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.
1369: "Purple Heart Day"
Interesting Things with JC #1369: "Purple Heart Day" – There’s no ceremony for being wounded in war. Just a medal, a memory, and the silence that follows. On August 7, we remember what it costs to come home, and who didn’t.
1291: "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome"
Interesting Things with JC #1292: "Improvise, Adapt, & Overcome" – Born in the field, refined by necessity, this Marine Corps mantra isn't about slogans. It's about survival when the plan fails. Where does grit come from?
1202: "Raising Valor - The Flag on Iwo Jima"
Interesting Things with JC #1202: "Raising Valor - The Flag on Iwo Jima" - The flag on Iwo Jima became an icon—but behind the photo was sacrifice, survival, and loss. This is the real story of this defining WWII moment.
1198: "IWO JIMA"
Interesting Things with JC #1198: "IWO JIMA" – The brutal battle for 8 square miles of volcanic rock forged legends. 70,000 U.S. Marines met hell—21,000 Japanese defenders refused surrender. 27 Medals of Honor for bravery—the most in any battle in U.S. history. Valor, sacrifice, and the flag atop Mount Suribachi became immortal.
1097: "Marines vs. Pirates - The Battle of Derna"
Interesting Things with JC #1097: "Marines vs. Pirates - The Battle of Derna" - In 1805 at Battle of Derna U.S. Marines and their allies pulled off a bold win against Barbary pirates. From the brutal desert trek, the smart strategies used, and the first time the U.S. flag was raised on foreign soil, this battle changed the Marines forever.
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.
722: "Torrey Pines"
Interesting Things with JC #722: "Torrey Pines" - Explore the fascinating journey of Torrey Pines – from a WWII camp to a renowned golf course hosting the U.S. Open!
629: "Raising the Flag - The Pivotal Battle of Derna"
Interesting Things with JC #629: "Raising the Flag - The Pivotal Battle of Derna" - On this day in 1805, Lt. Presley O'Bannon and the Marines made history raising the US flag over foreign soil for the first time, during the Battle of Derna. A pivotal moment in the First Barbary War that is forever immortalized through their bravery.
309: "Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, USMC"
Interesting Things with JC #309: "Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen" was the first African-American United States Marine Corps aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps General.
261: "Kiribati"
Interesting Things with JC #261: “Kiribati” is made up of 33 atolls, these are ring-shaped reefs or a series of islands caused by submerged volcanos. Out of the 33 islands that all straddle the equator, and only 20 are inhabited. Although it only takes up a total of 811sq kilometers, Kiribati spans a distance equal to an area that is roughly the size of India, and it's the only country to fall within the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres. Kiribati is the third-least visited country in the world. Around 6,000 visitors come here annually. Only the Pacific island-nations of the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu receive fewer tourists.