The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

By The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

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Subscribers: 14341
Reviews: 92
Episodes: 324

Monica
 Apr 25, 2023
I am so grateful to find your podcast Mike Rowe. This was an awesome interview with Freedom Kanter. He is an amazing young man. Many blessings to this young man. Thank you Mike

JT
 Feb 1, 2023

Frank Mitchell
 Jul 30, 2022
Love Mike's podcast. They all are interesting and great to hear

Stephen Holleman
 Jul 9, 2022


 Jul 6, 2022

Description

In The Way I Heard It, Mike Rowe gives a different take on a variety of topics—from pop culture to politics, history to Hollywood, each mystery is a trueish tale about someone you know, filled with facts that you don’t. Delivered with Mike’s signature blend of charm, wit, and ingenuity, these stories are part of a larger mosaic—full of surprising revelations, sharp observations, and intimate, behind-the-scenes moments drawn from Mike’s own life and career.

Episode Date
323: Reguflation and the Right to Try with Akash Chougule
4091
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

Support our sponsors here
www.chime.com/rowe
www.ziprecruiter.com/rowe
www.article.com/mike
May 30, 2023
322: BONUS: We're Gonna Need Both Bibles with Peggy Rowe
3019
King James vs. NIV, Pentateuch vs. Septuagint, nonagenarian vs. ear-hair poetry, beaned vs. bean-less chili, Schmigadoon vs. Cockeysville, sponsors vs. sphincters, a centenarian luncheon, some loud nail-filing, and a gruesome story over lunch... Otherwise known as coffee with mom.

Sponsored by
www.ericksonseniorliving.com/mike 
May 26, 2023
321: The Ring of Sting with Smoking' Ed Currie
5544
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.


May 23, 2023
320: BONUS STORY: Braving the Elements
806
It might not be as bad as you think.

Sponsored by
American Giant
May 19, 2023
319: Hunger is the Best Sauce with Michael Easter
5399
The professor, adventurer, and author of the The Comfort Crisis speaks about his 33-day trip off the grid in the arctic tundra and how he learned to embrace silence, boredom, and uncomfortableness.  

The Comfort Crisis
https://eastermichael.com/book/

Please support our sponsors:
www.butcherbox.com/rowe
www.gametime.co Promo Code: Rowe
www.fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Mike
May 16, 2023
318: BONUS STORY: That's Gonna Leave a Mark
641
Nothing irritates nightingales more than a runaway ass.

Sponsored by Digs
https://digs.com/mikerowe

May 12, 2023
317: Adventure is Disaster Narrowly Averted
4318
This documentary filmmaker, TV producer, and treasure hunter has traveled to some of the most beautiful and dangerous locations on the planet. The discussion includes ancient Assyrian artifacts, sunken ships, the treasures of Nimrud, underwater safecracking, a billion dollars in gold, and the greatest sizzle reel no one’s ever seen.

May 09, 2023
316: Not On My Watch with Dan Clare
4226
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

May 02, 2023
315: BONUS: What, No Apple Pie?! with Peggy Rowe
3376
On this edition of coffee with mom, bestselling author and Mike’s mom Peggy Rowe says goodbye to hatchet throwing season and hello to bocce ball season.  Along the way is a play called Moses, an Amish smorgasbord, mulligatawny soup, and a gelding “expressing himself.”
Apr 28, 2023
314: Mr. Freedom Made a Promise to His Mother with Enes Kanter Freedom
4355
Despite the bounty on his head, the former basketball star and human rights activist explains why he gave up his NBA career and tens of millions of dollars to keep a promise he made to his mom and do God’s work. Mr. Freedom knows better than most that freedom isn’t free.
Apr 25, 2023
313: We're Breaking Under the Weight of Our Own Weight with Vinnie Tortorich
5659
The health and fitness guru breaks down the effects of sugar and grain on the American diet, gives an accounting of the total weight lost by the "Rowebies" that joined Vinnie’s crusade after his first appearance on TWIHI (spoiler alert: it’s a LOT!), and bids us beware of food pyramids and sleeping nineteenth-century prophets.

Please support our sponsors
www.ziprecruiter.com/rowe
www.article.com/mike
www.butcherbox.com/rowe
Apr 18, 2023
312: BONUS STORY: Big Stars, Little Stars
837
Phil expected to have a ball at the game, but he didn’t expect it would change his life forever.
Apr 14, 2023
311: It's Not a Job, It's a Lifestyle with Tom Odom
4502
Our favorite modern-day cowboy breaks down what a day-in-the-life of a long-haul trucker looks like and how he manages to drive his office over 120,000 miles each year.  Oh yeah, and you’ll also hear the chorus of a yet-to-be-written song called The Ballad of Tom Odom.
Apr 11, 2023
310: The Eternally Radical Idea with Greg Lukianoff
5123
President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Greg explains why we should be suspicious of certainty and invites us to join the million-strong free speech army to combat cancel-culture.
Apr 04, 2023
309: BONUS: Pelvic Thrusts and Ball Squeezing with America's Grandmother
3306
Grab a cup of Joe and join three-time bestselling author Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. Mike’s mom, as she catches us up on the shuffleboard finals ice cream social, the senior version of beer pong, getting recognized in the elevator, why you shouldn’t play board games with Mike, not-so modern banking, and how to write naughty without getting bawdy.

To order an MRW hoodie with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the MikeRoweWorks Foundation go to American-Giant.com/mike
Mar 31, 2023
308: Can You Handle the Truth with Vivek Ramaswamy
5679
The entrepreneurial businessman and presidential candidate lays out his plan to help America reclaim her national identity and shatter the Overton Window by taking on the army of angry acronyms; CSR, SDG, DEI, ESG, WEF, and CCP, which has earned him the nickname godfather of the anti-woke movement.

Please support our sponsors
www.article.com/mike
www.butcherbox.com/rowe
Mar 28, 2023
307: BONUS STORY: You Can Look It Up
624
Experts agree that the science is settled—this is yet another NEW mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span.  Factcheck: True.  But can you really believe everything you read?  Or hear? 
Mar 25, 2023
306: Celeste Headlee Can't Say A**hole on NPR
5096
The radio host, journalist, and best-selling author shares insights from her viral TEDx talk, 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation, and discusses neuroscience & FMRIs, empathy & compassion, Homo sapiens & Neanderthals, food pantries & squirrel treeing. Oh yeah, and how to tell when you might be the A-hole, which of course is a word Celeste cannot say on NPR.
Mar 21, 2023
305: Charles C W Cooke Took an Oath
5525
When he’s not writing his National Review column or rooting-on the Jaguars, Charlie Cooke is loving the Constitution he swore an oath to and loathing the proposed student loan transfer scheme he did not.  
Mar 14, 2023
304: The Shadow on the Wall is You with Scott Strode
4688
Scott Strode, founder & national executive director of The Phoenix, reveals why rock climbing and marathoning helped him break the cycle of his addiction and how he is transforming the way our country approaches recovery with fitness and community.
Mar 07, 2023
303: The Incredible Symphony of Things
4300
Bayard Winthrop, founder and CEO of American Giant breaks down our supply chain issues, our trade imbalance with the rest of the world, and how his company still managed to produce “the greatest hoodie ever made” 100% in the United States.
Feb 28, 2023
302: BONUS: Have You Seen My Husband's Teeth?
2252
Killer coyotes, cataract surgery, cheating on eye exams, pellets in Chuck’s ass, the Florida wedding, John’s teeth lost at the rehearsal dinner, Mike channels his QVC days, Peggy plays Vanna White, John’s confusing anatomy, sapele vs oak, opening night of the Winter Follies, and the auctioning of an oversized napkin holder filled with Peggy’s books.  In other words, just another Coffee with Mom!
Feb 24, 2023
301: Give the Children Knives and Fire with Chad Houser
4473
Award-winning chef and bloody-do-gooder, Chad Houser explains why he gave up his successful restaurant to start Café Momentum, a nonprofit, fine dining restaurant that strives to break our country’s cycle of incarceration and violence by employing justice-involved youths.
Feb 21, 2023
300: Phil Keoghan is Fairly Interesting
6267
The prolific Philiminator joins TWIHI for our tricentennial episode to discuss skilled trades, The Amazing Race, Tough as Nails, his Buck It list, nearly drowning, inspiring grandfathers, tall poppy syndrome, and where to look at a nude wedding.
Feb 14, 2023
299: BONUS STORY: He Delivered the Message
806
Back by popular demand is a brand-new story for the curious mind with a short attention span.  And here’s your only clue – When people needed to be stopped, the agency counted on Dick to stop them.  
Feb 10, 2023
298: Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fryer
3745
Dan McMurtrie, a venture capitalist and lifelong entrepreneur, discusses how a fluke injury ended his promising baseball career and sent him on a mission to save mom-and-pop restaurateurs. 
Feb 07, 2023
297: Megyn Kelly and the Irish Goodbye
3644
It’s a fun hang with the feisty journo who shares her thoughts on fierce M&Ms, potty talk, why newsrooms are trying to scare the hell out of you, and how to execute the perfect Irish goodbye. 
Jan 31, 2023
296: BONUS: It's Hatchet Throwing Season!!!
2257
Time for a cup of coffee with mom!  Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. America’s Grandmother, drops by to discuss an upcoming family wedding, the joys of ninety-year-olds with power tools, and her escapades with chair volleyball and competitive ax throwing. 
Jan 27, 2023
295: We're Still We the People with Todd Rose
5785
Todd Rose, CEO of Populace, recounts his journey from 0.9 GPA high school dropout to Harvard professor and provides empirical evidence that Americans suffer from collective illusions about what we believe, why we believe it, and how we came to be so divided.  Spoiler Alerts: No one is average, and we’re not as divided as we think we are.  
Jan 24, 2023
294: The Ballad of Tom Odom
4960
Will Swaim, journalist and president of the California Policy Center, educates us on CA Assembly Bill 5 (AB5,) which seeks to turn independent contractors into employees, and how it’s negatively affecting 70,000+ independent California truckers; truckers like Tom Odom, who calls in from the road to let us know why he is A.) part of a class action lawsuit and B.) moving to Texas.  Spoiler Alert: it’s because of AB5!  


