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.
926: "1938 Baird Colour TV Demonstration"
Interesting Things with JC #926: "1938 Baird Colour TV Demonstration" - Unveiling a revolution in television history, the demonstration showcased vibrant colors and cutting-edge innovation. Witness the journey of early television and its impact on entertainment.
916: "DARPA X-65"
Interesting Things with JC #916: "DARPA X-65" - DARPA and Aurora Flight Sciences collaborate on the X-65, an innovative aircraft utilizing active flow control (AFC) for flight, promising to reshape aircraft design. This groundbreaking project marks a significant leap forward in aviation technology and research.
911: "Human-Created First Logical Qubit Circuit"
Interesting Things with JC #911: "Human-Created First Logical Qubit Circuit" - Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in quantum computing with the creation of the first logical qubit circuit, heralding a new era of technological advancement.
910: "NASA X-59"
Interesting Things with JC #910: "NASA X-59" - Explore NASA's X-59 Quiets Sonic Boom Technology Demonstrator, paving the way for quieter supersonic flight and revolutionizing aviation!
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.
787: "Boeing 787 Dreamliner"
Interesting Things with JC #787: "Boeing 787 Dreamliner" - The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an aviation marvel, with its innovative use of composite materials, fuel-saving technology, and a focus on passenger comfort. This wide-body aircraft has redefined long-haul travel, offering both efficiency and sustainability.
777: "777"
Interesting Things with JC #777: "777" - Embark on a journey through aviation history as we delve into the remarkable story of the Boeing 777, from groundbreaking innovation to setting world records. Discover the technology, engineering, and global impact of this iconic aircraft.
760: "Trapping Light in Magnets"
Interesting Things with JC #760: "Trapping Light in Magnets" - Delve into the world of magnetic materials and their newfound partnership with light. This scientific breakthrough explores how this interaction opens doors to magnetic lasers and quantum technology.
Ref - Dirnberger, F., Quan, J., Bushati, R. et al. Magneto-optics in a van der Waals magnet tuned by self-hybridized polaritons. Nature 620, 533–537 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06275-2
752: "Maxwell–Heaviside Equations"
Interesting Things with JC #752: "Maxwell–Heaviside Equations" explores the remarkable journey of James Clerk Maxwell and Oliver Heaviside, who formulated the fundamental equations connecting electric and magnetic fields. Discover how these equations underpin our wireless world, from phones to Wi-Fi.
621: "The Resilience and Growth of Florida's Space Coast"
Interesting Things with JC #621: "The Resilience and Growth of Florida's Space Coast"
The story of Florida's Space Coast is one of resilience and growth, with the region's GDP reaching $24.1 billion and a workforce of 282,000 people. Despite setbacks and challenges, the Space Coast continues to thrive, with significant job growth and a diverse mix of industries including aerospace, defense, technology, and tourism.
580: "Jaguar D-Type"
Interesting Things with JC #580: "Jaguar D-Type" - Let's learn about the iconic Jaguar D-Type, a car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in a row! Its sleek design and impressive speed still make it a fan favorite today!
576: "El Reno Tornado"
Interesting Things with JC #576: "El Reno Tornado" - The El Reno tornado of 2013, the strongest ever recorded with wind speeds reaching 296 mph, claimed 8 lives including veteran storm chaser Tim Samaras. A reminder of the dangers of storm chasing, and the importance of safety.
547: "The NASDAQ"
Interesting Things with JC #547: "The NASDAQ" - Invest in innovation! Discover the story of NASDAQ's 1971 debut as the first computerized stock exchange for fast & efficient trading.
475: "2 New Minerals Discovered in Meteorite"
Interesting Things with JC #475: "2 New Minerals Discovered in Meteorite" - The minerals were discovered within a slice of the ninth-largest meteorite ever discovered, the El Ali meteorite, which crashed in Somalia in 2020.
353: "Undersea Cables"
Interesting Things with JC #353: "Undersea Cables" - Who put them there? What do they do? Let’s take a deep dive into the history of undersea cables!
226: "Hedy Lamarr"
Interesting Things with JC #226: "Hedy Lamarr" is often recognized as an early Hollywood starlet, with film credits such as "Algiers" and "Boom Town." As an inventor, Lamarr made significant contributions to radio and technology and systems. During World War II, she invented a radio-guidance system for torpedoes. The frequency-hopping technology has been used to develop Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
For more information on this and other amazing stories, please visit - https://www.womenshistory.org