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"Even when I was little, I knew that teenagers sparkled. I knew they knew something children didn't know, and adults ended up forgetting." – Lorde   Allison hosts a special program focused on hunger and food policy. She interviews teen Louis Rotgin, who, through volunteering, journalism, and independent research, works to raise awareness of youth food insecurity and the importance of nutrition. His goal is to encourage informed conversations that help improve food access and opportunity for students. Over the past several years, he has volunteered with Meals on Wheels West, an urban farm operated by Upward Bound House, Nourish LA, and his school's Giving Spirit program, helping support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and housing instability. These experiences inspired him to research food policy and write about the connection between nutrition, learning, and youth development.  In segment two, Allison addresses the relationship between homelessness and substance abuse. For some, substances may trigger a chain reaction where the final link leads to an individual's loss of housing. For others, substance use only emerges as a means of fitting into street culture. However, what remains consistent is the cyclical nature of the two, each one reinforcing the other, and, in both cases, one condition often worsens the other. How can we break the cycle of substance abuse and homelessness?     Bio: Louis Rotgin is a senior at Santa Monica High School and the Editor-in-Chief of The Samohi, the school's student newspaper. His interest in food policy developed through years of volunteering with organizations including an urban farm operated by Upward Bound House, Meals on Wheels West, Nourish LA, and The Samohi Giving Spirit. Inspired by these experiences, he has pursued independent research examining food insecurity, nutrition, and youth homelessness. He has written a research article and an opinion article on these topics. Louis hopes to continue combining journalism, research, and public service to address issues affecting young people.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." – Amanda Gorman   Allison Lu hosts a program about sports, specifically adaptive sports. She interviews Max Liu, who is the founder of SportsForAll, a program that bridges the gap between wheelchair basketball and able-bodied players. Their motto is Protecting Athletes, Powering Performance, where they offer injury prevention, adaptive equipment, and unified support to expand collegiate and pro wheelchair basketball nationwide. In segment two, Allison continues the conversation about inclusive sports, but specifically looking at how refugee athletes are covered in sports media. She focuses on Cindy Ngamba, who won bronze in women's boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics—the first medal ever won by the Refugee Olympic Team and Yusra Mardini, the Syrian swimmer whose story inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers. She also breaks down what media coverage is missing.  Celebrate inclusive sports and support policies that give all athletes opportunities to participate.   Bio: Max Liu is a high school researcher and student leader at McLean High School (Class of 2027) working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, sports analytics, and athletic advocacy. As the founder of SportsForAll and Virginia Chapter Lead for SafeStrongSport, Max promotes inclusion and safety in youth athletics. His research and technical projects focus on developing AI tools for basketball injury prevention and expanding recruiting visibility for underrepresented athletes. At McLean, he serves as founder and president of the Sports Analytics Club and captain of the Wharton Investment Competition team.Outside of academics, Max plays varsity basketball, coaches youth camps, produces documentaries on adaptive sports, and releases original music on Soundcloud. Website: sports4all.us; Instagram: @sportsforall_org  Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/   Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

Climate change is intensifying. Sea levels are rising. Droughts, extreme rainfall, heatwaves, and fires are increasing and unpredictable. Food and water insecurity cause massive human displacement. Radio host Allison Lu tackles these threats and discusses how freshwater scarcity worsens hunger and poverty, creating vulnerable refugees. In segment two, she talks about "risk multipliers" and how they apply specifically to displaced populations. She shares information about the recent horrific glacial flood in Nepal/China that has killed thousands and the flash flood at Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon. In both catastrophic events, floods damage systems that carry clean water. Water is life…and in disasters, causes death. It is critical to be educated about climate change.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

