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 6, 2025 • 8min
The Founding Fathers Said, No Bible—No America: 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 understand the role that the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both 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. 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 • 38min
A Story of Excellence: Horst Schulze and The Founding of The Ritz-Carlton
On this episode of Our American Stories, a legend in the hotel world, Horst Schulze reshaped how service and hospitality are defined in business—standards that have become world famous. Throughout the years he worked for both Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of the luxury hotel chain, The Ritz Carlton in 1983. Here's Horst with his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 5, 2025 • 30min
Founding Father Benjamin Rush: Father of Psychiatry, the Army Medical Corps, and Veterinary Care
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Benjamin Rush is America’s Forgotten Founding Father; perhaps because many historians don’t know what to do about his outspoken faith. Rush was the one who encouraged Thomas Paine to write “Common Sense,” which fueled the American Revolution. Here's Harlow Giles Unger presenting a book talk at the Library of Congress on the man. Unger is a New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight books including Dr. Benjamin Rush: The Founding Father Who Healed a Wounded Nation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 5, 2025 • 8min
From Tragedy to a Classic Christmas Carol: The Story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard The Bells”
On this episode of Our American Stories, the song has been recorded by Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Andy Williams, Johnny Marks, and Frank Sinatra, to name a few. Here to tell the 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 5, 2025 • 11min
1776: Our Colony and Britain (w/ David McCullough)
On this episode of Our American Stories, King George III was not "the mad king who lost the colonies," says renowned historian David McCullough. "He was a king and did lose the most prosperous land on Earth just as the British Empire was building up steam.". Here's the late great McCullough 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 5, 2025 • 9min
Eli Whitney and His Fake Interchangeable Gun Parts Demo
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If one crashed or had another issue, he secretly swapped it for another one. He had to show off a specific set of functions in a certain order, called the “golden path.” But way back in 1801, another young inventor named Eli Whitney–already known for his invention of the cotton gin in 1794–seized an opportunity to try to make his fortune. 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 5, 2025 • 18min
My Father Was Friends with Castro...Until He Wasn't
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Gonzalez tells this story of his family escaping the clutches of Castro's communist dictatorship. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 4, 2025 • 11min
The Antiwar Presidential Candidate—Who Was a Combat Pilot and Hero in WWII
On this episode of Our American Stories, the late-great historian Stephen Ambrose tells us the unlikely World War II story of George McGovern, the antiwar presidential candidate defeated by President Nixon in 1972. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 4, 2025 • 19min
The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn: More Americans Died in the Revolutionary War on this British Prison Ship Than in Combat
On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert P. Watson, author of The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, tells this previously untold story of the American Revolution. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 4, 2025 • 8min
Vietnam Vets Wouldn’t Sell Their Story to Hollywood, But They Sold “We Were Soldiers” to the Writer of “Braveheart”
On this episode of Our American Stories, We Were Soldiers is a motion picture about the Vietnam War from writer/director Randall Wallace and starring Mel Gibson. Here's Randall Wallace himself to tell the story of how the film came to be. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
