Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, at the height of his career, Pat Boone was one of the most recognizable figures in American music, known for his success on stage and on television. Behind it all was his marriage to Shirley Foley Boone, which remained at the center of his life. The legend himself joins us to tell the story of how he balanced stardom with his personal faith and family. 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, Major General “Mook” Mukoyama volunteered and served in both Korea and Vietnam, building a long career in the U.S. Army during some of the most defining conflicts in American military history. In 1986, he became the youngest general in the Army at the time, and soon after was promoted to Major General, where he went on to command the 70th Training Division during Desert Storm. After retiring from military service, Mukoyama turned his focus to working with American veterans, dedicating his time to understanding and addressing the lasting impact of combat. 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, most people set out to run a single marathon and call it a lifetime achievement. Karen Thomson and her son, Joe Meilink, decided to take it much further. Together, they ran a marathon in every state, turning long miles and early mornings into something more than a physical challenge. Along the way, the journey became a shared pursuit, one that brought family closer together and created memories that stretched far beyond the finish line.Karen and Joe, joined by Joe’s wife Vicky, share how it all started, what kept them going, and what they found in each other over the course of 50 races across the country. 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 “back to square one” 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, Abraham Lincoln often spoke about God, especially during the darkest days of the Civil War. But what he believed, and how he arrived there, is more complex than many assume. He did not belong to a church for most of his life. He wrestled with loss, read widely, and thought deeply about providence, suffering, and the role of faith in a nation at war.Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian, shares the story of Lincoln’s spiritual life, how it evolved over time, and how his understanding of God shaped the way he led the country through its greatest crisis. We'd like to thank the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us access to this audio. 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, Brian Jay Jones, author of Jim Henson: The Biography, tells the story of how some of America’s most beloved characters—the Muppets—got their start in advertising and television commercials. 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 early days of hip-hop, the music grew out of Black and Latino communities in New York City. It was local, raw, and deeply rooted in the neighborhoods where it began. So when three white, Jewish kids from New York entered that world, it raised more than a few eyebrows.Greg Hengler shares the story of the Beastie Boys, how they found their place in a culture that wasn’t originally their own, and how their music helped carry hip-hop to audiences far beyond the city. It’s a story about risk, identity, and the unexpected ways American music can grow and change. 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 middle of the Civil War, when battlefield medicine was rough, dangerous, and often improvised, one doctor refused to stay on the sidelines.Dr. Mary Edwards Walker served on the front lines, treating wounded soldiers under fire and crossing enemy lines to care for those in need. Along the way, she was captured, held as a prisoner of war, and ultimately recognized for her service in a way no other woman in American history has been.The History Guy shares the remarkable story of the only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor, and how her courage, skill, and determination left a lasting mark on both American medicine and the nation she served. 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, General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army to victory in the Civil War and later served two terms as the 18th president of the United States. Today, he is buried at Grant’s Tomb in New York City, the largest presidential tomb in the country and one of the city’s most important historic monuments.By the late twentieth century, however, the memorial had fallen into serious disrepair. Graffiti covered the walls, maintenance had stalled, and many believed the National Park Service was failing to protect the historic site. That’s when a determined college student named Frank Scaturro decided to step in. His lawsuit against the federal government forced officials to confront the neglect and ultimately helped save Grant’s Tomb. Here's Frank 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.

On this episode of Our American Stories, as a boy growing up in Kansas City, Roger Rench’s life changed suddenly when his father took a job as a golf pro in the small town of Sheridan, Iowa. The move meant trading city life for a tiny community and living inside the clubhouse of the Lakeview Country Club. It also meant giving up something Roger loved even more than the golf course: his dog, Flash.The stay in Iowa lasted only a month before the job ended and the family returned to Kansas City, leaving Roger with more questions than answers. Decades later, while making a delivery in southern Iowa, he unexpectedly found himself back in Sheridan, standing in front of the same clubhouse where that brief chapter of his childhood had unfolded. Roger shares the story of that short, bittersweet time in Iowa. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.