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.
327: "The Sites Reservoir"
Interesting Things with JC #327: "The Sites Reservoir" The California Department of Water Resources intends to construct the $5.2-billion off-stream Sites Reservoir west of Colusa in the Sacramento Valley of northern California, presenting an untapped opportunity to store significant amounts of water generated by stormwater and flood flows. Further strengthening the backbone of this world renown agricultural region.
326: "Great Valley Farming & Drought"
Interesting Things with JC #326: "Great Valley Farming & Drought" Almond growers are worried about how this may impact the quality of their product over the coming years because the Sacramento Valley has also been affected hard. The Valley is laid out such that water may move from one area to the next, like a series of stairs. As a result, water is utilized very effectively, with almost all of it going toward sustaining life, whether it be plant or animal production. Retaining water during rainy years to help during drought, creating more water storage, such as the proposed Sites Reservoir, could be critically helpful.
325: "The Great Valley of California"
Interesting Things with JC #325: "The Great Valley of California" is a 20,000-square-mile structural depression that is one of the world's most notable. The Valley is approximately 50 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching northwest from the Tehachapi Mountains to Redding. More than 250 different crops, worth an estimated $17 billion, are grown here annually.
322: "Fireworks"
Interesting Things with JC #322: "Fireworks" - The moment when fireworks were discovered is unclear though. One set of sources claims that they were discovered 2000 years ago, while another dates the discovery to the Song dynasty's ninth century (960-1279). Lets dig into how fireworks work, their history, and learn about the largest firework ever!
319: "The Tunguska Event"
Interesting Things with JC #319: "The Tunguska Event" - June 30th 1908, a mysterious blast shook the eastern part of Siberia. The impact devastated an estimated 80 million trees in a radial pattern from the blast zone, generating energy equivalent to nearly 185 Hiroshima bombs.
313: "Laminar Flow & the Reynolds Number"
Interesting Things with JC #313: "Laminar Flow & the Reynolds Number" - Laminar flow, also known as streamline flow, is layered and smooth. The blood coursing through our veins would be one illustration of this. The Reynolds Number can be defined in a variety of circumstances where a fluid is moving.
311: "Self Closing Drawer Slides"
Interesting Things with JC #311: "Self Closing Drawer Slides" include a stationary housing, a slider, and a latch. While the housing is coupled to a cabinet or drawer, dampers are used to slow the movement of the drawer, while engaging a latch towards closure.
306: "Heat Index"
Interesting Things with JC #306: "Heat Index" is a wild combination of air temperature in the shade, relative humidity, your body mass and your clothes. It's how the world appears to feel. Saudi Arabia has the world record for the highest heat index ever recorded! Let's find out more!!
305: "AVROCAR"
Interesting Things with JC #305: "Avrocar" was developed as part of a secret U.S. military project carried out in the early years of the Cold War, for vertical take off and landing, travel at mach 4, and it looks like a flying saucer.
304: "Sunglasses"
Interesting Things with JC #304 "Sunglasses" - Take an interesting trip with me through the centuries and uncover the origin story of these pop culture main stays.
303: "Blue Lingcod"
Interesting Things with JC #303: "Blue Lingcod" are a rare type of bottom dwelling species of fish that can have an alluring blue tint, inside and out.
300: "Lobsterman Swallowed by Hump Back Whale and Lived"
Interesting Things with JC #300: On Friday June 11th, 2021, a commercial Lobster Diver was swallowed by a humpback whale off the coast of Massachusetts, and lived to tell the story!
298: "Ceiling Fan Direction"
Interesting Things with JC #298 "Ceiling Fan Direction" should be changed in the summer and winter to give you more comfort and spend less on your heating and cooling needs!
296: "Dendrochronology"
Interesting Things with JC #296: "Dendrochronology" is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on the practical application of the study of tree rings. American Astronomer A.E. Douglass developed the method around 1900.
288: "Baking Soda"
Interesting Things with JC #288: "Baking Soda" - Sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline fine powder made of salt, that reacts when it comes into contact with acids. It's frequently used as a leavening agent in baked goods, it causes dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide.
287: "BEEFALO"
Interesting Things with JC #287: "Beefalo" is a cross between domestic cows and the North American Bison.A full- blood Beefalo does not contain less than 3/8 Bision. Beefalo was developed in the early 1970’s by a Californian producer who successfully interbreed American Bison with domesticated cattle. After nearly 150 years of selective breeding, the perfect balance was found. Please visit AmericanBeefaloAssociation.com for more information!
285: "Nitrogen Chip Packaging"
Interesting Things with JC #285: "Nitrogen Chip Packing" - When exposed to air packaged potato chips or snacks could go stale easier, or grow mold or mildew. To overcome this problem chip bags are filled with nitrogen gas and then sealed.
281: "Sympathetic Resonant Frequencies"
Interesting Things with JC #281: "Sympathetic Resonant Frequencies" - Sympathetic resonance or sympathetic vibration is a harmonic phenomenon where a passive string or vibratory body responds to external vibrations to which it has a harmonic likeness, to include shattering living microorganisms at the right frequency.
277: "Atom"
Interesting Things with JC #277: "Atom" - The atom is the basic building block of chemistry. Most of the atom is empty space. They were made about 13.7 billion years ago after the Big Bang.
275: "The First Colour Photograph"
Interesting Things with JC #275: "The First Colour Photograph” - On May 17th 1861 Scottish physicist James Maxwell revealed the first colour photograph at King's College in London. The photo is actually a composite of three black and white pictures, each taken through a red, green and blue filter. The images were overlayed through projection of three similarly filtered lenses, which resulted in display of a colour photograph.