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On this episode of Our American Stories, at 14, Peter Cancro took a summer job making sandwiches at a tiny sub shop on the Jersey Shore. Three years later, when the business went up for sale, his mother asked a simple question: "Why don't you buy it?" At just 17 years old, Cancro borrowed the money, skipped high school classes to run the shop, and bet his future on a single sandwich store.

Peter Cancro shares the remarkable story of building Jersey Mike's from one neighborhood sub shop into one of America's fastest-growing restaurant chains.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, at 14, Peter Cancro took a summer job making sandwiches at a tiny sub shop on the Jersey Shore. Three years later, when the business went up for sale, his mother asked a simple question: "Why don't you buy it?" At just 17 years old, Cancro borrowed the money, skipped high school classes to run the shop, and bet his future on a single sandwich store. Peter Cancro shares the remarkable story of building Jersey Mike's from one neighborhood sub shop into one of America's fastest-growing restaurant chains.
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.

The 17-Year-Old Who Built Jersey Mike's

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/14be464c-f195-4e02-b63c-b47a017ea0e8/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson spent his life fighting for a place in professional wrestling. As a Black wrestler performing before largely white audiences in the 1960s and ’70s, he faced racism inside and outside the ring, but kept winning over crowds with his charisma and athleticism. Years later, when his son Dwayne decided to become a wrestler himself, Rocky became his trainer, pushing him through grueling workouts and passing down the lessons that had carried him through his own career.

After Rocky's death in 2020, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson paid tribute to the man behind the wrestler. He remembers the sacrifices his father made, the complicated relationship they shared, and the lessons about hard work, discipline, perseverance, and family that stayed with him. To the wrestling world, Rocky Johnson was a trailblazer. To Dwayne, he was Dad.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Rocky &ldquo;Soulman&rdquo; Johnson spent his life fighting for a place in professional wrestling. As a Black wrestler performing before largely white audiences in the 1960s and &rsquo;70s, he faced racism inside and outside the ring, but kept winning over crowds with his charisma and athleticism. Years later, when his son Dwayne decided to become a wrestler himself, Rocky became his trainer, pushing him through grueling workouts and passing down the lessons that had carried him through his own career. After Rocky's death in 2020, Dwayne &ldquo;The Rock&rdquo; Johnson paid tribute to the man behind the wrestler. He remembers the sacrifices his father made, the complicated relationship they shared, and the lessons about hard work, discipline, perseverance, and family that stayed with him. To the wrestling world, Rocky Johnson was a trailblazer. To Dwayne, he was Dad.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Dwayne Johnson’s Heartfelt Goodbye to His Father, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/79876804-1085-4d67-a08c-b4cf012d31e7/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk may be the only practicing lawyer in his small New Hampshire town, so when a 17-year-old neighbor got a speeding ticket, her family knew who to call. The problem was that she had already paid the fine, assuming that would be the end of it. Instead, she'd unknowingly put her driver's license at risk. Bill agreed to help her fight to keep it.

Regular contributor Bill Bryk shares what happened when a seemingly ordinary speeding ticket ended up before a judge and why he left the courtroom with a reminder of one of the simplest lessons in practicing law: prepare your case, trust your client, and when the judge rules in your favor, stop talking.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk may be the only practicing lawyer in his small New Hampshire town, so when a 17-year-old neighbor got a speeding ticket, her family knew who to call. The problem was that she had already paid the fine, assuming that would be the end of it. Instead, she'd unknowingly put her driver's license at risk. Bill agreed to help her fight to keep it. Regular contributor Bill Bryk shares what happened when a seemingly ordinary speeding ticket ended up before a judge and why he left the courtroom with a reminder of one of the simplest lessons in practicing law: prepare your case, trust your client, and when the judge rules in your favor, stop talking.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

What It Means to Be the Only Lawyer in Town

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4254d6e3-8738-4b42-9ab3-b4cf012d31e7/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Founders knew firsthand that a postal system could be used as a tool of government surveillance. Before the Revolution, British officials had opened and inspected colonial mail, giving Americans good reason to distrust putting their letters in government hands. But the new nation faced a different problem. Its people were scattered across vast distances, and a republic could hardly function if they couldn't remain connected.

Daniel Piazza of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum shares how the American postal system helped solve that problem, allowing Americans to truly settle their new nation.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Founders knew firsthand that a postal system could be used as a tool of government surveillance. Before the Revolution, British officials had opened and inspected colonial mail, giving Americans good reason to distrust putting their letters in government hands. But the new nation faced a different problem. Its people were scattered across vast distances, and a republic could hardly function if they couldn't remain connected. Daniel Piazza of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum shares how the American postal system helped solve that problem, allowing Americans to truly settle their new nation.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How the USPS Stamped Itself onto American History

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a85772a6-4c53-45e1-bf08-b4cf012d31e6/transcript

The 17-Year-Old Who Built Jersey Mike's

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