Our American Stories
Episodes
Graduate Works For GM Remotely—On A Sailboat?
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Emma McCormick was told she'd be working remotely in 2020...she decided to live on a sailboat in Florida...
A Police Chief's Mission To Serve with Love and Compassion
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Oxford, Mississippi is the small hometown of our show. Oxford police chief Jeff McCutchen has good reasons wh...
The Poignant Eulogy of Officer Jason Rivera
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dominique Rivera eulogizes her husband, Detective Jason Rivera, with raw emotion and compelling everyday deta...
The Nuclear Mishap in Arkansas That "Created" CNN
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, a wrench fell; a rocket leaked, lost fuel pressure, collapsed, and exploded. A nuclear warhead soared out of...
The Untold Story of a Civil War Cemetery
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, a rodeo star, veterans of the Union and Confederate armies, and a few British pilots... Nancy Bro of the GAR...
Fighting Crime in Downtown Los Angeles with Love, Respect, and God
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph recounts community connections, police perceptions, and the world's most effe...
Liquor and The Law: Taking a Wine Bottle to the Supreme Court
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Tennessee officials told Doug and Mary Ketchum they couldn't run their liquor store in Memphis, they too...
The CEO Who Grew Up Without Running Water
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim Keyes grew up in poverty, got his first job at McDonald's, and became the CEO of 7-Eleven. It's a real Am...
A Divorced Father Living with His Marine Son
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, if Bob McLalan knew his father would be living with him for 18 months, he would have thrown him out that firs...
A Fallen Cop’s Daughter Delivers A Eulogy for the Ages
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mesquite Police Officer Richard Houston is eulogized by Police Chief David Gill and his daughter, Shelby. Sup...
The Goo Goo Cluster: Nashville's "Official" Candy?
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, it's a family story, a business story, and a regional story... It's the story of how the Goo Goo cluster beca...
One Cop's Take on Mental Illness, Homelessness, and Crime
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph shares vivid, compelling stories of one constant struggle for police, and for...
Father Stu: In His Own Words
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Father Stu is a motion picture starring Mark Wahlberg (who plays Father Stu) and Mel Gibson. It is based on t...
The 1926 Race to the Pole: A Story of Polar Exploration
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers when explorers raced to go where no one had gone before, Amundsen, Byrd, and the fu...
A Little Brother's Prayer to Be As Big As His Very Big Brother
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, listener Paul Bauer's story entitled "Moose Prayer." Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/don...
The Heart of America: Texas Grocery Store Loses Power, Lets Customers Leave Without Paying
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, listener Tim Hennessey talks about his viral Facebook post that exemplifies the everyday goodness in this cou...
"Long Shot" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
15 May 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...
Suffering Fueled His Greatness: John Hannah on What It Took to Be the Best Offensive Lineman of All Time
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, from a father who called him to hard-fought greatness, to the most brutal Alabama scrimmages and a career of ...
The Girls Next Door: How Serving Coffee and Donuts in World War I Led To Women Gaining the Right to Vote
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Kara Dixon Vuic tells this remarkable story of service. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/...
The Bigger the Bureaucracy, the Smaller the Customer
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. One of the great hoteliers of a...
“High and Dry & Let the Cat Out of the Bag” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 12)
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Every...
The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author Neal Thompson explores the inspiring story of the poor Irish refugee couple who escaped famine, create...
Hollywood Goes To War: Merian Cooper
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, from the time he was a boy, Merian C. Cooper wanted to be an adventurer, a wish that propelled him into journ...
Abercrombie & Fitch: The Story Behind the Story of an Iconic American Brand
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Abercrombie and Fitch clothing apparel stores conquered malls in the late '90s and early '00s with gorgeous m...
How VHS beat Betamax
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Bill “Engineer Guy” Hammack telling the story of how Betamax was defeated by the VHS tape. Suppo...
The Teen CEO of the Clean Teeth Candy?
