

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

Mar 20, 2025 • 20min
Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice: The Navy’s "Jackie Robinson" (Told by His Granddaughter)
On this episode of Our American Stories, his name? Jesse Leroy Brown. There's a movie dedicated to him called "Devotion," based on the book of the same name by our regular contributor, Adam Makos. The story is also about Thomas Hudner, who received the Medal of Honor for trying to save Jesse's life. Here to share the story of the man is Jesse's granddaughter, Jessica Leroyce Knight Henry. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 18min
The Turning Point in Abe’s Life: A Wrestling Match
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lincoln was one of the greatest leaders in US history, but before he was elected President of the United States, he used his skills as a wrestler to win approval from the masses. Here to tell the story is wrestling historian (and Our American Stories listener) Mike Chapman. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 30min
The True Story of How Curious George Escaped the Nazis
On this episode of Our American Stories, Louise Borden, author of The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey shares the story of how one of the most iconic children's book characters in history escaped from the clutches of the Third Reich and into the arms of America. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 8min
Abigail Adams and Her 7-Year-Old Son John Quincy Witnessed First-hand The Battle of Bunker Hill: 100 Bible Verses That Made America
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 the Bible. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation of Faith. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 27min
"I Was Either Going to Be The Best Drug Dealer or The Best Football Player"
On this episode of Our American Stories, Melvin Cole, the headmaster of PURE Youth Athletics Alliance in Memphis, tells his astonishing story of going from running cocaine rings to running a boarding school dedicated to helping kids who grew up just like he did. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 20min
Girl with a Gun: The Annie Oakley Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was a shooting star, a magician whose magic wand was a gun. Right-handed, left-handed, on a horse, through a mirror—she couldn’t miss. At a time when women were only expected to fire up the oven, Annie Oakley fired her way to fame as the world’s greatest sharpshooter. In her personal life, she was a sharpshooter as well. She was devoted to her marriage and her faith. Here to tell the story is Ashley Hlebinsky. Ashley is the former co-host of Discovery Channel’s “Master of Arms,” the former curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, and president of The Gun Code, LLC. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 10min
A Brief History of Toilet Paper
On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy tells the story of everything you've ever wanted to know—and more—about toilet paper. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 8min
The Story of the First Black Voter in the United States
On this episode of Our American Stories, shortly after ratifying the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting a citizen’s right to vote “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude", Thomas Mundy Peterson made history and became our nation's first black voter. Here to tell this great American story is the Jack Miller Center's Editorial Officer and historian, Elliott Drago. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 11min
Forgiving My Worthless Father
On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor from Kodiak Island in Alaska, Leslie Leyland Fields, shares the story of the heart-breaking relationship between her and 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.

Mar 18, 2025 • 10min
"Fair Game" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
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 is Hair 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)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


