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
Aug 16, 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.
Aug 15, 2024 • 11min
How the USA Almost Went to War Over a Pig
On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor, Anne Claire, tells the story of the time the United States almost went to war with the United Kingdom over the untimely death of a pig in what is now Washington State.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 • 19min
The 'Forrest Gump' of Drummers: The Story of Zoro
On this episode of Our American Stories, rarely does artistic rhythm rest as it does in Zoro the drummer. Hear from the man behind Maria's Scarf how his talent and temerity ultimately equipped him for a mountain of fun for everyone.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 • 8min
The Man Who Was a Founder AND Mascot: KFC's Colonel Sanders
On this episode of Our American Stories, Colonel Sanders did something that no other restaurant founder dared to do — he became his company’s own mascot and brand ambassador! Here to share the story of KFC and a little about who Colonel Sanders was is Adam Chandler, author of Drive Thru Dreams.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 • 11min
Irish Need Not Apply: The Story of How The Irish Went From Pariahs to Patricians
On this episode of Our American Stories, American progress, with all its tragedies and yet enduring hope, can be seen perhaps as clearly through the Irish-American experience as any other. Karen Kauffman is here to tell us how one man, Mathew Carey, never tired of calling Americans again and again to the high aspirations of the Declaration of Independence.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 • 19min
The Grass and the Furious: Ladies, Start Your Lawnmower Engines!
On this episode of Our American Stories, Julie Tynmann is here with her story about the greatest show on turf.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 • 8min
Ben Franklin: Chess Can Make You A Better Person?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ben Franklin has the distinction of many "firsts": He invented the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocals, the catheter, swim fins and the odometer. He started the first public library, the first volunteer fire company, the first American fire insurance company, the first hospital and was the first postmaster general. Chess.com also reminds us that Franklin was also the first known chess player as well as the first chess author in America. Here again to tell us the story is the Jack Miller Center's Editorial Officer and historian, Elliott Drago.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 14, 2024 • 38min
He Became a POW in Vietnam Two Days Before His Baby Was Born
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ken Wells always knew what he wanted to do: fly fast. But when that dream became a reality, it landed him as a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam... Two days before his wife, Candy, gave birth to their child. Joining us with their story are both Ken and Candy.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 14, 2024 • 11min
A Baby-Boomer’s Battle with Insanity and Fitness
On this episode of Our American Stories, Paul, our regular contributor from Minnesota, is here to tell us his weight-loss resolution story.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 14, 2024 • 9min
The Story of a Bathroom Drug Deal Interrupted by Jesus
On this episode of Our American Stories, Pastor Greg Laurie tells a success story of profoundly helping a man who was going astray. The call could not be clearer, and Pastor Greg did his duty despite less than comfortable environs.Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
