Our American Stories
iHeartPodcasts
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
Mentioned books
May 13, 2025 • 8min
A 14-Year-Old Historian Brings the First Day of the American Revolution to Life
On this episode of Our American Stories, you’ve probably heard that during his famous midnight ride through the Massachusetts countryside to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the impending British occupation of Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere shouted, “The British are coming!” But that’s not quite true. Sabrina Bhattacharjya, a 14-year-old history enthusiast and founder of Lex250, shares the real story—and brings to life the first day of the American Revolution. We'd like to thank Constituting America for turning us on to this story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12, 2025 • 11min
[Mother's Day Special] Forgiving My Worthless Father
On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor from Kodiak Island, Alaska, Leslie Leyland Fields, shares the heartbreaking story of her relationship with her father—and it’s not what you’d expect. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12, 2025 • 9min
[Mother's Day Special] Mother’s Day Means More When You Don’t Know if You’ll See Her Again
On this episode of Our American Stories, Scott Jones, a regular contributor to Our American Stories and author of Growing Up Rural, shares the story of a boy named Leo and the special letters he wrote to his family during the war. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12, 2025 • 18min
[Mother's Day Special] Receiving Wylie: A High-Risk Pregnancy Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, Karla Duerson shares what it was like to be pregnant with—and give birth to—her daughter Wylie. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2025 • 11min
[Mother's Day Special] The Eulogy Lee Never Gave for His Mother
On this episode of Our American Stories, our host, Lee Habeeb, opens up about his mother’s life and legacy in the patch of earth in Northern New Jersey she cared for and influenced with her love, grace, and class. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2025 • 9min
[Mother's Day Special] The Story of a Mother Who Destroys the Perfect Mom Myth
On this episode of Our American Stories, popular social media influencer and Mother Tiffany Jenkins shares her secret to being a mom… (Hint: It’s not what you post on social media!) Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2025 • 10min
[Mother's Day Special] My Mother Had Me at 16: She's My Superhero
On this episode of Our American Stories, for our Mother's Day Special, Alan Brown, a listener of Our American Stories, shares a story about him and his strong-willed mother, and how they both battled and survived poverty and an abusive marriage, coming out the other side better and closer than ever. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2025 • 8min
[Mother's Day Special] 'Curls' by Winter Prosapio
On this episode of Our American Stories, for our Mother's Day Special, Our American Stories regular contributor, writer, and Mother Winter Prosapio shares a touching story about a mundane, often-repeated event: washing her daughter's curly hair. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 9, 2025 • 30min
The Story of America's Most Legendary Storm Chaser: Tim Samaras
On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the 21st century, tornadoes were still one of nature’s greatest mysteries—ripping through the American heartland more than a thousand times a year, with scientists no closer to understanding their inner workings. Most had given up trying—until Tim Samaras came along. Brantley Hargrove, author of The Man Who Caught the Storm, shares the story of the storm chaser who risked everything to unlock the secrets of the skies. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 9, 2025 • 8min
How an Iowa Waitress Became an Officer's Wife in Texas
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joy Neal Kidney, a regular contributor to Our American Stories from Des Moines, Iowa, shares her mother’s story of how she became an officer’s wife in the middle of World War II. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
