The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

Before he became the Father of His Country, George Washington was a young man with doubts, ambitions, failures, and a calling that would eventually shape a nation. Mike sits down with filmmaker and entrepreneur Jon Erwin to discuss his new film Young Washington, and to explore the remarkable true story behind America's most iconic founder.

Jon also shares how he launched The Wonder Project and his mission to tell stories that elevate faith, hope, and the human spirit. Along the way, he recounts the extraordinary legacy of his grandfather, a recipient of the Medal of Honor whose courage during World War II left an indelible mark on his family. It's a conversation about character, conviction, and the people who inspire history long before history remembers their names.

This July 4th, make YoungWashington part of your Independence Day celebration. See the film, share it with your community, and help spark civic curiosity about the character, leadership, and founding principles that continue to shape our nation. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/TWIHIYoungWashington

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What if school could be reimagined from the ground up? This week, Mike sits down with entrepreneur and education innovator MacKenzie Price, the founder of Alpha School, a model that's attracting global attention for helping students learn twice as much in half the time.

Using artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and an unconventional approach to education, MacKenzie is challenging nearly every assumption about how kids should be taught.

She also makes the case that meaningful change in education won't come from top-down mandates, but from bottom-up solutions created by parents, teachers, and entrepreneurs willing to rethink the status quo. From test scores to life skills, she explains why some believe the future of education has already arrived—and why the world's most talked-about school may be just getting started.

Learn more about Alpha School at: https://bit.ly/4xGuTNU

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In honor of Father's Day, we're sharing several hilarious chapters from the audio version of Peggy Rowe's bestselling book About Your Father.

Buy all three audiobooks from bestselling author Peggy Rowe for $30 or $15 individually at:

https://bit.ly/MomsAudiobooks

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Why do so many of the things that make us stronger, healthier, and happier require doing things the hard way? Mike sits down with bestselling author, journalist, and researcher Michael Easter to explore the surprising benefits of discomfort, challenge, and voluntary hardship in a world engineered for convenience. Easter, whose work has appeared in Men's Health, Outside, Esquire, and Scientific American, discusses the ideas behind his bestselling books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, along with his newest release, Walk with Weight: The Definitive Guide to Rucking. From carrying heavy loads to carrying life's burdens, Michael explains why the easiest path is rarely the most rewarding—and why embracing difficulty might be the key to a better life.

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Spontaneous Order might sound like a contradiction, but according to author, entrepreneur, and educator Connor Boyack, some of society's most important innovations emerge without a master plan.

Mike sits down with Connor, the bestselling co-creator and co-author of The Tuttle Twins book series that inspired the hit animated show, founder and president of the Libertas Network and a leading advocate for teaching the principles of liberty, entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and free markets to the next generation. Connor shares the mission that drives his work: helping families understand how free people, voluntary cooperation, and decentralized problem-solving can create remarkable outcomes.

Along the way, he and Mike explore the power of ideas, the importance of questioning assumptions, why history still matters, and how a children's book series grew into a cultural phenomenon reaching millions of families. This conversation offers a fascinating look at the relationship between freedom, education, and the unexpected order that can arise when people are left free to innovate.

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Mike Rowe sits down with Blake Scholl, the former Amazon software engineer turned aerospace entrepreneur who walked away from Silicon Valley to revive supersonic passenger travel.

As the founder of Boom Supersonic, Blake explains the century-long pursuit of faster flight. From the Cold War race to break the sound barrier to the rise—and fall—of the Concorde, Blake explains why supersonic travel disappeared just as it seemed destined to change aviation forever. He also shares how Boom Supersonic is working to make high-speed passenger flight practical again, and what it will take to shrink a 12-hour flight into just a few hours.

Along the way, Mike and Blake discuss innovation, risk, engineering breakthroughs, and why some people refuse to accept that getting somewhere faster is a problem already solved.

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Mike sits down with master card mechanic and sleight-of-hand expert Jason Ladanye, whose impossible demonstrations of gambling moves and psychological deception have earned him a reputation as one of the best card handlers working today.

Jason explains how a childhood obsession with cards—and an influential mentorship with legendary magician Darwin Ortiz—shaped his career performing around the world.

Along the way, Jason shows Mike how magicians secretly track cards through a shuffled deck, demonstrates the art of bottom dealing, and reveals why the real secret behind great magic isn't fast hands—it's storytelling, conviction, and understanding exactly how people think.

And of course, there are several mind-blowing demonstrations of his ability.

Follow Jason on Instagram and see him LIVE at an upcoming show.

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Founder and president of Montana Knife Company Josh Smith sits down with Mike to discuss his unlikely path from working as a lineman to becoming one of America's premier master bladesmiths. The conversation dives into the grit, craftsmanship, and obsession with quality that helped turn a small operation into one of the fastest-growing knife manufacturers in the country.

The two also talk about the grand opening of MKC's brand-new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Missoula, where Josh explains why controlling his supply chain matters now more than ever—and what "Made in America" actually requires behind the scenes. Along the way, Josh gives Mike an exclusive look at a brand-new blade that hasn't been released to the public yet.

