Express Yourself!

Volunteering and community service is often associated with directly helping others in dire need. Kenneth Jeon hosts and interviews Becca Tankersley and Dominic Maciel from LionsHeart, a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring teens to volunteer in their community, creating a new generation of leaders that are dedicated to positive social impact and providing needed resources for causes that ignite their passions. Katie Choo, author of the chapter on Volunteering in the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, joins Kenneth to discuss the importance of volunteer work. The importance of helping others without expecting anything in return can’t be stressed enough, however regardless of the reason why one volunteers is important to help others. Be the Star You Are! offers numerous volunteer opportunities, virtual and in person. Email info@bethestaryouare.org for more information.

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding” - Leonardo da Vinci “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment” – Buddha Kenneth Jeon and Joven Hundal tackle two big issues of today’s hectic lifestyle; being understanding and living in the present. They read two chapters on those topics from the anthology Be the Star You Are Millennials to Boomers, Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World followed by a lively discussion. In World Watch,J oven states that although our world is thriving, we have to address the challenges of demoralizing injustice across the globe, institutional racism, sexism, income inequality, and poverty if we want future generations to thrive. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth dives into the Audrey Hepburn 1961 Hollywood classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a film that envelopes the themes of the present and understanding.

Siri and Joven host this episode of Express Yourself! with a theme of Truth. They interview Marc Lesser, who blended his leadership experience running a Zen monastery kitchen, leading mindfulness trainings for Google engineers, and starting and running the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute to write the new book, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader, Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen. Marc shares experiences from his life while listening to what the teens have to say about theirs. The Gift of Truth by Henry Ammar from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read by the hosts and in the final segment, they share their definition of truth. An exhilarating hour of sharing and mindful training with an insightful, humble human.

Traveling is one of the most educational, informational, and entertaining methods to understand the cultures of the world. Kenneth Jeon interviews the effervescent Spanish musician, KUBO, who introduces her newest single ‘Tapitipita’. Kubo has lived in many countries, speaks many languages, and her interview showcases her vivacious personality and love of music. Speaking about her latest single, KUBO says “The ‘tapitipita’ effect is an indescribable feeling you get in moments when you feel love, excitement, desire, and happiness all at once…” Katie Choo offers an Aim to Shoot with careers that provide travel opportunities including teaching, photography, sports, writing, designing, bartending, airlines, and tour guiding. Finally, Kenneth reads the chapter The Gift of Travel by Elizabeth Aguilar from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Listen to Kubo’s music, watch her video, and start traveling!

Would you love your family to feel more relaxed, centered, and grateful? Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos interview Deborah Myers, an energetic Acupressurist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner who has taught thousands of adults and kids self-help acupressure. The Daily Clean Your House Flow is an easy to use flow that is effective for reducing stress, providing pain relief and strengthening the immune system. Deborah created an animated video of the Daily Flow to address a need for youth of all ages to enjoy more stress-free lives. www.deborahmyerswellness.com The Gift of Gratitude from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is read and discussed. Kenneth Jeon brings another installment of a film that exemplifies thankfulness.

“There’s only one story in the world and it’s your story.” Ray Bradbury Former teen host, Asya Gonzalez returns to Express Yourself! to co-host this fun program revolving around storytelling with producer, Cynthia Brian. We find out Asya’s “+ 21 story” since she’s been busy with college. Turns out besides studying communications, she has been focusing on painting cars. Check out instagram for her car story or to commission your own car creation at cakefaceandcars. The ladies read the chapters, The Gift of Storytelling by Cynthia and The Gift of Family by Asya, from their newly published anthology, Be The Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers: Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in A Changing Digital World, which is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store . Asya presents a segment centering on the principles of communication.Telling a story is an effective strategy in communication. Family is not an important thing, it is everything.” Michael J. Fox What’s your story?

Hosts Katie Choo and Kenneth Jeon investigate the arena of sports. Katie adds her own twist on the theme of Sports with an installation of her segment Aim to Shoot,” which will explore the various career options for sports-lovers, ranging from sports agents, to analysts, to many other professions. Kenneth looks at sports photography and the images conveyed in his segment “20/20 Vision.” They read and discuss the sports from a millennial viewpoint water polo player, Katie Lyons chapter, the Gift of Sports, from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Play on!

