The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
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.
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506: Nick Nichols—Folds of Honor
10/06/2026
506: Nick Nichols—Folds of Honor
What does it really feel like to fly into combat knowing you may not come home? knows the answer. A 30-year Air Force veteran, F-16 pilot, and seven-time combat veteran, Nick now leads , providing scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders. Nick joins Mike to pull back the curtain on life in the cockpit, what deployment is really like, and the unlikely path that led him from the cockpit of an F-16 to a new mission with Folds of Honor. Then he tells Mike a deeply personal account of the one combat mission that still haunts him to this day Many thanks to our excellent sponsors —The best place to find a six-figure, AI-proof job. Build your future. Rebuild America. —American Giant makes clothes that last, and they make them 100% in America.Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. American Giant—American Made. —The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours. —Chapter compares every Medicare plan nationwide to recommend the right coverage for you. Call them at 804-CHAPTER or visit to get free, unbiased Medicare help. Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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505: Brooke Rollins—Where’s the Beef?
09/29/2026
505: Brooke Rollins—Where’s the Beef?
This is a two-parter in one episode! Part One was recorded in May, when Mike sat down with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to talk about her vision for American agriculture, the challenges facing farmers and ranchers, and the future of food production in America. Four months later, Mike needed to follow up after President Trump’s proclamation calling for 300,000 metric tons of additional beef imports—a decision that was met with concern by many American ranchers. So, Part Two was recorded in September. Mike asks the Secretary to explain the decision, what it means for American ranchers, and what it means for consumers. Two conversations, recorded months apart, with a lot more in common than you might expect. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors —100% of their meat comes from American farms and ranches and delivered straight to your door. Start your plan and get a FREE Ground Beef Bundle with your firs order. —Switch your phone service today and get UNLIMITED high-speed data for just $34.99 a month and save an additional 50% off your first month. —The digital operating system for your house. Less rework. Less confusion. And a much smoother build experience for homeowners. Get 40% off your first 3 months
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504: Victor Davis Hanson—The Counter Revolution
09/22/2026
504: Victor Davis Hanson—The Counter Revolution
What happens when a nation forgets the value of the people who make, build, fix, and grow things? Historian, classicist, farmer, and Hoover Institution Senior Fellow joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about what America values—and what it may have forgotten. They explore the difference between the generalist and the specialist, the importance of the “muscular” trades, and why a strong middle class is essential to a healthy society. Hanson also discusses his new book, , which examines Trump’s political comeback and argues that his return to power was part of a broader reaction to the political, cultural, and institutional forces that shaped the years between his two presidencies. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors —100% of their meat comes from American farms and ranches and delivered straight to your door. Start your plan and get a FREE Ground Beef Bundle with your firs order. —Contribute to ACE Scholarships to give more children access to the right opportunities, resources and learning environments they need to thrive. In return, you’ll receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. —The best place to find a six-figure, AI-proof job. Build your future. Rebuild America.
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503: Alex Clark—Don’t Eat That
09/15/2026
503: Alex Clark—Don’t Eat That
What if some of the food we’ve been told is convenient, affordable, and perfectly safe is actually making us sick? , host of the popular podcast and a passionate advocate for healthier food, joins Mike to discuss , a documentary in which she appears that takes a hard look at what’s really behind America’s processed-food problem. The conversation explores how Big Food adopted tactics pioneered by Big Tobacco, the science and marketing behind ultra-processed foods, what happens when corporate interests collide with public health, and why it’s so difficult to know what’s actually good for us anymore. But this isn’t just a crusade for Alex—it’s personal. She tells Mike about her father’s battle with chronic illness and death, and how it inspired her mission to figure out why so much of what we eat seems determined to kill us. Alex gets fired up. Mike gets curious. And together, they ask a simple question: What exactly are we eating? Today’s episode is sponsored by —Switch your phone service today and get UNLIMITED high-speed data for just $34.99 a month and save an additional 50% off your first month. —The last work sock you’ll ever need. 100% American made with a 10year warranty. Use code ROWE for 10% off Mike’s favorite work sock. —The #1 Cloud ER. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get NetSuite’sFREE business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work.
