A Short Story Podcast Series
Podcast Radio - Podverse - Headliner
Amazon - Apple - Audacy - Audible - Castbox - Deezer - fyyd - GoodPods - iHeartRadio - Instagram - JioSaavn - Listen Notes - Pandora - PlayerFM - PocketCasts - Podcast Republic - Podchaser - Spotify - Stitcher - Youtube
Link to Podcast Library or Scroll for Daily Feed
-
Episodes vary in duration from 30 seconds to 8 minutes.
All episodes are royalty free in their entirety—except for #509.
If you have an idea for an episode, please reach out to our team and we’ll happily schedule the topic for a future recording.
Priority is given to homeschooling parents, teachers, educators, and lifelong learning professionals.
Select episodes now include free curriculum materials at the bottom of the episode page, designed to support open education initiatives, teachers, classrooms, and homeschool use. These materials are aligned to multiple educational standards globally.
-
The podcast is currently in common carriage on the Podcast Radio Network.
In London, you can listen to the Podcast Radio Network over the air on DAB+ and access its variety of podcasts and audio content directly through your DAB+ radio.
In the USA, you can listen to "Interesting Things with JC" on Podcast Radio US over the air in various cities: in Detroit on 93.5 FM and WCSX-94.7 HD2, in Tampa on 1010 WHFS-AM, in Charlotte on 94.7 FM and WSOC-HD3, and in Ft. Myers/Naples on 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, 105.1 FM, and WXKB-HD2.
-
Curriculum Summary for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Lifelong Learners
Interesting Things with JC now features free curriculum materials to go with select episodes, created for teachers, homeschool families, and curious learners of all ages.
Each episode includes a modular micro-lesson designed to support a 30 to 45 minute class. Curriculum content appears at the bottom of the episode page in easy-to-use expandable sections.
Each lesson includes:
Lesson overview (title, grade level, subject area, learning objectives)
Key vocabulary with phonetic spelling and plain-language definitions
Core story content based on the Precise Storytelling Framework
Full podcast transcript
Student worksheet with comprehension and writing prompts
Teacher guide with pacing, strategies, and discussion tools
Quiz and assessment rubric
Standards alignment across multiple global frameworks
We are currently piloting lesson alignment to:
Approved Standards – High-Level ListNGSS – Next Generation Science Standards
CCSS – Common Core State Standards (ELA and Math)
C3 Framework – College, Career & Civic Life (Social Studies)
ISTE Standards – Technology and Digital Literacy
NCAS – National Core Arts Standards
CTE Career Clusters – U.S. Career & Technical Education
ACRL Framework – Higher Ed Information Literacy
Bloom’s Taxonomy – Cognitive Learning Objectives
UDL – Universal Design for Learning (Accessibility Support)
International Academic Equivalents (Content-Only)
UK National Curriculum – Key Stages 3–5 (England)
AQA / OCR / Edexcel – UK Exam Board Specifications
IB (International Baccalaureate) – PYP, MYP, DP (academic subjects only)
Cambridge International – IGCSE, AS/A-Level (non-political content areas)
All lessons are open educational resources (OER) and designed with homeschool flexibility in mind.
To review examples, check out any episode from #1235 to today, just scroll down.
Beginning with Episode #1307 we’re shifting to an open text format at the bottom of every MP3 page in the RSS. This should allow greater ease of access.
If you are using the curriculum your feedback is greatly appreciated, that’s how iterations like this continue to drive changes in the layout, and useability.
-
If you intend to feature the series on your podcast or use it in your broadcast feed as interstitial content, please tag us on social media and/or send us an email.
1210: "Why use a Rebar Stretcher?"
Interesting Things with JC #1210: "Why use a Rebar Stretcher?" - Rebar is the backbone of modern construction but what happens when a piece comes up short Enter the rebar stretcher a tool designed to adjust reinforcing steel on-site! Discover how it works and why it's a must-have for any serious builder
1209: "GibberLink"
Interesting Things with JC #1209: "GibberLink" - GibberLink Mode lets AI detect each other and switch from human speech to a machine-specific language. It boosts efficiency but raises concerns. If AI no longer needs human language, how do we stay in control?
1206: “What Is a Topoconductor and Why Does It Matter?”
Interesting Things with JC #1206: “What Is a Topoconductor and Why Does It Matter?” - Topoconductors are unlocking quantum computing AI and energy advances. They aren’t the future they’re now…and this advancement has the potential to revolutionize humanity.
1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain”
Interesting Things with JC #1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain” - Nine minutes after takeoff, Flight 304 vanished over Lake Pontchartrain. No warning. No survivors. Investigators found wreckage but no definitive cause. Could an instrument failure have sent the pilots into a deadly spiral? The mystery remains, but its lessons shaped the future of aviation.
