Mike Rowe

From Mike’s forum on Discovery: Q: Mike – I’m not on the Crumbling Infrastructure Bandwagon. It’s very much a case of a buzzword becoming truth, and like the now discredited Global Warming farce, naysayers are branded as ignorant clods. They are pitied as being blind to Undeniable Truths. Speaking from the perspective of the uneducated prol, here’s how I see it: The American Society of Civil Engineers is hardly an objective observer in this matter. Civil Engineers do a great many things, but most make their living designing, building and maintaining, what? Infrastructure! There are three problems here. First, of Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, I’m a public school teacher in Texas, one of the lowest ranking states in education. I’m doing what I can one 8th grader at a time. Would it be offensive to the people who go out and work these dirty jobs every day (yes I know I need them to keep my cozy little world running!) to reference some of the ones I’ve seen as a “stay in school” message? It’s my job to use what kids like to try and motivate them, and they love this show. I’m not all about political Read More

October 10, 2010 Finally home, and man am I tired. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I felt this whipped. Then again, I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this old. Coincidence? Probably not. Looking back, I can see now that each of the last ten days required a separate part of my brain. Which is probably why nothing got my undivided attention. Started in Peoria, where I got to know the big shots over at Caterpillar, and some of the smaller shots as well. Really an amazing company and a very nice bunch of regular folks. They Read More

From Mike’s forum on Discovery: Q: As we celebrate our nation’s birthday ~ the 4th of July, have you ever considered which president you would have liked to have met? — Pen   John Adams My reasons why are between the covers of McCullough’s biography on the man and his presidency, and too numerous to mention here. But for starters, he was a true patriot who almost single-handedly got the second Continental Congress to declare our independence. He wrote amazing love letters to his wife everyday. And he was the only founding father to never own a slave. In spite Read More

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Mike reads Father’s Day al Fresco Fiasco from his 2009 Father’s Day blog. Download it here, listen and then let us know what you think – should he do more Podcasts? And look for it on iTunes soon!

Dear Mike Rowe, Hello, I am a boy scout in Iowa, and I read the letter you sent to a boy who was contemplating whether or not to become an eagle scout. I am sorry to say this, but I am slightly offended by the meaning I interpreted when you brought up taking the path to become an eagle scout, or living a life of predictability and mediocrity. I honestly am not a very enthusiastic scout, I know that, others have told me that, and I doubt I will go for my eagle. But, I am one of the top Read More

From Mike’s Forum on Discovery: Q: Mike I’m curious how you, who attended 6 years of college, came to appreciate and respect the people who do the less glamorous jobs. Did your parents raise you to appreciate every one’s struggle? Seems like a simple point these days, but it’s shocking how many people still think that schooling has anything to do with wisdom, knowledge or value to society. What’s your opinion? — M My opinion is that, in general, a college experience will make you a much richer person. A college degree however, will not. As you suggest, the pursuit Read More

There comes a time in life when you know deep down, that you have become HARDENED and for me it is a fringe benefit of the working class. I feel it is earned and not just handed out. When I look at my Father and uncles, who are in the same career field as I am you can just tell that they are hardened and it is something that you can’t put a price tag on – to me it is one of those things that are passed down from generation to generation. Have you reached this sweetness, in your Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, Years ago this country’s workers were deliberately kept in the dark about the dangers of their work and to stand up against employers or to question the practices would risk them being fired. Personal responsibility is obviously important and when we feel it is the company’s fault we look for justice. We are a country of litigation – the need to have consequences for unduly risk and lack of safety concerns is important so history does not repeat itself. How do you feel about the evolution of safety practices? – J Safety in Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, I can’t imagine any company saying that safety is not their number one priority and companies offer items to keep the workers safe, so maybe I do not understanding the concept of “Safety Third”. Also, I think many of us feel profits are put before worker safety.  Is it just disregarding employee’s verses the economic bottom line? What else does “Safety First” mean? Fact is, I can’t think of a single, publicly traded company that does not claim in writing that employee safety is the most important thing. You’re referring it seems, to Read More