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.
1242: "The Mountain Named for Gods"
Interesting Things with JC #1242: "The Mountain Named for Gods" – In the remote Canadian Arctic, Mount Asgard rises like something forged by myth. Named after the Norse realm of gods, this twin-peaked mountain once staged a legendary James Bond stunt, but its deeper story is carved in stone and memory.
1186: "Chevrolet K10"
Interesting Things with JC #1186: "Chevrolet K10" – The Chevy K10 wasn’t just another pickup; it was a symbol of rugged durability. From its early days in the 1960s to the iconic square-body design of the 1970s and 80s, this truck built a legacy on farms, job sites, and off-road trails. Discover how the K10 evolved and why it remains a sought-after classic today.
071: "Why Eggs Float in Running Water"
Interesting Things with JC #071: "Why Eggs Float in Running Water" - Learn why eggs can float in running water!
004: "Eel Pie Island"
Interesting Things with JC #004: "Eel Pie Island" - Explore the hidden history of Eel Pie Island, a notable site for 1960s rock and blues culture, now a thriving artist community. This Thames island offers a unique glimpse into its storied past and present cultural richness.
998: “Beware of Destiny Swappers”
Interesting Things with JC #998: "Beware of Destiny Swappers" - This episode dives into the manipulative tactics of destiny swappers who strive to steal others' successful paths through deceit and manipulation. It discusses the psychological traits that enable such behaviors and offers strategies to protect oneself from these toxic dynamics. Tune in to learn how to maintain your autonomy and safeguard your personal and professional life from those who might undermine it.
863: "Cyclopia"
Interesting Things with JC #863: "Cyclopia" - Unraveling the rare disorder Cyclopia, exploring its impact on fetal development, facial anomalies, and the challenges faced by families.
683: "Wolf Eel"
Interesting Things with JC #683: "Wolf Eel" - The wolf eel, scientifically known as Anarrhichthys ocellatus, is a fascinating creature found in the cold waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
With its snakelike appearance, monogamous pair bonds, and powerful hunting abilities, it captivates marine enthusiasts. From their rocky reef habitats to their unique ability to "gape" when threatened, wolf eels offer an intriguing glimpse into the diverse world of marine life.
470: "Big Turkey!"
Interesting Things with JC #470: "Big Turkey!" - The largest turkey ever measured weighed 86 pounds (39kg) in London on December 12, 1989
469: "I-35 Little Czech Bakery"
Interesting Things with JC #469: "I-35 Little Czech Bakery" - They sell fresh Czech pastries, coffee, travel pillows, and tamales, and is a typical Texas rest stop too. A poster in the store says that each week, the Czech Stop bakes with more than 1,200 pounds of cream cheese, 9,000 pounds of flour, 750 gallons of milk, 2,400 pounds of butter, 1,300 pounds of sausage, 2,100 dozen eggs, and 2,500 pounds of American cheese.
They’re the home of Kolache (pronounced "koh-LAH-chee") and klobasnek (pronounced "klo-BAH-snik") which are Czech pastries that is wildly popular in Texas.
461: "Where Traditional Kampo Medicines of Japan Came From"
Interesting Things with JC #461: "Where Traditional Kampo Medicines of Japan Came From" - Researchers from Japan and China, led by Professor Toshihiko Matsuo of Okayama University's Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, conducted a thorough review of available Chinese, Japanese, and English literature in order to shed light on a long-standing mystery.
457: "Sneezing Can Break Your Ribs"
Interesting Things with JC #457: "Sneezing Can Break Your Ribs" - You could break a rib if you sneeze too hard!
456: "Tongue Prints"
Interesting Things with JC #456: "Tongue Prints" - Like fingerprints, each person has a unique tongue print. The tongue is an important organ inside the mouth that is well protected from the outside world. It has unique parts that are different for each person, even between identical twins.
454: "Crocodile Tongue"
Interesting Things with JC #454: "Crocodile Tongue" - A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
434: "Countries with THE in their name"
Interesting Things with JC #434: "Countries with THE in their name"
424: "World Porridge Day"
Interesting Things with JC #424: "World Porridge Day" is an annual celebration held on the 10th of October.
397: "Anglesey: Mary, Celtic Druids, King Arthur, and the Prince of Wales"
Interesting Things with JC #397: "Anglesey: Mary, Celtic Druids, King Arthur, and the Prince of Wales" - Are there connections between Royal bloodlines, ancient history, folklore, and titles of nobility? You may have to be the judge..
395: "Cat Paw Pads"
Interesting Things with JC #395: “Cat Paw Pads” are thick and have a lot of fatty tissue. Because their paw pads absorb shock when they jump, cats can almost silently stalk their prey.
138 Interesting Things - Spicy Foods
People crave the spiciness of food just the same way they crave something sweet or salty, but do any other living beings on earth enjoy the hot stuff?
135 Interesting Things - New Years Ball Drop
Before we ring in the new year, let's discover some interesting things about the new years eve ball drop. Did you know the Times Square ball wasn't the first to drop? (4 min audio)
128 Interesting Things - Gift Giving
As human beings, we are social creatures who enjoy each other’s company and expressing our feelings through the giving of gifts. How did people give gifts through the centuries? Let's find out!