Marker 01

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the 1950s, family road trips meant unreliable motels and tired parents hopping from place to place. After one frustrating trip, Kemmons Wilson decided to change that. He created Holiday Inn—the first family-friendly, standardized hotel chain in America. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., shares the story of how it all began.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) 

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the 1950s, family road trips meant unreliable motels and tired parents hopping from place to place. After one frustrating trip, Kemmons Wilson decided to change that. He created Holiday Inn&mdash;the first family-friendly, standardized hotel chain in America. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., shares the story of how it all began.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

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 refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our 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 refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

A Father Wanted a Clean Hotel for His Family... So He Created Holiday Inn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7696b4d-8772-453a-bfa0-b2f9015649d8/transcript

Marker 02

On this episode of Our American Stories, Benjamin Rush signed the Declaration of Independence, but politics was only one part of his extraordinary life. A physician by profession and reformer by temperament, Rush treated Philadelphia's poor when other doctors wouldn't, demanded humane treatment for the mentally ill, fought slavery, championed public education, and followed George Washington's army into battle to care for wounded soldiers. His work would help lay the foundations for American psychiatry, military medicine, and even veterinary care.

Harlow Giles Unger, author of Dr. Benjamin Rush: The Founding Father Who Healed a Wounded Nation, shares the remarkable story of one of America's most accomplished and overlooked Founding Fathers.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Benjamin Rush signed the Declaration of Independence, but politics was only one part of his extraordinary life. A physician by profession and reformer by temperament, Rush treated Philadelphia's poor when other doctors wouldn't, demanded humane treatment for the mentally ill, fought slavery, championed public education, and followed George Washington's army into battle to care for wounded soldiers. His work would help lay the foundations for American psychiatry, military medicine, and even veterinary care. Harlow Giles Unger, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F0306824329%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cfaeb553cd837472e390f08defd446042%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639226667314075373%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=g%2F23Dg%2BotSjvkbss0HNTrMHvQP1D0WdxDJU3fas99is%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Dr. Benjamin Rush: The Founding Father Who Healed a Wounded Nation</a>, shares the remarkable story of one of America's most accomplished and overlooked Founding Fathers.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Benjamin Rush: Founding Father of American Medicine

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/544933eb-be2c-4ce6-9e4d-b4ac004559a8/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sage Hellstern was the fastest runner on his middle school cross-country team. In his final meet that year, he finished 12th out of 169 runners, with everyone ahead of him a year older. Then doctors found a tumor in the back of his brain.

After surgery, a year and a half of radiation and chemotherapy, and months of physical therapy, Sage returned to the track. Cancer had taken much of his strength, and the kid who once raced near the front now finished last. But Sage kept lacing up his shoes. His stepfather, Roger Wrench, shares the story of a young man who learned that winning isn't determined by a clock.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sage Hellstern was the fastest runner on his middle school cross-country team. In his final meet that year, he finished 12th out of 169 runners, with everyone ahead of him a year older. Then doctors found a tumor in the back of his brain. After surgery, a year and a half of radiation and chemotherapy, and months of physical therapy, Sage returned to the track. Cancer had taken much of his strength, and the kid who once raced near the front now finished last. But Sage kept lacing up his shoes. His stepfather, Roger Wrench, shares the story of a young man who learned that winning isn't determined by a clock.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Winner Who Always Finished Last

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/04d7b429-fbf6-4415-af28-b4ac004559a7/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when All in the Family premiered in 1971, even its stars didn't think it would last. The show was abrasive, political, and unlike nearly anything Americans had seen on television. CBS was so nervous about offending viewers that it opened the first six episodes with a warning. Then America discovered Archie Bunker.

Soon, Norman Lear's unlikely sitcom was watched by nearly one-third of the country. But beneath the shouting and dysfunction were characters audiences recognized and loved. Our own Greg Hengler shares how All in the Family went from a television gamble to the "Super Bowl of sitcoms."

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, when&nbsp;All in the Family&nbsp;premiered in 1971, even its stars didn't think it would last. The show was abrasive, political, and unlike nearly anything Americans had seen on television. CBS was so nervous about offending viewers that it opened the first six episodes with a warning. Then America discovered Archie Bunker. Soon, Norman Lear's unlikely sitcom was watched by nearly one-third of the country. But beneath the shouting and dysfunction were characters audiences recognized and loved. Our own Greg Hengler shares how&nbsp;All in the Family&nbsp;went from a television gamble to the "Super Bowl of sitcoms."
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Super Bowl of Sitcoms: How "All in the Family" Changed Television

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ccc17a1c-e2a4-4186-95e3-b4ac004559a5/transcript

A Father Wanted a Clean Hotel for His Family... So He Created Holiday Inn

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips