On this episode of Our American Stories, few figures in twentieth-century American politics stood farther apart than Shirley Chisholm and George Wallace. Chisholm broke barriers as a Black congresswoman and presidential candidate. Wallace became a national symbol of segregation and resistance to civil rights.

A tragic event brought them together, forging an unlikely connection. Special thanks to the Jack Miller Center for bringing this story to our attention.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, few figures in twentieth-century American politics stood farther apart than Shirley Chisholm and George Wallace. Chisholm broke barriers as a Black congresswoman and presidential candidate. Wallace became a national symbol of segregation and resistance to civil rights. A tragic event brought them together, forging an unlikely connection. Special thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackmillercenter.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Ca29c2a84c9f843cfb34408deb10555f1%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639142833637826563%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=k9iRP4WPt1iNbSusqbSzcshSYLKfMoxDxkd%2FgsQZV%2BQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jack Miller Center</a>&nbsp;for bringing this story to our attention.
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.

Why Shirley Chisolm Reached a Man Who Built His Career on Racism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/312607e3-510d-4f10-a73a-b44a000815fa/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before writing Braveheart, Randall Wallace was a struggling writer and father questioning whether he had made a terrible mistake in choosing his path. Fearing he would fail his children and desperate for direction, Wallace prayed one of the most honest prayers of his life. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2011, and surrounded by dignitaries from around the nation, Wallace shared how that desperate prayer ultimately led him to write the movie that would change his life. Our own Lee Habeeb tells the story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before writing Braveheart, Randall Wallace was a struggling writer and father questioning whether he had made a terrible mistake in choosing his path. Fearing he would fail his children and desperate for direction, Wallace prayed one of the most honest prayers of his life. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2011, and surrounded by dignitaries from around the nation, Wallace shared how that desperate prayer ultimately led him to write the movie that would change his life. Our own Lee Habeeb tells the story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How a Father’s Desperate Prayer Created Braveheart

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cdf219c3-7fa4-4dfa-be99-b44a000815fc/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Scott dreamed of becoming a police officer from the time he was a child growing up in California’s Central Valley. Years later, while serving with the Lompoc Police Department, Scott endured a devastating series of tragedies in just 16 months: two officer-involved shootings and the death of his teenage son Noah from leukemia. As grief and trauma pushed him into a dark emotional spiral, Scott began to question whether he could survive personally or professionally. With help from 911 At Ease International, he slowly found a path back to healing, family, faith, and police work.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Scott dreamed of becoming a police officer from the time he was a child growing up in California&rsquo;s Central Valley. Years later, while serving with the Lompoc Police Department, Scott endured a devastating series of tragedies in just 16 months: two officer-involved shootings and the death of his teenage son Noah from leukemia. As grief and trauma pushed him into a dark emotional spiral, Scott began to question whether he could survive personally or professionally. With help from&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F911aei.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Ca29c2a84c9f843cfb34408deb10555f1%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639142833637859694%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=AybNwFr6z75k5gRbVbyZQ7GThsbvfXaogreLPtQPCzA%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">911 At Ease International</a>, he slowly found a path back to healing, family, faith, and police work.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

After Losing His Son and Taking Two Lives, This Officer Nearly Lost Himself

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9212c2e6-4c4f-492b-b363-b44a000815fb/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when My Sharona exploded onto radio stations in 1979, it became one of the biggest rock songs in America and turned The Knack into overnight stars. But behind the iconic guitar riff and unforgettable chorus was a real woman named Sharona Alperin. In this installment of our Story of a Song series, our own Greg Hengler shares how a chance meeting inspired one of rock music’s most recognizable hits, featuring reflections from Sharona herself and songwriter Doug Fieger.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when My Sharona exploded onto radio stations in 1979, it became one of the biggest rock songs in America and turned The Knack into overnight stars. But behind the iconic guitar riff and unforgettable chorus was a real woman named Sharona Alperin. In this installment of our&nbsp;Story of a Song&nbsp;series, our own Greg Hengler shares how a chance meeting inspired one of rock music&rsquo;s most recognizable hits, featuring reflections from Sharona herself and songwriter Doug Fieger.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Story of a Song: The Real Story Behind “My Sharona”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/40c71461-6157-4b73-bbe7-b44a000815fc/transcript

Why Shirley Chisolm Reached a Man Who Built His Career on Racism

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