Contact Tom with your AB5 story at myab5story@gmail.com
Jan 17, 2023
293: Matt Walsh Made a Great Movie
4273
Matt shares his thoughts on sex vs gender, objective truth, and why it’s so hard for so many people to answer the simple question, “what is a woman?”
Jan 10, 2023
292: When Animal Lovers Eat Their Own
4543
Dirty Jobber Stacey Schumacher, co-owner of Schumacher Cattle (a ranch with a "pasture to plate program") and founder and executive director of the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, a non-profit organization that spayed and neutered over 68,000 cats and dogs last year, has a unique perspective on animal rights and animal husbandry and why they are both so crucial.

Jan 03, 2023
291: America's Grandmother is Done with Christmas Cards
4798
It’s another Christmas extravaganza featuring three-time New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. Mike’s mom.  Now with less potty mouth!  Peggy explains why she and Chuck conspired to keep a secret from Mike.  
Dec 20, 2022
290: Give Me a Sink Plunger and I'll Save the World
3997
Inventor and bloody do-gooder, Arthur Lih is on a mission to save a million people from choking with his LifeVac device.  It’s a quixotic quest that began at age 20 when he watched his best friend die in his arms.  
Dec 13, 2022
289: There's No Place Like Nome
3657
Shawn Pomrenke of Bering Sea Gold shares the circumstances that led him to drop out of high school, how he used his work ethic and MacGyver skills to become a multi-million-dollar gold prospector, and why he describes being 100 feet below an ice shelf in the frigid Bering Sea as... relaxing. That is, until his regulator freezes and the oxygen flow stops—then it gets sporty.
Dec 06, 2022
288: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 15 & 16
3864
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Dec 02, 2022
287: Sooner or Later, You've Gotta Squeeze the Beaver
3655
On the two-year anniversary of The Way I Heard It’s format change from short to long form, Mike and Chuck make another announcement about the future of the podcast, and there is a lot of talk about an upcoming episode of Dirty Jobs that involves… you guessed it, squeezing beavers.  
Nov 29, 2022
286: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 13 & 14
2575
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Nov 25, 2022
285: Scream Inside Your Heart
4573
In his new book, Gone Viral: How Covid Drove the World Insane, Justin Hart, the founder and chief data analyst of RationalGround.com, puts out the case for what our government did well and what our government did not-so-well to battle Covid-19. 

Spoiler Alert: The second category contains a lot more items.
Nov 22, 2022
284: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 11 & 12
2600
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations.

