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.
1260: "Replacing the Pope"
Interesting Things with JC #1260: "Replacing the Pope" – When a pope dies, silence descends, and a centuries-old ritual begins. From shattered rings to sealed rooms, the Church pauses while the world waits for white smoke.
1170: "Blood Minerals - The Hidden Cost of Progress"
Interesting Things with JC #1170: "Blood Minerals - The Hidden Cost of Progress" - Every smartphone and laptop connects to more than the internet—it connects to a hidden cost. Explore how essential minerals power technology but fuel conflict and exploitation.
528: "Antarctic Meteorite"
Interesting Things with JC #528: "Antarctic Meteorite" - International scientists discover 5 meteorites, including one weighing 16.7 pounds, in Antarctica using satellite imagery.
Ref - https://actus.ulb.be/fr/actus/recherche/mission-en-antarctique-decouverte-dune-meteorite-de-7-6-kg
459: "Crystals That Generate Electricity From Heat"
Interesting Things #459: "Crystals That Generate Electricity From Heat" - A new study shows that simple changes to a synthetic copper mineral's composition can give it a complex structure and microstructure, laying the groundwork for properties that could change the way industry generates electricity.
#RoyaltyFree #Educational
447: "Princeton Physicists Find Room-Temperature Quantum State".
Interesting Things with JC #447: "Princeton Physicists Find Room-Temperature Quantum State".
105: “Popcorn as Insulation”
Interesting Things with JC #105: “Popcorn as Insulation” - Ever wondered about the origins of popcorn? Additionally, were you aware that scientists at the University of Göttingen in Germany have pioneered a new method for producing insulation boards using 'granulated' popcorn?
101: “Andrew Jackson Killed Charles Dickinson”
One of most famous and fascinating duels in US history involved Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson. Dickinson insulted Jackson’s wife after a long tenured trade of insults in the newspapers.
Dickinson was regarded as one of the best shots in America and Jackson was a fearless soldier. The future President took a bullet to the chest, survived re-cocked his pistol and killed Dickinson.