Express Yourself!

Psychic and author, Sherrie Dillard, joins host Asya Gonzalez to talk about getting support through any confrontation, situation, life journeys. In her book Discover Your Authentic Self, Sherrie shows you how to live more fully and according to your passions. Health Rap reporter, Alex Pawlakos offers powerful statistics on the importance of a support person for any person with an illness. People who did not have strong social support were 50 percent more likely to die from illness than those who had such support. The newest member of the Express Yourself! Radio Team, Joven Hundal brings his World Watch segment with the topic of the game that is taken the world by storm, Pokémon GO, next chapter of Nintendo’s wildly successful Pokémon franchise. The app has been widely acclaimed for encouraging fitness and offering support by requiring players to get up and walk around. Good luck in catching them all. Be supportive!

Have you always been interested in the entertainment industry? Did you know that acting happy will change your emotions to being more cheerful? Asya Gonzalez and Briggite Jia interview actor, producer, writer, and coach, Cynthia Brian, who offers strategies on avoiding scams and achieving success. Her book is The Business of Show Business, A Comprehensive Career Guide for Actors and Models. Eric Pawlakos provides an upbeat look at the relationship between acting and health in Health Rap. Science has proven that if we act happy, we will become happy because our body chemicals change. Career Reporter, Katie Choo gives a first rate synopsis of what it takes to be an actor. All acting is reacting, so get real and start acting as the star you are.

It’s summer, the busiest time of the year for traveling by air, sea, car, train, bike, and other modes of transportation. Health App Reporter Alex Pawlakos joins hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia for two segments to discuss the health hazards of travel with suggestions ion critical items to pack like your medical history and RX. Alex cautions us to use hand sanitizer as germs linger everywhere on airplanes and in hotel rooms, especially on tray tables, blankets, light switches and remote controls. In Art Attack, Brigitte explains how artists draw inspiration from travel sparking creativity while bringing back the sights, battles, and experiences from exotic lands. Asya testifies to road trips as being her favorite way to trade, offering tips on packing, phone charging, potty breaks, playlists, and more. Take advantage of the great exchange rates abroad, visit places you've only dreamed of, stay safe, healthy, and don’t forget the duct tape. Make memories. Happy Trails!

HealthRap’s Alex Pawlakos launches the program with a discussion of interesting and rewarding careers in sports medicine, nutrition, physical therapy, and more. Art Attack Reporter, Brigitte Jia delights in sharing the connection between sports and art. The beauty of the human body which has been the subject of artworks from the beginning of time, is exemplified in sports. Host Asya Gonzalez reads the chapter from Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, The Gift of Sports, and with co-host Brigitte, talk about sports they love. Leadership and good sportsmanship are the themes for Lion Roars Katie Lyons. Sports help us learn valuable life lessons no matter what sport you choose. Participating in a sport increases self-confidence and selfworth, builds positive body images while decreasing racism and school drop out rates. Play ball!

Our Express Yourself!™ team are proud to be Americans as hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian celebrate freedom of speech and living in the USA. They interview best selling author, Mary Roach with her newest book, Grunt, discussing the military life not portrayed in movies. On a daily basis, soldiers fight more esoteric battles against less considered adversaries—exhaustion, shock, panic, disease, extreme heat, cataclysmic noise, gastrointestinal distress, and assorted waterfowl. In Health Rap, Reporter Alex Pawlakos celebrates America by taking a look at medical research accomplishments.When it comes to medical innovation, the United States is the world leader. “ Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” -inscription on the Statue of Liberty Happy 240th birthday America.

“Whatever you choose to do, we will support you!” How fortunate could a teen be than to hear these words every day? Asya Gonzalez interviews rising Canadian teen singer, Brettyn Rose about how the support she has received since she was five years old and discovered her love of music and singing. Brettyn has offered fans a taste of her voice by sharing a selection of cover-songs on her YouTube channel and you’ll hear her original single, Everything’s Fine, on this show. Lion’s Roar reporter, Katie Lyons talks about the necessity of support in sports. An athlete depends on support from coaches, parents, fans, friends, and team mates and without support, athletes can not thrive. Asya also shares the support she’s received from family as well as strangers when she launched her company, StinkyFeet Gurlz.com. Offer your support to others and you’ll be supported.

What is success and how do you define success for yourself? Are you happy with your life, your relationships, and your accomplishments? Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Brigitte Jia interview Margaret Ann Lembo-Author of The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing, Color Your Life with Crystals, and nine spoken audio CDs to discover her secret to success. We learn the significance of totems, crystals, and aromatherapy in helping us be happier and healthier. In Art Attack, Brigitte’s core message is that money doesn’t matter when we are talking art because if your goal is to really enjoy the art you create, then you can be successful no matter how much money you make. The hosts also read the chapter, The Gift of Success penned by Dr. Bernie Siegel, best selling author and founder of ECAP (Exceptional Cancer Patients) from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. If you want to be successful, find your purpose and be happy!

