JRE #1522 – Rob Lowe

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features actor, producer, and director Rob Lowe. The conversation ranges from the pandemic and the future of Hollywood to personal experiences with fame, addiction, and the nature of reality. Lowe also shares his perspective on the entertainment industry, the importance of personal growth, and his own unique journey through life.

Here are some of the major topics discussed in the podcast:

The Pandemic and Its Impact on the Entertainment Industry:

• The Challenges of Filming During COVID-19: Lowe discusses the rigorous safety protocols and testing procedures implemented for filming his show “9-1-1: Lone Star.” He highlights the challenges of maintaining a large-scale production with social distancing and segregation.
• The Rise of Streaming Services: Lowe explores how the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards streaming content. He shares his insights on the potential impact of this change on traditional television and the future of the entertainment industry.
• The Impact on Celebrities: Lowe touches on the unique challenges faced by celebrities during the pandemic. He discusses the heightened focus on their behavior and the limitations imposed on their social lives.
• Adapt or Perish: The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability and flexibility in a rapidly changing world. Lowe and Rogan agree that those who can adapt to new conditions will thrive.

Fame, Addiction, and Personal Growth:

• The Double-Edged Sword of Fame: Lowe reflects on the advantages and disadvantages of achieving early fame. He acknowledges the allure of success but also highlights the challenges of navigating the public eye and maintaining privacy.
• Overcoming Addiction: Lowe discusses his journey of overcoming alcoholism. He shares the importance of discipline, recognizing his own limitations, and the impact of therapy in his recovery. He argues that addiction is not limited to substances but can also manifest in unhealthy behaviors and relationships.
• The Importance of Personal Responsibility: Lowe advocates for taking personal responsibility for one’s actions, especially in relation to addiction. He believes in the power of self-awareness, honesty, and seeking help when needed.
• Finding Your “Special Sauce”: Lowe emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s unique strengths and weaknesses. He encourages listeners to explore their passions and identify what sets them apart in the pursuit of fulfillment.

The Nature of Reality and Our Place in the Universe:

• The Power of Nature: Lowe shares a personal story of experiencing a devastating mudslide in Santa Barbara. He reflects on the unpredictable nature of the world and the humbling power of natural forces. He suggests that we often underestimate the potential for catastrophic events, even on a local level.
• Supervolcanoes and Asteroid Impacts: Lowe and Rogan explore the possibility of large-scale natural disasters like supervolcanoes and asteroid impacts. They discuss the potential for these events to drastically alter the planet and the human race. Lowe admits to being fascinated by these scenarios, but also acknowledging the potential for devastation.
• Ancient Civilizations and Lost Knowledge: The conversation delves into the possibility of advanced civilizations existing in the past and the potential for their knowledge to be lost or hidden. They discuss theories about asteroid impacts and their potential role in shaping history, referencing the work of Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson.
• The Importance of Humility: The exploration of vastness of the universe and the potential for ancient civilizations emphasizes the importance of humility. Lowe and Rogan suggest that our knowledge is limited, and there’s much more to learn and understand about the world.

The World of Entertainment and the Search for Meaning:

• The Power of Comedy: Lowe discusses the role of humor in coping with the anxieties of life and the world. He emphasizes that many comedians are “completely fucked up” individuals who find release and connection through humor. He argues that the ability to find humor in the face of hardship is crucial for navigating a challenging world.
• The Evolution of Entertainment: Lowe traces the changes in the entertainment industry from the early days of television to the rise of streaming services. He acknowledges the impact of social media and the shift in how audiences consume content. He also reflects on the evolving relationship between celebrities and their fans, including the challenges of privacy and the constant scrutiny.
• The Importance of Authenticity: Lowe encourages aspiring entertainers to embrace authenticity and genuine expression. He believes that being true to oneself is essential for finding success and creating meaningful work. He also cautions against the pitfalls of seeking validation through external sources, like social media, and the dangers of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
• Finding Your Tribe: Lowe emphasizes the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals and finding communities that support and inspire one another. He believes in the power of shared experiences and the value of finding mentors and role models who can guide and challenge you.

The Role of Psychedelics in Exploration and Consciousness:

• DMT and Altered States of Consciousness: Lowe discusses his experiences with DMT, exploring its potential to unlock altered states of consciousness and offer glimpses into other realms. He describes these experiences as vivid, powerful, and often difficult to articulate to others. He suggests that DMT may be a way to access a deeper level of reality, beyond our typical understanding.
• Meditation and Lucid Dreaming: Lowe shares his experiences with meditation and its impact on his lucid dreaming. He describes a particularly vivid dream where he felt a profound sense of connection to a higher realm. He believes that meditation can be a tool for accessing altered states of consciousness and expanding our awareness.
• The Search for Meaning: Lowe’s exploration of psychedelics and meditation reflects a broader search for meaning and understanding in the universe. He acknowledges the limitations of our typical understanding and seeks to explore alternative pathways to knowledge and enlightenment.
• The Importance of Connection: Lowe’s experiences highlight the importance of connecting with nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings. He believes that our modern world often alienates us from these essential connections and emphasizes the need to reconnect with the natural world and our own inner selves.

Other Notables:

• Yacht Rock: Lowe discusses his love for “yacht rock,” a musical genre that emerged in the 1970s and became popular in the 2000s. He names some of his favorite artists in the genre, including Michael McDonald, Toto, and Steely Dan.
• The Importance of Boredom: Lowe expresses concern about the modern lack of boredom, suggesting that it is essential for creativity and imagination. He believes that being comfortable with downtime and allowing our minds to wander can lead to new insights and perspectives.
• The Power of Villains: Lowe discusses the importance of villains in entertainment. He argues that having people to root against adds depth and complexity to stories and can help us better understand the world.
• The Evolution of Language: Lowe reflects on the changing nature of language, particularly in the age of social media and text messaging. He acknowledges that while language evolves, he believes that there is still value in traditional forms of expression, such as literature and writing.
• The Importance of Being Present: Lowe emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. He encourages listeners to find joy in everyday experiences and appreciate the beauty of the world around them.

Here are 5 memorable quotes from the podcast:

• “We’re vulnerable, period. Right? I mean, I’m 52. How old are you? 56. You’ll look great. Thank you. You too, sir. Well, you too. But we’re almost dead. Let’s be honest. Let’s let’s let’s time we got left. If everything goes great… No. No. We’re gonna live forever. We’re gonna we’re gonna have that pill that they’re gonna it’s gonna be announced next week.”
• “I think I think like normal people… Like, I don’t see a lot of normal people drawn… But why would any normal person wanna be in entertainment? Right. Right. Why would they? Right. So I think just by default damaged people or people with more more more articulately people with a hole to fill… are drawn to entertainment to fill the hole.”
• “The audience expects 2 things of you. They expect you to make them feel at home… At the same time, you’re surprising them.” – Bruce Springsteen’s advice on connecting with an audience.
• “I’ve been into my my new thing is evolving Simon and Garfunkel. Oh, wow. Yeah. Those harmonies and stuff in in but I’m a huge yacht rock guy before you before yacht rock was a thing.”
• “I think that there’s something about sharing my experience and and and then bringing other people into it that people have responded to in in now 3 different mediums.”