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.
1195: "Pineapple Cucumber Salad"
Interesting Things with JC #1195: "Pineapple Cucumber Salad" – Crisp cucumber and juicy pineapple combine with a tangy dressing for a salad bursting with flavor. Fast, fresh, and perfect for any table—discover the taste sensation.
1194: "Stonehenge of Lake Michigan"
Interesting Things with JC #1194: "Stonehenge of Lake Michigan" - 40 feet beneath Lake Michigan, a mysterious stone alignment could be over 10,000 years old. Hunters, mastodons, or ritual site? The lake keeps its secrets.
1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human"
Interesting Things with JC #1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human" - An ancient chromosome fusion changed human evolution. Discover the genetic clue hidden in all of us.
1191: "B-2 Spirit"
Interesting Things with JC #1191: "B-2 Spirit" – A bomber that’s invisible to radar, flies across the globe, and costs over a billion dollars. The B-2 Spirit isn’t just a plane—it’s a revolution in stealth warfare.
1189: "Marilyn vos Savant"
Interesting Things with JC #1189: "Marilyn vos Savant" – With an IQ of 228, Marilyn vos Savant held the highest recorded IQ in Guinness World Records. But her real legacy was solving the Monty Hall Problem and challenging the mathematical community. Discover how she reshaped our understanding of probability and logic.
1188: "Your Thoughts and Beliefs Shape Your Reality"
Interesting Things with JC #1188: "Your Thoughts and Beliefs Shape Your Reality" - What if your thoughts could rewire your brain, heal your body, or even shape reality itself? The fascinating science of belief, from hypnosis and neuroplasticity to the quantum realm, and learn how your mind is more powerful than you think.
1187: "Who Were the Ancient North Eurasians?"
Interesting Things with JC #1187: "Who Were the Ancient North Eurasians?" - Nearly 24,000 years ago, a boy near Lake Baikal was buried with mammoth ivory carvings. His DNA reveals a surprising link between Ancient North Eurasians and populations across the Americas, Europe, and South Asia. Explore how their migrations shaped human genetics, languages, and technologies.
1183: "Spintronics"
Interesting Things with JC #1183: "Spintronics" - What if computers ran on spin instead of charge? Discover how spintronics is revolutionizing computing and data storage.
1181: "Groundhogs"
Interesting Things with JC #1181: "Groundhogs" – Forget Groundhog Day. These resilient rodents have been shaping ecosystems for millions of years! Learn how they construct massive underground tunnels, survive deep hibernation, and play a crucial role in the wild.
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.