Episodes

What is your passion, and how can you access it? Your passion is unique to you. Andrea Smith and Diya Hituvalli host a program focused on finding our passion and storytelling. They launch the show with a reading of the Gift of Passion from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® 99 gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. They then interview Business Growth Strategist, Parul Agrawal, who discusses her teen years growing up in India, her arranged marriage, and ho...

Crystals harness the energy of the Sun, the Moon, and the Oceans. Humans connect to this energy. As long as we have existed as a species, we have had an affinity with stones and crystals. The use of talismans and amulets date back to the beginnings of humankind, although we have no way of knowing how the earliest of these objects were viewed or used. Host Andrea Smith interviews Hollywood producer, director, and author of Crystal Power, 12 Essential Crystals for Health and Healing, Kac Young, wh...

Have you ever been so stressed that you have difficulty focusing on one task, and your heart and mind races? Have you caught yourself pacing back and forth? With school being virtual for many, unemployment being high, and our plans being altered monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily, anxiety and stress are affecting many people all over the world. It is at this time we look within ourselves and all around us and find our “calm place” or our “happy place”, somewhere that we can either physica...

Today’s topic is perhaps one of the most important topics and often the least talked about. Mental health plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Host Maggie Campione converses with reporters Nihal Gill and Arjin Claire about their research with mental health. Spark the Interest reporter, Nihal, shares the statistic that one out six adolescents are affected by mental health conditions. If you have anxiety, depression, or phobias, although you may feel alone, you are not. The most important...

Express Yourself!™ and host Andrea Smith welcome a new reporter, Diya Hituvalli with her segment, Silver Lining. Diya shares fun historical and trivia facts about Valentine’s Day, a celebration that began with the Romans who, on February 14th, executed clergyman Valentine who was performing banned marriages for soldiers. Diya offers facts and fiction with humor and wit. Both teens offer tips about how to celebrate during the pandemic, whether with a partner, friend, or family. “Galantine” gather...

In this hour, teen host Andrea Smith brings to light a positive outlook on everything that is going on around COVID-19. Starting off with an update about COVID-19 and vaccines, Andrea explains what is important to know about the situation at hand right now. She then follows with a segment on mindfulness and self-love, two things that we all need right now. Finally, she wraps up the show with some of her favorites including ways to hang out safely with friends right now including social distanced...

Do you know how to identify a life-threatening allergy to food or other substances? Hosts Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith take a deep dive into the real dangers of allergies. Arjin has had extreme food allergies to tree nuts, dairy, eggs, and peanuts since he was a child. He recalls an almost fatal encounter with a KIND bar as a teen and offers tips on how to recognize and avoid accidents that could be fatal by being honest and diligent. The duo take a break by offering a selection of Covid humor ...

“Alone we can do so little, together, we can do so much” • Helen Keller Host Maggie Campione talks about diplomacy and believes that there has never been a better, or worse, time to love politics. In the midst of political divide in our country, a global pandemic, a new administration, and the capitol riots that happened two short weeks ago, there are so many problems in our country that tensions are high and people are equipped with sources to have debates with family, friends, or acquaintances...

At the beginning of each new year, many people make a commitment to health and wellness. Siri Phaneendra offers her personal tips to optimum health, including meditation. She interviews relational aggression expert, Cheryl Dellasega, author of Toxic Nursing, who has written many books about the issues facing women. Cheryl describes bullying behaviors, offers tools to diffuse conflict, and advises on how to make the workplace more tolerant, positive, and compliant. Toxic Nursing is a must-read fo...

Bye, bye 2020 and thank you for being part of our Express Yourself! galaxy. Host Siri Phaneendra celebrates the beginning of 2021with reporter Nihal Gill who talks about his goals for 2021 plus an energetic and fun interview with pop star, dancer, and actress, Shevyn Roberts who presents a positive performance package. You’ll hear her remix, Runnin Outta Time and be awed by her energy, exuberance, and experiences. Shevyn offers advice on getting into the entertainment industry and the challenges...

It’s a wonderful time of the year! Despite the challenges of 2020, we have so much to be grateful for. Hosts Andrea Smith and Arjin Claire talk with reporter, Nihal Gill as he shares how, after their beloved dog was killed, they adopted a rescue puppy which brought them great joy. Dog trainer and author of 101 Rescue Puppies-One Family’s Story of Fostering Dogs, Love, and Trust, Kathy Callahan, describes the sheer bliss of being a foster family for dogs and puppies. Kathy offers great advice on ...

Express Yourself!® teen radio host, Andrea Smith relives happy memories of Christmas’s past with traditions from her Argentinian and Scottish families. Christmas is her favorite time of the year and she shares her excitement with the world. The Gift of Magic from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are! 999 Gifts of Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference, is read bringing the wonder and awe of this blessed season to life. Andrea is joined by reporter Jonathan Jackson in a ...

