Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Art Rooney, Sr., the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, believed that the measure of a man was often found in the quiet things he chose to do. Jim O'Brien, who came to see Rooney as the grandfather he had been missing, remembers one moment that revealed exactly who Rooney was. Rooney attended the funeral of a man he hardly knew because he believed showing respect in times of loss mat...

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Navy pilot Larry Spencer was captured in North Vietnam, he entered a world that few Americans would ever see. He spent years as a prisoner of war, first in a camp called “The Zoo” and later in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Survival meant finding strength in small moments and holding on to hope that freedom would come again. Spencer tells his story in his own words, offering a r...

On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Thomas Weller was a familiar sight along San Diego’s highways. Drivers with flat tires, empty gas tanks, or broken-down cars often saw him pull over to help, expecting nothing in return. Known as “The San Diego Highwayman,” he lived by a simple rule: if you can help, you should. Now, Weller joins us to share his story.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, have you ever imagined a buffalo running on a racetrack against thoroughbred horses? In the 1960s, Harvey Wallbanger did exactly that. This larger-than-life buffalo stunned crowds as he thundered past racehorses, turning a novelty act into an unforgettable chapter of racing history. Francie Berg of Buffalo Tales and Trails shares the unlikely but true story of how one buffalo captured Americ...

On this episode of Our American Stories, few commercials have left a mark like Coca-Cola’s “Hey Kid, Catch!” starring "Mean" Joe Greene. Greene, already one of the greatest defensive players in the NFL, gained a new kind of fame as the spot played during football broadcasts nationwide. Our own Greg Hengler (and others) shares the story of how a 60-second spot became one of the most memorable moments in sports and ...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Revolutionary War brought brutal battles, but one of its deadliest tragedies happened far from the front lines. Historian Robert P. Watson, author of The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, shares the untold story of the HMS Jersey, a derelict British prison ship off the coast of New York, where more Americans perished than in combat.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, American culture looks different depending on where you stand, and the same is true for law enforcement. Sergeant Bob Alaniz, a former LAPD officer best known for helping track down the “Night Stalker,” explains how the East and West Coasts developed two very different approaches to policing.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, John Smith’s legacy stretches beyond legend. As a soldier of fortune and later as a leader in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, he helped struggling colonists survive. His accounts provide a rare look into the realities of early exploration, from hunger to tense negotiations with Native communities. Juliana Brennan Rodgers, author of Captain John Smith: American H...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Navy veteran Oliver Halle reflects on his service during the Vietnam War and the family history that shaped him. His relatives resisted the Nazis before fleeing to America, and decades later, he uncovered a secret that transformed his understanding of the past. Courtesy of the Veterans History Project at the Atlanta History Center, his testimony blends the experience of Vietnam soldiers with...

On this episode of Our American Stories, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, but its beginnings might surprise you. Paul Putz, author of The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports, explains how the game was first created with a Christian mission in mind and eventually grew into a global phenomenon.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Horst Schulze, founder of The Ritz-Carlton and author of Excellence Wins, built one of the world’s most respected hospitality brands by insisting on service excellence. Here's Horst's story on how one bad employee at a bank damaged its reputation almost overnight and what that moment revealed about leadership, customer care, and the value of excellence.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, bananas are everywhere in American grocery stores, and they’re cheaper than almost any other fruit. But why? The story of banana prices involves global trade, powerful banana companies, and decades of agricultural and economic history. The History Guy explains how bananas became a fixture of American diets and why their low price continues to stand out.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1960s, Milton Bradley’s game Twister was on the verge of being pulled from stores. Sales were low, and critics didn’t know what to make of it. Everything changed when Johnny Carson brought the game onto The Tonight Show. One televised demonstration was all it took to transform Twister into a cultural phenomenon. Author and Our American Stories...

On this episode of Our American Stories, slavery marked William Carney as property, and the Fugitive Slave Act made him an outlaw, but during the Civil War, he proved himself as a Union soldier and as a defender of the nation’s most enduring symbol: the American flag. At Fort Wagner, Carney’s bravery earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first African American recipient. Elliott Drago, the editorial officer at t...

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Henry Fonda became one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, he answered a very different kind of calling: service to his country in World War II. From the Broadway stage to the silver screen, Fonda’s career was already on the rise when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the height of the war. He put acting on hold to serve aboard a destroyer in the Pacific Theater, earning a B...

On this episode of Our American Stories, few hymns are as beloved as “Amazing Grace,” and few authors had a story as dramatic as John Newton. Once marked by sin and disgrace, Newton became a minister and wrote the words that continue to define Christian worship around the world. On this day in history, John Newton set pen to paper and created one of the most enduring songs of faith.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in November 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a speech so brief and powerful it reshaped the nation’s understanding of the Civil War. Our host Lee Habeeb shares the story behind the story: why Lincoln’s words mattered, how they reframed the sacrifice of Gettysburg, and how “of the people, by the people, for the people” became the enduring creed o...