Episodes

“But it is youth that must fight and die. And it is youth who must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war.” - Herbert Hoover On February 24th, 2022, the world changed drastically for the approximately 44 million people who were living in Ukraine. Vladamir Putin invaded their country, and the war grinds on. War is disastrous for every individual but how has it affected teens? Our talented reporters, Julia and Rory, weigh in on what life is like for yout...

“There is no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.” - George H.W. Bush Keerthi brings humor to her Nerd Extraordinaire segment by discussing a topic dear to her heart: public speaking and its magical ability to turn even the most boring charity event into a blockbuster extravaganza. She elaborates on the power of persuasion. According to Keerthi, public speaking isn't just about talking; it's about hypnotizing your audience into believing that your cause is the...

“Not all screen time is bad, but it matters how much time we’re spending and what we’re gaining from the time.” - Ariene Pellicane Charvi and Keerthi host a fascinating program on how to manage screen time. Charvi states that in an era where our lives unfold increasingly on screens, the concept of screentime has become a ubiquitous and often debated facet of modern existence. As we navigate this digital age, understanding screentime is not just a matter of tracking minutes spent on devices; it's...

Children’s mental health is an evolving crisis that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts Julia and Keerthi dive into the mental crisis while interviewing teens. Kirpa talks about the factors that contribute to decreased mental stability including neglect, abuse, bullying, or trauma. In Connecticut, House Bill No. 5001 of 2022 is a crucial step in abating the issue. Teen guest, Nilan Kathir, has researched the bill, its provisions, public testimonies, amendments, and has spoken with ...

The history of the universe is, in effect, a huge and ongoing quantum computation. The universe is a quantum computer.” - Seth Lloyd Quantum computing is a budding field that has been receiving a lot of attention recently due its immense potential for solving complex, previously unsolvable problems at high speeds. At the quantum level, objects act differently: quantum objects can teleport, entangle, or occupy different spaces at the same time. Host Keerthi starts the program discussing qubits. T...

Host Keerthi invites interstellar explorers and cosmic philosophers, to embark on a journey to the stars, a voyage that's equal parts scientific discovery and philosophical wonderment in today’s program. Keerthi discusses the mind-boggling realm of exoplanets and how they inspire the deepest of philosophical questions. She then interviews teen Nairi Davidian, who has been researching exoplanets and joins the show to explain her exciting findings. Exoplanets have been found in a variety of creati...

We’re living at a time when attention is the new currency.” - Pete Cashmore, Founder of mashable.com Host Julia presents her Passion in Action to showcase how telling unique stories are the way to brand through social media. Having people associate you with a certain aesthetic, even certain words is worth any research or production effort. You can cut through the fluff on the internet, and connect with your customers, not just about what you’re selling, but the emotion and feeling going with it....

Until we get equality in education, we won’t have equality in society.” - Sonia Sotomayor Host Keerthi tackles educational inequalities and the rollercoaster of school funding in today’s program. She compares finding a balanced approach to cutting three cakes to ensure educational resources are allocated fairly, taking into consideration the unique circumstances and needs of each school district In the mission to tackle educational inequities. Doing this is not a one-size fits all. Keerthi inter...

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” - Doris Day Hosts Keerthi and Julia bark and howl about their love for our canine companions! Dogs, those lovable furballs of joy and chaos, teach us about life, love, and laughter. They interview Hersch Wilson with his newest book, Dog Lessons, Learning the Important Stuff from our Best Friends. Hersch shares his research and personal co...

Pop Culture Pop culture is a reflection of social change, not a cause of social change. - John Podhoretz Host Keerthi spearheads this hour about pop culture. What is it and how does it affect teens? Milan starts out with the history of pop culture and how it influences politics, technology, entertainment, fashion, games, and more. Kirpa discusses how pop culture spreads through commercial media, such as radio, television, movies, the music industry, publishers and corporate run websites and soci...

“The cancel culture is born of the inability of an opinion to withstand the scrutiny of thoughtful debate. - Craig D. Lounsbrough Does anyone understand what cancel culture means? Hosts Julia and Keerthi dive in to help us understand. Julia starts it off by talking about how technology is both perpetuating cancel culture and the solution to the issue. Social media is the ultimate gossip party where everyone's invited. That's where cancel culture got its full powers. Cancel culture thrives when w...

Express Yourself!™ will catapult you to the stars as host Julia provides us with fabulous life lessons, both from her life and those from renowned individuals. Julia kicks off the show with 9 hilarious tips for surviving the school day. She gives her favorite back-to-school tips, from bathrooms to biology class. In segment two, Julia dives into the world of scientific research, explaining the concepts of grit and growth mindset. She reminds us that life lessons like perseverance and determinatio...

