Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

The WWII Hero Who Became Hollywood’s “Tough Guy”: The Story of Lee Marvin (Hollywood Goes to War) Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Lee Marvin made a name for himself as a Hollywood "tough guy"—starring in films such as The Professionals, The Dirty Dozen, and The Killers. He was initially typecast in imposing roles, but Marvin's tough character wasn't just a product of the silver screen. He was, fundamentally, a Marine—taking part in over 21 assaults on Japanese-held islands in the Pacific and receiving the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation for his service to his country. Here to tell Lee's story, as part of our ongoing Hollywood Goes to War series, is Roger McGrath.

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The Story of America Series: Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Grant, Lee, and Appomattox Apr 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 31st episode of the Story of America Series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of the nadir of our nation's worst man-made disaster—and takes us through to its somber conclusion at a courthouse in Virginia.

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Who Invented the Internet? Apr 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, no, Al Gore did not invent the internet, but no one man did either. Critically acclaimed biographer and author of The Innovators, Walter Issacson, shares how the internet came to be with his audience at a book talk at the U.S. Library of Congress.

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[This Week in History] Winston Churchill: A Master of War—Who Despised It Apr 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Winston Churchill earned his reputation on the battlefield long before he became the man who led Britain through the darkest days of World War II. He dodged bullets, willingly put himself in harm’s way time and again, and even escaped from a prison camp far from British shores. Churchill understood the brutal realities of war—and he despised it. Churchill scholar and Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn tells the story of how that hard-won understanding shaped Britain’s stand against Nazi tyranny.

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The Character of Thomas Jefferson: America's 'Everyman' Apr 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is America’s “everyman” because he has been embraced at one time or another by nearly everyone. Historian and acclaimed author of American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson, Joseph E. Ellis, shared the story of Jefferson’s journey through American history at the U.S. Library of Congress.

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An Army Moves on Its Stomach... And Lots of Coffee Apr 09, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Richard Muniz, our regular contributor from Colorado, shares the story of a coffee incident aboard the USS Enterprise.

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Was Ben Franklin an Atheist, a Deist, or a Christian? The Story of Franklin's Faith Apr 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Benjamin Franklin was a printer, an inventor, a politician, and an all-around Renaissance man—but did he believe in God? Dr. D.G. Hart, author of Benjamin Franklin: Cultural Protestant, alongside Dr. Thomas Kidd, courtesy of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, tells the story of this remarkably complicated man—and why he may have also invented the most common form of religiosity in the Western world today.

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What Happened When A Kid Sued Pepsi for...A Harrier Jet Apr 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Harrier jet might be the pride of the U.S. Marine Corps, but in the 1990s, it became the crux of one of the most bizarre lawsuits in American history. What had started as a joke in an ad turned into a serious battle over fine print. Journalist Sean Kernan shares the wild story of John Leonard vs. Pepsi—and explains why the court's findings still matter today.

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[This Week In History] The Unlikely Story of 'The Godfather' Came to Be Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, in honor of Coppola's birthday, we tell the story of how The Godfather came to be—against all odds. At the time, Coppola was just a renegade filmmaker who had never made a profitable picture. The producer was hired because he could stay under budget. The star had a reputation for being difficult. A formula for disaster? No—the makings of one of the greatest films of all time. Here to tell the story is Harlan Lebo, author of The Godfather Legacy.

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How Johnny Carson Saved Twister Apr 08, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, believe it or not, the Milton Bradley game was about to be pulled from the shelves! Author and Our American Stories regular Christopher Klein tells the story of how the late-night talk host saved this iconic brand.

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