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.
Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of the Legendary Scam Artist
How Ronald Reagan Faked It ’til He Made It: His Early Years in Radio in... Des Moines?
On this episode of Our American Stories, before he became President, Ronald Reagan was a rising star in radio—a strapping young sports commentator at WHO in Des Moines. Here's the story of his early broadcasting career, told in his own words.
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The Best Worst Counterfeiter in American History
On this episode of Our American Stories, Emerich Juettner was an upstanding citizen... for most of his life. Regular contributor Bill Bryk shares his unusual and unforgettable story.
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The Story of a Military Man–Turned Missionary Who Carries a Gun... in War-Torn Burma
On this episode of Our American Stories, whether armed or unarmed, the medics and defenders of the Free Burma Rangers risk their lives to stand with civilians caught in the middle of war zones—and to stand their ground. Sharing the story of this daring mission is Dave Eubank, a former Green Beret and founder of the Free Burma Rangers.
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Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II
On this episode of Our American Stories, May 8, 2025, marked 80 years since the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. While the fighting in the Pacific would continue for several more months, many saw it as the end of six long years of war. This is the story of the remarkable American women pilots who helped secure that victory. Becky Aikman, author of Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II, shares their story.
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The Sweetheart of American Snacks: The “Little Debbie” Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, whether you're a diehard Cosmic Brownie fan or a lover of Zebra Cakes, Nutty Buddy bars, Star Crunch, or the seasonal Christmas Tree Cakes, Little Debbie is a brand you've likely seen time and time again on grocery store shelves across America. Sharing the story of Little Debbie is Simon Whistler from the “Today I Found Out” YouTube channel and its sister podcast, “The Brain Food Show.”
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The One College Football Run That Changed My Life
On this episode of Our American Stories, T.C. Stallings is best known for one of the most iconic runs in Louisville Cardinal football history: a game-winning overtime touchdown against the University of Kentucky. That play still defines his legacy on the field, and he calls it “one of the most significant events in my life.” But what most people don’t know is the powerful story behind that moment. Here he is, sharing it in his own words.
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The Unlikely Story of How the Bald Eagle Became America's Symbol
On this episode of Our American Stories, how did a bird Benjamin Franklin once called “of bad moral character” become America’s national symbol? Jack E. Davis, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird, shares the surprising and inspiring backstory.
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The Day Elvis Tried to Join the DEA (And Nixon Kind of Let Him)
On this episode of Our American Stories, the story sounds like fiction. In December 1970, "The King" boarded a commercial flight to Washington, D.C. with a handwritten letter for President Nixon. His request? To be made a federal agent at large. Jerry Schilling, a close friend of Elvis, and the late Egil “Bud” Krogh, Assistant to the Counsel to the President, recount the unforgettable moment the most powerful man in the world and the most famous man in the world met. Special thanks to the U.S. National Archives for providing this audio, recorded during a 2010 roundtable discussion.
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How the USPS Stamped Itself onto American History
On this episode of Our American Stories, The United States Postal Service was founded in 1792, and more than 230 years later, it remains a vital part of American life. But what many don’t know is that the idea of a national post office sparked intense debate among the Founding Fathers. Should the federal government even run the mail? Daniel Piazza of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum shares the surprising story behind the birth of the USPS and how it became one of the most trusted institutions in America.
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