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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

38:16

David McCullough on 1776: The Year America Was Born

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, the founding of the United States didn’t happen in a moment—it unfolded across one of the most difficult years in American history. The late-great historian and author of 1776,David McCullough, shares the story of how a fragile army, led by an untested commander, struggled to hold the cause together against overwhelming odds. Between Boston and New York, the future of the Revolution was shaped not by grand strategy or stirring speeches, but by

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10:49

How Cornelius Vanderbilt Helped Cause (and Calm) the...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, when gold prices collapsed in September 1869, it triggered one of the earliest financial panics in American history. Jay Gould and Jim Fisk had spent months driving prices higher in an attempt to corner the market, working backchannels in Washington to shield their plan from regulation. But the scheme unraveled quickly, and when it did, the damage rippled across the economy. Cornelius Vanderbilt, already one of the richest men in the country, moved fast to

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19:28

The Con Man Pardoned by Both Abraham Lincoln and...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, Joseph Howard Jr. was such a skilled con man that both Union President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis granted him pardons. Yet he was so notorious that a wealthy New York City woman once offered a $50,000 reward for his capture—dead or alive. This is the incredible true story of one of the most daring and elusive swindlers of the Civil War era. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

en-US

7:59

The Tragedy Behind 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day'

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/08

On this episode of Our American Stories, in December 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was in mourning. His wife had died in a fire two years earlier. His son had been wounded in the Civil War. And the country itself felt beyond repair. That Christmas, he sat down and wrote a poem about the sound of church bells, one that began in sorrow and ended with a quiet return to hope. The words were later set to music and became “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Robert Morgan, author of100

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10:49

What George Washington Did on Christmas Changed...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/07

On this episode of Our American Stories, the first American Christmas came just months after the Declaration of Independence. But by December, the mood across the colonies was anything but triumphant. Washington’s forces had been pushed back again and again. The army was cold, outnumbered, and on the brink of collapse. What happened on Christmas night turned the tide. With no guarantee of success, Washington led a quiet crossing of the Delaware and launched a surprise assault on Trenton. The

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9:29

The Strange History Behind Halloween’s Haunted...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/07

On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the century, Halloween in the United States looked very different. It wasn’t about costumes or candy—it was a night for pranks, property damage, and a fair amount of frustration for the adults trying to keep order. Over time, some communities found a different approach. Instead of cracking down, they redirected the energy. Schools, churches, and local groups began organizing haunted houses, offering just enough fear to keep the

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9:59

How the Wright Brothers Beat the World to the Sky

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/07

On this episode of Our American Stories, before they made history, the Wright brothers were just two mechanics with a theory. Their shop in Dayton kept the lights on, but it was their time on the beaches of North Carolina that changed the world. While others with more resources failed to get off the ground, Wilbur and Orville studied what moved through the air—and why. In 1903, after years of testing and quiet work, they lifted off the sand and became the first men to take flight, with a

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7:59

The Real Man Behind “I Love the Smell of Napalm in...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/07

On this episode of Our American Stories, Colonel David Hackworth was a soldier’s soldier. He fought in Korea, commanded in Vietnam, and earned more than 90 awards for valor, making him one of the most decorated military figures in American history. However, his legacy extends beyond citations. In Vietnam, Hackworth became known for his bold leadership, unconventional tactics, and outspoken criticism of military bureaucracy. Years later, some of his real-life exploits would inspire characters

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38:16

Crissy Moran Left Porn Behind. But Her Story Didn’t...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/07

On this episode of Our American Stories, Crissy Moran had everything the adult film world promised. The money came quickly, the attention never stopped, and the work only seemed to grow. But what she couldn’t outrun was the sense that something was breaking. In 2006, she deleted her website and stepped away from the business that had made her famous. What followed were years of rebuilding, finding faith, and learning to speak out. Today, the married Crissy is a born-again Christian—and

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38:16

The Small-Town Police Chief Redefining What It Means...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/06

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeff McCutchen didn’t set out to reimagine how a small-town police department operated, but after years on the job, something kept pulling at him. The calls felt heavier, the days felt longer, and the line between public safety and personal burnout was growing harder to ignore. Instead of holding the line on tradition, McCutchen began asking different questions about what leadership requires and what service should look like in a place where everyone

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20:18

How David McCullough Taught a Generation to Care...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/06

On this episode of Our American Stories, historian David McCullough made millions care about a year most only saw in textbooks—1776. Long before it became shorthand for American independence, 1776 was marked by hesitation, failure, and risk—and McCullough understood that better than most. In this public appearance, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner reflects on how the Revolutionary War unfolded, what the Declaration of Independence actuallymeant at the time, and why some of the most

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9:59

The Surprisingly Strange History of Toilet Paper

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/06

On this episode of Our American Stories, Toilet paper might seem like a modern necessity, but the truth is messier—and much older. Long before perforated rolls and flushable comfort, people used whatever they could find: seashells, corn cobs, even stones. The History Guy shares the story of what people used before toilet paper was invented—and how one man’s idea for “medicated paper” launched an industry no one wanted to talk about. Support the show

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7:59

“Put a Sock in It” and the Wonderful Origins of...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/06

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 exploring the phrase “put a sox in it” and others. His book,Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky roots behind the words we use every day. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

en-US

10:49

Snickers, Skittles, and the Woman Who Kept a Global...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, Victoria Mars offers a rare inside look at what it takes to run a business of that scale while keeping it private. From succession and structure to values and culture, she explains how the family has kept its footing in a world where most companies of its size sold out long ago. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:29

The Man Who Made Wayne Gretzky

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Walter Gretzky passed away at 82, people didn’t just remember him as the father of Wayne Gretzky. They remembered the man who stood quietly behind the scenes for decades, offering time, stability, and a kind of presence that never asked to be noticed. The backyard rink he built in Brantford became the foundation of Wayne’s earliest training, but the influence ran deeper than the ice. In this remembrance, Wayne reflects on what he shared at

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9:59

“Long Shot & Loose Cannon” and the Wonderful Origins...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/05

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. The book isHair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:59

A Veteran Police Officer on Mental Illness,...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, Deon Joseph has worked in law enforcement for more than two decades, spending much of that time in places where support systems rarely hold. The people he meets are often in crisis, and the job asks more than it once did. He reflects on how expectations have shifted, how officers adapt when there’s nowhere else to send someone, and what it means to keep doing the work when most of the pressure lands on the same few shoulders. Support the show

en-US

38:16

How the Kennedy Political Dynasty Began with Two...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/05

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Kennedies became a household name in American politics, they were two Irish immigrants trying to survive in a city that barely tolerated their presence. Bridget and Patrick Kennedy arrived in Boston after the famine, carrying more grief than belongings, and stepped into a world that saw their faith and their poverty as threats. Author Neil Thompson shares the story of their rise. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See

en-US

10:49

Stranded at Sea Before His Wedding: George Strake...

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/04

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Strake Jr. is a Texas oilman and lifelong adventurer with deep roots in both business and public service. But before all that, he was a groom racing against time. George shares a wild chapter from his younger days: the time he found himself stranded at sea as his wedding day loomed ever closer. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:29

Why Henry Gunther Was the Final Casualty of WWI

Our American Stories ·

2025/08/04

On this episode of Our American Stories, the First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But not before one last man fell. His name was Henry Gunther, and he died just moments before peace officially began. Why he charged forward, and how his death came to symbolize the senselessness of war’s final moments, is a story often overlooked. Craig Du Mez brings Henry’s story back into focus, tracing the last casualty of a war that had already ended in words but

en-US

1,702 results

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