

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

May 10, 2024 • 9min
The Story of a Mother Who Destroys the Perfect Mom Myth
On this episode of Our American Stories, popular social media influencer and mother Tiffany Jenkins talks about her secret to being a mother....(hint: it's not what you post on social media!) Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 10, 2024 • 18min
How Faith, Infidelity, and Forgiveness Grew a Family Not Once, but Twice
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a 30-year span, a family confronts its sins twice and tells a story of role reversal and forgiveness. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2024 • 11min
Why It Took One Man 7 Years to Get His Car Back (From The Government)
On this episode of Our American Stories, Elyia Somin tells the story of Timbs v. Indiana and the 7 year game of court pingpong it took for one man to get his Land Rover back. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2024 • 27min
Lightning in a Bottle: The Early Years of Coke
On this episode of Our American Stories, why were Coke bottles green? How do Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola relate? How did a syrup that was originally sold as medicine end up as the South's greatest export? Larry Jorgensen, author of The Coca-Cola Trail, tells the story of this sugary soft drink - first brought to market this day in 1886. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2024 • 20min
A Dad's Gift to His Children with Down Syndrome: An Ice Cream Truck?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Joel Wegener and his wife are blessed with 10 children, 2 of which were diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In his quest to find a fun way to teach them life skills, Joel happened upon the idea of running an ice cream truck. Here he is to tell the rest of the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2024 • 18min
The True Story Of The Invention of Crayola Crayons
On this episode of Our American Stories, from the bifocals to the cotton gin to the automobile to the iPhone, this country has produced creations that make our lives better… but sometimes, we invent things with recreation, and not productivity, in mind. Natascha Biebow, author of The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons, is here to tell us the story of Edwin Binney. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 2024 • 20min
From Steel Town to Tinsel Town: The Life of Composer Henry Mancini
Today, Henry Mancini is recognized as one of Hollywood's greatest composers, creating the 'Pink Panther Theme' and 'Moon River' from Breakfast at Tiffany's among other pieces. Lesser known, however, is that Henry's life started in a steel town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here to tell his story, and the story of their life together, is Henry's wife, Virginia Mancini. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 2024 • 10min
Caring For My Dying Husband Made Life Worth Living
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tracy Grant, the former managing editor at the Washington Post, shares the story of why the days taking care of her dying husband were the best 7 months of her life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 2024 • 8min
ILLEGAL: Shooting Bunnies From A Motorboat
On this episode of Our American Stories, Winter Prosapio dives into some of the strange laws we have....and why we have them. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 2024 • 38min
The Story of Sergeant York: The Religious Pacifist Who Became One of America’s Greatest War Heroes
On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. Alvin York— the reluctant World War I infantryman who became an American legend—has stood as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for over a century.The Tennessee mountaineer whose religious convictions at first kept him from fighting became the recipient of the Medal of Honor and nearly 50 other decorations for single-handedly capturing (132) or killing (28) an entire German machine‐gun battalion.Here to tell the story is JD Phillips, who runs the popular YouTube channel, The Appalachian Storyteller. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


