Our American Stories
Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.
Episodes
The Teenage Spy Who Arrested His Nazi Boss
On this episode of Our American Stories, at 17 years old, Pino Lella was helping Jewish families escape Nazi-occupied Italy by guiding them across the Alps into Switzerland. A year later, after being drafted into the German military, he found himself assigned as the personal driver to one of the most powerful Nazi commanders in Italy.Secretly working for the Italian resistance and the Allies, Pino
Dolly Parton's Biggest Hit Almost Belonged to Elvis
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973, she wasn't writing about a romantic breakup. She was saying goodbye to her longtime friend, mentor, and business partner, Porter Wagoner. The song became a country hit, but its journey was only beginning.Along the way, the song caught the attention of Elvis Presley, whose manager demanded half of the
The Iowa Governor Who Saved Thousands of Refugees
On this episode of Our American Stories, when the United States withdrew from Vietnam, many of its allies in Southeast Asia were left behind to face Communist reprisals, imprisonment, and even death. Desperate families fled Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia in search of safety, but few knew where they would go.Then an extraordinary letter arrived in Iowa. What followed was one of the most successful ref
Just Days Before His Death, Pistol Pete Told His Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, few athletes have ever reached the heights of Pete Maravich. Known simply as "Pistol Pete," he became one of the greatest basketball players in history, dazzling fans with his ball-handling, scoring, and creativity on the court. He achieved nearly everything he dreamed about as a boy: college stardom, professional success, fame, wealth, and admiration from
The Most (Un)Epic Love Story Ever
On this episode of Our American Stories, Shiloh Carozza McCall shares how, in the worst of circumstances, she came to realize that the man she was dating was the rare kind of person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Shiloh is a regular contributor to Our American Stories. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.c
When Americans Sent Their Kids Through the Mail
On this episode of Our American Stories, when the U.S. Postal Service introduced Parcel Post in 1913, Americans suddenly had a cheap new way to ship packages across the country. What postal officials didn't anticipate was how creatively people would use it. Families mailed eggs, butter, bees, and even entire building supplies through the postal system. In one famous case, a bank in Utah was shippe
Why Henry Gunther Was the Final Casualty of WWI
On this episode of Our American Stories, the First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But not before one last man fell. His name was Henry Gunther, and he died just moments before peace officially began. Why he charged forward, and how his death came to symbolize the senselessness of war's final moments, is a story often overlooked.Craig Du Mez of the Grateful
An Appeal to Heaven: The Forgotten Flag of George Washington’s Navy
On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Stars and Stripes became the national banner, another symbol of liberty flew over American ships. Known as the Pine Tree Flag, or the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, it was one of the earliest wartime flags of the American Revolution. In 1775, George Washington ordered it raised on six schooners that made up the first naval force of the colonies. Its wh
Robert Heft Got a B-Minus for Designing the U.S. Flag
On this episode of Our American Stories, The American flag that flies over state capitols, schools, and battlefields across the country began as a high school assignment. Robert Heft, a 17-year-old student from Ohio, created the 50-star design in 1958 and received a B-minus for his effort. When Hawaii entered the Union in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower selected Heft's version as the official
Valley Forge: George Washington’s Winter of Resolve
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the winter of 1777, the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, hungry, freezing, and unsure whether the Revolution would survive. Disease spread through the camp, morale collapsed, and even George Washington wondered how much longer his soldiers could endure. Then came a Prussian officer named Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a man who spoke
From Hang Time to Primetime: How the NBA Conquered America
On this episode of Our American Stories, today, the NBA is a global powerhouse worth billions of dollars, with superstars recognized everywhere from New York to Shanghai. But for much of its early history, professional basketball was an afterthought. Players worked second jobs, television networks showed little interest, and many fans cared more about college basketball than the NBA.Pete Croatto,