KnobelSpirits.com/Mike
Nov 18, 2022
283: You Can't Lead from a Pickup Truck
5060
Jack Nix, chief operating officer of Shelby Erectors and reinforcing ironworker (a.k.a. rodbuster), talks about his appearance on Dirty Jobs, what it takes to tote steel and bust rod, and how it feels to have all your hard work covered up by cement.
Nov 15, 2022
282: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 9 & 10
1962
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Nov 11, 2022
281: I'd Like to Buy a Vow
5687
Bestselling author Mike Rinder drops by to discuss his new memoir, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientoloty, his time in “the hole,” and how he went from saving the world withscientology to saving the world from scientology. 
Nov 08, 2022
280: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 7 & 8
2469
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Nov 04, 2022
279: From Hollybush to Hollywood
4429
Dirty Jobs field producer, Zack Hall checks in from his Kentucky holler to discuss how he snuck his way into reality TV, his encounter with Bigfoot, and the new season of Dirty Jobs (filled with spoiler alerts!)
Nov 01, 2022
278: OCCASIONALLY -- Halloween 2022
765
In a tip o’ the hat to the occasion, Mike delivers a dramatic recitation of one of his very favorite poems, The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service.  Happy Halloween!
Oct 31, 2022
277: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 5 & 6
3156
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Oct 28, 2022
276: Best Road Trip Ever
4216
Clint Hill, a former member of the Secret Service, and his wife Lisa McCubbin Hill talk about their new book, My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, which includes tales of bringing a Pakistani horse into the US without quarantine, what The Crown got wrong about Mrs. Kennedy's lunch with Queen Elizabeth II, and Clint and Mrs. Kennedy eating Moroccan mahjoun in Marrakech. Spoiler alert—Mahjoun is essentially a hash brownie.
Oct 25, 2022
275: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 3 & 4
1835
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. 
Oct 21, 2022
274: It's Worse Than You Think
3742
The workforce participation rate that is.  The number of able-bodied men choosing not to work is a crisis, and Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, can prove it.
Oct 18, 2022
273: BONUS: Vacuuming in the Nude Chapters 1 & 2
4554
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. She has been writing all her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came at the tender age of 80. Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. Forward by Mike Rowe.
Oct 14, 2022
272: "You Must be that Dirty Mother" with Peggy Rowe
4598
It's a classic catch-up with mom that starts with a dramatic reading of her viral short story Old Blue, becomes an announcement that her third New York Times bestseller Vacuuming in the Nude will be available as an audiobook on this podcast, and then somehow devolves into a scatological story-swap evoking the Thomas Crapper episode.
Oct 11, 2022
271: Michael Shellenberger's Punk Rock Moment
5229
The lifelong environmentalist and one-time California gubernatorial candidate talks about the current energy crisis, climate narcissism, and how what’s good for the climate is not necessarily good for the environment.
Oct 04, 2022
270: Holy Crap, It's Thomas Crapper's Birthday!
3822
Today’s episode honors the man who unwittingly inspired Mike’s career by inventing the first flushable commode, Mike shares a David Sedaris story about a turd that won’t flush titled Big Boy then, in an homage to eighth-grade humor, Mike and Chuck swap embarrassing stories involving the necessary.
Sep 26, 2022
269: Chuck Really Wants Me to be Friends with Nick Searcy
4396
For half a dozen years Chuck has been trying to introduce Mike to Peabody Award winning actor, Nick Searcy who is best known for playing Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall Art Mullen on the FX series Justified, one of Mike’s favorite shows.  They discuss Nick’s career, why he made a movie about 1/6/21, and how he met President Bill Clinton at the White House.   
Sep 20, 2022
268: A Place for the Placeless
4457
Journalist Salena Zito keeps the conversation lively by dissecting the student loan forgiveness act, the lost notes of Baptist churches, moonshine coal, and her obsession with Fiestaware. 
Sep 13, 2022
267: A Prick in Congress
4405
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover and that is certainly true with this week’s special Labor Day episode.  It begins with a true story written by Mike about a particularly industrious Dirty Jobber, and it ends with Mike and Chuck discussing the origins of Labor Day, America’s work ethic crisis, and the pros and cons of labor unions.  
Sep 05, 2022
266: America's Cop is Always on Doodie
5300
Award-winning author, Bangor Maine Police social media manager, and Duck of Justice creator Tim Cotton joins TWIHI to discuss America’s love-hate relationship with cops, the proper punishment for crapping in the street, and why Mike has dubbed Tim America’s Cop despite his recent retirement.  
Aug 30, 2022
265: I've Been Fired Too Many Times to be Cocky
4887
George T. Murdoch, a.k.a. Tyrus, joins TWIHI to discuss everything from abortion and the benefits of staying in one’s lane, to work ethic and his weird fascination with the ‘Squatch shows.
Aug 22, 2022
264: Does Your Mom Really Vacuum in the Nude?
4199
Two-time NYT bestselling author Peggy Rowe drops by to discuss her upcoming hour-long FOX primetime TV special—America’s Grandmother, her third book—Vacuuming in the Nude: and Other Ways to Get Attention, and the existence of aliens in the universe.  Or, to put it another way, a normal Mike’s mom episode.
Aug 16, 2022
263: Let's Get Alex Epstein on Bill Maher
5886
Earth nearing its eight billionth resident has Bill Maher very concerned. More people means more CO2 and that means catastrophe.  Unconcerned is Alex Epstein, author of the book Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas—Not Less. Alex thinks we should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages while deciding what to do with fossil fuels. He believes the widespread idea that rising CO2 will make the Earth unlivable is literally impossible and he would like to tell Bill why.  Instead, he tells us.
Aug 09, 2022
262: Let's Talk About Septums and Scrotums
4875
James Nestor, a NYT bestselling author whose book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art inspired Mike to have a septoplasty, discusses the advantages of healthy breathing, the dangers of mouth breathing, and the reasons why our ancestors had larger mouths and straighter teeth. Then we share a song written by listener Bill Dumas in reaction to Mike’s request for a ballad about his deviated septum and his father’s swollen scrotum in Episode 203: There’s a Hole in Daddy’s Arm.
Aug 02, 2022
261: Jack Carr is a Tomahawk Kinda Guy
5414
Former Navy SEAL and bestselling author, Jack Carr talks writing, grit, and how his desire to “never miss an opportunity to make someone’s day” led to the serendipitous circumstances that got his first novel into the hands of Chris Pratt.  
Jul 26, 2022
260: There's No Nipples on that Almond
5388
Dairy Farmer Dirty Jobbers Sue and Mike McCloskey school Mike and Chuck on the finer points of animal husbandry, the science of better milk, and how no-till and eutrophication is bringing them ever closer to becoming an environmentally net zero farm.
Jul 19, 2022
259: In Another Time He Could Have Been a Star
5657
Rick Beato drops by to talk Everything Music; his dinner with Joni Mitchell, his interview with Sting, and the TWO weddings where he sat next to Mike at a time when Mike was couch surfing.  
Jul 12, 2022
258: Best Guest Ever
5751
This week’s special guest is YOU gentle listener as Mike answers your questions about Freddy’s whereabouts, Mike’s desired super-power, and the joy of singing jingles.
Jul 05, 2022
257: Where the Chili Meets the Cheese
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President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression a.k.a. FIRE, Greg Lukianoff discusses free speech vs hate speech, Safetyism vs Safety Third, and the Coddling of the American Mind.
Jun 28, 2022
256: Just Because You're Pooping Doesn't Mean You're Out of Harm's Way
5650
Former Green Beret and CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company Evan Hafer talks combat, coffee, and what it’s like to take a blast of bear spray in the face… on purpose.
Jun 21, 2022
255: Just Say Nyet
3904
After Mike reprises The Man Behind the Microphone, a story about the most influential sportscaster of all time, he chats with that man’s eldest son about his dad’s fondness for frugality and trepidation of taxes – SPOILER ALERT – it’s Michael Reagan. 
Jun 14, 2022
254: What the Hand Does the Mind Remembers
4430
Robert Kiyosaki talks about how he voluntarily got into Vietnam, how he almost got kicked out, and why he wrote his Capitalist Manifesto to combat Marx’s manifesto.  
Jun 07, 2022
253: "They Get to Shoot Nazis... That's Fun!"
4833
After reading a short Memorial Day mystery called Visiting Hours Mike speaks with Bill Whittle about the protocols of Arlington National Cemetery, the price of freedom, and the need for gratitude.   
May 30, 2022
252: The Gospel of Do-Goodery According to Luke
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Luke Mickelson talks about how his charity Sleep in Heavenly Peace skyrocketed after appearing on Returning The Favor and his mission to make sure every child has a bed to sleep in.    
May 24, 2022
251: You Wear 40 Pounds of Gear Because, You Know, You're on Fire Quite a Bit
4164
Three-time NHRA Funny Car Champ and farmer/rancher, Matt Hagan discusses artificial insemination, human waste as fertilizer, and what it’s like to be inside of an 11,000 horsepower funny car when it explodes.
May 17, 2022
250: They Want You to Find Them
5023
Staff Genealogist for Sons of the American Revolution, Jessie Hagan forgoes his Derby party to school Mike and Chuck on their revolutionary lineage, why it matters, and why Knobel is a fitting name for Mike’s whiskey. 
May 10, 2022
249: Sometimes When He Goes Stinky He Forgets to Hold Mr. Beeper Down and Winkles on the Wall
4625
Two-time NYT bestselling author, Peggy Rowe stops by to discuss her upcoming third book, how not to tape your students to a chair, and what it’s like to give your best friend’s eulogy.  
May 03, 2022
248: I'll Attend His Graduation in a U-Haul
4656
Adam Carolla talks frankly about growing up invisible, his podcasting leap of faith, and how he brought his construction work ethic to comedy.  
Apr 26, 2022
247: The Other Side of the Fourth Wall
8495
Master podcaster and chronicler of Hardcore History, Dan Carlin joins the conversation to discuss his process, the war in Ukraine, and the pitfalls of judging yesterday's events with today's values.
Apr 19, 2022
246: Best Preamble Ever!
4143
Mike and Chuck go guestless to talk Australian DJs, Satan’s pool, killing iguanas, and everything else that fills the squares on Mike’s calendar.  
Apr 12, 2022
245: Mom, Do You Have a Stud Finder?
4185
Bloody do-gooder and Returning The Favor alum, Katie Hughes of GirlsBuild.org talks curiosity, confidence, and how a broken toaster changed the course of her life.  
Apr 05, 2022
244: Where's the Beef?
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Celebrity fitness trainer and unapologetic carnivore, Vinnie Tortorich talks diet, hormones, and why he has a beef with the fake-meat industry.
Mar 29, 2022
243: The Best BBQ Comes From a Crockpot
4073
Dave Ramsey joins Mike to discuss his documentary, Borrowed Future; How Student Loans Are Killing the American Dream, the pitfalls of three easy payments, and why great BBQ never comes from a microwave.
Mar 22, 2022
242: Coming Out Blue Collar
5834
Owl Vans owner, John Willenborg talks about the six, six-figure welding jobs he has open, his stint on season 2 of The Apprentice, and the difficulty in telling his white-collar parents that he wanted to leave Berkley to weld. 
Mar 15, 2022
241: The Maddest March Ever
4278
Scott Flansburg, aka the Human Calculator, makes a repeat appearance to bring breaking news on his quest for truth regarding the real origins of basketball.
Mar 08, 2022
240: The Crushing Certainty of Scientology
4152
Today’s guest is Spanky Taylor, whose company does fan management and threat assessment for high profile celebrities.  Oh yeah, and she broke her billion-year contract and escaped Scientology.  
Feb 28, 2022
239: The Best Business Card in History
5073
Former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, with his wife and writing partner, Lisa McCubbin Hill, discuss Clint’s service to five presidents including JFK and that fateful day in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
Feb 21, 2022
238: He Has Nodded on Our Undertakings
5021
President and Professor of Historical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Dr. Peter Lillback dissects Episode 124: At the Crossroads and literally schools Mike and Chuck.
Feb 15, 2022
237: The Cookie Rojas of Cable
4874
Brian Kilmeade, the utility player of FOX News, chats with Mike about Lincoln and Douglass, Rogan and Spotify, Johns Hopkins and how we all want our lives back.
Feb 08, 2022
236: Don't Fly Over the Story
5814
Journalist Salena Zito drops by to discuss the dignity of work, the populist movement, the censorship culture, and why she refers to Mike as her brother from another mother.
Feb 01, 2022
235: The Reports of Our Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
3829
Mike's parents drop by to give him an update on their recent bout with COVID.  Spoiler Alert: They're fine. 
Jan 25, 2022
234: Diapers and Masks and Sharks, Oh My!
4637
The Aquatic Indiana Jones, Jeremiah Sullivan, drops by to discuss art, Science, risk, and the joy of embracing the idiom Safety Third. 
Jan 18, 2022
233: Jay Leno Makes His Own Sandwich
4070
Mike and Jay talk for an hour. Hilarity ensues.
Jan 11, 2022
232: Wanna See Something Really Scary?
4401
Mike rings in the new year with a case of Covid. Chuck has questions.
Jan 05, 2022
231: A Cornhole Christmas!
4076
Mike’s mom is back with another heartfelt, yet wildly inappropriate catch-up with her oldest son. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll dream of cornhole. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas.
Dec 21, 2021
230: It's Not the Itching, It's the Chafing
4879
Mike chats with Sarah Yourgrau, one of the producers of Returning the Favor, to discuss why so many people loved the show, why it won an Emmy, why it made so many people cry tears of unbridled joy, and why it’s cancellation took so many by surprise.
Dec 15, 2021
229: A Symphony of Balls with John Rich
4200
Mike talks to John Rich about what led to their viral smash, Santa’s Gotta Dirty Job, and a whole lot more, including an outrageous phone call to Donald Trump, that led to the title of this episode.
Dec 07, 2021
228: Good Question
4362
Chuck crashes Thanksgiving at Mike’s house, fails to book a proper guest, and relies instead on listeners to pose interesting questions for Mike to answer. The listeners come through, as always.

