A Short Story Podcast Series
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Link to Podcast Library or Scroll for Daily Feed
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Episodes run 30 seconds to 8 minutes.
Send us your episode ideas, we’ll work the topics into future recordings, and credit you.
Homeschooling parents, teachers, and lifelong learners get priority.
Many episodes include free curriculum materials aligned to global standards.
Legal Disclaimer
All episodes of Interesting Things with JC are provided free of charge for educational purposes under fair use, with the exception of Episode #509. The series, including its associated curriculum and materials, may not be copied, resold, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written agreement and consent from JimConnors LLC. Unauthorized commercial use, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved © JimConnors LLC.
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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 in these cities:
Detroit – WCSX 94.7 HD2
Tampa – 1010 WJBR-AM
Charlotte – 94.7 FM and WSOC-HD3
Fort Myers / Naples – 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, 105.1 FM, and WXKB-HD2
You can also stream it nationwide at PodcastRadioUS.com
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Kick off class with a quick boost. Play an episode of Interesting Things with JC to get your students interested right off the bat. The short stories are easy to follow, and the free curriculum gives you everything you need to turn that spark into a full lesson with questions, activities, and real learning.
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.
Disclaimer:Interesting Things with JC and its companion curriculum are provided for educational purposes under fair use. They are free to access and share for teaching and learning, but not for resale or commercial distribution.
Examples: Browse any episode from #1235 to the present.
Format Update: Starting with Episode #1307, each MP3 page in the RSS includes open text at the bottom for easier access.
Feedback: Curriculum users, your input helps improve layout and usability. Your feedback is welcomed.
Older Episodes: If you find one without curriculum, drop me a line. I’ll prioritize building it out. The goal is for every episode to have full resources.
1151: "Derinkuyu Turkey"
Interesting Things with JC #1151: "Derinkuyu Turkey" – Journey into Cappadocia’s underground city that sheltered 20,000 people. Discover its advanced engineering, hidden networks, and the mystery of why most of it remains unexplored!
1150: "Second Sleep"
Interesting Things with JC #1150: "Second Sleep" – What if waking up at night wasn’t insomnia, but a link to an ancient rhythm? Long before electric lights, humanity followed two distinct phases of sleep. Discover how this practice shaped cultures and what science reveals about its benefits today.
1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Interesting Things with JC #1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Did you know your brain has its own hidden ripples that shape how you experience the world?
In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research on intrinsic traveling waves—patterns of neural activity that prime your senses and may hold the key to new therapies for neurological disorders.
This episode was inspired by “AJ”
Ref: Davis ZW, Busch A, Steward C, Muller L, Reynolds J. Horizontal cortical connections shape intrinsic traveling waves into feature-selective motifs that regulate perceptual sensitivity. Cell Rep. 2024 Sep 24;43(9):114707. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114707. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39243374; PMCID: PMC11485754.
1145: "The Library of Ashurbanipal - The World's First Repository of Knowledge"
Interesting Things with JC #1145: "The Library of Ashurbanipal: The World's First Repository of Knowledge" - King Ashurbanipal’s library in Nineveh preserved ancient wisdom on clay tablets, from myths to medicine. Discover its story and lasting legacy.
1144: "The Power Source of Voyager 1"
Interesting Things with JC #1144: "The Power Source of Voyager 1" - Discover how radioisotope thermoelectric generators power Voyager 1’s 50-year mission and interstellar journey.
1138: "Shared Existence"
Interesting Things with JC #1138: "Shared Existence" - What does it mean to be truly seen? This episode explores the depth of human connection, vulnerability, and how recognition transforms the way we see ourselves.
1136: "Everything is Connected"
Interesting Things with JC #1136: "Everything is Connected" - Explore the profound idea that everything in our world is interlinked. Discover how ancient philosophies and modern science align to reveal a universe bound together in surprising ways.
1135: "Assyrian Rosette"
Interesting Things with JC #1135: "Assyrian Rosette" - Discover the story of the Assyrian Rosette, a symbol etched into the palace walls of Ashurnasirpal II in ancient Nimrud.
