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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

How Batman Became a Cultural Icon

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/15

On this episode of Our American Stories, Batman has worn many faces, but his shadow has never faded. From gritty detective tales to cartoon camp, billion-dollar films, and everything in between, the Dark Knight has reflected the fears, hopes, and styles of every era. Batman wasn’t always a global icon, but decade by decade, he became a mirror of what audiences wanted in a hero and what they feared in a villain. Andrew Farago, curator at the Cartoon Art Museum and author ofBatman: The

en-US

10:49

Why the U.S. and Britain Nearly Went to War Over a Pig

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/15

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1859, a pig wandered onto the wrong farm and sparked an international standoff. The U.S. and Great Britain nearly went to war over a single hog on San Juan Island, in what is now Washington State. History teacher Anne Clare shares the story of the strange chain of events that followed, where pride, politics, and a dead pig led to armed troops, tense negotiations, and the possibility of a hot war. Support the show

en-US

27:27

How Florida’s Swampland Became America’s Dream

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/15

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the beaches, theme parks, and high-rises, Florida was mostly swampland. In the 1950s, a wave of entrepreneurs arrived with a different vision. Jason Vuic, author of The Swamp Peddlers, explains how these ambitious salesmen helped reshape the state into one of the fastest-growing places in the country. With oversized promises and aggressive pitches, they turned mosquito-ridden plots into retirement gold. Support the show

en-US

20:18

What a Crab House Taught Him About Growing Up

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/14

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brent Timmons didn’t expect much when he took a summer job at the Fenwick Crab House. He figured he’d get just a paycheck and maybe a little work experience. What he got was something else entirely. Between steamed clams and daily prep, he learned how to lead, take correction, and push through exhaustion without giving up — but also about love, family, and the truth about coming of age. Support the show

en-US

17:58

David George Built a Church While Running Toward Freedom

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/14

On this episode of Our American Stories, David George was enslaved, captured, and chased across colonies before he found anything close to freedom. But something else held through the chaos: his faith. After escaping bondage, George helped plant the roots of what would become the Black Baptist Church in North America. Historian Woody Holton of the University of South Carolina shares how David George’s story shaped the foundations of Black religious life in North America and why his legacy

en-US

30:17

How Fast Food Took Over America

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/14

On this episode of Our American Stories, fast food wasn’t always part of the daily routine. At one point, it was a wild idea. Quick meals without waiters or tables? Unheard of. Adam Chandler, author of Drive-Thru Dreams, explains how it all began. What started with roadside stands and milkshakes grew into an industry that now touches nearly every corner of American life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:59

Possum for Supper and Other Memories from the Great...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/14

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Great Depression, Joy Neal Kidney’s family didn’t eat strange food for fun. They ate what they could find. Sometimes that meant possum. Other times, it meant even less. But in the middle of the hardship, they found ways to stay connected, to laugh when they could, and to keep going. Joy reflects on the meals that got them through and what they taught her. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

en-US

38:17

Remembering John Defoore, a WWII Veteran Who Lived to...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/13

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Defoore went to war at nineteen. He returned, raised a family, and lived through more change than most people see in two lifetimes. When he sat down with us at 103, he looked back on what had stayed with him. Some memories had softened with age, while others hadn’t moved at all. When he passed away in 2024 at 105, he left behind a story about time, memory, and what it means to live with history. Support the show

en-US

10:49

Recovery Began When I Stopped Doing It Alone

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/13

On this episode of Our American Stories, addiction kept Ryan Stewart at a distance from nearly everyone around him. For years, he tried to manage it alone, convinced that asking for help meant losing control. But when things began to fall apart, the people around him stayed. Friends, counselors, and even strangers showed up in ways he never expected. Recovery came slowly, marked by setbacks and quiet progress, but each step forward was built on trust and a willingness to let others walk with him

en-US

19:28

I Escaped the Viet Cong as a Kid and Became an...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/13

On this episode of Our American Stories, Hoat Hoang was still a boy when his family left their village in the middle of the night. The fall of Saigon had changed everything, and the only way forward was through jungles, border checkpoints, and refugee camps that offered little hope. When they finally reached the United States, nothing about it felt like a finish line. Hoat worked long hours, learned English sentence by sentence, and kept his head down. In this story, Hoang walks us through his

en-US

7:59

Faith and Friendship After the 9/11 Pentagon Attack

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/13

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jocelyn Green didn’t lose anyone on September 11, but she still felt the weight of that day in ways she couldn’t have predicted. Living just a few miles from the Pentagon, she saw how quickly fear moved through a neighborhood. What surprised her was what came next: people showing up for each other in quiet, steady ways. Over time, she found herself thinking more about how faith fits into grief—and how friendships sometimes grow strongest in

en-US

10:49

People Sent Their Children Through the Mail?

