The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

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.  Big thanks to our terrific sponsors K12.com/Rowe Find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you. GoodRanchers.com Code MIKE gets $25 off, FREE shipping, and FREE ground beef, chicken, or salmon for a year. MDriveForMen.com Try Boost and Burn to aid energy, metabolism and fat burning MCSF.org/apply Check your availability and apply today!

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2026

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. Shout out to our great sponsors PureTalk.com/Rowe Get talk, text and data for JUST $20 a month! ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. Lineman.edu to find your pathway to the trades K12.com/Rowe Find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2026

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. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code MIKE to get $55 off their limited-edition Stone Collection frame. American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipIntro for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Save 50% off your first month!

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

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. Tip o' the hat to our excellent sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code MIKE to get $55 off their limited-edition Stone Collection frame. PureTalk.com/Rowe Get unlimited talk, text and data for $29.95 p/month for LIFE. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $40 off plus free meat for life with new subscription. NetSuite.com/Mike Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

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   Today's episode is sponsored by American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code Mike to get $35 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers!

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

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. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors PureTalk.com/Rowe Get unlimited talk, text and data for $29.95 p/month for LIFE. AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code Mike to get $45 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $40 off plus free meat for life with new subscription. SkillsUSA.org/mike Join the skilled trade movement!

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

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. Big thanks to our terrific sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code Mike to get $45 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. NetSuite.com/Mike Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

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.  Shout out to our great sponsors American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Choose a wireless company who actually stands for something. BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers!

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

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. Shout out to our great sponsors Lineman.edu to find your pathway to the trades American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

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.  Big thanks to our awesome sponsors TrumanBoot.com Use code MIKE for 15% off. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $40 off plus free meat for life with new subscription. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Choose a wireless company who shares YOUR values.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

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. Tip o' the hat to our excellent sponsors American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. NetSuite.com/Mike Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning. BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers! GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $40 off plus free meat for life with new subscription.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

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. Today's episode is sponsored by PureTalk.com/Rowe Save 50% off your first month! ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. PrizePicks.com/mike Use code MIKE to get $50 in lineups after placing your first $5 lineup.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025

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. Shout out to our great sponsors American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. KnobelSpirits.com Spend $100, get bitters-infused sugar cubes FREE. Just add to cart & use code CARL.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025

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.  

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

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.  

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

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!  

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

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. 

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

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.  

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

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.  

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

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. 

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2024