Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Winston Churchill is remembered for his leadership during World War II, but his views on education reveal a different side of the man. Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College and a Churchill scholar, shares how Churchill’s schooling shaped his belief that education is about more than facts and rather preparing people to face both success and failure. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 "cat got your tongue" 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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, some family stories fade with time, but others are told again and again until they become part of the fabric of memory. For Joy Neal Kidney’s grandmother, one such story involved an ordinary sewing needle and an extraordinary mishap. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, life in law enforcement is filled with long nights, constant stress, and moments that never leave you. For Richard Muniz, one of those moments came during his time as a deputy in the Conejos County Sheriff’s Department. A wreck he responded to on duty became a turning point in his career and his life, leaving him to grapple with the unseen weight of police stress and the lasting impact of trauma. His story opens a window into the realities of the police work environment and the question of how officers cope when the job follows them home. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Eddie Willis grew up knowing he was adopted and never questioned it until he became a father himself. The birth of his own children sparked a need to understand his origins, leading him on a journey through closed adoption records and uncertainty. What he discovered was far more surprising than he ever imagined. Eddie shares his powerful story of identity, loss, and the meaning of family. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, on Christmas night in 1776, George Washington crossed the Delaware River and launched a daring surprise attack at Trenton that changed the course of the American Revolution. Against all odds, his army defeated the Hessian forces and revived the cause of independence when hope was at its lowest. Dr. Larry Arnn of Hillsdale College shares how Washington’s leadership turned a desperate gamble into one of the most important victories in American history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before cars ruled the roads, the bicycle was America’s great innovation. Known in its early years as the “mechanical horse,” it gave ordinary people freedom of movement and reshaped everything from medicine to road building. Margaret Guroff, author of The Mechanical Horse: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life, shares the story of how two wheels set a nation in motion. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, few instruments are as iconic as B.B. King’s guitar Lucille, a Gibson ES-355 that carried the voice of the blues across the world. But the story of how Lucille got her name begins in a crowded dance hall, with a fire that nearly claimed B.B. King’s life. From that moment on, every guitar he played bore the same name, a reminder of that night and a symbol of his bond with the blues. Longtime friend Myron Johnson and Daniel de Visé, author of King of the Blues, share the unforgettable tale. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, on June 4, 1974, the Cleveland Indians hosted the Texas Rangers in what began as a regular MLB game and ended as one of the most infamous promotions in baseball history. Known as “Ten Cent Beer Night,” the evening promised cheap drinks to boost attendance. What followed was a riot on the field, a forfeit, and a chapter of baseball history that still stuns fans today. The History Guy recounts the unbelievable story of the night chaos replaced baseball in Cleveland. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, “Smokin’” Ed Currie is an American chili pepper breeder and the founder and president of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. He’s best known for creating the world’s hottest chili peppers—the Carolina Reaper and now Pepper X—as recognized by Guinness World Records. A former addict, Ed is now a man of strong faith. Here’s Ed sharing a story about him, his wife, and a miracle.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.