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.
1250: "Great Loop Boating"
Interesting Things with JC #1250: "Great Loop Boating" – It’s not a race, it’s a rhythm. Across 7,500 miles of rivers, canals, and coastlines, the Great Loop offers a journey where tide, patience, and memory steer the way.
1235: “Three Turns to Freedom”
Interesting Things with JC #1235: “Three Turns to Freedom” – This episode gallops through the untold history of barrel racing—a sport born from rebellion. It wasn’t always about speed. It was once a pageant. But through three turns and a cloverleaf path, women rode their way from sideline spectacles to national champions.
A special thank you to Maxine from Ripon, California, for inspiring this story!
1212: "Hawk-Eye Technology"
Interesting Things with JC #1212: "Hawk-Eye Technology" - From controversial calls to unquestionable precision, Hawk-Eye has changed how sports are officiated. With millimeter accuracy, this technology has become essential in tennis, cricket, soccer, and beyond. Explore how it works and why it’s shaping the future of sports.
1186: "Chevrolet K10"
Interesting Things with JC #1186: "Chevrolet K10" – The Chevy K10 wasn’t just another pickup; it was a symbol of rugged durability. From its early days in the 1960s to the iconic square-body design of the 1970s and 80s, this truck built a legacy on farms, job sites, and off-road trails. Discover how the K10 evolved and why it remains a sought-after classic today.
1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day"
Interesting Things with JC #1184: "National Girls and Women in Sports Day" – From running secret marathons to making history in horse racing, these lesser-known female athletes redefined what’s possible. Discover the untold stories of trailblazers who changed the game forever.
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!
1128: "The Record-Breaking Run of Maureen Wilton"
Interesting Things with JC #1128: "The Record-Breaking Run of Maureen Wilton" - At just 13 years old, Maureen Wilton broke the women’s marathon world record in 1967.
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.
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!
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?
1042: "The Secret: A Treasure Hunt"
Interesting Things with JC #1042: "The Secret: A Treasure Hunt"
Explore Byron Preiss's 1982 book "The Secret," a real-life treasure hunt with nine treasures still hidden across North America. We delve into the cryptic clues and the enduring mystery that continues to intrigue adventurers today.
Could you be the one to unlock the next secret?
1027: "A Simple Riddle 2"
Interesting Things with JC #1027: "A Simple Riddle 2" - A riddle about two fathers, two sons, and three fish—how do they each get one? Tune in to find out!
1022: "Eastside Sports, Bishop California"
Interesting Things with JC #1022: "Eastside Sports, Bishop California" - Explore the legacy of Wilson’s Eastside Sports, a family-owned mountain sports store in Bishop, CA, providing gear and local expertise since 1977.
1018: "Mazda Renesis Rotary Engine"
Interesting Things with JC #1018: "Mazda Renesis Rotary Engine" - Explore the advanced engineering of the Renesis rotary engine that powered the Mazda RX-8, pushing the limits of performance and efficiency.
099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer"
Interesting Things with JC #099: "The Eiffel Tower is Taller in Summer" - Curious about how the Eiffel Tower changes with the seasons?
098: "Biting Gold Medals"
Interesting Things with JC #098: "Biting Gold Medals" - Discover why athletes bite their medals for the camera!
091: "Whiteface Mountain and New York's Best Hiking Trail"
Interesting Things with JC #091: "Whiteface Mountain and New York's Best Hiking Trail" - Discover the adventure and stunning views of hiking Whiteface Mountain's Summit Trail in the Adirondacks.
074: "Arturo Gatti"
Interesting Things with JC #074: "Arturo Gatti" - Delve into the life of Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, a legendary Canadian boxer known for his resilience and thrilling fighting style. This episode covers his career highlights, personal challenges, and lasting legacy in the world of boxing.
002: "The Cheese Rolling Festival"
Interesting Things with JC #002: "The Cheese Rolling Festival" - Dive into the thrilling world of the Cheese Rolling Festival at Cooper’s Hill, a unique British tradition where bravery and cheese collide in a spectacular race for glory.
963: "Rare Versatility - Football Linemen"
Interesting Things with JC #963: "Rare Versatility - Football Linemen" - Explore the exceptional adaptability of football linemen who excel in playing multiple positions on the line, showcasing their versatility and intelligence in the game. A story inspired by Ashten Cheatham.