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On this episode of Our American Stories, sneakers may seem like simple shoes, but their story is tied to the growth of modern America. Nicholas Smith, author of Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers, shares how these once-humble athletic shoes became a defining part of our culture.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, sneakers may seem like simple shoes, but their story is tied to the growth of modern America. Nicholas Smith, author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKicks-Great-American-Story-Sneakers%2Fdp%2F0451498119&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C04a0bae67a114f9da02408ddf77c7b27%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638938836209267685%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8yMxfTXHuQ7eTGdWB7do81xnRIWizKhQTeq0PnH0rd4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers</a>, shares how these once-humble athletic shoes became a defining part of our culture.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

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 Sneakers Became an American Icon

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b5ef781-32fe-4ba2-83b7-b3610144a77a/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, few television comedies have had the lasting impact of I Love Lucy. When the show debuted in the early 1950s, Lucille Ball quickly became one of the most recognizable performers in American entertainment.

Her success did not arrive quickly. For years, Ball struggled to find a role that truly fit her talent, moving through small film parts and studio setbacks before television offered a new opportunity.

Kathleen Brady, author of Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball, joins us to tell the story of Lucille Ball’s long road to success and the breakthrough that made her one of the defining figures of early television.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, few television comedies have had the lasting impact of I Love Lucy. When the show debuted in the early 1950s, Lucille Ball quickly became one of the most recognizable performers in American entertainment. Her success did not arrive quickly. For years, Ball struggled to find a role that truly fit her talent, moving through small film parts and studio setbacks before television offered a new opportunity. Kathleen Brady, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLucille-Life-Ball-Kathleen-Brady%2Fdp%2F1504023714&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C20d56f1019164a569fb308de7bad8fa2%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639084182567255337%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DAH4aGrmYWzC9DCOVYgQffornE7O9SxZqFcfXK5z8l4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball</a>, joins us to tell the story of Lucille Ball&rsquo;s long road to success and the breakthrough that made her one of the defining figures of early television.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Before I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball Spent Years Being Told No

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/adb7fb80-cf69-4020-9deb-b40600019b81/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, on February 5, 2018, Colorado Deputy Micah Flick was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in Colorado Springs. His death was one of many law enforcement line-of-duty deaths that year, and it left a family, a department, and a community grieving the loss of a young officer who had dedicated his life to public service.

Our American Stories remembers Deputy Flick through the words spoken at his funeral. His widow and brother-in-law reflect on the life he lived, the man they knew, and the moments that made him more than a badge and a uniform.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, on February 5, 2018, Colorado Deputy Micah Flick was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in Colorado Springs. His death was one of many law enforcement line-of-duty deaths that year, and it left a family, a department, and a community grieving the loss of a young officer who had dedicated his life to public service. Our American Stories&nbsp;remembers Deputy Flick through the words spoken at his funeral. His widow and brother-in-law reflect on the life he lived, the man they knew, and the moments that made him more than a badge and a uniform.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

A Family Speaks At Their Fallen Hero's Funeral: Colorado Deputy Micah Flick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9e2571a4-b71b-45ac-ae15-b40600021a3b/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Steve Trice started Jasco Products in 1975, he didn’t set out just to build a successful and profitable company. Guided by his Christian faith, he believed his business could be a way to serve others.

That belief eventually led Jasco to make an extraordinary commitment: giving away half of its profits to charitable causes around the world. Steve Trice shares how faith, generosity, and a higher calling shaped both his company and its culture.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Steve Trice started Jasco Products in 1975, he didn&rsquo;t set out just to build a successful and profitable company. Guided by his Christian faith, he believed his business could be a way to serve others. That belief eventually led Jasco to make an extraordinary commitment: giving away half of its profits to charitable causes around the world. Steve Trice shares how faith, generosity, and a higher calling shaped both his company and its culture.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Faith That Led One Company to Give Away Half Its Profits

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7e78ebc0-6597-451e-b5b4-b40600019b80/transcript

How Sneakers Became an American Icon

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