Nov 30, 2021
227: About Those Safe Spaces
3712
How safe is your space? This is the question Mike attempts to answer with Justin Folk, a filmmaker who left Hollywood behind to make the kinds of movies he believes matter most.
Nov 23, 2021
226: We're Not Making The Godfather
3952
Mike’s guest is a man called Lindsay Schnebly, an accomplished voiceover artist whose unusual name inspired a town, almost.
Nov 16, 2021
225: Why Does Jake Maynard Think My S.W.E.A.T. Pledge is Bonkers?
4634
Mike interviews Chloe Hudson, a 28-year-old welder who received a work ethic scholarship from mikeroweWORKS, and went on to earn six-figures a year, and more recently, the subject of a new documentary called Trading Up. Together, they unpack The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, and try to determine why a writer named Jake Maynard thinks it’s “bonkers.”
Nov 09, 2021
224: "I Didn't Get It!"
4200
Mike has a very serious conversation with a very funny guest about a very serious topic that turns out to be very funny.
Nov 02, 2021
223: Would You Care to Have Your Head Read?
3817
Mike chats with David Keltz, an actor from Baltimore who has assumed the identity of Edgar Alan Poe, and memorized most of his published works.
Oct 26, 2021
222: I Don't Want to Recover From This
4663
A show about nothing, a guy named Jerry, and the audition that changed television. Followed by a very funny conversation with Enrico Colantoni, one of the few actors to be a series regular every week for the last 20 years.
Oct 19, 2021
221: Tim Allen Lives on a Runway
4957
Mike has a most enlightening chat with his TV Big Brother, the one and only Tim Allen, who still seems a little incredulous that Mike didn’t return to Last Man Standing to finish what he started. As for why Tim now lives on the runway of an airport, well, that’s a bit of a mystery...
Oct 12, 2021
220: The Duck of Justice Flies Again
3885
Mike chats with Tim Cotton, the famous cop who saved a stuffed bird from the trash heap and went on to write a couple of bestselling books.
Oct 05, 2021
219: The Beard is Getting Itchy
4810

The true story of the most important novel ever written, and a conversation with the filmmaker who tried to put it on the big screen.

Sep 28, 2021
218: The Human Calculator is on a Mission
4454

The Human Calculator, Scott Flansburg stops by to demonstrate his Guinness world-record abilities, introduce Mike to a better calendar, and explain why he is determined to uncover the real story of how basketball was invented. 

Sep 21, 2021
217: OCCASIONALLY – A Chat with Gary Sinise on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
4576

Mike sits down with his “professional big brother,” to discuss the relevance of 9/11, twenty years after the attack on America.

Sep 11, 2021
216: Off the Wall – A Message to Garcia, and Tim Johnson
4471

Mike responds to criticism from some guy named Tim Johnson, and celebrates the anniversary of mikeroweWORKS by reading the most popular essay of all time. Then, a spirited conversation with Chuck, the nervous producer.

Sep 06, 2021
215: Han Shot First
5339

Mike recalls the circumstances of a young man’s first flight in a plane with an open cockpit, the mother who allowed it to happen, and the consequences that followed. With a little help from George Lucas, Jon Stewart, a mechanical shark, and a conversation with a pilot named Bill Whittle.

 

Aug 31, 2021
214: There's a Fine Line Between a Hero and an Asshole
4429

Mike responds to America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in the only way he can - with the true story of a genuine hero, followed by a conversation with Travis Mills - a man who lost his arms and legs in Afghanistan, and lived to tell the tale. 

Aug 24, 2021
213: “It’s Not What You’d Call a Page Turner”
5325

Mike reads the final and most disgusting chapter from his book, and then welcomes his mom back to the podcast, who takes the opportunity to once again steal the show and upstage her son at every opportunity.

Aug 17, 2021
212: It's Better than Good. It's Done!
3765

A high speed chase, followed by a low speed chase, followed by a candid conversation with the executive producer who first allowed Mike to artificially inseminate a cow on local television.

Aug 10, 2021
211: "Can You Tell Me About the Testicles?"
5083

Mike welcomes Tim Ferriss, author of The Four-Hour Work Week and many other best-selling books, not only to discuss the excellent advice for which Tim Ferriss has become famous, but rather to unpack the question he posed to Mike in 2008. The question that led to one of the most uncomfortable TED Talks of all time, and a speaking career Mike didn’t know he wanted.

Aug 03, 2021
210: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!
5364

Mike takes a deep dive into the nature of authenticity, with a little help from Sean McCourt – a former Broadway actor who works today as a producer on After the Catch and contributor to The Way I Heard It, and God only knows what else. Sean also happens to be the father of Charlotte, the eleven-year-old Girl Scout made famous by her blisteringly honest critique of the cookies she was trying to sell to her Daddy’s wealthy friend five years ago. A critique that unleashed a media blitz for which Mike accepts most of the blame. It’s a rumination on the power of action, and inaction, and the squishy middle in between.

Jul 27, 2021
209: Oops, I Did It Again
4783

The true story of the most consequential pig in the history of Silicon Valley, or for that matter, the world. Followed by the true story of the most consequential pig in Mike’s career – the one he put on a pedestal fifteen years ago, that went on to become the unofficial mascot of Dirty Jobs. Then, a most unusual redux, as Tom Frank returns to set the record straight, and explain in no uncertain terms why a brown garbage bag is a poor substitute for a leather vest.

Jul 20, 2021
208: The Potpourri is About to Hit the Fan!
4925

Mike tracks down Tom Frank, the Hollywood producer who hired him to host the game show that launched his career in television, only to learn his old friend has become a life coach. Or possibly, a career coach. Whatever he is, Tom Frank knows where all the bodies are buried, and tells a story or two that Mike would probably like to forget.

