A Short Story Podcast Series
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Episodes vary in duration from 30 seconds to 8 minutes.
All episodes are royalty free in their entirety—except for #509.
If you have an idea for an episode, please reach out to our team and we’ll happily schedule the topic for a future recording.
Priority is given to homeschooling parents, teachers, educators, and lifelong learning professionals.
Select episodes now include free curriculum materials at the bottom of the episode page, designed to support open education initiatives, teachers, classrooms, and homeschool use. These materials are aligned to multiple educational standards globally.
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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 over the air in various cities: in Detroit on 93.5 FM and WCSX-94.7 HD2, in Tampa on 1010 WHFS-AM, in Charlotte on 94.7 FM and WSOC-HD3, and in Ft. Myers/Naples on 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, 105.1 FM, and WXKB-HD2.
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Curriculum Summary for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Lifelong Learners
Interesting Things with JC now features free curriculum materials to go with select episodes, created for teachers, homeschool families, and curious learners of all ages.
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.
To review examples, check out any episode from #1235 to today, just scroll down.
Beginning with Episode #1307 we’re shifting to an open text format at the bottom of every MP3 page in the RSS. This should allow greater ease of access.
If you are using the curriculum your feedback is greatly appreciated, that’s how iterations like this continue to drive changes in the layout, and useability.
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If you intend to feature the series on your podcast or use it in your broadcast feed as interstitial content, please tag us on social media and/or send us an email.
1102: "Umi-Bozu"
Interesting Things with JC #1102: "Umi-Bozu" - Meet the Umi-Bozu, the ghostly sea spirits of Japanese legend. Rising from the waves, these colossal beings confront sailors with ominous demands. Discover how this haunting folklore reflects Japan’s deep respect and fear of the ocean.
008: "The Lincoln Imp"
Interesting Things with JC #008: "The Lincoln Imp" - Delve into the folklore of the Lincoln Imp, a cheeky creature turned to stone in Lincoln Cathedral. This legendary imp has become a beloved symbol of Lincoln, captivating locals and visitors with its enchanting story.
857: "Walter Johnson"
Interesting Things with JC #857: "Walter Johnson" - Celebrating the remarkable career of 'The Big Train,' a baseball icon with a powerful fastball. From MVP awards to managerial roles, his enduring legacy echoes in the annals of sports history.
473: "The House at the Bottom of Gardner Lake"
Interesting Things with JC #473: "The House at the Bottom of Gardner Lake" - During the winter of 1895, a family attempted to transport their home across a frozen lake, but it fell beneath the water!
416: "Where Do Player Fines Go?"
Interesting Things with JC #416: "Where Do Player Fines Go?" - Have you ever wondered what happens to the fines that National Football League players must pay? Let’s find out where that money goes!
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..
340: "Babe the Blue Ox"
Interesting Things with JC #340: "Babe the Blue Ox" — Paul Bunyan took a stroll during the Blue Snow Winter. While he was up to his knees in icy blue snow, he heard a noise that sounded like a bleat snort. Looking down, he noticed a small blue bull snorting angrily and bouncing around in the snow.
339: "Paul Bunyan"
Interesting Things with JC #339: "Paul Bunyan" - Once upon a time, a large man named Paul Bunyan existed. Bunyan was a lumberjack who traversed the country with his blue ox, Babe. Paul Bunyan's tales are legendary and an integral part of American folklore.
109: “RC Cola and a Moon Pie”
Interesting Things with JC #109: “RC Cola and a Moon Pie” - A Match Made in Heaven. RC Cola and Moon Pies are often mentioned in the same breath, akin to peanut butter and jelly. But how did this pairing come to be viewed as such a perfect match? Discover the fascinating histories of both the Moon Pie and RC Cola & explore how these two iconic treats became an irresistible combination.
102: “Moby Dick was Real”
Interesting Things with JC #102: “Moby Dick was Real” - Mocha Dick was a male sperm whale that lived in the Pacific Ocean in the early 19th century, usually encountered in the waters near Mocha Island, off the central coast of Chile. He was hunted for 20 years and destroyed more ships than any whale hunted before. The legend of Moby Dick aka Mocha Dick, was real.