On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Zoellner purchased a diamond engagement ring and proposed. His girlfriend said "yes," and then, suddenly, walked out of his life, making Tom the owner of a used engagement ring. Instead of hitting the self-help shelves of his local bookstore, he hit the road to discover the true worth of this shining gem. Then he wrote The Heartless Stone.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Zoellner purchased a diamond engagement ring and proposed. His girlfriend said "yes," and then, suddenly, walked out of his life, making Tom the owner of a used engagement ring. Instead of hitting the self-help shelves of his local bookstore, he hit the road to discover the true worth of this shining gem. Then he wrote The Heartless Stone.
<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">Support the show</a> (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

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 Shocking Story Behind the Diamond Engagement Ring

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/575645e7-2548-4d1a-bd75-b03401634d40/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Sidney Poitier arrived in New York as a teenager with almost nothing. He sometimes slept on rooftops and in pay toilets, worked as a dishwasher, and could barely read. When he auditioned for the American Negro Theater, he was thrown out and told to go find work washing dishes. Instead, Poitier taught himself to read, changed the way he spoke by imitating voices on the radio, and learned how to act. Within a decade, he was one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Aram Goudsouzian, University of Memphis history professor and author of Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon, shares the story of how a poor boy from the Bahamas became a groundbreaking American actor.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sidney Poitier arrived in New York as a teenager with almost nothing. He sometimes slept on rooftops and in pay toilets, worked as a dishwasher, and could barely read. When he auditioned for the American Negro Theater, he was thrown out and told to go find work washing dishes. Instead, Poitier taught himself to read, changed the way he spoke by imitating voices on the radio, and learned how to act. Within a decade, he was one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Aram Goudsouzian, University of Memphis history professor and author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F0807828432%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C1987bad125ac4b6a623e08df1a63db53%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639258688352691060%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=s3HlPGpgMksC9KILekcI1%2BYQ2hTBpB16N9R6dZRFbiU%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon</a>, shares the story of how a poor boy from the Bahamas became a groundbreaking American actor.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Sidney Poitier: The Actor Who Broke Hollywood's Color Barrier

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fcddf7f6-5006-4dee-b2d0-b4cf013d7af1/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bruce Wang grew up in southwestern China and came to America for college, eventually finding his way to West Texas. Then someone took him to a rodeo. Bruce was fascinated. Before long, he was wearing cowboy boots, watching Duck Dynasty, studying Southern accents, and learning everything he could about cattle and the people who raised them.

Bruce shares how an international student who knew little about Texas found himself falling in love with cowboy culture and building a life in the cattle industry.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bruce Wang grew up in southwestern China and came to America for college, eventually finding his way to West Texas. Then someone took him to a rodeo. Bruce was fascinated. Before long, he was wearing cowboy boots, watching Duck Dynasty, studying Southern accents, and learning everything he could about cattle and the people who raised them. Bruce shares how an international student who knew little about Texas found himself falling in love with cowboy culture and building a life in the cattle industry.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Bruce Wang, All-American: The Chinese Cowboy with a Southern Accent

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/78e484d4-e6b2-4bac-9d22-b4cf013d7af0/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, toilet paper might seem like a modern necessity, but the truth is messier—and much older. Long before perforated rolls and flushable comfort, people used whatever they could find: seashells, corn cobs, even stones.

Our American Stories regular contributor, The History Guy, shares the story of what people used before toilet paper was invented—and how one man’s idea for “medicated paper” launched an industry no one wanted to talk about.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, toilet paper might seem like a modern necessity, but the truth is messier&mdash;and much older. Long before perforated rolls and flushable comfort, people used whatever they could find: seashells, corn cobs, even stones. Our American Stories regular contributor, The History Guy, shares the story of what people used before toilet paper was invented&mdash;and how one man&rsquo;s idea for &ldquo;medicated paper&rdquo; launched an industry no one wanted to talk about.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Surprisingly Strange History of Toilet Paper

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5efcf45c-afc0-46ac-ad2c-b4cf013d7aef/transcript

The Shocking Story Behind the Diamond Engagement Ring

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