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 19, 2024 • 8min
Burt Young’s Story: The Man Who Played Paulie in Rocky Opens Up About His Family and His Craft
On this episode of Our American Stories, Burt Young is an immediately recognizable character actor whose half-muttered voice and flinty gaze made him the perfect fit for "Rocky" as Sylvester Stallone's ill-mannered brother-in-law, Paulie. Here’s Burt Young 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.
Nov 19, 2024 • 11min
The Sleeping Sentinel Who Received the Death Penalty, But Was Saved By President Lincoln
On this episode of Our American Stories, the Civil War soldier, William Scott, fell asleep at his post, at the time a transgression punishable by execution. What happened next changed military history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 19, 2024 • 9min
The Origins of America's Religious Liberty...Birthed in Queens, NYC?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Larry Reed tells the story of the Flushing Remonstrance, an all-important document that helped inform the 1st Amendment. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 19, 2024 • 18min
Where Do Your Family Photos Go After a Tornado? Everywhere. Here's The Man Whose Mission is to Return Them.
On this episode of Our American Stories, where would our photos go if our house were to be hit by a tornado? The answer is everywhere. But for Thad Beeler's neighbors, that question wasn't a hypothetical...it was grounded in harsh reality after the deadly May 2011 Joplin Tornado...and Thad decided to do something about it. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 18, 2024 • 11min
Bob Munden: “The Fastest Gun Who Ever Lived”
On this episode of Our American Stories, we’ve all heard of gunslingers “Wild” Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Billy The Kid. These quick-draw legends had nothing on Bob Munden. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 18, 2024 • 27min
Our American “Odyssey”: Stephen Ambrose on Lewis & Clark
On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose shares some stories from his #1 New York Times bestseller, Undaunted Courage. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 18, 2024 • 20min
The Woman Who Wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Is the Godmother of Thanksgiving?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving used to be one of many days—"If you planned your itinerary carefully, you could have a good Thanksgiving dinner every day between Election Day and Christmas Day." That all changed when a songwriter worked long and hard to crystallize American culture as distinct from that of Britain - including by a new official holiday in the midst of the Civil War. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 18, 2024 • 10min
I Lived Through The Depression And Didn't Even Know It
On this episode of Our American Stories, Donald Sturm tells his story of growing up during The Great Depression without knowing it because of the powerful influence of his parents...here's his remarkable story. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 18, 2024 • 8min
“Propose a Toast” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 17)
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. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 15, 2024 • 11min
The Story of the Real—and Mostly Unknown—Author of the U.S. Constitution, Gouverneur Morris
On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story is about a Founding Father who wrote the most famous seven words in American history: “We the People of the United States.” Professor of political science at Syracuse, Dennis C. Rasmussen is also the author of The Constitution's Penman: Gouverneur Morris and the Creation of America's Basic Charter—he is also a Jack Miller Center Fellow. https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSupport the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