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502: Chris Power—The Other Hadrian's Wall
09/08/2026
502: Chris Power—The Other Hadrian's Wall
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Roman Emperor Hadrian built a wall to protect the empire’s northern frontier. Today, another Hadrian is building something very different—but with a similar purpose: helping protect America by rebuilding its industrial strength. Chris Power is the founder and CEO of Hadrian, an advanced manufacturing company using AI and automation to produce critical components for America’s aerospace and defense industries. Born in Australia, Chris believes America is the greatest country in the world—and he’s determined to help keep it that way. His mission is to reinvigorate America’s industrial base, starting with the Defense Industrial Base. Chris joins Mike to discuss manufacturing, national security, and why America’s ability to defend itself ultimately depends on its ability to make things. Because sometimes the best defense isn’t another wall. It’s the ability to make what you need, when you need it. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors —100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivered straight to your door. Start your plan and get a free Ground Beef Bundle with your firs order. Good Ranchers—American meat delivered. —The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours.
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501: Andy Stumpf—Gray Noise
09/01/2026
501: Andy Stumpf—Gray Noise
knows what it takes to operate when everything goes wrong. A former Navy SEAL who served with SEAL Team Six, Stumpf spent 17 years in the military, including a tour as a BUD/S instructor responsible for training hundreds of aspiring SEALs. He was also shot at close range by an Iraqi insurgent with an AK-47—and somehow came back to serve again. In this episode, Andy pulls back the curtain on the world of special operations and the psychology of becoming a SEAL. He reveals what he learned about the candidates who ring the bell, the methods he used as an instructor to get them to keep going—or make them quit—and what it really feels like when an AK-47 fragment shatters your sciatic nerve. It’s a conversation about fear, pain, endurance, and the strange things that happen in your head when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Andy is the host of , one of the most popular podcasts devoted to military life, special operations, and the people who have lived it. Big thanks to our terrific sponsors —American Giant makes clothes that last, and they make them 100% in America.Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. American Giant—American Made. —Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep. —Less rework. Less confusion. And a much smoother build experience for homeowners. Get 40% offyour first 3 months
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500: Tamara Thornton—The Mother of Mach
08/25/2026
500: Tamara Thornton—The Mother of Mach
What happens when your son drops out of MIT at 19, starts a defense company in his twenties, and sets out to reinvent the way America builds weapons? If you’re Tamara Thornton, you get a job. In this episode, Mike sits down with the Head of Marketing and Communications at , Tamara Thornton, who also happens to be the mother of the founder and CEO, Ethan Thornton. Ethan’s decision to leave MIT and pursue his vision for Mach has led to a company now valued at $1.8 billion. But the story gets more interesting when you hear it from his mother—and learn what Ethan was like long before he became a CEO. It’s a revealing and often surprising conversation about family, ambition, risk, failure, manufacturing, and the remarkable journey from a kid who liked to blow stuff up to the leader of one of America’s fastest-growing defense companies. At the center of it all is a fascinating question: What happens when the son you raised becomes your boss? Shout out to our great sponsors —Switch your phone service today and enjoy your first three months of talk, text, and data for just $15 a month regardless of which plan you choose. —The best place to find a six-figure, AI-proof job. Build your future. Rebuild America.
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499: Ted Decker & Ian Cinnamon—Orbiting Home
08/18/2026
499: Ted Decker & Ian Cinnamon—Orbiting Home
What do a Home Depot employee and a satellite have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mike Rowe talks with two CEOs about the people and technology quietly building the future around us. First, Mike sits down with Ted Decker, CEO of The Home Depot, to talk about workforce development, the company’s “inverted pyramid” philosophy—where frontline associates and customers sit at the top and management exists to support them—and why developing people from the ground up is central to the company’s success. Decker also explains the story behind Home Depot’s Kids Workshop program, which has introduced generations of young people to tools, building, and the satisfaction of making something with their own hands. Then Mike talks with Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Ian Cinnamon, CEO and co-founder of Apex, a company tackling one of the space industry’s biggest challenges: making satellites faster and at much greater scale. Cinnamon explains just how many aspects of everyday life depend on satellites—from communications and navigation to weather and national security—and why getting more capable spacecraft into orbit is becoming increasingly important. From the aisles of Home Depot to the edge of space, this is a conversation about building things, building people, and building what comes next. Shout out to our great sponsors —Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep. —The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours. —Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Get $50 off anything on their site and get DOUBLE the FREE meat with every order when you start a plan. —The last work sock you’ll ever need. 100% American made with a 10-year warranty. Use code ROWE for 10% off Mike’s favorite work sock.
