Episodes

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”— Milton Berle A very special program with the debut novel, Swearing Off Stars from Danielle Wong who was a valued volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® charity as a teenager. This show focuses on career building and we honor Danielle for building her career to live her dreams of becoming a published author. Danielle shares her journey¬¬–¬¬the obstacles, and inspirations. Spread across time and place, the story of love found and lost is one of desire, ...

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald • Literature is the mapping of our souls. It offers hope. Reporter Chelsea Pelchat starts off the show with a historical look at literature and its ramifications through the ages. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian discuss a warmhearted comedy of errors set in the world’s harshest place with author Ashley She...

What is sexuality? Most people will assume we are talking about engaging in a sexual act, however, sexuality is not just about sex. From birth until death, every person is a sexual being. Sexuality defines our gender and can be a complex aspect of our personality. It is how we feel about ourselves, what you do, but who you are. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Katie Choo interview Dr. Karen Rayne about her book, GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You , a growing-up guide for the 21st century by Karen Ray...

““True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” How do you stay humble when you are great? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal tackle the virtue of humility by offering examples from their own lives as well as discussing famous people and how they are humble or boastful. When you allow the facts of a situation or experience do the talking, you don’t need to purposely be a show off to stand out. Employ trickle down humility. Find out what billionaires like Warr...

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ---Leonardo Da Vinci With so much “fake news” and social media posts, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s really happening in the world. In this episode focusing on simplicity and journalism, hosts Joven Hundal and Brigitte Jia dissect journalism while focusing on the simple things. Brigitte brings another fascinating Art Attack segment discussing art, artists, and their simplicity. Gust author of Right Where You Left me, Calla Devlin, adds homage to t...

Labor Day will have come and gone when you listen to our broadcast, but we feel that we all labor every day. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal with reporter Jack Pawlakos talk about the origins of a Labor Day holiday, what the trends are for celebrating, and what are the top destinations for this three day holiday. Donations are requested for the BTSYA Operation Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief. Visit www.BetheStarYouAre.org The conversation gets serious as our hosts discuss the history of wor...

If health is wealth, why aren’t we taking care of ourselves? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour discussing the elements of wellness, not only for our bodies, but for our minds, self-esteem, and spirits. Millennials have been given trophies and awards for participating in everything. Joven questions the benefits of such a practice as it does not encourage intrinsic motivation. Brigitte tackles defining physical and mental health. How do we maintain an active lifestyle, stay fit, ge...

Welcome to back to school! Can you believe summer is over? Are you ready for a new school year? Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal spend an hour with enlightening information to get you ready for this educational season. Sports reporter Katie Lyons asks a pertinent question: “What things am I going to do differently this year? Fortunately she also offers numerous suggestions to make the following year a great one. First time author, Fayth Thomas shares real life lessons on positive living inclu...

“Freedom lies in being bold.” ― Robert Frost Are you brave? Are you bold? Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia introduce medical practitioner turned retail entrepreneur, Lacy Blanc De Quattro who together with her sister took the bold leap to launch the unique mobile clothing store, Cowboy Nonie’s Boutique in honor of their mother. The store offers trendy, Wild West-inspired clothing for women and kids, sporting cute, high-quality jeans and shirts with cowboy slogans for every occasion produced...

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hasanian join with reporters Jack Pawlakos, Chelsea Pelchat, and newcomer Jelina Liu to celebrate and honor the importance of family. Jack offers stats on how technology has affected family time negatively.Studies indicate that over 75% of families agree they would rather spend time watching television and 80% would rather play with electronics than engage in a real family activity such as a board game. Chelsea takes us on a history lesson to the 16th century to enli...

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ― T. S. Eliot Much of the world was mapped between the 1440-1600’s because of the three “G’s”- God, gold, and glory. Past/Present reporter, Chelsea Pelchat, shares a history lesson on how nations across the world became an interconnected web of commerce and communication. New Reporter of Trends without Ends, Jack Pawlakos, reports on how recent innovations in technology with virtual reality allow us to explore the...

The Gift of Dreams “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt Dr. Christopher Sowton, a naturopath and author of Dreamworking, joins hosts Katie Choo and Joven Hundal as they discuss the relevance and meaning of dreams. Do dreams provide guidance? Why are dreams chaotic and bizarre? Do we receive messages from our dreams?Christopher leads the team through a dreamworking session to find the meaning of a dream. Chelsea Pelchat offers views from his...

