American Originals Holiday Special w/ Mike Rowe

Summary

Podcast Summary:

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von – "American Originals Holiday Special w/ Mike Rowe"
Original Air Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Theo Von
Guest: Mike Rowe (with special guest appearances from Pam Montgomery, Drew Davis, Kate Thornton, Jenna)

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Main Theme / Purpose

This holiday episode is a celebration of American-made creativity, highlighting unique, genuine products made in the USA that make perfect holiday gifts. Theo Von and Mike Rowe join forces to spotlight small businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs—emphasizing the importance of supporting domestic manufacturing, the personal stories behind these products, and the positive impact buying American can have on families and communities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why Buy American?

• Theo introduces the episode’s theme:

  “...when you're buying something, you're supporting a fellow American.” [00:30]

• Mike underscores the episode’s authenticity:

  “Nobody paid to be on here. These are just items that we found made by people that we think are super cool...it would be great to crash their website and... give the audience... something cool to stuff in a stocking.” [02:25]

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Featured American-Made Gifts

1. Sullivan Glove Company (Bend, OR)

• Family-owned since 1941, hand-making gloves for a range of uses (ranch, motorcycle, evening out).
• Mike:

  “Sullivan glove products are handsome and made for versatility. They’re perfect for a full spectrum of activities from a night out on the town to the ranch or the workshop.” [04:00]

• Theo’s take:

  “There's nothing I like putting my hand more in than something made right here in America.” [06:20]

• Notable humor: Theo & Mike mix-and-match gloves, discuss using them to train falcons.
• Quote:

  “When you push your hand slowly into something that is undeniably of quality, then all of your fingers come together in a joyous fist of solidarity.” — Mike Rowe [08:24]

• [04:00–09:23]

2. Chukar Cherries (Yakima Valley, WA) — With Founder Pam Montgomery [10:13–16:58]

• Premium dried cherries and chocolates, no additives, female-founded, employs ~75 staff, strong emphasis on American sourcing.
• Mike:

  "What's the most interesting thing about cherries that the average American would benefit from knowing but currently doesn't?" [15:38]

• Pam:

  "Probably...this is one of the best places to grow cherries in the world." [15:48]
  "We really have focused on using US products, US labor." [16:02]

• Surprising fact: Over 700,000 lbs of cherries dried last year.
• Theo:

  “You're living the American dream through cherries.” [16:31]

3. Crippling Hot Sauce (Missouri) — With Founder Drew Davis [17:14–22:26]

• Backstory: Drew Davis, born with cerebral palsy, started this hot sauce line as a high school project after being told he "couldn't do it." It's become a national movement, selling over 500,000 bottles, with 5% of sales donated to cerebral palsy research.
• Drew:

  "So I went home that day out of spite, learned how to make hot sauce, and launched it.” [19:36]
  "The sauce gives you the runs better than I run." (humor) [18:42]
  “I just always have liked making fun of myself. So now that I get to monetize that, I couldn't ask for anything better.” [20:40]

• Mike:

  “That's the American spirit, you know? Like, oh, I'll find a way to get this done right.” [20:11]

4. Nokona Baseball Gloves (Nocona, TX) [22:40–26:44]

• 100% American-made, customizable gloves — used by major leaguers and in iconic baseball movies; a classic, intergenerational gift.
• Theo (about Nokona founder Bob Storey):

  “I'd rather take a bucket of worms and go fishing than import a Nokona glove.” [24:30]

• They discuss gifting tradition and the emotional connection to these heirlooms.

5. American Giant (Clothing) [27:52–28:45]

• High-quality, domestically-produced clothing brand.
• Theo:

  “I love knowing I’m supporting an American made brand...from the cotton grown on American farms all the way through the finished product made entirely in the USA.”

6. Oddly Sweet Dolls (Salt Lake City, UT) [28:54–34:40]

• Quirky, “creepy-cute” dolls handcrafted by Lacey Michelle, whose personal health and family journey inspired her artistry.
• Theo (on gifting the dolls):

  “Please find something endearing about me. That’s what these are for.” [32:22]

• Mike:

  “You can also have creepy and cute on the same face.” [32:44]

7. Scraggly Bush (Papillon, NE) [35:26–39:05]

• Fur goods (like the “squalot”—squirrel wallet) hand-sewn from ethically sourced wild fur. Started as a joke, now a viable business.
• Theo:

  “This company makes $250,000 a year. All fur is sourced and harvested from American hunters. There are no farmed furs. This is straight out of God’s refrigerator, the forest.” [37:44]

8. The Albizia Project (Oahu, Hawai'i) [39:26–43:35]

• Handcrafted cutting boards, surfboards, lamps, made from Hawaii’s most invasive tree species, turning an environmental negative into a gift.
• Mike:

  “That specific piece of wood gets traced back to a specific tree. It gets traced back to the specific person who cut it. That’s what these guys do.” [41:37]

9. Candle Tit (Chicago, IL) [44:15–46:34]

• Breast-shaped candles, hand-cast from real bodies, supporting body positivity and breast cancer survivors.
• Mike:

  “Nothing warms a room like compassion, confidence and a perfect pair of wicks.” [45:25]

• Memorable moment: Theo and Mike joke about their own experiences with “A cup” breastfeeding.

10. Donnell’s Candies (Casper, WY) [46:50–48:45]

• Family-run candy store since 1956; hand-crafted toffee, brittle, chocolates.
• Theo:

  “I kid you not, the best toffee I've ever had in my life.” [46:51]

11. Whitestone Mountain Orchard (Washington) — Guest: Kate Thornton [49:23–53:12]

• Family-run orchard highlighted by Kate, a friend of Theo’s. Focus on heirloom and new apple/pear varieties, and small-scale farming.
• Kate:

  “My family's been doing this for a long time, so it’s a privilege to be able to highlight, even if it’s not my family, but other families that do this.” [52:16]

12. Olympia Provisions (Portland, OR) [53:32–55:12]

• Artisan cured meats (salami, sausage, charcuterie) made the traditional way, independently owned.
• Theo:

  “You want to get somebody some summer sausage that's right here in America. Cured and tastes. That's the best tasting I've ever had. I think.” [55:12]

13. Calavera Tool Works (Johns Island, SC) [55:54–57:38]

• Handmade leather belts and tool belts, “heirlooms” cut and stitched from American-raised leather.
• Mike:

  “This is a belt you can pass down to your loved ones.” [57:27]

14. Smithy Ironware (Charleston, SC) [58:06–59:50]

• Premium, hand-forged cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens made from 100% recycled American iron.
• Mike:

  “Every single smithy skillet and carbon steel pan is made from 100% recycled American iron poured and polished in an old naval base turned foundry.” [58:11]

15. Heart Puzzles (Central Indiana) [60:50–61:04]

• Wooden puzzles for thoughtful, screen-free gifts; family memories, skill-building, and a nod to American quality.
• Theo:

  “I enjoy doing that with you. If you want to get somebody a puzzle, why just pick one up off the shelf from some company you don't even know?”

16. Prodigal Pottery (Central Alabama) [61:39–63:21]

• Women recovering from trauma make mugs, ornaments, and pottery; proceeds support survivors of domestic violence and trafficking.
• Jenna (Director):

  “Prodigal Pottery is very personal for me as it gave me my life back.” [62:42]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Theo:

  "There's nothing I like putting my hand more in than something made right here in America." [06:20]

• Mike (on quality):

  “When you push your hand slowly into something that is undeniably of quality, then all of your fingers come together in a joyous fist of solidarity.” [08:24]

• Drew Davis:

  “The sauce gives you the runs better than I run.” [18:42]

• Mike (philosophical):

  “A great piece of art, which is what I would think of this glove as. You know, it's not just a baseball glove. It is a love letter to everything we're talking about.” [24:06]

• Pam Montgomery:

  "We really have focused on using US products, US labor." [16:02]

• Mike (on American manufacturing):

  “If we really want to celebrate the people who are making stuff here, whether it’s an ornament or an ax, we got to support them.” [64:08]

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Product Demonstrations & Guest Interactions

[Pam Montgomery / Chukar Cherries – 10:13–16:58]
Pam shares Chukar’s origin story and mission; Theo and Mike react to the taste and the personal connections.

[Drew Davis / Crippling Hot Sauce – 18:30–22:26]
Drew reflects on entrepreneurial resilience and humor as self-therapy.

[Kate Thornton / Whitestone Mountain Orchard – 49:23–53:12]
Kate talks about family farming and the unique story of her community’s fruit.

[Jenna / Prodigal Pottery – 62:42–63:21]
Jenna shares how the enterprise helps women rebuild their lives, infusing gift-giving with hope and purpose.

