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.
1110: "Time Crystals – A New Phase of Matter"
Interesting Things with JC #1110: "Time Crystals – A New Phase of Matter" - Time crystals, a groundbreaking discovery, oscillate perpetually without energy loss, defying the laws of thermodynamics!
1107: "Vendée Globe: A Race Around Antarctica”
Interesting Things with JC #1107: "Vendée Globe: A Race Around Antarctica" - Explore the thrilling world of the Vendée Globe, a solo, nonstop sailing race encircling Antarctica enhanced by modern technology! This extreme maritime challenge pushes sailors to their limits, confronting them with towering waves, intense isolation, and freezing temperatures.
A big thank you to TechEdTeacher for inspiring this episode!
1104: "The Flawed Gatekeeping of Knowledge on Wikipedia"
Interesting Things with JC #1104: "The Flawed Gatekeeping of Knowledge on Wikipedia" - How do Wikipedia's rules affect our understanding of history? Learn how its strict policies exclude credible historical sources, leading to biased narratives and knowledge loss. Why does this matter for our grasp of human history?
1094: "The Predictions of Elon Musk"
Interesting Things with JC #1094: "The Predictions of Elon Musk" - Elon Musk’s forecasts are transforming the conversation on AI, space, and humanity's future. Delve into his predictions and their possible impact.
1092: "A Simple Question for Decision Making"
Interesting Things with JC #1092: "A Simple Question for Decision Making" - Amid complex choices, the simplest path can be the most rewarding. Would you believe that there is one simple guiding question that can bring clarity in moments of doubt, helping you focus on what truly matters.
1088: "A Simple Riddle 7"
Interesting Things with JC #1088: "A Simple Riddle 7" - Join JC for a deceptively simple riddle that just might have you scratching your head. Can you solve it?
1087: "The Lady in Red: The Haunting of Chicago’s Drake Hotel"
Interesting Things with JC #1087: "The Lady in Red: The Haunting of Chicago’s Drake Hotel" - On New Year’s Eve, 1920, heartbreak turned deadly at Chicago’s Drake Hotel, leaving behind the ghostly legend of The Lady in Red.
1086: "The Greenbrier Ghost: A Murder Solved from Beyond the Grave"
Interesting Things with JC #1086: "The Greenbrier Ghost: A Murder Solved from Beyond the Grave" - In 1897, Greenbrier County, West Virginia saw a ghost story cross into the courtroom as a ghost’s testimony contributed to one of the strangest convictions in American legal history.
1085: "The Hammersmith Ghost: A Haunting That Led to a Legal Precedent"
Interesting Things with JC #1085: "The Hammersmith Ghost: A Haunting That Led to a Legal Precedent" - In 1803, the Hammersmith district in London was gripped by reports of a ghost terrorizing the streets. The sightings culminated in tragedy and murder. The result of which set legal precedent in British law.
1073: "The Badlands Guardian"
Interesting Things with JC #1073: "The Badlands Guardian" - Learn the fascinating story of the Badlands Guardian, a natural land formation in Alberta, Canada, that resembles a human face wearing a headdress. From its discovery via Google Earth to its deep cultural resonance, this geological marvel continues to inspire curiosity.
1072: "Piezoelectric Crystals & the Human Pineal Gland"
Interesting Things with JC #1072: "Piezoelectric Crystals & the Human Pineal Gland" – Could the piezoelectric crystals found in the human pineal gland interact with electromagnetic fields? This episode explores the fascinating intersection of biology and piezoelectricity, raising questions about how our bodies might respond to unseen environmental energies.
1070: "The Predictions of Reid Hoffman"
Interesting Things with JC #1070: "The Predictions of Reid Hoffman" – LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman predicts that by 2034, automation, AI, and universal basic income will reshape the future of work, making traditional jobs obsolete. Explore how these technological advancements could redefine how we live and work.
1069: "Edgar Mitchell’s Cosmic Awakening: Bridging NASA and the Mystical Experience of Oneness"
Interesting Things with JC #1069: "Edgar Mitchell’s Cosmic Awakening: Bridging NASA and the Mystical Experience of Oneness" – Explore astronaut Edgar Mitchell’s profound spiritual awakening during the Apollo 14 mission, a moment that led him to a lifelong journey into the mysteries of human consciousness and its connection to the cosmos.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.