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 Eulogy Lee Habeeb Never Gave for His Mother
How British Elites Turned Benjamin Franklin into an American Patriot
On this episode of Our American Stories, on January 29, 1774, Benjamin Franklin was summoned before the King’s advisers in an octagonal chamber at Whitehall Palace known as the Cockpit. Intended as a public humiliation, the encounter instead became a turning point. Franklin entered as a loyal servant of the British Empire and left deeply disillusioned, newly committed to the American cause.
Sheila Skemp, author of The Making of a Patriot: Benjamin Franklin at the Cockpit, tells the story of the extraordinary hour that helped turn one of Britain’s most famous subjects into an American patriot and set him on a collision course with his own son. We'd like to thank the U.S. Library of Congress for originally hosting this audio.
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What Two Fraternity Brothers Taught Me Before They Died
On this episode of Our American Stories, Ken Kendrick, owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, reflects on two profound college friendships that shaped his life long after graduation. In this deeply personal story, Kendrick recounts intimate conversations with two fraternity brothers before their deaths, moments that left a lasting imprint on his understanding of loyalty, mortality, and what it means to live with purpose. It’s a moving reflection on friendship, loss, and the words we carry with us long after goodbye.
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A Cold War Encounter Over the North Pole
On this episode of Our American Stories, during the height of the Cold War, a routine American B-50 bomber flight over the North Pole turned into a tense encounter with a Russian MiG jet. Richard Muniz shares the story of his friend’s fateful meeting in the skies, revealing the quiet dangers of Cold War aviation and the high-stakes cat-and-mouse games between the United States and the Soviet Union.
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Johnny Carson’s “Carnac the Magnificent,” Tiny Tim, and Rodney Dangerfield
On this episode of Our American Stories, Johnny Carson reigned supreme as the host of The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992, shaping modern late-night television and launching countless careers. Over three decades on the air, iconic sketches and unforgettable guests became part of American pop culture, from “Carnac the Magnificent” to appearances by Tiny Tim and Rodney Dangerfield. Mark Malkoff, author of Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend, shares behind-the-scenes stories of Carson’s influence, comedic instincts, and the moments that defined late-night television history.
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How Bob Gibson and Tim McCarver Redefined Baseball at the 1964 World Series
On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1964 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals played the mighty NY Yankees. On the pitcher's mound for the Cardinals was Bob Gibson, and his catcher was Tim McCarver. Here's Jeff Bloodworth, a professor of American history at Gannon University and a Jack Miller Center fellow, with the story.
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How Smallpox Saved Canada and Crippled Washington’s Army
On this episode of Our American Stories, while George Washington fought the British on the battlefield, another invisible enemy was tearing through his army. William Federer, bestselling author and president of AmeriSearch, unpacks how smallpox played a pivotal role in the failure of the U.S. invasion of Canada and how that loss changed both Canadian and American history forever.
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The Black WWII Hero Who Swam Through Shark-Infested Ocean 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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The Story of Justice Scalia: From His Immigrant Roots to the Highest Court in the Land (Pt. 1)
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 primary drivers of his unwavering belief in the Constitution, which, in turn, led him to become one of the most impactful judges in American history.
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How the USS Lexington Became a Floating Symbol of American Resolve
On this episode of Our American Stories, she was built for war but became a beacon of memory. The USS Lexington (CV-16) launched into battle during the darkest days of World War II and earned her place in history through courage, endurance, and an uncanny ability to survive. Nicknamed the “Blue Ghost” by Japanese forces, she was reported sunk multiple times—but each time, she returned, ready for more. Today, the aircraft carrier serves as a museum in Corpus Christi, offering a tangible link to a pivotal era in naval warfare. Our American Stories contributor Anne Clare walks us through the enduring legacy of the Lexington.
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