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Reflection & Closing Thoughts

• Theo’s Outro Reflection:

  “...in the end, America is just us. It's us. And it's how we like operate and how we choose to operate. And if we can choose to buy something from our neighbor, then we win.” [64:17]

• Mike on American resilience:

  "Everybody we introduced you to...has a spirit that we admire. That's Christmas." [65:39]

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Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• [00:30–03:44] – Episode purpose & theme by Theo and Mike
• [04:00–09:23] – Sullivan Glove Company segment
• [10:13–16:58] – Chukar Cherries and Pam Montgomery guest segment
• [17:14–22:26] – Crippling Hot Sauce & Drew Davis interview
• [22:40–26:44] – Nokona Baseball Gloves discussion
• [28:54–34:40] – Oddly Sweet Dolls segment
• [35:26–39:05] – Scraggly Bush "squalot" & raccoon goods
• [39:26–43:35] – The Albizia Project from Hawaii
• [44:15–46:34] – Candle Tit body-positive candles
• [46:50–48:45] – Donnell’s Candies
• [49:23–53:12] – Whitestone Mountain Orchard & Kate Thornton
• [53:32–55:12] – Olympia Provisions meats
• [55:54–57:38] – Calavera Tool Works leather belts
• [58:06–59:50] – Smithy Ironware cast iron
• [60:50–61:04] – Heart Puzzles
• [61:39–63:21] – Prodigal Pottery & Jenna
• [64:08–65:39] – Big picture reflections on America, small business, and community

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Tone & Style

Engaging, heartfelt, and peppered with humor, Theo and Mike create a warm, often hilarious, and sometimes touching environment, interspersed with real conversations, playful teasing, first-hand product experiences, and guest contributions. The focus is consistently on authenticity, American ingenuity, and the deeper meaning of giving.

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Takeaway

This "American Originals Holiday Special" is not just a gift guide—it’s a celebration of the American craftsman, the side-hustler, the survivor, and the community builder. Theo and Mike show that with every gift bought direct from a maker, you’re doing more than just giving a present: you’re giving dignity, hope, and the real American spirit.

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For more info and links to these companies, visit theovon.com/AmericanOriginals.

Transcript

[Announcer]

Tis the season for all your holiday favorites like a very Jonas Christmas movie and Home Alone on Disney.

[Mike Rowe]

Should I burn down the toy?

[Theo Von]

I don't think so.

[Announcer]

Then Hulu has National Lampoon's Christmas vacation.

[Theo Von]

We're all in for a very big Christmas treat.

[Announcer]

All of these and more streaming this holiday season. And right now save big with our special Black Friday offer bundle Disney plus and Hulu for just $4.99 a month for one year savings compared to current regular monthly price. Ends 121 offer for ad supported Disney Plus Hulu bundle only then $12.99 a month or then current regular monthly price 18 plus terms apply.

[Theo Von]

Today we are presenting holiday episode where we recommend some genuine Made in the USA products just in time for the holiday gift giving season. These are products that are actually made right here in America. We really did our research. So when you're buying something, you're supporting a fellow American. And joining me for this merry mission is a friend with a laundry list of media accomplishments including the host of Dirty Jobs as well as he was host on qvc. He's America's blue collar champion and and he's here today to help encourage you to support American Made while checking off your holiday hitter list. Today's guest is Mr. Mike Rowe. And I will find a song I've been singing just.

[Mike Rowe]

I can't believe we're doing this.

[Theo Von]

I know.

[Mike Rowe]

I mean we talked about this like a year ago as a goof like Wayne's World meets QVC to celebrate American manufacturing. And Theo's like, yeah man, I'll do that.

[Theo Von]

We wanted to highlight American creativity. Yeah. You know, we want to just create gifts where it's like a lot of times you want to give a gift to somebody and a lot of stuff we buy now in America is from other places. So it was like, well, let's buy stuff that's from our neighbor, from our fellow American because then you're kind of given like two gifts. It's like I'm giving one gift because I am giving an actual physical gift to my friend.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

But then I'm given another gift because the money from it is going towards an American family or an American company.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, the thing that got me, man, you you've been touring for forever.

[Theo Von]

We've been to 250 something cities over the past four years. So.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. Well, anybody who gets around the country sees that things are tough in certain areas, like really super tough in other areas. And the idea of reinvigorating manufacturing and showing people what's possible. I Mean, that's the idea. Like these products, people should know that nobody paid to be on here. These are just items that we found made by people that we think are super cool. And it would be great to crash their website and at the same time, give, give the audience, you know, something cool to stuff in a stocking.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, we just picked a lot of stuff that we thought was cool to us, you know.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

And like Mike mentioned, we do want to say that none of these products are paid to be here. And a lot of these products are like companies that we happened upon in different places. Some of them were businesses that we walked into when we're out on the road. Some are ones that are near and dear to your heart and places that you've been a champion of for a long time. And it's just nice to let people know that there is stuff that is made here in our country. You have to seek it out a little bit and, but that the, the desire and, and the ingenuity is still there. And we put together our best hodgepodge of Christmas gifts that you can give to somebody you care about or even somebody that you don't.

[Mike Rowe]

Everything on this show is working right. They've got a heartbeat and they figured something out and, you know, maybe you can drag them over the finish line.

[Theo Von]

I think we could start highlighting them.

[Mike Rowe]

Shall we jump in?

[Theo Von]

Let's jump in.

[Mike Rowe]

This is our first item from the Sullivan Glove Company. Hailing from Bend, Oregon, the Sullivan Glove Company has been keeping their premium gloves distinctly American made since 1941. Sourcing everything from within these United States and crafting each glove through their dedicated and domestic 10 person team who manage to churn out over 12,000 pair every year. Sullivan glove products are handsome and made for versatility. They're perfect for a full spectrum of activities from a night out on the town to the ranch or the workshop. Sullivan gloves stand for warmth, durability and the American spirit. Get your special holiday someone's hands into some warm American made goodness this year.

[Theo Von]

This feels great. And what is this leather?

[Mike Rowe]

That's elk. This deer.

[Theo Von]

Touch mine with yours. Do that. Oh, it's like two animals meeting in the woods, huh?

[Mike Rowe]

Here's what you do if you really want to mix it up. Give me the one on your right hand. I'll give you the one on my right hand.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

I don't know that this has ever been done before at the Sullivan Glove Company, but. Oh, wow. These are.

[Theo Von]

See these?

[Mike Rowe]

That's a heavier duty glove.

[Theo Von]

Yes. Yeah. This is very. Has a very Russian Sort of we can do it type of thing. I feel like you definitely this thing a lot. You could do a lot. You could also train that falcon with this one.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure.

[Theo Von]

The falcon will come back. I feel like if you walked outside with this one on, the falcon will come back.

[Mike Rowe]

This was made for work, for sure. These feel like almost. Almost like driving gloves.

[Theo Von]

There was a guy on the show a while back, a guy, a small guy, which. A child, and he was on here, and he found some gloves just in his pocket. He found some, like, latex gloves in his pocket.

[Pam Montgomery]

There's gloves in my pocket.

[Theo Von]

Are there really?

[Mike Rowe]

Rizzler?

[Theo Von]

That's his name? Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

Is that really his name?

[Theo Von]

Yeah, that's his name.

[Mike Rowe]

His first name.

[Theo Von]

Christian is his real name. And he's somewhere. He's like 6 to 8 years old. He's a great kid. And. But he. Actually, we sent him a pair of these.

[Kate Thornton]

Remember when I pulled these out?

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Pam Montgomery]

Well, now I'm going to upgrade something even better.

[Theo Von]

Check these out.

[Pam Montgomery]

These are really nice.

[Theo Von]

Well, I'll tell you this. There's nothing I like putting my hand more in than something made right here in America, I'll tell you that. You know, I mean, there was. And that could have gone a few different ways, but I'm glad it went the way it did towards Sullivan gloves, man.

[Mike Rowe]

I am, too.

[Theo Von]

You know, these gloves were created by Edward Sullivan. He got started producing gloves for World War II, mainly for the Navy. That's how this glove company started. And. And it's still here, and it's up in Bend, Oregon. And I'll tell you a little bit of something about Bend. You know, that is a resilient place, Michael.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure it is.

[Theo Von]

It's the home of the last blockbuster, you know what I'm saying? They're stubborn people. They like to do things their own way. There's a lot of, like, even just the way it's set up there, it's not like a regular little city. It's little pockets of this and that, and somebody's in the. In the woods sucking tree SAP out of something. You know, it's just that kind of people. If I see somebody sucking on something, I'll look the other way, you know, I'll support them.

[Mike Rowe]

You're walking through the woods and you see a fella sidled up to a tree, say a maple, just slurping it. Yeah. And he's sucking on the tree to get the SAP out. Do you approach? Do you take a photo? Do you step back?

[Theo Von]

Oh, I think you wait a few Minutes till he steps back. And then you just let him spit it on your hotcakes, dude. That's what I'm saying. That's. I mean, if it's pure maple, I don't know what he was. Get back to the gloves here, Michael. I do want to say there's only five glove companies left that manufacture in the usa.

