Common Sense Media Review
By Claire Crossman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Relatable teen talks and life skills; some heavy subjects.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Listen
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
Advertised as a podcast "by, for, and with creative young people: a platform to give teens a voice," EXPRESS YOURSELF! is a life skills and education-based podcast geared toward 13- to 17-year-olds. Produced by youth nonprofit Be the Star You Are! and VoiceAmerica Empowerment, this podcast prides itself on featuring topics that teens actively discuss in their daily lives. Topics can range from politics and social issues to environmental issues and more. Each episode features a variety of different teen hosts and frequently includes an adult's professional opinion on the subject matter at hand. For example, in an episode about vaccinations, an adult author who's written about vaccinations is invited to provide their opinion. Episodes are frequently broken into various segments, with a different teen host providing their opinion, research, or original work (poems, songs, etc.) for each one.
Is It Any Good?
This podcast is a thorough attempt at encouraging teens to be passionate and proactive about worldly issues. Topics may be too advanced or uninteresting for younger kids, but for the budding tween or teen advocate, Express Yourself! fits right in. Segments occasionally drag in energy and pace, but the authenticity of an unscripted teen opinion will grab the attention of teens and parents alike. The producers of this podcast and its parent nonprofit have made it their mission to encourage teens to speak up about issues that affect them and the world they live in. This lesson, paired with Express Yourself!'s variety of topics, makes for a hopeful future for generations to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Express Yourself! frequently advocates for a better world. What's something you'd like to see changed in the world right now? What are some ideas you have for how to enact this change?
Teen and adult opinions are valued equally in this podcast. What can adults in your life do to make you feel that your opinions are valued?
Difficult topics may be introduced to younger teens in this podcast for the first time. Do you have a trusted adult you can speak to if you are experiencing violence or sexual harassment?
Empathy and curiosity are prevalent themes in this podcast. Why are these important character strengths?
Podcast Details
- Release date : November 22, 2011
- Genre : Kids & Family
- Run time : 50 minutes
- Website : https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself
- Production Company and Network : VoiceAmerica Empowerment
- Pricing structure : Free
- Topics : Activism , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Empathy
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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