Best Redefine Defiance Podcasts (2026)

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How Bob Gibson and Tim McCarver Redefined Baseball at the 1964 World Series 10:49

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19h ago10:49

10:49

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. Support the …

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How Smallpox Saved Canada and Crippled Washington’s Army 9:29

19h ago9:29

9:29

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 Canadi…

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The Black WWII Hero Who Swam Through Shark-Infested Ocean to Rescue His Crew 17:58

19h ago17:58

17:58

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 Ha…

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The Story of Justice Scalia: From His Immigrant Roots to the Highest Court in the Land (Pt. 1) 30:17

19h ago30:17

30:17

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 impact…

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How the USS Lexington Became a Floating Symbol of American Resolve 7:59

19h ago7:59

7:59

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 multi…

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The Football Game Gerald Ford Never Forgot: Pigskins, Racism, and a Moment of Defiance in 1934 27:27

4d ago27:27

27:27

On this episode of Our American Stories, before he was president, Gerald Ford was a rising football star at the University of Michigan. But in 1934, his loyalty was tested when Georgia Tech refused to play if his Black teammate, Willis Ward, took the field. Author and historian John U. Bacon shares this remarkable story of friendship, integrity, an…

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How a Near-Death Jet Crash Prepared One Air Force Pilot for 9/11 10:49

4d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, during a high-stakes flight, pilot trainee Peter Braxton lost control of his aircraft and almost didn’t live to tell the tale. That near-death experience would prepare him for something no one could have imagined: becoming the first Air Force pilot airborne over the Twin Towers on 9/11. Here’s Peter with the…

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America’s Last Bareknuckle Fighter Took on the Nation—And Won 10:49

4d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, before gloves, rules, or weight classes, there was John L. Sullivan: a powerhouse brawler who became America’s last bare-knuckle boxing champion. With fists of steel and a standing challenge to fight any man alive, Sullivan didn’t just win titles; he won the country’s attention. In 1893, he launched his infa…

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Roberto Clemente’s Legacy Preserved by a Fan Who Never Forgot 19:28

4d ago19:28

19:28

On this episode of Our American Stories, long after Roberto Clemente’s final game, Duane Rieder found himself returning to the images, stories, and memories that surrounded Clemente’s life and career. A photographer by trade, Rieder’s interest in Clemente became a quiet pursuit—scanning negatives, tracking down memorabilia, and sharing what he foun…

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“All Hell Broke Loose” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions 7:59

4d ago7:59

7:59

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 diving into how the phrase “all hell broke loose” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a …

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The Most Recorded Guitarist in History: Tommy Tedesco of the Wrecking Crew 38:16

5d ago38:16

38:16

On this episode of Our American Stories, he was the session guitarist behind some of the biggest songs of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but chances are, you’ve never heard his name. Tommy Tedesco, a core member of The Wrecking Crew, played on everything from TV themes to Top 10 singles. His son, Denny Tedesco, tells the remarkable story of the man behi…

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Why a Rhodes Scholar Walked Away from Oxford to Fight in the Vietnam War 10:49

5d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1960s, Karl Marlantes stood at a crossroads: remain at Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, or go to Vietnam and serve alongside the boys he grew up with, many of whom had already shipped out. He chose to go. That decision shaped his life in ways he’s still reckoning with. In this unflinching intervie…

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How “Georgia on My Mind” Became a Classic American Song 9:29

5d ago9:29

9:29

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray Charles did not write “Georgia on My Mind,” but he gave it its enduring soul. Written in 1930 by composer Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, the song lived a quiet life for decades before Ray Charles’ 1960 recording transformed it into a timeless American classic. Our host, Lee Habeeb, share…

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“Hunky Dory” and “Hedge Your Bets”: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions 9:59

5d ago9:59

9:59

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 diving into how the phrases “hunky dory” and “hedge your bets” came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun P…

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She Was Japanese American During WWII, but Her Story Was Very Different 7:59

