Episodes

“Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders—presidents or prime ministers who subvert the very process that brought them to power. “ - Steven Levitsky Host Keerthi brings substance and humor to a very serious topic: democracy. Democracy is a mess. It’s a beautiful, chaotic, meme-worthy mess. Democracy has made mistakes. Big ones. But she’s evolving. Citizens should be worried about voter suppression, disinformation overload, political polarization, cynicism, and apa...

"To every child – I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace, and be happy" - Malala Yousafzai Host Sharanya Roy doesn’t believe brilliance is limited by borders. She recently returned from Africa where she witnessed children eager to learn and study, with a profound quest for knowledge. Learning is freedom. It’s power. And it deserves to be shared. To bring computer science education to underprivileged societies, Be the Star You Are!® teenager, Sharanya, founded ...

“The body achieves what the mind conceives!” Napoleon Hill Julia and Kirpa host a program about how to stay fit during the summer and beyond. Reporter Milan talks about ways to exercise, participating in sports, enjoying healthy foods, and having fun. Kirpa shares that summer is a great time to switch up your fitness routine and take advantage of the outdoors. To stay motivated, she encourages exercising with a friend, joining a summer fitness challenge, or even mixing in fun outdoor sports can...

Ah, summer. The season of beach days, barbecues, road trips, and popsicles that melt faster than you can eat them. But while you're out there living your best summer life, the sun is doing its thing too, shining bright and sending down those sneaky UV rays. Host Kirpa and reporter Milan discuss ways to have fun in the sun while protecting your skin and body.Your eyes, skin, and immune system can all be affected by sun exposure. Sunscreen, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat are critical w...

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” — Anonymous Travel is more than just moving from one place to another—it's a doorway to discovery, growth, and wonder. Every journey, no matter how short or far-flung, carries the potential to shift perspectives, awaken the soul, and spark adventure in the most unexpected ways. Reporter Kirpa Gill hosts her very first episode of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio with a topic of traveling. She shares how, beyond the thrill and excitement...

“In 1919, when the world was grounded by war and pandemic, a few brave souls looked up—and dared to fly into history." – inspired by The Big Hop by David Rooney In 1919, in Newfoundland, four teams of aviators raced to be the first to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic. Only one team, after a death-defying flight, made it to Ireland. Host Saanvi Phaneendra interviews author, David Rooney, about his book THE BIG HOP, the inspiring story of the pathbreaking journey and the aviators who risked thei...

“ The environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect.” - Mohith Agadi · In most cultures around the globe, the planet Earth is portrayed as a powerful female god, a nurturer, and a creator. These powerful symbolisms and beliefs remind us that the natural world provides humans with the necessities, tools, and well-being for survival. Diya hosts a program about the responsibility of humans to care for Mother Earth as our planet takes care of us. This interde...

Summer “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald Keerthi and Julia offer a fun-filled sunshine show about summer. Keerthi starts off with a hysterical riff on how she is now a senior citizen at the old age of 16 with all the wisdom that entails. With oodles of humor with concrete ideas on how to spend a productive sum...

In segment two, host Saanvi is honored to interview Steven Zhou, PhD, with his book, From First Job to Career, which blends real-life first-job stories with expert insights from vocational psychology. This engaging guide helps readers navigate the complex, non-linear world of modern work, offering inspiration, research, and practical tools to build a meaningful career path. Steven was the first radio host of Express Yourself!™and helped shape the early vision of the program in 2011 and even wrot...

On today’s Express Yourself!™, teen host Julia provides a guide to making a five-year plan that doesn’t require spreadsheets, stress, or having your entire life figured out. Whether you're dreaming big or just trying to survive high school, this two-part speech helps break down the future into something real, doable, and actually kind of exciting. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAc...

Host Julia is on the road to talk about something that’s both super exciting and slightly terrifying: teen driving. She talks about peer pressure and the importance of having rules for safety. Julia also advocates for being fully awake when behind the wheel as teens are perpetually sleep deprived. Follow Julia’s advice, and you can keep your car insurance rates lower while you, your family, and friends enjoy a safe ride. Driving is a privilege, not a right—earn it! Follow us: https://www.starst...

There has always been a large debate on if social media is positive or negative because there are so many opinions about this topic. On one hand, your friends might be telling you to download these apps and post some pictures, and on the other hand your parents might be telling you to measure your time spent on social media. Host and Reporter, Diya, gives the low-down on the positive aspects of being on social media and also the truly negatives things that transpire. How much are you on social ...

