

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

Nov 26, 2024 • 20min
Is Die Hard a Xmas Movie? The Story and the Definitive Answer!
On this episode of Our American Stories, here to settle this question once and for all is Stephen Follows. Stephen is an established data researcher in the film industry and wrote the widely circulated answer to this hotly debated question on his website, StephenFollows.com. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 2024 • 18min
The Great Thanksgiving Cranberry Scare of 1959
On this episode of Our American Stories, 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the week of Thanksgiving. That's 80 million pounds! And 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season. Here’s the History Guy to share the story of the Great Cranberry Scare of 1959. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 11min
A Cop Recalls the Wreck that Changed Him
On this episode of Our American Stories, Richard Muniz tells the story of the night he would never forget while working as a deputy for the Conejos County Sheriff's Department. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 19min
The Man Who Rescued Over 10,000 Stranded Motorists
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Weller, also known as 'The San Diego Highwayman,' shares the story of why he dedicated his time to helping people on the side of the road. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 8min
A Father's Love: Capone's Lawyer "Easy" Eddie and WWII Ace "Butch" O'Hare
On this episode of Our American Stories, the unlikely story of redemption and bravery behind two Chicago legends: Al Capone's lawyer "Easy" Eddie and O'Hare Airport's namesake, WWII Ace pilot-hero, Butch O'Hare. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 11min
The Bible: The Best-Selling Book of All Time
On this episode of Our American Stories, let’s take a listen to The History Guy as he tells the history of the Bible. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 9min
Auto CEO Guts His Private Jet And Flies Across the World to Deliver an Apology to Mercedes
On this episode of Our American Stories, auto CEO Roger Penske ripped the seats out of his private jet to give Mercedes Benz a personal apology because of a business failure. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 18min
Why Did This Pittsburgh Steelers Legend—Owner Art Rooney—Attend the Funeral of Someone He Didn’t Know?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim O'Brien describes Pittsburgh Steelers founding owner Art Rooney, Sr. as "the grandfather he needed." Rooney taught O'Brien the importance of always attending funerals, including the story of Rooney attending a funeral for a man he barely knew. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 22, 2024 • 38min
Jesse James: The Wild West's Most Notorious Outlaw
On this episode of Our American Stories, after a century and a half, Jesse James remains one of the most iconic and romanticized figures in American history. Here to tell the story of America’s most notorious outlaw 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.

Nov 22, 2024 • 20min
Balloons Over Broadway: The American Visionary Who Created the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
On this episode of Our American Stories, everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our next story is about the man who first invented these "upside-down puppets”—Tony Sarg. Here to tell the story is Deborah Sorensen, Curator of Exhibitions at the Nantucket Historical Association where their exhibition, “Tony Sarg: Genius at Play” is the first comprehensive exhibition exploring the life of Tony Sarg. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