“I’ve realized that most of my best ideas have followed a good night's sleep.” Thomas Edison Sleep is one of the most important things of which we have control that can enhance our mood, health, productivity, happiness, libido, and keep our weight in check. Lack of sleep can produce heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and heart attack. Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra host a program about the importance of sleep. David Lynch films with their dream sequences is the focus of Kenneth’s 20/20 Vision while Siri concentrates on the stages of sleep and the benefits of getting adequate “zzz’s”. Both read the chapter, The Gift of Sleep by Cynthia Brian from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store) Start getting 7-9 hours of sleep daily and you’ll feel incredibly alive. You’ll be praising the benefits of sleep and looking forward to the restorative qualities.

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too. ~Anne Frank “Smiling is a critical component of happiness. It’s a natural response that reduces stress, makes us more attractive, lowers our blood pressure, and confirms our joy, love, and acceptance of others. Since the beginning of time, artists, musicians, authors, and activists have documented the power of a smile. Kenneth Jeon and Siri Phaneendra host a lively discussion on the benefits and importance of smiling. Kenneth focuses on visual significance of smiles and the science behind how and why people react when witnessing smiles. The feel-good neurotransmitters - dopamine, endorphins, serotonin all simultaneously release when we smile. Siri shares evidence that smiling helps us live longer, happier lives. The both read the chapter by Cynthia Brian on The Gift of Smiles from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. (www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store)

“To make an end is to make a beginning.”~T.S. Eliot As Express Yourself! enters its 8th year in weekly broadcasting, and Be the Star You Are!® celebrates 20th years as a 501 c3 literacy and positive media charity, Founder of Be the Star You Are!® and Creator/Producer of Express Yourself!™, Cynthia Brian, highlights the importance of service, volunteering, and the impact of radio with Jelina Liu and Henna Hundal, both college students and former hosts that began on this broadcast while in high school. Jelina Liu reads her chapter, The Gift of Service, Henna Hundal reads her chapter, The Gift of Radio, and Cynthia reads Katie Choo’s chapter, The Gift of Volunteering from their new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store Intentions, lists, and plans are recommended for designing achievable goals for this new year. What a great way to kick off 2019! Tune in.

Christmas is about community, friends, and family. Jack Pawlakos and Kenneth Jeon ring the Christmas bells and herald in the New Year. In 20/20 Vision, Kenneth talks about how Christmastime provides an interesting setting for films. Besides the classics, he especially likes the special narrative elements of Home Alone, Gremlins, Batman Returns, and as a non-conventional Christmas movie, he recommends The Empire Strikes Back. Guest, Karen Ktichell, reads her chapter, The Gift of Adoption, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, relating the difficulties and joys of adopting a baby girl from Paraguay during the Christmas season. Karen shares tips on scattering kindness. Jack gives us the latest trends for Christmas and New Year’s including rainbow-hued trees. From all of us at BTSYA, we wish you a very happy holiday and bright New Year! CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM BTSYA: https://youtu.be/QnSRW7nDSUI

Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon discuss Self-Love. In 20/20 Vision Kenneth portrays self-love and growth through film and visual storytelling about montages in movies such as Rocky, Moonlight, La La Land, the Wolf of Wall Street, and other movies. English pop star, Jack Walton, guests to discuss his experience playing on the English X-Factor, the meaning of fame, the process of songwriting, and his newest single, Kept Me Safe. “This song is about love. When things are tough, love and support can really make the difference between survival and losing all faith in yourself.”With earnest lyrics and stunning vocal delivery, Jack weaves a story of passion around his heartfelt guitar playing, set on top of contemporary electronic beats and production. The American debut of the single is played between the segments! The gift of Self-Love by Rachel Glass from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed.

Teens have been given a bad rap throughout generations. But what do the teens themselves think of their portrayal in the media and the perception of their activities? Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal host an insightful program with reporter Kenneth Jeon to speak about their personal experiences. In general, entertainment is darker with more mental health issues profiled. According to a 2018 report from Mental Health America, the rate of youth with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93% to 12.63%. More awareness is being raised about the issue, and movies and shows have seemingly begun to reflect that awareness. Statistics are indicating the today’s youth bring more diversity, empathy, and inclusivity to their real lives, however, TV and movies don’t always show the positive sides, but instead, use dated stereotypes. Youth are globally connected today and tomorrow they will be the leaders of the world. Let’s show them respect!

