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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.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was president, Gerald Ford was a rising football star at the University of Michigan. But in 1934, his loyalty was tested when Georgia Tech refused to play if his Black teammate, Willis Ward, took the field. Author and historian John U. Bacon shares this remarkable story of friendship, integrity, and a quiet act of defiance that helped shape Ford’s views on civil rights. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, during a high-stakes flight, pilot trainee Peter Braxton lost control of his aircraft and almost didn’t live to tell the tale. That near-death experience would prepare him for something no one could have imagined: becoming the first Air Force pilot airborne over the Twin Towers on 9/11. Here’s Peter with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, before gloves, rules, or weight classes, there was John L. Sullivan: a powerhouse brawler who became America’s last bare-knuckle boxing champion. With fists of steel and a standing challenge to fight any man alive, Sullivan didn’t just win titles; he won the country’s attention. In 1893, he launched his infamous “Knockout Tour,” daring challengers to last just 12 minutes in the ring with the champ for a cash prize. Christopher Klein, a historian and journalist, shares the story of boxing’s first true superstar and the spectacle that made John L. Sullivan a national sensation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, long after Roberto Clemente’s final game, Duane Rieder found himself returning to the images, stories, and memories that surrounded Clemente’s life and career. A photographer by trade, Rieder’s interest in Clemente became a quiet pursuit—scanning negatives, tracking down memorabilia, and sharing what he found with others. Over time, the project grew into a museum. Tucked away in a restored Pittsburgh firehouse, the Roberto Clemente Museum now houses game-used gear, rare photographs, and historic baseball cards. Here's Duane to tell the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrase “all hell broke loose” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, he was the session guitarist behind some of the biggest songs of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but chances are, you’ve never heard his name. Tommy Tedesco, a core member of The Wrecking Crew, played on everything from TV themes to Top 10 singles. His son, Denny Tedesco, tells the remarkable story of the man behind the music and the acclaimed documentary that finally gave these musicians their due. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1960s, Karl Marlantes stood at a crossroads: remain at Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, or go to Vietnam and serve alongside the boys he grew up with, many of whom had already shipped out. He chose to go. That decision shaped his life in ways he’s still reckoning with. In this unflinching interview, Marlantes shares why he left behind comfort and entered the jungles of Vietnam. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray Charles did not write “Georgia on My Mind,” but he gave it its enduring soul. Written in 1930 by composer Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, the song lived a quiet life for decades before Ray Charles’ 1960 recording transformed it into a timeless American classic. Our host, Lee Habeeb, shares the story of how a haunting melody, a forgotten lyricist, and a singular voice came together to create a song that crossed genres, generations, and ultimately became the official state song of Georgia. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrases “hunky dory” and “hedge your bets” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, while her parents were among the many unjustly sent to internment camps during World War II, Mary Mikami and her siblings remained free. Mary rose to the top of her class, earned a doctorate from Yale, and built a life marked by quiet strength and achievement. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brown University, shares her powerful and often overlooked story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, archaeologist Andrea Ludden and her husband, Rolf Ludden, turned a family passion for collecting salt and pepper shakers into the world’s largest museum of its kind. With over 20,000 pieces, ranging from whimsical figures to historical designs, the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers celebrate creativity, culture, and the stories behind everyday objects. Here’s their astonishing story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the founding of the United States, a group of determined settlers landed in a wild and unforgiving land with one audacious goal: to build an Eden in the wilderness. In this second episode of our ongoing Story of America Series, historian Bill McClay, a professor at Hillsdale College and author of Land of Hope, traces how the earliest settlements were a bold experiment in liberty and community that continues to impact American life today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, what does freedom of religion really mean? For Mariam Ibrahim, it meant the difference between life and death. Born in Sudan and sentenced to execution for her Christian faith, Mariam escaped religious persecution and built a new life with her family in the U.S. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the cost of belief and the courage it takes to live it. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, The GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, doesn’t look like much at first. But among the weathered headstones are the stories of Union and Confederate veterans, British pilots, rodeo stars, and forgotten locals who lived big lives before fading from memory. Nancy Bro has spent years documenting them, making sure their names and the histories behind them aren’t lost. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time exploring the term “Peeping Tom” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky roots behind the words we use every day. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, before the NBA became a media powerhouse, it was fighting to stay relevant. Ratings were low, games were shown on tape delay, and advertisers kept their distance. When CBS considered cutting ties with the league, a young David Stern made a calculated move that would change the direction of professional basketball. Pete Croatto, author of From Hang Time to Prime Time, tells the story behind the NBA television deal that redefined the league’s future. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackie Robinson didn’t plan to make history. He only wanted to play ball. But in a country that had barred Black baseball players for more than sixty years, that simple dream came with impossible expectations. After a short stint in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, he became the first to cross into the majors, carrying not only a bat, but the burden of representing a nation’s progress. From racism on the field to isolation in the locker room, Robinson endured what few could. And because he did, Major League Baseball integration finally began. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of America’s greatest player. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, The Civil War took more American lives than any other conflict in the nation’s history, but few families endured loss like the Littletons of Iowa. When the war broke out, all six brothers enlisted to serve in the Union Army. One by one, they were lost to battle, disease, captivity, and accidents, leaving behind four grieving sisters and no surviving sons. Their story nearly disappeared into history, buried in a forgotten scrapbook. But thanks to a local historian, the Littleton brothers have been remembered for the sacrifices they made. John Busbee shares the story of how this Iowa family lost all six of their boys during America’s bloodiest conflict. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jameel McGee had just become a father when his life was derailed by a lie. In 2006, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was falsely arrested by narcotics officer Andrew Collins, whose fabricated reports and planted evidence led to a wrongful conviction and satisfied an internal push for arrest numbers. Although the truth eventually came out, Collins was sentenced to prison, and Jameel’s conviction was overturned, the damage had already been done. He had missed the early milestones of his son’s life and spent years behind bars for a crime he never committed. Most people in his position would seek revenge. But when their paths crossed again, Jameel chose to respond in a way that surprised them both. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time exploring the terms “nest egg,” “no dice,” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky roots behind the words we use every day. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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McCullough is ignorant: Hitler didn't call his followers "Nazis" (He called them "SOCIALISTS" by the very word). He is ignorant of discoveries by Historian Dr. Rex Curry: Hitler's flag symbol represented "S means SOCIALIST" (& Hitler didn't call it a swastika); Hitler's socialist salute came from the USA socialist Francis Bellamy. Soviet socialism joined German socialism to start WW2 into Poland & onward. Stop misgendering Hitler. Don't repeat modern socialist lies.
saw something about this podcast via a video on my Facebook and thought it looked intriguing
Nice storu
Amazing Ms Lamar
this is the first hit for conservative alt. to /morning edition/ is there such a show? mix of daily news weather and human interest, well produced, and with different ideología?
I love to hear the stories they are uplifting and informative thanks for all the work you guys do
I can't get these episodes to open.