Self-acceptance is recognizing who we are. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra talk with reporter Jack Pawlakos about refocusing thoughts and energy on our uniqueness, special skills, talents, and abilities to develop personal self-acceptance. The hosts interview publicist and author, Laura Segal Stegman with her middle grade debut novel, Summer of L.U.C.K. about three kids finding their way to self-acceptance with the help of a ghost who haunts a magical carnival. Laura shares the perseveran...

Writing and journaling increases motivation and reduces stress. Host Andrea Smith and reporter Jack Pawlakos discuss the benefits of getting thoughts on the page. Andrea then interviews brother/sister founders of Humanities+, Ryan and Sidney Suh who have created an online journal that releases seasonal issues on a quarterly basis. The + symbol represents the foundational goal, which is to foster constructive discussions that transcend the traditional divides between the Humanities and STEM field...

If you enjoy fashion, modeling, acting, and comedy, this is the episode you won’t want to miss. Maggie Campione provides historical info on how fashion started as protection and can inspire systemic change and connection. Hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith discuss what fashion means to them and they interview Russian-American supermodel, actress, and comedian, Eugenia Kuzmina about her exciting life and career. Eugenia is energetic and engaging as she reminisces about world modeling tours, P...

Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra offer an informative episode about education and careers. In Trends without Ends, reporter Jack Pawlakos provides essential tips for students who are doing online-learning. For remote learning, make sure to take control of what you are able. Be patient with teachers. The hosts interview Mark A. Herschberg, author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. Networking, negotiating, communicating, leading, career planning—all skills ...

“Be yourself, your only self, your greatest self! You already are a star!” Cynthia Brian Research shows that people do not become high performers by imitating others but by being themselves. Host Andrea Smith interviews author Fred Misurella for his fourth book, A Pontiac in the Woods, about a teen girl who lives alone and discovers her plans for her future. In Trends without Ends, Jack Pawlakos focuses on individuality and what trends are in relationship to expressing who we are individuals and...

Halloween is going to be very different during Covid-19. Host Arjin Claire talks with teen reporters Maggie Campione and Nihal Gill to find out what plans they have to celebrate in a safe, yet fun environment. They discuss costumes, candy, alternative ways to trick or treat, and offer historical background to the Halloween holidays. Author of Tituba, The Intentional Witch of Salem, Dave Tamanini, provides the backstory of the tragic 1692 Salem Witch Trials while adding a bit of magic and intrigu...

Halloween is going to be very different during Covid-19. Host Arjin Claire talks with teen reporters Maggie Campione and Nihal Gill to find out what plans they have to celebrate in a safe, yet fun environment. They discuss costumes, candy, alternative ways to trick or treat, and offer historical background to the Halloween holidays. Author of Tituba, The Intentional Witch of Salem, Dave Tamanini, provides the backstory of the tragic 1692 Salem Witch Trials while adding a bit of magic and intrigu...

Perseverance is tenacity, persistence, better-than-average drive, holding firmly to beliefs, and never giving up. Host Andrea Smith reads Cynthia Brian’s chapter, The Gift of Perseverance from her book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference. Newest reporter Nihal Gill, encourages teens to turn off the screen, get up, and get moving. Even though it may be tempting to be a couch potato, it is very important to set up some sort of exercise reg...

The political atmosphere couldn’t be more polarized or polluted. The first Presidential debate was painful to watch. Hosts Andrea Smith and Siri Phaneendra delve into the world of public speaking as they interview author of Mastering the Art of Public Speaking, Michael J. Gelb. Mastering the Art of Public Speaking is a simple, powerful, practical approach to improving one’s public speaking in sales, leadership, and life. Michael said that the principles that help people be influenced by your wor...

Who doesn’t LOVE theatre? Hosts Arjin Claire and Andrea Smith dive into the world of theatre, webseries, and multimedia with an energetic interview with Terrence Patterson who has created an entertaining web series, Half Past Jump Time. Recounting the real Roaring 20’s, Harlem Renaissance—Terrence recalls vivid memories of stories that painted an unforgettable picture by his beloved grandmother. He shares details of behind-the-scenes workings of producing and pitching with passion. Maggie Campio...

Everyone loves to eat and how fun is it to have a show with a chef to the stars! Andrea Smith hosts and kicks off the program interviewing Trends without Ends reporter, Jack Pawlakos, about the food trends and influences for the year. Expect to devour crickets and also no waste wrappers. New Orleans celebrity chef Ryan Rondeno cooks up a feast of flavors while sharing his journey from culinary school to becoming a private chef for the rich and famous. His spices and menus are available for home ...

If you’ve been feeling down and out, this episode of Express Yourself! will get you up and going! What is resilience? Teen hosts Siri Phaneendra and Andrea Smith interview Jack Pawlakos, Dr. Cecilia Aragon, and Henna Hundal to discover how we can face our fears, accept change, and fly free. In Trends without Ends, Jack talks about psychological resilience and how resilient people strive to find an opportunity to be positive, be connected, and concerned about others with a level of selflessness. ...