5d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, while her parents were among the many unjustly sent to internment camps during World War II, Mary Mikami and her siblings remained free. Mary rose to the top of her class, earned a doctorate from Yale, and built a life marked by quiet strength and achievement. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brow…

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How a mother and Daughter Turned 20,000 Salt and Pepper Shakers Into a Legacy 20:18

6d ago20:18

20:18

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, archaeologist Andrea Ludden and her husband, Rolf Ludden, turned a family passion for collecting salt and pepper shakers into the world’s largest museum of its kind. With over 20,000 pieces, ranging from whimsical figures to historical designs, the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers …

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The Story of America: An Eden in the Wilderness [Ep. 2] 17:58

6d ago17:58

17:58

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before the founding of the United States, a group of determined settlers landed in a wild and unforgiving land with one audacious goal: to build an Eden in the wilderness. In this second episode of our ongoing Story of America Series, historian Bill McClay, a professor at Hillsdale College and author of…

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Surviving Persecution: Mariam Ibrahim’s Journey from Sudan to America 20:18

6d ago20:18

20:18

On this episode of Our American Stories, what does freedom of religion really mean? For Mariam Ibrahim, it meant the difference between life and death. Born in Sudan and sentenced to execution for her Christian faith, Mariam escaped religious persecution and built a new life with her family in the U.S. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the cost…

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The Civil War Cemetery Where Union, Confederate, and British Veterans Lie Side by Side 9:59

6d ago9:59

9:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, The GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, doesn’t look like much at first. But among the weathered headstones are the stories of Union and Confederate veterans, British pilots, rodeo stars, and forgotten locals who lived big lives before fading from memory. Nancy Bro has spent years documenting them, making sure …

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“Peeping Tom” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions 7:59

6d ago7:59

7:59

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 exploring the term “Peeping Tom” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the quirky ro…

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The TV Deal That Made the NBA an Entertainment Powerhouse 10:49

7d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the NBA became a media powerhouse, it was fighting to stay relevant. Ratings were low, games were shown on tape delay, and advertisers kept their distance. When CBS considered cutting ties with the league, a young David Stern made a calculated move that would change the direction of professional baske…

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Jackie Robinson Didn’t Just Change Baseball. He Changed America 9:29

7d ago9:29

9:29

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackie Robinson didn’t plan to make history. He only wanted to play ball. But in a country that had barred Black baseball players for more than sixty years, that simple dream came with impossible expectations. After a short stint in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, he became the first to cross into the majo…

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The Littleton Brothers: A Family Erased by the American Civil War 17:58

7d ago17:58

17:58

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Civil War took more American lives than any other conflict in the nation’s history, but few families endured loss like the Littletons of Iowa. When the war broke out, all six brothers enlisted to serve in the Union Army. One by one, they were lost to battle, disease, captivity, and accidents, leaving beh…

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The Unlikely Friendship Between a Man and the Officer Who Wrongly Arrested Him 30:17

7d ago30:17

30:17

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jameel McGee had just become a father when his life was derailed by a lie. In 2006, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was falsely arrested by narcotics officer Andrew Collins, whose fabricated reports and planted evidence led to a wrongful conviction and satisfied an internal push for arrest numbers. Although t…

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“Nest Egg” and “No Dice”: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions 7:59

7d ago7:59

7:59

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 exploring the terms “nest egg,” “no dice,” and others. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, uncovers the…

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A Big Company with Big Pranks! 10:49

8d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, Paychex founder and entrepreneur Tom Golisano shares why having fun at work matters and how humor helped shape the culture of one of America’s most successful payroll companies. Known for his legendary office pranks and unconventional leadership style, Golisano explains how playfulness, trust, and creativity…

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A Thread Across the Ocean: The Story of the Transatlantic Cable 27:27

8d ago27:27

27:27

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1800s, an impossible idea was born: to lay a wire under the ocean and send messages between continents in minutes. The result was the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable, a feat of engineering and endurance that rewired the world forever. Historian John Steele Gordon tells the gripping story of the people, …

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Beating the Soviets: Mike Eruzione on the 1980 Olympic Upset 10:49

