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.
1259: "Farming in April"
Interesting Things with JC #1259: "Farming in April" – A moment too soon and it’s disaster. A moment too late and the field’s already lost. In America’s Breadbasket, April doesn’t wait...it dares you to act.
843: 'Sojourner Truth'
Interesting Things with JC #843: 'Sojourner Truth' - Explore the impactful life of 19th-century abolitionist and women's rights advocate Sojourner Truth. Born into slavery, her powerful speeches, including the iconic 'Ain't I a Woman?' address, resonated in the fight for justice.
579: "Johnny Appleseed Day"
Interesting Things with JC #579: "Johnny Appleseed Day" - Johnny Appleseed was an American pioneer of tree farming who planted apple trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, parts of what is now Ontario Canada, and the northern counties of West Virginia. Let's learn more about this legendary apple farmer!
570: "The World's Tallest Couple: Anna & Martin"
Interesting Things with JC #570: "The World's Tallest Couple: Anna & Martin" - Discover the fascinating story of Anna Swan, born weighing 16 pounds and grew to 7 feet 11 inches tall. From working at Barnum's museum to finding love in the heart of Martin, and becoming the world's tallest couple, their life together was a true spectacle.
568: "Mystery of the Circleville Letters"
Interesting Things with JC #568: "Mystery of the Circleville Letters" - Uncover the mystery of the Circleville writer, whose letters exposed secrets & led to tragedy in 1970s Ohio. From affairs to murder accusations, the truth of this true crime tale remains a mystery.
549: "General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren"
Interesting Things with JC #549: "General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren" - Discover the fascinating love story of General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren, two legendary American performers who rose to the heights of fame in the late 1800's United States and around the world.
513: "World's Largest Human Hairball"
Interesting Things with JC #513: "World's Largest Human Hairball" named Hoss breaks world record weighing in at 102.12 kg/225.13 lbs & is recognized by Ripley's and Guinness.
391: "Pro Football Hall of Fame"
Interesting Things with JC #391: "The Pro Football Hall of Fame," which honors the people and events that shaped the history of professional football, was established on September 7, 1963, in Canton, Ohio.
360: "Jimmie's Ladder 11 - Dayton Ohio"
Interesting Things with JC #360: "Jimmie's Ladder 11 - Dayton Ohio" dates back to 1892 and was once home to one of Dayton's last horse-drawn firefighting crews, there is a former firehouse that has been converted into a bar and an amazing restaurant. If you stop by make sure to tell Mike and April JC sent you!
Please visit https://www.jladder11.com/ for more information.
343: "Tecumseh"
Interesting Things with JC #343: "Tecumseh" was founded in 1934 by Raymond Wesley Herrick and Charles Floyd Sage in Tecumseh, Michigan. Herrick & Sage were both tool and die maker-machinists at their own companies, which came together to create the Tecumseh Products Company.
318: "Cotton Candy"
Interesting Things with JC #318: "Cotton Candy" - When a dentist by the name of William Morrison and a confectioner by the name of John C. Wharton teamed up, cotton candy as we know it today was invented for the first time in 1897. Together, they built a device that spun heated sugar across a screen to give candy the familiar floss-like texture.
196 - Interesting Things: Tom Thumb - Steam Power on the Railroad
On February 28th 1827 The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became the first steam-operated railway in the United States to be chartered as a common carrier of freight and passengers. All thanks to Peter Cooper as well as the B&O railroad.