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The Hidden Crisis That Could Change Everything | Michael Cadenazzi From #476 | The Way I Heard It

2026-04-05 Entertainment
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Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe
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Description

In this clip from my conversation with Mike Cadenezzi, the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, we get into something that sounds like science fiction but isn’t—polymetallic nodules. Little lumps sitting quietly on the ocean floor, packed with the very materials we need to power…well, everything. Your phone. Your car. Your data centers. Your national defense. Here’s the part that’ll keep you up at night: we’re not short of these resources. Not even close. We’ve got them, or we can get them. What we don’t always have is the will to go get them—or the clarity to understand what’s at stake, if we don’t. Because this isn’t just about energy or economics. It’s about supply chains, national security, and a growing realization that the things we depend on most are, in many cases, controlled by people who don’t necessarily wish us well. Mike (Cadenezzi) lays it out plainly—no rocks, no factories. No materials, no future. And yet, somehow, we’ve managed to convince ourselves that the problem is scarcity, when the real issue might be…hesitation. We also talk about the uncomfortable tradeoffs—the environmental concerns, the history of “dirty” processes, and the question non one seems eager to answer: if we’re going to get these materials (and we are), where—and how—should we do it? There’s a moment that stuck with me. A reminder that sometimes the real treasure isn’t buried—it’s been sitting right in front of us all along. Have a look and then decide for yourself what’s more dangerous—the risks we take to move forward…or the ones we take by standing still. Watch the full conversation with Michael: https://youtu.be/TlJ0jW_Rl_U My foundation is awarding millions of dollars in work ethic scholarships to men and women willing to learn a skilled trade. Apply now at: https://bit.ly/mrwscholarships #podcast #china #job If you like me, and even if you don't, subscribe to my channels and follow me. Much obliged. https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikerowe https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikeroweshorts https://www.youtube.com/@PYSKshow http://instagram.com/mikerowe http://facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe https://twitter.com/mikeroweworks 00:00 Becoming more metal independent 05:06 Is history repeating itself? 09:59 How much time do we have? 12:46 A cause of the skills gap 14:38 Manufacturing in America

Top Comments (10)

@WTLowery82 2026-04-05

He had me until "congress's heart is in the right place." BS! Congress is a pit of vipers!

180 18 replies
@scottenosh4548 2026-04-05

The politicians of today sees the problem$ as being more valuable than the solutions. Their power is more important to them than anything else.

121 7 replies
@rickshoeman3771 2026-04-05

Imagine if our school system supported this type of information - preparing the next generation to actually be valuable....

78 6 replies
@Jayeffice 2026-04-06

Typical government bull 💩. I worked in pulp, paper, forestry products, and steel as a pipe welder. What I saw is steel mills quit processing raw ore and importing steel ingots from China and other countries. Paper Mills stopping raw pulp production because export prices dropping. Tell me how the government has an interest in the American people and not the ultra rich corporations operating right here on American soil. Fuck all the lobbies on the hill buying the politicians

51 5 replies
@DaveMarket 2026-04-06

Been a machinist toolmaker for 50 years. I remember when I started hearing Bush 1 talking about new world order, kinder ,gentler nation, and transitioning to a service based economy I was in for a ride. I was right. The work environment that my father and I knew turned upside down. Leaps in technology lessened the demise but when a company could have a mold or die built in China for thirty cents on the dollar and then make necessary changes and fixes in house so that it worked, and still make more profit, it was a no brainer. I believe that Elitist powers have been working for decades to take the US down economically and socially. Our "higher learning" institutions are treasonous for the most part. Thanks for what you do Mr Rowe!

46 6 replies
@SchnebsGarage 2026-04-06

Planned obsolescence is the real problem, corporate greed.

18 1 replies
@terrymoorecnc2500 2026-04-05

The Congress closed 17 Yards out of 21 over a 30 year period. They closed CNSYD, one of the top rated Yards in the entire system. As a graduate of the class of 81, I'm out of sympathy for the DOD. They got rid of thousands of skilled workers that could have taught generations of new mechanics to build any Navy Vessel going. I'm out of sympathy.

18 1 replies
@BillWJS 2026-04-06

Mike i wish you were a voice 20 years ago. We mocked the kids sent to shop class or trades schools. Today they are magicians for most of us schools of the 'f'arts. You deserve a Noble Peace for promoting common sense.

16 1 replies
@davebarron5939 2026-04-06

"Government is not the answer to OUR problems, Government IS the problem" - Ronald Reagan Private industry (as always) will get IT done, if the criminals in Bureaucracy will get out of the way.

12
@happydavid13 2026-04-06

UK commenting here…I’m in the North of England. We have enough high quality coal and anthracite to last hundreds of years. Two coal fired power plants have been closed and demolished near me. Local politicians were there for the photo op as the towers fell to the ground and they were cheering and laughing. We no longer generate using coal. All our coal mines have been closed. We have the most expensive electricity in the world. It’s all utter insanity and madness. We are getting poorer and poorer. Prices are rocketing and our real income is falling. Insanity and madness.

8 1 replies

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