Our American Stories

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick tells the story of two college friendships that would impact him for the rest of his life. 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 , Duncan Scott tells us his story of pranking the New Mexico State Legislature. 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 , when it comes to infrastructure that helps keep us safe while we drive, perhaps the greatest cost to benefit ratio on the saving lives front has to be painted lane lines on roads. 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/donat...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , the story itself is the stuff of legends...a sunken steamboat, buried treasure, and the drive of a group of AC repairmen to become "rich beyond rich" even if it meant going into over a million dollars worth of debt. Matt Hawley tells the story of his family's quest to dig up the steamboat Arabia from the middle of a corn field. Support the show  (https://...

What started as a singular wood bat for his son led to the most popular and respected bat company in our country. Here's Jack Marucci with the story of how he got from point A to point B. 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 , Hollywood giants are ramping up new "faith limbs" - and this tectonic shift has begun with an amazing success story of crowdfunding and a creative culture grounded in the Bible. 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 American Stories listener Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of what her family ate during the Great Depression. 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 , historical truths often emerge with time. Early on, a hush descended over 1692-1693 Salem Witch Trials for generations. Then came playwright Arthur Miller, who made off with the story, or at least his version of it. Since 1953, The Crucible has become the culturally-accepted storyline that has come to define American Puritans and the city of Salem itself....

On this episode of  Our American Stories , The Lone Ranger, with his cry of “Hi-Ho Silver!” has become an American institution ranking with Paul Bunyan in the realms of folklore and legend. The History Guy remembers Bass Reeves, John Reynolds Hughes, and forgotten history of the Wild West. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstorie...

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/don...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph shares his journey from being indoctrinated to hate and fear police, to becoming one of LAPD's best in blue. 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 , grabbing a basket while grocery shopping may seem second nature today, but the idea was once groundbreaking. And that was far from the only thing that changed when Piggly Wiggly—the first modern American supermarket—opened over 100 years ago. Mike Freeman is the author of Clarence Saunders & the Founding of Piggly Wiggly: The Rise and Fall of a Memphi...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , 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. Instead of hitting the self-help shelves of his local bookstore, he hit the road to discover the true worth of this shining gem. He then wrote The Heartless Stone. Support the s...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , songwriter Aaron Barker tells the story of a life altering event in his life as a father that birthed one of country music's greatest song. An event that brought him to his knees to pray. And play his guitar.   Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/liste...

The 33, starring Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche, recounts the extraordinary true story of the 2010 Chilean mining disaster that buried 33 miners 2300 feet underground for 69 days before their unprecedented rescue. The world was riveted by the story, but the name of the man whose plan — and drilling equipment — made the rescue possible, wasn’t even mentioned in the film; his character is con...

On this episode of  Our American Stories , Clark Gable was beyond the draft age when the U.S. entered World War II, but the 41-year-old enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps. He said: “I just want to be sent where the going is rough.” Here to tell the story is Roger McGrath. Support the show  (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/don...

On this episode of Our American Stories , she nearly wrecked her family with a marital affair... Here's Sarah Wells, author of American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation, to tell her 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 , before she was an iconic First Lady, Jackie Kennedy was a born-and-raised New Yorker. By 1975—when she settled full-time back into Manhattan—Grand Central Train Station seemed doomed. The story begins there. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener f...

On this episode of Our American Stories , his legacy is probably in your fridge right now. Though Heinz Ketchup is one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the world, few people know anything at all about its creator, H.J. Heinz. His hard work, innovation, and obsessive kindness proved one of his favorite sayings: “To do a common thing uncommonly well brings success.” Support the show (http...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in our 27th episode of The Story of America Series with Dr. Bill McClay, author of  Land of Hope ,  Bill tells the story of how a deal struck to get the transcontinental railroad to run through the North (The Kansas-Nebraska Act) directly led to the rise of Abraham Lincoln and...the Civil War.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate )...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the differing fates of the Robertson and the 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 for p...

On this episode of Our American Stories , coping with the loss of her father as a child, total rebellion could not stop God from pursuing Sarah Gonzalez—even after spending her time partaking in activities designed to instill hatred towards others. Sarah is here to share her story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/d...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Dr. Jerry Bergman tells the story of a teenage boy who became interested in snow. On January 15, 1885, at 20 years of age, he became the first person in the world to photograph a snowflake. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

On this episode of Our American Stories , We Were Soldiers is a motion picture about the Vietnam War from writer/director Randall Wallace and starring Mel Gibson. Randall's here to tell 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.