It's a conversation about work ethic, American manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and the sharp edge between tradition and innovation.

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In this episode Mike explores the growing race for critical minerals hidden deep beneath the Pacific Ocean with mining executive Tom Albanese, Chairman of American Ocean Minerals and former CEO of Rio Tinto and Vedanta Resources.

Tom has spent more than four decades in the global mining and metals business, overseeing some of the largest resource projects on earth. Now he's focused on something even more ambitious: harvesting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor—potato-sized rocks packed with nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements that are critical to batteries, AI infrastructure, defense systems, smartphones, and modern energy technology.

Mike and Tom discuss why these nodules have become one of the most hotly contested resources in the world and how the race for critical minerals has evolved into both an economic and geopolitical battle. They also explain why many companies see the deep ocean as an alternative to opening hundreds of new land mines. Hint: These nodules sit unattached on the ocean floor just waiting to be vacuumed up without need for blasting or tunneling.

It's a conversation that feels part science fiction, part industrial history, and part treasure hunt. Because sometimes the next gold rush isn't in the mountains. It's sitting three miles beneath the top of the ocean.

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In this special LIVE edition of Coffee with Mome, Mike heads home for Mother's Day and sits down with the woman who taught him everything worth knowing — his mom, Peggy Rowe. Recorded in front of a live audience at the place Peggy refers to as The Home, this episode is filled with the warmth, wit, and wonderfully sharp observations fans have come to expect from America's Grandmother.

From family stories and hard-earned wisdom to laughter that only comes from decades of shared history, Mike and Peggy talk about motherhood, growing older disgracefully, and the strange adventure of becoming a beloved public figure later in life. It's funny, heartfelt, occasionally mischievous, and exactly the kind of conversation you'd hope to overhear around the kitchen table on Mother's Day.

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Mike sits down with author and Cultural Revolution survivor Xi Van Fleet for a conversation that's equal parts personal history and cautionary tale.

Xi recounts her childhood under Mao Zedong's China, where conformity wasn't encouraged—it was enforced. As a schoolgirl, she watched teachers publicly humiliated, neighbors turn on each other, and young people mobilized as ideological foot soldiers. Education gave way to indoctrination, and individuality was crushed in favor of collective obedience—the kind that produces "shiny little screws."

Drawing from her first book, Mao's America, Xi lays out how mass movements rooted in ideology often rely on dividing people into opposing groups—"good" versus "bad"—to consolidate power. She also comments on how youth are frequently weaponized to accelerate cultural upheaval and dismantle traditional institutions, often by encouraging them to reject established norms and embrace radical ideologies. These patterns, she argues, aren't relics of history—they're recurring tactics. And they are showing up in America today!

The conversation then turns to her latest work, Made in America, where the focus shifts from warning signs to origin stories. The central theme: the rise of Communist China wasn't inevitable—it was, in part, enabled by decisions made in the United States. Xi explores how decades of policy, economic cooperation, and ideological blind spots helped transform China into a global superpower, creating what she sees as one of America's greatest modern challenges.

It's a conversation less about politics and more about people, choices, and consequences where Xi ends with a warning to America and why resisting the urge to become a "shiny little screw" might be more important than ever.

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Former congressman Jason Altmire has spent years in Washington—and even more time outside it—making the case that America's biggest opportunity isn't behind a desk, but behind a welding mask, a set of tools, or the wheel of a big machine. Now leading Career Education Colleges and Universities, he's on a mission to close the skills gap and reconnect hard work with real opportunity.

In this episode, Mike and Jason dig into why millions of good jobs go unfilled, why the stigma around skilled labor refuses to die, and what it'll take to convince a new generation that "college for all" might not be the answer.

Along the way, they unpack the ideas behind Jason's book, Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce—and make a compelling case that the fastest way to achieve the American Dream might be to pursue a skilled trade.

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Matt Ebert didn't set out to build a billion-dollar business—he just wanted to fix cars the right way. Today, he's the CEO of Crash Champions, one of the fastest-growing collision repair companies in the country, valued in the billions and trusted to bring wrecked vehicles back to life.

Mike sits down with Matt to unpack what really happens after a crash, why the skilled trades behind collision repair matter more than ever, and how a kid with no grand plan or college degree wound up leading a national powerhouse. Along the way, Matt tells how he got his start in the business, proving that sometimes the road to success begins with a single accident (or two) … and a desire to fix it.

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Neon lights aren't supposed to be profound. They're supposed to buzz, flicker, and sell you a cold beer or a bad decision. But Evan Voyles—founder of The Neon Jungle—has made a career out of bending that expectation into something stranger… and maybe a little wiser.

Evan is a self-taught craftsman who works with fire, gas, and fragile tubes of glass to make signs that don't just glow—they say something. His work has been commissioned by brands, collected as art, and—on more than one occasion—made people stop and wonder if the joke is on them.

In this episode, Mike sits down with a guy who makes a living lighting things up—literally—and wrestles with why any of it matters. They talk about the strange line between art and advertising and why irony is harder to come by than you'd think.

