episode-header-image

Mar 2022

38m 16s

EP227: The “Why” Behind What We Do Matte...

About this episode

On this episode of Our American Stories, our regular contributor, Paul Kotz, helped a frustrated student look past their circumstances and get to why what they were doing matters. Mackenzie Vath shares how the gift she gave to her dad Tim Busch ended up blessing both of their lives. The founder of the Center for Puppetry Arts, Vincent Anthony, shares his story of how he made a career out of puppeteering.

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

Time Codes:

00:00 - The “Why” Behind What We Do Matters

10:00 - I Wrote a Book About My Dad... and It Brought Us Closer Together

35:00 - Puppets Are For Everyone

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next

The Story of America: The Rise of the Progressives [Ep. 40]

On this episode of Our American Stories, the 1896 election made one thing clear: William Jennings Bryan and the Populists had tapped into a growing sense that many Americans were being left behind by a rapidly changing nation. Though Bryan lost, the reformers behind his movement ... Show More

The Best Time I Spent with My Dad Was Guarding Him in Prison

On this episode of Our American Stories, at seven years old, Randy Liberty visited his absent father behind bars at the Maine State Prison, whose imposing walls later helped inspire Stephen King's novel The Shawshank Redemption. Decades later, he returned to that same prison, not ... Show More

Dale Robertson Was Wounded in WWII Before Finding Fame in Hollywood

On this episode of Our American Stories, before he became a familiar face in westerns like Tales of Wells Fargo and Iron Horse, Dale Robertson was fighting in Europe during World War II. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, he served with the U.S. Army’s 322nd Combat En ... Show More

Recommended Episodes

Episode 58: Many Things Finale

In the final installment of Many Things, all members of the family recount their experience of the "final night."Sarah's father reaches out to a First Nations coworker for help, and to his surprise, he tells him that his brother is a sort of medicine man and would be willing to d ... Show More

2113: Holding On and Letting Go by Nikki Cox of No Sidebar on Cherishing Every Moment with Loved Ones

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2113: Nikki Cox shares a deeply personal journey through the events of her four-year-old starting pre-k and the passing of ... Show More

How Parents Can Inspire Us: Stories of Moms and Dads

A parent or caregiver’s unconditional love is one of the greatest gifts any of us can receive. With Mother’s Day around the corner and Father’s Day coming up next month, this special episode of Why Am I Telling You This? brings together some of the most inspiring stories our gue ... Show More

Dad’s Southern Slang Quiz | DFMB Episode 4

Charles gives his opinion on boobaloobies and badonkadonks, Link shares a story of a time his dad let one rip, and the two debate whether Charles’ golf cart says “Beach Life” or “Belch Life.” Plus, Charles introduces a new game called “Don’t Lose Your Southern!” C’mon and have a ... Show More

The ‘Cherishing Your Childless Friends’ Edition

On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak, and Jamilah answer a question from a listener who is feeling left behind by her friends who are parents. She says she’s really tried to be supportive and isn’t receiving support in return, especially when she’s celebrating accomplishments like ear ... Show More

Parenting with Empathy, from Pop Culture Moms

Hi Big Little Besties! We were recently guests on the podcast Pop Culture Moms, and wanted to share it with you! Our friends Andie and Sabrina have been best friends for 20 years — and pop culture aficionados for even longer. On “Pop Culture Moms,” they’re taking their obsession ... Show More

I will read anything about how other couples and parents are getting it done during the pandemic. That’s why I couldn’t turn away from a profile I read about Carl and Jesse Crawford in the New York Time. It was about how Carl moved out of their house so he could work at a power p ... Show More

How Much Money Can You Make Donating Sperm? | DFMB Episode 2

Charles tells a story of being recognized at a Wal-Mart, and a joke from a fan sparks an interesting conversation about sperm banks. Link reminisces on their days of working together, and reveals a time when Charles made him cry (as an adult). Plus, Charles debuts a segment calle ... Show More