Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

How Car Culture Captivates the Soul Jun 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, like many others, Miles C. Collier fell in love with automobiles in an instant. Today, he runs the world-renowned Revs Institute—widely considered the best car museum in the world—and is the author of The Archaeological Automobile, a book that explores American material culture through the lens of the vehicles and artifacts we leave behind.

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The Beer That Changed America: The Rise of the Pilsner Jun 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Acitelli, author of Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World, tells the fascinating story of how a revolutionary brew from the Austrian Empire became one of America’s most popular beers.

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A Listener's Story About a Humble Local Hero—Her Uncle Jun 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, listener and regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney, from Des Moines, Iowa, shares the war story of her uncle, Donald Wilson.

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The Real Story of King George III: America’s Last King Jun 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, American history hasn’t been kind to King George III. Branded a tyrant in the Declaration of Independence and dismissed as unfit to lead a free people, his legacy has long been misunderstood. British historian Andrew Roberts, author of The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III, shares the true story of America’s last king and why we might just have the story all wrong.

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The Double Agent Spy Who Helped Win D-Day (With Stephen Ambrose) Jun 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, defeating the Nazi menace took more than strength and tactics—it required feeding the Germans a steady stream of “accurate” Allied secrets for years. The late, great Stephen Ambrose tells the story.

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The President Whose Greatness Came from His Restraint: The Story of President Calvin Coolidge Jun 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, at 2:47 AM on August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge was administered the oath of office by his father, lit by a kerosene lamp in the small town where he was born: Plymouth Notch, Vermont. It was the culmination of a life well lived. Here to tell the story of our 30th President are Matthew Denhart and Tracy Messer, widely regarded as the world’s greatest Coolidge impersonator.

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Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated Dog of World War I Jun 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremy Swick of the College Football Hall of Fame shares the incredible true story of Sgt. Stubby—a stray dog who became a soldier, war hero, and beloved military mascot during World War I.

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From Boardwalk to Broadcast: The Origins of Miss America Jun 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, for over 100 years, the Miss America pageant has been a fixture of American culture, shaping ideas of beauty, femininity, and patriotism. But staying relevant hasn’t been easy. Amy Argetsinger, author of There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America, shares the surprising origins, cultural impact, and evolution of the iconic competition.

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The Story of Why "The Wild, Wild West" Wasn't Actually Wild Jun 03, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, P.J. Hill, rancher and co-author of The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier, explains the misconceptions about the American West.

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"Back to Square One" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 3) Jun 03, 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. The book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases.

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