Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Napoleon’s brother Jérôme Bonaparte met a young Baltimore woman named Elizabeth Patterson in 1803, it seemed like a love story that could never last. Their marriage was annulled by the emperor himself, but it sparked a family line that would take root in America and quietly reshape its future. Their grandson, Charles J. Bonaparte, carried the ambition of his lineage in a different direction. Educated at Harvard and driven by public service, he became U.S. Attorney General under Theodore Roosevelt and went on to establish a small investigative office within the Justice Department, an office that would later evolve into the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The History Guy traces how Napoleon Bonaparte’s legacy reached across oceans, blending old-world nobility with new-world purpose. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, across small-town America, fields that once grew corn and clover now host something unexpected: racing lawn mowers. The smell of fuel mixes with cut grass, and the sound of modified engines echoes across the open air. For Julie Tynmann, these races aren’t about fame or money; they’re about community and the thrill of seeing how far a racing mower can go when you push it to its limit. Julie shares how she found joy in this unlikely corner of motorsport, where every turn of the wheel reminds her that adventure can begin anywhere, even in your own backyard. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Mike and Deborah Bailey lost their daughter Ashlynn to a fentanyl overdose, their world stopped. For months, they wrestled with heartbreak and rage, knowing the man who sold her the drugs was still alive. Then their son came to them with a quiet conviction: he wanted to forgive the dealer. What began as an act of faith became a family’s path to healing. The Baileys wrote a letter offering forgiveness—not to excuse the pain, but to release its hold on their hearts. They believed that letting go was the only way to honor their daughter’s spirit. Their story is a powerful testament to grace in the face of loss and to the strength it takes to choose love when everything else falls apart. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before his story was immortalized in the Hollywood movie Lone Survivor, Michael Murphy was a kid from New York who believed in duty over comfort. He earned his degree at Penn State University, was accepted to law school, and could have built a quiet, successful life. Instead, he chose the hardest path imaginable and joined the U.S. Navy SEALs. Training pushed him past every limit, and what followed was a mission that tested everything he stood for. In 2005, during Operation Red Wings, Murphy led his team through the mountains of Afghanistan. When they were ambushed by hundreds of Taliban fighters, communication was their only hope. He stepped into the open, bullets cutting through the air, and made the call that saved his men. Murphy was killed that day, but his courage lived on. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and his story continues to inspire those who serve. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute shares the story of a man who proved that real heroism is quiet, costly, and unbreakable. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, by the time America entered World War II, Clark Gable was already one of the most famous men in the world. Known for Gone with the Wind and his larger-than-life charm, he could have easily stayed home, untouchable and adored. But at forty-one, Gable did something no one expected: he enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps, insisting, “I just want to be sent where the going is rough.” The studio lights faded into the background as he trained alongside men half his age, learning to fly combat missions over Europe. His fame followed him wherever he went, but on base, he was just another soldier doing his part. Behind the uniform was a man determined to prove that courage wasn’t limited to the screen. Historian Roger McGrath tells the story of Clark Gable’s service, from Hollywood’s red carpets to the open skies of war, where the King of Hollywood became a patriot who led by example. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before George McGovern became the Democratic presidential candidate in the 1972 election, he was a young pilot flying dangerous missions over Europe. Long before he spoke out against the Vietnam War, he risked his life in the skies of World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage. Years later, the same man who had faced German gunfire would stand on a national stage, calling for an end to another war. His message of peace divided voters, and his campaign against President Richard Nixon ended in defeat. The late, great historian Stephen Ambrose shares the remarkable life of George McGovern — a man whose journey from bomber pilot to Democratic nominee challenged America to see war and leadership in a different light. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, during World War II, the ocean was a battlefield few ever saw. Deep below the surface, American submarines hunted enemy ships in silence, their crews knowing that a single mistake could mean never coming home. Among them was Rear Admiral Frederick “Fearless Freddie” Warder, a U.S. Navy officer whose skill and steady command made him one of the most respected leaders in the fleet. Warder earned his nickname through acts of calm precision, leading his submarine into dangerous waters and striking with torpedo accuracy that seemed impossible. His courage and composure became legendary among Navy ranks, yet his name rarely appears in history books. He was one of the many unsung heroes of World War II whose quiet victories helped turn the tide of war. Here’s the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the early 1990s, cable television was changing fast. Then came two boys who changed it even faster. Beavis and Butt-Head, created by Mike Judge, appeared on MTV without warning and instantly divided audiences. Parents complained while teenagers quoted every line. The show’s humor was crude, but its insight was sharp. Judge understood how television reflected the chaos of real life, and he built a world that made sense of it through laughter. Beneath the noise and nonsense was a surprisingly honest look at youth culture in the age of screens. Our own Greg Hengler — along with Mike Judge himself — shares the story of the creation of Beavis and Butt-Head Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg McDonald was sixteen when a summer job opened a door he never expected. Working maintenance in Memphis meant seeing beautiful homes and meeting the occasional celebrity, but nothing compared to the day he stepped inside a mansion owned by Elvis Presley. One introduction led to another, and soon Greg was talking with Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s legendary manager. That brief encounter grew into a lifelong career beside the King of Rock and Roll. Greg traveled with Elvis, helped manage details behind the scenes, and watched history unfold from just a few steps away. Over the years, he came to know not just the performer but the man who carried the weight of fame with humor and heart. Greg joins us to share how a single afternoon shaped the rest of his life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, the year was 1968, and the world below was coming apart. Wars raged overseas, cities burned, and faith in the future seemed to flicker. Yet hundreds of thousands of miles away, three astronauts aboard Apollo 8 were witnessing something extraordinary. As their capsule emerged from the Moon’s shadow, astronaut Bill Anders looked out the window and saw the Earth rising above the lunar horizon. He lifted his camera—and in that quiet instant, Earthrise was born. The image would soon be embraced by the peace movement, printed on posters, and carried in protests. But the irony is that it was born out of war—the Space Race, a direct contest with the Soviet Union that began in fear and rivalry. From conflict came a photograph that united the world in wonder. Our own Lee Habeeb shares the story behind this iconic image. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, most people would hide a smell like this. Andrew Masters and Allen Wittman decided to bottle it. Their invention, Liquid Ass, started as a laugh between friends and grew into a best-selling fart spray. With more than 36,000 reviews and a steady stream of prank-loving customers, the product turned a simple joke into a thriving company called Liquid Assets. Founders Andrew Masters and Allen Wittman share how curiosity and timing turned a teenager’s prank into an unlikely business success story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, centuries before it was called “The Big Apple,” New York was a patch of wilderness at the edge of the Atlantic. Dutch settlers built their homes along the Hudson, the British renamed it New York, and over time, it grew into the beating heart of modern America. From the brownstones of Brooklyn to the lights of Times Square, every corner tells a story of growth and grit. Our American Stories’ regular contributor, Bill Bryk, shares how a collection of small settlements became the New York City we know today, home to millions, rich in history, and constantly changing. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, two men, born generations apart, helped shape the course of American history. Booker T. Washington emerged from the aftermath of slavery, founding the Tuskegee Institute and preaching the power of education and self-determination. Decades later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. carried that torch into the modern civil rights movement, leading through nonviolent protest and faith in the promise of equality. Both faced profound racial injustice, yet neither let oppression define their spirit. Through education, courage, and peaceful resistance, they opened doors that generations still walk through today. Author James Ward reflects on their legacies and the zero-victim mentality that continues to inspire Americans today. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brad Server grew up like millions of kids, glued to reruns of The Three Stooges and laughing at the slapstick chaos of Curly Howard, Larry Fine, and Moe Howard. What he didn’t know was that one of the most famous comedians in the world wasn’t just his hero but his grandfather. For years, his family had kept the truth hidden. Curly’s fame was complicated, shadowed by health struggles and the pressures of early Hollywood. When Brad finally learned who he was, the discovery connected him to a man he had only ever known through laughter. Today, Brad honors that legacy as “Curly G,” sharing stories about his grandfather’s life, the brilliance behind the act, and the lasting power of The Three Stooges to make the world smile. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, after the last of his children packed their bags and left, Paul found himself with too much time and an overwhelmingly quiet home. Rather than give in to empty-nest syndrome, he chose to spend his days doing something that mattered. When he first walked into the nursing home where he planned to volunteer, he didn’t expect to find friendship in its grumpiest resident. Wilbur wasn’t one for company, especially after losing his wife, but Paul kept trying to draw him out. Each visit chipped away at the silence that surrounded them both. Over time, those small moments turned into a steady friendship that helped ease the loneliness they each carried. Paul joins us to share how one simple act of showing up changed two lives. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his dark tales and haunting poems, yet his imagination stretched far beyond the macabre. Behind the tragedies that shaped his life was a writer who helped define Gothic literature, pioneered detective fiction, and even ventured into the earliest forms of science fiction. Chris Semtner, curator at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, reveals the wit, creativity, and depth of one of America’s most enduring literary voices. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before air travel became routine, flight was a dangerous experiment. In 1908, Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge climbed into a fragile biplane beside Orville Wright, ready to test the limits of a new invention that had barely left the ground. When a propeller snapped midair, the airplane crashed near Fort Myer, Virginia. Wright survived with severe injuries; Selfridge did not, becoming the first man to die in a plane crash and marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of aviation. His sacrifice helped shape the safety standards that would guide every flight thereafter. Craig Du Mez of the Grateful Nation Project shares the story that defined the earliest days of the sky. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Smithson was born into wealth but denied a name. As the illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland, he spent his life pursuing science instead of status, studying minerals and publishing quietly across Europe. In his will, Smithson made a choice no one expected: he left his fortune to the United States, a nation he had never visited, with the condition that it be used “to increase and diffuse knowledge.” That gift created the Smithsonian Institution, a collection that would grow into the world’s largest museum complex. Wyatt Hensley, a history education major at the University of Pittsburgh and a two-time winner of Constituting America’s We the Future contest, 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, in the hills of Vermont, a boy named Wilson Bentley fell in love with snow. Each flake, he noticed, was fleeting and perfect, gone before he could study it. Determined to keep their beauty from melting away, he began experimenting with photography in his family’s farmhouse. On January 15, 1885, at twenty years old, Bentley succeeded in taking the first photograph of a snowflake. Using a microscope and a bellows camera, he revealed a world of icy symmetry no one had ever seen. He spent the rest of his life photographing snow crystals, building a collection of more than five thousand historic photos that reshaped early photography and inspired generations of scientists and artists alike. Dr. Jerry Bergman 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, when the New York Public Library opened its doors in 1911, one family already called it home. John Fiedler, the building’s first superintendent, moved in with his wife, Cornelia, and their two sons while the library was still under construction. Their apartment sat on the mezzanine level overlooking Bryant Park, and it was there that their daughter, Viviani, was born in 1917. The Fiedler children grew up surrounded by marble halls and endless stacks of books. They played baseball inside the library, sliding across the floors and using books for bases. Author Kristin O’Donnell Tubb brings their remarkable story to life, preserving a forgotten chapter in the history of the New York Public Library. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.