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
Apr 26, 2024 • 20min
The Story of a Woman Who Found Her Long Lost (And Presumed Dead) Father Just Blocks From Her Home
On this episode of Our American Stories, it wasn't until Karen Olson's school was holding a father-daughter dance that the question entered her mind: "Wait, who is my dad?" After asking her mother, she told her he had died before she could meet him. But years later, after a chance encounter, she found that was not true. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 26, 2024 • 10min
Indians, a Jew, and a Hotel Partnership
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp... one of the great hoteliers of all time—a legend in his business. He is also what you would call a “wise man.” Here’s Mike telling the story about how he—a Jew—started the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 26, 2024 • 8min
50 Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy: The iPhone, Radar, and TV Dinners
On this episode of Our American Stories, did you know "radar" is actually an acronym? It stands for RAdio, Detection, And Ranging—created in 1940 by our Navy. Tim Harford, author of the bestselling book 50 Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy, shares the stories of three inventions that changed the way we live today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024 • 20min
Hollywood's Golden Era Movie Star Had It All, But Left It All To Fight In WWII
On this episode of Our American Stories, he starred in “The Mark of Zorro” and many other movies, but his greatest role—at the height of his acting career—was serving his country during World War II as a Marine. Here to tell the story 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.
Apr 25, 2024 • 10min
"Cat Got Your Tongue?" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
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. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024 • 8min
One of the Most Decorated Veterans of All Time: The Col. David Hackworth Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, General Mukoyama served as a company commander under Colonel David Hackworth in Vietnam. Hackworth was one of the most highly-decorated Infantry Officers in the history of the United States Army. Here’s the General with the story of the legendary Col. David Hackworth. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024 • 11min
Benedict Arnold: Both the Greatest of Heroes and the Darkest of Villains
On this episode of Our American Stories, few stories are as compelling, as complex, or as mystifying as that of Benedict Arnold. After all, it is a story ripe with moral ambiguity: He was both the greatest of heroes and the darkest of villains. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024 • 27min
JJ's Story: From Homelessness to Helping Build and Design Home Furniture
On this episode of Our American Stories, a story from our hometown, Oxford, Mississippi—and one that's near and dear to our hearts. J.J. Jones tells the story of how we went from scraping dollars together to buy his daughter Wendy's to eat in their car (where they lived)—to finding good mentors, God, and a special talent. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 24, 2024 • 38min
The Story of America: The Frenchman Who Wrote About America Better Than Any American
On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 23rd episode of our ongoing 'Story of America' Series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of Alexis de Tocqueville—a Frenchman who came to America to write a book on the "wave of the future" as he saw it—Democracy. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 24, 2024 • 11min
Dwayne “The Rock" Johnson's Eulogy to His Father
On this episode of Our American Stories, Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson was a WWE Professional Wrestling Hall of Famer and the father of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Here’s Dwayne paying tribute to his father who taught him so much about life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
