Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.
On this episode of Our American Stories, during a high-stakes flight, pilot trainee Peter Braxton lost control of his aircraft and almost didn’t live to tell the tale. That near-death experience would prepare him for something no one could have imagined: becoming the first Air Force pilot airborne over the Twin Towers on 9/11. Here’s Peter with the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, James Rosen, author of Scalia: Rise to Greatness, shares the story of Antonin Scalia’s unlikely but inevitable rise to the U.S. Supreme Court. His family, faith, and immigrant roots were the drivers of his unwavering belief in the Constitution, which, in turn, led to him becoming one of the most impactful judges in American history.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, no horse had claimed the Triple Crown in 25 years until Secretariat lined up at the Belmont. What happened next stunned the world. With the crowd on its feet, Secretariat sprinted into history, delivering a performance so dominant it’s still studied today. This is the story of the race that made him a legend and forever changed the sport. Our own Lee Habeeb shares the story.
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, this time covering the phrases “son of a gun” and “steal my thunder.” His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!
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On this episode of Our American Stories, when the USS Gregory was attacked and left sinking in the Pacific, Navy mess attendant Charles Jackson French jumped into shark-infested waters with a rope around his waist, dragging a raft full of wounded white sailors to safety for six straight hours. Bruce Wigo, former CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, shares the true story of one of WWII’s most overlooked acts of...
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Washington may have led America's army to independence, but he needed help in the aftermath of victory. Long before the Civil War, the United States nearly fractured during the battle over the Constitution — and it was Patrick Henry who stood firm and helped steer the country away from conflict. Here’s the remarkable story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, In Vietnam, 20-year-old Jon Hovde was nearly killed when his vehicle struck an anti-tank mine. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but Jon made three promises to God that day. What happened next would shape the rest of his life and inspire the people back home who knew him best. Linda from Jon’s hometown of Fertile, MN, shares the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they mean. This time, how the phrases "true colors" and "soap opera", among others, came to be.
On this episode of Our American Stories, Elvis Presley’s Christmas album has become a holiday staple, but the story behind it is more surprising than you might think. Greg McDonald was there in the early days, when Colonel Tom Parker was just beginning to shape the Elvis brand. Here’s Greg sharing the story of how the King of Rock and Roll was convinced to lend his voice to Christmas music, changing the season forever.
On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what’s known about legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre has stayed between the goalposts. So, our own Greg Hengler sat down with the Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers quarterback at his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to ask him about the three most important things in his life: his faith, his family, and the game he loved.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, before the world knew JFK, his sister Rosemary was already suffering behind closed doors. A botched lobotomy changed her life forever, and her story became one of the family’s most closely guarded secrets. Kate Clifford Larson, author of Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, sheds light on the woman history forgot. We'd like to thank the Library of Congress for allowing us...
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals faced the mighty Yankees with an unforgettable duo: a Black pitcher and a white catcher. Their chemistry on the field helped clinch the title and changed how the sport viewed race and teamwork. Here’s Jeff Bloodworth, professor of American history at Gannon University and Jack Miller Center fellow, with the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, after the Civil War, hundreds of Irish-American veterans launched an invasion — not in Ireland, but across the Canadian border. It was a daring, chaotic attempt to pressure Britain into freeing Ireland. Author and History Channel contributor Christopher Klein shares the untold story of the Fenian Raids.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, before America became a powerhouse in WWII, it stumbled. At Kasserine Pass, U.S. forces were tested against the Nazis in North Africa, and the results were devastating. The late, great historian Stephen Ambrose explains how this early defeat shaped the future of the American military.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, When an SR-71 Blackbird disintegrated mid-air at over 2,000 mph, pilot Bill Weaver was ejected at a speed and height few humans have ever survived. He thought he was dead, but the story that followed became one of the most remarkable survival moments in aviation history. The History Guy shares it.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, the mansion she built is world-renowned, as much for its many design curiosities and innovations as for its reported paranormal activity. Here to tell the 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.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, what role did the Bible play in shaping America? According to Robert J. Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America, it was central, especially for early leaders like Pastor John Robinson, who used scripture to guide the Pilgrims toward their historic journey. Here's Morgan with the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, before Fannie Farmer, home cooking relied on instinct and improvisation. With the release of The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, she introduced standardized measurements that revolutionized American kitchens. Her push for precision brought consistency to everyday meals and gave home cooks the confidence to follow reliable, repeatable recipes. Ken Albala, professor of history and food studie...
On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Hollywood had sound, George O’Brien was a leading man in the silent era. But when WWII called, this famous silent film actor left the red carpet behind and joined the fight. His story reveals how one of the most recognizable male silent movie stars became an American war hero. As part of our ongoing "Hollywood Goes to War" series, Roger McGrath, author of Gunfighters, Highw...
On this episode of Our American Stories, caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's is often invisible work, but not in this powerful account from Meryl Comer. The Emmy-winning journalist opens up about her husband's early-onset Alzheimer's and the emotional journey of becoming his full-time caregiver. Drawing from her memoir Slow Dancing with a Stranger, she offers deeply personal insight into the daily realities of Alzheimer's c...
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
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Lee Habeeb