How Panama’s Dictator Manuel Noriega Found God in the Unlikeliest Place
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1980s, Panama was at the center of global attention as strongman Manuel Noriega tightened his grip on power. Known for his brutality and ties to the drug trade, he seemed untouchable. But when a hairdresser unknowingly welcomed Noriega's daughter into her salon, an unlikely chain of events began.That meeting opened the door to the dictator himse
John Deere and the Invention That Changed the Heartland
On this episode of Our American Stories, John Deere wasn't always a household name. Before tractors transformed American agriculture, he had one revolutionary idea: a steel plow that could cut through tough prairie soil. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute shares the story of how John Deere got his start, how one piece of scrap metal helped transform the American West, and how t
The Day I Realized I Might Have Alzheimer's
On this episode of Our American Stories, both of Mike Zuendel's parents died from Alzheimer's disease, so the possibility had always lingered in the back of his mind. Still, like many people, he put off getting tested. Then one day, after spending several minutes searching for his missing cell phone, he realized he had been holding it in his hand the entire time. That moment convinced him it was t
Churchill: The Making of a Reluctant Hero
On this episode of Our American Stories, by the time Winston Churchill became Prime Minister, he had already survived plane crashes, gunfire, and political exile. On the same morning Hitler invaded France, Churchill walked into Downing Street and said he felt as if he were “walking with destiny.”In Churchill: Walking With Destiny, historian Sir Andrew Roberts brings the story to l
How I Survived 14 Years of Communist Brainwashing
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1948, Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand publicly declared that Christianity and Communism were incompatible. For that conviction, he was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned by Romania's Communist regime. Over the next fourteen years, Wurmbrand endured isolation, psychological abuse, and relentless attempts to break his faith through what he described as s
How the Plow, Barbed Wire, and Google Changed the World
On this episode of Our American Stories, some inventions solve problems. Others change the world in ways nobody could have predicted. The plow helped make civilization possible by creating agricultural surpluses and supporting cities, governments, and armies. Barbed wire transformed the American West, turning open prairie into private property and helping settle the frontier. Google Search changed
The Day Oklahoma City Came to New York
On this episode of Our American Stories, when a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, chaplain Jack Poe was among the first people on the scene. In the days that followed, he ministered to grieving families, first responders, and a city searching for hope in the wake of unimaginable loss.Six years later, after the attacks of September 11, Po
"True Colors" & "Soap Opera" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they mean. This time, how the phrases "true colors" and "soap
Who Was Uncle Sam? The Surprising Origins of America's Icon
On this episode of Our American Stories, Uncle Sam is the iconic face of American patriotism, pointing from posters, stamped on recruitment ads, and etched into the nation's memory. But how did he come to be? The real story begins with a New York meatpacker named Samuel Wilson. What started as a shipping label evolved into one of the most enduring symbols of liberty and national service. Our regul
WWII Airman’s Body Moved Three Times Before His Family Found Peace
On this episode of Our American Stories, after World War II airman Danny Wilson fell overseas, his body was buried in France alongside thousands of American soldiers. But that wasn't the end of his story. His niece, Joy Neal Kidney, shares the little-known journey of how her uncle was buried three different times, from a military cemetery in Europe to his final resting place in Iowa. Support the s
Frank Capra: The American Dream Personified
On this episode of Our American Stories, few filmmakers embody the American Dream as vividly as Frank Capra. Born in Sicily in 1897, he carried the memory of arriving at New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty through World War I and into Hollywood's golden age. In films like It's a Wonderful Life, Capra celebrated resilience, community, and the strength of ordinary people.Our own Le
What Amelia Earhart's Coat Reveals About the Woman Behind the Legend