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, she was the youngest person ever to be featured on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine. Alina Morse, CEO of Zo...
Churchill's Speech in the Heartland of America
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Winston Churchill was at a low point in his career when he delivered his famous 'Iron Curtain' speech in Fult...
From Child Abuse to Helping Foster Girls Find Their Way
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, today, Becky Shaffer helps women aging out of the foster care system with her organization called "Saving Gra...
Were All Japanese Americans in Internment Camps? One Woman's Story
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mary Mikami was a Japanese American born in Alaska. Learn about her acceptance and achievements. Support the ...
I Invented the Modern Age: The Story of Henry Ford
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the story of the man who made the claim to have invented the modern age. Support the show (https://www.ourame...
She Wanted to Become a Movie Star, So She Moved to... A National Park?
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our own Madisyn's mother shares her story of youthful ambition. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstor...
How Faith, Infidelity, and Forgiveness Grew a Family Not Once, but Twice
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a 30-year span, a family dealt with its sins twice. In the end, it's a story of forgiveness. Support the...
The Story of a Mother Who Destroys the Perfect Mom Routine
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tiffany Jenkins tells the story of how she turned motherhood on its head. Support the show (https://www.ouram...
My Mother Had Me At 16... And That Didn't Change a Thing
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear the story of Alan Brown and his mother. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)S...
A Son Discovers His Deceased Mother's Hidden Talent - Poetry
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Texas boys don’t write poetry, and certainly don’t cry. Roger Latham did, though, after discovering a poe...
Tyrone Power: Hollywood Goes to War
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, he starred in “The Mark of Zorro” and many other movies, but his greatest role – at the height of his a...
What To Do When Your Grandfather is a World Famous Songwriter
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Albert Brumley wrote classic hymns like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Turn Your Radio On,” but he left behin...
The Day America Doubled In Size
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dedra and Brad Birzer tell the story of the Louisiana Purchase. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstor...
Karl Marlantes: Turning Ghosts into Ancestors
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Vietnam Veteran and best-selling author Karl Marlantes shares his story of war, memory and loss. Support the ...
The Man Who Spent His Entire Christmas Fund Building Beds for Needy Children
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Luke Mickelson tells how a meeting in a faith community turned into a Boy Scouts project, a Christmas traditi...
Through a Lens: The Story of The Manhattan Project
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Richard Cook tells us the story of how in 1943 the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee was established and went fro...
Were the Irish the First Slaves in America?
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, slavery is one of the oldest profit-making endeavors, and the Irish were a special target for a thousand year...
The Man Who Paints Rocks For Our Veterans
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen tells the story of his “Freedom Rocks” project in Iowa – his painted rocks are...
A Texas Boy Vs. the Air Traffic Control Bully
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, it’s time for another story from our regular listener and contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas....
The Man Who Played With Trains: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cohen
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, he was the man behind one of the top 5 toys of the twentieth century. Bill Bryk tells the story of the man be...
The Colorful & Comical Civil War General: Dan Sickles
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Gettysburg National Park Service Ranger Matt Atkinson tells the story of the Civil War general who created th...
How Johnny Carson Saved Twister
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the Milton Bradley game was about to be pulled from the shelves. Author Christopher Klein tells the story of ...
Star Wars: The Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise That Never Should Have Succeeded
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author Chris Taylor tells the unlikely story of “Star Wars.” Support the show (https://www.ouramericansto...
The Ultimate G-Man: How J. Edgar Hoover Built the FBI
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Beverly Gage, the author of the new definitive biography on J. Edgar Hoover, G-Man, J. Edgar Hoover and The ...
Lessons From The Giving Tree
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author Winter Prosapio shares what it feels like to be a mother who is constantly giving. Support the show (h...
Why does Led Zeppelin Pay Royalties to a Southern Bluesman?
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the story of How Led Zeppelin found themselves in a courtroom battle over copyright infringement with a blues...
