Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, before gloves, rules, or weight classes, there was John L. Sullivan: a powerhouse brawler who became America’s last bare-knuckle boxing champion. With fists of steel and a standing challenge to fight any man alive, Sullivan didn’t just win titles; he won the country’s attention. In 1893, he launched his infamous “Knockout Tour,” daring challengers to last just 12 minutes in the ring with the champ for a cash prize. Christopher Klein, a historian and journalist, shares the story of boxing’s first true superstar and the spectacle that made John L. Sullivan a national sensation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, long after Roberto Clemente’s final game, Duane Rieder found himself returning to the images, stories, and memories that surrounded Clemente’s life and career. A photographer by trade, Rieder’s interest in Clemente became a quiet pursuit—scanning negatives, tracking down memorabilia, and sharing what he found with others. Over time, the project grew into a museum. Tucked away in a restored Pittsburgh firehouse, the Roberto Clemente Museum now houses game-used gear, rare photographs, and historic baseball cards. Here's Duane to tell the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, this time diving into how the phrase “all hell broke loose” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, he was the session guitarist behind some of the biggest songs of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but chances are, you’ve never heard his name. Tommy Tedesco, a core member of The Wrecking Crew, played on everything from TV themes to Top 10 singles. His son, Denny Tedesco, tells the remarkable story of the man behind the music and the acclaimed documentary that finally gave these musicians their due. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1960s, Karl Marlantes stood at a crossroads: remain at Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, or go to Vietnam and serve alongside the boys he grew up with, many of whom had already shipped out. He chose to go. That decision shaped his life in ways he’s still reckoning with. In this unflinching interview, Marlantes shares why he left behind comfort and entered the jungles of Vietnam. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray Charles did not write “Georgia on My Mind,” but he gave it its enduring soul. Written in 1930 by composer Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, the song lived a quiet life for decades before Ray Charles’ 1960 recording transformed it into a timeless American classic. Our host, Lee Habeeb, shares the story of how a haunting melody, a forgotten lyricist, and a singular voice came together to create a song that crossed genres, generations, and ultimately became the official state song of Georgia. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, this time diving into how the phrases “hunky dory” and “hedge your bets” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, while her parents were among the many unjustly sent to internment camps during World War II, Mary Mikami and her siblings remained free. Mary rose to the top of her class, earned a doctorate from Yale, and built a life marked by quiet strength and achievement. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brown University, shares her powerful and often overlooked story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, archaeologist Andrea Ludden and her husband, Rolf Ludden, turned a family passion for collecting salt and pepper shakers into the world’s largest museum of its kind. With over 20,000 pieces, ranging from whimsical figures to historical designs, the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers celebrate creativity, culture, and the stories behind everyday objects. Here’s their astonishing story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the founding of the United States, a group of determined settlers landed in a wild and unforgiving land with one audacious goal: to build an Eden in the wilderness. In this second episode of our ongoing Story of America Series, historian Bill McClay, a professor at Hillsdale College and author of Land of Hope, traces how the earliest settlements were a bold experiment in liberty and community that continues to impact American life today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.