On this episode of Our American Stories, nearly ninety years after Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific, the fascination surrounding her life has never faded. Yet one of the most revealing clues about who she was isn't found in a cockpit or a flight log. It's a leather coat preserved in a museum in Wyoming.Our regular contributor Ashley Hlebinsky shares the story behind the jacket and expla
A Journey Up the River With Dad
On this episode of Our American Stories, as a teenager, Lindsay Gallant embarked on a wilderness journey with her father, paddling deep into the remote rivers and forests of Canada. What started as a rite of passage ended up becoming much more: a chance to see the natural world through new eyes.Years later, far removed from the waters of the wilderness, one memory from that trip remains especially
How Henry Ford Created the Modern World
On this episode of Our American Stories, Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, but he changed its place in American life. By making the car affordable and reshaping the factory around speed and precision, he turned a rare machine into something millions of people could own.Historian Richard Snow, author of The Rise of Henry Ford, shares the spellbinding story of how Ford transformed manuf
What My Father Taught Me on the Job Site
On this episode of Our American Stories, every summer, Dennis Peterson and his brother went to work with their father, a self-employed brick mason. As young boys, they hauled bricks, cleaned tools, and worked long days on construction sites. At the time, it felt like hard labor. Looking back, it was something much more valuable. Through those hours on the job, Dennis's father taught lessons about
Uncle Nearest: The Former Slave Who Taught Jack Daniel How to Make Whiskey
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2016, entrepreneur Fawn Weaver was struggling through one of the most difficult seasons of her life. A disappointing business venture had left her frustrated, and the sudden death of her beloved niece, Brittany, left her heartbroken. Looking for a distraction while traveling overseas, she stumbled across a newspaper article about a little-known figure in
How Patrick Henry Saved America from Its First Civil War
On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the Civil War, in 1799, the United States was facing one of the greatest political crises in its young history. With tensions rising between the federal government and the states, some feared the nation could fracture or even descend into civil war. George Washington certainly did, and he turned to one man he believed could help prevent it: Patr
Brian Wilson: My Friend Behind the Beach Boys
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Brian Wilson passed away in 2025, the world lost one of the most important and influential musicians in American history. As the creative genius behind The Beach Boys, Wilson helped redefine popular music through groundbreaking compositions, intricate harmonies, and a body of work that continues to inspire musicians today. Yet for many people, Brian Wi
The Summer I Got Fired From an Ice Cream Shop
On this episode of Our American Stories, a first job is a rite of passage for many. For Leslie Leyland Fields, it was something more. Hired by a quirky and struggling ice cream shop in New Hampshire, she hoped the job would bring in much-needed money for gas and offer some time away from a difficult home life. Instead, it ended with an experience she never expected: getting fired by her "crazy" ma
The Story of America: The Frenchman Who Wrote About America Better Than Any American [Ep. 23]
On this episode of Our American Stories, In 1831, a young French aristocrat named Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the United States, ostensibly to study America's prison system. What he was really seeking was something much bigger: an understanding of democracy itself. The result was Democracy in America, a book that remains one of the most insightful works ever written about the United States.A
How Two Civil Rights Lawyers Ended Red-Light Camera Tickets
On this episode of Our American Stories, when red-light cameras began appearing across Missouri, many drivers saw them as little more than an annoyance. Civil rights attorneys Hugh Eastwood and Bevis Schock saw something else: a system that issued tickets to vehicle owners regardless of who was driving, generated millions in revenue for local governments, and raised serious questions about due pro
How the Wright Brothers Beat the World to the Sky
On this episode of Our American Stories, before they made history, the Wright brothers were just two mechanics with a theory. Their shop in Dayton kept the lights on, but it was their time on the beaches of North Carolina that changed the world. While others with greater resources failed to get off the ground, Wilbur and Orville studied what moved through the air and why. In 1903, after years of t
How My Dad's Cancer Saved Our Relationship