What is slam poetry? Meet four-time National Poetry Slam champion, Taylor Mali as he talks about falling in love with nouns to tell your truths with hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian. Mali says that we enter other’s people’s truths through the objects surrounding them and he gives real life examples from classes he is teaching. Taylor Mali is one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and one of the original poets to appear on the HBO series "Def Poetry Jam." Book Smart reporter, Maria Wong, compares novels with poetry indicating that they both express something, often something meaningful, often sharing a new perspective with the reader or reinforcing values. Yet they are very different. Is poetry given attention in your school? Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.”~Edgar Allen Poe

What do zombies, hiphop, and sleep have in common? Hosts Asya and Brigitte were thrilled to welcome star of The Blind Side and The Walking Dead, IronE Singleton to Express Yourself!™ to share his inspirational rising, his message for teens, and a sneak preview of his new album, Hip Hopcrisy, a sixteen-track musical compilation infused with messages of hope, humor, and crafted life reflections. Health Heals reporter joins hosts Asya and Brigitte to discuss the importance of sleep from evidence and science based sources and Book Smart Reporter, Maria Wong, goes into depth on the role of sleep in the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Written in 1889, this novel has been regarded as one of the first feminist works of all time as it focuses on a housewife’s self liberation from a controlling marriage and societal constraints. The reason why we sleep is still unknown; however, scientific research has established that sleep is essential to a healthy life, and that inadequate sleep can cause.

What is sexuality? Most people will immediately 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. Host Asya Gonzalez interviews Christian author, Heather Letto, about her Ascension series first book, Impervious. The residents of Impervious survived the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners. This Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness—has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage. Sexuality is dealt with subtly and innocently in her novel. The Gift of Sexuality by Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany is read by Asya from the best seller, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens and Asya also reads the review of Impervious.

Life is full of wonderful surprises! Hosts Brigitte Jia and Asya Gonzalez meet Japanese anime voice actor, Vic Mignogna as he discusses his serendipitous route to becoming an anime star after years of stage acting. Vic is also theexecutive producer of the award winning web series “Star Trek Continues”, where he is not only directing, but fulfilling a childhood dream of playing the iconic role of Captain Kirk. Health Rap reporter, Alex Pawlakos, shares serendipity in the medical field when a scientist is trying to discover a new medical treatment, then, unexpectedly, discovers something else that he wasn’t seeking that cures another disease. In Art Attack, Brigitte and Asya, both lovers of art talk about the inspiration that chance provides to artists. Serendipity happens when you least expect. Be aware of all the possibilities. Chance happens.

Deepen your spiritual connection to the earth and rejoin the community of nature when Asya and Zahra interview artist and author Lupa for her newest book, Nature Spirituality from the Ground Up. As she explores nature, Lupa risked all to keep grounded. The Gift of Risk penned by Libby Gill from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS, offers real life exercises to stretch and grow daily. Art Attack Reporter, Brigitte Jia brings another fascinating monologue on the risks that artists take to reveal their inner spirit with their works. Why did Andy Warhol paint tomato soup cans? “It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.”-Seneca

You are responsible for your behavior, actions, and results. After reading The Gift of Responsibility from the book, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, hosts Asya and Zahra interview Diane Bush and Kiran Kaur about Safe Jobs for Youth Month. Diane Bush directs the Young Worker Project at the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at the University of California, Berkeley and Kiran is one of LOHP’s Teens Lead @ Work peer educators. The Labor Occupational Heath Program and California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety have projects dedicated to young workers with the goal of helping prevent California’s young workers from being injured or killed on the job. They work to train teens about their rights and responsibilities on the job and raise community awareness about child labor law protections and workplace health and safety issues. Be empowered, be responsible, know your rights.

Resilience is the key to a healthy life. Hosts Asya Gonzalez and Zahra Hasanian talk with Health App reporter, Alex Pawlakos who provides studies and tips on how to be more resilient. From a health standpoint, the better you handle the pressures and stresses of life, the better off you will be physically, mentally, and emotionally. To be resilient means to bounce back quickly. Our hosts interview Mary O’Connor, an actor who lost her ability to walk after a devastating injury in 2014. With her optimistic and determined struggle to regain her ability to walk, she is on a mission to encourage the entertainment industry to cast disabled actors in projects. Mary recently studied with James Franco and was part of an independent film she and her classmates created with Mr. Franco. Asya and Zahra read a humorous story from Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS that illustrates the importance of recovering from mishaps and turning negatives into positives to move forward.

“You’re too tall, you’re too short, you’re too pretty, you’re too ugly, you’re too young, you’re too old, your hair is too blonde, your hair isn’t blonde enough, your eyes are too blue, your eyes need to be brown, you have too much experience, you’re not experienced enough.” No matter who you are, you will face rejection in life so it’s time to embrace it and move forward. Asya Gonzalex hosts the program beginning with chapter, The Gift of Rejection” by Cynthia Brian from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens followed by a lively conversation with The New Yorker copy editor, Mary Norris. Norris expertly guides readers through the most common and confusing grammatical issues in her book, Between You and Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen. She reveals her rejections throughout her career and why it’s important to keep on keeping on. An informative and fun interaction with two women who love words and repel rejection.