A stand-up comedian and color commentator with the UFC, Joe Rogan hosts the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast. Rogan has hosted more than 1,500 episodes of the podcast since it began in December 2009. Speaking to its success, he recently signed a $100 million contract with Spotify so that the streaming giant would have exclusive distribution rights to episodes.
Curious by nature, Rogan has welcomed a wide range of guests on the JRE podcast to discuss topics such as mindfulness, psychedelics, ancient Egypt, and the concept of infinity. He also takes a look at the careers of many of his guests in episodes that typically last at least three hours. The following are some of the most memorable episodes of the podcast:
Elon Musk (Episode №1169)
The CEO of Tesla and the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk appeared for the first time as a guest on the JRE podcast in September 2018. In addition to talking about his various business ventures, the acclaimed tech entrepreneur discussed subjects that included his drive to succeed in business and issues associated with developing AI too quickly. He returned to JRE in May 2020 and offered insights into why he named his child X Æ A-12.
Matthew Walker (Episode №1109)
The author of the New York Times bestseller Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, Matthew Walker was a guest on the JRE podcast in 2018. During an in-depth conversation with Rogan, the director of the UC Berkeley Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab, dove into several of the topics discussed in the book including how drugs affect sleep and why some people oversleep. The book, which was published Simon & Schuster, Inc., in 2017, also explores the following questions: What occurs during REM sleep? Why do sleep patterns change over time? And how can sleep improve your mood and energy levels?
Mike Tyson (Episode №1227)
Mike Tyson, a former world champion boxer whose life will be profiled in an upcoming Netflix documentary, has led a colorful life. Raised by a single mother, he became the youngest heavyweight champion at only 20 years old in 1986. Classified as having a learning disability, he managed to quickly raise his reading level. Despite these obstacles, he is now a best-selling author and podcast host who has appeared in several films and owns a successful cannabis business. He discusses his boxing career, as well as his experience in owning three pet tigers, during his appearance on the JRE podcast. The episode has more than 15 million views on YouTube.
Edward Snowden (Episode №1368)
More than 18 million people have watched the JRE podcast episode #1368 featuring Edward Snowden, who is best known as a former CIA employee who disclosed classified National Security Agency (NSA) information in 2013. He appeared on the podcast to discuss his book, Permanent Record, which details his life, as well as the evolution and changing roles of technology and government since 9/11.
“I worked for the NSA as a contractor … [and] staff officer at the CIA. I was under cover working at embassies,” he said early in the interview. “But I saw something wrong, and I saw basically the government was violating the law and what I believe to be the Constitution of the United States and, more broadly, human rights for everyone in the United States and around the world.”
Neil DeGrasse Tyson (Episode №1159)
A frequent guest on JRE, Neil DeGrasse Tyson was particularly candid and open on episode #919. The American astrophysicist and author touches on a wide range of topics involving space and the universe and has a particularly memorable conversation with Rogan about the concept of infinity. The episode, which was released in August 2018, has more than 14 million views on YouTube.
Lance Armstrong (Episode №737)
Rogan’s skills as an interviewer are on display in episode #737 as he gets cycling professional Lance Armstrong to speak candidly about his career as a former professional road racing cyclist. Armstrong is the only rider in history to win seven Tour de France titles and did so after recovering from testicular cancer. Moreover, he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is now known as Livestrong, in order to support programs designed to help people battling cancer. In the episode, Armstrong discusses how he faced various obstacles with determination and courage. Rogan highlighted Armstrong’s story as one of strength and triumph during the nearly two-hour conversation.
