logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
19m 28s

America’s First Real Life Superhero

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

On this episode of Our American Stories, former Air Force Captain and Air Force OSI Special Agent Vince Benedetto shares his story of going to a school to teach students about why we honor our veterans. But to understand why, we have to understand who made our country possible in the first place....

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jul 17
The Only Photographer Inside the Manhattan Project
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the U.S. government transformed farmland outside Oak Ridge, Tennessee, into a top-secret city of 75,000 people racing to build the atomic bomb before Nazi Germany. Cameras were forbidden, except for one.Richard Cook, author of Ign ... Show More
38m 16s
Jul 17
The Estate Sale That Solved the Mystery of Alan Shepard's Moon Golf Balls
On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1971, Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the Moon. For decades, NASA never revealed their brand, and Shepard never publicly told the story.Then an estate sale in Rogers, Arkansas, uncovered a signed photogra ... Show More
20m 19s
Jul 17
Why Victorian Women Fainted So Often: What Science Says Now
On this episode of Our American Stories, picture a crowded parlor in the 1800s. The air is heavy, the fire is roaring, and the women are laced into corsets that leave little room to breathe. In moments like these, fainting became common, so common that homes often had special cou ... Show More
9m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
Does America Need a Hero?
Captain America: an all-American superhero. Clad in red, white, and blue, he carries only a shield. And he fights only when he must. When it's right.But what happens when what's right isn't so clear? And how does a comic book hero designed to represent America's values survive in ... Show More
51m 5s
Mar 2024
The Story of Chucky Mullins, Brad Gaines, and the Sigma Nu Charity Bowl
For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney shares the story of an unlikely hero who inspired the largest collegiate philanthropy event in the country.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
13m 43s
Aug 2023
Mike Rowe: The Most Normal Abnormal Person (Pt 2)
Mike kicks off our special series “Supporting Greatness” where we interview those who’ve achieved public greatness about the unsung heroes and normal folks who’ve supported them. He hilariously (and beautifully) pays tribute to his father, grandfather, scoutmaster, and high schoo ... Show More
32m 11s
Jun 2024
Empowering Veterans for Success: Warrior-Scholar Project
Transitioning to civilian life after years of military service can be daunting. Some veterans pursue higher education, while others explore business and entrepreneurship, each journey uniquely personal. What remains constant is the importance of ensuring service members are well- ... Show More
30m 44s
Jul 2018
The Alternate Orbit of History's Heroes
This episode will walk you through how the great heroes of history think, operate and live. I really hope this Mastery Session that I've worked so hard to make for you, serves your rise to world-class in all you do. 
18m 3s
Sep 2021
Introducing My Unsung Hero
<p>Longtime Hidden Brain listeners know that for years, we've thanked an unsung hero at the end of every episode. Now, we're launching a new show inspired by that tradition. Each week, we'll share a short story about a moment when one person helped another in a time of need. And ... Show More
2m 49s
Nov 2025
458: Johnny Joey Jones—Mind Your Wake
In honor of Veterans Day, Mike speaks with co-host of The Big Weekend Show Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones, who served eight years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan—where he lost both legs in the line of duty. These days, he's on ... Show More
1h 23m
Jan 2023
Heroes
I’m holding out for a hero. From Achilles to Odysseus and modern day heroes, what does it mean to be a hero, and why are we obsessed with hero worship? In episode 68 of Overthink, Ellie and David dissect the figure of the hero, from its masculinist overtones to how it differs fro ... Show More
58m 6s
Nov 2025
Showing Up On Veterans Day
To mark Veterans Day, host J.R. Martinez sits down with producer Ryan Sweikert to talk about what he’s learned from the stories of veterans who have received the Medal of Honor, how to talk to veterans about their service, and the moments that shaped his life, both in the service ... Show More
26m 56s