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.
Belinda Mulrooney: The Richest, Toughest Woman of the Klondike Gold Rush
"Big Bucks, No Whammies!": The Man Who Cracked the Code of Press Your Luck and Won $110,000
On this episode of Our American Stories, Matt Parker, a comedian and mathematician from Australia, tells the story of Michael Larson—a humble ice cream man who surprisingly beat the game show Press Your Luck—and explains why computers can’t truly be random.
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The Balloonfest '86 Disaster of Inflated Proportions
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1986, the United Way of Cleveland attempted to set a world record by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the sky. What was meant to be a harmless publicity stunt quickly turned into a public safety and environmental disaster. It grounded planes, hindered rescue operations, and led to tragic consequences. Jesse Edwards shares the story.
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Becoming Dr. Seuss: The Making of an American Imagination
On this episode of Our American Stories, from Green Eggs and Ham to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we’re all familiar with the work of Dr. Seuss. But the story of how he became the author we know and love is far from short and simple. Brian Jay Jones, author of Becoming Dr. Seuss, shares the full story of the man behind the pen name.
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How My Dad's Wounds of War Fueled My Drive to Serve Vets
On this episode of Our American Stories, Diane Hight’s father was a war hero, but he also struggled with alcoholism due to his PTSD from World War II. To honor him, she founded Forever Young Veterans, an organization originally focused on taking WWII veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. It soon grew into a mission to take them back to Normandy and beyond. Here's her story.
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The Odd Tale of Oregon's Exploding Whale
On this episode of Our American Stories, after a whale washed up on an Oregon beach in 1970, someone decided it would be a good idea to blow it up with a large amount of dynamite. Things didn’t go as planned. Jesse Edwards shares the story.
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The Story Behind the Most Important Punch in Comic Book History
On this episode of Our American Stories, the creators of Captain America were looking for the perfect villain, but why create one when he already existed? This led to the most important punch in comic book history, the one thrown at Hitler nearly a full year before Pearl Harbor. Joe Parrott, a history professor at Ohio State University, shares the story.
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Legendary Founder of the Ritz-Carlton: My Employees Are My Closest Neighbors
On this episode of Our American Stories, a legend and leader in the hotel industry, Horst Schulze has reshaped how service and hospitality are defined in business, setting standards that have become world-famous. Over the years, he worked for both Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of the luxury hotel chain, the Ritz-Carlton, in 1983. Horst is a Christian who lives out his faith in both his business and personal life.
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The Inspiring Story of Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
On this episode of Our American Stories, Auntie Anne Beiler is best known as the founder of Auntie Anne’s, the world’s largest pretzel franchise. But before rising to success, Anne endured years of defeat, despair, and depression that kept her trapped in a place of darkness. Through her pain, however, she discovered a new purpose. Here to share her story is the Pretzel Queen herself, Anne Beiler.
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He Went to Work at Ford for Lee Iacocca… and Got More Than He Bargained For
On this episode of Our American Stories, Tim Leuliette began his career at Ford Motor Company under the legendary leadership of Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II. A future auto industry executive and turnaround specialist, Tim got more than he bargained for during those early years, and he’s been thankful ever since. Here’s Tim with the story of how he got his start in the automotive world.
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