Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , at 2:47 AM on August 3rd, 1923 Calvin Coolidge was administered the oath of office by his father in the light of a kerosene lamp in the small town in which he was born; Plymoth Notch, Vermont. It was the culmination of a life well lived. Here to tell the story of our 30th President is Matthew Denhart and Tracy Messer—the world's greatest Coolidge impersona...

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 , this is the story of Carl Montgomery, a man who turned his life around after being part of a gang and spending much of his life in prison. 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 , Tom Acitelli, author of "Pilsner: How The Beer of Kings Changed The World" tells the story of how an experimental drink in the Austrian Empire became America's favorite drink. 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 , 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 , a fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty 'Hi-Yo Silver'... it's the story of the Lone Ranger! Stephen Eoannu, author of Yesteryear, tells the story of how a tenacious scriptwriter out of Buffalo and a shrewd businessman out of Detroit managed to create one of America's most endearing cultural figures. Support the show (https://w...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The Fugitive Slave Act made all Americans accomplices in the practice of slavery. This story marks the beginning of its end. 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 , Robert P. Watson, author of The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, tells this untold story of the American Revolution. 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 , Randall Wallace is the writer/director of films such as "Braveheart", "We Were Soldiers", "The Man in the Iron Mask", "Heaven is For Real", "Pearl Harbor", and "Secretariat"—movies rooted in courage, sacrifice, and faith. These traits which embody Randall’s very heart were exemplified throughout his life through his father. Here’s Randall to tell the story...

On this episode of Our American Stories , John Wilkes Booth did not act alone; eight people were eventually indicted as co-conspirators in Lincoln's murder. One of them was a woman, Mary Surratt. Here to tell the story is Kate Clifford Larson, author of The Assassin’s Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Louis Armstrong was the founding father of jazz and one of this century's towering cultural figures who forever changed the face of American music. Here to tell the story is Laurence Bergreen, who wrote the definitive biography on the man known as Pops: Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story comes to us from a listener, Paul Bauer—a regular contributor out of the Great White North, Minneapolis, MN. 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 tells the story of how lawn care came to be. 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 "Nostalgia Awakens" is a Star Wars action figure exhibit from enthusiast and museum curator Jarrod Roll. He's here to share the story of how Star Wars toys revolutionized movie merchandising, licensing, and even how children play. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If one crashed or had another issue, he secretly swapped it for another one. He had to show off a specific set of functions in a certain order, called the “golden path.” But way back in 1801, another young inventor named Eli Whitney–already known for hi...

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 , Ford's Theater reenactor Mike Robinson tells the full unknown story through the eyes of A.C. Richards, Washington's Superintendent of Police. 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 telling the story of America’s payback for Pearl Harbor—Jimmy Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo—and the Japanese response, the Battle of Midway. 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 , Samuel Bellamy was a pirate who operated off the coast of New England and throughout the Caribbean. Later known as "Black Sam,” he became one of the wealthiest pirates before his untimely death in 1717. Here to tell the story is Ashley Hlebinsky. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , many people know John Smith as the man who was saved by Pocahontas. What you may not know is that he led a life full of adventure. 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 story of how one childless married couple of 13 years became a family of 9, literally overnight. 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 origins of Chick-fil-A’s “my pleasure” catchphrase began in 2001. Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy’s version of the story begins with him visiting a Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel—a hotel his friend Horst Schulze co-founded. Here's Horst with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericansto...

On this episode of Our American Stories , much of what’s known about legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been kept between the goal posts. So Greg Hengler sat down with Brett Favre in his Hattiesburg, Mississippi, home where Brett shared stories about humility, aging, and faith, in this fourth part of his five part series. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Ray Caldwell put on a Cleveland Indian uniform for the first time—and none of the 20,000 fans at League Park had any idea that they were about to see something that defies belief. This story comes to us from Nick Ragone, host of the popular YouTube Channel “This Date in History with Nick Ragone.” Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)...

On this episode of Our American Stories , oftentimes when the topic of professional wrestling (think Hulk Hogan) comes up, it’s almost guaranteed that someone will scoff and say that it’s “fake.” Here’s Riley Evans, sports writer and CEO of RealPodcasting.com, to tell the real story about professional wrestling. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https:/...