing about.” So writes teen Zahra Hasanain in her chapter on equality in the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, which is read and discussed by hosts Brigitte and Siri. Singer/songwriter Dylan Lloyd joins the conversation to talk about the back story of his new single, “If I can’t have you”. Dylan is contemplative, caring, and passionate about his work with influences that range from Michael Jackson to Elton John to Sting and many others. He is making an album that will feature his work solely on the piano. Dylan is a musical artist you’ll want to follow and support. Kenneth rounds out the hour with his 20/20 Vision segment focused on equality in films with the hot-button issue of minority representation in the entertainment industry. This is an hour that you won’t want to miss.

How do we define community? Is it a group of people coming together? Is it a place? Host Kenneth Jeon reads Joven Hundal’s chapter from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World that illustrates the value of being part of a community where we can learn, socialize, and grow. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth dissects the Hulu comedic sitcom, Community, where community college students come from a variety of lifestyles and backgrounds, each with their own distinct personality and create characters with a strong sense of kinship. Producer Cynthia Brian joins the conversation focusing on artists around the country who have flourished by establishing independent art organizations in downtrodden areas. By bringing artistic talent and opportunities to a neighborhood, the locals thrive and the investment in the community becomes a social and economic asset.

Do you meditate? What about bringing meditation into the classroom? Hosts Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra interview William P Meyer about his transformative book, Three Breaths and Begin. Get a deeper awareness and move through feelings with meditation. A teacher can use meditation daily in the classroom, on field trips, for sports assemblies, and more to help students connect with themselves and their world. A small circle that starts with 8 people can grow to include an entire student body when youth recognize their power, express curiosity, and reflect through meditation in nature, journaling, creative writing, art, and music. The hosts read chapters on courage from two books in the Be the Star You Are!® series and Siri shares her personal experiences with daily meditations, including the fact that meditating has helped her be more successful on exams. Be intentional when creating your meditation space and enjoy the results. Slow down, take three breaths, and begin.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge.” Martin Luther King Jr. Conveniences of the past are not the conveniences we rely on today. Joven Hundal hosts with readings from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World plus a riveting exploration of global conveniences in his segment of World Watch. Surprisingly one of his most prized conveniences is keeping a journal, either on paper or digitally. Joining Joven is his cousin, Arjin Claire, reporter for Innovation Nation, where he chronicles innovations such as roller suitcases, metal water bottles, dishwashers, appliances, mobile phones, the internet, and the focus of his segment…food packaging. A fascinating portrayal of how far we have come with comfort and convenience! “Each one writes history according to his convenience.” - Jose Rival

It’s no surprise that art created today revolves around exploring the intricacies of communication. What does the film The Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Toro have to do with communication? Host Kenneth Jeon brings us a 20/20 Vision discussion of societal exploration and relationship-building while host Katie Choo shares the different communication challenges that living in Texas for her first year of college brought versus the four years of high school. A humorous dorm event at Rice is called “Screw Your Roommate” whereby dates are set-up by roommates for one another and a positive experience depends on the level of roommate connectivity and communication.The Gift of Communication by Courtney Cheng 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 with the takeaway that communication favors openness and honesty. Perhaps it is time to put less weight on digital mediums. Savor face-face!

“The more of me I be, the clearer I can see.” - Rachel Andrews Young people are under pressure to choose their careers and determine what they want to do with their lives. Brigitte Jia and Kenneth Jeon tackle the subject of clarity with Brigitte expressing her struggles with her first year of college choices. Even if things seem clear, they aren’t always right. Don’t be afraid to change. Shawn Anderson, Author, Speaker, and founder of The Extra Mile encourages us to not accept mediocrity. How do you determine when you are going in the right direction? . Clarity comes in the moment when you are honest with yourself. Open your eyes, ears, and heart. Debuting is reporter Arjin Claire with his segment Innovation Nation. Innovation is something that surrounds us, yet most of the time, we don’t even notice it unless it’s changing our experience. Innovation is an essential part of our lives - from the simple toothpick to the technically amazing computer. Be clear and innovate!

