Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tim Harford, author of the bestselling book Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy, shares the stories behind three transformative innovations: concrete, the LLC (limited liability company), and the index fund. From the concrete that built our cities, to the LLC that revolutionized business ownership, to the index fund that reshaped investing, these inventions changed the way we build, do business, and grow our wealth today. 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 Gettysburg Address or the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that won over the East Coast and propelled him toward the presidency. Delivered at Cooper Union in 1860, it was a turning point for American politics and for Lincoln himself. Vince Benedetto of Bold Gold Media shares the story behind the night Lincoln took the stage. 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, Billy the Kid didn’t live past 21, but his name still echoes through American folklore. In a lawless land, he became the face of rebellion: part folk hero, part criminal, and all mystery. Historian Roger McGrath traces the true story of the young drifter behind the legend — from his first brush with the law to the bullet that ended it all. 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, Mark Foster, an all-around Southern boy, never imagined his next business meeting would involve arm wrestling a Chinese Communist Party official after a chance encounter in an empty hotel bar. But one favor from his father-in-law changed everything. Mark shares the story of one unforgettable and wild trip overseas that was anything but “just business.” 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 he was president, Gerald Ford was a rising football star at the University of Michigan. But in 1934, his loyalty was tested when Georgia Tech refused to play if his Black teammate, Willis Ward, took the field. Author and historian John U. Bacon shares this remarkable story of friendship, integrity, and a quiet act of defiance that helped shape Ford’s views on civil rights. 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 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 challenge to fight any man alive, Sullivan didn’t just win titles, he won the country’s attention in 1893 with his “Knockout Tour.” The challenge? Last 12 minutes in the ring with the champ and win. 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 World War I, tanks were considered support tools. But by World War II, they had become the centerpiece of ground warfare. Historian Stephen Ambrose explains how German engineering produced the deadly Tiger and Panther tanks — and why the American Sherman became known as the “Queen of the Battlefield.” 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, known to history as Big Nose Kate, Mary Katherine Horony was more than a footnote in Doc Holliday’s life. She was a trained nurse, a sharp-tongued survivor, and a force in her own right. Her story is a window into the grit and resilience of women in the American West. The History Guy shares the true story of this often misunderstood icon of the Wild West. 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. His book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases. This time, Andrew explores the backstories of phrases like “white elephant” and “wear your heart on your sleeve,” among others. 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 James Mukoyama shares his remarkable journey from a blue-collar neighborhood in Chicago to becoming the first Asian American to command a U.S. Army division. The journey didn’t come easily, requiring strength, leadership, resilience, and the courage to break down barriers. His book is Faith, Family & Flag: Memoirs of an Unlikely American Samurai Crusader. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.