Deadliest Catch’s Johnathan Hillstrand offers his kids’s books & Mike gives the coat off his back for C.R.A.P.

Another big day in the wide, wide world of C.R.A.P. (Collectibles Rare And Precious). My good friend Johnathan Hillstrand of Deadliest Catch — captain of the F/V Time Bandit and lover of motorcycles, broncos and women (he’s been thrown from all three) — has written a book: “Crab boat captain turned children’s book author” Three books, in fact: The Adventures of Little Bird: Pirate Dreams, The Adventures of Joey and Andy Crab: Crab Day Afternoon and The Adventures of Joey, Andy and Little Bird: A Pirate’s Treasure. And not only did Johnathan write them, he illustrated them as well. Through Read More

The Diploma Dilemma

“So I’m in DC, preparing to discuss a litany of critical issues far beyond my pay grade with a bunch of experts much smarter and better-dressed than me. What could possibly go wrong?” How can we make the future brighter and improve well-being for everyone? On November 20th at 7:00pm est, the Charles Koch Institute hosting a conversation on the challenges students. Tweet your questions and thoughts on #HigherEd to the evening’s panelists using #HigherEd and we’ll start the Q&A off with some of your questions. Panelists · Mike Rowe, Creator and Executive Producer of “Dirty Jobs” and CEO of Read More

Bill Lamb of WDRB in Kentucky likes Mike’s promotion of Work without Politics

Bill Lamb of WDRB in Kentucky likes Mike’s promotion of work without politics. I always used to think that a photo of me, positioned over the left shoulder of a newscaster wearing a suit and tie, would be a harbinger of certain doom. Happily, I was mistaken. Say hello to my new pal, Bill Lamb, and check out the finest commentary ever recorded in the long history of local journalism. Thanks, Bill – I owe you one. WDRB 41 Louisville News

Twelve Thousand (and One Hundred) Dollars – All to Help the PR Campaign for Hard Work

On Sunday, November 10th, 2013, a woman named Candace purchased a “Work Smart AND Hard” poster for $12,100.00. (Plus shipping and handling.) That’s right. Twelve THOUSAND, One HUNDRED United States DOLLARS. (Plus shipping and handling.) The poster in question is identical in almost every way to the hundreds of other autographed posters we routinely sell for $12,000 less than what Candace paid. The only difference?  On this particular poster, my signature is accompanied by Glenn Beck’s, along with a few highly personalized, completely original, and decidedly juvenile artistic embellishments. So – what can we deduce from the unexpected popularity surrounding this Read More

Semper Fi Marines & Happy Veterans Day to ALL Who Serve

On 10 November 2013, The Marines had a party, and Mike had a Ball. The old theater looks like the one in Young Frankenstein – the one where Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle sing “Putting on the Ritz.” Every seat is taken, and the air is filled with a weird mix of anticipation and familiarity. And maybe a faint hint of mothballs. I’m in the mezzanine this year, sipping champagne and jammed into a tuxedo that’s undeniably smaller than it was last November. Behind me, a retired general is singing The Star Spangled Banner, along with the rest of the Read More

Work Smart AND Hard Poster Signing Mania

I used to have an office. Now I have a space where I sign stuff and get in the way. Apparently, several thousand of you have suddenly purchased our Work Smart AND Hard poster, which means that hundreds of glossy and full-sized representations of yours truly are being rolled and stuffed in cardboard tubes on a daily basis – labeled, stamped, sealed, and trundled off to the nearest post office, bound for parts unknown. Not that I’m complaining. These posters are catching on, and popping up in schools and offices across the country. Very cool. They’ve raised nearly $40,000 so Read More

S.T.E.M.(S!)

Promoting STEM-related jobs at the Science, Technology, Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. (I thought it needed another “S.”) Here’s a link to press release full of exciting information that no one is ever going to read: mrW Joins Forces with USA Science & Engineering Festival on Pioneering Skilled Trades Pavilion Why? Because the only people who read press releases are the people who write them, and, of course, the people mentioned in them. Since I fall into the second group – and since I want you to be informed of all my movements – I have provided for your convenience Read More

CNN Viewer Has Questions

Mike appeared on Piers Morgan’s show on October 30 and a viewer had some questions for Mike.   Read his response here. Today’s question comes from Jennifer Bailey. Jennifer posted over at CNN.com, but I’m answering here because … well, because I need more room. JB: While Mike makes a valid point I have a few questions for him. MR: Hi, Jennifer. I love questions. Fire away. JB: How can the middle class send their kids to college for “four or more years” when the Republicans have made it far too expensive with raising interest rates on school loans and wanting Read More

Mike Puts Glenn Beck and C.R.A.P. Together

Here’s a super-special piece of C.R.A.P. (Collectibles Rare And Precious) that many have already suggested just might be priceless. Nevertheless, it’s for sale, RIGHT HERE, right now to the highest bidder. And I’m more than a little curious to see where it winds up. As you can see, the C.R.A.P. in question is a “Work Smart AND Hard” poster, thoughtfully signed by Glenn Beck and yours truly. For those of you that saw the PSA on GBTV, these posters are regularly available here at mikeroweWORKS. They were designed to be displayed in high schools in order to stimulate conversation and Read More

Is There a Zombie in Your House?

Psychologically, the journey from TV host to brain-dead zombie is a fairly short one. Physically, though, the transformation requires time, skill and a lot of hard work. I learned this firsthand from Toby Sells, a talented special-effects artist who turned me into a soulless corpse for an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe back in 2007. Toby plies his trade in a creepy little studio outside Atlanta. He studied his craft for years as an apprentice, practiced under the supervision of a seasoned professional, and worked his butt off getting very good at what he does. Then the world Read More

Devil or Angel, Whichever You Are

Shannon K. Walsh wrote on The Real Mike Rowe Facebook page, ” Mike – How could you associate with such a horrible and psychotic person that is Glen Beck? I wouldn’t accept a dime off that hateful, nasty racist. Very disappointed to see this post.” Well, hi there, Shannon – and a pleasant good morning to you too! If you want a detailed answer to your question, please take a moment to read my earlier reply to Bob Reidel, another crestfallen soul who couldn’t reconcile my association with a TV host that he personally despised. As you read it (out Read More