Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , Shawn Peterson shares the story of how the manual candy dispenser, PEZ, came to be. Cecille Wax tells us about his and his brother's journey into town which will transport you back to a simpler time.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes: 00:00 - "PEZ: From Austrian Invention To American Icon" 23:00 - Rattlesnakes and Vin...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Bob McLalan  is back with The McLalan Files and today he takes us on his scuba diving adventure to Guadalcanal. Larry Reed of  FEE  tells the story of the Flushing Remonstrance, a pivotal document, and moment, that established a precedent of religious liberty in what would eventually become the United States. Bill Bryk brings us the story of the ingenious...

On this episode of Our American Stories , On December 7th, 1941 six ships would be destroyed at Pearl Harbor. Two of them were the  USS Utah  and  Oklahoma . Writer Anne Clare  remembers their loss and the men who served on them in today's story.  Connecticut Shorty of The Hobo Museum shares the story of the American hobo and how they are still celebrated today. Bob Huff built a career in the nurs...

On this episode of Our American Stories , In his book,  Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice With A New Attitude , James Ward tells his story as a “zero victim” Black American. Nyle Vincent from the  International Towing Museum  shares with us the fascinating story of the tow truck. Black Button Distilling  was about to go national, and then COVID-19 put a hold that. In the face of what looked like a...

On this episode of Our American Stories , SR-71 Blackbird pilot, Bryan Shall , explains how much fun you can have when you're the fastest plane in the sky. LCpl. Tom Morton tells the story of Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman not only being his mentor and squad leader, but also a hero of the highest caliber who died trying to save an Afghani police officer from drowning in the Helmand River. Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Paul Kotz from the Twin Cities shares about some of his interactions with strangers. Dr. Jerry Bergman tells the story of a teenage boy who on January 15, 1885, at 20-years of age, became the first person in the world to photograph a snowflake. Craig Richardson , Matthew Bryant and Paula Smith tells us about the story of Winston-Salem, North Carolina's unc...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The History Guy tell us the story of the life of the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Rudyard Kipling , and how it was filled with tragedy. Christine Benninger , CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, shares about the unique training process for these extraordinary animals and the special bond they share with their owner. Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jeremy Saucier of the Strong Museum of Play shares the long, and surprising, history of pinball--from its origins in French parlor games, to its prohibition, and then to its emergence as the immersive and popular game that it is today. Adam Davis and Adam Johns met in grad school at Antioch University, and they've been using table-top games as a tool to en...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Sparky tells the story of his mother Mary Sparks and how in a 30 year span, his family had to deal with its sins twice and learn forgiveness. Leslie Leyland Fields is an author and speaker living in Alaska. In this story she shares what it was like when their small fishing town got their first telephone. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Bill Koch shares the leadership lessons he took with him for the rest of his life! Betsy and Elaine tell the story of their grandfather, Albert E. Brumley , as he is recognized as one of the most important Gospel music composers of all time. Writing over 800 songs, including "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On", and with countless awards to his name, h...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Dean Karnazes , aka Ultramarathonman, tells us stories of his legendary runs including one covering 350 miles in 80+ sleepless hours. Former CEO of 7-Eleven, Jim Keyes , tells the story of how their company has led countless immigrants to the American Dream. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes: 00:00 - He Ran 50 Marathon...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Richard Cook  tells us the story of how in 1943 the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee was established and went from 58,000 acres of farm land to a town of 75,000 people. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Blair Linne ’s personal story of growing up without a father at home reflects the experiences of millions of Americans. Blair beautifully tells her story in her book,  Finding My Father  and is here to share it with us. Louis Picone, author of   Grant's Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon ,  tells the story of Ul...

On this episode of Our American Stories , James , a retired fire captain, shares his story of firefighting and the emotions that come along with it. The founder of Wildcat Oil Tools, Aron Marquez shares the ethical dilemmas he’s faced in business. Bert Rosica shares the list of 99 reasons a typewriter is better than a computer. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Code...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The History Guy remembers a truly extraordinary Civil War heroine, Mary Edwards Walker . Our regular contributor Richard Muniz tells the story of an unforgettable accident at Ft. Irwin, California. For Chad and Jess Schumacher , life seemed to be going really well and as "according to plan" as life could... and then life took a number of sharp and unexpect...

On this episode of Our American Stories , former Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson on this rare response to an ethical dilemma. Jon Elfner brings us this new Ferrari-slayer's story through the eyes of industry legends Neil Ressler , Scott Ahlman , and Mark McGowan . Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes: 00:00 - Offering To Resign Because You’re Accountable For A Failure...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Alexandra Frost is the mother of four young, active boys, yet her home is cleaner than it was  before  she had kids. Alex shares her secret, which is called “The 10 Things Rule". Here is the story of how the choice to choose three then-minor league hockey players to play the Hanson Brothers in "Slap Shot" starring Paul Newman was made. Professor David Babc...

On this episode of Our American Stories , a regular contributor, Brent Timmons , shares the story of a lesson in risk and storyteller, James Swanson , the NYT Bestseller of  Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer tells the story of President Lincolns killer. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes: 00:00 - The Meaning of Balance 10:00 - Manhunt: The 12-Day C...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and America’s Cup winner Bill Koch doesn’t like being cheated. The latest episode for our “Rule of Law” series!; Martin Lisius , founder of Tempest Tours, and Kim George, Customer Relations Manager, talk about the companies origins and what it's like being on the road in midst of extreme weather; the President of  Amerisearch...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Tish Dahmen , Executive Director of the Idaho Potato Museum, tells the story of the worlds largest potato chip, a massive baked potato, and the potato innovations that put Idaho on the map. Cathy Cooley shares the story of how her late son, Christopher , led his family to faith and founding their organization:  The Christopher Foundation . Support the show...

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) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Kristin O’Donnell Tubb tells the story of the family that lived in the New York Public Library; Liz Williams , founder of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, tells the story of whisky, bourbon, absinthe, and pink elephants... done Cajun style; When she was 10-years-old, Madysen Acey’s normal life took an unexpected turn. But, she wouldn't trade any of i...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Edie Hand was always told by her mother that she was strong... but strength isn't always enough; 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; 4th-generation jeweler, John Henne , in...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Stephen Rusiniak shares a story about a devastating flash flood that severely damaged his Church and then the surprising response from the community. Doug Reiter brings us the story of Ken Austin , a man who's battled deep insecurities his whole life, and would help transform dentistry into the profession it is today. This is the story of how Sofia and Des...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Ace Collins , author of  Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas , introduces us to people we've never met, stories we've never heard, and meanings we have never imagined. Once arriving back home from a mission trip, Ashley Freeman realized service work could be done right in her own community. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/...