Our American Stories
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.
Episodes
On this episode of Our American Stories, this is the story of how one man got his American Dream stitched into a pair of blue jeans. Lynn Downey (Levi Strauss & Co. historian) is here to tell the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Larry Spencer tells the story of being one of the first POW's of the Vietnam war and surviving until war's end in both "The Zoo" prison and in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
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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 it is for the reported paranormal activity. 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.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor, Anne Clare, tells the story of a unique aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, for National Police Week, we feature the funeral of Colorado Deputy Micah Flick who was killed in action on February 5th, 2018. Micah's brother-in-law and widow celebrate his life with both tears and laughter.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Ranger Kielak set out across America, many of his friends and family were concerned about the people he'd encounter along the way. It turns out, their concerns were unfounded. Here's Ranger with the story of the good and beautiful people he's encountered along the way, and why exactly he chose to do the walk in the first place.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, on the morning of September 11, 2001, Peter Braxton was the first military pilot in the air over the burning Twin Towers. It was his first day on the job. Not long after that, he flew multiple combat tours in the Middle East and then retired from the Air Force. Here’s Peter with the story about the phone call he received shortly after his retirement: "Do You Still Have Your Uniform?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tommy Tedesco is probably the most recorded guitarist in history having played on thousands of recordings from the 1960s-1980s ( Many of them top 20 hits). Tommy's son, filmmaker Denny Tedesco, produced The Wrecking Crew, the highly-acclaimed documentary about his father and the other musicians who made up The Wrecking Crew, and is here to tell us the story!
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Diego Moreno was a fun-loving, high-intensity police officer, trainer, and father. Hear from his wife - and from his patrol partner - about the legacy he leaves for his children, and all of us, to remember and carry on.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Helen Smallbone is a mother of seven - a family devoted to a generation of Christian music. Here's her story of globetrotting and overcoming her homlessness upon moving to America from Australia.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, you've heard that you "Don't Mess With Texas." This story from our regular listener/contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas, exemplifies that statement.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Chris Kyle penned "American Sniper,” which became Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated movie masterpiece — Carlos Hathcock was already a legend. Hathcock was so efficient and fearless during the Vietnam War, that he wore a white feather on his gear—taunting the Communists to come find him.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, in Vietnam, the armored personnel carrier Jon Hovde was driving hit an anti-tank mine. The 20-year-old soldier made three promises to God if He would let him live. Linda from Jon’s hometown of Fertile, MN, is here to tell the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Burt Young is an immediately recognizable character actor whose half-muttered voice and flinty gaze made him the perfect fit for "Rocky" as Sylvester Stallone's ill-mannered brother-in-law, Paulie. Here’s Burt Young with his story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Dennis Peterson's father had an interesting way of saving money. He called it 'Makin' Do'. Dennis tells the story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Dominique Rivera eulogizes her husband, Detective Jason Rivera, with raw emotion and compelling everyday detail.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, the lore and legend of the American Mountain Man is a story that seems to only grow with time. In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio played the legendary Mountain Man, Hugh Glass in The Revenant. And in 1972, Robert Redford starred as the title character in Jeremiah Johnson. And like Hugh Glass, Johnson too was a real-life fur trapper. Here to separate fact from fiction is Ashley Hlebinsky.
On this episode of Our American Stories, here’s Major Brian Shul with his legendary story known today as the “LA Speed Check.”
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On this episode of Our American Stories, "My husband died a hero, but he also lived as one." Stephanie Diller remembers her husband Jonathan as a connector and friend of all. Hear about his honesty and courage as a man, a father, and a police officer.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, General Colin Powell was the youngest and the nation's first black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest position in the US Military. He was also the first black man appointed Secretary of State, the world's leading diplomat. The world saw him as a military leader, a diplomat, a senior statesman, and an advocate for young people. To friends and family, he was so much more. Lesli...
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