#StartWithaSmile

Cynthia Brian

Jan 28
2 min

Starting a Small Business

Keerthi and Ruhani host a program on how to grow a small business. Milan suggests that youth can start a small business by using YouTube, Ebay, and other social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Even a garage sale or a lemonade stand is a business. In a discussion, Ruhani and Keerthi both agree that they enjoy the “coziness” and “personalization” of small businesses because small businesses get to know their customers wishes and desires more than a lar

Cynthia Brian

Jan 21
2 min

Women's Advocacy

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” Estee Lauder Advocacy: any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. It’s encouraging when a man starts the conversation advocating for the rights and freedoms of women. Hosts Rose and Hannah, both female empowerment activists, interview Nihal who firmly believes that women should have equal rights to men in all areas of private and public life, includin

Cynthia Brian

Jan 14
2 min

Classic Literature with Keerthi

Keerthi, our Nerd Extraordinaire, hosts and entertains this entire program focused on classic literature, favorite books, and debate. British Keerthi starts off the show with her regular humor and wacky ideas. She discusses George Orwell’s, Animal Farm, the story of the Russian Revolution, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey., and her favorite book of all-time, Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. In segment two, Keerthi analyzes, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, To Kill A M

Cynthia Brian

Jan 9
2 min

The Importance of family

“Family is not an important thing. It's everything.” – Michael J. Fox. Three family members, Nihal, Kirpa, and Milan come together to discuss the connection that family has with one another. Nihal hosts the program encouraging his sister and his cousin to share tidbits of fun and funny times. Milan lives in Chicago while Kirpa and Nihal are in California. They discuss their holidays, games, and movies they’ve enjoyed and the importance of supporting one another. We are also r

Christmas Greetings from Express Yourself!™ Teens

Cynthia Brian

Dec 28, 2022
2 min

Christmas Greetings from Express Yourself!™ Teens

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart” — Washington Irving Merry, merry Christmas! Hosts Keerthi and Hannah celebrate large with an entire hour of history, festivity, humor, and fun. Santa, Sinterklaus, Father Christmas, Tomte, Saint Nicholas, the big jolly man in the red suit. Hannah discusses the different cultural celebrations and traditions from around the world, while Keerthi reminisces about Sa

Cynthia Brian

Dec 17, 2022
3 min

Climate change

What is climate change and how is it affecting our world? Host Sharanya dives into the topic with reporters Kirpa, Kevin, and Milan. First, Sharanya discusses how teens are making a difference in the global conversation and how she is writing about climate change in her memoir. Kirpa talks about the causes and effects as well as devastation to our oceans. Kevin delves into how A.I. can help solve climate change and mitigate its side effects, especially how A.I. is able to p

Cynthia Brian

Dec 12, 2022
3 min

The Power of Positive Thinking

Social media posts have made it “cool” to be negative and self-deprecating. But there is power in thinking and being positive. Teen hosts, Ruhani and Keethi interview author, publisher, producer, and literary agent, William Gladstone about the The Power of Positive Thinking – Interfaith 21st Century by Hasan Abdullah Ismaik for which Mr gladstone wrote the foreword. The book weaves spiritual wisdom from three different religions, bridging cultural beliefs and offering practic

Intellectual Disabilities and Women’s Health

Cynthia Brian

Dec 3, 2022
3 min

Intellectual Disabilities and Women’s Health

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140527/intellectual-disabilities-and-womens-health-empowerment Host Keerthi launches the program with a description of intellectual disabilities. “According to the American Psychiatric Association, intellectual disabilities affect intellectual and adaptive functioning, which means that individuals with intellectual disabilities generally struggle with critical thinking and learning (the intellectual part) and living daily life as an indepe

Cynthia Brian

Nov 21, 2022
3 min

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

No matter what the situation is...close your eyes and think of all the things in your life you could be grateful for right now." — Deepak Chopra Is there any holiday better than Thanksgiving? Not only is it a time to eat all our favorite foods, but it is also a time to express our gratitude for living. Keerthi hosts this holiday favorite and surprisingly she is not a fan of Thanksgiving food because she is a vegetarian. But she is a believer in appreciation and thankfulness a

Cynthia Brian

Nov 13, 2022
3 min

Farming and Food

"My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer." - Brenda Schoepp As humans we need to eat. What we eat can sustain us and provide ultimate enjoyment. Keerthi and Rose host this delicious program showcasing produce, farming, and food. Two foodie friends, Rose and Alix describe their tasting menu experience at Eleven Madison Park, a three Michelin star restaurant i

Halloween and Spooky, Delicious L.A. Restaurants

Cynthia Brian

Oct 30, 2022
3 min

Halloween and Spooky, Delicious L.A. Restaurants

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140013/halloween-and-great-la-restaurants https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140013/halloween-and-great-la-restaurants Halloween and Great L.A. Restaurants It’s that time of year where children everywhere dress up in costumes and go door-to-door trick or treating in search of candy. Host Sharanya talks about her Halloween plans and shares one of her original poems. She then offers listeners a real treat when she introduces our newest rep

