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.
552: “The New York Renaissance”
Interesting Things with JC #552: “The New York Renaissance” (Rens) were founded in Harlem February 13th, 1923. They were the first all-black, fully professional basketball team owned by an African-American. The team was originally known as the Spartan Braves before changing its name to the New York Renaissance and playing their home games at William Roach's Renaissance Ballroom. They would go on to dominate basketball, winning several championships along the way, including the World Championship of Professional Basketball in 1939.
550: "75 Years and an Ocean Apart: KT and Jeannine"
Interesting Things with JC #550: "75 Years and an Ocean Apart: KT and Jeannine" - A young American soldier, who met a young French woman, while stationed in France during World War II. Experience the power of love in this heart-warming tale of two strangers from different worlds. Will their love conquer all?
549: "General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren"
Interesting Things with JC #549: "General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren" - Discover the fascinating love story of General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren, two legendary American performers who rose to the heights of fame in the late 1800's United States and around the world.
548: "Copernicium"
Interesting Things with JC #548: "Copernicium" - Discover the fascinating story of Copernicium, the radioactive element synthesized in a lab by Victor Ninov and Sigurd Hoffmann. Uncover its unique properties & journey from discovery to periodic table inclusion.
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.
545: "Schumann - Symphony No. 3 - Rheinisch"
Interesting Things with JC #545: "Schumann: Symphony No. 3 - Rheinisch" premiered Feb 1851 in Düsseldorf, a significant & beloved work in classical music.
Robert Schumann was a composer and conductor of the Romantic era. His "Rhenish" Symphony, also known as Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, was a masterpiece that demonstrated how he experimented with orchestration and musical language. Schumann's "Rhenish" Symphony was premiered in Düsseldorf in February 1851.
This was a big deal in the music world at the time, and it cemented Schumann's reputation as one of the best composers of his generation. While traveling through Germany's Rhineland, Schumann had inspiration for the symphony. It wasn't your typical classical symphony, and it included local folk music.
The "Rheinisch” (or “Rhenish") Symphony is still an important and well-loved piece of classical music because it expresses emotion, employs inventive musical language, and employs novel ways of arranging music.
543: "Stratospheric Balloons"
Interesting Things with JC: #543 "Stratospheric Balloons" offer a unique platform for scientific discovery and capture stunning images of Earth. They are marvels of engineering and symbolize human determination.
542: "Datil Pepper"
Interesting Things #542: "Datil Pepper" - Sweet, fruity, tangy chili from Florida. Unique flavor, slightly hotter than Jalapeno, staple in St. Augustine cuisine.
541: "Punxsutawney Phil"
Interesting Things with JC #541: "Punxsutawney Phil" - the most famous groundhog in the world, from one of the worlds most charming towns, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
540: "The Shard"
Interesting Things with JC #540: "The Shard" - a 310m tower in London, opened on Feb 1, 2013 with 72 floors. Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, The Shard is a mixed-use structure that includes offices, residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants, and a three-story observation deck. This true work of art was inspired by the spires of London's historic churches and the masts of tall ships as painted by Canaletto in the 18th century.
539: "NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY"
Interesting Things with JC #539: "NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY" is celebrated annually on Jan 31st, honoring a timeless cold-weather treat with a rich history and health benefits.
535: "Disc of Sabu"
Interesting Things with JC #535: "Disc of Sabu" - a mysterious 5000-year-old artifact in Cairo's antiquities museum, discovered by British Egyptologist Walter Bryan Emery.
534: "The Underground City of Mardin Turkey"
Interesting Things with JC #534: "The Underground City of Mardin Turkey" - A 2,000-year-old underground city has been discovered, and ongoing excavations have revealed the home of an ancient civilization.
533: "Ferrari 208 GT4"
Interesting Things with JC #533: "Ferrari 208 GT4" - A small V8 engine road car with impressive aerodynamics, sound, and speed.
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.
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
527: "Debt Ceiling"
Interesting Things with JC #527: "Debt Ceiling" - In the United States this is a pretty big current event. What exactly is the Debt Ceiling though? Let's find out!
525: "British Leyland"
Interesting Things with JC #525: "British Leyland" was formed on this date in 1968. The company produced iconic cars such as the Morris Marina, Triumph TR7, Austin Allegro and the Leyland Atlantean double-decker bus.
523: "Veal Parmigiana"
Interesting Things with JC #523: "Veal Parmigiana" a classic Italian-American dish that has its roots in the early 20th century, made by breading and frying veal cutlets, layering them with tomato sauce, mozzarella, & Parmesan cheese!
522: "Sir Edmund Halley"
Interesting Things with JC #522: "Sir Edmund Halley" who calculated the famous comet's orbit, died January 14th, 1742, leaving legacy in science and astronomy.