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
Jun 3, 2024 • 11min
A President, a Preacher, and a Giant Block of Cheese
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is often known for championing religious freedom in our nation's infancy, but not many people know about how a preacher thanked him in the most unusual way. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 9min
Wayne Gretzky Memorializes His Father
On this episode of Our American Stories, Walter Gretzky died at the age of 82. His death prompted an avalanche of tributes for a genuine, approachable, authentic person who nurtured the unsurpassed hockey talents of his son, Wayne Gretzky, on the family's famed backyard rink in Brantford, Ontario. The 60-year-old NHL legend-turned-American citizen spoke shortly after laying his father to rest. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 10min
"Fair Game" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases author, Andrew Thompson, as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 8min
Playing Cards in a Dumpster?
On this episode of Our American Stories, here's the story of why Paul Kotz hopped into a dumpster with a homeless man to play cards with him. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 30min
The Story of Legendary Storm Chaser, Tim Samaras
On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the twenty-first century, the tornado was one of the last true mysteries of the modern world. It was a monster that ravaged the American heartland a thousand times each year, yet science’s every effort to divine its inner workings had ended in failure. Researchers all but gave up, until the arrival of an outsider. Brantley Hargrove is the author of The Man Who Caught the Storm: The Life of Legendary Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 8min
Two American Heroes—Martin Luther King, Jr. and Booker T. Washington—Who Overcame Injustice With a Zero-Victim Attitude
On this episode of Our American Stories, James Ward, author of Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice With A New Attitude, tells the story of two other black men in American history who have inspired his zero victim mentality. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 31, 2024 • 38min
The Man Who Changed The West: Gunfighter/Lawman/Gambler Bat Masterson
On this episode of Our American Stories, to Bat Masterson, gunslingers were hoodlums who killed for fun. He used guns to enforce the law or defend a friend. In the end, he’d achieved a feat almost none of the Old West legends had attained: he lived to see old age. Here to tell the story of Bat Masterson is the best Old West storyteller in the country, Dr. Roger McGrath. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 31, 2024 • 30min
The Story of America: The Tragedy of King Cotton
On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 25th Episode of The Story of America Series, Dr. Bill McClay tells the story of how the South became beholden to a system that brought massive wealth to a select few and enormous suffering to many others. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 31, 2024 • 8min
What I Learned About Faith and Friendship After 9/11
On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener Jocelyn Green tells the story of what she learned about faith and friendship after coming in contact with the devastation at the Pentagon—not far from her home. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 30, 2024 • 11min
Guitar Virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel: I Came To America Because Everything Here Is Better
On this episode of Our American Stories, born in Australia, Tommy Emmanuel fell in love with American country guitar legend, Chet Atkins. The rest, as they say, is history—Tommy explains. We'll be playing his music throughout this story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
