20/09/2025
Mike Rowe did NOT enjoy the video I made saying that I felt like his approach to the subject of the trades is largely a negative to the broader working class.
He didn't agree, but also didn't point out any glaring inaccuracies, which I was greatful for.
He was also pretty gentlemanly in his response, all things considered, which i appreciate.
I don't follow Mike but noticed a sudden influx of downvotes on an old video and went to investigate and eventually foind his Facebook post.
My response in his comments was this:
"This man, whoever he is..."
Of course I know him, he's me.
"Sir - I don't know how to contact you, because you didn't identify yourself in the attached video"
My name is Sean and there are several contact links in the video description. I do remain semi-anonymous in that i don't use my full name but info is there.
I apologize for not seeing your YouTube comment earlier. I didn't realize it was there until I noticed a sudden influx of comments and downvotes today and went to look at it.
"Which is why I'm fairly confident the man who made this video will refuse my invitation to appear on my podcast..."
Just to be upfront, I will likely decline, but not for the reasons you listed. I don't do interviews, or discussions, or debates. I'm not a professional speaker and, to be frank, im terrible in them. But I will consider it. Either way, I do appreciate the invite and it would actually sucks to say no more than you'd imagine.
As to your MikeRoweWorks foundation, I think its a good thing as I said in the video. I, myself, have worked "Dirty jobs" since I was 15. Ive been driving 18 wheelers for 30 years. A trade was a lifeline for me.
All that said, yes, I view how you handle your messaging and approach to the subject we both seemingly care about as deeply negative to the broader working class in this country. That's despite you speaking to unions, having support from locals or nationals, or the occasional union-friendly remark. Many of those reasons are in the video. You disagree, I get it. I'm sure 99% of the people here will disagree as well.
But not everybody does. In the locked reddit post (the mods of that subreddit disabled the comments, not me, for the record. I have nothing to do with it) many agree as well.
You suggest perhaps I should have more nuance, middle ground, etc. And I'll take that to heart. I will.
What I'd ask in return is you go back to thst subreddit or the youtube comments or whatever other videos you were mentioning similar mine, and do the same. Read them, digest them, really consider them, and really take them to heart.
There were, what, 2-300 comments under that reddit post. 90+% were union members. They largely agreed with what I was saying. Take that to heart. It doesn't mean you're a fool or that you're evil, but it just might mean that your not quite as spot on as you or the rest of the commenter in here seem to believe.
Remember when I said "F**k Mike Rowe" at the end? That was a flourish that was probabaly too much lmao. I'll try to be better when people are involved.
Michael Brooks, one of my favorite Podcasters, used to say, "Be kind to people, be ruthless with systems." He was right. My apologies.
Take care, Mike.
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