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/12

On this episode of Our American Stories, Christopher Warren shares one of the strangest chapters in U.S. Postal Service history: the time when Americansactually sent children through the mail. In the early 1900s, families, especially in rural areas, took advantage of parcel post rules to ship their kids across towns, counties, and even state lines. And it didn’t stop there. In one case, an entire bank was sent through the postal system. This bizarre and often hilarious look at early

en-US

19:28

Roberto Clemente’s Legacy Preserved by a Fan Who...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/12

On this episode of Our American Stories, long after Roberto Clemente’s final game, Duane Rieder found himself returning to the images, stories, and memories that surrounded Clemente’s life and career. A photographer by trade, Rieder’s interest in Clemente became a quiet pursuit—scanning negatives, tracking down memorabilia, and sharing what he found with others. Over time, the project grew into a museum. Tucked away in a restored Pittsburgh firehouse, the Roberto Clemente

en-US

7:59

How the USS Lexington Became a Floating Symbol of...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/12

On this episode of Our American Stories, she was built for war but became a beacon of memory. The USS Lexington(CV-16) launched into battle during the darkest days of World War II and earned her place in history through courage, endurance, and an uncanny ability to survive. Nicknamed the “Blue Ghost” by Japanese forces, she was reported sunk multiple times—but each time, she returned, ready for more. Today, the aircraft carrier serves as a museum in Corpus Christi, offering a

en-US

38:16

Frankie Avalon Talks Grease, Billboard Hits, and His...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/12

On this episode of Our American Stories, Frankie Avalon became a household name before he turned twenty. With hits like “Venus” and “Why,” he dominated the Billboard charts during the golden age of American pop. But while many teen idols faded, Avalon evolved. He starred alongside Annette Funicello in a string of beach party films that captured the imagination of a generation. Decades later, he returned to the spotlight inGrease, performing “Beauty School Dropout”

en-US

10:49

The Incredible Story of Alvin York: From Pacifist to...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/11

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. Alvin York is one of the most celebrated American heroes of World War I. A deeply religious man and self-proclaimed pacifist, York initially sought exemption from military service. But on the battlefields of France, he performed a single act of bravery that made him a national legend. Historian Elliott Drago of the Jack Miller Center shares the remarkable true story of how a Tennessee farm boy became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. military

en-US

19:28

How a Blue Diamond Became the World’s Most Famous and...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/11

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Hope Diamond has been blamed for madness, financial ruin, and untimely death. It’s also one of the most visited artifacts in the world. So what kept people chasing it? Richard Kurin, author ofHope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem, traces how this 45-carat blue diamond moved from European royalty to American catalogs and eventually into the Smithsonian’s glass case. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

en-US

7:59

A Job at a Big Bank...or Pilot of Air Force Two?

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/11

On this episode of Our American Stories, on the morning of September 11, 2001, Peter Braxton became the first military pilot in the air over the burning Twin Towers—on what was his very first day on the job. Not long after, he flew multiple combat tours in the Middle East before eventually retiring from the Air Force. In this story, Peter shares what happened when he got a phone call shortly after retirement that began with an unexpected question: “Do you still have your uniform?”

en-US

30:17

How a Doomed Air Raid and a Lucky Break Turned the...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/11

On this episode of Our American Stories, after Pearl Harbor, American morale was low. The Doolittle Raid, led by Jimmy Doolittle himself, wasn’t expected to do much damage, but it proved to the country and the world that the U.S. could strike back. Six months later, the Japanese navy launched a major offensive in the Pacific, hoping to knock America out for good. The result was the Battle of Midway, one of the most important naval victories of the war. Historian Stephen Ambrose explains how

en-US

7:59

The Woman Who Voiced Rudolph

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/11

On this episode of Our American Stories, the most famous reindeer in the world was voiced by someone most people have never heard of. Billie Mae Richards, a Canadian actress and mother of five, gave Rudolph his voice in the 1964 holiday special that became a staple of American television. She recorded the part in just a few hours, never expecting the character to last. What followed were decades of reruns, toy lines, and a place in Christmas history. In this rare archival interview, Richards shares

en-US

1,702 results

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