Express Yourself! hosts and reporters, Siri, Joven, and Kenneth go into the lab to talk about science and the importance of continued research. Elizabeth Aquilar’s chapter, The Gift of Science, from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, by Cynthia Brian is read and discussed. If you enjoy the science of science, you’ll be enraptured with this hour. “Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. Science is delving in.” Sally Ride

Responsibility connects your life to a bigger story. To gain responsibility is to gain awareness. Joven Hundal and Kenneth Jeon read chapters from Be the Star You Are!® (www.CynthiaBrian.com/books) and then interview the leading voice on the power of the “go the extra mile” message, Shawn Anderson. In 2009, in order to symbolize the go the extra mile message, Shawn Anderson (a non-bicyclist) pedaled 4,000 miles ocean-to-ocean, interviewed 200 people along the way whom had been identified as having gone the extra mile, and then gave $10,000 of his own money to the people and organizations whose stories most inspired him. The momentum of this unique day has continued to build each year since, and on November 1, 2018, 552 mayors and cities made the Extra Mile Day declaration and recognized the value of the extra-mile volunteers who were making a difference in their community. Be responsible for yourself and others and go the extra mile.

Would you love your family to feel more relaxed, centered, and grateful? Joven Hundal and Jack Pawlakos interview Deborah Myers, an energetic Acupressurist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner who has taught thousands of adults and kids self-help acupressure. The Daily Clean Your House Flow is an easy to use flow that is effective for reducing stress, providing pain relief and strengthening the immune system. Deborah created an animated video of the Daily Flow to address a need for youth of all ages to enjoy more stress-free lives. (www.deborahmyerswellness.com) The Gift of Gratitude from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World is read and discussed. Kenneth Jeon brings another installment of a film that exemplifies thankfulness. Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with joy, health, and gratitude. Thank you from the STAR Team at Express Yourself! and Voice America Kids network.

When Alise Cortez shares her information, the world is motivated! Jack Pawlakos and Siri Phaneendra host a program that begins with the Gift of Radio chapter by former Express Yourself! host, Henna Hundal from the book by show producer, Cynthia Brian, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers.(Buy copies with FREE shipping at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) Alise Cortez (www.alisecortez.com) enlightens audiences with her astute insight into building a life of purpose, at home, at play, and at work. The teens learn how to find their passion and purpose to be their best unique selves with guidance from coach Alise. Jack wraps up the hour with his Trends without Ends segment by talking about trends that can help us be more purposeful and productive such as implementing the “Two Minute Rule”. If you are looking to be inspired to find your passion and discover your purpose, you have come to the right place. Join our hour of power!

In her American debut, English teen pop star, Lydia Singer, chats with Express Yourself! hosts, Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal about her journey into the music world. Inspired by the trials and tribulations of teenage-life, 16-year-old Lydia inspiringly put together this EP, Rebellious Teen, while studying for her exams, and sings about the roller coaster of feelings she has experienced. We listen to her single, Out of Control. Jack, an accomplished harmonica player, reads the chapter he wrote for the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, about his legendary performance at age 12 playing music with some of the world’s leading harmonica musicians at a mega event. Siri Phaneedra weighed in about the benefits of listening to music to distress, focus, and be healthier. Tune to listen to Lydia Singer as a young English chanteuse is born as a USA sensation. Express Yourself! launches a teen STAR in Lydia Singer.

Joven Hundal, Jack Pawlakos, and Kenneth Jeon don their invisible cloaks to dive deeply into the motivations behind scary movies, Halloween history, and Trick or Treat trends. Kenneth Jeon brings us his 20/20 Vision with insight about Night of the Living Dead plus three funny, light-hearted films including Shaun of the Dead, What We Do in the Shadows, and TV show, Gravity Falls. In World Watch, Joven goes back in history to the origins of Halloween in Celtic Ireland where costumes were made out of animal skins and animal heads as masks. In Trends without Ends, Jack brings us the current Halloween costume trend: “Ugly Halloween Sweaters”, a one off of the “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” tradition. Halloween is big business with costumes, decor, anf candy. This year it is predicted 185 million people in the United States will be celebrating Halloween, and the total spending for decorations, costumes, and treats for this frightening fun ends up at a whopping nine billion dollars!!

With anything you attempt, you can become competent in as few as 20 hours, or achieve excellence in 10,000 with practice. Jack Pawlakos and Joven Hundal host an insightful program on the importance of positive practice. The chapter of The Gift of Practice by Brigitte Jia from the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Brigitte recounts the consequences of not preparing for an important audition. Award winning author and nurturing writing coach Dallas Woodburn reads her chapter, The Gift of Gentleness, then offers advice for young aspiring writers as she shares personal experiences with being gentle and positive with creatives. Dallas helps people give birth to the books that are burning inside them through her acclaimed 90-Day Book Breakthrough Program (www.yourbookbreakthrough.com In Trends without Ends, Jack provides the research on the necessity of practice. The biggest hurdle to mastering any skill is yourself!