Our American Stories

On this episode of  Our American Stories , in the 28th Episode of our Story of America Series with Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, Bill tells the story of the frantic first few months of America's bloodiest conflict—the Civil War—and how Abraham Lincoln, a man with no executive experience, fought to preserve the Union he so desperately loved. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstor...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , if you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both Christian and non-Christian—were heavily influenced by the Bible. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan who is the author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shape...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , in college, Steve Stoliar’s dad wanted him to get a job, but Steve didn’t want to work at Taco Bell… so he called up Groucho Marx. 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 , Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. The  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/donate...

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 ancient R...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , it’s known as the greatest sports moment of the 20th Century. But no matter how familiar you are with the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice,” you will soon see that this event seems even more unlikely now than it felt decades ago. We are about to do what we always strive to do with our storytelling here at Our Americ...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Phil Anschutz writes in  Out Where The West Begins:  “Samuel Colt’s life was the American story written in capital letters.” Here to tell the story is Ashley Hlebinsky, the former co-host of Discovery Channel’s “Master of Arms,” the former curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, and president of The Gun Code, LLC. Support the show  (https://www.our...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Bob McLalan, a listener and regular contributor, reflects on the moment his son decided to go to military school, revealing the polarizing goals of parents to both protect their children but also prepare them to make their own decisions. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Lisa Romesburg, leader of an international ministry, shares her story of overcoming assault and betrayal through forgiveness and faith. 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 , 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the week of Thanksgiving. That's 80 million pounds! And 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season. Here’s the History Guy to share the story of the Great Cranberry Scare of 1959. Support the show  (https...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Dick Erickson, a Marine helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, tells the story of the time he lost contact with his base but came into contact with God during combat. 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 , in the 28th episode of our Story of America Series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope,  tells the story of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address...and how the newly minted president sought to keep a nation already splitting apart at the seams together, through his own rhetoric. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the sh...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Megan Bayer shares her touching letter of gratitude and healing to her constant companion through a struggle they will never forget. 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 , our own Greg Hengler, and others, tell the splinter-free story of the toilet—and other toilet 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 , Miles C. Collier tells the story of how horses continued to play a central role in the urban fabric of America even after the advent of the automobile...and why the car was seen as a godsend when it came into widespread use.  Full Date Here Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/d...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Billie Mae Richards is a Canadian actress best known for voicing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the 1964 stop-motion television classic. The special first aired on December 6, 1964, on NBC. Here’s Billie Mae to share her story. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , our regular contributor, Anne Claire, tells the story of the time the United States almost went to war with the United Kingdom over the untimely death of a pig in what is now Washington State. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , rarely does artistic rhythm rest as it does in Zoro the drummer. Hear from the man behind Maria's Scarf  how his talent and temerity ultimately equipped him for a mountain of fun for everyone. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Colonel Sanders did something that no other restaurant founder dared to do — he became his company’s own mascot and brand ambassador! Here to share the story of KFC and a little about who Colonel Sanders was is Adam Chandler, author of Drive Thru Dreams. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramerica...

On this episode of  Our American Stories ,  American progress, with all its tragedies and yet enduring hope, can be seen perhaps as clearly through the Irish-American experience as any other. Karen Kauffman is here to tell us how one man, Mathew Carey, never tired of calling Americans again and again to the high aspirations of the Declaration of Independence. Support the show  (https://www.ouramer...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Julie Tynmann is here with her story about the greatest show on turf. 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 , Ben Franklin has the distinction of many "firsts":  He invented the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocals, the catheter, swim fins and the odometer. He started the first public library, the first volunteer fire company,  the first American fire insurance company, the first hospital and was the first postmaster general. Chess.com also reminds us that...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Ken Wells always knew what he wanted to do: fly fast. But when that dream became a reality, it landed him as a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam... Two days before his wife, Candy, gave birth to their child. Joining us with their story are both Ken and Candy. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: http...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Paul, our regular contributor from Minnesota, is here to tell us his weight-loss resolution 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 , Pastor Greg Laurie tells a success story of profoundly helping a man who was going astray. The call could not be clearer, and Pastor Greg did his duty despite less than comfortable environs. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...