The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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.    

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

In honor of Independence Day, TWIHI welcomes Army veteran and NYT bestselling author Pete Hegseth, who talks about why civic rituals like parades are so important to convey what we value as a society, how to acknowledge America’s faults while still appreciating her greatness, and how our armed forces are destroying themselves from the inside. Pete’s book is The War on Warriors.

Peggy Rowe is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, the matriarch of the Rowe family, and, of course, Mike’s mom. The coffee klatch conversation deals with handling disappointment, the difference between encouragement and enabling, and how bowls and bowls of mashed potatoes can help you find your Tiddlywinks pieces. Peggy’s new book is available for presale at MikeRowe.com/MomsBook

Here's a brand new story about the performance of a lifetime followed by another edition of Two Dudes Talking, a.k.a. Mike and Chuck break it down with some laughs.

Steven Pressfield, the two-time New York Times Bestselling author of The War of Art, Gates of Fire, and The Legend of Bagger Vance, discusses how to listen to your muse while ignoring your Resistance, why he carries a Smith Corona typewriter but doesn’t actually use it, and what he learned from driving a truck, picking fruit, and writing advertising copy. His newest book is a memoir titled Govt Cheese.

The nation’s leading expert on de-escalation and public figure protection unpacks the importance of intuition, the difference between true fear and unwarranted fear, and the epidemic of sudden, unexpected deaths among seemingly healthy people beginning in 2021.

The 12-time NCAA All-American, 5-time SEC Champion, and 2-time Olympic qualifier who went from being one of the fastest collegiate swimmers in the world to a controversial women's rights advocate talks about what it takes to train in a pool six hours per day, why she’s not going to be training to be an endodontist, and recounts the harrowing experience of being held captive on the campus of San Francisco State University. Her new book is  Swimming Against the Current: Fighting For Common Sense in a World That’s Lost Its Mind. 

In a double-header of do-goodery, TWIHI welcomes not one but two very distinguished volunteer firefighters to discuss why they have been called to such a dangerous philanthropic endeavor, what it takes to become a volunteer firefighter, and how Americans of any age can get involved at MakeMeAFirefighter.org

First, a brand-new mystery about brave men in a distant sea, then Mike and Chuck take a deeper dive.  

The film writer, director, and producer known for Over the Hedge, Chicken Run, and James and the Giant Peach talks about his work ethic and creative process, why animated films are modern-day Aesop’s fables, and that time he almost got to run DreamWorks.

Matt is a four-time NHRA Funny Car world champion and first-generation cattle and CBD farmer. Chloe is a mikeroweWORKS work ethic scholarship recipient, an AWS Certified Weld Inspector, and a social media influencer. She also runs social media for Matt Hagan and Tony Stewart. This conversation does not stay in its lane as it veers from the high stakes involved in going 330 mph in four seconds to the tasty steaks that the Hagan Cattle Company produces in Virginia to the political stakes of not keeping your food supply chain in America. 

The three-time NYT bestselling author, a.k.a. Mike’s mom, talks the chosen frozen on Easter Sunday, speaking in tongues, the Key Bridge tragedy, Fort McHenry and Ranger Vince, our expanding universe, great illusionists, and how Peggy gets her vitamin D—doctor’s orders. 

The former U.S. Army Green Beret, NYT bestselling author, leadership consultant, and perennial storyteller talks about the division and tribal behavior that permeates our country now, the death of honor, shame, and consequence, and why Alexis de Tocqueville was right when he observed that America succeeds because she puts the individual ahead of the collective. You can preorder Scott’s newest book here.

A NEW mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span, followed by Mike and Chuck taking a deeper dive into the story’s DOUBLE reveal. That’s right, you get two reveals for the price of none!

What does it take to make a traditional flannel shirt in America? According to this New York Times reporter it’s a combination of engineering and artistry. And Steven should know; he wrote the book on it, American Flannel.  Steven explores with us the history of U.S. textile manufacturing and how our thirst for cheaper goods led to the death of small company towns and the creation of the rust belt.

The former Wall Street lawyer and current OG podcaster drops by to discuss the latest in Podcastladia, how patternicity and our desire for certainty can lead us to create wild theories, the death of skepticism, honesty in advertising, and what he learned from being kidnapped the first time in Mexico. Yes, there was more than one kidnapping.

The serial entrepreneurs and founders of Angel Studios talk about growing up poor in a family of eleven, how they went from selling potatoes door to door to being the ad agency of record for Poo-Pourri, Squatty Potty, and Orabrush, how they survived a $62 million lawsuit from four of the biggest studios in Hollywood, and how their Angel Guild is cracking the code to finding the next big film.      

The writer, producer, and veteran radio broadcaster drops by to regale us with stories from the entertainment trenches, explains why he created the podcast Really? no, REALLY? with his BFF Jason Alexander and how that’s affected their relationship, and expounds on what makes great advertising great. RIP Dexter.

The President of the California Policy Center, host of National Review’s Radio Free California podcast, and watchdog journalist warns about the new federal regulation that effectively makes CA-AB5 national and ends independent contractor status as we know it. As goes California, so goes the nation—from a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers to rampant homelessness, crime, and reparations—the recovering communist dissects examples of what’s happening in the Golden State and yet to come nationally.

Another brief mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span, followed by a deeper dive into the story’s reveal with Mike and Chuck. WARNING: Careful where you listen with headphones, as it may result in alternating facial contortions of disgust and hilarity. The title is Nasty Little Instruments, after all.

