This show is about the lives of certain individuals from America's past, who participated in America's religious journey over the past five centuries. Some thought more deeply than did others. Some believed in new ways. Some believed in old ways, but promoted an existing religion in a new way.
Each episode covers a chapter from a biography from twelve individuals: Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Thomas Paine, George Whitefield, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Smith, William James, Mary Baker Eddy, Mark Twain, Billy Graham, H. L. Mencken, and Jim Bakker.
In addition, other episodes will include comparisons and contrasts between the individuals.
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
Claim This Podcastby William H. Benson
3.5(2 reviews)
144 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
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Podcast Overview
This show is about the lives of certain individuals from America's past, who participated in America's religious journey over the past five centuries. Some thought more deeply than did others. Some believed in new ways. Some believed in old ways, but promoted an existing religion in a new way. Each episode covers a chapter from a biography from twelve individuals: Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Thomas Paine, George Whitefield, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Smith, William James, Mary Baker Eddy, Mark Twain, Billy Graham, H. L. Mencken, and Jim Bakker. In addition, other episodes will include comparisons and contrasts between the individuals.
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Publishing Since
3/17/2023
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Recent Episodes
June 30, 2026
Billy Graham's Courtship, Early Ministry, and Rise with Youth for Christ (Episode 150)
<p>Host William H. Benson introduces episode 150 of the Noble American Lives podcast and his book series pairing American religious thinkers and believers, then continues his biography of Billy Graham. The script covers Billy's engagement to Ruth Bell, their conflicts over denomination, mission ambitions, and his insistence on leading, followed by their 1943 wedding and early marital strains amid his preaching travels. Billy becomes pastor of Western Springs Baptist (renamed The Village Church), launches the Chicago radio program "Songs in the Night," gains wider fame, and clashes with congregants over his absences. After failed plans for army chaplaincy and a serious illness, he joins Torrey Johnson's Youth for Christ International in 1945, traveling nationwide with rally-style evangelism, building a team including George Beverly Shea, Charles Templeton, and Cliff Barrows, and moving Ruth to Montreat as their first child is born. European tours follow, including a Paris incident and a pivotal Holy Spirit experience under Stephen Olford, leading to intensified preaching impact and the start of Billy's first citywide campaigns in 1947, including a heavily promoted Charlotte revival.</p> <p>(00:00) Show Intro and Series Overview<br /> (01:01) Books and Subscription Notes<br /> (01:31) Recap of Earlier Volumes<br /> (03:34) Copyright and Transition<br /> (04:15) Ruth Meets Billy Preaching<br /> (05:04) Engagement and Illness Detour<br /> (06:07) Courtship Clashes and Calling<br /> (09:05) Graduation and Wedding Day<br /> (09:23) Newlyweds and First Pastorate<br /> (11:23) Radio Ministry Takes Off<br /> (13:04) Conflict and Chaplaincy Attempt<br /> (14:55) First Youth for Christ Rally<br /> (16:22) Mumps Crisis and Recovery<br /> (17:11) Joining Youth for Christ<br /> (19:00) Relentless Rally Road Life<br /> (20:04) Templeton and the YFC Team<br /> (22:09) Pregnancy and Move to Montreat<br /> (23:00) YFC Leadership and Key Partners<br /> (25:07) Europe Tours After the War<br /> (27:40) Paris Temptation Story<br /> (29:26) Holy Spirit Turning Point<br /> (32:38) Breakout Authority in Preaching<br /> (33:27) First Citywide Campaigns<br /> (34:18) Charlotte Crusade Promotions<br /> (35:12) Closing Rally Stunt and Results</p>
June 19, 2026
Billy Graham's Early Life: From Charlotte Dairy Farm to Leaving Bob Jones College
<p>Host William H. Benson introduces episode 148 of the Noble American Lives podcast and his book series pairing American religious "thinkers" and "believers," then begins his biography of Billy Graham. The script covers Graham's 1918 birth near Charlotte, North Carolina; his Presbyterian parents Franklin and Morrow Graham, their strict religious home, and family history shaped by Civil War trauma, alcohol abuse in his grandfather Crook Graham, and discipline and enterprise in his father. Billy's childhood includes hard dairy work that hurt his grades, extensive reading, restlessness, and a 1934 conversion at Mordecai Ham's Charlotte revival, followed by early attempts at public testimony. After high school in 1936, he sells Fuller brushes in South Carolina with Grady and T.W. Wilson, then enrolls at Bob Jones College, clashes with its rigid rules, struggles academically and physically, is disparaged by Bob Jones, and decides during Christmas break to transfer to the Florida Bible Institute.</p> <p>(00:00) Podcast Intro and Series<br /> (04:07) Billy Graham Begins<br /> (04:49) Family Roots and Values<br /> (06:28) Crook Graham Legacy<br /> (09:21) Morrow Coffey Background<br /> (14:23) Farm Life and School<br /> (15:59) Restless Reader Dreams<br /> (17:15) Faith at Home and Church<br /> (18:47) Mordecai Ham Revival<br /> (22:46) Early Ministry Stirring<br /> (24:43) Selling Brushes Summer<br /> (29:02) Bob Jones Culture Shock<br /> (31:46) Breaking Point and Exit<br /> (34:17) Florida Bible Institute Next</p>
June 13, 2026
Mark Twain's Final Days and His Late Biblical Satires
<p>Host William H. Benson introduces episode 147 of the Noble American Lives Podcast and continues his biography of Mark Twain from The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: Mark Twain versus Billy Graham, with subscription and book information plus a copyright notice. The script recounts Twain's declining health in early 1910, his return from Bermuda to die at Stormfield, Clara's last visit and song, and his death on April 21, 1910, followed by memorial remarks from William Dean Howells and burial in Elmira. It notes Clara's later life, her daughter's suicide, and Twain's lack of living descendants, while citing Hemingway's praise of Huckleberry Finn. Benson then surveys Twain's late Bible-inspired writings—Adam's Diary, Eve's Diary, Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven, Letters from the Earth, and The Mysterious Stranger—highlighting his critiques of God, heaven, and human nature and his effort to present Satan's side.</p> <p>(00:00) Podcast Intro<br /> (00:21) Series Overview<br /> (00:55) Books and Newsletter<br /> (03:11) Mark Twain Episode Setup<br /> (04:06) Twain Final Days<br /> (07:12) Death and Memorials<br /> (08:35) Legacy and Descendants<br /> (09:38) Bible Inspired Writings<br /> (10:41) Adams Diary<br /> (12:21) Eves Diary<br /> (14:00) Captain Stormfield Heaven<br /> (17:20) Creation Satire in Heaven<br /> (19:24) Science Versus Scripture<br /> (22:09) Letters from the Earth<br /> (27:30) The Mysterious Stranger<br /> (32:48) Dream Conclusion and God<br /> (34:43) Closing Reflections</p>
144 total episodes available
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- What is Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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