It's a conversation about craft, culture, and the quiet satisfaction of making something with your hands… even if what you make is a glowing reminder not to take any of it too seriously.

Numbers don't lie—but they can obscure significant information. In this episode, Mike sits down with economist, demographer, and Harvard-educated brainiac Nicholas Eberstadt to explore a different kind of arithmetic—one that measures not just how many Americans we have, but how we're actually living.

In his latest book, America's Human Arithmetic, Nick digs into three uncomfortable truths: first, the steady decline in prime-age labor force participation that persists even in strong economies. Second, the growing imbalance between those producing and those receiving—an economic equation increasingly tilted by entitlements and transfer payments. And third, a demographic slowdown marked by falling fertility and an aging population, reshaping the country's long-term trajectory in ways few are prepared for. Add those together and you get a new misery.

This conversation is about the kind of math that doesn't stay on paper—the kind that shapes a nation's future whether we're paying attention or not.

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Adam Carolla sits down with Mike for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on comedy, culture, and California. Adam breaks down his no-nonsense approach to making people laugh, building a podcasting empire, and telling the truth as he sees it—whether it's popular or not. The two also take a hard look at the Palisades more than a year after the fire, the growing frustration with California's regulatory maze, and what Adam really thinks about Newsom. Spoiler alert—it ain't good. Oh, you better believe Adam Carolla has some thoughts.

What does it take to rebuild America's industrial backbone—and who's actually going to do the work? Mike sits down with Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, to discuss his role at the Department of War (DOW) and his mission focused on restoring the muscle behind America's might.

Cadenazzi makes the case that while the U.S. still produces world-class engineers and cutting-edge weapons designs, there's a growing gap where it matters most—the skilled workforce needed to actually build them. From welders and machinists to technicians and fabricators, he argues the country's strength depends on rebuilding the trades that turn ideas into reality.

It's a candid conversation about work, purpose, and why the future of national security may hinge less on innovation—and more on the people willing to pick up the tools and get it done.

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Mike talks with Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times and host of American Thought Leaders, to discuss his new book, Killed to Order: China's Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America's Biggest Adversary. It's an explosive investigation into allegations of state-sanctioned organ harvesting in China. Jan shares what he's learned from years of interviews with doctors, investigators, and even survivors of this gruesome industry where political prisoners are killed for their organs. The conversation is a rumination on good versus evil, raising urgent questions about human rights and medical ethics. Referenced in this episode is Jan's previous appearance on TWIHI 438: Jan Jekielek—The Terrible Truth About China

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Mike chats with Jeff Childers—the attorney-turned-writer behind the wildly popular Coffee & Covid Substack—for a wide-ranging conversation about media narratives, pandemic politics, and the strange new world of citizen journalism. What began as a daily blog written during lockdown has grown into a must-read for hundreds of thousands of devotees looking for sharp legal insight, media criticism, and a dose of wry humor with their morning coffee. Jeff explains what it takes to crank out 2,000 to 6,000 snarky words every single day of the week, why he started writing in the first place, and how an attorney accidentally became one of the most widely read independent commentators on the internet. Along the way, he talks with Mike about the stories that keep him up at night—and why, despite all of it, he remains surprisingly optimistic about where the country is headed. ☕🎙️

Mike talks with Will Swaim, CEO of the California Policy Center. California has long marketed itself as the future—a place where trends are born and the rest of the country eventually follows. But Swaim argues that when it comes to public policy, that's the last thing America should do.

Despite spending roughly $24 billion, California still leads the nation in homelessness. The state ranks near the bottom in education outcomes, while residents face the highest energy and gas prices as well as marginal income tax rates in America. Swaim argues these aren't accidents—they're the predictable results of bad policy choices.

Mike sits down with comedian, voiceover pro, cookbook author, and culinary entrepreneur, Anna Vocino. Anna shares how her Eat Happy journey—from her bestselling cookbooks Eat Happy, Eat Happy Too, and Eat Happy Italian to her podcast Fitness Confidential—grew out of personal health struggles and a lot of hustle. She also pulls back the curtain on her voiceover career and explains why getting a food product onto grocery store shelves is a lot harder than most people think. It's a candid conversation about creativity, rejection, persistence, and what it really takes to turn passion into product.

Mike talks with comedy legend David Zucker, the creative force behind the movie Airplane! Zucker shares what it took to make Airplane!—pitching a spoof no one quite understood, casting serious actors to deliver absurd lines with a straight face, and why making his co-writers laugh was the secret sauce to pleasing the audience. He also discusses his new "Master Crash" course, where Zucker teaches the dos and don'ts of spoof comedy writing. Along the way, we learn how John Landis landed National Lampoon's Animal House, helping ignite a new era of irreverent filmmaking. It's a fast, funny conversation about risk, rebellion, and earning your parking space the hard way.

Johnny Carson didn't just host The Tonight Show—he defined late-night television. In this episode, Mike talks with comedian and pop-culture historian Mark Malkoff, author of the book Love Johnny Carson, about Carson's quiet influence, off-camera generosity, and the unlikely ways his legacy still shapes comedy today. It's a short history lesson, a love letter to show business, and a reminder that some icons never really leave the stage.