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Willy Lensch's father was diagnosed with cancer, the news brought fear, uncertainty, and the prospect of loss. It also opened a door that had been closed for decades.As father and son spent more time together, old grievances began to fade, difficult truths were finally spoken, and a relationship that once seemed beyond repair slowly transformed. For ou
How One Gross Invention Added Decades to Human Life
On this episode of Our American Stories, before modern sanitation, cities were filthy, drinking water was often contaminated, and diseases like cholera and typhoid killed hundreds of thousands of people. Life in even the world's greatest cities could be dangerous, all because of a problem most people would rather not talk about.Our own Greg Hengler explores the surprising history of the toilet, se
My Grandfather Was the Best Storyteller I Ever Knew
On this episode of Our American Stories, before television and smartphones, there were front porches, and there were storytellers. For Dennis Peterson, the greatest storyteller he ever knew was his grandfather, Frederick Newman “Paw” Summers, an East Tennessee jack-of-all-trades whose tales could keep neighbors, friends, and family listening for hours.Dennis, a regular contributor to&n
The Surprising History of Air Conditioning and the Man Behind It
On this episode of Our American Stories, before air conditioning, summer shaped how people worked, where they lived, and which cities could survive in the heat. That all began to change in 1902, when Willis Carrier designed a machine to solve humidity problems in a printing plant. His invention transformed the air around us and reshaped modern life forever.Jesse Edwards, a frequent Our Americ
I Thought I Knew My Father Until I Read His World War II Diary
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Sally Grove was growing up, she thought she knew her father. He was a soft-spoken Maryland family man who loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his children. But after he died unexpectedly when Sally was just twenty years old, she discovered a small notebook hidden among his belongings that revealed an entirely different side of him.It was his
Why the U.S. and Britain Nearly Went to War Over a Pig
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1859, a pig wandered onto the wrong farm and sparked an international standoff. The United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over a single hog on San Juan Island, in what is now Washington State. History teacher and Our American Stories regular contributor Anne Clare shares the story of the strange chain of events that followed, when
Twenty Years After My Sister's Murder, I Wrote to Her Killer
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Jeanne Bishop's pregnant sister, Nancy, and her brother-in-law, Richard, were murdered in their own home, her world shattered. The killer, a sixteen-year-old neighbor, was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison, but no sentence could undo the loss or answer the deeper question of how to move forward after such a tragedy.For years, Jeanne wor
The Story of America: Theodore Roosevelt and the Modern Presidency [Ep. 41]
On this episode of Our American Stories, born into wealth, privilege, and chronic illness, Theodore Roosevelt seemed an unlikely candidate to become one of America's most energetic and transformative presidents. Yet through sheer determination, he reinvented himself as a rancher, war hero, reformer, and political force whose larger-than-life personality captivated the nation.When an assassin's bul
How Maurice Sendak Redrew Childhood in “Where the Wild Things Are”
On this episode of Our American Stories, Maurice Sendak had a rare ability to look at childhood without sentimentality. He understood its private fears and its unruly joys, and he tried to give those feelings a place to live on the page. That effort shaped the work that made him, for many, the defining children’s book artist of the twentieth century.Our own Greg Hengler traces how Sendak&rsq
How a Childhood Fascination With Paper Airplanes Became a World Record Career
On this episode of Our American Stories, most children eventually outgrow paper airplanes. John Collins never did. What began as a childhood fascination with folding paper and experimenting with flight grew into a lifelong passion that led him to become the Guinness World Record holder for the farthest paper aircraft flight at 226 feet, 10 inches.John shares the story of decades spent designing, t
Five Brothers Went Off to Fight World War II
On this episode of Our American Stories, when World War II called, the Wilson family of Iowa answered. One by one, five brothers left home to serve their country, while their parents and siblings waited anxiously for news from across the globe.Our regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of her uncles, the five Wilson brothers, and the sacrifices their family made during the war years.
