Podcast Summary
Podcast: The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
Episode: 465: James Woods—Act Two
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Mike Rowe
Guests: James Woods, Chuck (co-host)
Main Theme:
A sweeping conversation with the legendary actor James Woods, focusing on his reinvention as a songwriter in his late 70s, the realities of Hollywood blacklisting, artistic redemption, the meaning of loyalty, the pain of personal loss, and the alchemy of musical creation. The episode is rich in anecdotes about career pivots, the cruelty and camaraderie of the entertainment industry, and finding artistic fulfillment in unexpected places.
Episode Overview
Mike and Chuck welcome James Woods for a candid, rollicking, and at times emotional conversation about life after Hollywood. With characteristic wit and candor, Woods delves into his second act as a songwriter, his experiences with professional ostracism, the loss of his home to wildfires, the impact of personal loss on his art, and collaborations with figures like Shooter Jennings. Through stories, laughter, music, and the occasional sharp political jab, Woods shares what it means to be resilient, loyal, and true to oneself in the face of both acclaim and adversity.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Hollywood Blacklisting and Loyalty
- Woods’ Reputation: The group discusses the toll Woods’ outspoken political views have taken on his career:
"He's a centrist who just feels like he's living in bizarro world and just didn't feel like apologizing for it. So he basically walked away. He could have bent the knee.” – Mike [03:29]
- Burned by His Agency: Woods shares how his agency unceremoniously dropped him for political reasons:
“I had an agent who called me on 4th of July… ‘I’m feeling patriotic today, so I’m going to drop you as a client.’ I said, that’s odd. I always thought patriotism was about a country where people could disagree and still like each other and work together.” – James Woods [76:52]
- Industry Context: Mike and Chuck lament the growing trend of ideological conformity and the inability to separate art from politics in Hollywood.
Reinvention Through Music
- Unexpected Musical Career: Despite losing the ability to play guitar (due to a hand injury), Woods begins songwriting with Shooter Jennings and Bob Wayne, producing new albums into his late 70s:
“He doesn’t play the guitar anymore since an injury... but as it turns out, he can write.” – Mike [03:54]
- Redemption and Joy: Woods describes finding profound artistic fulfillment in music, unfettered by industry gatekeepers:
“I am so proud of these two albums, I’ll never be able to tell you what joy it gives me.” – James Woods [34:00] “I'm living a second act. I really am.” [79:00]
- The Magic of Collaboration: He details the creative process—how musicians can walk into a studio and, with little preparation, conjure something profound in a single afternoon:
“It is the most miraculous thing I've ever experienced in my life. And I've seen a shuttle launch.” [57:56]
Artistic Process and Philosophy
- Songwriting Approach: Woods insists on total authenticity, resisting autotune, AI, or overproduction:
“This is authentic music. There's no AI. There's no Auto Tune. These are musicians playing there, and great musicians...” [53:34]
- Lyrics as Autobiography: Woods’ albums are deeply personal, shaped by his own history, losses, and relationships:
“It's your autobiography. This is the first album ... I said, oh, I guess I kind of did.” [50:40]
Impact of Personal Loss
- Losing His Brother: Woods speaks movingly about losing his younger brother to a hospital error and how that pain lives in his songwriting, especially in the song “Hello, Friend”:
“Here's the bad news. You never get over it. It’s the same today as the second I heard it.” [100:39]
Navigating Modern Hollywood and Music Business
- Oscar and Grammy Realities: Woods acknowledges that, due to his politics, major awards are unlikely, but he finds meaning in making music on his own terms:
“I would love to have a Grammy. I'd love to have an Oscar. I'm not going to get him because of politics. It's fine. I don't care.” [84:15]
- Championing Independent Musicians: He outlines his goal to create a model where musicians can make a living and retain artistic control, distributing music without reliance on major labels.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Reinventing Himself
- “There are no second acts in American lives. But I’m here to prove that indeed there are.” – James Woods [36:34]
- “You know, 13,000 shares of Apple in 1985. And you did and never sold one.” – Mike [47:42]
- “No, dude, I'm here as a favor because I'm a rich monster. I'm kidding.” – James Woods [47:44]
On Blacklisting
- “If you’re keeping a list of reasons why agents are sometimes spoken of on this podcast without the absolute utmost level of respect, this will confirm all of that.” – Mike [00:55]
- “That's odd. I always thought patriotism was about a country where people could disagree and still like each other and work together.” – James Woods [76:57]
On Music and Collaboration
- “When I explained this is what touched my heart in this song when I wrote it ... a couple of them came up to me and said, you know, it makes such a difference because now we know what the heart of the song is.” – James Woods [62:39]
- “Sometimes you’re the potter, sometimes you’re the clay. And if what comes out the other end is a tombstone opera, Amen, then you’re living a pretty interesting life.” – Mike [69:08]
On Pain and Art
- “How important is it to have pain? … We can make ourselves nuts looking at the little moments in our life that actually weren't so little.” – Mike [99:08, 32:31]
On Friendship and Loyalty
- “One of a million great things I love about my wife is that if there is a woman that I’ve known who is not up to something and is just a really good friend ... I just have kind of a rule about that.” – James Woods [71:40]
- “There’s a difference, my friend, between a peasant and a king.” – James Woods, reading new lyrics [92:02]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening reflections on Woods’ reputation: [00:21-03:54]
- Why Woods was blacklisted & agency story: [00:42, 76:52]
- Beginning in music and songwriting process: [03:54, 07:54, 41:56]
- Loss of home in wildfires, criticism of local government: [08:52-13:45]
- Discussion of Hollywood’s political climate: [13:59, 80:00]
- Story of "Hello, Friend"—song about loss: [61:03, song at 115:47]
- Creative magic in the studio: [57:56-62:39]
- How pain infuses art (“You never get over it”): [100:22-101:41]
- Working independently, artist business model: [47:42-53:34]
- Oscar/Grammy thoughts and legacy in Hollywood: [84:02, 85:08]
- Reading new song lyrics about “peasants and kings”: [90:22]
- Reflections on the Beatles’ artistry (“Eleanor Rigby”): [93:53-95:20]
- Legacy, redemption, and meaning: [112:43-115:14]
Music Featured
- “Hello, Friend” – Song plays from [115:47] to episode end.
- Deeply personal, written about the death of Woods’s longtime friend.
Takeaways for Listeners
- James Woods is blazing his own trail in music, applying his signature intellect and artistry to songwriting late in life.
- Despite being blacklisted for his political viewpoints, he has no self-pity—emphasizing artistic fulfillment, loyalty, and the freedom of working outside the system.
- The episode is a celebration of resilience, the creative process, friendship, and the magic that can arise when life’s sliding doors both close and (unexpectedly) open.
Where to Find James Woods’ Music
- Vinyl: jameswoods.com (no spaces)
- Streaming: All major platforms; buying helps the albums chart and helps fund further independent releases.
“There are no second acts in American lives. But I’m here to prove that indeed there are.”
— James Woods [36:34]