The podcaster, YouTuber, and amateur historian ruminates on the state of Hollywood, talks about his Daily Wire project, An Empire of Terror, which exposes the dark underbelly of the Soviet Union’s police state, and recounts the amazing story of Frank Luke, the forgotten top ace of WWI. 

America’s grandmother recalls the harrowing details of her husband’s heart attacks at Christmas, gives an update on his convalescence, and tells a shocking tale about the newsletter you do NOT want to be mentioned in. From stents to physical therapy, shuffleboard to bingo, and that little dance we do when our panties are in a bunch, it’s another edition of Coffee with Mom!

The former New York cabby, current stand-up comic, and perennial philosopher talks hilariously about why he’s keeping politics out of his new show Fox News Saturday Night, why he wrote his bestselling book, Cancel Culture Dictionary, and why he looks at the world like a drug-sniffing dog at the airport.

Mike follows through with his threat to get Chuck a professional haircut by enlisting The Irish Hammer’s “hairstylist to the stars” to bring his salon to our studio for a cut and record. What could possibly go wrong? 

The New York Post columnist and author discusses the disruptive and damaging nature of social media, our shortening attention spans, the lack of free speech on college campuses, why the First Amendment is the most important right, why she left NYU during COVID despite her 4.0 GPA, and how she came to write The Cancelling of the American Mind with Greg Lukianoff.

The volleyball legend, fitness leader, podcaster, New York Times bestselling author, and serial entrepreneur talks about raising her girls with a do-it-yourself attitude, why it’s important to eat clean and lift heavy things, and how to be a good citizen without being a conformist and still saying yes.

The consummate villainous actor's actor joins us to discuss his childhood growing up in a motel, how being blacklisted in Hollywood tested his faith, and why he chose to play the Benefactor, a.k.a. the devil, in Angel Studio’s movie, The Shift. 

367: Scarcity Brain with Michael Easter

The journalist and NYT bestselling author shares his research into why our brains are hardwired for overconsumption, how this scarcity mindset can lead us to take unnecessary risks, and how Inveterate gambling pigeons prove that we can change. It’s all from his newest book, Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough.

A NEW mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span called They Put Him in a Cage is followed by an installment of The Way I Talked About The Way I Heard It, during which Mike and Chuck discuss first jobs, audition horror stories, and the condition of Mike’s dad.

Mike’s mom discusses Christmases past and present, her decided lack of cooking skills, complaining vs. observing, vertigo-inducing carpet, the perils of drinking dehumidifier water, pratfalls, a Christmas mugging, and Mike singing The Grinch.

The appellate lawyer and President General of the Sons of the American Revolution drops by to discuss our nation's founding and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by inducting Mike, Chuck, and Mike’s dad, John, into the SAR.

It was a trip to the dentist, the dentist would never forget…

The New York Times bestselling author and podcaster discusses great writing, the power of storytelling, his newest book, The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel, and how he solved a 110-year-old whodunnit.  

The former 82nd Airborne Staff Sergeant and quadruple amputee drops by to chat about the first time he met Mike, how he pissed off Bill Nye science guy, why he’s a proud member of the everything-is-great club, and his new book Bounce Back: 12 Warrior Principles to Reclaim & Recalibrate Your Life.

When you've had it up to here with terrorism, who you gonna call?

Nick is a custom homebuilder and skilled trades advocate who founded NS Builders and hosts the Modern Craftsman podcast. He talks skilled trades, the labor shortage, and the ancient dilemma of juggling quality, schedule, and price. 

From Shakespeare to Frost and Madras to Nantucket, the three-time bestselling author and her son trade raps and reminisce about recitations. There’s also talk of sushi and rainwater, ancient mariners, nicking butter and cream, room-service cart ethics, barnacles on the sea of life, hot-tub lifeguarding, and Chuck’s Hitlerian youth. Yup, it’s coffee with mom.  

The host of the #1 rated late night TV show and five-time NYT bestselling author joins TWIHI to discuss what he hates and loves, why he originally didn’t want Mike on his show, how our culture has flipped, and his new book, The King of Late Night.

1 invalid + 8 assassins = the train ride of a lifetime.

Substack journalist Tony Ortega has been covering Scientology for decades, and he weighs in on what the Danny Masterson double conviction means for the future of the "church."

The Avett Brothers’ standup bassist is not only a great musician but also an avid historian. Bob talks about music, family, slavery, abolitionism, and the amazing legacy of John Quincey Adams as chronicled in his podcast, Founding Son: John Quincey’s America. Oh yeah, and there will be some mandolin playing.   Book mentioned: The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln by Sean Wilentz 

Americans For Prosperity’s vice president of government affairs, Akash Chougule, discusses how CA-AB5 and Congress’ Pro Act are deleterious to independent contractors and why the use of mutual benefit and bottom-up solutions work best, and Mike makes up a new word. Contact your representatives here www.prosperityispossible.com

The Dirty Jobber, Guinness World Record-holding pepper breeder, and CEO of the PuckerButt Pepper Company, explains how he replaced drinks and drugs with dopamine-inducing capsaicin. Spoiler Alert: It involves a literal angel.

It might not be as bad as you think.

The Iraq War veteran and Chief Communications and Outreach Officer for Disabled American Veterans explains the circumstances that led him to blow the whistle on the Iraq burn pits. www.dav.org www.patriotbootcamp.org