Mike Rowe: Don’t Call Her a Philanthropist with Kris Engelstad | The Way I Heard It

49:03 “Isn’t it funny how nobody burns a flag at a trade school?” Sums it up.

Years ago, my wife and I splurged (we were pretty poor at the time) and went to LV and stated at Ralph's casino/hotel. When we checked in the front desk attendant saw that we were from North Dakota. She upgraded our room on the spot. When we asked she said Mr. Engelstad always wanted fellow North Dakotans to feel at home. We have never forgot his kindness.

I'm an upholsterer. I have been for over 49 years, since a child. And I'm extremely concerned about who will fill the roll of me and my colleagues in the craft. It's really diminishing to a concerning level. I try to teach, mentor, and train as I can. While I try to do the work I have before me.

Now this is an impressive woman. Ms. Englstad, your father would be so proud of you.

Why can't we have someone like Mike as president?

Her dad reminds me of my dad. He had polio at 6. Was paralyzed from the neck down for months. Was the first patient in our county to use hydrotherapy. It affected his left arm and right leg in the end. He played little league and they told him he could have a pinch runner if he could make it to first base- so he learned to hit home runs. They told my mom not to marry him because a cripple wouldn’t be able to provide. My parent became millionaires and I never knew until I was married and in my late 20’s. I was taught to work - no entitlement - also an only child. He was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 80 and told he had 8 months. He told the doctor I’ll decide when I die. 2 years later and 3 clean pets later - he’s still kicking. They don’t make them like that anymore.

I graduated in 1972 from a Trade School / VocTech Dixie Hollins high school in FLA. One teacher Mr. Vagal showed about 20 students per year the way to earn a great living in Industrial Electronics. After 50 years earning a very good living all based on the VocTech education. After retrying from high tech I now volunteer in a local high school as a safety guard but I am able talk to the students on the hallways about the "Trades" and college is not the way for all students. Last year a female student I had been talking to for 3 year just got her first job as a welder in the DFW area starting at $55 per hour. This one student telling me this made my year...!

Thank you Kris for trying to support education in the mental health field. When you were told that because of the stigma around mental health the university didn't want to include it in their cirriculum, so you pulled your funding and I just wanted to cheer. I am a mental health nurse in a psychiatric hospital and a mental health clinical instructor for a nursing school. Most of the students start off being afraid of the mentally ill patients. The students learn empathy and how prevelent mental illness is. Thank you for supporting a part of our society that doesn't have a voice and is misunderstood.

When I watch Joe Rogan's long-form podcasts, I often screen out the discussions I want to view. I'm not into Martial Arts and I don't know many of the comedians he has on his show, so I filter them out. Mike starts the conversation without letting me know who this woman is or why I should spend an hour and a half watching. The only clue I have is that I trust Mike Rowe. So I listen as I work and Mike's instincts don't disappoint. She's not just someone in charge of foundations.

Others should take lessons from these two people! Both have true values and want to truly HELP others!

One of the best, most inspiring interviews Mike has ever done. She is a gem among humanity. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👏👏🇺🇲🇺🇲

I was student body president at University of North Dakota when Ralph passed away. I attended his funeral to represent the students body. On that trip I learned about Engelstad's vast generosity to people who needed wheelchairs. I've only met Kris that one time, but I'll just say: Thanks for the things your family has done for North Dakota.

I wasn't sure I had an hour and a half to watch this, but glad I did. Strong intelligent woman making her Father very proud!

I’ve never heard of Kris Engelstad before. Her dad sounds like he had such a good work ethic, and the fact that he passed it down to his daughter is a testament that he was a good dad who cared. The community that is named after her mother sounds great. I used to work with special needs kids and teens, and one of my aunts and uncles had two group homes for special needs kids and adults, and I wished they all had good families and friends and support systems.

What a fascinating interview I'd never heard of Ms. Engelstadt previously. Good to know that such an endowment is managed by a woman with such deep common sense. As one who strives to honor my own grandfather, I find this very inspirational.

I know people that were attending the University of North Dakota when the name change was made. The VAST majority of students wanted to stick with the Fighting Sioux. Administration said the name WAS being changed and they could vote on what the new name would be. The students voted on H.A.W.K.S. as an acronym for "How About We Keep Sioux" That's the way I heard it 😊

I'm surprised how few of my contemporaries understand "stewardship." This was encouraging.

Mike Rowe, A very remarkable and positive woman, Thank you for the podcast interview.

Wow. I could have listened to six more hours of this interview.

FASCINATING ! I looked her up , and she’s the real deal … those “ Roy Orbison “ glasses are awesome ! What a gem of a person …