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.
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.
1175: "From Victim to Empowerment"
Interesting Things with JC #1175: "From Victim to Empowerment" - Feeling powerless? Learn how to reclaim control and transform your mindset with science-backed strategies. From Viktor Frankl’s inspiring story to practical tools for resilience, this episode dives into what it takes to shift from victimhood to empowerment.
1174: "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - The Oldest in America"
Interesting Things with JC #1174: "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - The Oldest in America" – High in California’s White Mountains lies a forest of resilience and history. Home to Methuselah, a tree over 4,800 years old, this ancient forest reveals secrets of survival and Earth’s past.
1173: "Astrobiology and Extremophiles"
Interesting Things with JC #1173: "Astrobiology and Extremophiles" – Microbes that thrive in extreme environments may hold the key to life beyond Earth. Learn how extremophiles are shaping our understanding of the cosmos and space exploration.
1172: "The Overthinker’s Paradox"
Interesting Things with JC #1172: "The Overthinker’s Paradox" – Ever felt trapped in a loop of endless thinking? Learn why overthinking clouds your decisions and discover practical methods to regain clarity.
1171: "The Discovery of Insulin"
Interesting Things with JC #1171: "The Discovery of Insulin" – In 1922, the world witnessed a medical breakthrough that would save millions of lives. Learn how Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and their team discovered insulin, saving Leonard Thompson, a young boy with type 1 diabetes, and transforming the future of medicine.
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.
1169: "How Language Connects Us"
Interesting Things with JC #1169: "How Language Connects Us" - Language is more than words—it’s the thread that connects humanity. From Proto-Indo-European roots to ancient scripts, discover how our words preserve shared values, link cultures, and echo across generations.
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.
1166: "Humans are The Only Species with a Chin"
Interesting Things with JC #1166: "Humans are The Only Species with a Chin" – Humans are unique in countless ways, but did you know our chins make us one of a kind in the animal kingdom? Discover why this small facial feature evolved and how it sets us apart from every other species on Earth.
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.
1158: "Ambivalence - The Push and Pull of Human Emotions"
Interesting Things with JC #1158: "Ambivalence - The Push and Pull of Human Emotions" – Explore the thrilling tension of opposing emotions and find strength in the complexity.
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.
1155: "The Scent of Apples Eases Claustrophobia"
Interesting Things with JC #1155: "The Scent of Apples Eases Claustrophobia" – Trapped in fear? Unlock the surprising power of apples to bring calm in confined spaces. A quick listen could change how you see anxiety forever.
1154: "Pronoia"
Interesting Things with JC #1154: "Pronoia" - Is the world secretly on your side? Discover the electrifying concept of pronoia and how it might transform your outlook on life.
1153: "The Law of Large Numbers"
Interesting Things with JC #1153: "The Law of Large Numbers" - From Bernoulli’s 17th-century insights to today’s casinos, see how this law reveals order in chaos. This episode was inspired by John C. Dvorak.
1152: "Antikythera Mechanism"
Interesting Things with JC #1152: "Antikythera Mechanism" – Hidden for centuries in a shipwreck, this 2,000-year-old device could predict eclipses, track planets, and model the heavens. The Antikythera Mechanism showcases a level of innovation that reshaped our understanding of ancient Greek science.