Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , you’ve heard Christopher Klein tell the story of “How Johnny Carson Saved Twister” and how Mark Twain helped Ulysses S. Grant complete his memoir that saved his wife from destitution. Here’s Chris with the story of how Abraham Lincoln used the telegraph to help win the Civil War. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories , threatening viewers into buying Wilkins coffee was just one creative way Jim Henson mastered the television medium for the puppetry arts. Hear how advertising supported art that became education, and - good grief, the comedian is a bear! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Chuck Long tells the story of how he came to be Iowa's star quarterback in the 1980's and how he later came to like coaching more than playing. 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 , Jonathan Mattox is co-chairman of The Christmas Store, founded in 1975. Jonathan tells us about this annual event that gives out toys to families in need during Christmas. 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 Civil War was over, the city of Washington was in celebration, and President Lincoln's life was about to take a happy and hopeful turn. His short, happy life was thwarted by John Wilkes Booth. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Larry Reed tells the story of the Flushing Remonstrance, an all-important document that helped inform the 1st Amendment. 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 , Thomas Bennett was a master salesman and businessman who helped, along with John Moses Browning, create the iconic American firearms brand Winchester. 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 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 , Jason Sautel shares his story from his book The Rescuer: One Firefighter's Story of Courage, Darkness and the Relentless Love That Saved Him. Jason was a successful, highly competent firefighter in Oakland, California. Life for Jason seemed to be perfect on the outside… but he was struggling with a darkness in him that started when he was a kid. Take a lis...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Cecil Wax grew up in a different age. Listen to his and his brother's journey into town which will transport you back to a simpler time. 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 , our storyteller's father was more than a virtuoso of the American Songbook. He was a circumspect, gentle, and incredibly generous man. 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 , Joe Manns tells the story of Big Brutus, an absolutely massive piece of mining equipment in West Mineral, Kansas. 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 , on July 9, 1864, the Union army suffered a loss... that just so happened to save the United States and help solidify Lincoln's re-election. 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 Tennessee officials told Doug and Mary Ketchum they couldn't run their liquor store in Memphis, they took it to the Supreme Court... and won. 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 , Ian Rowe took full responsibility for what he believed was right. He sized up the assumption that his public school becoming all black in one year would make it worse - and committed 100% to staying there to make it the very best. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See om...

On this episode of Our American Stories , it’s a well-known bit of movie trivia that all 5 films in which actor John Cazale appeared were nominated for Best Picture, and three of them received the Oscar. John Cazale played one of the most iconic characters in film history: Fredo Corleone from The Godfather. Yet today, most people don’t know his name. Here to tell this story is Jonjo Powers, author...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Tim Harford, author of the bestselling book 50 Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy, shares the stories of three inventions that changed the way we live today. 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 , our next storyteller has the privilege of being in one of the most beloved movies of all time (It's a Wonderful Life)—while, at the same time, and from the same movie—also has one of the most famous lines in movie history. Her story is as wonderful as both of these accomplishments. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the sh...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Thanksgiving used to be one of many days—"If you planned your itinerary carefully, you could have a good Thanksgiving dinner every day between Election Day and Christmas Day." That all changed when a songwriter worked long and hard to crystallize American culture as distinct from that of Britain - including by a new official holiday in the midst of the Civ...

On this episode of Our American Stories , 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the week of Thanksgiving. That's 80 million pounds! And 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season. Here’s the History Guy to share the story of the Great Cranberry Scare of 1959. Support the show (https:/...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not something that we have been able to commercialize. But there’s something going on here more than feasting, family, and football. Robert Tracy McKenzie is a professor of history at Wheaton College and is the author of The First Thanksgiving. He’s here to tell u...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not something that we have been able to commercialize. But there’s something going on here more than feasting, family, and football. Robert Tracy McKenzie is a professor of history at Wheaton College and is the author of The First Thanksgiving. He’s here to tell u...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Lindsey Gallant tells her story of when she was challenged to an eating contest by a boy at her church. 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 , according to the National Turkey Federation, each year Americans gobble down on 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving...but out of that number, how many have gone "missing"? "Master Chef" Steve Reed tells his story on the turkey that got away...at least for a little while. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https:/...

On this episode of Our American Stories , 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the week of Thanksgiving. That's 80 million pounds! And 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season. Here’s the History Guy to share the story of the Great Cranberry Scare of 1959. Support the show (https:/...