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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

9:59

What Really Happened During the Kentucky Meat Shower...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/09

On this episode of Our American Stories, on a March day in 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky, looked up to find chunks of raw meat falling from the sky. Some said it was mutton. Others claimed beef or venison. A few even tasted it. Known now as the Kentucky Meat Shower, the event remains one of the strangest and least explained weather phenomena in American history. Was it vultures? A freak storm? Something else entirely? Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the story of this

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7:59

The Dog That Helped a Family Heal During Cancer

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/09

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Doris was diagnosed with cancer, her world changed, and so did her family’s. In the middle of uncertainty, they adopted Benny, a rescue dog with soft eyes and a calm, steady presence. As the days grew more difficult, Benny remained close, offering comfort without words and a sense of peace that medicine couldn’t provide. Our regular contributor, Stephen Rusiniak, shares how this unassuming pet became a quiet anchor during one of the hardest

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10:49

The $15 Million Bet That Doubled the Country

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/09

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1803, the United States made a deal with France that would double the size of the young nation. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, the $15 million agreement opened the door to westward expansion, changing our country forever. Hillsdale College's Brad and Dedra Birzer share the story of how one land deal reshaped the course of American history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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9:29

The Inventor of the Machine Gun Went Deaf—So His Son...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/09

On this episode of Our American Stories, Hiram Percy Maxim grew up in the shadow of firepower. His father invented the machine gun, a weapon that changed modern warfare. But when that same weapon left his father deaf, Hiram took a different path. In 1902, he invented the first commercial gun silencer and later applied the same technology to early automobile engines. His work shaped not only the future of firearms but also the way engines and mechanical noise evolved across the 20th century. A

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17:58

When No One Could Diagnose Him, Faith and Family Got...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/09

On this episode of Our American Stories, Cliff Shiepe was working his dream job on the backlot of Disney when his body began to fail. A series of unexplained fevers sent him from studio sets to his childhood bedroom, where he would spend the next decade bedridden. Doctors couldn’t explain what was happening. Most people would have given up. Cliff didn’t. He leaned on his faith, the unwavering care of his mother, and a quiet hope that healing was still possible. Cliff joins us to share

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38:16

The Ghost Army and the Inflatable Tanks That Changed...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the U.S. Army created a top-secret unit unlike any other. Known as the Ghost Army, it was made up of artists, sound engineers, and prop builders who used inflatable tanks, fake radio signals, and sound effects to trick the German army. Officially called the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, their mission was to create the illusion of large U.S. forces where none existed. Rick Beyer, author ofThe Ghost Army of World War II, tells the story of how this

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30:17

How Rod Serling Changed TV with The Twilight Zone

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, when The Twilight Zonepremiered in 1959, audiences saw television in a new way. At its center was Rod Serling, a writer who believed the small screen could handle big ideas. Through allegory and imagination, Serling turned weekly episodes into timeless reflections on society. His work establishedThe Twilight Zoneas one of the greatest TV shows of the 20th century and made him a cultural icon. Nick Parisi, author ofRod Serling: His Life, Work, and Imagination,

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7:59

The Story of America’s Most Famous Metaphor: John...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, you must know the role the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers — Christian and non-Christian — were heavily influenced by Scripture. One of the most famous examples is John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, where he spoke of a “City Upon a Hill.” Those words became one of America’s most enduring metaphors, echoed by presidents from John F. Kennedy to Ronald

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20:18

The True Story of Father Stu, the Boxer Who Became a...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was known as Father Stu, Stuart Long was a Golden Gloves boxing champion with dreams of fame. A near-fatal motorcycle accident changed the course of his life, leading him toward faith and eventually the priesthood. Diagnosed with a rare muscle disease, he continued to serve others with courage until his death in 2014. His story later inspired the film Father Stustarring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. In this recording provided by the Diocese of

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9:59

What Exactly Is Bubblegum Flavor — and Why Pink?