Mike sits down with West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore, whose path to Capitol Hill began with a welding torch. Moore shares why he chose the skilled trades early in life, what that work taught him about dignity and opportunity, and how those lessons now shape his approach to policy. The discussion centers on Moore's new legislation, the Jumpstart Savings Act, a proposal designed to remove financial barriers to apprenticeships, tools, and certifications—and to breathe new life into America's skilled trades by treating them with the same respect long afforded to four-year degrees.

Mike chats with billionaire entrepreneur and producer Thomas Tull, a man whose career has repeatedly put him just one degree away from greatness. Tull talks about his ownership stakes in professional sports teams including his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, how he helped create a data-driven approach to marketing blockbuster films through Legendary Pictures and why understanding audiences mattered as much as the movies themselves. Along the way, Tull explains how it feels when his rock band, Ghost Hounds, takes the stage to open for none other than The Rolling Stones.

After a six-month hiatus from TWIHI and on the occasion of her 88th birthday, multiple New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe (a.k.a. Mike's mom, a.k.a. America's grandmother) drops by to tell us where she's been, what she's working on next, and the groin-intruding procedure that took away her double vision. Who says "you can't get there from here!?"

Mike sits down with the dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools to talk about how an industry built on scissors, sinks, and human connection quietly shapes culture, opportunity, and second chances. Known by just about everyone who's met him as relentlessly—and genuinely—nice, Winn shares his improbable journey from former meth addict to one of the most influential educators in beauty, his deep commitment to philanthropy, and the philosophy behind his book Be Nice (or Else!). It's a conversation about redemption, dignity in work, and the unexpected people who end up running the world—one haircut at a time.

Acclaimed actor James Woods joins TWIHI for a candid conversation that goes far beyond his iconic film roles. Woods addresses his cancellation from Hollywood and how it inspired his life's second act, making music. He also recounts a shocking, nearly fatal accident involving a walk through a glass door, and he doesn't pull any punches when it comes to letting us know what he thinks about how Gavin Newsom has handled the aftermath of the Palisades Fire.

Tech founder, defense disruptor, and founder of Anduril Industries Palmer Luckey chats with Mike about the strange haircut on America's military bureaucracy—all business in the front, chaos in the back. Luckey explains how Anduril is trying to bring speed, accountability, and modern technology to national defense, often in spite of layers of red tape. Along the way, they discuss why Palmer got into defense contracting, who was pivotal in the Department of Defense becoming the Department of War, and why he donated to AOC.

Mike sits down with adventurer, endurance athlete, and motivational speaker Cyril Derreumaux, a man who has spent an unusual amount of time alone with his thoughts—and the open ocean. Cyril talks Mike through his two 70-plus-day solo treks across both the Atlantic and the Pacific in a kayak. Mike and Cyril explore risk, resilience, and the fine line between careful preparation and total uncertainty. It's a conversation about discipline, humility, and why sometimes the hardest part of moving forward is learning when not to fight the current.

On this eye-opening episode, Mike welcomes filmmaker and television veteran Del Bigtree of The HighWire to discuss his newest documentary, An Inconvenient Study—a film that investigates what happened to the most thorough childhood vaccinated vs. unvaccinated study ever done. They discuss how Del convinced a doctor at one of the most prestigious health institutes in the nation to conduct the study, the shocking findings, and why the study has never seen the light of day… until now.

Mike sits down with Danny Combs, founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), a program that teaches people with autism skilled trades ranging from welding to woodworking to IT. With equal parts heart and hard data, Danny walks Mike through how TACT is helping fill critical labor shortages while giving thousands of gifted, detail-driven students a path to meaningful, good-paying work. It's a conversation about talent, potential, and the untapped workforce hiding in plain sight. Danny's book can be found here. Learn more about Stand Together at StandTogether.org

Mike sits down with the two innovative minds behind Digs — an app that's helping to streamline the home-building process. It's a candid look at what happens when tech guys wander into the world of lumber, drywall, and delayed inspections—and try to fix it. If you've ever wondered whether artificial intelligence can actually help build a house, or at least make the whole ordeal a little less maddening, this conversation is for you.

Mike meets actor, writer, and director Steven Grayhm, whose award-winning film Sheepdog is about to hit theaters. Steven breaks down how a three-hour ride with a tow truck driver led him on a 14-year odyssey to get to the truth about veteran post-traumatic stress. It's a conversation about grit, service, sacrifice, and the complicated realities faced by the men and women who stand their post long after the uniform comes off. Steven's passion for telling their stories with honesty and respect shines through every frame of Sheepdog, and every minute of this conversation.

In honor of Veterans Day, Mike speaks with co-host of The Big Weekend Show Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones, who served eight years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan—where he lost both legs in the line of duty. These days, he's on a mission to highlight those who serve, from American warfighters to first responders, which he does powerfully in his new book, Behind the Badge. It's a honest tribute to those who run toward the danger when others run away. With his trademark humility and humor, Joey talks about courage, purpose, and the importance of minding the wake you leave behind.