[Mike Rowe]

They got work gloves, they got driving gloves, they got rodeo gloves, they got going around town gloves. They're all soft, they're all supple, they're all tough. It's. It's great company.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, these can be great. They have classic. It says leather motorcycle. Wow. So if you want to get out there. Sure. And you want to get your baby girl one of those big sodas and let her sit behind you on a gold wing or something. And you want to get out there and show off. You want to be a little Sturgis baby out there, you can do it in these Sullivans. And they have Rodeo and Ranch. If you want to. If you like dipping your nuggets in some deep ranch, you can wear these gloves and do it. Is that what they mean, you think?

[Mike Rowe]

I don't think so.

[Theo Von]

Oh, these feel good, man.

[Mike Rowe]

Honestly, you can feel quality like you really, really, really know it. You know, you know it when you see it. You really know it when you touch it. But when to your point, when you push your hand slowly into something that is undeniably of quality, then all of your fingers come together in a joyous fist of solidarity. Come together right now. And how do they smell like? If you really had to sum it up. What is the aroma?

[Theo Von]

They smell great. The insides smell a little different than the outsides, but that's kind of nice. That's how I like it. Sullivan gloves. Thank you guys for sending us a few pairs so that we could show them off.

[Mike Rowe]

All you need is glove only.

[Theo Von]

Any bang bang. Maxwell Silver Hammer. Can't remember that.

[Mike Rowe]

That is a serious copyright infringement right there.

[Theo Von]

Is it?

[Mike Rowe]

I'll be amazed if you can get away with that.

[Theo Von]

Are you serious?

[Mike Rowe]

We'll see the Beatles. They're very grabby with their. With their. What you call their ip.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

But yeah, I think when people look back at this and wonder what the heck just happened, the image that's really gonna stick with them is the guy in the woods sucking the SAP out of the maple tree.

[Theo Von]

Well, let's chat about a new product here, Mike. I hate to keep us moving along, but we got a lot of products to hit.

[Mike Rowe]

Miles to go before we sleep.

[Theo Von]

Amen. Some of those Sullivan gloves are so dexteritous, you could actually enjoy a fine piece of fruit in them.

[Mike Rowe]

I gotta admit, I hadn't thought about that. But as Tim comes in with these delicious looking, beautifully wrapped, perfectly boxed pieces of fruit, I will say that the idea of eating them with gloved hands is appealing.

[Theo Von]

Mmm. And we're talking about chukar cherries out of Yakima Valley, Washington. You get give us a little bit more intel on those.

[Mike Rowe]

In the heart of Washington state's cherry country, an idea was hatched by a woman named Pam Montgomery, whose family owned a cherry orchard. As Pam strolled beneath the cherry trees, enamored by the sweet smell of the sun dried fruits, she began to experiment with storing the cherries without adding any sugars or preservatives, as was recommended. Instead, Pam made a commitment to keep her cherries additive free and eventually combined them with chocolate. And Chukar cherries were born, now sold in Seattle's famous Pike Place. And from its headquarters in Prosser, Washington, you can also find these in a variety of cherries and [e-mail] that's chukara.

[Theo Von]

Oh, I love that. Yeah, you gotta think. If you think about a cherry, it's really. Some people say it's a. It's just a little apple.

[Mike Rowe]

Have you ever seriously heard of anybody refer to a cherry as a little apple ever?

[Theo Von]

Nope.

[Mike Rowe]

All right. There's no wrong answer. But part of why I wanted to do this was just to sit close enough to you for a protracted period of time to see if I can become one of the few people on the planet with some insight as to how your brain actually works.

[Theo Von]

Well, I think it actually does. A lot of times it's the real truth. But there is something beautiful about a little cherry because sometimes you want an apple, sometimes you want 40 apples. And you're like, I can't eat all these 40 apples at one time. And you see a cherry, you're like, oh, okay. So I'm going to showed up, put some out here. Yeah, I'd love to have one.

[Mike Rowe]

You can see them.

[Theo Von]

Oh, wow.

[Mike Rowe]

They don't look like your normal cherries. I would say they look like. Like a dehydrated cherry almost.

[Theo Von]

God, these are good.

[Mike Rowe]

I know. They're amazing.

[Theo Von]

And I think just knowing that they're natural, knowing they're not all jacked up, like you see a lot of, you know, fruit these days, and it's doing peptides, it's on GLMP1 or whatever. And it's on, you know, you'll get a pear or whatever, and it's been doing creatine. You're like, what in the hell is this? It's big as a pumpkin.

[Mike Rowe]

You know, the most. The most suspicious thing is the color. When they're really super vibrant and when they look so delicious that, you know, that's just not how it is in life, man. That's not what natural is. This is natural.

[Theo Von]

Who would you get these for in your family? Be honest with me, Mike.

[Mike Rowe]

Maybe for an office worker. You know, it's a thoughtful thing to do. You know, it's a. Once you're talking about an ingestible, you are getting into, like, a personal kind of thing. You give it to perfect strangers.

[Theo Von]

Oh, I've sold bad pills to people over the years, so inviting people to buy something that's good for them is certainly not a problem.

[Mike Rowe]

What's a new direction for you then?

[Theo Von]

Yeah. Oh, dude, I bought a batch of fake steroids from somebody in high school. Injected it into my body for, like, 12 weeks, dude.

[Mike Rowe]

What happened?

[Theo Von]

I don't know.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, look, just for the record, if you're just tuning in, these are cherries. They're natural cherries. Don't inject them into your body. There's no need for it. Just put it in your mouth, chew it, and let the unmistakable delight of cherries, the way God made them, wash over your palate and thrill to the delight as it journeys through your digestive tract.

[Theo Von]

And I'll tell you this, these come in a beautiful case. What is this?

[Mike Rowe]

Look at that. No, honestly, that's a great point.

[Theo Von]

That's nine by 12, I believe.

[Mike Rowe]

Looks about right. Maybe more. I think that's a foot. I think that's 12. I think that's 12 by nine.

[Theo Von]

Okay.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, I guess it'd be the same, wouldn't it? Nine by 12.

[Theo Von]

No one going to challenge you there, Mike. It's your universe.

[Mike Rowe]

That's at least a foot.

[Theo Von]

But the simple fact that, you know, these chocolate coverage areas are in here sleeping, and I don't want to. I know it's. The lights are bright. We're just going to expose them right away.

[Mike Rowe]

There we go. Oh, yeah, look at that. Raspberry truffles, vanilla almonds, classic cranberries. You can see the list for yourself. And then one layer comes back.

[Theo Von]

Oh, my gosh.

[Mike Rowe]

Look at that.

[Theo Von]

And look at these. I'm going to show these up so the baby girls at home can see them.

[Pam Montgomery]

There we go.

[Theo Von]

Hello, Pam.

[Pam Montgomery]

Hello, Theo.

[Theo Von]

Yep, that's me. Thank you so much for being a Part of our gift giving holiday season and inspiring us with your Chukar cherries story. This is one of our heroes, Mike.

[Mike Rowe]

Hi, Pam.

[Theo Von]

Hi, Mike and Pam, tell me this, and thank you so much for joining us today. How do you. Is it shukar? Shukar.

[Pam Montgomery]

It's chukar. Chukar. It's a bird. You know the logo that looks like a little penguin?

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Kate Thornton]

Well, that's.

[Pam Montgomery]

That's actually a chukar bird.

[Theo Von]

That's awesome.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

Congratulations.

[Pam Montgomery]

Thanks. And last year, we dried £700,000 of cherries.

[Mike Rowe]

Holy cow.

[Theo Von]

Oh, my gosh.

[Mike Rowe]

What's the most interesting thing about cherries that the average American would benefit from knowing but currently doesn't?

[Pam Montgomery]

Probably the average wouldn't know that this is one of the best places to grow cherries in the world.

[Mike Rowe]

So how many people do you employ now?

[Pam Montgomery]

About 75 a year.

[Mike Rowe]

Nice.

[Pam Montgomery]

We really have focused on using US products, US labor.

[Theo Von]

Well, that's one of the things that stood out to us whenever. Whenever we're searching for companies like yours is just the desire to use American products. Providing jobs for other Americans, Having people.

[Pam Montgomery]

Have a wonderful place where they like to work and customers that enjoy what you're doing, I think that will keep Chukar going.

[Mike Rowe]

That's the American dream right there.

[Theo Von]

Yep.

[Mike Rowe]

You're living it.

[Theo Von]

Exactly.

[Mike Rowe]

You're living the American dream through cherries. I think it's terrific.

[Theo Von]

Amen. Well, thank you so much, Pam, for creating Chuck R. Cherries.

[Mike Rowe]

And, Mike, I'm literally going to order three of these for the holidays. My family's gonna absolutely love them. They look great, and it's just. It's just nice to know you're out there doing your thing for as long as you've been doing it. Congratulations on building something great.

