Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, coping with the loss of her father as a child, total rebellion could not stop God from pursuing Sarah Gonzalez—even after spending her time partaking in activities designed to instill hatred towards others. Sarah is here to share her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:18

Triumph and Disaster: The Life of Rudyard Kipling

On this episode of Our American Stories, the life of the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Rudyard Kipling, was filled with tragedy. He survived a difficult childhood to go on to become one of the most celebrated authors of his day, penning such classics as "The Jungle Book" and "Just So Stories.” Here’s The History Guy with the story of Rudyard Kipling. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:17:58

Eli Whitney and His Fake Interchangeable Gun Parts Demo

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If one crashed or had another issue, he secretly swapped it for another one. He had to show off a specific set of functions in a certain order, called the “golden path.” But way back in 1801, another young inventor named Eli Whitney–already known for his invention of the cotton gin in 1794–seized an opportunity to try to make his fortune. Here to...

Duration:00:10:49

Phillis Wheatley: The Enslaved Poet Who Met with George Washington AND the King of England

On this episode of Our American Stories, Phillis Wheatley, the first published black poet, has the remarkable distinction of being invited to meet with both King George III and George Washington. Lesli Johnson of the American Village tells her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:27

Thomas Hudner: The MOH Recipient Who Crashed His Plane On Purpose To Get To His Downed Wingman

On this episode of Our American Stories, it might seem like an April Fool’s joke: The Navy commissioned its newest destroyer on April 1, 2017, and named it after a man who deliberately crash-landed a perfectly good aircraft behind enemy lines. But the man who became the first American serviceman in the Korean War to receive the Medal of Honor—and the man who lent his name to the USS Thomas Hudner had a darn good reason, perhaps the best of reasons. Here’s the History Guy with the...

Duration:00:10:49

The Truth Behind the “Cursed” Millionaire Heiress, Sarah Winchester

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sarah Winchester was a woman of independence, drive, and courage who lives on in legend. And the mansion she built is world renowned as much for the many design curiosities and innovations as it is for the reported paranormal activity. Here to separate fact from fiction is Ashley Hlebinsky. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:19:28

“Peeping Tom” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 14)

On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases author, Andrew Thompson, as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:59

Rebirth of a Legend: The Untold Story of Steve McQueen

On this episode of Our American Stories, we are about to hear the untold story of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, born on This Day in History in 1930, told by a McQueen expert, Marshall Terrill. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:38:16

From At-Risk Youth to Gentlemen: Reclaiming the Youth of the Mississippi Delta

3/24/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, Marks Youth Outreach is a nonprofit organization that all started through the work of a few men in Quitman County. These men saw a need for reaching out to and mentoring the at-risk youth of their community, and decided to do something about it. Joining us is one of those men, named Edgar Sculark, with the story of how it got started. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:30:18

"Nest Egg & No Dice" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 15)

3/24/2023

Duration:00:07:59

Doc Holliday: Outlaw Gentlemen, Shady Ladies, and Tombstone

3/24/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what America and the world knows about Doc Holliday comes from movies and television. But historians agree that no movie portrayal has ever done justice to the real Doc Holliday—until now. Here to tell the story of Doc Holliday is Roger McGrath, author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:38:17

George Will on Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and the Summer of ‘41

3/23/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Will tells the story of Ted Williams and the son of a San Francisco fisherman, his “Streak,” and steely determination. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

Hollywood Goes to War: George O'Brien

3/23/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, George O'Brien was a Hollywood star, but he left the fame and fortune to fight for his country in WWI, WWII, and Korea! Roger McGrath is here with the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:27

From Crack Addict to Inventor and CEO of “My Pillow”

3/23/2023

On this episode of Our American Stories, the inventor and CEO of “My Pillow” is here to tell the improbable tale of how a small-town guy with a dream somehow made it a reality. Mike Lindell’s story is a raw, authentic account by a man most people thought would never rise above his addiction-fueled failures. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:38:16

Last Men Out of Vietnam: Evacuating Saigon

On this episode of Our American Stories, in a thrilling, moment-by-moment narrative based on a wealth of recently declassified documents and in-depth interviews, authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin tell the remarkable story of the evacuation of Saigon in Last Men Out: The True Story of America's Heroic Final Hours in Vietnam. This closing chapter of the war would become the largest-scale evacuation ever carried out, as improvised by a small unit of Marines. Bob Drury is here to tell the...

Duration:00:30:17

I Picked Up "Tex" Watson Hitchhiking AFTER the Manson Murders

On this episode of Our American Stories, following the Charles Manson murders, Manson's lead henchman, Tex Watson, stayed in Los Angeles for almost two months before fleeing to Texas where he was arrested. But it’s those two months following the Manson murders, where this story from our listener (Patty Kingsbaker) picks up. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:59

The 1946 Battle of Alcatraz

On this episode of Our American Stories, on this day in History in 1963, Alcatraz closed... The History Guy shares the story about an escape attempt in the infamous Alcatraz Federal penitentiary in San Francisco, California, that led to a standoff. The penitentiary the inmates called "the Rock,” was supposed to be escape-proof, but that did not keep some prisoners from trying. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:49

Crazy Beautiful: The Story of a 5-Star Steakhouse CEO and an NFL Linebacker