Interesting Things with JC #1198: "IWO JIMA" – The brutal battle for 8 square miles of volcanic rock forged legends. 70,000 U.S. Marines met hell—21,000 Japanese defenders refused surrender. 27 Medals of Honor for bravery—the most in any battle in U.S. history. Valor, sacrifice, and the flag atop Mount Suribachi became immortal.

Interesting Things with JC #1197: "The 133rd Seabees – Built on Sacrifice, Deserving of Honor" – Seabees of the 133rd were memorialized by their shipmates through the dedication of a chapel on Iwo Jima.

They gave their lives in service and never came home.

Their names are engraved on the chapel’s plaque, but their unit was not included in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to those they fought beside. This episode reflects on their sacrifice and asks that their service be fully recognized.

Interesting Things with JC #1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human" - An ancient chromosome fusion changed human evolution. Discover the genetic clue hidden in all of us.

Interesting Things with JC #1187: "Who Were the Ancient North Eurasians?" - Nearly 24,000 years ago, a boy near Lake Baikal was buried with mammoth ivory carvings. His DNA reveals a surprising link between Ancient North Eurasians and populations across the Americas, Europe, and South Asia. Explore how their migrations shaped human genetics, languages, and technologies.

Interesting Things with JC #1185: "From a Small Town to the White House - The Birth of Ronald Reagan" - Born in a tiny apartment above a bakery in Tampico, Illinois, Ronald Reagan’s journey began in humble surroundings. Frequent moves, financial struggles, and early academic success shaped the future 40th president. How did these beginnings forge a leader?

Interesting Things with JC #1179: "Evolution of Aircraft Collision Avoidance Technology" – A recent mid-air collision near Washington, D.C. has reignited the conversation about aviation safety and collision prevention technology.

In this episode, we explore how TCAS, ADS-B, and AI-powered automation have revolutionized aviation—and why low-altitude operations, drone safety, and AI-driven air traffic management are the next frontier.

Interesting Things with JC #1177: "Lead Madness" – Behind the gleaming walls of history lies a toxic secret. From the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution, lead shaped civilizations while silently destroying lives. It's a cautionary tale about the unseen costs of progress.

Interesting Things with JC #1171: "The Discovery of Insulin" – In 1922, the world witnessed a medical breakthrough that would save millions of lives. Learn how Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and their team discovered insulin, saving Leonard Thompson, a young boy with type 1 diabetes, and transforming the future of medicine.

Interesting Things with JC #1156: "Erik the Red - A Legacy of Exploration and Connection" - Turning exile into conquest, while founding Greenland, and forging a path for Norse exploration.

Interesting Things with JC #1152: "Antikythera Mechanism" – Hidden for centuries in a shipwreck, this 2,000-year-old device could predict eclipses, track planets, and model the heavens. The Antikythera Mechanism showcases a level of innovation that reshaped our understanding of ancient Greek science.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Interesting Things with JC #1106: "Sarcophagus of Pakal" - The Great and Legendary Mayan King of Palenque, whose burial site in the Temple of the Inscriptions has sparked debates ranging from archaeology to ancient astronaut theories. Discover the rich symbolism in the carvings and what they reveal about Mayan beliefs about the afterlife.

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?

Interesting Things with JC #1070: "The Predictions of Reid Hoffman" – LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman predicts that by 2034, automation, AI, and universal basic income will reshape the future of work, making traditional jobs obsolete. Explore how these technological advancements could redefine how we live and work.

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.

Interesting Things with JC #1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman" - A 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Alps. Uncover the mysteries surrounding his life and death, the secrets preserved in ice, and what he reveals about our prehistoric ancestors.

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.