Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, the first American Christmas came just months after the Declaration of Independence. But by December, the mood across the colonies was anything but triumphant. Washington’s forces had been pushed back again and again. The army was cold, outnumbered, and on the brink of collapse. What happened on Christmas night turned the tide. With no guarantee of success, Washington led a quiet crossing of the Delaware and launched a surprise assault on Trenton. The victory didn’t end the war, but it gave people something they hadn’t had in weeks: hope. Historian Brian Benjamin shares a poem that tells the story behind one of the most important days in the fight for independence. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the century, Halloween in the United States looked very different. It wasn’t about costumes or candy—it was a night for pranks, property damage, and a fair amount of frustration for the adults trying to keep order. Over time, some communities found a different approach. Instead of cracking down, they redirected the energy. Schools, churches, and local groups began organizing haunted houses, offering just enough fear to keep the night exciting without letting it spiral out of control. Lisa Morton, author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween, traces how that shift helped transform a night of chaos into one of the country’s most enduring celebrations. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before they made history, the Wright brothers were just two mechanics with a theory. Their shop in Dayton kept the lights on, but it was their time on the beaches of North Carolina that changed the world. While others with more resources failed to get off the ground, Wilbur and Orville studied what moved through the air—and why. In 1903, after years of testing and quiet work, they lifted off the sand and became the first men to take flight, with a takeoff that lasted just 12 seconds. Our own Lee Habeeb 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, Colonel David Hackworth was a soldier’s soldier. He fought in Korea, commanded in Vietnam, and earned more than 90 awards for valor, making him one of the most decorated military figures in American history. However, his legacy extends beyond citations. In Vietnam, Hackworth became known for his bold leadership, unconventional tactics, and outspoken criticism of military bureaucracy. Years later, some of his real-life exploits would inspire characters and lines in Hollywood films (Apocalypse Now, for instance), but Hackworth’s war was no movie. Major General “Mook” Mukoyama shares the story of the man, the myth, and the legend himself. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Crissy Moran had everything the adult film world promised. The money came quickly, the attention never stopped, and the work only seemed to grow. But what she couldn’t outrun was the sense that something was breaking. In 2006, she deleted her website and stepped away from the business that had made her famous. What followed were years of rebuilding, finding faith, and learning to speak out. Today, the married Crissy is a born-again Christian—and living her life in the best possible way. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeff McCutchen didn’t set out to reimagine how a small-town police department operated, but after years on the job, something kept pulling at him. The calls felt heavier, the days felt longer, and the line between public safety and personal burnout was growing harder to ignore. Instead of holding the line on tradition, McCutchen began asking different questions about what leadership requires and what service should look like in a place where everyone knows your name. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, historian David McCullough made millions care about a year most only saw in textbooks—1776. Long before it became shorthand for American independence, 1776 was marked by hesitation, failure, and risk—and McCullough understood that better than most. In this public appearance, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner reflects on how the Revolutionary War unfolded, what the Declaration of Independence actually meant at the time, and why some of the most important moments in U.S. history are often the least understood. We’d like to thank the U.S. National Archives for granting us access to this audio. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Toilet paper might seem like a modern necessity, but the truth is messier—and much older. Long before perforated rolls and flushable comfort, people used whatever they could find: seashells, corn cobs, even stones. The History Guy shares the story of what people used before toilet paper was invented—and how one man’s idea for “medicated paper” launched an industry no one wanted to talk about. 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 exploring the phrase “put a sox in it” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky roots behind the words we use every day. 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, Victoria Mars offers a rare inside look at what it takes to run a business of that scale while keeping it private. From succession and structure to values and culture, she explains how the family has kept its footing in a world where most companies of its size sold out long ago. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Walter Gretzky passed away at 82, people didn’t just remember him as the father of Wayne Gretzky. They remembered the man who stood quietly behind the scenes for decades, offering time, stability, and a kind of presence that never asked to be noticed. The backyard rink he built in Brantford became the foundation of Wayne’s earliest training, but the influence ran deeper than the ice. In this remembrance, Wayne reflects on what he shared at his father’s funeral and how that quiet support shaped his life, both on the ice and far beyond it. 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.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Deon Joseph has worked in law enforcement for more than two decades, spending much of that time in places where support systems rarely hold. The people he meets are often in crisis, and the job asks more than it once did. He reflects on how expectations have shifted, how officers adapt when there’s nowhere else to send someone, and what it means to keep doing the work when most of the pressure lands on the same few shoulders. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Kennedies became a household name in American politics, they were two Irish immigrants trying to survive in a city that barely tolerated their presence. Bridget and Patrick Kennedy arrived in Boston after the famine, carrying more grief than belongings, and stepped into a world that saw their faith and their poverty as threats. Author Neil Thompson shares the story of their rise. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Strake Jr. is a Texas oilman and lifelong adventurer with deep roots in both business and public service. But before all that, he was a groom racing against time. George shares a wild chapter from his younger days: the time he found himself stranded at sea as his wedding day loomed ever closer. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, the First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But not before one last man fell. His name was Henry Gunther, and he died just moments before peace officially began. Why he charged forward, and how his death came to symbolize the senselessness of war’s final moments, is a story often overlooked. Craig Du Mez brings Henry’s story back into focus, tracing the last casualty of a war that had already ended in words but not yet in action. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Harrison Mayes was born in the coalfields of Kentucky, where a life underground was all but guaranteed. But after surviving a near-fatal mine accident, he felt called to do something different. Using homemade concrete signs and backroad highways, Mayes dedicated the rest of his life to one mission: spreading the word of God. J.D. Phillips, also known as the Appalachian Storyteller, shares the quiet, determined legacy of a man who turned suffering into a lifelong message of faith. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, at an age when most kids were still in school, John Clem was marching into battle. He joined the Union Army as a drummer boy at just 12 and quickly became a symbol of bravery. Wounded at Chickamauga and promoted on the field, he was known across the country as “Johnny Clem.” Kristin O’Donnell Tubb shares the true story of one of the Civil War’s most remarkable young soldiers and how his courage helped shape his place in history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a plan to expand the U.S. Supreme Court and shift its balance in favor of his New Deal legislation. The idea gained support...until a fellow Democrat pushed back. Hatton Sumners, a Texas congressman and New Deal ally, believed that court packing would harm the Constitution more than it would help the country. His decision to oppose FDR came at a political cost, but it helped preserve the structure of the Court. Historian Josiah Daniel shares the story of one man who stood on principle—and why the Court still has nine justices today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Urschel had money, influence, and a target on his back. When Machine Gun Kelly broke into his home and took him hostage, it seemed like just another high-profile crime in a lawless era. But Urschel didn’t panic. Instead, he took mental notes, tracking every moment, every voice, every clue. His memory became the FBI’s secret weapon and led to one of the first major takedowns of America’s new wave of gangsters. With insight from Joe Urschel and Dr. T. Lindsey Baker, this is the story of how a businessman played a crucial role in bringing down one of the most infamous names in 1930s crime. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.