This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a camp miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances by major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Join this landmark celebration and get your America's Block Party Tickets Now for $17.76 at America250.org/slash LA.
It's America's 250th, but you deserve some presents too. Simon Malls, mills, and premium outlets have can't-miss sales July 3rd to 5th. Join Simon Plus, our new rewards program for free and get 2.5 times the points in addition to extra savings, cashback, and offers that also work at shopsimon.com. Grab the fam, head to a Simon Center, and make it a day for the books. It's a celebration thing.
Sign up today at SimonPlus.com. Rewards program terms apply. See SimonPlus.com for details. I turned off news altogether. I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.
It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we can calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the facts.
Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. Do you want to find a stress free way to buy your next car? Start at CarMax and shop your way. And if you want to browse with confidence, get prequalified online with no impact on your credit score and shop cars within your budget, from luxury cars to family rides.
CarMax has options for almost every price range, including more than 25,000 cars priced under $25,000.
So hey, want to get started? Just head to CarMax.com for details and get pre-qualified today. Wanna drive? CarMax This is Lee Habib and this is Our American Stories. And we tell stories about everything here on this show, including your stories.
Send them to ouramericanstories.com. They're some of our favorites. And now we have a story from one of our listeners, Paul Kotz. Paul is a professor at St. Mary's University of Minnesota.
Here he is to share this story. Yesterday I went to fill up my tank at Speedway. went inside to purchase some food items, And the friendly clerk said, Do you have your card? I flashed my barcode on my keychain. exchange an excited comment about getting a free donut.
collected my bag of items, and exited. Um Back at the car I discovered that I could not find my keys. Funny. I don't remember being absent minded. I checked my front pockets frantically.
Maybe I left them in the car. No luck. Life is now officially unfair, I'm thinking to myself. I went back in to check with the clerk, and people were waiting in line. Did anyone see some keys on the counter?
Someone remarked, He lost his keys. No luck again. I just had them, but I felt a heightened sense of panic. And I'm thinking All is not lost. Where are my keys?
I went back outside and as I checked my front pockets one more time, I tried my back pocket and they magically appeared. What? I never put my keys there. Relief settled in.
Soon, I will be able to hide my own Easter eggs. Uh You know, but life has so many twists and turns. In the morning, I've been trying to work out at a fitness center in our area. As I'm exiting with my mask on, a woman was headed inside and proceeded to tell me that They need to stock the women's restroom with more toilet paper. Miss, I'm sure they can help you at the desk.
I do not. I was not able to finish my sentence and the reprimand continued. And the floors in there could use some cleaning, too. She seemed to be on a mission and breezed by me. Later I told my wife Jan what happened, and she laughed.
You look like a person in charge. That's what happened. You know, I like people. and whether I make eye contact or not. they seem to find me.
I was within a hotel. with historic charm in the heart of the old Maine district of Dubuque, Iowa. I enter an elevator from the basement level. And in this case, there's nowhere to go but up. A man is occupied in some texting.
and I pressed the button for my stop on the eighth floor. He states I guess I never pushed which floor I need to go to. Haha.
Well you want to go to the main level, I suggested. He acknowledged, Yeah, that works. Ugh, got my head stuck in this phone just like the kids. Ah, it's easy to do, I said, and I pressed the button. I continued, You could take endless trips on this classic elevator if you wanted.
Yes, he chuckled. Are you an Iowa boy? His glance is still fixated on the phone. I'm wearing a Minnesota founded 1851 shirt. No, I'm from the Twin Cities in Saint Paul.
Been there once. It's cold there, isn't it? He exited on the main level. And I had nowhere to go but up. Later that day, I spent some time at an indoor pool on a Monday and made my way to the nearby whirlpool that was right next to it.
I met a little guy who emerged from the hot tub. after being submerged underwater. I realized he should not be doing this. and after a brief introduction said to the young man, that he could get hurt. but that I was impressed with this ability to stay under hot water for such a period of time.
