Our American Stories
Episodes
A Woman Willing to Put Her Life on the Line for the Patriot Cause
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dennis Peterson tells the story of Dicey Langston, a woman willing to put her life on the line for the patrio...
The Glorious 25th of November, Evacuation Day (2 Years After the American Revolution?!)
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk brings us the tale of the day British forces evacuated New York City after the Revolutionary War......
George Will: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and the Summer of '41
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Will tells the stories of Ted Williams and the son of a San Francisco fisherman, his “Streak,” and...
Star Wars: The Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise That Never Should Have Succeeded
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, before he brought us to a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas made two other, often forgotten, movies. His fir...
A Place at Groucho’s Table
24 Nov 2022
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...
The Tale of the Texas
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackson McQuigg of the Atlanta History Center tells the story of the principle pursuit locomotive of the Grea...
The First Thanksgiving: The Real Story
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not somethi...
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joe and Rose Kennedy’s strikingly beautiful daughter Rosemary Kennedy—the younger sister of President Joh...
Aaron Burr, The Opportunistic Patriot
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk tells the story of America's first practical politician, Aaron Burr, in a tale of skill, bravery, h...
The Incredible Story Of SPAM
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Author of The Book of Spam: A Most Glorious and Definitive Compendium of the World’s Favorite Canned Meat,...
The Tone Deaf, Bad Poet Who Wrote The National Anthem
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Francis “Frank” Scott Key was not someone you would have picked to write our national anthem… but he di...
Ilene Hall Joined the Army to Search for Her Husband During WWII
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Ilene Hall enlisted in the Army WAC in 1943, she was following her husband, Edward “Ken” Hall to war...
Our Greatest Adventure: The Apollo Missions
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when President John F. Kennedy declared at Rice University that we'd put a man on the Moon by the end of the ...
The President, The Preacher, and the Giant Block of Cheese
21 Nov 2022
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 Exploitation to Exultation: Escaping the Sex Industry
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, as a young woman seemingly trapped in the commercial sex industry, Harmony Dust Grillo's struggle continued u...
How to Properly Brag About the World's Fastest Plane
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Major Shul with his legendary story known today as the “LA Speed Check.” Support the show (https...
The Two Men Who Ended Red Light Camera Tickets in Missouri
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Hugh Eastwood and Bevis Schock are civil rights lawyers in St. Louis. They filed suit in three separate cas...
A One Man (Abridged) History of the Big Apple
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, if you’re curious enough, the familiar can become fascinating. Bill Bryk briefly recounts how New York City...
Tale of the Tapes: Engineer Guy Explains How VHS Beat Betamax
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Bill “Engineer Guy” Hammack (check him out on YouTube) telling the story of how Betamax was defe...
103-Year-Old WWII Veteran John Defoore's Story
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, John Defoore went to war at nineteen years old. He earned …Today, at 103 years old, he shares some of his s...
Screwdriver Wars
18 Nov 2022
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...
Buffalo Bill Cody: A Legend in His Own Time, and in Ours
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the NFL team in Buffalo, New York, was named after him. But if you caught Paul Newman’s Cody in Robert Altm...
Eli Whitney and His Fake Interchangeable Gun Parts Demo
17 Nov 2022
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...
"Back to Square One" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 3)
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his recurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyda...
How Faith, Infidelity, and Forgiveness Grew a Family Not Once, but Twice
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a 30-year span, a family has to deal with its sins twice and tell a story of role-reversal and forgiveness...
Child Soldier, John Clem
17 Nov 2022
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...
Clark Gable: Hollywood Goes to War
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, although Clark Gable (who was the most famous actor in the world at the time) was beyond the draft age at the...
Return of the Raider: A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War & Forgiveness
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, this story begins where the movie Pearl Harbor left off. Two enemies: One led Japan’s surprise attack on Pe...
The Bible: The Best-Selling Book of All Time
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, take a listen to the History Guy as he tells the history of the Bible. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...
The Moment I Learned My Business Is Best Served When I Serve My Customers and Employees
16 Nov 2022
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...
“Hunky Dory & Hedge Your Bets” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 9)
16 Nov 2022
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 Angels of Bataan
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Anne Clare tells the story of a nurse who served in the Philippines during World War II, and shares the exper...
The Heart of America: TX Grocery Store Lets Customers Leave Without Paying
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, when there was a break in the deep freeze that swept across Texas in February 2021, Tim Hennessy and his wife...
Titanic Thompson: The Greatest Cheat of All Time
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here a story you won't soon forget from a man none simply as... The History Guy. Support the show (https://ww...
“Propose a Toast” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 17)
15 Nov 2022
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...
