On this episode of Our American Stories, it started in a bathroom, where a man trapped in addiction waited to make another bad decision. Pastor Greg Laurie didn’t know what he was walking into—only that something told him to go. Inside, he found a man on the edge: tired, angry, and ready to give up. Instead of turning away, Greg spoke about grace, and in that small, stained room, something began to shift.

The encounter led to a renewed faith and a brand-new life rebuilt from the ruins of substance abuse. Pastor Greg joins us to tell the story.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the summer of 1942, the war in the Pacific was slipping away. Japan’s navy dominated the ocean, and the United States was still reeling from Pearl Harbor. Then came Midway. What began as a desperate gamble became one of the most astonishing turnarounds in World War II. American intelligence cracked Japan’s code, and the battle was on. America's victory at Midway Atoll shifted the balance of the war and restored the country’s confidence when it needed it most. Schoolteacher Anne Clare tells the story of the battle that turned fear into resolve and marked the beginning of America’s comeback.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Disneyland opened in 1955, the world had never seen anything like it. Walt Disney had spent years dreaming of a place where stories could be touched—where families could explore imagination as if it were real. But opening day was far from Walt's dream come true. Rides broke down, fake tickets slipped through the gates, and the California heat softened the pavement underfoot. Still, he refused to give up. Walt’s vision reshaped what an amusement park could be. From those early setbacks grew a lasting magic that transformed a few acres of California orange groves into one of the most beloved destinations in the world.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Yogi Berra’s name sits beside the greatest baseball players of all time, but his story reaches beyond home runs and Hall of Fame records. Before he became a Yankees legend, Berra served his country at D-Day, carried quiet discipline into the dugout, and changed what it meant to lead from behind the plate. George Will, one of America’s most respected sportswriters, shares how Yogi’s mix of grit, humor, and loyalty turned him into an American original.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Traveling Wilburys formed almost by accident. When George Harrison needed a B-side, he called Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne, and together they recorded “Handle With Care.”  The chemistry was instant, and within months, they became a band the world couldn’t ignore. Their blend of humor, heart, and melody carried through every track, especially “End of the Line.” Our own Greg Hengler shares how these musicians balanced fame with friendship and created music that still feels effortless.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, every tow truck on the road carries the legacy of one inventor. In Chattanooga, mechanic Ernest Holmes transformed the simple problem of how to lift a stranded car into the first tow truck. Using his own Cadillac, he built a wrecker strong enough to pull vehicles from ditches and reliable enough to serve the growing number of motorists across America. That invention became the foundation of the towing industry, shaping everything from heavy-duty recovery trucks to modern roadside assistance. What began in a Tennessee garage now supports drivers nationwide and stands as a quiet symbol of American engineering and service.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, at thirty-eight, Tim Hennessey looked like the picture of health. He lifted weights, played racquetball, and kept a busy schedule. But inside, his body was breaking down. Chronic pain, migraines, and high blood pressure left him desperate for answers. A doctor diagnosed an autoimmune condition and prescribed medication for life, but one look at the side effects made Tim pause. Instead, he chose to start over. Here’s Tim with the story of how he turned his life around—and how he’s feeling better than ever almost two decades later.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, sculptor Sabin Howard has spent years shaping the story of World War I in bronze. His National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. captures the quiet strength of soldiers, nurses, and families who carried the weight of the Great War. Rather than focusing on battlefields or weapons, his work centers on the people who lived through them and the humanity that endured. Through his words and his art, Howard gives form to sacrifice. Hear stories of a lost generation from the sculptor whose memorial to them will soon show this reality to visitors in Washington, D.C. Here's Sabin with the story of how his masterpiece came to be.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Pat Summitt built a dynasty at the University of Tennessee one season at a time. Her players feared her stare as much as they trusted her guidance, and together they set a new standard for excellence in college basketball. Eight national championships and more than a thousand wins made her the most successful coach in NCAA history, but her greatest achievement was how she elevated the women who played for her. Our own Greg Hengler revisits the story of a coach whose toughness was matched only by her loyalty. From the early days of the Lady Vols to her final game on the sidelines, Pat Summitt’s legacy lives on in every athlete who learned that greatness begins with discipline and ends with heart.

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