The Story of Justice Scalia: From His Immigrant Roots to the Highest Court in the Land (Pt. 2)
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author James Rosen tells the story of Antonin Scalia's unlikely but inevitable rise to the U.S. Supreme Court...
He Flew Nukes, Captured World Records, and Saved His Way to Wealth...
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear the story of how Orville Rogers gave his wealth away after achieving great success. Support the show ...
Why The American Flag Means So Much To My Family
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the American flag means so much to so many of us. Here is an Our American Stories listener – Joy Neale Kidn...
The Sleeping Sentinel Who Received the Death Penalty, But Was Saved By President Lincoln
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the Civil War soldier, William Scott, fell asleep at his post, at the time a transgression that was punishabl...
Hedy Lamarr: The 40’s “Bombshell” Actress Behind GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, she was one of the most beautiful and accomplished actresses of her day. But she was also a world-class mind,...
Hollywood Goes to War: Eddie Albert
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, it’s time for another “Hollywood Goes to War” story from Roger McGrath. Eddie Albert played a sadistic ...
The Story of Joe Garman and One of the Largest Prison Ministries in the World
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joe Garman wanted to minister to people - on his own terms, and certainly not in the prison setting. As he t...
The Final Straw: The Darryl Strawberry Story
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, after years of hard living Darryl Strawberry found his true calling. Support the show (https://www.ouramerica...
History Guy: The Screwdriver Wars
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the differing fates of the Robertson and the Phillips head screwdrivers demonstrates that innovation is intim...
A Presidential-Sized Comeback: The Story of Ulysses S. Grant
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. John Marszalek and Eddie Rangel of the Grant Presidential Library tell the story about how Grant went fro...
The Story of Justice Scalia: From His Immigrant Roots to the Highest Court in the Land (Pt. 1)
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, author James Rosen tells the story of Antonin Scalia's unlikely but inevitable rise to the U.S. Supreme Court...
When "Neutral" America Occupied "Neutral" Iceland During WWII
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Iceland's strategic location made it difficult to remain neutral during World War II. Here’s the History Gu...
He Played Your Favorite Songs in Movies, TVs, and Jukebox Machines: The "Wrecking Crew's" Tommy Tedesco
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tommy Tedesco is probably the most recorded guitarist in history having played on thousands of recordings fro...
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our storyteller is James Swanson, the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Linc...
The Jumping Mules of Pea Ridge
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mule Jumping in Pea Ridge became a sport because hunters needed their mules to jump fences. Everyone knows th...
The Story of Mario Andretti: A Refugee from Communism to the Heights of Auto Racing
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the greatest car racer in history tells us his American story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstori...
Mike Eruzione: The Making of a Miracle
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Eruzione—the captain of the 1980 U.S Men’s Olympic "Miracle on Ice" Hockey Team recounts the unlikel...
The Night 2 H-Bombs Fell on North Carolina
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, on January 23, 1961, a B-52 bomber crashed in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Two H-bombs—each 250 times more po...
The Mennonite Who Won the Tour de France
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, like the Amish, some Mennonites avoid modern technology. Though his family had electricity, there was no radi...
The Untold Story of Andrew Jackson
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, hear who Andrew Jackson was as a public servant, as a ferocious fighter, and as a son. Support the show (http...
John Clem, Civil War Boy Soldier
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here to tell the story of John Lincoln Clem—the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history—is Kris...
A Sermon to Remember
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Billy Graham's sermon in Oklahoma City in 1995, just days after the worst domestic terrorist attack in histor...
One of the First and Last American POWs of WWII
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Judith Pierson tells us the story of Navy corpsman Estel Myers and his story of survival in the WWII Pacific ...
How Samuel Clemens Headed West and Became Mark Twain
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, old West historian Roger McGrath is here to tell the story of a time before the world knew Samuel Clemons by ...
Hank Brown on Kenny Monfort
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Hank Brown's beautiful tribute to his former boss and beef pioneer Kenny Monfort Support the show (https://ww...