He told me his name was Taki Ann. His brother Prince soon joined us. and the other older sister spent her own quiet time in the pool. The young men told me they were from Chicago and they were moving to Houston in August. Do you know where I'm from?
Texas, New York, Chicago? Further north, I said. Takyan asked, Do you live in an ice state? and then he ran back to the pool to cool off. I smelled yes for part of the year.
Heaven? asked Prince. I said to him, You know, we're all under heaven, you, me, and the people outside. I live in Minnesota, I continued. You live in an igloo?
I explained that this does happen, but not in our state very often. Alaska and the North Pole have some Igloo living, as far as I know. Prince said, I'm going to heaven, so is my sister. I said, Well, what about your brother? No.
Pensively expressed, he's going to hell. I said, how do you know? Before any answer was given, Takien joined us again. He proceeded to tell me That he and his brother were now working on tablets in school. and hadn't been back for days.
What is your name? Inquiring minds wanted to know My name is Paul.
Some of my friends and family call me Polly. Prince processed this and said, You should change your name to Landon. That was a first. I've been called many things, but I told Prince that I would consider this, but to legally change it would take some work. How about Camden?
Takeen suggested. Man, these kids, the possibilities are endless. The older sister emerged from the pool. was now checking on the two boys and gave them some direction. to not make too much commotion in the hot tub.
They gave her a splash. Don't mess with the older sister, I'm thinking to myself. Her look of admonishment worked. they quieted down. She said, I ain't playin'.
So you are headed to Houston? I inquired. Yeah, with my little brothers. Hey, you're a very good sister. You can tell they look up to you.
Takesha rolled her eyes. Thank you. The three delightful young people sat and we continued to talk about stuff and things.
Well, it's time for me to go. It's been a pleasure, gentlemen and miss. As I was drying off, the kid who purportedly was going to hell came up and offered his hand to me and said I wanted to shake your hand so I won't forget you. Wherever I'm headed, Heaven or hell? I won't forget this young man and his family.
I hope they make it to Houston in one piece. Paul's Stories of Camaraderie and Fellowship with Fellow Citizens in this country here on Our American Stories. This is Lee Habib, host of Our American Stories. Every day, we set out to tell the stories of Americans past and present, from small towns to big cities, and from all walks of life, doing extraordinary things that we truly can't do this show without you. If you love what you hear, go to ouramericanstories.com and make a donation to keep the stories coming.
That's our American stories. Dot com. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a camp miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances by major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Join this landmark celebration and get your America's Block Party tickets now for $17.76 at America250.org slash LA.
It's America's 250th, but you deserve some presents too. Simon Malls, mills, and premium outlets have can't-miss sales July 3rd to 5th. Join Simon Plus, our new rewards program for free and get 2.5 times the points in addition to extra savings, cashback, and offers that also work at shopsimon.com. Grab the fam, head to a Simon Center, and make it a day for the books. It's a celebration thing.
Sign up today at SimonPlus.com. Rewards program terms apply. See SimonPlus.com for details. A burst pipe, a dead water heater, the AC calling it quits. Who do you call?
HomeServe is an easy way to handle unexpected home repairs with plans covering stuff basic homeowners insurance usually won't. Instead of scrambling for a contractor, you make one call to get the repair process started. Join the millions of customers who trust HomeServe right now. Go to home serve.com/slash podcast for 50% less your first year. That's home serve.com/slash podcast.
Savings compared to renewal price void in Florida. This is Matt Altmix from How to Money, and we are all about comparing prices to save money on so many things in life.
So, why wouldn't you compare prices for your next ride share? Taking a few seconds to check Lyft can save you real money on your next ride. And I did this last time I caught a ride home from the airport after some travel, and guess who came out on top? Lyft.
So don't just price check with flights and phone planes and your groceries. Comparing ride share prices will help you to save money every time you ride. Save money, check lift.
