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On this episode of Our American Stories, since its founding in 1972, Nike has employed nearly half a million people, but only four have outlasted Steve Bence. Bence was a University of Oregon track athlete, a teammate of the legendary Steve Prefontaine, and an early insider at Nike. He’s also the author of 1972: Pre, UO Track, Nike Shoes, and My Life with Them All. Today, he shares his remarkable story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, since its founding in 1972, Nike has employed nearly half a million people, but only four have outlasted Steve Bence. Bence was a University of Oregon track athlete, a teammate of the legendary Steve Prefontaine, and an early insider at Nike. He&rsquo;s also the author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F1972-Track-Nike-Shoes-Life%2Fdp%2F0977230635&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8c9153cd279d4bc8022308ddb273817d%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638862931364535942%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DVe%2F0vFeNKlM0dLf9IIbjc3kQCc4jobtZVnAgHlAPU0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable">1972: Pre, UO Track, Nike Shoes, and My Life with Them All</a>. Today, he shares his remarkable story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

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.

Me, Pre, and the Birth of Nike

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/652f1014-64fb-49a8-9f51-b305014ead43/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Pulitzer Prize winning author of G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover, Beverly Gage, shares the story of J. Edgar Hoover’s forty-eight years at the center of American law enforcement. From his early obsession with files and bureaucracy, to his role under eight presidents, Hoover shaped the FBI—and the federal government itself—across the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War.

Gage examines Hoover’s rise, his management of power, landmark cases like John Dillinger, and the contradictions that defined his legacy, including his role in civil rights investigations and the surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. The result is a portrait of a man whose influence touched nearly every major political and cultural conflict of the twentieth century.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Pulitzer Prize winning author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FG-Man-Hoover-Making-American-Century%2Fdp%2F0670025372&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8b547ee0ff2f4acb1b9708de65b360a1%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639060018273868910%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LMbkhNfRI2YEdi%2B0uTlHkVXDHmz6jNTjA54k3%2FuMPwk%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover</a>, Beverly Gage, shares the story of J. Edgar Hoover&rsquo;s forty-eight years at the center of American law enforcement. From his early obsession with files and bureaucracy, to his role under eight presidents, Hoover shaped the FBI&mdash;and the federal government itself&mdash;across the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. Gage examines Hoover&rsquo;s rise, his management of power, landmark cases like John Dillinger, and the contradictions that defined his legacy, including his role in civil rights investigations and the surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. The result is a portrait of a man whose influence touched nearly every major political and cultural conflict of the twentieth century.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

J. Edgar Hoover: The G-Man Who Built the FBI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b736b88f-0815-496e-a882-b3e901666339/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, writer Lilly Dancyger reflects on growing up with a father addicted to heroin, and the quiet ways addiction shaped her childhood. From early conversations about drugs to the confusing aftermath of her father’s death, she traces how love, denial, anger, and grief intertwined over time.

Originally written for Psychology Today, Lilly's tale is a deeply personal story on addiction, loss, and what it means to reckon honestly with the people we love.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, writer Lilly Dancyger reflects on growing up with a father addicted to heroin, and the quiet ways addiction shaped her childhood. From early conversations about drugs to the confusing aftermath of her father&rsquo;s death, she traces how love, denial, anger, and grief intertwined over time. Originally written for&nbsp;Psychology Today, Lilly's tale is a deeply personal story on addiction, loss, and what it means to reckon honestly with the people we love.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Growing Up With a Heroin-Addicted Father

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/afde79ca-8224-45d6-be39-b3e90166633b/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, while plowing his field in the Ozarks, Ed Stilley suffered a heart attack and experienced a vision that would change his life. He believed God asked him to build musical instruments and give them to children, with a promise that his family would be cared for in return. The problem was simple: Ed had never made an instrument before.

Musicians Kelly and Donna Mulhollan, founders of the Ozark Instrument Museum, tell the story of a poor farmer who taught himself to build guitars from scrap wood and metal, creating hundreds of deeply personal instruments meant not for profit or fame, but for faith.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, while plowing his field in the Ozarks, Ed Stilley suffered a heart attack and experienced a vision that would change his life. He believed God asked him to build musical instruments and give them to children, with a promise that his family would be cared for in return. The problem was simple: Ed had never made an instrument before. Musicians Kelly and Donna Mulhollan, founders of the Ozark Instrument Museum, tell the story of a poor farmer who taught himself to build guitars from scrap wood and metal, creating hundreds of deeply personal instruments meant not for profit or fame, but for faith.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

After a Heart Attack, an Ozark Farmer Began Making Guitars for God

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/52b7389d-b2be-4cb9-bf0c-b3e90166633f/transcript

Me, Pre, and the Birth of Nike

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