Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, “Smokin’” Ed Currie is an American chili pepper breeder and the founder and president of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. He’s best known for creating the world’s hottest chili peppers—the Carolina Reaper and now Pepper X—as recognized by Guinness World Records. A former addict, Ed is now a man of strong faith. Here&r...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.—one of the great hoteliers of all time and a legend in his business. He’s also what you might call a “wise man.” Here’s Mike telling the story of how he—a Jew—helped start the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. Support the show (...

On this episode of Our American Stories, format wars are nothing new—Edison and Berliner battled it out over phonograph methods, and 8-tracks and cassettes clashed in the ’60s and 70s—but those battles took place away from the public eye. The fight between VHS and Betamax played out in living rooms across America. Here to tell the story of how VHS came out victorious is Bill &ldq...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Harriet Tubman is one of the giants of American history—a pistol-packing, fearless, and inspiring visionary who led scores of her fellow slaves to freedom. Here to tell her story is Kate Clifford Larson, author of  Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero . Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/don...

On this episode of Our American Stories, bestselling author Ace Collins reveals the stories behind the events and traditions that shaped Easter, introducing stories you've likely never heard and  offering a deeper appreciation for the holiday’s familiar hallmarks. You won't want to miss this one! Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://ww...

On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story was made into a 2014 motion picture directed by Angelina Jolie and 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 Louis Zamperini’s story were left out of the film, you'll hear them in this piece—from the m...

On this episode of Our American Stories, our own Greg Hengler—and others—tell the splinter-free story of the toilet and its many accessories. You're going to want to be sitting down for this one! 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 iconic Hanson Brothers from Slap Shot weren’t actors—they were real minor league hockey players. When Dave "Killer" Hanson was cast in the 1977 cult classic alongside Paul Newman, the unforgettable trio was born. Here's David himself with the true story behind one of the most legendary roles in sports movie history. Support the show ( https:...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book is  Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases . Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. William H. Carney became the first Black American to earn the Medal of Honor after protecting one of the United States' greatest symbols during the Civil War—the American flag. Here to tell the story is Elliott Drago, historian and editorial officer at the Jack Miller Center. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book is  Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases . Check it out! Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramerican...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose was one of America’s leading biographers and historians. Although he passed away in 2002, his epic storytelling can now be heard here on  Our American Stories , thanks to the efforts of those who manage his estate. Today, Stephen examines Allied aerial might—and how we figured out how to take the fight to Germany effectively...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Braveheart  continues to capture the hearts of moviegoers around the world. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five. Writer/director Randall Wallace ( Braveheart ,  We Were Soldiers ,  The Man in the Iron Mask ,  Heaven Is for Real ,  Pearl Harbor , and more) shares the story of his journey that began in rural Ten...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Ross, a former Green Beret and intelligence officer during the Vietnam War, shares his powerful story of American service in 1968 South Vietnam. As part of a Special Forces “A” Detachment—an elite Green Beret unit—Ross witnessed the realities of war firsthand. Today, he's the President and CEO of The Ross Jewelry Company in Atlan...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremiah Castille played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was on the last team coached by the legendary “Bear” Bryant. Here's Jeremiah—who went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos in the NFL—sharing how his coach not only improved his game, but also saved his life. Support the show ( https:...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy tells the story of the dramatic 1926 race to the North Pole—featuring legendary explorers Roald Amundsen and Richard Byrd, and how their daring journeys helped shape the future of aviation and polar exploration. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sports Illustrated called him the greatest offensive lineman of all time, but he certainly wasn't born with that title—it took a lot of hard work. Here's John Hannah himself sharing the story of the two moments in his life that pushed him toward excellence: one with his dad, the other with legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant. Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the differing fates of the Robertson and Phillips-head screwdrivers demonstrate that innovation is intimately tied to historical events. Here’s the History Guy with the story of the screwdriver wars. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Fugitive Slave Act made all Americans accomplices in the practice of slavery. Here's the story of how its end began. 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 late Tony Dolan, President Ronald Reagan's chief speechwriter and a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, pays tribute to America's fallen soldiers. 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, if you want to understand the history of America, it's imperative to recognize the role the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both Christian and non-Christian—were deeply influenced by its teachings. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan, author of  100 Bible Verses That Made America . Support the show ( https...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in a big and memorable way, P.T. Barnum changed how all Americans lived. He gave them something to talk about—and dream about. Our movies, television, and entertainment-saturated culture are what they are today because of what he started. He seems almost like a fable now—but then again, he did in his own time as well. Here to tell the story is K...

On this episode of Our American Stories, for most of his life, James Armistead Lafayette was known simply as James—not Lafayette. That last name came later, and from none other than the Marquis de Lafayette of the American Revolution. But why would an enslaved man take the last name of a French military officer? Here's Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute  with the story of one...

On this episode of Our American Stories, our own Greg Hengler tells the story of a worship band on a mission trip to Thailand—where an impromptu gig at a brothel led to one of the most recognizable songs in Contemporary Christian Music. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mary Sparks exhibited strength and conviction throughout her life, but it all started with an affair, a stolen baby, and her Catholic Faith. Here's Mary's son, Sparky, to recount his mother's tale—and the story of his family.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donat...