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PODCAST

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.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

27:27

Why Moby-Dick Nearly Ruined Herman Melville

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/26

On this episode of Our American Stories, today, Herman Melville sits firmly within the canon of American literature. His novel Moby-Dickis assigned in classrooms, quoted in essays, and ranked among the greatest classic novels of all time. But whenMoby-Dickwas first published in 1851, it was a massive commercial failure.Our own Greg Hengler and others share the story of a man who was dirt poor for most of his life but is now considered America’s Shakespeare. Support the show

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20:18

Losing Both Arms at Ten and Learning to Live Again

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/25

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Mississippi native Madysen Acey was ten years old, an electrical accident led to the loss of both her arms. In a single day, her life shifted from school and friends to surgery, rehabilitation, and learning how to function without hands.Madysen reflects on what it meant to grow up as a bilateral amputee and how that experience shaped her sense of identity, and her deep faith. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show:

en-US

17:58

Spam: How a Canned Meat Became an American Icon

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/25

On this episode of Our American Stories, ask ten people what Spam is, and you will hear ten different answers. Some think of canned meat on a grocery shelf. Others think of World War II rations or Spam in Hawaii. A few still wonder what the word actually means.Dustin Black, the author ofThe Book of Spam, explains where Spam came from, how it got its name, and why this canned meat outlasted countless food trends. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show:

en-US

10:49

The Dog Food CEO Who Ate Kibble for 30 Days

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/25

On this episode of Our American Stories, in an age of viral marketing campaigns and carefully crafted advertising strategies, one Texas business owner took a very direct approach. Mitch Felderhoff, co-owner of Muenster Milling in Muenster, Texas, decided to eat nothing but his company’s dog food for 30 days. The goal was simple: prove confidence in the product and create a publicity stunt people could not ignore. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show:

en-US

19:28

he Story of America: Cuba, the Philippines, and the...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/25

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1898, the mysterious explosion of theUSS Mainein Havana Harbor lit a fuse that had already been burning for months. The ensuing Spanish–American War lasted only a few months, but its consequences still shape American foreign policy. American forces defeated Spain in Cuba and in the Philippines, ending centuries of Spanish colonial rule. For the first time, the United States faced the challenge of governing distant lands and defending its actions on

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7:59

Driving Into the Alaskan Wilderness—and the Storm...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/25

On this episode of Our American Stories,Kent Nerburn, author ofLetters to My Son, set out on a road trip through Alaska as a young man—and found himself facing far more than he expected. As a snowstorm closed in, his group pushed past the last checkpoint and onto a narrow gravel road carved for the Alaska Pipeline, with no guardrails, no shelter, and miles of wilderness in every direction.What followed was a harrowing climb through the Brooks Range, moments of real danger, and then a sudden

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10:49

Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker: Stories From...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/24

On this episode of Our American Stories, Elvis Presley’s rise to become the King of Rock and Roll did not happen in isolation. Behind the scenes stood his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who helped guide the career of a young Elvis during the explosive years of 1950s rock and roll.Greg McDonald met Elvis Presley as a teenager shortly after Colonel Parker began managing him. What followed were encounters that reveal the personalities behind the headlines. Greg shares three stories from inside the

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19:28

Who Invented Snowboarding? The Story of Jake Burton...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/24

On this episode of Our American Stories, snowboarding grew from a niche winter activity into a global sport within a single generation. At the center of that transformation stood Jake Burton Carpenter.As founder of Burton Snowboards, he played a central role in shaping the sport’s growth, guiding it from informal gatherings to professional events and eventually Olympic competition. Our own Greg Hengler shares the story of Jake Burton and the rise of snowboarding as both an industry and an

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7:59

Why Cincinnati Is Named After George Washington—and a...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/24

On this episode of Our American Stories, King George III once said that if George Washington truly resigned his commission and returned to his farm, he would be the greatest man in the world. Washington did exactly that.Washington’s decision echoed the story of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a Roman farmer and general who left his plow to defend the Roman Republic and then gave up power just as quickly.Hillsdale College professor Kenneth Calvert shares the story of Cincinnatus shaped the image

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30:17

The Story of America: The Framers and the Summer of...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/24

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the Constitutional Convention opened in 1787, the United States was less than a decade old and already struggling. The Articles of Confederation had created a loose union of states with a Congress that lacked the power to tax, enforce laws, or stabilize the economy. By 1787, many leaders believed the country could not continue as it was.The men who met in Philadelphia were not unanimous in their views, but they shared a belief that reform was necessary