The Truth About Michael Jackson’s Changing Skin Color
On this episode of Our American Stories, Michael Jackson’s career made him one of the most recognizable and most scrutinized people on the planet. As his fame grew, so did the attention on his appearance, especially his skin color. What the public saw was a dramatic lightening over time. What they didn’t know was that Jackson was living with vitiligo, a medical condition that strips th
The Race That Sealed Secretariat's Legacy: The Story of the 1973 Belmont Stakes
On this episode of Our American Stories, no horse had claimed the Triple Crown in 25 years until Secretariat lined up at the Belmont. What happened next stunned the world. With the crowd on its feet, Secretariat sprinted into history, delivering a performance so dominant it's still studied today. This is the story of the race that made him a legend and left the sport forever changed. Support the s
The Boy Behind “La Bamba”: The Story of Ritchie Valens
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1950s, a shy teenager from Southern California seemed destined for stardom. As Ritchie Valens rocketed from local dances to national fame, hits like “La Bamba” and “Donna” helped make him one of the brightest young stars in rock and roll.Discovered and mentored by producer Bob Keane, Valens's rise was as rapid as it was r
Thomas Paine and the Pamphlet That Sparked the American Revolution
On this episode of Our American Stories, few writers have ever changed the course of history the way Thomas Paine did. His pamphlet Common Sense electrified the American colonies, helped turn public opinion toward independence, and inspired ordinary Americans to support the Revolution. Later, his American Crisis essays rallied George Washington's troops during some of the darkest days of the
Reconciling Dad the Farmer and Dad the WWII Pilot
On this episode of Our American Stories, growing up, Joy Neal Kidney knew her father as an Iowa farmer, a simple, kind man in overalls who drove tractors, tended livestock, and taught his children the value of hard work. But before that, he had lived a very different life. During World War II, Warren Neal commanded large bomber aircraft and prepared to fly combat missions against Japan before the
Bear Bryant Taught Him to Win, the Packers Taught Him to Believe
On this episode of Our American Stories, Rich Wingo’s football journey began under legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, whose tough, uncompromising style forged players into men prepared for more than just Saturdays in Tuscaloosa. Bryant’s influence followed Wingo beyond his college years and into the NFL, where he suited up for the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field
Pilsner: The Czech Beer That Conquered America
On this episode of Our American Stories, today, nearly every major American lager traces its roots back to a revolutionary beer first brewed in 1842 in the city of Pilsen, located in what is now the Czech Republic. Clear, crisp, and unlike anything drinkers had seen before, Pilsner quickly spread across Europe before German immigrants carried their taste for the style to the United States.Author T
Inside Johnny Carson and Joan Rivers’ Rise and Fall on The Tonight Show
On this episode of Our American Stories, for years, Johnny Carson and Joan Rivers defined late-night television. Carson ruled The Tonight Show as its steady center, while Rivers became his most trusted guest host, winning audiences with her sharp timing and fearless comedy. Night after night, viewers came to see them as a natural pairing, shaping what a late-night talk show could be. Then, in
My Life Is Broken Into "BD & AD": Before Dad & After Dad
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bruce Paddock remembers his life in two chapters: BD and AD, Before Dad and After Dad. When his father died young, the loss reshaped everything, from the way he viewed family and purpose to the path he would eventually take in his own career.In this deeply personal tribute, Bruce reflects on grief, memory, and the enduring influence of a father whose life a
Jimmy Stewart Left Hollywood Stardom to Bomb Nazi Germany
On this episode of Our American Stories, before It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Jimmy Stewart walked away from Hollywood stardom to serve in World War II. Determined to fly despite resistance from studio executives and concerns about his age and weight, Stewart became a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot, flew dangerous bombing missions over Europe, and rose th
The Story of America: The Rise of Andrew Jackson and the Common Man [Ep. 22]
On this episode of Our American Stories, the election of 1828 marked a political revolution in America. Andrew Jackson, a hard-driving frontiersman who never forgot his roots, brought a new style of politics to Washington, one built on popular appeal, distrust of elites, and faith in the judgment of ordinary Americans.In this installment of our ongoing Story of Us—Story of America
Abandoned at Birth in Korea: One Woman’s Adoption Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, at only hours old, Jackie Darby was abandoned in a garbage dump in Seoul, Korea, where rats were already biting her tiny body when a missionary nurse rescued her. Adopted by an American family, Jackie grew up surrounded by love, but struggled with profound questions about rejection, identity, and her own self-worth.Through faith and family, she' come to see
The Story of America: The Rise of the Progressives [Ep. 40]
On this episode of Our American Stories, the 1896 election made one thing clear: William Jennings Bryan and the Populists had tapped into a growing sense that many Americans were being left behind by a rapidly changing nation. Though Bryan lost, the reformers behind his movement lived on. Soon, a new generation of reformers known as Progressives would seek to modernize government, curb corruption,
The Best Time I Spent with My Dad Was Guarding Him in Prison
On this episode of Our American Stories, at seven years old, Randy Liberty visited his absent father behind bars at the Maine State Prison, whose imposing walls later helped inspire Stephen King's novel The Shawshank Redemption. Decades later, he returned to that same prison, not as a visitor but as a corrections officer. Along the way, he charted his own unique path, rose to become the priso
Dale Robertson Was Wounded in WWII Before Finding Fame in Hollywood
On this episode of Our American Stories, before he became a familiar face in westerns like Tales of Wells Fargo and Iron Horse, Dale Robertson was fighting in Europe during World War II. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, he served with the U.S. Army’s 322nd Combat Engineer Battalion of the 97th Infantry Division, was wounded twice, and earned both the Silver Star
When America Believed Bat People Lived on the Moon: The Great Moon Hoax
On this episode of Our American Stories, decades before Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds shocked the nation, a New York newspaper convinced thousands of Americans that the Moon was teeming with life. Beginning on August 25, 1835, The Sun published a sensational series claiming that famed English astronomer Sir John Herschel had discovered a lunar civilization populated by
A Student Complained About a 92. The Real Problem Was Something Else.
