A Short Story Podcast Series
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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.
1209: "GibberLink"
Interesting Things with JC #1209: "GibberLink" - GibberLink Mode lets AI detect each other and switch from human speech to a machine-specific language. It boosts efficiency but raises concerns. If AI no longer needs human language, how do we stay in control?
1206: “What Is a Topoconductor and Why Does It Matter?”
Interesting Things with JC #1206: “What Is a Topoconductor and Why Does It Matter?” - Topoconductors are unlocking quantum computing AI and energy advances. They aren’t the future they’re now…and this advancement has the potential to revolutionize humanity.
1205: "How do Automated Car Wash Tiers Work?"
Interesting Things with JC #1205: "How do Automated Car Wash Tiers Work?" - How does a Car Wash know what service your car should get Sensors solenoids and millisecond timing make it happen Learn how the system ensures perfect results.
1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain”
Interesting Things with JC #1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain” - Nine minutes after takeoff, Flight 304 vanished over Lake Pontchartrain. No warning. No survivors. Investigators found wreckage but no definitive cause. Could an instrument failure have sent the pilots into a deadly spiral? The mystery remains, but its lessons shaped the future of aviation.
1203: "The Speed of Light"
Interesting Things with JC #1203: "The Speed of Light" - In 1676, Ole Rømer made a groundbreaking discovery—proving light had a measurable speed. By observing Jupiter’s moon Io, he revealed the first true calculation of how fast light travels. This revelation defied centuries of belief and set the stage for modern physics.
1201: "Glycine – The Sleep Boosting Secret in Your Soup"
Interesting Things with JC #1201: "Glycine – The Sleep Boosting Secret in Your Soup" – The key to better sleep might not be melatonin but glycine, an amino acid found in bone broth. It helps lower body temperature, calm the nervous system, and improve deep sleep—without side effects.
1200: "The Dark Factor Behind Human Behavior"
Interesting Things with JC #1200: "The Dark Factor Behind Human Behavior" – Psychologists say the D, or "Dark Factor," drives traits like deceit and greed. How much D is in you—and what happens when you find out?
1196: "Skara Brae"
Interesting Things with JC #1196: "Skara Brae" – A deadly storm in 1850 ripped the land open—and revealed a Neolithic village older than Stonehenge. Skara Brae’s stone homes, beds, and even toilets lay untouched for 5,000 years. But the same sea that unearthed it now threatens to wipe it away forever.
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.