A Short Story Podcast Series

Link to Podcast Library or Scroll for Daily Feed

    • Episodes vary in duration from 30 seconds to 8 minutes.

    • All episodes are royalty free in their entirety—except for #509.

    • If you have an idea for an episode, please reach out to our team and we’ll happily schedule the topic for a future recording.

    • Priority is given to homeschooling parents, teachers, educators, and lifelong learning professionals.

    • Select episodes now include free curriculum materials at the bottom of the episode page, designed to support open education initiatives, teachers, classrooms, and homeschool use. These materials are aligned to multiple educational standards globally.

    • 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 over the air in various cities: in Detroit on 93.5 FM and WCSX-94.7 HD2, in Tampa on 1010 WHFS-AM, in Charlotte on 94.7 FM and WSOC-HD3, and in Ft. Myers/Naples on 96.5 FM, 101.5 FM, 105.1 FM, and WXKB-HD2.

  • Curriculum Summary for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Lifelong Learners

    Interesting Things with JC now features free curriculum materials to go with select episodes, created for teachers, homeschool families, and curious learners of all ages.

    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 List

    • NGSS – 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.

    • To review examples, check out any episode from #1235 to today, just scroll down.

    • If you intend to feature the series on your podcast or use it in your broadcast feed as interstitial content, please tag us on social media and/or send us an email.

Podcast, History, Science JC Podcast, History, Science JC

581: "Uranus - aka: Georgium Sidus"

Interesting Things with JC #581: "Uranus - aka: Georgium Sidus" - Discover the fascinating story of Uranus - from its discovery by William Herschel and naming it "Georgium sidus", to the Voyager 2 mission revealing its secrets. Learn how its unusual atmosphere and tilted magnetic field make it one of the most unique planets in our solar system!

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History, Podcast, Social JC History, Podcast, Social JC

579: "Johnny Appleseed Day"

Interesting Things with JC #579: "Johnny Appleseed Day" - Johnny Appleseed was an American pioneer of tree farming who planted apple trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, parts of what is now Ontario Canada, and the northern counties of West Virginia. Let's learn more about this legendary apple farmer!

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History, Podcast, Social JC History, Podcast, Social JC

562: "Banana Bread Day!"

Interesting Things #562: National Banana Bread Day! - Explore the fascinating history of one of America's most beloved baked goods, banana bread. This story takes a deep dive into the origins and evolution of banana bread, from theories of its creation to its role in American culinary history. Discover how enterprising housewives and companies found innovative ways to use overripe bananas and baking powder, and how banana bread became a popular recipe in cookbooks by the 1930s.

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Podcast, Social, History JC Podcast, Social, History JC

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.

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History, Podcast JC History, Podcast JC

557: "Norfolk Southern"

Interesting Things with JC #557: "Norfolk Southern" - Did you know this Railroad was founded in 1883 and played a vital role in transporting agricultural and lumber products? Let's learn more about the history of Norfolk Southern.

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