Confidence isn't something that just happens. It must be rebuilt after being bullied, criticized, excluded, or made to feel like you're not good enough. Radio host Kirpa Gill discusses the importance of empowering girls and maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit. She talks about the platform she created to do that, LeadHer Up, focusing on female empowerment, mental health awareness, confidence, leadership, and building healthy relationships. The message is "Breaking stigma, building sisterhood." In segment two, Kirpa interviews the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501c3, Cynthia Brian, who shares her wisdom on the challenges facing young people and the solutions to creating confidence, leadership, and empowerment through positivity, kindness, and being your unapologetically authentic self. There is no perfection. There is no competition. Strive for excellence and be the best you every day. Know that you have everything you need to be the writer, producer, and star of your own life. You are enough. You matter. Follow LeadHER up on Instagram at @leadher.up to see events, workshops, and opportunities to get involved. Get Autographed First-Edition copies of any of Cynthia Brian's empowerment books or schedule a coaching session at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"Sports are a great place to show that equality can happen."— Venus Williams NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), is the policy that allows collegiate athletes to make money through endorsements, sponsorships, and social media without losing their athletic eligibility. This has created a rippling effect throughout college sports. Host Julia Howe interviews teen George Fogarty about NIL in college sports. Julia shares her experience receiving the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award at the ESPYs. It was meaningful because it connected the work she started as a teen through Hitting The Wall to change sports for the better. Julia recalled, "being surrounded by athletes I had admired for years was surreal, but the most important part of the experience was meeting Billie Jean King and seeing how closely she pays attention to who is overlooked and why things are done the way they are. She reminded me that advocacy often starts by simply noticing something that feels wrong and being willing to question it. I left the ESPYs feeling grateful for everyone who helped build Hitting The Wall, but also more motivated to keep challenging the harmful expectations young female athletes face and to help make sports healthier for the girls who come next." Julia is on her way to Yale! Stay tuned for updates!   Bio: George Fogarty has been in love with sports since age six. He is a rising senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, where he plays varsity tennis and has won numerous sportsmanship awards throughout his playing career. Beyond the physicality of the sport, he is also interested in the relationships that are at play in sports. He has been scouting college football players. He is a contributor for his high school newspaper, The Loyalist.  Whether it's going to the gym, playing tennis, or studying sports in general, athletics are his passion. https://theloyalist.org/   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"Where you see wrong, inequality, or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy." – Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Courts are one of the most important institutions protecting American democracy, but if our entire strategy for preserving democracy is basically, "Hopefully the Supreme Court figures it out," then we have a much bigger problem. Keerthi Eraniyan hosts an important informational program focused on maintaining a democratic country and how the courts play a part. She posits that the real question isn't, "Can the courts save democracy?" but the better question is "Are we giving the courts a democracy worth saving?" America's foundation is built on democracy. It is up to each of us to save it.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"Ignore those who tell you which way to go without first understanding where you are." - James Pierce   Teens are facing numerous challenges, and in this episode of Express Yourself!™ host, Diya and reporter Allison are talking about the issues surrounding academics, friendships, family, social media, A.I., and more! In Allison's segment, The New Classroom, she shares the statistics that the U.S. is home to upwards of 5.3 million multilingual learner students, representing more than one in ten school-aged students. Yet their reach extends even beyond that proportion: 55% of educators teach at least one multilingual learner. A.I. can be helpful, yet can also hinder, because A.I. is not culturally neutral. Critical thinking skills are fundamental for language development.  A.I. should serve as a scaffold, not a crutch. Diya tackles social media and friendships. Whether it's TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook, many teenagers struggle with the idea of when to stop scrolling. Some ways to cope with social media addictions are enforcing time limits, finding other hobbies, setting phone-free times, using websites or ad blockers, or seeking out a trusted adult. Along with making sure you are spending the right amount on social media, balancing your academics is truly necessary. Keeping friendships in your teenage years can sometimes be a struggle. It is also important to choose friends who are supportive, respectful, and encourage positive choices. Remember, there aren't problems without solutions, even for teens!   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

Impact of Financial Literacy   "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." – Benjamin Franklin    Were you taught about finances when you were a teen? The majority of schools don't teach financial literacy, which is a critical skill for life success. Host Julia Howe interviews teen, Sahishnu (Sai) Manivannan, who discusses how financial literacy, combined with early educational intervention and opportunity access, is the key individuals need to build stable financial habits to be passed down for generations. He started a free platform, Finlingo, to help students learn about finances. His goal is to have this program integrated into elementary schools in five states within five years. Julia investigates side hustles. What are they? Why have they become so popular? Which side hustles are actually good ideas for teenagers? Which ones pay far less than they appear to? And which ones are simply scams? She provides statistics and important information on the side hustle economy and how these correlates to financial literacy. INVEST in learning how to make informed, responsible financial decisions. Financial literacy is imperative to independence.   BIO: Sahishnu (Sai) Manivannan Sahishunu is a rising senior at The Davidson Academy of Reno, Nevada. They are interested in behavioral economics, finance, and legal studies. They just completed a free Google extension named Finlingo, which works like Duolingo but for financial literacy. Check it out in the store if you would like to see some of their work firsthand! In their free time, they love to play tennis, snowboard, and read up on the latest financial news! https://www.Finlingo.org     Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." — Malcolm X Radio host Saanvi Phaneendra welcomes Express Yourself's newest reporter, Allison Lu as they discuss what the future will look like. Saanvi talks about AI data centers in space in her segment Space Spotlight, while Allison discusses equality in educational systems in her segment, The New Classroom. Saanvi talks about the earliest chapter of what could become a totally new kind of space race. Not a race to the moon or to Mars, but a race to build the computers that will power our future in the sky above us. Allison explores what schools are currently doing for refugee and multilingual students, where support still falls short, and what a truly equitable classroom of the future would look like. The goal is not simply to help students adapt to a new environment; it should empower them to thrive within it. Whether it's a data center orbiting Earth or a classroom trying to give every student a fair shot, the future is being built right now by people who choose to prepare. This is our future!   Bio Allison Lu Allison is a rising senior in Houston, Texas. Besides running her non-profit organization, Allison can be found swimming competitively, playing the violin with her orchestra, and listening to her favorite artist, Noah Kahan. She also enjoys to co-leading her school's Student Affairs Council and East Asian Affinity Group. In her segment, The New Classroom, she will be reporting on educational equity in the United States, with a primary focus on refugee and multilingual students. Instagram Handle: allisonzlu     Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

