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.
128 Interesting Things - Gift Giving
As human beings, we are social creatures who enjoy each other’s company and expressing our feelings through the giving of gifts. How did people give gifts through the centuries? Let's find out!
127 Interesting Things - Pandas
An adult Giant Panda can grow as tall as five feet and they can weigh as much as 350 pounds. They can also consume 45 pounds of bamboo shoots in one day. Let's talk Pandas and discover more interesting things!
125 Interesting Things - Violin Strings
The history of violin strings is perhaps different than you might expect. The history of the violin string started around 300 years ago, when the strings for the majority of bowed instruments such as the harp, cello, and violin, were all made from animals.
124 Interesting Things - Skateboarding
From the sidewalks of southern California to the Escondido reservoir, Tokyo to Mumbai, skateboarding has become so much more than a pastime. It's now an Olympic sport! It's provided a creative outlet as well as culturally influenced generations from the late 1940s till today. A special thanks to Mike in Laguna Beach for inspiring this episode.
123 Interesting Things - Christmas Lights
To light a Christmas tree with electric lights before 1903 it would cost about $75. That's near $2500 today! Let's discuss since interesting facts and delve into Christmas lights. This story was inspired and suggested by Rob from Central Florida.
122 Interesting Things - The Bristle ToothBrush
Tang Dynasty people (619 CE to 907 CE) were the ones who invented the bristle toothbrush. Europeans started using the bristle toothbrush a long time later in 17th century. Before the use of nylons, badger hair was used for making expensive toothbrushes while boar and pig hair was meant for cheaper ones. Let's find it more!
120: "John Deere Combines"
Through the development of its combine models, dating back to 1927, the company has demonstrated a sense a commitment to farmers everywhere. These machines can tip the scales at over $750k, but they did have humble beginnings. Let's dive into John Deere Combines and take a deeper look at the 9870!
119 Interesting Things - Latex Paint
Latex paint is borderline magical. You can wash it off without excess chemicals. It can be used as a single coat to cover up another color. It has an extended shelf life, and it's used everywhere. It's an overlooked modern marvel. This episode is inspired by John Gionis with Spartan Contracting of Rhode Island.
118 Interesting Things - Hairclippers and Wahl
Electric clippers, also called automatic clippers, are the improved version of the manual clippers that use the power of an electric motor to perform the cutting action of the blades. From Bizumic to Wahl, we look at the history of the manual and electric hair clippers, and learn more about the history of the Wahl product line.
117 Interesting Things - Summer Sausage and the IFFA
Summer Sausage was made in Europe for hundreds of years, & immigrants brought their recipes to the new world. It's so popular that we actually have been gifting it for decades. Let's learn about Summer Sausage, the world renown quality competition for meat, and reminisce of times gone by with your favorite appetizer.
116: “The Christmas Tree”
Interesting Things with JC #116: “The Christmas Tree” - Celebrated around the world, this icon of the holiday season days back quite some time. Let's look back at the history of the Christmas tree. Why is it done, where does the tradition come from, how many bugs are on real trees, aluminum trees and more!
#115 Interesting Things - Allis Chalmers, Manhatten Project, and the Gleaner
From agricultural equipment, construction equipment, power generation and power transmission equipment Allis Chalmers made is mark on society. Let's learn about the important role this company played in the Manhattan project as well as the history of their Farm equipment line, and more!
112: “The Elusive 10mm Socket”
Interesting Things with JC #112: “The Elusive 10mm Socket” - It has evaded mechanics, automotive enthusiasts, and pretty much every single human on the globe. Mystique surrounding the 10 mm socket puts it on par with the Bermuda triangle, UFOs, and Bigfoot. Let's learn a little bit more about the 10mm socket, sockets in general, and why this one particular tool disappears constantly across the globe.
111: “Winter Tires”
Interesting Things with JC #111: “Winter Tires” — What sets winter tires apart? Dive into why these tires are crucial for safe driving, their unique features, and surprisingly, why you might even need them in warmer climates like Florida!
110: “The Magic of Model Trains”
Interesting Things with JC #110: “The Magic of Model Trains” — Journey through the enchanting history of model and toy trains, from their humble beginnings to today’s multi-million dollar displays in Germany. Explore how these intricate creations not only ignite the imagination but also keep the spirit of youth alive into our later years. This episode also delves into the special connection model trains have with the holiday season, capturing their enduring magic and mystique.
109: “RC Cola and a Moon Pie”
Interesting Things with JC #109: “RC Cola and a Moon Pie” - A Match Made in Heaven. RC Cola and Moon Pies are often mentioned in the same breath, akin to peanut butter and jelly. But how did this pairing come to be viewed as such a perfect match? Discover the fascinating histories of both the Moon Pie and RC Cola & explore how these two iconic treats became an irresistible combination.
107: “KFC, Japan, and Christmas”
Interesting Things with JC #107: “KFC, Japan, and Christmas” - In Japan, KFC is a holiday staple, with clever marketing driving $53 million in sales annually. Let's explore this unique cultural phenomenon!
106: “Spitting”
Interesting Things with JC #106: “Spitting” - Exploring the social norms, legal implications, and potential severity of spitting. Let's delve into this intriguing topic!
105: “Popcorn as Insulation”
Interesting Things with JC #105: “Popcorn as Insulation” - Ever wondered about the origins of popcorn? Additionally, were you aware that scientists at the University of Göttingen in Germany have pioneered a new method for producing insulation boards using 'granulated' popcorn?
104: “Nuke the Moon”
Interesting Things with JC #104: “Nuke the Moon” - In the 1950s, an unconventional strategy emerged in the space race against the Soviet Union: rather than landing astronauts on the Moon, some proposed detonating nuclear weapons on its surface, creating visible mushroom clouds visible globally.