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Holly Higgins’s son Danny came home from his first deployment to Iraq on a sunny September afternoon. When he walked through the door, Holly almost didn’t recognize him. He looked the same, but he was carrying himself differently. He stood taller, calmer, quieter. He pulled out a three-by-five American flag and said, very quietly, “This is for you, Mom.” That was all. Holly set the flag on the buffet, next to a picture of him, and the two of them celebrated his homecoming.

A funeral home in Redfield, South Dakota has spent ten years flying flags for veterans, first responders, and organ donors. Kelly Hyke shares why he started, and what he’d tell anyone thinking of doing the same.

Some of the best ideas start with a bad round of golf and one too many drinks.

In December 2015, a parent walked into Turquoise LeJeune Parker’s classroom at Lakewood Elementary in Durham, North Carolina, and asked a simple question: Do you know anywhere I can get food for my kids over winter break?

Eric Henry’s t-shirts come with a QR code. Scan it, and you can trace the cotton back to the farm where it was grown. Not a stock photo. The actual farm, with the farmer’s name, phone number, and address. If you want to call Ronnie Burleson in Stanley County and ask about the cotton in your shirt, you can.

Have you ever thought about the importance of hope? It's a word we use often, but do we ever stop and consider what it means?

For those who've lost someone they love, life often divides into two parts — before and after. When Amy Dozier married her husband in what she calls a whirlwind romance, she never imagined that less than two years later, soldiers would knock on her door late one evening to tell her he was gone. In her loss, Amy discovered purpose — creating spaces where grieving families can find understanding, comfort, and connection.

Imagine holding an heirloom that told time as America was marching into the 20th century. A hundred-year-old pocket watch that was by someone’s side as America fought through its darkest hours.

Picture this: you walk into a classroom, where you’re met with a teacher and her students in a lively debate. They’re arguing over whether the Boston Tea Party was a brave political revolt or a cowardly criminal act. You look around and see kids on the edge of their seats, barely able to contain themselves. The energy is electric, the students are passionate, and they’re learning to find their voice and make their own opinions.

America is a nation full of people who aren't afraid to step up and take charge. That spirit of determination and personal impact is what drove Debbie Taylor, a successful real estate CFO, to go back to school, get a master's degree, and become a teacher.

At Freedom & Glory, we believe in the power of hard work, innovation, and inspiration to nurture the American spirit. Having a lasting impact on your community doesn't always begin with a grand gesture; it can sometimes start with rediscovering the historical roots in your own backyard.

In the profit-driven world of fast fashion, Victor Lytvinenko chose to take the road less traveled. It wasn't the easy path or the fast one, but a deep desire to make something real, something that disrupted the status quo, pushed him forward.

When it comes to embodying grit and resilience, our veterans set stunning examples for all future generations. Combat veterans, in particular, face unique challenges, whether it's life-altering injuries or reintegrating into civilian life after facing the battlefield. Anyone can find inspiration in their bravery and resilience when facing life-threatening situations.

Every tech leader’s path is different, and some stories stand out for the values they reflect. Before becoming president of Net Friends, a Durham-based IT firm, Neelesh Patel got his start helping run his family’s motel and delivering pizzas. Those early experiences—grounded in hard work, family, and adaptability—shaped the values that continue to guide him today. In this episode of Freedom and Glory, Neelesh shares his journey from the son of immigrant entrepreneurs to launching tech ventures in San Francisco and Costa Rica, and ultimately finding purpose back home in North Carolina.

America’s veterans are the heart and soul of our great country. Their willingness to put their lives on the line to secure our freedoms is nothing short of heroic. While it can sometimes be difficult to know how to show appreciation, one woman made it her personal mission to preserve the legacy of the veterans in her community.

World War II is one of the most impactful events in human history. The brave U.S. service members who fought in it risked everything to defend the freedoms we cherish today. However, with almost eight decades since the war’s end, the number of survivors who can share their firsthand accounts is rapidly dwindling. That's why it is more crucial than ever for future generations to preserve their stories and honor the values they fought to protect.

Freedom and Glory is thrilled to launch Freedom & Glory: Tales of American Spirit, a podcast dedicated to uplifting stories of resilience, hope, and community. Through compelling narratives, Freedom & Glory will shine a light on everyday Americans whose courage, determination, and perseverance embody the values that define our nation.