Finest Hours

On this episode we discuss the impact that Erich Maria Remarque has had on literature and society. His blockbuster novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, rawly captures the horrors of war. His warning is as relevant today as it was in 1918.

Louis Wain was a British artist with a truly distinctive art style, best known for his vibrant and whimsical paintings of cats. However, tragedy struck his life when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his later years, and this had a profound impact on both his life and his art. As he descended into the depths of mental illness, his art became increasingly abstract and psychedelic, reflecting t...

Scottish Sailor, Privateer, and certified Madlad, Alexander Selkirk was stranded off the coast of South America in the 18th century. His story of survival is truly captivating.

In the final days of World War 2, Germany's prized Lipizzaners were under threat of Soviet destruction. Germans responsible for the care of the horses, set aside feelings of animosity towards the Americans and plead with them to rescue these prized horses from the onslaught of the Red Army.

Mathias Sindelar, an Austrian-born footballer, became a legend of the game and took a stand against Nazi Germany

William Slim was crucial to the British advance to liberate Burma from the Imperial Japanese Army in World War 2.

Steve Prefontaine, a martyr of unfulfilled human potential, is one of the most iconic athletes of all time. His influence transcended nations and generations. When his life was suddenly and tragically taken at 24, his mystique grew even more.

On this episode we discuss British mountaineering legend, George Mallory, possibly the first man to summit Mount Everest.

Charles Lindbergh was a fascinating American aviation pioneer. In this episode we discuss Charles' aviation career, famous flight across the atlantic, and the tragic kidnapping and murder of his son.

In a special episode of Finest Hours, learn about the all-female division of the Soviet Air Force that terrorized the invading Nazi army by flying bombing missions under the cover of darkness. Also in this episode, Skylar gets listed as a war casualty and a surprise visit from Abraham Lincoln.

Irena Sender, a polish born social worker smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the Jewish ghettos during WW2, learn how she was able to save, and foster thousands of souls from death and enslavement.

Robert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time, is one of America's most revered fantasy authors, his work has inspired many fantasy authors including Geroge R.R. Martin. In addition to his accomplishments as an author, he led quite an interesting life. Click play and learn more.

Legendary track and field coach Bill Bowerman did so much more than coach young men on the finer points of running and jumping, he was an innovator. His grizzled hands that crafted shoes for his athletes would build an empire on and off the track.

In part 2, Louis and Phil have been taken captive by the Japanese Empire, a hostile enemy who depraved men of their own dignity and sense of worth. Join us in a gritty episode as we discuss the atrocities Louis Zamperini would ultimately have to triumph over.

Louis Zamperini, thought to be the first man to break the impossible 4:00 mile in track & field, was drafted into WW2. This harrowing tale of survival is one of the greatest of world war 2. Listen to learn about Louis's triumph in the darkest of days.

When a raging winter storm off the Northeastern coasts breaks an oil tanker in half, a young coast guard officer and 3 other young men are tasked with an impossible rescue.

Harrison Odjegba Okene, a Nigerian cook, was shipwrecked off the coast of Nigera. He was able to find an air pocket in the ship and survive for 60 hours before being rescued by search and rescue divers. Listen to his amazing story now.

A devout christian, and author, Elliot and her husband worked tirelessly to help translate the bible into languages for remote tribes in South America. When tribals killed her husband, she forgave them and continued to serve those same tribe members.

During WW2 American bombers were taking heavy losses over Germany. Abraham Wald, a Jewish immigrant put his analytical mind to work to help solve this problem and save countless lives.

What would you do if your employer asked you to infiltrate an insane aslym, live among the patients there, and report on the conditions in the asylum? For Nellie Bly, a charming Pennsylvania girl, this was the opportunity that she had been starving for. In the 19th century, it was highly unpopular for women to have careers, but Nellie Bly (born Elizabeth Cochran) dedicated herself to improving the...

In this special episode of Finest Hours, Skylar, Brayden, and Hayden each pick an influential African American hero to discuss. Learn how a man took a newspaper to help disenfranchised African Americans find jobs and housing, how a southern boy embarassed Adolf Hitler on the global stage, and a high-school dropout became one of the greatest boxers in the 20th century

The victim of a freak electrical accident, Eduardo Garcia lost his left arm, a large percent of his muscle mass, suffered 3rd degree burns, and discovered on the hospital bed that he had testicular cancer, but that did not stop him from pursuing his love of cooking and the outdoors. In this episode, learn how Eduardo Garcia overcame a life-changing injury and used it to better the lives of those a...

Bobby Fischer, a hot-headed prodigy and Cold War hero was one of the most interesting people in the world of chess. In the height of the Cold War, Bobby was set to play the Soviet Union's won Borris Spassky, the reigning world champion. Bars across the country showed the game on TV, it was one of the most tense matches in history. Listen to learn how it turned out.

Christopher Clayton Hutton, a British MI9 intellgence officer developed an ingenious plan to rescue POW's from German camps using Monopoly board games. Learn how he pulled off this amazing feat and slipped escape tools into POW's hands right under German's noses.

Daniel Inouye, the son of Japanese-American immagrants, or Nisei, was a brave soldier and leader during the 2nd world war. He was originaly denied the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military due to his race, but it was a good thing they admitted him into the military. Listen to learn more about Daniel Inouye's courageous military service.