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.
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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.
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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 ListNGSS – 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, check out any episode from #1235 to today, just scroll down.
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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.
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.
1117: "A Simple Riddle 8"
Interesting Things with JC #1117: "A Simple Riddle 8" - A quick riddle to challenge your brain—how fast can you solve it? Remember to pause the podcast before the answer!
1116: "Mansa Musa"
Interesting Things with JC #1116: "Mansa Musa" Explore the extraordinary story of Mansa Musa, the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire and the wealthiest person in history. With an entourage of 60,000 and 18 tons of gold, his pilgrimage to Mecca destabilized economies and forever changed global perceptions of Africa. Discover how his wealth built Timbuktu into a center of learning, reshaped trade routes, and left a legacy that still resonates today.
1114: "How Do You Cook a Turkey in a Deep Fryer"
Interesting Things with JC #1114: "How Do You Cook a Turkey in a Deep Fryer?" - Curious about how to deep-fry a turkey? Let's reveal some essentials for a legendary meal!
1100: "E. Howard Hunt"
Interesting Things with JC #1100: "E. Howard Hunt" - CIA operative and Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt lived a life of espionage, intrigue, and mystery. From toppling governments to being implicated in JFK conspiracy theories, his career is a puzzle still unsolved.
1098: “Adventure, Traveling, Driving!”
Interesting Things with JC #1098: "Adventure, Traveling, and Driving!" - From the freedom of the open road to the thrill of exploring new places, adventure transforms our lives in powerful ways. Discover how traveling and road trips change our perspective, bringing growth, connection, and stories that last a lifetime.
1058: "Where Does the Name Alabama Come From?"
Interesting Things with JC #1058: "Where Does the Name Alabama Come From?" - Discover the fascinating Native American history behind Alabama's name, rooted in the Alibamu people’s culture and their connection to the land.
1056: "Salt Mines of Maras"
Interesting Things with JC #1056: "Salt Mines of Maras" - Discover the Salt Mines of Maras, an ancient engineering marvel nestled in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Learn how these pre-Incan terraced pools have produced salt for centuries and continue to serve the local community.
1055: "A Simple Riddle 5"
Interesting Things with JC #1055: "A Simple Riddle 5" - Do you have what it takes to solve another simple riddle? Tune in, test your wits, and make sure to pause the podcast before the answer is revealed!
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.
1050: "Saint Carlo Acutis"
Interesting Things with JC #1050: "Saint Carlo Acutis" Uncover the inspiring life of Carlo Acutis, a tech-savvy teenager who combined his love for computers with deep faith. Learn how his legacy continues to touch lives and what makes his story so remarkable.
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.
1041: "The Burial Site of Genghis Khan"
Interesting Things with JC #1041: "The Burial Site of Genghis Khan" – Despite leading the Mongol Empire to unprecedented conquests, the final resting place of Genghis Khan remains one of history’s most enduring mysteries. This episode delves into why it has remained hidden for over 800 years.
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.
1039: "The Silent Tragedy of Love (1928) – Anna Karenina"
Interesting Things with JC #1039: "The Silent Tragedy of Love (1928) – Anna Karenina" – MGM’s 1927 silent film, starring Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, was a reimagined adaptation of Anna Karenina. With two different endings for American and European audiences, this cinematic masterpiece marked a significant moment in silent film history.
1038: "Shipwreck of the Flor de la Mar"
Interesting Things with JC #1038: "Shipwreck of the Flor de la Mar" – A Portuguese treasure ship, met a tragic end in 1511 while carrying a massive cargo of gold, silver, and artifacts estimated at over a Billion Dollars today. Despite many attempts, its wreck and treasure remain lost beneath the sea.
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.
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
1032: "The Amber Room"
Interesting Things with JC #1032: "The Amber Room" - The Amber Room, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," was a masterpiece of art and opulence, made of amber panels, gold leaf, and mirrors.
But during WWII, this magnificent room vanished, and its whereabouts remain one of history's greatest mysteries.
Join us as we explore the story of its creation, disappearance, and the ongoing search for this lost treasure.
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.