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.
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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.
1241: "The Day the Sky Erased the Map"
Interesting Things with JC #1241: "The Day the Sky Erased the Map" –On April 3, 1974, a record-setting storm system spawned 148 tornadoes across 13 states. More than 330 lives were lost, entire towns vanished, and America’s understanding of severe weather was forever changed. From twin F5s to meteorological breakthroughs, this episode unpacks the day the sky turned against us.
1217: "ADHD A Hunters Edge or Desk Job Disorder?"
Interesting Things with JC #1217: "ADHD A Hunters Edge or Desk Job Disorder?" - Once an asset for survival ADHD traits helped early humans stay alert and adaptable But in today's rigid world they are seen as a disorder Is ADHD really a flaw or just an evolutionary mismatch.
1192: "Chromosome 2 - The Fusion That Made Us Human"
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.
1187: "Who Were the Ancient North Eurasians?"
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.
1167: "AI and Gut Bacteria"
Interesting Things with JC #1167: "AI and Gut Bacteria" - Discover the groundbreaking fusion of AI and gut bacteria that's boosting immunity, fighting infections, and transforming cancer treatments. This is the future of medicine.
1166: "Humans are The Only Species with a Chin"
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.
1152: "Antikythera Mechanism"
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.
1098: “Adventure, Traveling, Driving!”
Interesting Things with JC #1098: "Adventure, Traveling, and Driving!" - From the freedom of the open road to the thrill of exploring new places, adventure transforms our lives in powerful ways. Discover how traveling and road trips change our perspective, bringing growth, connection, and stories that last a lifetime.
1072: "Piezoelectric Crystals & the Human Pineal Gland"
Interesting Things with JC #1072: "Piezoelectric Crystals & the Human Pineal Gland" – Could the piezoelectric crystals found in the human pineal gland interact with electromagnetic fields? This episode explores the fascinating intersection of biology and piezoelectricity, raising questions about how our bodies might respond to unseen environmental energies.
1045: "Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman"
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.
980: "360 Sunrise/Sunset of a Solar Eclipse"
Interesting Things with JC #980: "360 Sunrise/Sunset of a Solar Eclipse" - Explore the breathtaking 360-degree sunrise/sunset phenomenon during a total solar eclipse. This episode dives into the celestial mechanics behind it and its significance for both science and viewers, highlighting the awe-inspiring beauty of our universe.
763: "Saint Elmo's Fire"
Interesting Things with JC #763: "St. Elmo's Fire" - Sailors, explorers, and astronauts have marveled at the eerie phenomenon known as St. Elmo's Fire. Delve into its mysteries and discover its impact on aviation safety.
759: "Cradle of Clay - Desert Lake Beds"
Interesting Things with JC #759: "Cradle of Clay - Desert Lake Beds" - Explore the scientific mysteries of clay soil in desert lake beds, delving into its mineral composition, particle size distribution, swelling-shrinking behavior, and soil structure. Uncover the secrets of this unique terrain.
693: "Harmful Algae Blooms"
Interesting Things with JC #693: "Harmful Algae Blooms" - Learn about harmful algal blooms and their impact on our waters, health, and environment. Discover how these excessive algae growths can harm aquatic life, contaminate drinking water, and why it's important to avoid contact with them.
496: "Microwaved Grapes"
Interesting Things with JC #496: "Microwaved Grapes" - grapes literally explode in the microwave.
494: "Genomics and AI"
Interesting Things with JC #494: "Genomics and AI" - An exciting development in genomics has been the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and interpret large amounts of genomic data.
474: "Nanorobotic Antibodies"
Interesting Things with JC #474: "Nanorobotic Antibodies" - Professor Yanay Ofran has developed the first nanorobotic antibodies, tailored to combat cancer, now in human trials.
462: "Aztec Medicines"
Interesting Things with JC #462: "Aztec Medicines" - The Aztecs are famous for their ancient pyramids and chocolate recipes, but their medicines may have been as advanced as drugs used today.
461: "Where Traditional Kampo Medicines of Japan Came From"
Interesting Things with JC #461: "Where Traditional Kampo Medicines of Japan Came From" - Researchers from Japan and China, led by Professor Toshihiko Matsuo of Okayama University's Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, conducted a thorough review of available Chinese, Japanese, and English literature in order to shed light on a long-standing mystery.
456: "Tongue Prints"
Interesting Things with JC #456: "Tongue Prints" - Like fingerprints, each person has a unique tongue print. The tongue is an important organ inside the mouth that is well protected from the outside world. It has unique parts that are different for each person, even between identical twins.