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 7, 2025 • 11min
Remembering the Gold Star Father Whose Story Inspired the Hit Country Song "I Drive Your Truck"
On this episode of Our American Stories, Paul Monti was able to keep - and drive - a meaningful memorial of his son Jared, who was killed in action defending his comrades. Here's Paul—and our own Lee Habeeb—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.
Feb 7, 2025 • 27min
The Most Important Children's Book Artist of the 20th Century—Maurice Sendak & "Where The Wild Things Are"
On this episode of Our American Stories, “Genius,” wrote poet Charles Baudelaire, “is only childhood recalled at will.” Few people have given more credence to this notion than Maurice Sendak, who was—in the words of The New York Times—“widely considered to be the most important children’s book artist of the 20th century.” Here’s Greg Hengler with the story of children's book author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 6, 2025 • 20min
The Teen CEO of the Clean Teeth Candy
On this episode of Our American Stories, she was the youngest person ever to be featured on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine. Alina Morse, CEO of Zolli Candy, is here to tell the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 6, 2025 • 18min
The Man Who Witnessed the Assassination of Abe Lincoln
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ford's Theater reenactor Mike Robinson tells the full unknown story through the eyes of A.C. Richards, Washington's Superintendent of Police. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 6, 2025 • 38min
A Manifest Destiny Hit: The Story of Saturday Night Live
On this episode of Our American Stories, Scot Bertram and Christian Schneider of the podcast Wasn't That Special: 50 Years of SNL tell the story of how a reserved Canadian and a rag-tag group of unknown comedians from across the country created one of the longest-lasting and most important shows of all time. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 • 30min
The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus
On this episode of Our American Stories, for generations, students in American elementary schools were taught Christopher Columbus “sailed the ocean blue” to discover America in 1492. Today, that lesson is changing in schools across the suburbs and country. Here to tell the story of Christopher Columbus is Laurence Bergreen, who wrote the definitive biography Columbus: The Four Voyages. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 • 8min
A Texas Boy vs. an Air Traffic Control Bully
On this episode of Our American Stories, you've heard that you, "Don't Mess with Texas." This story from our regular listener/contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas, exemplifies that statement. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 • 11min
The Gospel of Gettysburg: The Story Behind the Story of the Gettysburg Address
On this episode of Our American Stories, our host, Lee Habeeb shares the story behind the story of Lincoln's most important words—the Gettysburg Address. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 • 19min
The Story of America: Reconstructing the Nation After Our Deadliest Man Man Disaster—The Civil War
On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 33rd episode of "The Story of America" series, Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of what happened after the guns fell silent across America following our deadliest man-made disaster to date—the Civil War—and how despite massive gains in bringing "liberty and justice to all", not all was well in transforming and healing the nation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 • 8min
A Little Brother's Prayer to Be As Big As His Very Big Brother
On this episode of Our American Stories, A listener, Paul Bauer, tells the story of his prayer to be as tall as his very big brother, "Moose." Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
