Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

How an Iowa Waitress Became an Officer's Wife in Texas May 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Joy Neal Kidney, a regular contributor to Our American Stories from Des Moines, Iowa, shares her mother’s story of how she became an officer’s wife in the middle of World War II.

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How a Capitalist and Some Communists Gave Us the Worst Car Ever Made: The Yugo May 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, six months after its introduction in 1985, the Yugo was a punchline; within a year, it had become a staple of late-night comedy. By 2000, NPR’s Car Talk declared it “the worst car of the millennium.” For most Americans, that’s where the story ends. Jason Vuic, author of The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History, tells the rest.

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How One Black Woman Helped Redeem "The Most Dangerous Racist in America": The Story of George Wallace and Shirley Chisholm May 08, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, a tragic event brought a racist (George Wallace) and a radical (Shirley Chisholm) together, forging an unlikely alliance. Special thanks to the Jack Miller Center for bringing this story to our attention.

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Burrito Restaurant Owner Offers Job to Burglar May 08, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, after Diablo's Southwest Grill in Georgia was broken into, owner Carl Wallace took an unexpected approach—posting a job offer to the perpetrator on Facebook instead of pressing charges. Here's Carl with his story of why.

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The 11'8" "Can Opener" Bridge May 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in Durham, North Carolina, there’s a bridge that trucks just can’t stop hitting—“The Can Opener.” Jesse Edwards shares the story behind the internet’s most famous overpass.

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Two-Time Oscar Nominee Volunteers for WWII at 37: The Story of Robert Montgomery May 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Montgomery was a two-time Oscar nominee and one of the first major Hollywood stars to volunteer for service in World War II. Later, he became a trusted television advisor to Dwight D. Eisenhower during his 1952 presidential campaign—and went on to serve in the White House, becoming the first showbiz professional to hold an official role there. Historian Roger McGrath brings us this remarkable story of patriotism and Hollywood's role in wartime America.

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Did Abraham Lincoln Believe in God? May 08, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, did Lincoln believe in God? Yes—but his faith walk was more complicated and messier than you probably know. Here to tell the story of Lincoln's faith is Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian and Emeritus Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University in England. We'd like to thank the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us to use this audio, originally a part of their Scholar Talks series on YouTube.

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The Redemption of a Man Who Went from Serving Life to Living Life in Its Fullest May 07, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeromy Clark had a rough upbringing, losing his father and suffering abuse at the hands of authority figures. After believing he would spend the rest of his life in prison, Jeromy was set free by grace...and the support of many people. Today, he is a living picture of redemption. Here's Jeromy to share his powerful story.

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The Importance of Balance in Motorcycle Riding... and Life May 07, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Brent Timmons, an Our American Stories listener from Delaware, shares the story of a lesson in risk that his son learned while riding his cherished bicycle.

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The Messy and Complicated Story of Thomas Jefferson and Slavery May 07, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, how could a man who wrote the words "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence go to his grave without freeing his slaves? Cara Rogers Steven, author of Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery, tells the messy story of a man who was both a product of his times... and ahead of them. A special goes out to the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us access to this audio, originally part of their Scholar Talks series on YouTube.

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