Mike joins author and energy expert Alex Epstein to discuss Bill Gates' surprising new stance on climate change, the growing clash between "human-centric" and "anti-impact" environmentalism, and how the AI revolution is reshaping global energy demands. They also explore what this shift means for philanthropy, fossil fuels, and the future workforce driving America's next energy boom.

Security expert, author, and entrepreneur Gavin de Becker joins us to discuss his newest book, Forbidden Facts: Government Deceit & Suppression About Brain Damage from Childhood Vaccines—a hard-hitting investigation into how government agencies and industry cover up evidence and manipulate public belief. We also discuss the attempted assassination at Butler and how neatly it was tied up in a bow. Gavin also reveals who he believes really killed Robert F. Kennedy Sr.—spoiler alert; it ain't Sirhan Sirhan.

Mike chats with Philip Diehl, the 35th Director of the U.S. Mint and the man behind the most successful coin program in American history—the 50 State Quarters. They talk about the surprising history of the U.S. dollar coin, how a coin gets designed and approved, and the unexpected reason why the mikeroweWORKS Trades Coin—a symbol of American skill and pride—wasn't actually made in the America.

Mike sits down with Amie Ichikawa—former inmate, prison reform advocate, and founder of Woman II Woman, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of incarcerated women. Amie shares her firsthand experience in the California prison system, the disturbing reality of fully intact men being housed in women's prisons, and the silence surrounding it. Now on the outside, she's using her voice to protect those still inside. It's a raw conversation about justice, safety, and speaking up for women who have been denied a voice.

NBA player turned human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom shares his remarkable journey growing up in Turkey under an oppressive regime, his rise to NBA stardom, and the high personal cost of speaking out against tyranny. From being exiled by his home country to being effectively blackballed from the NBA, Enes opens up about the courage it takes to stand alone—and why he refuses to stay silent. He also discusses his powerful new book, In the Name of Freedom, and what it means to fight for something bigger than the game.

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Mike sits down with former high school volleyballer Payton McNabb, who was knocked unconscious by a spike to the face, delivered by a male competing on the girls' team, and woke up in the middle of a national controversy. What followed wasn't just a concussion and long-term neurological damage. It was a brutal, firsthand lesson in biology, politics, and the high cost of pretending that reality is up for debate.

Meredith Olson is president of Vela, a nonprofit that funds everyday entrepreneurs who are ditching the traditional school model in favor of something a little more… flexible. Vela doesn't run schools—it supports people creating their own. From homeschool co-ops to microschools in living rooms and libraries, Vela empowers parents, students, and entrepreneurs to reimagine education outside of traditional systems. With more than 4,200 schools being supported, Vela is quietly fueling one of the most important grassroots education revolutions of our time.

Serial entrepreneur, lipstick farmer, and season 2 undercover billionaire Elaine Culotti unleashes a no-holds-barred critique of California's downward spiral. From endless red tape and anti-business policies to the sluggish response to the Palisades fire, Elaine argues that leadership under Gavin Newsom has been nothing short of disastrous. She doesn't just complain—she hints she might run for governor herself.

Comedian, podcaster, and self-described "troubled white" Theo Von joins the party for a candid discussion about the bone he found on his way to the studio, what he was manifesting during the Lion's Portal, and why he loves 'Merica. There's a little wrestling, a little recovery, and lot of talk of a new Mike and Theo Antique Road Show-type show featuring American-made entrepreneurs. It's patriotic, hilarious, and it might just be the start of something strange and great. WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS MARKED EXPLICIT FOR LANGUAGE AND CONTENT.

Mike chats with Dr. Sheree Utash, Ed.D., president of WSU Tech and a national leader in workforce education. They talk about how she reinvented a community college into a national model for workforce development, her role in taking Mike's S.W.E.A.T. Pledge and shaping it into the mikeroweWORKS curriculum, and why she believes skilled trades are key to America's future. It's a perfect pre-Labor Day discussion.

Tommy Mello founded A1 Garage Door Service—a 100 million-plus-dollar business. Tommy shares how he went from reselling Bowflex, cleaning pools, and painting garage doors to building one of the largest home service companies in the country. He talks about the hustle, the screw-ups, and the systems that helped him scale, including his no-nonsense approach to hiring and promoting based on performance, not resumes. It's a real conversation about work ethic, taking ownership, and why a broken garage door—and a strong dose of meritocracy—can open a lot more than just your garage.

Actor, director, and pseudo-troublemaker Nick Searcy is back! Nick recounts what he saw at the Capitol on January 6 and why he made Capital Punishment and its sequel, The War on Truth. Also discussed is Nick's unfiltered memoir, Justify This: A Career Without Compromise, where he shares stories from his long career in Hollywood, and a new project about gospel singers that might just redeem him—at least a little. It's a conversation full of laughs, sharp elbows, and more than a few surprises.

America's Grandmother stops by to discuss the haunting melody of Adagio for Strings, dropping one's phone in the toilet, and Peggy's handsy masseuse.

