A Short Story Podcast Series
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Interesting Things with JC is free to use for teaching and learning under fair use. Educators, homeschooling parents, librarians, and lifelong learners have broad rights to use the episodes and curriculum in any instructional setting. One exception applies to Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors”, which is not covered under this open educational permission.
Full curriculum support begins at Episode #1235: “Three Turns to Freedom”. Any earlier episode without curriculum can be prioritized by request. Educators may contact JimConnors LLC directly, and a matching curriculum module will be created and added to the site.
Teachers and homeschooling families are welcome to use, play, share, print, and adapt all eligible episodes and curriculum materials for lesson planning, instruction, student assignments, LMS uploads, and any other direct educational activity. No special approval is required for everyday classroom use. Crediting the show is appreciated when possible.
This permission does not extend to commercial activity. The episodes and curriculum may not be repackaged, resold, redistributed as a standalone program, or presented as original work by any third party. Any commercial or branded use requires prior written consent from JimConnors LLC. Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors” follows its own restrictions and is excluded from open educational use.
Educators may freely use the content in classrooms, homeschools, co-ops, tutoring programs, library settings, and adult education. They may revise or adapt curriculum pages, print transcripts, share episode links, or integrate materials into their lessons as needed. What is not allowed is turning the work into a paid course, selling derivatives, posting content under another brand, or redistributing the series as a separate product.
Summary:
Free for education.
Not for resale.
Not for commercial repackaging.
Episode #1235: “Three Turns to Freedom” and onward includes full curriculum.
Older episodes can receive curriculum by request.
Episode #509: “Harry Chapin and Jim Connors” is excluded.
All rights reserved © JimConnors LLC. -
Interesting Things with JC is available on the Podcast Radio format in the United Kingdom and the United States. Listeners can tune in on the radio in select cities or stream the station online from anywhere.
United Kingdom – Podcast Radio (UK)
Podcast Radio is a 24-hour all-podcast station based in London. It broadcasts on DAB+ digital radio across London and several other supported UK regions, with full worldwide access through its online stream.
Interesting Things with JC is included in Podcast Radio’s curated programming lineup.
Listeners in the United Kingdom can hear the station on DAB+ receivers in covered areas, through the Podcast Radio website, or through the station’s online and mobile streaming platforms.
United States – Podcast Radio US
In the United States, Interesting Things with JC airs as part of Podcast Radio US across four regional markets. The format is carried on HD Radio channels and FM translators.
Detroit, Michigan: WCSX 94.7 HD2 and 93.5 FM
Tampa Bay, Florida: 1010 WJBR AM
Charlotte, North Carolina: 94.7 FM and WSOC HD3
Fort Myers and Naples, Florida: WXKB HD2, 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, and 105.1 FMNationwide listening is available through the station’s website at PodcastRadioUS.com.
Streaming Access
Podcast Radio UK and Podcast Radio US both offer live streaming through their official websites and mobile platforms, allowing listeners worldwide to hear Interesting Things with JC as part of the network’s curated programming.
The show is also available across major podcast and audio platforms, including Podcast Radio, Podverse, Headliner, Amazon, Apple, Audacy, Audible, Castbox, Deezer, fyyd, GoodPods, iHeartRadio, JioSaavn, Listen Notes, Pandora, PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Republic, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.
In addition to audio platforms, listeners can follow and stream content on social media through Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube.
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Start class with a short, clear story your students can follow from the first sentence. Play an episode of Interesting Things with JC and use the free curriculum to guide a full lesson with questions, activities, and applied learning.
Every episode from #1235 forward includes a modular micro lesson designed for a 30 to 45 minute class period. At the bottom of each episode page, you will find expandable sections that organize all curriculum materials for teachers, parents, and homeschool families.
