Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

A Young Soldier Promised God Three Things After a Vietnam Mine Took His Legs... Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, In Vietnam, 20-year-old Jon Hovde was nearly killed when his vehicle struck an anti-tank mine. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but Jon made three promises to God that day. What happened next would shape the rest of his life and inspire the people back home who knew him best. Linda from Jon’s hometown of Fertile, MN, shares the story.

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"True Colors" & "Soap Opera" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they mean. This time, how the phrases "true colors" and "soap opera", among others, came to be.

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Behind the Blue Christmas: How Elvis Was Coaxed into Recording a Christmas Album Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Elvis Presley’s Christmas album has become a holiday staple, but the story behind it is more surprising than you might think. Greg McDonald was there in the early days, when Colonel Tom Parker was just beginning to shape the Elvis brand. Here’s Greg sharing the story of how the King of Rock and Roll was convinced to lend his voice to Christmas music, changing the season forever.

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Brett Favre Tells His Story of Faith, Family, and Football Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what’s known about legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre has stayed between the goalposts. So, our own Greg Hengler sat down with the Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers quarterback at his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to ask him about the three most important things in his life: his faith, his family, and the game he loved.

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Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the world knew JFK, his sister Rosemary was already suffering behind closed doors. A botched lobotomy changed her life forever, and her story became one of the family’s most closely guarded secrets. Kate Clifford Larson, author of Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, sheds light on the woman history forgot. We'd like to thank the Library of Congress for allowing us access to this audio.

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How Bob Gibson and Tim McCarver Redefined Baseball in 1964 at the World Series Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals faced the mighty Yankees with an unforgettable duo: a Black pitcher and a white catcher. Their chemistry on the field helped clinch the title and changed how the sport viewed race and teamwork. Here’s Jeff Bloodworth, professor of American history at Gannon University and Jack Miller Center fellow, with the story.

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What Happened When 800 Irish-Americans Invaded Canada to Liberate Ireland Jul 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, after the Civil War, hundreds of Irish-American veterans launched an invasion — not in Ireland, but across the Canadian border. It was a daring, chaotic attempt to pressure Britain into freeing Ireland. Author and History Channel contributor Christopher Klein shares the untold story of the Fenian Raids.

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America’s First Defeat in WWII: Kasserine Pass and the Harsh Reality of War Jul 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before America became a powerhouse in WWII, it stumbled. At Kasserine Pass, U.S. forces were tested against the Nazis in North Africa, and the results were devastating. The late, great historian Stephen Ambrose explains how this early defeat shaped the future of the American military.

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The SR-71 Blackbird Disaster at 78,000 Feet: How One Pilot Fell from Space and Survived Jul 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, When an SR-71 Blackbird disintegrated mid-air at over 2,000 mph, pilot Bill Weaver was ejected at a speed and height few humans have ever survived. He thought he was dead, but the story that followed became one of the most remarkable survival moments in aviation history. The History Guy shares it.

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The Truth Behind the “Cursed” Heiress, Sarah Winchester, and the Mansion She Built Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, the mansion she built is world-renowned, as much for its many design curiosities and innovations as for its reported paranormal activity. Here to tell the story is Ashley Hlebinsky, former co-host of Discovery Channel’s Master of Arms, former curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, and president of The Gun Code, LLC.

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