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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.
- 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.
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 List
- NGSS – 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.
- 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.

JC 3/8/24 JC 3/8/24

946: "The Fanal Forest"

Interesting Things with JC #946: "The Fanal Forest" - Step into the mystical realm of Madeira's ancient woodland, where towering laurel trees whisper tales of centuries past. Discover the biodiversity and conservation efforts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering serenity amidst nature's embrace.

JC 1/10/24 JC 1/10/24

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.

JC 12/7/23 JC 12/7/23

854: "How Pythons Climb"

Interesting Things with JC #854: "How Pythons Climb" - Delve into the mesmerizing arboreal journey of pythons, where scales, muscles, and sensory prowess converge in a symphony of nature. Explore the intricate adaptation, from friction-enhanced scales to a flexible skeletal dance, unlocking the secrets of snake magic.

JC 12/3/23 JC 12/3/23

850: "Giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people"

Interesting Things with JC #850: "Giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people" - Discover the shocking reality!

JC 9/17/23 JC 9/17/23

773: "US Route 62"

Interesting Things with JC #773: "US Route 62" - Embark on an epic 2,246.9-mile journey along US Route 62, connecting two nations. Explore the history, culture, and natural wonders, from Niagara Falls to Roswell's UFO tales.

JC 9/15/23 JC 9/15/23

771: "4 Types of Ocean Waves"

Interesting Things with JC #771: "4 Types of Ocean Waves" - Dive into the captivating world of ocean waves, from the rhythmic dance of Wind Waves to the graceful ballet of Swell Waves. Explore the destructive power of Tsunamis and the rebellious spirit of Tidal Waves. Experience nature's beauty and might in this oceanic journey.

JC 7/23/23 JC 7/23/23

717: "Bees typically don't fly at night!"

Interesting Things with JC #717: "Bees typically don't fly at night!" - Did you know that most honeybees avoid nighttime flights due to their reliance on visual cues? Learn more about their fascinating behavior in this intriguing story!

JC 7/21/23 JC 7/21/23

715: "The Chinese Water Deer"

Interesting Things with JC #715: "The Chinese Water Deer" - Unveil the captivating tale of this unique animal, its tusks, and wetland lifestyle!

JC 7/12/23 JC 7/12/23

706: "Saharan Dust Storms"

Interesting Things with JC #706: "Saharan Dust Storms" - Discover the incredible journey of Saharan dust as it travels thousands of kilometers, impacting air quality worldwide. Learn about the health effects, climate impact, and fascinating facts surrounding these dust storms.

JC 5/2/23 JC 5/2/23

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.

JC 4/22/23 JC 4/22/23

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.

JC 3/31/23 JC 3/31/23

603: "The Green Man"

Interesting Things with JC #603: "The Green Man" - a mythical figure with a face made entirely of leaves, branches, and foliage. He symbolizes nature's regenerative power and the cycle of life and death. The Green Man's significance is multifaceted, representing nature's enduring power, spiritual and mystical connections to the natural world, cultural heritage and identity, and environmental awareness and conservation.

JC 1/24/23 JC 1/24/23

532: "Bosco Verticale - Milan Italy"

Interesting Things with JC #532: "Bosco Verticale" towers in Milan, Italy, are covered in 900 trees, 2,000 shrubs, and have solar panels, a green innovation in urban architecture.

JC 12/15/22 JC 12/15/22

491: "New Caledonia"

Interesting Things with JC #491: "New Caledonia" is a beautiful archipelago located in the South Pacific. It's the ideal place to get a "break from the ads" and enjoy nature.

JC 7/21/22 JC 7/21/22

341: "Blueberries"

Interesting Things with JC #341: "Blueberries" - Native Americans in North America gave blueberries the name "star fruits" due to the star shape formed by the blossom end of the berry. In a given year, a single blueberry bush can yield up to six thousand berries. The highbush blueberry crop in British Columbia is the world's largest.

JC 1/19/22 JC 1/19/22

155 Interesting Things - Meghalya

Meghalaya is home to some of the most gorgeous lakes, hiking trails, mysterious caves and beautiful waterfalls. The state has a flourishing tourism industry, with around 1.28 million annual visitors, and has won the Guinness world record title for the wettest place on Earth with about 11,873 milliliters of rain annually.