1134: "Emerald Tablet of Thoth"
Interesting Things with JC #1134: "Emerald Tablet of Thoth" - Can a single text bridge the gap between science, mysticism, and philosophy? The Emerald Tablet of Thoth might!
1133: "Realizing the Truth of Who You Are"
Interesting Things with JC #1133: "Realizing the Truth of Who You Are" - Who are you beyond the labels and expectations placed on you? We explore the universal journey of self-discovery through the lens of ancient philosophy, modern neuroscience, and cultural traditions.
1132: "Quantum Cryptography"
Interesting Things with JC #1132: "Quantum Cryptography" - Dive into the fascinating world of quantum cryptography, where cutting-edge technology meets quantum mechanics to revolutionize data security. Learn how quantum key distribution (QKD) uses photons to make data virtually unhackable!
1131: "A Simple Riddle 9"
Interesting Things with JC #1131: "A Simple Riddle 9" - Think you’ve got what it takes to solve today’s riddle? Test your brainpower, but don’t forget—pause the podcast before I give you the answer if you need more time to think!
1130: "The Voynich Manuscript"
Interesting Things with JC, Episode #1130: "The Voynich Manuscript" - A 15th-century text with cryptic symbols and strange illustrations, has puzzled experts for over 100 years. Despite modern technology, its purpose and meaning remain unknown.
1127: "G16E-GTS - Toyota’s Turbocharged Titan"
Interesting Things with JC #1127: "G16E-GTS - Toyota’s Turbocharged Titan" - Small but mighty, Toyota’s G16E-GTS is a turbocharged 1.6L, 3-cylinder engine that redefines what compact power can achieve. Built with cutting-edge engineering, this little powerhouse stands toe-to-toe with much larger engines. Discover the story behind this revolutionary design.
1124: "The Science of Healthy Homes"
Interesting Things with JC #1124: "The Science of Healthy Homes" - Your home holds secrets! Drafts, leaks, and inefficiencies will cost you money and comfort. A blower door test can uncover them all, setting the stage for energy-efficient upgrades. Let's check out the science behind a healthy home! A special thank you to "The Tech Ed Teacher" Associate Producer of this Episode.
1123: "All Things ARE Possible"
Interesting Things with JC #1123: "All Things are Possible" - A tiny seed may seem insignificant, yet it contains the blueprint for immense growth. Like that seed, we hold untapped potential within ourselves. When nurtured in the right conditions, all things are possible. Explore this powerful metaphor and the science behind positivity!
1122: "Discovery of the Great Barrier Reef"
Interesting Things with JC #1122: "Discovery of the Great Barrier Reef" - In 1770, Captain James Cook and his crew encountered an unseen obstacle beneath the waters of the South Pacific. What could have been a catastrophe revealed the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth!
1121: "Metamaterials and Negative Refraction"
Interesting Things with JC #1121: "Metamaterials and Negative Refraction" - Check out the groundbreaking world of metamaterials and negative refraction. Discover how these engineered materials are bending the rules of physics, enabling innovations like invisibility cloaks, superlenses, and wave manipulation. A special thank you to Liesel for inspiring today's episode.
1120: "The Ocean's Midnight Zone"
Interesting Things with JC #1120: "The Ocean's Midnight Zone" - Journey to the ocean's midnight zone, a dark and mysterious frontier teeming with bioluminescent creatures and extraordinary adaptations. Discover how life thrives in this extreme environment, where crushing pressure and freezing temperatures push biological boundaries. Explore why this little-known realm remains a critical focus for scientific discovery. Thank you to "Mr. Adalbert" for suggesting today's topic.
1119: "Sonogenetics - The Science of Controlling Cells with Sound"
Interesting Things with JC #1119: "Sonogenetics - The Science of Controlling Cells with Sound" - Explore the revolutionary world of sonogenetics, where sound waves meet cellular biology. Learn how scientists are using ultrasound to control neurons, deliver drugs, and pioneer treatments for neurological disorders and cancer. Dive into this fascinating discovery and its profound impact on science and medicine. A very special thank you to "Dr. Steve" for suggesting today's episode.