Stephen Ambrose on 1942: Doolittle Raid and Midway
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose tells the story of America’s payback for Pearl Harbor—Jimmy Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo—...
A Young Ladie's Run-in with Frank Sinatra
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Colorado listener Patty Kingsbaker shares this "knock out" Frank Sinatra story. Support the show (https://www...
Rediscovering What I Lost in the Military
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a very modern fashion, Brent Evanoff discovers a secret he’d been unaware of for over 25 years. Through ...
Jimmy Stewart: Hollywood Goes to War
14 Nov 2022
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...
Child Soldier, John Clem
14 Nov 2022
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...
America’s First Real Life Superhero
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, former Air Force Captain and Air Force OSI Special Agent Vince Benedetto shares his story of going to a schoo...
The Stars of Blue and Gold
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor Anne Clare tells the story of some of our most revered Veterans Day symbols...and how...
The Heavyweight Boxer Turned Catholic Priest, Father Stu
11 Nov 2022
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...
My Dad the Firefighter, My Dad the Hero
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Caleb Bailey shares his family’s story of hope and redemption after loss. Support the show (https://www.our...
We're Holding Our Own: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, as big freighters go, the Edmund Fitzgerald was bigger than most with a crew and captain well seasoned...but ...
A Sign of Greatness: Offering To Resign Because You’re Accountable For A Failure, Brad Anderson
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, former Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson on this rare response to an ethical dilemma. Support the show (https://www....
Harvard's President Believed Books, Not Schooling, Were the Key To Education
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, believe it or not, Charles Eliot said all a man needs for a good education is a 5-foot bookshelf. Here's the ...
The Infamous 1913 Storm
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ric Mixter of Lake Fury tells the story of the historic 1913 storm on the Great Lakes. Support the show (http...
Our Home Became Tidier After Having Four Sons
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Alexandra Frost is a mother of four young, active boys, yet her home is cleaner than it was before she had ki...
People Sent Their Children Through the Mail?!
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, taking an interesting twist on our “Rule of Law” series, Christopher Warren shares the history of the U.S...
A Right to the Rails: America's First Freedom Rider
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, 100 years before Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on a bus in Montgomery, there was Elizabeth Jennings, w...
Karl Marlantes: Why I Chose to Go to Vietnam
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1960s Karl Marlantes had a decision to make. He could serve in a war that he saw as unjust, deser...
Wandering Worker: The American Hobo
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, the term hobo is often confused with homeless or beggar, but the truth is, wandering through life was what th...
Enrique the Penguin Who Wears Shoes
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, this elderly penguin named Enrique lives at the St. Louis Zoo. After being diagnosed with arthritis in his fe...
He Travels the Country Reviewing... Onion Rings?
09 Nov 2022
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... reviewin...
The Great Emancipators: How The Civil War Openly Became about Slavery
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Abraham Lincoln is often referred to as "the Great Emancipator"... but that's not the entire truth. Our regul...
MIT's Basketball Coach: "Those Nerds Can Only Handle One Play"
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear about the leadership lessons that Bill Koch took with him the rest of his life! Support the show (htt...
A Black Troop's Experience with the Horror of a Concentration Camp
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Rona Simmons, author of The Other Veterans Of World War II, Stories from Behind the Front Lines, tells the s...
"Why It Took So Long To Get To Know My Neighbor... And Why It Was Worth It."
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Heidi Viars shares about how her life changed when she began showing some neighborly kindness to a grumpy old...
Why Are Bananas So Cheap?
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, if you think of the quintessential American fruit, it would probably have to be the apple. But apples are not...
A Tuskegee Airman's Story of Heroism and Service
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lt. Col. Harry Stewart fought for his country in WW2, and faced discrimination and worse along the way. But h...
Booker T. Washington’s Bridge Forward (Told By His Great-Granddaughter)
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ss the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington, the former slave-turned famous educator, and founder of T...
Shot Down: The Amazing Story of The B-17 Susan Ruth and Howard Snyder
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, flying for the United States in WWII was dangerous work, and the numbers show for it. In the Eighth Air Force...
Don't Wear Slippers to a Job Interview
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, it takes some time to find what we enjoy AND what we're good at. Joshua Texidor definitely found that out whe...
Robert Todd Lincoln: In His Father's Shadow
04 Nov 2022
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...
A Museum Dedicated to Southern Jewish Heritage
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, many people wrongfully think that Jews are only city folk. The Breman Museum of Jewish History proves that wr...
Hollywood Goes to War: Wild Bill Wellman
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here to tell another Hollywood Goes to War story is Roger McGrath. McGrath is the author of Gunfighters, High...
