Mike Rowe

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: It was suggested to me that I make a new thread on this subject. I was puzzled by the first “habit” of never following your passion. Why not? Would you do me the favor of expounding on that and the other six? Thank you. -FruityNut Fruity, Regarding work, careers, and happiness – I think the pat advice to “Follow Your Passion,” has led to more disappointment than virtually any other platitude I’ve seen. We hear it from our youth – “Follow your passion, and you’ll be rewarded.” Well, I’m not so sure. Passion Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: Hi, Mike – You have offered the following advice: Consider quitting. Makes sense. However, having read your bio, various interviews, and your self-authored articles & MB missives, I haven’t found an example of you quitting an ongoing job. There is definitely a lot written about you intentionally taking jobs with questionable futures and, of course, being repeatedly fired. From these instances, it seems the message inferred would be don’t be afraid of failure rather a message of empowerment to quit. Could you give us an example of when you’ve quit a job? Quit Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: Many of your past arguments have touted logic when it comes to the expectations of your fans and the business you are in. Being famous, whatever the level you see yourself in, is held by a code of your own reasoning that should keep you clear headed and knowing who you are and where at all times. I think it would keep a lot of big names out of the trouble they get into. Of course now it seems to be whatever happens is good as long as your name is in the Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Dear Mike, I so admire your ability to jump in to any situation and give it your all. You seem so confident, capable, and self-assured. My question to you would be– In your adult life, is there anything you have attempted, or wanted to accomplish, that you have not been able to complete? Thanks so much, Marla (If Mike has already answered this, just point me in the right direction. I did a search but could not find anything) Hi Marla, Thank you. Remember though, I’m working in my chosen field, at a time Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Hello again Mike, I have found that even though I don’t have much to contribute to most conversations on this site, I am pretty good at asking a lot of questions so I hope you will bear with me. Perhaps this question has come up previously but good lord man, this website is growing by leaps and bounds everytime I log on (much to your delight I’m sure) and I just haven’t had the time to look through every thread. I’m a little lazy sometimes. Something I’m sure you are NOT familiar with. I Read More

Here at mikeroweWORKS, we believe that everything was brown before it was green and that’s where people should start. Or so we think anyway. Watch the video and see what the term “Brown Before Green” actually means. From Mike’s Forum on Discovery: “Human beings are embedded in nature. I think the implications of this run much deeper than our requesting improved pollution control or better environmental protections. This way of thinking continues the myth that we are somehow separated from nature. I think the environment is not a scenic backdrop, it is the play itself. We are dependent upon nature, Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: But in the grand scheme of things to feel grouchy about, it just seems so very small. –Jeanine Hi Jeanine Small? What if – and I know this sounds nutty – but what if our warming planet has nothing at all to do with fossil fuel and carbon output, or any other man made thing? What if the planet is simply doing what it does, irrespective of our presence? Many scientists believe this to be the case. Many others do not. So let’s not start quoting and cutting and pasting all of the Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: a) If you are a minimalist and don’t want things, what do you perceive as the purpose of having money? Is it to have something to benefit others and to be able to give when needed? Or just to be able to retire at an age when you are still young enough to enjoy your life? When you are still intact! b) Has your definition of minimalist changed? I am not trying to pry or invade your personal space so I apologize if the question is inappropriate; I just think people’s views on Read More

From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: Dear Mike Rowe, -Lisa Uh..Oh. I have visited your modest website, mikeroweWORKS. You have a pretty good idea but although your intentions are good ones sir, you are preaching to the choir. I don’t mean to be. If my intent were to reach choir members, I’d have simply used The Mudroom to sound off. Setting up a new site seemed the only way to reach those not currently in the “choir.” The people who watch you and your show already know what is going on with the work force in this country but Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q:Well, I’ve already posted on unions, which could potentially be a contentious topic. So, I may as well go ahead and step right in it, since I already have my boots on. Another topic that’s been on my mind as I read the posts in this forum is: IMMIGRATION. Actually, I’ve been thinking more about illegal immigration and its economic effects, but legal immigration has an effect on the U.S. labor force, too. As my inability to sleep continued on Saturday night, I saw what I thought was a very interesting program on BookTV. Mark Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: What am I doing to form mikeroweWorks? That is what I’m finding myself pondering. Mike is not up for a decent discussion. He hangs around the break room or derails work room threads. I’ve been thinking that he is tapped out by discussing this with everyone and their brother. I can’t blame him for that. -???Kathy ??Hi Kathy, ??Forgive me, but it seems as though maybe you can? ?? But I have a very hazy idea of the point of my “help” with this. Hey, the unexamined life…blah, blah.”? You seek clarity, in a Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve. I’m sure it will be great. -Twane Twane, If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this business, it’s the importance of managing expectations. That usually means lowering them. Allow me to do so now. What you will see this evening at mikeroweworks.com is merely a holding page. On it, will be a 10 minute video of yours truly, trying to explain what the hell I’m doing. There will be a transcript from another exclusive, one-on-one interview with me, conducted by me. And there will Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: I’m not sure I fully understand what you are doing but I am hoping that you will shine the light on it soon. -Mandy Hi Mandy, that makes two of us. Let me tell you what I know for sure. Dirty Jobs has survived far beyond it’s anticipated shelf life. It’s still on today because the viewers of the show have had an actual impact on what the show looks like. If I’ve learned anything these last few years, it’s not to plan too far ahead. So, if mikeroweWORKS, works, it will be because Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: So…the success of mikeroweWORKS, to you, will be dependent on getting your views out there in the public eye?” -Tia Hi Tia As I’ve said before, I try and set modest goals. For now, I can say with certainty that a message that no one hears is nothing more than a monologue. So yes, I’ll feel successful if I can get the message out to a sizable audience. Believe me, it’s not easy. After that, I’ll take my cue from whatever response the message elicits. As to where I want mikeroweWORKS to “end up,” Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Mike’s not going to read through 8 pages of thread. -Lisa Ya just never know, do you? Amazing thread, great topic. The truth is, Lisa’s questions are best answered in a book, or perhaps, another venue, both of which I plan to undertake, in the unlikely event I find myself with several consecustive weeks off. Till then, a few brief comments to the original questions. I am curious as to why you are considered the hero of the working man? Obviously, that can only be answered by those who consider me as such. I Read More