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.
1196: "Skara Brae"
Interesting Things with JC #1196: "Skara Brae" – A deadly storm in 1850 ripped the land open—and revealed a Neolithic village older than Stonehenge. Skara Brae’s stone homes, beds, and even toilets lay untouched for 5,000 years. But the same sea that unearthed it now threatens to wipe it away forever.
1109: "The Strength of Shapes"
Interesting Things with JC #1109: "The Strength of Shapes" - Shapes are more than just designs—they’re the foundation of strength in structures. Shapes are essential in both nature and engineering!
799: "Lillie Langtry"
Interesting Things with JC #799: "Lillie Langtry" - Explore the fascinating life of actress Lillie Langtry, who rose to fame in the Victorian era and became the mistress of King Edward VII, leaving a mark on British society. From her theatrical success to her scandalous love affair, Langtry's story is one of intrigue and allure.
729: "Phoenix - August 4th, 2007"
Interesting Things with JC #729: "Phoenix - August 4th, 2007" - Follow the journey of the U.S. space probe Phoenix, launched on a daring mission to Mars. A year later, after a 680-million-kilometer journey, it landed on the red planet, making an incredible discovery of water ice beneath the Martian surface. The probe's findings sparked excitement among scientists and opened up new possibilities for future space exploration.
564: "Emporia Virginia"
Interesting Things with JC #564: "Emporia Virginia" - Explore the charming town of Emporia, VA, nestled on the banks of Meherrin River and known for race cars, speeding tickets, and historical landmarks. Discover its unique character and rich history.
473: "The House at the Bottom of Gardner Lake"
Interesting Things with JC #473: "The House at the Bottom of Gardner Lake" - During the winter of 1895, a family attempted to transport their home across a frozen lake, but it fell beneath the water!
464: "Dog Farts"
Interesting Things with JC #464: "Dog Farts" - All dogs fart. Flatulence is a typical sign of the digestive system processing food, but excessive flatulence may indicate a poor diet or an underlying health concern in your dog.
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
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.
454: "Crocodile Tongue"
Interesting Things with JC #454: "Crocodile Tongue" - A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
443: “The True Story of Hansel and Gretel”
Interesting Things with JC #443: “The True Story of Hansel and Gretel” is based on real events that happened in the Baltic countries between 1314 and 1322.
436: "2 Signs in October"
Interesting Things with JC #436: "2 Signs in October" - Libra & Scorpio
421: "4 Minutes to Fall in Love"
Interesting Things with JC #421: "4 Minutes to Fall in Love"
405: "Narragansett Bay"
Interesting Things with JC #405: “Narragansett Bay” is a ria, or a flooded river valley open to the sea, with a rich multi-cultural history.