When Your Losing Football Team Brings Your Family Together
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Nancy Ball shares how “Being an Ole Miss Fan is in and of Itself a Lesson in Humility.” Support the show ...
"The Peanut Man": The Story of George Washington Carver
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, chances are that you've heard of George Washington Carver before, or that he invented peanut butter. While yo...
Into the Union: How Texas Joined The United States
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Monte Monroe, the Texas State Historian, shares with us how Texas joined the Union after becoming it's own na...
My Musician Father, Harry Gozzard
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, one of our listeners, George Gozzard, shares the story of his big band trumpeter father, Harry Gozzard. Suppo...
Ralph Cox: Last Guy Cut from 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle" Hockey Team
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, What you might know about Ralph comes from the 2004 Disney movie "Miracle," which is the true story of the 19...
How the USA Almost Went to War Over a Pig
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor, Anne Claire, tells the story of the time the United States almost went to war with t...
City Grazing: The Landscape Management Company Powered by Goats
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Genevieve Church, the third "Goat Lady of San Francisco", is executive director of City Grazing. Listen to he...
The Only Woman to be Awarded the Medal of Honor
02 Nov 2022
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...
Saving Monticello: One Family's Struggle to Make Sure History was Remembered
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson’s impact on our country cannot be overstated. He fought for religious liberty, states righ...
Bankrupt and Dying from Cancer, Ulysses S. Grant Waged His Greatest Battle
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, you've heard Christopher Klein tell the story of “How Johnny Carson Saved Twister.” He’s back with anot...
The Man In The Glass Coffin?!
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin is still in a glass coffin... but so is an American man along the shores of Lake...
The Spooky History Behind Haunted Houses
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Halloween historian Lisa Morton is going to be unpacking the history of Haunted Attractions (AKA: Halloween H...
This Man Grows Pumpkins That Weigh a TON
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear how in 2017, Rhode Islander, Joe Jutras, broke the record for the largest giant green squash ever gro...
Halloween: The History of an American Holiday
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we explore why we participate in these strange celebrations every Halloween season. Lesley Bannatyne is the a...
The Second American Revolution: How Texas Became a Country
31 Oct 2022
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...
A Fake Ring, Real Temptation, and a Golden Marriage
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, this next story comes to us from Sarah Wells, author of "American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptatio...
The Crayon Man: How Crayola Crayons Made Creativity Accessible
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, from the bifocals to the cotton gin to the automobile to the iPhone, America country has produced creations t...
Mom and Son Run a Marathon Together in Every State
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Karen Thomson and her son Joe Meilink are the definition of determination. Here they are along with Joe’s w...
"Gung-ho & Cheesy Smile" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 8)
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his recurring series is "Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyd...
The Great Vowel Shift and the Making of Modern English
28 Oct 2022
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...
Theodore Roosevelt: That Damn Cowboy
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Theodore Roosevelt was just 42-years-old when he took office in 1901—the youngest president ever. It was ...
"I Admit It, I Sew Quilts"
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, this next story comes to us from a listener, Paul Bauer—a regular contributor out of Minneapolis, MN. Suppo...
Wayne Gretzky Eulogizes His Father
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, known as “Canada's hockey dad,” Walter Gretzky died at the age of 82. His death prompted an avalanche of ...
The Shocking Story Behind the Diamond Engagement Ring
27 Oct 2022
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,...
Me, My Dad, and the 37-Year Triple Crown Drought
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2020 Ginsberg retired as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Communications at SoftBank Group Cor...
The Story of Asbestos
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we know asbestos to be a health hazard. But the natural mineral was not simply an artifact of the industrial ...
Our American “Odyssey”: Ambrose on Lewis & Clark
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose shares some stories from his #1 New York Times bestseller, Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lew...
Gunfighter/Lawman/Gambler Bat Masterson: Forever Changed the West
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, to Bat Masterson, gunslingers were hoodlums who killed for fun. He used guns to enforce the law or defend a f...
Mike Eruzione: The Making of a Miracle
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Eruzione—the captain of the 1980 U.S Men’s Olympic Hockey Team—recounts the unlikely circumstances...
Blair Linne: Finding My Father
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Blair Linne’s personal story of growing up without a father at home reflects the experiences of millions of...
Hollywood Goes To War: Merian Cooper (born 1893)
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Merian C. Cooper wanted to be an adventurer. It was a wish that propelled him into journalism, the National G...
Tyler Spady on Escaping the Borderline Massacre
25 Oct 2022
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 & Gri...
Couple Adopts 7 Siblings Separated Throughout 4 Foster Homes!
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear the story of how one childless married couple of 13 years became a family of 9, literally, overnight....