[Pam Montgomery]

Thank you. Thank you. It's been my pleasure.

[Theo Von]

We could keep it moving, Mike.

[Mike Rowe]

Why wouldn't we?

[Theo Von]

I don't think there's any reason not to.

[Mike Rowe]

All right. Oh, yeah. This is a good one. Crippling hot Sauce. When life gives you lemons, make hot sauce. In a small Missouri town, Drew Davis did just that. Born with cerebral palsy, Drew started Crippling hot sauce at 16, with $3,000, a folding table, and his grandmother's kitchen. What began as a high school project became a national movement, selling over 500,000 bottles. This incredible feat is one built on family faith and the belief that strength comes in all forms. Every bottle is made and bottled here in America with bold, original flavors, like spicy bacon Special treatment, and salsa verde Limping. Drew's determination has inspired millions, proving that when you bet on yourself, even the hottest challenges can turn into something extraordinary.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, let me take a. I wouldn't mind taking a little hit of this. Deal with it.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. So let's crack that open.

[Theo Von]

Get you organic a little.

[Mike Rowe]

There we go. Oh, yeah. No, it's got a wang to it.

[Theo Von]

We got Drew on the line. What's up, Drew Davis. How are you?

[Drew Davis]

Good. How about you?

[Theo Von]

We're doing great, man. I just accidentally drank a decent amount of your deal with it sauce, man.

[Drew Davis]

That'll give you the runs.

[Theo Von]

It will.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, it's good to know, man. We just started the show.

[Drew Davis]

The. The sauce gives you the runs better than I run.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, yeah. You won't give anybody the run. So.

[Mike Rowe]

When did you get it into your head to start making hot sauce?

[Drew Davis]

So actually at a school project. It was due in two days. I'm like, man, what am I gonna do? And I looked down. I looked at myself. I'm like, it'd be funny. I like making fun of myself, and I like hot sauce. Let's present an idea called Kripplin Hot Sauce. So I. And I get the grade back. It's 82%. And as a person with cerebral palsy, my brain is the only thing that works 100% well on my body. So I kind of got mad. I was like. So I went up to the teacher and asked him why. I'm like, I've never gotten a grade this low.

[Mike Rowe]

Why?

[Drew Davis]

Why this grade? He goes, oh, I thought it was a great idea. Just didn't think you could do it. Thought it was unrealistic. So I went home that day out of spite, learned how to make hot sauce, and launched it. And a couple years later, we've sold hundreds of thousands of bottles, all while supporting people with disabilities along the way.

[Theo Von]

Let's go.

[Mike Rowe]

Fantastic. Dude, it says on your box here that 5% goes to cerebral palsy research for every sale. Is that right?

[Theo Von]

Yep.

[Drew Davis]

I'm trying to fix this stuff.

[Theo Von]

Oh, hell yeah, dude. I was gonna say I was gonna recommend a chiropractor for you, but, yeah, I tried that. Yeah, dude, Drew, it's. It's exciting, man. Even just seeing you and feeling your energy, dude, it just feels like the American spirit, you know? Like, oh, I'll find a way to get this done right. I love that, man. And I love this. I love this quote on the box. It's not the hot sauce that put me in the wheelchair. It's the cerebral palsy.

[Mike Rowe]

Bit on the nose.

[Drew Davis]

But, yeah, you know, I just always have liked making fun of myself. So now that I get to monetize that, I couldn't ask for anything better.

[Theo Von]

What makes this a perfect gift for someone for the holidays?

[Drew Davis]

Man, I think it just encompasses like the true like or a lot of our humor and I think it's does well. So it's like a gimmick product that tastes well, but also does like, like great for the. For the disabled community, which is 1.3 billion strong in the. In the world. Can you believe that? Are you 3 billion wheelchairs in the world.

[Mike Rowe]

Wow, dude.

[Drew Davis]

Imagine if we all raised.

[Theo Von]

Dude, it'd be like the running of the.

[Drew Davis]

Not running.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, like that. Yeah, almost like the running of the.

[Mike Rowe]

Bull, the rolling of the bulls. How good is the product?

[Drew Davis]

We are flavor first. None of them are too terribly hot. Besides the ghost pepper palsy, I guess.

[Theo Von]

Specifically for about cerebral palsy. Do you feel like it's something that can be defeated one day? Like, what do you think about that?

[Drew Davis]

Yes, I do think so. Because the. What cerebral palsy is, is it's brain damage to the cerebral cortex in your brain. So my brain doesn't get the right messages to my legs for them to work.

[Theo Von]

Oh, yeah. It's like 3G wireless or whatever.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Drew Davis]

My brain got one part.

[Mike Rowe]

What are sales like?

[Drew Davis]

We've done like two and a half million this year and, you know, still crippled. But at least I sell hot sauce.

[Theo Von]

Blessings to you, bro. Happy holidays to you and, and thanks for being so creative.

[Drew Davis]

Thank you so much for having me, guys.

[Theo Von]

You bet. Peace, Drew.

[Mike Rowe]

Thanks, Drew. Bye bye, Hot sauce. Ooh, are we going to take me out to the ball game?

[Theo Von]

What do you got here, bud?

[Mike Rowe]

Well, what we have here is maybe, maybe the best baseball glove ever made. These are no Kona baseball gloves. Nothing may be more American than baseball. And with this next product, once again, we are going all American. The Kona baseball gloves from the Kona, Texas are a premium, customizable, American made baseball glove. Worn by both young players and major leaguers alike. These gloves have been in iconic baseball movies, Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own. You see them at ballparks all over the country. America's pastime deserves American leather made on American soil. And when you visit their website, you will be treated to a grand slam of customizable options, from sizes and colors to personalized engraving and stitching. Catch the holiday spirit this year with no Kona baseball gloves. That's no Kona baseball gloves.

[Theo Von]

Yeah. That's a beautiful piece of equipment, huh?

[Mike Rowe]

Did you ever break in a glove?

[Theo Von]

We had a horrible Whoa. They put my name on it.

[Mike Rowe]

Look at that.

[Theo Von]

Does yours have Mike on it? Yeah. No. I know Nolan Ryan was a famous Nocona user. I remember that from growing up. 2026 is the hundred year anniversary. For 100 years they've been making these gloves right here in the usa. These are the top baseball glove maker in America.

[Mike Rowe]

A great piece of art, which is what I would think of this glove as. You know, it's not just a baseball glove. It is a love letter to everything we're talking about. You give that to the kid and you make sure they see the story and they understand what they're getting and they understand the company culture that made it. And then it's more than a glove. Right?

[Theo Von]

Yeah. Bob Story, who is the founder of no Kind of Gloves, he. There's a famous quote by him. I'd rather take a bucket of worms and go fishing than import an Akona glove.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

He wanted to keep it American made.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

One beautiful thing that happened In World War II, they got a government contract to send gloves over to soldiers. Over to soldiers, yeah. So they could have some bit of something that felt American. That's pretty amazing. And those are the kind of stories, I think, when you get somebody a gift like this that you want to share. Right. It's like. It's like so much of it. Yeah, you're right. It's not about the product, it's about the story. Right. It's about, like, a sense of tradition and a sense of why we do this and why you would think this glove's perfect for somebody.

[Mike Rowe]

What's your favorite baseball movie?

[Theo Von]

My favorite of all time is League of Their Own.

[Mike Rowe]

Why?

[Theo Von]

Just devout lesbianism hidden behind war and sports.

[Mike Rowe]

I think that's right off their poster. Some of the products that we're looking at have been around 100 years. Right. Some of them are almost institutional to the point where you can look back, see how they built it, and be inspired by it. And then some of them are first generation. They're just getting started. And I wouldn't put a value judgment honestly on what's better or what's more important. It's the idea. Whether it's Bob Story who a hundred years ago says, I'm gonna do this the way I'm gonna do it, or whether it's the kid with Drew with cerebral palsy or the lady making the cherries.

[Theo Von]

I remember, though I wasn't good at baseball. I remember that glove. I can remember exactly what it looked like.

[Mike Rowe]

I'll never forget my first car, first Baseball glove, pocket knife. My granddad gave me some of that stuff matters.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

And now that I think about it, they were all American made products.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. That's the thread.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

That's the spirit. Whose life would change if you present them with a glove like this? And Bob Story's story.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

Now you got a gift. Maybe it's not your son or daughter. Maybe it's a niece. Maybe it's a nephew. Somebody loves baseball. Somebody's going to unwrap this and they're never going to forget it.