8d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, it was the Cold War on ice, and no one expected Team USA to win. But in 1980, a ragtag group of college kids stunned the world when they beat the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Mike Eruzione, captain of the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team and the man who scored the game-winning …

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Generational Trauma Ends With Me: One Father’s Fight to Heal 19:28

8d ago19:28

19:28

On this episode of Our American Stories, what does it take to stop the cycle? Jason Wolfe knows. As a child, he lived through abandonment, poverty, and the kind of instability no kid should endure. As an adult, he became a tech pioneer, a single father, and a man determined to rewrite his family story. His journey is a powerful testament to resilie…

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The “LA Speed Check”: A Story from a Pilot of the Fastest Plane in the World 7:59

8d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Major Brian Shul shares his legendary “LA Speed Check” story, an absurd and unforgettable moment from the cockpit of the fastest plane in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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How 7-Eleven Helped Immigrants Build the American Dream 10:49

11d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Jim Keyes took the helm of 7-Eleven, he thought he was simply turning around a struggling convenience store chain. What he discovered instead was the human story behind the brand: a nationwide network of franchise owners, many of them immigrants, working long hours behind the counter while building busi…

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My Mom Told Me to Leave the House and Not Come Back Until I Had a Job 7:59

11d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, according to Russ Jones, his mother telling him to get out of the house and get a job in his teenage years was the best thing that ever happened to him. Russ shares the story of how a mother’s intervention and persistence led him to a lifetime of good, hard work. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstor…

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How a Hollywood Movie Inspired the North Hollywood Shootout 20:18

11d ago20:18

20:18

On this episode of Our American Stories, often, art imitates life. This time, life imitated art. A crime inspired by the 1995 film Heat, starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, would become one of the most infamous bank robberies in American history. The movie’s meticulous depiction of professional criminals, tactical planning, and high-stakes escap…

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The Story of America: In the Beginning… [Ep. 1] 17:58

11d ago17:58

17:58

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the introductory episode of our series tracing America’s rich history and cultural foundations, Wilfred M. McClay, a professor at Hillsdale College and author of the acclaimed book Land of Hope, shares the surprising story of how America’s beginnings were shaped by religious conflict, political power, and…

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He Bought an Ice Cream Truck To Empower His Children with Down Syndrome 20:18

12d ago20:18

20:18

On this episode of Our American Stories, Joel Wegener’s family had already learned what it meant to navigate the challenges and blessings of raising two children with Down syndrome. Then came a new idea: why not launch a small business they could run together? That idea became Special Neat Treats, a Cincinnati-based ice cream truck serving up more …

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When Pepsi Traded Soda for Soviet Submarines 9:59

12d ago9:59

9:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, a soda company with submarines? In a bizarre twist of Cold War diplomacy, Pepsi brokered a trade deal with the Soviet Union that landed it an actual naval fleet, briefly making it the world’s sixth-largest navy by ship count. The History Guy shares the unbelievable true story of how American capitalism, Sovi…

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My Life After Firefighting: What the Job Took and What It Left Behind 7:59

12d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Pritchard spent his career running toward danger as a firefighter and fire captain, responding to car wrecks, house fires, and emergencies most people spend their lives hoping never to see. What he did not expect was how much of that job would follow him home. James reflects on the life of a firefighte…

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Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross: “I Was Fired Twice and Decided I Was Unemployable” 10:49

12d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories Miami Dolphins owner and billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross shares how being fired twice early in his career led him to conclude he was unemployable. That realization pushed him toward entrepreneurship, ultimately shaping his path to building a global real estate empire and becoming one of the mos…

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Ely S. Parker: Seneca Chief, Civil War Hero, and Grant’s Right Hand 27:27

12d ago27:27

27:27

On this episode of Our American Stories, one was a future president, the other a Seneca warrior-turned-engineer. Together, Ulysses S. Grant and Ely S. Parker would shape the final chapter of the Civil War and the early years of Reconstruction. Parker, a brilliant mind and proud Native American, served as Grant’s personal military secretary and late…

