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 #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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Interesting Things with JC #1029: "The Great Alaskan Zucchini" - Dive into the remarkable phenomenon of Alaska's gigantic zucchinis, where nearly 20 hours of summer sunlight fuel extraordinary growth.

Learn about the innovative techniques that help these crops thrive and celebrate the awe-inspiring ways nature adapts to Alaska's unique environment.

This episode was inspired by Haley Hongslo.

Interesting Things with JC #1028: "What is a Mountain Chicken?" - Discover the Mountain Chicken, one of the largest frogs in the world, native to the Caribbean and critically endangered. Learn about its unique traits and the efforts to save it from extinction.

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!

Interesting Things with JC #1025: "Power of Placebo" - Explore the fascinating power of the placebo effect, where belief alone can lead to real health improvements.

Interesting Things with JC #1024: "The Salinas River" - Discover the critical role the Salinas River plays in central California, from supporting agriculture to shaping American literature.

Interesting Things with JC #1017: "A Simple Riddle" - Ready to test your brain…Can you solve the riddle? Tune in to this short podcast and see if you can solve a simple riddle!