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498: Bill Whittle—Communism for Dummies
08/11/2026
498: Bill Whittle—Communism for Dummies
What exactly is communism—and why has it failed so spectacularly everywhere it’s been tried? has spent years answering those questions, and in this episode, he makes the case in a way that’s hard to misunderstand. Bill is a writer, filmmaker, and political commentator whose work includes , a detailed examination of the history and ideology of communism. Here, he breaks down the fundamental differences between individualism and collectivism, explains how free markets actually work, and makes the case for capitalism and the constitutional republic that makes it possible. Using simple analogies, memorable examples, and plenty of common sense, Bill tackles some very complicated ideas without burying them in complicated language. Why does individual freedom matter? Why do markets work without a central planner telling everyone what to do? And what happens when a government decides that the collective is more important than the individual? If you've ever wondered why capitalism works, why communism doesn't, or how the two systems actually differ in practice, Bill Whittle has a few answers—and he makes them surprisingly easy to understand. Big thanks to our terrific sponsors —Switch your phone service today and enjoy your first three months of talk, text, and data for just $15 a month regardless of which plan you choose. —The #1 Cloud ER. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, try NetSuite Nextfor FREE. —Named the #1 digital picture frame by Wirecutter. Use code MIKE to get $35 off select frames plus FREE shipping. —Less rework. Less confusion. And a much smoother build experience for homeowners. Get 40% offyour first 3 months
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497: Ethan Thornton—I Like a Lotta Problems
08/04/2026
497: Ethan Thornton—I Like a Lotta Problems
Ethan Thornton doesn’t shy away from problems—he goes looking for them. At just 22, the founder of Mach Industries is tackling some of the biggest challenges in American defense manufacturing, rethinking how weapons are designed, built, and produced. In this episode, Ethan takes Mike deep into the problem he believes America can no longer afford to ignore: How did we get to a place where China has such an enormous advantage in manufacturing, production capacity, and the ability to produce things at scale? And, more importantly, what are we going to do about it? Ethan explains why the future of American defense may depend less on building increasingly sophisticated—and increasingly expensive—weapons, and more on figuring out how to build more capable weapons that cost dramatically less. He breaks down the theory behind that approach, why affordability and scale can be weapons in their own right, and why innovation in defense manufacturing isn't simply about creating better technology—it's about changing the economics of warfare. And that may be the biggest problem Ethan is trying to solve: not simply how to build the next generation of weapons, but how to build them faster, cheaper, and at a scale that can restore America’s manufacturing advantage. Because when it comes to solving big problems, Ethan doesn’t just like a challenge—he likes a lotta problems. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors —The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours. —American Giant makes clothes that last, and they make them 100% in America.Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. American Giant—American Made. —Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Get $50 off anything on their site and get DOUBLE the FREE meat with every order when you start a plan. —Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep.
