A Short Story Podcast Series

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- 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, visit episode #1235 and #1237 and 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.

JC 10/10/24 JC 10/10/24

1066: "Molé the Sloth"

Interesting Things with JC #1066: "Molé the Sloth" – Meet Molé, an orphaned two-toed sloth at The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, who finds comfort in a stuffed teddy bear. This heartwarming story sheds light on the importance of sloth conservation and the work being done to protect these endangered animals.

JC 10/8/24 JC 10/8/24

1064: "Pesto the Penguin"

Interesting Things with JC #1064: "Pesto the Penguin" – Discover the adorable story of Pesto, a 9-month-old king penguin chick at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, who’s already larger than his parents! Learn about his growth, viral fame, and how his keepers are handling this lovable giant.

JC 10/6/24 JC 10/6/24

1062: "The Loss of Anwar Sadat"

Interesting Things with JC #1062: "The Loss of Anwar Sadat" - Learn about the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat during a military parade in 1981, a tragic event that forever changed Egypt's political landscape and shaped Middle Eastern history.

JC 10/5/24 JC 10/5/24

1061: "Moo Deng"

Interesting Things with JC #1061: "Moo Deng" - Discover the story of Moo Deng, a hippo who escaped during a flood in Thailand, sparking discussions about wildlife conservation and the responsibilities of owning exotic animals.

JC 10/3/24 JC 10/3/24

1059: "What is a Longshoreman and What is their History?"

Interesting Things with JC #1059: "What is a Longshoreman and What is their History?" - Discover the essential role longshoremen play in global trade, from ancient times to modern-day port operations. Learn about their history, the impact of labor unions, and the challenges they face.

JC 9/27/24 JC 9/27/24

1053: "When True Events Are Not Part of the Mainstream Narrative"

Interesting Things with JC #1053: "When True Events Are Not Part of the Mainstream Narrative" - Significant events remain absent from mainstream narratives today. Explore how uncovering these hidden stories can transform our understanding of history and the present.

JC 9/24/24 JC 9/24/24

1050: "Saint Carlo Acutis"

Interesting Things with JC #1050: "Saint Carlo Acutis" Uncover the inspiring life of Carlo Acutis, a tech-savvy teenager who combined his love for computers with deep faith. Learn how his legacy continues to touch lives and what makes his story so remarkable.

JC 9/19/24 JC 9/19/24

1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman"

Interesting Things with JC #1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman" - A 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Alps. Uncover the mysteries surrounding his life and death, the secrets preserved in ice, and what he reveals about our prehistoric ancestors.

JC 9/11/24 JC 9/11/24

1037: "The Maritime Evacuation: An Undertold Story of 9/11"

Interesting Things with JC #1037: "The Maritime Evacuation: An Undertold Story of 9/11" – On September 11, 2001, while chaos reigned in Lower Manhattan, a spontaneous maritime rescue saved over 500,000 people. Learn about the largest boatlift in history and the ordinary mariners who became heroes. Tune in for this incredible tale of unity and courage.

JC 8/5/24 JC 8/5/24

100: “Series Introduction”

Introducing "Interesting Things with JC" - a podcast that tackles a wide range of fascinating topics while combining historical accuracy, insight, and compelling narrative. Each episode is intended to inspire thought and promote learning. Tune in for a journey of discovery and unending curiosity.

JC 8/4/24 JC 8/4/24

099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer"

Interesting Things with JC #099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer" - Curious about how the Eiffel Tower changes with the seasons?

JC 8/2/24 JC 8/2/24

096: "Most Time Between Twin Births"

Interesting Things with JC #096: "Most Time Between Twin Births" - Discover the amazing story of twins born with the longest gap ever. Tune in for more!

JC 7/29/24 JC 7/29/24

092: "Washington State and the Desire for Autonomy"

Interesting Things with JC #092: "Washington State and the Desire for Autonomy" - Dive into the movement to divide Washington State and incorporate part of it into Idaho, focusing on better representation and localized governance for the region east of the Cascade Mountains.

JC 7/27/24 JC 7/27/24

090: "Dividing New York State"

Interesting Things with JC #090: "Dividing New York State" - Explore the recurring proposal to split New York State into separate regions, driven by distinct economic, cultural, and political landscapes.

JC 7/6/24 JC 7/6/24

069: "The Dragon Man Skull"

Interesting Things with JC #069: "The Dragon Man Skull" - Discover the story of the Dragon Man skull, found in China and dating back 146,000 years. This episode explores its significance in human evolution, revealing a new human lineage and reshaping our understanding of ancient human history.

JC 6/19/24 JC 6/19/24

052: "The Inventor of Pringles Is Buried in a Pringles Can"

Interesting Things with JC #052: "The Inventor of Pringles Is Buried in a Pringles Can" - Fred Baur, the inventor of Pringles, was so proud of his invention that he chose to be buried in the Pringles Can.

JC 5/25/24 JC 5/25/24

027: "Professor Autry and the Alien Life Debate"

Interesting Things with JC #027: "Professor Autry and the Alien Life Debate" - In a revealing interview on GB News, Professor Greg Autry, a former White House liaison at NASA, shared his perspectives on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the competitive nature of the current space race.

JC 5/21/24 JC 5/21/24

023: "A British Riddle - Part 1"

Interesting Things with JC #023: "A British Riddle - Part 1" - Delve into the world of riddles with this classic teaser: "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I come alive with the wind." Can you uncover the mystery?

JC 5/6/24 JC 5/6/24

008: "The Lincoln Imp"

Interesting Things with JC #008: "The Lincoln Imp" - Delve into the folklore of the Lincoln Imp, a cheeky creature turned to stone in Lincoln Cathedral. This legendary imp has become a beloved symbol of Lincoln, captivating locals and visitors with its enchanting story.

JC 4/25/24 JC 4/25/24

997: "Pigs can't look at the Sky"

Interesting Things with JC #997: "Pigs can't look at the Sky" - This episode dives into why pigs are physically unable to look straight up due to their anatomical structure. It explores how pigs perceive the world differently and utilize reflections to view the sky. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of these adaptations in animal behavior and evolution.