[Theo Von]

That's an American dream right there. Foreign. I want to thank Shopify for sponsoring this special American Made holiday gift episode. A lot of the brands we've been talking about today run on Shopify. Those are real people making real products, trying to build something honest right here in the US I remember I saw somebody was selling glacier water melted. Get you a little half a jug of that or get you a quart or get you a little cup. They even come in one of those little baby sippers. Shopify has always supported entrepreneurs from some of the largest corporations in the world to your favorite shop right down the street. And that's what I love about Shopify. It's the engine behind small shops, behind mom and pop garage dreams. Even in the craziness of the holiday season shopping Shopify gives the little guy a fair shot. So if you want to join millions of hardworking men and women that managed to create their American dream out of Nothing, head to shopify.comtheo today you've got the ideas and you've got the grit. Shopify has the know how to help turn that dream of yours into a future legacy. It can happen. You can do it. You know, we all hate buying clothes and after a week they're falling apart. You'll see something on the ground. It's like, what is that? It's part of your clothes. Dang. Your shirt broke down on the side of the road. Not with American Giant. If you listen to this podcast, you've probably heard me talk about American Giant before. They make high quality clothes and they make them right here in America. Right here. I bought a sweatshirt from them about a year and a half ago and I love it. It's one of my favorites. I bought a zip up hoodie from them and a really great black T shirt as well. They were started more than 10 years ago by this guy named Bayard Winthrop who was fed up with everything feeling so cheap. I love knowing I'm supporting an American made brand. Yep. I mean, from. From the cotton grown on American farms all the way through the finished product made entirely in the usa. I think an item from American Giant would make the perfect Christmas gift for the guy or girl in your life because it comes with a story. Tell them the story and right now you can [e-mail] and get 20% off your first order with code THEO. Yep, you can [e-mail] and get 20% off your first Order with code Theo. And starting now, throughout the holiday season, you can find links to all of These [e-mail] AmericanOriginals One thing I wanted to share with you right here next is a company that I Learned about about 10 years ago, oddly Sweet Dolls. People collect all kinds of things from baseball cards to watches to rocks. So this shouldn't be too crazy to hear. I collect Oddly Sweet dolls. That's a true story. For the last 10 years I've been buying these dolls for my own collection and sometimes I'll send one to a family member or friend. Oddly Sweet dolls are created in the one woman art studio of Ms. Lacey Michelle, who hand sculpts every creepy cute doll straight from her home workshop. What began in 2009 as an experiment in sculpting faces, what became a world of imperfect, soulful characters each brought to life with humor, heart and a touch of mischief. After surviving a brain tumor while 27 weeks pregnant, Lacey turned creation into her therapy, infusing every piece with gratitude and grit entirely. American made. Oddly Sweet Dolls stands for originality, resilience and the beauty of imperfection. Proof that even the strangest ideas can be oddly sweet.

[Mike Rowe]

How long have you been buying these?

[Theo Von]

Honestly, probably about one decade.

[Mike Rowe]

How many do you own?

[Theo Von]

Personally, I think I have 11, but I've given some as gifts.

[Mike Rowe]

How many have you given as gifts?

[Theo Von]

15.

[Mike Rowe]

Is this a thing you talk about often on the pod?

[Theo Von]

A lot of people don't know about this.

[Mike Rowe]

I think a lot of people are going to run with this. Really? This field. Maybe not like headline news, but you're an open book. That's the charm of you, man.

[Theo Von]

Just the eyes. Some of them seem like maybe they've been using or in recovery. But I did love the fact a lot of them, like some of them have a meat cleaver or different knife. Just the fact that they're willing to work.

[Mike Rowe]

Millions of people have hundreds of millions of dolls.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, I think I would remember going over certain friends homes and some of their moms or stepmoms would have a doll room and you'd Be like, this is where the dolls are. Oh, dude. I just remember my friend. I would sleep at his house. Dude. His mom would. If you got up to go pee in the middle of the night, she'd make the bed while you were up. She's very organized.

[Mike Rowe]

Was this the same you were telling me about in the back of the car on the road trip?

[Theo Von]

Yeah. My buddy that was masturbating behind a map. His family was driving somewhere. He's pretending he's reading a map.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

And he was touching his body behind it.

[Mike Rowe]

What do you. I mean, what do you get a guy like that for Christmas? I mean, a bigger map, maybe.

[Theo Von]

I mean, there's something about it to me, that's very much like, even though something's messed up, there's still. Please find something endearing about me. And just the fact that Lacey Michelle was have. It. Was pregnant and is dealing with a brain tumor at the same time, you know, that has to be, like, fear and hope at the same time. So much going on.

[Mike Rowe]

See that? That's interesting because, you know, if you have fear and hope in the same feeling, then you can also have creepy and cute on the same face.

[Theo Von]

For sure. When you accidentally get your. Your bait. Your sonogram picture mixed up with your tumor, your. With your MRI scan, you know, you're showing somebody the baby, and, like, that's the baby. It's. It's. Where is it? It's by your brain. You know what I'm saying? But just the whole ambiance of that is absolutely kind of wild. But that's the stuff that people go through, and that's the stuff where creativity comes out of. I really believe that kind of thing.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

And. And here we are. I'm inspired. I'm inspired by her story. To have two things growing inside of you at the same time, and one of them is really good, and one of them is really bad.

[Mike Rowe]

Right.

[Theo Von]

The fact that she makes each one of these, it's pretty fascinating. I mean, the attention to detail on them.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah, no, it's great. It's great.

[Theo Von]

And I do know it's a limited item. This items will probably only have maybe 150 to 200. So if you do go to her site and she's sold out, then that's awesome. Right. And you can go back next year. And these are out of Salt Lake City as well. I want to say you've been there. It's a beautiful area. It's very nice. If you haven't been there, it's beautiful.

[Mike Rowe]

It is gorgeous.

[Theo Von]

It's beautiful.

[Mike Rowe]

Do you know why some of the heads are severed?

[Theo Von]

So you don't have time for a statue.

[Mike Rowe]

I don't have time for a statue.

[Theo Von]

There you go. This is an ornament for a Christmas tree. Yep. You could hang it on a maypole. You could hang it on a friend. That's not moving much.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure. How have your friends reacted who have received one of these gifts from you?

[Theo Von]

I think they're excited about it. Some people are afraid to display the truth, though.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

And I think that's what these things are doing and it just shows you, like, this is neat to me. To somebody else that may not be, but there's probably a ton of other creators who are making really neat stuff and can, like, you can have a whole business this. The fact that Lacey Michelle does this and has an entire business built around it. The fact that she's going to be able to fulfill 150 to 200 orders for Christmas gifts this year, dude, that's. To me, it's fascinating, man.

[Mike Rowe]

Is there someone in your life that has something going on just below the surface? Something they may not be keen to talk about casually in polite company, but something that nevertheless needs to be tapped into? Maybe, just maybe, a doll like this is exactly what they've been waiting to receive. They just don't know it yet. And they won't until Christmas morning when they unwrap it and the universe suddenly starts to make sense for the first time.

[Theo Von]

Amen. There's been some neat stuff, man. Thanks so much for onward.

[Mike Rowe]

This is from our friends at Scraggly Bush, a truly unforgettable American original. Where deep from Papillon, Nebraska, a husband and wife have turned laughter and hard work into a true American dream. Craig and Carly Summitt founded Scraggly Bush after Craig's high school trapping hobby and a gag wedding gift. The fur squalot, also known as a squirrel wallet, sparked a wild idea. With a Covid stimulus check and a lot of faith, they began sewing fur goods by hand in their home workshop. Today, their creations include raccoozis, possum packs, even satin lined squalids. They're shipped nationwide. They're made from ethically sourced American furs, and they're named after Craig's latest best friend. Scraggly Bush is more than a business. It's a tribute to friendship, laughter, and the power of the American spirit to turn even the wildest idea into something worth hoarding. So this is a squirrel. Where it was, this was an actual squirrel. And maybe it was hunted. Maybe it Was found. I don't. I don't know the etymology, but I know it was a real squirrel.

[Theo Von]

You can get them pretty easy.

[Mike Rowe]

But now it has a zipper where its abdomen used to be and it's a satin lined interior.

[Theo Von]

Oh, is that satin in there?

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

Oh, that is nice. Wow.

[Mike Rowe]

Right?

[Theo Von]

Yeah. Very nice. Keep some pills in there. Keep whatever you want in there.

[Mike Rowe]

Car keys, pair of glasses, the aforementioned pills. Whatever. Medication.

[Theo Von]

Whatever it is. Medication. We could say jelly beans. Whatever you want in there.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure.

[Theo Von]

And squirrels are notorious for hoarding and hiding things anyway, so they're still getting to live the life they want. Right.

[Mike Rowe]

You could actually, without all the hassle.

[Theo Von]

Of being alive, you know?

[Mike Rowe]

Sure, sure. I mean, what about nuts? That's the ultimate irony.

[Theo Von]

Oh. If you pop that bitch open at some cashews in it, dude.

[Mike Rowe]

Right.

[Theo Von]

I'd be the happiest guy in the world. The squall it right there. And that's for males and females.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure. And you've got a little like a carabiner right here.