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496: Dr. Philip Ovadia—Meat is Medicine
07/28/2026
496: Dr. Philip Ovadia—Meat is Medicine
For decades, Americans have been told that cholesterol is public enemy number one. But cardiologist and heart surgeon says we've been fighting the wrong battle. Despite decades of lowering cholesterol with drugs and dietary advice, heart disease remains the #1 killer in America—and Dr. Ovadia believes it's time to rethink what's really making us sick. After losing more than 100 pounds by adopting a diet centered primarily on meat, Dr. Ovadia began challenging conventional wisdom about cholesterol, nutrition, and metabolic health. Mike sits down with the bestselling author of to discuss why he believes insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction—not cholesterol—are driving the epidemic of heart disease. They also dive into his new book, , available today, and explore why his message has become one of the most talked-about—and controversial—in modern medicine. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors Pure Talk—Switch your phone service today and enjoy your first three months of talk, text, and data for just $15 a month. Go to NetSuite—The #1 Cloud ER. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, go to N and try NetSuite Next for FREE. —Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Get $50 off anything on their site and get DOUBLE the FREE meat with every order when you start a plan.
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495: Todd Rose—One Good Thing
07/21/2026
495: Todd Rose—One Good Thing
, bestselling author of , former Harvard professor, and co-founder of , joins Mike for a conversation about the surprising gap between what people really believe and what they think everyone else believes. Together they explore the collective illusions that shape our society, the barriers that keep us from living our best lives, and the disconnect between public perception and private conviction. They also dive into Todd's newest brainchild, Be The People, a growing movement that empowers ordinary citizens to bridge divides, strengthen their communities, and prove that meaningful change often begins with one good thing. Follow on Instagram to see how Americans are coming together to solve problems, strengthen their communities, and help one another. You might even find your own way in. Today’s episode is sponsored by —The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours. —Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Use code MIKE for free meat for life and $50 off your first order. K12 Powered Schools— Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep at
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494: Scott Bessent—What’s Up with Those Trump Accounts
07/14/2026
494: Scott Bessent—What’s Up with Those Trump Accounts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the U.S. economy, the ideas behind his influential speech While America Slept, and the policies he believes can restore long-term American prosperity. Then they take a deep dive into the new Trump Accounts—how they work, who qualifies, and why Secretary Bessent believes they could give the next generation a stronger financial foundation. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors Pure Talk—Switch your phone service today and enjoy your first three months of talk, text, and data for just $15 a month. Go to —The feel-good podcast that makes being of service easier for all of us. Digs—Less rework. Less confusion. And a much smoother build experience for homeowners. Visit to get 40% off your first 3 months
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493: JD Vance—Communion
07/07/2026
493: JD Vance—Communion
Vice President JD Vance joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, family, and the future of America. From the dignity of work and the lessons he learned in the Marine Corps to his return to Christianity and the deeply personal journey that inspired his new book, , Vance reflects on the people and experiences that shaped him. He also explains why America's energy future may determine whether we can keep pace with China in the decades ahead.
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492: Jon Erwin—Young Washington
06/30/2026
492: Jon Erwin—Young Washington
Before he became the Father of His Country, George Washington was a young man with doubts, ambitions, failures, and a calling that would eventually shape a nation. Mike sits down with filmmaker and entrepreneur Jon Erwin to discuss his new film Young Washington, and to explore the remarkable true story behind America's most iconic founder. Jon also shares how he launched The Wonder Project and his mission to tell stories that elevate faith, hope, and the human spirit. Along the way, he recounts the extraordinary legacy of his grandfather, a recipient of the Medal of Honor whose courage during World War II left an indelible mark on his family. It's a conversation about character, conviction, and the people who inspire history long before history remembers their names. This July 4th, make Young Washington part of your Independence Day celebration. See the film, share it with your community, and help spark civic curiosity about the character, leadership, and founding principles that continue to shape our nation. Get tickets here:
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491: MacKenzie Price—The Most Talked About School in the World
06/23/2026
491: MacKenzie Price—The Most Talked About School in the World
What if school could be reimagined from the ground up? This week, Mike sits down with entrepreneur and education innovator , the founder of , a model that's attracting global attention for helping students learn twice as much in half the time. Using artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and an unconventional approach to education, MacKenzie is challenging nearly every assumption about how kids should be taught. She also makes the case that meaningful change in education won't come from top-down mandates, but from bottom-up solutions created by parents, teachers, and entrepreneurs willing to rethink the status quo. From test scores to life skills, she explains why some believe the future of education has already arrived—and why the world's most talked-about school may be just getting started. Learn more about Alpha School at:
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490: Peggy Rowe—About My Father
06/20/2026
490: Peggy Rowe—About My Father
In honor of Father’s Day, we’re sharing several hilarious chapters from the audio version of Peggy Rowe’s bestselling book About Your Father. Buy all three audiobooks from bestselling author Peggy Rowe for $30 or $15 individually at:
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489: Michael Easter—The Hard Way
06/16/2026
489: Michael Easter—The Hard Way
Why do so many of the things that make us stronger, healthier, and happier require doing things the hard way? Mike sits down with bestselling author, journalist, and researcher to explore the surprising benefits of discomfort, challenge, and voluntary hardship in a world engineered for convenience. Easter, whose work has appeared in Men’s Health, Outside, Esquire, and Scientific American, discusses the ideas behind his bestselling books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, along with his newest release, . From carrying heavy loads to carrying life's burdens, Michael explains why the easiest path is rarely the most rewarding—and why embracing difficulty might be the key to a better life.
