I was a carpenter for 34 years. I also went to school for Hvac after I retired from carpentry. Now I own a small Hvac company. I've always made more money than my college friends. I never knew the trades were looked down upon. That shocks me. Hell I considered my career above my college friends jobs. Lol. Construction has been a great adventure for me. I've always loved going to work. I would of never gave up carpentry for an office job. You have to be in it to understand the joy of my job. Love the trades. I have more respect for construction people than I do for people like Bezos or Zuckerburg. If it wasn't for construction workers, we'd be living in caves and shitting behind bushes. Lol

I’m in Texas. As a single mother I quickly discovered that 5.00 on a construction site was more appealing than the 2.50 an hour I could make anywhere else might assist in the feeding of my two children. Thank you Mike Rowe. We came from working class and lived as working class and shared that life with our children. Later in life someone referred to me as a trailblazer. I began working in the petrochemical construction industry 40+ years ago. Hired as a joke by the general foreman while the craft superintendent was on vacation in the late 70s.

I loved this video. My father had to leave school to go to work in a steel mill because grandpa was ill. He eventually went back to school and finished. He learned motor and generator repair and went to work in a company that rewound generators in hydroelectric dam generators traveling to Panama a few times and other places in the US. HE got a job at a power plant in Indiana as a master maintenance worker and stayed there until he retired. I over revved a car my dad had when in my teens and blew the engine up, what did he do. Rebuilt the engine himself. When he was young and had his first car which was I think a stripped down model T in winter he had no place to store it so he would take it apart and put it in their coal cellar. In the spring he would bring it back out and reassemble it. It didn’t have a fuel pump just gravity feed so had to back the car up a hill. He was a genius to me. How many young people today would do those things because they loved it. Future generations have got to wake up.

That was more than just fairly interesting! We should all be talking about our grandparents that way - the stories need to be told.

Being the oldest son of 3 on a ranch/ farm that didn’t go to College after HS, yet learning my life’s experiences from the USMC. I can share that I am working in a Leadership Role for one of the Largest Chemical Co. in the World. My siblings would cry if I showed them my salary. Tough Roads led to Great Life Lessons to Learn from!! Thank you, Mike for all you do!!

My husband had only an 8th grade education…lived on a ranch…could make and do ANYTHING! He was good with people and everyone who came in his presence was an “apprentice” because he taught as he worked…and those alongside him learned!! EVERYTHING! Including how to laugh and get along with people!!! Much like…OH! Mike and Chuck!!❤️❤️

I wish shows like these were around when I was young. It instills integrity which sadly is not taught by society any longer...its all how much I can get for nothing any more!

Mike has to remember not to stand up because he's in his boxers. He barely put his shirt on. LOL. Good job, sir.

You guys have no idea how much I appreciate you. I'm a 59 year old sheet metal worker, big buildings,labs, n hospitals. Union hard hat guy and have had a very happy career! I wish more would embrace this way of life!😊

My grandfather was a plumber. My dad worked in a papermill building skids and carton pallets. Both great men that taught me many things. I (after years of cheese making and whey processing) became a steamfitter. My son also works with his hands and a computer. I will encourage my two grandsons to be tradesmen. Thanks guys good talk.

Ireland has the same Poppy syndrome to this day. I grew up there and was never able to enjoy that earned pat on the back. It was only my children's generation that had degrees, I honestly think having a trade would have been more enriching in every sense for them. Thank you both for powerful people oriented shows.

As A third Generation Union Steamfitter/welder I love that you both show what it takes to go away from home work long hours to provide for our families I can't tell you how proud I am of my son becoming a fourth generation Union steamfitter/welder thank you for high lighting the hard working people nobody thinks about Awesome job

I always knew that trades people were the backbone of out great nation even though I took a different route in life. Mike made me aware that others believed the same. Thank you.

As a kiwi this was a great insight into phils life Thank you both for putting up with the crap and giving us great shows much love and respect from New Zealand

I loved "somebody's gotta do it"!!! I was so bummed when it just wasn't on anymore...

My dad grew up in the depression but was valedictorian of his class. There was no money for college. He worked in brick making went to mechanics school. In WW2 he repaired tanks. He was the smartest and most thoughtful man I have ever known.

