Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brian Jay Jones, author of Jim Henson: The Biography, tells the story of how some of America’s most beloved characters—the Muppets—got their start in advertising and television commercials. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Eisenhower once said that D-Day would never have happened without this man's boat, born out of the swamps of Louisiana. This is the story of Andrew Higgins—the brash and bold Irishman whose boat-building plants employed one out of every five Louisianans during the war and helped seal the fate of both the Third Reich and Imperial Japan. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in this dramatic reading, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalizes Old North Church and Paul Revere in American folklore, cementing their place in the nation’s history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, after a career in the Marines, Mike Jones went on to work for some of the most successful animation studios, including Hanna-Barbera and Marvel Productions. He later left Marvel to produce and direct McGee and Me! and animate Adventures in Odyssey. After 30 years of work, his long-awaited project, Theo Presents, was finally released. Here’s Mike with his inspiring story of faith and creativity. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Burt Young is an instantly recognizable character actor, known for his half-muttered voice and flinty gaze—traits that made him the perfect fit for Rocky as Sylvester Stallone’s ill-mannered brother-in-law, Paulie. Here’s Burt Young with his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, historian Roger McGrath returns with another installment of his “Hollywood Goes to War” series. We've already heard the wartime stories of Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, and Tyrone Power. This time, it’s the tale of Wayne Morris—a strapping, steely-eyed leading man who traded movie sets for the skies in World War II. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, was George Washington really America’s first president? Perhaps not. Historian and bestselling author Christopher Klein, a regular contributor to History.com and Smithsonian Magazine, shares the little-known story of John Hanson, the man some consider the nation’s first president under the Articles of Confederation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, former state politician Duncan Scott shares the hilarious true story of how he pranked the New Mexico State Legislature, resulting in one of the strangest amendments ever proposed 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, an undercover agent infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s, gathering secrets that would later be exposed to millions through the Superman radio show. This unusual alliance between pop culture and espionage helped undermine one of America’s most notorious hate groups. Here's the astonishing and forgotten story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, he grew up in poverty. His first job was at McDonald’s—and he would go on to become the CEO of 7-Eleven. Here’s the inspiring story of Jim Keyes, in his own words. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, like many others, Miles C. Collier fell in love with automobiles in an instant. Today, he runs the world-renowned Revs Institute—widely considered the best car museum in the world—and is the author of The Archaeological Automobile, a book that explores American material culture through the lens of the vehicles and artifacts we leave behind. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Acitelli, author of Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World, tells the fascinating story of how a revolutionary brew from the Austrian Empire became one of America’s most popular beers. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, listener and regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney, from Des Moines, Iowa, shares the war story of her uncle, Donald Wilson. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, American history hasn’t been kind to King George III. Branded a tyrant in the Declaration of Independence and dismissed as unfit to lead a free people, his legacy has long been misunderstood. British historian Andrew Roberts, author of The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III, shares the true story of America’s last king and why we might just have the story all wrong. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, defeating the Nazi menace took more than strength and tactics—it required feeding the Germans a steady stream of “accurate” Allied secrets for years. The late, great Stephen Ambrose tells the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, at 2:47 AM on August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge was administered the oath of office by his father, lit by a kerosene lamp in the small town where he was born: Plymouth Notch, Vermont. It was the culmination of a life well lived. Here to tell the story of our 30th President are Matthew Denhart and Tracy Messer, widely regarded as the world’s greatest Coolidge impersonator. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremy Swick of the College Football Hall of Fame shares the incredible true story of Sgt. Stubby—a stray dog who became a soldier, war hero, and beloved military mascot during World War I. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, for over 100 years, the Miss America pageant has been a fixture of American culture, shaping ideas of beauty, femininity, and patriotism. But staying relevant hasn’t been easy. Amy Argetsinger, author of There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America, shares the surprising origins, cultural impact, and evolution of the iconic competition. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, P.J. Hill, rancher and co-author of The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier, explains the misconceptions about the American West. 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. The book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.