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7:59

Ruth Graham’s Farewell to Her Father Billy Graham

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/24

On this episode of Our American Stories, few figures shaped modern American Christianity like Billy Graham. His sermons reached across denominations and generations, and his ministry left a lasting mark on the country’s religious life. When Billy Graham passed away, tributes poured in from around the world. At his funeral, however, the most personal reflection came from his daughter, Ruth Graham.In thisFinal Thoughtssegment, Ruth shares memories of her father that go beyond the public image of

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10:49

Captain America and the Hitler Punch That Shocked the...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/23

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1941,Captain America Comics No. 1hit newsstands with an unforgettable image: Captain America punching Adolf Hitler. The cover appeared nearly a year before Pearl Harbor, at a time when much of the country was still divided over entering World War II.Joe Parrott of Ohio State University explains how Captain America’s first appearance reflected the mood of the moment, the character’s Jewish roots, and why that single punch became one of the most

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9:29

Iowa’s Union Soldiers and the Lasting Effects of the...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/23

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Storiesregular contributor, Joy Neal Kidney, shares the forgotten stories of Union soldiers from Iowa whose sacrifices rippled far beyond the battlefield. Drawing from her family's letters, Joy tells the intertwined tales of Colonel James Redfield and Lieutenant Colin Marshall: farmers, fathers, brothers, and sons who left Iowa to fight for the Union. Joy's book isLeora's Letters, be sure to give it a read. Support the show

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9:59

President Reagan's Greatest Speech You've Never...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/23

On this episode of Our American Stories, on July 4, 1986, moments before the largest fireworks display in American history, President Ronald Reagan gave a rousing speech from the deck of theUSS John F. Kennedyin New York Harbor. Standing beneath the Statue of Liberty, he reminded the country and the world what freedom really means. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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7:59

Who Invented the Internet?

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/23

On this episode of Our American Stories, no, Al Gore did not invent the internet. And neither did one single engineer working alone in a lab.The creation of the internet was a decades-long effort involving programmers, scientists, and visionaries who believed computers could talk to one another. From early network experiments to the first web browser and the first website, the internet story is one of shared invention. Critically acclaimed biographer and author ofThe Innovators, Walter Issacson,

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38:16

Theodore Roosevelt: That Damn Cowboy

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/23

On this episode of Our American Stories, Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president in American history when he took office in 1901. He is remembered for trust-busting, conservation, and the phrase “carry a big stick.” But before all of that, he was a young man in mourning.After the sudden death of his wife and mother on the same day in 1884, Roosevelt fled west to the Dakota Territory, seeking solitude, purpose, and renewal on the frontier. Roger McGrath and Michael Blake tell the

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20:18

The Story of America: What Came Before The...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/20

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the United States Constitution, there were the Articles of Confederation. Written during the American Revolution, the Articles created a national government built on a “firm league of friendship” among the states. The Articles of Confederation limited federal power but reflected deep fears of centralized authority, leaving the founders' first attempt at a unified government susceptible to weakness and disarray.For our ongoingStory of

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9:59

Why Abe’s BBQ Is a Mississippi Delta Landmark

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/20

On this episode of Our American Stories, Clarksdale, Mississippi is known for blues music and Delta history. It is also home to one of the most beloved barbecue restaurants in the state. Abe’s BBQ has been serving smoked meat for generations, drawing locals and travelers who come looking for Mississippi barbecue done right.Our American Storiesregular contributor, Jesse Edwards, shares the story of how a small Delta joint became part of Mississippi lore. Support the show

en-US

7:59

The Pepsi Harrier Jet Ad That Sparked a Lawsuit

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/20

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1990s, Pepsi ran a commercial that joked a teenager could earn a Harrier jump jet, the pride of the Marine Corps, through Pepsi Points. The ad listed the jet at seven million points. Most viewers laughed and moved on. One college student did not.John Leonard gathered investors, calculated the math, and tried to claim the jet. When Pepsi refused, the dispute becameLeonard v. PepsiCo, one of the most talked-about contract law cases of its era. Journalist

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30:17

John Hughes: The Irish Bishop Who Fought for...

Our American Stories ·

2026/02/20

On this episode of Our American Stories, The First Amendment promised freedom of religion, but the reality in America was not always simple. In the nineteenth century, Catholics faced discrimination in politics, education, and public life.Archbishop John Hughes emerged as one of the most forceful defenders of American Catholics. Called “Dagger John” for the cross he signed before his name, Hughes fought for the right of Catholic families to educate their children and practice their faith

en-US

2,183 results

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