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
-
Interesting Things with JC is free to use for teaching and learning under fair use. Educators, homeschooling parents, librarians, and lifelong learners have broad rights to use the episodes and curriculum in any instructional setting. One exception applies to Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors”, which is not covered under this open educational permission.
Full curriculum support begins at Episode #1235: “Three Turns to Freedom”. Any earlier episode without curriculum can be prioritized by request. Educators may contact JimConnors LLC directly, and a matching curriculum module will be created and added to the site.
Teachers and homeschooling families are welcome to use, play, share, print, and adapt all eligible episodes and curriculum materials for lesson planning, instruction, student assignments, LMS uploads, and any other direct educational activity. No special approval is required for everyday classroom use. Crediting the show is appreciated when possible.
This permission does not extend to commercial activity. The episodes and curriculum may not be repackaged, resold, redistributed as a standalone program, or presented as original work by any third party. Any commercial or branded use requires prior written consent from JimConnors LLC. Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors” follows its own restrictions and is excluded from open educational use.
Educators may freely use the content in classrooms, homeschools, co-ops, tutoring programs, library settings, and adult education. They may revise or adapt curriculum pages, print transcripts, share episode links, or integrate materials into their lessons as needed. What is not allowed is turning the work into a paid course, selling derivatives, posting content under another brand, or redistributing the series as a separate product.
Summary:
Free for education.
Not for resale.
Not for commercial repackaging.
Episode #1235: “Three Turns to Freedom” and onward includes full curriculum.
Older episodes can receive curriculum by request.
Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors” is excluded.
All rights reserved © JimConnors LLC. -
Interesting Things with JC is available on the Podcast Radio format in the United Kingdom and the United States. Listeners can tune in on the radio in select cities or stream the station online from anywhere.
United Kingdom – Podcast Radio (UK)
Podcast Radio is a 24-hour all-podcast station based in London. It broadcasts on DAB+ digital radio across London and several other supported UK regions, with full worldwide access through its online stream.
Interesting Things with JC is included in Podcast Radio’s curated programming lineup.
Listeners in the United Kingdom can hear the station on DAB+ receivers in covered areas, through the Podcast Radio website, or through the station’s online and mobile streaming platforms.
United States – Podcast Radio US
In the United States, Interesting Things with JC airs as part of Podcast Radio US across four regional markets. The format is carried on HD Radio channels and FM translators.
Detroit, Michigan: WCSX 94.7 HD2 and 93.5 FM
Tampa Bay, Florida: 1010 WJBR AM
Charlotte, North Carolina: 94.7 FM and WSOC HD3
Fort Myers and Naples, Florida: WXKB HD2, 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, and 105.1 FMNationwide listening is available through the station’s website at PodcastRadioUS.com.
Streaming Access
Podcast Radio UK and Podcast Radio US both offer live streaming through their official websites and mobile platforms, allowing listeners worldwide to hear Interesting Things with JC as part of the network’s curated programming.
The show is also available across major podcast and audio platforms, including Podcast Radio, Podverse, Headliner, Amazon, Apple, Audacy, Audible, Castbox, Deezer, fyyd, GoodPods, iHeartRadio, JioSaavn, Listen Notes, Pandora, PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Republic, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.
In addition to audio platforms, listeners can follow and stream content on social media through Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube.
-
Start class with a short, clear story your students can follow from the first sentence. Play an episode of Interesting Things with JC and use the free curriculum to guide a full lesson with questions, activities, and applied learning.
Every episode from #1235 forward includes a modular micro lesson designed for a 30 to 45 minute class period. At the bottom of each episode page, you will find expandable sections that organize all curriculum materials for teachers, parents, and homeschool families.
Each lesson includes:
Lesson overview with title, grade band, subject area, and learning objectives
Key vocabulary with phonetic spelling and plain language definitions
Core story content created through the Precise Storytelling Framework
Full podcast transcript
Student worksheet with comprehension and writing activities
Teacher guide with pacing notes, strategies, and discussion tools
Quiz or quick check assessment with a scoring rubric
Standards alignment across multiple national and international frameworks
ADA compliant alt text for all instructional media
Links to approved primary sources used for fact checking
Guidance for homeschool adaptation and flexible scheduling
All curriculum materials are created through the Narrative Intelligence System to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and age-appropriate delivery. Lessons stay free of ideological frameworks and focus on academic content only.
Standards Alignment
Interesting Things with JC aligns each micro lesson with the following approved educational standards:
United States National Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts and Mathematics
College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies (C3 Framework)
International Society for Technology in Education Standards (ISTE Standards)
National Core Arts Standards (NCAS)
Career and Technical Education Career Clusters (CTE Career Clusters)
Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy (ACRL Framework)
Bloom’s Taxonomy for Cognitive Learning Objectives
Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (UDL Guidelines)
Additional United States Alignment Areas
Alignment to state and provincial academic standards when content applies
Media and Information Literacy standards
Social Emotional Learning and 21st Century Skills frameworks
Financial Literacy and Employability Skills standards
English as a Second Language and World Language vocabulary support when applicable
International Academic Equivalents (Content-Based Alignment Only)
United Kingdom National Curriculum, Key Stages 3 to 5
AQA, OCR, and Edexcel Examination Board Specifications
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme (IB PYP, MYP, DP)
Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education and Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level (Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level)
Access, Use, and OER Licensing
All lessons are published as Open Educational Resources and may be used, printed, or shared for teaching and learning in classrooms, homeschools, and tutoring environments. Materials are provided for educational use under fair use and may not be resold or distributed commercially.
