The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

176: The Trouble With 159

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike takes a deep dive into episode 159 and the controversy surrounding a quote that was challenged by Billy Martin Jr., son of the late great basebal...

175: His Brother's Keeper

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A spooky tale of an ordained minister and a demonic possession. 

174: Once Upon a Time in the Wild Wild West

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bill waited until the crowd had gathered on his property... and then he shot them all.

173: Visiting Hours

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you have a family this big, you're guaranteed an occasional visit…

172: An Unforgivable Overreaction

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the war in full bloom all eyes were on the president — would he or wouldn't he launch?  

171: He Really Stuck With It

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

And that was good news for the naked burglar.

170: They Were All at Risk

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Especially those with a pre-existing condition…

169: A Mouse in the House

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

That was particularly hard to find.

168: A Hooker You Can Trust

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Call her what you will--the lady had vision.

167: They Knew It When They Saw It

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

And Jerry knew that he desperately needed to get to a meeting.

166: A Disaster in the Kitchen

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Seriously, her cakes were downright repulsive!

165: The Feel Good Hit of the Summer

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A real toe-tapper that no one could escape.

164: A Line in the Sand

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, you simply have to draw one.

163: He Was Not Inclined To Judge

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

But did he really have to eat bull testicles to prove it?  

162: OCCASIONALLY--Independence Day

04 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of Independence Day, Mike chews up the scenery with a recitation of what may be the most important speech ever delivered, by the man historia...

161: Excess Baggage

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A helicopter filled with evacuees tries to get off the ground as the shooting intensifies.  What could possibly go wrong?  

160: A Groundbreaking Structure of Staggering Possibility

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This architect enjoyed a good challenge.  But this one nearly broke him...

159: He Was Just Trying To Get Home

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

So too, was the man who got in his way.

158: On the Pursuit of Satisfaction

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The kid had a head for numbers.

157: A Novel Hero

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What he did was unspeakably brave.  So why then, did no one speak of it?

156: A Bridge Too Far

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

They built a lot of bridges.  Perhaps, one too many...

155: Lullaby for a Crackhead

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

He only had the one hit...but boy, was it a wonder!

154: OCCASIONALLY--Quarantined Edition

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike was the keynote speaker at the last large gathering in the United States before the country officially closed for business. His job? Shaking hand...

153: An Offer They Couldn't Refuse

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The player loved to play... but on this particular occasion--he chose the wrong playmate.

152: They Had Their Way With Her

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Or did they...

151: He Was Ready For His Close Up

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was the gig of a lifetime... it just wasn't Gig's.

150: Dude Looks Like a Lady

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

She broke the glass ceiling with ease.  But her secret was taken to the grave.

149: Broadswords in a Pit

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

James and Rebecca simply could not settle their differences... that's where the broadswords came in.

148: A Book to Pass the Time

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Because you need something to break the boredom of marching 300 miles in 10 degree weather to bring three boat thieves to justice... or so I'm told.

147: Her Biggest Fan

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The doctor told her not to sing... but she did anyway.

146: OCCASIONALLY--Christmastime

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Christmastime is upon us, and with it comes the season of giving. Mike recites perhaps the greatest story ever written about the spirit of giving.

145: Does This Look Infected

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, as a matter of fact, it does.  But penicillin won't help...

144: A Legend In His Own Mind

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

He was destined for greatness.  No one knew it but him.

143: Rude Awakenings

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some said he was cursed, others said he was blessed, but everyone agreed--he was the luckiest kraut in the navy.

142: OCCASIONALLY--Halloween

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's All Hallow's Eve! So what better way to mark the occasion than with an episode of OCCASIONALLY. Mike pays homage to the macabre musings of the gr...

141: On Average 15 Times a Day

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

But for this woman... maybe a bit more.

140: Another Band of Brothers

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This group gave us the most iconic sound of all time.

139: A Penniless Singer

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Who earned a funeral fit for a king.

138: An Extraordinary Swap

17 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A love story.  Sort of...

137: A Bona Fide Sex Symbol

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

She simply had no choice.

136: A Boy And His Dog

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The skinny kid was so desperate that he was about to sell his best friend.

135: The Illegitimate Son-of-a-Smith

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Denied his father's true last name for most of his life, James reclaimed it--in a monumental way.

134: Not Your Typical Homemaker

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Julia was flattered by the proposal—but it came with certain… preconditions.

133: Call It What You Will

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's difficult to describe the chaos of an unpredictable world--but Peter sure tried.

132: Harvey's Future Ex-Wife

16 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

She just said she was going home - but it's the way she said it that we remember.

131: The Mystery of the Vanishing Woman

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When one of the most famous women in the world disappears without a trace, it sets off one of the greatest whodunits you've never heard of.

130: A Tale of Two Pupils

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

They were classmates, bandmates, and best friends - even after one devastating punch changed everything.

129: Mother Knows Best

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mary had issues, no doubt about it.  But her mother was always there for her...

128: One Hell of a Toll

12 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The journey was an incredible achievement - but the true cost was difficult to bear.