Loved this conversation. Two of my favorite people to watch and listen to.

The interesting thing, from a psychological standpoint, is that people like Mike and Chuck are the most grounded, self-confident people around. I share a similar background with these guys, and I totally resonate with everything said in their conversation. 👍👍👍👍👍

I am so glad that you make working with your hands a cool thing. When I was in high School, the expectation was that I go to college. My parents, grand parent all had college degrees. My great-grandfather was the president of Emory University. My great-great-aunt was the dean of the women's collage at Duke University. So there was a LONG line of college educated people. I don't know what I would have done in the trades but I did get an engineering degree and worked in manufacturing for several years before I moved completely into computer. For my son, I wanted to him to know that he wanted to do was OK with me. He is smart enough to be a doctor if that was what he had wanted to do. He wanted to work with big machines and he figured out how he could finish high school and get an AAS degree in diesel mechanics at the same time. He graduated this spring with his degree and no debt. He works full time for a local company that has a big truck fleet of over 100 vehicles. He loves to work outside and work with his hands. What you guys are doing make it cool to do that and we need people who do work with their hands.

I absolutely love Tough as Nails!! I remember when watching the first episode, I was thinking this is the best show since Dirty Jobs!!! ❤

I haven't watched regular TV in years, but my Mom used to love Amazing Race. I lived in a different state at the time, and when I phoned home to catch up with the goings on in the family, all she wanted to talk about was The Amazing Race. I'll have to share this interview with her. I'll bet she'll be impressed.

Please share more videos of these podcasts. I do enjoy listening, but being able to see you guys interact with your guests just increases the entertainment value exponentially!

My father & husband was like this man's grandfather. I had to go to university to be a doctor. I love division of labor. I could not do the jobs my father and husband did. But I was good at my job. People lived better lives bc of me. I enjoyed watching the products these men produced. Yes, infrastructure is so important.

Love this conversation. Nice work. Been in the trades since I was 15. 39 now. Own my own company and have a family. It’s done me very well. Also Mike, my 5yr old and I watch dirty jobs and DC together. I’m born and raised in Seattle and my family gill nets out of south east. Love everything you’ve done.

Real people living real life with real work and real trials and tribulations unrelated to “ego” busting, look at me stuff! Love All of You and what you do!!!!❤ Grateful!

My neighbor farmer was taken out of school in the 8th grade, I asked him if he used computers, he said he didn't know how, but he "employed" people that did know how. In one of our conversations he told me he knew exactly how many "inputs" he had on every square ft of his farm. He passed away owning 1,400 acres of farmland. Not a bad accomplishment with an 8th grade education. Another friend has only a HS education and he is farming over a 1,000 acres of farmland.

I remember once, my dad said to never make fun of anybody's job. No matter what you do for a living, even cleaning toilets, do the very best you can do, it will get noticed, your work ethic will get noticed and eventually it will pay off. Always compliment a good job no matter what that job is.

LOL, that is one of the funniest outtros ever. "Trade-bashing" for lack of a better term has also been very common here in Denmark for many many years. Where I grew up it was implied in subtle ways (and not so subtle....), that if you didn't do well in school, you could always settle for learning a trade. Fast forward 30 years, and there is a shortage of skilled labour in the country. Well, duh!! I certainly hope recruitment for the trades everywhere will improve. A big "thank you" to you and your team for continuing to show the hard work behind the scenes of society that keeps the lights on.

Wow -- ( "rather interesting") great interview and discussion. Race, Dirty Jobs and Tough as Nails are a few of my favorites. Appreciate that we are exposed to and learn that it really takes a lot of hard work and great skill to do the jobs we see. Thank you both for acknowledging our working crews in every industry. Like that Mike gives Phil the time to talk without interruptions so he can tell the full story!! (also like the Coffee with Mom series).

Mike you rock! Peace

Thank you Mike Rowe

Two of my faves: Mike Rowe and Phil Keough! You too, Chuck!

From a commencement speech to a graduating college class: If all the lawyers and all the garbage collectors were to suddenly vanish, Who would be missed first?

Its always the best thing hearing Mike's voice

Now that was fun! Thanks, Chuck! :-)

What a GREAT video!!!! THANK YOU!!!