Filmmaker Jack Teetor joins to discuss his new documentary, Blind Logic, about his granduncle, Ralph Teetor, who revolutionized the automotive industry. From inventing cruise control to influencing the development of the automatic transmission, Ralph was an automotive visionary, which is ironic since he did all that while being blind since childhood.

Former Texas Governor and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry stops by to talk about two things most folks wouldn't expect in the same sentence—AI data farms and psychedelic therapy. Perry breaks down why the Lone Star State is set to become a digital powerhouse for AI server farms and what that means for energy, jobs, and infrastructure. Then the conversation turns to ibogaine—a little-known psychedelic that holds big promise for veterans and first responders battling PTSD and addiction. Texas just approved $50 million to study it, and Perry explains why.

Salena Zito is a prolific author, award-winning reporter, and our great friend. No one knows the heartland like Salena, and she's here to discuss the future of AI and the energy needed to pursue it, the sudden resurgence of interest in the skilled trades and how Pennsylvania is helping lead the way, and her brand-new book, Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland. Salena gives a firsthand account since she was just four feet away from Trump when it happened.

Jillian Michaels is a renowned fitness expert, television personality, podcaster, and bestselling author known most for her role on The Biggest Loser. She has built a global brand around health, wellness, and personal empowerment through fitness.

Arguably America's greatest living playwright, David Mamet, drops by to discuss movies, theater, philosophy, and his new book, The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment, in which he offers sharp insights into American culture, politics, and the art of storytelling. WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS MARKED EXPLICIT as the language gets quite spicy, and we did not quack the f-bombs. Otherwise, the episode would resemble a waddling of ducks.

New York Times bestselling author Codie Sanchez has a background working in finance but gave up Wall Street for Main Street. She is a blue-collar entrepreneur and investor known for buying and growing "boring" cash-flow businesses like laundromats and car washes. She founded Contrarian Thinking to help others achieve financial freedom through unconventional investing.

Jan Jekielek is a senior editor with The Epoch Times and host of "American Thought Leaders." He has extensively covered the issue of forced organ harvesting in China, particularly concerning Falun Gong practitioners. It is estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 organs annually have been involuntarily extracted from political prisoners in China. Jan's investigative work has brought international attention to this human rights atrocity.

437: Neal McDonough—Clear the Mechanism

The perennial character actor villain turned leading man drops by to talk about the first film where he finally gets to kiss the girl at the end, The Last Rodeo—and that girl is played by his wife, Ruvé. Coincidence? Not a chance. That's the only way Neal would do it. Neal also discusses how he secured a return to Taylor Sheridan's Tulsa Kings, why he thought Sylvester Stallone might deck him on set, and the greatest career advice Clint Eastwood gave him.

Once named one of Inc. magazine's 10 most admired CEOs, Garry led WD-40 for 25 years. At that time, his leadership and positive corporate culture grew WD-40 into one of the world's most recognized and well-loved brands. In this episode, Garry discusses how he achieved this and why he detailed it in his book, Any Dumbass Can Do It.

Amid the tariff wars, Mike sits down with two men whose businesses are NOT affected by foreign supply chains. Josh is a master bladesmith and founder of the Montana Knife Company, and Bayard is founder and CEO of American Giant. Both men are uniquely positioned to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of making products entirely in the United States.

You may know Sarah as the on-camera producer from Facebook's Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe. She is also a two-time Emmy-winning storyteller, social anthropologist, founder and CEO of Common Ground Studios, and the absolute cheeriest person you'll ever meet! Sarah talks with Mike about their new show, People You Should Know, which will premiere May 2 on Mike's YouTube channel @therealmikerowe.

Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. Mike's three-time NYT bestselling mom, is back for a check-in. In this episode you'll hear about the horrors of hoarding, books you'll never read, dancin' chicken, crab pickin', and a Mother's Day story about a toy that really sucks!

The multilingual, bass-thumping, capitalist dives into what made him fall in love with America, his unforgettable first job involving prosthetic testes, and the etymology of the word a**hole. It's a free-wheeling discussion from Moses to Superman and everything in between.

David Bahnsen is the founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of The Bahnsen Group, which manages over seven billion dollars in assets. He's also a podcaster, author, and Christian intellectual. His book, Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, is simpatico with Mike's S.W.E.A.T. pledge.

Award-winning actor and old friend Rico drops by for a hysterical, if not irreverent, hang with Mike and Chuck, friends he's had for 40+ years. There is laughter; there are tears, and there is laughter that turns into tears. Warning: Don't listen while drinking coffee in front of a computer.

The multi-award-winning actor, chronic philanthropist, and all-around outstanding human drops by to talk about his son, Mac Sinise, who sadly passed away January 5, 2024. Gary shares Mac's story and the musical compositions he left behind, all of which can be found on Resurrection & Revival parts 1 and 2, which are available on vinyl here. The three music videos mentioned during the episode are Arctic Circles by Mac Sinise, Shenandoah (author unknown), and The Rise by Mac Sinise.

