Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, we’ve all heard of gunslingers “Wild” Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Billy The Kid. These quick-draw legends had nothing on Bob Munden. 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, official Texas State Historian Monte Monroe, as well as Rachel Halversen and Anne Clare, tell the story of President James K. Polk, and why his one term in office managed to beat out most presidents who served two. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/li...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sam Goodwin had traveled to 180 countries, and Syria was to be number 181. Two hours into his adventurous visit there, a total transformation of his life began. His book is  Saving Sam , and his website is  https://www.samrgoodwin.com  — Here's Sam with his story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.o...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Peter Funt shares the enthralling growth of a billion-dollar business. Hear the journey from the early GOPPPL days to an integral part of the NFL marketing plan. Peter's book is  Inside Fantasy Football: America's Favorite Non-Contact Sport Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories, going Ga-Ga for automobiles happened to Miles Collier as to so many - in an instant. Now Miles runs the world's best car museum, and wrote The Archaeological Automobile,  a book about American material culture, the material remnants we leave behind as we travel through time. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: ht...

On this episode of Our American Stories, many know that Elvis grew up singing in his church choir - and he would lead the charts with hit songs through many years. Hear from another music legend, Pat Boone - who grew musically by leading a large church choir, a capella - and would top the charts for an even longer stretch than Elvis. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) S...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Walter Gretzky died at the age of 82. His death prompted an avalanche of tributes for a genuine, approachable, authentic person who nurtured the unsurpassed hockey talents of his son, Wayne Gretzky, on the family's famed backyard rink in Brantford, Ontario. The 60-year-old NHL legend-turned-American citizen spoke shortly after laying his father to rest. Sup...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in part 3 of our 5-part series, we hear Favre get very personal about his miraculous Monday Night Football game immediately following his father’s passing. 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, you've heard that you "Don't Mess With Texas." This story from our regular listener/contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas, exemplifies that statement. 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, Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman was not only Lance Cpl. (Ret.) Tom Morton's mentor, he was a hero of the highest caliber who died trying to save an Afghani Police Officer from drowning in the Helmand River. Here's Tom to tell the story of the worst day of his life, and how he came to find peace after it. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate )...

On this episode of Our American Stories, pinball is an iconic game. Jeremy Saucier of the Strong Museum of Play shares the surprising story--from pinball's origins in French parlor games, to its prohibition, to its emergence as the popular game that it is today. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the National Park Service in New York City was not taking measures to protect and preserve the tomb of General Ulysses S. Grant. Fortunately, Frank Scattoro had the initiative and the intensity to change that, against all obstacles. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Frohlich tells the story of his grandfather, a German-born immigrant who handled warhorses as a World War I conscript - and helped the United States win World War II. 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, since John Collins was young, he has loved paper airplanes. This obsession helped him achieve the Guinness World Record for the farthest flight by a paper aircraft at 226 feet and 10 inches. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tracy Grant, the former managing editor at the Washington Post, shares the story of why the days taking care of her dying husband were the best 7 months of her life. 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, hear the opportunities Pat Boone had to do something more important than his television show, and perhaps even his life - insisting, come what may, to not perpetuate bigotry. 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, Sgt. Alvin York— the reluctant World War I infantryman who became an American legend—has stood as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for over a century. The Tennessee mountaineer whose religious convictions at first kept him from fighting became the recipient of the Medal of Honor and nearly 50 other decorations for single handedly capturing (132) or killing...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Marilyn Jensen tells the harrowing story of when her father went on a supply run amidst a German bombing. 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, this largely lost story is rekindled by Chicago historian Tim Samuelson, the first cultural historian of Chicago. 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, defeating the Nazi menace would take more than strength and tactics. It required the Allies giving them lots of completely accurate Allied secrets, for years. The late great Stephen Ambrose tells the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener f...

On this episode of Our American Stories, two enemies: One led Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; the other was an American Doolittle Raider who bombed Tokyo. Here to tell the story is Carol Aiko DeShazer Dixon—the daughter of Doolittle Raider Jacob DeShazer. She is the author of Return of the Raider: A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War & Forgiveness. Support the show ( https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Art Burton, the author of countless books on African Americans in the West, tells the story of one of the most feared outlaws in the Indian Territory. 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, Nancy Bro of the GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma shares the stories of the unique and colorful characters buried within it...including a rodeo star, veterans of the Union and Confederate armies, and a few British pilots. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio....

On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Major Brian Shul with his legendary story known today as the “LA Speed Check.” 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, some believe he was the most important composer of the 20th century, in or out of jazz. Terry Teachout, one of America's best culture writers and author of Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington, tells the story of the jazz legend, his music, his struggles, his triumphs and so much more. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the sho...