I loved this podcast episode. Nice to hear it again and see the participants. I discovered Tough As Nails last summer and am enjoying this summer's episodes.

I always loved the Ma and Pa Kettle movies! Dig up that reference. 😎

Great interview! Oh wait, a rather interesting one. Loved it.

Interesting stories of their grandparents. Please write it all down for your children and grandchildren! They will thank you forever!!

Great discussion with lots of laughs mixed in. I couldn't help but laugh at watching Mike getting dressed over the first 5 minutes.

That was definitely a fairly interesting interview there Mike. I have been around Kiwis off an on over the years and I always knew there was just something about them that was severely understated. I know they elected Socialist Governments off and on over the years, mostly on-interspersed with conservative occasionally to rebuild the country after the Socialists tore it down too far. This is the first time I understand why and it is definitely the Tall Poppy Syndrome. A three word description that completely defines the Kiwi Culture. The Aussies are more like the U.S. where they build them up over and over so they can tear them down in a delightful manner. Good Luck Phil and keep punching up! And Mike, keep on with the Fairly Interesting Interviews, they are rewarding!

Mike's the best!!!..

It makes me sick how people in this world idolize celebrities and athletes. I believe people should look harder at the hard working people of this world. I have worked hard my whole life doing many dirty jobs. My chosen profession was as a Firefighter/ Paramedic and working hard in that job caused an early retirement due to injury at 40 years old. And honestly I would not change a thing. Well other than the injury part. If I could go back to busting my butt on the job tomorrow I would. I have tried to tell my kids from the start that if they dont go to college it is fine and there is nothing wrong with it.

I love this. Reminds me of my Dad and grandparents.

Amazing!!!

Love Mike Rowe, but what made me push the subscribe button was the a capella barbershop quartet.

Love it!

I subscribed just for the jungle at the end. Well done Mr. Rowe

Went to work with a broken foot from a jackhammer now you get 6 weeks maternity leave when you're in charge of transportation in America.

Hey Mike: I enjoy your videos and appreciate your work! Especially enjoyed your "Aircraft Carrier" show... I served on the USS Ranger CVA-61 during Viet Nam I worked Catapults and Arresting Gear. I was surreal for a young man fresh out of high school... :-))

I'm really glad the barbershop tags have made it to KZfaq :)

The description of Ectachrome, yes I remember that, and Fujichrome too. Fujichrome I recall a slightly different balance, but yes brilliant reds.

Why is Mike seemingly the only person with a platform talking about these things?! It's so irritating that ppl have such strong opinions, but don't go outside 😢

We love ya, Chuck! 😉☺️🥰

I have dirty hands, and I'm proud !! Been in the trades all my life, my Dad and my brother both taught me the right way. I'm a Journeyman Electrician in Winnipeg, Canada, and I love what I do. Sure, computers are great, the internet is a constant source of knowledge and entertainment, but without power, without my co workers and me, you got nothing. Figure I'm bragging ? Go shut your panel down. Without the farmers, plumbers, truck drivers, etc. , the world would stop. Ever heard of an emergency accountant ?

Blown away that amazing race dude is actually a Kiwi 😮

Interesting to note that in the 1930s and 40s, being a bicycle mechanic was not a parts replacer, many of the parts still have to be fabricated and of course going back to the turn of the century the Wright Brothers were bicycle mechanics.

Mike, great shows as always. Please look into and maybe do a show about Land Surveying. Great job and great upward mobility. I've done it for 32 years now. Nothing gets built without Surveyors. We have a saying about Mt. Rushmore... "it's 3 Surveyors...and another guy!" God Bless.

That was "fairly interesting"...thanks guys ;)

I was a Union Ironworker Apprentice at age 36, I can totally relate to this video. Without the Labor Force, stuff doesn't get made. Stupid ass people making fun of us who actually built America. "KEEP ON KEEPIN ON"

Maaan we love u down here in Cali

The loss of a dominant international manufacturing status in the west has been one of the most negative pivotal periods in history. We basically handed power off to the enemy. Trades and dirty, hard jobs are the foundation of economic strength ultimately.

There are a choice of 2 dominating factors that can define a civilization, and the one chosen determines the life quality of their children. The tallest grass blade is mowed off first. The tallest tree gets the most sunshine.

