Our American Stories
Episodes
A Brief History of Toilet Paper
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, everything you've ever wanted to know, and more, about toilet paper. Here's The History Guy with the story. ...
He Escaped a Mass Shooting
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, a mass shooting took place on November 7, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, California, at the Borderline Bar & Gr...
Ketchup King: The H.J. Heinz Story
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, his legacy is probably in your fridge right now. Though Heinz Ketchup is one of the most recognized corporate...
Jack London's "To Build a Fire"
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jack London’s most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in the Klondike Gold ...
"In a Nutshell" & "In the Doghouse" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English...
A Fake Ring, Real Temptation, and a Golden Marriage
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, she nearly wrecked her family with a marital affair... Here's Sarah Wells, author of American Honey: A Field ...
The Late Great Stephen Ambrose on the Boys Who Flew B-24s in WWII
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Stephen Ambrose to tell us a short story from The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys who Flew the B-24s Ove...
The Late, Great Stephen Ambrose: WWII and Getting Down to Business (The Italian Campaign)
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, even before the U.S./British victory in the North African campaign in May 1943, there was disagreement among ...
Abraham Lincoln: Our First "Wired" President
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, you’ve heard Christopher Klein tell the story of “How Johnny Carson Saved Twister” and how Mark Twain h...
From Animal House to Belushi and Seinfeld: Mark "Neidermeyer" Metcalf's Story
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mark Metcalf from Animal House shares his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donat...
Coach John Wooden: A Lifetime Masterpiece
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, John Wooden compiled the greatest legacy of any coach in history. How he defined success was unique and centr...
The Bible: The Best-Selling Book of All Time
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, let’s take a listen to The History Guy as he tells the history of the Bible. Support the show (https://ww...
The Unlikely Story of "How Georgia on My Mind" Came To Be
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lee Habeeb tells the story of how "Georgia On My Mind" came to be, and how it became a song the world would c...
"Failed Experiments": The Story of America [Ep. 3]
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, with plenty of land came plenty of opportunity for experimentation. Bill McClay, the author of Land of Hope, ...
Couple Adopts 7 Siblings Separated Throughout 4 Foster Homes
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the story of how one childless married couple of 13 years became a family of 9, literally overnight. Support ...
"Back to Square One" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 3)
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the Englis...
The Day a Soviet Nuclear Attack Submarine Rammed an American Aircraft Carrier
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1984, during a period of Cold War tension, a Soviet submarine collided with a United States aircraft carr...
Treating the Cause, Not the Symptoms: A Listener's Life-Changing Lifestyle Story
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Texas listener Tim Hennessey with his heath journey story. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...
The Green Beret That Other Green Berets Look Up To
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in six hours, Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez saved 8-plus men while enduring 7 major gunshot wounds, 28 shrapn...
A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War & Forgiveness
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, two enemies: One led Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; the other was an American Doolittle Raider wh...
The Poor Farmer Who Crafted Guitars to Serve God
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ed Stilley was plowing his field when he had a heart attack—and a vision. God told him that if he made and ...
An Eden In The Wilderness: The Story of America [Ep. 2]
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the second installment of our series, author and professor Bill McClay recounts the Puritans' vision to bu...
Why She Chose to Celebrate Her Pregnancy With a 50% Chance of Survival
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lex Ginger was told from a young age that she probably would never have children, so she was shocked when she...
The Importance of Balance in Motorcycle Riding...And Life
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, listener Brent Timmons shares the story of a lesson in risk that his son learned while riding his bike. Suppo...
Louis Zamperini: The Story of the Real-Life "Unbroken" Hero -- In His Own Words
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story was made into a 2014 motion picture directed by Angelina Jolie and based on the 2010 non-ficti...
We're Holding Our Own: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, as big freighters go, she was bigger than most with a crew and captain well seasoned...but on November 10th, ...
Churchill: Walking With Destiny
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, English historian Andrew Roberts shares the story of this remarkable world leader. Support the show (https://...
John Moses Browning: The Mormon Inventor Whose Firearms Changed the World
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, John Moses Browning invented the mechanism used in virtually all modern pistols, created the most popular hun...
A Listener's Story About a Humble Local Hero -- Her Uncle
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joy Neal Kidney shares her uncle, Donald Wilson's, war story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstorie...
She's Seen It All: The Story of Mayor, Liquor Store Owner, Garbage Woman, and Teacher Cubby Hall
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Cubby Hall has been a mayor, a garbage woman, a liquor store owner, a pioneer in the Women's Army Corps (WAC)...
The Crayon Man: The Story Of Crayola
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the true story of the invention of Crayola crayons! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...
President, A Preacher, and A Giant Block of Cheese
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is often known for championing religious freedom in our nation's infancy, but not many peopl...
From Darkness to Light: The Story Of The Man Who Invented the Maglite Flashlight
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, escaping the horrors of World War II in Croatia, Tony Maglica's flashlights are proudly made in America—and...
