A Short Story Podcast Series
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
1178: "Golden Blood"
Interesting Things with JC #1178: "Golden Blood" – Rarer than gold and just as vital, Rh-null blood is one of the rarest types on Earth. With fewer than 50 known carriers, it’s a universal lifeline in transfusion medicine. Discover its unique power in this episode!
1177: "Lead Madness"
Interesting Things with JC #1177: "Lead Madness" – Behind the gleaming walls of history lies a toxic secret. From the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution, lead shaped civilizations while silently destroying lives. It's a cautionary tale about the unseen costs of progress.
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.