Our American Stories

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

November 3, 2024 38 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, the director was a renegade filmmaker who'd never made a profitable picture. The producer was hired because he could stay below budget. The star had a reputation for being difficult. A formula for disaster? No, the makings of one of the greatest films of all time. Here to tell the story is Harlan Lebo, author of The Godfather Legacy.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donat...

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, Elisabeth Elliot was a missionary who returned to Ecuador with her toddler daughter to preach the Gospel to the Indian tribe that had killed her husband. Here's Elisabeth Elliot to tell us her story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Bennett was a master salesman and businessman who helped, along with John Moses Browning, create the iconic American firearms brand Winchester.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, a former high-powered media executive shares the story of how the 37-year horse racing Triple Crown drought broken in 2015 brought back a flood of memories of Sundays at the track with his Dad.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, “Wild Bill" Donovan was one of America’s most exciting and secretive generals—the man President Franklin Roosevelt made his top spy in World War II. “Wild” Bill was the director of the Office of Strategic Services (the country’s first national intelligence agency). He is known as the founding father of both the CIA and the military's Special Operations Forces—along with being credited as the...

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, King Solomon was a gravedigger who may have saved the town of Lexington during the Cholera epidemic of 1833. Kentucky journalist Sam Terry tells the story of the man they called “King Solomon.”

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
October 31, 2024 38 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, the brutal double-murder that happened in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892 has long been considered an unsolved mystery. Cara Robertson, author of the The Trial Of Lizzie Borden, tells the story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, the origin of this conflict flowed from a deceptively simple question—a riddle of sorts that a Catholic monk named Martin Luther wrestled with for years. The question he asked himself was this: Am I a good person? Here to tell the story is Eric Metaxas, bestselling author of Martin Luther.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Mark as Played
October 30, 2024 10 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin is in a glass coffin...but so is an American man along the shores of Lake Michigan. Chris Siriano tells this curious story about the coffin, the man inside of it, and the harebrained scheme to steal his diamond necklace.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
October 30, 2024 9 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, Halloween expert Lisa Morton is going to be unpacking the history of the Halloween Haunted House, which is directly tied into today’s practice of Trick-or-Treating. Lisa is the author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween. By the turn of the 20th century, Halloween in America was nothing more than a day of pranking—kind of like April Fools' Day.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericans...

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, with its classic “old country” theme, Cracker Barrel has been an American favorite for many decades. But many people don’t know that the decor you find on the walls and throughout the stores are all authentic pieces of American history.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

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?

Support ...

Mark as Played
October 30, 2024 38 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, from Nosferatu and Dracula to Friday the 13th and Saw, Matt Castro brings us the full history of all your favorite horror films. Check out his YouTube channel for more.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Montgomery was one of the first movie stars to volunteer for service in World War II and when Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for the Presidency in 1952, Montgomery was his television coach. When General Eisenhower became President, Montgomery stayed on in his role as television advisor to become the first show-business professional to occupy an office in the White House. Here to tell anothe...

Mark as Played
October 29, 2024 17 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2017, Rhode Islander Joe Jutras broke the record for the largest giant green squash ever grown- it came in at 2,118 lbs. Today Joe shares all that goes into growing these giant fruits.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, why do we participate in these strange celebrations every Halloween? Lesley Bannatyne is the author of Halloween: An American Holiday, An American History, and Lisa Morton is the author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
October 28, 2024 38 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, from Nosferatu and Dracula to Friday the 13th and Saw, Matt Castro brings us the full history of all your favorite horror films. Check out his YouTube channel for more.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
October 28, 2024 38 mins

On this episode of Our American Stories, Paul Westhead, former coach of the L.A. Lakers, shares his life story with Lee.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, Anne Claire tells the story of America's first two responses to Pearl Harbor: The Doolittle Raids and the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

On this episode of Our American Stories, escaping the horrors of World War II in Croatia, Tony Maglica's flashlights are proudly made in America—and his dreams were too.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    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!

    2. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    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.

    3. The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    4. Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

    5. Crime Junkie

    If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.

Advertise With Us

Host

Lee Habeeb

Lee Habeeb

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.