Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

The Story of America: What Came Before The Constitution? [Ep. 8] Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the United States Constitution, there were the Articles of Confederation. Written during the American Revolution, the Articles created a national government built on a “firm league of friendship” among the states. The Articles of Confederation limited federal power but reflected deep fears of centralized authority, leaving the founders' first attempt at a unified government susceptible to weakness and disarray.
For our ongoing Story of Us—Story of America series, Bill McClay, author ofLand of Hope, walks through the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how they ultimately paved the way for the United States Constitution.

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Why Abe’s BBQ Is a Mississippi Delta Landmark Feb 20, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Clarksdale, Mississippi is known for blues music and Delta history. It is also home to one of the most beloved barbecue restaurants in the state. Abe’s BBQ has been serving smoked meat for generations, drawing locals and travelers who come looking for Mississippi barbecue done right. Our American Stories regular contributor, Jesse Edwards, shares the story of how a small Delta joint became part of Mississippi lore.

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The Pepsi Harrier Jet Ad That Sparked a Lawsuit Feb 20, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1990s, Pepsi ran a commercial that joked a teenager could earn a Harrier jump jet, the pride of the Marine Corps, through Pepsi Points. The ad listed the jet at seven million points. Most viewers laughed and moved on. One college student did not.
John Leonard gathered investors, calculated the math, and tried to claim the jet. When Pepsi refused, the dispute became Leonard v. PepsiCo, one of the most talked-about contract law cases of its era. Journalist Sean Kernan shares the story of the Pepsi Harrier jet lawsuit that still shows up in law school classrooms today.

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John Hughes: The Irish Bishop Who Fought for Catholics in America Feb 20, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The First Amendment promised freedom of religion, but the reality in America was not always simple. In the nineteenth century, Catholics faced discrimination in politics, education, and public life.
Archbishop John Hughes emerged as one of the most forceful defenders of American Catholics. Called “Dagger John” for the cross he signed before his name, Hughes fought for the right of Catholic families to educate their children and practice their faith without interference, setting the stage for modern religious freedom. Richard Daniel McCann, author of Hughes: Lion of American Catholicism, shares the story.

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Why the American Flag Means So Much to My Family Feb 20, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the American flag carries deep meaning for millions of families, often shaped by service, sacrifice, and memory. For Our American Stories listener Joy Neal Kidney of Des Moines, Iowa, that meaning is deeply personal. Joy is the niece of the Wilson Brothers—young men from Iowa who served during World War II and whose lives and sacrifices left a lasting mark on their family. Their story, and what they stood for, helped shape how Joy and her family came to see the American flag not as a symbol, but as a reminder of real people, real courage, and real loss.

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When a Baptist Preacher Gave Thomas Jefferson a 1,200-Pound Gift Feb 19, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is remembered as a Founding Father, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the nation’s third president. He is also one of the most important historical figures when it comes to religious freedom in America.
In 1802, that commitment to religious liberty inspired one of the strangest thank-you gifts in presidential history. A Baptist preacher from Massachusetts organized his congregation to create a massive wheel of cheese and send it to the White House in Jefferson’s honor. The so-called “mammoth cheese” became one of the most unusual events in early American history. Historian Clay S. Jenkinson shares the story.

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How Spam and Chocolate Became America’s Secret Weapons in WWII Feb 19, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when American troops left for war, they carried reminders of home that came in the simplest form: food. Spam and Hershey’s chocolate became symbols of comfort in a world that had lost its sense of safety. Spam filled mess kits and fueled long marches through mud and heat. Hershey’s chocolate brought a quick burst of sweetness that could steady a soldier’s nerves or break the monotony of rations. Together they fed the body and the spirit, helping to turn familiar tastes into a quiet kind of strength that followed the American army wherever it went.

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Kemmons Wilson: The Man Who Built Holiday Inn Feb 19, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Holiday Inn began with one frustrated family road trip and grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. At the center of that growth was Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn and a salesman at heart. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., joins us with stories of his father's relationships with some of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, and Sam Phillips.

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When Friendship in Vietnam Meant Saying Goodbye Feb 19, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the Vietnam War changed a generation of American men. For many of them, survival depended less on strategy and more on friendship. Camelo Venegaz was the kind of guy you could talk to about anything, and he became someone his fellow soldiers trusted with their fears and, at times, their final words. He joins us to tell his story.

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The Rural Missouri Church That Preaches In Five Languages Feb 19, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Josh and Lauren Manning did not expect to end up in Noel, Missouri. After years in retail management, Josh felt pulled toward ministry and accepted a role at a struggling rural church.
What they walked into was something unexpected: a congregation that spanned multiple cultures and languages. Noel had become home to refugees and immigrant families drawn to the area for work in local industries, bringing with them languages and traditions from around the world. Today, services are held in English, Spanish, Karen, Chuukese, and Marshallese—languages spoken by families from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands who now call rural Missouri home.

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