Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

The True Story Behind Sue Thomas: the FBI’s First Deaf Agent Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sue Thomas’s life became the inspiration for the TV drama Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, but the real story is far more powerful than anything Hollywood put on screen. Born profoundly deaf, she grew up learning to read lips and pushed past low expectations to earn a place inside the FBI. There, she became the Bureau’s first deaf agent and proved that disability could be turned into strength.

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The Story of Thomas Mundy Peterson, America’s First Black Voter Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, shortly after the ratification of the 15th Amendment, which guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race, Thomas Mundy Peterson walked into a polling place in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and made history as the first Black voter in the United States. His ballot was cast at a time when the meaning of the Constitution was still being tested and when many states resisted the idea of true suffrage for African Americans. Historian Elliott Drago of the Jack Miller Center shares how one man’s simple act of civic duty became a milestone in the story of American voting rights.

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Bear Bryant Taught Him to Win, the Packers Taught Him to Believe Sep 18, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Rich Wingo’s football journey began under legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, whose tough, uncompromising style forged players into men prepared for more than just Saturdays in Tuscaloosa. Bryant’s influence followed Wingo beyond his college years and into the NFL, where he suited up for the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It was in those two worlds, the Crimson Tide and the Packers, that Wingo’s understanding of discipline, perseverance, and faith deepened. Looking back, he shares how the lessons from a storied college football program and one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises transformed not just his playing career, but his entire outlook on life.

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Brett Favre on Tough Love, Parenting, and Telling the Truth Sep 18, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Brett Favre's father coached the legendary QB on many subjects—most of which shaped his training, practice, and play. The passing game? Not so much. But life itself? Absolutely. Here's Brett himself with the story.

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George Washington and the Day He Refused a Crown Sep 18, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, at the end of the Revolutionary War, with soldiers restless and unpaid, whispers spread about replacing Congress with a monarchy. Some even suggested that George Washington take the throne. In what became known as the Newburgh Conspiracy, Washington faced a decision that could have reshaped America’s future. Instead of seizing power, he delivered words that calmed his officers and secured the path of a republic. Washington interpreter Brian Hilton, along with Vince Benedetto, shares the story of the day Washington refused to be king.

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"Tie the Knot" & "Blackballed" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions Sep 18, 2025

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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. His book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases. This time, Andrew explores the backstories of phrases like “tie the knot” and “blackballed,” among others.

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How Christopher’s Battle With Childhood Cancer Sparked Faith and Legacy Sep 17, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Kathy Cooley’s young son Christopher was diagnosed with cancer, life turned into a series of questions, hospital visits, and prayers. Yet in the middle of the struggle, Christopher’s spirit guided his family toward a deeper faith. His courage in the face of pediatric cancer became the foundation for a legacy that lives on through The Christopher Foundation.

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How MIT Basketball Shaped Bill Koch’s View of Leadership Sep 17, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was a billionaire businessman and America’s Cup champion, Bill Koch was a student-athlete at MIT learning lessons that would shape his leadership. Told he wasn’t smart or skilled enough, he worked relentlessly and discovered the power of teamwork, accountability, and focus. Koch shares how a coach, one play, and a group of “nerds” taught him that winning comes when everyone knows their role and works together.

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How Gettysburg and Abraham Lincoln Inspired Dwight D. Eisenhower Sep 17, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Dwight D. Eisenhower carried many influences into his role as Supreme Allied Commander, but none mattered more than his deep respect for Abraham Lincoln. Before ordering the D-Day invasion, Eisenhower often reflected on the Civil War and the leadership shown at Gettysburg. National Park Service Ranger Daniel Vermilya shares the story of how Lincoln’s words and actions became a touchstone for Eisenhower, offering guidance on sacrifice, responsibility, and decision-making in moments of crisis.

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How Goats Became San Francisco’s Unlikely Landscaping Crew Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, City Grazing started with a simple idea: goats are natural landscapers. Today, the San Francisco non-profit provides goat grazing services across the Bay Area, using herds to reduce fire risk, cut down invasive weeds, and clear land in ways machines can’t. Executive director Genevieve Church, sometimes called the third “Goat Lady of San Francisco,” shares the story of how the project began and what it takes to run a goat-powered lawn and brush-clearing service.

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