Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , Greg Hangler tells us how in the first half of the 19th century, Christmas was a very different kind of holiday than it is today. By the time Christmas was established as a federal holiday—on June 26, 1870—the ways Americans chose to celebrate Christmas would almost be completely foreign to what we practice today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericans...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jonathan Mattox of the Oxford-Ole Miss Rotary Club shares how The Christmas store originated and the impact it has had on the lives of thousands of children; Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. One of the great hoteliers of all time—a legend in his business. Rikk Dunlap has always been a writer, and writing has eve...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. Richard Monastra tells the story of his first-cousin, Frank Olivo , and how in 1968, at 19-years-old he was dressed as Santa Claus at a Philadelphia Eagles football game where he was booed and pelted with snowballs. Comedian ...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Robert Frohlich,  author of "Aimless Life, Awesome God," tells   the story of his German born grandfather William Burtner. Jim Johnson , a long time listener, shares his Christmas tree story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes: 00:00 - The Story of my Grandfather 10:00 - Jim Johnson's Christmas Tree Story Learn more abo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Roger Latham from Fort Worth, Texas, tells us a Christmas story he’s titled, “The Real Santa”; Lee Mendelson tells the story of how A Charlie Brown Christmas was created; Stephen Follows, an established data researcher in the film industry, wrote the widely circulated answer  to whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Support the show (https://www.ourameric...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Families move all the time due to job changes... But to children, sometimes it just doesn't make sense. Roger Rench reflects on his childhood move; Tom Zoellner purchased a diamond engagement ring and proposed. His girlfriend said, "yes" and then, suddenly, walked out of his life making Tom the owner of a used engagement ring; Hess Toy Truck Director, Just...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The History Guy recalls the forgotten history of Christmas trees; John Rogers of Missouri never set out to be Santa... the first time he put on the red suit it was because the Santa before him at his local VFW tragically passed away. 21 years later, it's become his mission of joy; Tyson Timbs found out that old habits do indeed die hard when he was arreste...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Stephen Rusiniak shares a story of a man named Danny who helped save a stranger’s life through a bone marrow donation. Dick Monfort’s (the Colorado Rockies owner) tribute to his one-of-a-kind dad. Riley Evans , sports writer and CEO of RealPodcasting.com, tells the  real  story about professional wrestling Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Marisa Sergi tells the story of how she pitched her  RedHead Wine  that is now in over 150 Walmart stores! Rishi Sharma shares what inspired him to interview WWII veterans after he changed his mind about joining the marines. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes : 00:00 - Selling Her "RedHead" Wine to Walmart 23:00 - Rishi...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Professor Woody Holton of the University of South Carolina tells the life story of First Lady Abigail Adams from his award winning biography  Abigail Adams . 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 See om...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Larry Crawford shares with us how a homeless friend gave him one of his most valued possessions; Mike Leven tells the story about how he—a Jew—started the Asian American Hotel Owners Association; Heather McPherson , Curator of History at the South Carolina Military Museum, shares the impact that her Uncle had on her career choice; and Dennis Peterson's fat...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Jackson McQuigg  of the  Atlanta History Center  tells the story of the principle pursuit locomotive of the Great Railroad Chase and Leslie Leyland Fields tells the story of how she came to write her memoir. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes : 00:00 - The Tale of the Locomotive "Texas" 23:00 - The Reluctant Memoirist L...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Daryn Glassbrook of the Mobile Medical Museum tells the story of the iron lung, a device used to keep people with advanced polio alive in the first half of the 20th century. Indian American hotelier H.P. Rama the story of the ethical dilemma he presented to the then President of Days Inn, Mike Leven. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/don...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of her old upright piano that was passed down to her from her mother; Jason Wolfe tells the story of figuring out to be the father he didn't have; and 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) Time Cod...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Paul Kengor , PoliSci professor at Grove City College, brings us the details of the devastating nature of an attack the U.S. government chose to keep details hidden about; Donald Sturm tells the story of how his parents did everything they could to suport him and lead him to achieve the American Dream; and Chris Siriano of the House of David Museum in Sain...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Dr. Larry Arnn , President of Hillsdale College and Churchill scholar, tells the story of Winston Churchill being at a low point in his career when he delivered his famous 'Iron Curtain' speech in Fulton, Missouri; Marc Leepson , author of  What So Proudly We Hailed: Francis Scott Key, A Life , brings us the story of how Francis “Frank” Scott Key wrote our...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Steve Thomas , Oxford, Mississippi's local magician and balloon artist, shares his story with us and Clarence Saunders revolutionized the way people shopped by introducing checkouts, clearly priced goods, and itemized receipts. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Time Codes : 00:00 - Magic Side Show Becomes Full-Time Job 23:00 - Ho...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Andrew Thompson continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language; Nicole Small , the former CEO of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, shares how she is now inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM; and Kathleen Carlucci and Russ Gehrum of the Thomas Edison Center at...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Bill “ Engineer Guy ” Hammack tells the story of how Betamax was defeated by the VHS tape; Tom Acitelli , author of  Pilsner: How The Beer of Kings Changed The World , tells the story of how America's favorite drink came here and stayed here despite a world war and Prohibition; and John O'Neil , Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the  National Museum of...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Andrew Thompson tells us about the origin of phrases in the English language; Osiris Hoil tells the story of when he lost his construction job in 2008, but through his fantastic cooking he started  District Taco , D.C.'s best taco chain; and Montey Montgomery tells the story of how Tyson Timbs found out that old habits do indeed die hard when he was arrest...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Laura Sangster shares her love story between her and her husband. All was well until her husband, Fred, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's; Bill Bright shares the story of how he helped a young girl who ended up in legal trouble; and the  History Guy  tells us why bananas are the cheapest fruit in the U.S. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/d...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Kemmons Wilson's hilarious interactions with Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, McIlhenny's Tabasco, and Sam Phillips; St. Louis civil rights lawyers, Hugh Eastwood  and  Bevis Schock , tell us how they filed suit in three separate cases against the red light cameras. All three cases were heard by Missouri Supreme Court in one mammoth morning argument. Support the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , author Winter Prosapio dives into some of the weird laws we have here in the U.S.; Andrew Thompson , continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language; and Joel Wegener and his wife are blessed with 10 children, 2 of which were diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In his quest to find a...

On this episode of Our American Stories , meet Butch Hartman , creator of Fairly Odd Parents, Danny Phantom, and so much more and hear how he went from the snowy shores of Michigan to the sunny coast of SoCal; and Jon Elfner helps tell the story behind Harvard president Charles Eliot's claim that "all a man needs for a good education is a 5-foot bookshelf" and what came to be known as "The Harvard...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Robert Tracy McKenzie tells the story of the history of thanksgiving and what led to us celebrating it today. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.