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.
1234: "Yuri Gagarin - The First Human in Space"
Interesting Things with JC #1234: "Yuri Gagarin" - He soared into space, ejected at 23,000 feet, and landed in a field, then changed history forever. This is the wild, true story of the first man in space.
1233: "Notification Hijacking – How Hackers Take Over Your Phone and Accounts"
Interesting Things with JC #1233: "Notification Hijacking – How Hackers Take Over Your Phone and Accounts" - You trust your phone. You trust your alerts. But what if one message, one vibration, wasn’t what it seemed? This episode exposes a chilling method hackers use to silently bypass your defenses and take over everything. You won’t see it coming.
1232: "What is Geographic Tongue?"
Interesting Things with JC #1232: "What is Geographic Tongue?" – This episode explores the unusual condition known as geographic tongue, a benign but bizarre pattern of red patches and white borders that shift across the tongue's surface. Discover who it affects, what causes it, and why it's not something to fear.
1231: "The Boeing F-47"
Interesting Things with JC, Episode #1231: "The Boeing F-47" – It’s official: Boeing beat Lockheed to build America’s next-gen stealth jet. The F-47 is the Air Force’s first sixth-gen fighter. Fusing AI, hypersonic strike, and drone warfare. It’s not just a plane. It’s a warning shot to the world.
1230: “The Heavens Declare”
Interesting Things with JC #1230: “The Heavens Declare” – Psalm 19:1 says the heavens speak. But what are they saying?
1228: "Sea Cucumbers: Butt Breathers"
Interesting Things with JC #1228: "Sea Cucumbers: Butt Breathers" – Some creatures push the limits of nature, but this one redefines how breathing works. And just when you think it can’t get weirder… it does.
1227: "The Plastic Recycling Myth”
Interesting Things with JC #1227: "The Plastic Recycling Myth" - You’ve been told the same story for years. But what if it was never true? Get ready for a revelation that changes everything.
1224: "Ghost in the Coffee Shop – How Nearby Hackers Hijack Your Phone in Real Time"
Interesting Things with JC #1224: "Ghost in the Coffee Shop – How Nearby Hackers Hijack Your Phone in Real Time" - You’re at a café, scrolling your phone. You don’t see the hacker nearby, but they see you. Loved ones, friends, strangers, they could all be hackers looking to steal your data in public places, without ever touching your phone. The hidden dangers of IMEI skimming and device tracking are all too real.
1223: "The Silent Heist – How a Simple Notification Can Unlock Your Entire Digital Life"
Interesting Things with JC #1223: "The Silent Heist – How a Simple Notification Can Unlock Your Entire Digital Life" - Could a single notification be the key to your entire digital identity being stolen? Hackers don’t need malware, they just need to manipulate your notifications, cache, and cloud backups to silently hijack your accounts. This could even be a loved one, friend, or even employer! Think your phone is safe?...Think again....
1222: "Registration of the First Internet Domain Name"
Interesting Things with JC #1222: "Registration of the First Internet Domain Name" - On this day in 1985, the internet as we know it began. Symbolics.com became the first-ever .com domain, marking the start of a new digital frontier. What led to this moment, and how did it shape the future of online identity?
1221: "Psychological Warfare"
Interesting Things with JC #1221: "Psychological Warfare" - From ancient empires to modern cyber tactics, psychological warfare has shaped history. Fear deception & propaganda win battles before they begin.
1220: "Magnetoreception in Animals"
Interesting Things with JC #1220: "Magnetoreception in Animals" - Some animals navigate the world with an invisible force sensing Earth's magnetic field like a built in compass. Birds migrate across continents. Sharks track prey. Turtles return home after years at sea!
1219: "The Law of Assumption"
Interesting Things with JC #1219: "The Law of Assumption" - Neville Goddard claimed it does. But is it psychology or wishful thinking? Explore how assumptions influence outcomes.
1218: "5000 Year Battery"
Interesting Things with JC #1218: "5000 Year Battery" - A battery that lasts for millennia without ever needing a recharge sounds impossible but the nuclear diamond battery could make it a reality. Using carbon-14 from nuclear waste encased in diamond this technology could revolutionize energy storage for medical implants satellites and remote sensors.
1217: "ADHD A Hunters Edge or Desk Job Disorder?"
Interesting Things with JC #1217: "ADHD A Hunters Edge or Desk Job Disorder?" - Once an asset for survival ADHD traits helped early humans stay alert and adaptable But in today's rigid world they are seen as a disorder Is ADHD really a flaw or just an evolutionary mismatch.
1216 "American Shipbuilding"
Interesting Things with JC #1216 "American Shipbuilding" - From colonial frigates to nuclear-powered carriers US shipbuilding shaped history. But decades of decline left the nation reliant on foreign-built ships until now.
1213: "How Do Escalators Work?"
Interesting Things with JC #1213: "How Do Escalators Work?" - Escalators are more than moving staircases. They use a continuous loop of gears chains and rollers to transport thousands safely every hour. Learn how they work and what keeps them running.
1212: "Hawk-Eye Technology"
Interesting Things with JC #1212: "Hawk-Eye Technology" - From controversial calls to unquestionable precision, Hawk-Eye has changed how sports are officiated. With millimeter accuracy, this technology has become essential in tennis, cricket, soccer, and beyond. Explore how it works and why it’s shaping the future of sports.
1211: "3425"
Interesting Things with JC 1211: "3425" - What if a simple number wasn’t so simple? 3425 is a semi-prime with cryptographic significance, a number that changes properties when reversed, and one that has surfaced in digital security and code breaking methods. From encryption to historical transmissions, 3425 may be more than just four digits.
1210: "Why use a Rebar Stretcher?"
Interesting Things with JC #1210: "Why use a Rebar Stretcher?" - Rebar is the backbone of modern construction but what happens when a piece comes up short Enter the rebar stretcher a tool designed to adjust reinforcing steel on-site! Discover how it works and why it's a must-have for any serious builder