Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , it’s time for another story from our regular listener and contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas.  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 , Robin Cook is best known for his novel, Coma. The book was published in 1977, and premiered as a movie the next year. Robin is here to share his life story with us, including how Coma came to be… underwater, of all places.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudi...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Francis “Frank” Scott Key was not someone you would have picked to write our national anthem… but he did, and right after one of America’s great military victories.  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 , Anne Claire tells the story of the Battle of Midway, America's "make or break" moment in 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 , Larry Spencer tells the story of being one of the first POWs of the Vietnam war, and surviving until war's end in both "The Zoo" prison and in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.  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 , we hear about the story of faith and family behind the largest franchised moving company in America.  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 , William Wrigley, Jr. was a brilliant businessman, but his ingenuity was outshined by his love for his wife. This is the story of how he made his fortune and then spent it on the one he loved.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Gwen Boyd-WIllis committed a minor felony in 2005 but made an effort to be better even while serving her time. When her record kept her from getting ahead, Koch Industries helped her get a second chance.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Burt Young is an immediately recognizable character actor whose half-muttered voice and flinty gaze made him the perfect fit for "Rocky" as Sylvester Stallone's ill-mannered brother-in-law, Paulie. Here’s Burt Young with his story.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories , meet Carlos Colon, a Chicago man who joined a gang as a teenager, murdered a man, spent most of his life in prison, and has now found a new 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 , Heidi Viars shares how her life changed when she began showing some neighborly kindness to a grumpy old cop.  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 , to southerners, he was a brave villain, to many northerners, he was a madman, but to John Brown--he was simply an instrument of God being used to end a disgusting practice. David S. Reynolds, author of John Brown Abolitionist, tells the story of his life.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramerica...

On this episode of Our American Stories , a tragic event brought a racist (Wallace) and a radical (Chisholm) together and forged an unlikely alliance.  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 , McCartys Pottery was founded in 1954 and is known all over the world today… And it all started in the tiny Mississippi Delta town of Merigold — and still stands, over 65 years later! Here’s Stephen Smith, one of the godsons of Lee and Pup McCarty, who now runs the business with his brother.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Supp...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we learn what came before the Constitution... which was the Articles of Confederation, of course. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of the good, the bad, and the ugly of America's first organizational document.  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 , the Old Dominick Distillery story starts back in 1859 with an Italian immigrant and a fruit cart that grew to be one of the largest distribution companies in the South. Add in a Kentucky woman who didn't drink until she was 21 (Alex Castle), and you get the first whiskey distillery in Memphis as well as the first female head distiller in the state of Tenne...

On this episode of Our American Stories , seen through the eyes of four generations of a firefighter family, Five Floors Up tells the story of the modern New York City Fire Department. From the days just after the horse-drawn fire truck, to the devastation of the 1970s when the Bronx was Burning, to the unspeakable tragedy of 9/11, to the culture-busting department of today, a Feehan has worn the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , 9/11 firefighter Niels Jorgensen and billionaire David Koch, and the tragedies that brought them together.  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 , George Washington’s Bible was on loan to a famous Revolutionary War tavern just blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Just as the search for bodies ended, the search for the Bible began…  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Christine Benninger is the CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the largest guide dog school in North America. She shares about the unique training process for these extraordinary animals and the special bond they share with their owner. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jason Porter shares with us the story of how he met WWII veteran Forrest Johnson and how “Forrie” became his best friend.  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 , as part of our rule of law series, P.J. Hill, rancher and co-author of “The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier,” explains the misunderstanding behind the American West.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

On this episode of Our American Stories , listener and Contributor Katrina Hine shares a personal story from one of her first jobs out of high school entitled “Cow Patty“.  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 Garman wanted to minister to people - on his own terms, and certainly not in the prison setting. As he tells it: God had other plans. He would end up forming ARM, one of the largest prison ministries in the world.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in 1948 President Harry Truman decided to attend a plowing match in the small town of Dexter, Iowa. It turned out to be an event that would help re-elect him to the Presidency.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.