As a logger and forester, Mike Albrecht knows a lot about wood. He is the two-time president of the American Loggers Council, and he's on a mission to reintroduce America to one of its most abundant and reliable renewable resources—wood. Mike also speaks to how we can better manage our forests to prevent wildfires.

Carlos spent seven weeks without any screens—no phone, no computer, no TV. His newest book, Reconnected, documents that journey filled with monks, Amish, a bobcat, and lots of self-discovery.

It's a compelling hang with the iconic comedian, actor, and renaissance man who takes a deep dive on a myriad of topics, including philosophy, physics, and fire prevention. His new sitcom, Shifting Gears, can be seen on ABC Wednesdays at 8PM.

Former vice president of marketing at Publishers Clearing House, Darrell Lester, tells the inside story of how PCH started as a mom & pop shop, meteorically rose to one of the most beloved companies in America, and then was nearly destroyed by bad press and lawsuits because of greed. Darrell witnessed it all and chronicled it in his book, Downfall of an Icon: The True Story of Publishers Clearing House.

As President of Anheuser-Busch Sales and Distribution, Anson had a front-row seat to witness how and why Bud Light lost its position as the most popular beer in America (as well as $30 billion in market cap) by changing its focus from shareholder profits to stakeholder capitalism and partnering with Dylan Mulvaney. His new book, Last Call for Bud Light: The Fall and Future of America's Favorite Beer is out today.

Alex Epstein is back! He's a philosopher and energy expert who argues that "human flourishing" should be the guiding principle of energy and environmental progress.

Darnell is the founder and CEO of Thurgood Industries, a career-building platform for skilled workers. He shares his amazing story of how he grew up in New York public housing, served 17 years in prison, and went on to graduate from Yale Law School the same year he received a diploma in manufacturing technology and machining from Lincoln Tech.

Edward is the co-founder and director of water and energy policy for the California Policy Center. He's written voluminously on how to fix California's problems, and he has lots of thoughts about the Los Angeles wildfires: why they happened, who is getting it right, and who is getting it wrong.

Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. Mike's mom, a.k.a. America's grandmother is not one for excessive cursing… usually. In this episode, however, she makes an exception. Expect tales from the home, cultural appropriation karaoke, and janky Christmas wishes. This cup of coffee will not disappoint.

We begin with a mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span and we conclude with the story of Christmas, the way I heard it. The guest is Quentin Schultze and his book can be found here.

Multiple Emmy-winning aerial photographer David Alan Arnold has shot World Series, Super Bowls, X-Games, commercials, and movies. But he truly earns his paycheck risking his life on television shows like Survivor, Amazing Race, and especially Deadliest Catch, the show he worked on with Mike Rowe. Dave and Mike share true stories of harrowing flights, near misses, and fisherman funerals, all of which can be found in David's book, Help From Above.

Nikki Stratton is the granddaughter of Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton. Donald was a sailor aboard the ill-fated USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, and wrote the book All the Gallant Men to recount the event. Nikki is the sponsor of the soon-to-be-commissioned nuclear submarine SSN Arizona. Every ship in the US Navy has a female sponsor who has a plethora of duties, including christening the ship. Nikki recounts her grandfather's harrowing escape from the burning USS Arizona and breaks down all of her duties as sponsor of the SSN Arizona.

Oklahoma builder Nathan Walters discusses his unlikely journey to owning his own building business, the virtues and pitfalls of college vs. on-the-job training, and what he's doing in Oklahoma to encourage high schoolers to consider the trades.

Ronda and her husband Corey founded Isaiah 117 House to provide a safe and loving home for children awaiting placement in the foster care system. Isaiah 177 House was featured on Mike's Facebook show, Returning the Favor. Ronda tells how her appearance on the show affected her mission, her life, and especially her health.

The '80s brat-pack teen idol drops by to share tales from his amazing life in film and TV and explain why he loves doing his gameshow The Floor and his podcast Literally!

In 2009, Clint was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle of Kamdesh during the Afghan War, which he recalls in his book, Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor, a New York Times bestseller. For Veterans Day, Clint shares his insights into why his outpost was a deathtrap, his efforts to prevent veteran suicide, and his survival during that 15-hour battle.

Three-time NYT Bestselling author a.k.a. Mike's mom checks in to share tales from Rowe Halloween's gone by.

LAPD and CRASH Unit veteran Tim Pearce shares stories of fighting gangs in South Central in a post-Rodney King world, including the tragic tale of his police officer wife being shot in the line of duty, which led him to invent an amazing life-saving device that simulates a gunshot wound, which he demonstrates on Chuck.

Star of TV shows The Rookie, Castle, and Firefly Nathan Fillion drops by to catch up with his old friend and '90s neighbor Mike Rowe. Nathan and Mike reminisce about a very steamy New York apartment, tooling around the snow-covered city with a mycologist's daughter, and eating burritos served by Alan Tudyk. Nathan also shares his experience working with Stephen Spielberg, his secret to overcoming severe nerves, and how he was humbled on Wisteria Lane.