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488: Connor Boyack—Spontaneous Order
06/09/2026
488: Connor Boyack—Spontaneous Order
Spontaneous Order might sound like a contradiction, but according to author, entrepreneur, and educator Connor Boyack, some of society’s most important innovations emerge without a master plan. Mike sits down with Connor, the bestselling co-creator and co-author of The Tuttle Twins book series that inspired the hit animated show, founder and president of the and a leading advocate for teaching the principles of liberty, entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and free markets to the next generation. Connor shares the mission that drives his work: helping families understand how free people, voluntary cooperation, and decentralized problem-solving can create remarkable outcomes. Along the way, he and Mike explore the power of ideas, the importance of questioning assumptions, why history still matters, and how a children’s book series grew into a cultural phenomenon reaching millions of families. This conversation offers a fascinating look at the relationship between freedom, education, and the unexpected order that can arise when people are left free to innovate.
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487: Blake Scholl—Making Supersonic Travel Real
06/02/2026
487: Blake Scholl—Making Supersonic Travel Real
Mike Rowe sits down with Blake Scholl, the former Amazon software engineer turned aerospace entrepreneur who walked away from Silicon Valley to revive supersonic passenger travel. As the founder of , Blake explains the century-long pursuit of faster flight. From the Cold War race to break the sound barrier to the rise—and fall—of the Concorde, Blake explains why supersonic travel disappeared just as it seemed destined to change aviation forever. He also shares how Boom Supersonic is working to make high-speed passenger flight practical again, and what it will take to shrink a 12-hour flight into just a few hours. Along the way, Mike and Blake discuss innovation, risk, engineering breakthroughs, and why some people refuse to accept that getting somewhere faster is a problem already solved.
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486: Jason Ladanye—Nothing Up His Sleeve
05/26/2026
486: Jason Ladanye—Nothing Up His Sleeve
Mike sits down with master card mechanic and sleight-of-hand expert , whose impossible demonstrations of gambling moves and psychological deception have earned him a reputation as one of the best card handlers working today. Jason explains how a childhood obsession with cards—and an influential mentorship with legendary magician Darwin Ortiz—shaped his career performing around the world. Along the way, Jason shows Mike how magicians secretly track cards through a shuffled deck, demonstrates the art of bottom dealing, and reveals why the real secret behind great magic isn’t fast hands—it’s storytelling, conviction, and understanding exactly how people think. And of course, there are several mind-blowing demonstrations of his ability. Follow Jason on and see him LIVE at an .
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485: Josh Smith—Made FOR America
05/19/2026
485: Josh Smith—Made FOR America
Founder and president of Josh Smith sits down with Mike to discuss his unlikely path from working as a lineman to becoming one of America’s premier master bladesmiths. The conversation dives into the grit, craftsmanship, and obsession with quality that helped turn a small operation into one of the fastest-growing knife manufacturers in the country. The two also talk about the grand opening of MKC’s brand-new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Missoula, where Josh explains why controlling his supply chain matters now more than ever—and what “Made in America” actually requires behind the scenes. Along the way, Josh gives Mike an exclusive look at a brand-new blade that hasn’t been released to the public yet. It’s a conversation about work ethic, American manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and the sharp edge between tradition and innovation.
