"I think every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine." - Neil Armstrong

Some people use their heartbeats to make noise. Others use them to make meaning. In today's broadcast, host Julia interviews someone who does exactly that through music.

Rachel Schaub is an emerging 17-year-old pop songwriter and artist from the Detroit area whose music is playful, expressive, and deeply personal. Her songs move easily from bright, bouncy pop anthems to more reflective, emotional moments, all rooted in real experiences, friendships, and dreams.

Rachel was born with KBG Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and she also lives with autism, anxiety, and Pathological Demand Avoidance. While KBG can involve significant physical challenges for some people, including seizures, Rachel has been fortunate not to experience those complications. Her journey has instead involved navigating learning differences, attention and processing challenges, and anxiety, all of which influence how she creates and communicates.

Julia talks to Rachel about her process, challenges, and successes.

BIO Rachel Schaub

Rachel Schaub is an emerging 17-year-old teen pop songwriter and artist living in the Detroit, Michigan area. Pop music has always been her favorite genre. She was inspired most by Triple Charm, a pop singing group composed of three sisters who perform, dance, and write their own songs. Other favorite musicians include Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift.

Born with KBG Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, she was diagnosed with autism, anxiety, and Pathological Demand Avoidance in 2018 and KBG Syndrome as the underlying genetic condition in 2021. Despite these challenges, she has overcome so much and has found her true passion ... songwriting.

Rachel began writing pop songs in March 2025 and now has 14 songs and 3 EPs to her name. She uses AI to create the melodies for the lyrics she writes and is hoping to write her own melodies soon without AI. Her goal is to create an album and perform shows in the Detroit area featuring her songs. She is happiest when singing and dancing to her own pop songs. https://rachelschaub.com YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@rachelschaub1

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"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein

Brothers, Jatin and Milan, reporters on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, talk about how being curious leads to success in all things. Jatin discusses how curiosity helped some people become famous for their inventions. Milan reads a poem and encourages teens to explore and be curious. Producer, Cynthia Brian, hosts the program and reads the chapter from her book, Be the Star You Are! for Teens called The Gift of Curiosity, penned by Sally Franz. Buy copies of the book https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org. Click on the STORE.

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"Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves."~ Mahatma Gandhi

It's a brand-new year, and Express Yourself!™ teen reporters, Milan and Jatin, share their suggestions for creating goals and resolutions. Producer, Cynthia Brian, hosts providing a few insights into planning for success. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"

Happy 2026…Sparkle and Shine!

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"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. The show also features a special caroling segment from the LWHS Waves, LWHS Vocal Ensemble, and the San Francisco Girls' Chorus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Express Yourself!™ and Be the Star You Are!®

"Peace on Earth, goodwill to men!" — Lewis Carroll

Bio: Julia Howe is a youth entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and co-host of Express Yourself Teen Radio from San Francisco, California. She is committed to introducing Chinese Opera to younger audiences, empowering teen girls in sports, and advocating for innovative education. Julia founded Jing Shao Nian, a youth Chinese Opera company, and Hitting The Wall, a non-profit dedicated to empowering teen female athletes. As the program director of Heart In Motion, she orchestrates the efforts of thousands of student volunteers at athletic events. Julia can be found singing with the San Francisco Girls Chorus Premier Ensemble or training for her next triathlon. And she has been accepted to Yale for next fall. https://www.jingshaonian.org/

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"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 of something meaningful. Many of those values were born of religious traditions long before they were written into constitutions or taught in classrooms. Hanna interviews third-year Ph.D student in the Department of Philosophy, Joe Schmid, who provides an argument for and against God's existence. The cosmological argument for God's existence posits that everything in the universe has a cause. Arguments against God's existence center on the Problem of Evil, how an all-good, all-powerful God allows suffering. He then discusses Pascal's Wager. Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century philosopher and mathematician, argued that we should believe in God and act as if God exists because it is the best bet.

The existence-of-God question is more than a question of belief. It's a doorway into understanding culture, history, psychology, community, creativity, and the human need for meaning.

Dive deeper into the existence of God and decide for yourself!

Bio: Joe Schmid

Joe is a third year Ph.D. student in the Department of Philosophy with research interests in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of mind. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Purdue University in 2022 (Boiler Up!). Joe has published papers in Mind, Noûs, and The Journal of Philosophy, co-authored the SEP entry on Ontological Arguments, and co-authored a book published by Springer. He also runs the philosophy YouTube channel Majesty of Reason. When he's not doing philosophy, you'll find him either playing soccer or cuddling with his overwhelmingly cute dog (or both).

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"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 talks about being kind. Jatin shares his music appreciation. All three encourage being grateful for the little things. We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and we are thankful for you. Be blessed.

Bio: Jatin, Express Yourself! Teen Radio's newest reporter is a junior in high school with an amazing sense of humor. He loves music, and he has been playing drums for many years and is part of a rock band. He loves science and working out! He is looking forward to being a part of teen radio with his cousin, Kirpa, and brother Milan.

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"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, and more. Julia shares information on the Chinese Opera Program she founded. Jing Shao Nian is a youth-led Chinese opera program that teaches students the foundations of Cantonese and Peking Opera through weekly rehearsals, vocal training, movement workshops, and cultural history lessons. Through the program, students gain confidence in using Mandarin or Cantonese, develop a stronger sense of identity, and build public speaking and performance skills. Julia then interviews a student leader of Jing Shao Nian, Samantha, who talks about how her relationship with Asian culture transformed after joining the group. She describes a typical performance and the effects it has had on the participants and the audiences. Embracing our cultures enhances our lives. Communities are connected through culture.

Visit the Jing Shao Nian website (with lots of photos): https://www.jingshaonian.org/

Read the newsletter on a Cultural Thanksgiving: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/a-cultural-thanksgiving?

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" 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 that best fit your personality and interests. Do you want urban, suburban, or rural area? What about going to a small, medium, or large university? Diya advises taking small baby steps every day to make your life easier!

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