The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe (The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe)

Sometimes, all you can do is watch.

The significance of that shake was beyond this world.

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

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

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

When the shooting started this patriot ran for his life.

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

Sometimes, you simply have to draw one.

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!

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

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

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

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.  

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

Especially those with a pre-existing condition…

Choose them wisely or deal with the consequences.  

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

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

The consequences of her choice would forever change the world.

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. 

Neat trick, but can you copyright it?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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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…

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

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.     

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

She was plucked from the streets and catapulted to fame.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

And that was good news for the naked burglar.

Who earned a funeral fit for a king.

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

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

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

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

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

But how do you eliminate driver error?

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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 kid had a head for numbers.

People came from miles around just to see it.

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

He loved her so much he gave her his job.

That was particularly hard to find.

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

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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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. 

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

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

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

A love story.  Sort of...

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

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

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

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

She simply had no choice.

War is hell, but the paperwork is intolerable.

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

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.

How to wave goodbye to your current career. 

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

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.

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.    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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

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.  

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

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

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.

Seriously, her cakes were downright repulsive!

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.