Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

All good stories have a twist, and all great storytellers are just a little twisted. Join me for a different take on the people and events that you thought you knew, from pop culture to politics, Hollywood to history… The Way I Heard It is a series of short mysteries for the curious mind with a short attention span.

DISCLAIMER: Each episode of The Way I Heard It is a true story about a real person, place, or thing. With respect to the facts, I try to be as accurate as possible. However, the Internet is full of conflicting accounts, and it’s entirely possible you might hear me say something about a person or an event that contradicts something you heard or read elsewhere. If so, feel free to bring any discrepancy to my attention. Just remember – I’m not wrong. It’s just the way I heard it…

  1. All Episodes
  2. 499: Ted Decker & Ian Cinnamon—Orbiting Home

Aug 18, 2026

What do a Home Depot employee and a satellite have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mike Rowe talks with two CEOs about the people and technology quietly building the future around us.

First, Mike sits down with Ted Decker, CEO of The Home Depot, to talk about workforce development, the company’s “inverted pyramid” philosophy—where frontline associates and customers sit at the top and management exists to support them—and why developing people from the ground up is central to the company’s success. Decker also explains the story behind Home Depot’s Kids Workshop program, which has introduced generations of young people to tools, building, and the satisfaction of making something with their own hands.

Then Mike talks with Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Ian Cinnamon, CEO and co-founder of Apex, a company tackling one of the space industry’s biggest challenges: making satellites faster and at much greater scale. Cinnamon explains just how many aspects of everyday life depend on satellites—from communications and navigation to weather and national security—and why getting more capable spacecraft into orbit is becoming increasingly important.

From the aisles of Home Depot to the edge of space, this is a conversation about building things, building people, and building what comes next.

Shout out to our great sponsors

K12.com/Rowe—Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep.

ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe—The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours.

GoodRanchers.com/ROWE—Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Get $50 off anything on their site and get DOUBLE the FREE meat with every order when you start a plan.

CamelCityMill.com—The last work sock you’ll ever need. 100% American made with a 10-year warranty.  Use code ROWE for 10% off Mike’s favorite work sock.