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On this episode of Our American Stories, Holiday Inn began with one frustrated family road trip and grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. At the center of that growth was Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn and a salesman at heart. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., joins us with stories of his father's relationships with some of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, and Sam Phillips.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Holiday Inn began with one frustrated family road trip and grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. At the center of that growth was Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn and a salesman at heart. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., joins us with stories of his father's relationships with some of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, and Sam Phillips.
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.

Kemmons Wilson: The Man Who Built Holiday Inn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2639f5e0-bb88-4e25-80fd-b3f401675326/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1948, Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand publicly declared that Christianity and Communism were incompatible. For that conviction, he was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned by Romania's Communist regime. Over the next fourteen years, Wurmbrand endured isolation, psychological abuse, and relentless attempts to break his faith through what he described as systematic "brainwashing."

After his release and eventual immigration to America, Wurmbrand shared the lessons he learned behind prison walls. In this remarkable address, he reflects on the nature of freedom, the struggle for the human soul, and what he called "heart-washing," the spiritual antidote that helped him withstand years of persecution and emerge with his faith intact.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1948, Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand publicly declared that Christianity and Communism were incompatible. For that conviction, he was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned by Romania's Communist regime. Over the next fourteen years, Wurmbrand endured isolation, psychological abuse, and relentless attempts to break his faith through what he described as systematic "brainwashing." After his release and eventual immigration to America, Wurmbrand shared the lessons he learned behind prison walls. In this remarkable address, he reflects on the nature of freedom, the struggle for the human soul, and what he called "heart-washing," the spiritual antidote that helped him withstand years of persecution and emerge with his faith intact.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How I Survived 14 Years of Communist Brainwashing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ef6d198a-08a0-4d16-a649-b46c00520566/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, some inventions solve problems. Others change the world in ways nobody could have predicted. The plow helped make civilization possible by creating agricultural surpluses and supporting cities, governments, and armies. Barbed wire transformed the American West, turning open prairie into private property and helping settle the frontier. Google Search changed how we find information, reshaping the internet and becoming so ubiquitous that its name became a verb.

Economist and bestselling author Tim Harford shares the surprising stories behind three inventions that profoundly altered the way people live, work, and interact with the world.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, some inventions solve problems. Others change the world in ways nobody could have predicted. The plow helped make civilization possible by creating agricultural surpluses and supporting cities, governments, and armies. Barbed wire transformed the American West, turning open prairie into private property and helping settle the frontier. Google Search changed how we find information, reshaping the internet and becoming so ubiquitous that its name became a verb. Economist and bestselling author Tim Harford shares the surprising stories behind three inventions that profoundly altered the way people live, work, and interact with the world.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How the Plow, Barbed Wire, and Google Changed the World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b907f736-0c2d-4182-955b-b46c00520564/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, chaplain Jack Poe was among the first people on the scene. In the days that followed, he ministered to grieving families, first responders, and a city searching for hope in the wake of unimaginable loss.

Six years later, after the attacks of September 11, Poe traveled to New York City to help those facing a similar tragedy. Jack shares a chaplain's perspective on the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, faith in the face of suffering, and the enduring power of what Oklahomans call the "Oklahoma Standard."

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, chaplain Jack Poe was among the first people on the scene. In the days that followed, he ministered to grieving families, first responders, and a city searching for hope in the wake of unimaginable loss. Six years later, after the attacks of September 11, Poe traveled to New York City to help those facing a similar tragedy. Jack shares a chaplain's perspective on the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, faith in the face of suffering, and the enduring power of what Oklahomans call the "Oklahoma Standard."
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Day Oklahoma City Came to New York

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ea314f61-4869-45d3-b201-b46c00520568/transcript

Kemmons Wilson: The Man Who Built Holiday Inn

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