Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

The Privileges of War? A Green Beret's Story of American Service in Vietnam Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Ross, a former Green Beret and intelligence officer during the Vietnam War, shares his powerful story of American service in 1968 South Vietnam. As part of a Special Forces “A” Detachment—an elite Green Beret unit—Ross witnessed the realities of war firsthand. Today, he's the President and CEO of The Ross Jewelry Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and the author of Privileges of War: A Good Story of American Service in Vietnam, a memoir that explores sacrifice, service, and life after combat. We'd like to thank the Atlanta History Center for allowing us access to this audio, originally part of their Veterans History Project.

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How Coach Bear Bryant Saved and Changed My Life Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jeremiah Castille played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was on the last team coached by the legendary “Bear” Bryant. Here's Jeremiah—who went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos in the NFL—sharing how his coach not only improved his game, but also saved his life.

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The 1926 Race to the Pole: A Story of Polar Exploration Apr 16, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy tells the story of the dramatic 1926 race to the North Pole—featuring legendary explorers Roald Amundsen and Richard Byrd, and how their daring journeys helped shape the future of aviation and polar exploration.

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Suffering Fueled His Greatness: John Hannah on What It Took to Be the Best Offensive Lineman of All Time Apr 16, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Sports Illustrated called him the greatest offensive lineman of all time, but he certainly wasn't born with that title—it took a lot of hard work. Here's John Hannah himself sharing the story of the two moments in his life that pushed him toward excellence: one with his dad, the other with legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant.

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Why Are There So Many Types of Screws? Apr 15, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the differing fates of the Robertson and Phillips-head screwdrivers demonstrate that innovation is intimately tied to historical events. Here’s the History Guy with the story of the screwdriver wars.

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The Story of the Runaway Slave Who Helped End the Fugitive Slave Act Apr 15, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Fugitive Slave Act made all Americans accomplices in the practice of slavery. Here's the story of how its end began.

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They Will Be Remembered: A Letter for All Those Who Served Apr 15, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Tony Dolan, President Ronald Reagan's chief speechwriter and a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, pays tribute to America's fallen soldiers.

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This Log Cabin Led to the “Great Awakening”—Which Led to the American Revolution Apr 15, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to understand the history of America, it's imperative to recognize the role the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both Christian and non-Christian—were deeply influenced by its teachings. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America.

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The Greatest Showman: The True Story of P.T. Barnum Apr 15, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in a big and memorable way, P.T. Barnum changed how all Americans lived. He gave them something to talk about—and dream about. Our movies, television, and entertainment-saturated culture are what they are today because of what he started. He seems almost like a fable now—but then again, he did in his own time as well. Here to tell the story is Kathy Maher, Executive Director of the P.T. Barnum Museum.

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The Enslaved Man-Turned-Spy Who Helped Washington Win America's Independence: James Armistead Lafayette Apr 14, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, for most of his life, James Armistead Lafayette was known simply as James—not Lafayette. That last name came later, and from none other than the Marquis de Lafayette of the American Revolution. But why would an enslaved man take the last name of a French military officer? Here's Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute with the story of one of America's most important, underappreciated, and little-known spies during the American Revolution.

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