Our American Stories

Apr 14 2025 3392 ep. 20 mins 458
Our American Stories Podcast artwork

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

  Society & Culture
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The Enslaved Man-Turned-Spy Who Helped Washington Win America's Independence: James Armistead Lafayette

Apr 14 2025 10 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, for most of his life, James Armistead Lafayette was known simply as James—not Lafayette. That last name came later, and from none other than the Marquis de Lafayette of the American Revolution. But why would an enslaved man take the last name of a French military officer? Here's Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute with th

The Worship Song Birthed in a Brothel

Apr 14 2025 9 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, our own Greg Hengler tells the story of a worship band on a mission trip to Thailand—where an impromptu gig at a brothel led to one of the most recognizable songs in Contemporary Christian Music. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Faith, Infidelity, and Forgiveness Grew a Family—Not Once, but Twice

Apr 14 2025 17 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, Mary Sparks exhibited strength and conviction throughout her life, but it all started with an affair, a stolen baby, and her Catholic Faith. Here's Mary's son, Sparky, to recount his mother's tale—and the story of his family.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor

The Story of Israel’s Revenge Against Terrorism at the '72 Olympics

Apr 14 2025 38 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, The 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, was dominated by Mark Spitz, a Jewish American swimmer who won seven gold medals for the United States. It was also the Olympics where Palestinian terrorists massacred 11 Israeli athletes. This incident was televised across America and prompted President Nixon to establish plans to avert terrorism in the

Why Are Bananas So Cheap?

Apr 11 2025 10 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, if you think of the quintessential American fruit, it’s probably the apple. But apples aren’t our cheapest fruit—bananas are! Here’s the History Guy with the story of the banana. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Origins of Basketball: The Christian Gift for Everyone

Apr 11 2025 19 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, Faith and sports go hand in hand. Quarterbacks quote Bible verses in interviews, star players host team Bible studies, and a last-ditch attempt to win a game is called a “Hail Mary.” But it isn’t just the players who are indebted to faith—sometimes, the sports themselves are. Paul Putz, author of The Spirit of th

Did You Know Our East and West Coasts Have Two Different Approaches to Policing?

Apr 11 2025 7 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, sergeant Bob Alaniz, formerly of the LAPD and the cop who helped catch the infamous “Night Stalker,” explains how our two coasts developed entirely different styles of police work.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Week in History: The Sinking of the Titanic – The First Real-Time Tragedy

Apr 11 2025 38 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, the Titanic was a marvel of her time—883 feet long, 175 feet tall, and over 52,000 tons. She stood at the cutting edge of naval architecture and symbolized British national pride. Technologically advanced, she carried a Marconi wireless set for near-instant ship-to-shore communication, run by two young "computer nerds" of their da

Calvin Coolidge on the Real Heart of Our Independence

Apr 10 2025 10 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge strongly encouraged Americans to remember and rekindle the moral foundation behind 150 years of freedom and prosperity. Here's Vince Benedetto and Coolidge interpreter Tracy Messer with the story of an Independence Day speech for the ages. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omny

Charles Carroll—The Only Catholic to Sign the Declaration of Independence

Apr 10 2025 19 mins  
On this episode of Our American Stories, it may be hard to believe today, but Catholics faced widespread discrimination and persecution in colonial America. Many future states barred Catholics from holding office—some even went so far as to ban Catholics altogether. Yet Charles Carroll defied the odds. He became one of the wealthiest men in America, helped secure American ind