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.
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 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/4504f045-3fea-405c-8165-b22c01568317/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1784, a young Irishman named Matthew Carey stepped off a ship in Philadelphia with twelve guineas in his pocket and a past that had already forced him out of his home country. Having written against British rule and the treatment of Irish Catholics, he arrived in the United States convinced the new republic offered something different.

Carey rose to become one of early America’s most influential publishers, but his path was anything but easy. He faced discrimination for his Irish heritage and Catholic faith, survived a near-fatal duel defending his honor, and used his platform to argue that immigrants and outsiders could help strengthen the nation.

Karen Kaufmann shares the story of a man who helped shape early American ideas about citizenship, opportunity, and what it meant to be an American. We'd like to thank the Jack Miller Center for telling us about this tale.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1784, a young Irishman named Matthew Carey stepped off a ship in Philadelphia with twelve guineas in his pocket and a past that had already forced him out of his home country. Having written against British rule and the treatment of Irish Catholics, he arrived in the United States convinced the new republic offered something different. Carey rose to become one of early America&rsquo;s most influential publishers, but his path was anything but easy. He faced discrimination for his Irish heritage and Catholic faith, survived a near-fatal duel defending his honor, and used his platform to argue that immigrants and outsiders could help strengthen the nation. Karen Kaufmann shares the story of a man who helped shape early American ideas about citizenship, opportunity, and what it meant to be an American. We'd like to thank the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackmillercenter.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cb3011806555746b2606b08dea6e01e37%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639131678705906233%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jMVUAovn2XfAK3uN%2BcD9s9irzNyp5zumEzHDgUaPO0Q%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" data-ogsc="">Jack Miller Center</a>&nbsp;for telling us about this tale.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Matthew Carey: The Irish Immigrant Who Shaped Early America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fecab1cd-58d3-46bc-90e3-b43c014c230d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1970, a 45-foot sperm whale washed up on the Oregon coast near Florence, leaving officials with a problem they did not know how to solve. The carcass was too large to move and too dangerous to leave as it began to decompose along the shoreline.

The state decided to use dynamite to remove it, but nothing went as planned. The blast sent whale blubber high into the air and across the beach, damaging cars and forcing onlookers to run for cover.

Jesse Edwards shares the wild and true story of the Oregon exploding whale.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1970, a 45-foot sperm whale washed up on the Oregon coast near Florence, leaving officials with a problem they did not know how to solve. The carcass was too large to move and too dangerous to leave as it began to decompose along the shoreline. The state decided to use dynamite to remove it, but nothing went as planned. The blast sent whale blubber high into the air and across the beach, damaging cars and forcing onlookers to run for cover. Jesse Edwards shares the wild and true story of the Oregon exploding whale.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Oregon Blew Up a Beached Whale With Dynamite

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/672e09eb-b635-42a8-ac90-b43c014c2318/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the early 1970s, science fiction films were a tough sell in Hollywood. George Lucas set out to make Star Wars anyway, drawing on old adventure serials to shape a story many studios struggled to imagine on screen.

After its release in 1977, the film found its audience through word of mouth and steady growth at the box office. Before long, theater lines were filled with new viewers wanting a taste of the experience and fans returning to see it again.

Chris Taylor, author of How Star Wars Conquered the Universe, tells the dramatic story of how Star Wars became the iconic franchise it is today, and why it so easily could have failed.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the early 1970s, science fiction films were a tough sell in Hollywood. George Lucas set out to make&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;anyway, drawing on old adventure serials to shape a story many studios struggled to imagine on screen. After its release in 1977, the film found its audience through word of mouth and steady growth at the box office. Before long, theater lines were filled with new viewers wanting a taste of the experience and fans returning to see it again. Chris Taylor, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHow-Star-Wars-Conquered-Universe%2Fdp%2F0465089984&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cb3011806555746b2606b08dea6e01e37%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639131678705846494%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=t99zXDHmdR4q7BntEZFavbDDhXvmO%2BDOJvnQiR8STts%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">How Star Wars Conquered the Universe</a>, tells the dramatic story of how&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;became the iconic franchise it is today, and why it so easily could have failed.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How George Lucas Made the First Star Wars Against the Odds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/01a23669-20ce-4a8f-be41-b43c014c2305/transcript

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

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