Marker 01

Marker 02

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Kathy Cooley’s young son Christopher was diagnosed with cancer, life turned into a series of questions, hospital visits, and prayers. Yet in the middle of the struggle, Christopher’s spirit guided his family toward a deeper faith. His courage in the face of pediatric cancer became the foundation for a legacy that lives on through The Christopher Foundation.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Kathy Cooley&rsquo;s young son Christopher was diagnosed with cancer, life turned into a series of questions, hospital visits, and prayers. Yet in the middle of the struggle, Christopher&rsquo;s spirit guided his family toward a deeper faith. His courage in the face of pediatric cancer became the foundation for a legacy that lives on through The Christopher Foundation.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

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

How Christopher’s Battle With Childhood Cancer Sparked Faith and Legacy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3e1e20be-1643-48d0-88bd-b3560169ae82/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, the story most people know about Monopoly is charming—and false. It was never just the invention of one down-on-his-luck salesman. The real roots of the game stretch back to a politically charged board game called The Landlord’s Game, created by a woman named Lizzie Magie to warn people about the dangers of unchecked greed. Her game was borrowed, reworked, and eventually published without her name on the box. Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists, is here to share how Charles Darrow got the credit, how Parker Brothers sold the story, and why the truth behind Monopoly is far more interesting than fiction.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, the story most people know about Monopoly&nbsp;is charming&mdash;and false. It was never just the invention of one down-on-his-luck salesman. The real roots of the game stretch back to a politically charged board game called&nbsp;The Landlord&rsquo;s Game, created by a woman named Lizzie Magie to warn people about the dangers of unchecked greed. Her game was borrowed, reworked, and eventually published without her name on the box. Mary Pilon, author of&nbsp;The Monopolists, is here to share how Charles Darrow got the credit, how Parker Brothers sold the story, and why the truth behind&nbsp;Monopoly&nbsp;is far more interesting than fiction.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Who Really Invented Monopoly? The Story the Box Never Told

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a7eb2bd5-8dbc-436a-a8a9-b3ba0066e866/transcript

Final Thoughts

On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became a greasy icon or a late-night craving, the hamburger was an immigrant invention trying to make itself useful. German farmers working the fairgrounds needed something fast and portable, so someone tucked spiced beef between slices of bread, and the hamburger was born. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. Then came Upton Sinclair, whose book The Jungle made the public retch and nearly killed the hamburger altogether. Only after White Castle stepped in to clean up its image did Americans start trusting it again. George Motz, the documentarian behind Burger America, walks us through how one modest sandwich clawed its way into our national identity.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became a greasy icon or a late-night craving, the hamburger was an immigrant invention trying to make itself useful. German farmers working the fairgrounds needed something fast and portable, so someone tucked spiced beef between slices of bread, and the hamburger was born. It wasn&rsquo;t fancy, but it worked. Then came Upton Sinclair, whose book&nbsp;The Jungle&nbsp;made the public retch and nearly killed the hamburger altogether. Only after White Castle stepped in to clean up its image did Americans start trusting it again. George Motz, the documentarian behind&nbsp;Burger America, walks us through how one modest sandwich clawed its way into our national identity.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How the Hamburger Became an American Staple

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a1134c95-e94a-41ed-8454-b3ba0066e866/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, it’s not carved into marble or codified into law, but you’ll hear it whispered in cockpits and painted on the walls of Navy offices across the world: “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” The phrase didn’t come from a slogan factory. It came from the dying words of Captain James Lawrence during the Battle of Lake Erie, shouted in defiance as his ship slipped beneath the water. Over time, those words stitched themselves into the culture of the United States Navy. Entrepreneur and America’s Cup champion Bill Koch joins us to explain what it means and why it still matters—especially to his family.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, it&rsquo;s not carved into marble or codified into law, but you&rsquo;ll hear it whispered in cockpits and painted on the walls of Navy offices across the world: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Give Up the Ship.&rdquo; The phrase didn&rsquo;t come from a slogan factory. It came from the dying words of Captain James Lawrence during the Battle of Lake Erie, shouted in defiance as his ship slipped beneath the water. Over time, those words stitched themselves into the culture of the United States Navy. Entrepreneur and America&rsquo;s Cup champion Bill Koch joins us to explain what it means and why it still matters&mdash;especially to his family.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

“Don’t Give Up the Ship”: How a Naval Order Became a Lasting Motto

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/230e37b8-0790-47c5-bfea-b3ba0066e869/transcript

How Christopher’s Battle With Childhood Cancer Sparked Faith and Legacy

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips