On this episode of Our American Stories, at 16, Russ Jones planned to spend his summer sleeping in. His mother had other ideas. One morning in 1976, she pulled off the covers and told him she did not want to see him again until he had found a job.

After spending the day applying all over Kansas City, Russ finally walked into the Carriage Club and landed a job as a busboy. Russ reflects on the first job that helped shape the way he has approached work ever since.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, at 16, Russ Jones planned to spend his summer sleeping in. His mother had other ideas. One morning in 1976, she pulled off the covers and told him she did not want to see him again until he had found a job. After spending the day applying all over Kansas City, Russ finally walked into the Carriage Club and landed a job as a busboy. Russ reflects on the first job that helped shape the way he has approached work ever since.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="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.

My Mom Told Me Not to Come Home Until I Had a Job

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fcf974b6-c0ac-49c4-a202-b4f0017a8069/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, most of us know the name Jacuzzi. We’ve seen it on hot tubs, bathtubs, and maybe even enjoyed a soak in one ourselves. But behind that familiar name is the remarkable story of an Italian immigrant family, two brothers who came to America in 1907, and a long history of inventions that had nothing to do with hot tubs. The Jacuzzis built airplanes, developed pumps for farmers, and weathered personal tragedies before arriving at the invention that would make their family name famous.

Our own Montie Montgomery tells the story of Candido Jacuzzi and his young son Kenneth, who suffered from severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. When doctors recommended hydrotherapy to ease the boy’s pain, Candido turned to what he knew best: pumps.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, most of us know the name Jacuzzi. We&rsquo;ve seen it on hot tubs, bathtubs, and maybe even enjoyed a soak in one ourselves. But behind that familiar name is the remarkable story of an Italian immigrant family, two brothers who came to America in 1907, and a long history of inventions that had nothing to do with hot tubs. The Jacuzzis built airplanes, developed pumps for farmers, and weathered personal tragedies before arriving at the invention that would make their family name famous. Our own Montie Montgomery tells the story of Candido Jacuzzi and his young son Kenneth, who suffered from severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. When doctors recommended hydrotherapy to ease the boy&rsquo;s pain, Candido turned to what he knew best: pumps.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

How a Sick Child Inspired the Jacuzzi

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e1e1c6b9-cb2d-482f-83d3-b4f0017a8069/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Smithson was born into wealth but denied a name. As the illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland, he spent his life pursuing science instead of status, studying minerals and publishing quietly across Europe. In his will, Smithson made a choice no one expected: he left his fortune to the United States, a nation he had never visited, with the condition that it be used “to increase and diffuse knowledge.” That gift created the Smithsonian Institution, a collection that would grow into the world’s largest museum complex.

Wyatt Hensley, a history education major at the University of Pittsburgh and a two-time winner of Constituting America’s We the Future contest, shares the story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Smithson was born into wealth but denied a name. As the illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland, he spent his life pursuing science instead of status, studying minerals and publishing quietly across Europe. In his will, Smithson made a choice no one expected: he left his fortune to the United States, a nation he had never visited, with the condition that it be used &ldquo;to increase and diffuse knowledge.&rdquo; That gift created the Smithsonian Institution, a collection that would grow into the world&rsquo;s largest museum complex. Wyatt Hensley, a history education major at the University of Pittsburgh and a two-time winner of Constituting America&rsquo;s We the Future contest, shares the story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

The British Outcast Who Founded the Smithsonian

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f6a9e420-77f7-4409-8a06-b4f0017a8068/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, as a teenager on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, Valerie Habeeb endured years of sexual abuse by an older man who exploited the absence of her father and the vulnerability she carried with her. She kept what happened secret for years, carrying shame, anger, and pain into adulthood even as the people around her believed she had everything together.

Lee Habeeb shares his wife’s journey of faith and forgiveness, from reconciling with her mother and the father who had abandoned her to eventually forgiving the man who abused her. Through her Christian faith, Valerie came to believe that forgiveness did not erase the past, but freed her from being ruled by it.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, as a teenager on Mississippi&rsquo;s Gulf Coast, Valerie Habeeb endured years of sexual abuse by an older man who exploited the absence of her father and the vulnerability she carried with her. She kept what happened secret for years, carrying shame, anger, and pain into adulthood even as the people around her believed she had everything together. Lee Habeeb shares his wife&rsquo;s journey of faith and forgiveness, from reconciling with her mother and the father who had abandoned her to eventually forgiving the man who abused her. Through her Christian faith, Valerie came to believe that forgiveness did not erase the past, but freed her from being ruled by it.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Faith, Forgiveness, and Healing After Years of Abuse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8c9b1bea-bd5a-453e-9997-b4f0017a8068/transcript

My Mom Told Me Not to Come Home Until I Had a Job

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