On this episode of Our American Stories, Blockbuster was once the king of video rental stores, with thousands of locations across the world. At its peak, the company even had the chance to buy Netflix. Former Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes tells the story of how close the company came to surviving, and why it ultimately became a case study in missed opportunities.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Blockbuster was once the king of video rental stores, with thousands of locations across the world. At its peak, the company even had the chance to buy Netflix. Former Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes tells the story of how close the company came to surviving, and why it ultimately became a case study in missed opportunities.
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

How Blockbuster Nearly Beat Netflix and Changed Streaming Forever

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9feab750-450c-4c83-abe3-b3610144a779/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he ever stepped onto a film set, Peter Ortiz had already survived more danger than most action heroes face in a lifetime. A decorated Marine, fluent in multiple languages and trained in espionage, he parachuted into Nazi-occupied France in 1944 with one mission: aid the resistance and disrupt the enemy from within. The Gestapo put a price on his head worth half a million francs, but Ortiz kept moving, outwitting his pursuers with a mix of charm, grit, and cold precision. After the war, he returned to Hollywood, appearing in John Ford’s classic Westerns, where few realized the actor on screen had once been one of the most decorated spies in U.S. military history. Roger McGrath shares the story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before he ever stepped onto a film set, Peter Ortiz had already survived more danger than most action heroes face in a lifetime. A decorated Marine, fluent in multiple languages and trained in espionage, he parachuted into Nazi-occupied France in 1944 with one mission: aid the resistance and disrupt the enemy from within. The Gestapo put a price on his head worth half a million francs, but Ortiz kept moving, outwitting his pursuers with a mix of charm, grit, and cold precision. After the war, he returned to Hollywood, appearing in John Ford&rsquo;s classic Westerns, where few realized the actor on screen had once been one of the most decorated spies in U.S. military history. Roger McGrath shares the story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Peter Ortiz: War Hero, Leading Man, and the Spy the Nazis Couldn't Catch

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5e51b99-b470-4149-8020-b3ba005a5104/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases. This time, Andrew explores the backstories of phrases like “wild goose chase” and “wrong end of the stick,” among others.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book is&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHair-Dog-Paint-Town-Red%2Fdp%2F1612436684&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C91d8a7a4d5594baa0a2b08de3dcaba52%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639016138119550313%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Nzg5HSvXlSrfd%2FCom0vpEM68vYvB20VtPtsWSnLeVic%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases.</a>&nbsp;This time, Andrew explores the backstories of phrases like &ldquo;wild goose chase&rdquo; and &ldquo;wrong end of the stick,&rdquo; among others.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Wild Goose Chase” & “Wrong End of the Stick” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/26cf4491-00d8-42f7-9190-b3ba005a5103/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, why was Jesus born in a manger? Why were shepherds the first to know? And why did a Roman census set the stage for it all? In Why the Nativity?, Dr. David Jeremiah walks through the entire Christmas narrative to explain why each person was part of it. Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and even the animals in the stable each carry meaning beyond tradition. Dr. Jeremiah joins us to talk about what the nativity scene shows us when we look at it with fresh eyes, and why these quiet details still speak to people centuries later.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, why was Jesus born in a manger? Why were shepherds the first to know? And why did a Roman census set the stage for it all? In Why the Nativity?, Dr. David Jeremiah walks through the entire Christmas narrative to explain why each person was part of it. Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and even the animals in the stable each carry meaning beyond tradition. Dr. Jeremiah joins us to talk about what the nativity scene shows us when we look at it with fresh eyes, and why these quiet details still speak to people centuries later.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Dr. David Jeremiah Explores the Real Meaning Behind the Nativity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/32de0646-a337-4821-b6b0-b3ba005a5104/transcript

How Blockbuster Nearly Beat Netflix and Changed Streaming Forever

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