Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , Leon Cooperman grew up in a rough neighborhood of New York City and would become one of the most successful investors in history. Join us for Leon’s life story, and why he’s giving away all his wealth. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Thomas Jefferson is often known for championing religious freedom in our nation's infancy, but not many people know about how a preacher thanked him in the most unusual way. 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 a young woman seemingly trapped in the commercial sex industry, Harmony Dust Grillo's struggle continued until a new friendship led to a change in her 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 , bragging is often seen as unsportsmanlike... but when you're flying the world's fastest plane, maybe you can get a pass. 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 , John Wooden compiled the greatest legacy of any coach in history. How he defined success was unique and central to his philosophy. This story is told by Coach Wooden himself, his family, friends, and players. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this episode of Our American Stories , it was never supposed to be them...but through an extraordinary chain of events, Lt. Bill Owen's crew managed to become the first B-17 crew to drop bombs in the heart of the Third Reich.  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 , it was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, from November 7 to 10, 1913. Here to tell the tale is Ric Mixter . 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 , regular contributor Paul Kotz gives a touching tribute to his father. At a time when Paul needed a great deal of encouragement, his father turned to an American novelist to cheer him up. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

On this episode of Our American Stories , on June 4, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio trouble was a brewin', the bleachers were loaded, and there was a distinct buzz in the air. Here's T he 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 , Tony Maglica's family escaped the horrors of World War II and left their homeland of Croatia; however, his 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 , Presidential historian and author of  Grant's Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon , Louis L. Picone , shares the story of the creation, degradation, and revitalization of Grant's Tomb. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omny...

On this episode of Our American Stories , relatively few women went with the initial stampedes to new mineral discoveries throughout the American frontiers. None went unescorted to so many remote, perilous places as Nellie Cashman , or persisted until they were pushing age 80, as Nellie did. This is her story as told to us by Roger McGrath . Chances are you know what Daisy is. Based out of Arkansa...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Drew Newman , of JC Newman Cigars, tells the story of cigars in the United States, a story his family played a big part in.  “Wild Bill" Donovan was one of America’s most exciting and secretive generals—the man President Franklin Roosevelt made his top spy in World War II. “Wild Bill" was director of the Office of Strategic Services (the country’s first na...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Elliot Lurie wrote one of the most recognizable songs of the early 70s, and he eventually went on to a "real job"... as a senior executive at 20th Century Fox. 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 , Best-selling author Adam Makos tells the story of two tank crewmen from opposite sides of the conflict (Corporal Clarence Smoyers and Nazi tanker Gustav Schaefer ) who endure the grisly nature of tank warfare. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in Kevin Samy's father's village in India, they actually had to call in a person from another village to teach their children to read. Their chalkboard was the dirt floor of the building they learned in. He'd eventually move to the United States and become an engineer. Kevin Samy shares his family's remarkable American dream story. Peter Mutabazi was born...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Veteran's History Project in Atlanta brings us the story of Milka , an actual WWII “Rosie the Riveter,” and how she also has the stories to match her iconic legend.  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 , Woody Holton of the University of South Carolina tells the story about David George , a man who would escape his bondage only to find himself with new captors, a newfound faith, and eventually...a new freedom in Canada. The late Gini Mancini , wife of American composer Henry Mancini , tells the story of his life in music and their life together. Support th...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Captain Jim "Boots" Demarest tells story of Captain Steve Phillis , a decorated Air Force A-10 fighter pilot killed under heroic circumstances while trying to save his downed wingman on their thirtieth Desert Storm combat mission.  Stephen Davis , author of  Hammer of the Gods , and Kirby Ferguson of "Everything a Remix" tell the story of how Led Zeppelin...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Paul Monti drives his son Jared's truck, an act which inspired the hit country song "I Drive Your Truck" by Lee Brice ...but the story is much more than that of a song. Here's the story of Jared Monti , a true hero who died in service of our country trying to save a fellow soldier in the mountains of Afghanistan. Our regular contributor, Anne Clare , tells...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Brot Coleman tells the harrowing story of the time America reached the highest peak in the world not once, but twice, on their first expedition to it in 1963. 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 , Tony Mandarich’s story was immortalized by two Sports Illustrated covers, one hailing Mandarich as “The Incredible Bulk” heading into the ’89 draft, and one in 1992 calling him “The NFL’s Incredible BUST,” as his four-year career in Green Bay came to an end. Here’s Tony Mandarich to share his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of Our American Stories , many of us know the name "Harriet Tubman," but we may not know the struggles that she went through to become the recognizable figure we know in American History 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 , author of The Book of Spam: A Most Glorious and Definitive Compendium of the World’s Favorite Canned Meat , Dustin Black , tells the story of this often speculated household name product.  Elisabeth Elliot tells the story of Operation Auca, an attempt by five American missionaries to reach the Auca tribe (considered the most dangerous in the world) of east...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we hear how the only natural born son of Roy Rogers , Roy "Dusty" Rogers, Jr. , was raised by Roy and his wife Dale Evans along with their 8 other children. Roy and Dale were known to millions of Americans through TV, radio, and dozens of beloved Western movies, but most don't know about the couples strong faith and many adoptions.  Support the show (https...