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.
The Time I Nearly Died in Pilot Training
The Story of Justice Scalia: From His Immigrant Roots to the Highest Court in the Land (Pt. 2)
On this episode of Our American Stories, James Rosen, author of Scalia: Rise to Greatness, shares the story of Antonin Scalia’s unlikely but inevitable rise to the U.S. Supreme Court. His family, faith, and immigrant roots were the drivers of his unwavering belief in the Constitution, which, in turn, led to him becoming one of the most impactful judges in American history.
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The Race That Sealed Secretariat's Legacy: The Story of the 1973 Belmont Stakes
On this episode of Our American Stories, no horse had claimed the Triple Crown in 25 years until Secretariat lined up at the Belmont. What happened next stunned the world. With the crowd on its feet, Secretariat sprinted into history, delivering a performance so dominant it’s still studied today. This is the story of the race that made him a legend and forever changed the sport. Our own Lee Habeeb shares the story.
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“Son of a Gun” & “Steal My Thunder” 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 covering the phrases “son of a gun” and “steal my thunder.” His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!
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The Black WWII Hero Who Swam Through Shark-Infested Waters to Rescue His Crew
On this episode of Our American Stories, when the USS Gregory was attacked and left sinking in the Pacific, Navy mess attendant Charles Jackson French jumped into shark-infested waters with a rope around his waist, dragging a raft full of wounded white sailors to safety for six straight hours. Bruce Wigo, former CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, shares the true story of one of WWII’s most overlooked acts of bravery by a Black serviceman.
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How Patrick Henry Saved America from Its First Civil War
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Washington may have led America's army to independence, but he needed help in the aftermath of victory. Long before the Civil War, the United States nearly fractured during the battle over the Constitution — and it was Patrick Henry who stood firm and helped steer the country away from conflict. Here’s the remarkable story.
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A Young Soldier Promised God Three Things After a Vietnam Mine Took His Legs...
On this episode of Our American Stories, In Vietnam, 20-year-old Jon Hovde was nearly killed when his vehicle struck an anti-tank mine. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but Jon made three promises to God that day. What happened next would shape the rest of his life and inspire the people back home who knew him best. Linda from Jon’s hometown of Fertile, MN, shares the story.
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"True Colors" & "Soap Opera" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they mean. This time, how the phrases "true colors" and "soap opera", among others, came to be.
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Behind the Blue Christmas: How Elvis Was Coaxed into Recording a Christmas Album
On this episode of Our American Stories, Elvis Presley’s Christmas album has become a holiday staple, but the story behind it is more surprising than you might think. Greg McDonald was there in the early days, when Colonel Tom Parker was just beginning to shape the Elvis brand. Here’s Greg sharing the story of how the King of Rock and Roll was convinced to lend his voice to Christmas music, changing the season forever.
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Brett Favre Tells His Story of Faith, Family, and Football
On this episode of Our American Stories, much of what’s known about legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre has stayed between the goalposts. So, our own Greg Hengler sat down with the Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers quarterback at his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to ask him about the three most important things in his life: his faith, his family, and the game he loved.
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