Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

Stalin’s Daughter Became an American Citizen... and a Wisconsin Cheesehead? Jun 24, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when 85-year-old Lana Peters passed away in 2011 from complications due to colon cancer, the nation seemed to have forgotten the woman who became a sensation during the Cold War. The History Guy recalls the extraordinary life of the woman whose defection to the United States marked a seminal moment in history.

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Hollywood Goes to War: "Wild Bill" Wellman Jun 24, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Roger McGrath returns with another installment in our Hollywood Goes to War series. A U.S. Marine, former UCLA history professor, and author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier, Dr. McGrath has appeared in numerous History Channel documentaries. He’s also a regular contributor to Our American Stories, bringing his expert insight into the lives of Hollywood legends who served in America’s wars. This time, Roger shares the story of “Wild Bill” Wellman—Hollywood director, World War I fighter pilot, and all-around American original.

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Belinda Mulrooney: The Richest, Toughest Woman of the Klondike Gold Rush Jun 23, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, no woman figured more prominently on the Yukon and Alaskan frontiers than Belinda Mulrooney. She gained international fame as the richest woman in the Klondike and made and lost multiple fortunes. She became a character in novels, and her dog was the inspiration for Buck in The Call of the Wild. Here to tell her story is Roger McGrath, author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier.

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"Big Bucks, No Whammies!": The Man Who Cracked the Code of Press Your Luck and Won $110,000 Jun 23, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Matt Parker, a comedian and mathematician from Australia, tells the story of Michael Larson—a humble ice cream man who surprisingly beat the game show Press Your Luck—and explains why computers can’t truly be random.

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The Balloonfest '86 Disaster of Inflated Proportions Jun 23, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1986, the United Way of Cleveland attempted to set a world record by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the sky. What was meant to be a harmless publicity stunt quickly turned into a public safety and environmental disaster. It grounded planes, hindered rescue operations, and led to tragic consequences. Jesse Edwards shares the story.

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Becoming Dr. Seuss: The Making of an American Imagination Jun 23, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, from Green Eggs and Ham to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we’re all familiar with the work of Dr. Seuss. But the story of how he became the author we know and love is far from short and simple. Brian Jay Jones, author of Becoming Dr. Seuss, shares the full story of the man behind the pen name.

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How My Dad's Wounds of War Fueled My Drive to Serve Vets Jun 20, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Diane Hight’s father was a war hero, but he also struggled with alcoholism due to his PTSD from World War II. To honor him, she founded Forever Young Veterans, an organization originally focused on taking WWII veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. It soon grew into a mission to take them back to Normandy and beyond. Here's her story.

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The Odd Tale of Oregon's Exploding Whale Jun 20, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, after a whale washed up on an Oregon beach in 1970, someone decided it would be a good idea to blow it up with a large amount of dynamite. Things didn’t go as planned. Jesse Edwards shares the story.

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The Story Behind the Most Important Punch in Comic Book History Jun 20, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the creators of Captain America were looking for the perfect villain, but why create one when he already existed? This led to the most important punch in comic book history, the one thrown at Hitler nearly a full year before Pearl Harbor. Joe Parrott, a history professor at Ohio State University, shares the story.

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Legendary Founder of the Ritz-Carlton: My Employees Are My Closest Neighbors Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, a legend and leader in the hotel industry, Horst Schulze has reshaped how service and hospitality are defined in business, setting standards that have become world-famous. Over the years, he worked for both Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of the luxury hotel chain, the Ritz-Carlton, in 1983. Horst is a Christian who lives out his faith in both his business and personal life.

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