My Dad was a blue collar worker and I was proud of him. He had hands like a spade and rough. I always felt sorry for the guy if he had to hit someone. I have nothing like respect for hardworking men.

When dirty Jobs was in it's early years,I was a manager + lab tech., at a fertilizer plant.had some dirty/stink operations.I wanted to get mike here (Maine) at the plant.I was the boss, but the owners wouldn't let me try to get him.

You do all this stuff, you should go meet the Killer Bee Guy Reed Booth in Arizona and get in a bee suit with Killer bees for a day. It's also educational.

That messaging to pursue University, and put down the trades, started back in the 70's and 80's. Coincidentally, just when jobs were being moved overseas.

Where can I watch full episodes of these? I hear them all on Spotify. But would love to watch the full episodes of each show

Im watching - listening to this inside a gasoline tanker, welding cracks up in the dark . Repairing this tanker keeps everones gas station full so everyone can have the ability to go do something productive thus this chain keeps on and on.

I have a dirty job idea for Mike, (lotta spit involved), but the work of the chorus of an opera company needs be explained. I heard that you might have some expertise here. You might also look into building scenery, sets, lighting, and touch on the little used sound systems. My grandfather broke sod in Kansas, I have the certificate from the land office framed on the wall. His wagon was once seen on a Gunsmoke episode, folks from Garden City would occasionally go up to Dodge for supplies.

I basically learned my career by paid apprenticeship. Dog grooming is the perfect job for me and I love it, but I don’t feel people respect that I’m a skilled professional because there’s no “degree” for it. They complain about price and refuse to pay me what I’m worth and try to negotiate. Does anyone negotiate with yheyr hairdresser? Their mechanic? Their plumber? No. People don’t tell them “that’s too expensive I refuse to pay that much!” No. They pay or go somewhere else,

Hahaha sorry for lol'ing so hard when they were busting his balz at the beginning there.

The best example of "tallest poppy syndrome" is Burt Munro and the worlds fastest Indian

We need the poppy addittude in America 🇺🇸

My grandson has overcome his dyslexia, but wants nothing to do with college. He's taken a job as a millwright apprentice and thinks he made a mistake. I told him by the time he's a fully qualified millwright he'll be making much more money than his friends taking worthless degrees at a four year school. Someday he'll probably run into those people working at Starbucks.

Funny how almost everyone has a story of a grandparent or someone that grew up with our grandparents that left school to go to work and today too many jobs won't consider someone who wants to work but doesn't have a college degree or wasn't able to earn a high school diploma. Also makes the situation trickier now that my generation and the generation coming into the workforce now have very little value in work and value other things more like staying home playing video games and reciving a government check. Work is good for our mental health and I've seen evidence in that especially since Covid. Let's encourage work and appreciate those who do want work but may not have the ability or desire to get a 4 year degree! #apprenticeshipswork

THUS THE ADDAGE "DONT THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER"

Sometimes we keep an employee because he will benefit from continued experience and some day they will become the employee we need them to be now.

I've been watching many past seasons of The Amazing Race, just started watching the 1st season, Phil's voice about announcing aspects hadn't gotten polished yet, they had a Fast Forward pass every leg, you just had to find it not do anything to get it, I really wish they would stop eliminations entirely all on reality shows, it would make it harder to win, but who listens to me, I'll never participate because they're too hard physically and I don't like going hungry. So I watch them instead.

Oregon 8/7/23

👍👍

8:45 Hence don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! My grandpa was the youngest of seven, and he said by the time it was his turn it’d be so dirty you couldn’t see your hand

There's nothing sexier then a man that works with his hands. imo wish I knew one right now. Could seriously use a handy man. It's tough being a helpless female in this world. Love your shows and utube stuff Mike.