[Theo Von]

Right.

[Mike Rowe]

So you can clip it, I guess, to your. I hear your belt loop maybe.

[Theo Von]

One beautiful thing about this company is that they received a Covid stimulus check and created something from it. Right. This company makes $250,000 a year. All fur is sourced and harvested from American hunters. There are no farmed furs. This is straight out of God's refrigerator, the forest. And there's also the raccoozi right here. If you get tired of drinking out of a squeeze, you got that raccoozi, baby. And it's more of this, a little thicker fur. And that's. This is from a raccoon. A raccoon body. That's where this hide is from. Nice insides. It's dry. Beautiful tail. You want to let a kid play with the tail while you stand there and drink? At regular level, if you got a son and wants to bat that tail around while you're drinking here. At human level, if I see somebody drinking out of that, you don't ignore it. I mean, what baby girl ain't gonna want that squall it Think of the story. You're gonna have condoms in that thing, too.

[Mike Rowe]

In high school, you've got astroglide. You've got birth control. You could have mint gum. Mint gum and aromatherapy candle. You could outfit this squirrel. Men, you want to improve your odds in a rough and tumble unpredictable dating world? Hollow out that squirrel and never take it off your belt.

[Theo Von]

Look, I got to work early tomorrow, but I'm in. You know that's scraggly bush. That's their company right there. And we can go support them. Thank them so much for their creativity.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah, man. Why settle for a bush when you can have a scraggly one?

[Theo Von]

Let's keep it moving, man. One of the things that I'm inspired by is the way that people use things in their area, you know?

[Mike Rowe]

Yep.

[Theo Von]

And one of the best stories that I've heard about that turning something kind of a negative into a positive is with the Albizia project. Under the Hawaiian sun, where the trade winds rustle through wild forests, a once destructive tree has found new life. The Albizia project transforms Hawaii's most invasive wood into stunning handcrafted cutting boards that help restore the island's native forests. Husband and wife founders Joey Valenti and Christine Johnson, alongside their team, hunt Albizia trees and turn them into heirlooms made entirely on Oahu. From their Wahaiwa workshop and cafe, they are building strong community. One cup of coffee and one cutting board at a time. They make a few legendary surfboards out there as well, out of Albizia. Also, the this holiday season, give something with true aloha. Proof that even the most invasive species can be transformed into something regenerative, enduring, and proudly American. Look at that, man. It's just amazing that they. Ooh. Pick that up.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. Oh, Lighter than you think.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

But stronger than, you know.

[Theo Von]

Gosh.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. New wood smell.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, Smells great, man. Imagine you walk into somewhere and they got a couple on your owns. Cut up on that thing, baby boy. Couple of carrots.

[Mike Rowe]

It's a hard yet light wood.

[Theo Von]

Hard and light. Surprising.

[Mike Rowe]

Boy, I can't think of a better combination for everything you would want in a cutting board.

[Theo Von]

Hawaii tourism plummeted during COVID so They got a $250,000 US Forest Service grant to launch the company. Wow.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah. I think the invasive species thing is fascinating. You've got to be very careful with what you introduce into a. Into an environment.

[Theo Von]

Oh, it's like bringing someone horrible home for the holidays to meet your parents.

[Mike Rowe]

That's an invasive species at large, something.

[Theo Von]

You'Re not going to have with this. One of the beautiful things about this is then not only creating a gift, you're giving a gift of mother nature, too, because you're getting bad things out of the forest.

[Mike Rowe]

But the other thing, too, it's like. It's super personal. Like, that specific piece of wood gets traced back to a specific tree. It gets traced back to the specific person who cut it. That's what these guys do. They, they knew where it grew, they knew who cut it. And it's only possible through what they would call a super localized domestic supply chain. Wow. So it's like. Yeah, if you need a cutting board, you can go to any retailer, you can buy any cutting board. And now, or now there's a piece of wood in your kitchen and that's it, you use it. You don't use it anymore and whatever.

[Theo Von]

But that's not the Alizia project, brother.

[Mike Rowe]

No.

[Theo Von]

That's not cleaning up Hawaii. Keeping it natural.

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah.

[Theo Von]

Which is one of the most greatest gifts that we get in the world is nature.

[Mike Rowe]

It's a big one.

[Theo Von]

And it's a family run business. Who would this be a good gift for? Obviously a mom would love this. Especially with the story. Like, mom, you're one of the things. Or mom, remember when you try to marry that guy, he was an invasive species. Glad we don't have him.

[Mike Rowe]

Look, whatever it is, I mean, look.

[Theo Von]

Or whatever his name was, John. You could use it as a small charcuterie board as well. If you want to put you a little summer salt or just a little bit of winter meat, you do that.

[Mike Rowe]

And if you want to use this one as a, as a makeshift paddle. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't.

[Theo Von]

But I'm not saying you shouldn't. I would definitely paddle some kids if they let you paddle someone else's kids. I'd run across the street right now and.

[Mike Rowe]

No, don't.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, you right. You could not want to use one of these to surf on. But they do make surfboards. They make lamps. They make a plethora of different options without busy. You can check it out. Imagine you want to cut something. What, you gonna cut it on your counter? No, no. Your friend's back. A strong friend.

[Mike Rowe]

Impossible. But no. Get a cutting board from an invasive species.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

That's been repurposed and reimagined into something truly useful.

[Theo Von]

That's what I'm talking about. It's like going to a detox center for wood.

[Mike Rowe]

You go in somewhat misplaced and not necessarily welcomed in the world. You find yourself, but you come out repurposed, reshaped, reinvigorated, and who knows, one day re gifted.

[Theo Von]

Yeah. A lot of guys out there, they don't know what's going on. Right. And they're lonesome or whatever. I will tell you this one. If you have those types of feelings, sometimes thing you can do is blaze up a tit in your room like this.

[Mike Rowe]

These are, these are candles. Tits. They're made in this country.

[Theo Von]

Let me pop off that A cup for you, homie.

[Mike Rowe]

Come straight out of Chicago. Candle tit proves that light and laughter can come from the most unexpected of places. Founded by an artist named Bailey, this one woman brand hand casts every candle from real bodies to celebrate shape, self love and good humor. Each piece is made from locally sourced wax, poured and finished by hand. Some come for the fun, others for farewell. A keepsake made before surgery, helping them see their body with tenderness instead of fear. What started as a bold art experiment is now a movement that supports breast cancer survivors and anyone learning to appreciate one of God's year round holiday treats during this festive season. Skip the venue Vanilla Jar Candle and motorboat yourself over to candletit.com handmade in Chicago. Because nothing warms a room like compassion, confidence and a perfect pair of wicks.

[Theo Von]

A thick tittle keep you warm, homie. I know that. That's why a tit's got two sides on it. One for each hand, brother.

[Mike Rowe]

Who am I to disagree? Why aren't these lit?

[Theo Von]

You can pop blaze one up. I didn't know you wanted them all lit free. It's almost more like a time capsule in a way for people that are going to go through possible adjustments to their bodies. You know, people that could be dealing with breast cancer or breast removal, something like that. To have a keepsake, to have a fun kind of almost a time capsule way you lock that tit in forever with these blazers, you know?

[Mike Rowe]

Sure.

[Theo Von]

And you spark one of these things up at a campfire, it's going to be a great story. Who don't like talking title with their buddies or their family. You know what? My sister and I have never even talked about tits. But I spark one of these up, who knows what's what can happen? I mean, this is an American doing something creative, doing something cool. You guys can check it out. We just, we sparked up five of them right now right there you got an A cup. I was breastfed on an A cup. And oh, it's harrowing to see it. You ever watch a baby try to get milk out of an A cup too?

[Mike Rowe]

I have.

[Theo Von]

Oh, it's harrowing.

[Mike Rowe]

I've seen it.

[Theo Von]

Like he's beating on a drum.

[Mike Rowe]

No, it was. I felt bad for the kid.

[Theo Von]

It's horrible.

[Mike Rowe]

17.

[Theo Von]

Yeah. And, oh, the kid was me. Oh, well, damn. That's right on. Okay, I want to tell you about this.

[Mike Rowe]

All right?

[Theo Von]

So we had a show in Casper, Wyoming. I get back to my room and somebody had got me a Little box of Donnells candies. The people are so sweet and I didn't know if I wanted it or not. I was like what is this? And I cracked it open dude. And this is, I kid you not, the best toffee I've ever had in my life. And their, their, their place was just a few blocks from us and so I had to get loaded up on it. I got me something else. I ate my whole box of one night. Couldn't even sleep. I want to tell you a little bit about it. These candies have been curated by the step family since 1956 when Don and Elma Stepp open their little shop on St. Patrick's Day. And for nearly 70 years their family has handcrafted toffees, chocolates, caramels and other sweets using the same original recipes in copper kettles. Three generations later, every batch still carries that small town pride and parents patience. So this season skip the French truffle or that Chinese made laffy tape and give the gift of truly American made sweetness. Don L's candies where holiday tradition tastes better when it's American. And every piece going to make you holla for joy and slap your cousin. That's good. So if you hate your cousin, yeah, I can put two pieces of this in and go whoop his ass. You know what I'm saying? But it's good man. It just, There was something perfect about it for me. And I'm gonna try one more of their candies live right here. I've never even tried it. Donnell's Candies almond brittle.