Each lesson includes:
Lesson overview with title, grade band, subject area, and learning objectives
Key vocabulary with phonetic spelling and plain language definitions
Core story content created through the Precise Storytelling Framework
Full podcast transcript
Student worksheet with comprehension and writing activities
Teacher guide with pacing notes, strategies, and discussion tools
Quiz or quick check assessment with a scoring rubric
Standards alignment across multiple national and international frameworks
ADA compliant alt text for all instructional media
Links to approved primary sources used for fact checking
Guidance for homeschool adaptation and flexible scheduling
All curriculum materials are created through the Narrative Intelligence System to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and age-appropriate delivery. Lessons stay free of ideological frameworks and focus on academic content only.
Standards Alignment
Interesting Things with JC aligns each micro lesson with the following approved educational standards:
United States National Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts and Mathematics
College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies (C3 Framework)
International Society for Technology in Education Standards (ISTE Standards)
National Core Arts Standards (NCAS)
Career and Technical Education Career Clusters (CTE Career Clusters)
Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy (ACRL Framework)
Bloom’s Taxonomy for Cognitive Learning Objectives
Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (UDL Guidelines)
Additional United States Alignment Areas
Alignment to state and provincial academic standards when content applies
Media and Information Literacy standards
Social Emotional Learning and 21st Century Skills frameworks
Financial Literacy and Employability Skills standards
English as a Second Language and World Language vocabulary support when applicable
International Academic Equivalents (Content-Based Alignment Only)
United Kingdom National Curriculum, Key Stages 3 to 5
AQA, OCR, and Edexcel Examination Board Specifications
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme (IB PYP, MYP, DP)
Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education and Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level (Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level)
Access, Use, and OER Licensing
All lessons are published as Open Educational Resources and may be used, printed, or shared for teaching and learning in classrooms, homeschools, and tutoring environments. Materials are provided for educational use under fair use and may not be resold or distributed commercially.
Episodes from #1235 forward include complete curriculum materials. If you find an older episode without a micro lesson, reach out and it will be moved to the front of the build queue. Starting with Episode #1307, each MP3 page in the RSS feed includes open text at the bottom of the page for quick access to transcripts and curriculum notes.
Teacher and homeschool feedback is always welcome to help improve clarity and layout.
031: "Saying What You Mean in Britain"
Interesting Things with JC #031: "Saying What You Mean in Britain" - Unravel the intricacies of British communication, where euphemisms and understatement have deep historical roots in Victorian etiquette. This episode explores how phrases like “I might join you later” and “not bad” reflect a cultural preference for modesty and politeness, shaping interactions in intriguing ways.
501: "Candy Canes"
Interesting Things with JC #501: "Candy Canes" - The candy cane was created in the 17th century in Germany and popularized in the early 1900s with added red stripes.
499: "Holiday Garland"
Interesting Things with JC #499: "Holiday Garland' - Deck the Halls and Hang the Garland! Just be careful where you put your baubles!!
469: "I-35 Little Czech Bakery"
Interesting Things with JC #469: "I-35 Little Czech Bakery" - They sell fresh Czech pastries, coffee, travel pillows, and tamales, and is a typical Texas rest stop too. A poster in the store says that each week, the Czech Stop bakes with more than 1,200 pounds of cream cheese, 9,000 pounds of flour, 750 gallons of milk, 2,400 pounds of butter, 1,300 pounds of sausage, 2,100 dozen eggs, and 2,500 pounds of American cheese.
They’re the home of Kolache (pronounced "koh-LAH-chee") and klobasnek (pronounced "klo-BAH-snik") which are Czech pastries that is wildly popular in Texas.
457: "Sneezing Can Break Your Ribs"
Interesting Things with JC #457: "Sneezing Can Break Your Ribs" - You could break a rib if you sneeze too hard!
456: "Tongue Prints"
Interesting Things with JC #456: "Tongue Prints" - Like fingerprints, each person has a unique tongue print. The tongue is an important organ inside the mouth that is well protected from the outside world. It has unique parts that are different for each person, even between identical twins.
