Jillian Michaels is a renowned fitness expert, television personality, podcaster, and bestselling author known most for her role on The Biggest Loser . She has built a global brand around health, wellness, and personal empowerment through fitness. Big thanks to our terrific sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe Post a job for FREE. K12.com/ROWE Find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you. PureTalk.com/Rowe Save 50% off your first month! BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers!...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 441
Arguably America’s greatest living playwright, David Mamet, drops by to discuss movies, theater, philosophy, and his new book, The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment , in which he offers sharp insights into American culture, politics, and the art of storytelling. WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS MARKED EXPLICIT as the language gets quite spicy, and we did not quack the f-bombs. Otherwise, the episode would resemble a waddling of ducks. Shout out to our great sponsors CompanyCam.com Jo...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 440
New York Times bestselling author Codie Sanchez has a background working in finance but gave up Wall Street for Main Street. She is a blue-collar entrepreneur and investor known for buying and growing “boring” cash-flow businesses like laundromats and car washes. She founded Contrarian Thinking to help others achieve financial freedom through unconventional investing. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors K12.com/ROWE to find a tuition-free K12 -powered school near you. AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 439
Jan Jekielek is a senior editor with The Epoch Times and host of “ American Thought Leaders .” He has extensively covered the issue of forced organ harvesting in China, particularly concerning Falun Gong practitioners. It is estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 organs annually have been involuntarily extracted from political prisoners in China. Jan’s investigative work has brought international attention to this human rights atrocity. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors PureTalk.com/Rowe to sup...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 438
437: Neal McDonough—Clear the Mechanism The perennial character actor villain turned leading man drops by to talk about the first film where he finally gets to kiss the girl at the end, The Last Rodeo —and that girl is played by his wife, Ruvé. Coincidence? Not a chance. That’s the only way Neal would do it. Neal also discusses how he secured a return to Taylor Sheridan’s Tulsa Kings, why he thought Sylvester Stallone might deck him on set, and the greatest career advice Clint Eastwood gave him....
May 20, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 437
Once named one of Inc. magazine’s 10 most admired CEOs, Garry led WD-40 for 25 years. At that time, his leadership and positive corporate culture grew WD-40 into one of the world's most recognized and well-loved brands. In this episode, Garry discusses how he achieved this and why he detailed it in his book, Any Dumbass Can Do It . Many thanks to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipIntro for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Switch to a qualifying plan and claim your FREE Samsung Galaxy...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 436
Amid the tariff wars, Mike sits down with two men whose businesses are NOT affected by foreign supply chains. Josh is a master bladesmith and founder of the Montana Knife Company , and Bayard is founder and CEO of American Giant . Both men are uniquely positioned to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of making products entirely in the United States. Big thanks to our terrific sponsors BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers! LifeVac.net Use code MIKE to get 20% off your full purchase Watch ...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 435
You may know Sarah as the on-camera producer from Facebook’s Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe. She is also a two-time Emmy-winning storyteller, social anthropologist, founder and CEO of Common Ground Studios , and the absolute cheeriest person you’ll ever meet! Sarah talks with Mike about their new show, People You Should Know, which will premiere May 2 on Mike’s YouTube channel @therealmikerowe . Shout out to our great sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code: Mike to get $35 off their best-sell...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 434
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! Big thanks to our terrific sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code: Mike to get $35 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame. CompanyCam.com Jobsite photo tools to manage work from anywhere. K12.com/Rowe Find a tuition-free K12-powered school near yo...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 433
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. Shout out to our great sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipIntro for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Switch today to a qualifying plan and claim your FREE Samsung Galaxy BuildSubmarines.com Explore available careers!...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 432
David Bahnsen is the founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of The Bahnsen Group, which manages over seven billion dollars in assets. He’s also a podcaster, author, and Christian intellectual. His book, Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life , is simpatico with Mike’s S.W.E.A.T. pledge. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. Tax Network USA—Call 800-958-1000 or visit TNUSA.com/ROWE for a FREE consultation. LifeVac.net...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 431
Award-winning actor and old friend Rico drops by for a hysterical, if not irreverent, hang with Mike and Chuck, friends he’s had for 40+ years. There is laughter; there are tears, and there is laughter that turns into tears. Warning: Don’t listen while drinking coffee in front of a computer. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Save 50% off your first month! LifeVac.net Use code MIKE to get 20% off your full purchase American-Gi...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 430
The multi-award-winning actor, chronic philanthropist, and all-around outstanding human drops by to talk about his son, Mac Sinise, who sadly passed away January 5, 2024. Gary shares Mac’s story and the musical compositions he left behind, all of which can be found on Resurrection & Revival parts 1 and 2, which are available on vinyl here . The three music videos mentioned during the episode are Arctic Circles by Mac Sinise, Shenandoah (author unknown), and The Rise by Mac Sinise....