Cynthia Brian

Oct 23, 2022
2 min

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

The midterm elections are approaching and our Express Yourself!™ teens, hosts Ruhani and Keerthi and reporter Kevin have important thoughts to be considered. Keerthi starts the segment in her usual humorous monologue talks about democracy and voting through the debate lens. Ruhani focuses on the 19th amendment and our rights to vote, giving us a history lesson worth listening to. Our A.I. afficionado, Kevin, discusses how A. I. plays a role in the voting process and candidate

College Admissions with Dean of Admissions, Dr. Don Martin

Cynthia Brian

Oct 18, 2022
3 min

College Admissions with Dean of Admissions, Dr. Don Martin

If you are working on college admissions or are interested in knowing what admissions officers at universities are seeking in a prospective student, this episode of Express Yourself!™ is a must listen. Ruhani, a high school senior, and Keerthi, an eighth grader, interview the eternally knowledgeable and down-to-earth Dr. Don Martin, former Dean of Admissions/Financial Aid, and Dean of Students at Columbia University, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Whe

Encouraging the Arts with Illustrator, Jensen Russell

Cynthia Brian

Oct 9, 2022
3 min

Encouraging the Arts with Illustrator, Jensen Russell

Maggie hosts an hour of celebrating the arts with special guest artist and illustrator, Jensen Russell. Jensen illustrated the new children’s picture book authored by Cynthia Brian, No Barnyard Bullies and will be illustrating forthcoming books in the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures. (https://www.StarStyleStore.net) She says she has always been an artist beginning as a little girl doodling and encourages teens to pursue creative endeavors. After high school she too

Cynthia Brian

Oct 2, 2022
1 min

Femicide and Publishing

In today’s episode of Express Yourself!, hosts Hannah and Ruhani delve into serious topics such as feminism and misogyny. Hannah explains the rise of femicide and how sexist media has contributed to these rates. In the next segment, Ruhani goes into detail about the merger of publishing houses and how it can lead to limiting diverse voices in literature. Our hosts ran out of time before they can go more in depth about the rise of dangerous misogynistic podcasters, so stay tun

Corporate Exploitation and Gentrification

Cynthia Brian

Sep 27, 2022
3 min

Corporate Exploitation and Gentrification

Why are the policies and ethics of business so important? What exactly goes into the products we are buying? Hannah Sahota, the 17-year-old founder of the charitable organization Hannah’s Project, passionate tutor and activist, and today’s host of Express Yourself! Teen Radio tackles the topic of corporate policy, promises, and their effects on our society. Unethical business practices have recently skyrocketed in the makeup, wig, and clothing industry, perpetuating child and

Terrorist Attacks, Remembering 9/11, and Finding Peace

Cynthia Brian

Sep 10, 2022
2 min

Terrorist Attacks, Remembering 9/11, and Finding Peace

Sharanya sits in the host chair to discuss the shock and sadness of terrorist attacks, especially that of 9/11/01. She wasn’t even born when it happened, but the aftereffects of that horrific day linger in the hearts and minds of Americans. The aftermath affected not only the survivors and the families of the fallen, but ordinary, law-abiding citizens whose skin color, religion, heritage, and customs were similar to that of the perpetrators. Immigrants became targets of hate

Biotechnology/Genetic Modification and Ethics

Cynthia Brian

Sep 3, 2022
3 min

Biotechnology/Genetic Modification and Ethics

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/139151/biotechnologygenetic-modification-and-ethics Another scientific episode from our very intellectual teens at Express Yourself! In segment one, Keerthi humorously describes biotechnology. She looks at the advantages of biotech. Biotech can help produce healthier foods, since genetics can be altered through biotech, scientists can increase the amount of healthy nutrients in crops. Changing the genetic code of crops could also cause few

Cynthia Brian

Aug 31, 2022
2 min

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology: You may not know what it is, but our Express Yourself! teens, Ruhani, Hannah, and Keerthi are ready to provide the intel. Tune in: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/139018/nanotechnology Nanotechnology Nanotechnology refers to the branch of science and engineering devoted to designing, producing, and using structures, devices, and systems by manipulating atoms and molecules at the size of 100 nanometres (which is 100 millionth of a millimeter) or less. A ve

Cynthia Brian

Aug 21, 2022
2 min

Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/138911/womens-empowerment-and-gender-equality “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou Hannah, Ruhani, Keerthi, and Sharanya stand up for all women. Keerthi offers an insightful, yet humorous take on creating interesting characters for fiction writing, especially for the female gender. Hannah dives into the dangerous effects of the recent overtu

Be The Star You Are!® 501 c3

Empowering Women, Families, and Youth since 1999

Communicate, Collaborate, Innovate