Our American Stories

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

The Steel Giant That Put a Tiny Kansas Town on the Map Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the small town of West Mineral, Kansas, there’s a mining relic so massive it can be seen from miles away. Big Brutus, a 160-foot electric shovel, once played a vital role in America’s coal industry. Today, it’s recognized as one of the official 8 Wonders of Kansas. Joe Manns tells the story of how this engineering marvel came to define a town and earn a place in Kansas history.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Custer's Trials: The Story Beyond Little Bighorn Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Armstrong Custer is often remembered for how his story ended at Little Bighorn, but the life he lived before that final charge was full of ambition, controversy, and consequence. Pulitzer Prize-winning author T.J. Stiles shares how Custer rose through the ranks during the Civil War, and why his name still stirs debate today.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Training the Dogs That Help People See the World Again Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, guide dogs do more than navigate curbs and crosswalks. They offer confidence, companionship, and a new kind of freedom. Christine Benninger, CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, explains how these remarkable dogs are trained, selected, and paired with individuals who need them the most.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 67-Year-Old Grandma Who Walked the Appalachian Trail Alone Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before ultralight backpacks and trail apps, 67-year-old Emma Gatewood became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone. With nothing but a pair of Keds, a homemade denim sack, and an iron will, she walked over 2,000 miles through some of the roughest terrain in America. But what pushed her onto the trail wasn’t just adventure — it was the aftermath of years in an abusive marriage and a quiet belief that she deserved more.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WWII Airman’s Body Moved Three Times Before His Family Found Peace Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, after WWII airman Danny Wilson fell overseas, his body was buried in France alongside thousands of American soldiers. But that wasn’t the end of his story. His niece, Joy Neal Kidney, shares the little-known journey of how her uncle was buried three different times, from a foreign graveyard in Europe to his final resting place in Iowa.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Samuel Colt Won the West With One Invention Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Colt revolver became one of the most iconic weapons in American history, earning nicknames such as "the Peacemaker" and "the Equalizer." But who was Samuel Colt, and how did he build something so enduring? His journey stretched from humble beginnings to industrial triumph, leaving behind a legacy that outlived him and came to define the Wild West. Our own Greg Hengler shares the story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bringing Venice to California: The Real Life of a Gondolier Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Angelo Ruffino rows through the canals of Southern California, singing his original music to passengers and perfecting a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. But he’s more than a romantic oarsman. He’s a racer, a performer, and a champion for gondola culture, hoping one day to bring it to the Olympic stage.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I Grew Up Detached From My Jewish History. Then I Went to Buchenwald Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dana Mitch grew up knowing pieces of her family's Holocaust story, but they never quite felt like her own. That changed when she visited Buchenwald, one of the largest concentration camps on German soil. Walking through its grounds brought the past into sharper focus and helped her connect with the history she had always known from a distance.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dangers and Joys of Having a Father Who Goes to Extreme Lengths to Save a Dollar Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener and regular contributor from South Carolina, Dennis Peterson, shares the story of working with his dad in bricklaying—and how, despite thriftiness being mostly a positive trait, it sometimes led to unexpected consequences on the job.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weapons of WWII With Stephen Ambrose: Poison Gas and Transportation Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose was one of America’s leading biographers and historians. He passed away in 2002, but his epic storytelling can now be heard here on Our American Stories, thanks to the efforts of those who manage his estate. Our next segment features his account of the weapons used in World War II, this time focusing on poison gas and the various modes of transportation.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.