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 10/14/24 JC 10/14/24

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.

JC 10/13/24 JC 10/13/24

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.

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 10/9/24 JC 10/9/24

1064: "A Simple Riddle 6"

Interesting Things with JC #1064: "A Simple Riddle 6" - Test your puzzle-solving skills and see if you can figure it out before JC reveals the answer. Don’t forget to pause if you need more time!

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 10/1/24 JC 10/1/24

1057: "Playful Power of Words"

Interesting Things with JC #1057: "Playful Power of Words" - Explore the timeless appeal of word games, from puns to riddles, and discover how these playful twists with language continue to entertain and challenge us.

JC 9/28/24 JC 9/28/24

1054: "Not All Deep Thinking is an Existential Crisis"

Interesting Things with JC #1054: "Not All Deep Thinking is an Existential Crisis" - Not all deep thinking leads to existential anxiety. Learn how reflection, inspired by philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre, can lead to greater clarity and understanding without emotional upheaval.

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 9/25/24 JC 9/25/24

1051: "Choosing the Right Bell Peppers"

Interesting Things with JC #1051: "Choosing the Right Bell Peppers" - Ever flipped a bell pepper to count its lobes, hoping to pick the sweetest one? Discover more about this online legend!

JC 9/22/24 JC 9/22/24

1048: "TON 618"

Interesting Things with JC #1048: "TON 618" - Dive into the fascinating world of TON 618, one of the most mysterious and powerful supermassive black holes in the universe, located approximately 10.4 billion light-years away.

JC 9/21/24 JC 9/21/24

1047: "Eagle Nebula"

Interesting Things with JC #1047: "Eagle Nebula" - Discover the Eagle Nebula, one of the most famous star-forming regions in the universe, located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Serpens. It's a fascinating story about the "Pillars of Creation" and how it all connects to YOU!

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 9/18/24 JC 9/18/24

1044: "Memory and Emotion"

Interesting Things with JC #1044: "Memory and Emotion"

Explore how emotions influence our memories and why certain moments stay with us forever.

Learn about the powerful connection between feelings and memory formation, and uncover the science behind why emotional events are so memorable.

JC 9/17/24 JC 9/17/24

1043: "The Belief that There Are Good People in the World"

Interesting Things with JC #1043: "The Belief that There Are Good People in the World"

Explore the enduring belief in the inherent goodness of people through historical examples, philosophical teachings, and spiritual traditions.

Discover how this conviction has inspired acts of kindness and shaped societies throughout history.

JC 9/14/24 JC 9/14/24

1040: "Anno Lucis: The Masonic Year of Light"

Interesting Things with JC #1040: "Anno Lucis: The Masonic Year of Light" – The Freemason dating system Anno Lucis (A.L.), meaning "In the Year of Light," adds 4,000 years to the Gregorian calendar, symbolizing the biblical moment of creation.

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

1035: "Mind Your Thoughts"

Interesting Things with JC #1035: "Mind Your Thoughts" - Our minds produce thousands of thoughts every day, and they shape our emotions, actions, and overall reality.

JC 9/8/24 JC 9/8/24

1034: "Emotional Processing Speed"

Interesting Things with JC #1034: "Emotional Processing Speed" - Did you know your brain processes emotions faster than thoughts? Learn how the amygdala triggers reactions in just milliseconds

JC 9/7/24 JC 9/7/24

1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?"

Interesting Things with JC #1033: "Why Do Shrimp Stand Up?" - Shrimp standing up isn’t just a curious sight, it’s a genetic behavior! Let’s dive into the details!!

JC 9/5/24 JC 9/5/24

1031: "Dr. Viktor Adamenko and Bioplasma"

Interesting Things with JC #1031: "Dr. Viktor Adamenko & Bioplasma" - Dr. Viktor Adamenko introduced the controversial concept of "bioplasma" in the 1970s, suggesting that living organisms might have a subtle energy field. Explore the science behind bioplasma, the skepticism it faced, and its lasting impact on bioenergetics research.

This episode is dedicated to the new Dr. Delmont, your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.

JC 9/4/24 JC 9/4/24

1030: "Belly Button Lint"

Interesting Things with JC #1030: "Belly Button Lint" - Dive into the surprisingly complex world of belly button lint!

Learn how body hair, clothing fibers, and even the shape of your navel collaborate to create this quirky phenomenon. Discover why lint is often blue or gray and what it reveals about the materials we wear.