Inspire Science

In 2015, Toufah Jallow was a 19-year-old dreaming of a scholarship. Encouraged by her mother, she entered a presidential competition designed to identify and support the country’s smart young women, and she won. Which brought her to the attention of Yahya Jammeh, the country’s dictator, who styled himself as a pious yet progressive protector of women.

The classic story of Mulan was first told in China many generations ago in a poem titled “Mu Lan Chi". While the story itself is ancient, the courage and bravery of the young woman at the center of it is timeless.

From creation stories and explanations of natural phenomena to fables and cautionary tales, ancient Basque mythology has endured for centuries thanks to a strong oral tradition and, quite simply, love of a good story. In this unique collection, Basque-American author Caryn Larrinaga explores and expands upon the rich, traditional folklore from her family's homeland. Dive into stories about love, loss, greed, and revenge. Meet creatures like the mischievous Galtzagorriak, the deadly Gaueko, the beautiful Lamiak, the legendary Erensuge, and more.

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.

In Jazz-Age Shanghai, Jingwen dances at the cabaret by day and runs errands for a powerful gang by night. But when a mysterious attacker steals faces from her fellow dancers, Jingwen is plunged into a world of powerful businessmen, silver-limbed gangs and vengeful gods as she tries to uncover the culprit.

An ancient secret is revealed after 2,000 years. Destruction at the Temple Mount ensues. An epic battle between good and evil is underway, and the survival of the world’s population hangs in the balance. Eloah works for the support of the American president, and to convince the Catholic pope of the truth of his reincarnation and of his connection to the Church’s foundation. Eloah’s followers search for evidence, hidden for two millennia, which will substantiate his claims.

What would it be like if you were the only human made by Creator and He wanted a relationship with you, but you found it difficult to relate to Him? This award-winning book challenges listeners to trust in God in spite of our fears and misconceptions. A compelling, emotional, and thought-provoking allegory of one’s relationship with God. In this spiritual fantasy, Creator makes one human, named Cherished. Instead of creating a second human to be a companion for Cherished, Creator desires to fill that role. Can this relationship work?

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.

Sixteen-year-old sisters Samira and Rima aren't exactly living the dream. Instead, they live with their maddeningly unreliable mother in a rundown trailer in Michigan. Dad's dead, money's tight, and Mom disappears for days at a time. So when Sam's grandfather wills her the family valuables - a cache of Lebanese antiquities - she's desperate enough to try pawning them before Mom can. But she shouldn't. Because one is cursed, forbidden, the burial coin of a forgotten god. Disturbing it condemns her and Rima to the Phoenician underworld.

How did the universe come to be? What happened during the very first instant of its existence? Scientific discovery and the Big Bang theory go into exquisite detail about the development of the universe after that first instant, but we remain in the dark about how it all began. Or do we? Join the authors in a riveting exploration of science’s latest advancements in cosmology, and the Bible’s esoteric dimension, which teaches the deepest cosmological insights into the fundamental workings of the universe.

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.

Listen and relive exciting tales from Highlights, now on audio! Learn about five successful Americans and the teacher who encouraged them and how to use a balloon to predict the weather, along with other stories about learning. Stories include: "Being Inspired by Teachers" by Marty Kaminsky, "Find the Crescent Moon" by Ken Croswell, PhD, "Get to Know a Million" by Stephen Whitt, "Hot Lava Under My Feet" by Chris Dietel, "How Do You Measure Up?" by Janet Slingerland Hammond, and more.

The Learn English with Short Stories series does not need to be listened to in order, as all of the stories are independent from one another. This ninth section includes two thrilling science-fiction stories. Each unique story comes with highlighted vocabulary and definitions before and during the tale. This guide also offers two multiple-choice vocabulary exercises after each story, allowing you to practice your newly learned terms and idioms. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced English learners.

Animals have extraordinary minds capable of exceptional acts of perception, generosity, bravery, and kindness. Their connection with humankind gives us a glimpse into their world and their desire to share it with us. Here is a collection of fascinating, heartwarming, and humorous tales about some of the animal kingdom’s amazing inhabitants and their often mysterious connection with us.

Lisa Cockrell brings her positive view of life, along with all of the wisdom she has learned over the years, and continues to learn, to help you reach the joy and happiness in your life that you deserve. This book of quotes contains not only Lisa's views and beliefs but also quotes from popular and respected authors and speakers from around the world. Let An Inspired Life lift you out of the gloom and into a world of love and encouragement 365 days a year.

When novelist and experienced hiker Simon Cleary sets off to follow the course of the river that has so influenced his life, he hopes that by walking its banks - from its source to where it empties into the bay - he will better understand the power and impact of this immense waterway on the environment and communities which rely on it.

Politics from A to Z provides an up-to-date, thoroughly researched glossary of political topics spanning ancient Greece to contemporary America. Featuring an introductory interview with Noam Chomsky, Politics from A to Z is ideal for anyone interested in politics, from beginners to scholars. With detailed entries and useful timelines, Politics from A to Z introduces the influential figures and ideas that have shaped politics, from the American Revolution to Zionism.

A young girl reconnects with her Korean grandmother; an artist considers her connection to the Korean folktale of the green frog; a praying mantis living in a beautiful home overlooking the park finds the New York dating scene leaves her hungering for more; a fox demon seeks revenge for her murdered sister, only for her loyalties to be torn; AI brings a grieving mother’s daughter back to life; at a spa in the mountains, a recently divorced woman has a ghostly encounter; and a recipe book instructs the reader on ‘how to eat your own heart’.

Empowering life lessons from myths and monsters. Encounter rebel goddesses, stories of complex love and the mythical might of women as Nikita Gill takes listeners on a magical journey of empowerment. Inspired by ancient Greek mythology, discover the power and glory of the greatest goddesses. From the potent venom of Medusa and transformative sorcery of Circe to the rising up of Athena over Olympus, these are the mothers, warriors, creators, survivors and destroyers that shook the world.

For years, "Fisher King Mike" wandered the streets of LA, preaching to his people. On occasion, he'd share an open mic night with Michael Konik, who befriended the homeless man at a distance and offered a confused but sympathetic ear when the Fisher King lamented having to be so far away from his wife, Selena Gomez, and their several children. As the pair began to cautiously trust one another, confusion and distance gave way to friendship, and what came next astounded them both.