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, we all know the look and taste of bubblegum, but few people know where it came from. The first bubblegum was invented in 1928 by Walter Diemer, who used the only food dye available: pink. That color stuck, and so did the flavor — a blend of fruit notes now simply called “bubblegum.” Simon Whistler, from theToday I Found OutYouTube channel and its sister podcast,The Brain Food Show, shares the story of how bubblegum was created and how a

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7:59

Robert Heft Got a B-Minus for Designing the U.S. Flag

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, The American flag that flies over every state capitol, school, and battlefield began as a high school assignment. Robert Heft, a 17-year-old student from Ohio, created the 50-star design in 1958 and received a B-minus for his effort. When Hawaii entered the Union in 1959, President Eisenhower selected Heft’s version as the official flag of the United States. More than six decades later, Bob Heft’s B-minus project remains the enduring symbol of the

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38:16

Slavery Slayer: The Story of William Wilberforce

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, William Wilberforce was not a soldier, but he fought one of history’s fiercest battles. From the floor of Parliament, he challenged the powerful slave trade that enriched Britain while enslaving millions. For decades, he introduced bills, built alliances, and spoke against slavery until the tide finally turned. The abolitionist movement he led brought an end to the British slave trade in 1807 and helped pave the way for full emancipation in 1833

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38:16

Bat Masterson: The Lawman, Gambler, and Gunfighter...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/04

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bat Masterson’s name still echoes through Wild West history, but unlike most gunfighters, he didn’t meet his end in a dusty street. Born William Barclay Masterson, he earned a reputation as a fearless sheriff, gambler, and occasional gunslinger who refused to kill for sport. To him, outlaw gunmen were thugs; his own weapon was for justice or to defend a friend in need. While many Old West legends died young, Masterson lived long enough to see

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20:18

Merian C. Cooper Went to War Before He Brought King...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/04

On this episode of Our American Stories, Merian C. Cooper never settled for an ordinary life. Before he createdKing Kong, he was chasing stories as a journalist, flying combat missions in two world wars, and helping to shape the rise of the American movie industry. By the time audiences watched a giant gorilla climb the Empire State Building in 1933, Cooper had already lived through adventures as thrilling as any he put on film. As part of our ongoingHollywood Goes to Warseries, Roger McGrath shares

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9:59

"Dark Horse & Dead Ringer" and the Wonderful Origins...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/04

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 the phrases "dark horse" and "dead ringer" came to be. His book,Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is must-read. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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7:59

What David McCullough Wanted Congress to Hear About...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/04

On this episode of Our American Stories, on March 2, 1989, David McCullough stood before a joint session of Congress with a simple message: the past matters now more than ever. He spoke not as a pundit but as a poet of history, urging lawmakers to remember that their actions would one day be judged as part of our national story. In a rich narrative style, McCullough wove together images of a handcrafted clock in the Capitol and the courage of past legislators to remind his audience that history

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10:49

The Death Sentence That Turned Into One of Lincoln’s...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/03

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Civil War, falling asleep on guard duty was a crime punishable by death. That was the fate awaiting William Scott, a young Union soldier who drifted off at his post one night. His case captured the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who chose mercy over execution. What followed became one of the most remarkable Civil War stories, where compassion and discipline collided in the heat of war. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

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19:28

Trader Joe’s Didn’t Try to Be the Biggest. It Became...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/03

On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became a national name, Trader Joe’s was just a small Los Angeles shop with a big idea. Founded by Joe Coulombe, the store broke every rule of traditional supermarket chains. Instead of trying to compete with the largest grocery stores in America on size, it won on personality, price, and products that customers couldn’t find anywhere else. Decades later, Trader Joe’s has grown into one of the biggest grocery success stories in the

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7:59

The Story of Black Sam Bellamy, the Richest Pirate in...

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/03

On this episode of Our American Stories, few figures loomed larger on the seas than Black Sam Bellamy. He was young, charismatic, and ruthless enough to seize more ships and gold than nearly any pirate in history. His black flag struck fear into sailors from the Caribbean to the coast of New England. But his success was short-lived. In 1717, the richest pirate of his age went down in a wreck that left legends in its wake. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the tale and the truth

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38:16

David McCullough on the Life and Legacy of John Adams

Our American Stories ·

2025/09/03

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Adams carried the weight of a nation that was still fragile and untested. He was the second president of the United States, a man caught between loyalty to his principles and the demands of politics. The late historian David McCullough shares Adams’ story not as a list of accomplishments—but as the life of a husband, father, and revolutionary who believed deeply in the republic he helped create. We’d like to thank the John Adams

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1,656 results

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