Interesting Things with JC #1109: "The Strength of Shapes" - Shapes are more than just designs—they’re the foundation of strength in structures. Shapes are essential in both nature and engineering!

Interesting Things with JC #1059: "What is a Longshoreman and What is their History?" - Discover the essential role longshoremen play in global trade, from ancient times to modern-day port operations. Learn about their history, the impact of labor unions, and the challenges they face.

Interesting Things with JC #692: "Heat Dome" - It's a weather phenomenon characterized by a prolonged period of intense heat and stagnant conditions.

It forms when a high-pressure system traps hot air near the surface, leading to extreme temperatures and heatwaves, as seen in record-breaking events like the 2021 Canadian heatwave and the historic Middle Eastern heat dome of 2016.

Interesting Things with JC #509: "Harry Chapin & Jim Connors" - In this unique and profound 33-minute interview, we're given a window into the world of #HarryChapin and #JimConnors, two iconic figures in the music and radio industries. Jim Connors, renowned as the morning host at #WJET in #Erie, #WMEX in #Boston, and #WYSL in #Buffalo, had a keen eye for talent, significantly influencing the careers of numerous artists, including the gifted singer/songwriter Harry Chapin.

The discussion opens with how they first met in the Boston area, blossoming into a friendship that deeply influenced Chapin's early career. This interview not only highlights their personal bond but also delves into the creative process behind Chapin's third album, #ShortStories, released in #1973. The album features the international hit #WOLD, which brilliantly captures the intricate demands of the radio business while echoing a universal yearning for a more grounded, ordinary life. This song not only resonated with #radio personalities but also reportedly inspired #HughWilson to create the beloved #TV show #WKRP in #Cincinnati.

Further enriching this conversation, Harry Chapin shares the inspiration behind his hit song "Taxi," revealing the emotional depth and personal experiences that fuel his songwriting. The dialogue explores the struggles and successes within the music industry, highlighting the pivotal role of authenticity in creating music that genuinely connects with listeners. Chapin's approach to songwriting seeks to mirror the emotional authenticity of artists like Jacques Brel, whose profound impact on French music is well recognized.

Both Chapin and Connors discuss the importance of maintaining artistic integrity, even in the face of commercial pressures and the challenges of controversial lyrics. This segment sheds light on their views of the music industry, emphasizing the value of telling genuine stories and staying true to one's artistic vision.

Throughout their careers, both men have navigated the complexities of fame and the music industry, always striving to keep a strong connection with their audience and to remain grounded despite external pressures. This dialogue is a must-hear for anyone interested in the intricacies of songwriting, the history of radio broadcasting, and the enduring impact of genuine musical storytelling.

Interesting Things with JC #469: "I-35 Little Czech Bakery" - They sell fresh Czech pastries, coffee, travel pillows, and tamales, and is a typical Texas rest stop too. A poster in the store says that each week, the Czech Stop bakes with more than 1,200 pounds of cream cheese, 9,000 pounds of flour, 750 gallons of milk, 2,400 pounds of butter, 1,300 pounds of sausage, 2,100 dozen eggs, and 2,500 pounds of American cheese.

They’re the home of Kolache (pronounced "koh-LAH-chee") and klobasnek (pronounced "klo-BAH-snik") which are Czech pastries that is wildly popular in Texas.

Interesting Things #459: "Crystals That Generate Electricity From Heat" - A new study shows that simple changes to a synthetic copper mineral's composition can give it a complex structure and microstructure, laying the groundwork for properties that could change the way industry generates electricity.

#RoyaltyFree #Educational

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.

Interesting Things with JC #405: “Narragansett Bay” is a ria, or a flooded river valley open to the sea, with a rich multi-cultural history.

Interesting Things with JC #342: "Phantom Towns" are places that exist solely on paper maps but have no physical presence in the real world. All of them are either blunders or deliberate attempts to break the law.

Interesting Things with JC #305: "Avrocar" was developed as part of a secret U.S. military project carried out in the early years of the Cold War, for vertical take off and landing, travel at mach 4, and it looks like a flying saucer.

Interesting Things with JC #279: "DVORAK" was the first Bohemian composer to achieve worldwide recognition, for turning folk material into 19th-century Romantic music. He is best known for his Symphony number 9 in E minor from the “New World". This orchestral arrangement was a milestone in the validation of American “New World” music and an premier example of classical composition.

Interesting Things with JC #263: "Germanic Stare Down" - In Germany, intense eye contact is a daily occurrence, but it's very subjective though. Staring could be the result of daydreaming, personal problem solving, admiration, inquisitiveness, and even aggression. In certain cultures staring becomes a form of non verbal communication, which could be just as unique as a dialect!

Interesting Things with JC #262: "Bergen, Norway" - The original Norse name for Bergen was Bjørgvin. Playwright Ludvig Holberg nicknamed it the city of the seven mountains! There are amazing Stave churches, and inspiring hikes within the picturesque landscape that will not only inspire, but also captivate your senses.

This podcast was inspired by the writings of David Nikel. David is a British-Norwegian travel writer in Trondheim, a Senior Forbes contributor & owner of lifeinnorway. Please visit https://www.lifeinnorway.net/ to catch a recent podcast or follow David on Twitter @DavidNikel for more fascinating facts about all things Norway!

Interesting Things with JC #256: "Enchiladas" are a traditional Mexican dish. The word comes from enchilar, which means add Chili peppers to something. The basis for the enchilada is tortilla made from maize, and they date back to the Mayans!

Interesting Things with JC #239: "Traffic Lights" - Most common traffic lights operate based on timers. In areas that are not as congested, timers are not the best idea, as rural drivers may be sitting at a red light for an extended period of time. This is where sensor based traffic lights are more of an advantage. The actual sensors used can vary greatly per location, they could be lasers, rubber hoses filled with air, video cameras or inductive loops.

Interesting Things with JC #236: "Locked-in Syndrome and the Miracle Microchip”. Locked-in Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by complete paralysis of voluntary muscles in all parts of the body except for those that control eye movement. Emerging technology provides a brain-computer interface to help people who are locked-in communicate freely again.

It's the surface of an object that reflects some colors and absorbs all the others. We perceive only the reflected colors. Perceived color depends on how an object absorbs and reflects wavelengths. Human beings can only see a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, from about 400 nm to 700 nm, but it’s enough to allow us to see millions of colors!

Lobsters have blue blood. Due to the presence of copper in the Hymocyanins, they give the color of the lobster blood bluish color. Invertebrates, like snails and spiders, also have blue blood due to hemocyanin. Did you know lobster blood is critical in emerging medical research?

Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, 40 miles off the coast of southeast India in the Indian Ocean within the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka is 25,332 mi², just slightly larger than the US state of West Virginia. Scholars actually believe that Sri Lanka and India were once connected by a land bridge thousands of years ago, but it has since been washed into the ocean.

Buddhism is Sri Lanka's major religion, practiced by over 70% of the population. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity make up the remainder. If you're looking for one of the most diverse, highest concentration of cultural spots within a small area, look no further than Sri Lanka.

The SS Richard Montgomery is an American warship from the second world war that sunk in the river Thames just outside of London. Her cargo contains 1400 tonnes of dynamite and other explosives. If the ship ever explodes, it will take the city with it. On board is an assortment of more than 9,000 US-made explosives (around 1,400 tones). These include 286 giant 2,000lb ‘blockbuster’ bombs, 4,439 1,000lb devices and more than 2,500 cluster bombs. Cluster bombs would have been transported with their fuses in place, leaving them more prone to accidental detonation.