logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2021
38m 12s

EP81: How My Dad's Cancer Saved Our Rela...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

On this episode of Our American Stories, Scientist and university administrator Willy Lensch shares how his father's cancer diagnosis blessed their and one other unsuspecting relationship; Brent Evanoff discovers a secret he’d been unaware of for over 25 years. Through that process, he manages to help another veteran reconnect with something they lost as well; and retired US Navy Captain Mike McDaniel takes us back to when he was just a 3rd grade boy, about to learn that his dad was shot down on his 81st combat mission over Vietnam.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)


Time Codes:

00:00 - How My Dad's Cancer Saved Our Relationship

08:00 - Rediscovering What I Lost in the Military

27:30 - A Boy Waits for His POW Father 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
How Patrick Henry Saved America from Its First Civil War
On this episode of Our American Stories, George Washington may have led America's army to independence, but he needed help in the aftermath of victory. Long before the Civil War, the United States nearly fractured during the battle over the Constitution — and it was Patrick Henry ... Show More
10m 49s
Yesterday
A Young Soldier Promised God Three Things After a Vietnam Mine Took His Legs...
On this episode of Our American Stories, In Vietnam, 20-year-old Jon Hovde was nearly killed when his vehicle struck an anti-tank mine. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but Jon made three promises to God that day. What happened next would shape the rest of his life and inspi ... Show More
9m 29s
Yesterday
"True Colors" & "Soap Opera" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores ... Show More
9m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2021
Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan
We visited America’s sweethearts on Manhattan’s East Side and found them as devoted and candid as ever. During a short period in the late 80’s, Michael and Tracy got married, had a son, Michael lost his father and gained a life-altering diagnosis — a lot for a young couple to nav ... Show More
28m 14s
Jul 2023
Lt. David Carey On Surviving As A POW W/ Admiral James Stockdale (with Stoicism)
Ryan speaks with Lieutenant David Carey in the first of a two-part interview about his incredible experiences serving in Vietnam as a fighter pilot and being shot down and captured by North Vietnamese forces, how 2,022 days in captivity led to him embracing the teachings of Epict ... Show More
49m 43s
Jul 2023
Lt. David Carey Uncovering Our Own Capacity To Get Through Anything
Ryan speaks with Lieutenant David Carey in this second of a two-part interview about the bonds that he and his fellow POWs formed in captivity, why he feels no hatred to the guards who imprisoned and tortured him, his relationship with former cellmate Senator John McCain, how his ... Show More
50m 7s
Jun 2020
Dad Story
In honor of Father's Day coming up on Sunday, Steve has a story about his father and some sardines. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
4m 59s
Nov 2023
Remembrance Day: Searching for My Father the WWII Pilot
John Watts never knew his father. He was conceived days before his father, Wing Commander Joseph Watts, was killed on a bombing mission over occupied Europe. He left behind a daughter, and also an unborn son. But, recently John discovered that at the RAF Museum at Cosford, they h ... Show More
30m 11s
Sep 2022
Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks - 09.30.22
Today in Closing Remarks, we have something special from The Nephew and Junior.  The Steve Harvey Morning show sends out condolences to the family of legendary rapper Coolio who passed away on Wednesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
6m 13s
Jun 2023
Father and Son Medal of Honor Recipients
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States Armed Forces. It is given to individuals who have displayed exceptional acts of valor in the face of enemy forces.It has been awarded 3535 times since its inception in 1861. Of all the recipients of the Me ... Show More
15m 10s
May 2024
Laura’s Family & the Impact of Terminal Illness, and Diddy's Assault Footage: The Ongoing Fight to Believe Women's Stories
Hey Lifers, Today's episode has a lot of variation of light and shade.  Britt has done something that could be one of the funniest stories of something embarrassing that she's ever told. Salt & pepper squid anyone? Laura and her family have been navigating a really hard time in t ... Show More
45m 8s
Jun 2024
A Father’s Day Special (with Ethan Hawke)
This Father's Day, we're revisiting our special talk with actor Ethan Hawke. After a phone call with Dad Fragoso (2:00), we dive into the episode. At the top, Hawke unpacks his docuseries The Last Movie Stars (9:24), describing his introduction to Paul Newman through Butch Cassid ... Show More
1h 13m
Apr 2024
USA: War Is Hell - A Soldier’s Story
In a follow up to our superb episode in which John McManus opened up the archives to a glut of post-war surveys of US soldiers, the boys really dig into the harrowing experience of fighting in the Italian campaign. Not only do we look at the nightmarish conditions in Europe, but ... Show More
53m 4s