Shows
Finest HoursErich Maria Remarque's Warning to the WorldOn this episode we discuss the impact that Erich Maria Remarque has had on literature and society. His blockbuster novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, rawly captures the horrors of war. His warning is as relevant today as it was in 1918.
2023-08-1619 minFinest HoursThe Madness of Louis Wain: A Journey Through His Artistic EvolutionLouis Wain was a British artist with a truly distinctive art style, best known for his vibrant and whimsical paintings of cats. However, tragedy struck his life when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his later years, and this had a profound impact on both his life and his art. As he descended into the depths of mental illness, his art became increasingly abstract and psychedelic, reflecting the turmoil and chaos of his inner world. In his final years, Wain's paintings were a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and fantastical shapes, a reflection of his mind in a state of madness...
2023-04-3020 minFinest HoursAlexander Selkirk: Pirate, Castaway, MadladScottish Sailor, Privateer, and certified Madlad, Alexander Selkirk was stranded off the coast of South America in the 18th century. His story of survival is truly captivating.
2022-11-0526 minFinest HoursOperation Cowboy: Rescuing the Finest Horses of The Third ReichIn the final days of World War 2, Germany's prized Lipizzaners were under threat of Soviet destruction. Germans responsible for the care of the horses, set aside feelings of animosity towards the Americans and plead with them to rescue these prized horses from the onslaught of the Red Army.
2021-12-3130 minFinest HoursMathias SindelarMathias Sindelar, an Austrian-born footballer, became a legend of the game and took a stand against Nazi Germany
2021-08-2823 minFinest HoursThe Leader of the Forgotten Army: William SlimWilliam Slim was crucial to the British advance to liberate Burma from the Imperial Japanese Army in World War 2.
2021-08-0226 minFinest HoursThe Soul of Nike: Steve PrefontaineSteve Prefontaine, a martyr of unfulfilled human potential, is one of the most iconic athletes of all time. His influence transcended nations and generations. When his life was suddenly and tragically taken at 24, his mystique grew even more.
2021-05-0341 minFinest Hours"Because it's there!" The George Mallory StoryOn this episode we discuss British mountaineering legend, George Mallory, possibly the first man to summit Mount Everest.
2021-02-2123 minFinest HoursCharles Lindbergh & The Spirit of St. LouisCharles Lindbergh was a fascinating American aviation pioneer. In this episode we discuss Charles' aviation career, famous flight across the atlantic, and the tragic kidnapping and murder of his son.
2021-02-0138 minFinest HoursSpooky Szn Special: The Night Witches of The Soviet UnionIn a special episode of Finest Hours, learn about the all-female division of the Soviet Air Force that terrorized the invading Nazi army by flying bombing missions under the cover of darkness. Also in this episode, Skylar gets listed as a war casualty and a surprise visit from Abraham Lincoln.
2020-10-1622 minFinest HoursIrena Sendler: Rescuing Children of The HolocaustIrena Sender, a polish born social worker smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the Jewish ghettos during WW2, learn how she was able to save, and foster thousands of souls from death and enslavement.
2020-09-2217 minFinest HoursCreating Worlds With a PenRobert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time, is one of America's most revered fantasy authors, his work has inspired many fantasy authors including Geroge R.R. Martin. In addition to his accomplishments as an author, he led quite an interesting life. Click play and learn more.
2020-09-0625 minFinest HoursBill Bowerman: The Soldier, The Coach, The InnovatorLegendary track and field coach Bill Bowerman did so much more than coach young men on the finer points of running and jumping, he was an innovator. His grizzled hands that crafted shoes for his athletes would build an empire on and off the track.
2020-08-0918 minFinest HoursThe Torrance Tornado: Olympian Called to War Pt. 2In part 2, Louis and Phil have been taken captive by the Japanese Empire, a hostile enemy who depraved men of their own dignity and sense of worth. Join us in a gritty episode as we discuss the atrocities Louis Zamperini would ultimately have to triumph over.
2020-06-2037 minFinest HoursThe Torrance Tornado: Olympian Called to War Pt. 1Louis Zamperini, thought to be the first man to break the impossible 4:00 mile in track & field, was drafted into WW2. This harrowing tale of survival is one of the greatest of world war 2. Listen to learn about Louis's triumph in the darkest of days.
2020-06-1936 minFinest HoursBernie Webber: Rescue From an Icy, Watery GraveWhen a raging winter storm off the Northeastern coasts breaks an oil tanker in half, a young coast guard officer and 3 other young men are tasked with an impossible rescue.
2020-05-0127 minFinest HoursShort Stories: 60 Hours Under the SeaHarrison Odjegba Okene, a Nigerian cook, was shipwrecked off the coast of Nigera. He was able to find an air pocket in the ship and survive for 60 hours before being rescued by search and rescue divers. Listen to his amazing story now.
2020-04-0411 minFinest HoursShort Stories: Elisabeth ElliiotA devout christian, and author, Elliot and her husband worked tirelessly to help translate the bible into languages for remote tribes in South America. When tribals killed her husband, she forgave them and continued to serve those same tribe members.
2020-03-3108 minFinest HoursShort Stories: The Jewish mathmetician who saved American lives during WW2During WW2 American bombers were taking heavy losses over Germany. Abraham Wald, a Jewish immigrant put his analytical mind to work to help solve this problem and save countless lives.
