Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

She Was Japanese American During WWII, but Her Story Was Very Different Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, while her parents were among the many unjustly sent to internment camps during World War II, Mary Mikami and her siblings remained free. Mary rose to the top of her class, earned a doctorate from Yale, and built a life marked by quiet strength and achievement. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brown University, shares her powerful and often overlooked story.

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How a mother and Daughter Turned 20,000 Salt and Pepper Shakers Into a Legacy Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, archaeologist Andrea Ludden and her husband, Rolf Ludden, turned a family passion for collecting salt and pepper shakers into the world’s largest museum of its kind. With over 20,000 pieces, ranging from whimsical figures to historical designs, the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers celebrate creativity, culture, and the stories behind everyday objects. Here’s their astonishing story.

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The Story of America: An Eden in the Wilderness [Ep. 2] Jan 07, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the founding of the United States, a group of determined settlers landed in a wild and unforgiving land with one audacious goal: to build an Eden in the wilderness. In this second episode of our ongoing Story of America Series, historian Bill McClay, a professor at Hillsdale College and author of Land of Hope, traces how the earliest settlements were a bold experiment in liberty and community that continues to impact American life today.

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Surviving Persecution: Mariam Ibrahim’s Journey from Sudan to America Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, what does freedom of religion really mean? For Mariam Ibrahim, it meant the difference between life and death. Born in Sudan and sentenced to execution for her Christian faith, Mariam escaped religious persecution and built a new life with her family in the U.S. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the cost of belief and the courage it takes to live it.

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The Civil War Cemetery Where Union, Confederate, and British Veterans Lie Side by Side Jan 07, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, doesn’t look like much at first. But among the weathered headstones are the stories of Union and Confederate veterans, British pilots, rodeo stars, and forgotten locals who lived big lives before fading from memory. Nancy Bro has spent years documenting them, making sure their names and the histories behind them aren’t lost.

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“Peeping Tom” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time exploring the term “Peeping Tom” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky roots behind the words we use every day. Be sure to check it out!

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The TV Deal That Made the NBA an Entertainment Powerhouse Jan 06, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before the NBA became a media powerhouse, it was fighting to stay relevant. Ratings were low, games were shown on tape delay, and advertisers kept their distance. When CBS considered cutting ties with the league, a young David Stern made a calculated move that would change the direction of professional basketball. Pete Croatto, author of From Hang Time to Prime Time, tells the story behind the NBA television deal that redefined the league’s future.

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Jackie Robinson Didn’t Just Change Baseball. He Changed America Jan 06, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackie Robinson didn’t plan to make history. He only wanted to play ball. But in a country that had barred Black baseball players for more than sixty years, that simple dream came with impossible expectations. After a short stint in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, he became the first to cross into the majors, carrying not only a bat, but the burden of representing a nation’s progress. From racism on the field to isolation in the locker room, Robinson endured what few could. And because he did, Major League Baseball integration finally began. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of America’s greatest player.

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The Littleton Brothers: A Family Erased by the American Civil War Jan 06, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Civil War took more American lives than any other conflict in the nation’s history, but few families endured loss like the Littletons of Iowa. When the war broke out, all six brothers enlisted to serve in the Union Army. One by one, they were lost to battle, disease, captivity, and accidents, leaving behind four grieving sisters and no surviving sons. Their story nearly disappeared into history, buried in a forgotten scrapbook. But thanks to a local historian, the Littleton brothers have been remembered for the sacrifices they made. John Busbee shares the story of how this Iowa family lost all six of their boys during America’s bloodiest conflict.

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The Unlikely Friendship Between a Man and the Officer Who Wrongly Arrested Him Jan 06, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Jameel McGee had just become a father when his life was derailed by a lie. In 2006, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was falsely arrested by narcotics officer Andrew Collins, whose fabricated reports and planted evidence led to a wrongful conviction and satisfied an internal push for arrest numbers. Although the truth eventually came out, Collins was sentenced to prison, and Jameel’s conviction was overturned, the damage had already been done. He had missed the early milestones of his son’s life and spent years behind bars for a crime he never committed.

Most people in his position would seek revenge. But when their paths crossed again, Jameel chose to respond in a way that surprised them both.

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