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Millions Aren’t Working And It’s Not What You Think | Nick Eberstadt From #478 | The Way I Heard It

2026-04-12 Entertainment
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Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe
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Description

What happens when the richest, healthiest, best-educated generation in history decided—quietly, almost imperceptibly—to stop showing up? In this clip, I sit down with economist Nick Eberstadt to wrestle with a question that might be hiding in plain sight…and might also be the most important one nobody’s really asking—what’s going on with us? We talk about shrinking populations, rising loneliness, and something Nick calls the “new misery”—a kind of modern discontent that doesn’t look anything like the poverty our grandparents fought through but feels just as real. We dig into men without work, the quiet exodus from the labor force, and the uncomfortable truth that having more has not necessarily made us happier or more connected. This isn’t a conversation about doom and gloom. It’s about patterns, blind spots, and the strange disconnect between abundance and fulfillment. It’s about what happens when the rules change but nobody gets the memo. And maybe most importantly, it’s about whether we still have what it takes to fix it. Watch my full conversation with Nick: https://bit.ly/TWIHI478NickEberstadt #podcast #america #work 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 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 Behind the population decline 03:07 The new misery 05:49 Men without work ‍ 11:37 Don't bet against America 16:38 We need welfare reform 21:33 Hope for the future

Top Comments (10)

@DanJanTube 2026-04-13

my govt taxed me extra for not making enough to afford health insurance

697 70 replies
@ALEX-gd5pu 2026-04-13

I'm sick of paying taxes and having nothing at the end of the week just to survive.

366 36 replies
@Caliber357 2026-04-12

Because people are realizing you weren’t put on this earth simply to pay taxes and die. Our government (no matter who is in charge) hates you and sees you as nothing more than a piggy bank that needs to be hammered open. They prefer to send our hard earned money over seas or to any group other than hard working Americans who did “the right thing” in life. It’s a scam. Also the middle class (as always) are the ones to feel the pinch the most.

711 43 replies
@bobchristie7464 2026-04-13

Deep diving into welfare scams in 2026 without a mention of immigration, illegal or not, is pretty wild.

286 17 replies
@JohnJax-f4d 2026-04-13

Once Politicians start going to prison for corruption (which there are many RED and BLUE), and then all the people committing all the FRAUD in all the states draining all OUR TAX dollars are held accountable, ONLY then maybe, just maybe, some of these MANY who left the workforce long ago might consider returning to a more FAIR and America 🇺🇸 First system! ❤

734 60 replies
@ed19742006 2026-04-13

The divorce generations really impacted people today.

236 14 replies
@dennisjoe-mo4ol 2026-04-12

It's waking up to know you were told one thing but ended up getting another.

233 7 replies
@OZRIC1985 2026-04-13

We're "sloshing in money", yet millions of Americans (apparently about 59% of Americans...almost 202 million people) are living paycheck to paycheck. This is a MAJOR emergency!!!

179 28 replies
@LutherRiley-q2r 2026-04-12

Men in America have been Beaten Down, by those that think Men have been the Problem.

433 33 replies
@kevinsheppard9370 2026-04-22

No accountability from those that took an oath to protect us , thats what is causing all these issues. Crimes are up, no accountability. Government crimes are skyrocketing, no accountability. Medical crimes are through the roof, no accountability...when will these issues be fixed, never cause there is NO ACCOUNTABLITY!!! AMERICA THE LAND OF NO ACCOUNTABILITY!!

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