Teachers are some of the greatest people with whom we will ever cross paths. Hosts Zahra Hasanian and Brigitte Jia interview triple threat actor, producer, and coach, Natalie Mitchell about her evolution from working as a child actor in the movie Jack with Robin Williams to becoming an acting coach, producer, director, and founder of her own production company, Emergence Films. Her insights on teaching and the entertainment industry are grounded in values and empowerment. Report of Music Magic, ...

“Innovation is change that unlocks new value.” --Jamie Notter Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal brainstorm what innovation means to them and how innovations have changed our world. For example, can young people imagine a world without a smartphone? What about running water, electricity, or GMO’s? Chelsea Pelchat brings her interesting Past/Present segment starting with the advent of steam engines and railroads, which kick started the industrial revolution in the 18th century and brings innovat...

Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal discuss Independence Days around the world, including what they enjoy on the 4th of July-BBQ’s, fireworks, parades, family, and freedom. They interview Dr. Eric Maisel, author of Overcoming Your Difficult Family, 8 Skills for Thriving in Any Family Situation. Dr. Maisel shows how to stay sane when family isn’t, providing practical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Overcoming Your Difficult Family is a “field guide” to common types of dysfunctiona...

America is in love with their animals who are most like family. Hosts Brigitte Jia and Joven Hundal bring the life of our pawed, feathered, and finned friends to radio. Brigitte currently volunteers in an animal shelter and busts myths about a variety of household pets. All around us, animals are acting as our therapists, trainers, mentors, and gurus- but only if we pay attention. Through their “misbehaviors”, challenges, and unwavering love, animals are conscientiously guiding us to the next st...

Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia host an informative program about sexual assault awareness and prevention among teenagers. From discussing the novel, Accused: A Retaliation Novel #2 by Yasmin Shiraz that focuses on the rampancy and consequences of sexual assault among teenagers on college campuses in Segment 1 to talking in depth about Brigitte Jia's article, Roots of the Juvenile Court System in Segment 2, Maria and Brigitte elicit and raise awareness of what sexual assault is, why it occurs, and c...

Katie Choo and Brigitte Jia discuss how the meaning of “the end of school “changes as one grows older as well as summer plans, volunteering, road trips, and what the next year will be. Inspirational guest author, Emily Esfagabu Smith encourages cultivating purpose throughout one’s life by staying grounded and focused on strengths and talents. In a culture obsessed with happiness, her book, The Power of Meaning, points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life striking a profound chord in any...

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” T.S. Elliot One thing is certain in life- no matter who you are, where you are from, or how much money you make, you will face challenges. How you overcome them is another matter. Hosts Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia interview best selling author, Ellen Hopkins about her newest book, The You I’ve Never Known. Ellen shares a personal snippet of how the book was based on an event in her life. Writing two books a year, Ellen is a mas...

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” ---John F. Kennedy. • To focus on the meaning of Memorial Day, host Brigitte Jia analyzes the meaning of The War Prayer by Mark Twain and discusses the over glorification of war in history. • She interviews award-winning author of Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin, a compelling coming-of-age novel with a trio of sisters at its center. Calla shares her journey of writing and how her childhood on road trips from...

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” Shauna Niequist Rachel Glass returns to host with Brigitte Jia on the topic of growth. Personal growth and maturing go hand in hand at different life stages. Choices, decisions, situations, experiences, etc. provide important life lessons that we will remember. Author of Teach Me to Forget, Erica Chapman, writes dark, emotional novels with a burst of humor, and lighter contemporaries with smart-as...

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. “Martin Luther King Jr Hosts Maria Wong and Brigitte Jia interview award winning author, Kathleen Rooney about her book Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk based on the true-life story of one of the most talented and successful ad women for R.H. Macy’s in the 1930s, Margaret Fishback. It took an immense amount of faith in herself and in humanity to be the plucky, outspoken and curious woman she was as she walked her way throug...

“Of all of the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all” Anonymous • Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong host a program dedicated to the amazing women who give birth or raise children around the world, sacrificing of themselves to offer their children a better life. Special guest is author of We Were the Lucky Ones, Georgia Hunter, tracked her grandfather, his parents, and his siblings - a family of Polish Jews - as they scatter at the start of the Second World War, det...

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Thomas Aquinas Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Maria Wong read the chapters on friendship from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference recounting her life-long friendship with an Irish penpal. (Buy books at www.StarStyleRadio.com/store) A discussion on the importance of friendship and how to be a friend ensues. In segmen...