Our American Stories

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Facing Hyman G. Rickover: Inside the Toughest Interview in the Navy Apr 23, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Hyman G. Rickover helped build the U.S. nuclear fleet and earned a reputation as the father of the nuclear Navy, known as much for his results as for the way he tested those who wanted to serve under him.
As a young midshipman, Bill Toti, the former captain of the nuclear submarine USS Indianapolis (SSN-697), sat down with Admiral Rickover for an interview that would shape his future. Toti shares what it was like to face Rickover and the lesson that stayed with him long after he left the room.

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How a Simple Jam Session Became Rock’s Greatest Supergroup Apr 23, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Traveling Wilburys formed almost by accident. When George Harrison needed a B-side, he called Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne, and together they recorded “Handle With Care.” The chemistry was instant, and within months, they became a band the world couldn’t ignore. Their blend of humor, heart, and melody carried through every track, especially “End of the Line.” Our own Greg Hengler shares how these musicians balanced fame with friendship and created music that still feels effortless.

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How the Great Vowel Shift Created Modern English Apr 23, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late Middle Ages, English began to change in a way people could hear as much as read. Speakers across England gradually started pronouncing vowels differently, setting the language on a path from Middle English toward what we now recognize as modern English.
That long transition, known as the Great Vowel Shift, helps explain why English spelling and pronunciation so often feel out of sync, since the words on the page stayed largely the same while their sounds continued to evolve over generations.
The History Guy shares how the Great Vowel Shift reshaped spoken English and left a lasting imprint on the language we use today.

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Why Texas Became a Country Before It Became a State Apr 22, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the annexation of Texas and long before it entered the Union, Texas stood as its own country. The road to that break began under Mexican rule, as growing numbers of settlers pushed for greater local control.
What followed became the Texas Revolution. The Battle of the Alamo gave the conflict its most famous rallying cry, and “Remember the Alamo!” carried forward into the final fight at San Jacinto, where Texas forces defeated Santa Anna and secured independence.
Official Texas State Historian Monte Monroe shares the story of how Texas became a republic in response to tyranny.

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Samson and the Jewish Roots of American Rebellion Apr 22, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Samson appears in the Book of Judges as a man set apart from birth and given extraordinary strength. Known for the story of Samson and Delilah, he became one of the most recognizable figures in the Bible, though his life was marked by far more than that single moment.
Gifted with power yet driven by impulse, Samson’s story moves toward an ending that has been debated for centuries, bringing down the pillars of the Temple of Dagon upon himself. Our regular contributor, Rabbi Stuart Halpern, co-author of Jewish Roots of American Liberty, shares the story of Samson and explains why American rebels, from John Brown to Malcolm X to the Sons of Liberty, saw his final act as a form of righteous resistance, and why Martin Luther King Jr. ultimately rejected that interpretation when shaping his own legacy.

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Thomas Edison vs. Hiram Maxim: Who Invented the Lightbulb? Apr 22, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Hiram Stevens Maxim is best known as the inventor of the Maxim machine gun, one of the first fully automatic weapons. But later in life, he made a surprising and controversial claim: that he, not Thomas Edison, had invented the light bulb.
According to Maxim, his work with electric lighting predated Edison’s breakthroughs, raising questions about who truly deserves credit for one of the most important inventions in modern history.
Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares the story of the heated debate over the origins of the light bulb.

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The Story Behind 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love” Apr 22, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when 10cc set out to record “I’m Not in Love,” they were working from an idea that ran against the kind of love songs filling the radio at the time. By the time it was finished, the song no longer resembled the version they had started with, and it didn’t fit neatly alongside the music around it either.
It found its audience anyway, and over time, it helped open the door to a different kind of pop sound. As part of our Story of a Song series, our own Greg Hengler, along with those closest to the creation of the track, shares how the song came together and why it still stands apart from the pack today.

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Burt Young, the Actor Behind Paulie in Rocky, Tells His Story Apr 22, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Burt Young grew up in Queens, the son of a working-class family, and spent his early years far from the world of film. He boxed professionally, served in the Marine Corps, and worked a series of jobs before ever thinking about acting.
That changed when he began studying under Lee Strasberg and started to take the craft seriously. Not long after, he came across the script for Rocky, and his live was forever changed.

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Forgiving My Worthless Father Apr 21, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Leslie Leyland Fields grew up with a father who could not give his children the care or attention they needed. His absence shaped her childhood and left a distance between them that only grew as the years passed.
When he suffered a stroke late in life, Fields made the decision to travel from Alaska to Florida to see him after decades of distance. Leslie shares how that one moment changed everything about their relationship.

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The Day California Beat France at Its Own Game: The Judgment of Paris Apr 21, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1976, a British wine merchant named Steven Spurrier organized a small wine tasting in Paris that most assumed would confirm what everyone already believed: French wines were simply the best. That changed when a group of unknown American winemakers went head-to-head with the best of France and won.
In what later became known as the Judgment of Paris, some of the most respected names in French winemaking were forced to reckon with the idea that Napa Valley could produce wines on par with, or even better than, their own. Kevin Ferguson, whose grandfather worked in the California wine industry, shares the story of that turning point, along with insights from Spurrier himself, the man who helped make it happen.
Be sure to check out Kevin’s Substack for more stories about his time in wine.

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