Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

A Little Brother's Prayer to Be As Big As His Very Big Brother Feb 05, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, A listener, Paul Bauer, tells the story of his prayer to be as tall as his very big brother, "Moose."

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How Hawking Hot Dogs in the MLB Changed My Life Feb 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim Johnson, a listener of Our American Stories from Minnesota, tells the story of when he sold hotdogs for the Minnesota Twins as a young boy.

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I Picked Up "Tex" Watson Hitchhiking AFTER the Manson Murders Feb 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, following the Charles Manson murders, Manson's lead henchman, Tex Watson, stayed in Los Angeles for almost two months before fleeing to Texas where he was arrested. But it’s those two months following the Manson murders, where this story from our listener (Patty Kingsbaker) picks up.

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Rod Serling and "The Twilight Zone": The Story of a Television Prophet Feb 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Rod Serling was the most prestigious writer in American television. As creator, host, and primary writer for The Twilight Zone, Serling became something more: an American icon. Here to tell the story is Nick Parisi, author of Rod Serling: His Life, Work, and Imagination.

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The 17-Year-Old Student Who Designed the Current US Flag for A School Project...and Got a B- Feb 04, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story is about a 17-year-old kid named Bob Heft who designed the 50-star American flag we fly proudly to this very day!

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Impresario: The Life and Times of Ed Sullivan Feb 03, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, we talk to author and journalist James Maguire on everything from Ed Sullivan's early child to the legacy he left. It's a deep dive into the pursuit and price of fame.

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The Story of The Pigeon Who Received a Medal of Bravery During WWI Feb 03, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, experience the gripping drama of the front lines as a valiant pigeon becomes the last hope to stop a brutal friendly-fire barrage! Historian Frank Blazich, from the National Museum of American History, shares the story of the use of homing pigeons during WWI.

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"True Colors & Soap Opera" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 20) Feb 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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Why My Mother Forced Me to Play Piano...Even Though I had No Fingers Feb 03, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, John O'Leary, the bestselling author of On Fire tells the story of why his mother forced him to eat on his own and play the piano despite having no fingers after having been burned on 100% of his body as a nine-year-old.

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She Went from Running Banks...to Sweeping Floors Jan 31, 2025

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On this episode of Our American Stories, ...and then running her own business and helping others find work! Suazo Center founder Gladys Gonzalez shares how her American Dream began by losing her job running banks in Colombia to cleaning floors in America!

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