Interesting Things with JC #353: "Undersea Cables" - Who put them there? What do they do? Let’s take a deep dive into the history of undersea cables!

Interesting Things with JC #352: "San Pedro—The Sacred Cactus" grows prolifically in the Andes and is prized for its massive and short-lived blooms. The cactus' flowers only open at night for a few days, sometimes just one, before decaying. After fertilization, their fragrance attracts nighttime pollinators like bats. It's known for its hallucinogenic and healing properties.

Interesting Things with JC #351: "Lahmacun" - is popular in Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Not trying it is a mistake! When you do try it, just make sure to have the proper amount of lion's milk on hand to ensure your time is well spent. Let's explore this delicious meal's history!

Interesting Things with JC #350: "Jose Rizal Museum - Calamba Philippines" - We delve into the life and times of Jose Rizal, learn about his childhood home, its destruction and how the rebuilt shrine is a tribute to him. Don’t forget to stop by Olartes Pizza if you go visit!

Interesting Things with JC #349: "San Pablo, Philippines" - In the province of Luzon, north-central Philippines, the city of San Pablo is located about 10 miles southeast of Los Baos. The city is almost completely encircled by dormant volcanic cones, seven of which have formed small crater lakes. Every January, the world-renowned San Pablo City’s Coco Fest gives more color and excitement to the city’s fiesta every January 15th.

Interesting Things with JC #348: "Felix Nadar and the First Aerial Photograph" - In 1858, Felix Nadar, a French balloonist and photographer, took the first known photograph from the sky!

Interesting Things with JC #347: "The Tower of London's Famous Ravens" - The kingdom of England and the Tower of London are said to be doomed if the six ravens who live there ever leave. The Tower is currently inhabited by nine ravens.

Interesting Things with JC #346: "Fire Hydrants" - The true inventor of the fire hydrant is unknown, though. A fire destroyed the patents for the fire hydrants in Philadelphia.

Interesting Things with JC #345: "Regrow from Scraps" - Many common vegetables that you grow can re-grow from scraps, which may surprise you. This can be a great money saver, both for starting a new vegetable plot and for continuing your existing food growing efforts.

Interesting Things with JC #344: "Shizo Kanakuri" was a pioneer in Japanese marathon running and track and field. To the Japanese, he is the "father of the marathon." Interestingly, the world record marathon time he was most famous for was 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 200.379 seconds.

Interesting Things with JC #343: "Tecumseh" was founded in 1934 by Raymond Wesley Herrick and Charles Floyd Sage in Tecumseh, Michigan. Herrick & Sage were both tool and die maker-machinists at their own companies, which came together to create the Tecumseh Products Company.

Interesting Things with JC #342: "Phantom Towns" are places that exist solely on paper maps but have no physical presence in the real world. All of them are either blunders or deliberate attempts to break the law.

Interesting Things with JC #341: "Blueberries" - Native Americans in North America gave blueberries the name "star fruits" due to the star shape formed by the blossom end of the berry. In a given year, a single blueberry bush can yield up to six thousand berries. The highbush blueberry crop in British Columbia is the world's largest.

Interesting Things with JC #340: "Babe the Blue Ox" — Paul Bunyan took a stroll during the Blue Snow Winter. While he was up to his knees in icy blue snow, he heard a noise that sounded like a bleat snort. Looking down, he noticed a small blue bull snorting angrily and bouncing around in the snow.

Interesting Things with JC #339: "Paul Bunyan" - Once upon a time, a large man named Paul Bunyan existed. Bunyan was a lumberjack who traversed the country with his blue ox, Babe. Paul Bunyan's tales are legendary and an integral part of American folklore.

Interesting Things with JC #338: "More Dangerous than Shark Attacks" - An inquisitive short story podcast topic that was submitted by one of our loyal but yet anonymous listeners! (5min podcast)

Interesting Things with JC #337: "The Abbreviated History of Ice Cream" - President Ronald Reagan instituted National Ice Cream Day, which is observed annually on the third Sunday of July (July 17 this year). Let’s take a look at the history of this beloved treat!

Interesting Things with JC #336: "Room 307, Gilman Hall, UC Berkley" - The first chemical identification of element 94, took place here. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966 on the 25th anniversary of the discovery of plutonium. All of Gilman Hall was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in 1997, followed by its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Interesting Things with JC #335: "Point Bonita Lighthouse" sits near the end of Bonita Cove in the Marin Headlands, just 20 minutes from the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a historic location and the only lighthouse in the United States that is reached by a suspension bridge!

Interesting Things with JC #334: "Vicki Adams" - Vicki Adams' horsemanship, innovative flare, and horse-training expertise have enthralled rodeo fans worldwide for half a century. Vicki is one of the world's top “trick-riders” and has been recognized in countless halls of fame.