If you want to know what teens want, tune in to Express Yourself!™ with hosts Julia and Keerthi as they navigate adolescent behavior, high school, and media portrayals. Julia kicks off the show with her Passion in Action segment giving tips on how teens make social initiatives happen. From brainstorming to building a team, Julia offers concrete suggestions on generating ideas. In segment two, Keerthi states that teens want a bit of everything- the freedom to spread their wings, the canvas to pai...

As host Ruhani starts her first year at Cal Berkeley, she asks:“ Why is it important to have a refreshed, positive mindset?” A positive outlook can contribute to better mental and emotional health. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common challenges faced by many teenagers. Ruhani penned an original pen to express herself. When Vasavi Kumar talks about “saying it out loud,” she means it literally. After years of trying journaling, because she’d heard it was a great way t...

The future of cities lies in their ability to harness the power of technology to solve complex urban issues and create sustainable, livable communities.” - Michael Bloomberg Join Keerthi as she takes us on an adventure through cities and technology! She introduces the show with a fascinating segment of Nerd Extraordinaire! She talks about how debate can build a community and bring people together. You trace the steps you would take if you were to make your opponent’s conclusions, and find the ho...

Join our nerd extraordinaire, Keerthi, as she hosts this fascinating show about social media and teens! In this digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with people, ideas, and cultures across the globe. It is crucial now, more than ever, to approach social media with mindfulness, consciously shaping our online experience to promote personal growth, empathy, and genuine connections. Social media seems to do as much good as it does harm. So, how can we pre...

Hosts Keerthi and Julia spotlight disabilities and assistive devices in this very informational hour of Express Yourself!.. In Julia’s segment, Passion In Action, she shares innovative assistive devices to help you learn and also discusses how you can create your own, through the power of passion, innovation and entrepreneurship. In segment two, Julia and Keerthi interview Robert Chong from Shanghai about his research into low vision and 11 current state-of-the-art assistive devices for individu...

What is a heritage language and how can we save them from extinction? Host Keerthi tells us that the first language in the world is considered to be Sumerian and the most spoken languages in the world are: English(over 1.4 billion speakers), Mandarin (1.1 billion + speakers), Hindi (602+ million speakers), Spanish (548+ million speakers), and French (280 million speakers). Keerthi then interviews teen Cooper Lender with his Heritage Language Story Project supporting heritage language speakers in...

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America - Bill Clinton On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress, comprised of representatives from the thirteen American colonies, adopted the Declaration of Independence. This historic document, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, outlined the colonies' grievances against the British Crown and proclaimed their intention to establish a sovereign nation based on principles of liberty, equality, and self-governanc...

The violence involving deadly weapons such as firearms has become a more significant issue by the day in our world, and we continuously live in a world of fear that it can happen to us at any time. Hosts Sharanya and Hannah along with reporter, Nihal, discuss the severe problem of gun violence in America. In 2020, firearm-related deaths reached 45,222, an average of 124 per day. The number of mass shootings has risen exponentially since 2013, more than 303 since the beginning of 2023. Unregulate...

Radio host Sharanya, honors her dad and all great fathers in this Father’s Day special. She reads an original poem, offers book suggestions, and tells inspirational stories of dads and their kids. Reporters Kirpa and Milan join the conversation to talk about the history of Father’s Day, movies reflecting daddy themes, memories of special times with their dads, and how they celebrate their dads and grandfathers on this special weekend. Here's to all the wonderful dads who love and care for the ch...

Addiction begins with the hope that something ‘out there’ can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” -Jean Kilbourne Keerthi and Sharanya discuss the drug epidemic in America and how it affects teens. Keerthi provides an historical perspective to the plethora of drugs over the years including opioids, fentanyl, and heroin. Sharanya offers ways to help solve the drug epidemic by creating more positive campaigns. Successful campaigns touch the hearts of teens and trigger that sense of righteousn...

When you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long.” -Hayley Williams Ruhani hosts a very important hour that focuses on teen suicide and suicide prevention. She interviews Elliot H Kallen, President of A Brighter Day, a 501 c3 that offers resources for teens to stop suicide. Ruhani emphasizes that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. She also shares poems and warning signs of possible suicide. If you're feeling lonely and experiencing suicidal tho...

Bullies are not born, they are made. Producer of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Cynthia Brian, hosts this program about bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying. The definition includes three core elements: • unwanted aggressive behavior • observed or perceived power imbalance • repetition o...