Rachel Glass hosst this inspirational and intuitive hour focusing on awareness. She interviews literary agents, publishers, producers, and authors Bill and Gayle Gladstone discussing how books lead to increased awareness. A critical take-away from the conversation is the importance of following one’s calling.Helping others and making a positive difference in the world is the priority. Making money is secondary. Rachel reads the chapter penned by Tristan Boardway titled The Gift of Awareness from the book published by Waterside and authored by Cynthia Brian with young contributors, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. When we are present, being in the moment, we will begin to be more consciously and instinctively aware. Awareness is trusting ourselves with our innate intuition. She also reads the insightful chapter she wrote on Self-Love. Accept and love yourself and you’ll have enough to share with others.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas Brigitte is Back! Resident BTSYA artist, Brigitte Jia co-hosts with Kenneth Jeon with lively discussions and in depth analysis on the meaning of art. Brigitte wrote the chapter, The Gift of Art in the new book by Cynthia Brian, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World which both hosts read aloud. Kenneth offers his 20/20 Vision segment relating his favorite films on how to see art as a way of tapping into the core of human existence. The hosts believe that art is a way to examine human emotions and thoughts without being bound by physical or even conceptual restrictions. Brigitte shares the inside scoop of her first year of college living in “the Art Dorm”. Both Brigitte and Kenneth are also musicians lending another nod to artistic endeavors and the value to individual joy. Brigitte and Kenneth are a dynamic duo of creative prowess! Live art!

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.” Mother Teresa The more we appreciate the little things in life, the more big things will appear that enhance and empower us. All three books in the Be the Star You Are! series boast a chapter on Appreciation. Kenneth Jeon kicks off this episode by reading Joven Hundal’s chapter on Appreciation from Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World about his grandparents sacrifices, Kenneth then reads from the first book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts and interviews author and producer, Cynthia Brian who reads a heartwarming appreciation chapter from book 2, Be the Star You Are! for Teens. The take-away from this uplifting show is how powerful gratitude and appreciation are. Try it out. Give a compliment, smile more, write a letter, show your appreciation. Buy the trilogy of books with autographs at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store.

Dogs. Companion dogs. The best non judgmental, good listeners after a tough day at the office, great motivators to humans to get up off the couch and go to the park! Kenneth Jeon interviews Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce about their newest collaborative book, Unleashing your Dog. Unleashing Your Dog builds on the latest research in canine science and provides many practical ways that allow dogs to exercise their senses, in addition to exercising their brains and their muscles.They bust the myths, provide the science, and most of all share the happiness and joy that a dog brings. Kenneth reads the chapter, The Gift of Animals by Heather Brittany from the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World to bring awareness about the importance of including animals in our lives. If you are an animal lover, you will love this broadcast! Tune in to walk your paws!

“You can't always measure the effects of activist work; you just have to wish and pray that the message gets through.” - Yoko Ono Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon spearhead an episode of Express Yourself! dedicated to activism. Besides discussing personal experiences, they read Brigitte Jia’s chapter from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, then introduce Pris-K, the French R & B singer songwriter with the release of her single, Know My Name. This song is inspired by female empowerment, and Pris-K’s observations on being a woman in today’s modern society. While she wants men to have agency, Know My Name explores, in Pris-K’s words,“how easily women can be judged or put in categories, because of the way they look.” The powerful anthem explores what it means to be beautiful and sends out a call to women everywhere to stand up and believe in themselves no matter what they’re up against!

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John Crosby Youth and mentoring…the two go together like bread and butter. Kenneth Jeon showcases these two chapters from the new anthology, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, before interviewing the internationally renowned electric dance music writer, producer, and artist SZABO. You’ll hear the new single he wrote and produced for the Russian singer Dila “Go Do You”, about a woman rising through adversity and doing what she wants and needs to do - while at the same time telling everyone else to quit judging her and to go and take care of themselves. So go do you.. I'll do me too. Szabo bridges the gap between dynamic club-ready sounds and chart-topping musicality. He has valuable advice for young people just starting out and is a mentor to artists. Check out his tracks and start dancing!

Have you always dreamed about writing a book? Meet a teen, Cassandra Sage Briskman who was published at age 16 and won numerous awards for her first book, “If you Wish”. Hosts Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon read the chapter on writing by author of Swearing off Stars, Dani Wong from the anthology, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, and interview Cassandra about her journey. Her main character, Ella is an ordinary teenage girl whose father just happens to be a rich and famous film director. Ella is miserable and life sucks. There are struggles and challenges along the way combined with surprises, rewards, and self-awareness. If You Wish confronts bullying, drug abuse, and LGBTG rights in a story that is anything but a fairy tale. Kenneth winds up this episode with a segment about screenwriting. Joven is also published and Kenneth is investigating the movie industry. These teens have bright futures! Write on!

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” - Muhammad Ali Are you looking to spread your wings and fly? Joven Hundal hosts an inspirational hour interviewing “WOW Mom” Ellen Mongan, contributor to the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. After reading her chapter, The Gift of Wings from the anthology, they discuss the power of faith, parenting, advice for teens, lessons learned, patience, and living in this fast paced modern world. Ellen is an authentic woman who cares about people, especially youth. In the last segment, Joven reads the Gift of Self Love by Rachel Glass. In order to fly, we have to love ourselves first. Make sure to pick up a copy of Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store with all proceeds benefitting Be the Star You Are!® charity. Get inspired with words of wisdom.