The Quintessential American Story of a Classi...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sergeant Alvin York, the reluctant World War I infantryman who became one of America’s most decorated soldiers, has stood as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for over a century. Born in the mountains of Tennessee, Sgt. York’s early life w ...  Show more

On this episode of Our American Stories, Leslie Leyland Fields flew from her home in Alaska to Indiana to spend two weeks beside her best friend, Linda, who was dying of stage IV ovarian cancer. When it was finally time to leave, Leslie believed they still had months together. A ...  Show more

Margaret talks to author Gigi Griffis about the most famous partisan song of them all and its strange and mysterious origins.

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This week, we're uncovering the stories behind three American Anthems. First, we hear from two musical greats about their respective versions of "Fight the Power." Next, we learned about the transformation of the children's choir staple, "This Little Light of Mine." Finally, we t ...  Show more

Black culture is a pivotal pillar of broader American culture. From fashion, to language, to being the sonic foundation to much of American music. In this special episode, our hosts do a deep dive into country music and how its roots are grounded in Black music. Using Beyoncé’s l ...  Show more

A song about a play, crime, and football. About The Origin of ThingsA short-format podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories - slightly dramatized but 100% true - of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what I’m talking about only at the very end keeping you, ...  Show more