After Mike recites a brand-new mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span, OG Podcaster and Hardcore History host Dan Carlin drops by to tell Mike what he got right, what he got wrong, and why our understanding of the subject of this mystery is so important to understanding the United States today.

Matt Malone is the CEO of Groundworks, one of the largest foundation repair and waterproofing companies in the United States. He's also a self-described capitalist, but he practices a new version of the economic system, one that recently had him turn 5,500 Groundworks employees into part owners of the company.

Co-host of the late-night hit GUTFELD! and New York Times bestselling author Kat Timpf has the distinction of being the most pregnant person ever to appear on TWIHI. She chats about the pitfalls of the "us or them" mentality that has hijacked the nation and shares personal stories of what led her to write her newest book, I Used to Like You Until… How Binary Thinking is Dividing Us

Director/Producer Justin Folk is best known for helming the 2022 hit documentary What is a Woman, starring Matt Walsh. Justin and Matt teamed up again for the follow-up, companion piece, Am I Racist? (now in theaters,) in which Matt goes on a diversity, equity, and inclusion journey and becomes a card-carrying DEI expert. Justin shares some behind-the-scenes moments from the film and discusses the state of anti-racism in America.

New York Times Bestselling author and broadcaster Ken Coleman is in the personal growth business. His books and show are designed to help people identify and embrace their true calling. Ken shares his personal story and gets Chuck to take his career assessment quiz to figure out what he'll do once Mike fires him. Ken's newest book is The Get Clear Career Assessment: Find the Work You're Wired to Do. Promo code ROWE gets you $5 off.

The celebrity fitness trainer, author, and filmmaker drops by to put Mike and Chuck on his trademarked no sugar, no grains lifestyle. Along the way, he discusses the positive effects of eliminating processed foods on fertility, the fallacies of the food pyramid, and the million plus pounds of weight lost by the "Rowebies" following Vinnie's program. If you want to learn more about NSNG and what exactly a Rowebie is, visit VinnieTortorich.com/Rowe

When it comes to work ethic, Master Bladesmith Josh Smith self-identifies as "the guy Mike is always talking about." At age 11, Josh was taught how to build knives by his little-league baseball coach. By age 19, he was the youngest bladesmith to ever pass the Master Smith test of the American Bladesmith Society. Today, he owns and operates the Montana Knife Company. Josh talks about giving up the security of a six-figure journeyman lineman job to start his own knife company, how he changed the way contestants are treated on Forged in Fire, and what it was like to build a sword for a sheik in Abu Dhabi.

Three-time NY Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe describes her recent encounters with a scammer and blackmailer as Mike and Chuck debate the proper punishment for such scoundrels.

The former farmer and lifelong educator works as director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CTE) where he brings his get-it-done farming mindset to education. Brent discusses how Oklahoma's Central Tech is using competition to help prepare students for real-world opportunities and focusing on a mastery of skill rather than a time-based curriculum.

Master Sculptor Sabin Howard is known as America's Michelangelo for his work in, and deep knowledge of, Modern Classicism. On September 13, 2024, he will unveil his newest work, the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C., called A Soldier's Journey. Sabin discusses why he believes that great art can be recognized by everyone and should be for "we the people," why art is inextricably connected to history, and why art tells us what it means to be human.

The Tony Award-winning actor, director, and podcaster goes deep with TWIHI about everything from his traumatic childhood and dashed dreams of becoming a magician to the Broadway show that made him want to act and his recollections of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince.

VDH is a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, a Distinguished Fellow at Hillsdale College, a professor of public policy at Pepperdine University, a nationally syndicated columnist, a bestselling author, AND a fifth-generation California farmer. In his July 29, 2024 article, America's Lab Rats? (read here: https://victorhanson.com/americas-lab-rats/ ), Victor argues that American society appears to be treating many of its citizens like insignificant lab rats in some kind of social experiment, leading to unintended and harmful consequences. His website. His book.

Bishop Martin and his wife Donna were the inspiration for the film Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, which details their miraculous journey navigating the foster care system in a small Texas town and how they inspired the parishioners of Bennet Chapel Church to adopt 77 children. Bishop Martin speaks to how this unlikely story became a book and a movie and how it all was accurately prophesized in advance.

The American businessman and philanthropist talks about growing up in Boston as a fifth-generation builder, starting his first business collecting garbage at the age of 13, and the mission he's on to create a new internet by arguing in his new book, Our Biggest Fight, that we the people's data should belong to we the people.

The veteran actor and gospel singer recounts his early career, what made him give up his dream of becoming a veterinarian, how he realized he had a problem with cocaine and what he did to fix it, how Jerry Lee Lewis taught him to play the piano, and what it was like playing Ronald Reagan for his upcoming movie. And at the end of the episode—he sings a song! See the trailer for REAGAN HERE.

As trustee of the Engelstad Foundation, Kris has overseen the endowment of over $300 million in scholarships and grants. Kris talks about working as a maid in her father's hotel on the Las Vegas strip, what she learned from watching him build several Nevada landmarks, and what it's like to manage a billion-dollar foundation.