JRE #476 – Honey Honey

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features Honey Honey, a band consisting of Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe. The conversation explores their experiences in Nashville and Los Angeles, their creative process, and their thoughts on various topics, ranging from the entertainment industry to societal trends.

Here are some major topics discussed in this podcast, along with a 4-point summary of each:

Nashville vs. Los Angeles: A Tale of Two Cities

1. Nashville’s Charm: They initially found Nashville welcoming and open, but the charm began to wear off after a while, leaving them feeling a bit stir crazy.
2. LA’s Vibrant Energy: Returning to Los Angeles, they felt an intense energy, a sense of excitement and vibrancy that was missing in Nashville.
3. The “Freaky People” Factor: They acknowledge the interesting mix of bible belt conservatism and a growing counterculture in Nashville, where “freaky people” are becoming more prominent.
4. The Impact of Diversity: The lack of diversity in Nashville contributed to a sense of being more self-aware and reserved, compared to the diverse and dynamic environment of Los Angeles.

The Evolution of Storytelling: From Grim Fairy Tales to Modern Cartoons

1. The Toothless Wolf: They discuss the trend of sanitizing classic fairy tales, removing the violence and scariness to make them more palatable for modern children.
2. A Shift in Violence: They debate the potential link between media violence and real-world violence, acknowledging that while cartoons are less violent now, the availability of disturbing content online remains a concern.
3. The Power of Animation: They appreciate the incredible advancements in animation, comparing modern films like “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” and “The LEGO Movie” to the outdated look of Scooby-Doo.
4. The Importance of Dark Themes: They acknowledge the value of incorporating darker themes in children’s media, providing a gradual introduction to the complexities of life and accepting the inevitability of loss.

The Changing Dynamics of Sex and Power

1. The Neutering of the American Male: They discuss the portrayal of emasculated male superheroes in modern movies, contrasting them with the confident and sexually liberated James Bond.
2. The Rise of Female Empowerment: They explore the growing presence of female-driven pornographic content, reflecting a shift in power dynamics and challenging traditional male fantasies.
3. The Stigma of Porn: They touch upon the stigma associated with women watching porn, acknowledging the double standard and the underlying societal pressures that discourage women from openly discussing their sexuality.
4. The Power of Literature: They highlight the prevalence of sexually explicit content in literature, arguing that while movies are heavily censored, books offer greater freedom to explore sexuality and eroticism.

The Importance of Following Your Passion

1. The Passion vs. Hobby Debate: They criticize an article that discourages people from following their passions, arguing that pursuing what you love is essential for a fulfilling life, regardless of financial success.
2. The Power of Dedication: They emphasize that finding a passion and dedicating yourself to it can lead to unexpected opportunities and a sense of fulfillment, even if it doesn’t result in wealth.
3. The Uniqueness of Passion: They point out the absurdity of judging someone’s passion, arguing that even seemingly mundane pursuits like collecting Fabergé eggs can be valuable and meaningful.
4. The Connection Between Passion and Success: They highlight the role of passion in shaping societal advancements, emphasizing that countless achievements, from buildings to airplanes, were driven by individuals who followed their passions.

The Alchemy of Creativity: The Power of Collaboration and Connection

1. The Benefits of Collaboration: They discuss the importance of a healthy and supportive relationship in their band, acknowledging that while disagreements arise, their bond helps them navigate challenges and enhance their creativity.
2. The Value of Genuine Connection: They highlight the unique and pure bond they share as bandmates and collaborators, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and the impact it has on their creative process and their interactions with others.
3. The Impact of Conflict: They acknowledge that conflict can be a valuable tool for growth and understanding, arguing that engaging with conflict constructively can lead to greater understanding and stronger relationships.
4. The Power of Vulnerability: They emphasize the importance of being vulnerable, listening actively, and embracing humility in navigating conflict, allowing for deeper connection and stronger bonds.

The Evolving Landscape of Music and Entertainment

1. The Digital Age of Music: They discuss the challenges of the music industry in the digital age, recognizing the shift away from traditional record sales and the growing importance of live performances and online platforms.
2. The Power of Live Performance: They emphasize the importance of connecting with audiences through live performances, highlighting the unique energy and connection that can be achieved in intimate settings.
3. The Allure of Reality Shows: They critique the toxicity of reality shows and competition-based programs, arguing that they often foster a superficial and materialistic mentality that can be detrimental to individuals.
4. The Importance of Genuine Expression: They express their disdain for manufactured music and the pressures to conform to industry expectations, highlighting their commitment to creating authentic and meaningful music that reflects their true selves.

Exploring the Boundaries of Reality and Perception

1. The Power of Psychedelics: They discuss the potential benefits of psychedelics for fostering a sense of love and connection, acknowledging the role of MDMA in facilitating emotional release and heightened empathy.
2. The Collective Joy of Dancing: They explore the power of dancing as a form of collective expression, evoking a sense of unity and shared energy, similar to tribal rituals and dance ceremonies.
3. The Enigmatic Nature of Reality: They grapple with the concept of infinity, questioning the uniqueness of our individual experiences and acknowledging the potential for an infinite number of parallel realities.
4. The Transcendence of Art: They highlight the transformative power of artistic experiences, referencing the impact of a performance by You Too on Jimmy Fallon’s show, emphasizing the universality of these moments and their ability to transcend time and space.

The Intersection of Technology and Human Connection

1. The Promise of Oculus Rift: They discuss the potential of Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset, to revolutionize the way we experience the world, providing immersive and interactive experiences.
2. The Ethics of Tech Giants: They express hope that companies like Facebook and Google will use their vast resources ethically, focusing on enhancing human connection and well-being.
3. The Challenges of Virtual Reality: They acknowledge the potential for virtual reality to induce nausea and discomfort, emphasizing the need for further development and refinement to ensure a positive and accessible experience.
4. The Blurred Lines of Reality: They contemplate the impact of technology on our perception of reality, wondering how virtual reality will influence our understanding of the world and our interactions with each other.

Memorable Quotes from the Podcast

• “Nashville’s great. It’s just, like, really chill. Sometimes. Sometimes.” – Suzanne Santo
• “I’m always about making choices. It’s just a choice. It’s it’s just when you deal with a lot of people, it’s very difficult to have a creative vision that goes through.” – Ben Jaffe
• “I think that it lowers your vibration. You know what I mean? Like and and when you’re you’re doing what you’re doing, which is being I I think you’re brilliant. I’m not trying to be weird. But you’re you have this incredible mind and you share it with people, and and lots of different people, and you have these situations, it’s really great to listen to, and you’re right. People learn from it.” – Suzanne Santo
• “If you love making guitars, okay? And you just love guitars, you love making guitars, and you say, God, I would love to make guitars for a living. Someone fucking does that. Okay? There’s a guy out there and he gets up every morning and he makes fucking guitars. And if that’s what he loves to do, that guy loves life.” – Joe Rogan
• “You know? I mean, you you you gotta just you gotta come back up. Okay. And, Andrew Deep respect for Ju Carrie. Oh, man. I met Drew Carey. I met him at I met him at swingers, the diner. Oh, okay. Yeah. He’s there right now every day almost. And great guy. And I walked up to my house. And, you know, I don’t normally do this kind of thing, but I’m a hometown hero lover, you know, and I was like, true. My name is Suzanne. I’m I’m from Parma, Ohio, which is what the show — — talked about this on the podcast. Yeah. Do we and he was so fucking nice. And he actually tweeted at us. Like, I I threw a tweet at him, and he was super cool. Really nice guy. He’s a sweetheart. He’s a genuine nice guy.” – Suzanne Santo