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Maggie Bailey: Moonshine Queen of the Kentucky Hills 10:49

13d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, Maggie Bailey started selling moonshine in the Appalachian hills at just 17 years old and kept her bootlegging business alive for the better part of a century. Known as the “Queen of the Mountain Moonshiners,” Maggie became a local legend not just for the quality of her shine, but for the way she used her pr…

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Lewis & Clark: A Journey Told by the Historian Who Made It Legendary 27:27

13d ago27:27

27:27

On this episode of Our American Stories, best-selling historian Stephen Ambrose brings the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life in vivid detail, sharing scenes from his acclaimed book Undaunted Courage. He retraces their journey across rivers, mountains, and tribal lands, following the Corps of Discovery from its quiet launch under Thomas Jefferson’s…

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The Football Team That Broke Baltimore's Heart 20:18

13d ago20:18

20:18

On this episode of Our American Stories, one snowy night in 1984, a fleet of moving trucks pulled away from Baltimore carrying the Colts, their gear, and decades of history. The team was gone just like that. For fans who grew up idolizing Johnny Unitas and wearing the horseshoe with pride, it felt like a piece of the city had been ripped out. We lo…

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Inside the Museum of Bad Art Where Failure Gets Framed 9:59

13d ago9:59

9:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, most museums exist to showcase the finest achievements in art and culture. The Museum of Bad Art does the opposite. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, MOBA proudly collects paintings that miss the mark so completely they become unforgettable. From A Mariachi in Tiananmen Square to Self Portrait as a Bird, the m…

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The Army Barracks Fight That Shut a Bully Down for Good 7:59

13d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, they say “Don’t Mess With Texas,” and Roger Latham proved it. In 1967, this skinny Texan found himself face-to-chest with a six-foot-two barracks bully who had been terrorizing smaller recruits during air traffic control training. What started as a shove turned into a full-blown brawl that ended with one per…

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The Civil War Nurse Who Founded the American Red Cross 10:49

14d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Clara Barton became famous, she was a former teacher who refused to accept the limits placed on women in nineteenth-century America. When the Civil War broke out, she organized supply drives, treated wounded soldiers, and pushed her way onto battlefields where women were not supposed to go. Her work s…

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Andrew Jackson Took a Bullet, Then Took the Presidency 9:29

14d ago9:29

9:29

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Andrew Jackson became America’s seventh president, he fought his way into history. Literally. Jackson survived gunshots, brawls, and more than a dozen duels, including one that nearly killed him. But to Jackson, this was all part of the job. Keith Hardison, former director at The Hermitage, explains h…

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Why I Celebrate My Mom on My Birthday 9:59

14d ago9:59

9:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories regular contributor Stephen Rusiniak, a longtime writer and storyteller whose personal essays have become a favorite with listeners, shares the special way he found to honor his mom on his own birthday and why he believes she, not he, deserves all the praise. His story is a heartfelt ref…

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Fighting Crime in Downtown Los Angeles with Love, Respect, and God 7:59

14d ago7:59

7:59

On this episode of Our American Stories, Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph recounts how he transformed policing on Los Angeles’ Skid Row by building real community connections rooted in trust, dignity, and compassion. Working daily with the city’s homeless population, Joseph challenged conventional law enforcement approaches and changed public percep…

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Animal House, Seinfeld, Buffy—Mark Metcalf Has Seen It All 38:16

14d ago38:16

38:16

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mark Metcalf is forever linked to one of the most memorable characters in comedy history: the rigid and relentless ROTC officer Douglas C. Neidermeyer in the 1978 film Animal House. Acting opposite John Belushi at the height of his power, Metcalf helped shape a movie that redefined American comedy. But Anima…

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They Built a Church With the Man Who Once Enslaved Them 10:49

15d ago10:49

10:49

On this episode of Our American Stories, after the Civil War, a group of freedmen outside Dallas built a church with help from the man who had once enslaved them. That man also worshiped there. White Rock Chapel would go on to survive a flood, resist segregation, and outlast generations of change. But decades later, it faced a new threat: real esta…