A Place at Groucho’s Table
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in college, Steve Stoliar’s dad wanted him to get a job, but Steve didn’t want to work at Taco Bell… so...
My Family Spent Four Months Playing Battleship in a Cornfield
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the story itself is the stuff of legends...a sunken steamboat, buried treasure, and the drive of a group of H...
Tom Morton: Losing My Mentor, Finding Peace
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman was not only Lance Cpl. (ret.) Tom Morton's mentor, he was a hero of the highest calib...
Good Neighbors, Not Fences, Make Good Neighbors
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, after moving to a farm in Mississippi from Tampa, Florida, Jake Keiser didn't know what to expect. Thankfully...
How Piggly Wiggly Created the Modern Supermarket
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, grabbing a basket while grocery shopping may seem second nature today, but the idea was once groundbreaking. ...
The Shocking Story Behind the Diamond Engagement Ring
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Zoellner purchased a diamond engagement ring and proposed. His girlfriend said "yes," and then, suddenly,...
The Untold Stories of Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" and "The Grinch"
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Seuss was raised as a Lutheran and had a strong religious background. His books often included strong mor...
The Milton Hershey Story
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, an American candy store in 1900 looked very different than it does today. Candy was a special treat sold almo...
How Did Fast Food Become an American Favorite?
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, today, we don't think twice about pulling up at a drive-thru and grabbing a quick meal. But this idea was onc...
"Apple of Your Eye" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 2)
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English...
Fall from an SR-71 Blackbird (History Guy)
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1966, an SR-71 "Blackbird" disintegrated at 78,000 feet. The pilot's first thought was "No one could live ...
Hollywood Goes to War: Jimmy Stewart
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, despite all his Hollywood fame and acting acclaim, Jimmy Stewart always said his greatest honor of his life w...
Eli Whitney and His Fake Interchangeable Gun Parts Demo
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If o...
Burrito Restaurant Offers Job To Burglar
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Diablos Southwest Grill in Georgia was broken into, and rather than seeking justice, the owner Carl Wallace m...
"The Quiet Cowboy"
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, J.D. Wininger, owner of the Cross-Dubya Ranch, tells the story of a man named John who kept to himself most o...
The Greatest Showman: The Story of P.T. Barnum
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a big and memorable way, P.T. Barnum changed how all Americans lived. He gave them something to talk about...
The Man Who Reviews Onion Rings
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tyler Groenendal of Grand Rapids, Michigan has perhaps the most interesting side gig of all time... reviewing...
The Grass and the Furious: Ladies, Start Your Lawnmower Engines!
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Julie Tynmann is here with her story about the greatest show on turf. Support the show (https://www.ourameric...
The Angels of Bataan
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Anne Clare tells the story of a nurse who served in the Phillipines during World War II, and shares the exper...
The "Ten Cent Beer Night" Riot
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the June 4, 1974 night game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians was one for the record books....
The Long Road to Independence
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, and author Nathaniel Philbrick tell the story of how we won o...
Pyromaniac's Paradise: Summer Adventures Running a Fireworks Tent
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joel Wegener and his wife have 10 kids, and because he worked in education, they had to find ways during the ...
David McCullough: The Founding Fathers Were Not Like Us?
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, renowned historian David McCullough answers the question. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.co...
JFK’s 1962 Fourth of July Speech
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, during some of the most tense moments of the Cold War, President Kennedy on July 4th 1962 visited Independenc...
Route 66: The Most Famous Highway In The World
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim Hinckley tells the story of Route 66 starting from its inception to what it has become today. Visit JimHi...
The War In Ben Franklin's Home
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the American Revolution split the nation… and Ben Franklin’s family. Join Daniel Epstein, author of “Th...
Bob Munden: “The Fastest Gun Who Ever Lived”
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we’ve all heard of gunslingers “Wild” Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Billy The Kid. These quick-draw le...
Blue Blood to Bring Home the Bacon: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson, the author of Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Saying...
Snowflake Bentley
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Jerry Bergman tells the story of a teenage boy who became interested in snow. On January 15, 1885, at 20 ...
A Precious Gift for a Widowed Husband
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom and Lillian Lyons married in 1946. They lived a long and loving life raising a family on the south side o...
The Sidney Poitier Story
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon was the first full biography of legendary actor Sidney Poitier written by Ar...
The Irish Immigrant Whose Life Was So Large, NYPD Shut Down the City for Him
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jimmy Neary was an Irish immigrant who boarded a ship to America in the 1950s and went on to open a namesake ...
Samuel Colt and the Birth of the Revolver
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Phil Anschutz writes in Out Where The West Begins: “Samuel Colt’s life was the American story written in ...
From Sexual Abuse to Salvation—and Redemption: The Story of Valerie Habeeb, Lee's Wife
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our host, Lee Habeeb, tells his wife Valerie's story. After years of abuse and crisis, Valerie and her family...
Robert Todd Lincoln: In His Father’s Shadow (History Guy)
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers the 16th President’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Because of his father, Abraham Lin...
