Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, this is the amazing true story of David Klein, an eccentric candy inventor from Los Angeles, who is the creator and founder of Jelly Belly jellybeans. David’s eccentric personality and peculiar sense of business led him to leave Jelly Belly just as it was about to explode and grow into a billion dollar enterprise. Here’s David Klein to share the story of how he lost his beans, but kept his soul. Support the show...

Duration:00:30:17

Forgiving My Worthless Father

On this episode of Our American Stories, Leslie Leyland Fields tells us about the heart-breaking relationship between her and her father. And it's not what you'd expect. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:59

"How Old Would You Be If You Didn't Know How Old You Were?" The Life of Satchel Paige

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, tells the story of a man many historians consider to be the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball: Leroy "Satchel" Paige. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

Batman Through the Years

On this episode of Our American Stories, Batman is a household name. His list of comic issues, let alone live action movies, animated films and tv shows, video games, you name it, is nothing short of astounding… but this wasn’t always the case. Andrew Farago, Curator at the Cartoon Art Museum and author of Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, is here to tell us the story of the Caped Crusader. Support the show...

Duration:00:27:27

A Brief History of St. Patrick's Day

3/17/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, buried beneath the St. Patrick’s Day symbols of shamrocks, leprechauns, and green beer, lies the story of a man determined to share a message with a people who made him a slave. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:18

Busy Mother of Six Befriends Retired Cop

3/17/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, Heidi Viars shares about how her life changed when she began showing some neighborly kindness to a grumpy old cop. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:17:59

The Duke: The Life of Duke Ellington w/ Terry Teachout

3/17/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, some believe he was the most important composer of the 20th century, in or out of jazz. Terry Teachout, one of America's best culture writers and author of Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington, tells the story of the jazz legend, his music, his struggles, his triumphs and so much more. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:38:17

The "10 Cent Beer Night"

On this episode of Our American Stories, on June 4, 1974, in Cleveland, trouble was a brewin', the bleachers were loaded, and there was a distinct buzz in the air. Here's the History Guy with the story! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

How Horses Healed and Saved Not One Life But Two

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dawn Newlan suffered from PTSD after witnessing her husband's suicide. William Lambert suffered from survivors' guilt after a hellish trip overseas. Both we're saved... by horses. Here they are telling their remarkable story of how equine therapy saved their lives. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:27

I Was Bored in Grad School-So I Joined the Navy

On this episode of Our American Stories, the story of Hank Brown, the Senator who began his career as a forward air controller in the Vietnam War. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

Cattle King, Richard King: Real-Life John Wayne and Rhett Butler

On this episode of Our American Stories, the cattle kings of the Old West carved empires out of the wilderness. They were larger than life characters—bold, daring, intelligent, courageous, tough. They had great strength of character and iron wills. No cattle king exhibited these characteristics more than Richard King. Roger McGrath brings us the story along with William Yancey from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See...

Duration:00:19:28

Salmon and Salt: Fishing With My Grandfather

On this episode of Our American Stories, Karl Marlantes, veteran and author of What It Is Like to Go to War and Matterhorn, tells the story of partaking in the dangerous profession of salmon fishing with his grandfather during his formative years in the town of Seaside, Oregon. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:59

Destined for Greatness: The Chuck Long Story

On this episode of Our American Stories, Chuck Long tells the story of how he came to be Iowa's star quarterback in the 1980's and how he later came to like coaching more than playing. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:30:17

Sgt. Stubby: The Most Decorated Dog of WWI

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremy Swick of the College Football Hall of Fame recounts the remarkable story of the street dog turned soldier turned mascot. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:59

A Sister's Love and Loss of Three Brothers

On this episode of Our American Stories, Edie Hand tells us the story of her brothers, the Blackburn boys, and the tragedy that struck not once, but three times. Learn more about Edie and her story at www.ediehand.com. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

My Mother Worked Miracles During the Holocaust

On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Judah Samet tells the harrowing story of how he and his family managed to survive the Holocaust. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:19:28

How An Iowa Waitress Became an Officer's Wife in Texas