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
Jan 6, 2025 • 11min
The House Built By Chewing Gum?
On this episode of Our American Stories, William Wrigley, Jr. was a brilliant businessman, but his ingenuity was outshined by his love for his wife. Here's the story of how he made his fortune and then spent it on the one he loved. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 6, 2025 • 19min
He Was Elvis' Biggest Competitor in the '50s: Pat Boone on His Two Loves, Music and His Late Wife, Shirley
On this episode of Our American Stories, Pat Boone got engaged on a Saturday and married the next day (by his high school principal)—at 19! Here he is with the story of how he balanced fame and fortune with faith and family. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 6, 2025 • 8min
When Character Stood Tall: How My Fraternity Brothers Put Their Reputations On The Line to Fight Hatred Against Me
On this episode of Our American Stories, despite being generally liked by the fraternity he was rushing, some boys' parents expressed their dismay at Eric Motley wanting to join the group. His would-be fraternity brothers put their enjoyment and reputations on the line to fight the unjustified hate. Here he is to tell his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 6, 2025 • 38min
How One Man Went From Unknown Shirt Salesman to The Oval Office: The Story of Harry S. Truman
On this episode of Our American Stories, Harry S. Truman was never supposed to be President—but that's exactly what happened when Franklin Roosevelt passed away following a stroke in the early days of his fourth term in office. Here's the story of how a man who grew up in rural Missouri went from the farmhouse to closing out WWII and building the world that would exist afterward. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 3, 2025 • 38min
The Redemptive True Story of a Cocaine Drug Lord
On this episode of Our American Stories, after running the North American cocaine trade for the cartel in his early 20s, Jorge Valdes found salvation rather than death. Here he is to tell his remarkable story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 3, 2025 • 18min
The Olympic Marathon Where Drinking Water Was Banned
On this episode of Our American Stories, Professor Susan Brownell shares how the Olympics ended up in St. Louis in the first place—and culminated in an absolute disaster of a marathon. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 3, 2025 • 20min
The One Book I Never Thought I Would Write
On this episode of Our American Stories, regular contributor to OAS, and author Leslie Leyland Fields tells her story of how she came to write her own memoir. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 2, 2025 • 20min
The B-25 In My Dad's Backyard
On this episode of Our American Stories, Wally Soplata tells the story of his eccentric union carpenter father who collected rare and vintage WWII aircraft for pennies on the dime—and stored them in his backyard. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 2, 2025 • 18min
What To Do When Your Grandfather Is a World-Famous Songwriter
On this episode of Our American Stories, Albert Brumley wrote classic hymns like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Turn Your Radio On,” but he left behind much more. His son Bob carried the legacy – and Bob’s daughters did the same. Here is the Brumley family story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 2, 2025 • 30min
How One Man's Faith Moved Him to Fight for A Wrongly Imprisoned Man
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim McCloskey grew up in church, but as he got older, he wanted nothing to do with his childhood faith. After a successful business career, Jim found himself feeling empty. He decided to return to church, and—to his surprise—began considering seminary, which would lead him to a jail cell with an innocent man in it. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
