Episodes

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." – Norman Vincent Peale. In this holiday episode, Host Julia explores what the season really feels like for teenagers: balancing stress, shifting family dynamics, and the pressure to enjoy a “magical” time of year, while learning how to make the holidays meaningful on our own terms. Julia reflects on practical, honest ways teens can enjoy the season without clichés, perfection, or forced cheer. Th...

“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.” Voltaire Does asking whether God exists help teens think about bigger questions like what gives life meaning? What makes something right or wrong? Who or what do I look to when I’m trying to understand my purpose, my identity, my relationships, or the challenges? Host Hanna talks about the fact that even teens who don’t believe in a higher power often care deeply about justice, fairness, compassion, dignity, and the desire to be part ...

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”— Maya Angelou A family-friendly Thanksgiving program with host Kirpa and her cousins Milan and Jatin as they celebrate gratitude, food, music, travel, and joy. Thanksgiving is a time of connection, a time to apologize, and forgive. Kirpa advises that life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful — and that’s the heartbeat of Thanksgiving. Have gratitude for the sunshine and the rain and even the rainbows that follow. Milan t...

“If we are to preserve culture, we must continue to create it.” by Johan Huizinga Culture is not only about connecting the past to the present, but it is also a way we form our identity; it is a part of the puzzle in our lives. Host Julia and reporter Milan discuss the importance of studying culture and keeping one’s heritage and culture alive. Milan talks about how culture forms our identity and shares how teens can illustrate the importance of traditions through events, social media, writing, ...

“ The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X Although college applications can be stressful, there are small steps to take to make the process feel less overwhelming! Host Diya walks you through actions that will help you fill out successful applications to colleges that will be best suited to your life preferences. Stay organized and start early. Put all your extracurriculars, deadlines for essays, and application fees on spreadsheets and checklists. Research colleges t...

On August 5th, 2012, when Express Yourself!™ teen, was a toddler, he, his brother, and his mother stopped for three minutes at a gas station on their way to their Sikh temple. Those three minutes saved their lives as a gunman began a mass shooting. Today, host Kirpa and reporter Milan discuss gun control and what teens think about it. There are an estimated 400 million to 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States, with some estimates putting the number at around 1.5 firearms per p...

“I’ve learned you are never too small to make a difference.” Greta Thunberg With college deadlines looming and pressure mounting, this week’s broadcast turns inward, toward the grit it takes to be a teenager in a world obsessed with perfection. Host Julia opens the show with a commentary on the myth of effortless success, breaking down how real grit isn’t gold stars or motivational quotes, it’s bombing a test and still showing up. She explores the emotional grit behind staying in friendships, c...

“I know nothing of man’s rights, or woman’s rights; human rights are all that I recognize.” Sarah Moore Grimke With global conflict rising, human rights violations demand attention, especially abuses against women and girls. Host Julia begins the broadcast with an investigation of “The Myth of the Perfect Victim”. She asks, “Why do we know Gabby Petito’s name, but not Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, a 17-year-old Indigenous girl who went missing the same year? Who gets a multi-episode special, and...

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin Host Julia and reporter Hanna tackle the topic that we chew on every day: ultra-processed foods. Hanna asks if it is ethical to sell food that is unhealthy just to maximize profits at the expense of our long-term well-being. What is the price of health? Whose responsibility is it? What is the future of food? Julia talks about food dyes and artificial flavors that are engineered to cling to whatever is touch...

"Climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today, more serious even than the threat of terrorism." - Anonymous The answer is YES! Host Keerthi starts off the show with this message: “We are concerned. You know why? Because we live here! You can’t just order a new planet from Amazon Prime.” The concern is real. Studies show that over 70% of teens say climate change makes them anxious. Teens are creative, resourceful, and a little desperate—an excellent combination when it comes...

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”— Mother Teresa In today’s episode, host Julia with new reporter Hanna talk about what concerns teens the most…mental health, the climate crisis, waste, eco-anxiety, and more. Julia dives into “doomism”, doom-scrolling, and advocates for her generation that has lived through “historic” tragedies: terrorism, endless wars, “orange alert” paranoia, the 2008 financial crash, the pandemic, cost-of-living crises, natural disasters, and the clima...

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Norman Vincent Peale Host Saanvi Phaneendra take you on a journey into the world of rockets, space, and the story of her nonprofit, Galactic Getaway. Her Eagle Scout project turned into a mission: bringing museum-quality rocket exhibits into libraries and universities across the San Francisco Bay Area to inspire kids, teens, and adults about the future of space exploration. Over the next half hour, she shares the vision behind...

“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” – Eleanor Brown Host, Julia, is an athlete and a healthy teen. In today’s program, she talks about how teenagers can stay healthy. She highlights student researchers who are part of the Hitting the Wall Curriculum project that she founded in 2023. Hitting the Wall is a movement dedicated to fostering positive change within the teen-girl endurance sports community, empowering healthier and happier athletes. The research program, ...

“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...