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 SR-71 Blackbird Disaster at 78,000 Feet: How One Pilot Fell from Space and Survived
From Wall Street Workaholic to Foster Care Reformer: Paul Blavin's Mission
On this episode of Our American Stories, what happens to children when they age out of foster care? For many, it means stepping into adulthood alone, without the support systems most young people take for granted. After learning how often these young adults face homelessness, incarceration, and limited opportunities, Paul Blavin walked away from a successful career on Wall Street to do something about it.
What started as a sudden realization grew into the Blavin Scholars Program, a holistic effort designed to help former foster youth not just attend college, but succeed in life through mentorship, housing support, and a strong sense of community. Paul joins us to share his story.
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The South Vietnamese Pilot Who Stole a Plane to Save His Family
On this episode of Our American Stories, as Saigon fell during Operation Frequent Wind and thousands tried to escape, one South Vietnamese pilot refused to leave his family behind. With only a small observation plane and no guarantee of survival, Major Buang-Ly took to the air in search of help.
When he reached the USS Midway, the crew faced a difficult choice that would determine whether his family lived or died. Historian Hill Goodspeed of the National Naval Aviation Museum brings us this incredible story of a father doing whatever it took to save his family.
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The Kindness of Strangers: A Group Home’s Night Out Ends With a Surprise
On this episode of Our American Stories, a group home’s night out turned unforgettable when two strangers stepped in with a silent gift. Laurie Seibert had brought her group out for a well-earned dinner, never expecting someone across the room to cover the full bill. But that’s exactly what happened.
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The Story of America: Marbury v. Madison and the Power of the Court [Ep. 17]
On this episode of Our American Stories, The Constitution created a Supreme Court, but it did not spell out how powerful that Court would be. In the early 1800s, a political standoff involving William Marbury, outgoing President John Adams, and newly elected President Thomas Jefferson over an undelivered job offer forced the issue. The decision by Chief Justice John Marshall would change America forever.
As part of our ongoing Story of Us—Story of America series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, shares the story of how Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, turning it into a lasting check on Congress and the presidency and shaping the balance of power that still defines American life and law today.
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Inside Atlanta’s Breman Museum: Jewish Life in the American South
On this episode of Our American Stories, The Breman Museum was created to preserve Jewish heritage in the American South, with a focus on Jewish communities in Georgia, Alabama, and beyond. What began as a small archive grew into a museum dedicated to telling the story of Jews in the Southern United States.
Through the work of Sandy Berman and Jane Levy, the museum highlights the role of Jewish Americans in shaping communities and culture across the South.
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From Homelessness to Handcrafted Furniture: J.J. Jones’ Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, before J.J. Jones became known in Oxford for building custom furniture, he was a father trying to survive without a home. He spent months living in a vehicle with his young daughter, taking whatever work he could find and doing his best to shield her from the reality of homelessness.
With the help of mentors who saw something in him and a faith that steadied him, he rebuilt his life and became the craftsman he is known as today.
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Thomas Jefferson: Brilliant, Flawed, but Still Deeply American
On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson stood at the center of the American founding, writing the Declaration of Independence and later serving as the third president of the United States. He believed deeply in liberty and in the promise of the country, but his life was marked by contradictions that continue to shape how he is remembered, including the fact that he never freed his slaves despite his lofty ideals about freedom.
In this talk at the Library of Congress, acclaimed historian and bestselling author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, Jon Meacham explores Jefferson as both a founder and a man, and explains why his life and flaws still say a great deal about Americans today.
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The Inspiring Story of Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels
On this episode of Our American Stories, before Auntie Anne’s became one of the most popular fast-casual restaurant chains, Anne Beiler was a woman trying to rebuild her life following the loss of her daughter.
But out of her hardship came something unexpected. Starting with a small pretzel shop, she built what would become the world’s largest pretzel franchise. Today, Auntie Anne’s stands alongside the biggest fast-food brands in America, but its story begins with one woman’s decision to move forward and create something truly meaningful.
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St. Louie Louie: The Rise and Fall of a Pool Hall Legend
On this episode of Our American Stories, in pool halls across St. Louis, there was a player people spoke about in hushed tones. They called him St. Louie Louie, a natural talent with a cue stick who could run a table clean and leave even seasoned players high and dry. But his reign didn’t last forever.
Mark O’Brien, a listener of Our American Stories and the author of Have Pool Cue Will Travel, shares the true story of St. Louie Louie’s rise, untimely fall, and enduring legend.
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