Jul 13, 2021
207: That Time I Knocked a Famous Movie Star on His Ass
5166

A hashtag and a me-too on steroids, followed by a series of digressions too voluminous to list, concluding with the true story of the time Mike knocked a famous movie star on his ass.

Jul 06, 2021
206: Who's Your Granddaddy
4787

After sharing the true story of a hard-charging master sergeant with a voice like a jackhammer who went on to become a famous artist, Mike recalls the lessons learned from his soft-spoken grandfather – an artist of a different kind - whose unique talents inspired a show called Dirty Jobs, and a foundation called mikeroweWORKS. It’s a rumination on men who scream, and men who whisper, complete with a song about a nose that wouldn’t stop bleeding.

Jun 29, 2021
205: A King and a Crouch and Me on a Couch
4592

The true story of two great teachers, two stuttering students, and two happy endings. Followed by a conversation about the beauty of “what,” the danger of “how,” and the timeless challenge of “trying not to try.”

Jun 22, 2021
204: A Quick Look Over the Railing
4735

The true story of the first woman to go where no man had gone before, followed by the true cost of progress, the false value of safety, and a revealing conversation about the profoundly annoying sensation of being swindled by someone you trust.

Jun 15, 2021
203: There's a Hole in Daddy's Arm
4123

This is a sad one. But also a funny one. And frankly, a weird one. There’s sentimentality and singing. Nosebleeds and narcotics. Letters from beyond the grave, and perhaps most surprising, the sudden appearance of a giant scrotum. Probably easier to just listen.

Jun 09, 2021
202: The Leaf Blower Stays In
3706

A famous woman vanishes and triggers the largest manhunt in British history. A hundred years later, Mike loses all his money in an elaborate Ponzi scheme. Coincidence? Probably. But Chuck wonders what Mike’s fictitious hero, Travis McGee, might have to say about the scandal, and Mike has some opinions on the matter – opinions that are somewhat upstaged, paradoxically, by a leaf blower.

Jun 01, 2021
201: Everybody Pees in the Pool
4162

A famous athlete takes great pains to conceal his true identity from millions of fans. Then, Mike welcomes Paul Kelley back to the podcast, to discuss a series of topics too disparate and strange to articulate in a two sentence description.

May 25, 2021
200: Smart Stupid – Now With Slightly More Stupid
4023

What do you get when you cross the most beautiful girl in the world with the funniest man on the planet?  Something smart and something stupid.

May 18, 2021
199: Mothers Day - Now With Fewer Worms
3845

It’s a Mother’s Day surprise, complete with tapeworms, smoke bombs, large chunks of earwax, a wall of dead mice, a fly infestation, and of course, Mike’s favorite mother, with a guest appearance by Mike’s favorite dad. Yeah, it’s a weird one.

May 11, 2021
198: Where Do I Begin
3576

A problem at the border, a fat man in a shiny suit, and all the thirty-five cent draft you can drink. It’s a fine place to begin, even if you don’t know where you’re headed.

May 04, 2021
197: Everybody Run For Your Lives
4273

Mike tells the true story of two friends united by their love of music, divided by their love of a girl, and the fistfight that changed rock and roll. Then, he recalls the audition that changed the course of his own career, before chatting with the old friend who made it happen, and bursting briefly into song.

Apr 27, 2021
196: Call It Macaroni
4983

Sig Hansen from Deadliest Catch joins Mike to discuss the manliest surfer of all time, the manliest fisherman of all time, and the problems that can sometimes arise when you punch a pesky fan in the nose.  Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up.

Apr 20, 2021
195: The Epistemological Jack-in-the-Box
4440

Mike tells the true story of a famous poet who wrote her best stuff while working as a waitress in a diner, many years ago. After that, another true story about the time Joan Rivers saved his career, followed by a rather remarkable catch-up with Paul Kelley, a true renaissance man who worked the overnights with Mike, back in the glory days of home shopping.  Yeah, it gets a little weird… and there is some adult language.

Apr 13, 2021
194: Jon Stewart Owes Me $20!
3211

Ever wonder what The Daily Show would have looked like if Mike Rowe had been hired to host it? Well, guess what – he was! And then he wasn’t. And then, he was! And then…he wasn’t. The question is, does Jon Stewart really owe Mike Rowe $20?

Apr 06, 2021
193: Who Ya Gonna Call
4034

Who ya gonna call when a lifesaver turns deadly? Who ya gonna call when the ghost in your house can’t be busted? If you’re Mike Rowe, you call your producer, and have a very normal chat, about all things paranormal. Boo!

Apr 01, 2021
192: Not Really a Ghost Story
3025

A simple story of a simple homemaker turns in to a not-so-simple tale of the haunted home where Mike lived in 1992, followed by the spontaneous re-telling of the most terrifying night of Mike’s life. A ghost story that’s not really a ghost story, but nevertheless scared Chuck as bad as it did Mike…

Mar 23, 2021
191: Ghost Writers in the Sky
3457

While you will doubtless find this particular episode, chapter, or installment to be interesting, fascinating, or provocative, you will also learn something about the importance of choosing just the right word, term, or expression when attempting to write a memorable tale, story or yarn.  After that, Mike picks the enormous brain of Alex Abramovich, a ghost writer you’ve never heard of, who writes best-selling books for people you have.  

Mar 16, 2021
190: "That's a big-ash tree!!!"
3278

After sharing the story of a famous father and son who could never find the right words, Mike and his Dad prove that words are the least of their problems. Strap in for a completely unpredictable rumination on memory foam. broken windshields, intractable stumps, double-sided axes, ancient wood-stoves, big-ash trees, and transgender dogs. Peggy Rowe is there to supervise, but only makes things weirder, as usual.

Mar 09, 2021
189: Damnatio Memoriae (That’s Latin for Cancel Culture)
3074

In what appears to be an ongoing quest to get himself cancelled, Mike weighs in on the statue controversy much to the alarm of his producer, Chuck. Their conversation then pivots to the  situation in San Francisco, where the school board has recently voted to remove the names of Washington and Lincoln from the facades of public schools – a truly bizarre decision that left Mike to wonder how in the world so many powerful people have managed to get their heads so far up their own asses.

Mar 02, 2021
188: How Much for a Round Trip
4783

Mike tells the amazing story of a mostly forgotten explorer, whose epic journey helped pave the path to Mars. Then, he’s joined by everyone’s favorite astronomer, Dr. Michelle Thaller, to better understand what the hell is happening on the Red Planet, and why it’s so frickin' expensive to get there.

Feb 23, 2021
187: Beware the Irish Hammer
4261

Mike ruminates on the splendid virtues of a certain “Full Figured Gal,” and tells the true story of the day his lawyer – The Irish Hammer – changed the trajectory of his career by challenging him to put a pig on a pedestal. He then invites The Irish Hammer herself – Mary Sullivan – to explain why she left a successful law firm to oversee the career of a man who crawled through sewers to make a living.

Feb 18, 2021
186: That Was Perfect Do It Again
5009

Mike begins with chapter 8 of his bestselling book which contains quite possibly the greatest audition story ever told about one of the most ubiquitous names in television. This is followed by a personal recollection of Mike’s thespian dad and concludes with a moderately inappropriate conversation between Mike and Chuck wherein they swap audition stories from the ‘90s.  It’s totally rad!

Feb 09, 2021
185: Off By Roughly Two Trillion... AGAIN!!!
4635

In episode #185, which Mike incorrectly identifies as episode #184, Mike welcomes noted astronomer Dr. Michelle Thaller, to discuss the obvious differences between sounding certain and being correct. Dr. Thaller, a noted astronomer with an enormous brain, tries to help Mike understand the enormity of the cosmos, and explain why the universe contained 200 billion galaxies just four years ago, and then 2 trillion galaxies just a few weeks later, and then back down to a few hundred billion as of last week. It’s enough to make your head spin, but between Mike’s gigantic cranium and Dr. Thaller’s enormous brain, we finally unlock the secrets of How the Universe Works…

Feb 02, 2021
184: "I can't imagine Facebook is going to let you air this!"
3064

“When it comes to erections, if it’s not one thing, it’s your mother.” Yes, Mike actually wrote that in chapter 7 of his bestselling book, and as you might imagine, his mother didn’t take it lying down…

Jan 26, 2021
183: Play That Funky Music White Boy
2992

Why do people go to such extraordinary lengths to change the way they look? What’s the best piece of music ever written? And why is Mike worried about getting cancelled and sued for the conversation you’re about to hear? There’s only one way to find out…

Jan 19, 2021
182: Mother Knows Best
2444

After reading chapter 5 of his bestselling book, Mike surprises his two-time bestselling mother with a phone call, on which they discuss the perils of prevarication, the joys of growing up Rowe, (on a budget,) and Peggy Rowe’s unsolicited review of Mike’s new show, Six Degrees with Mike Rowe, which she may or may not have actually watched.

