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
Dec 20, 2024 • 11min
The Most Important Churchill Speech You've Never Heard: His Christmas Address to Congress Weeks After Pearl Harbor
On this episode of Our American Stories, only weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an all-important stop in the United States to visit with President Roosevelt and to address Congress about the hard path before them...as he knew more than anybody else in the world what that path looked like. He'd been walking it alone for a while. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 20, 2024 • 9min
“Son of a Gun & Steal My Thunder” 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.
Dec 20, 2024 • 18min
Memorable Christmas Stories in U.S. Military History
On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers the forgotten stories from U.S. military history. You won't want to miss this one! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 19, 2024 • 20min
Hess Trucks: The Holiday Tradition That Started at a Gas Station
On this episode of Our American Stories, for nearly 60 years, Hess trucks have brought smiles to children, and adults, up and down the East Coast. They were also the kind of gift the energy entrepreneur who created them wished he could have gotten growing up. Hess Toy Truck Director, Justin Mayer, and superfan, Mike Roberto, 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.
Dec 19, 2024 • 18min
An Aussie Discovers American Wings
On this episode of Our American Stories, Colin Bettles loves buffalo wings, which isn't that odd—many people do. However, the thing that makes his story unique is that he's many many many miles removed from Buffalo, New York in Australia. Here he is to share his story of how he came to adore buffalo wings. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 19, 2024 • 38min
Davy Crockett Died at the Alamo, But the Story of How He Lived Remains
On this episode of Our American Stories, for more than 150 years the story of Davy Crockett has captured our imaginations and inspired us to celebrate his image in song, story, and cinema. Here to tell another Hollywood Goes to War story is Roger McGrath. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2024 • 30min
The Real Story of U2 Spy Pilot Gary Powers—As Told by His Son
On this episode of Our American Stories, on May 1st, 1960, spy pilot Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet Russia resulting in massive controversy....and many questions. Did he defect? Did he have a flameout? Why didn't he kill himself? Did he spill his guts to the Soviets? When he returned from captivity to some, he was a hero—to others, he was a villain. But to Gary Powers, Jr....he was just dad. Here's Gary Powers Jr. to tell the true story of his father. Be sure to check out Gary's phenomenal books (and Cold War tours) on his website! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2024 • 8min
The Story of How George Washington Surprised the British Army, the Hessians, and the World on Christmas 1776
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, tells the remarkable story of how George Washington turned the tides of war at Trenton and Princeton in the most important year in our country's history—1776 by surprising a bunch of hungover Germans. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2024 • 30min
The Backstory of Robert E. Lee—America's Most Controversial General
On this episode of Our American Stories, most people's knowledge of Robert E. Lee starts with his decision to reject command of the Union Army and ends at Appomattox—but there's so much more to his story than that. Dr. Allen C. Guelzo, author of Robert E. Lee: A Life, tells the story of a complicated man whose decision-making was heavily influenced by where his house was and where his family was. We thank the great folks at the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us to use this remarkable audio—originally part of their Scholar Talks Series on YouTube. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2024 • 8min
The Woman Who Voiced Rudolph
On this episode of Our American Stories, Billie Mae Richards is a Canadian actress best known for voicing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the 1964 stop-motion television classic. The special first aired on December 6, 1964, on NBC. Here’s Billie Mae to share her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
