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.
1151: "Derinkuyu Turkey"
Interesting Things with JC #1151: "Derinkuyu Turkey" – Journey into Cappadocia’s underground city that sheltered 20,000 people. Discover its advanced engineering, hidden networks, and the mystery of why most of it remains unexplored!
1150: "Second Sleep"
Interesting Things with JC #1150: "Second Sleep" – What if waking up at night wasn’t insomnia, but a link to an ancient rhythm? Long before electric lights, humanity followed two distinct phases of sleep. Discover how this practice shaped cultures and what science reveals about its benefits today.
1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Interesting Things with JC #1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"
Did you know your brain has its own hidden ripples that shape how you experience the world?
In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research on intrinsic traveling waves—patterns of neural activity that prime your senses and may hold the key to new therapies for neurological disorders.
This episode was inspired by “AJ”
Ref: Davis ZW, Busch A, Steward C, Muller L, Reynolds J. Horizontal cortical connections shape intrinsic traveling waves into feature-selective motifs that regulate perceptual sensitivity. Cell Rep. 2024 Sep 24;43(9):114707. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114707. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39243374; PMCID: PMC11485754.
1145: "The Library of Ashurbanipal - The World's First Repository of Knowledge"
Interesting Things with JC #1145: "The Library of Ashurbanipal: The World's First Repository of Knowledge" - King Ashurbanipal’s library in Nineveh preserved ancient wisdom on clay tablets, from myths to medicine. Discover its story and lasting legacy.
1144: "The Power Source of Voyager 1"
Interesting Things with JC #1144: "The Power Source of Voyager 1" - Discover how radioisotope thermoelectric generators power Voyager 1’s 50-year mission and interstellar journey.
1138: "Shared Existence"
Interesting Things with JC #1138: "Shared Existence" - What does it mean to be truly seen? This episode explores the depth of human connection, vulnerability, and how recognition transforms the way we see ourselves.
1136: "Everything is Connected"
Interesting Things with JC #1136: "Everything is Connected" - Explore the profound idea that everything in our world is interlinked. Discover how ancient philosophies and modern science align to reveal a universe bound together in surprising ways.
1135: "Assyrian Rosette"
Interesting Things with JC #1135: "Assyrian Rosette" - Discover the story of the Assyrian Rosette, a symbol etched into the palace walls of Ashurnasirpal II in ancient Nimrud.
1134: "Emerald Tablet of Thoth"
Interesting Things with JC #1134: "Emerald Tablet of Thoth" - Can a single text bridge the gap between science, mysticism, and philosophy? The Emerald Tablet of Thoth might!
1133: "Realizing the Truth of Who You Are"
Interesting Things with JC #1133: "Realizing the Truth of Who You Are" - Who are you beyond the labels and expectations placed on you? We explore the universal journey of self-discovery through the lens of ancient philosophy, modern neuroscience, and cultural traditions.
1132: "Quantum Cryptography"
Interesting Things with JC #1132: "Quantum Cryptography" - Dive into the fascinating world of quantum cryptography, where cutting-edge technology meets quantum mechanics to revolutionize data security. Learn how quantum key distribution (QKD) uses photons to make data virtually unhackable!
1131: "A Simple Riddle 9"
Interesting Things with JC #1131: "A Simple Riddle 9" - Think you’ve got what it takes to solve today’s riddle? Test your brainpower, but don’t forget—pause the podcast before I give you the answer if you need more time to think!
1130: "The Voynich Manuscript"
Interesting Things with JC, Episode #1130: "The Voynich Manuscript" - A 15th-century text with cryptic symbols and strange illustrations, has puzzled experts for over 100 years. Despite modern technology, its purpose and meaning remain unknown.
1127: "G16E-GTS - Toyota’s Turbocharged Titan"
Interesting Things with JC #1127: "G16E-GTS - Toyota’s Turbocharged Titan" - Small but mighty, Toyota’s G16E-GTS is a turbocharged 1.6L, 3-cylinder engine that redefines what compact power can achieve. Built with cutting-edge engineering, this little powerhouse stands toe-to-toe with much larger engines. Discover the story behind this revolutionary design.
1124: "The Science of Healthy Homes"
Interesting Things with JC #1124: "The Science of Healthy Homes" - Your home holds secrets! Drafts, leaks, and inefficiencies will cost you money and comfort. A blower door test can uncover them all, setting the stage for energy-efficient upgrades. Let's check out the science behind a healthy home! A special thank you to "The Tech Ed Teacher" Associate Producer of this Episode.
1123: "All Things ARE Possible"
Interesting Things with JC #1123: "All Things are Possible" - A tiny seed may seem insignificant, yet it contains the blueprint for immense growth. Like that seed, we hold untapped potential within ourselves. When nurtured in the right conditions, all things are possible. Explore this powerful metaphor and the science behind positivity!
1122: "Discovery of the Great Barrier Reef"
Interesting Things with JC #1122: "Discovery of the Great Barrier Reef" - In 1770, Captain James Cook and his crew encountered an unseen obstacle beneath the waters of the South Pacific. What could have been a catastrophe revealed the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth!
1121: "Metamaterials and Negative Refraction"
Interesting Things with JC #1121: "Metamaterials and Negative Refraction" - Check out the groundbreaking world of metamaterials and negative refraction. Discover how these engineered materials are bending the rules of physics, enabling innovations like invisibility cloaks, superlenses, and wave manipulation. A special thank you to Liesel for inspiring today's episode.
1120: "The Ocean's Midnight Zone"
Interesting Things with JC #1120: "The Ocean's Midnight Zone" - Journey to the ocean's midnight zone, a dark and mysterious frontier teeming with bioluminescent creatures and extraordinary adaptations. Discover how life thrives in this extreme environment, where crushing pressure and freezing temperatures push biological boundaries. Explore why this little-known realm remains a critical focus for scientific discovery. Thank you to "Mr. Adalbert" for suggesting today's topic.
1119: "Sonogenetics - The Science of Controlling Cells with Sound"
Interesting Things with JC #1119: "Sonogenetics - The Science of Controlling Cells with Sound" - Explore the revolutionary world of sonogenetics, where sound waves meet cellular biology. Learn how scientists are using ultrasound to control neurons, deliver drugs, and pioneer treatments for neurological disorders and cancer. Dive into this fascinating discovery and its profound impact on science and medicine. A very special thank you to "Dr. Steve" for suggesting today's episode.