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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.

  • 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 FM

    Nationwide 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.

  • 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.

History, Social, Podcast JC History, Social, Podcast JC

892: "Island of the Dead"

Interesting Things with JC #892: "Island of the Dead" explores Arnold Böcklin's renowned masterpiece and its journey from widespread fame to relative obscurity. Delve into the painting's haunting symbolism, historical significance, and contrasting counterpart, "Island of Life," revealing Böcklin's artistic evolution and enduring impact on art history.

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