Covering every hamlet and precinct in America, big and small, the stories span arts and sports, business and history, innovation and adventure, generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love, past and present. In short, Our American Stories tells the story of America to Americans.
About Lee Habeeb
Lee Habeeb co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media Group in 2008 as Vice President of Content overseeing their nationally syndicated lineup, and launched Our American Stories in 2016. He is a University of Virginia School of Law graduate, and writes a weekly column for Newsweek.
For more information, please visit ouramericanstories.com.
He Was Told He'd Never Walk Again. Then He Went Back to Vietnam.
The Man Who Paints Rocks to Honor Veterans: The Story Behind the Freedom Rocks
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen set out to thank America's veterans with a single painted rock outside a quarry in rural Iowa. More than two decades later, the Freedom Rocks have spread to all 99 Iowa counties, becoming places of remembrance, reflection, and healing for veterans and their families. Ray shares the remarkable stories behind the project and why honoring those who served has become his life's work.
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My Depression-Era Dad Would Do Anything to Save a Dollar
On this episode of Our American Stories, Dennis Peterson's father built his own home, hated debt, and believed almost anything could be repaired, reused, or repurposed. Years of bricklaying alongside his dad taught Dennis that a "make do" attitude could save money, create lasting memories, and occasionally lead to spectacular close calls. Our American Stories listener and regular contributor Dennis Peterson from South Carolina shares this affectionate tribute to a father shaped by the Great Depression.
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How One CEO Beat Workaholism and Saved His Marriage
On this episode of Our American Stories, Steve Trice spent years chasing success, often leaving home before sunrise and returning long after his children were asleep. Then one conversation with his wife forced him to face a hard truth: if nothing changed, he was going to lose the people he loved most. The founder of Jasco Products shares how stepping away from work helped him build something far more valuable than a business.
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The Needle That Changed Grandma's Hand Forever
On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Great Depression, a simple sewing accident turned into a month-long ordeal for Joy Neal Kidney's grandmother. A broken needle lodged in her hand led to multiple trips to the doctor, surgery, and weeks of recovery at a time when money was scarce, transportation was limited, and even getting medical care was a challenge.
Joy Neal Kidney shares the story of one small family mishap that reveals what everyday life in rural America was really like during the Great Depression. Be sure to check out her book Leora's Dexter Storiesfor more great family history like this.
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The Real Winnie the Pooh: A.A. Milne’s Story Behind the Bear
On this episode of Our American Stories, before Winnie the Pooh became a Disney character, he was the creation of A.A. Milne, first brought to life in the Evening News on Christmas Eve, 1925. Inspired by his son, Christopher Robin, and a teddy bear named Edward, Milne wrote stories that blended the innocence of childhood with the timeless appeal of friendship. Illustrated by E.H. Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner quickly became classics, ranking among the most beloved children’s stories of the 20th century.
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The Story of America: When the South Became the South [Ep. 25]
On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 25th episode of our ongoing Story of Us—Story of America series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, answers a simple question: When did the South become the South? The answer lies in the rise of King Cotton, the expansion of slavery, and the transformation of an entire region. As cotton made the South the wealthiest part of the young nation, it also bound its economy, culture, and politics ever more tightly to slavery.
McClay shares the story of how the South's growing dependence on slavery put it on a tragic collision course with the ideals of the American founding, making political compromise increasingly impossible and the coming of the Civil War ever more likely.
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Steve Prefontaine, Phil Knight, and the Birth of Nike
On this episode of Our American Stories, before Nike became one of the world's most recognizable brands, it was a small company founded by a track coach and one of his former runners. Steve Bence was there. As a teammate of Steve Prefontaine at the University of Oregon, he learned from legendary coach Bill Bowerman, met Phil Knight before Nike became a household name, and watched the company grow from an ambitious startup into a global icon.
Bence, author of 1972: Pre, UO Track, Nike Shoes and My Life with Them All, shares remarkable firsthand stories about Steve Prefontaine, the fight to change amateur athletics, Bowerman's relentless drive to solve problems, and what it was like to witness the birth of Nike from the inside.
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Mary Surratt: The Woman at the Center of the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the weeks after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, authorities hunted not only John Wilkes Booth but also anyone suspected of aiding him. Among the accused was Mary Surratt, a widowed boardinghouse owner in Washington. Investigators claimed her home was the meeting place where the plot to kill the president took shape. The evidence was thin, the public mood was unforgiving, and her trial became a national spectacle.
By July 1865, Mary Surratt stood on the gallows, becoming the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government. Kate Clifford Larson, author of The Assassin's Accomplice, shares the story. We'd like to thank the U.S. National Archives for allowing us access to this audio.
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She Failed Third Grade Twice. Then Everything Changed.
On this episode of Our American Stories, born to a teenage mother in one of Jacksonville's toughest neighborhoods, Denisha Allen spent much of her childhood moving between homes, failing in school, and believing she had no future. By the fifth grade, she had repeated third grade twice and was on the path toward becoming another dropout.
Then a remarkable godmother, a scholarship to a small Christian school, and a handful of teachers who refused to give up on her changed everything. Today, Denisha works to help other at-risk children find the same opportunities that transformed her life. It's a powerful story about the life-changing impact of love, education, and adults who choose to invest in a child.
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