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.
1447: "The Invention That Rewired the World"
Interesting Things with JC #1447: "The Invention That Rewired the World" – A ring of iron. Two coils. And a spark that crossed space. From a flicker in 1831 to the highways of the future, Faraday's experiment never stopped moving.
1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Interesting Things with JC #1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Did you know your brain has its own hidden ripples that shape how you experience the world?
In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research on intrinsic traveling waves—patterns of neural activity that prime your senses and may hold the key to new therapies for neurological disorders.
This episode was inspired by “AJ”
Ref: Davis ZW, Busch A, Steward C, Muller L, Reynolds J. Horizontal cortical connections shape intrinsic traveling waves into feature-selective motifs that regulate perceptual sensitivity. Cell Rep. 2024 Sep 24;43(9):114707. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114707. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39243374; PMCID: PMC11485754.
922: "Voice Attraction"
Interesting Things with JC #922: "Voice Attraction" - Delve into the science behind why men are attracted to women with higher-pitched voices, exploring its connection to femininity and evolutionary psychology. Discover how voice attractiveness influences interpersonal dynamics and mate selection.
907: "Levitation"
Interesting Things with JC #907: "Levitation" - Dive into the intriguing world where science and wonder collide. Levitation isn't just magic – it's real science! Explore the mysteries of defying gravity, from gas jets to superconductors, and uncover the fascinating tales of human levitation.
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.
846: "Iron Floats in Mercury"
Interesting Things with JC #846: "Iron Floats in Mercury" - Unravel the mystery behind why metals like iron defy gravity and float in the dense liquid that is mercury.
809: "Standing Wave Flame Tube"
Interesting Things with JC #809: "Standing Wave Flame Tube" - Explore the mesmerizing science of sound waves, resonance, and acoustics through the captivating Rubens' Tube demonstration. Witness the visual representation of standing waves and delve into the educational world of physics.
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.
759: "Cradle of Clay - Desert Lake Beds"
Interesting Things with JC #759: "Cradle of Clay - Desert Lake Beds" - Explore the scientific mysteries of clay soil in desert lake beds, delving into its mineral composition, particle size distribution, swelling-shrinking behavior, and soil structure. Uncover the secrets of this unique terrain.
693: "Harmful Algae Blooms"
Interesting Things with JC #693: "Harmful Algae Blooms" - Learn about harmful algal blooms and their impact on our waters, health, and environment. Discover how these excessive algae growths can harm aquatic life, contaminate drinking water, and why it's important to avoid contact with them.
688: "WARPED! The Mysterious World of Dishwasher Melt"
Interesting Things with JC #688: "WARPED! The Mysterious World of Dishwasher Melt" - Discover the captivating story that unravels the mystery of items melting in dishwashers! Delve into the world of intense heat and unsuitable materials as you uncover practical advice on handling melted items and preventing future mishaps.
682": "100mph Sneeze"
Interesting Things with JC #682": "100mph Sneeze" - In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University of Bristol delved into the airborne survival of bacteria from coughs and sneezes.
Their findings revealed that an average sneeze can unleash a staggering army of approximately 100,000 contagious germs into the air, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. These astonishing numbers highlight the microscopic battles fought around us and emphasize the importance of practicing good hygiene and preventive measures to safeguard our health.
528: "Antarctic Meteorite"
Interesting Things with JC #528: "Antarctic Meteorite" - International scientists discover 5 meteorites, including one weighing 16.7 pounds, in Antarctica using satellite imagery.
Ref - https://actus.ulb.be/fr/actus/recherche/mission-en-antarctique-decouverte-dune-meteorite-de-7-6-kg
476: "When 2 Hearts Beat as 1"
Interesting Things with JC #476: "When 2 Hearts Beat as 1" - When long-term, devoted partners are in close proximity, their heartbeats synchronize.
Ref: Ogolsky, B.G., et al. (2021) Spatial proximity as a behavioral marker of relationship dynamics in older adult couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. doi.org/10.1177/02654075211050073
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
458: "Put the Rubber Band in the Fridge"
Interesting Things with JC #458: "Put the Rubber Band in the Fridge" - You’ve seen it. You go to Nan’s house, and the butter tray in the fridge is overflowing with rubber bands, which just will not work well on your biscuit. Why does she put them in there? Let’s find out! (1:07)
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.
429: "Human Brain and Memory"
Interesting Things with JC #429: "Human Brain and Memory," unconscious brain activity likely drives the vast majority of our actions and behaviors.
395: "Cat Paw Pads"
Interesting Things with JC #395: “Cat Paw Pads” are thick and have a lot of fatty tissue. Because their paw pads absorb shock when they jump, cats can almost silently stalk their prey.