A Short Story Podcast Series
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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.
100: “Series Introduction”
Introducing "Interesting Things with JC" - a podcast that tackles a wide range of fascinating topics while combining historical accuracy, insight, and compelling narrative. Each episode is intended to inspire thought and promote learning. Tune in for a journey of discovery and unending curiosity.
088: "You Ain't Gonna Learn What You Don't Want To Know"
Interesting Things with JC #088: "You Ain't Gonna Learn What You Don't Want To Know" - Explore Jerry Garcia's insightful quote on the importance of curiosity in learning and how it influences our understanding and retention of information.
904: "Understanding the Electrostatic Field"
Interesting Things with JC #904: "Understanding the Electrostatic Field" - Explore the captivating dynamics of electrostatic fields, from the intricate dance of particles within atoms to their practical applications in everyday life. Discover how charges attract and repel, shaping phenomena like static electricity and magnetic fields, and unlocking innovations in technology and science.
789: "You don't know what you don't know"
Interesting Things with JC #789: "You don't know what you don't know" explores the concept of awareness and ignorance, highlighting the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. This episode delves into the idea that there are endless possibilities waiting to be discovered beyond our current understanding, emphasizing the role of open-mindedness in personal growth and decision-making.
704: "Southern Proverb: From Head to Feet"
Interesting Things with JC #704: "Southern Proverb: From Head to Feet" - Discover the wisdom behind the southern proverb that emphasizes the value of practical skills and resourcefulness. Dive into a story that explores the significance of relying on physical abilities and instincts when knowledge falls short.
632: "Never Stop Learning"
Interesting Things with JC #632: "Never Stop Learning" - Expand your mind and embrace self-improvement for a more fulfilling life. Seek new information, make mistakes, and learn from them!
613: "Be Your Own Humble Champion"
Interesting Things with JC #613: "Be Your Own Humble Champion" - Being your own champion means celebrating your successes, focusing on self-improvement, respecting others, accepting challenges, and staying grounded.
597: "Intelligent Goldfish"
Interesting Things with JC #597: "Intelligent Goldfish" - Don't underestimate the intelligence of the humble goldfish! They can learn and retain survival skills for up to 3 months, and even tell time. Their memory span may be longer than you think!
189 - Interesting Things: Presidents of the United States
Presidents Day in the United States Commemorates and Honors the lives of all US Presidents. In this episode we reveal some interesting things about Presidents Adams, Grant, Harrison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Monroe, Regan, Roosevelt, and Truman.
182 - Interesting Things: Library of Congress
The Library of Congress in Washington DC is essentially both the national library of the U.S. and the country's oldest federal cultural institution. Though it consists of only three buildings, it is the largest library in the world with more than 170 million items.
The Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division holds 600,000 volumes in the non-Roman script languages of the region. The oldest written material in the Library is a cuneiform tablet dating from 2040 B.C.