Defying Times: Stories for Teens and Young Adults

Mentor NYC
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Defying Times: Stories for Teens & YA is a weekly podcast from Mentor NYC, a New York City–based publishing studio. Each episode features short, immersive installments directly from unabridged audiobooks available for purchase on major platforms—designed for growing minds from tweens to young adults. These stories blend adventure with curiosity, courage, empathy, and strategic & critical thinking. Launching with Empire in Flames (retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms) and Young Guardians’ Circle. Visit: www.mentornyc.org © Mentor NYC LLC. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 44: Empire in Flames (The Three Kingdoms) Chapter 18. The Making of A Warlord

    Chapter 18. The Making of A Warlord What shapes one of history's most brilliant—and controversial—leaders? Step into Cao Cao's childhood, where a clever, restless boy with an uncanny talent for reading people begins to reveal the qualities that would one day change the course of China. Through family influences, youthful adventures, and moments that test his courage and judgment, this chapter offers a glimpse of the experiences that forged his quick wit, bold ambition, and extraordinary political instincts—long before he became one of the defining figures of the Three Kingdoms. Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Flames-Legend-Brothers-Kingdoms/dp/B0FQ57WQB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HX8X7H8MF0Z6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fvd5F8dToaNVDSDDpq1lAaPFmdV_2KmGWWfDnSX-XLs85zA0L-4YXxBvlNJZJ3Y_pkhVtVi1lFyoEQJkbo6glyswbR2vtD-n50bsGL7Eybcad3O9HnhIN6rWID9tnTCx6ie8H7PCL3Gh2lHm3OgpmQ.gXq0JrYI9vj8GJvLuqm7lWwgOGWRQlVF1wuiYN9OUDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms&qid=1776787523&sprefix=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠

  2. Jul 15

    Episode 43: Empire in Flames (The Three Kingdoms) Chapter 17. Blaze of Fire

    Chapter 17. Blaze of Fire Liu Bei faces his greatest test yet as a desperate battle unfolds across the sun-scorched plains. Turning the dry grass and fierce winds into unexpected allies, he devises a daring fire attack that transforms the battlefield and leads his outnumbered forces to a stunning victory. But as the smoke clears, fate intervenes. Amid the chaos, Liu Bei unexpectedly comes face to face with a rising commander named Cao Cao—a chance encounter between two men whose destinies will one day shape the future of China. Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Flames-Legend-Brothers-Kingdoms/dp/B0FQ57WQB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HX8X7H8MF0Z6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fvd5F8dToaNVDSDDpq1lAaPFmdV_2KmGWWfDnSX-XLs85zA0L-4YXxBvlNJZJ3Y_pkhVtVi1lFyoEQJkbo6glyswbR2vtD-n50bsGL7Eybcad3O9HnhIN6rWID9tnTCx6ie8H7PCL3Gh2lHm3OgpmQ.gXq0JrYI9vj8GJvLuqm7lWwgOGWRQlVF1wuiYN9OUDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms&qid=1776787523&sprefix=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠

  3. Jul 14

    Episode 42: A Young New Yorker's Guide to Money (Chapter 10. The Power of The Dollar: Around The World with A Dollar)

    Chapter 10. The Power of The Dollar: Around The World with A Dollar A game night at Asher's sleepaway camp sparks an unexpected conversation about one of the world's most powerful inventions—money. As Asher and his friends dream about future travels, they discover why different countries use different currencies, how exchange rates work, and what gives the U.S. dollar its unique role as the world's leading reserve currency. Their discussion soon takes an intriguing turn toward artificial intelligence and the future of money. Could AI one day create its own currency? The possibilities are exciting... but also a little unsettling. Please subscribe to our podcast. Thank you for your support! Learn more about us: mentornyc.org

  4. Jul 10

    Episode 41: Young Guardians' Circle (Guardians' Circle Trilogy) Chapter 13. New Adventures

    Chapter 13. New Adventures The cafeteria buzzes with the excitement of the last days of school as classmates eagerly swap stories about summer camps, family vacations, and adventures yet to come. But Asher's thoughts are elsewhere. He can't stop thinking about the missing crystal, Marcus's mysterious disappearance, and the unanswered questions that continue to haunt him. As his own parents begin planning a summer that blends work with a family getaway, Asher wonders if fate might be leading them to the one place that could hold the answers. Could Shanghai be part of their summer after all? Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Young-Guardians-Circle-Treasure-Hunters/dp/B0F8VMGJ31/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QG0L0I7POTI9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sK_HYuCzHRs3jxW1ThEUwfUILjWrKtRf-v0QvGHNEtqB3MaW4rMVOTSKjJjb-ftAejOmoagQcJo2FOksRDsV86jqMxIhbGN3D9V-nvTDm8PXodpGC0idoS_LcHlXd781CTc-vMhlIsUitzaPF33t1toJ8yYGszDhj2Fel1cra8YipaCrRk67uOQID-XsCbrvUCSKsPtJ_ivMQ61Xoe-ue3CiNjyHlEz-PC4KkEuMZjw.Fh1lZKpSvNuRNSNI87pPLc7vGnmguLqSAfmeTPMpyc4&dib_tag=se&keywords=young+guardians+circle&qid=1776786473&sprefix=young+guardians+circle%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/young-guardians-circle