On this episode of Our American Stories, when one of his graduate students challenged a 92 on an assignment, Paul Kotz was frustrated. The student questioned his grading, his judgment, and, for a moment, even his love of teaching. But instead of firing off another email, Kotz picked up the phone.Paul shares the story of the conversation that followed, which had little to do with grades and everyth
The Story of America: William Jennings Bryan and the “Cross of Gold” [Ep. 39]
On this episode of Our American Stories, as industrial America surged forward in the late 19th century, millions of farmers and working Americans felt left behind by falling crop prices, mounting debt, and economic upheaval. Into that unrest stepped William Jennings Bryan, a fiery young politician from Nebraska whose famous “Cross of Gold” speech in Chicago transformed him into the lea
She Served Her Time. Her Record Still Wouldn’t Let Her Move On.
On this episode of Our American Stories, a late-night mistake changed Gwen Boyd-Willis’s life in 2005. After serving her time, she did everything people say you’re supposed to do took responsibility, earned a degree, rebuilt her life, and kept trying to move forward. But every background check brought the same answer: no.In this installment of our Opportunity America series,
The Baseball Found on One of America’s Bloodiest Battlefields
On this episode of Our American Stories, long before baseball became America’s pastime, soldiers carried the game with them into war. On the battlefield of Battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest clashes of the American Civil War, a forgotten baseball was discovered years later buried amid the history of combat and sacrifice.Our American Stories regular contributor Ashley Hlebinsky share
Before “Gunsmoke,” James Arness Fought and Bled in World War II
On this episode of Our American Stories, before becoming television’s legendary Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, James Arness was a towering young infantryman fighting through some of the fiercest combat of World War II. Wounded during the brutal fighting at Battle of Anzio, Arness nearly lost his leg and spent almost a year recovering in military hospitals before earning a Bronze Star
Elijah Lovejoy: The First Martyr of America’s Abolition Movement
On this episode of Our American Stories, minister, newspaper editor, and abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy believed the Bible demanded opposition to slavery, and he was unwilling to stay silent about it. Through his anti-slavery newspaper, Lovejoy condemned slavery’s brutality, defended freedom of the press, and challenged a nation increasingly divided over one of its greatest injustices.In this i
Colin Powell Through the Eyes of His Son, Michael Description:
On this episode of Our American Stories, on November 5, 2021, a funeral service was held for Colin Powell at Washington National Cathedral. Powell died at age 84 from complications related to COVID-19 while undergoing treatment for cancer. In this moving tribute, his son, Michael Powell, shares heartfelt reflections on his father’s life, character, and legacy. Support the show (https://www.o
Michael Vick Was the NFL’s Biggest Star. Then He Lost Everything.
