Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

Dale Robertson Was Wounded in WWII Before Finding Fame in Hollywood Jun 05, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he became a familiar face in westerns like Tales of Wells Fargo and Iron Horse, Dale Robertson was fighting in Europe during World War II. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, he served with the U.S. Army’s 322nd Combat Engineer Battalion of the 97th Infantry Division, was wounded twice, and earned both the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service.
In this installment of our ongoing Hollywood Goes to War series, historian, author, and former U.S. Marine Roger McGrath shares the remarkable story of how a decorated combat veteran went from the battlefields of World War II to a successful acting career in Hollywood.

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When America Believed Bat People Lived on the Moon: The Great Moon Hoax Jun 05, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, decades before Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds shocked the nation, a New York newspaper convinced thousands of Americans that the Moon was teeming with life. Beginning on August 25, 1835, The Sun published a sensational series claiming that famed English astronomer Sir John Herschel had discovered a lunar civilization populated by bat-like humanoids, strange beaver creatures, miniature zebras, and other bizarre lifeforms. For a time, America believed it. However, it was all a hoax.
Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the story of the Great Moon Hoax of 1835: a tale of fake news before the internet, the explosive rise of the penny press, and one of the strangest media frenzies in American history.

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A Student Complained About a 92. The Real Problem Was Something Else. Jun 05, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when one of his graduate students challenged a 92 on an assignment, Paul Kotz was frustrated. The student questioned his grading, his judgment, and, for a moment, even his love of teaching. But instead of firing off another email, Kotz picked up the phone.
Paul shares the story of the conversation that followed, which had little to do with grades and everything to do with the weight of life itself. Kotz is the author of Profiles in Kindnessand is a regular contributor to Our American Stories from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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The Story of America: William Jennings Bryan and the “Cross of Gold” [Ep. 39] Jun 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, as industrial America surged forward in the late 19th century, millions of farmers and working Americans felt left behind by falling crop prices, mounting debt, and economic upheaval. Into that unrest stepped William Jennings Bryan, a fiery young politician from Nebraska whose famous “Cross of Gold” speech in Chicago transformed him into the leading voice of the downtrodden and forgotten.
In this installment of our ongoing Story of Us—Story of America series, Dr. Wilfred McClay, author of Land of Hope, shares the tale of the fierce national debate over money, democracy, and economic power that would reshape America at the dawn of the 20th century.

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She Served Her Time. Her Record Still Wouldn’t Let Her Move On. Jun 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, a late-night mistake changed Gwen Boyd-Willis’s life in 2005. After serving her time, she did everything people say you’re supposed to do took responsibility, earned a degree, rebuilt her life, and kept trying to move forward. But every background check brought the same answer: no.
In this installment of our Opportunity America series, Gwen shares the deeply personal story of faith, perseverance, and the long battle to prove she was more than the worst mistake she ever made, and how a second chance finally changed everything.

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The Baseball Found on One of America’s Bloodiest Battlefields Jun 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before baseball became America’s pastime, soldiers carried the game with them into war. On the battlefield of Battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest clashes of the American Civil War, a forgotten baseball was discovered years later buried amid the history of combat and sacrifice.
Our American Stories regular contributor Ashley Hlebinsky shares the remarkable story of the Civil War-era baseball found at Shiloh and what it reveals about the soldiers who fought, the game they loved, and the unexpected ways Americans carried pieces of home onto the battlefield

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Before “Gunsmoke,” James Arness Fought and Bled in World War II Jun 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before becoming television’s legendary Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, James Arness was a towering young infantryman fighting through some of the fiercest combat of World War II. Wounded during the brutal fighting at Battle of Anzio, Arness nearly lost his leg and spent almost a year recovering in military hospitals before earning a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
In this installment of our ongoing Hollywood Goes to War series, historian Roger McGrath shares the remarkable story of how the future TV icon went from Army rifleman to Hollywood actor, working alongside John Wayne before becoming the unforgettable face of Gunsmoke.

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Elijah Lovejoy: The First Martyr of America’s Abolition Movement Jun 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, minister, newspaper editor, and abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy believed the Bible demanded opposition to slavery, and he was unwilling to stay silent about it. Through his anti-slavery newspaper, Lovejoy condemned slavery’s brutality, defended freedom of the press, and challenged a nation increasingly divided over one of its greatest injustices.
In this installment of 100 Bible Verses That Made America, historian and bestselling author Robert J. Morgan shares the story of the fiery preacher whose printing presses were repeatedly destroyed by mobs before he became the first martyr of America’s abolition movement.

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Colin Powell Through the Eyes of His Son, Michael Description: Jun 03, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on November 5, 2021, a funeral service was held for Colin Powell at Washington National Cathedral. Powell died at age 84 from complications related to COVID-19 while undergoing treatment for cancer. In this moving tribute, his son, Michael Powell, shares heartfelt reflections on his father’s life, character, and legacy.

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Michael Vick Was the NFL’s Biggest Star. Then He Lost Everything. Jun 03, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall draft pick and quickly became one of football’s biggest stars, redefining the quarterback position with his speed, athleticism, and electrifying style of play. But after his involvement in a dogfighting operation led to prison time and public disgrace, Vick was forced to confront the choices that had derailed his life.
In this candid testimony recorded at Oakwood University Church in 2016, Vick reflects on his rise from poverty to NFL stardom, his fall from grace, and the lessons, patience, and faith that helped him rebuild his life and seek redemption.

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