Jan 12, 2021
181: Off by Roughly Two Trillion
2269

After reading chapter four of his book, Mike and Chuck discuss the real reason that so many Americans no longer believe people who sound certain - including journalists, politicians, scientists, doctors, professors, and yes… even narrators.

Jan 05, 2021
180: Mike Rowe is Nothing but a Sellout
3001

After Mike shares chapter three of his book he gives a spirited defense of the critical art of salesmanship, during which Chuck accuses him of being a sellout, and the two navigate the precarious world of commercial television vs commercials.

Dec 15, 2020
179: A Shot in the Dark
2575

After listening to chapter two of the best-selling book, The Way I Heard It, Mike and Chuck discuss three catastrophes and the role booze played in each of them, the joys of sharing shots with famous people, why Mike is NOT hosting one of the longest running TV shows in America, and the perils of primetime pixelated vomit. 

Dec 08, 2020
178: Be Wary of All Earnestness
3050

After reading the first chapter of his best-selling book, Mike has a candid, conversation with his producer, Chuck, about the origins of this podcast, the impact of singing old songs with old veterans, and his personal aversion to all things “earnest.”

Dec 01, 2020
177: It's Thanksgiving! What the Chuck?!
916

Mike sits down with his producer Chuck for a candid conversation about the future of The Way I Heard it.  Whiskey is sipped, decisions are made, life goes on.     

Nov 26, 2020
176: The Trouble With 159
780

Mike takes a deep dive into episode 159 and the controversy surrounding a quote that was challenged by Billy Martin Jr., son of the late great baseball manager, Billy Martin.  SPOILER ALERT: If you have not yet heard episode 159 this episode will spoil it for you. 

Nov 10, 2020
175: His Brother's Keeper
711

A spooky tale of an ordained minister and a demonic possession. 

Oct 27, 2020
174: Once Upon a Time in the Wild Wild West
349

Bill waited until the crowd had gathered on his property... and then he shot them all.

Oct 20, 2020
173: Visiting Hours
426

When you have a family this big, you’re guaranteed an occasional visit…

Oct 06, 2020
172: An Unforgivable Overreaction
406

With the war in full bloom all eyes were on the president — would he or wouldn’t he launch?  

Oct 01, 2020
171: He Really Stuck With It
491

And that was good news for the naked burglar.

Sep 22, 2020
170: They Were All at Risk
501

Especially those with a pre-existing condition…

Sep 15, 2020
169: A Mouse in the House
418

That was particularly hard to find.

Sep 08, 2020
168: A Hooker You Can Trust
552

Call her what you will--the lady had vision.

Aug 18, 2020
167: They Knew It When They Saw It
547

And Jerry knew that he desperately needed to get to a meeting.

Aug 12, 2020
166: A Disaster in the Kitchen
627

Seriously, her cakes were downright repulsive!

Aug 04, 2020
165: The Feel Good Hit of the Summer
427

A real toe-tapper that no one could escape.

Jul 28, 2020
164: A Line in the Sand
471

Sometimes, you simply have to draw one.

Jul 21, 2020
163: He Was Not Inclined To Judge
513

But did he really have to eat bull testicles to prove it?  

Jul 07, 2020
162: OCCASIONALLY--Independence Day
837

In honor of Independence Day, Mike chews up the scenery with a recitation of what may be the most important speech ever delivered, by the man historians call "The Forgotten Founder." 

Jul 04, 2020
161: Excess Baggage
378

A helicopter filled with evacuees tries to get off the ground as the shooting intensifies.  What could possibly go wrong?  

Jun 23, 2020
160: A Groundbreaking Structure of Staggering Possibility
710

This architect enjoyed a good challenge.  But this one nearly broke him...

Jun 16, 2020
159: He Was Just Trying To Get Home
614

So too, was the man who got in his way.

Jun 09, 2020
158: On the Pursuit of Satisfaction
791

The kid had a head for numbers.

May 12, 2020
157: A Novel Hero
1196

What he did was unspeakably brave.  So why then, did no one speak of it?

May 05, 2020
156: A Bridge Too Far
853

They built a lot of bridges.  Perhaps, one too many...

Apr 14, 2020
155: Lullaby for a Crackhead
947

He only had the one hit...but boy, was it a wonder!

Apr 07, 2020
154: OCCASIONALLY--Quarantined Edition
1259

Mike was the keynote speaker at the last large gathering in the United States before the country officially closed for business. His job? Shaking hands--with over a hundred thousand people. Now, after three weeks of self-isolation, he'd like to tell you about it. And then, read a very funny story from his mom's new book.

Mar 31, 2020
153: An Offer They Couldn't Refuse
520

The player loved to play... but on this particular occasion--he chose the wrong playmate.

Mar 17, 2020
152: They Had Their Way With Her
841

Or did they...

Mar 10, 2020
151: He Was Ready For His Close Up
860

It was the gig of a lifetime... it just wasn't Gig's.

Mar 03, 2020
150: Dude Looks Like a Lady
935

She broke the glass ceiling with ease.  But her secret was taken to the grave.

Feb 25, 2020
149: Broadswords in a Pit
978

James and Rebecca simply could not settle their differences... that's where the broadswords came in.

Feb 18, 2020
148: A Book to Pass the Time
715

Because you need something to break the boredom of marching 300 miles in 10 degree weather to bring three boat thieves to justice... or so I'm told.

Feb 11, 2020
147: Her Biggest Fan
357

The doctor told her not to sing... but she did anyway.

Jan 21, 2020
146: OCCASIONALLY--Christmastime
1120

Christmastime is upon us, and with it comes the season of giving. Mike recites perhaps the greatest story ever written about the spirit of giving.

Dec 24, 2019
145: Does This Look Infected
442

Yes, as a matter of fact, it does.  But penicillin won't help...

Nov 19, 2019
144: A Legend In His Own Mind
547

He was destined for greatness.  No one knew it but him.

Nov 12, 2019
143: Rude Awakenings
555

Some said he was cursed, others said he was blessed, but everyone agreed--he was the luckiest kraut in the navy.

Nov 05, 2019
142: OCCASIONALLY--Halloween
1095

It's All Hallow's Eve! So what better way to mark the occasion than with an episode of OCCASIONALLY. Mike pays homage to the macabre musings of the great Edgar Allan Poe by reciting perhaps his most famous story. Light a candle, pour a beverage, and let the Victorian goosebumps wash over you. Prepare yourself for the insidious beating of... The Tell Tale Heart

Oct 31, 2019
141: On Average 15 Times a Day
392

But for this woman... maybe a bit more.

Oct 15, 2019
140: Another Band of Brothers
418

This group gave us the most iconic sound of all time.

Oct 08, 2019
139: A Penniless Singer
433

Who earned a funeral fit for a king.

Oct 01, 2019
138: An Extraordinary Swap
516

A love story.  Sort of...

Sep 17, 2019
137: A Bona Fide Sex Symbol
396

She simply had no choice.

Sep 10, 2019
136: A Boy And His Dog
390

The skinny kid was so desperate that he was about to sell his best friend.

Sep 03, 2019
135: The Illegitimate Son-of-a-Smith
630

Denied his father's true last name for most of his life, James reclaimed it--in a monumental way.

May 28, 2019
134: Not Your Typical Homemaker
523

Julia was flattered by the proposal—but it came with certain… preconditions.

May 07, 2019
133: Call It What You Will
500

It's difficult to describe the chaos of an unpredictable world--but Peter sure tried.