Episodes from #1235 forward include complete curriculum materials. If you find an older episode without a micro lesson, reach out and it will be moved to the front of the build queue. Starting with Episode #1307, each MP3 page in the RSS feed includes open text at the bottom of the page for quick access to transcripts and curriculum notes.
Teacher and homeschool feedback is always welcome to help improve clarity and layout.
1021: "Faking or Forcing Joy"
Interesting Things with JC #1021: "Faking or Forcing Joy" - Explore the psychological and social effects of faking joy and why it's important to embrace authenticity in your emotions.
1020: "Preventing Fruit Flies on Bananas"
Interesting Things with JC #1020: "Preventing Fruit Flies on Bananas" - Discover a simple trick to keep fruit flies away from your bananas and maintain a pest-free kitchen.
1018: "Mazda Renesis Rotary Engine"
Interesting Things with JC #1018: "Mazda Renesis Rotary Engine" - Explore the advanced engineering of the Renesis rotary engine that powered the Mazda RX-8, pushing the limits of performance and efficiency.
1015: "Emotional Contagion"
Interesting Things with JC #1015: "Emotional Contagion" - Discover the phenomenon of emotional contagion, where we "catch" the emotions of those around us. Learn how mirror neurons play a role in empathy and social connections.
1012: "You Need to Understand Gen X"
Interesting Things with JC #1012: "You Need to Understand Gen X" - Discover what makes Generation X unique, from their early independence as latchkey kids to their resilience amid economic uncertainty and love for rock music.
1011: "What Women Look for in Short-Term and Long-Term Relationships"
Interesting Things with JC #1011: "What Women Look for in Short-Term and Long-Term Relationships" - Discover how women's preferences in men shift from short-term flings to long-term bonds, focusing on the transition from physical attraction to emotional connection.
1010: "Why Guys Like Blondes"
Interesting Things with JC #1010: "Why Guys Like Blondes" - Discover the fascinating reasons behind why some men are particularly attracted to blondes, focusing on their rarity and the youthful vitality they represent.
1009: "Why Men Like Redheads"
Interesting Things with JC #1009: "Why Men Like Redheads" - Discover the intriguing reasons behind why some men are drawn to redheads, focusing on rarity and cultural influence.
1008: "Gossip"
Interesting Things with JC #1008: "Gossip" - Discover why gossip can cause so much drama, affecting trust, relationships, and mental health.
1007: "Why Older Women Find Younger Men Attractive"
Interesting Things with JC #1007: "Why Older Women Find Younger Men Attractive" - Discover the multifaceted reasons behind the increasing attraction between older women and younger men.
1004: "Half of All U.S. Oil Comes from Odessa Texas"
Interesting Things with JC #1004: "Half of All U.S. Oil Comes from Odessa, Texas" - Explore the pivotal role of Odessa in the U.S. oil industry, driven by the Permian Basin's rich resources and advanced drilling technologies.
1003: "Odessa Meteor Crater"
Interesting Things with JC #1003: "Odessa Meteor Crater" - Learn about the Odessa Meteor Crater, an ancient impact site in Texas that provides valuable insights into meteorite impacts and Earth's history.
1002: "Coral Castle"
Interesting Things with JC #1002: "Coral Castle" - Unravel the mystery of how Edward Leedskalnin built Coral Castle by himself using massive stones and no modern machinery.
099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer"
Interesting Things with JC #099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer" - Curious about how the Eiffel Tower changes with the seasons?
097: "Sharks Are Older Than Trees"
Interesting Things with JC #097: "Sharks Are Older Than Trees" - Explore the fascinating fact that sharks have existed longer than trees. Tune in for more!
096: "Most Time Between Twin Births"
Interesting Things with JC #096: "Most Time Between Twin Births" - Discover the amazing story of twins born with the longest gap ever. Tune in for more!
093: "Honey Never Spoils"
Interesting Things with JC #093: "Honey Never Spoils" - Discover why honey has an incredibly long shelf life and is considered nature's perfect preservative.
086: "The Power of Habits"
Interesting Things with JC #086: "The Power of Habits" - Understand how habits influence our lives and success through automatic routines, boosting productivity and well-being.
084: "The Golden Record"
Interesting Things with JC #084: "The Golden Record" - Dive into the story of the Golden Record, a snapshot of Earth's life and culture sent into space aboard Voyager 1 and 2 in 1977. What secrets does it hold? Explore with us!
082: "Neutron Star Density"
Interesting Things with JC #082: "Neutron Star Density" - Explore the fascinating facts about neutron stars and discover why these celestial objects continue to intrigue scientists and enthusiasts alike.