Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , here’s The History Guy with the tale of an escaped slave-turned legend named Robert Smalls. 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 recurring 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 , old West historian Roger McGrath is here to tell the story of a time before the world knew Samuel Clemons by his pen name, Mark Twain. The time he spent in the American West helped Clemens develop a distinctive Western voice and provided him with material that would make him America’s first celebrity author. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Patty from Colorado not only has a great Elvis story, but she is very good at telling it! 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 , regular contributor Paul Bauer reflects on a pivotal moment involving his canine companion. 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 idea of a lawn is very old, but it took a key technology to make lawns very common. Here’s “The History Guy” with the story of lawn care. 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 Favre get very personal about his miraculous Monday Night Football game immediately following his father’s passing. 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 , Stephen Ambrose is here to tell us the story from his bestseller, Nothing Like It In The World: The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad . 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 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right below the Great Smoky Mountains you will find the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. Andrea Ludden , daughter of the original collector, shares the story of how this amazing collection came to be a museum. 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 the woman the Gestapo once considered "the most dangerous of all Allied spies." Judy Pearson tells the tale of a woman whose bravery was greater than the collapsing world around her. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

On this episode of Our American Stories , an American candy store in 1900 looked very different than it does today. Candy was a special treat sold almost exclusively in candy stores. Chocolate was sold in Europe and only a very few affluent Americans had ever tried it. Here to tell the story is Don Papson , President and Executive Director at The M.S. Hershey Foundation and Amy Zeigler , Sr. Direc...

On this episode of Our American Stories , although never publicly stated (the brands of anything brought to the moon were kept tight-lipped), there is a good chance that the golf balls hit on the moon were "Daisy" golf balls. Joe Murfin tells the story of an estate sale, a photo, and a story that you won't forget. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https...

On this episode of Our American Stories , John Mackay , James Fair , William O'Brien , and James Flood epitomized the rags-to-riches American dream. Roger McGrath , author of  Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes  is here to tell us the story of the richest mineral discovery in American history, the Comstock Lode. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: ht...

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.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Eddie Albert starred in  Roman Holiday  opposite Audrey Hepburn and also played a sadistic prison warden in 1974’s  The Longest Yard  starring Burt Reynolds. Albert starred in the  Green Acres  sitcom opposite Eva Gabor as the couple who move from New York City to a country farm. But his greatest role was commanding the landing craft set to invade Japanese...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jake Keiser  was living the life in Tampa, Florida, running a high-powered PR firm and juggling drink dates, shopping sprees, and charity galas. But at age thirty-eight, following a failed marriage, a series of miscarriages, and a still-blistering breakup, she began to suffer from extreme anxiety. Hit with the realization that no amount of Botox could fill...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jack London’s most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as his short story, To Build a Fire. Here to narrate the gripping finale of Jack London’s masterpiece, To Build a Fire is Roger McGrath . Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Brent Timmons shares the story of a lesson in risk.  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 America's first two responses to Pearl Harbor: The Doolittle Raids and the Battle of the Coral Sea 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 , while he never got to meet the Pittsburgh sports icon, Duane Rieder had the unique opportunity to not only commemorate his legacy using photos but also to eventually create a museum to honor and preserve his memory. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/li...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we hear how Indiana got its nickname as “The Hoosier State” and how the people from Indiana came to be called “Hoosiers.” Here to answer these questions and tell the story is Dr. Stephen Flick . Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

On this episode of Our American Stories , growing up in smalltown 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) Suppor...

On this episode of Our American Stories , America was down, but not out after Pearl Harbor...we needed a major victory though. That victory would come at a small sandy island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Writer Anne Clare tells the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in 1989 the NBA signed a $600 million contract with NBC to have the network air their games for four years. It was a long road to get there though. Pete Croatto , author of From Hang Time to Prime Time , tells the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.c...