Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Randall Wallace is the writer/director of films such as "Braveheart", "We Were Soldiers", "The Man in the Iron Mask", "Heaven is For Real", "Pearl Harbor", and "Secretariat"—movies rooted in courage, sacrifice, and faith. These traits embodied Randall’s father. Here’s Randall himself to tell the story. Support the show ( https://www.ourame...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Civil War was over, the city of Washington was in celebration and President Lincoln's life was about to take a happy and hopeful turn. His short, happy life was thwarted by John Wilkes Booth. Lee Habeeb tells the story live you've never heard it told before.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://w...

On this episode of Our American Stories, he was so good that he got both the Union  and  the Confederate presidents to pardon him; yet, so bad that an NYC woman offered a $50k reward to find him—dead  or  alive. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Karl Marlantes, author of  What It Is Like to Go to War  and  Matterhorn , tells the story of salmon fishing with his grandfather during his formative years in the small town of Seaside, Oregon. 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, African Americans could be running backs, wide receivers, linebackers...but in the eyes of many coaches and team owners not quarterbacks—that was a "thinking man's" position. John Eisenberg, author of  Rocketmen: The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football   tells the story of how Doug Williams—put that racist notion to rest...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Samuel Bellamy was a pirate who operated off the coast of New England and throughout the Caribbean. Later known as "Black Sam,” he became one of the wealthiest pirates before his untimely death in 1717. Here to tell the story, is Ashley Hlebinsky. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericans...

On this episode of Our American Stories, while Henry Ford didn't invent the automobile, he fundamentally changed the world's relationship with the automobile to what it is today. Here's the story of the man who claimed to have invented the modern age. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listen...

On this episode of Our American Stories, America’s fascination with mob boss Al Capone is a century old. Here to tell his story is the biographer of the definitive work on Al Capone—Laurence Bergreen.  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, Richmond, VA radio host Jeff Katz shares a note that his daughter won't ever read, but will surely impact your life for the better 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, born on the land of the former plantation where her parents were enslaved, Madam C.J. Walker married young, had a child young, became a widow young, and got a divorce young. She also created, out of necessity, a revolutionary hair care product that changed the world, and her life. Here's her great-great-great-granddaughter, A'lelia Bundles, with the story....

On this episode of Our American Stories, King George III, upon hearing that George Washington planned to resign from his military commission and return to his plow stated; "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." George Washington wasn't the first man to do this though—he was simply following in the footsteps of another farmer, statesman, and victorious general from ancie...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Francis “Frank” Scott Key was not someone you would have picked to write our national anthem… but he did...right after one of America’s great military victories. 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, the story of the woman who said "no" to giving up her seat on a segregated Alabama bus is widely known. But here to tell the raw, real story, is Rosa Parks herself. 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, born in Australia, Tommy Emmanuel fell in love with American country guitar legend, Chet Atkins. The rest, as they say, is history—Tommy explains. We'll be playing his music throughout this 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, Dietrich Bonhoeffer left the safety of American soil to oppose Hitler—at any cost. Eric Metaxas, the New York Times best-selling author of  Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy  joins us to tell Bonhoeffer's remarkable life story.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ourameric...

On this episode of Our American Stories, during this week in 1967, the Green Bay Packers won the first NFL-AFL championship game (now called the Superbowl) under head coach Vince Lombardi. More than any other sports figure, Vince Lombardi transformed football into a metaphor for the American experience. Our guest David Maraniss (author of When Pride Still Mattered ), captures all of Lombardi: the...

On this episode of Our American Stories, a funeral service was held on Nov. 5, 2021, for General Colin Powell at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Powell died from COVID-19 complications amid an ongoing battle with cancer. He was 84. Here’s his son Michael speaking at his father’s funeral service. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Suppor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Chef “Hector” Boiardi was just 16 when he arrived at Ellis Island. What happens after his landing is remarkable! 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, America’s Cup winner and entrepreneur Bill Koch tells the story of the intersection of America’s history with his own family’s. 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, he was a sax player for one of the world's great touring bands, The Marcus King Band. But he was called to do something different. Something that could allow him to pursue his own musical and creative ambitions. Many artists go by one name: Bono, Sting, Madonna, and Prince, to name a few. Here's Saxsquatch with his story.  Support the show ( https://ww...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy shares the story about an escape attempt in the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco, California, that led to a standoff. The penitentiary the inmates called "the Rock,” was supposed to be escape-proof, but that did not keep some prisoners from trying. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Su...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Abraham Lincoln is often referred to as "the Great Emancipator"... but that's not the entire truth. Our regular contributor Jon Elfner and Dr. Kate Masur, author of " Until Justice Be Done ," tell the rest of the story that begins with three runaway slaves. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories, she had no idea that her customer on that fateful day was the Panamanian dictator's daughter. Joe Garmen, founder of ARM Prison Ministries, tells 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, taking an interesting twist on our “Rule of Law” series, Christopher Warren shares the history of the U.S. Postal Service and a time when people mailed their children… and in one instance, an entire bank. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystud...

On this episode of Our American Stories, 100 years before Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Elizabeth Jennings refused to leave hers in New York City. Jerry Mikorenda, author of  America's First Freedom Rider , tells the remarkable story of the event desegregating NYC transportation before the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the abolition of slavery. Suppo...