A Short Story Podcast Series
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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.
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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.
1064: "Pesto the Penguin"
Interesting Things with JC #1064: "Pesto the Penguin" – Discover the adorable story of Pesto, a 9-month-old king penguin chick at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, who’s already larger than his parents! Learn about his growth, viral fame, and how his keepers are handling this lovable giant.
1057: "Playful Power of Words"
Interesting Things with JC #1057: "Playful Power of Words" - Explore the timeless appeal of word games, from puns to riddles, and discover how these playful twists with language continue to entertain and challenge us.
1054: "Not All Deep Thinking is an Existential Crisis"
Interesting Things with JC #1054: "Not All Deep Thinking is an Existential Crisis" - Not all deep thinking leads to existential anxiety. Learn how reflection, inspired by philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre, can lead to greater clarity and understanding without emotional upheaval.
1053: "When True Events Are Not Part of the Mainstream Narrative"
Interesting Things with JC #1053: "When True Events Are Not Part of the Mainstream Narrative" - Significant events remain absent from mainstream narratives today. Explore how uncovering these hidden stories can transform our understanding of history and the present.
1051: "Choosing the Right Bell Peppers"
Interesting Things with JC #1051: "Choosing the Right Bell Peppers" - Ever flipped a bell pepper to count its lobes, hoping to pick the sweetest one? Discover more about this online legend!
1048: "TON 618"
Interesting Things with JC #1048: "TON 618" - Dive into the fascinating world of TON 618, one of the most mysterious and powerful supermassive black holes in the universe, located approximately 10.4 billion light-years away.
1047: "Eagle Nebula"
Interesting Things with JC #1047: "Eagle Nebula" - Discover the Eagle Nebula, one of the most famous star-forming regions in the universe, located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Serpens. It's a fascinating story about the "Pillars of Creation" and how it all connects to YOU!
1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman"
Interesting Things with JC #1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman" - A 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Alps. Uncover the mysteries surrounding his life and death, the secrets preserved in ice, and what he reveals about our prehistoric ancestors.
1044: "Memory and Emotion"
Interesting Things with JC #1044: "Memory and Emotion"
Explore how emotions influence our memories and why certain moments stay with us forever.
Learn about the powerful connection between feelings and memory formation, and uncover the science behind why emotional events are so memorable.
1043: "The Belief that There Are Good People in the World"
Interesting Things with JC #1043: "The Belief that There Are Good People in the World"
Explore the enduring belief in the inherent goodness of people through historical examples, philosophical teachings, and spiritual traditions.
Discover how this conviction has inspired acts of kindness and shaped societies throughout history.
1040: "Anno Lucis: The Masonic Year of Light"
Interesting Things with JC #1040: "Anno Lucis: The Masonic Year of Light" – The Freemason dating system Anno Lucis (A.L.), meaning "In the Year of Light," adds 4,000 years to the Gregorian calendar, symbolizing the biblical moment of creation.
1035: "Mind Your Thoughts"
Interesting Things with JC #1035: "Mind Your Thoughts" - Our minds produce thousands of thoughts every day, and they shape our emotions, actions, and overall reality.
1034: "Emotional Processing Speed"
Interesting Things with JC #1034: "Emotional Processing Speed" - Did you know your brain processes emotions faster than thoughts? Learn how the amygdala triggers reactions in just milliseconds
1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?"
Interesting Things with JC #1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?" - Shrimp standing up isn’t just a curious sight, it’s a genetic behavior! Let’s dive into the details!!
1031: "Dr. Viktor Adamenko and Bioplasma"
Interesting Things with JC #1031: "Dr. Viktor Adamenko & Bioplasma" - Dr. Viktor Adamenko introduced the controversial concept of "bioplasma" in the 1970s, suggesting that living organisms might have a subtle energy field. Explore the science behind bioplasma, the skepticism it faced, and its lasting impact on bioenergetics research.
This episode is dedicated to the new Dr. Delmont, your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.
1030: "Belly Button Lint"
Interesting Things with JC #1030: "Belly Button Lint" - Dive into the surprisingly complex world of belly button lint!
Learn how body hair, clothing fibers, and even the shape of your navel collaborate to create this quirky phenomenon. Discover why lint is often blue or gray and what it reveals about the materials we wear.
1029: "The Great Alaskan Zucchini"
Interesting Things with JC #1029: "The Great Alaskan Zucchini" - Dive into the remarkable phenomenon of Alaska's gigantic zucchinis, where nearly 20 hours of summer sunlight fuel extraordinary growth.
Learn about the innovative techniques that help these crops thrive and celebrate the awe-inspiring ways nature adapts to Alaska's unique environment.
This episode was inspired by Haley Hongslo.
1028: "What is a Mountain Chicken?"
Interesting Things with JC #1028: "What is a Mountain Chicken?" - Discover the Mountain Chicken, one of the largest frogs in the world, native to the Caribbean and critically endangered. Learn about its unique traits and the efforts to save it from extinction.
1025: "Power of Placebo"
Interesting Things with JC #1025: "Power of Placebo" - Explore the fascinating power of the placebo effect, where belief alone can lead to real health improvements.
1024: "The Salinas River"
Interesting Things with JC #1024: "The Salinas River" - Discover the critical role the Salinas River plays in central California, from supporting agriculture to shaping American literature.