Our American Stories

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 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 ...

On this episode of Our American Stories, after WWII airman Danny Wilson fell overseas, his body was buried in France alongside thousands of American soldiers. But that wasn’t the end of his story. His niece, Joy Neal Kidney, shares the little-known journey of how her uncle was buried three different times, from a foreign graveyard in Europe to his final resting place in Iowa.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Colt revolver became one of the most iconic weapons in American history, earning nicknames such as "the Peacemaker" and "the Equalizer." But who was Samuel Colt, and how did he build something so enduring? His journey stretched from humble beginnings to industrial triumph, leaving behind a legacy that outlived him and came to define the Wild West. Our own Greg Hengler shares the story.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Angelo Ruffino rows through the canals of Southern California, singing his original music to passengers and perfecting a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. But he’s more than a romantic oarsman. He’s a racer, a performer, and a champion for gondola culture, hoping one day to bring it to the Olympic stage.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Dana Mitch grew up knowing pieces of her family's Holocaust story, but they never quite felt like her own. That changed when she visited Buchenwald, one of the largest concentration camps on German soil. Walking through its grounds brought the past into sharper focus and helped her connect with the history she had always known from a distance.

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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, Our American Stories listener and regular contributor from South Carolina, Dennis Peterson, shares the story of working with his dad in bricklaying—and how, despite thriftiness being mostly a positive trait, it sometimes led to unexpected consequences on the job.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose was one of America’s leading biographers and historians. He passed away in 2002, but his epic storytelling can now be heard here on Our American Stories, thanks to the efforts of those who manage his estate. Our next segment features his account of the weapons used in World War II, this time focusing on poison gas and the various modes of transportation.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before Mars became one of the most powerful private companies in America, it was a struggling family candy shop. Frank Mars had failed time and time again before his son, Forrest, stepped in with a bold vision and zero interest in playing by industry rules. With names like M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree under its belt, Mars would go on to quietly outgrow Hershey, Kellogg’s, an...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Louisiana is unlike any other state in the U.S., and there’s a reason for that. From the Louisiana Purchase and its Napoleonic legal roots to the deep influence of Cajun and Creole culture, this state has a story worth savoring. Nate Gallagher explores the people, food, language, and law that shaped America’s 18th state — the Pelican State.

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