On this episode of Our American Stories, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall draft pick and quickly became one of football’s biggest stars, redefining the quarterback position with his speed, athleticism, and electrifying style of play. But after his involvement in a dogfighting operation led to prison time and public disgrace, Vick was forced
The Radical Decision That Changed Ian Rowe’s Life: Staying Put
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ian Rowe grew up in a Jamaican immigrant family that believed deeply in education, hard work, and the promise of America. So when his Queens junior high school rapidly became all black after white families pulled their children out, his parents assumed the better opportunity lay elsewhere.But twelve-year-old Ian disagreed, and refused to accept the idea tha
Nile Kinnick: The Gridiron Hero Reagan Thought Could Be President
On this episode of Our American Stories, Nile Kinnick transformed a struggling Iowa Hawkeyes football program through sheer grit, leadership, and one extraordinary season that earned him college football’s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy. But after becoming one of the biggest stars in American sports, Kinnick turned away from professional football, pursued law, and ultimately answered the
The Real Man Behind “I Love the Smell of Napalm in the Morning”
On this episode of Our American Stories, Colonel David Hackworth was a soldier’s soldier. He fought in the Korean War, commanded troops in the Vietnam War, and earned more than 90 awards for valor, making him one of the most decorated military figures in American history. But his legacy extends beyond medals and citations. In Vietnam, Hackworth became known for his bold leadership, unconvent
When a 3rd Grade Boy Learned His Father Was Missing in Vietnam
On this episode of Our American Stories, retired U.S. Navy Captain Mike McDaniel takes us back to the day he was a third-grade boy sitting on his bed when his mother told him his father had been shot down during the Vietnam War. His father was Eugene “Red” McDaniel, the famed Navy pilot who disappeared on his 81st combat mission and would spend nearly six years as a prisoner of war in
The LLC, Concrete, and the Index Fund: Fifty Things That Shaped the Modern Economy
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tim Harford, author of the bestselling book Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy, shares the stories behind three transformative innovations: concrete, the LLC (limited liability company), and the index fund. From the concrete that built our cities, to the LLC that revolutionized business ownership, to the index fund that reshaped investing,
Was America’s First President Really George Washington?
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Washington is correctly remembered as America’s first real president, but under the nation’s original government, another man held the title years earlier: John Hanson. Historian, bestselling author, and Our American Stories regular contributor Christopher Klein shares the surprising story of the forgotten Maryland sta
How Do You Eulogize a Daughter Who Never Lived?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremy Lott never got the chance to hear his daughter cry, watch her crawl, or hold her for the life he and his wife had imagined. Diagnosed in the womb with a rare fatal condition, their daughter, Cecelia, was stillborn in July 2017. Yet during her short life before birth, she danced to Irish music, responded to familiar voices, and left an unforgettable m
Vince Lombardi: The Coach, the Catholic, and the Man Behind the Legend
On this episode of Our American Stories, Vince Lombardi transformed the Green Bay Packers into a dynasty and helped turn football into a symbol of discipline, leadership, and the American experience. But behind the championships, the famous speeches, and the legendary Green Bay sweep was a far more complicated man shaped by faith, family, ambition, and struggle.Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Da
Before Big & Rich, John Rich Was Starting Over in Nashville
On this episode of Our American Stories, after leaving Lonestar, John Rich found himself back in Nashville trying to rebuild his country music career from scratch. The future Big & Rich star kept writing songs, navigating the highs and lows of the Nashville music scene, and slowly discovered the sound that would help make him one of country music’s most recognizable voices.Rich shar
Pastor of the Pilgrims, John Robinson: 100 Bible Verses That Made America
On this episode of Our American Stories, what role did the Bible play in shaping America? According to Robert J. Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America, it was central, especially for early leaders like Pastor John Robinson, who used scripture to guide the Pilgrims toward their historic journey. Here's Morgan with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/d
Danny Elfman Never Planned to Become a Film Composer. Then Tim Burton Called
On this episode of Our American Stories, Danny Elfman first became famous as the lead singer of Oingo Boingo before building a career as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable film composers. His work on Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and The Simpsons helped shape the sound of movies and television for an entire generation. But music was not always his passi
I Sewed Through Fabric My Great-Grandmother Chose Before World War I
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of a handmade quilt that linked her to her great-grandmother, Laura Goff, a country schoolteacher born shortly after the American Civil War who raised 11 children while moving across the Midwest in search of opportunity and education for her family.Years after Laura’s death, Joy inherited her unfinished “Periwink
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