426: "Birthmarks and Reincarnation"
Interesting Things with JC #426: "Birthmarks and Reincarnation" - From a medical perspective, birthmarks are simply the result of excess skin pigment or increased blood vessels. However, there are beliefs related to the significance of birthmarks, both good and bad, in many cultures and religions around the world, passed from one generation to the next.
298: "Ceiling Fan Direction"
Interesting Things with JC #298 "Ceiling Fan Direction" should be changed in the summer and winter to give you more comfort and spend less on your heating and cooling needs!
291: "Budapest"
Interesting Things with JC #291: "Budapest" known as the city of diversity and as the city of a thousand baths. This beautiful Capitol has a rich history officially dating back to 896. Let's visit Budapest together!
262: "Bergen, Norway"
Interesting Things with JC #262: "Bergen, Norway" - The original Norse name for Bergen was Bjørgvin. Playwright Ludvig Holberg nicknamed it the city of the seven mountains! There are amazing Stave churches, and inspiring hikes within the picturesque landscape that will not only inspire, but also captivate your senses.
This podcast was inspired by the writings of David Nikel. David is a British-Norwegian travel writer in Trondheim, a Senior Forbes contributor & owner of lifeinnorway. Please visit https://www.lifeinnorway.net/ to catch a recent podcast or follow David on Twitter @DavidNikel for more fascinating facts about all things Norway!
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.
257: "Mud Daubers”
Interesting Things with JC #257: "Mud Daubers” - they are commonly known in the southern part of the United States as dirt daubers. They are truly fascinating insects. If you have ever seen a tube-shaped nest made with mud on the outside walls of your house or possibly inside your garage, then you know what a mud dauber is. One of the most interesting things about these creatures is that….(go ahead click play!)
255: "Quantum Locking”
Interesting Things with JC #255: "Quantum Locking” - Quantum levitation is a process where scientists use the properties of quantum physics to levitate an object over a magnetic source. Quantum Locking is very distinct from traditional magnetic levitation. The object can be moved, rotated, tilted, and it stays locked in mid air!
252: "Do Animals Sneeze?"
Interesting Things with JC #252: "Do Animals Sneeze?” All animals from humans to dogs, elephants, horses, tigers, bears and birds sneeze. But aquatic animals cannot sneeze as they don’t have lungs.
250: "Samar Island"
Interesting Things with JC #250: "Samar Island" - was the first island of the Philippines sighted by the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan. It's home to Asia’s 2nd largest cave system – the Langon-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga. Samar features some of the best foods in the region!
249: "The Brevard Zoo"
Interesting Things with JC #249: "The Brevard Zoo" is a 75-acre nonprofit facility located in Melbourne, Florida, United States, that is home to more than 800 animals representing more than 180 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is the largest community-built zoo in the world. Please visit https://brevardzoo.org/ for more information!
247: "Melbourne Florida"
Interesting Things with JC #247: "Melbourne Florida”. Originally known as Crane Creek, this area was inhabited in 1878, and shortly afterward the community got renamed to Melbourne. Melbourne continued to thrive economically and the early 1950s saw the city get to even newer heights. A space complex was constructed to the north at Cape Canaveral and subsequently, there was an influx of other aerospace industries. There's the world renown historic bone bed and the childhood home of Jim Morrison is also in Melbourne!
243: "Shrek the Sheep"
Interesting Things with JC #243: "Shrek the Sheep" - After evading humans for years, on April 15th 2004 in a cave in New Zealand, Shrek the Sheep was finally caught. The merino sheep had grown an amazing 27kg or 60lbs worth of fleece during this time.
242: "Charles Lightoller"
Interesting Things with JC #242: "Charles Lightoller" was trapped underwater after helping save people as the Titanic sank. A boiler exploded and sent him rushing back to the surface where he helped 30 more people. In WW2 he helped save another 127 people at Dunkirk.
240: "Belgian Waffles"
Interesting Things with JC #240: “Belgian Waffles” - There are many different types of Belgian waffles, there is no such thing as a singular Belgian Waffle. The two most popular types of waffles that you'll find are Brussels waffles and Liege waffles.