2020-03-2807 minFinest HoursReporter Gone Mad: The Nellie Bly StoryWhat would you do if your employer asked you to infiltrate an insane aslym, live among the patients there, and report on the conditions in the asylum? For Nellie Bly, a charming Pennsylvania girl, this was the opportunity that she had been starving for. In the 19th century, it was highly unpopular for women to have careers, but Nellie Bly (born Elizabeth Cochran) dedicated herself to improving the social well-being of the disenfranchised.
2020-03-0821 minFinest HoursBlack History Month SpecialIn this special episode of Finest Hours, Skylar, Brayden, and Hayden each pick an influential African American hero to discuss. Learn how a man took a newspaper to help disenfranchised African Americans find jobs and housing, how a southern boy embarassed Adolf Hitler on the global stage, and a high-school dropout became one of the greatest boxers in the 20th century
2020-02-2941 minFinest HoursThe Bionic ChefThe victim of a freak electrical accident, Eduardo Garcia lost his left arm, a large percent of his muscle mass, suffered 3rd degree burns, and discovered on the hospital bed that he had testicular cancer, but that did not stop him from pursuing his love of cooking and the outdoors. In this episode, learn how Eduardo Garcia overcame a life-changing injury and used it to better the lives of those around him.
2020-02-1523 minFinest HoursThe Bad Boy of Chess?Bobby Fischer, a hot-headed prodigy and Cold War hero was one of the most interesting people in the world of chess. In the height of the Cold War, Bobby was set to play the Soviet Union's won Borris Spassky, the reigning world champion. Bars across the country showed the game on TV, it was one of the most tense matches in history. Listen to learn how it turned out.
2020-01-1800 minFinest HoursRescuing POW's with Monopoly Board GamesChristopher Clayton Hutton, a British MI9 intellgence officer developed an ingenious plan to rescue POW's from German camps using Monopoly board games. Learn how he pulled off this amazing feat and slipped escape tools into POW's hands right under German's noses.
2019-12-3119 minFinest HoursThe Heroics of Daniel Inouye: The Nisei WarriorDaniel Inouye, the son of Japanese-American immagrants, or Nisei, was a brave soldier and leader during the 2nd world war. He was originaly denied the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military due to his race, but it was a good thing they admitted him into the military. Listen to learn more about Daniel Inouye's courageous military service.
2019-11-2829 minFinest HoursAlexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas is one of the most accomplished authors of all time, but his works extend far beyond that of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. Learn more of Alexandre Dumas in episode 10
2019-11-0229 minFinest HoursFrom Child Soldier to U.S. OlympianLopez Lomong was only 6 years old when he was kidnapped by Sudanese rebel soldiers. He escaped his captors and ran for 3 days and nights in the African desert. Learn how he ran from captivity to the olympic games.
2019-10-111h 24Finest HoursFighting Women of the DahomeyIn West Africa, in a region known as the Slave Coast, a militaristic society strikes fear into the hearts of their enemy. Dahomey, also reknown as "Black Sparta" is guarded by some of the fiercest soldiers in the world, all of which are female.
2019-09-2920 minFinest HoursWonder Women: Amazing Women of HistoryOn this special episode of Finest Hours, we share 3 stories of 3 different women who've had a profound impact on the world. Listen to learn how a sculptor, a scientist, and an athlete made a major influence in the world. Anna Coleman Ladd, an American sculptor founds a studio in Paris where she makes masks for disfigured WW1 soldiers Marie Goeppert Mayer, the 2nd woman to earn the Nobel Prize in physics Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the boston marathon - facing threats all along the way
2019-09-0848 minFinest HoursGregor Mendel: Unlocking the secrets of lifeGregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, made one of the most significant scientific discovers to humankind. The very fibers of our existence. Using pea plants, Mendel unlocked the secrets behind genetics that were previously a mystery.
2019-08-2433 minFinest HoursThe Man Who Saved The WorldOn September 26, 1983, one man made a decision that saved the entire world from a nuclear holocaust. Stanislav Petrov, a Lt. Colonel in the Soviet Air Force was the duty officer at the early nuclear detection facility. Suddenly alarms rang overhead as the Soviet computers detected 5 nuclear missiles launched from the United States. Stanislav's decision-making that night would save hundreds of millions of lives.
2019-08-1427 minFinest HoursThe Slave Who Sailed a Stolen Confederate Ship To FreedomIn the begining of the Civil War, a bold and daring slave named Robert Smalls stole a confederate transport ship and sailed 17 enslaved African Americans towards the freedom of the Union. He delivered the ship into the hands of the Union, helped convince Abraham Lincoln to allow blacks to serve in the Union Army, served valiantly in 17 battles of the Civil War and fought to protect African American civil liberties as an elected official.
2019-07-3036 minFinest HoursShipwrecked in the AntarcticIn 1914, 28 men set sail on a treacherous expedition to cross Antarctica, before they even reached the continent they were shipwrecked. All 28 men would survive thanks to the one man, Ernest Shackleton. Join us as we explore their gripping tale of survival. The odds were impossible, so how did they do it?
2019-07-1448 minFinest HoursThe Man Who Bombed Berlin With ChocolateIn episode 1 we discuss Gail "Hal" Halvorsen, the man who bombed berlin... with candy. Learn how a Utah farm boy helped heal the wounds of World War II, and win over the affections of post-Nazi Germany. Halvorsen, AKA The Candy Bomber, played a crucial and touching role in rebuilding post-war Germany. He softened the hearts of former enemies, and gave joy to children living in a post-apocalyptic war zone. Music: Awaken Together by Evan MacDonald
2019-06-3025 min