Episodes

Cynthia Brian wrote the book, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. But how far apart is the thinking between these generations. Discover some interesting insights. Buy the book at www.StarStyleStore.net The hot topic of conversation this week, especially for kids, is what is their special costume for Halloween. Gardeners are more concerned with the wicked phantoms that prowl in hallowed ground. It’s Halloween, and we have...

It is cybersecurity month and it’s good to get a refresher on how to keep yourself safe from online, phone, and mail scams. Take the steps necessary today to protect ourself and your pocketbook. Humans have been complaining about the weather since the dawn of mankind. It’s only in the pst century that predicting the wether has become a science. Discover the history of the National Weather Service and find out what the forecast is for tomorrow. Empathy! It is in short supply these days. To show y...

Digging, for most of us, means hands (or shovels) in the dirt, planting something, cultivating, or harvesting. Teresa Watkins, garden designer, radio host, author, and instructor, has spent hours and hours on a different kind of digging and all of her effort has unearthed quite a harvest. Teresa’s latest book, A Gardener’s Compendium Volume 3, Gardening with The Senses: Gardening in a Twitter World in 140 Characters or More will be discussed with Cynthia Brian as well as her other tomes. The ear...

A food allergy triggers an immune system response that can affect several organs. Reactions can be mild to deadly. It’s important to know if you have an allergy or just an intolerance to specific foods, especially when you dine out. After 20 minutes in isolation, are you hungry for a hug? Touch is a powerful feeling and every human needs it to thrive. Find out what you can do to get that loving feeling. How far can the government go in mandating vaccines? Throughout the years, anti-vexers have t...

Are you a multi-talker? Do you feel that you are accomplishing your goals? The brain is wired to do one thing at one time. We are living distracted lives. Do you want to do one thing well or two or more things poorly? We all love saving money, getting deals, and discovering treasures for free. But there are some items that no matter how free or inexpensive we don’t want to bring into our homes. What are they? Find out today! Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian states, “my favorite way of birthing ne...

What is your emergency plan if a disaster occurs? Is your “Go Bag” packed and ready/ Where will you go? Who will you contact? What things do you need to do to prepare in advance in case the worst happens? As you start going back to enjoy a restaurant experience, there are some new rules of participation. You’ll get the low-down on how to act, communicate, be a great guest, and enjoy a great meal. Are you in a toxic relationship? Do you feel physically, emotionally, or sexually abused? Healthy re...

How has the isolation of the pandemic affected human relationships? Do we feel more connected to strangers than our loved ones? Are intimate relationships strained? Did you feel closer to fictional characters more than real ones? Who were your pandemic partners? Planet Earth is on a catastrophic collision course. The effects of climate change are pervasive and with greenhouse gases rising, irreversible damage is imminent. Floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and droughts are causing life-...

Be the Star You Are!® 501 c 3 charity launched on 9/9/1999 with just a few volunteers with a dream to empower women, families, and youth by providing positive media messages, increased literacy, and tools for living. No one realized that 22 years later, BTSYA would be a recognized as a top non profit for arts, culture, and empowerment, especially for teens. Founder and Executive Director will celebrate the anniversary with an overview of the amazing history of this grassroots organization. Donat...

Humans are social beings and we like getting together. With warm weather predicted for the next two months, gathering in our gardens for a picnic, barbecue, or just a chat will be a safer method of communing. Fete the final days of summer with a casual gathering or formal gala. A setting in nature sets the tone for a festive, friendly, and safe celebration for the benefit of everyone. Get vaccinated! Are you addicted to video games? What about social media, your phone, emails, or texts? Are your...

Did you adopt a pet during this pandemic? Have you been spending 24/7 with your new furry family friend because you’ve been working from home? What are you going to do when you have to go back to the office? Many pet owners want to bring their animals to the office. Peter Russell’s Letting Go of Nothing, is a practical and empowering approach to the age-old quest to let go of the thoughts and feelings that block happiness, impede change, and hinder self-acceptance. Cynthia Brian interviews Peter...

The U.S. had more than 36.5 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and 625,000 deaths. Only about 50.3% of the population have been fully vaccinated. Vaccine resisters offer many rationales for why they do not have to be vaccinated. but what is more important than your health and safety? The enemy is the virus. It can’t mutate if it can’t replicate. Get vaccinated Flying used to be pleasurable. It was even called the “friendly skies”. Air rage is on the uptick. What can we do to fly in safety and with...

Cynthia Brian has only three rules in life: Smile, Have Fun, and Be Wild and Wacky. When you read any of her books in her Be the Star You Are!® series, you’ll find yourself living those three rules. When we smile, we light up not only our own world, but the lives of others, When we smile, we can’t be frowning and our days are more fun. When we smile, we can express our joy, take measured risks, thus embracing our wild and wacky natures. Find out more… Being in lockdown throughout the year has gi...

