On this episode of Our American Stories, no one knew for sure just how great Michael Jordan would be in the NBA. One underdog sneaker company - yes, Nike was an underdog then - took a bet on him. But the turning point came when they zeroed in on a fledgling director - Spike Lee. The rest is history.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, no one knew for sure just how great Michael Jordan would be in the NBA. One underdog sneaker company - yes, Nike was an underdog then - took a bet on him. But the turning point came when they zeroed in on a fledgling director - Spike Lee. The rest is history.
<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">Support the show</a> (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How Nike Took A Bet On A College Basketball Player From North Carolina and Won

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c2621bf-6d24-4dcd-bdbc-b1560159f3ba/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his dark tales and haunting poems, yet his imagination stretched far beyond the macabre. Behind the tragedies that shaped his life was a writer who helped define Gothic literature, pioneered detective fiction, and even ventured into early science fiction.

Chris Semtner, curator at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, reveals the wit, creativity, and depth of one of America’s most enduring literary voices.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his dark tales and haunting poems, yet his imagination stretched far beyond the macabre. Behind the tragedies that shaped his life was a writer who helped define Gothic literature, pioneered detective fiction, and even ventured into early science fiction. Chris Semtner, curator at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, reveals the wit, creativity, and depth of one of America&rsquo;s most enduring literary voices.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How Edgar Allan Poe Gave Us Horror, Mystery, and Science Fiction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44e1d19d-d725-4024-ba84-b4db001d3848/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jack Marucci didn't set out to create a sporting goods company; he was simply trying to find a wooden baseball bat for his son. When he couldn't find one small enough, he opened up his shed and made one from scratch. Then another kid wanted one. Then another. Before long, the bats that had started as a project for his son were finding their way into the hands of Major League players and gaining a reputation as some of the best in the game.

Marucci shares how that backyard hobby grew into Marucci Sports and how the company earned its place in professional baseball one bat at a time.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jack Marucci didn't set out to create a sporting goods company; he was simply trying to find a wooden baseball bat for his son. When he couldn't find one small enough, he opened up his shed and made one from scratch. Then another kid wanted one. Then another. Before long, the bats that had started as a project for his son were finding their way into the hands of Major League players and gaining a reputation as some of the best in the game. Marucci shares how that backyard hobby grew into Marucci Sports and how the company earned its place in professional baseball one bat at a time.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Jack Marucci Made a Bat for His Son. Then Major Leaguers Wanted One

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1990d48c-e6d6-4e2c-8bee-b4db001d384a/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven learned one of his most important business lessons in the hotel franchise world: treat the franchisee like a customer, and give that owner every reason to succeed. Done well, he argues, franchising combines the resources of a larger brand with the energy and accountability of individual entrepreneurs.

Sharing the story through recalling his time with Days Inn and Holiday Inn, Leven explains why growing organizations so often lose touch with the people they serve and why, in business and beyond, the bigger the bureaucracy becomes, the easier it is to forget who the customer really is.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven learned one of his most important business lessons in the hotel franchise world: treat the franchisee like a customer, and give that owner every reason to succeed. Done well, he argues, franchising combines the resources of a larger brand with the energy and accountability of individual entrepreneurs. Sharing the story through recalling his time with Days Inn and Holiday Inn, Leven explains why growing organizations so often lose touch with the people they serve and why, in business and beyond, the bigger the bureaucracy becomes, the easier it is to forget who the customer really is.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Mike Leven: The Bigger the Bureaucracy, the Smaller the Customer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5777431-ec81-4096-9b09-b4db001d3846/transcript

How Nike Took A Bet On A College Basketball Player From North Carolina and Won

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