[Mike Rowe]

Never had almond brittle while his mouth is full. I'll tell you. Three generations strong. What started with Don Elma and their son Mike now includes grandson Ryan. They're still crafting candies by hand 70 years later. And if that doesn't make your mouth water, my friend, I don't know what will.

[Theo Von]

Dear God. It's good. This is beautiful. I can't recommend it enough. It's an American company will support them. They got a great website. They can fulfill a lot of orders. They'll let you know when they can't. But I don't think you can go wrong supporting such a, such a company like Don El's Can Candies. I couldn't even close my eyes. I had so much toffee that one night it wouldn't close because of the pressure. But it was good.

[Mike Rowe]

The pressure.

[Theo Von]

I know some of these products. We were asking around to some of our friends to see if they recommended any in their area. And my friend Kate Thornton wanted to recommend a domestic company in her area, so I thought we'd see if she could help. Can you hear us, Kate?

[Kate Thornton]

I can.

[Theo Von]

Oh, it looks nice out there. What's going on out there?

[Kate Thornton]

This is my real backdrop. Can you believe that?

[Mike Rowe]

Seriously? That's not AI Cake.

[Kate Thornton]

This is not AI. That's Whitestone Mountain. And this is Whitestone Mountain Orchards that is sending you some fruit. And Hal and Claire, they're the ones running that orchard, and they do an excellent job, like, through and through.

[Theo Von]

Thank you so much, Kate, for recommending one of your neighbors. Can you tell us, how often do you guys harvest apples?

[Kate Thornton]

We start harvesting pears in mid August and then start working our way through apples all the way up until now. Usually it goes into November, but it's a pretty long season, so we're all kind of cranky at the end of it. But it's a beautiful day. So what's. What's to be mad about?

[Mike Rowe]

How many kinds of apples are there?

[Kate Thornton]

Well, there's at least 30 on the commercial market, but there's over 7,000 different varieties worldwide.

[Mike Rowe]

I told you there are more than you think. There are a lot of apples.

[Theo Von]

Who's keeping them? How do we get more of them?

[Mike Rowe]

You got the Granny Smith. You got the Golden Delicious, Cosmic Crisp.

[Theo Von]

That's my favorite.

[Mike Rowe]

That's three. I said there's 6,000, 997 more. It's a lot of apples, man.

[Theo Von]

What are these apples here and how.

[Mike Rowe]

Do you like them? Right, Kate?

[Kate Thornton]

Yeah, I've heard that one before.

[Mike Rowe]

I bet you did.

[Theo Von]

Whitestone Mountain Orchard, this card says thank you for your order and for supporting small family owned farms. Your apples include an American heirloom from the 1800s and a new variety. Remember to ripen your pears by leaving them out at room temperature for several days.

[Mike Rowe]

How do you know her again?

[Theo Von]

I know Kate well. We met just online, but then she came to our comedy show, and then we went and saw a concert together one time. I think that's nice. I don't remember exactly. Oh, we went for a walk somewhere, remember?

[Kate Thornton]

Yeah, we went for a walk in the park with Zita.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, but, yeah, we know each other. What does it even matter? I was like, this lady's got some nice fruit. Def. I go, yeah, I'd like to learn more about it. That was it, dude. It's good people. Mike, what is your problem?

[Mike Rowe]

I don't have a problem with it. I'm trying to celebrate the fact that you're still curious enough to go on the Instagram, look around and find a fruit, a picture of fruit.

[Theo Von]

It's called stalking people, Mike, and lurking. But thanks for highlighting that. Yes. But I picked a good person this time because Kate's one of the best. And she just spends so much time, like, in the community with farmers, learning about farming, working on her own farm, all types of stuff. She's just constantly, if you watch her social media, it's just. It's a. It's always a good time.

[Mike Rowe]

I think it's a Christmas miracle. Kate, I appreciate you being part of it.

[Kate Thornton]

Well, thank you. This is my absolute passion. My family's been doing this for a long time, so it's. It's a privilege to be able to highlight, even if it's not my family, but other families that do this. So thank you.

[Theo Von]

I love this fruit. This is great. If you want to have a nice story to tell your family and get them some fruit that's American grown and it's not one of the big vendors. It's more of a mom and pop organization. Is it, Kate?

[Kate Thornton]

Yes, it's absolutely like family run. They. You can learn all about them on their website. They do a great job of, like, explaining everything.

[Theo Von]

I love it. That's Claire and Hal right there. Let's zoom in a little bit so we can see the good people that are there and that work there. Oh, that's awesome.

[Mike Rowe]

I like them apples.

[Theo Von]

That's my kind of area. Yeah. Kate, thank you so much for highlighting them and. And for just being a part of this holiday gift show.

[Kate Thornton]

Well, I adore you both. So let me know if I can help any in any way.

[Theo Von]

Appreciate it. Have a good day.

[Kate Thornton]

All right. Bye, you guys.

[Mike Rowe]

See ya.

[Theo Von]

Bye, Kate. That was Whitestone Mountain orchard, established in 1993. Mike, I do want to let you know, sometimes it's nice to have something in your mouth. You know it well.

[Mike Rowe]

Sure.

[Theo Von]

And Olympia Provisions is our next company that we're going to feature. There's an old saying where I'm from, and it's that American meat, meat is the real good kind of meat.

[Mike Rowe]

And where are you from again? It's Louisiana, right?

[Theo Von]

From Louisiana, Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

That's what they say down there.

[Theo Von]

That's what people were saying that to each other. Some people even wrote it down. And here we got some of the best, all the way from Portland, Oregon. This is not just Made in America. It's independently owned by its founder, Elias Cairo, who first discovered his passion for cured meats when on an apprenticeship in Switzerland. Upon returning home, he perfected a curing process that has seen the company grow to a team of 150 that crafts tens of thousands of pounds of cured meats every week. Their secret, no automation, no gimmicks. Just skill, time and care. What do you got, Mikey?

[Mike Rowe]

Well, this appears to be a summer sausage.

[Theo Von]

Yes. Bet you found that in my grandmother's drawer, huh? Get that meat out, whitey. This is good, huh?

[Mike Rowe]

It's delicious.

[Theo Von]

Salami with red wine and fennel. Really have to text my sponsor, but I'll have a little cut of it. Why don't you chop into that bad boy for us right there? Lucanico Greek inspired sausage with garlic, oregano and lemon zest. 3 fully cooked sausages right here. God, that looks good, Michael. And they don't just have these, they have dog treats as well if your dog gets jealous. Because every time, you know when you crack open your meat, your dog comes around. He's a bum. He hadn't been doing shit all day. But he pulls up to get your shit, give them a dog treat right there from Olympia Provisions. Pure pork. These guys are slanging meat.

[Mike Rowe]

What a perfect stocking stuffer. It's already been stuffed.

[Theo Von]

Olympia Provisions. Guys, that's cured meats. You want something that's American made. It's been sourced from America for a long time. You want to put together a charcuterie board. You want to get somebody some summer sausage that's right here in America. Cured and tastes. That's the best tasting I've ever had. I think.

[Mike Rowe]

You're a belt guy or a suspenders guy.

[Theo Von]

I've never worn suspenders except for once for Halloween. Good day, right?

[Mike Rowe]

Like something you could snap with enthusiasm.

[Theo Von]

It was like having a cup of coffee without having one. That snap would get you going, dude. Hitting you right in the nipples. You have to walk back into work.

[Mike Rowe]

Calavera Tool. Deep in the woods of Johns Island, South Carolina, Michael Williams ditched corporate life to do something truly uplifting. Make belts by hand. Welcome to Calavera Tool Works, a small batch leather shop with a cult like following and zero interest in outsourcing overseas. Zero interest. Every single Calavera belt is cut and stitched and finished from American raised leather and solid US Hardware. These aren't just belts, Theo. They're heirlooms. This holiday season, skip the tie and give this handsome gift that could literally hold up Santa's britches. After power munching through a stocking full of cookies. Handmade on John's Island. Tough as a two dollar Christmas steak on New Year's Eve and built to outlast the Christmas dinner politics. God.

[Theo Von]

That's a belt right there, huh? If somebody spanked me with that, I would get my act together.

[Mike Rowe]

All my dad had to do was walk in the room and go, never, never had to use it.

[Theo Von]

Oh, yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

Straightens you right up.