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484: Tom Albanese—The Metals at the Bottom of the Ocean
05/12/2026
484: Tom Albanese—The Metals at the Bottom of the Ocean
In this episode Mike explores the growing race for critical minerals hidden deep beneath the Pacific Ocean with mining executive Tom Albanese, Chairman of and former CEO of Rio Tinto and Vedanta Resources. Tom has spent more than four decades in the global mining and metals business, overseeing some of the largest resource projects on earth. Now he’s focused on something even more ambitious: harvesting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor—potato-sized rocks packed with nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements that are critical to batteries, AI infrastructure, defense systems, smartphones, and modern energy technology. Mike and Tom discuss why these nodules have become one of the most hotly contested resources in the world and how the race for critical minerals has evolved into both an economic and geopolitical battle. They also explain why many companies see the deep ocean as an alternative to opening hundreds of new land mines. Hint: These nodules sit unattached on the ocean floor just waiting to be vacuumed up without need for blasting or tunneling. It’s a conversation that feels part science fiction, part industrial history, and part treasure hunt. Because sometimes the next gold rush isn’t in the mountains. It’s sitting three miles beneath the top of the ocean.
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483: Peggy Rowe—Mother’s Day with Mom… LIVE!
05/08/2026
483: Peggy Rowe—Mother’s Day with Mom… LIVE!
In this special LIVE edition of Coffee with Mome, Mike heads home for Mother’s Day and sits down with the woman who taught him everything worth knowing — his mom, Peggy Rowe. Recorded in front of a live audience at the place Peggy refers to as The Home, this episode is filled with the warmth, wit, and wonderfully sharp observations fans have come to expect from America’s Grandmother. From family stories and hard-earned wisdom to laughter that only comes from decades of shared history, Mike and Peggy talk about motherhood, growing older disgracefully, and the strange adventure of becoming a beloved public figure later in life. It’s funny, heartfelt, occasionally mischievous, and exactly the kind of conversation you’d hope to overhear around the kitchen table on Mother’s Day.
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482: Xi Van Fleet— Don't Be a Shiny Little Screw
05/05/2026
482: Xi Van Fleet— Don't Be a Shiny Little Screw
Mike sits down with author and Cultural Revolution survivor for a conversation that’s equal parts personal history and cautionary tale. Xi recounts her childhood under Mao Zedong’s China, where conformity wasn’t encouraged—it was enforced. As a schoolgirl, she watched teachers publicly humiliated, neighbors turn on each other, and young people mobilized as ideological foot soldiers. Education gave way to indoctrination, and individuality was crushed in favor of collective obedience—the kind that produces "shiny little screws.” Drawing from her first book, , Xi lays out how mass movements rooted in ideology often rely on dividing people into opposing groups—“good” versus “bad”—to consolidate power. She also comments on how youth are frequently weaponized to accelerate cultural upheaval and dismantle traditional institutions, often by encouraging them to reject established norms and embrace radical ideologies. These patterns, she argues, aren’t relics of history—they’re recurring tactics. And they are showing up in America today! The conversation then turns to her latest work, , where the focus shifts from warning signs to origin stories. The central theme: the rise of Communist China wasn’t inevitable—it was, in part, enabled by decisions made in the United States. Xi explores how decades of policy, economic cooperation, and ideological blind spots helped transform China into a global superpower, creating what she sees as one of America’s greatest modern challenges. It’s a conversation less about politics and more about people, choices, and consequences where Xi ends with a warning to America and why resisting the urge to become a “shiny little screw” might be more important than ever. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors to post a job for FREE. Use code MIKE to get $40 off your first order and free meat for life. to get an extra 10% off your order. Use code MIKE to get $25 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame.