1193: "What are Reciprocal Tariffs and Sovereign Wealth Funds?"
Interesting Things with JC #1193: "What are Reciprocal Tariffs and Sovereign Wealth Funds?" – Reciprocal tariffs could reshape global trade and stabilize America’s economy. Learn how this approach might protect U.S. industries, reduce deficits, and attract global investment.
1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human"
Interesting Things with JC #1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human" - An ancient chromosome fusion changed human evolution. Discover the genetic clue hidden in all of us.
1185: "From a Small Town to the White House - The Birth of Ronald Reagan"
Interesting Things with JC #1185: "From a Small Town to the White House - The Birth of Ronald Reagan" - Born in a tiny apartment above a bakery in Tampico, Illinois, Ronald Reagan’s journey began in humble surroundings. Frequent moves, financial struggles, and early academic success shaped the future 40th president. How did these beginnings forge a leader?
1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day"
Interesting Things with JC #1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day" – From running secret marathons to making history in horse racing, these lesser-known female athletes redefined what’s possible. Discover the untold stories of trailblazers who changed the game forever.
1180: "Ingested - The Rising Threat of Drones in Jet Engines"
Interesting Things with JC #1180: "Ingested - The Rising Threat of Drones in Jet Engines" – Drones and jet engines don’t mix. Unlike birds, drones can shatter turbine blades, leading to catastrophic failure.
1179: "Evolution of Aircraft Collision Avoidance Technology"
Interesting Things with JC #1179: "Evolution of Aircraft Collision Avoidance Technology" – A recent mid-air collision near Washington, D.C. has reignited the conversation about aviation safety and collision prevention technology.
In this episode, we explore how TCAS, ADS-B, and AI-powered automation have revolutionized aviation—and why low-altitude operations, drone safety, and AI-driven air traffic management are the next frontier.
1176: "What is a Lab Leak?"
Interesting Things with JC #1176: "What is a Lab Leak?" – Recent reports are that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak. Explore the history of lab leaks, their causes, and what they mean for global health and safety. Learn how past incidents shape future protections.
1170: "Blood Minerals - The Hidden Cost of Progress"
Interesting Things with JC #1170: "Blood Minerals - The Hidden Cost of Progress" - Every smartphone and laptop connects to more than the internet—it connects to a hidden cost. Explore how essential minerals power technology but fuel conflict and exploitation.
1168: "Presidential Inaugurations in the Rotunda"
Interesting Things with JC #1168: "Presidential Inaugurations in the Rotunda" - The U.S. Capitol Rotunda has hosted only five presidential inaugurations, each under extraordinary circumstances. From Monroe’s rainy day to Trump in 2025, uncover the stories behind these historic events.
1167: "AI and Gut Bacteria"
Interesting Things with JC #1167: "AI and Gut Bacteria" - Discover the groundbreaking fusion of AI and gut bacteria that's boosting immunity, fighting infections, and transforming cancer treatments. This is the future of medicine.
1165: "WW2 German Escape Myths"
Interesting Things with JC #1165: "WW2 German Escape Myths" - Were Nazis hiding in plain sight in Argentina? Did Antarctica hold dark secrets from the Third Reich? This gripping episode unveils the scandals, conspiracies, and moral dilemmas of a world grappling with the aftermath of WW2.
1163: "AI in IVF"
Interesting Things with JC #1163: "AI in IVF" – Can AI deliver miracles? Learn about the woman who achieved a “miracle pregnancy” through AI-enhanced IVF after years of heartbreak. Learn how this tech is reshaping fertility treatments and bringing hope to countless families.
1162: "mRNA Cancer Vaccine"
Interesting Things with JC #1162: "mRNA Cancer Vaccine" – Russia has unveiled an mRNA-based cancer vaccine designed to be free and personalized for patients. This bold claim has raised hopes—and skepticism. Learn about the science, the challenges, and what makes this potential breakthrough so intriguing.
1161: "What Are Ivermectin and Fenbendazole?"
Interesting Things with JC #1161: "What Are Ivermectin and Fenbendazole?" – Discover how two everyday antiparasitic drugs are making waves in cancer research. With the potential to boost immunity and halt cancer growth, could these medications be the breakthrough we've been waiting for?
1159: "Circadian Rhythm and Inflammation"
Interesting Things with JC #1159: "Circadian Rhythm and Inflammation" - Explore the fascinating connection between your body’s circadian clock and inflammation. This episode reveals how the timing of immune responses could revolutionize treatments for chronic diseases like arthritis.
1157: "SuperAlignment"
Interesting Things with JC #1157: "SuperAlignment" – As artificial intelligence advances, how do we ensure it works in humanity's best interest? This episode exposes the concept of superalignment, the challenges of aligning AI with human values, and the global efforts to make advanced AI safe and ethical.