On this episode of Our American Stories, John Deere wasn't always a household name. Before tractors transformed American agriculture, he had one revolutionary idea: a steel plow that could cut through tough prairie soil. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute shares the story of how John Deere got his start, how one piece of scrap metal helped transform the American West, and how the green tractors bearing his name continue to shape farming in the USA today.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Deere wasn't always a household name. Before tractors transformed American agriculture, he had one revolutionary idea: a steel plow that could cut through tough prairie soil. Kirk Higgins of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbillofrightsinstitute.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C0181f649b9ce4e51494508decbb8453e%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639172189478396323%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=yGxF1QD7AlNJQ3eR%2FjRJjAgVCJ7vFgkBnOhz3n5X0XU%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" data-ogsc="">Bill of Rights Institute</a>&nbsp;shares the story of how John Deere got his start, how one piece of scrap metal helped transform the American West, and how the green tractors bearing his name continue to shape farming in the USA today.
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

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.

John Deere and the Invention That Changed the Heartland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ea098596-e016-453d-bb3f-b46d0058cc16/transcript

Marker 01

Marker 02

On this episode of Our American Stories, today, the NBA is a global powerhouse worth billions of dollars, with superstars recognized everywhere from New York to Shanghai. But for much of its early history, professional basketball was an afterthought. Players worked second jobs, television networks showed little interest, and many fans cared more about college basketball than the NBA.

Pete Croatto, author of From Hang Time to Primetime: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA, shares the remarkable story of how that changed. From Commissioner Larry O'Brien's efforts to bring credibility to the league, to David Stern's marketing genius, to the arrival of stars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan, this is the story of how the NBA transformed itself from a struggling regional league into one of the most influential sports and entertainment brands in the world.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, today, the NBA is a global powerhouse worth billions of dollars, with superstars recognized everywhere from New York to Shanghai. But for much of its early history, professional basketball was an afterthought. Players worked second jobs, television networks showed little interest, and many fans cared more about college basketball than the NBA. Pete Croatto, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHang-Time-Prime-Entertainment-Modern-Day%2Fdp%2F1982103957&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C0181f649b9ce4e51494508decbb8453e%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639172189478418828%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7I%2ByjD1GWVznBGWRsKRDQTm7SkweAod%2BM064%2FymiXCk%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5" data-ogsc="">From Hang Time to Primetime: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA</a>, shares the remarkable story of how that changed. From Commissioner Larry O'Brien's efforts to bring credibility to the league, to David Stern's marketing genius, to the arrival of stars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan, this is the story of how the NBA transformed itself from a struggling regional league into one of the most influential sports and entertainment brands in the world.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

From Hang Time to Primetime: How the NBA Conquered America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fbb1475a-88f3-4957-b107-b46d0055a45f/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1980s, Panama was at the center of global attention as strongman Manuel Noriega tightened his grip on power. Known for his brutality and ties to the drug trade, he seemed untouchable. But when a hairdresser unknowingly welcomed Noriega's daughter into her salon, an unlikely chain of events began.

That meeting opened the door to the dictator himself, leading to a story of faith that unfolded against the backdrop of Operation Just Cause and the U.S. invasion of Panama. The late Joe Garman, founder of ARM Prison Ministries, tells the unforgettable story of how a dictator encountered God in one of the most unlikely places imaginable.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1980s, Panama was at the center of global attention as strongman Manuel Noriega tightened his grip on power. Known for his brutality and ties to the drug trade, he seemed untouchable. But when a hairdresser unknowingly welcomed Noriega's daughter into her salon, an unlikely chain of events began. That meeting opened the door to the dictator himself, leading to a story of faith that unfolded against the backdrop of Operation Just Cause and the U.S. invasion of Panama. The late Joe Garman, founder of ARM Prison Ministries, tells the unforgettable story of how a dictator encountered God in one of the most unlikely places imaginable.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How Panama’s Dictator Manuel Noriega Found God in the Unlikeliest Place

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cd5df26d-e43c-4494-8ec0-b46d0055a459/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, both of Mike Zuendel's parents died from Alzheimer's disease, so the possibility had always lingered in the back of his mind. Still, like many people, he put off getting tested. Then one day, after spending several minutes searching for his missing cell phone, he realized he had been holding it in his hand the entire time. That moment convinced him it was time to find out what was really happening.

Mike was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Instead of hiding his diagnosis, he chose to go public, determined to challenge the stigma surrounding cognitive decline and encourage others to seek help early. Mike shares the story of his diagnosis, why he refused to let fear define him, and how early detection gave him hope for the future. To find out more about the great work Mike is doing to help with early detection, go to notdemented.com.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, both of Mike Zuendel's parents died from Alzheimer's disease, so the possibility had always lingered in the back of his mind. Still, like many people, he put off getting tested. Then one day, after spending several minutes searching for his missing cell phone, he realized he had been holding it in his hand the entire time. That moment convinced him it was time to find out what was really happening. Mike was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Instead of hiding his diagnosis, he chose to go public, determined to challenge the stigma surrounding cognitive decline and encourage others to seek help early. Mike shares the story of his diagnosis, why he refused to let fear define him, and how early detection gave him hope for the future. To find out more about the great work Mike is doing to help with early detection, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotdemented.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C0181f649b9ce4e51494508decbb8453e%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639172189478371343%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qObYlr6hpFt%2BaTMCHS9JvdUhJNcjBqB7QXBolrS5fgs%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">notdemented.com</a>.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Day I Realized I Might Have Alzheimer's

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d8edc4f7-a27d-4e65-88c7-b46d0055a45b/transcript

John Deere and the Invention That Changed the Heartland

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips