Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , how did Indiana get its nickname “The Hoosier State?” And how did people from Indiana come to be called “Hoosiers?” Here to answer these questions and tell the story is Dr. Stephen Flick. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Sue Thomas' story became the basis for the TV series Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. She's here to share the story that Hollywood wouldn't touch! 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 , the word "hero" has been much misused in our present culture, but not when it comes to Megan McClung. You are about to hear why her tombstone reads: "Be Bold. Be Brief. Be Gone." 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 , Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. The book is  Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Richard “Dick” Bong was a hero in an era of heroes. Here’s the History Guy with the story. 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 , Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Baseball Leagues Museum, tells the story of a man who started in Kansas City, made his way to Brooklyn, and swept across the nation. 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 , listener Richard Hood takes us to the Battle of Fredericksburg and tells a story about compassion in the midst of America's deadliest war. 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 , Sean Pronger always dreamed of being and playing with Wayne Gretzky. Find out what happens when his dream meets his hangover. 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 , when most people die, the story is over—but not in Lincoln's case. Louis Picone tells the story of the plot to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom in the sand dunes of Indiana. 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 , the Police Chief of Oxford, Mississippi—a small town where Our American Stories broadcasts from—had good reasons behind choosing to overhaul his department. Here's Chief Jeff McCutchen with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

On this episode of Our American Stories , author Neal Thompson explores the inspiring story of the poor Irish refugee couple who escaped famine, created a life together in a city hostile to Irish immigrants and Catholics - and launched the Kennedy dynasty. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/lis...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we all know Shel Silverstein's children's book, "The Giving Tree," but did you know he wrote some of America's most famous country songs? This is one unforgettable story! 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 , a mass shooting took place on November 7, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, California, at the Borderline Bar & Grill, a country-western bar frequented by college students. 13 people were killed. Tyler Spady is here to share his story of survival and hope. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstori...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Lee Habeeb tells the story of how "Georgia on My Mind" came to be, and how it became a song the world would come to know and love. 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 , here’s Stephen Ambrose to tell us a short story from The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys who Flew the B-24s Over Germany. 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 , before he was a television star, James Best was orphaned at the age of three. During WWII he served with the Military Police in war-torn Germany. He became one of the hottest acting coaches in Hollywood training the likes of Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Glen Campbell, Quentin Tarantino, and Regis Philbin. He's here to tell his story! Support the show (ht...

On this episode of Our American Stories , on June 6, 1944, FDR delivered a prayer to the nation at 9:57PM ET. It would last 6 minutes long, and be heard by over 100 million Americans—and millions more in Europe. Written with help from his daughter and his daughter's husband, it was the largest mass prayer in American (and world) history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Stephen Ambrose shares a WWII story beginning in January of 1943 and ending with the Allied solution of Unconditional Surrender. Let’s jump right in with the Soviet victory over the Nazis at the Battle of Stalingrad. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/l...

On this episode of Our American Stories , hear the story of Orville Rogers and how he gave much of his wealth away. 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 , The History Guy remembers the Birkenhead Disaster and explains where the protocol "women and children first" was first used. 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 , Jeremiah Castille played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was on the last team coached by the legendary “Bear” Bryant. 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 , Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. The book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories , if you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both Christian and non-Christian—were heavily influenced by the Bible. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , John Wooden compiled the greatest legacy of any coach in history. How he defined success was unique and central to his philosophy. This story is told by Coach Wooden himself, his family, friends, and players. Coach Wooden died at age 99 on June 4, 2024. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanst...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Boss Hogg, played by long-time actor Sorrell Booke, had a much wider range of skill and talents than the bumbling Boss would have some believe. Here to tell the story is Nick Ragone, host of the popular YouTube channel, "This Date in History with Nick Ragone." Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ourame...