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
Feb 14, 2025 • 8min
MIT's Basketball Coach: "Those Nerds Can Only Handle One Play"
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Koch tells the stories of leadership lessons he took with him for the rest of his life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025 • 38min
The Story of a Gang Leader Turned Death Row Chaplin
On this episode of Our American Stories, Earl Smith shares his story, warts and all. Earl survived a violent youth and eventually served as a Chaplain in San Quentin Prison. Then he came face to face with his past once again. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025 • 11min
"All She Needs Is A Prescription For A Good Friend"
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lorna Jean, the woman who needed that prescription, tells the story of how the wife of the doctor helping her with her mental health struggles filled that prescription and changed her life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025 • 19min
The Story of "Trader Joe's": The Small Grocery Store That Beats the Big Guys
On this episode of Our American Stories, our own Greg Hengler (and others) tell the story of a grocery store founded in Los Angeles in 1967 that expanded to hundreds of locations across 42 states and revolutionized how we shop for groceries. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025 • 8min
Accordionist Nancy 3 Hoffman—Yes, That's Her Middle Name—Tells the Story of Her...Umbrella Cover Museum
On this episode of Our American Stories, meet Nancy 3 (that's the numeral '3' not the word 'three') Hoffman, an accordionist, world traveler, and owner of the world's only Umbrella Cover Museum in Peak's Island, Maine. That's umbrella covers, not umbrellas. Nancy shares the story of how she came to open such a specific museum, what her museum is like, and how her museum taught her to find joy in the mundane aspects of life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 • 20min
He Survived WWII and Felt Guilty—So He Invented CPR
On this episode of Our American Stories, it might surprise you to hear that CPR was only invented in 1960. Here to tell the story of the man who invented it, Peter Safar, is Kevin Hazzard, author of American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics. Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 • 11min
The Baseball Team That Fought For Equality Before Jackie Robinson Hit The Majors
On this episode of Our American Stories, Chris Siriano tells the story of a baseball team formed out of a religious commune in Benton Harbor, MI. The long-haired men played anywhere and with anybody-including those who had been excluded from major league venues because of the color of their skin. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 • 19min
Walter Isaacson: The Innovators That Created the Computer...And The Internet
On this episode of Our American Stories, renowned biographer and author of The Innovators, Walter Isaacson, tells the story of the teams that created the internet—and the computer. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 • 18min
The Glorious 25th of November, Evacuation Day
On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk brings us the tale of the day British forces evacuated New York City after the Revolutionary War... a full 2 years after the British Army surrendered.Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 • 8min
Tom Landry: A Story From “America’s Coach”
On this episode of Our American Stories, He was one of the greatest coaches of the 20th century. Behind a stone face and beneath his trademark fedora was a brilliant football mind. As head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for 29 years, Tom Landry compiled an impressive record of 13 division titles, five Super Bowl appearances, and two championships. The Cowboys would eventually be dubbed "America's team" and Landry became a coaching legend. Here he is 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.
