Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

Ford v. Ferrari 2: The Rematch Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Caleb Bailey shares his family’s story of hope and redemption after the loss of his father at 10 years old. As a part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Ford wanted a new supercar to showcase its heritage and future. Jon Elfner brings us this new Ferrari-slayer's story through the eyes of industry legends Neil Ressler, Scott Ahlman, and Mark McGowan.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Raising Children In The Midst Of Tragedy

23:00 - Ford v. Ferrari II: The Making of the Ford GT

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How 911 At Ease International Saved This Police Officer’s Career Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Scott was working as a Police Officer in the Central Valley of California. Things were going well. But things took a turn when he was a part of an officer involved shooting.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - How 911 At Ease International Saved This Police Officer’s Career

35:00 - The World's First Action Figure Museum?!

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An Aussie's Obsession with American Buffalo Wings Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Professor Art T. Burton tells us how hefirst found out about Bass Reeves and he didn't think much about him. It wasn't until later in life, and after hearing stories that sounded almost too good to be true, that he decided to dive into the life of one of the first black deputy U.S. marshals west of the Mississippi River.

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Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

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Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Armstrong Custer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, T.J. Stiles, casts surprising new light on one of the best-known figures of American history, a subject of seemingly endless fascination. Perhaps no name looms bigger in sports history, or American culture, than Babe Ruth. Here’s Mike Gibbons, Director Emeritus and Curator of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum to tell us why.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America

35:00 - Legendary Man Known as "Babe"

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The Baltimore Colts: The Team that Helped Shape the NFL and Broke a City's Heart Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. One of the great hoteliers of all time—a legend in his business. Here’s Mike with a story about what he learned from his unseemly college law professor. While ultimately a team that broke hearts and left its city under the cover of night, the memory of the Baltimore Colts, and legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas, burns bright in the hearts of its fans.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Empathy is Not Optional: The Story of Mike Leven's Brutal Law Professor

23:00 - The Baltimore Colts: The Team that Helped Shape the NFL and Broke a City's Heart

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Moonshine Runners and the Birth of NASCAR Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before NASCAR’s rampant commercialism lurks a distant history of dark secrets that have been carefully hidden from view—until now. Audrey Gruss is a Lithuianian American who created the #1 depression research foundation in the country.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Moonshine Runners and the Birth of NASCAR

35:00 - Immigrant Audrey Gruss: “My Story Could Have Only Happened In Good Ole USA”

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Walt Whitman Served the Union... And the Confederacy! Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Marshall Field's favorite gift wasn't the one that caused his name to be forever associated with Chicago's premiere museum, or even his massive chain of department stores he built after years of trial, error, and fire--but a small library bearing his name in the small town of Conway, Massacussets--the hometown he left in search of prosperity. Hillsdale professor Kelly Scott Franklin tells the story of how one of America's foremost literary figures was a volunteer on both sides of our nation's Civil War.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Marshall Feild, The Birth of the Modern Department Store, and a Small Town Library

35:00 - Walt Whitman Served the Union... And the Confederate!

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The Shocking History of PEZ Candy: Smoking Alternative for Adults?! Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, PEZ had great success where it was invented, but changed its course drastically after initially failing in America. Shawn Peterson shares the story of how this manual candy dispenser came to be. First jobs are often our first taste in real adult responsibility, they teach us important skills, and they teach us how to deal with people. Brent Timmons shares the story of his first job at a crab house in Delaware.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - The Shocking History of PEZ Candy: Smoking Alternative for Adults?!

23:00 - The Importance of a First Job

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Edgar Allen Poe, Father of Modern Horror… Detective, Science Fiction, and Treasure Hunt Stories Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Edgar Allen Poe is known for his scary short stories and poems, and when we look at his life, early tragedies explain a lot of his stories… but what we don’t often think of when we consider Poe are his comedic writings, his detective stories, and even… a bit of early Science Fiction. Chris Semtner, Curator at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia pulls back the curtain on Poe.

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Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

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They're One of the Youngest Couples in Their Community and Doing Aerobics... at 90?! Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, author Richard Rhodes shares the amazing story of Austria-born turned Hollywood movie star, Hedy Lamarr. She was known for her beauty, but her accomplishments go far beyond her appearance, including inventing what would become WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth. David and Zela Flor give us a look at what "Blue Zone" living in Loma Linda, California, is really like and how there way of clean living produces results you'd never imagine.

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Time Codes:

00:00 - Hedy Lamarr: The 40s "Bombshell" Mind Behind Secure WiFi, GPS And Bluetooth

35:00 - They're One of the Youngest Couples in Their Community and Doing Aerobics... at 90?!

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.