What is the difference between arguing and negotiating? Host Keerthi, (our Be the Star You Are!® queen of debate) interviews Ryan Chang about how teens can learn to negotiate to better approach problems and collaborate for the best results. Negotiation is a commonly misunderstood idea. Most believe it is a method to win. But in reality, it is a mutually beneficial compromise made to resolve a conflict. When people change their mindset, negotiation becomes a vital asset in everyday life, especially for teenagers. In this episode, Keerthi explores why negotiation is so challenging, ways to make negotiation easier, and what not to do in a negotiation. Negotiation is one of the most useful—and most underrated—skills you'll ever learn. Tune in and learn to negotiate for collaborative solutions! Bio: Ryan Chang is a high school sophomore and has participated in Model United Nations (MUN) for the past 5 years. Ryan has won many awards for negotiation and public speaking. Currently, Ryan is the Under-Secretary-General for his school's MUN team and advisor/mentor to his middle school's MUN club. Ryan also created a curriculum and program to teach negotiation to middle/elementary school kids. For Ryan, negotiation is more than just speaking to others or trying to win in a conflict – negotiation is about coming to a compromise in which all parties benefit.    Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

In this episode of Express Yourself!, host Hannah Sahota reflects on a Fourth of July trip to San Francisco that sparked a deeper conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. After witnessing the city's streets overwhelmed with traffic, she explores how autonomous vehicles are transforming transportation and what that means for society. From safety and public health to privacy, employment, and the future of public transit, Hannah examines the opportunities and challenges of embodied AI, highlighting the companies driving this technology and asking whether society is prepared for a future where AI is no longer confined to our screens but is sharing the road with us.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.". President John F. Kennedy The 4th of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in America. This year, the USA celebrates 250 years of this American experiment in democracy. Join host Hannah and reporters Jatin and Milan as they share historical and personal perspectives on this semiquincentennial event. Can democracy survive? Teens weigh in. Let the fireworks begin!   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"There's a danger in the internet and social media. The notion that information is enough, that more and more information is enough, that you don't have to think, you just have to get more information - gets very dangerous." Edward de Bono   Imagine receiving a video message from a celebrity, politician, or even a family member. They look real. They sound real. They seem completely authentic. But what if it never happened. That's the reality of deepfakes. Join host Kirpa and reporters Milan and Jatin as they describe what deepfakes are and how to protect yourself from getting scammed or sucked into a fake reality. The next time you encounter a shocking video, an unexpected voice message, or an image that seems almost too unbelievable to be true, remember one simple principle: Don't immediately trust your eyes or your ears. Verify!  Tune in to learn more.   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." - Michelle Obama   In this episode of Empowerment and Equality, host Hannah Sahota examines the state of women's reproductive rights in America and the social forces shaping the national debate. Through historical context, policy analysis, and thoughtful commentary, the program explores how access to reproductive healthcare (including contraception, abortion care, and preventive health services) affects women's autonomy, education, economic opportunity, and overall well-being. The episode also discusses recent legislative developments, the role of advocacy organizations, the spread of healthcare misinformation, and ways individuals can become informed and engaged. By connecting current events to broader patterns of social change, Empowerment and Equality encourages listeners to think critically about healthcare, bodily autonomy, and the future of reproductive freedom in the United States. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/

"If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter" George Washington.   Imagine if every time you wanted to say something, a tiny government elf popped up on your shoulder and said, "Hmm… approved… denied… or maybe rephrase that in a way that makes me emotionally comfortable." Host, Keerthi, talks about the importance of free speech. With her naturally comedic flair, Keerthi examines a topic that is critical to democracy. Free speech is how ideas survive. Free speech matters because it lets society correct itself. Free speech also means you're going to hear things you don't like. Yet there are consequences. Free speech is powerful, and it has rules. It protects both the popular and unpopular voices. Free speech and dissent keep society alive, changing, and thinking. Let your voice be heard!   Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio https://www.starstyleradio.com/guests-express-yourself https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/ Buy shirts and hats with BTSYA logos: https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617 Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/ Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220  Or https://www.voiceamericamedia.com/show/express-yourself/