May 01, 2019
132: Harvey's Future Ex-Wife
382

She just said she was going home - but it's the way she said it that we remember.

Apr 16, 2019
131: The Mystery of the Vanishing Woman
489

When one of the most famous women in the world disappears without a trace, it sets off one of the greatest whodunits you've never heard of.

Apr 09, 2019
130: A Tale of Two Pupils
466

They were classmates, bandmates, and best friends - even after one devastating punch changed everything.

Apr 02, 2019
129: Mother Knows Best
481

Mary had issues, no doubt about it.  But her mother was always there for her...

Mar 19, 2019
128: One Hell of a Toll
537

The journey was an incredible achievement - but the true cost was difficult to bear.

Mar 12, 2019
127: No Polite Way To Put It
469

When it comes to writing steamy love letters, you really gotta hand it to Elizabeth and George - even though they handed it to themselves...

Mar 05, 2019
126: Smooth Operator
393

It was a mission he chose to accept - and the tape did not self-destruct.

Feb 26, 2019
125: On The Importance of Staying Grounded
455

How many near misses can one guy take - and still remain grounded.

Feb 20, 2019
124: At The Crossroads
459

Where one can ponder a big decision and enjoy a continental breakfast. 

Sponsored by Postmates, use promo code: ROWE

Feb 14, 2019
123: Another Tortured Artist
413

A battered boy who couldn't stand the sight of his own reflection - so he changed it.

Jan 15, 2019
122: The Cherry Pie Is To Die For
521

But Ted was craving a slice of something else.

Jan 08, 2019
121: Her Most Notable Assets
497

She was plucked from obscurity and destined to satisfy the appetite of her insatiable benefactor.

Jan 01, 2019
120: 30 Minutes of Disappointing Television
405

You can't put THAT on TV!

Dec 18, 2018
119: They Shook On It
553

The significance of that shake was beyond this world.

Dec 11, 2018
118: A Rapacious Capitalist
530

He talked to everyone - but it was the interview he didn't give that changed his life forever.

Dec 04, 2018
117: Some Kind of Consequence
433

It wasn't exactly the trial of the century, but nearly everyone agreed - something had to be done.  

Nov 20, 2018
116: A Little Town Up North
458

It was just a tiny patch of farmland near a tiny little burg - but oh, the things that happened there...

Nov 13, 2018
115: A Conventional Hero
488

There are many ways to save a life - this one was rather conventional. 

Nov 06, 2018
114: A Manly Man, A Gold Medal, and A Really Big Sea
527

How to wave goodbye to your current career. 

Oct 16, 2018
113: According To Peter
488

This man's reputation needed to be destroyed - and that's the gospel truth... according to Peter.

Oct 10, 2018
112: No Ordinary Fan
497

Nothing came between Don and his boys - especially on game day.

Oct 02, 2018
111: Can You Be There By Nine?
437

Sure, as soon as I'm done playing Cowboys and Indians.

Sep 18, 2018
110: The Man Who Ran Away
351

When the shooting started this patriot ran for his life.

Sep 11, 2018
109: The Biggest Name In Town
362

She was young and beautiful - and about to kill someone.

Sep 04, 2018
108: Words Worth Remembering
335

These words take on a whole new meaning once you know the story behind why they were written.  

Aug 21, 2018
107: His Last Letter Home
486

It contained a much desired promise - from beyond the grave.

Aug 14, 2018
106: Keep Your Voice Down
381

All he wanted was a little peace and quiet - from himself.

Aug 07, 2018
105: Just What the Doctor Ordered
421

This doctor believed it was a right that came with the PhD.

Jul 24, 2018
104: The One Percenters
390

They paid their fair share, and then some...

Jul 03, 2018
103: A Girl Named Frank
422

When it came to getting exactly what she wanted - Frank could be very persuasive.  

Jun 26, 2018
102: The Manchester Cowboy
353

This famous aspiring jockey just wanted to hear the roar of the crowd - but this was not the crowd he was expecting.

May 15, 2018
101: The Way I Talked About The Way I Heard It
2417

WARNING: This is not your ordinary The Way I heard It. This episode contains SPOILERS. 

Storyteller Mike Rowe is joined by producer Chuck Klausmeyer to answer questions posed by fans of The Way I Heard It.  Mike covers everything from how the podcast started to where it's headed in the future.  

May 10, 2018
100: How Not To Ruin Your Most Expensive Suit
340

It was opening night on the world's largest stage, but when you gotta go - you gotta go.

May 08, 2018
99: My Little Machine
378

A truly democratic machine and the man who didn't invent it.

May 01, 2018
98: Send Me The Bill
411

Wee Johnny wanted a mighty check - so he sent out some mighty big bills.

Apr 17, 2018
97: A Very Lucky Lady
400

No doubt about it - Miriam's timing was impeccable.

Apr 10, 2018
96: The Pilot and the Passenger
646

No movie has been made about this heroic tale, but over a hundred movies have been made because of it.  

Apr 03, 2018
95: Something Is Missing
582

He did everything a hero and patriot ought to do... almost.

Mar 20, 2018
94: On The Importance of Better Driving
472

But how do you eliminate driver error?

Mar 13, 2018
93: As Long As It's Legal
438

Who says you can't preach Sunday morning, and then sell whiskey Sunday night?

Mar 06, 2018
92: Sharp as a Tack
383

Big John knew a simple but powerful equation when he saw one.

Feb 27, 2018
91: A Potty Mouth With a Secret
479

Do you want to know the bleeping secret or not!

Feb 13, 2018
90: A Man Well Hung
462

People came from miles around just to see it.

Feb 06, 2018
89: Armed For Love
481

Looking for love in the classifieds can lead to explosive consequences. 

Jan 03, 2018
88: The Missiles of December
555

It was never good new when the red phone rang - and on this December night it was ringing off the hook. 

Dec 19, 2017
87: A Town Where Anything Can Happen
427

What does a former POW do when he returns home from an unpopular war?  Stand naked in the town square of course!

Dec 12, 2017
86: Francisco's Flakes
502

A tale of award-winning flakes and delayed gratification.

Dec 05, 2017
85: Strange Bedfellows
352

Pete just wanted to get some sleep - But he could not get his bunkmate's earworm out of his head.

Nov 28, 2017
84: A Very High Bar
357

He was willing to play the white-man's game - he just wished they had told him the rules first.

Nov 21, 2017
83: How Soon They Forget
524

It was the trial of the century - that no one remembers.

Nov 14, 2017
82: The Men Behind Bars
390

A father and a son with more than just bars between them.

Nov 07, 2017
81: The Consultant
471

He was notoriously proficient in his field and his advice was priceless – he just didn’t make house calls. 

Oct 31, 2017
80: How The Game Was Played
424

Saul's nephew kept a secret his entire career - you could do that back then.

Oct 24, 2017
79: Bobby Brings Home the Bacon
451

Only problem is - it's not Bobby's bacon.

Oct 17, 2017
78: Give That Man a Cigar
455

Eddie was really good at blowing smoke.

Oct 10, 2017
77: How To Get Rich and Save Lives by Talking Dirty
579

The story of a slightly subversive student with a taste for gin.

Oct 03, 2017
76: A Hot Babe Who Liked It Rough
454

The family business was brutal - but this Babe wanted in.

Sep 26, 2017
75: A Safe Space
410

His personal proclivities seemed to trigger women – so he had to keep them a secret.

Sep 22, 2017
74: The Ride of His Life
464

When you're in the back of an ambulance in the middle of a snowstorm - every second counts.

Sep 12, 2017
73: Monkey Business
297

How to make a billion dollars and remain absolutely calm.

Sep 05, 2017
72: Better Late Than Never
399

When the time came to fight for their King, these knights were prepared to show the enemy what they were made of.

Aug 29, 2017
71: Head In The Clouds
438

Henry Junior just wanted to get out of Henry Senior's famous shadow.

Aug 22, 2017
70: You Might Feel a Little Pinch
324

No matter how bad your habits, this dentist can stop your pain - guaranteed! 

Aug 15, 2017
69: "A Little Dab'll Do Ya!"
390

Take it from mother - never underestimate the power of a little make-up, properly applied.