  5. Jul 9

    Episode 40: Empire in Flames (The Three Kingdoms) Chapter 16. The First Battle

    Chapter 16. The First Battle The Yellow Turban army has seized Mount Daxing, amassing a force of 50,000 soldiers and spreading fear across the countryside. With seasoned generals nowhere to be found, Liu Bei is appointed commanding general of a small band of determined volunteers. Standing beside his sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he leads his outnumbered force into their very first battle. Though hopelessly outmatched, the brothers rely not on numbers, but on courage, unity, and clever strategy. Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Flames-Legend-Brothers-Kingdoms/dp/B0FQ57WQB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HX8X7H8MF0Z6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fvd5F8dToaNVDSDDpq1lAaPFmdV_2KmGWWfDnSX-XLs85zA0L-4YXxBvlNJZJ3Y_pkhVtVi1lFyoEQJkbo6glyswbR2vtD-n50bsGL7Eybcad3O9HnhIN6rWID9tnTCx6ie8H7PCL3Gh2lHm3OgpmQ.gXq0JrYI9vj8GJvLuqm7lWwgOGWRQlVF1wuiYN9OUDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms&qid=1776787523&sprefix=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠

  6. Jul 3

    Episode 39: Young Guardians' Circle (Guardians' Circle Trilogy) Chapter 12. Ruins of Pompeii

    Chapter 12. Ruins of Pompeii During spring break, Asher and his family travel to the snow-covered mountains of Utah, where they reunite with classmates from New York for an unforgettable ski adventure. But the excitement turns to unease when Maximus narrowly avoids a devastating collision with a mysterious skier who vanishes without a trace. Shaken by the incident, Asher begins to wonder if danger is following him wherever he goes. Could this man somehow be related to the disappearance of Marcus, the artifacts he has been pursuing, and the mysterious black-and-white cat? If so, what is his connection to Dragon's Circle? Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Young-Guardians-Circle-Treasure-Hunters/dp/B0F8VMGJ31/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QG0L0I7POTI9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sK_HYuCzHRs3jxW1ThEUwfUILjWrKtRf-v0QvGHNEtqB3MaW4rMVOTSKjJjb-ftAejOmoagQcJo2FOksRDsV86jqMxIhbGN3D9V-nvTDm8PXodpGC0idoS_LcHlXd781CTc-vMhlIsUitzaPF33t1toJ8yYGszDhj2Fel1cra8YipaCrRk67uOQID-XsCbrvUCSKsPtJ_ivMQ61Xoe-ue3CiNjyHlEz-PC4KkEuMZjw.Fh1lZKpSvNuRNSNI87pPLc7vGnmguLqSAfmeTPMpyc4&dib_tag=se&keywords=young+guardians+circle&qid=1776786473&sprefix=young+guardians+circle%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/young-guardians-circle

  7. Jul 1

    Episode 38: Empire in Flames (The Three Kingdoms) Chapter 15. Three Pillars of War

    Chapter 15. Three Pillars of War The three brothers soon realize their growing force is missing three essential foundations. As they secure each pillar of a true army one by one, their journey leads them to the empire's once-great royal bladesmith, who agrees to forge three extraordinary weapons—each meticulously crafted to reflect the unique personality, strengths, and destiny of its bearer. Amid roaring flames and flying sparks, three extraordinary blades are born—each perfectly suited to its future wielder, embodying honor, courage, and wisdom. With loyal companions at their side and their legendary swords finally in hand, the brothers take the first decisive step toward building an army that could change the course of history. Follow the link below to order print or digital books from Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Flames-Legend-Brothers-Kingdoms/dp/B0FQ57WQB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HX8X7H8MF0Z6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fvd5F8dToaNVDSDDpq1lAaPFmdV_2KmGWWfDnSX-XLs85zA0L-4YXxBvlNJZJ3Y_pkhVtVi1lFyoEQJkbo6glyswbR2vtD-n50bsGL7Eybcad3O9HnhIN6rWID9tnTCx6ie8H7PCL3Gh2lHm3OgpmQ.gXq0JrYI9vj8GJvLuqm7lWwgOGWRQlVF1wuiYN9OUDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms&qid=1776787523&sprefix=empire+in+flames+three+kingdoms%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠⁠ Learn more about Mentor NYC and order print books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mentornyc.org/product-page/empire-in-flames⁠

  8. Jun 29

    Episode 37: A Young New Yorker's Guide to Money (Chapter 9. Dividend Aristocrats, The Boring Beauties)

    Chapter 9. Dividend Aristocrats, The Boring Beauties Asher discovers that the greatest advantage an investor can have isn't money—it's time. He learns how compounding works and why the "boring beauties"—consumer staples and Dividend Aristocrats such as Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and PepsiCo., etc. that quietly sell everyday products and steadily raise their dividends year after year—have helped many ordinary investors build extraordinary wealth over time. Please subscribe to our podcast. Thank you for your support! Learn more about us: mentornyc.org

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Defying Times: Stories for Teens & YA is a weekly podcast from Mentor NYC, a New York City–based publishing studio. Each episode features short, immersive installments directly from unabridged audiobooks available for purchase on major platforms—designed for growing minds from tweens to young adults. These stories blend adventure with curiosity, courage, empathy, and strategic & critical thinking. Launching with Empire in Flames (retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms) and Young Guardians’ Circle. Visit: www.mentornyc.org © Mentor NYC LLC. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

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