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, 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.

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!

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

1106: "Sarcophagus of Pakal"

Interesting Things with JC #1106: "Sarcophagus of Pakal" - The Great and Legendary Mayan King of Palenque, whose burial site in the Temple of the Inscriptions has sparked debates ranging from archaeology to ancient astronaut theories. Discover the rich symbolism in the carvings and what they reveal about Mayan beliefs about the afterlife.

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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?

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

1091: "Hemochromatosis Unveiled"

Interesting Things with JC #1091: "Hemochromatosis Unveiled" - Deep within our genetic code, a silent condition, hemochromatosis, absorbs iron one molecule at a time, posing a hidden threat to vital organs like the liver and heart. Could this genetic twist quietly shape lives around us? And why is it so common among those with Northern European heritage? Join JC as he unpacks the science, stories, and signs behind this often-overlooked disorder.

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

1090: "Nuremberg 1561"

Interesting Things with JC #1090: "Nuremberg 1561" - On the morning of April 14, 1561, Nuremberg residents watched as the sky filled with strange, clashing shapes. Spheres, cylinders, and crosses danced in an otherworldly "battle," leaving witnesses to ponder its meaning. Was it an omen, a natural phenomenon, or even an early UFO sighting?

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

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.

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History, News, Podcast, Science, Social JC History, News, Podcast, Science, Social JC

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.

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