"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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