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.
625: "Tomatoes: The Genetic Marvel"
Interesting Things with JC #625: "Tomatoes: The Genetic Marvel" - a team of plant geneticists uncovers the remarkable genetic machinery of tomatoes, discovering that they possess more genes than a human being. Through the lens of science and the senses, this tale explores the intricate techniques of plant genetics and the endless possibilities waiting to be uncovered.
604: "Selkies"
Interesting Things with JC #604: "Selkies" - Selkies are creatures that are half-fish and half-human. They are mentioned in Celtic and Scottish mythology. It's believed they shed their skin and become humans when they land. They seem to always be looking for people who are missing something. Selkie legend lives on in remote coastal areas and on islands.
406: "Skin"
Interesting Things with JC #406: "Skin" is the only visible organ on your body and the largest! Also, do you know there’s something special to help pigs with dry skin?
379: "Our Tongue"
Interesting Things with JC #379: "Our Tongue" is the only muscle in the human body that works independently of the skeleton. It is referred to as a muscular hydrostat.
230: "Zazel - The Human Cannonball"
Interesting Things with JC #230: "ZAZEL - The Human Cannonball". On Easter Monday, April 2nd 1877 the first human cannonball act was performed by 16 year old Rossa Matilda Richter known as Zazel at the Royal Aquarium in London. Interestingly just before her birthday on April 7th.
167 Interesting Things - Laughter
Laughing synchronizes the brains of both speaker and listener so that they become emotionally attuned. It also relaxes the whole body, even just watching people laugh activates the brain to prepare facial muscles to join in!