Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , more than any other sports figure, Vince Lombardi transformed football into a metaphor of the American experience. Our guest David Maraniss (author of "When Pride Still Mattered"), captures all of Lombardi: the myth, the man, his game, and his God. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories...

On this episode of Our American Stories , growing up in small-town Mississippi, all Donna Martin wanted to do was move to a big city and become a famous actress. When the opportunity arose to move to California for the summer, she didn't hesitate. Only one problem... there aren't many acting opportunities in Yosemite National Park. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , after the United States pulled out of Vietnam, their allies in Indochina were all alone. Faced with the prospect of slavery, torture, and death at the hands of the Communists they fought against, many asked to be resettled in the United States. Robert Ray , the governor of Iowa, stepped up. Matthew R. Walsh , author of The Good Governor: Robert Ray and the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , while he didn't have a job offer or even the skills for the job, Joe Klimchak was inspired by a Pirates legend to pursue his MLB career dream. 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 , Stephen Ambrose shares a WWII story beginning in January of 1943 with the Soviet victory over the Nazis at Stalingrad and ending with the Allied resolution of Unconditional Surrender. 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 President Abraham Lincoln's harrowing train trip to Washington, D.C., to be sworn in as the leader of a new—and divided—nation. Joining us to tell the story is Ted Widmer, author of Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.co...

On this episode of Our American Stories , to some they were heroes stealing from banks that had foreclosed on them during the Great Depression. To others, they were outlaws and murderers... but when the Barrow gang rolled into the small town of Dexter, Iowa, they were initially strangers. It didn't take long before they were found out though. Rod Stanley of the Dexter Museum tells the story. Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Tracy Grant is the Managing Editor at The Washington Post. She is also the author of the essay that appeared in The Washington Post, “I was my husband’s caregiver as he was dying of cancer. It was the best seven months of my life.” 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 , Emerich Juettner was an upstanding citizen... for most of his 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 , 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 , Fawn Weaver grew up the daughter of Motown Record royalty, Frank Wilson , but her parentage is only the beginning. From growing up, moving out young, and starting several business, she's learned lessons about equality, fitting in, fear, and much more. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstor...

On this episode of Our American Stories , this is a story about one of the biggest scandals in college basketball history—along with one of its biggest turnarounds.  Here to tell the story is former Baylor Basketball player Matt Sayman , author of The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstori...

On this episode of Our American Stories , there are over 80 bottled water companies in the United States, but one of them has changed the game forever, Richard Heinichen's company, Richard's Rainwater. 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 again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases author, Andrew Thompson , as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)...

On this episode of Our American Stories , meet Ron Brown , a man who grew up in a rough area of Chicago, was practically abandoned by his father, and would mend their relationship later on in 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 , this story was made into a 2014 motion picture directed by Angelina Jolie based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand , Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption . While some of the most remarkable parts of Zamperini’s story were left out of the film, you will be hearing them told now by the man himself. Support the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in July 1945, a U.S. B-25 Mitchell got lost in heavy fog over Manhattan. Here’s The History Guy remembering the B-25 Empire State Building Crash. 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 Diablos Southwest Grill was broken into owner Carl Wallace made a Facebook post with a job offer for the perpetrator. To Carl’s surprise, the post quickly went viral, bringing international attention to their store. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio....

On this episode of Our American Stories , King Solomon was a gravedigger who may have saved the town of Lexington during the Cholera epidemic of 1833. Kentucky journalist Sam Terry tells the story of the man they called “King Solomon.” 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 , some believe he was the most important composer of the 20th century, in or out of jazz. Terry Teachout , one of America's best culture writers and author of Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington, tells the story of the jazz legend, his music, his struggles, his triumphs and so much more. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the sho...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the Brooklyn Bridge, with its unprecedented length and two stately towers, was dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world.” The connection it provided between the massive population centers of Brooklyn and Manhattan changed the course of New York City forever. Here's The History Guy with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) S...

On this episode of Our American Stories , escaping the horrors of World War II in Croatia, Tony Maglica's flashlights are proudly made in America—and his dreams were too. 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 Marc Barrios , a cuban refugee would make his mark on the American Advertising Industry 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 , Winston Churchill is the only Englishman to be honored by having a United States Navy Ship named after him. He was also half American via his mother's side. English historian Andrew Roberts , author of Churchill: Walking With Destiny, tells the story of this remarkable leader.   Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show:...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Karl Marlantes , author of Matterhorn and What Its Like To Go To War, tells the story of how he received his medals in Vietnam and how he grappled with them, when so many had done more and gotten less than him. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listene...