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.
888: "40% of Wildflowers are Planted by Ants"
Interesting Things with JC #888: "40% of Wildflowers are Planted by Ants" - Ants, with their keen eye for snacks, play a vital role in the growth of wildflowers by distributing seeds rich in elaiosomes. This symbiotic relationship between ants and seeds creates fertile grounds, promoting biodiversity and enriching the ecosystem.
774: "Edward Casey - Space and Place"
Interesting Things with JC #774: "Edward Casey - Space and Place" delves into Edward Casey's philosophy, unraveling the profound distinctions between 'space' and 'place' that shape our human experience. It explores how our environments influence our identities and enrich our lives. Explore the essence of phenomenology and the intricate dance between the abstract and the meaningful in our surroundings.
693: "Harmful Algae Blooms"
Interesting Things with JC #693: "Harmful Algae Blooms" - Learn about harmful algal blooms and their impact on our waters, health, and environment. Discover how these excessive algae growths can harm aquatic life, contaminate drinking water, and why it's important to avoid contact with them.
634: "Red Tanager"
Interesting Things with JC #634: "Red Tanager" - A species of strikingly beautiful bird found in Texas' dense forests and is actually a member of the Cardinal family. This bird was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 book Systema Naturae.
627: "Big Eyed Ostriches"
Interesting Things with JC #627: "Big Eyed Ostriches" - Ostriches have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, even bigger than their brain, measuring about the size of a billiard ball. They also lay the largest eggs in the world!
619: "Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge"
Interesting Things with JC #619: "Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge" is a protected area located on Florida's Space Coast, encompassing 140,000 acres of diverse habitats and ecosystems.
Established in 1963, the refuge is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species such as the Florida scrub jay and West Indian manatee.
The refuge also played a vital role in the U.S. space program, serving as the launch site for Apollo missions and other historic spaceflights.
531: "Bananas Glow Blue Under Black Light"
Interesting Things with JC #531: "Bananas Glow Blue Under Black Light" - Ripening bananas reveal secrets of cell death under UV light.