Our American Stories
Our American Stories
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 ref…Follow the podcast:
Will Rogers: America’s Cowboy Philosopher
On this episode of Our American Stories, few public figures captured the American mood quite like Will Rogers. Raised in "Indian Territory" and shaped by the traditions of the American West, he first gained attention as a rope-twirling performer in vaudeville. From there his career expanded rapidly…
38:16
The Cuban Immigrant Who Became America's Favorite TV Star: The Story of Desi Arnez
On this episode of Our American Stories, Desi Arnaz fled Cuba as a teenager after his family lost everything during political upheaval. Starting over in Miami, he worked odd jobs, learned English, and fought his way into show business through sheer persistence and charisma. But his greatest impact …
10:49
Why the Declaration of Independence We Display Isn’t the Original
On this episode of Our American Stories, The Declaration of Independence is one of the most famous documents ever written. Its words helped launch a revolution and have inspired independence movements around the world ever since. But the parchment signed in 1776 faded badly over time. By the early…
09:29
Brett Favre on Faith, Humility, and What Matters as You Get Olde
On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what the public knows about Brett Favre happened on the football field. But behind the touchdowns and championships is a life shaped by hardship, faith, and the lessons that come with age. In part four of our five-part series, Greg Hengler sits down…
09:58
Trapped in an Iron Lung During the Polio Epidemic
On this episode of Our American Stories, before the polio vaccine transformed public health, poliomyelitis was one of the most feared diseases in America. Severe cases could leave patients paralyzed and unable to breathe, forcing doctors to rely on a strange new technology: the iron lung. These ma…
07:59
Yes, Arm Wrestling Is a Real Sport
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dustin Tomlinson grew up in rural Missouri, the youngest of four brothers on a cattle farm where competition was part of everyday life. Like a lot of people in small towns, he had arm wrestled plenty of times on truck hoods, in hayfields, and around the high…
10:49
Before Family Affair, Brian Keith Was a Marine Gunner in World War II
On this episode of Our American Stories, most Americans remember Brian Keith as Uncle Bill on the television series Family Affair. Calm, steady, and dependable, he played the bachelor suddenly responsible for raising his niece and nephew. That calm presence came from a life far from Hollywood soun…
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The Remarkable Life of Annie Oakley, America’s Greatest Sharpshooter
On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley could do things with a rifle that most people would not even attempt. She shot right-handed, left-handed, from horseback, and even over her shoulder using a mirror. At a time when women were expected to remain in the background, she stepped into…
20:17
Brett Favre’s Legendary Monday Night Game After His Father’s Death
On this episode of Our American Stories, after the sudden death of his father, Irvin Favre, Brett Favre faced a decision about whether he could play the next night in a crucial Monday Night Football game. What followed became one of the most remarkable performances in NFL history. In this installm…
09:59
The Confederate Mystery Ship and the Dangerous World of Civil War Blockade Runners
On this episode of Our American Stories, The Confederacy entered the Civil War with a serious problem. It didn’t have the industrial strength to build the navy it needed. To keep the war effort alive, Southern leaders turned to something they still had plenty of: cash crops and international trade.…
07:59