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 10, 2025 • 19min
"My Mother Worked Miracles During the Holocaust"
On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Judah Samet tells the harrowing story of how he and his family managed to survive the Holocaust. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 10, 2025 • 8min
When "Neutral" America Occupied "Neutral" Iceland During WWII
On this episode of Our American Stories, Iceland's strategic location made it difficult to remain neutral during World War II. Here’s the History Guy with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 10, 2025 • 38min
Why Does Fighting Exist in Hockey: The Story of Hockey's "Enforcers"
On this episode of Our American Stories, as mysterious as it is sacred, the Code is an unwritten set of rules—the Bible of hockey sportsmanship, if you will—that has been handed down from generation to generation. Ross Bernstein, author of The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL, spent two years researching this story and is here to share it with you. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 7, 2025 • 30min
Truth Wins: The Story of Lance Armstrong’s Former Teammate, Tyler Hamilton
On this episode of Our American Stories, former Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton rocked the world of professional cycling—and exposed the doping culture surrounding the sport and its most iconic rider, Lance Armstrong. As one of the world’s top-ranked cyclists—and a member of Lance Armstrong’s inner circle, Hamilton has quite an amazing story and is here to share it with us. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 7, 2025 • 8min
“In a Nutshell & In the Doghouse” 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.
Mar 7, 2025 • 20min
She Thought Her Father Was Dead—Until a Shocking Discovery Just Blocks Away from Home
On this episode of Our American Stories, it wasn't until Karen Olson's school held a father-daughter dance that the question entered her mind: "Wait, who is my dad?" After asking her mother, she told her he had died before she could meet him. But years later, after a chance encounter, she found that wasn't true. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 7, 2025 • 10min
Titanic Thompson: The Greatest Cheat of All Time
On this episode of Our American Stories, Titanic Thompson led a wild life, always chasing the next big score, including cheating the infamous mobster Al Capone. Here’s "The History Guy" with the story o Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 7, 2025 • 8min
The Most Famous Prayer of The American Revolution
On this episode of Our American Stories, fear, and determination, filled the room as delegates to the first Continental Congress besought God for a speedy peace, the flourishing of justice and truth, and above all things, wisdom. Here to tell the story is Robert Morgan, the 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 6, 2025 • 11min
Asbestos: The Story of the Mineral That Used to Be in Everything
On this episode of Our American Stories, today we know asbestos to be a health hazard. But the natural mineral was not simply an artifact of the industrial age. Here’s the History Guy telling the story of asbestos. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 6, 2025 • 10min
"Cat Got Your Tongue?" 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.