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”— Nelson Mandela Youth leader and radio host, Keerthi, discusses her leadership jobs from kindergarten to high school. What she’s learned is that leadership teaches time management. She’s learned to be calm under pressure, how to communicate effectively, how to delegate, and of course, to fake it until you make it. Youth leadership shapes your future. It makes you bold. It makes you curious. It teaches you that even when things go completely off-...

Effervescent teen host, Julia Howe, orchestrates a lively radio broadcast focused on movies and interviews two radio reporters from KIDS FIRST. Julia says that teen movies shape the way teens think about growing up, relationships, and offer a sense of identity. The movies she highlights have been a mirror to high school lives and, at times, an escape from them. From Ferris Bueller, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Clueless to Mean Girls, Lady Bird, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, High...

Hosts Saanvi Phaneendra and Keerthi Eranivan weigh in on how teens can save the planet while being grateful for our glorious planet earth. Saanvi starts off the discussion with her Space Spotlight segment. While today’s conversation is rooted in healing our planet, we can’t ignore the skies above us-because what happens in space impacts Earth more than we realize. She shares that over 100 million pieces of debris orbit our planet-ranging from inactive satellites to tiny fragments from past colli...

“Wherever you go, no matter the weather, bring your own sunshine” – Anthony D’Angelo Woohoo! It’s Spring Break! For young people and families, this is a favorite time of year to travel. Sharanya hosts a program full of fantastic ideas about where to go in the United States and what to do. From hidden gems to nature refuges to fun in the sun, Sharanya shares an experience for every taste. Sharanya wraps up with tips on using this free time to sharpen your writing skills—without making it feel li...

“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry Not all volunteer experiences are created equal. Julia hosts a program about teen volunteerism. Reporter, Armine, joins the conversation in segment two. Julia discusses mandatory volunteerism, whereby many schools require many hours of community service to graduate. Julia says, “On one hand, it pushes students out of their comfort zones, gives them valuable sk...

“Skill is the unified force of experience, intellect and passion in their operation.” - John Ruskin What is a life skill and how do you develop one? Host Diya with reporters Kirpa and Milan tackle these critical questions for teens. A life skill will help you throughout life whether it is something very important, or something simple. It can be learning how to cook, manage money, or how to be a good friend. Critical thinking and emotional intelligence are essential for problem-solving and decisi...

Self-care is the art of nurturing your mind, body, and soul to achieve inner harmony. Host Diya talks about one of the most important actions that play into everyday life: the practice of self-care and building healthy relationships. Some ways to create healthy relationships include having open communication, respect, and most importantly trust. Having meaningful communication opens our minds so that we understand the world from different perspectives. It is also important to set healthy boundar...

"AI is not a threat, but a tool—one that amplifies human ingenuity and expands the boundaries of what’s possible." — Satya Nadella Host Saanvi Phaneendra tackles one of the most debated and mind-blowing topics in the world of technology; Artificial Intelligence. Reporter Milan provides the benefits of A.I. and also the negatives. Deep fakes are a problem and hacking is increased with artificial intelligence. He discusses how students use A. I. and how he uses it. Saanvi then takes us to outer s...

“You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you."— Brian Tracy Host Julia Howe starts by discussing teen health and doctor appointments. She offers these tips: Prioritize mental health by finding a support system and knowing when to ask for help. Build habits that future-you will be grateful for, like staying active, eating well, and actually sleeping at a reasonable hour. Be aware of relationships—whether that means friendships, dating, or...

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” —Mother Teresa Julia Howe hosts a program focusing on love. We are celebrating Valentines day. It’s that time of the year, outside it’s freezing cold, yet we’re talking about red hot LOVE! In segment 1, Julia talks about situationships, what they mean for teenagers, and why they are impossible. In segment two, she dives into the history of Valentines, why it’s commercial, as well as SUPER romantic traditions f...

Teen hosts were under the weather for today’s broadcast, so producer, Cynthia Brian, interviewed reporter Milan about plans for 2025. It’s been 25 years since the millennial celebration, many years before our young volunteers were born. A quarter of a century is a long time! Milan talked about resolutions that most people make and offered a few of his own. Cynthia is working a new book, her 12th, but her main goal is to bring great radio to our Voice America listeners on our new platform, Libsy...

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." – Marcel Proust Imagine this: a powerful ancient civilization, built on advanced technology and opulence, suddenly disappearing beneath the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind only mysterious legends and unanswered questions. Hosts Saanvi Phaneendra and Julia Howard dive deeply into the histories and mysteries that have fascinated experts, scientists, and explorers for centuries. From watery At...