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 #1170: "Blood Minerals - The Hidden Cost of Progress" - Every smartphone and laptop connects to more than the internet—it connects to a hidden cost. Explore how essential minerals power technology but fuel conflict and exploitation.

Interesting Things with JC #1169: "How Language Connects Us" - Language is more than words—it’s the thread that connects humanity. From Proto-Indo-European roots to ancient scripts, discover how our words preserve shared values, link cultures, and echo across generations.

Interesting Things with JC #1166: "Humans are The Only Species with a Chin" – Humans are unique in countless ways, but did you know our chins make us one of a kind in the animal kingdom? Discover why this small facial feature evolved and how it sets us apart from every other species on Earth.

Interesting Things with JC #1165: "WW2 German Escape Myths" - Were Nazis hiding in plain sight in Argentina? Did Antarctica hold dark secrets from the Third Reich? This gripping episode unveils the scandals, conspiracies, and moral dilemmas of a world grappling with the aftermath of WW2.

Interesting Things with JC #1164: "David Attenborough's Life on Earth Premieres" – January 16, 1979, marked the debut of "Life on Earth" a series that redefined nature documentaries worldwide.

Interesting Things with JC #1158: "Ambivalence - The Push and Pull of Human Emotions" – Explore the thrilling tension of opposing emotions and find strength in the complexity.

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 #1139: "Captain Santa and the Christmas Tree Ship" - Captain Herman Schuenemann (Captain Santa) was more than a sailor—he was a holiday hero, braving Lake Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago families. This episode tells the bittersweet story of his dedication, the tragedy that struck his final voyage, and the legacy of the Christmas Tree Ship that continues to inspire.

Interesting Things with JC #1132: "Quantum Cryptography" - Dive into the fascinating world of quantum cryptography, where cutting-edge technology meets quantum mechanics to revolutionize data security. Learn how quantum key distribution (QKD) uses photons to make data virtually unhackable!

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 #1129: "Washington DC from Marsh to Majesty" – What began as a swampy compromise in 1800 evolved into one of the world’s most recognizable capitals. From its humble origins to its rise as a hub of power, resilience, and vision.

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.

Interesting Things with JC #1125: "The Lou Carcolh" - A creature part snail, part serpent, but what lies behind the French legend? This monstrous figure from Pyrenean folklore may reveal more about human imagination and ancient fossils than we realize.

Interesting Things with JC #1124: "The Science of Healthy Homes" - Your home holds secrets! Drafts, leaks, and inefficiencies will cost you money and comfort. A blower door test can uncover them all, setting the stage for energy-efficient upgrades. Let's check out the science behind a healthy home! A special thank you to "The Tech Ed Teacher" Associate Producer of this Episode.

Interesting Things with JC #1122: "Discovery of the Great Barrier Reef" - In 1770, Captain James Cook and his crew encountered an unseen obstacle beneath the waters of the South Pacific. What could have been a catastrophe revealed the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth!

Interesting Things with JC #1121: "Metamaterials and Negative Refraction" - Check out the groundbreaking world of metamaterials and negative refraction. Discover how these engineered materials are bending the rules of physics, enabling innovations like invisibility cloaks, superlenses, and wave manipulation. A special thank you to Liesel for inspiring today's episode.

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.

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!

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.