Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

The German Immigrant Behind Coors Banquet Beer Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became one of America’s most recognizable beer brands, Coors was the dream of Adolph Coors, a German immigrant who started brewing in the mining towns of Colorado. With a commitment to quality and a passion for craft, Coors created what would become Coors Banquet—a beer with staying power. Pete Coors shares how his ancestors’ hard work, vision, and old-world techniques helped shape the brewery’s legacy.

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What Really Happened During the Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876 Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on a March day in 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky, looked up to find chunks of raw meat falling from the sky. Some said it was mutton. Others claimed beef or venison. A few even tasted it. Known now as the Kentucky Meat Shower, the event remains one of the strangest and least explained weather phenomena in American history. Was it vultures? A freak storm? Something else entirely? Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the story of this bizarre chapter in American lore

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The Dog That Helped a Family Heal During Cancer Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Doris was diagnosed with cancer, her world changed, and so did her family’s. In the middle of uncertainty, they adopted Benny, a rescue dog with soft eyes and a calm, steady presence. As the days grew more difficult, Benny remained close, offering comfort without words and a sense of peace that medicine couldn’t provide. Our regular contributor, Stephen Rusiniak, shares how this unassuming pet became a quiet anchor during one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

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The $15 Million Bet That Doubled the Country Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1803, the United States made a deal with France that would double the size of the young nation. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, the $15 million agreement opened the door to westward expansion, changing our country forever. Hillsdale College's Brad and Dedra Birzer share the story of how one land deal reshaped the course of American history.

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The Inventor of the Machine Gun Went Deaf—So His Son Invented the Silencer Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Hiram Percy Maxim grew up in the shadow of firepower. His father invented the machine gun, a weapon that changed modern warfare. But when that same weapon left his father deaf, Hiram took a different path. In 1902, he invented the first commercial gun silencer and later applied the same technology to early automobile engines. His work shaped not only the future of firearms but also the way engines and mechanical noise evolved across the 20th century. A pioneer of American invention, Maxim's legacy includes firearms suppressors, automotive mufflers, and a quieter world. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the story.

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When No One Could Diagnose Him, Faith and Family Got Him Through Sep 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Cliff Shiepe was working his dream job on the backlot of Disney when his body began to fail. A series of unexplained fevers sent him from studio sets to his childhood bedroom, where he would spend the next decade bedridden. Doctors couldn’t explain what was happening. Most people would have given up. Cliff didn’t. He leaned on his faith, the unwavering care of his mother, and a quiet hope that healing was still possible. Cliff joins us to share his remarkable story. Cliff's website is CliffFalls.com. Be sure to check it out!

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The Ghost Army and the Inflatable Tanks That Changed World War II Sep 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the U.S. Army created a top-secret unit unlike any other. Known as the Ghost Army, it was made up of artists, sound engineers, and prop builders who used inflatable tanks, fake radio signals, and sound effects to trick the German army. Officially called the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, their mission was to create the illusion of large U.S. forces where none existed. Rick Beyer, author of The Ghost Army of World War II, tells the story of how this deception unit helped mislead Hitler’s troops and shaped the outcome of the war.

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How Rod Serling Changed TV with The Twilight Zone Sep 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when The Twilight Zone premiered in 1959, audiences saw television in a new way. At its center was Rod Serling, a writer who believed the small screen could handle big ideas. Through allegory and imagination, Serling turned weekly episodes into timeless reflections on society. His work established The Twilight Zone as one of the greatest TV shows of the 20th century and made him a cultural icon. Nick Parisi, author of Rod Serling: His Life, Work, and Imagination, recounts the life and influence of one of America’s most important storytellers.

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The Story of America’s Most Famous Metaphor: John Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill Sep 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, you must know the role the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers — Christian and non-Christian — were heavily influenced by Scripture. One of the most famous examples is John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, where he spoke of a “City Upon a Hill.” Those words became one of America’s most enduring metaphors, echoed by presidents from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan as a symbol of the nation’s identity and mission. Here to share this story is Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America, explaining how Winthrop’s vision took root in the American mind and why the “City Upon a Hill” still matters today.

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The True Story of Father Stu, the Boxer Who Became a Priest Sep 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was known as Father Stu, Stuart Long was a Golden Gloves boxing champion with dreams of fame. A near-fatal motorcycle accident changed the course of his life, leading him toward faith and eventually the priesthood. Diagnosed with a rare muscle disease, he continued to serve others with courage until his death in 2014. His story later inspired the film Father Stu starring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. In this recording provided by the Diocese of Helena, you’ll hear directly from Father Stuart Long himself as he shares the journey that transformed him.

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