Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

How a UCLA Student Helped Save a Lost Marx Brothers Film Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1970s, a UCLA student named Steve Stoliar set out to track down a missing piece of Hollywood history. The film was Animal Crackers (1930), one of the early Marx Brothers movies starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, and Chico Marx. But because of a copyright issue, the film had disappeared from circulation and was nearly impossible to see.
His effort to track down the film and push for its re-release led him into direct contact with Groucho Marx and the people behind the movie. What followed helped restore a lost chapter in the history of Marx Brothers films.

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In 1838, Two U.S. Congressmen Dueled with… Rifles! Apr 03, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the winter of 1838, a political argument in Congress crossed a line few thought possible. Maine Representative Jonathan Cilley and Kentucky’s William Graves met on a field just outside Washington, rifles in hand. The nation watched in disbelief as two elected officials prepared to settle a dispute the old-fashioned way.
When the smoke cleared, one man was dead, and House Resolution 8 soon followed, banning duels between lawmakers. Our regular contributor and firearms historian, Ashley Hlebinsky, revisits this little-known chapter in American history.

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When Ben Franklin's Son Took the Loyalist Side in the Revolution Apr 03, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, during the American Revolution, few family divisions ran deeper than the one between Benjamin Franklin and his son, William Franklin. While Benjamin Franklin became a leading voice for independence, William Franklin remained loyal to Britain, serving as a royal governor and standing firmly on the Loyalist side.
Our own Lee Habeeb shares the astonishing story of how Benjamin Franklin and his son ended up on opposite sides of history.

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How Billy Graham Became America's Pastor Apr 03, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Billy Graham became one of the most influential Christian evangelists in American history, preaching to millions through large-scale crusades, radio, and television. What began with small gatherings grew into a global ministry that reached audiences across continents and generations. Over the course of his life, Graham met with and offered counsel to every U.S. president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.
Here’s our own Greg Hengler with his story. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for granting us permission to use the audio you’re about to hear from their exceptional film, Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey.

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What One Young Woman Learned From Growing Up With Clubfoot Apr 02, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Chloe Howard was born with a congenital clubfoot, a condition known medically as talipes equinovarus that affects how the foot develops before birth. From infancy through her teenage years, she underwent repeated treatments and surgeries to correct it, spending much of her childhood in casts, on crutches, and in recovery.
Chloe shares what it was like to grow up with clubfoot and how the condition shaped her identity.

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The Story of America: How the Bill of Rights Was Added to the U.S. Constitution [Ep. 13] Apr 02, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when the U.S. Constitution was drafted, it created a new national government but left many Americans uneasy. There was no clear statement of individual rights, and critics feared that without one, the federal government could overstep its authority. These debates shaped what are now our first ten amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights.
As part of our ongoing The Story of Us—The Story of America series, Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, explains how the Founding Fathers created one of the most influential documents protecting hard-won American freedoms.

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Cecil Wax and the Night He Faced Death in the Battle of the Bulge Apr 02, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Allied forces fought through one of the most dangerous stretches of World War II in Europe. Cecil Wax, a young American soldier, was ordered to drive a supply truck loaded with fuel and ammunition down a frozen mountain road in the dark. But when the truck began to slide toward disaster, Cecil turned to prayer. What followed became the defining moment of his life.
Marilyn Jensen shares the story of that night, when her father believed God intervened and guided him to safety.

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The CEO Who Stripped His Jet to Say He Was Sorry Apr 02, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when a major deal with Mercedes-Benz went wrong, Roger Penske didn’t send an email or a team of lawyers. He took the seats out of his own private jet to fit a race car inside, then flew across the world to deliver both the car and a personal apology. Here’s Penske with his incredible story.

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Steve Jobs, Apple, and the Pursuit of a Perfect Product Apr 02, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Walter Isaacson began working on his biography of Steve Jobs, he quickly saw that Jobs approached Apple with a different kind of discipline. He believed a product should be built with care from start to finish, even if the customer would never see it.
Walter Isaacson shares how that mindset shaped Apple’s growth, from its early days with Steve Wozniak to its place today under CEO Tim Cook. We'd like to thank the U.S. Library of Congress for allowing us access to this audio.

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Tyler Hamilton and the Truth Behind Lance Armstrong Apr 01, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Tyler Hamilton spent years competing at the highest level of professional cycling, including riding alongside Lance Armstrong at the peak of his Tour de France career. As one of Armstrong’s teammates on the U.S. Postal Service cycling team, he saw firsthand how widespread doping in cycling had become. Eventually, he chose to speak publicly about what was happening inside the sport, helping expose one of the biggest scandals in sports history. Here's Tyler with his story.

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