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 12/28/24 JC 12/28/24

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.

JC 12/27/24 JC 12/27/24

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.

JC 12/25/24 JC 12/25/24

1142: "The Wonder of Christmas Morning"

Interesting Things with JC #1142: "The Wonder of Christmas Morning" – There’s nothing like it...the hush of a still house, the glow of lights, the quiet joy in the air. But the true wonder isn’t found beneath the tree...

JC 12/24/24 JC 12/24/24

1141: "The Christmas Eve Escape of the S.S. Vega"

Interesting Things with JC #1141: "The Christmas Eve Escape of the S.S. Vega" - On Christmas Eve 1944, the S.S. Vega arrived in the Channel Islands, bringing relief after years of German occupation. Discover the powerful story of survival, aid, and hope in the midst of war.

JC 12/23/24 JC 12/23/24

1140: "Operation Christmas Drop"

Interesting Things with JC #1140: "Operation Christmas Drop" - What began in 1952 as a small act of kindness has become a cherished holiday tradition. Operation Christmas Drop, the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift, brings essential supplies and festive cheer to remote Pacific islands. Learn how this annual mission exemplifies the true spirit of the season.

JC 12/22/24 JC 12/22/24

1139: "Captain Santa and the Christmas Tree Ship"

Interesting Things with JC #1139: "Captain Santa and the Christmas Tree Ship" - Captain Herman Schuenemann (Captain Santa) was more than a sailor—he was a holiday hero, braving Lake Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago families. This episode tells the bittersweet story of his dedication, the tragedy that struck his final voyage, and the legacy of the Christmas Tree Ship that continues to inspire.

JC 12/21/24 JC 12/21/24

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.

JC 12/20/24 JC 12/20/24

1137: "David Atlee Phillips"

Interesting Things with JC #1137: "David Atlee Phillips" - From Cold War coups to whispered ties with JFK’s assassination, CIA officer David Atlee Phillips’s career is shrouded in intrigue.

JC 12/19/24 JC 12/19/24

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.

JC 12/18/24 JC 12/18/24

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.

JC 12/17/24 JC 12/17/24

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!

JC 12/16/24 JC 12/16/24

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.

JC 12/15/24 JC 12/15/24

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!

JC 12/14/24 JC 12/14/24

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!

JC 12/13/24 JC 12/13/24

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.

JC 12/12/24 JC 12/12/24

1129: "Washington DC from Marsh to Majesty"

Interesting Things with JC #1129: "Washington DC from Marsh to Majesty" – What began as a swampy compromise in 1800 evolved into one of the world’s most recognizable capitals. From its humble origins to its rise as a hub of power, resilience, and vision.

JC 12/10/24 JC 12/10/24

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.

JC 12/9/24 JC 12/9/24

1126: "Sealed with Hope: How Christmas Stamps Fought Tuberculosis”

Interesting Things with JC #1126: "Sealed with Hope: How Christmas Stamps Fought Tuberculosis" - What if a penny stamp could save lives? In 1907, Christmas Seals were introduced to fund the fight against tuberculosis, transforming a holiday tradition into a public health revolution. Discover the remarkable story of how festive stamps became a symbol of hope.

JC 12/8/24 JC 12/8/24

1125: "The Lou Carcolh"

Interesting Things with JC #1125: "The Lou Carcolh" - A creature part snail, part serpent, but what lies behind the French legend? This monstrous figure from Pyrenean folklore may reveal more about human imagination and ancient fossils than we realize.

JC 12/7/24 JC 12/7/24

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.