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 429
As a logger and forester, Mike Albrecht knows a lot about wood. He is the two-time president of the American Loggers Council, and he’s on a mission to reintroduce America to one of its most abundant and reliable renewable resources—wood. Mike also speaks to how we can better manage our forests to prevent wildfires.
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 428
Carlos spent seven weeks without any screens—no phone, no computer, no TV. His newest book, Reconnected , documents that journey filled with monks, Amish, a bobcat, and lots of self-discovery....
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 427
It’s a compelling hang with the iconic comedian, actor, and renaissance man who takes a deep dive on a myriad of topics, including philosophy, physics, and fire prevention. His new sitcom, Shifting Gears, can be seen on ABC Wednesdays at 8PM.
Feb 18, 2025•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 426
Former vice president of marketing at Publishers Clearing House, Darrell Lester, tells the inside story of how PCH started as a mom & pop shop, meteorically rose to one of the most beloved companies in America, and then was nearly destroyed by bad press and lawsuits because of greed. Darrell witnessed it all and chronicled it in his book, Downfall of an Icon: The True Story of Publishers Clearing House ....
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 425
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....
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 424
Alex Epstein is back! He’s a philosopher and energy expert who argues that "human flourishing" should be the guiding principle of energy and environmental progress.
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 423
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.
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 422
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.
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 421
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.
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 420
We begin with a mystery for the curious mind with a short attention span and we conclude with the story of Christmas, the way I heard it. The guest is Quentin Schultze and his book can be found here ....
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 419
Multiple Emmy-winning aerial photographer David Alan Arnold has shot World Series, Super Bowls, X-Games, commercials, and movies. But he truly earns his paycheck risking his life on television shows like Survivor, Amazing Race, and especially Deadliest Catch, the show he worked on with Mike Rowe. Dave and Mike share true stories of harrowing flights, near misses, and fisherman funerals, all of which can be found in David’s book, Help From Above ....
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 418
Nikki Stratton is the granddaughter of Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton. Donald was a sailor aboard the ill-fated USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, and wrote the book All the Gallant Men to recount the event. Nikki is the sponsor of the soon-to-be-commissioned nuclear submarine SSN Arizona. Every ship in the US Navy has a female sponsor who has a plethora of duties, including christening the ship. Nikki recounts her grandfather’s harrowing escape from the burning USS Arizona and breaks down ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 417
Oklahoma builder Nathan Walters discusses his unlikely journey to owning his own building business, the virtues and pitfalls of college vs. on-the-job training, and what he’s doing in Oklahoma to encourage high schoolers to consider the trades.
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 416
Ronda and her husband Corey founded Isaiah 117 House to provide a safe and loving home for children awaiting placement in the foster care system. Isaiah 177 House was featured on Mike’s Facebook show, Returning the Favor. Ronda tells how her appearance on the show affected her mission, her life, and especially her health.
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 415
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!
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 414
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....
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 413
Three-time NYT Bestselling author a.k.a. Mike’s mom checks in to share tales from Rowe Halloween’s gone by.
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 412