127: No Polite Way To Put It

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to writing steamy love letters, you really gotta hand it to Elizabeth and George - even though they handed it to themselves...

126: Smooth Operator

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It was a mission he chose to accept - and the tape did not self-destruct.

125: On The Importance of Staying Grounded

20 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How many near misses can one guy take - and still remain grounded.

124: At The Crossroads

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Where one can ponder a big decision and enjoy a continental breakfast.  Sponsored by Postmates, use promo code: ROWE

123: Another Tortured Artist

15 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A battered boy who couldn't stand the sight of his own reflection - so he changed it.

122: The Cherry Pie Is To Die For

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

But Ted was craving a slice of something else.

121: Her Most Notable Assets

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

She was plucked from obscurity and destined to satisfy the appetite of her insatiable benefactor.

120: 30 Minutes of Disappointing Television

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You can't put THAT on TV!

119: They Shook On It

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The significance of that shake was beyond this world.

118: A Rapacious Capitalist

04 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

He talked to everyone - but it was the interview he didn't give that changed his life forever.

117: Some Kind of Consequence

20 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It wasn't exactly the trial of the century, but nearly everyone agreed - something had to be done.  

116: A Little Town Up North

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It was just a tiny patch of farmland near a tiny little burg - but oh, the things that happened there...

115: A Conventional Hero

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There are many ways to save a life - this one was rather conventional. 

114: A Manly Man, A Gold Medal, and A Really Big Sea

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How to wave goodbye to your current career. 

113: According To Peter

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This man's reputation needed to be destroyed - and that's the gospel truth... according to Peter.

112: No Ordinary Fan

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Nothing came between Don and his boys - especially on game day.

111: Can You Be There By Nine?

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, as soon as I'm done playing Cowboys and Indians.

110: The Man Who Ran Away

11 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When the shooting started this patriot ran for his life.

109: The Biggest Name In Town

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

She was young and beautiful - and about to kill someone.

108: Words Worth Remembering

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

These words take on a whole new meaning once you know the story behind why they were written.  

107: His Last Letter Home

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It contained a much desired promise - from beyond the grave.

106: Keep Your Voice Down

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

All he wanted was a little peace and quiet - from himself.

105: Just What the Doctor Ordered

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This doctor believed it was a right that came with the PhD.

104: The One Percenters

03 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

They paid their fair share, and then some...

103: A Girl Named Frank

26 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When it came to getting exactly what she wanted - Frank could be very persuasive.  

102: The Manchester Cowboy

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This famous aspiring jockey just wanted to hear the roar of the crowd - but this was not the crowd he was expecting.

101: The Way I Talked About The Way I Heard It

10 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: This is not your ordinary The Way I heard It. This episode contains SPOILERS.  Storyteller Mike Rowe is joined by producer Chuck Klausmeyer ...

100: How Not To Ruin Your Most Expensive Suit

08 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It was opening night on the world's largest stage, but when you gotta go - you gotta go.

99: My Little Machine

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A truly democratic machine and the man who didn't invent it.

98: Send Me The Bill

17 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wee Johnny wanted a mighty check - so he sent out some mighty big bills.

97: A Very Lucky Lady

10 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

No doubt about it - Miriam's timing was impeccable.

96: The Pilot and the Passenger

03 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

No movie has been made about this heroic tale, but over a hundred movies have been made because of it.  

95: Something Is Missing

20 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

He did everything a hero and patriot ought to do... almost.

94: On The Importance of Better Driving

13 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

But how do you eliminate driver error?

93: As Long As It's Legal

06 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Who says you can't preach Sunday morning, and then sell whiskey Sunday night?

92: Sharp as a Tack

27 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Big John knew a simple but powerful equation when he saw one.

91: A Potty Mouth With a Secret

13 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to know the bleeping secret or not!

90: A Man Well Hung

06 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

People came from miles around just to see it.

89: Armed For Love

03 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Looking for love in the classifieds can lead to explosive consequences. 

88: The Missiles of December

19 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It was never good new when the red phone rang - and on this December night it was ringing off the hook. 

87: A Town Where Anything Can Happen

12 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What does a former POW do when he returns home from an unpopular war?  Stand naked in the town square of course!

86: Francisco's Flakes

05 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A tale of award-winning flakes and delayed gratification.

85: Strange Bedfellows

28 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Pete just wanted to get some sleep - But he could not get his bunkmate's earworm out of his head.

84: A Very High Bar

21 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

He was willing to play the white-man's game - he just wished they had told him the rules first.

83: How Soon They Forget

14 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It was the trial of the century - that no one remembers.

82: The Men Behind Bars

07 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A father and a son with more than just bars between them.

81: The Consultant

31 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

He was notoriously proficient in his field and his advice was priceless – he just didn't make house calls. 

80: How The Game Was Played

24 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Saul's nephew kept a secret his entire career - you could do that back then.

79: Bobby Brings Home the Bacon

17 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Only problem is - it's not Bobby's bacon.

78: Give That Man a Cigar

10 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Eddie was really good at blowing smoke.

77: How To Get Rich and Save Lives by Talking Dirty

03 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The story of a slightly subversive student with a taste for gin.