The Hiding Place: The Story of Corrie ten Boom
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, all in all, it is estimated that around 800 Jews were saved by Corrie ten Boom and her family. Hear Corrie te...
“Red Tape” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 19)
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English...
James Madison: The Lawgiver
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Larry Arnn tells the story of our fourth president, James Madison. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...
Love Your Neighbor… My Employees Are My Closest Neighbor (Horst Schulze and The Ritz-Carlton)
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, a legend and leader in the hotel world, Horst Schulze has reshaped how service and hospitality are defined i...
The Great Vowel Shift and the Making of Modern English (The History Guy)
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, “The Great Vowel Shift” was the single greatest change in the history of the English language that has no...
Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, one of the most successful blackjack teams in America is made up entirely of Christians. Here to tell the sto...
Are Pro Wrestlers Athletes?
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, oftentimes when the topic of professional wrestling comes up, it’s almost guaranteed that someone will scof...
Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in his biography on George Armstrong Custer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, T.J. Stiles, casts surprising new...
Tony Mandarich Was NFL’s Biggest Bust; Then He Rebuilt His Life
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tony Mandarich’s story was immortalized by two Sports Illustrated covers, one hailing Mandarich as “The I...
Centerline: The Surprising History of Lane Markings (The History Guy)
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when it comes to the various bits of infrastructure that help keep us safe while we drive, most likely the gr...
The Story Behind Bing And Bowie's Christmas Duet
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bing Crosby was 73, David Bowie was 30, what happened during their encounter in 1977 is so special the video ...
The "Slap Shot" Story with Dave Hanson
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the choice of three then-minor league hockey players to play the Hanson Brothers in "Slap Shot" starring Paul...
The Story of How Railroads (Not Government) Created Time Zones
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, China runs on just a single time zone; in America, we have four: Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern. We u...
When America's Greatest (And Last) Bareknuckle Boxer Challenged America To A Fight
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1893 John L. Sullivan's "Knockout Tour" traveled America. The challenge? Could any man in America last 12 ...
How Smallpox Created Canada by Destroying Washington’s Army
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Canada is an independent nation—and not part of the United States—most likely, because of smallpox. Here ...
The Car Club Exclusively for Kids with Special Needs
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Blair and Cat Cornell found out their son was going to be born with special needs, it changed their live...
John Quincy Adams: Militant Spirit
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, he was nearly censured, recalled, and was "yesterday's news"...but the golden moment of his career came in hi...
Basketball Legend "Pistol Pete" Maravich Shares His Life Story... Just Days Before His Death
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, just days before his death, the 40 year-old Maravich shared his story to a small audience about his life purs...
The First Successful Submarine Attack In History
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the CSS Hunley's sinking of the Housatonic was only a partial success, but represents the first time a submar...
How A Hollywood-Style Production Team (Known as the "Ghost Army") Duped and Helped Defeat Hitler's Army
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the US Army came up with a daring plan to trick Hitler’s army. They created a unit of artists, sou...
Captain John Smith: American Hero
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, many people know John Smith as the man who was saved by Pocahontas. What you may not know is that he led a li...
The American Sniper Other American Snipers Look Up To
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Chris Kyle penned "American Sniper,” which became Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated movie mast...
In The Beginning... The Story of America [Ep. 1]
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, this is part one of our brand new series, "The Story of America," with Bill McClay, author of the fantastic b...
Hollywood Goes to War: The Story of Wayne Morris, the Brad Pitt of His Day
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, it’s time for another one of Roger McGrath’s “Hollywood Goes To War” stories. So far we’ve heard th...
My Father Was Friends With Castro...Until He Wasn't
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, "If We Get Called Back..." Mike Gonzalez tells this story of his family escaping the clutches of Castro's com...
He Became a POW in Vietnam Two Days Before His Baby Was Born
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ken Wells always knew what he wanted to do, but when that dream became a reality, it landed him as a prisoner...
Winston Churchill: He Hated War, But He Was Great At It
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, tells the story of how Winston Churchill, despite hating w...
Why Did This Pittsburgh Steelers Legend—Owner Art Rooney—Attend the Funeral of Someone He Didn’t Know?
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim O'Brien describes Pittsburgh Steelers founding owner Art Rooney, Sr. as "the grandfather he needed." Roon...
"I Came Here Not To Talk, But To Die": The Story of Outlaw Cherokee Bill
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Art Burton, the author of countless books on African Americans in the West, tells the story of one of the mos...
How An Unlikely Alliance Between Thomas Jefferson and Christian Fundamentalists Brought About Religious Freedom
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, religious persecution had become the norm by the time of the American Revolution. It took the unorthodox Thom...
Zero Victim: One Black Man's Story of Transformation
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author James Ward (Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice With a New Attitude) describes the pivotal moment in thi...
An Army Moves On Its Stomach... And Lots of Coffee
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Richard Muniz tells a story that one of his friends told him: A coffee incident that took place on the USS En...