Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , Wilber's lifetime companion, his wife, had died... 26 years ago. Wilber was 89, his farm and money long gone, and was possibly the grumpiest soul in the assisted living home. Listener Paul shares the story of a stubborn friendship. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See o...

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 Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnys...

On this episode of Our American Stories , on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, FDR's speechwriting team wasn't in Washington. Roosevelt, with the help of a few aides, penned the most important speech of his Presidency, and one of the most important speeches in American history. Here's the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramerican...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the recently enslaved people on the last, law-defying slave ship to arrive in America would build their own town, and give many freed black Americans a gift beyond measure: the memories, and ways of life, of freedom. 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 , Dominique Rivera eulogizes her husband, Detective Jason Rivera, with raw emotion and compelling everyday detail. 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 , Harold E Nelson shares a poem he wrote about his experience as a tailgunner on a bomber crew in the US Army Air Corps. 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 , Abraham Lincoln was very nearly without equal as he grappled with malcontents and men disrespectful of ladies, all long before he would grapple for the soul of a 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 , a worldwide voyage leads to a chance encounter with a high-ranking communist - and, very nearly, to an extended stay on a zany  basis. 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 media came and left with the wind after Joplin was struck by an EF-5 tornado. Our American Stories came back 10 years later to tell their story of recovery with people who were there on the ground the whole time. 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 , how an undercover agent infiltrated the KKK and, with the help of Superman, exposed them to the world. 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 , Nyle Vincent from the International Towing Museum shares with us the fascinating story of the tow truck. 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 , in 1961, McDonald County, Missouri, found a unique way to protest its state government--seceding. 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 , Deon Joseph transformed his thinking one time after another on his journey to serve and protect on Skid Row. He transformed the thinking, and the life outcomes, of many people there, starting when he parked his cruiser on the curb... and stayed all day. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanst...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Mark O'Brian tells the story of St. Louie, Louie...one of the best pool players to ever grace the scene. 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 , after several self-defense shootings and the death of his son, it took a nonprofit to keep officer Charles Scott from taking his own 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 , for National Police Week, Fabi Gutzwiller’s powerful eulogy to her husband, Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who was killed in the line of duty. 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 , Bill Bryk knows when to start a case on behalf of others... and has learned when to rest. 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 , Thomas Shipley always sprang into action to defend black men and women from abuses and professional kidnappers. He added organizing work, and his full political influence, to the abolition effort, but he was infiltrating mobs, warning the would-be victims, and testifying against the ringleaders through his whole life. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Auto CEO Roger Penske ripped the seats out of his private jet to give Mercedes Benz a personal apology because of a business failure.  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 , resources could not match the Skid Row crisis of sexual violence and chronic abuse. Deon Joseph led the effort to connect women with authorities and information about their rights. The ladies took the next steps. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/liste...

On this episode of Our American Stories , it all went down in the city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, in 2006. Andrew Collins was a narcotics officer. Jameel McGee was a new father of a baby boy. This is a story about forgiveness, brokenness, and true reconciliation from two guys who should have been hardened, bitter enemies. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the sh...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when Emma McCormick was told she'd be working remotely in 2020...she decided to live on a sailboat in Florida. 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 , Oxford, Mississippi is the small hometown of our show. Oxford police chief Jeff McCutchen has good reasons why he chose to overhaul his department. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.