On this episode of Our American Stories, Kimberly McCullough shares the beauty, and heartbreak, of walking through the foster care and adoption process. Through her experiences as a foster mother, McCullough reflects on the tension at the heart of foster care: the hope of reunification, the deep bonds formed with children, and the painful reality of letting them go. From courtroom adoption days filled with joy to difficult goodbyes that test a family’s strength, her story captures what she calls a “broken hallelujah”.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Kimberly McCullough shares the beauty, and heartbreak, of walking through the foster care and adoption process. Through her experiences as a foster mother, McCullough reflects on the tension at the heart of foster care: the hope of reunification, the deep bonds formed with children, and the painful reality of letting them go. From courtroom adoption days filled with joy to difficult goodbyes that test a family&rsquo;s strength, her story captures what she calls a &ldquo;broken hallelujah&rdquo;.
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.

The Hard Truths and Joys of Foster Care

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7c163d5-a7d4-4f91-bb07-b412009f6c3d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, around the world, access to clean water is something many take for granted, but for Manny Singh, it was a problem he experienced firsthand growing up in India, where water shortages were a daily reality.

Now, as president of Koch Membrane Systems, Singh is helping develop technologies that can turn wastewater into safe, usable water—addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges. From improving water systems in drought-stricken regions to making treatment more efficient and accessible, his work is helping communities around the globe secure reliable sources of clean water.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, around the world, access to clean water is something many take for granted, but for Manny Singh, it was a problem he experienced firsthand growing up in India, where water shortages were a daily reality. Now, as president of Koch Membrane Systems, Singh is helping develop technologies that can turn wastewater into safe, usable water&mdash;addressing one of the world&rsquo;s most urgent challenges. From improving water systems in drought-stricken regions to making treatment more efficient and accessible, his work is helping communities around the globe secure reliable sources of clean water.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

He Grew Up Without Reliable Water—Now He’s Turning Wastewater Into Drinking Water

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5f483ea-95ba-4e29-923b-b412009f6c3e/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Amy Palmiero-Winters is one of the most accomplished athletes in adaptive sports. She holds 13 world records for distance running, completing marathons and endurance races using a prosthetic leg.

Her journey into competitive running began after a life-changing accident that could have ended her athletic ambitions entirely. Instead, it pushed her toward a new challenge.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Amy Palmiero-Winters is one of the most accomplished athletes in adaptive sports. She holds 13 world records for distance running, completing marathons and endurance races using a prosthetic leg. Her journey into competitive running began after a life-changing accident that could have ended her athletic ambitions entirely. Instead, it pushed her toward a new challenge.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

One Leg, Thirteen World Records, and an Incredible Athlete

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a4534ec4-a229-48a9-b9ab-b412009f6c3f/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, as part of his ongoing series on the origins of everyday expressions, Andrew Thompson, author of Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red, shares the fascinating backstories behind the phrases “knock on wood” and “kick the bucket,” among others. These familiar sayings carry histories shaped by religion, literature, and everyday life in earlier centuries. Thompson traces how these expressions traveled through time, how their meanings shifted, and why they continue to resonate in modern speech.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, as part of his ongoing series on the origins of everyday expressions, Andrew Thompson, author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHair-Dog-Paint-Town-Red%2Fdp%2F1612436684&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cd83766406f444e99ddf208de843764ca%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639093570754401091%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=aTtFGVT9338yrPGdYm%2BPu0c%2FXpVkFBqIZ9T4ZfEVojs%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red</a>, shares the fascinating backstories behind the phrases &ldquo;knock on wood&rdquo; and &ldquo;kick the bucket,&rdquo; among others. These familiar sayings carry histories shaped by religion, literature, and everyday life in earlier centuries. Thompson traces how these expressions traveled through time, how their meanings shifted, and why they continue to resonate in modern speech.
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“Knock on Wood” & “Kick the Bucket”: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 11)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b8ce919e-035e-4239-bb20-b412009f6c3e/transcript

The Hard Truths and Joys of Foster Care

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