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 #1135: "Assyrian Rosette" - Discover the story of the Assyrian Rosette, a symbol etched into the palace walls of Ashurnasirpal II in ancient Nimrud.

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 #1119: "Sonogenetics - The Science of Controlling Cells with Sound" - Explore the revolutionary world of sonogenetics, where sound waves meet cellular biology. Learn how scientists are using ultrasound to control neurons, deliver drugs, and pioneer treatments for neurological disorders and cancer. Dive into this fascinating discovery and its profound impact on science and medicine. A very special thank you to "Dr. Steve" for suggesting today's episode.

Interesting Things with JC #1118: "Living Without Fear" - What would humanity look like without fear? In this episode, JC explores the origins of fear, its impact on society, and the individuals who have dared to live fearlessly. From historical breakthroughs to personal growth strategies, discover how embracing courage can lead to a brighter, more innovative future.

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.

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!

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 #1105: "Blue Men of the Minch" - Explore the chilling tale of the Blue Men of the Minch, supernatural beings who haunt the waters between Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Learn how these blue-skinned spirits challenge sailors with riddles and why they remain a captivating part of Scotland’s folklore.

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 #1103: "Bad Smells - More Than Just a Nuisance" - Bad smells are often more than just unpleasant—they're nature's way of warning us. Discover the science behind odors, how our noses detect danger, and why some foul smells may be less harmful than you think.

Interesting Things with JC #1102: "Umi-Bozu" - Meet the Umi-Bozu, the ghostly sea spirits of Japanese legend. Rising from the waves, these colossal beings confront sailors with ominous demands. Discover how this haunting folklore reflects Japan’s deep respect and fear of the ocean.

Interesting Things with JC #1101: "The Schwabenland Expedition" - Nazi Germany’s 1938 Antarctic mission blended resource acquisition, geopolitical goals, and scientific exploration. It's a fascinating historical account of this mysterious, controversial, and often forgotten expedition.

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.

Interesting Things with JC #1099: "Conflict Disrupts Sleep" - You’ve had a heated argument, and now you’re staring at the ceiling, wide awake. Turns out, conflict is more than an emotional drain; it's a sleep destroyer that can lead to mental health issues or death!

Interesting Things with JC #1097: "Marines vs. Pirates - The Battle of Derna" - In 1805 at Battle of Derna U.S. Marines and their allies pulled off a bold win against Barbary pirates. From the brutal desert trek, the smart strategies used, and the first time the U.S. flag was raised on foreign soil, this battle changed the Marines forever.

Episode #1096: "The Great Boston Fire of 1872" - Explore the story of the Great Boston Fire, a devastating event that reshaped Boston’s downtown, and led to lasting changes in fire safety and urban planning. From the destruction of landmarks to the birth of new safety codes, this episode dives into the far-reaching impact of this historic fire on the city and beyond.