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.
778: "Giant's Causeway"
Interesting Things with JC #778: "Giant's Causeway" - Embark on an exploration of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway, a geological marvel featuring 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Uncover tales of legends, the wonders of nature, and a rich history, all in one extraordinary destination.
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.
589: "Crimea"
Interesting Things with JC #589: "Crimea" - Discover the cultural and historical significance of Crimea, from ancient Greek origins to the Tatar population. A fascinating region with a complex past and present. Crimea is a peninsula in the Black Sea with a complex history and cultural significance. It was part of various empires throughout history, including the Greeks, Romans, and Ottoman Turks.
561: "Incheon"
Interesting Things with JC #561: “Incheon” - A City Blending History and Ambitious Plans for the Future. Discover the hidden gems of Incheon, South Korea - from the bustling Chinatown to the serene Songdo Central Park. Immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of this unique destination.
551: "Half-time Performers Do Not Get Paid"
Interesting Things with JC #551: "Half-time Performers Do Not Get Paid" - the Super Bowl halftime show, which started as a marching band performance has evolved into a major musical event, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. Interestingly, the performers are not paid directly!
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.
479: "Go See The World"
Interesting Things with JC #479: "Go See The World" - Explore as much of the planet as possible.
291: "Budapest"
Interesting Things with JC #291: "Budapest" known as the city of diversity and as the city of a thousand baths. This beautiful Capitol has a rich history officially dating back to 896. Let's visit Budapest together!
270: "Caves of Monte Castillo"
Interesting Things with JC #270: "Caves of Monte Castillo" hold one of the most impressive archeological findings related to our human history. The El Castillo cave is home to Paleolithic paintings on the walls that are at least 40,800 years old. This discovery of the oldest dated cave painting is approximately 4000 years older than the paintings discovered in the Chauvet Cave in France, which were previously believed to be the oldest cave paintings.
262: "Bergen, Norway"
Interesting Things with JC #262: "Bergen, Norway" - The original Norse name for Bergen was Bjørgvin. Playwright Ludvig Holberg nicknamed it the city of the seven mountains! There are amazing Stave churches, and inspiring hikes within the picturesque landscape that will not only inspire, but also captivate your senses.
This podcast was inspired by the writings of David Nikel. David is a British-Norwegian travel writer in Trondheim, a Senior Forbes contributor & owner of lifeinnorway. Please visit https://www.lifeinnorway.net/ to catch a recent podcast or follow David on Twitter @DavidNikel for more fascinating facts about all things Norway!
261: "Kiribati"
Interesting Things with JC #261: “Kiribati” is made up of 33 atolls, these are ring-shaped reefs or a series of islands caused by submerged volcanos. Out of the 33 islands that all straddle the equator, and only 20 are inhabited. Although it only takes up a total of 811sq kilometers, Kiribati spans a distance equal to an area that is roughly the size of India, and it's the only country to fall within the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres. Kiribati is the third-least visited country in the world. Around 6,000 visitors come here annually. Only the Pacific island-nations of the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu receive fewer tourists.
196 - Interesting Things: Tom Thumb - Steam Power on the Railroad
On February 28th 1827 The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became the first steam-operated railway in the United States to be chartered as a common carrier of freight and passengers. All thanks to Peter Cooper as well as the B&O railroad.
173 Interesting Things - Sri Lanka
Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, 40 miles off the coast of southeast India in the Indian Ocean within the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka is 25,332 mi², just slightly larger than the US state of West Virginia. Scholars actually believe that Sri Lanka and India were once connected by a land bridge thousands of years ago, but it has since been washed into the ocean.
Buddhism is Sri Lanka's major religion, practiced by over 70% of the population. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity make up the remainder. If you're looking for one of the most diverse, highest concentration of cultural spots within a small area, look no further than Sri Lanka.
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.