Our American Stories

This episode features historian Stephen Ambrose recounting the life of Dwight D.

Michael Ruffino shares his decade-long experience as a gondolier in Southern California, detailing the unique physics of rowing and memorable moments like facilitating proposals.

Professor Bill McClay examines the 1860 election and subsequent Southern secession, highlighting the constitutional debate over state rights.

Economist Tim Harford explores the unexpected government and military origins of modern innovations like the iPhone, radar, and TV dinners.

Jukebox collector Ed Liss shares his lifelong passion for restoring vintage Wurlitzer and Rola machines, detailing the intricate engineering and design history of these iconic devices.

This episode honors Stephanie Kwolek, the chemist who invented Kevlar while working at DuPont.

Host Becky Aikman recounts the story of American women who joined Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II to ferry aircraft when the US military barred female pilots.

Nancy 3 Hoffman shares the origin of her World’s Only Umbrella Cover Museum in Maine, born from her fascination with discarded umbrella sleeves.

Victoria Mars, a fourth-generation leader of Mars Inc.

This episode features Horst Schulze, a co-founder of The Ritz-Carlton, discussing his revolutionary approach to hospitality and leadership.

Cliff Scheidt shares his journey from aspiring Disney actor to author after a mysterious illness left him bedridden for years.

This episode highlights William A.

Host Lee Habib and guest Vince Benedetto explore Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union speech, arguing it is his most significant yet overlooked address.

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The History Guy explores the surprising origins of road lane markings, tracing their evolution from ancient crowd control to modern safety standards.

Ralph Steyer, founder of Johnsonville Sausage, shares how his Catholic faith shapes his business philosophy of building people rather than just profits.

Host Lee Habib and author Brian J.

This episode features political columnist George Will reflecting on the historic 1941 baseball season, focusing on Ted Williams’ .

Christine Handy recounts her journey from a child model dependent on external validation to a woman battling an eating disorder and identity crisis.

This episode features Wyatt Hensley discussing Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, the French immigrant who designed Washington, D.

Andrew Thompson joins Our American Stories to explore the origins of common English idioms.

Sports journalist Jim O'Brien shares a heartfelt tribute to Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr.

Keith Hardison recounts Andrew Jackson’s chaotic 1829 inauguration, marking a shift toward the "people's president.

Dawn Newland and Army veteran William Lambert share their traumatic experiences with PTSD and survivor’s guilt.

This episode of Our American Stories features firearms historian Logan Medish detailing the rise of Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Quentin Whedan recounts his transformative experience working at the Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show in Estes Park, Colorado, starting as a teenager in 1982.

This episode features biographer Harlow Giles Unger discussing Dr.

Host Lee Habib shares a listener’s story about Sage, a runner who finished last in every race after surviving brain cancer.

This episode explores the creation and cultural impact of the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family.

Tyler Spadey recounts his survival of the 2018 Borderline Bar and Grill mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California.

This episode recounts the harrowing rescue of Lt.

Astrophysics graduate Richard Munez recounts his unlikely path to becoming a sheriff’s deputy in Colorado.

This episode of Our American Stories features Rick Mixter detailing the catastrophic 1913 Great Lakes storm, known as the "Big Blow.

Ashley Lubinsky recounts the life of pirate Samuel Bellamy, who became one of history’s wealthiest before his ship, the Whydah, sank in a 1717 storm off Massachusetts.

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Wendy Steele, a former Cincinnati banker, founded Impact 100 to democratize philanthropy by removing barriers for women.

The History Guy recounts the 1926 race to the North Pole between Richard Byrd’s airplane and Roald Amundsen’s airship.

Major General James “Mook” Mukaiyama shares his memoir, Faith, Family, and Flag, highlighting the bravery of Japanese American soldiers in World War II.

Bob McClellan reflects on lessons learned from walking the Golden Gate National Cemetery with his children.

This episode chronicles the life of William Boeing, from his immigrant father’s timber wealth to his own success in logging and eventual pivot to aviation.

Host Lee Habib and guest Mark Kawar explore the Knights of the Golden Circle, a pre-Civil War Southern secret society obsessed with medieval…

This episode of Our American Stories profiles the life and career of late country music icon Kenny Rogers.

Bill Koch shares formative leadership lessons from his time at MIT, where he overcame academic doubts and transformed a struggling basketball team.

Historian Stephen Ambrose recounts the pivotal events of 1941 that led the United States into World War II.

Host Lee Habib and author Mark Kawar explore the era of Manifest Destiny and the rise of private filibusters.

Pete Coors recounts the immigrant journey of his ancestor Adolph Coors, who fled Germany to build a brewing empire in Colorado.

This episode explores the ecological and cultural devastation caused by chestnut blight, which wiped out billions of American chestnut trees.

Host Lee Habib and guest Robert Morgan explore the Bible’s influence on America’s founding, focusing on the First Continental Congress in 1774.

This episode features Jonjo Powers, author of *A Small Perfection*, discussing the life and career of actor John Cazale.

Host Lee Habib explores the creation of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.