2014 – Page 16 – Mike Rowe (2024)

Flying back from Boston. My seat-mate thinks I’m the guy from the Maytag commercials, and I’ve been acting the part. I can only hope the new Maytag Guy is returning the favor on some other flight. Anyway, it seems an ideal time to answer some questions from The Wall in a fit of viewer engagement I like to call, “Hey Mike!” Dwayne Newton writes: “Hey Mike! Do you know in the episode dairy cow midwife – which I am watching now – you got a booger hanging from your Snauz?” Actually Dwayne, that wasn’t a booger. That was a piece Read More

Mike sat down with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “The Lead” to discuss the problems posed by America’s Skills Gap, and the need for a robust PR campaign for the skilled trades. Click here to watch the clip on CNN’s site.

Blogger “Snarkfest” met Mike in D.C. at the 2014 USA Science and Engineering Festival where she had the chance to interview Mike. See the interview below, or click here to read about it on Snarkfest.

The Blaze just published an article on Mike’s testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources meeting to discuss “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Skilled Trade Workers.” The Blaze goes over what Mike addressed in his testimony, and offers a good summary of the proceedings. Click here to read the article on The Blaze’s site. Click here to learn more about Mike’s testimony.

It’s late. I’m testifying before Congress tomorrow morning. In the spirit of responsible preparation, I’ve located a quiet corner in a Georgetown bar, liberated a bottle of grapes, and jotted down a few thoughts. I’ve just finished the first and last draft, and given myself two thumbs up. Tomorrow, I’ll lose the hat, don a tasteful blazer, and read my thoughts in a crisp, well-modulated baritone. Wish me well. See how Mike did – Mike Testifies Before House Committee on Natural Resources

Friends – Busy days here in DC. Met some very important bureaucrats at The Department of Defense. Great guys actually, looking for a way to transition more soldiers into skilled occupations. I hope to help. Got a fantastic tour of the Pentagon. Saw the 9/11 Memorial. Stood at the point of impact. Dined in The Secretary of the Navy’s Executive Dining Room. Fancy china. Great Mess. Stopped by to see the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was out, but I managed to score his official coin. Very cool. Saw Uday Hussien’s gold plated AK-47, hanging on a wall. Read More

Listen to Mike talk to Armstrong and Getty about the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and the Walmart controversy on their podcast. Listen above, or click here to listen on the Armstrong and Getty website.

Mike appeared live on D.C. area talk show “Let’s Talk Live” to talk about his involvement in the USA Science and Engineering Festival, and his interest in promoting the skilled trades. Watch below. Find out more about Mike at USASEF here.

Sadly, today’s letter comes from a former fan. “I called Mikes company to request an autograph for my son and the secretary (male) said, “Even if I knew his representative, I wouldn’t give you any information. * hangs up* MIKE, you just lost a family of fans. Next time, choose a better company. Katie Bremer Chen” Hi Katie This is indeed, troubling. Like you, I’ve been operating under the assumption that everything I read on the world wide web is one hundred percent true. Alas, your note, and some recent correspondence with a deposed Nigerian Prince, have lead me to Read More

It now appears we have a new culprit that explains the cause of global warming – hard work. Early this morning, one of San Francisco’s free newspapers found it’s way to the sidewalk in front of my apartment, proving yet again that you don’t always get what you pay for. Because I abhor litter, I picked it up for deposit it in my mandatory recycling container. But not before glancing at the headline. Apparently, this is their annual Green Issue, and their contention is pretty straightforward – work is killing the planet. Below the headline it gets better – “Climate Read More

Saturday Mail Call Hey Mike! I’ve spent this last year trying to figure out the right career for myself and I still can’t figure out what to do. I have always been a hands on kind of guy and a go-getter. I could never be an office worker. I need change, excitement, and adventure in my life, but where the pay is steady. I grew up in construction and my first job was a restoration project. I love everything outdoors. I play music for extra money. I like trying pretty much everything, but get bored very easily. I want a Read More

Swear to God. Last year, the Senate passed Resolution 95, which officially designates April 18th as the day in which all sane and thoughtful Americans should pause to recognize both the profession and the individual contributions of linemen. Of course, the absurd thing about this Resolution, is that it only sets aside one day for said recognition. One day? Seriously? What are they thinking? This should be a month long event. A week at the very least! Here’s the deal – if all the linemen (and women) called in sick for just one day, things would get very cold, very Read More

On any given day, you never know who is going to walk into mikeroweWORKS World Headquarters, or what they’re going to be holding. Here for instance, is Captain Duncan Smith of The Naval Special Warfare Recruiting Directorate. Captain Smith is a Navy SEAL. He stopped by the other day to present me with an official Navy Seal Flipper. It’s a very nice flipper, studier than most, and made of what appears to be vulcanized rubber. Unlike most other flippers, this one has a plaque on it, thanking me for a small service I was happy to offer the SEALS last Read More

Mike wrote an article for the Home Builder Association of Berks magazine “At Home in Berks” about the worst advice he ever received. He explains why “Work Smart Not Hard” is such a dangerous concept, and why he believes “Work Smart AND Hard” is just the message our country needs to hear. Read an online version of the article here. Support the mikeroweWORKS Foundation by purchasing a “Work Smart AND Hard Poster”

I hate to brag, especially about my performance in the bedroom.