Aug 08, 2017
68: A Nice Girl From Wisconsin
355

The consequences of her choice would forever change the world.

Aug 01, 2017
67: Charlie's Big Break
359

This aspiring songwriter was a family man who really wanted to be famous. 

Jul 25, 2017
66: A Serial Inventor
406

Because necessity is actually the mother of investment

Jul 18, 2017
65: A Full Figured Gal
429

She had tons of suitors because men knew that with her - anything was possible.

Jul 11, 2017
64: It's Good To Be The King
1826

Mike tells a very personal story of the King that changed his life.  

Jul 08, 2017
63: Render Unto Caesar
418

Caesar's ride that changed the course of Western Civilization. 

Jul 04, 2017
62: I'd Like To Buy a Vowel
433

But only if the spirit moves you.

Jun 27, 2017
61: When the World's on Fire
303

The melody was sweet, but the lyrics were too painful to sing.

Jun 20, 2017
60: Something to Stand For
512

What do you get when you cross a Private, a General, a lawyer, a doctor and two teenagers?  Something worth standing for.

Jun 13, 2017
59: A Hero Under the Influence
384

When all is lost and the end is near - why not have a drink... or several.

Jun 06, 2017
58: A Lesser Known Vessel
337

Captain Cooper was asked to do the impossible - But he found it impossible not to try.

May 30, 2017
57: But Who's Counting
485

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night could keep this 60 year-old mailman from finally receiving his due.

May 23, 2017
56: Something Unforgettable and Real
467

Bill was known for creating unforgettable car chases - but there was one chase he wished he could forget.  

May 16, 2017
55: The Man Behind the Microphone
370

Sometimes choosing the right words means not sticking to the script.

May 09, 2017
54: The Boy Who Loved to Fly
371

He flew into history - thanks to a nervous mother with an old-fashioned name.

May 06, 2017
53: A Simple Solution
394

His formula saved millions from starvation - among other things.

May 02, 2017
52: A Patient Man
427

John loved Peggy so much he would do anything for her... including this!

Apr 25, 2017
51: Kids Stuff
416

Mr. Akai had a secret - and every kid in the neighborhood knew it.

Apr 18, 2017
50: Size Matters
510

In a competition like this - every inch counts.

Apr 11, 2017
49: Dream Job
368

The greatest World's Fair on the planet - and it all started with shoveling horse poo.

Apr 04, 2017
48: An Unmistakable Sound
396

Bob was a Mad Man who could sell anything - but this new product gave him a terrible headache.  

Mar 28, 2017
47: On Thin Branches
352

How a mild mannered middle-school band teacher terrified America. 

Mar 21, 2017
46: Fair Warning
373

You know his name - now you'll know why.

Mar 14, 2017
45: The Biscuit Bomb
391

Melvin's Stories always had a surprise ending - this one surprised even Melvin.

Mar 07, 2017
44: The Greaseman Cometh
405

Don't like your job?  Just invent something that does it for you.

Feb 28, 2017
43: The Paint Salesman
444

"Work hard, tell the truth, and don't be late for supper."

Feb 21, 2017
42: A Standing Ovation
354

You can stand, but don't you dare applaud.

Feb 14, 2017
41: Words, Words, Words
361

Choose them wisely or deal with the consequences.  

Feb 07, 2017
40: Chip Off the Old Block
356

This groundbreaking agent had the world's most unique client.  And he took him straight to the top.

Jan 31, 2017
39: A Rose By Any Other Name
390

Neat trick, but can you copyright it?

Jan 24, 2017
38: On Self Abuse
435

Please sir, can I have some more?

Jan 17, 2017
37: Man of Faith
316

A showdown between a pious governor a righteous crowd - what could possibly go wrong? 

Jan 14, 2017
36: Oh Brother!
336

Thanksgiving isn't complete without a second helping of Presidential election politics.

Jan 12, 2017
35: The Code Breaker
327

His ear for hearing patterns served him well.

Jan 10, 2017
34: That's All Folks
482

Who knew cartoon characters could be so litigious?

Dec 14, 2016
33: You Don't Know Mike
427

Sometimes, all you can do is watch.

Sep 11, 2016
32: The Dreamer
372

He couldn't change the people, so he changed the world.

Aug 30, 2016
31: The Hangman & The Windsor Knot
306

How a perfectly tied Windsor knot led to a date with the gallows.

Aug 23, 2016
30: The Demoted Deserter
367

War is hell, but the paperwork is intolerable.

Aug 16, 2016
29: The 100 Billion Dollar Bar
313

How his sweet tooth changed your life.

Aug 09, 2016
28: An Incredible Reinvention
328

When no one wants your product, don't change the product, change the name.

Aug 02, 2016
27: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
343

I don't want to split hairs, but EVERYONE should know this woman's name.

Jul 26, 2016
26: Rose Garden Rubbish
327

Even the President can't help this guy catch a break.

Jul 19, 2016
25: The Prisoner
304

The craziest prison break story you've never heard of.

Jul 12, 2016
24: Big Guy, Little Guy
267

How do you compete with a thriving 20th century company? Use 18th century technology of course.

Jul 05, 2016
23: Donnie's Secret
315

Donnie has a secret... and it's a doozie.

Jun 28, 2016
22: In Laws on the Outs
361

Their escape from an overbearing family really put them on the map.

Jun 21, 2016
21: The Coward of the Deep
369

Who will sing the praises of the famous warrior who refused to fight.

Jun 14, 2016
20: Fred's Final Wish
301

Why Fred's kids stopped for a snack on the way to his funeral.

Jun 07, 2016
19: John's Portuguese Cousin
350

A most unlikely path to becoming one of the greatest voices of all time.

May 31, 2016
18: The Toymaker
256

Al didn't want to make toys, he just wanted to fly.

May 24, 2016
17: The Lady Calls the Shots
339

He loved her so much he gave her his job.

May 17, 2016
16: The Orphan Hero
336

She was plucked from the streets and catapulted to fame.

May 10, 2016
15: Sorry, Wrong Number
300

Sometimes in life, it's better not to stick to the script.

May 03, 2016
14: The American Rock Star
356

His music career really blew up.

Apr 26, 2016
13: On My Honor
327

They say the truth will set you free, but in this case, it was a little white lie.

Apr 19, 2016
12: One Hit Wonder
317

No one has ever matched his record, and no one knows his name.

Apr 12, 2016
11: Lord of Loud
290

He didn't like the quiet, so he made sure we all could pump up the volume.

Apr 05, 2016
10: Lord of Light
347

The most expensive theme park there never was.

Mar 29, 2016
9: The Longshot
331

Sometimes the only way to prove your worth, is with a trial by fire.

Mar 22, 2016
8: It's a Shame About Your Face
315

The most recognizable face that no one wanted to hire.

Mar 15, 2016
7: "Be right back, hon!"
263

She believes her husband is a genius. The only problem, no one else does. How her road trip changed everything – for YOU!

Mar 08, 2016
6: "This isn't funny!"
331

It was a cold, dark night on the field of battle – and one man had the perfect plan to strike back at the enemy.

Mar 01, 2016
5: Breaking The Silence
323

He found his voice and defined a generation. And he owes it all to a little piece of fruit. 

Mar 01, 2016
4: Little Bits Of Corpse
391

Was he a lunatic or a genius? Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially when you're telling the world that doctors are killing their patients.

Mar 01, 2016
3: Clean Up On Aisle 4!
282

How did the clerks in a modest grocery store change the world as we know it?

Mar 01, 2016
2: He Had It All
287

He had the talent. He had the charisma. He had the looks. But without one little change, he'd never be the household name he is today.

Mar 01, 2016
1: The 25 Million Dollar Kiss
317

A kiss from her helped win the war. But her real assets changed the world as we know it.

Feb 24, 2016
Introducing 'The Way I Heard It'
140
What started as a series of short mysteries for the curious mind with a short attention span, has evolved into enlightening conversations for the not-so-short attention span.   Whether it's a short mystery, a long conversation, or an audio book, The Way I Heard It is a veritable box of chocolates for the ears, because you never know what you're going to get.  

Feb 23, 2016