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, on June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the Normandy landings in the boldest military campaign of the war. Behind that historic moment was a massive effort built over months of planning, coordination, and sacrifice. Historian Stephen Ambrose walks us through how D-Day came together, from the first strategies to the final push, and explains what the invasion meant for the course of World War ...
On this episode of Our American Stories, after John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln, his name became synonymous with betrayal. But his brother, Edwin Booth, was already one of the most celebrated actors in America, and Boston wasn’t ready to turn its back on him and his family. Historian Christopher Klein shares the story of how the city rallied around the Booth family, even as the shadow of the Lincoln assassination thre...
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 diving into how phrases like "gung-ho" and "cheesy smile" came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is full of these fascinating stories. Be sure to check it out!
On this episode of Our American Stories, during a tense moment in Cold War history, a Soviet submarine surfaced directly beneath the USS Kitty Hawk and crashed into its hull. The Navy called it an “encounter,” but the reality was far more dangerous. The History Guy shares this forgotten incident between two nuclear powers, and the high-stakes silence that followed.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, while her parents were among the many unjustly sent to internment camps during World War II, Mary Mikami and her siblings remained free. Mary rose to the top of her class, earned a doctorate from Yale, and built a life marked by quiet strength and achievement. Historian Preston Jones shares her powerful story.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, after his uncle Charles was shot down in a B-24 bomber over Europe during World War II, Chuck Kissling grew up hearing only pieces of the story. For decades, Chuck carried the weight of that loss, hoping to one day find his uncle’s grave and honor his sacrifice. Chuck joins us to share the journey that finally brought him to his uncle’s grave in France and gave him the connection...
On this episode of Our American Stories, Shel Silverstein was a poet, illustrator, and songwriter who didn’t fit any mold. Known to millions for The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, he also wrote one of country music’s most unforgettable hits: “A Boy Named Sue,” made famous by Johnny Cash. With a legacy that spans literature, music, and illustration, Silverstein remains one of the most...
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a world built for men, Nellie Cashman carved her own path across gold rush country, prospecting, rescuing miners, and running businesses in some of the toughest towns in the West. Historian and regular Our American Stories contributor Roger McGrath shares the true story of this fearless woman who outlived nearly every frontier legend.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, Sergeant Alvin York, the reluctant World War I infantryman who became one of America’s most decorated soldiers, has stood as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for over a century. Born in the mountains of Tennessee, Sgt. York’s early life was shaped by deep religious convictions that initially made him a conscientious objector. But on the battlefield, Alvin C. York single-handedly...
On this episode of Our American Stories, Wild Bill. Doc Holliday. Billy the Kid. None of them ever touched Bob Munden’s speed. Known around the world as the fastest gun who ever lived, Munden could draw, fire, and hit a target before anyone else even cleared leather.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, high above Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, Air Force Captain Steve Phillis faced the kind of split-second decision no pilot ever hopes to make. A Top Gun graduate and decorated Gulf War pilot, Phillis chose sacrifice over survival and changed lives in the process. His friend and fellow fighter pilot, Jim “Boots” Demarest, brings us inside that moment and into the heart of Des...
On this episode of Our American Stories, Carl Albert stood just 5 feet 4 inches tall, but during one of America’s biggest political scandals, he carried more than his share of the weight. As the Watergate scandal unraveled the Nixon presidency, the Speaker of the House, known as the "Little Giant from Little Dixie," became an anchor of stability. He put country over party and helped steer Congress through one of the most chao...
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 diving into how "on the wagon" and "once in a blue moon" came to be. 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, before Rudyard Kipling became one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, he lived a life marked by pain, loss, and resilience. The History Guy shares the unforgettable story behind the man who gave us The Jungle Book and became the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, as a child in Uganda, Peter Mutabazi ran away from home and spent four years sleeping on the streets of Kampala, unsure if he’d survive another day. But a single act of kindness changed his life forever. Now a U.S. citizen and a dedicated foster father, Peter has provided a loving home to over 30 foster children through the American foster care system. In this story, he shares what it ...
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a world that moved a little slower, one little girl found her freedom on four wheels. Joy Neal Kidney takes us back to her childhood home just outside Dexter, Iowa, where a pair of roller skates and an open farmhouse created memories that stayed with her for a lifetime.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the small town of West Mineral, Kansas, there’s a mining relic so massive it can be seen from miles away. Big Brutus, a 160-foot electric shovel, once played a vital role in America’s coal industry. Today, it’s recognized as one of the official 8 Wonders of Kansas. Joe Manns tells the story of how this engineering marvel came to define a town and earn a place in Kansas h...
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Armstrong Custer is often remembered for how his story ended at Little Bighorn, but the life he lived before that final charge was full of ambition, controversy, and consequence. Pulitzer Prize-winning author T.J. Stiles shares how Custer rose through the ranks during the Civil War, and why his name still stirs debate today.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, guide dogs do more than navigate curbs and crosswalks. They offer confidence, companionship, and a new kind of freedom. Christine Benninger, CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, explains how these remarkable dogs are trained, selected, and paired with individuals who need them the most.
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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before ultralight backpacks and trail apps, 67-year-old Emma Gatewood became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone. With nothing but a pair of Keds, a homemade denim sack, and an iron will, she walked over 2,000 miles through some of the roughest terrain in America. But what pushed her onto the trail wasn’t just adventure — it was the aftermath of years ...
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