Working class, blue collar tradesmen and women are the reason the world keeps going round. If I were to ask you which profession/job is more important between a Surgeon and a member of the Custodial/Janitorial/Housekeeping (whichever you prefer) working in a hospital, what would your answer be? The only answer to that question should be along the lines of: Whether it be a Surgeon or member of the janitorial staff, each job is EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THE REASONS FOR THAT ARE THE VERY REASONS WHY. I will summarize it like this; You will NEVER see or hear about a Surgeon that cleans, sanitizes, disinfect and makes the operating room the aseptic environment necessary to prevent an infection for the next surgical patient in that OR. You will also never see a member of a janitorial staff performing surgery. The knowledge, experience and education as such, are equally important, just for different reasons. 😉 Trades people, past, present and future, have been the backbone of civilization. They are the true origin of the expression "Necessity is the Mother of Invention". Having a college degree is a great thing if you were able to attend and graduate from college. The reality is, at the end of the day it is s framed. matted, piece of paper showing personal achievement because the opportunity was available to you. It in no way means you are more intellectual or intelligent than anyone else, regardless of graduating from high school or vocational school. Availability and opportunity are the only difference between all of us. On a side note: I attended Cosmetology school at the age of 50 after working for over 20 years in the Medical Field as a CNA. Certified Medication Aide, was EMT trained and lastly as an MA (and I am not a Certified Medical Asdistant, the surgeons I worked for and with found my years of hands on care experience to far surpass having gone to vocational school and becoming Certified with ZERO experience, and even with the certification AND experience). I opened my own small 487 sq. ft. salon, where I am the sole proprietor and Stylist, after passing both the written and practical Cosmetology exams earning my license. I have never worked for anyone else in their salon. Rosie The Riveter just so happens to be the central part of my salon branding, vinyl graphics on my front window and business cards. I also have a full sized poster of Rosie The Riveter with the lyrics to the song (She Was) An American Girl by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers framed and matted that hangs in my salon hallway. Little girls should aspire to a Rosie, not a Kartrashian. In my not so humble opinion@ Thanks fellas! ❤ ~ APRIL LIPKE

I was offended that the duck kept interrupting you all.

People do look down on blue collar workers. Had a girlfriend back in 2010 and her parents told her to leave me because I worked in concrete. She started dating somebody with their masters degree immediately after that. Wild times...

The trades are the easiest way to become a PROFITABLE small business owner.

Anybody else see the thumbnail and think that was norm Macdonald?

YOU MAY HAVE BEEN LATE MIKE BUT IT CAN'T ALL BE BLAMED ON THE MISSING LINK, ONLY BEING ABLE TO GET ONE BUTTON ON YOUR SHIRT BEFORE CLICKING THE LATE LINK. ONE WOULD ACCESS YOU WERENT EVEN READY WHEN YOU GOT ON. LOL KNOW THIS THE 2 STARS I SEE ON THIS VID HAVE KEPT MY ATTENTION LONGER THAN ANY OTHERS. SURVIVOR, DIRTY JOBS AND THAT VOICE.

Hey Mike I've been roofing for 22 years be at all up but there's this one company that insist that there's no lunch break in my day I literally work form for year-and-a-half I can't walk straight getting angry on the daily basis day after day week after week month after month you think it's okay to deny a hard worker lunch break

Mr. Rowe have you considered that a tough and dirty job you have not covered yet is that of camera man? Something to think about.

Little do some people know that their sub-social plumber that is "below" them actually has to have reasoning skills greater than Thiers.

I really wish Zuck would back off. I know it's satire, but this is our space. He won't be able to leave it alone without wielding his unwanted influence.

The hardest working people are used as slaves till they are useless.

SORRY AMAZING RACE, BLOND MOMENT

I'm sorry but I'm not going to watch anything that has anybody that had anything to do with the Amazing Race. May the guy that ran the show and executives involved be damned to hell. It's all because in one episode they went to Hanoi and the wreckage of the B-52 was in like a public square in a fountain or something and they'd killed American boys and that was we shouldn't have been there with the reality program.

Mike you need to take into account that everything has been monetized out of reality. even the air you breath. My grocery bill which was 100-150 is now $750. Housing and food are getting to be unattainable. The jobs that are available don’t pay enough to support a family. The rules and regulations that restrict people from working are impossible for people to learn on the job. I’m calling BS on a lot of your commentary on people that don’t want to work. I’m willing and able to do anything from welding to software development. And apply daily 2-5 jobs per day. And no response. This country has officially killed the middle class.

Mike your only social value is being down to earth and a realist, so what's the grand bigotry and mocking for. what's the point