On this episode of Our American Stories, Brian Jay Jones, author of Jim Henson: The Biography, tells the story of how some of America’s most beloved characters—the Muppets—got their start in advertising and television commercials.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brian Jay Jones, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FJim-Henson-Brian-Jay-Jones%2Fdp%2F0345526120&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C59022470b853494e40f008de85e86dff%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639095430524420000%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=1khssXv%2BSSDpp35GY4FBI8CWIdRVryK24INhEqyA%2FeQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jim Henson: The Biography</a>, tells the story of how some of America&rsquo;s most beloved characters&mdash;the Muppets&mdash;got their start in advertising and television commercials.
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 Story of How the Muppets Began as a TV Commercial

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b9a6053a-17ed-456b-93be-b41300ec579d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, most people set out to run a single marathon and call it a lifetime achievement. Karen Thomson and her son, Joe Meilink, decided to take it much further. Together, they ran a marathon in every state, turning long miles and early mornings into something more than a physical challenge. Along the way, the journey became a shared pursuit, one that brought family closer together and created memories that stretched far beyond the finish line.

Karen and Joe, joined by Joe’s wife Vicky, share how it all started, what kept them going, and what they found in each other over the course of 50 races across the country.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, most people set out to run a single marathon and call it a lifetime achievement. Karen Thomson and her son, Joe Meilink, decided to take it much further. Together, they ran a marathon in every state, turning long miles and early mornings into something more than a physical challenge. Along the way, the journey became a shared pursuit, one that brought family closer together and created memories that stretched far beyond the finish line. Karen and Joe, joined by Joe&rsquo;s wife Vicky, share how it all started, what kept them going, and what they found in each other over the course of 50 races across the country.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

A Mom and Son Ran a Marathon in All 50 States Together

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4ad0db48-9435-4aec-83e6-b41300ec579f/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrase “back to square one” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrase &ldquo;back to square one&rdquo; came to be. His book,&nbsp;<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%7C59022470b853494e40f008de85e86dff%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639095430524472925%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qVs2wOHBSZh2kUl6cNMMMw%2FLrjOtmbcZx9TB1zUmzA0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases</a>, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

"Back to Square One" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 3)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a48549d0-a2e6-40af-9a0a-b41300ec57b2/transcript

Marker 01

On this episode of Our American Stories, Abraham Lincoln often spoke about God, especially during the darkest days of the Civil War. But what he believed, and how he arrived there, is more complex than many assume. He did not belong to a church for most of his life. He wrestled with loss, read widely, and thought deeply about providence, suffering, and the role of faith in a nation at war.

Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian, shares the story of Lincoln’s spiritual life, how it evolved over time, and how his understanding of God shaped the way he led the country through its greatest crisis. We'd like to thank the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us access to this audio.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Abraham Lincoln often spoke about God, especially during the darkest days of the Civil War. But what he believed, and how he arrived there, is more complex than many assume. He did not belong to a church for most of his life. He wrestled with loss, read widely, and thought deeply about providence, suffering, and the role of faith in a nation at war. Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian, shares the story of Lincoln&rsquo;s spiritual life, how it evolved over time, and how his understanding of God shaped the way he led the country through its greatest crisis. We'd like to thank the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbillofrightsinstitute.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C59022470b853494e40f008de85e86dff%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639095430524446208%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xnK%2F5oP4XKNaalj%2BXGY%2FNpLxERusFp%2FTIvfqhO8LVsg%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Bill of Rights Institute</a>&nbsp;for allowing us access to this audio.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Was Lincoln Religious? The Complicated Faith of Abraham Lincoln

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f93ed8ab-e1d8-4a27-92a0-b41300ec57a1/transcript

The Story of How the Muppets Began as a TV Commercial

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips