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.
1199: "The Battle of Edinburgh 1547 – The Rough Wooing War"
Interesting Things with JC #1199: "The Battle of Edinburgh 1547 – The Rough Wooing War" – England’s aggressive campaign to force Scotland into union led to devastation, but it also strengthened Scotland’s ties to France.
1105: "Blue Men of the Minch"
Interesting Things with JC #1105: "Blue Men of the Minch" - Explore the chilling tale of the Blue Men of the Minch, supernatural beings who haunt the waters between Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Learn how these blue-skinned spirits challenge sailors with riddles and why they remain a captivating part of Scotland’s folklore.
013: "The Falkirk Wheel"
Interesting Things with JC #013: "The Falkirk Wheel" - Explore The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland's pioneering rotating boat lift that seamlessly connects two major canals. This impressive structure not only facilitates transportation but also showcases cutting-edge engineering and innovation in the UK.
912: "Faroe Islands"
Interesting Things with JC #912: "Faroe Islands" - Embark on a journey to the remote and captivating Faroe Islands, where rugged cliffs, ancient legends, and vibrant culture await exploration. Tune in to unravel the mysteries and marvels of this enchanting archipelago.
491: "New Caledonia"
Interesting Things with JC #491: "New Caledonia" is a beautiful archipelago located in the South Pacific. It's the ideal place to get a "break from the ads" and enjoy nature.
438: "Samhain & Halloween"
Interesting Things with JC #438: "Samhuinn & Hallows' Eve" - You can find the roots of Halloween in the Celtic Samhain festival in Ireland.
424: "World Porridge Day"
Interesting Things with JC #424: "World Porridge Day" is an annual celebration held on the 10th of October.
330: "Orangemen's Day"
Interesting Things with JC #330: "Orangemen's Day"-William of Orange and James II fought in Ireland in July 1690. It was the last fight between the crowned kings of England, Scotland, and Ireland. William of Orange won and dominated Ireland for years. It is a public holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador, so most schools and businesses are closed and most people have the day off. By the end of the 1800s, Orangemen's parades were a regular thing in many Newfoundland towns.
185 - Interesting Things: The Kelpies of Scotland
The Kelpies stand 100ft tall & weigh 300 tonnes each. The works of art have become iconic after being modelled on icons of times gone by, with names from mythological transforming beasts, that possess the strength & endurance of 100 horses.