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
Dec 28, 2023 • 30min
The President Whose Greatness Came from His Restraint: The Story of President Calvin Coolidge
On this episode of Our American Stories, at 2:47 a.m. on August 3rd, 1923 Calvin Coolidge was administered the oath of office by his father in the light of a kerosene lamp in the small town in which he was born; Plymoth Notch, Vermont. It was the culmination of a life well lived. Here to tell the story of our 30th President is Matthew Denhart and Tracy Messer—the world's greatest Coolidge impersonator—with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 28, 2023 • 8min
Possom for Supper?
On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of what her family ate during the Great Depression. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 28, 2023 • 11min
Three Surprising Stories About The King of Rock and Roll
On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg McDonald got his start in show business as a teenager after meeting Elvis Presley and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, shortly after Parker began managing Elvis in the ‘50s. Here’s Greg with a Colonel and Elvis Christmas story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 28, 2023 • 19min
How Ronald Reagan Faked It 'Til He Made It: His Early Years in Radio in...Des Moines?
On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was President, he was a strapping radio commentator at WHO in Des Moines. Here's Ronald Reagan's story in his own words. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 28, 2023 • 8min
The Only Car Ever Made To Honor God
On this episode of Our American Stories, Barry Meguiar tells the compelling story of his rare 1901 Duryea car. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 27, 2023 • 38min
When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi
On this episode of Our American Stories, more than any other sports figure, Vince Lombardi transformed football into a metaphor of the American experience. Our guest David Maraniss (author of When Pride Still Mattered), captures all of Lombardi: the myth, the man, his game, and his God. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 27, 2023 • 30min
How My Dad's Wounds of War Fueled My Drive to Serve Vets
On this episode of Our American Stories, Diane Hight's father was a war hero—but also an alcoholic due to his PTSD from World War II. To honor him, she founded Forever Young Veterans, an organization started on the principle of taking WWII vets to the memorial in Washington D.C.—and which became an effort to take them back to Normandy and beyond. Here's her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 27, 2023 • 8min
The First Successful Submarine Attack In History
On this episode of Our American Stories, the CSS Hunley's sinking of the Housatonic was only a partial success, but represents the first time a submarine managed to sink an enemy vessel...and it happened in Charleston Harbor during the Civil War. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 26, 2023 • 11min
Christmas, 1776
On this episode of Our American Stories, it is called the first “American” Christmas because the Declaration of Independence was created the previous summer, essentially “divorcing” America from England and declaring our country an independent nation. Here’s Brian Benjamin sharing the story from his book, Christmas, 1776. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 26, 2023 • 9min
How "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Almost Didn't Happen
On this episode of Our American Stories, dealing with a small budget and with a short deadline, A Charlie Brown Christmas was released to critical acclaim on December 9th, 1965. While audiences loved it, there were many doubters behind the scenes at CBS. Our host, Lee Habeeb, tells the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