[Theo Von]

I want to go right now to a testimony ol from Jackson. Yeah, let's hear it from him. What does he have to say about these Calavera belts? Hi, folks.

[Kate Thornton]

I recommend Calavera belts and tool belts.

[Theo Von]

They're really well made.

[Kate Thornton]

This one holds up to all my.

[Theo Von]

Farm uses and jobs.

[Kate Thornton]

So go check out Calavera belts.

[Theo Von]

You heard it.

[Mike Rowe]

Here's a sentence I've never said before, but this is a belt you can pass down to your loved ones.

[Theo Von]

Amen.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, it'll grow with you, it'll shrink with you, but it'll never let you down. And it'll always keep your pants up.

[Theo Von]

Amen. Yeah, I've never had any goose, man. I'm trying to think of something nice that I've had around the holidays.

[Mike Rowe]

Maybe turkey, A ham. Oh, yeah, A good Christmas ham.

[Theo Von]

God, yeah. Yeah, I've liked a good ham. I like the way it looks.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, there's no reason to put a ham in one of these if you want to jump into one of these, right?

[Theo Von]

Yeah, I'd love to see. What do you have here?

[Mike Rowe]

This is a Dutch oven. Strap in.

[Theo Von]

Okay. Yeah, dude. Let me out of the covers, brother.

[Mike Rowe]

Tell me more Smithy ironware. Down in Charleston, South Carolina, there's a workshop where the holidays smell like cast iron and cornbread. And that's where Isaac Morton started smithy ironware, restoring old skillets before deciding to make his own. Each piece cross crafted by hand, polished to a mirror finish and built to last for generations. Today, every single smithy skillet and carbon steel pan is made from 100% recycled American iron poured and polished in an old naval base turned foundry. They are as beautiful as they are tough kitchen heirlooms meant to be passed down, not tossed out. So if you're looking for a gift that says forever, forget the foreign made gadgets and give the skillet that could cook an all American Christmas breakfast for your grandkids one day.

[Theo Von]

I love that. Having grandpappy skillet. Oh, that's a heavy deal there, man. That has some real weight to it.

[Mike Rowe]

Okay. I mean, that's a good, you know, seven, eight pounds.

[Theo Von]

That's beautiful.

[Mike Rowe]

It's solid as can be. It will.

[Theo Von]

It.

[Mike Rowe]

It'll simply never wear out.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, anything in there will taste good.

[Mike Rowe]

I Mean, like, I. Like what? Like a. Like a lamb stew, a beef stew, right?

[Theo Von]

Put some beef carrots in, put it on a low heat.

[Mike Rowe]

It's not a classic Christmas meal, but what a. What a true. I mean, the smell, man. When you walked into your house growing up and you smelled food, what is the smell you most remember?

[Theo Von]

I'll say. Maybe mom would make a little bit of a holiday jambalaya in there.

[Mike Rowe]

Oh, that's nice. See, that's festive. And at the same time, demographically authentic to where you come from.

[Theo Von]

God, if I ate, I could have probably one egg out of that and probably make me something good.

[Mike Rowe]

You get a big. You get an ostrich egg. You ever see an ostrich egg?

[Theo Von]

Nah. I'm no pervert, brother, but I'll eat a nice egg out of that and go get out in the world. Find me a job. Find me a wife. Made from 100% recycled American iron. Look at that. Look at them working on it right there. Building a handle at doing all the work so you don't have to. All you gotta do is cook you up something. Make your daddy something. Your daddy won't talk to you. Make him something. Grandma looking for a new hobby? Hey, grandma. Or do you have a creepy uncle who needs a woodsy cabin activity, huh? Who is it? Or maybe just a fun tradition for you and the kiddos. Heart puzzles are gorgeous. American made gifts right out of Central Indiana.

[Mike Rowe]

Puzzles will keep you sharp. Yeah, I do love the puzzles. I can't get enough of them.

[Theo Von]

Oh, I love them, dude. I sit there. I sit there with my stepdad. He likes to make puzzles. He made a bunch and put them on the walls at home.

[Mike Rowe]

He framed them? Yeah, he framed them like a jigsaw puzzle. And then you frame it. You put it up.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, why not? But he loves doing it. It's fun to sit there together, you know? He's like, hey, can you help me find the pieces? I can't find him. He's lying. He's just trying to spend time with me. But it's nice. It's beautiful. Shout out, Rhett. I enjoy doing that with you. If you want to get somebody a puzzle, why just pick one up off the shelf from some company you don't even know? Get one that's made by one of your fellow American. These are great little ornaments and gifts. Mike, right here. Prodigal Pottery.

[Mike Rowe]

There's a ministry out of central Alabama called King's Home, who is doing the Lord's good work by serving women and children fleeing Domestic violence, homelessness, and trafficking. That's heavy. But it's happening through custom made mugs, bowls, and Christmas ornaments. With their self made business, Prodigal Pottery, these amazing women are turning ceramics into salvation. God bless us all, but especially these women at King's Home. Oh, come all ye faithful. Theo. Wow, that's a great way to support everybody.

[Theo Von]

Well, they make things like this beautiful sheep right here. Look at this sheep, Mike.

[Mike Rowe]

That's a good looking lamb.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, I meant lamb.

[Mike Rowe]

Well, I mean, I'm just thinking, you know, the lamb of God.

[Theo Von]

Oh, yeah. Is a lamb a sheep?

[Mike Rowe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Theo Von]

They make Christmas ornaments, mugs, candles, soap, dishes and bowls. One thing that I think is pretty special is last night Jenna, who is the current director, drove three hours up here to bring us ornaments from them. And we have a video right now that she sent.

[Jenna]

Prodigal Pottery is very personal for me as it gave me my life back. But this isn't just about me. It's about the hundreds of women who have walked through the door, hopeless, beaten, and not sure if they were going to live to see another day. And I get the privilege to watch women find hope and the lights come back on in their eyes and watch them regain their lives back. I get to watch women get their children back to buy their first cars, to buy their first houses. Things that we think we were never going to achieve. And only through the dignified work and the safety of Prodigal Pottery were these women able to just heal.

[Theo Von]

Well, thank you, Jenna. Thanks so much for bringing them. I'm glad that we could talk about them and. Yeah, this is great. You can go in here, buy, buy one item and tell the story when you give it away to somebody. Yeah. Thanks, Mike, so much for, for, for helping out and just for inspiring. I think this whole energy, just like in reminding us about America, that it's a thing. We, we interviewed Ken Burns recently and he does a lot of the documentaries and he talked about the American Revolution. And he's like, it's not that America got started and it's just gonna be that way forever. It's like, you have to keep America, America. It's this malleable thing that's constantly evolving that can, it can come or go, you know, but the only thing that keeps it going is, is. Is us.

[Mike Rowe]

If we really want to celebrate the people who are making stuff here, whether it's an ornament or an ax, we got to support them.

[Theo Von]

Yeah, stuff like this is important to me. You know, I think some people think that, you know, America this or America that. But in the end, America is just us. It's us. And it's how we like operate and how we choose to operate. And if we can choose to buy something from our neighbor, then we win. Did I learn so many stories of so many different groups today? It was great. I mean, the guys chopping down trees that are bad and turning them into wood that we can use for products. You know, knowing that Nikona Gloves sent their gloves over to people in World War II so that those guys could have a respite from the nightmare. To throw a baseball back and forth.

[Mike Rowe]

For a minute, do something that feels like home.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Mike Rowe]

When they're on the other side of.

[Theo Von]

The world, there's a family that's challenging. Like, you know, sure, you could buy fruit from some of these companies that have been doing it for hundreds of years and stuff, but you could also get it from a company that's been doing it for 15 or 20 years that, that has five people working at it that can ship them out. You know, it's like there's just different options out there and sometimes some of those options don't get as much advertising or don't get the word out there. So. Yeah. And if you see something that you guys like, just let us know in the comments. And if we couldn't feature one of your products and we'd spoken to you, we're really sorry about that. Some of it just became time. Like we thought this would take a few hours and we've been here for probably 12 hours, which is. It's okay, you know, it's just. But it is a, it's a long day. And so we tried our best. And I know that you tried your best too.

[Mike Rowe]

Everybody we introduced you to, though has a, has a spirit that we admire. That's Christmas.

[Theo Von]

Yeah.

[Kate Thornton]

Oh, oh, oh.

[Theo Von]

Happy holidays, Mike.

[Mike Rowe]

Happy holidays, Theo.

[Theo Von]

Now I'm just floating on the breeze and I feel I'm falling like these leaves I must be cornerstone stone oh but when I reach that ground I'll share this peace of mind I found I can feel it in my bones.

[Drew Davis]

But it's going to take.

[Theo Von]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday. Because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day. Yeah. Give it a [e-mail] switch.

[Mike Rowe]

Upfront payment of 45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speed slow 135 gigabytes of networks busy.

[Kate Thornton]

Taxes and fees extra see mint mobile.com.