Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, after Diablo's Southwest Grill in Georgia was broken into, owner Carl Wallace took an unexpected approach—posting a job offer to the perpetrator on Facebook instead of pressing charges. Here's Carl with his story of why. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnys...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Durham, North Carolina, there’s a bridge that trucks just can’t stop hitting—“The Can Opener.” Jesse Edwards shares the story behind the internet’s most famous overpass. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Montgomery was a two-time Oscar nominee and one of the first major Hollywood stars to volunteer for service in World War II. Later, he became a trusted television advisor to Dwight D. Eisenhower during his 1952 presidential campaign—and went on to serve in the White House, becoming the first showbiz professional to hold an official role there....

On this episode of Our American Stories, did Lincoln believe in God? Yes—but his faith walk was more complicated and messier than you probably know. Here to tell the story of Lincoln's faith is Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian and Emeritus Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University in England. We'd like to thank the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeromy Clark had a rough upbringing, losing his father and suffering abuse at the hands of authority figures. After believing he would spend the rest of his life in prison, Jeromy was set free by grace...and the support of many people. Today, he is a living picture of redemption. Here's Jeromy to share his powerful story. Support the show ( https://www.oura...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brent Timmons, an  Our American Stories  listener from Delaware, shares the story of a lesson in risk that his son learned while riding his cherished bicycle. 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, how could a man who wrote the words "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence go to his grave without freeing his slaves? Cara Rogers Steven, author of Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery , tells the messy story of a man who was both a product of his times... and ahead of them. A special goes out to the Bill of Rights Institu...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Martin Lisius, founder of Tempest Tours, and Kim George, Customer Relations Manager, talk about the company's origins and what it's like being on the road intentionally during some of the most extreme weather the world has to offer.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of Our American Stories, J.D. Wininger, owner of the Cross-Dubya Ranch in Northeast Texas and a listener of  Our American Stories , tells the story of a man named John who mostly kept to himself. When J.D. offered him a helping hand, Mr. John ended up helping him just as much. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories, she was just a teenager, carrying her infant son, when she joined the most daring expedition in American history—and without her, Lewis and Clark might never have made it. Dr. Dedra Birzer of Hillsdale College brings us the incredible story of Sacagawea, the young woman who made America's most daring road trip possible. Support the show ( https://www....

On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Major League Baseball’s reserve clause bound players to their teams indefinitely, denying them the freedom to negotiate salaries or choose where to play. Curt Flood, a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, decided to challenge that system, risking his career to fight for fairness. Despite facing racial discrimination and...

On this episode of Our American Stories, most museums showcase the finer things in history, culture, and the arts—but not the aptly named Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Boston, Massachusetts, where you’ll find masterpieces like A Mariachi in Tiananmen Square, Sunday on the Pot With George, and Self-Portrait as a Bird. Louise Reilly Sacco, the museum’s curator, shares the tale of how...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Major Brian Shul shares his legendary “LA Speed Check” story—an absurd and unforgettable moment from the cockpit of the fastest plane in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird. 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, after the fall of the Philippines in World War II, more than 70,000 American and Filipino soldiers were captured by Japanese forces and forced to endure the brutal Bataan Death March. Over 30 percent of these POWs died in captivity, compared to just three percent of Allied POWs held by the Germans. In his powerful firsthand account, Dr. Lester Tenney recoun...

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 that story is Ashley Hlebinsky—former co-host of Discovery Channel’s Master of Arms, former curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, and president of The Gun Code, LLC. Support the show (...

On this episode of Our American Stories, as strange as it sounds, Pepsi (yes, the cola manufacturer) once owned a fleet of Soviet warships, briefly making it the sixth-largest navy in the world. Here's The History Guy with the story of how a soft drink company found itself in the middle of Cold War politics and an international trade deal gone sideways. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanst...

On this episode of Our American Stories, they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—but that wasn’t true for Ben Franklin and his only son. While Franklin became one of America’s most celebrated founding fathers, his son William remained loyal to the British Crown. In one of the most dramatic father-son divides in history, king and country collided with revolution an...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Flannery O’Connor wanted to shake her readers awake. Her mother wanted her to write the next  Gone with the Wind . Here to tell her story is Jonathan Rogers, author of  The Terrible Speed of Mercy: A Spiritual Biography of Flannery O’Connor . Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.o...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tony Mandarich’s story became immortalized by two  Sports Illustrated  covers—one hailing him as “The Incredible Bulk” heading  into  the 1989 draft, and another in 1992 labeling him “The NFL’s Incredible BUST” as his four-year career in Green Bay came to an end. Here’s Tony Mandarich himse...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sophia and Deshaun Olds were married in 2004 but didn’t immediately think about starting a family. They were busy serving overseas and pursuing their education. That all changed when, after 13 years without children, they became a family of nine—literally overnight. Here they are with their story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstorie...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1938, many Americans were scared. As the news from Europe grew increasingly grim, radio listeners had grown accustomed to urgent bulletins about a crisis that threatened to plunge the world into another war. Sensing an opportunity, Orson Welles—not yet a household name—seized on the public's anxiety and, on Halloween night, delivered a broadc...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ben Franklin holds the distinction of many "firsts" in American history. He invented the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocals, the urinary catheter, swim fins, and the odometer. He also founded America's first public library, the first volunteer fire company, fire insurance company, and hospital, and became the nation's first Postmaster General. As C...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Professor Jeff Bloodworth tells the story of John McCormack, who rose from humble beginnings in South Boston to become a masterful legislator and the first Catholic Speaker of the House. 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, Britney Ruby Miller is the CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, where she leads a team of more than 500 employees across seven luxury steakhouses in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. She’s also the author of  5-Star Life: The Faithful Fight to Overcome Obstacles and Pursue Excellence . Here she is with her story! Support the show ( https://www.o...

On this episode of Our American Stories, when a stadium full of excited sports fans pressed downhill against inadequate crowd control, tragedy struck in an instant. Michael Brin—a player on the field that day and now an emergency physician—shares his harrowing story of the infamous University of Wisconsin stampede and its aftermath. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com...