Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Art Rooney, Sr., the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, believed that the measure of a man was often found in the quiet things he chose to do. Jim O'Brien, who came to see Rooney as the grandfather he had been missing, remembers one moment that revealed exactly who Rooney was. Rooney attended the funeral of a man he hardly knew because he believed showing respect in times of loss mattered more than anything else. O’Brien joins us to share how that simple act left a lasting impression on his life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Navy pilot Larry Spencer was captured in North Vietnam, he entered a world that few Americans would ever see. He spent years as a prisoner of war, first in a camp called “The Zoo” and later in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Survival meant finding strength in small moments and holding on to hope that freedom would come again. Spencer tells his story in his own words, offering a rare and personal account of what it meant to live and survive inside North Vietnam’s most notorious prison. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Thomas Weller was a familiar sight along San Diego’s highways. Drivers with flat tires, empty gas tanks, or broken-down cars often saw him pull over to help, expecting nothing in return. Known as “The San Diego Highwayman,” he lived by a simple rule: if you can help, you should. Now, Weller joins us to share his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, have you ever imagined a buffalo running on a racetrack against thoroughbred horses? In the 1960s, Harvey Wallbanger did exactly that. This larger-than-life buffalo stunned crowds as he thundered past racehorses, turning a novelty act into an unforgettable chapter of racing history. Francie Berg of Buffalo Tales and Trails shares the unlikely but true story of how one buffalo captured America’s attention and proved just how wild the frontier spirit could still be. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, few commercials have left a mark like Coca-Cola’s “Hey Kid, Catch!” starring "Mean" Joe Greene. Greene, already one of the greatest defensive players in the NFL, gained a new kind of fame as the spot played during football broadcasts nationwide. Our own Greg Hengler (and others) shares the story of how a 60-second spot became one of the most memorable moments in sports and advertising history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Revolutionary War brought brutal battles, but one of its deadliest tragedies happened far from the front lines. Historian Robert P. Watson, author of The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, shares the untold story of the HMS Jersey, a derelict British prison ship off the coast of New York, where more Americans perished than in combat. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, American culture looks different depending on where you stand, and the same is true for law enforcement. Sergeant Bob Alaniz, a former LAPD officer best known for helping track down the “Night Stalker,” explains how the East and West Coasts developed two very different approaches to policing. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Smith’s legacy stretches beyond legend. As a soldier of fortune and later as a leader in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, he helped struggling colonists survive. His accounts provide a rare look into the realities of early exploration, from hunger to tense negotiations with Native communities. Juliana Brennan Rodgers, author of Captain John Smith: American Hero, shares the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Navy veteran Oliver Halle reflects on his service during the Vietnam War and the family history that shaped him. His relatives resisted the Nazis before fleeing to America, and decades later, he uncovered a secret that transformed his understanding of the past. Courtesy of the Veterans History Project at the Atlanta History Center, his testimony blends the experience of Vietnam soldiers with the deeply personal impact of history and memory. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Jackson's inauguration revealed what he represented to many—a changing of the guard from the established Virginian elite to the rough-and-tumble spirit of the frontier. His celebration afterward drove that point home—literally. Here’s the story! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.