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.
1283: "The Strange Strength of Mixed Emotions"
Interesting Things with JC #1283: "The Strange Strength of Mixed Emotions" – What if emotional health isn’t about staying positive, but embracing every feeling? A surprising link between biodiversity and mental resilience. This Story was inspired by Dr. Igo.
1280: "The Sword in the Stone of Saint Galgano"
Interesting Things with JC #1280: "The Sword in the Stone of Saint Galgano" – A knight lays down his weapon, not in battle, but in surrender. Eight centuries later, the blade still stands. What if the greatest strength is choosing to let go?
1278: "1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport"
Interesting Things with JC #1278: "1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport" – It didn’t rumble. It resonated. Buick’s Riviera Gran Sport arrived with European elegance and left a dent in American bravado. Not a muscle car...an answer to them.
1277: "Insulin’s Legacy - The Untold Stories"
Interesting Things with JC #1277: "Insulin’s Legacy: The Untold Stories" – A miracle drug born of compassion, then swallowed by conflict. This is the story behind the needle, and the price we still pay for what was once meant to be free.
1252: "April 14th, 1939, The Book That Brought America to Its Knees"
Interesting Things with JC #1252: "April 14th, 1939, The Book That Brought America to Its Knees" – One novel. Five months. And a country that never saw it coming. On April 14th, 1939, John Steinbeck lit a match that scorched American silence.
1244: "Operation Midnight Climax: The CIA's Covert Safehouses"
Interesting Things with JC #1244: "Operation Midnight Climax: The CIA's Covert Safehouses" – Behind a one-way mirror, the CIA drugged Americans in secret safehouses, searching for a new kind of control. The truth leaked decades later, but not before the bourbon was poured.
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.
1225: "The Infamous Gardner Museum Heist"
Interesting Things with JC #1225: "The Infamous Gardner Museum Heist" - Two men. Police uniforms. A museum filled with priceless art. They walked in. They walked out. 500 million dollars gone. No alarms. No arrests. No answers. Where is the art? Who pulled off the greatest art heist in history?
1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain”
Interesting Things with JC #1204: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 – The Tragedy Over Lake Pontchartrain” - Nine minutes after takeoff, Flight 304 vanished over Lake Pontchartrain. No warning. No survivors. Investigators found wreckage but no definitive cause. Could an instrument failure have sent the pilots into a deadly spiral? The mystery remains, but its lessons shaped the future of aviation.
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.
1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day"
Interesting Things with JC #1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day" – From running secret marathons to making history in horse racing, these lesser-known female athletes redefined what’s possible. Discover the untold stories of trailblazers who changed the game forever.
1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?"
Interesting Things with JC #1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?" - Shrimp standing up isn’t just a curious sight, it’s a genetic behavior! Let’s dive into the details!!
1032: "The Amber Room"
Interesting Things with JC #1032: "The Amber Room" - The Amber Room, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," was a masterpiece of art and opulence, made of amber panels, gold leaf, and mirrors.
But during WWII, this magnificent room vanished, and its whereabouts remain one of history's greatest mysteries.
Join us as we explore the story of its creation, disappearance, and the ongoing search for this lost treasure.
1029: "The Great Alaskan Zucchini"
Interesting Things with JC #1029: "The Great Alaskan Zucchini" - Dive into the remarkable phenomenon of Alaska's gigantic zucchinis, where nearly 20 hours of summer sunlight fuel extraordinary growth.
Learn about the innovative techniques that help these crops thrive and celebrate the awe-inspiring ways nature adapts to Alaska's unique environment.
This episode was inspired by Haley Hongslo.
1028: "What is a Mountain Chicken?"
Interesting Things with JC #1028: "What is a Mountain Chicken?" - Discover the Mountain Chicken, one of the largest frogs in the world, native to the Caribbean and critically endangered. Learn about its unique traits and the efforts to save it from extinction.
1026: "The Halcon Road Washout of 2019"
Interesting Things with JC #1026: "The Halcon Road Washout of 2019" - Explore how the 2019 washout of Halcon Road in San Luis Obispo County affected the local community and the efforts to rebuild. This story was inspired by "Buck Dashe"
1024: "The Salinas River"
Interesting Things with JC #1024: "The Salinas River" - Discover the critical role the Salinas River plays in central California, from supporting agriculture to shaping American literature.
1003: "Odessa Meteor Crater"
Interesting Things with JC #1003: "Odessa Meteor Crater" - Learn about the Odessa Meteor Crater, an ancient impact site in Texas that provides valuable insights into meteorite impacts and Earth's history.
092: "Washington State and the Desire for Autonomy"
Interesting Things with JC #092: "Washington State and the Desire for Autonomy" - Dive into the movement to divide Washington State and incorporate part of it into Idaho, focusing on better representation and localized governance for the region east of the Cascade Mountains.
089: "Semper Fidelis"
Interesting Things with JC #089: "Semper Fidelis" - Explore the deep loyalty and commitment embodied by the US Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis," shaping Marines' lives and creating lifelong bonds.