Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, John D. Rockefeller had a highly unusual childhood. His father, known as “Devil Bill,” was a smooth-talking snake oil salesman, while his mother was a devout and disciplined Christian who taught John to work hard, save diligently, and give generously to charity. Often demonized as a so-called Robber Baron, Rockefeller reshaped America by buildin...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Scott Shane shares the true story of Thomas Smallwood, a man born into slavery who became one of the first to write about and name the “Underground Railroad.” Risking everything, Smallwood teamed up with white abolitionist Charles Torrey to help enslaved families escape from Washington, D.C., and Maryland, openl...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph shares a vivid story about how he helped the women living on L.A.'s notorious Skid Row. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories,  Witness:  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.—one of the greatest hoteliers of all time and a legend in the business. He’s also what you might call a “wise man.” In this story, Mike shares what he learned from an uncaring law professor. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)...

On this episode of Our American Stories,  Witness: A True Story of Soviet Spies in America and the Trial That Captivated the Nation  is one of the best-selling books in the United States during the 20th century, yet it is almost unknown to most Americans today. Greg Forster, on behalf of the Acton Institute, is here to tell the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com...

On this episode of Our American Stories, since its founding in 1972, Nike has employed nearly half a million people, but only four have outlasted Steve Bence. Bence was a University of Oregon track athlete, a teammate of the legendary Steve Prefontaine, and an early insider at Nike. He’s also the author of 1972: Pre, UO Track, Nike Shoes, and My Life with Them All . Today, he shares his rema...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Todd Lincoln, the only one of Abraham Lincoln’s four sons to survive into adulthood, is often overshadowed by his legendary father. Yet Robert led a remarkable life of his own, serving as U.S. Secretary of War, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and president of the Pullman Company. The History Guy shares his story. Support the show ( https://ww...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Slavery is one of the oldest profit-making endeavors in human history, and for over a thousand years, the Irish were a frequent target. Colin D. Heaton, a military veteran and host of the YouTube channel Forgotten History, shares the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories....

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, and one of the greatest hoteliers of all time, and a legend in the industry. He’s also what you’d call a “wise man.” Today, Mike shares how he learned the importance of putting his customers in charge. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/d...

On this episode of Our American Stories, fantasy football is now a $13 billion industry with over 29 million Americans playing every year, but it didn’t start that way. Peter Funt, author of Inside Fantasy Football , shares the surprising origin story of how a group of Oakland Raiders fans upset about how bad their team was invented a game in their basement that became a nationwide obsession...

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 phrase “propose a toast” 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...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Doug White shares his harrowing story of survival and raw determination after the pilot of the private plane he was on died mid-flight, leaving him suddenly in control of a King Air 200—and responsible for the lives of his wife and two daughters on board. The event would later go on to inspire the film  On a Wing and a Prayer. Support the show (...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Carter Momsen-Hudson, from Hillsborough, North Carolina, began walking the Appalachian Trail without knowing if he could finish the 2,000-mile trek. Along the way, the encounters he had sparked a spiritual journey that led him to a place he never could have imagined. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: http...

On this episode of Our American Stories, why did the capitalist United States ally with the Soviet Union and its dictator, Stalin? The late, great Stephen Ambrose answers that question and shares a World War II story that begins in January 1943 and ends with the Allies' decision to pursue unconditional surrender. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sarah Wells, author of  American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation , shares the story of how she restored her marriage after nearly wrecking her family through a marital affair thanks to mercy, faith, and forgiveness. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/don...

On this episode of Our American Stories, as part of our American Dreamers  series, the late Donald Sturm, founder of ANB Bank, shares his story of growing up during the Great Depression, without even realizing it, thanks to the powerful influence of his parents. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories, as part of his ongoing series on the origins of everyday expressions, Andrew Thompson, author of  Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red , shares the fascinating backstories behind the phrases “take the cake,” “the third degree,” and others. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: ht...

On this episode of Our American Stories, when 85-year-old Lana Peters passed away in 2011 from complications due to colon cancer, the nation seemed to have forgotten the woman who became a sensation during the Cold War. The History Guy recalls the extraordinary life of the woman whose defection to the United States marked a seminal moment in history. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstori...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Roger McGrath returns with another installment in our Hollywood Goes to War series. A U.S. Marine, former UCLA history professor, and author of  Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier , Dr. McGrath has appeared in numerous History Channel documentaries. He’s also a regular contributor to Our American Stories, bringing h...

On this episode of Our American Stories, no woman figured more prominently on the Yukon and Alaskan frontiers than Belinda Mulrooney. She gained international fame as the richest woman in the Klondike and made and lost multiple fortunes. She became a character in novels, and her dog was the inspiration for Buck in  The Call of the Wild . Here to tell her story is Roger McGrath, author of&nbsp...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Matt Parker, a comedian and mathematician from Australia, tells the story of Michael Larson—a humble ice cream man who surprisingly beat the game show  Press Your Luck —and explains why computers can’t truly be random. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1986, the United Way of Cleveland attempted to set a world record by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the sky. What was meant to be a harmless publicity stunt quickly turned into a public safety and environmental disaster. It grounded planes, hindered rescue operations, and led to tragic consequences. Jesse Edwards shares the story. Support the...

On this episode of Our American Stories, from Green Eggs and Ham  to  How the Grinch Stole Christmas , we’re all familiar with the work of Dr. Seuss. But the story of how he became the author we know and love is far from short and simple. Brian Jay Jones, author of  Becoming Dr. Seuss , shares the full story of the man behind the pen name. Support the show ( https://www.ourame...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Diane Hight’s father was a war hero, but he also struggled with alcoholism due to his PTSD from World War II. To honor him, she founded Forever Young Veterans, an organization originally focused on taking WWII veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. It soon grew into a mission to take them back to Normandy and beyond. Here's her story. Suppo...