Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the Founding Fathers set out to shape a new nation, they looked to Scripture for wisdom. Many were not traditional churchgoers, but nearly all believed that moral order came from faith. Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America, shares the story of how biblical teaching influenced America’s earliest leaders and how those ideas became part of the nation’s identity. 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, James Ward grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at a time when the city was still divided by race and geography. The Black Warrior River split the town in two, and children learned early which side they belonged to. For Ward, that separation defined his world until the third grade, when he was bused across town to a newly integrated school. The change was immediate. The buildings were new, the paint was fresh, and the lawns were green. His teacher, Mrs. Pitts, carried herself with a quiet grace that left a lasting mark. She expected more of him than anyone else had and refused to let him settle for less. When his name appeared on the board for his good work, Ward realized that his worth wasn’t limited by the color of his skin or where he lived. That discovery became the turning point in his life. Years later, as a pastor in Chicago, he carried that lesson into a nation struggling with anger and division. When the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha brought tensions to a breaking point, Ward called instead for prayer, peace, and forgiveness. His words spread quickly, resonating with people across the country who were desperate to hear a voice of calm. His book, Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice with a New Attitude, tells the story of how one teacher’s faith helped him see beyond bitterness and fear. 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, so much of our Thanksgiving imagery and tradition is not rooted in historical reality, yet the truth is far more colorful and meaningful. Here to help us revisit the real story is Simon Whistler from the “Today I Found Out” YouTube channel and its companion podcast, “Brain Food Show.” 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, when Napoleon’s brother Jérôme Bonaparte met a young Baltimore woman named Elizabeth Patterson in 1803, it seemed like a love story that could never last. Their marriage was annulled by the emperor himself, but it sparked a family line that would take root in America and quietly reshape its future. Their grandson, Charles J. Bonaparte, carried the ambition of his lineage in a different direction. Educated at Harvard and driven by public service, he became U.S. Attorney General under Theodore Roosevelt and went on to establish a small investigative office within the Justice Department, an office that would later evolve into the Federal Bureau of Investigation.The History Guy traces how Napoleon Bonaparte’s legacy reached across oceans, blending old-world nobility with new-world purpose. 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, across small-town America, fields that once grew corn and clover now host something unexpected: racing lawn mowers. The smell of fuel mixes with cut grass, and the sound of modified engines echoes across the open air. For Julie Tynmann, these races aren’t about fame or money; they’re about community and the thrill of seeing how far a racing mower can go when you push it to its limit.Julie shares how she found joy in this unlikely corner of motorsport, where every turn of the wheel reminds her that adventure can begin anywhere, even in your own backyard. 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, when Mike and Deborah Bailey lost their daughter Ashlynn to a fentanyl overdose, their world stopped. For months, they wrestled with heartbreak and rage, knowing the man who sold her the drugs was still alive. Then their son came to them with a quiet conviction: he wanted to forgive the dealer. What began as an act of faith became a family’s path to healing. The Baileys wrote a letter offering forgiveness—not to excuse the pain, but to release its hold on their hearts. They believed that letting go was the only way to honor their daughter’s spirit. Their story is a powerful testament to grace in the face of loss and to the strength it takes to choose love when everything else falls apart. 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, before his story was immortalized in the Hollywood movie Lone Survivor, Michael Murphy was a kid from New York who believed in duty over comfort. He earned his degree at Penn State University, was accepted to law school, and could have built a quiet, successful life. Instead, he chose the hardest path imaginable and joined the U.S. Navy SEALs. Training pushed him past every limit, and what followed was a mission that tested everything he stood for. In 2005, during Operation Red Wings, Murphy led his team through the mountains of Afghanistan. When they were ambushed by hundreds of Taliban fighters, communication was their only hope. He stepped into the open, bullets cutting through the air, and made the call that saved his men. Murphy was killed that day, but his courage lived on. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and his story continues to inspire those who serve. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute shares the story of a man who proved that real heroism is quiet, costly, and unbreakable. 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, by the time America entered World War II, Clark Gable was already one of the most famous men in the world. Known for Gone with the Wind and his larger-than-life charm, he could have easily stayed home, untouchable and adored. But at forty-one, Gable did something no one expected: he enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps, insisting, “I just want to be sent where the going is rough.” The studio lights faded into the background as he trained alongside men half his age, learning to fly combat missions over Europe. His fame followed him wherever he went, but on base, he was just another soldier doing his part. Behind the uniform was a man determined to prove that courage wasn’t limited to the screen.Historian Roger McGrath tells the story of Clark Gable’s service, from Hollywood’s red carpets to the open skies of war, where the King of Hollywood became a patriot who led by example. 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, before George McGovern became the Democratic presidential candidate in the 1972 election, he was a young pilot flying dangerous missions over Europe. Long before he spoke out against the Vietnam War, he risked his life in the skies of World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage. Years later, the same man who had faced German gunfire would stand on a national stage, calling for an end to another war. His message of peace divided voters, and his campaign against President Richard Nixon ended in defeat. The late, great historian Stephen Ambrose shares the remarkable life of George McGovern — a man whose journey from bomber pilot to Democratic nominee challenged America to see war and leadership in a different light. 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, during World War II, the ocean was a battlefield few ever saw. Deep below the surface, American submarines hunted enemy ships in silence, their crews knowing that a single mistake could mean never coming home. Among them was Rear Admiral Frederick “Fearless Freddie” Warder, a U.S. Navy officer whose skill and steady command made him one of the most respected leaders in the fleet. Warder earned his nickname through acts of calm precision, leading his submarine into dangerous waters and striking with torpedo accuracy that seemed impossible. His courage and composure became legendary among Navy ranks, yet his name rarely appears in history books. He was one of the many unsung heroes of World War II whose quiet victories helped turn the tide of war. Here’s the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.