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.
Inside D-Day: How America Prepared for the Largest Land Invasion in History
Why Boston Stood by Edwin Booth After His Brother Killed Lincoln
On this episode of Our American Stories, after John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln, his name became synonymous with betrayal. But his brother, Edwin Booth, was already one of the most celebrated actors in America, and Boston wasn’t ready to turn its back on him and his family. Historian Christopher Klein shares the story of how the city rallied around the Booth family, even as the shadow of the Lincoln assassination threatened to erase their legacy.
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"Gung-Ho & Cheesy Smile" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
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 diving into how phrases like "gung-ho" and "cheesy smile" came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is full of these fascinating stories. Be sure to check it out!
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The Secret Cold War Collision the Pentagon Never Wanted Out
On this episode of Our American Stories, during a tense moment in Cold War history, a Soviet submarine surfaced directly beneath the USS Kitty Hawk and crashed into its hull. The Navy called it an “encounter,” but the reality was far more dangerous. The History Guy shares this forgotten incident between two nuclear powers, and the high-stakes silence that followed.
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She Was Japanese American During WWII, but Her Story Was Very Different
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. Historian Preston Jones shares her powerful story.
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One Man's Journey to Find His Fallen WWII Airman Uncle in France
On this episode of Our American Stories, after his uncle Charles was shot down in a B-24 bomber over Europe during World War II, Chuck Kissling grew up hearing only pieces of the story. For decades, Chuck carried the weight of that loss, hoping to one day find his uncle’s grave and honor his sacrifice. Chuck joins us to share the journey that finally brought him to his uncle’s grave in France and gave him the connection he’d spent a lifetime searching for.
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How Shel Silverstein Became a Poet, Songwriter, and American Icon
On this episode of Our American Stories, Shel Silverstein was a poet, illustrator, and songwriter who didn’t fit any mold. Known to millions for The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, he also wrote one of country music’s most unforgettable hits: “A Boy Named Sue,” made famous by Johnny Cash. With a legacy that spans literature, music, and illustration, Silverstein remains one of the most versatile and beloved storytellers in American culture. Our American Stories’ own Greg Hengler shares the story.
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How Nellie Cashman Became the Gold Rush’s Most Fearless Woman
On this episode of Our American Stories, in a world built for men, Nellie Cashman carved her own path across gold rush country, prospecting, rescuing miners, and running businesses in some of the toughest towns in the West. Historian and regular Our American Stories contributor Roger McGrath shares the true story of this fearless woman who outlived nearly every frontier legend.
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Sergeant Alvin York: The Faithful Pacifist Who Became a World War I Hero
On this episode of Our American Stories, Sergeant Alvin York, the reluctant World War I infantryman who became one of America’s most decorated soldiers, has stood as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for over a century. Born in the mountains of Tennessee, Sgt. York’s early life was shaped by deep religious convictions that initially made him a conscientious objector. But on the battlefield, Alvin C. York single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers, killed 28 others, and earned the Medal of Honor along with nearly 50 additional decorations. His story inspired the classic Sergeant York movie and countless books. Is Sergeant York a true story? What did Alvin York do after the war? Here to share the real history of Alvin York is JD Phillips, host of the popular YouTube channel The Appalachian Storyteller.
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Why Bob Munden Is Still the Fastest Gun on Record
On this episode of Our American Stories, Wild Bill. Doc Holliday. Billy the Kid. None of them ever touched Bob Munden’s speed. Known around the world as the fastest gun who ever lived, Munden could draw, fire, and hit a target before anyone else even cleared leather.
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