The Second American Revolution: How Texas Became a Country
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the official Texas State Historian Monte Monroe tells the sweeping story of how the Texas we know and love to...
America's Last King: The Story of King George III
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, American history hasn't been kind to our last king. He's viewed as a tyrant, the Declaration of Independence ...
From Bagatelle to Video Games: The History of Pinball
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Pinball is an iconic American game. But how did it reach its iconic status? How did pinball develop? Why flip...
Daniel Yergin on The New Map
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, "America's most influential energy pundit," Daniel Yergin, is a bestselling author and winner of the Pulitzer...
The Storyteller Who Swayed the Oklahoma City Bombing Jury
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, John Mooy had never before practiced his art of storytelling - for a jury. But to tell the story of Terry Nic...
Saying Hello at a Diner Led to Lifelong Friendship with a WWII Veteran and His Captured Nazi Flag
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jason Porter shares with us the story of how he met WWII veteran Forrest Johnson and how “Forrie” became ...
The Teacher Who Brought Him To The Heart Of The Cold War
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lawson Bader pays tribute to his late German teacher Erika for our "Final Thoughts" series. Support the show ...
"I Felt Guilty About Being Successful, Until..."
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Johnsonville Sausage founder Ralph Stayer's incredible faith journey Support the show (https://www.ouramerica...
Dancing with a Demon
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lilly Dancyger opens up about living with a father addicted to heroin. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...
Stephen Ambrose on 1942: Doolittle Raid and Midway
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Stephen Ambrose telling the story of America’s payback for Pearl Harbor—Jimmy Doolittle’s raid...
The Only Car Ever Made To Honor God
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Barry Meguiar tells the compelling story of his rare 1901 Duryea car. Support the show (https://www.ourameric...
Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross: "I Was Fired Twice and Decided I Was Unemployable"
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross tells the stories about the lessons in ethics that changed his life. Support the ...
Eric Motley: The Power of the Spoken Word
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, even though the community around Eric often couldn’t read or write, they could tell a story like no one els...
"You Can Change Your Story": Why I Wrote a Book About the Death of My Mother
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, David LaBelle's last memory of his mother was seeing her washed away in a raging flood when he was a senior i...
Into The Vast Unknown: The First American Ascent of Mount Everest
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Broughton Coburn tells the harrowing story of the time America reached the highest peak in the world, not onc...
Ruger Firearms: The Story of a Great American Company
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ruger is the biggest gun manufacturer in the U.S., and it’s not by accident. Here to tell this story is Log...
Titanic’s Last Hero
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, (This Day in History: Titanic sank in 1912) - Lowell Lytle has been one of the privileged few who has seen Ti...
The Lincoln Assassination Conspirator Who Became The 1st Woman Ever Hanged By The U.S. Government
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, (This Day in History: President Lincoln Died April 15) - John Wilkes Booth did not act alone; eight people we...
Me, Pre, and the Birth of Nike
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, since its start in 1972, Nike has employed nearly half a million people. Only four have outlasted our next st...
The Story Behind How B.B. King's Guitar "Lucille" Got Her Name
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Neil Young has "Old Black", Willie Nelson plays "Trigger", and Elvis worked with "The Dove", but perhaps the ...
The Founding Father You Don’t Know Who Wrote His Name on the Declaration of Independence With His Blood
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, little has been known of one of the most important figures in early American history, Dr. Joseph Warren, an a...
Brett Favre: Up Close and Personal (Pt. 1 of 5)
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what’s known about legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been kept between the goal posts. So G...
Audie Murphy: America's Most Decorated Soldier
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Audie Murphy's story is one of the quintessential American stories; yet, chances are, many Americans have nev...
The Only Woman to be Awarded the Medal of Honor (History Guy)
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers a truly extraordinary Civil War heroine, Mary Edwards Walker. She was the only woma...