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481: Jason Altmire—Trade Up
04/28/2026
481: Jason Altmire—Trade Up
Former congressman has spent years in Washington—and even more time outside it—making the case that America’s biggest opportunity isn’t behind a desk, but behind a welding mask, a set of tools, or the wheel of a big machine. Now leading , he’s on a mission to close the skills gap and reconnect hard work with real opportunity. In this episode, Mike and Jason dig into why millions of good jobs go unfilled, why the stigma around skilled labor refuses to die, and what it’ll take to convince a new generation that “college for all” might not be the answer. Along the way, they unpack the ideas behind Jason’s book, —and make a compelling case that the fastest way to achieve the American Dream might be to pursue a skilled trade. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors Get UNLIMITED hi-speed data for just $34.99 per month! Join the skilled trade movement! Use code MIKE to get $25 off your first order & FREE meat for life. to apply for a work ethic scholarship.
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480: Matt Ebert—The Billion Dollar Car Wreck
04/21/2026
480: Matt Ebert—The Billion Dollar Car Wreck
Matt Ebert didn’t set out to build a billion-dollar business—he just wanted to fix cars the right way. Today, he’s the CEO of Crash Champions, one of the fastest-growing collision repair companies in the country, valued in the billions and trusted to bring wrecked vehicles back to life. Mike sits down with Matt to unpack what really happens after a crash, why the skilled trades behind collision repair matter more than ever, and how a kid with no grand plan or college degree wound up leading a national powerhouse. Along the way, Matt tells how he got his start in the business, proving that sometimes the road to success begins with a single accident (or two) … and a desire to fix it. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors to post a job for FREE. Use code MIKE to get $25 off your first order and FREE meat for life. See what’s possible for your child with K12’s Career and College Prep Use code Mike to get $25 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame.
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479: Evan Voyles— The Connoisseur of Irony
04/14/2026
479: Evan Voyles— The Connoisseur of Irony
Neon lights aren’t supposed to be profound. They’re supposed to buzz, flicker, and sell you a cold beer or a bad decision. But Evan Voyles—founder of —has made a career out of bending that expectation into something stranger… and maybe a little wiser. Evan is a self-taught craftsman who works with fire, gas, and fragile tubes of glass to make signs that don’t just glow—they say something. His work has been commissioned by brands, collected as art, and—on more than one occasion—made people stop and wonder if the joke is on them. In this episode, Mike sits down with a guy who makes a living lighting things up—literally—and wrestles with why any of it matters. They talk about the strange line between art and advertising and why irony is harder to come by than you’d think. It’s a conversation about craft, culture, and the quiet satisfaction of making something with your hands… even if what you make is a glowing reminder not to take any of it too seriously.
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478: Nicholas Eberstadt—The New Misery
04/07/2026
478: Nicholas Eberstadt—The New Misery
Numbers don’t lie—but they can obscure significant information. In this episode, Mike sits down with economist, demographer, and Harvard-educated brainiac Nicholas Eberstadt to explore a different kind of arithmetic—one that measures not just how many Americans we have, but how we’re actually living. In his latest book, America’s Human Arithmetic, Nick digs into three uncomfortable truths: first, the steady decline in prime-age labor force participation that persists even in strong economies. Second, the growing imbalance between those producing and those receiving—an economic equation increasingly tilted by entitlements and transfer payments. And third, a demographic slowdown marked by falling fertility and an aging population, reshaping the country’s long-term trajectory in ways few are prepared for. Add those together and you get a new misery. This conversation is about the kind of math that doesn’t stay on paper—the kind that shapes a nation’s future whether we’re paying attention or not.
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477: Adam Carolla Has Some Thoughts
03/31/2026
477: Adam Carolla Has Some Thoughts
Adam Carolla sits down with Mike for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on comedy, culture, and California. Adam breaks down his no-nonsense approach to making people laugh, building a podcasting empire, and telling the truth as he sees it—whether it’s popular or not. The two also take a hard look at the Palisades more than a year after the fire, the growing frustration with California’s regulatory maze, and what Adam really thinks about Newsom. Spoiler alert—it ain’t good. Oh, you better believe Adam Carolla has some thoughts.
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