Besides the financial burden of re-landscaping, maintaining a garden during a drought is essential not only for the aesthetics and beauty a garden provides but for keeping your home cooler and contributing to a fire safety zone. If you let your plants and trees die, your parched landscape could become a fire hazard. Water is essential to life. Water matters. Our health, safety, and homes are being affected by the extreme weather conditions making everyday more challenging. 2020 was the Earth’s s...

In the heat of summer, can you keep your garden flowers blooming? By planting specific perennials grown to thrive in heat, you can have a beautiful landscape all summer long. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian shares her personal favorites. How do you stay cool in hot weather? Everyone loves outdoor activities but the summer season brings heat-related illness as well as fatalities. Heat stress is preventable. Have fun in the sun while staying cool and hydrated. Listen at Voice America Network, the ...

With the drought in California, many homeowners are experiencing an invasion of uninvited insects and varmints hungry to eat what’s left of our crops while some are dining on us as main courses. Learn what are the beneficials and the predators. Do you have “junk” in your attic, basement, closets, or garage that could actually be money-making collectibles? Many things that we may think are worthless could bring in thousands. We’ll look at what’s hot for collectors. Since the pandemic hit, people ...

During the unrest of 1789, on July 14 a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there, and, when the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers captured the prison and released the seven prisoners held there. The taking of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution. Vive la France! Honeybees reflect the health of the environment. Our agriculture depends on the pollination of honeybees. If bees continue to die, consumers can expect increas...

It’s overwhelming to ponder the climate disasters that the world is experiencing including hotter temperatures, rising sea levels, wildfires, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, and more. Our individual behaviors can make a difference if we adjust our habits to help. If you are feeling stressed and anxious, try belly breathing. Taking a deep breath relaxes us as it stimulates the vagus nerve which influences numerous vital organs. Breathe in, breathe out. Take it slow! If you sit ten or more hours ...

Pandemic fatigue has most people looking forward to taking a trip. People have been saving money to travel and are ready to go. The scammers are also ready to take your money. Find out how to play by the rules, stay safe, and get the vacation you’ve been waiting for. Dr. Rochelle Calvert offers a unique and effective approach to healing trauma that uses nature- and body-based mindfulness practices to promote peace and wholeness with her new book, Healing with Nature. Proving that it is not merel...

To battle food insecurity, grow your own groceries. Global food waste is equal to 1/3 of all available food. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian explains how you can save money, waste not, and eat healthy by planting the crops you enjoy. If you are trying to discern if your forgetfulness is normal or something more serious, you may need to see your physician for a cognitive screening. If you need something more, you’ll be directed to a specialist. Multiple tests may be necessary for a conclusion. If...

In continuation of Cynthia Brian’s series on preparing for a wildfire, in this episode she’ll discuss preparing your home to reduce a fire and keep you safe from fire resistive construction, vegetation management, to emergency responder access. Did you know that the origin of Father’s Day occurred because of Mother’s Day? Fathers are critical to a child’s well-being. How do you honor your daddy? It’s Father’s Day on June 20 so it’s time to celebrate the wonderful fathers who light up the world. ...

When planning a new garden or adding plants to an existing landscape, it is essential to be reminded that no plant is fire-proof. Everything can and will burn if the temperature is hot enough. Also, even if a plant tag indicates that it is fire-resistant, it must be properly maintained, pruned, irrigated, spaced, and positioned in the correct locations to thrive. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian tells us what to plant for fire retardation. States are opening back up. What is the new normal going ...

Although everyone has pandemic fatigue, being informed about Covid 19, the effects, and the latest news is critical. In this program, we will talk about what you need to know about kids getting the vaccine, how to protect yourself from Covid cybercrime, the after effects of having the disease on our brains and organs, and, for those who want to continue working from home, how to approach your employer with the question. The economy is opening up yet we still have to be cautious so as not to star...

We can do our part to protect our property as best as possible through firescaping, a landscape design that reduces house and property vulnerability to wildfire. While enhancing the beauty of the property and creating a defensible space, we surround the house with plants that are less likely to ignite. Fires respect no boundaries and fires don’t honor property lines. With enough heat, almost everything burns. If you are looking to travel within the United States this year, look no further than o...

Natural disasters know no boundaries. One never knows if a fire, earthquake, flood, mudslide, or other calamity is on the horizon. It’s imperative to be prepared for all emergencies. Cynthia Brian will tell you what to put in an emergency Go Bag for your home and vehicle. If you are a new parent, you may be reflecting on the lessons you learned as a kid. What are instructions that are musts for every child to grow into a responsible, self-sufficient adult? We’ll share our thoughts! Foxtail seaso...